EARLY HISTOBY OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, INCM'DIN(; OKKilNAL I'ArKKS AM) OTHKR JIATTKK KH.ATING TO THE APJACKNT COUNTRY. WITH BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF THE PIOKKEUS AND SURVEYORS BY COL. OriA'« WHITTLESEY CLEVELAND, O 1867. COPY EIGHT SECURED ACCOEDING TO LAW. FAIRBANKS, BENEDICT & CO., PKINTEB9, HERALD OFFICE CLEVELAND. PREFACE. The materials for this work have been accumulating many years, but were far from complete, when Judge Barr turned over to me, his historical collections without reservation. He has been engaged with much assiduity more than a quarter of a century, in reclaiming the personal history of the pioneers ; a labor which I trust their descend- ants will appreciate. The extent of the obligations I am under to him will appear frequently in this volume. I am also indebted to a number of other gentlemen, particularly to General L. V. Bierce and the Hon. F. Wadsworth, of Akron, to Messrs. H. A. Smith, Prof. J. P. Kirtland, Jacob Perkins, Samuel Williamson, and the late James S. Clarke, Mrs. Ashbel W.Walworth, and Mrs. Dr. Long, all of Cleveland. The heirs of General Moses Cleaveland, and John Milton Holley, of Connecticut ; the surviv- ing sons of Governor Huntington, of Painesville, and Judge With- erell, of Detroit, have done me essential service. Many documents relating to later periods, and to other parts of the Reserve have been procured ; which will at some future period be required for historical purposes. I am more ambitious to preserve history, than to write it, and have therefore freely transcribed from papers, letters, verbal statements, and casual publications, relating to the early times. The originals are certainly more authentic, and more entertaining, than a reproduction would be, in the language of another. This plan necessarily involvps some repetition, and defies strict chro- nological arrangement, but possesses more life, freshness and variet}'. My prospectus included only the " Early History of Cleveland," but with a mental reservation, had the subscription warranted me in the undertaking, to enlarge the work, and include what relates to the more recent progress of the city. This I have not been enabled to do. What IV PREFACE. concerns commercial miittertJ, in later times; to railways, local improve- ments, institutions, general improvements, and general statistics, could not have been inserted, and do justice to those heroic pioneers, who laid the Ibuudatiou of our prosperity. What refers to banks, churches, newspapers, trade, benevolent societies, manufactories, and the city authorities, is on record, and therefore not in danger of being lost. In 1810, the county -svas organized, since when all judicial matters are to be found in the recorded proceedings of the various courts. The "Village of Cleaveland," was incorporated in 1814, and its munici- pal record is in existence. A weekly newspaper called the Cleaveland Gazette and Commercial Advertiser, was issued in August, 1818. Since that time there are unbroken files, of weekly or daily papers for refer- ence. But for the more remote periods, it has been more dillicultto obtain reliable inforaiation. Works relating to the early French and English occupation on lake Erie, and especially the southern shore, are rai'e, and in respect to this region, their contents are very meagre. The papers of the Connecticut Land Company and their surveyors, have been only partially transferred to Ohio. Perhaps many of them are no longer to be found in Connecticut, and such as exist are so much scattered as to be in practice inaccessible. The personal history of the first settlers and surveyors, has been partially procured. My principal object has been to secure from obliv- ion, what relates to them. Since they are no longer with us, to speak of themselves ; what they accomplished, and what they suflered, was to be sought for in traditions, private letters, and transient publica- tions. In carrying out this design, it was necessary to insert much that occurred outside of the city limits, in other parts of the Reserve. The history of the city and country, previous to the war of 1812 is so intimately connected, that it should ))c written as one. C. W Cleveland, .Tanuary, 18()T. C O N T E K T S PRE-ADAMITE HISTORY.— Geological Foundation— Quaternary, or Drift, Pa^e 9. Buried. Trees, Branches and Leives — Lost Kocks, 10. Chemical "Composition — Fresh Water Shells, 11. Hard Pan— Thickness— Encroachments of the Lake, 13. Ancient Water Levels — Ancient Shore- (t>uicksands, 13. Illustrations, Map and Profile — Ex- planatory Notes, 14-15. lyand Slii)s — Stratification of the l)rift, 10. Itote of En- croachment, from lT9f> to 1842, 17. Remains of the Elephant— Valley of the Cuyahoga, 18. Buried Timber— Fossils of the Drift— The Horse, Beaver, &c"., 1'.). Alpine and Greenland Glaciers, 20-21. Ice Action on Lake Michigan and Lake Eric, 22. Ice Action at Tallmadge. Euclid, Austintown — Dayton, 23. Ice Action, Fac Simile, She- boygan, Wisconsin, 21. Ice Action, Lake Superior — Cause of Glacier Motion, 25. PRE-HISTORIC INHABITANTS.— Ancient Earth Works and Fortifications, 29-30. Ancient Copper Tools in the Ohio Mounds, 31. Ancient Copper Mines, Implements and Weapons. 32-34. Ancient Forts, Newburg and Northfield- -Plans, 34-39. Ancient Forts, Medina County, Ohio, at Weymouth and Granger, 40-41. Ancient Fort near Painesville, 42. Fortiticd Hill near Conneiut — Plan, 43. Resemblance to the Moque Towns in New Mexico, 45. WHITE MEN NOT RECOGNIZED IN HISTORY.— Ancient Ax Marks, Canfield, Newburg, Willougliby, Berlin, 47-51. RACE OF RED MEN.— Algonquius and Iroquois as first seen by the French, .53-55. The Eries and the Andantes, 50. The French on Lake Erie, 57-58. Destruction of the Eries, Narrative of Black Snake, .59. They Challenge the Iroquois — The Iroquois Champions, OO-OL The Contest — Iiqquoia Victorious, 62-63. Revenge of the Eries, and their betrayal, fi4-()5. They are inet by the Iroquois and defeated. 66-67. Total route and destruction of the Eries, 68-69. Sketch of Black Snake— English pledges to the Indians, 70-71 CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF EVENTS,— From 1535 to 1786, 73-76. EARLY MAPS OF THE LAKE COITNTRY.— Champlain's Maps, 1634— Copy of a Portion, 77-80. Lewis Evans Map, 1755— Copy of a Portion, 81-81. Location of th(^ Indian fribes — Huskc's and Hntchins' Maps, 85-87. KXPEDIl IONS OF ROGERS, WILKIXS AND BRADSTREET.— ^lajor Rogers, 1760 — Meeting with Pontiac, 89-91. Geographical Uncertainties — Confusion as to Rivers — Historical Error as to the Place of Meeting — Rogers" Journal- Parkman— Sir Wm. Johnson, 91-94. French Fort at Sandusky— MajorVVilkins, 1763, 95. DISASTERS OF WILKINS AND BRADSTREET, BY DR. J. P KIRTLAND.— Lo- cation of the Shipwreck — Wilkins Expedition, 97-99. He reaches lake Erie — Major MoncriefTe- Historical Notices — Point aux Pins, 100-101. Relics of a Wreck at Rocky River — Manner of its Occurrence— Remains of an old camj} at Rocky River, 102-104. Bradstreets Expedition and Shipwreck, 1764 — Parkmans Account, 10.5-106. Their Return — Censure of Bradstrcet— Sir Wm. Johnson — How the Boats were Lost — McMahons Beach, 107-109. Remains of Accoutrements and Boats, Gun Flints — Major Israel Putnam — Their track Homeward — Bradstreet's Death, 110-113. Relics at McMahons Run and Rocky River described — Bayonets, Knives, Bullets, Cannon H:ills, iMuskets, Tomahawks, Coin, Sur2;ical Knife," Spoons, and Skeletons, 114- 120 Burial of their dead, Tnnmltis Containing their Bones — An Indian among them « 'onflicting views as to the locality of Wilkins Disaster — Point aux Pins on the North Shore — Major Moncriefl'e"s Statement— Onotations from the New Port JMercnry, 1763, 12.5-126. Lieutenant (lorrcHV Journal. 1763 — The Rocky River I?elics, probably Brad- streets. Vi CONTENTS. FIRST WHITES IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY.— Jamca Smith, Mary Campbell, Joseph Du Shattars Trading House in Brooklyn— Baptiste Fleming, Joseph Biirrall, 131-132, MORAVIANS IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, 1780-7.— They leave Detroit in ITSfi-Arrive at Huron— Reach the Cuyahoga— Schooners Beaver and Mackinaw— Seat themselves at Tinker^^ Creek, or I'ilirt'rruli— Zeisberuerand Ileckcweklcr, I:i5-13~. TheDelawares persecute I hem— Tliev aliaiuloii ]'ili;crruh, l:iS-l;3ll. The Massacre on the Muskin- muu, lTS-.>— Their Jou'rney to Pet(iuottinL;— Driven from thence to Canada, 140-141. Their return to the Musluugum, 17'.I8— Missionaries iu Ohio, 1761 to 1803, 14-i-144. t)RIGIN OFTITLE.— Early Claims of European Nations— Title hy Possessi(m— French and Kn^lish, 145-147. Claimsof the Plyniouth and London Companies, I4S. Conflict of the Colonial claims, 14!t Earl Warwicks deed— Patent of Conm'cticut, 150-151. Cessions In' the Indians— Title hy Conquest, 1.5-2-153. Old Colonial Difficulties revi- ved— ConllietinLr Claims, 154-155. The Soldier Pioneers— Early Laud Speculations— Various Routes to the West, 150-157. Conflict of Jurisdiction— Salt Spring Tract— Relinquishment by Connecticut, 158. Attempts to sell in 1780— Propositions for sale, 1787— Sale to Parsons, 15i). (General S. II. Parsons— People on the Reserve resist Taxation, KiO-lOl . Mode and Terms of Sale, 1795— List of Purchasers, 102-164. THE CONNECTICUT LaND COMPANY.— Deeds, Bonds and Mortgages— Trustees of the Company—The Excess Company, 105-10(i. Political Rights of the Company- Articles of Association, 107. The First Directors- Plan of Survey, 108. Names of the Agents and Surveyors— Mode of Partition, lOSI. Six Reserved Townships— Dralts, SURVEYS OF 17'.I0.— Journal of John Milton Ilollev, 171. From Connecticut to Can- andaigua, 17«;. (Jeneral Cleavelanil at Canandaigun, 173. Oswego, Little Sodus, Ger- undigut, or Ironduquoit, 171. XiaLr;ini Falls, Chippewa, Biillalo Creek, 175. Capt. Brant, RedJacket, Farmers Brother-Tliev hold aCouncil, 170-177. Bull'alo toPresque Isio — lounial ofSetli IV;isc, 178. I.atiliid'e ol Butlalo Crei'k— Cattaraugus, 17'.t. Cat- taraugus lo Conneaitt—l''(Mirth of .Inly, 1 7i 10, 180. Journal of Moses <'leaveland— The Celebration, 181-18-.'. Holds a Treaty with Paqua— Mutual Speeches and Compli- ments; I' 5. Conneaut Creek in 17!I0, by Amzi Atwater— Plan— Camp of the Survey- ors— Boats and Store House, 184-185. Instructions of the Directors to Cleaveland, 187-188. List of the Agents, Surveyors, and Men, July, 17!)l), 18ii. MODE OF EXECUTING THE SURVEYS.— Township Lines-Uolleys Journal, 191- 19'i. Porter, Ilolley, Pease, Warri'u and Spall'ord— They go down the Pennsyl- vania Line, 1'.I3-1'.)1." Their severe Experience— t'haraeter of the Country, 195-190. The Parties I'uited— They cross the Shi'iKUigo River, 1!»7. Recross the ShenanM- They are Wet and Ihiconifortible, 1118 -ii)!i. Reach the Mahoning and find Settlers near the line, 200-201. Establish the Soulh-Easf eoriu-r of the Reserve- Commence Running the first four Meridians. '2[)-i. .New Powers given to the Agent— Committee on Partition, 203. Induieinents to Settlers— TIk- Lake Shore Survey— Mode of Equal- ization and Partition, -,'l>l--,!l)."i. Their Mxpeiienceon the Meridians— Arrive at the Lake, 20li--207. General Cleavi'land and -loshua Stow— They start for t'leveland in Boats- Enter the Cuyahoga, 2t)8--20'.». Their first Cabin— An old Trading House— Job P. Stiles and his Wife, 210-211. Pour Parallels Commenced — Survey of the Lake Shore Continued Westward — Misfortunes at the Chagrin River, 212--)13. HOLLEYS JOITRNAL ON 'I'HE PARALLELS.— From the Pennsylvania Line West- ward — Mistakes the Chagrin for the Cuyahoga River, 215-210. Surveys on Township Lines — HoUey reaches Cuyahoga, 217. \arialion of the Compass — Out of Provisions —Start for Conneaut—MtH't the l>oats with Stons, '.'-Jii. Return to Cleveland— Pur- suit of a Bear — Allotment of Cleveland Township, 221. Surveys in Mentor — Chagrin River to Cuyahoga, 22-i. Capt. Perry— Cleveland 100 Acre Lots Finished— Close of Season, 2-i'!, Amzi Atwater — Biographical Notice By L. V. Bicrce of Akron, 2-2.5-297. Atwaters Diiiry and Statement Relating to the Surveys, 2-38-229. Difficulty with the Eniploves— t)rrin Harmons Statement — .Vrrangement made at Cleveland, Sept. 30th, 17'.H1, •-'.•!i)-'J31. Settlenu-nt Dues in Euclid- Proceedings of the Employes, •2;i2-23:j. Augustus Porter's Plan of Disposing of the City Lots, 23-1. FALL OF 179C. AND WINTER FOLLOWlN(;,-Unfinished Work, 235. Causes of the the Delay— Dissatisfaction of the Men, -230. Allotment of Cleveland— Sales of Lots, 237. Original Plan of the City— Fac Simile of Same, -2;!8-239. Orii_'inal Streets— First Purchasers of Lots, '240. Pease's Field Notes and Miips— Original nanie of the City- Pease's Hotel, 241. Disappearance of Oiiirinal Field Notes and Maps— Departure of the Surveyors, Oct. 18, 17'.M^—Holleys Journal, -J42. Journey down the Lake— Settle- ment by the Canandaigua Company— (Jrand River, 143-144, Burning Spring in the Lake— Phey reach (.'(mneaut, 215. Arrive at Erie— Buffalo Creek— NiagaraT 24(^-247. Voya'^e down Lake Ontario -Genesee River— (ierundiuut-Camuidaigua, 248. John CONTENTS. vii Milton Holley, 249. Moses Cleaveland, By F. Wadsworth, 250-251. Job P. Stiles Hiid Wife, Edward Paine, 252. The Settlement in Willoiighby— Pease's Journal, 253. Pease Reaches Home— Meeting of the Directors, 2.53. Dissatisfaction of the Stock- holders — The Excess Company — Porter's Computation, 255. CiUANTITY OF LAND IN THE PURCHASE.— Porter's Report— Collapse of the Ex- cess Compan)% 257. Computations of Leonard Case and Simon Perkins, 258. Cor- rected results— Quantity of Arable Land, 25!». Want of a Civil Government, 260. Barr'sMS.,— Events at Conneaut—Ogontz and Seneca, 261. James Kini,'sbury and Family at Conneaut, 21)2. Their suft'eriuirs — Winter of 1796-7 — Kinfisburvs al)si'nce Mrs. G«n, 253. Distressini; Death of aii Infant Child— Its Burial, 164-2fi'5. A Lucky Shot— Return of the Surveyors, 1797, 2(i(;. Kingsbury moves to Cleveland— The Old Tradins House— Settlers on the Ridge, 267. Obituary Notice of Kinjrsbury, Dec. 15. 1847, 268-273. SURVEYING PARTY OF 1797.— List of the Party— Seth Pease Principal Surveyor, 275 -276. His Journal — Journey through New York, 277. Fort Stanwix — Oswego Falls — Canandaigua, 278. The Land Party to Buttalo— Water Party to Niagara, 280-281. Drowning and Burial of David Eldridge— Other Boats Arrive, 282. Parties Preparing for the Woods— List of Supplies, 283. Orders to the Surveying Parties— Pease move's up the Cuyahoga, 284-28.5. Pack Horse Lost— Aliignetii- Variation— At the Peninsula, 286. Arrives at the Upper Head-Quarters— Prepares for the Woods, 287. Pease and Party reach the Salt Springs and South Line of the Reserve, 288. Variations of the Compass— Moses Warren's Diary, 289. Survey of the Portage Path— Meeting with Pease, 290. Survey of the Out Lots, Cleveland, 291-292. STATEMENT OF AMZI ATWATER.— Ascent of the Mohawk— Passage of Oswego Falls — Takes the Horses and Cattle from Canandaigua to Buffalo— Arrives at Conneaut. Reaches Cleveland with the Animals— Deatli of P^ldridge— Proceeds to Tinkers Creek^ 295-297. Indian \isit()rs at Upper IIead-t^u;irters— They are Importunate for Whis- ky. 298-299. Sickness and Deaths in the Partv, 300-301. Address of L. V Bierce— Sickness and Death of Bieknell, 302-305. Death of Joseph Tinker— The Sick List at Clevehind, 306-307. Mr. Pease Severely Sick— Mr. Warren in Charge, 308-309. Allot- ment of the Six Townships— Pease's Journal— Ho leaves the Cuyahoga Oct. 3d, 1797, .310-311. Journey to Conneaut — -John Young arrives there, 312. Shipwreck of Tinker' Pearce and Edwards— Murder of George Cliirk on the Beaver, 313. Spafibrd and his Party leave Conneaut, Oct. 2Jth— Mr. Pease and liis Party, Oct. 31 st, 314. They reach Buftalo — Latitude and Longitude of Cleveland., 315. No Minerals Discovered on the Reserve by the Surveyors, 316. The Surveyors Meet at Canandaigua and Report- Proceedings of the Land Company, January, 1798 — Grants to Mrs. Stiles, Gun and Wife, and Kingsbury and Wife, 317. Lorenzo Carter, By Judge Ban- — Death of Wash- burne— Buildings in Cleveland, 1797— Early Burials, 318^320. SKETCHES OF THE SUR\'EYORS AND PIONEERS.— Ezekiel Morley, by Alfred Morley, 322. Lot Sanford, by A. W. and R. W. Perry— The First (warden— Sanford"s Companions, 323-325. Oliver Culver, 326-328. Seth Pease, by Ralph Gran.— Shipwreck of the Hunter Family and Black Ben, 407. Surveys West of the Cuvahoga River— Tappen's Proposition, 408-10!». "I'appen's Accouni — Surveyors at Cleveland- South Line of the Reserve Continued by Seth Pease, 4U)-411. E.\ces"sive Drougth— The Fire Lands— Committee on iMjualization, 412. Custi)in House at Cleveland— First Clearance, 413-114. THE YEAR 1807.— Judge Huntington and Family— Oilur Hesidenis. Imildings, etc., 414-115. Munler of Nickshaw— Account by (ieneral \\ adsworth and Judge lIuutinL:- tou— SeHecas Ideas of Justice, 41ti-418. Edward PaineV Xol ice of Seneca, alias Slii:- wauish, 41i». Lottery for the Improvement of the Muskingum Rivers— Huntington Elected Governor— the Fourth Draft, 420-423. THE YEAR 1808.— Shipwreck of Plumb, Gilmore, (iilbert, Spallbrd and Mary Billinger —Rescue of Plumb, 424-425. THl*: YEAR ISO!).— Amos Spafl'ord -Description of Cleveland by Stanley Griswold, United States Senator, 43;)-427. Brooklyn I'ownship Surveyed— Settlers in Newburg , by John Harmon, 428-421). FROM 1810 TO 1812.— The Count v Organized— The lirst County Court— Foreshadow- in<'s of War— Major Jessup. 430^431. Map of Clevleand in 1814, bv Spaft'ord and Kel- ]y,'^434-435. Trial and Execution of 0':siic. bv Klisha Whittlesey, 4.37-142. Description of Cleveland in 1S13, bv Capt. Stanton Sholes, I12-(4i;. Statement of Mrs. Julianna liOni:, 44(i-l51. Biographical Notice of John Walworth and Mrs. Walworth, 451-4.54. Record of the First Settlers, 1700 to 1801, 4.54-4.55. Increase of Population, 1700 to 186(1, 456. List of Collectors at Cleveland, 457. Early Lake Craft, 1671) to 1810, 457-ICO. PH)XEER KU'ER IMEN.- Early Views of the Importance of the Cuyaho'jfa River, 46! . First Forwarders. Duncan & Wilson, ^S(^—^.atteau^i Navigation. 4(:2-4(;3. l\)it of Entrv in ISO,-)— Sehooner Zephvr, 1808— Warehou-^e-; are Erected and \ essels BuiU , 464-16.5. Cleveland I'ier Company— The lirst Canal Boat, 46(i-467. The Days of Penn- sylvania Wa"ons JMideil, 4(iS. The Villa^'e I'orporation and Officers, 460-470. Post Masters— Locations of the Post Otlice, 471-172. Court Houses of 1812 and 1828, 473- 474. Ohio City— Battle of the Bridge— List of Mayors, 475-178. FLUCTUATIONS OF LEVBIL IN LAKE ERIE.— Annual Rise and Fall— Sudden Os- cillations 470-181. (Jeneral or Secular Fluctations— History of the Observations,M>'-2 -183. Diagram and Explanations, 481-485. Amount of Rise and Fall— Lunar Tide, 480-887. Kntered acoordiiig to Act of Congress, in the year 16ii7, Br C II A S . W H I T T L E S F Y , 111 tho Clerk's OtHco of the District Court of the United States, for tJie Noi'theni District of Ohio. ILLUSTKATIONS. 1. View of Clevehuul, from tlie West Side, by Thomas Whelpley, 183:5. y. St. Clair Street, from Bank street, looking East. Whelpley, 1833. 'A. Superior Street, from the Public S(iuare, looking West. Whelpley 1833. 4 Euclid Street, looking West, near tlie Public Square. Whelpley, 183.3. 5. Stockley's Pier, from the Harljor, looking East. J. Brainard, 18.")0. (5. Columbus Street Bridge, from Detroit street, 183o. 7. Plan of Cleveland, and Geological Profile, illustrating the encroachments of the f.ake, from 179G to 1842, - - page 14, 8. Fac Simile of Ice-polished Rocks, ----- 24. 9. Ancient Fort, Newburg, ------- 35. 10. Ancient Fort, Northfield, Summit county, Ohio, - - - 37. 11. Ancient Fort, Weymouth, Medina county, Ohio, - - - 40. 12. Ancient Fort, near Conueaut, Ashtabula county, Ohio, - 43. 13. Portion of Champlain's Map of 1634, ----- 78. 14. Portion of Lewis Evans' Map of 175.1, ----- 83. 15. Mouth of Conneaut Creek, in 179(!, . . . . . i85. 16. First Map of Cleveland, Oct. 17%, - - . . . 239. 17. Cleveland under the hill, in 1800, - - . . . . 371. 18. Map of Cleveland in 1814, ------- 4.34. 19. Diagram, representing the Fluctuations in Lake level, - 484. EXPLANATION OF THE VIEWS. 1. -CLEVELAND, FRO>[ THE WEST SIDE.— «, Erie House, on the canal.— b, Old Bethel Church, on the side hill, in line with the Coui't House.— (•' Mouth of Ohio Canal, in line with the Stone Church. — >/, End of Superior Lane, on the River. — e, iLindrakc Street.—/, Stone Flouring Mill and Light House. — ff, Mouth of the River. 2.— ST. CLAIR STREET, LOOKING EAST.— «, Court House.— 6, Stone Church. — c, Trinity Cluirch, corner of Seneca Street. — d, Academy. 3.— PUBLIC SQUARE, LOOKING WEST.— a, Trinity Church.— J, Governor Wood's OfHce. — c, Light House. — d, Cleveland Hotel. — e. Commercial Bank and Marlcct, Bank Street.—?, Stone Residence of Dr. Long, corner ot Supe- rior and Seneca. 4.— EUCLID STREET. LOOKING WEST.— rt, Residence of Hon. .7. W. Allen, on Public Square.— J, S.one Cliurch and Trinity.— c, Court House. 5.— STOCKLEY'S PIER.— a, Light House.— ?*, Ashtabula Rail Road Shop. 6._C0LUMBCS STREET BRIDGE, from Detroit Street. 14 i ^' / > * ' r ?-^ ^1 '6 ■ n O M '' h-1 PRE-ADAMITE HISTOllY. History, under a strict definition, should include nothing more than the record of human transactions, but I here venture to introduce an ai'ticle which re- lates principally to natural science. The wells, springs, cisterns, and sewei*s ; the gen- ei'al improvement of our streets; the protection of the lake shore and the state of our harbor, are all influenced by the geological stiiicture beneath us. I imagine, also, that it will be interesting to look V)riefiy at the cause of the most recent geological changes. On the gravelly plain which was selected l>y the surxeyors in 179(5 as the site of a future city, there are nmnerous low, sandy ridges, which are parallel to the shc»re of the lake. These rido;es were the first roads of the pioneers on their way to the west. They appear to have been formed beneath the surface of the water at a remote period, when the lakes had a nuich higher level than now. On all sea coasts long, narroNv sand-bars are known to form, a short distance from the shore and parallel with it. Their 10 ERA OF CONTINENTAL ICE. position is indicated to tlie navigator by the outer line of breakers. The formation upon which this city rests is geologically the most recent of all, except the alluvium. There are trees, sticks, and leaves imbedded in it, Avliich have not yet perished ; but in reference to the period of written history its era is very ancient. It ^vas formed after the earth had assumed substan- tially its present surface, in a topographical sense. Geological investigations show conclusively, that since the era of the coal, the chalk formations, and even the tertiary beds, there was in the northern hemisphere, north of about 40^, a period of univer- sal ice; as there is noAV in Greenland. As that frozen age was disappearing the more ancient and solid rocks of the Carboniferous, Devo- nian and Silurian ages, on which the universal glacier rested and moved ; were ground do\^^I, scoured and polished. The crushed and pulverized materials of the rocks form what is commonly called earth, as distimruishable from indurated strata. In the north- ern hemisphere, the ice movement was toward the south, Avhicli carried the fragments of rocks and their mixed debris, in the form of dirt, always towards the equator. In this way we have here pieces of rocks desig- nated as " boulders " or lost rocks ; which were originally in place on the shores of lake Superior or Hudson's Bay. Our soil is composed of the disinte- COMPOSmoK OF THE DRIFT. il grated particles of these rocks, mingled with the crushed portions of strata nearer home. The surface formation on Avhich the city stands belongs to the close of the ice period when the glacial masses were disappearing, and the waters were assimiing their present level over the land. It is sometimes called "post-tertiary," or "quaternary," but more often "northern drift." There are in it no rocky beds, although it is frequently stratified, and laminated. The waters from which, by a joint action witli moving ice, it was transported and deposited, were throughout the upper lake country wholly fresh. Numerous shells have been found in it, all of which ])elong to fresh, and none to sea water. Nearer the ocean, the shells of the drift are of marine origin. Throughout all the region of the upper lakes, there are numberless trees, logs, sticks, branches and leaves scattered through the drift fonnation. It is com- posed of red, blue and dun colored clay, on which rests coarse sand, gravel and boulders. By an analysis of the laminated blue clay taken from the foot of Ontario street, made some years since, it was found to contain : Silex and Ahimina, 77.50 Carbonate of lime, G.OO Carbonate of magnesia, 9.50 Sulphide of iron, ."^.SO Vegetable matter and loss, ........ 3.50 lOO.OO 12 LOWEUmn (W THK AN(^T1;NT WATERS. All analysis of tlie rod laminated clay of lakt' Superior gave a similar result, exee])t in reoard to the red oxide of iron which exceeds that of the lake Erie clay, and which is the cause of its red color. The drift clays always contain alkalies, sometimes ill sufHcient quantities to ])revent their heing used for the })urpose of making l)rick. Sometimes it changes to a compact hard-pan, com- posed of clay and fragments of rocks. There are houlders and ])el)l)les of northern rocks throughout the whole mass. In many ])laces it is not stratified, hut mixed and confused like the moraines of Alpine glaciers now being formed. There are places in tlie valleys of the up]>er lakes where the drift is (lOO and 800 feet thick, Imt her(\ it is ])rol)ably nowhei'e more than 150 feet, down to the underlying rock. When lake Erie I'eceded to its jn'csent level, its ancient l)ed was partly iiicliney measurement on tlie town plat. A reduced copy of this survey made from the original which bears date, Cleveland, Oct. 1st 1 7IX), is also inserted among the illustrations. The })lan shows what changes ha\e occurred since tlie lake assumed its ])resent general level. LAND SLn>S. 17 During the liigli water of 1838, the advance of the hike waters upon the town site, was so rapid that the corporation took measures to protect it. By comparing the surveys of 1796 and 1842 there had been a general encroachment of two huiulred and five (205) feet. In 1800 or 1807, Amos Spafford sent his hired man, Avith a yoke of oxen to plow a patch of ground on the margin of the lake, which must liave been not far from the Marine Hospital. At noon, the man chained his team to a tree, fed them, and Avent home to dinner. Returniutr in the afternoon, his oxen were no where to be seen. Proceeding to the edge of the bank, the man discov- ered tliem still attached to the tree, quietly chewing their cuds, Init the ground on Avliich they stood had sank between twenty and thirty feet, carrying Avitli it some of the \m\y furrows, the trees and the oxen. Thus a belt of land about twelve and one half (120 rods in width was lost, along the entire front of the city. In one hundred years this would at the same rate have amounted to twenty-seven (27) rods. It would, in about five hundred years, have undermined the Perry monu- ment. Before the close of a thousand years that part of the town north of Huron Street would have disa])peared. The supposed new shore line and mouth of the river is shown l)y the line h, i, on the plan. 2 18 REMAINS OF THE ELEPHANT. As the ancient surface of the hike went down, the Cuyahoga river cut a deep channel in the drift cLay, Avith steej) l)anks from which numberless springs issued. The ever shifting cliannels of streams under- mine their l)anks continually, l)ut in a different manner and with less regularity than tlie lake waters. On the river side the same slides have occurred, ])ut not as many in nund)er for the encroachment is not as rapid. Only one luis been known since the settlement of the city, which took place near tlie foot of Light-House street, about the year 1808. Evidences of ancient slips were, however, abundant on both banks throughout the city. There were the same succession of Trenches or terraces, on the river as on the lake side. Wherever excavations took place for the grade of streets, the extent and exact outline of the old slides were as apparent as those of 1849, which were observed and sketched at the time. By means of heavy ])iling and stone on the lake front, the advance of tlie water has been wholly stopped. By taking up the sjn-ings that issue at the surface of the clay, and grading the bank to an angle of al;)out 15°, a smooth grassy slope is obtained, adapted for a jiark of excpiisite l)eauty. Grinders of the elephant and mastodon are connnon in the superficial materials, which cover the indui-a- ted rocks of the west. A grinder is said to have been found in blue marly clay on the West Side many years since. Remains of the elephas prinii- BURTED TIMBER. 10 genius, the mastodon, megatlieriuni, megalonyx, the horse, l)eavei', and some other animals, characterize the drift period. Tliey existed prior to that geologi- cal era, and through it to the alluvium, in which their bones are also found. They Ijecame extinct after the earth had taken its present condition. The elephant, whose bones were discovered a few years since, in dis-erino; the coal vaults of the Merchants Bank, was about twelve feet below the natui'al sui-i^ice. Another grinder of an extinct elephant was l^rought to light in the grade of Champlain street, which was about fifteen feet beneath the surftxce. It was secured l^y Dr. E. Sterling, and is now in the possession of Prof. Newberry. This grinder had been worn by transportation, partially into the form of a rolled boulder ; but the outlines are not wholly destroyed and the internal structure remains easily recognizable. Pieces of buried timber, sometimes whole trees with numerous leaves, also characterize the north- ern drift. Layers of this ancient vegetation extend l^eneath the entire city. The wells from which water was originally procured, were sunk through the sand and gravel bed, A, A, to one of the impervious layers, c^ c, where water is always found. It was frequently impure and even offensive, from the rotten layer which lies at the surface of the clay. There is more or less of it, distnl^uted in thin dark layers through the clay, but it has col-- ^0 ALPINE GLACrERS. lected ill larger quantities at its sui-fiice. A white cedar, twenty (20) feet in length and six (G) inches in diameter, was taken up l)y the late John Wills, at the depth of eighteen (18) feet, in grading the bank at the Marine Hospital. The roots and some of the branches remainetl, and its strength was not wholly gone. There were several shorter pieces of ancient drift wood, found at about the same depth, which show the wearing action of the ancient surf upon a sand beach, like pieces of floodwood upon the present shore. Among the leaves in the mucky layers are cedar, spruce, and pine; and these are the most common kinds of timber, found in the drift material at other places. To persons ^^'llo have not become familiar, by observation, with the changes that have occurred on our planet, the assertion that there has been a period when this region was enveloped in ice, from 2,000 to 3,000 feet in thickness may aj)j)ear monstrous. To those who have examined the evidences which exist, in more than half the counties of this State, in support of such a conclusion; the proof is as conclu- sive as it is, that in Switzerland, the glaciers of the Alps, at one time reached do^vn into the valley of the Rhone. The slight changes of temperature which occur there now, affect the extent of the glaciers. A few degrees I'ise in the thermometer; diminishes the area GLACIERS TN GREENLAND. 21 of the ice fields; and a few degrees of depression enlarges it. In ancient times, Alpine glaciers extended across the valley at (reneva lake, carrying boulders of rocks from the summit of the Kange, which were dropped in the low ground, when the ice disappeared. Beneath the present glaciers, the rocks are pol- ished, ground and striated, l)y the projecting points of boulders; firmly held in the ice, as it moves towards the lower levels. The rocks in districts from which the ice has disappeared, and where there are now cultivated farms and cities, are ^vorn and striated in the same manner. Greenland has within a few years been closely observed l)y Dr. Rink, a Danish naturalist and by Dr. Hayes, of tlu^ American expedition under Dr. Kane. There, a large i)ai't of a continent is found to sustain a vast glacier; which has a slow but resistless motion outward toward the ocean. The cause of this niotion, constitutes one of the most brilliant discoveries of Agassiz. In Greenland, there is, in places, a fringe of territory next the se.-i, not invaded by ice; which is varial)le in its extern t, like that at the foot of the Alps. About 200 years since, the Moravians had mission establishments on the eastern coast of Greenland, which are now buried under snow and ice. The temperatui'e of that country is becoming lower. The great central field of universal frost, is gaining upon the territory 22 ICE ETCIimOS ON LAKE ERIE. where vegetation exists. Towards the northern part, gLieiers come to tlie sea, with a front of more than a thousand feet liigli ; scratching and grinding tlie rocks precisely as tliey do in Switzerland. They })ush themselves ahmg the l)ottom of the ocean, until there is 1)uoyancy enough to cause tliem to float, when they are l)roken into large l»locks, and range the sea, in the form of ice l)ergs. It is only necessary to hring the temperature of Greenland down to our latitude, and the same results would follow. The moisture of the air dt^rived from the ocean, would be deposited upon the earth in the foi'm of snow, instead of rain. It would thus accu- mulate, century after century, filling up the valleys, rising to the tops of the mountains, effectually preventing the growth of trees, and ])lants, and thus gradually driving men and animals from the country. Throughout the western States and Canada, are lines etched upon the rocks, the same as are seen in Greenland and on the Alps ; produced l)y tlie move- ment of glaciers. They may he seen in hundreds of places in Ohio, when the rocky surface is cleared of its earthy covering. They are very common in the cellars at Sandusky, and on Kelly's Island, where the lime rock is thoroughly polished, having marked grooves, warped surfaces, and channels parallel to each other. ICE ETCIimCiS ON LAKE MICHIGAN. 23 On tlie summit of Coal Hill in Tallmadge, Sum- mit County, Oliio, iit an elevation of G25 feet above Lake Erie, and 1181) al»ove tlie Ocean, tlie coarse grit of tlie coal series is smoothed and scratched over a sj)ace of several rods. At the old grindstone quarries in Euclid, Cuya- hoga County, they are very distinct and straight, bearing about South 20^ East Tjy needle. There is a good exposure of glacial etchings on the sand rock, near the North line of Austintown, Mahoning County, in the North and South center road. The most southerly point in Ohio where they have been oljserved ; is at Light's quarry, seven miles North of Dayton, their bearing being South 2C)^ East. For the benefit of those who have no opportunity to examine the work of the ancient ice gravers, I insert a reduced copy from the fac simile of a ])olished slab of limerock, near the Light House at Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The waters of Lake Michigan, are there wearing away a l;)luff of I'ed clay, of aljout the same height as the Idue clay deposite at Cleveland ; but the rock on which it rests is nearly level with the water. A belt of this scratched rock, several rods in ^vidth, recently uncovered, extends along the shore at the foot of the clay l)luff, beneath which the ice etchings extend. Al)out three miles in tlie interior, the Sheboygan Kiver has cut a channel in the same red clay down to the rock, which has a 24 ICE-POLISHED EOCK. depth about the same as the valley of the Cuyahoga, within the city limits. Where the rock projects beyond the clay, it is smoothed, and worn away by attrition, precisely as at the Light House, and the lines have the same direction. If the covering of clay, from the Sheboygan River to the lake shore was all cleared away, there would l)e several thou- sand acres of this polished rock exposed, of which this is intended to be a fac simile. NORTH. Tlie most conspicuous lines are due north-east and Houth-Avest, T)ut as usual, there is more than one set. Such is the condition of the strata over the States bordering upon the lakes and the St. Law- rence. During the progress of the various geolog- ICE ETCHINGS ON LAKE .AIICIIIGAN. 25 icixl surveys in the Northern States, and in Canaihi, many hundreds of observations have been made, upon the direction of these lines. Where tliere are hard spots in the rocks, al)le to resist the grinding process better than the surround- ing parts ; a narrow ridge is left on the southerly side, like the snow which forms in the lee of a pebble in a driving storm. The northern laces of mountains, and of rocky eminences, are abraded, Av^hile the southern faces are not. But the most conclusive evidence that the movement was from North to South, is found in the transportation of fragments of northern rocks to points always south- erly from their position in situ. The boulders of Ohio are principally trap, gneiss, granite, breccia, and conglomerate ; from strata that are in place on the shores of Lake Superior, and which exist in no other direction. The movement was modified by the topography of the country, pursuing in general, the course of the great valleys, such as those of the Kennebec, the Connecticut, and the Hudson Rivers. In New England, the ice marks are found at an elevation of 3000 feet above the sea, which is higher than the highest land in the western states. In the valley of the St. Lawi'ence, the course of the movement was south-easterly until the east end of Lake Ontario is reached. At Buffalo, it was South 30° West. On Lake Superior it had the same gen- eral bearing, except in the minor valleys, or where 26 UK AC riON, LAKE Sl'TKRlOK. iiuMiiitains turiUHl it asido tt'iiiporarily. TheoiuMiiui!: l>i'twoeii Lake Iliirt>ii aiul Lako jMk'liiixaii, at tlu' Straits ot' Ma(.'kiiia\\ , ^avo it a wostcrly diivi'tion, as iar as tlio inoutli of (ii'coii l>a\. On tlio summil of the Iron Mountains ot* Marquette Couut\ , Mieliigan ; ot* the C\>{»j)er Kanue of l\nnt Kewenaw, anil the ^lesabi Ivauiiv in ^linnesota, tlie niarkln^-s are as dis- tinct as they are at Lake Krie ; and tlieir l>earini;' is unit'ornily south-westerly. How the ellan^•e o{' teni- jti'rature, ot' the u-hieier e])oeli was hrouuht about is ji ([uestion still under diseussion. Such changes have occurred nuich earlier in the liistorv of tlie earth, and are probably due to astronomical causes : inviilviui;- inunense ]>eriods o\' time, Ouring the era of the*^ coal, a tropical climate existctl as far North as Mel- ville Island, in the Aivtic Sea. The oriiiin o\' motion in such wide spread tields o\' ice, is thouglit to be \uulerstood. Agassiz spent several seasons in the Alj^s ol)serving the luovements there. He lias demonstrated that the exj>ausion ^^ Inch arises from freezing at the center of the mass, finds relief only to^vards the edges, and consequently, on tlie side ^vllicll is thawing, there must l>e motion. This is very small but irresistaWe, and continuing for thousands oi' }ears in one direction, produces monstrous results. If an ice tielil envelopeil the northern hemis])here, its thawing edge Avould he on the side of the equator. Consequently, the movement would be southerly, CAUSE OK (JI.ACIKK MOTION. 27 and AvouKl })v greatest iiloiiii;' tlu^ trout, wlicrc. disso- liitioii was taking place. I'ut the lines of e(|iial temperature, are not coincident Avitli parallels of latitude. Across this' continent and througli Europe, they are oldicpie, l)earing to the Nortli as we ])roceed westward. '^riiis Avas prol)al)ly the case, at and before the age of ice. Thus tlie southerly edge of the continental ice held, would not bear East and West, but north- westerly and south-easterly, modified l)y the eleva- tion of the country. Tn that case, tlie motion would he at v'liAit anii-les to the Isothermal lines, or from north-east to south-west. Tliere is an exception to this, in the bearing of the stria across the Avesterly })art of Lake Erie, but here the Southern limit of the boulders of northern rocks, forms a curve, and is nearly ])arallel with the southerly sliore of the lake. Such is supposed to be the manner in which the beds of clay, sand and gravel were formed, on which the city of Cleveland rests. PPtE-IIISTOPiIC INHABITANTS. Tlirougliout the soutliem lialf of Ohio, thei'e are remains of earth woi'ks constructed l)y a people of whom we have neitlier liistory or tradition. All we know of them, is what may be deduced from the character of these ruins. Some of them are in groups occupying several hundred aci'es. They con- sist of mounds, lines of embankments, either single, double or treble ; sometimes with ditches, Ijut more often without. Wlien without ditches, they reseml )le a turnpike, but such was not their original design. They are both straight and curved, generally forming an enclosed figure, approaching to mathematical regularity; such as a rectangle, octagon, circle or ellipse. A partial enclosure in the form of a horse shoe, or a segment of some regular figure is common. Although mounds and banks of earth, are as nearly imperishable as any structure raised by man, they are more or less obliterated by rains, frosts and other atmospheric agencies. 80 Ancient iiARTii work^. Some of the parallels require close examination to detect, and especially to follow them ; through culti- vated fields, herbage, and the undergrowth of western forests. Ditches and pits are sooner obliterated than works in relief On these ruins, the timber is of the same size and character, as it is around them. Trees 400 years old have been cut down, whose roots Avere fixed upon the top of embankments, where the remains of previous generations of trees, were also visible. There is evidence to show that the race of red men, whom Columbus, De Soto and John Smith, encountered on this Continent, had then l:)een here fifteen or twenty centuries. The Aborigines had no knowledge, and no received traditions of their predecessors ; which they must have had, if the I'ace of the mounds were tlieir ancestors. Everything which remains of the mound builders, indicates a people of higher cultivation than that of the Indians. The more ancient race were industrious, cultivating the soil; not wandering hunters. They erected mounds of earth, which are in some instances from sixty to seventy feet high, witli a circumference at the base of seven hundred and eight hundred feet. These are still quite imposing piles, rising nearly to the tops of ancient trees, among which they stand. A single fortification on the bluffs of the Little Miami, called "Fort Ancient," in Warren county, MOUNDS AND FORTlFlCATlOlSr?. 31 Oliio, lias a parapet wliicli in some places is eigliteeii feet liigli, and fifty feet thick at tlie base. Tlie entire work, is computed to contain six hundred thousand cubic yards of embankment, and would allow of twenty thousand men for its defence. Near Newark there is a circle, one-fourth of a mile in diameter, where the bank is at the highest point, twenty-six feet above the bottom of the ditch. This people has left numerous ruins, not only over the southern half of this State, but throughout the low lands of Kentucky, Western Tennessee, Southern Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and Mexico. The large cities, if we may judge by their position, were selected on the same principle by which our fathers selected theirs. Extensive ruins were once visible, on or near the sites of Cincin- nati, Marietta, Portsmouth, Chillicothe, Circleville, Dayton and Newark. They were contiguous to large tracts of good land upon valuable water courses. The same people worked the copper mines of Lake Superior. Many of their mounds, are monuments raised to the dead, where valual)le relics were placed ; consisting of beads and shells and plates of native copper and silver. Their tools are of copper, which appears to be the only metal they had for implements. They forged of it spears, arrow heads, axes, chisels, spades and gouges in its native state, never having been melted or refined. Their tools are found, not only with the 32 ANCIENT COPPfiR MtNEy. ashes of their dead, hut on the surface, iu the vicin- ity of their works. Very good cutting tools were made of stone, of which great numbers have been found. The race of red men had also stone axes, knives, spear and arrow heads, but did not possess implements made of copper, with the exception of some very rude knives, found among the tribes inhabiting Lake Sujierior. Here the Chippewas have sometimes fashioned an awkward knife, or an instrument for dressino; skins, from nuo;o;ets of native cop]3er which they found in the gravel. The style and finish of their rough knives, enables one at once to separate them, from the more perfect work of the mound builders. This difference of mechanical perfection, aptly distinguishes the civil- ization of the two races. The North American Indian relied principally upon ilint, which the race of the mounds used very sparingly. As implements of wood soon perish, we have little trace of them, although they must have l^een numerous. Some of the wooden shovels and l:»owls, which they used in the mines of Lake Superior, have been preserved beneath the water and rubbish of old mines. A part of the decayed handle of a cop- per S2:)ear, Was found in the same situation. In the north eastern part of Ohio, in the county of Geauga, ft war club of Nicaragua wood, was discovered early in the settlement of that region. This might have Implements and weapons. '^S Ijelonged to either <^f tlie races, wliieli ])receded white men on this soil. Wooden ornaments and imple- ments, not l)eing so precious, \vere not l^uried with the dead. If they had l)een, there are cases where sometliing would remain of them. Threads of hempen cloth, and timber forming a sort of coffin or vault, have, in some cases, resisted decomposition. So has their ornaments of shell, bone and stone; and their pipes, grotesquely carved with images of animals. All these relics, show a condition ad- vanced l^eyond the people, called by us the Abori- gines, who were the second, perhaps the third, race Avhich preceded us. Alonar the south shores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, are numerous ancient works ; l:)ut of a char- acter different from those on the waters of the Ohio. There were two of them within the limits of the city of Cleveland. A low mound was visible within the last twenty years, on the lot at the south east corner of Erie and Euclid streets. But the mounds, embankments and ditches, throughout the lake coun- try are insignificant in size, in comparison with those in the southern part of the State. Most of those in New York and the northern part of Ohio, are fortifications; while a large part of those farther south were not designed for the pur- poses of war. Many of the latter had reference to religious ceremonies and sacrifices, probably of human beings. 34 Fortifications on lake FriF. There is a wide belt of country through central Ohio which is nearly destitute of ancient works, as though there was a neutral tract, not occupied l)y the ancient races. Those on the waters running northerly into the lake, are generally in strong natural positions. They may still be seen on the Maumee river, above Toledo, and on the Sandusky, Huron and Black rivers. A group of these enclo- sures existed at the forks of Huron river, Avhere the road crosses, about a mile and a half west of Nor- wallv. As a sample of ancient forts in the lake country, I insert plans of some of those which are not y(^t destroyed. ANCIENT FORT, NEWBUKG. This consists of a double line of lu'east works with ditches across the narrow part <^f a peninsula, l)etvveen two gullies, situated about three miles south-easterly from the city, on the right of the road to Ne^vl)urg, on land heretofore owned l)y the late Dr. H. A. AoKLEY. The position thus ])rotected against an assault, is a very strong one, where the attacking party should not have projectiles of long range. On three sides of this promontory, the land Is abru])t and slippery. It is very difficult of ascent, even without artificial ol)structions. Across tlie ravine, on nil sides, tlie land is upon a level with the OLD FOllTS, (UTYATIOGA tiOUNTY. .^5 enclosed space. The depth of tlie gnlly is from fifty to seventy feet. About eighty rods to the east, upon tlie level plain, is a mound ten feet high and sixty feet in diameter. At the west end of the inner wall is a place for a gateway or passage, to the interior. Ancient Fort, Newburg. '74 7 't •) V .^^^ 2 Tlie height of tlie embankment across the neck is two feet, and the enclosed area contains al)out live acres. Perpetual springs of water issue from the sides of the ravine, at the surface of the blue clay, as they do at Cleveland. About six miles from the lake, on the eastern l)hitls of the Cuyahoga river, is a similar work that •M) ANCIENT VORT, STTMMfT OOTTNTt. lins but one line of emhanknient, with a ditcli. The hhiffs are higher, l)iit not quite as inaccessil)le as on the AcKLEY farm. About the middle is an unexca- vated space across the ditch, but the l)reast work has no gap for an entrance. Two miles farther up the river, on the same side, is a third work, in the same style, similarly located, but enclosing about twice as much space. The general figure of the enclosure is very much like the one on Ackley's premises. Two small branches head near each other at the upper end of two ravines, from one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet deep. Across the neck are two parallels, which have l)een nearly obliterated by cultivation. The inner parallel does not appear to have been as high as the outer one, and between them was a broad, but not a veiy deep ditch. A conspicuous ditch was made on the outer side of the outer wall, from which, no doubt, the earth was taken for the eml)ankment. There are no gateways in either of the walls. A much stronger and more elaborate fortified position, exists in Northfield, Summit County, on the river bluffs, two miles west of the center. A road leading west from the center to the river, passes along a very narrow ridge, or " hogs back," between two gullies, only wide enough for a high- way. Before reaching the river l)luft*s, this neck of land expands right and left, where there is a level space of about two acres, elevated near two hundred 38 OTIIEll ANCIENT FOKT1FICATION8. feet alcove tlie canal aiul river. Wliere this area begins to widen ont on tlie land side, there are two lines of Imnks, with exterior ditches, which are forty feet apart, and extend across the neck, ^vitllont entrances or gateways. From the to]) of the l)reast work to tlie l)ottom of the ditch, is now from four to five feet. Mr. Milton Aiitiiitii, tlie owner of the land stated, that before the land was cultivated, a man standing on the ditch could not look over the wall. On all sides, the fiat land is l)ouiided by gullies, eighty to one hundred feet dee]), except Avliere it is joined to the ridge. There is ]^ermanent Avater in the ravines. The earth of the blufts is so stee]) that it is sid)ject to slides. It is remarkable that there is, within this area, another set of lines on the side towards the I'iver, reducing the fortified area to about onedialf the space, whose edges are at the l)lufts. Two ])rojecting ])oints ai'e cut ofi' l)y these lines, and left outside the works. In this w\ay, much of the natural strength of the ])osition is lost. At these places, there are pits, which the early settlers of Northfield say were filled with Avatei", and wei'e stoned around like wells. There are also two low mounds, ?m, tn, on the east side. Where the bluft' is not as steej) as it is elsewhere, there is a ]^ara])et thrown U]) at the crest. A part of the earth on the north and ^vest side, Avas taken from the inside, Avhich indicates a state of siege, or at least some FOllT ON WE8T SIDE OF IIIVER. 39 pressing haste Avlieii tliis part of tlie line was fiiiislied. Perhaps their enemies had gained a foot- hokl in tlie level space ontside the lines. On the west side of the river is another ancient fortification, o})posite this, and it is stated there is in the townshij) of Independence, on the Idnfts, north of Tinker's creek, near its month, another Avork of the same character. There are no doid)t otliers Avhich are known to the inhabitants not yet surveyed or described. 40 FORTIFICATION NEAR WEYMOUTH. Enlarged profile on the line a, b. A short distance east of the village of Weymouth, in a bend of the Rocky River, is a foi-tified point of land, with three lines of banks and ditches. From the outer to the middle one is forty-two feet, and thence to the inner parallel, thirty-eight feet. In 1850, the outer and the inner lines were in the best condition. From the top of the outer wall to the bottom of the ditch, is five feet ; of the middle ANCIENT WORK AT (JllANCiEK. 41 one four feet, and tlie inside parallel six feet. The excavations for the ditches reached to the slate. Tliis ground was selected by the first white settlers, for a biu-ying ground, but was abandoned because the soil is not deep enough for graves. Around the bend in the river is a deep channel, with vertical rocky walls, thirty to fifty feet higli. It is therefore, a very defensible position. The lengtli of this peninsula is three hundred feet, from the inner parapet to the extreme front, and tlie distance across the base, one hundred feet. There are no openings or gateways through the })arallels, and no breaks in the ditches. The engi- neer who planned the works, must have provided for passing over the embankment, into the enclosed space, l)y wooden steps, that have perished. Near the village of Weymouth are five small mounds, in^ and within the fortress, one. One-half mile east of the center of Granger, in the same county, is a low circular enclosure, about three hundred feet in diameter. It has a slight exterior ditch. There is an opening for entrance on the north-west side, near where the east and west road crosses the work. Two small streams of living Avater pass along the sides of it. The situation is low and flat, with a slight rise on the west, which overlooks the interior of the enclosure. It possesses no natural strength of position, and was doubtless designed for other purposes than defence. 4 42 ANCIENT FORTS. FORT NEAR PAINESVILLE. On tlie west bank of Grand river, about three miles east of Painesville, is a narrow peninsula of soap stone and flags, wliich has Ijeen fortified l)y the ancients. A tall growth of hemlock furnishes a refreshing shade, to which the citizens resort for May-day pic-nics, and Fourth of July celebrations. A small creek runs outside the point, which is about 200 feet wide by 600 in length, entering the river at the apex. The elevation is from 40 to CO feet above water level. At the extremity of the point is a lower bench, across which is a low bank and ditch. About 400 feet farther back from this are two parallels across the peninsula, which are 80 feet apart. In most places it is nine feet from the bottom of the ditches, to the summit of the walls. All the ditches are on the outside and are well preserved. There are very few places where a party could climb up the soap stone cliffs, without the aid of trees or ropes. The course of this projecting point is east and west, joining the mainland on the west. In this direction there is higher land within 300 feet of the outer parallel. ANCIENT FOKTS. 43 FORTIFIED HILL NEAR CONNEAUT. On the soiitli side of the creek above the village of Conneaiit, in Ashtabula county, is a detached mound of shale, al^out seventy feet high, which is crowned with an ancient fortress, or strong-hold, rei^resented in the plan here inserted. On the north side there is a low bank of earth following the crest of the hill. There is here no l)erme, or level space, outside of the embankment. 44 FORTIFIED HILL, CONNEAUT. On the south side, where the bluff is no^i as steep and difficult of ascent as on the noi-th, there is a ditch between the parapet and the crest, as repre- sented in the profile, a, h. Outside of the ditch is a low l^anlv on the edge of the natural slope. Thus the side having the least natural strength, was made stronger by art. It would be almost impossible, for men to ascend the steep escarpment of soap stone on the noi'th. A narrow ridge of gentle ascent, allows of an easy grade on the south-eastern side, where there was in 1840, the remains of an ancient road. This leads to the gateway at c, where there must havu been some obstructions of Avood like a "porte cullis," which the inmates could open and close at their pleasure. Why there should have been an opening in the enclosing Avail, at the end next the river is not apparent. Within the enclosure, embra- cing about five acres, the soil is black and rich, while it is clayey and lean Avithout. This is a common feature of the old earth-works on Lake Erie. It indicates a lengthy occupation of the place, by human beings. The ground occupied by Indian Adllages in the north, is ahvays more fertile than the same soil outside of their toAAais. In the valley of the creek, there is much good land Avliich the ancients no doubt cultivated. These strong natural positions, resend)le the fortified vil- lages of the Mofpies, on the Avaters of the Colorado; iiESEMBLANCE TO INDIAN FOrvTS. 4o wliicli were visited and described hy Prof. J. S. Newbeery in 1854. If tlie North American Indians, had been found intrenclied in earth-works, when the whites first knew them ; or possessed traditions concerning them, we should attribute the small forts which are upon the waters of Lake Erie, to them. But I have not seen among descriptions of the early French writers, any thing of the kind more permanent than pickets and stockades. * EVIDENCES OF THE PRESENCE OF WHITE MEN NOT KNOWN IN HISTORY. In 1840, I was requested to examine the stnmp of an oak tree, wliicli was then recently cut ; and which stood in the north-west part of Canfield, Mahoning County, about fifty miles south-east of Cleveland. The diameter was two feet ten inches when it was felled, and with the exception of a slight rot at the heart, was quite sound. About seven inches from the center were the marks of an ax, perfectly distinct ; over which one hundred and sixty layers of annual growth had accumulated. The tree had been dead several years when it was cut down, which was in 1888. When it was about fourteen inches in diameter, an expert chopper, with an ax in perfect order, had cut into the tree nearly to its heart. As it was not otherwise injured the tree continued to grow ; the wound was healed, and no external signs of it remained. When it was felled, the ancient cut was 48 AX IVrATlKS IN "WILLOTTGnBY. exposed. I procured a portion of tlie tree extending from tlie outside to tlie center, on wliicli tlie ancient and modern marks of tlie ax are equally plain ; tlie tools being of about tlie same breadtli and in equally good order. Soon after this I received from Jason Hubbell, Esq., of Newburg, in this county, a letter descril)ing some ax marks which he had observed, in a large poplar tree situated in that township. In this case the tree was larger, but Mr. Hubbell considered the age of the cutting, to be from one hundred and fifty to one hundred and sixty years. Mr. Stephen Lapiiam, formerly of Willoughl:*}', Lake county, now of Janesville, Wisconsin, presented to Prof J. L. Cassells a portion of a hickory tree, the stump of which still remains, a few feet fi-om the railway, a mile and a half west of Willoughby. In a letter to me, Mr. Lapiiam says, " it was cut in May or June, 1848 or 1849, on the farm I then occupied. I sent a hired man to cut some wood, and directed him to fell this tree, which was about two feet in diameter. I saw the tree fall, and measured the length of the wood he was to cut. As the man cut in near the heart, I noticed ancient ax marks. It had been cut into when a sapling about four inches in diameter. There was the old dry bark on the tree, above and below the old cut. There was eleven inches of growth outside of the cut, and about forty- six rings or layers to the inch. The tree was green AX MAlJKrt TiSr BEllLIK. 49 and sound when it was cut. I preserved the piece near the heart, with the ohl marks on it." I examined this stump in 1859, and now have the piece which Mr. Lapham preserved. It was difficult to count the layers of annual growth, hut there were more than four hundred. Mr. Lapiiam was of the opinion, tliat the first choj^tj^ting was done l)efore Columbus landed on this continent. If so it cannot have been the work of white men. The style of the cut is that of a perfectly sharp ax, in all respects like the work of a good chopper of our times. Although the rule is, that one layer of growth accumulates each year, there are exceptions, though they are very rare. Four hundred years before 1848 would cany us back to 1448, forty-four years before the island of St. Salvador was discovered. There are trees which form two terminal buds in a year, and in that case two layers of growth are formed. If it was so in this case, the time elapsed would be two hundred years, instead of four hundred, and the date would be about 1648. Another instance of the work of old chojipers, is furnished in the following lettei' from H. L. Hill, Esq., of Berlin, Erie Co., O. : Berlin Hights, Jan. 23, 1859, In the summer of 1831, I felled one of the giant oaks of the forest, which was about three feet in diameter. It was (;ut for the purpose of making to Letter of mr. itiLt. wagon liiibs. One cut or length, was sawed ofF, tlie size of the hnl)s marked out, leaving six to ten inches around the heart. As we split the bolts, three cuts or strokes, of a sharp narrow bitted ax were plainly visible, the chips standing outward from the tree as distinct as when they were first made. My brother and myself counted two Jium/red and nineteen, rings of annual growth outside of the cuts. It was with the greatest difficulty, we were able to count the fine growths near the butt of the tree, and may have made a mistake of a few years. The tree stood on lot seven, Eange seven, Berlin township, on a dry piece of ground, nearly surrounded by wet land ; for about twenty rods forming good ground for a camp. In the spring of 1857, I pulled out the stump of this tree, and in plowing through the gi'ound where it stood ; turned up the ax you saw in the Museum. I think it must have been between the roots of the tree, or we should have seen it before. Yours respectfully, H. L. HILL. If the cuts mentioned l)y Mr. Hill, were made by the Indians with their rude squaw axes, they possess no special meaning. Those upon the Canfield and the Willoughljy trees were by a difterent tool, a well formed ax, with a clear sharp cutting edge. Very soon after the French and the English encoiuitered the Indians 1008-20, they Were furnished vrii\\ 'Mli .Tl^lsuMa ANf) LA AALLi^. .^1 !?quaw axes. These axes were narrow Ijitted, made of iron or inferior steel, and were never kept in order by the Indians. Where they have used them upon modern trees, the style of the stroke at once shows it to be this kind of a tool. It is never sharp enough to cut a surface smooth, like a modern choppers ax. The Jesuits were among the Iroquois of Western New York as early as 1656, but we have no historical traces of them as far west as Ohio. The Canfield tree must l^e considered a ffood record as far back as 1660. Many historians infer that La Salle passed through Northern Ohio, from the Illinois river in the winter of 1682-83. That he made a journey by land from Crevecoeur to Quebec in that winter cannot be doubted, but there is no proof on which side of Lake Erie he traveled. It is far more probable that he avoided the hostile Iroquois, and bearing northward crossed the Detroit river, where the Indians were friendly to the French. A hasty traveller like him, could have left few marks of his ax. There must have been hundreds of trees on the Western Reserve, upon which axes had been used, in order to furnish us, so many exam])les after a lapse of two centuries. THE UACK OF U\) MEiN. CiiAMPLAiN is the earliest autliority, in relation to the savages upon the great lakes. He spent twenty- five years among them, beginning with the year 1()03, fonr years before the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia, and sixteen before the Pilgrim fatliers set foot on Plymonth rock. He identified himself with them as hunter, trader, and warrior. In 1(309 he accompanied a war party of Algonqiiins through Lake Champlain, to attack the Iroquois, whom they fought between Lake George and Crown Point. On both shores of the Ottawa river were the " Algommequins," Ottawas, or Attawawas. The Hurons, or Wyandots, were then seated between Lakes Huron and Ontario. Between Huron and Erie were the " Petuns," or Tobacco nation. On the south of Lake Ontario were the five con- federate nations, whom the French called Hiricois, or Iroquois. By means of their alliance, they were too powerful, for any other nation or confederation. 54: LOCATION OF INDIAN TRIBES. They were also more intelligent, built l^etter cabins and strong holds ; and cultivated more maize. This superiority, enabled them to send large hunting parties, and war-like expeditions, far beyond their admitted bounds. Sometimes their dreaded warriors crossed Lake Ontario and attacked the Algonquins, pursuing them even to Lake Superior. Then the savage crowd surged southward, into Pennsylvania ; overcoming the Lenni-Lenape, or Delawares; and even to Virginia and South Caro- lina. Where is now the State of Ohio, Ciiamplain places the "Neutral nation," whose fate is involved in much obscurity. Farther West he fixes the nation " which has plenty of buffaloes," and North of them, around the " Great Lake," or Lake Mich- igan, are the " Astistaquenonons," or the "Nation of the Fire," afterwards known as Mascoutens. His ideas about Lake Superior were very imperfect, such as Indians usually give of their country. (See a portion of his map, inserted beyond.) During his explorations, and for nearly half a century after- wards, neither the French or the Algonquins could venture on Lake Erie. The Iroquois were not cleared away, from the East end of that Lake, till after a number of French expeditions against them, assisted by their Indian allies, north of the lakes. It was not until 1635, the French reached Lake Superior, and did not become well acquainted with it till 1(359-60. It was still later when they WAE8 OF THE IROQUOIS. 00 readied Lake Erie, in 1679. Champlain, when liis map was published in 1632, supposed Lake Mich- igan to 1)6 the greatest of the lakes, and that there was a tall between it and his "Mer Douce," or Lake Huron. Lake Superior is there represented as a small body of water, including an island on which there was copper. The "Puant or Skunk Indians," afterwards known as Winnebagoes, he supposed were situated North of this lake. Indian tribes appear in history under so many names, and changes of residence, that it requires special research to follow them from Ciiamplain's time to our own. When the French inidertook to secure the friend- ship of the Iroquois, and detach them from the the English, l)y means of their missionaries, in 1654, there were two nations inhabiting the eastern end of Lake Erie. This scheme succeeded only for a short time. In 1656 the Onondagas, or " Onnontaques," nuirdered most of the Huron christians, whom the Jesuits brought with them, and so threatened the lives of the missionaries and traders, that fifty-three of them withdrew, under cover of night, and after incredible toils, reached Montreal, April 3d, 1657. Other missionaries were tortured, and burned as martyrs to the cause of Indian civilization. While the Jesuits were among the Iroquois, they discom- fitted the nation of the Chat, Cat, or Raccoon, which occupied the shore of Lake Erie on the south-east. 5G DIOFPJAT OF Til 10 EUIES. This iKiti(~>ii, tluit of the Erries, Eries, Erigiis, or Errieoiioiis, of tlie east end of tlie lake, and another on the. lieads of the Alleghany, known as the Andantes, soon disappeared from history. The irresisti])le Irocpiois warriors, principally Senecas, crossed the straits between Erie and Ontario, and blotted out or dispersed the Neutral nation. In 105 5 they assailed the Eries, storming their rude forts, getting over their pickets by means of canoes, planted as scaling ladders, and enslaved or destroy- ed the nation. They did not so easily blot out the Andantes, who resisted imtil the year 1072, Init were finally, like the Neutrals, not only exhausted, but obliter- ated. (Pakkman, 22-23.) It was thus the various families of the Five Nations, became possessed of the north-eastern part of Ohio, as far west as the Cuyahoga river, claiming still farther to the west. When the Tuscarawas, or Tuscaroras, were added to the confederacy, they were seated upon the waters of the Beaver and the Muskingum. The Hurons, having l)een driven to the west end of the lake, retained possession west of the Cuya- hoga, but neither party felt safe in settling to the east of it, in eastern and north-eastern Ohio, Av^hich thus became a border country; Avhere the stragglers from both nations, had tlie courage to hunt for o-ame and for each other. Althouo-h La Salle had THE FKENCII ON LAKE ERIE. 57 ventured to establish a post at Niagara, in 1078, and in the winter of 1678-9, had built the "Grif- fin," a small vessel, above the Falls of Niagara; and had successfully sailed in her through Lake Erie to Lake Michigan, we do not know of any French on the south shore of this lake at that time. French traders and missionaries, may have coasted along the north shore, among their friends, the Hurons; but they have left no record of such journeys. In moving to and fi'om the Mississippi, they had been compelled, for fear of the Iroquois, to make a wide circuit, passing up the Ottawa river, making a portage to Lake Nepissing, descending thence to Lake Huron, and continuing the voyage by way of Mackinaw, and St. Joseph, reached tjie waters of the Illinois river. It was not until 1688, they established a trading post at the outlet of Lake Huron, on the ground where Fort Gratiot was afterwards built. La Salle before this had performed a journey that compares in endurance, fortitude and courage, with the fabled labors of Hercides. During the months of Feb- ruary and March, 1680, he traveled on foot, from his Fort on the Illinois river, avoiding the Iroquois south of the Lakes, to Quebec; a distance of about twelve hundred miles. Perhaps some of the Jesuit Missionaries, had gone as far west as the Cuyahoga before this time. But I know of no evidence to 5 58 NAKKATIVH OF KLACKSNAKE. lliis ctt'ect. On tlie noHli shore, tlie Frencli did not make a i)erniaiu*nt lodgment nntil tlie year 1701 ; at wliieli time tliev erected Fort Ponteliartrain, at Detroit. They were still unwilling to trust them- selves among the Iroquois, of the south shore. Their progress in the affections of those tribes was very slo^v. It was about forty years after they located at Detroit, before they Iniilt a fort at Erie, Pa,, which they called Pres(.j[ue Isle. They reached Sandusky, and built a fort there in 1754, and of course had other establishments on this lake, between Erie and Sandusky. By examining that part of Leavis Evans' Map, w^hich is inserted in the notice of the early maps of this region; it will be seen that in 1755, they had a trading station on the west side of the Cuyahoga, opposite the mouth of Tinker's Creek. But between the years 1700 and 17G0, our certain knowledge of the Indian tribes in Ohio, is very meao-re. As they were our immediate predecessors on this soil, and have already become nearly extinct, their history possesses a deep interest. I have not, however, space to do more than quote a nai'ration made by Blacksnake, a Seneca chief, to some gentle- man of Buffalo, N. Y., in July, 1845, giving the Indian version of the extirpation of the Eries, the nation from ^vliom our lake has received its name, by which their memory will be perpetuated so long as the waters floAw CHALLENGE BY THE EKIKS. 51) DESTRUCTION OF THE ERIES. "The Eries were the most powerful and warlike of all the Indian tribes. They resided at the foot of the Great Lake, (Erie,) where now stands the city of Buffalo, the Indian name for which was ' Tii-sliu-way.^ " When the Eries heard of the confederation which was formed between the Mohawks, who resided in the valley of that name, the Oneidas, the Onon- dagas, the Cayugas, and the Senecas, who resided, for the most part, upon the shores and the outlets of the lakes bearing their names respectively, (called by the French the Iroquois nation,) they imagined it must be for some mischievous purpose. Although confident of their superiority over any one of the tribes, inhabiting the countries within the bounds of their knowledge, they dreaded the power of such combined forces. In order to satisfy themselves in regard to the character, disposition, and power, of those they considered their natural enemies, the Eries resorted to the following means. " They sent a friendly message to the Senecas, who were their nearest neighbors, inviting them to select one hundred of their most active, athletic young men, to play a game of ball, against the same num- ber to be selected by the Eries, for a wager which should be considered worthy the occasion, and the (')() I'KKPAK'ATION FOR 'rillO CON'PKS'r. cliMiactci- ot' the great luxtioii, in wliosc Lelialf tlie offer was made. "Tlie message was received and entertained in the most respectful manner. A council of tlie "Five Nations" Avas called, and the })roposition fully discussed, and a messenger in due time despatched with the decision of the council, respectfully declin- ing the challenge. This emboldened the Eries, and the next year the offer was renewed, and after heing again considered, again foimally declined. This was far from satisfying the proud lords of the "Great Lake," and the challenge was renewed the third time. The blood of the young Iroquois could no longer be restrained. They importuned the old men to allow them to accept the challenge. The wise councils which had hitherto prevailed, at last gave way, and the challenge was accepted. " Nothino; could exceed the enthusiasm wath which each tribe sent forth its chosen champions for the contest. The only difficulty seemed to be, to make a selection, where all w^ere so worthy. After much delay, one hundred of the ilower of all the tribes were finally designated, and the day for their departure was fixed. An experienced chief was chosen as the leader of the party, whose orders the young nnni were strictly enjoined to obey. A grand council was called, and in the presence of the assembled multitude, the party was charged, in the most solemn manner, to observe a pacific \ I THE IROQUOIS CHAMPION?* 6l course of conduct towards tlieir coni})ctitors, and the nation whose guests they were to })econie, and to aUow no provocation, liowever great, to ]:>e resented hy any act of aggression on their ])art, l)ut in all respects to actpiit themselves worthy the representatives of a great and powerful people, anxious to cultivate peace and friendship with their neighbors. "Under these solemn injunctions, the party took up its line of march for Tu-shu-way. When the chosen band had arrived in the vicinity of the point of their destination, a messenger was sent forward to notify the Eries of their arrival, and the next day was set apart for their grand entree. "The elegant and athletic forms, the tasteful, yet not cumbrous dress, the dignified, noble bearing of their chief, and more than all, the modest demeanor bf the young warriors of the Iroquois party, won the admiration of all beholders. They brought no arms. Each one bore a ])at, used to throw or strike a ball, tastefully ornamented, being a hickory stick about five feet long, bent over at the end, and a thong netting wove into the bow. After a day of repose and refreshment, all things were arranged for the contest. The chief of the Iroquois brought for- ward and deposited upon the ground, a large pile of elegantly wrought belts of wanq)um, costly jewels, silver bands, beautifully ornamented moccasins, and other articles of great value in the eyes of the sons ^2 THE toNTi^sl^. of the forest, as the stake, or wager on the part of his people. These were carefLilly matched by the Eries with articles of equal value — article by article, tied together and again deposited on the pile. "The game T)egan, and although contested with desperation and great skill by the Eries, was won by the Iroquois, and they bore oif the prize in triumph — thus ended the first day. " The Iroquois having now accomplished the object of their visit, proposed to take their leave, but the chief of the Eries, addressing himself to their leader, said their young men, though fairly beaten in the game of ball, would not be satisfied unless they could have a foot race, and proposed to match ten of their number, against an equal number of the Irocj[uois party, which was assented to, and the Iroquois were again victorious. The "Kauk- was," who resided on the Eighteen Mile Creek, being present as friends and allies of the Eries, now invited the Iroquois party to visit them, before they returned home, and thither the whole party repaired. The chief of the Eries, as a last trial of the courage and prowess of his guests, proposed to select ten men, to be matched by an equal number of the Iroquois party, to wrestle, and that the victor should despatch his adversary on the spot, by braining him with a tomahawk, and l)earing ofi^ his scalp as a troi)hy. I i'llE lEOQUOIS ALWAYS VICTORIOUS. &6 " This sanguinary proposition was not at all pleas- ing to the Iroquois; they however concluded to accept the challenge, w4th a determination, should they be victorious, not to execute the l:>loody part of the proposition. The champions were accordingly chosen — a Seneca was the first to step into the ring, and threw his adversary, amid the shouts of the multitude. He stepped back, and declined to execute his victim who lay passive at his feet. As quick as thought, the chief of the Eries seized the tomahawk, and at a single blow scattered the brains of his vanquished warrior Over the ground. His body was dragged away, and another champion of the Eries presented himself. He was as quickly thrown by his more powerful atagonist of the Iro- quois party, and as quickly dispatched by the in- furiated chief A third met the same fate. "The chief of the Iroquois party, seeing the ter rible excitement which agitated the multitude, gave a signal to retreat. Every man obeyed the signal, and in an instant they were out of sight. " In two hours they arrived in Tu-shu-way, gath- ered up the trophies of their victories, and were on their way home. " This visit of the hundred warriors of the Five Nations, and its results, only served to increase the jealousy of the Eries, and to convince them that they had powerful rivals to contend with. It was no part of their policy, to cultivate friendship and ^4 VENGEANCE OF THE ERIEs. strengthen tlieir own ])OAvei' by cultivating peace with other tribes. "They knew of no mode of securing peace to themselves, ])ut by exterminating all who might oppose them ; but the combination of several pow- erful tribes, any of Avhom might be almost an ecpial match for them, and of whose personal prowess they had seen such an exhibition, inspired the Eries with the most anxious forebodings. To cope with them collectively they saw was impossible. Their only hope, therefore, was in being able, by a vigor- ous and sudden movement, to destroy them in de- tail. With this view, a powerful war party was immediately organized to attack the Senecas, who resided at the foot of Seneca Lake, (the present site of Geneva,) and along the banks of the Seneca river. It happened that at this period, there resided among the Eries a Seneca woman, w^ho in early life had been taken prisoner, and had married a hus- band of the Erie tribe. He died and left her a widow without children, a stranger among strangers. Seeing the terrible note of preparation for a bloody onslaught upon her kindred and friends, she formed the resolution of appraising them of their danger. As soon as night set in, taking the course of the Niagara river she traveled all night, and early next morning reached the shore of Lake Ontario. She jumped into a canoe, which she found fastened to a tree, and boldly jmshed into the open lake. TitE ERIEfl BETRAYED. 65 " Coasting down the lake, she arrived at the mouth of the Oswego river in the night, where a hirge settlement of the nation resided. " She directed her steps to the house of the liead chief, and disclosed the object of her journey. She was secreted by the chief, and runners were dis- patched to all the tribes, summoning them imme- diately to meet in council, which was held at Onon- daga Hollow. " When all were convened the chief arose, and in the most solemn manner rehearsed a vision, in which he said a beautiful bird appeared to him, and told him that a great war party of the Eries, was preparing to make a secret and sudden descent upon them, and destroy them; that nothing could save them, but an immediate rally of all the warriors of the Five Nations, to meet the enemy before they should be able to strike the blow. These solemn announce- ments were heard in breathless silence. When the chief had finished and sat down, there arose one immense yell of menacing madness. The earth shook, when the mighty mass brandished high in the air their war clubs, and stamped the ground like furious beasts. " No time was to be lost ; a body of five thousand Warriors was organized, and a corps of reserve con- sisting of one thousand young men, who had never been in battle. The l)ravest chiefs from all the tribes were put in command, and spies immediate- OG IROQltOIS FORCES ADVANCE. ly sent out in seai-cli of the enemy; the whole body taking- up a line of march, in the direction frt)m whence they expected the attack. "The advance of the war party was continued for several days, j"»assing" through successively tlu' settlements of their friends, the Onondagas, the Ca\-ugas, and the Senecas ; but they had scarcely }>assed the last wigwam, near the foot of Ca-an-du- gua (Canandaigua) Lake, when their scouts l)rought in intelligence of the advance of the Eries, who had already crossed the Ce-nis-se-u (Genesee) river in great force. The Eries had not the slightest inti- mation of the approach of their enemies. They re- lied upon the secresy and celerity of their move- ments, to surprise and subdue the Seuecas almost without resistance. "The two parties met, at a point al>out half M-a\' between the foot of Canandaigua Lake and the Gen- esee river ; and near the outlet of two small lakes, near the foot of one of which (the Honeoye), the l^attle was fought. When the two parties came in siffht of each other, the outlet of the lake onlv in- tervened between them. "The entire force of the five confederate tribes, was not in view of the Eries. The reserve corps of one thousand young men, had not been allowed to advance in sight of the enemy. Nothing could re- sist the impetuosity of tlie Eries, at the first sight of an o])posing force on the other side of the stream. A DECISIVE BATTLE. ' 6'? They rushed through it, and fell upon them with tremendous fury. The undaunted courage and de- termined bravery of the Iroquois, could not avail against such a terrible onslaught, and they were compelled to yield the ground on the bank of the stream. The whole force of the combined tribes, except the corps of reserve, now became engaged. They fought hand to hand and foot to foot. The battle raged horribly. No quarter was asked or given on either side. " As the fight thickened and became more desper- ate, the Eries, for the first time, became sensible of their true situation. What they had long anticipa- ted had become a fearful reality. Their enemies liail comhined for their destruction., and they now found themselves engaged, suddenly and unexpectedly, in a struggle involving not only the glory .^ but perhaps the very existence of their nation. "They were proud, and had hitherto been vic- torious over all their enemies. Their superiority was felt and acknowledged by all the tribes. They knew how to conquer, but not to yield. All these considerations flashed upon the minds of the bold Eries, and nerved every arm with almost superhu- man power. On the other hand, the united forces of the weaker tribes, now made strong by union, fired with a spirit of emulation, excited to the high- est pitch among the warriors of the different tribes, brought for the first time to act in concert, inspired 6^ DECISIVE VICTORY OF THE IROQUOIS. with zeal and confidence, ])y the counsels of the wisest chiefs, and led on by the most experienced warriors of all the tribes, the Iroquois were in- mncihle. "Though staggered by the first desperate rusli of their opponents, they rallied at once, and stood their ground. And now the din of battle rises higher, the war-club, the tomahawk, the scalping knife, wielded by herculean hands, do tenible deeds of death. During the hottest of the battle, which was fierce and long, the corps of reserve, consisting of one thousand young men, were, by a skillful movement, under their experienced chief, placed in the rear of the Eries, on the opposite side of the stream, in ambush. "The Eries had been driven seven times across the stream, and had as often regained their ground ; l)ut the eighth time, at a given signal from their chief, the corps of young warriors in ambush rushed upon the almost exhausted Eries, with a tremendous yell, and at once decided the fortunes of the day. Hundreds, disdaining to fly, were struck down by the war-clubs of the vigorous young warriors, whose thirst for the blood of the enemy knew no bounds. A few of the vanquished Eries escaped, to carry the news of the terrible overthrow to their, wives and children, and their old men, who remained at home. But the victors did not allow them a moment's repose, l)ut pursued them in their flight, killing KETBEAT t)F THE ElilES. 69 without cliscrhnlnatioii all wlio fell into tlieir liaiuls. The pursuit was continued for many weeks, and it was five months before the victorious war party of the Five Nations returned to their friends, to join in celebrating the victory over their last and most powerful enemy, the Eries. " Tradition adds, that many years after, a powerful war party of the descendants of the Eiies came from beyond the Mississippi, ascended the Ohio, crossed the country, and attacked the Senecas, who had settled in the seat of their fathers at Tu-shu-way. A great battle was fought near the present site of the Indian Mission House, in which the Eries were again defeated, and slo/m to a man. Their bones lie bleaching in the sun to the present day, a mon- ument at once of the indomitable courage of the 'terrible Eries,' and of their brave conquerors, the Senecas." The above spirited relation is taken from the Buffalo Oommercial^ of July, 1845, whose editor remarks : "Its accuracy may be implicitly relied upon, every detail having been taken from the lips of Blacksnake, and other venerable chiefs of the Senecas and Tonawandas, who still cherish the traditions of their fathers. Near the Mission House, on the Reservation adjoining this city, can be seen a small mound, evidently artificial, 70 SENECA CHIEF, BLACKSNAKE. tluit 18 said to contain tlic remains of tlie unfor- tunate Ei'ies, slain in tlieir last great battle. The Indians hereabouts believe that a small remnant of the Eries still exist beyond the Mississippi. The small tribe known as the Quapaws in that region, are also believed to be remains of the Kauk-was, the allies of the Eries." Blacksnake was living in 1860, and resided upon the Allegheny river, above Warren, in Penn- sylvania. He was then more than a century and a quarter old. His form was scarcely human; shrivelled, bent and helpless; but he was able to converse intelligibly, his memory reaching back to the days when the French first descended that river to the Ohio. His narrative possesses that exquisite interest of which history is capable, when it is writ- ten fresh from the lips of those who form a part of it. Even after the English Crown had supplanted the French, the Indians were promised a secure home on the w^aters of Lake Erie and of the Oliio. By a proclamation of 1763, the same year of the treaty of Paris, all settlers are forbidden to trespass upon the Indian grounds north of the Ohio. It was doubtless the honest intention of the British authorities, to devote the territory of this and of all the north-western States, to Indian occupancy. When the boundaries of the United States were PLEDGES TO THE INDIANS. 7l discussed at tlie close of the Revolution, tlie British Commissioners insisted upon the Ohio as the line on the Avest. The reasons they urged were the guarantees they had given their Indian allies. Dr. Fkanklin was inclined to accede to this boundary, but the other Commissioners would not hear of it. Little did he foresee the progress of events. ^m CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OP LEADING EVENTS. 1535— Jaques Caetier, a Frenchman, ascended tlie St, Lawrence as far as Hoclialega, a Wyandot village near Montreal. An attempt to found a colony on tlie river, live years afterwards, entirely failed and its history is lost. 1539 — The Iroquois Confederacy formed. 1603 — Monsieur Samuel Ciiajiplaln- landed at Que- bec, and in 1608 made a permanent settlement there, the same year of the establishment at Jamestown, Virginia. 1615 — Champlain and Le Caron explore Lake Huron, by them called "Mer Douce." 1635 — ^The Jesuit Missionaries reached the Sault St. Mary. 1647 — Monsieur De Longueville reported to have been at the rapids of the Fox river, Wisconsin. 1654 — Onondaga Salt Springs discovered by Father Simon Le Moine. 6 74 CHRONOLOGY. 1(359 — Two Freiicli traders winter on Lake Superior. 1^3(30 — Tlie Abbe Mesnakd establishes missions at Kewenaw Bay, (St. Theresa,) and at La Pointe, ( Chegoimegon. ) l{]C)l — Mesnard perished in the woods near Portage Lake, on Lake Superior. 1668 — Dablon and Marquette founded a mission at the Sault St. Mary. 1671 — Marquette establishes a mission at St. Ignace, on the main land, w^est of Mackinaw. 1673 — Marquette reaches the Mississippi, by way of the Fox river. 1679 — La Salle builds the schooner "Griffin" at Cayuga creek, near Tonawanda, and sets sail August 7th, for Green Bay. 1681 — La Salle and Tonti are at Mackinaw "Old Fort," on the main land, south of the Straits. 1682 — La Salle discovers the mouth of the Missis- sippi river, April 7th. 1686— A fort built by the French at the outlet of Lake Huron, now Fort Gratiot. 1690 — The French and the Iroquois, after three- quarters of a century of war, conclude a peace, and the French occupy Lake Frie. 1701 — Fort Pontchartrain built at Detroit. 1712 — The Tuscarowas, or Tuscororas, from North Carolina, became a part of the Iroquois Con- federacy, from that time known as the " Six Nations." CIIllOlsruLOGY. V5 1726— Tlie "Six Nations," for the tliird time, put their lands on the shores of Lake Erie, under the protection of the Englisli. This treaty embraces a tract sixty miles wide from the Cuyahoga to Oswego. 1744 — The "Six Nations" at Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania, deed all their lands within the Colony of Virginia, to the King of England. 1749 — The French take formal possession of the country, on the waters of the Ohio. 1753 — They erect Forts at Presque Isle, (Erie) Pa., Le Beuf, (Waterford) and Venango (Franklin.) 1755 — ^The French propose to the English to retire east of the Allegheny mountains, and them- selves to remain west of the Ohio. 1760 — Canada conquered by the English. Their posts on this Lake, taken j^ossession of in the fall by Major Rogers. 1763 — First general cons|)iracy of the north-western Indians, under Pontiac, Ponteack, or Pondeach. 1764 — The expeditions of Cols. Bradstreet and BoQUET, against the Ohio Indians. 1765 — The Ohio country made part of Canada by act of Parliament. 1766 — Jojs^ATHAN Carver explores the uj^per Lakes and upper Mississippi. 1768— Treaty of Fort Stanwix, (Rome, N. Y.) in which the British covenant with the Indians not to pass the Ohio. 76 CHEONOLOGY. 1770 — Moravian Missions founded on the Big Beaver River, not far below New Castle. 1776 — British Traders at Cuyahoga. 1777 — The British and Indians hold a conference at Oswego, New York. 1778 — Fort Laurens built by Congress on the Tusca- rora River, near Bolivar, two miles below where Frederick Post established a mission in 1761. 1782 — The British establish a Fort at Sandusky, Ohio. 1784 — England refuses to deliver up the western posts. 1786 — Blankets and other goods obtained at Cuya- hoga, from British traders, for our troops at Pittsburgh; and flour delivered here for the British. The Moravians establish a mission at the mouth of Tinker's Creek, in Cuyahoga County. Soon after, a British vessel is wrecked within the present city of Cleveland. EARLY MAPS OF THE LAKE COUNTRY. Upon the geography of the region of the Lakes, there is nothing, based upon personal observation, earlier than Champlain's map, a portion of which is given on the next page. He spent his life among the Indian tribes of the valley of the St. Lawrence, either in a friendly or a warlike character. Those on the North of the St. Lawrence, (originally St. Laurent); were secured to the French interest by his personal influence. He always went with them across the river southward, to make war upon their enemies, the Iroquois, who were friendly to the English. In 1G34, Ciiamplain pul^lished his map of New France. The French had not, at this time, dared to venture upon Lake Erie, neither had they the benefit of information from Indians, who lived upon its shores. In his expedition of 1615 against the Onondagoes, on the waters of the Oswego River, and the Senecas at Canandaigua Lake, Champlain obtained some knowledge of that I LAKE HURON. 79 country. His route is shown on the map l)y dotted lines; and the position of the Seneca Fort hy the letter a. From the country of the "Antoronons" or Senecas, qii the head of the Genessee River ; and of the " Carantouannais," on the head waters of the Susquehanna, an Indian road or trail, led away to the westward, and the streams running north into Lake Erie. The Falls of Niagara are noticed only as a rapid or sault, like the other rapids of the St. Lawrence. From thence, a gi-and strait, with Islands, connecting Lake St. Louis, or Ontario with Lake Huron, is all the representation given of Lakes Erie and St. Clair. Champlain only knew that his "Mer Douce" had a connection with Lake Ontario, but of the existence of another great lake, Ijetween them, he was clearly ignorant. His route to Lake Huron was always through the friendly tribes, by way of the Ottowa River, and ''Lac de Biserenis" or Lake Nepissing. Evidently, he had not explored the "Grand Lake" (Michigan) or Lake Superior. The "Puants" or Winnebagoes, who occupied the north-western parts of Lake Michigan, he su23posed were north and east of Superior. The Chippeways, Ojibways, or Sauteurs, were at that time, as they have been since, the masters of the shores of that lake. If Champlain had been upon the waters of Lake Michigan, he would not have put the sault, at the outlet of that lake, instead of Superior. Neither would he have represented the last named lake, as a 80 WYANDOTS AND PETUNS. diminitive body of water, not larger than Lake Nej)issing. The fact of the existence of copper, he derived from the Indians. But grotesque as his niajD appears to us, it possesses much interest. It shows where the savage nations were h^cated, when they were iirst encoun- tered by the whites. The Iroquois hehl the waters of Lake Chaniplain, the Hudson River, and the LTpper Susquehanna. On the North shore of Lake Ontario were the Tlurons, afterwards known as the Wyandots. On the North shore of Lake Erie, the " Petuns," or Tobacco Indians were located. Not long before the Iroquois achieved their first great victory over the Eries, which occurred about 1655, they expelled the Neutral Nation from the shores of the Niagara river. The Iroquois called tlie Neutrals, the Nation of the " Cat," meaning the wild cat, an animal of the family of the lynx. By the French, the Eries were also known as Cats, but this name they applied to the raccoon. In this way, the two Nations are confounded. Their fate was alike, l^ut they were not even allies. The Eries, under the name of Erigas, remained a long time in Ohio, having been driven from the Genessee river, past Buffalo, to the heads of the Scioto. They were originally of the Iroquois stock, speaking a dialect of the same language. As usual, when people of the same lineage become enemies, tlieir LOCATION OF THE ERIES. 81 hatred is more fierce and lasting, than where there is no community of blood. At the eastern end of Lake Michigan, a great river comes in from the South, whose head waters are as low in latitude as the capes of Virginia. A large river discharges into Lake Huron, near the western portion, opposite an island. On this is located the " Gens de Feu," or nation of the Fire, since called the Mascoutens. Another large river from the south, discharo-es into what answers to Lake Erie. On the sources of the three last named streams was the nation "which has plenty of Buffaloes." Numerous Indian villages, fields, and graves, are represented on these rivers, and throughout all the country. There are also abundant mountains, in all parts of the western and north-western country, as well as in New England and Virginia. LEWIS EVANs' MAP 1755. Neither had the English much reliable knowl- edge of Lake Erie, until after the year 1700. As soon as peace was secured by the French, with the Iroquois, they hastened to possess the country west of the Allegheny mountains. The English were equally hasty in opposing them. Lewis Evans, of Philadelphia, assisted hj Governor Powwall, of New Jersey, between 1740 and 1750, gathered materials for the map of 1755. Captain Thomas HuTCHiNS, who was the Engineer to Colonel 82 EARLY ENGLISH MAPS. Boquet's expedition of 1764, also published a map, embracing a part of Lake Erie, and tlie Upper Ohio. John Fitch, the great American improver of steam- ])oats, and who invented more of its useful parts than any other man, published a map of the Ohio country in 1784 or 1785. In March, 1780, he was made prisoner by Indians, at Blennerhasset's Island, near Marietta, on the Ohio, and taken by them through the country to Detroit. He obtained from them what information he could; drew, engraved and printed, the map with his own hands. Evans included in a general sketch, all the country westward from the sea coast, to the Missis- sippi River, which is remarkably accurate. His detailed map extends no farther West than the Grreat Miami. As early as 1670, the Jesuit Fathers published a map of Lake Superior, which appears to have been corrected by celestial observations. It seems impracticable to construct a chart of so large a tract, with so much geographical accuracy, without such corrections. The positions of impor- tant points on Evans' map, do not appear to have been determined by astronomical instruments; but his sources of local information, must have l^een very numerous and reliable. h n 1 < \ o < H O O n H I n CD r tn I z s m 3] 2 > ■0 H H V) > r > o H 1 z 2 H CD n 1- > o P 1 o -n H m W 1 " r -n CO 6a 84 TITLE OF EVANs' MAP. His title is quite a geograpliical memoir, and reads tliiis: " A GENERAL MAP OF THE MIDDLE BRITISH COLONIES IN AMERICA, VIZ : VIRGINIA, MARILAND, DELAWARE, PENSILVANIA, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, CONNECTICUT AND RHODE ISLAND ; OF Aquaishuonigy Country, of the Confederate Indians, com-preJiending Aquaishuonigy proper^ their place of residence; Ohio and Tiiuxsaxrunthe, their deer hunting country, Couxsaxrage and STcaniadarade, their heaver hunting countries of the Lakes Erie, Ontario and Champlain, and a part of New France ; wherein is also shown the antient and present seats of the Indian Nations." Note.— "The Confederates, July 19, 1701, at Albany, suiTendered their beaver hunting country to the English, to be defended by them for the said Confederates, their heirs and successors forever, and the same was confirmed Sept. 14, 1728, when the Senecas, Cayugaes and Onondagoes, surrendered their habitations from Cayahoga to Oswego, and sixty miles inland to the same for the same use." A comparison of the early maps, gives tlie best history of tlie migrations of Indian tribes. Their rapid extinction, is also made conspicuous by such comparisons. In place of the " Petuns" of Cham- plain, on the North of Lake Erie, towards the Falls of Niagara, are, according to Evans, the " Sissisoquies." Between the Oswego and Genessee (Kashuxca) Rivers are the " Cayugaes" ; on the heads of the Genessee, the Senecas; and in Ohio, LOCATION OF INDIAN TRIBES. 85 the Erigas, or Eries. No notice is taken of the Neutral Nation. The " Chawanes" (Shawnes and Shawanese,) were then on the Ohio, around the mouths of the Scioto, and the Kenhawa. On the Great "Mineami," (Miami,) were the " Tawixtawis," and tlje Mineamis. The Hurons, Wyandots, or '' Wiandots," had been pushed from the North shore of Lake Ontario, to the western part of Lake Erie, embracing both shores. For local details, the map of Evans' is a great advance upon Champlain's. The outlines of Lake Erie are too large every way, but the resemblance to nature is easily traced. Several of the Lidian trails and portages are given, showing their prin- cipal routes of travel, by land and by water. A great war path extended southerly from the Tawixtawi towns, at the Forks of the Maumee, to the French post on the Great Miami ; afterwards known as Loramies ; thence to the mouth of the Scioto, and to the Blue Licks in Kentucky. From Loramies or the Piqua towns, another led eastward to the Delaware towns, on the Scioto ; and thence across the Hockhocking, probably at Lancaster, to the White Woman's town, at the forks of Muskinofum, near Coshocton. Coal is laid down on the Tusca- rawas, near Bolivar; petroleum on the Ohio, near Yellow Creek; and salt water on the Mahoning River, in Trumbull county. 86 PORTAGES LAKE ERIE TO THE OHIO. At the issuing of this map, the French were in possession of all parts of Lake Erie, and its Avaters. No Englishman had traversed this country, unless it was some unknown prisoner among the Indians. The first of these we know of, was here in 1754-5. Huske's map prefixed to Douglass' summary ; a general history of North America, 1760, has the following title : " A Map wlierein the errors of all preceding maps^ Brit- ish, French and Dutch, respecting the rights of Great Britian, France and Spain, and the limits of each of his Majestifs provinces are corrected?'' Carrying Places between the Ohio and Lake Erie. From the Tojjographical Description, &c. By Capt. Thomas Hutchins, 60^;^ Regiment, London, 1788. "The Canawagy Creek, (Chataiiqiie) when raised by freshets, is passable with small batteaux, to a lake, (Chataiique) from whence is a portage of twenty miles, to Lake Erie, at the mouth of the Jadagque, but this is seldom used, as the Canawagy has scarcely any water in a dry season," Chatauque is no doubt derived from " Jadagcpie," or " Jadaixqua," according to Evans. "French Creek affords the nearest passage to Lake Erie, being navigable by a very crooked channel, with small boats to Le Beuf. The portage thence to Presque Isle is fifteen miles." " Beaver Creek has sufficient water for fiat boats. At Kishnskes, about sixteen miles up this creek, it has two PORTAGES LAKE ERIE TO THE OHIO. 87 branches, which spread opposite ways. One interlocks with French Creek and Cherage ; the other with Musk- ingum and Cayahoga^ on which, about thirty-five miles above the forks, are many salt springs. It is practicable for canoes about twenty miles further." ^^ From Muskingum to Cayahoga^ a creek that leads to Lake Erie, which is muddy and not very swift, and nowhere obstructed with falls or rifts, is the best portage between the Ohio and Lake Erie." " The mouth is wide and deep enough to receive large sloops from the lake, and will hereafter be of great importance." " The lands on the southern shore of the lake, and for a considerable distance from it, for several miles East of the Cayahoga, appear quite level, and are extremely fertile." EXPEDITIONS OF MAJOR ROGERS, MAJOR WILKINS, AND COL. BRADSTREET. 1T60, 1763, 1T64. lu reference to the English expeditions into the lake country, which followed the French War, I have not space to notice them fully. Major EoBEET Rogees, of the Provincial Rangers, which were raised in New Hampshire, left Fort Niagara with his battalion in October, 1760, to take possession of the French Posts. The command sailed in batteaux, capable of carrying fifty men, which coasted along the south shore. When the wind was fair they made good progress ; if it was unfavorable, their boats having sails were capable of beating against the wind. Major RoGEES was a l^old, restless, enterprising, intrio^uino; man, who had served with distinction in the French War. He traveled extensively through- out the lake country, and published two volumes in reference to it in 1765. His Journal of the expedition to Detroit is very full. It contains the 90 INTEEVIEW WITII PONTIAC. progress of nearly every day, with the courses and distances made on each stretch hj the l3oats. Historians have assumed, that the celebrated meeting of Pontiac, "Pondeach" or "Ponteach,'^ with Major Rogers and his Rangers, haughtily demanding by what authority the English troops, entered this country, occurred at the mouth of the Cuyahoga. "On the 7th of November, 1760, they reached the mouth of the Cuyahoga river, the present site of Cleveland. No body of British troops had ever advanced so far. The day was dull and rainy, and, resolving to rest until the weather should improve, Rogers ordered his men to prepare their camp in the neighboring forest. The place has seen strange- changes since that day." "Soon after the arrival of the Rangers, a party of Indian chiefs and warriors entered the camp. They proclaimed themselves an embassy from Pon- TiAC, ruler of all that country, and directed, in his name, that the English should advance no further until they had had an interview with the great chief, who was close at hand. "He greeted Rogers with the haughty demand what his business was in that country, and how he dared to enter it without his permission." (Park- man's Conspiracy, pp. 147-148.) Rogers himself leaves the place of this meeting in much obscurity. In his Journal he does not EEEOE IN KJ:GAED TO THE PLACE. 91 speak of Pontiac, but in liis " Concise Account," published in the same year, that warrior, with his lordly bearing, is made conspicuous. The place where the interview was held is not described. "Nov. 4th, 1760, set out from Presque Isle, (Erie) and made about twenty miles. Nov. 5th, lay hj on account of the weather. Nov. 6th, advanced ten or twelve miles. Nov. 7th, set out early and come to the mouth of the Chogage river. Here we met with a party of Attawawa Indians, just arrived from Detroit." (Rogees' Journal, p. 214.) After some parley, the Indians held a council, and promised an answer the next morning. Nothing is said of the Chief, or of their assuming a threatening attitude. In the morning, they gave a rej^ly, and said their warriors should go with the party. They were given 2:)resents, and charged to prevent annoy- ance on the way, by sending some sachems with Capt. Beeweb, who was driving the cattle along shore. Major RoGEES was detained at "Chogage" until the 12th. That day, by his reckonings, stearing various courses, he made forty-one miles and reached "Elk river, as the Indians call it." Elk river, or " Elk creek" upon Evans' map, is east of Cuyahoga. During the 4th, 5th and 6th of November, Major RoGEES had advanced from thirty to thirty-two miles, which did not place him beyond Conneaut creek. How far he moved on the 7th, is not stated. 92 GEOGRAPHICAL UNCERTAINTIES. From Conneaiit creek to Grand river, is forty miles ; and thence to Cuyahoga, thirty miles. Could he have made seventy miles on the Yth ? If so excellent a day's work had been done, would not Major Rogers have made note of it ? By his reckoning, it is forty-one miles from "Chogage" to the Elk, a distance which they accomplished on the 12th ; but this includes the several courses run by his fleet of boats, standing out and in to keep the wind. He did not advance this distance in a direct line along the shore, probably not more than thirty miles, or from Grand river to Cuyahoga. From his Elk creek to Sandusky bay, is fifty miles, as the boats ran ; only two rivers having been observed on the way. His failure to note the distance which they made on the 'Tth, leaves the record very incomplete. On none of the early maps is Elk river laid down west of the Cuyahoga. In Kalm's travels, (London, 1771,) it is placed first on the east. Upon Jefferson's map, (Notes on Virginia, 1787,) it is the third river east of this; and on Harris' map, (1803,) the fourth. In Morse's Geography, (London, 1792,) there is neither Cuyahoga or Elk rivers, the Grand river Ijeing farther west than the Cuyahoga should be. It would be a very good day's sail in batteaux, to reach Grand river from Conneaut creek. The computed distances from thence to Sandusky, are approximately correct, which leaves a fair presump- POSITION OF ELK CREEK. 93 tion in fkvor of the moutli of Grand river, at Fairport, as the place where the Ottawas lield theii' first interview with the English troops. But comparing all of Rogees' statements in regard to this expedition, which are not entirely consistent, it is by no means clear that Pontiac was a party in this interview. On the morning of the 20th, the command left a river, about ten miles east of Sandusky l)ay, (Huron river,) encamping that night at the second stream beyond the bay, which should be the creek next west of the Portage, or "Carrying" river. Here Major Rogers was met again by an embassy, who demanded his business there, representing that they spoke for four hundred warriors, who were at the mouth of the " great streight," to obstruct his passage. He quieted the sachems by explanations and promises, and on the 21st, they all set forward in good humor. (Rogers' Journal, p. 218.) At " Cedar Point," on the night of the 23d and 24th, the same messengers returned, among whom was a sachem of the "Attawawas." The next morning, sixty Indians offered to escort the English to Detroit. Pontiac is nowhere mentioned. If he was present at a meeting east of the Cuyahoga, he was out of the country of the western Indians, and had no right to question the conduct of the British commander. Until after passing that stream, he was in the Territory of the Six Nations, fi'om which 94 CIIOGAGE NOT THE CUYAHOGA. they liad driven the Hurons long before, making the Cuyahoga their boundary. All this must have been well known to Pontiac, and to Major Rogers. Sir William Jonisrsoisr, while he was Superin- tendent of Indian aifairs, made a journey from his home, on the Mohawk, to Detroit, the next season after the English obtained possession of that place. On his return, by way of the south shore, in the summer of 1761, his Diary has the following sen- tence : "Embarked this morning at six of ye clock, and intend to beach near Cayahoga this day." The " Cayahoga " is a prominent river on Evans' Map, 2~>ublished five years previous. It was well known to Johnson and to Rogers, who describes the country adjacent, in his " Concise Account." If the interview with Pontiac had occurred here, a place already notorious among the Indians and well known to geographers, it would have been prop- erly named. As a misprint, Chogage, is too far from Cayahoga, to warrant the conclusion that the words were meant for the same. Sheauga, the Indian name for Grand River, is much nearer both in sound and orthography. For the present, therefore, something must be left to conjecture, in reference to the spot where this great Indian warrior and medicine man, asserted his ideas of the suj)reinacy of his people. Finding himself grievously mistaken, he soon concocted a THE NORTH-WESTEKN CONSPIRACY. 95 •great conspiracy of tlie noi*th-westeru tribes, wliicli Ijiirst fortli simultaneously, upon every Englisli gar- rison and trading post in the spring of 1763. The French fort, Junendot, at Sandusky, does not appear to have been garrisoned at this time. Between 1760 and 1763, the British put a schooner afloat on Lake Erie, called the " Gladwyn," which •carried supplies to the post at Detroit, and the upper forts. In the last named year, the conspiracy performed its bloody work. The history of that murderous conflict is so familiar, that I confine myself to other events, referring those who would understand this savage tragedy, in all its horrible details, to the fascinating narrations of Parkman. Major Rogers commanded a detachment, sent to the relief of Detroit during the seige of 1763. His battalion of provincials, assisted in covering the retreat of Dalzell's command, after their defeat at Bloody Run, on the morning of July 31st. An important expedition was sent into the Indian country in the fall of 1763, in command of Major WiLKiNs. On the night of the 7th of November, it was shipwrecked, and so thoroughly disorganized .as to be obliged to return. Prof. J. P. KiRTLAND, of Rockport, resides near the reputed spot where this calamity occurred. He has thoroughly investigated the historical proofs in support of his opinion, and has kindly furnished me his conclusions, with a description of the relics found there. This valualde paper is inserted entire : DISASTERS ATTENDING THE EXPEDITIONS OF MAJOR WILKINS, AND COLO- NEL (afterwards general) BRADSTREET, NEAR THE PRESENT CITY OF CLEVELAND. Bv J. P. KIRTLAND, M. D., LL. D. The lapse of a century casts an oblivious shade over imperfectly recorded events. That two expe- ditions, engaged in prosecuting the Pontiac War, were wrecked on Lake Erie, the one in the Autumn of the year 1763, the other about the same period in the year following, are well established historic facts. Neither authors nor tradition have, how- ever, attempted to point out the exact locality where those events occurred. * Since the first settlement of the township of Rock- port, some fifty years since, the attention of observ- ing individuals has been awakened, l)y the frecpient discoveries of vestiges of military implements, and other articles, not usually scattered at random in a new and uncultivated country. Those discoveries have been made at two local- ities : 98 EVIDENCES OF A SHIPWRECK. First. — 111 the vicinity of tlie junction of Rocky River witli Lake Erie, embracing tlie sandy beacli bordering the Lake/and the right bank of the river ; and the high bluff now known as Tisdale's Point, which is an extension of the left Ijank into the Lake, and which presents a perpendicular rocky face, sev- enty feet high, on its Lake front. Second. — McMahon's beach, which borders the Lake, under a high clay bank, fronting the farms of Messrs. Brown, McMaiion, Col. Merwin, and the late Gov. Wood, and, also embracing the ridge extending eastwardly from the last named farm, by the resi- dences of Frederick Wright, John Williams, and Fletcher's Hotel, to the present crossing of Rocky River on the Plank Road bridge. The first named locality is seven miles, and the second from eio-ht to ten miles w^est of Cleveland. o A careful examination of the several discoveries, in connection with the historical items frirnished by the authorities to which reference is here made, leads to the conclusion that the catastrophe Avhich befel WiLKiNs' expedition, happened at the first named locality, and that of Bradstreet's at the second. The correctness of this conclusion will be con- firmed, by an examination of the peculiar and dan- gerous character of these localities during a storm, and of the manner in which these vestio-es must have been lost ; and a more complete comprehension of the terrific scenes attendant on those disasters would KOUTE OF THE EXPEDITION. 99 thereby ]>e gained. Gov. Cass, in an address before the Historical Society of Michigan, in the year 1834, though laboring under some important errors in regard to the wi'ecking of Bradstreet's expedition, had a full conception of the horrors of that catastro- phe. Few of the present generation know, that either of these events have occurred; fewer still are aware of the pecuniary loss and human suffering they in- volved. WILKINS' EXPEDITION. PoNTiAC, with his hostile tribes of savages, captured most of the British forts in the west, and murdered their garrisons, in the spring of 1763. The posts at Detroit and Fort Pitt, successfully resisted his first attacks. A vigorous seige was carried on against them by the savages, during the summer following. While troops were collecting under Col. Boquet, (or Bouquet,) for the relief of Fort Pitt, a flotilla of batteaux from Albany ascended the Mohawk river, by portages reached Wood Creek, and ultimately. Fort Schlosser, on Niagara river, above the falls. In the autumn of that year, six hundred British regu- lars, with arms, military stores, and a train of artil- lery, embarked under command of Major Wilkins, They attempted to ascend the river, and advance to Detroit. After some delay and loss, fi'om attacks of the 1(J() MAJOR WILKINS ON LAKE ERIE. Seneca Indians, tliey reached Lake Erie, but on the- 7tli of November, were driven on sliore by a violent storm, lost twenty boats, witli fifty barrels of pro- vision, some field pieces, and all of tlieir ammunition.. Seventy men and three ofiicers, including their sur- geon, were drowned. These officers were Lieut. Da- vidson, of the train, Lieut. Paynter, and Dr. Wil- liams, of the SOtli regiment; also a French pilot.. After the storm abated a council of war was held,, and decided that the survivors should return to Ni- agara, where they ultimately arrived. The exact locality of Wilkins' disaster has hitherto- been a matter of uncertainty. Some persons suppose it was on the north sliore of the Lake. The eviden- ces to sustain this conclusion are the following : A published " Diary of the seige of Detroit," kept. ])y a private soldier in the garrison at that place,, states as follows: — "Nov. IS, 1763. — This morning two Lidians arrived from " Point-aux-Pins," with a letter, one-half WTote in Erse, and the other in Eng- lish, from Major Monterife, (Moncriefi"e,) giving an. account of the batteaux being cast away, on the 7th instant, at the highlands, beyond the said point." Sir W.AI. Johnson, in a letter to the Lords of Trade,, locates the disaster at ninety miles from Detroit ;; and Lieut. Gov. Golden, in a letter to the same- Board, fixes it at " two-thirds of their way to De- troit." If " Point-aux-Pins" could he designated, the ques- HISTORICAL NOTICES. 101 tion would at once be determined ; Ijut at the time ■of the writing of the diary, no locality on the shores oi Lake Erie was designated hy that name. Such is the inference, from the fact that on Lewis Evans' map •of the Middle Colonies, published in London, dated June 23d, 1755, eight years before the wrecking of this expedition, no locality is distinguished along the Lake as " Point-aux-Pins." It is true that a recent map in Bell's History of 'Canada, has that name affixed to a headland in Kent District, on the north shore of Lake Erie, but it is evidently of modern application. It is equally true that for ages a similar point, covered with tall pine and spruce trees, has been and is still a prominent object for observation, jutting into the Lake some twenty rods east of the mouth of Rocky River. Such evergreen headlands are favorite land-marks for the voyageurs of these western waters, who have never been blessed with the knowledge of charts and surveys. They are in the practice of using " the Point of Pines" as a common tenn, applicaTde to evergreen headlands indiscriminately, and in the year 1763 were equally likely to use it in reference to either of those two points. The distance from Detroit specified by Sir Wivl Johnson and Gov. Colden, are in favor of Rock}- Hiver ; and the fact that the Indians carrying Mon- •crieffe's dispatch from " Point-aux-Pins" to the com- mander at Detroit occupied eleven days in its trans?- 102 RELICS OF THE WRECK. mission, renders it certain tliat their route must liave been along tlie south shore of the Lake, among hos- tile tribes, and could only have been pursued stealth- ily, at night. The north shore, where the ^^opula- tion were not hostile, could have been traveled over l>y Indian expresses in two days. The presence here of numerous vestiges of military implements, and their absence trom the Canada local- ity, is almost positive evidence in favor of the for- mer. A trivial link, sometimes, is found to connect frag- ments, so as to form a strong chain of circumstantial evidence, and render it as certain as the most posi- tive. Such a link is lying before me. The l^lade of a surgeon's amputating knife, described in the an- nexed notes, coidd have belonged to no other person than the unfortunate Dr. Willta^is of the 80th Brit- ish regulars. By aid of the facts furnished by historians, an intimate knowledge of the locality, and the character of the autumnal storms, taken in connection with these discoveries, any one can figure to himself the succession of tragic scenes as they occurred, without requiring much play of imagination. Maj. MoNCRiEFFE reported in the Newport, Rhode Island Jt/^rc?^/'^ of December 19th, 17G3, that "at 11 o'clock at night they were overtaken l)y a violent storm, which came on suddenly." "The whole detachment was in danger of being lost, as every MANNER OF THE CATASTROPHE. 105 batteaux tliat reached shore was more than half full of water." When thus threatened they ,douT)tless attempted to gain a safe harl)or within the mouth of Rocky River. The channel is narrow, and lies immediately in contact with the high and perpendicular cliff forming the terminus of the left bank. The eastern margin of the channel is bounded l)y a hidden sand- l)ar, covered with a few feet of water, extending at right angles into the Lake a number of rods. Dur- ing a storm the waves sweep over this bar with tre- mendous force, l:)reaking some sixty to eighty feet in height, against the cliff. A boat, to enter the river at such times, must hug the cliff, amidst the surf, in order to avoid this concealed bar. An inexperienced pilot would, however, give that surf a wide berth, and, as a consequence, would be stranded on the bar. This, no doubt, was the fate of several of their batteaux ; others were j)robably driven high and dry, on the sandy and marshy beach east of the bar ; and others succeeded in reaching a safe harbor within the mouth of the river. Those upon the bar, if they were not at once sunk in the changeable and engulphing quicksands, would soon be dashed in fi'agments by the force of the waves. The batteaux w^ere built of light materials, to fit them for two extensive portages, over which they passed, between the Hudson river and Lake Erie. The capacity of each was adapted to the carrying of 104 THEIR ca:mp. one hundred men, arms, anmiunition, stores, and a small cannon, which was placed npon the bow. Such a craft was illy adapted to resist the forces here act- ing ujion it. The crews of the boats which gained the harbor no doubt sought a landing-place. It was not afforded in those days l)y the eastern or right bank of the river, Avhich then consisted of a marshy tract of bottom land, or of precipitous cliifs ; and the left bank was of a similar character, except just within the point, where a gully of lower inclination, running from the margin to the level of the upland, rendered access to the latter comparatively easy. Through this gully the survivors found a refuge from the uncomfortable lowlands, inundated and swept by the surf. Here they formed a camp fire, within a circle of boulders, and around it collected the ves- tiges from their wrecks. They remained till the storm abated, probably three days, as that is the period usually occupied by autumnal storms on Lake Erie. A period as long as that, is indicated by the accumulation of ashes and charcoal lately disin- terred. Here were probably l)rought the bodies of their drowned comrades, together with their arms, cloth- ing, etc., among which were the pocket-case instru- ments of their dead surgeon. The bayonet here found belonged to some of the soldiers, and the eroded case knife to their cuisine. ( Yide annexed note.**) The dead were prol)ably l)uried on the DEPAKTUllE FKO.M ROCKY EIVEK. 105 adjacf lit i)lateaiT, in the native forest, now occupied as a lawn by Capt. Tisdale. In due time the men were recruited, their cloth- ing dried, and the surviving boats repaired. The ammunitionless expedition then retired down the Lake, and ultimately arrived in safety at Fort Schlosser, without having afforded any relief to the garrison at Detroit. Two miles north-westerly from the locality of this disaster, following the Lake shore, we arrive at the long and narrow spit of land known as McMahon's beach. Undoubted evidences determine it to have been the seat of a still more destructive catastrophe, which befel BRADSTKEET'S EXPEDITION. The Indian war continuing into the summer of 1764, Col. BoQUET advanced with his forces from Fort Pitt to the Muskingum river, and Col. Brad- street, Avith a well appointed army of three thousand men, entered Lake Erie in a flotilla of batteaux. After a campaign of varied success, in which the conduct of the latter compares very unfavorably with the former, who, duped by the duplicity of the savages, and laboring under a heavy censure from his commander in chief, commenced his return down the Lake, with a force of about eleven hundred men. On the 18th of October, 1764, he precipitately left Sandusky Bay, not even recalling his scouts and 8 106 beadstreet's shipwreck. hunters. "The boats of tlie army had scarcely entered Lake Erie when a storm descended on them, destroying; several, and throwing the whole into con- fusion. For three days the tempest raged unceas- ingly, and when the angry Lake began to resume its tranquility, it was found that the remaining boats were insufficient to convey the troops. A large body of Indians, together with a detachment of provin- cials, were therefore ordered to make their way to Niagara, along the })athless borders of the Lake. They accordingly set out, and after many days of hardship reached their destination, though such had been their sufferings from fatigue, cold and hunger, from wading swamps, swimming creeks and rivers, and pushing their way through tangled thickets, that many of the provincials perished miserably in the woods. On the 4th of November, seventeen days after their departure from Sandusky, the main body of the army arrived in safety at Niagara, and the whole, embarking on Lake Ontario, proceeded to Osweso. Fortune still seemed adverse to them, for a second tempest arose, and one of the schooners, crowded Avith troops, foundered in sight of Oswego, though most of the men were saved." — Parhman^p. 476-7. Additional facts are furnished in Stone's Life of Johnson^ p. 230, as follows: " The sequel of the expedition was singularly un- fortunate. When a few days out from Sandusky, and about to encamp for the night, Col. Bradstreet, DISTEESSING JOUKNEY OVERLAND. l07 instead of landinij^ at the mouth of a neiii-hl)oi'iii*'< rive]', [Kocky, or Cuyahoga? ] where the boats couhl have hiin in safety, persisted in disembarking at a spot wliich it was tokl him was visited by heavy surfs. The result of his obstinacy was, that a heavy storm arising, twenty-five of the batteaux were dashed in pieces, and most of the ammunition and baggage lost, together with the field train of six brass cannon. A hundred and fifty men were there- fore compelled to make the journey to Niagara on foot, through a wilderness of four hundred miles, filled with savage men and savage beasts, and crossed hy deep rivers and fearful morasses. Many perished on the way, and those who finally reached Niagara were spent with fatigue, cold and hunger. On the 4th of November the main body of the army, weary and shattered, entered the gates of Fort Niagara. Stragglers continued to come in, day after day, nor was it until the last of December, that all the survi- vors reached their homes." Franklin B. Hough, M. D., of the Bureau of Mili- tary Statistics, at Albany, N. Y., has had the good- ness to furnish me with copious extracts from un- published letters of Sir Wm. Johnson, written in the winter of 1763, and spring of 1864, and now on file in that bureau. They were addressed to Gen. Gage, Charles Lee, Lt. Col. Eyre ; also, to the Lords of the Board of Trade, and to some unknown person. They confirm the statements of the foregoing quota- tions, and furnish other particulars. 108 CENSURE OF BRADSTREET. In his letter to Gen. Gage he imputes the wreck- ing to Bradstreet's relpng solely upon a Detroit pilot, " a notorious villian," — a Frenchman, who had been in the confidence of the late Capt. Dalyell or Dalzell, whose death he caused the year before, by betrajdng him into an ambuscade. This pilot, it seems, refused to run into a large river [Black River] after the storm commenced, and at length persisted, contrary to the sentiment of the army, in drawing up his boats along an open and exposed beach, [Mc- Mahon's,] though, had he gone a little farther, another large river [either Rocky or Cuyahoga,] affc-rded a safe harbor. As a consequence, before the following morning one-half of his boats were lost, and he bm-ied his cannon and ammunition " by day, all in the sight of ye French villian," whom he fears, will, on his return, cause them to be taken up, and employed against Detroit. He also alludes to the overland return of 170 In- dians and Rangers, without an ounce of provision at their starting, and speaks of the kindness of the Sen- eca Indians of Chenusio, [Genesee,] treating tamished soldiers with great humanity, feeding them gradu- ally till they recovered, een preserved. The individuals who went out from those three colonies were intelligent, and in the prac- tice of wi'iting. It is very probable that some neg- lected gari'ets contain diaries and correspondence, filed away with forgotten papers, which would fur- nish details of this expedition. Their track from McMahon's beach to the crossing of Pocky river, near the present plank road bridge, is made evident by the various articles dropped along the way. The immediate shores of the Lake between these two points, though seventy feet above the water, was wet and swampy. To avoid this they resorted to the dry ridge running through the premises of Fred- erick Wright and John Williams, and curving par- allel to the river through Mr. Patchen's grounds, to the place of the present plank road gate. Here they prepared for their tedious march, disencumbered themselves of all useless and perhaps some valuable GUN FLINTS AND SPOONS. 11 ?> articles; before attempting to pass the liigli and pre- cipitous banks of the river. Many of these articles have been discovered in recent times. Some one entrusted with a sack or box of gun flints, containing several (piarts, threw down his charge near the residence of Frederick Wright, by whom it was disinterred a few years since. An an- tique silver teaspoon, was ploughed from the earth at the earliest cultivation of John Williams' orchard, forty years ago — an utensil that no doubt belonged to some officer's mess. A sword and several bayo- nets were also ploughed up, a little north and east of that place, according to common report. In the gardens of Mr. Patciien, at the Plank- Road House, coins have been found, bearing date early in the last century ; one, a French silver coin, of the year 1714, and an English copper penny, of 1749. These coins were probably thrown do\^ni in discarded clothing, or in forsaken knapsacks. Nothing more is known of their sufl:erings during their march to Niagara, than is contained in the let- ters of Sir W]M. Johnson, On their arrival at Al- bany the Regulars went into winter quarters ; the Provincials proceeded to their homes, and were disbanded. Gen. Bradstreet died at New York in 1772. From the time of these disasters to the war with Great Britain, these localities were not much fre- quented })y the Indians, and only cursorily visited 114 tOST CAT^NON. l)y white liuiiters ; hence these i-elics escaped obser- vation, nntil the present population commenced their settlements about the year 1815. These views are believed to afford a correct solution of the historical problem, involved in tlie above discoveries. They are left for either confirma- tion or rejection by futiu'e investigations. Ample room remains for further research at both localities. A number of cannon are doubtless concealed in the sands, fronting McMaiion's beach, and the bar extending into the lake from the right bank of Rocky river. Storms and fishermen's nets, are annually revealing other vestiges of these disas- ters. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELICS. 1st. An ancient and elaborately finished sword thrown by the surf on the beach fronting the riglit bank of the river, in the year 1820, which was picked up by Oiim Joiner, a member of the famil}' of Datus Kelley. The hilt temiinated in a ponder- ous lions head, which, and tlie guard, were of pure and solid silver. It was subsequently sold to a Cleveland goldsmith, and tlie silver was melted down for other uses. iliiMAINS OF A BOAT. lit) If I am coiTectly informed, the lion's head was, in the last century, the insignia, to designate the naval from the land service of Great Britain — hence it is inferred that this sword belonged to a naval officer attached to the flotilla — probably the commander. 2d. In the spring of 1842, a heavy storm broke up and rearranged the hidden sand bar, extending at right angles with the beach, from the east bank far into the lake. Evidences were abundant at that time that one of the sunken barges, which had been engnlphed in the quicksands, for more than three- fourths of a century was also broken up. Gun-flints, brass guards of muskets, eroded bayonets and frag- ments of musket barrels, were cast on the shore or were found among the sands in shoal water. Many of these articles were observed by John" Williams, Capt. BuELiNGHAME, and Frederick Wright ; who are among the few survivors of our early settlers that recollect the circumstances. In one night, the last named individual, hauled in six bayonets, while sweeping this bar with his seine, soon after that storm occurred. The surf also threw high upon the beach, the bow-stem of a large boat or batteau. The wood was much chafed, and water-soaked, a heavy iron ring- bolt, perforating it, secured by a nut, was deeply incrusted with rust. A thick coating of aquatic moss or algae, invested a portion of the wood, while other portions had evidently been buried in the 1 1 C) BAYONETS AND KNR^ES. sand. It I'eniaiued on the shore for a year or two, when it was bnrned l)y iishermen, and I secured the ring-bolt. At that time, it attracted the attention of common observers, and was in their minds, indefinitely asso- ciated with the other relics, but no one in tlie vicinity, was then in possession of the historical facts connected with those t^vo disasters. Since the year 1850, no further discoveries have been made on that beach. 8d. In the year 1859, a bayonet was thrown out by a plow on the margin of the plateau, overlooking the left bank of the river, between Tisdale's point, and the highway, running from the plank-i'oad to the residence of Col. JMerwhst. In the year 1863, Capt. Tisdale, while constructing a private road to his residence on the point, uncovered with a plow, the circle of boulders inclosing a quantity of ashes and charcoal — the remains of a camp-fire, to which allusion has already been made, and which is near where the bayonet was discovered. On the outer margin of the circle were, dug out of the earth, the remains of a case-knife, nearly consumed by rust, and the blade of a surgeon's am- l>utating knife. The bayonet and the amputating knife I have among my collection of relics. 4th. The ring-bolt, rudder irons, nails, and other i-emnants of a consumed batteau, were exposed by RELICS ON MC MAHOn's PLACE. Il7 clearing of the l^ottom at the month of McMaiion's run, soon after the first settling of the township. 5th. A stack of bayonets, covered with accumu- lated soil, rubbish and rank vegetation, and the re- mains of a musket, resting in the crotch of a tree, encased in the growth of wood; were discovered a]:)out the same period of time, as were the relics of the batteau. 6th. Several years later, two six-pound cannon balls and a number of leaden musket balls, were exposed to view, by undemiining, by the Lake of the clay-cliff, which rises from the western margin of the bottom lands. These, no doubt, were among the articles, buried by Bradstreet, with his cannon and ammunition, as described ]jy Sir Wm. Johnson. All of the aforenamed relics were discovered by Mr. McMahon, and most of them were preserved by his family for a considerable time. All seem now to be lost, except the two six-pound cannon balls, which the family retain, and one of the musket balls, that is in my possession. 7th. About the year 1831, a young daughter of Datus Kelly, now Mrs. Charles Carpenter, of Kelly's Island, found an antique silver spoon on the beach, opposite the present residence of Col. Merwin. She dug it out of the sand while at play. It is thick and heavy for its size, the workmanship, which is coarse, is evidently old, and is of the model 118 TOMAHAWK AND BAYONETS. of those that were common, in the more wealthy families in New England during the last century. On the under side of the tip of the handle, the initials I. C. are engraved, and on the same side near its junction with the bowl, are stamped the initials of the maker, A. S. Mrs. Carpenter has had the care and good taste to retain it in her possession as an interesting relic. 8th. On the 4th of July, 1851, Oscar Taylor, in company with several young men, while bathing in the lake at McMahon's cove, some forty rods west of the run, discovered in the water a teaspoon similar in all respects, except the engraved initials are S. T. He now resides at New London, Wiscon- sin, and retains the spoon. On the same occasion Stephen M. Taylor found an old bayonet near that locality, but neglected to preserve it. 9th. Still farther to the west, on the beach op- posite the farm of Mr. Brown, the j)roprietor dis- covered many years since, an iron or steel tomahawk, constructed to answer also the purpose of a pipe for smoking. It is lost. 10th. In the year 1859 an extensive slide from the high land, overlooking the lake and the right bank of McMahon's run, took place. While ex- amining: it, Edwin Bidwell noticed the end of a bayonet, still bearing the metallic tip of the sheath, projecting from the undisturbed margin of the bank, about twelve inches below the surface, the depth of OLD ENGLISH MUSKETS. 119 the soil that seems to have accumulated over many of these relics, dropped on the laud, a hundred years since. This bayonet was invested in the fine grained blue clay, formed ftom the breaking down of the adjacent shales, in which condition it is thrown upon the margin of the high banks of the lake, by the surf during storms. So perfectly did this investing material, protect the bayonet against the action of erosive agents, that it now retains much of its original polish, and is entire in all its parts. Through the kindness of Mr. B. I have it in my collection. 11th. In the same collection are also a number of bayonets, less perfect, collected by the families of Gov. Wood and Col. Merwin. These, at difl^erent times, were thrown up by the surf, or Avere drawn out of the water by fishermen's seines. One thus obtained was still attached to a large fragment of a musket barrel. Two years since, a very entire and perfect musket barrel was obtained in the same manner, and pre- sented to me by the fishermen. It belonged to an English Queen's arm of the last century. It exactly receives the bayonet found by Mr. Bidwell, and the lead ball, washed from the clay bank at McMahon's run. The locality, along the beach at Col. Merwin's, where many of these relics have been found, is a favorite fishing ground, but the fishermen, after a 120 RELICS YET BURIED THERE. few trials, are annually compelled to abandon it, as their seines are certain to l)ecome entangled by hid- den and fixed objects some rods from the land. Often they are cnt and injured, and they draw in various relics. The remains of some of Brad- street's engulphed batteaux are doul)tless the oIj- structions against which they become arrested. 12th. Pursuing the survivors' track fi'om the beach, where they were overwhelmed by the storm, we first arrive at the ridge, near the house of Fred- erick Wright. There he some years since disinterred the collection of gun flints above referred to. In quantity they are said to have amounted to a j^eck or more. They were adapted to the heavy musket, but had never been used. I have not succeeded in obtaining a specimen; though the authority upon which the above statement is made, is good. 18th. Still further east along the ridge is the orchard of John Williams, where, at the first break- ing up of the ground, a silver teaspoon was exposed, some thirty or more years since. It ^vas retained by him until recently, when it was lost. From re- port it seems to have been similar to those previous- ly described, and doubtless belonged to some of the officers of the expedition. A vague report also states that a num))er of relics, including a sword and several Imyonets, ^vere in early times discovered in the next lot east, lately BinUAL OK TIIH DEAD. 121 owned l>y Wm. Allen. No sutistkctory coiitiniui- tioii of it can l)e obtained. 14tli. A few rods still lartlier to the east, in tlie garden of tlie Patelien Inn, Mr. SiLVEKTiioiiN, in 1802, while excavating to ])ut out a fruit tree, dis- covered some three or four dollars in silver, in small ])ieces of change, of French and English coinage, one bearing date in 1717, and all of them earlier than 1704. It is to be regretted that he soon pass- ed them otf at their nominal value. loth. Mr. P. A. Delford, residing at the plank- road gate, discovered, in 1803, while digging in his garden a few rods from the last named locality, two copper pennies of 1719, bearing the effigies of George IL of Great Britain. I have perhaps been tediously minute in these de- tails, but my object was to facilitate the labors of any future investigator, who may attempt to divest this subject of any remaining doubts and obscuri- ties. A theory, to account for the manner in wliich these relics were scattered and deposited, at these several points has been already given. A tumulus or grave of unknown dead, long since oljserved, on the right bank of the Kocky river, I have not noticed; yet I have little doubt, it has an intimate connection with one or the other of these disasters. It is situated one hundred and fifty feet east of 9 122 A TUMULUS EAISED. tlie plank road bridge, at the head of a gully, that formerly cut, from the high ground down to the bottom land, near the present bridge. This gully has been j^artially obliterated, by the construction of the road. In its pristine condition, it was the only accessible way, from the river to the uplands, except a similar gully nearer the lake, and at the head of ^vhich that ancient camp-lire was established, on the left bank of the river. This tumulus was observed at the time of the clearing of the land, forty years since, but as it was ascertained that it abounded with human bones, the early cultivators were careful to shun it. It then rose from two to three feet, above the level of the adjacent ground, and was about one rod square. The covering of earth was so thin that a spade easily reached the bones ; and the surface was strewed with their fragments. The common belief was, that it was an Indian grave. Mr. WoROEisr, plowing the field with two yoke of oxen, seventeen years since, attempted to level it down by running his plow deeply through it. His furrows seemed to consist mostly of human bones, skulls in large proportion ; and all in a very perfect state of preservation. He again interred them, and avoided any further disturbance of the locality. He informed me, that his sons, then small lads, picked up, from the rubbish of bones many small articles, such as metallic buttons and pieces of CRANIOLOGY. 123 iron. The former were entire, the latter were nearly destroyed with rust. It was a mystery with him and his family, how the early Indians should possess so many of these articles. One of those sons, now an adult, confirms fully the statement of his father. In 1861 Mr. Eatois- again plowed into it, and threw U23 bones in like manner. Of the large ones, he brought me at least two bushels, including a dozen craniums, and I subsequently made addition- al collections. On examining them, they evidently were middle aged or younger adults, and all males. I pronounc- ed them to be either Greeks or Anglo-Saxons, and not then knowing, that a Greek colony had ever set- tled within the Union, I concluded, of course, they must have belono;ed to the latter race — which was confirmed hj the decision of one of the most perfect of craniologists in our country. My further conclu- sion was, that they were the remains of those who perished in one of the shipwrecks, on the adjacent coast. The follo^ving year, Mr. Kiekpateick and myself, made a thorough exploration to the bottom of the tumulus. This we reached at the depth of two or three feet, after digging through a rich com2:)ost of bones and decayed animal matter. The bottom tier of skeletons at that place, had not been disturbed since their interment. We examined two — one large and middle aged, the other somewhat smaller and young- 124 AMONd THEM WERE INDIANS. er, iiulo-iiio; from the, teeth and leno;th of the bones. Both were lying on their sides, thrown there in a careless manner. By the front of tlie large one, and near its middle, lay in close contact, tlie following articles, to Avit : two small fragments of ancient In- dian pottery, of the days of the race of mound building; one valve of tlie luiio siliquoides of the western rivers ; a knife, or spatula formed from bone, and the })eculiar l)one of one of the sexes of the raccoon. They occu})ied a small place only, and could have been enil>i'aced as charms, or amulets in an Indian's pouch, or the 2)ocket of a soldier as ob- jects of curiosity. This discovery led to the conclusion that they all were Indian skeletons, but on re-examining such of the craniums as have not been lost, I am led to l)e- lieve that the one of large size, found at the bottom of the grave, was that of an Indian, while the others were Anglo-Saxon. The grave was evidently shallow, not over three feet deep. The l)odies were thrown in one on an- other without much care, and ^veve covered super- ficially, raising the tumidus two or three feet above the surface of the adjacent groimd, in the manner soldiers are many times buried on recent l)attle- iields. That these individuals perished in one or the other of those wreckings, can be hardly doubted. That Bradstreet had with him many Indians is OONFLICTINO VlEWri OF THE LOCALITV. 12.") certain, but nothing is known as to tlie niinilxn' of men lie lost : tliouo-li tliat number was consideral)le is inferred from tlie fact tliat " the losses of officers and men l)y the wreck, was made the subject of legislative action." That Wilkins lost a specified numl)er, is well established ; seventy men and three officers, but whether he was accompanied by Indians is not recorded. Such was j^robal^ly the fact, for ihej were wont to take part in all military move- ments in those days, and he would need them as scouts and guides to his expedition. One or more were probably lost, and were thrown into the bot- tom of this grave. Its dimensions adapted it for the reception of about the number of his dead. Another view may l:>e taken. I may err in the conclusion, that one was an Indian's skull. All may l)e Anglo-Saxon. The Indian amulets, may have been collected l;)y a sailor while among the Indians, retained as curiosities in a pocket of his clothing and with his person buried in this grave, after he perished. .r. p. k. We have the example of Herodotus for introdu- cing discussions and opposing statements, in cases where the evidence is not historically conclusive. He gives in this way an interesting variety, and an air of candor to his narrations. Prof. Kirtland's investigations leave reasonable doubts, in reference to the locality of Major Wil- li!»> OLD XEWSPAPER AOOOl'XTS. kins' disaster. The additional testimony wliieli 1 noM- introdiiee, favors tlie impression that it occurred on the noith shore, nearly opposite Cleveland, Init does not entirely relieve the obscimty of the subject. A letter in the Newport 2rtrci(ri/, (^E. I..^ of De- cember ilOth, 17 Go, states the shipwreck to have happened at " Point-aux-Pins," or Pine Point, already referred to by Prof Kiktla^d. Pine Point is the only recognized name, for a short spit which projects into the Lake at the - Rond-eau." Roudout, or round water, on the Canada shore. This point is visible on EvAxs' map, but is there without a name. It projects in a southerly and westerly direction into the water, the bearing of which upon the question of locality, will appear u]H^n reading the following extract, to which reference has already been made. Extract from the ^'JTucport Jtftrcuri/^'^ DtCtmhtr -0^//, 1763, from a JTew Yorl letter dirted Deeemher 19M. •'The same day 3[ajor ^L^xckieffe arrived here from Niagara. He belonged to the detachment un- der the command of ^lajor AVit.kixs. destined from Niagara for Detroit, 1\v whom we learn that ou the 7th, ultimo, at 11 o'clock at night, eighteen of their boats foimdered ou Lake Erie, in a violent storm at south-east, which came on suddenly, by which seventy brave men were droA\ ned. "Among the number was Lieut. Davidsox of the train, and nineteen of his men, also Lieut. Payxtek TltE STORM A SOUTitERLY ONE. 127 aiul Doctor AVILLIA:M^^ of the 80tb, and a Freucli jnlot. The whole detachment Avas in danger of being lost, as every batteaux that reached the shore was more than half full of water, l)y which means sixty odd barrels of jn'ovisions, all the ammiiuitioii but two rounds to the man, which the olhcers saved in their hands, and two small brass field pieces were lost ; and that after holding a council of war it was thought most prudent to return to Niagara." A wind at south-east, or in a southerly direction, could not have been the occasion of a dangerous sea on a straight southerly coast. In turning any projecting land on the north shore, a storm at any point of compass, south of an east and west line, would be dangerous, if it was severe. Among the manuscripts of the Maryland His- torical Society, at Baltimore, is the unpuldished journal of Lieut. Ja3ies Gorell, who was in the ex- pedition. The Rev. E. A. Dalryjiple, secretary of the society, has transcribed for my use, what i"e- lates directly to the shipAM'eck. From allusions to attacks from the Indians in other parts of the journal, he supposes the party to have followed the southern shore of the Lake. This extract, however, states that they were delayed by contrary winds at "Long Point" ten days. On Evans' map this is the name given to the slender promontory opposite Erie, which it has retained ever since. No other point of that name or character exists in any part of Lake Erie. 1 2S LlKrT. (JOKKLl/s STATEMENT. Extract from, the Journal of Lieut. Jai\[ES (tORKll con- ceniiiig the shljmweck of Jfajor Wilkins' command., Novemher 1th, 1763. "At 10 o'clock at niglit we set sail and continued all nig'lit and next day, until we came to the loui;" ])oint. There we were obliged to stay for ten days. The day Ave left we got a good wind until Ave came to a place called Fish Creek, where we were obliged to lay nine days more ; on the ninth day the Avind tavored us, and the Major ordered us all uj), Avith instructions to keep Avell out from the land and to continue all night. About two hours after dark there arose a storm, and we lost nineteen l>atteaux, the most of them the largest and ])est. Lieut. Da- vidson and all the powder boats Avere lost in this storm. (^Xof /eyihie.) Was droAvned, of the artillery, Lieut. Paintkk, late of the Lidependent, Doctor Willta:ms, of the 80th regiment, Avith four sergeants, sixty-three privates and one Canadian. The next day Ave attem])ted to gather the Avreck, but found little or none, except Lieut. Daa'idson and about six men, which we buried. As soon as the Lidians Avere gone out of sight (they AA'ere sent by land to Detroit), avc set sail and arrived at Niagara the latter end of Noveml>er." Tlie distance from the " Kond-eau"" in a direct line to Detroit is sixty miles; by Avay of the Lake shore betAveen ninety and one hundred. From Kocky ri\ (M- by land to the same place, is one Imndred and ITS ACJIIKK.MKNT WITH IMONCKIEF. 1 2!» fifty to one Iniiidred and sixty miles. No mention is made l)y Monchief or Gouell, of tlie post at Presque Isle on the south shore, where they wouhl have called, and received sn])plies had they passed that way. The soiitli sliorc route is nearly one liuii- drcd miles longer than the north, a distance whicli it was of great consequence to save, at this season of fall storms on tlie Lake. lloGEiis took the soutliern route hecause he was required to visit Fort Pitt, and to procure cattle fi'om that region. Tlie ohject of I^kadstreet's expedi. tion Avas to strike the Ohio Indians living on the south shore. All the relics j^rocured at Ilock])ort may have he- longed to Bkadstkeet's l)arty, whose boats were no douht scattered hy the storm and came ashore at different points. One of the contemporary accounts states, that they stood holdly out on the Lake, hoping to weather the rocky ])orti()n of the coast, before they were beached. Between Long Point and Ron- dout, on the Canada shore, is Catfish creek, Avliich may have had that name at that time. The num])er of bodies recovered was only six, while those buried at liocky river, were from sixty to seventy. This is the extent of our ])resent knowledge upon this sul)- ject. FRENCH AND ENGLISH TRADERS. The moutli of the Cuyahoga, was a jooint of too iiiucli consequence among the Indians, not to l)ring traders here at a very early day. Between 1700 and 1750, the French extended tlieir forts and trading posts, to all points on the waters of the lakes and of the Ohio river. In the last named year they had a fort at Sandusky, and in 1755 a trading house on the Cuyahoga, opposite the mouth of Tinker's creek. James Smith, of Pennsylvania, sj^ent the winter of 1755 — 6 on the " Cayahoga," not as a trader, but as a prisoner among the Delawares. He left a nan^ative of his caj^tivity, in which the country watered l)y the Cuyahoga, the Black, and the Kilbuck rivers, is fully descril)et1. From 1760 to 1764, Mary Camp- BELL, a young girl captured in Pennsylvania, lived on this river, most of the time near the foot of tlie falls, at the forks below Akron. After the British took possession in 1760, French and English traders continued together, to traffic 132 JOSEPH BU SIIATTAK. with the Indians on the waters of hike Erie. No doubt a post was kept up, at some point or points on the river during a large part of the eighteentli century, Ijut such estal;)lishments are so slight and temporary, that they are seldom noticed in history. A trading house is a very transient affair. A small log cabin covered with bark, constituted all of what is designated as an establishment. If the Indian customers remove, the trader follows them; aban- dons his cabin, and constructs another at a more convenient place. Within a year the deserted hut is burned to the ground, and all that remains is a vacancy of an acre or two in the forest, covered with grass, weeds, briers and bushes. In 1786 a lively trade in furs is known to have been carried on here. Of the energetic half civilized men, who for so many generations carried on this business, we know personally nothing; exee23t in regard to Joseph Du Siiattar and some of his com- panions. Mr. Ebenezer Merry, of Milan, Huron County, Ohio, in 1842 had a conversation with Judge S. A. Abbey, in which he stated that he had known Du Shattar. He had from a youth been in the employ of the North- West Fur Company, along this lake. The mouth of the Cuyahoga and San- dusky, were principal jioints. About 1790 he married Mary Pornay, at Detroit, and commenced trading on his own account. He had a ])ost nine miles up the river, which is probably the one whose HIS TRADIN(i HOUSE IN EKOOKLYN. 138 remains have l)eeii observed in Brooklyn, opposite Newljurg. Here his second chikl was l)oni in 175»4. John Baptiste Flemming and Joseph Burrall were w^ith him a part of tlie time. While he was at Sandusky one of his voyao-eurs, Ijv the name of Beaulieau appropriated the wife of an Indian. This proceeding, and the continued presence of fire-water gave rise to frequent quarrels. Their establishment at Sandusky was attacked 1)y the Indians, in order to rescue Beaulieau's squaw, and many goods were seized. The remainder were saved by a compromise effected with rum. On the Cuyahoga, a fight occurred with the Indians in reference to a rifle. The Indians attacked them at another time, intending to capture their spirits, to obtain which they will risk whatever they possess. Some of the savages were killed and the remainder retreated. A trader was killed on the lake shore about ten miles below Grand river. Du SiiATTAR was living in 1812, and assisted in captur- ing John O'Mic and Semo, on Locust Point, the murderers of Michael Gibbs and Daniel Bfell at Pipe creek, near Sandusky. THE MORAVIANS IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, 1786-1787. Those ^vlio escaped alive from tlie slaiigliter of the Pennsylvaniaiis, under Col. Willia^mson, located themselves around Sandusky. But although they were here among their kindred, the Delawares, they were not in a place of safety. The Indians threat- ened and annoyed them, until at last they appealed to Col. Depuyster, the British commandant at De- troit. He treated the missionaries and their converts with humanity. This gentleman made great efforts to soften the ill will of their savage enemies. The praying Indians remained near Detroit during four years. They built a village on the Huron river of Michigan, which was called New Gnadenhutten. In May, 1786, they determined to plant a "settlement" on the Cuyahoga river, within the limits of this county. The officer in command at Detroit procured two small vessels, the Beaver and the Mackinaw, to bring them, their provisions and other luggage to 18B A DISTRESSING JOURNEY. this pluce. They left New Giiadenliutten because the Chippewas were dissatisfied at seeing them on the Huron. With their usual l)ad luck, after they were near enough to have a view of the mouth of the Cuyahoga, a violent storm drove them back to the islands opposite Sandusky. It was now one month since they had eml)arked at Detroit, and they were not more than half way to their destination. Tavo of the missionaries, Young:vian and Senseman, had left New Gnadenhutten in May, 1785, so that the responsibility of directing their affairs remained with Zeisrerger and IIeckeavelder. The North -Western Fur Company, to whom the vessels l^elonged, could spare them no longer, and sent orders for the Beaver to I'eturn. It was l)arely possible to crowd the Aveak, the sick and the young, with the heavy luggage into the Mackinaw. The others were landed in the woods on the shore oj)- j^osite Sandusky bay. From thence they stra ggled along, crossing the l)ay in a very destitute condition. Those who ^vere healthy and strong, whether men or women, took the great trail along the Lake shore on foot, led on by their brother Zeisberger. For those who could not travel by land, canoes w^ere built, and Brother Heckewelder embarked wdth them on the 7th of June. Both parties reached the Cuyahoga on the same day. The schooner Macki- naw had also been here, and had landed their T^lankets, mats and other property, including some TIIEY KEACir CUYAHOGA, 137 provisions. Congress had ordered five hundred Inishels of corn for tlieir supj)ort, but it never came. A firm by the name of Duncan, Wilson & Co., of Pittsl)urgh, were engaged in furnishing supj^lies to the Indians of Lake Erie. They had flour in store on the Avest side of the river, and had the liberality to relieve the immediate w^ants of this distressed company. They immediately proceeded wy) the river. The site of their mission was on the east Ijank of the Cuyahoga, a short distance below the mouth of Tinker's creek, to which they gave the name of Pilgerruh, or the "Pilgrim's Rest." Near it there had been a village of Ottawas, where some ground had been cleared. This they planted with corn. On the 13th of August they celebrated the Lord's supper. In the month of October their vil- lage Avas so far completed, as to furnish comfortable lodging for the coming winter. Mr. Heckeweldee then left the community, whose numbers at this time I cannot ascertain, and started for the old station at Bethlehem, Pa. A brother by the name of W31. Edwaeds, had arrived at the Pilgrim's Rest, who remained with Zeisbeegee durins: the winter. Their chapel was completed and consecrated on the 10th of November. It was never their design to remain permanently at Pilgerruh. Their rich lands in the more genial valley of the Muskingum, were ever present to their minds as their future home. But they were not destined to 10 138 PILGERKUII. see those pleasant iields, to drink the sweet waters of the spring at Sehoenljrunn, or to weep over the bones of their shinghtered companions; until after more trials, and after painful and distant wander- ings. The majority of the Delawares were still their enemies. At Sandusky they had friends enough, however, to keep them advised of the designs of their pagan brethren. A Delaware chief sent them word, privately, that they would be wise not to go to the Muskingum. General Butler, who -was the Indian agent at Pittsburgh, also advised them to remain at Pilger. ruh. Captain Pipe, a noted chief of the Delawares, desired them to come and settle at the mouth of the Huron river, a place which was known by the name of " Petquotting." One of the Moravian writers and missionaries, by the name of Loskiel, speaking of the dilemma they were now in, remarks that the " missionaiies were not concerned as to their own safety. If that alone had been the point in question, they would not have hesitated a moment to return to the Muskingum. But they dare not 1)ring the congregation committed to their care, into so dreadful and dangerous a situa- tion." They resolved to abandon the project of a return, and after celebrating Lent and Easter at Pilgerruh in the spring of 1787, they prepared to remove to TIIEY ARE NOT AT REST. 181) the inoiitli of Black river. Their last service on the banks of the Cuyahoga, is said to have been an occa- sion of deep religious interest. Their liearts were full of devotion and of gratitude, notwithstanding the dangers by which they were surrounded. On the loth of April, the last prayer was heard in their chapel at the " Pilgrim's Eest," which was no sooner concluded than they set forward. One part descended the river in canoes, and coast- ing westward, reached the mouth of Black river. Another party proceeded on foot to the same place, with which they were well pleased, and had hopes that the unconverted Indians would suffer them to remain in peace. They had enjoyed this expectation only three days, when a j)eremptory message came to them from the principal chiefs of the Delawares, to proceed forthwith to Sandusky. This band of simple, patient and harrassed chil- dren of the woods, decided at once to obey, looking with confidence to heaven for protection. The praying Indians of Ohio, whom the United T)rethren of Moravia had induced to separate from their savage neighbors, had the misfortune to be suspected by all parties. Those Americans who constituted the frontier men of the West, living at the verge of the settlements in Kentucky, Virginia and Pennsylvania, regarded the Moravians as secret- ly leagued with the French, and after the Revolution, 140 ri:i\ji orriNt:. \vitli tlio Kimlish. This was tlio oauso ot' tlu' massa- cTo on tlio ^luskiiiguin. in ^laivli ITS'J. On tlu' otluT si(K\ tho luu'tli-wostvni tril>os ot" liuUans.in- olmliiiL:: tlioso ot' (^liio, wlio uoiv in loaixno Avitli I ho British, ivu-ai'iUnl tlio playing:,- Indians as no lu'ttei' than Whites. It \vas tliis t'eeling tliat lod tlu> IV'hnvai'os, a tribe to \vlu>ni many ot' Zkisheuueu's l>anJ lu'UnigiHl, to keep a strict watch over thoni. They stood in constant tlrcad ot" the chiefs ot' their own tribe. Tliev were at'raid to return to tlie ^lus- kinguni. because it displeased the Pelawares and other nations, and tluis livcil in daily expectation ot' persecutions. It was not an unexjHvted event, there- fore, wlien they were ordered aAvay fri>ni Black river, after they liad left the Cuyahoga. Only three days were they j^erniitted to remain there, supplying- themselves Avith tish. Avliich they speared in the river, bv torch light. They then felt compelled to enter their canoes and remo\ e to Petquottiug, at the mouth of the Huron river. As they passed along near the shore, vegetation began to show the intiu- ence of spring. The buds upon the trees of this dense forest, Avere expanding into miniature leaves; urass, tlowers and rank herbage were springing u}) under the shade of their branches. Hut the mind of these Avanderei-s, was in sad contrast with the j^eace and beauty of the scene. They were full of ajipre- hension. The message of the l^elawares was couched in dominant and ani2:rv terms. There an ere with them DIMVKN FIIOM IMOTC^ro'l'TINC, 111 two y(>imj4" iiicii, l»y ilic iiaiiii^ of Miciiaki. ^'(>(|^'(; and Joiiisr Wky(;ani), vainly ('iidcaAoriiii!; to Huppoi'l tlioir timid souls, as they entered tlie Huron rivci-, nnd tied tlieir eanocs to tlie slioi'e at ]\'t([uottin^-, Tliis nuist have ])eeii al)()ut tlie first of May, 17^7, the uiessage of the Delawares ha\in, and selecting a place on the river Thames in Canada, trans])orted them thither. To this settlement they gave the nanu^ of Fair- field, where they remained in safety during tlu^ In- dian wars imder IImimau, St. Claiu and Wavnio, In the year 1797, when their revcin^nd fatlun', Ziois- nEROEii, had attained the age of seventy-sevcMi years, tlnnr lands on the Muskingum w(!re surveyed, and Ul* they return to i^rUSKrNGTTjM. patented to tliem by tlie United States, It seemed tliat all ol)stacles were now removed, to tlieir return to tlieir desired home in Ohio. A part of the Land returned there in the spring of 1798. They found, after an absence of sixteen years, nothing but the ruins of tlieir houses, weedy and deserted fields, and the graves of their kindred. Some remained at Fairfield, in Canada. In lSO-1, a part of them re- turned to New Salem, on the Huron river. On the Muskingum, they rebuilt the villages of Gnaden- hutten, Salem and Schoenbrunn, and established a new settlement, under the name of Goshen. The faithful old Zeisbekoer died in the year 1808, but at this time his grave cannot be identified. As the country adjacent l)ecame more populous Avith whites, the converted Indians, and probably their white neighbors, thought it l)est for them to aband- on their settlements. The United States purchased their lands and improvements on the -Ith of August, 1823, and they returned to Canada, where some of them still survive. The grave yard at Goshen was reserved from sale, also ten acres around the diiirch at Beersheba, together with the parsonage, church lot and grave yard, at Gnadenhutten. Thus termin- ated the Moravian settlements in Ohio, after a j)Ye- J carious and painful existence of sixty years. ™ In the month of April, 1788, Avhile Zeisberger and his congregation were at Petquotting, the first settlement of whites w^as founded in Ohio, at the WtEtM stTCcEssoiis m oitro. 148 inoiitli of the Muskingum, As these emigrants Avere from tlie land of churches, they considered religious services to be an essential part of the ue\v colony. They l)rouglit with them the Rev. David Breck, and afterwards the Rev. Daniel Story, who, under the Rev. Manasseii Cutler, formed a church at Marietta. In the fall of the same year, a settle- ment was made at Columbia, near Cincinnati, and a Baptist church was estaldished there in 1700, un- der the charge of the Rev. Daniel Gano. These congregations worshiped God, as the Pilgrims had done before them, with arms in their hands, sur- rounded l)y savages, whose minds were filled with wonder and revenge. During the second year of the settlement at Cleveland, (1797,) the Rev. Seth Hart held the position of General Agent and Chaj^- lain, for the Connecticut Land Company on the Reserve. He has left no evidence of his spiritual efforts, and according to tradition, he was not a xevj zealous laborer in the vineyard of Christ. In this part of Ohio, the first regular dispensation of gospel truth occurred in Youngstown, in September, 1709, under the Rev. William Wick, of the Presbyterian persuasion. A church was organized there the next year, during the last months of which the Rev. Jos. Badger arrived as a missionary from Connecticut, to the settlements on the Western Reserve. From this period, being the commencement of the present century, the history of Wick, Badger, Robbins, and 144 PIONEEi: IMISSIONAKIES IN OHIO. tlie other pioneer ministers wlio i)lanted Cliristiaiiity tlii'oiigliout tlie lleserve, is A\'itliin the reach of all. As the labors, privations, and even names of these early teachers are forg'otten, I append a list of them here : I)a(e of arrival. Name. Flrd station. Ptrsuaslov. 1761. Frederick Post, near Bolivar, Moravian. 17(51. John Heckewelder, do. do. 1768. David Zeisberger, Venango Co., Pa. do. 1768. John Etwein, Forks of Beaver Kiver, do. 1772. Heckewelder and Zeisberger, on the Muskingum, do. 1773. David Jones, on the Scioto, Baptist. 1775. John Jacob Yoiingman, on the Muskingum, Moravian. 1775. KoTHE, do. do. Number of members, 369. 1777. Wm. Edwards, on the Muskingum, IMoravian. 1777. John Jacob Sciimick, do. do. 1780. Sarah Ohneburg, afterwards Mrs. Heckewelder, on the IMuskingum, Moravian. 1780. Michael Young, do. do. 1780. Siiebosh, do. do. 1780. Sensemann, do. do. 1782. John Martin, do, do. 1787. John Weygand, on the Cuyahoga. do. 1788. Daniel Breck, Marietta, Congregational. 1788. Daniel Story, do. do. 1788. Daniel Gang, near Cincinnati, Baptist. 1799. William Wick, Youngstown, Presbyterian. 1800. Joseph Badger, Western lleserve. Congregational. 1801. E. F. Chapin, do. do. 1803. Thomas Kobbins, do. do. ORIGIN OF TITLE. To those outside of the legal profession, nothing is more uninteresting than discussions upon titles. But the suT)ject is too important to l)e omitted. In regard to the permanent prosperity of a countiy, a good system of land titles, is of no less consequence than a good government. On the Western Reserve, although the system is simple, the history of its origin is somewhat compli- cated. A thorough exposition would of itself occupy a small volume. I can only present the outlines. England claimed the North American continent hy discovery, in virtue of the voyages of John and Sebastian Cabot, along its eastern coast. The Pope assumed to grant to Spain, a large part of America, but the other powers, paid very little attention to the title of his Holiness ; as it was wholly without foundation. By the practice of civilized nations, which constitutes the law of nations ; discovery and possession, make up the title to unoccupied countries. In determining the limits of possession under tlie 146 Title by possessioisI. law of nations, constructive occupation was allowed, wliereby the party wlio held the mouth of a river took the country which is drained by it. Thus Spain, by the explorations of De Narvaez, and De Soto, on the Gulf of Mexico ; l)ecanie pos- sessed of the country of the Apalachicola, Mobile, Peai'l, and Mississippi rivers, early in the 1 (>th cen- tury. She soon lost a large part of this territory, l)y the failure of continuous possession, and the French taking advantage of her neglect, extended their oc- cupation over it. Coming in by way of the St. Law- rence in 1535, and fixing themselves there in IGO.S, they pushed forward in every direction. In 1600 they reached the west end of Lake Superior; in 1678 they were on the upper Mississip- pi, and on the 7tli of April, 1682, La Salle arrived at its mouth. The English had frerpiently tried to dislodge them, l)y negotiation and l)y force, l)ut without suc- cess. By the year 1719, French military posts had entirely surrounded the English colonies. They were continually contracting the inner cordon of their forts, until they were brought in immediate contact, with the frontier positions of the British Crown. The French then held the Bay of Funday, Fort Cohasset on the Connecticut, and Crown Point on Lake Champlain. They held Oswego, Niagara, Fort Erie, opposite i'lllJKClt AND ENGLISH CLALAtS. l47 Buftnlo, Presque Isle (Erie, Pa.), the Allegheny and Ohio rivers. This dangerous proximity brought on the old French war of 1754. Before appealing to arms, the French offered a l)oundary, commencing on the Gulf of Mexico, at the mouth of the Apalachicola, thence uj) the same to its source. From its head waters the dividing line between the English and French colonies, was to follow the crest of the Allegheny mountains ; to the sources of the Susquehanna ; and thence to Crown Point, and the Bay of Funday. As a counter proposition, the English offered to accept the line of the Allegheny mountains, as far as the eastern l:)ranches of the Ohio; diverging thence to their junction at Pittsburg ; up the Alle- gheny river, and French creek to Prescpie Isle, on lake Erie ; and thence along the shore, through lake Ontario, the outlet of lake Cliamplain, and the sources of the Atlantic rivers. This being refused, the war was begun; which in 17G0, ended in the conquest by the English, of all the French possessions, east of the Mississippi, except the island of Orleans. With the Indians, the French policy was quite different fi'om that of the English, and the Ameri- cans. The French did not ask for territory, except as tenants of so much as might be necessary for tem- porary cultivation, around their forts. Their treaties were made to secure peace and traffic. The French have little taste for colonizing new 148 CLAIMS OF THE COLONIES. countries, for tlie purpose of permanent cultivation. But whatever riglits tlie Frencli had in the Indian country, became English ; ])y conquest, secured hy the treaty of February 18, 1763 ; and as the Indians were their allies, they stood in the position of a con- quered people. Between the colonies and the crown, there arose at once the question of title, to the lands beyond the Alleghenies ; included in all the colonial charters. The Sovereigns of England not only made grants in this country of immense extent, for very trilling considerations, covering many times over the same territory; but they claimed the power to amend, alter, and annul previous patents, a power which was frequently exercised. Virginia at first included a large part of North America : from latitude thirty-four to latitude forty- eight north, thence west and north-west to the Great South Sea ; which was at that time a geographical myth. While the Pilgrim fathers were on the sea, in search of a new home; where they could l)e exempt from religious persecution ; James the First, king of England, on the od of November, 1630, divided Old Virginia ; constituting a northern and a southern colony ; under the names of the " London " and " Plymouth " companies. The charter of the Plymouth com2:)any, is tediously verbose, granting to forty f[ivorites of the crown, mostly nobles ; the country l^etween latitude 40 and 48° north, stretch- LONPON AND TFAiNIOUTn COlSlPAlSriES. 141) iiig iiidetinitely, to the niytliical South Sea, on tlie Avest. This territory was forever to l^e called " New Enghind." It covered the Dutch settlement on Hudson river, and suhsequent grants to tlie Duke of York, now constituting tlie State of New York ; most of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Canada and the north- western States. The " Council of Plymouth " was made a corpo- ration, with most extensive political and personal privileges; on condition of rendering to the king, one-fourth part of all the gold and silver that might he discovered. They had exclusive rights of trade, free of duty, except as to imports to England. It was made a heinous crime to speak evil of "New England" or the corporators. The object of the grants are set forth in these words: "The princi^^al eftect which we can desire or expect of this action is the conversion or reduction of the people in those parts to the true worship of God and christian reli- gion." In 1630, the Council of Plymouth, sitting in the county of Devon, England, granted to Pobekt, Earl of Warwick, its President ; " All that part of New England, in America, which lies and extends itself from a river there called Narragansett river, the space of forty leagues upon a straight line near the sea shore, towards south-west, west and by south, or west, as the coast lieth, towards Virginia, account- ing three English miles to the league, all and singu- 150 DEED TO EARL WAEWICK. lar, the lands and liereditanients whatsoever, lying and being within the bonnds aforesaid, north and south in latitude and breadth, and in length and lono-itude, and within all the breadth aforesaid throughout all the main lands there, from the west- ern ocean to the South Seas." What lands were meant by this descri^^tion, or what were not included in it, constituted the legal puzzle of a century and a half. On the 19th of March, 1G31, Earl Kobert con- veyed the same premises " more or less," to Viscount Say and Seal Brook, and his associates, which is called the " Patent of Connecticut." It is under this patent she claimed a large part of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and from which her claim to the Western Reserve is derived. The limits of Connecticut north and south were finally determined to be the forty-first parallel, and the parallel of forty-two desfrees and two minutes north. As doubts were entertained of the validity of Warwick's patent, to found a political government; and the colony of Massachusetts encroached upon that of Connecticut, recourse was had to King Charles the Second, Avho granted a most ample charter on the 23d of April, 1G62, which also fixed the northern boundary. Lord Say and Seal was still living, and a fast friend of the Puritans. He was also in power at court, and in favor with Charles Second. John WiNTHROP the Governor, who was sent to England CHARTER OF CONNECTICUT. 151 to procure this charter, had in liis possession a riiii^- ; which once belonged to Charles the First. Tins was presented to the King, delighting his royal heart exceedingly. Whatever they desired was put into the charter, which served as a constitution, until after the United States became independent of Great Britain. — [TruinhuWs History of Connecticut^ The charter of the " London Company," covering* a large part of North America, had been annulled by judicial process in 1624. The subsequent grant to the Duke of York, extended across the St. Law- rence indefinitely to the north-west. Connecticut and Massachusetts, under the charter of the Plym- outh Company, reached to the Great South Sea. After the Peace of Paris, and before the revolu- tion, the Lidians made grants of territory to Great Britain, eml)racing parts of New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Virginia, as these colonies were then described. They had much reason to claim, that having borne much of the exj)ense, and fur- nished a large part of the soldiers, to carry on the war with the French and Indians, the lands thus wrested from their enemies, should be confirmed to them. Whether under the la^v of nations, the Kinir had a right to grant them territory, which lay beyond the rivers emptying into the Atlantic, he now held this disputed country Ijy a good title, and they insisted that he was bound to make good his ancient promises. The Crown took a difterent view 152 CESSIONS 15 Y THE INDIANS. Ill the fiill of 17(33, all the colonists were excluded from lauds beyoud the mouutaius, by royal procla- matiou. Before the Freuch war, the " Ohio Land Com- pany" had been formed, with extensive grants in Ohio and West Virginia. The colony of Virginia had issued bounty land warrants, to her soldiers who fought against the French. As she claimed, under the almost limitless charter of the London Company, the holders of these warrants had a roving commission, to plant themselves at will in the western country. These bold soldiers paid little heed to the King's proclamation, or to the savages, who protested fiercely against their intrusions. Even Washington came to the Great Kenhawa and located his warrants. Projects for land compa- nies and settlements, in the valley of the Ohio, were being vigorously prosecuted, when the war of the revolution l^roke out. When it closed, all the rights which the English government possessed, either from French or Indian conquest, were trans- ferred by the same right of the conqueror, and l)y treaty, to the United States. Immediately after the peace of 1783, the Amer- ican Congress took measures to obtain cessions of Indian lands. Their commissioners, beginning at Fort Stanwix in 1784, afterwards at Fort Mcintosh, Fort Harmar, and other points on the Ohio, in 1785-6, concluded what are called treaties, ^vith the Six Nations and many western tribes. TITLE BY CONQUE.ST. 153 In these negotiations, although matters had the appearance of l)argain and sale, a certain amount of goods and money, for a given quantity of land, the terms were those of a con(pieror, dictating to the vanquished. Tlie Indians had fought with the British, against us, as they had witli the French, against the Englisli. Victory placed them again in the position of a conquered people. These treaties were not those of parties, equal under the law of nations, l)ut were articles of settlement at the con- clusion of a war. The Indians always regarded them as stipulations made under duress, to he }ie])t no longer than they were ohliged to do so hy force. They had learned under British rule, that the gov- ernment woidd permit no sales by them to otlier parties. They had been guarantied ])y the British crown, a permanent lioine, west of the Alleghenies ; into which the white men had l)een forbidden to enter. This was done in good faith hj the Britisli authorities, l)ut tlie issue of war had abrogated her authority ; a war to which the Indians were parties. The jDossession of the soil is evidently due to those who will cultivate it. The eartli was not intended as a mere hunting ground for the savage. By his mode of life, he requires about six miles square to support a family. He draws his subsistence from the spontaneous production of nature, always exhausting and never adding any thing to her resources. 11 154 OLD DIFFICULTIES EEYR'ED. Of course tlie eartli cannot in tliis way fulfil its destiny, and snp2:)ort tlie increasing millions that are incessantly appearing upon it. In 173G all the sav- ages, witli wliicli the Jesuit Missionaries were accpiainted, on the waters of the lakes and of the Mississippi, did not exceed 80,000. Within the limits of Ohio, there were probably more Indians about the time of the Revolution, than ever before. By Capt. HuTciiiNs' estimate, made in 1787, there were not of them to exceed 7,000 souls. The whole number, would not have made a city of the second class, as fixed by our statutes. The old difficulty between the colonies and the crown, revived immediately after the revolution, between the same parties as States, and the confed- eration of the United States of America. All the old (questions of boundary, came wp anew. New York, at an early day, consented to a liberal curtail- ment of her claims. The pressure of the war, the wisdom, forbearance and patriotism of those times, and the financial difficulties which oppressed the nation, all conspired to make the discussion tem- perate, and finally secured a happy result. Con- arress held the Indian c-rants. Some States had no indefinite western boundary, on which to found a claim. These had, like the others, sent their citizens into the field, and supported them there. Like the colonies in the French war, tliey had acquii'ed a moral right to a portion of the proceeds of the CONFLICTING CLAIMS. 15.") conquest. The discussion continued from tlie form- ation of tlie confederation, until tlie year 1800, l)efore eveiytliing connected Avitli tlie western lands was adjusted. Connecticut, having heen ousted of her preten- sions in Pennsylvania, was tenacious of her claims to the west of that State. By her deed of September 14, 1786, she limited herself to a tract, about as large as Old Connecticut, in the north-eastern part of Ohio, commonly called the "Western Reserve." To this as to all other western lands, the title was eventually made sure by compromise; the United States refusing to consider the comparative value of the conflictino; claims of the States. In addition to the relinquishment of 178G, a farther compact was made l)etween the State and the Government, by which Connecticut, in 1800, relin- rpiished to the United States, all claim of political jurisdiction, and the latter confirmed to her the title to the soil. That personal enterprise which is engendered by wars, expends itself in the United States, upon the new territories. The provincial soldiers of the old French war, and of the campaign under Col. Bouquet, 17G4, were the men who became the pioneers on the waters of the Ohio. Very soon after the Revolu- tion, our immediate ancestors began to look west- ward. Their courage did not allow them to fear their red enemies. Wars are not ^vholly without 150 THE SOLDIER PIONEERS. compeusatioii. It required precisely sucli characters, as the impoverished soldiers of the Revolution, to conquer the western wilds. Men who had never been toughened by the exposures and dangers of the camp, would not relish such undertakings. Perhaps many of these, would not have sought after fortune in such remote regions, had not the war left them with nothing l>ut their physical strength, ambition and courage. The rich wilderness Avhich they had seen, had been conquered by their exertions. It was therefore in accordance with a fearless spirit, coupled with necessity ; that they entered upon the danger- ous task of subduino; the western wilderness. In 1788 the settlement of Ohio was commenced, by an association of New England soldiers. During the next year a purchase of three millions of acres, was made in western New York, through the agency of Benjamin Goriiam and Oliver Phelps; embracing the rich lands which border u23on Seneca and Canan- daigua lakes. In Ohio the most accessible portion lies adjacent to the Ohio river, where the first lodgments were made, at Marietta and Cincinnati. For thirty years, rude highways had been in exist- ence over the ridges of the Allegheny mountains, made by Braddock and Forbes, to the forks of the Ohio, at Pittsburg. From thence, in boats, they could float onward with the stream. The settle- ments, following the impulse of the old French war, ROUTES TO THE WEST. 157 had passed the crests of those mountains, and already occupied some of the valleys of the streams. The northern route to Ohio was more difficult. The entire breadth of the State of New York must be penetrated, mostly by a land route, through a country not broken by mountains, but by marshes, lakes and streams, more impracticable than moun- tains. It required a few years more time, for them to reach the northern borders of this State. Settlers had forced their way as far west as Canandaigua. A horse trail had been opened along the old Indian trail to lake Erie, at Buifalo, when the project of occupying this portion of the State was set on foot. Oliver Phelps, of Connecticut, the partner of Gorham, of Massachusetts, in the New York purchase, was disposed to strike still deeper into the western country. On the 14th of September, 1786, the State of Con- necticut made a deed of cession, whereby she released to the United States ; all right, title, interest juris- diction and claim, which she had north of the forty- first parallel, and west of a meridian to be run at a distance of one hundred and twenty miles, west of the west line of the State of Pennsylvania ; extend- ing nortli to the parallel of forty-two degrees and two minutes. The State of Connecticut, made no disposition of the territory, between the Pennsylvania line and the meridian referred to, lying between forty -two 158 CONFLICT OF JURISDICTION. degrees two minutes, and forty-one degrees. It was thus reserved to lierself, from wliicli it received the title of the " Connecticut Western Reserve." All the States, having claims to tlie territory north-west of the (^liio ; having relinquislied their claims, except to the Reserve; the United States proceeded to establish a government over it, and ])assed tlie famous ''Ordinance of 1787." As the State of Connecticut, liad never reliiicpiished lier ehiim to the Western Reserve, she considered such an extension of jurisdiction, to l)e in violation of her rights. Slie very soon after, j^rovided for the sale of her reserved lands in this region. As the claims of tlie several States, to Avestern lands under their conflicting grants, and the mode of settlement are fnlly set forth in the Land Laws of tlie United States; I notice them only inciden- tally here. Li October, 1780, that State had passed a resolu- tion, authorizing a committee of three persons, to sell that part, which lies east of the Cuyahoga river and the old portage path ; by townships of six miles square. The price was limited to three shillings currency per acre, which is equal to fifty cents in Federal money. Six ranges of townships were to be surveyed, lying next to the Pennsylvania line ; to be numbered from lake Erie southward, and not less than twenty-seven dollars in specie, was to be paid per township to defray the expenses of survey. Five SALT SPltma TRACT. 159 hundred acres of land in each township, was reserved for the sup2^ort of tlie gospel ministry; and hve hundred acres for the support of schools. Tlie first minister who settled in a township, was entitled to two hundred and forty acres. Until a republican government should be established, the general Assembly, undertook to provide for the pres- ervation of peace and good order among the settlers. At their session in May 1787, some alterations were made, in the manner of surveying and mmil^er- ing the townships, and the mode of making convey- ances. No attempt was made to execute the surveys. A sale was made however, to General Samuel H. Parsons, of Middletowu, of a tract embracing twen- ty-four thousand acres, afterwards known as tlie "Salt Spring Tract," in Trumbull county. This patent was executed by the Governor and Secretary, February 10, 1788. [Hon. T. D. Webb.] It is described l^y ranges and townships, as though the lines had been run and marked upon the ground. General Parsons had explored the country, and found the location of the well known Salt Sj)ring, near the Mahoning river, which was considered very valuable. This spring is laid down by Evans, on his map of 1755, The Pennsylvanians had recourse to it dmTug the revolution, and cabins had been erected there. In 1785, Col. Brodiiead, com- manding the troops at Fort Pitt, had orders to 10() GENEKAL S. II. PARSONS. dispossess them, and did so. Tlie Indians soon burned tlie cabins tliey had erected. General Par- sons, Avas appointed one of the Judges in the north- western Territory, but was drowned in the fall of 1788, at the falls of Beaver river. Considerable quantities of salt had been made by Indians and traders before the settlement, and for a number of years after, its manufacture was continued by the pioneers. General Parsons Avas the only purchaser from the State, until the Connecticut Land Company Avas organized, giving him the choice of lands east of the Cuyahoga. The description in his patent is as follows : " Beginning at the north-east corner of the ^rs^ toAvnship in the tJii/'d vauge; thence northerly, on the Avest line of the second range, to forty-one degrees and tAvelve minutes of north latitude ; thence Avest, three miles ; thence southerly, parallel to the Avest line of Pennsylvania, tAA^o miles and one half; thence Avest, tliree miles, to the Avest line of said third range; thence southerly, parallel to the Avest line of Pennsylvania, to the north line of the first toAvnship in the third range ; thence east to the first l)ouud." [Leonard Case.] Although no surveys Avere made. General Par- sons proceeded to inalve sales and deeds, of undi- vided portions, to A^arious parties. His patent Avas recorded in the office of the Secretary of State, at Hartford, but the United States having oi-ganized SALES BY PARSONS. 161 tlie county of Wasliington, embracing this tract, it was again recorded at Marietta, as were many of the deeds made by him. Afterwards, when the con- flicting claims of the State and the federal govern- ment were harmonized, as doubts remained in regard to the validity of Washington county, north of the -list parallel, they were recorded again at Warren, in the county of Trumbull. No taxes were effectually imposed upon the inhal3itants of the Resei've, until after the organization of Trumlndl county. Before tliat time, the settlers were left in a state of nature, so ftir as civil government was concerned. They were once disturbed by the authority of the United States, at the time when they Avere supposed to be included in Jefferson County. Zenas Kimbekly made liis appearance in this region, to enquire into the matter of taxation. As they did not acknowledge the jurisdiction of the United States, he was beset hj ridicule and laugh- ter, until lie concluded to leave them. [T. D. Webb.] In May, 1792, the Legislature of Connecticut granted to those of her citizens, who had suffered by depredations of the British, during the revolu- tion, Jialf a million of acres, to be taken off tlie west end of the Reserve, exclusive of the Islands, As no one except Parsons had purchased lands under the resolutions of 1786-7, a new mode of 162 NEW TERMS OF SALE. disposing of her western lands was adopted, in May 1795. Numerous parties entered the field as purchasers. Under the last resolution, a coniniittee of eight citi- zens, representing each county in the State ; Avas empowered to sell, three millions of acres ; next west of the Pennsylvania line, at a price not less than one million of dollars l)eing a third of a dollar per acre. The names of the committee were John Tread well, James Wadswortii, Marvin Wait, William Ed]mond, Thomas Grosvenor, Aaron Austin, Elijah Hubbard, Sylvester Gilbert. Speculation in wild lands had already become epidemic in New England. Benjamin Goriiam and Oliver Phelps had sold their New York purchase to Robert Livingston, of Philadelphia, who trans- ferred it to a company in Holland, by which the tract was afterwards known as the " Holland Pur- chase." The committee, and the several adventurers, sj)ent the summer of 1795 in negotiations. General Wayne's successful movements, through the Indian country from the Ohio, to lake Erie, during the ])revious year; had convinced the British and Indians that the United States intended to occupy Ohio, whoever might oppose. The purchasers, were, notwithstanding ; required to take all lisks of title and of possession. Another condition was imj)osed THE PURCHASERS. 163 ii}H)ii the coiiimitti'o ; wliicli re(|uired tliem to dis- pose of tlie entire three million of acres, before concluding a sale of any part of it. John Livingston and others were in the field as competitors of the Connecticut men, Init were induced to accept for their share, the su2^posed sur- plus, a million or more of acres. On the 2(1 of Septeml)er, 1705, the bargain was concluded. A sufficient number of individuals had presented tliemselves, willing to take the entire tract at the sum of one million two hundred thousand dollars; whose names, and their respective propor- tions are here given : Joseph Howland and Daniel L, Coit, ,f30 4(51 Klias Morgan, 51,402 Caleb Atwater, 22,84G Daniel Holbrook, 8,750 Joseph AVilliams, . 15,231 WilhamLove, 10,500 William Judd, 16,256 Elisha Hyde and Uriah Tracey, 57,400 James Johnston, 30 000 Samuel Mather, Jr., 18,461 Ephraim Kirby, Elijah Boardman and Uriel Holmes, Jr., 60,000 Solomon Griswold, 10,000 Oliver Phelps and Gideon Granger, Jr., 80,000 William Hart, 30,462 Henry Champion, 2d, 85,675 Asher Miller, 34,000 Eobert C. Johnson, 60,000 164 CONVEYANCES. Epliraim Koot, 42,000 Nehemiah Hubbard, Jr., 19,039 Solomon Cowles, 10,000 Oliver Phelps 168,185 Asaliel Hathaway, 12,000 John Caldwell and Peleg Sanford, 15,000 Timothy Burr, 15,231 Luther Loomis and Ebenezer King, Jr., 44,318 William Lyman, John Stoddard and David King, _ 24,730 Moses Cleaveland, 32,600 Samuel P. Lord, 14,092 Koger Newberry, Enoch Perkins and Jonathan Brace, 38,000 Ephraim Starr, 17,415 Sylvanus Griswold, 1,683 Joseb Stocking and Joshua Stow, 11,423 Titus Street, 22,846 James Bull, Aaron Olmsted and John Wyles, 30,000 Pierpoint Edwards, 60,000 ,^1,200,000 The committee of eight, immediately made deeds to these purchasers, of as many twelve liiiiidred thousandths in common, of the entire tract, as tliey liad subscribed dollars on the above list. These deeds and the subsequent drafts were recorded in the office of the Secretary of State, at Hartford ; and afterwards transferred to the Kecorders office at Warren. They are very lengthy, reciting the sub- stance of the resolution, and the mode of sale to the grantees. It does not appear that any part of the consideration was paid in hand. [T. D. Webb.] CONNECTICUT LAND COMPANY. According to this record, tlie number of original parties was tliirty-iive, altliougli it is generally represented as thirty-six. There were this number of bonds given to the State hj them, for the above stated sums ; which were secured by personal secu- rity at first, and afterwards mortgages u^ion the land. The first purchasers, however, represented other per- sons who were also constituted members of the com- pany, fifty seven in number. The different grantees in the deeds from Connecti- cut, gave the Trustees a list of the persons whom they represented, and the Trustees issued a stock certificate to each, in accordance with the articles of the association. Some of those who had given their bonds failed ; and others persuaded the State to accept bonds and moi'tgages from them individually. They gave a bond to the Treasurer of State, and a mortgage of the lands which were aparted to them in severalty under the draft of 1798, east of the Cuyahoga. Tliey gave also another style of seciu'ity, called lG6 THE EXCESS COMPANY. tlie "Trust and l^eneiit mortgcages," covering their interests in common then undrawn. Tliese were so worded, that the Trustees of the Land Company, after draft, made another mortgage to the State, in which the original purchasers had the right of redemption. [Leonaed Case.] A partnership, or association, was immediately formed hy the purchasers ; who called themselves the "Connecticut Land Company"; all of whom joined in a deed of trust, to John Caldwell, Jona- than Brace, and John Morgan, covering the entire purchase. As special corporate powers were not given them by the Legislature, and doubts existed as to the validity of their political franchises ; this course was necessary for the convenient management of their business. The trust deed bears date Sep- tember 5, 1795, and with few exceptions, the deeds of the Trustees are the source of title, to lands on the Western Reserve. As late as 1836, all of the original Trustees were living, and joined in deeds of lands within this city. Oliver Phelps, John Livingston, and others, proposed to take the remainder, l^eing the " excess," lying between the three million, and the five hundred thousand acre tracts. This scheme finally took the form of what is called the "Excess Company," of whom Gen. Hull, afterwards conspicuous at Detroit, was the principal owner. Shares in this company were sought after with as much eagerness as those ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION. 167 ill John Laws company of the Indies, Laving about tlie same basis of vahie. The State guaranteed nothing either as to title or (piantity. She only transferred all the rights she possessed, as well political as those of property un- der the patent of Earl Warwick, and the charter of CiiAKLEs the Second. So little was kno^vll at this time, of the respective powers of the States and the United States, under the Constitution of 1787, that many of the parties thought the Land Company had received political authority, and could found here a new State. They imagined themselves like William Penjst, to be j)i'oprietors, coupled wdth the rights of self government. Articles of association, fourteen in number, were signed by the proprietors, on the same day with the trust deed. These articles are very elaborate, pro- viding for the government of the comj^any, giving extensive powders to the directors, pointing out in detail the mode of survey, partition and sale ; author- izing transferable certificates of stock, and determ- ining the manner of proceeding at meetings of the company. These articles of agreement were so full and particular that, no changes were found necessary, in order to carry on and complete the business of the company. For the purjiose of voting and assessments, the concern was divided into four hundred sliares. Pro- vision was made, in case one-third of the interest 1()8 FIRST DIRECTOliS. slioiild demand it, to set off to the applicants one- third of the property in a l>ody, l)ut no sncli de- niand was made. The affairs of the company were entrusted to the management of seven directors, and the gentlemen l)elow named were elected to form the first l)<>:u'(l : Oliver Phelps, of Snffield. Henry Champion, 2nd, of Colchester. Moses Cleaveland, of Canterlniry. Samuel W. Johnson. EpHP.AIM KlliBY. Samuel Mather, Junior, of Lynn. Roger Newberry, of West Windsor. The annual meetings of the company were to he lield in Hartford, in Octol)er, from whence New Connecticut was to T)e governed, as New England had l)een by the " Council of Plymouth" in England. It would be exceedingly interesting to reproduce the official transactions of the company, while it held the soil of the Western Reserve, from 171)5 to 1809, if the limits of this ])t)ok would admit. I can only touch upon their most prominent acts and })ro- ceediugs. Tliey determined to extinguish tlie Indian claims, and survey their possessions into townships, of fve 7nil€S square, bounded by lines crossing each otlier at right angles, to be run north and south, east and west. Tlie proprietors were required to chd) to- THE AGENT AND SURVEYOllS. 160 getlier and th'iiw by townships, as in a lottery ; after Avhicli tlie owners received a deed, and made their o^vn sub-divisions into lots. T^velve thousand nine hundred and three dollars and twenty-three cents of purchase money, represented a township in the first draft. To equalize the townshij)s, a committee was appointed to explore them. Moses Cleaveland, one of the directors, was made general agent, to conduct the surveys, Augustus Poetee, of Salisbury, who had been en- gaged in surveys for Goeham and Phelps, in the Holland purchase since 1789, was made principal surveyor. Setit Pease, of Suffield, was given the place of mathematician and surveyor. lie went to Philadelphia for instructions and instruments, to l)e procured of the astronomer, David Rittenhouse. The other surveyors were John Milton Holley, RiciiAED M. Stoddaed and Moses Waeeen, Jr. Their journey from Old Connecticut to New, with their boatmen, chainmen and axemen, is fully de- scribed in the extracts which I give from the journals of Cleaveland, Holley and Pease. It has not been practicable to procure their diaries in full, or to insert them entire where they have been obtained. The mode of dividing the property among its owners, was cumbrous ; but was made so by a jeal- ous regard to justice in the distribution. Six town- ships east of the Cuyahoga, were to be subdivided 170 NUMBER OF DRAFTS. for sale, for the general Lenefit of the Company. Four more townships of the next l)est (piality, were to be surveyed into four hundred lots, of one hun- dred and sixty acres each : equal to the number of shares, to l)e drawn l)y lot; three thousand dollars purchase money representing a share. What remained on the east of the Cuyahoga, was to be divided into as many portions, to be called a draft, as there were townships of equal value. To come at this much coveted equality, the connuittee on partition, were I'equired to select the best full township, as a draft ; and add fractional townships, tracts, and lots, to all the others, until the less desir- able ones, were made in all respects equal to the best. The avails of the six to\vnships, sold for the gen- eral benefit, after the general expenses were paid, were distributed in subsequent drafts. In the first draft the committee on partition made ninety-two parcels, each equal in value to the best township, which parcels covered all the ter- ritory to be drawn east of the Cuyahoga. By foreclosure or l)y arrangement, the State of Connecticut became the jn'ivate owner of some lands on the Western Reserve, which were sold l)y her agents. The late Leonard Case, of Cleveland, transacted a large part of this l)usiness. Thus through forms and proceedings that are complicated, a simple and safe system of titles has l)een secured SURVEYS OF 1796. We o^ve many tliaiiks to the surveyors, for tlieir intelligence and industry in making note of events. Other members of the expedition of 179G-'97, kept memoranda of their travels, some of ^vhieli Avill ap- pear in thei]' proper places. It is due to the general system of New England education, that her sons are able, wherever they go in unexplored countries, to record intelligibly, what passes under their obser- vation. JOHN MILTON HOLLEY'S JOURNAL. This day, A])ril 2StJ(, 1706, started from Dover for Lake Erie, lodged first night at Jas. Dakins', second day at Col. Porter's ; left there about 1 o'clock with friend Porter, lodged second night at Johnson's in Spencertown, third night at Wendell's Hotel, Albany. Sunday dined at Shenectady, and lodged at Esquire Miles' in New Amsterdam, thence through 172 EOUTE OF THE PARTY. Ballantine and Germanflats, and lodged at Talcott's, next night at Dean's in Westmoreland, and thence to Morehouse's, thence to (torn off), thence to San- born's in Canandaiqua. (A portion lost.) The Qtli of May. — Lodged at Mons. Sanborn's in Canandaiqua, was gone to the Eutrantiquet (Iron- duquoit) from Tuesday morning till Wednesday evening. Tuesday^ May lS)th, '96. — Left Canandaiqua for Eutrantiquet bay, lodged at Richardson's in Stones- town. May '^Ist. — In the afternoon left Canandaiqua for Gerundicut (Ironduquoit) a second time. Stow and Stoddard came from Sodus, on lake Ontario, with information that three boats were cast away, but no lives or property lost ; in consequence of which we left Canandaiqua the 31st of May, for Gerundicut, slept the first night at Howe's in Bough- tontown. June 1st. — went to the landing to see our boat, but as it had not arrived, Porter, Stow and myself embarked on Dunbar's boat, to go to the great lake to meet our boat, but as luck would have it we went in the boat about half a mile to the landing, unloaded, and Porter with four hands returned to Little Sodus, to give relief to those who were cast away, and Stow and myself with our hands encamp- ed on the Gerundicut. Built a bark hut, and the men lodged in it the first night. Stow and myself liEAClt CANANDAIQUA. 1^,1 lodged on tlie floor at Dunbar's. Go to Sjiith's mill and see if tliere is any flour or wheat, and if so, if there are barrels, if not, call upon Steel, get four l^arrels of poik at Ciiapin's and two l^tarrels of flour at Chapman's. June 2>(L — Gen. Cleayeland at evening arrived at Canandaiqua and gave us information that the l)oats had gone from Whitestown to Fort Stanwix, and Mr. Stow got a letter from the British minister, or charge des' affaires, to the commanding oflicer at Fort Oswego, ree^uesting permission for our boats to pass unmolested. This information, together with the favorable prospect of wind and weather at that time, gave us great hopes that the stores would get on safely and rapidly, l)ut on Saturday morning there sprang up in the north-west a storm, and Idew most violently on the shore of the Lake. This proved fatal to one of the boats, and damaged an- other very much, though we went a little forward to a safe harbor, and built several fires on the bank of the Lake as a beacon to those coming on. After the disaster had happened, the T)oat that was safe went on to the Gerundicut with a load, and left the other three, including the one that was stove, at Little Sodus, encamped near the Lake. Among the pas- sengers were two families, one of the women with a little child. The Avater at Gerundicut is about two rods wdde and twelve to fourteen feet deep, very crooked and great obstruction for boats. Started 174 IWSi^ OSWEGO Al^D LITTLE SODUS. for Caiiaiic]ai(|iia and arrived on tlie morning of tlie 4tlL All tliese misfortunes happened in consequence of not having liberty to jiass the fort at Os^vego. Such are the effects of allowing the British government to exist on the continent of America. rfune 5t/i. — The boats left Gerundicut for Niagara. tTune 7fh.- — Pahisii returned from Buftalo Creek, with information how the Indians ^vould meet us. At this time the court was sitting at Canandaiqua. I heard my ftiend Salstonstall make a plea in the case of Williamston rs Berry. Salstonstall in favor of BeiTy. J'U7ie 14:t7i. — Left Canandaiqtia Tuesday for Buftalo creek, lodged first night at Tiiayers', in the Gore, was very sick ^^'ith the headache, second night at Berey's, on tlie l^ank of the Genesee river ; and rode about two miles across the flat to the Indian settlement, six miles from here to Big Spring. Thence about ten miles to Allen's creek, a stream about two rods wide, and not very deep, the bed is a solid rock, thence nine miles to the bend in Tona- wanto creek, thence about sixteen miles to where we cross the creek — this stream is about twice as large as Allen's creek — that is, twice as much water, thence through long openings and swam^^s, or rather low lands, to Big Fall creek, here is almost a perpen- dicular fall of -about forty feet. Thence to Buftalo creek. This stream runs nearly north, and empties NIAGARA FALLkS AND CHIPPEWA. I7ij into lake Erie about three miles from tlie outlet opposite to Fort Erie, it is alxnit ten I'ods wide at its moutli, and very deep. June Vltli. — At evening we got to Skinnep.'s tav- ern, at Buffalo creek. On tlie IStli, PoKTETi and myself went on the creek in a hark canoe, a fishing, and caught oidy three little ones. • Sunday^ VMli June. — Left Buffalo in Winney's boat, for Chippe^va, had a fair wind down, and arrived aljout one o'clock at Chippewa, dined at Fanning's, found our goods were not at the Gore, in Chippewa, and was obliged to go to Queenstown after them, and as I could not get a horse was obliged to walk. I got to Queenstown before night and lodged at Col. Ingersoll's, next morning set out for Buffalo. On the way I sto],)ped to take a view of Niagara Falls. That river, a little above Fort Slusher, is two and one half miles wide. Soon after this the water is very I'apid, and continuing on, is hurried with amazing impetuosity down the most stupenduous j^recipice perhaps in nature. There is a fog continually arising, occasioned by the tumbling of the water, which, in a clear morning, is seen from lake Erie, at the distance of thirty or forty miles, as is the noise also heard. As the hands were very dilatory in leaving Chippewa, we were obliged to encamp on the great island in the river. We struck a fire and cooked some scpiirrels and pigeons, and a l7(> TREATY AT BUFFALO. young j^artridge ; two I eat for supper. I slept very sound all night, between a large log and tlie bank of tlie river. The next day arrived at Buffalo. About two o'clock this afternoon, tlie council fire witli the Six Nations was uncovered, and at evening was again covered until morning, when it was opened again, and after some considerable delay, Caj^tain Brant gave General Cleaveland a sj)eech in writing. The chiefs, after this, were determined to get drunk. No more business was done this day. In the evening, the Indians had one of their old ceremo- nial dances, where one gets up and walks up and down between them, singing something, and those who sit around keep tune, by grunting. Next morning, which was the 23d, after several speeches back and forth, from Red Jacket to Gen- eral Cleaveland, Captain Ciiapin, Brai^t, tfec, tfcc. General Cleaveland answered Captain Brant's speech. In short, the business was concluded in this Avay. General Cleaveland offered Brant one thousand dollars as a present. Brant, in answer, told General Cleaveland that their minds were easily satisfied, but that they thought his offer was not enough, and added this to it, that if he would Use his influence with the United States, to procure an annuity of five hundred dollars par^ and if this should fail, that the Connecticut Land Company should, in a reasonable time, make an additional RED JACKETS VIEWS. 177 present of one tlioiisand five hundred dollars, which was agreed to. The Mohawks are to give one hun- dred dollars to the Senecas, and Cleaveland gave two heef cattle and whisky, to make a feast for them. lliursdaji, Jdne 2S(I. — Farmees Brother, Red Jacket, and Little Billy, and Green Grass Hopper dined with the Commissioners. In the course of conversation Red Jacket gave his sentiments upon religion, which were to this purpose. You white people make a great parade about religion, you say you have a book of laws and rules which was given you by the Great Spirit, but is this true ^ Was it written l:)y his own liand and given to joui No, says he, it was written by your own people. They do it to deceive you. Their whole wishes center here, (pointing to his pocket,) all they want is the money. (It happened there was a priest in the room at the same time who heard him.) He says white people tell them, they wish to come and live among them as brothers, and learn them agriculture. So they bring on implements of husbandry and presents, tell them good stories, and all appears honest. But when they are gone all appears as a dream. Our land is taken from us, and still we don't kno^\^ how to fai'm it. Monday^ June 21 th. — At five minutes after eleven o'clock we left Bufl:alo creek. Wind fair when we started, but soon came ahead. We went forward to 1^^ LEAVK EFFFALd'. Cataragiis creek, wliicli is thirty-six miles l)y hiiid, l)iit not more than twenty-eight l)y water, where we encamped on the beach for the night. Early in tlu^ mornino; of the 28tli Ave left Cataras^ns Avith a fair wind, bnt had not sailed one hnndred rods be'fore it came plump ahead, and we returned into the creek again, and pitched our tents for the day. The Avind continued to blow very hard from the north-west, so lono; that Ave Avere oblisied to reuiain there till the first of July. On Friday morning we left Cataragus creek Avith a fair Avind, Avhich lasted till al^out ten o'clock, AAdien it came more ahead, but Ave continued roAving, and encamped the next night past the Penn- sylvania line, and about sixteen miles from Presque Isle. Next morning run into Presque Isle harl)or, by a quarter after ten in the morning — vieAved the fort building there ])y the United States, and the old French fort AAdiich Avas built before the French Avar. It is noAV entirely demolished, and a toAvn laid out upon the place. Tlie Avind sprang up and Ave could not land at the landing place, so Ave run over the T)ay about one mile to the ])enin8ida and en- camped. Here Ave lay till the next day at evening AAdien Ave Avent up the l)ay to | iraufuK/. \ FROM THE JOURNAL OF SETH PEASE. June 21.s7, — I set out from Niagara fort, or Ncaa'- ark, Avent on foot to the landing above the falls, AH sited the cataract of Niagara; it takes a stone ASTRONOIMIOAL OBSERVATIONS. 1^9 three seconds to fall from the top of the rock to the bottom. June 22<'/. — We went on as far as Buffalo creek. The counciLhegan 21st, and ended Friday follo^vino■, The present made the Indians was £500, New Yoik cnrrency, in goods. This the western Indians re- ceived. To the eastern Indians they gave two beef cattle and one hundred gallons of Avhisky. The western also had provisions to help them home. The Indians had their keeping during the council. SatunJai/^ June 2i)tli, 1796, — Sun's meridian: Alt. Lower Limb, Q, '^0° 1^' ^>*^" Dip. Sub., 1 25 Parallax -f, 2 Refraction, IS 0,iDiam.+, 15 47 O Declination, 23° 22 49 Sun, 47° 6^ 30" Latitude, . 42° 53^ 30" of Buffalo Creek about thirty-five rods nortli of the mouth. Monday^ June "2^tJi. — We started from Buffalo creek at 11 o'clock, A. M., to cross lake Erie. Steered south, 34^ west. Our latitude at noon, forty-two, twenty minutes North. Got to Cataraugus, a con- venient harbor. Tuesday^ June 2Sfh. — We got under way about a 1^0 REACH PRESQUE ISLE. mile, tlie wind sprang up ahead ; we tacked aT)ont and made tlie liarlior; liigli wind and some rain. Friday^ Juhj \st. — We started from Cataraugus. Camped on the lake shore; our latitud-e forty-two degrees, foui-teen minutes. Night calm and clear. Saturday, we got to Presque Isle about 10 o'clock, A. M. In the afternoon we crossed the bay and camped on the beach. Sunday, wind a-head. Sunday, Jidy Sd. — On examination of the quad- rant, we found that one hundred and eighty degrees measured one hundred and eighty degrees and four minutes, 1)}^ the octant. We went on as far as the portage, got our l)oats and loading over and camped. Monday, Jidy Atli, Inde])endence Day. — I traveled by land ; good walking on the shore and 1 )ank ; high springs and streams very plenty and good. We discovered Pennsylvania north line alxiut 3 o'clock, P. M., a stone marked on the north side, and on the south, Pennsylvania forty-two degrees north latitude, variation, seven minutes thirty seconds west, c%c. Monday, July Uli, 1796. — We that came by land arrived at the confines of New Connecticut and gave three cheers precisely at 5 o'clock, P. M., we then proceeded to Conneaut at 5 hours 30 minutes ; our boats got on an hour after ; we pitched our tents on the east side. Tuesday, bth. — At camp. (Mli. — ^ Traversed the Lake shore ft'oiu the stone at forty-two degrees north AREIVE AT CONTSTEAUT, 181 latitude, to the stone at the north end of Pennsyl- vania line. Tliursdaij, ItJi. — In the afternoon we began to measure the east line of New Connecticut. We run about two miles south and encamped by a pond in a swamp. Plenty of gnats and mosquitoes ; poor water. " Frickii/^ Sfh. — • We run about live miles. We crossed creek Independence. Land aljout middling. Went back one mile to camp ; poor water. EXTRACT FROM THE JOURNAL OF GENERAL MOSES CLEAYELAND. On this creek (" Conneaught ") in New Connecti- cut land, July 4th, 179(3, under General Moses Cleaveland, the surveyors, and men sent 1)y the Con- necticut Land Company to survey and settle the Connecticut Reserve, and were the first English people who took possession of it. The day, memor- able as the 1 )irtliday of American Independence, and freedom from British tyranny, and commemorated by all good freeborn sons of America, and memorable as the day on which the settlement of this new country was commenced, and in time may raise her head amongst the most enlightened and improved States. And after many difficulties perplexities and hardshij)s ^vere surmounted, and we were on the good and promised land, felt that a just tribute of 182 FIUST CELEJi RATION. respect to tlie day ought to l)e i)aid. There were in all, including men, women and children, fifty in nmiiber. The men, under Captain Tinker ranged themselves on the beach, and fired a Federal salute of fifteen rounds, and then the sixteenth in honor of New Connecticut. We gave three cheers and christened the place Port Indej^endence. Drank several toasts, viz : 1st. The President of the United States. lM. The State of New Connecticut. :^d. The Connecticut Land Company. 4th. May the Port of Inde})endence and the fifty sons and daughters who have entered it this day be successful and prosperous. 5th. May these sons and daughters nuiltiply in sixteen years sixteen times fifty. (3th. May every person have his bo^vsprit trimmed and ready to enter every port that opens. Closed with three cheers. Drank several pails of grog, supped and retired in remarkable good order. Jf/Jf/ Dfh. — Wrote letters to the directors and my Avife. Two l)oats Avere dis2:>atched under the direc- tion of Tinker to Fort Erie, to bring the remainder of stores left there. The Connt^aut is uoav choked Avith sand. The stream is capable of admitting boats the greater part of the year, u]) l^eyond the Pennsylvania line, Avhicli in a straight line cannot T)e more than four miles. tTidf/ ^itli. — Keceived a message from the Paqua HOLDS A TALK Wri'll l'A(i(rA. 183 C.'hicf of tlie Massasagoes, residing in Conneaut, tliat tliey Avislied a council held that day. I prepared to meet them, and after they Aver(^ all seated, took my seat in the middle. Cato, son of Pac^ua, was the orator, PAciHA dictated. They opened the council l)y smoking tlie pipe of peace and friendship. The orator then rose and addressed me in the lano:ua2:e of Indian flattery, "Thank the Great Spirit for pre- serving and l)ringing me there, thank tlie Great Spirit for giving a pleasant day," and then rerpiested to know our claim to the land, as they had friends Avho resided on the land, and others at a distance who Avould come there. They wanted to know what I would do with theuL T replied, informing them of our title, and what I liad said to the Six Nations, and also assured them that they should not l)e disturbed in their possessions, we would treat them and their friends as l)rothers. They then pre- sented me with the pipe of friendship and peace, a curious one, indeed, I returned a chain of Avampum, silver trinkets, and other presents, and whisky, to the amount of about twenty-flve dollars. They also said they were poor ; and as I had expressed, hoped ^ve should 1)e friendly and continue to he liberal. I told them I acted for others as well as for myself, and to ^)e lil)eral of others property was no evidence of true friendship ; those people I represented lived l)y industry, and to give away their proj)erty lavishly, to those who live in indolence 184 HIS ADV^ICE. and by begging, would be no deed of cliarity. As long a,s tliey were industrious aud conducted them- selves Avell, I Avould do sucli l)enevolent acts to tlieni as would l)e judged riglit, and would do tlieni the most good, cautioned tlieni against indolence and drunkeness. This not only closed the business, but checked their begging for more Avhisky. Julij lOfh. — Went with Capt. Buckland about eight miles up the beach; wind ahead. Stopped at Jay creek, then went al)out three miles farther ; [)art of the way slate rock, and trees had tumbled in ; the surf high, making very hard walking on my return ; lost one stocking ; dined on the beach ; went two miles farther and turned in, took a berth with orreat-coat under a hemlock. o tTidf/ 11th. — Keturned to Port Independence; a storm of rain coining on made it uncomfortable, and wet us very decently. J^iilf/ 12th. — Dispatched Stoddakd with four men to join Porter, tfec. LETTER OF AMZI ATWATEK. Mantua, Jan. i25th, 1S4G. John Barr, Esq., — Dear Sir: — I received your letter of the 10th inst., requesting some information respecting the landing at Conneaut, of the first sur- veying company on the Reserve, and the appearance of the harbor, Slq. I have no means of informing POliT 1N1)P:1»EN1)ENCE. 185 you except from frail memory. But it appears to me tlie view was so stamped in my mind, that if I was a painter or engraver, I could give a good view of it as it then appeared. I think the following is as good a representation as I can now give : PLAN OF THE MOUTH 1796. HtAVVT/MSCff a, — Boats. b, — Tents. c, — Store nouse. The lake at that time was very low, the Leach was wide, and the lake calm. There was a wide space between the shore and the high bank, to the east of the mouth, which had resisted the force of the current and the waves, until there was consid- erable of a grove of midling sized timber grown on 13 186 CAMP AND STORE HOUSE. it. The south west wind had so long prevailed, that it luid driven the creek back, and formed a wide sand ])ar down to the grove of timber, Avhere it turned short into the lake. There was a considera- l)le space left, l)etween the creek and the high bank, Avliich was covered ^vith small tind^er and bushes. On tliis space the tents Avere pitched and the encampment established, until the store house was built. The store house was built at the end of the grove, near the short bend in the creek. The boats were taken into the mouth of the creek, and lay along the south bank near the bend. The timber al)ove the high bank, was in appearance like that of the lake shore generally, not very large, but tolerable straight and handsome. It was of a great variety, consisting of almost all the trees common in our counti'y, except evergreens, which wei'e very scarce on our lake shore. If an engraving should be made I wish there might be two. One to represent the appearance of the creek and surrounding shore, with three boats in the creek on the south side, and one entering the creek near the bend, with a group of men cbiving pack horses and cattle up the beach, near the creek. On the other the boats side by side, on the south side of the creek, near the bend, and further back, and a little up stream, the tents, and in front of them, the agent and surveyors holding the council with the Indians. But I am not a painter or an engraver, and can't direct. TOWERS OF THE AOENT. 187 I uiu ^vell satisfied tliat tlie view which I herewitli send is coiTeet, except it may l)e not in a ])i'0})er ])i'opoi'tion, as to the length and In'eadth of tlie sand har and beach. But I know they were then very wide. Yours, A. Atwateu. INSTRUCTIONS OF THE DIRECTORS TO THEIR AGENT. To Moses Cleaveland, Msq.^ of tJie countu of W'uuh hd'in, and State of Corinectwat, one of the Directors of the Connecticut Land Company, Greeting : We, the Board of Directors of said Connecticut Land Company, having appointed you to go on to said land, as Superintendent over the agents and ]nen, sent on to survey and make locations on said land, to make, and enter into friendly negotiations Avith the natives who are on said land, or contiiruous thereto, and may have any pretended claim to the same, and secure sucli friendly intercourse amongst tliem as will establish peace, quiet, and safety to the survey and settlement of said lands, not ceded by tlie natives under the authority of the United States. You are hereby, for the foregoing purposes, fully authorized and emjiowered to act, and transact all the above business, in as full and am2:)le a manner as ^ve ourselves could do, to make contracts in the 188 LIST OF THE PARTY. foregoing matters in our behalf and stead ; and make sncli drafts on our Treasury, as may be necessary to accomj)lisli the foregoing olvject of your appointment. And all agents and men by us employed, and sent on to survey and settle said land, to be obedient to your orders and directions. And you are to be accountal)le for all monies by you received, conform- ing your conduct to such orders and directions as we may, from time to time, give you, and to do and act in all matters, according to your best skill and judgment, wkick may tend to the best interest, pros- perity, and success of said Connecticut Land Com- pany. Having more particularly for your guide tlie Articles of Association entered into and signed by the individuals of said Company. Oliver Phelps, Henry Champion, -_ . ^ T.-r > Directors. KOGER JNEWBERRY, Samuel Mather, Jiiii. I SURVEYING PARTY OF 1796. General Moses Cleaveland, Siqyerintendent. Augustus Porter, Principal Surveyor and Deputy Superintendent. Seth Pease, Astronomer and Surveyor. Amos Spafford, John Milton Holley, Richard M. Stod- dard and Moses Warren, Surveyors. Joshua Stow, Commissary. Theodore Shepard, Physician. EJEPLOYEES. 189 EMPLOYEES OF THE COiMPANY. Joseph Tinker, Boatman George Proudfoot, Samuel Forbes, Stephen Benton, Samuel Hungerford, Samuel Davenport, Amzi Atwater, Elisha Ayres, Norman Wilcox, George Gooding, Samuel Agnew, David Beard, Titus V. Munson, Charles Parker, Nathaniel Doan, James Halket, Olney F. Rice, Samuel Barnes, Daniel Shulay, Joseph M'Intyre, Francis Gray, Amos Sawtel, Amos Barber, William B. Hall, Asa Mason, Michael Coffin, Thomas Harris, Timothy Dunham, Shadrach Benham, Wareiiam Siiepard, John Briant. Joseph Landon, Ezekiel Morly, Luke Hanchet, James Hamilton, John Lock, Stephen Burbank. No. of Emi)loyees, - - 6i Elijah Gun, and Anna, liis wife, came with the surveyors and took charge of Stow's castle at Con- neaut. Job p. Stiles, and Tabitiia Cir.Mi, liis wife, were left in charge of the company's stores at Cleveland. Nathan Chapman and Nathan Perry furnished the surveyors with fresh beef, and traded with the Indians. There were thirteen horses and some cattle, which completes the party of 1790. MODE OF EXECUTING THE SURVEYS. Soon after the celebration of the 4th of Jnly, 170G, had been completed, the snrveyors with their parties entered upon their duties. A ])lan of survey deter- mined upon by the company, was first to lay out upon the ground, the forty-first parallel of latitude, as a 1)ase line. From thence they were to run lines of longitude five miles apart, due north to lake Erie, These were to be crossed by east and west lines, also five miles apart, all of which constituted the boundaries of townships, five miles square. The townships were to be numbered as Ranges, counting from the Pennsylvania line as a meridian, westward, to the number of twenty-four; making one hundred and twenty miles. From the base line they are numbered northward, as Towns; to the shore of lake Erie. Thus Cleveland 1 )efore it had a name as a township, was designated as No. 7, in the twelfth Range, l^eing twelve townships west of the Pennsylvania line ; and seven townships north of the forty-first parallel of latitude. 102 TIIEY COMMENCE WOKK. ]i*ort luclepeiidence at tlie inoutli of the Coniieaut river, is only a couple of miles witliin the State of Ohio. In a few hours they found the west line of Penn- sylvania, which had heen run and cleared only a few years previous. A stone was set u]) Avhere this line came to the lake, on which was marked the latitude ; and which was barely within the limits of the State of Connecticut on the north, according to her grants and charter. Her claims under these instruments, were limited to the parallel of forty-two degrees and two minutes north ; on which the lines of Connecti- cut and Pennsylvania are now fixed. The parties proceeded down the Pennsylvania line, measuring as they went; in order to assist them in finding the forty-first parallel, and also to determine the varia- tion of their compasses. Mr. Holley's journal is so complete a narrative, that I insert it almost without abbreviation. HOLLEY'S JOURNAL— CONNEAUT TO THE SOUTH EAST CORNER OF THE RESERVE. Timrsday, July ^th, 1796. — Left Conneaut creek in company with Augustus Porter, Setii Pease, and five other men for the south east corner of New Connecticut. We came to the north corner of Penn- sylvania, and I'an down al)()ut five or six rods west of the line. At four miles and sixty-six chains, crossed PENNSYLVANIA LINE. 103 tlie Coimeaut creek. The l^auks here are steep. To the end of the eighth mile the land is very similar to the first fonr or five, not well watered at all. To the end of the thirteenth mile, the land has every a})pearance of being over fiowed in the wet seasons. On the fourteenth mile the land rises and falls, and of course is better. At sixty chains we stop and encamp on high ground for the night. Here, by a very good observation of the Polar star at its greatest eastern elongation, we took the variation of the needle, ,( which was one degree, thirty-five minutes east elongation of the star.) By a second oljserva- tion, next morning with the ranges it appeared to be one degree, thirty minutes, (the stars elongation.) The needle varied fifty-three minutes east. Porter's compass and mine varied alike. Major Spafford's ten minutes less. The land to the end of the nine- teenth mile is ridgy and better watered, covered with almost all kinds of timber. On the twentieth mile an open Tamarach swamp, twenty-eight chains wide. To the end of the twenty-third mile the land is indif- ferent, swamp}'. Monday^ Juhj Wtli, — ^We were stopped by the rain, and encamped near an excellent brook, which we considered a very favorable circumstance. The next morning we left this place and went on to the end of the twenty-fifth mile, through the most abom- inable swamp in the world. The twenty-sixth mile is ])art of good l)ottom land, if it can ])e ke])t from 194 CROSS TTtE PYiAfATUlSrtNG. over lowing in sunimer, wliicli I (loiil)t some. On thv twenty-seventli mile is a creek (Pyniatuning) about sixty links wide. The water l)efore tliis liad all ran north, but when we first came upon this stream the course was north east, then a little Avay and it was south west, tlien crooked again and ran south east, and continued on pretty much this course. It is a smooth stream five or six feet deep, and navi- gable for batteaux. The land on each side is rich, but to all appearance is covered with water the greater part of the year ; where we came upon the creek the second time we crossed upon a beaver dam, which Avas cpiite a curiosity. The dam con- sisted of some large sticks or trees thrown across the stream, and filled in with thousands of willows and other small w^ood ; which was so compact as to make consideralde of a pond above, from which, through a rich soil was cut several canals and arms, Avhere they live now, as is evident from fresh tracks and newly cut chips and ])rusli. "* * '^ Tuesday, Jnhj Vltli. — In the morning we break- fasted in our camp by the little brook, and left the pack horse men to come on after us, but when Ave had proceeded about a mile, Ave sent back a hand to tell the men to go round the SAvamp Avitli the horses, but the SAvamp continued, and Ave i"an on till night. Here l)eing a hemlock ridge, Ave Avere in liopes tlie horses would l)e able to find lis, but alas! Ave Avere oldiged to make a litth^ cam]> of boughs, strike u]i TllEIll TKOUHLES AND TllIAtA lOT) a fire, and go to Ixul su})})i'rles8. In tlic day time I had eat raspberries, gooseljerries, wintergreen berries and wintergreens, and in the night I began to grow sick at my stomach, and soon after vomited up every thing that was in me. Mr. Peasp: too Inid a tnrn of the cramp, in consequence of traveling all day in the water. We all arose early in the morn- ing, with meagre looks and somewhat faint for want of eating and drinking, for where we camped there was no water, though we had a little rum. On the morning of the 13th we continued our course down the Pennsylvania line t^vo hundred and sixty rods, through an alder swamp, till we came to a ridge of oak, beach, pine, cfec, where we detennined to stop and wait the coming of pro- visions. Mr. Porter and Mr. Hall took the com- pass, and were to travel east twenty minutes, to try and find the horses' tracks if they had passed. Mi*. Pease and Mr. Spafford took my compass, and were to do the same to the west, while I stayed on the line. I made up a fire, and was clearing a spot to lie down, when to my joy and surprise I heard a voice back of us, which I quickly answered, and found to be Joseph Landon, one of the pack horse* men (and a good fellow too,) coming with a back load of provisions. We called Porter and Pease back as soon as possible, and all partook of a most cheerful and nuich needed breakfast. After this Was over, Mr. Portep^, Hall and Landon went to 10(3 TliK PAIITY UNITED. help tlie horses on, as they had found the swamp so large tliat it Avas impossible to go round it, and they were oldic-ed to come throui^h, and were al)out three and a half miles behind. Mr. Pease, Spaffohd and myself staid to take care of the packs, o'clock, porter's party arrives. 107 and waited till luorning. From the Peniisylvauia line here, Ave had a most pleasing prospect, a hill at the distance of fonr or five miles, with the valley that lay between, covered wdth stately trees and herl )ao'e, wdiich indicated an excellent soil, altogether exhibited a delightful landscape, the beanty of Avhich, I suppose, was enhanced from its being the first time we could overlook the woods. 'Tidij li)tJi. — On Saturday morning a party of five, ordered by Mr. Porter, came up. The woods being wet, in consequence of the rain the evening before, we delayed starting till after noon. From this place two men with one pack horse, returned to creek Independence, for provision. We proceeded on our way wath five horses. Land to the end of the forty- third mile is composed of rises and descends, the whole generally descends to the south west. The soil rich, timbered with black and w^hite oak, chest- nut and black walnut, undergrowth of the same hung together with grape vines. There are three fine springs on this mile. At the last end of the forty-fourth mile we crossed a large smooth stream (Shenango) one chain and twenty-five links wide, course east, stony bottom, banks tolerably high, as far as we could see it was good boating; we waded the stream, it was al)out two and a half feet deep, but an uncom- mon dry time. Forty-fifth mile, land rises and descends. Timl)er, oak and hickory; soil good for IDS CROSS THE SHENANGO. grain. On tlie forty-sixtli niile near a run, course east, we encamped for the niglit. Stnuhn/, July ItfJi. — Continued on ; tlie laud is level, and good timber, maple, black oak, beecli and ironwood. Forty-seventli mile, tlie lirst })art level, tlie last part very steep ridges ; timbered witli oak, the soil poor. The forty-eighth mile more gentle rises, land better, pretty well watered. Forty -ninth mile is very abrupt ridges, stony and poor land, oak timl)er, and whintleberries. To the end of the iifty- second mile land very much as last descril)ed. On the iifty-second mile the land descends to the east, and ^\ e overlook several large ridges ; on tliis also, there are large stones which appear like grindstones. On the tifty-third mile we crossed a large creek or river about two chains and ht'ty links wide : bottom o-ravelly, ciu'rent brisk, abounds with hsli, course south west. We waded this and found the depth at this dry season to be more than waist high. We supposed this to be the same stream ^ve crossed on the forty-fourth mile, Avith the addition of all others that we passed. On this creek is good bottom land timbered with red elm, cherry, cral) ap])le trees, plumb and thorn Imsli. This has been a A\et uii- comfoi*table day. In the morning when we started from our encampment three of our men were looking for the horses that had strayed. Monditfj, Ji(hj ISfJi. — In the morning. Our horses UNCOMFOETABLE WEATHER. 1*J9 have not yet came. It is beginning to rain and we have eonclnded not to leave onr eueanipnient. 2)ies(/af/^ Julij IdfJi. — We continued our line south. At about one hundred rods from the camp we crossed the river again, where it appears naviga- ble for l)oats. About twelve rods from the river Ave crossed a creek four rods wide, gravel bottom. Mr. Porter went about one half mile up this and found course to l)e east and west running east. We soon rose on the high land, timbered to the end of the fifty-sixth mile, the land is very similar — rises and descends; timber oak, some maple and beech, Avell watered, soil in many places good. On the fifty- seventh mile is some interval on a creek twenty-five links wide. Rest of land ridgy and stony. To the end of the sixtieth mile land is ridgy. Land on the sixty-first mile descends to the south ; soil a fine liglit red loam, which is excellent. On the sixty- second mile land continued to descend south, gradu- ally. Encamped on this mile. From the rain yesterday and a shower this morning Ave have been Avet and uncomfortable all day. Wednesday, July 20fh. — Land on sixty-second mile, low and moist. Land on sixty-third mile is excellent and handsome, rises and descends. Sixty- fourth mile, land flat and wet. On the sixty-fifth mile, for seA^enty chains, descends gently to the south, thinly timljered Avith Avhite and Ijlack oak, undergrowth same kind, and grapevines ; at seventy- 200 THE OLD INDIAN TllAIL. two chains, to an Indian patJi ea>ost twelve inches square, marked south side, sixty-five miles, forty-eight chains fifty links, etc. * " " Just as Ave were starting for Conneaut, we saw a large party coming along the beach, and supposing them to be Indians, and having only a gill of rum left in our bottle, we were hurrying to a spring to drink it before they could come up, and tease us for it. But to our astonishment, we found them to be two of the parties of surveyors coming in together. Porter and Pease had run their line through to the Lake with all speed, and came to where Spaf- ford and Stoddard struck the Lake, just as they were cutting the last tree. We had a most joyful meeting, and had not proceeded far before we met Esquire Warren and his I3arty, returning to bring up their line, which they had left seventeen miles from where they started out. Altogether they had what Avas supposed to be fJ/ij'ffeii days' provisions. 208 SET OUT YOU CLEVELAND. This meeting was not so cordial as tlie other had been. We arrived at Conneaut two hours before sun- down, and stayed until we had eaten the fjxtted calf." While the four parties were engaged in running up the first four meridians, Cleaveland, after con- ciliating the Indians, made an excursion to the site of the future city, which should bear his name. He reached here on the 2 2d of July. All of the party must have felt unusually interested, as they ap- proached the spot. Not one of them had seen the placu. As they coasted close along the shore, overhung by a dense green forest, mirrored in the waters over which they were passing, the mouth of the river disclosed itself, as a small opening, between low banks of sand. The man who controls the party, is seated in the stern, steering his own craft; which is gracefully headed into the stream. His complexion was so swarthy, his figure so square and stout, and his dress so rude; that the Indians supposed some of the blood of their race had crept into his veins. Joshua Stow was probably at this time in this pioneer boat. As they passed into the channel, and the broad river unfolded itself to their view ; bor- dered T)y marshes, reeds, and coarse grass; their anticipations must have been somewhat moderated. TIIEY ENTER TJIE CUYAHOGA. 201) The Hats on tlie west side, and tlie densely wooded Iduffs on the east, did not present a cheerful prospect for a city. They were confined to the eastern shore, by their agreement w4th the Indians at Buffalo, and at Conneaut. It was necessary to proceed some distance along this shore, l>efore there was solid ground enough to effect a landing. As the Indians had, from genera- tion to generation, kept open a trail along the mar- gin of the lake, it is probable that Cleaveland's party, scanning with sharp eyes every object as they rowed along the river, saw where the aboriginal highway descended the hill, along what is now Union Lane. Here they came to the bank, and scrambling out, trod for the first time the soil of the new city. While the boat was being unloaded, the agent had an opportunity to mount the bluff, and scan the surroundino; land. This view must have revived his enthusiasm, more than the swamps along the river had dej)ressed it. A young growth of oaks, with low bushy tops, covered the ground. Beneath them were thrifty bushes, rooted in a lean, but dry and pleasant soil, highly favorable to the object in view. A smooth and even field sloped gently towards the lake, whose blue waters could be seen extending to the horizon. His imagination doubtless took a par- donable flight into the future, when a great commer- cial town, should take the place of the stinted forest growth, which the northen tempests had nearly ''210 t'IRST CABINS ERECTED. destroyed. But whatever may have been his an- ticipations, the reality has outstrip2:)ed them all. Such a combination of natural beauty, with natural advantages of business, is rarely witnessed ; to which have been added, what the surveyors could not have foreseen, artificial aids to commerce then un- known. It is not certainly known, but probably Stiles, and perhaps his wife, were of this party. Enough men were left to put up a store house for the sup- plies, and a caljin for the accommodation of the surveyors. These rude structures were located a short distance south of St. Clair street, west of Union lane, at a spring on the side hill, in rear of Scott's warehouse. During the season, a cabin was put up for Stiles, on Lot 53, east side of Bank street, north of the Herald Building, where Morgan &> Koot's Block is now being erected. Thus was the settlement of the city commenced. By authorities, which will be given hereafter, it will be seen, that houses had before this l)een built by white people, near the mouth of the river ; but not for the purpose of permanent settlement. Col. James Hillman avers, that he put up a small cabin on the east side of the riv^r in 1780, near the foot of Superior street, of which, however, nothing further is known. Sometime previous to 1787, a party who were wrecked, upon a British vessel, between one and two miles east of the I'iver, built an hut, large teARLV Trading houses. 211 enougli to shelter tliemselves, through one winter. On the west side of the river, a log store house was erected, prior to 1^786, to protect the flour which was brought here from Pittsburg, on the way to Detroit. This building, in a dilapidated state, was standing in 1797, when it was occupied awhile by James Kingsbury and his family. Some cabins were erected during the summer near the shore, beyond Euclid creek, Avhich are noticed in the journals of Holley and Pease. The design and origin of this embryo settlement, is not yet well understood. No one is known to have remained there during the winter of 1796-7. A Frenchman is reported to have l)een at San- dusky, not as a settler but a trader. At that time proceeding west of Buffalo ; the first white inhal)- itants on the south shore of lake Erie were located at Erie, Pa. ; the next, the families of Gun and Kingsbury, at Conneaut; and the last and only other settlers, on this bleak wilderness coast were Stiles and his wife, at Cleveland, with whom Edward Paine was domiciled as a boarder. The "Excess Company" must have leased their hopes of territory ujion the map of Evans, which represented the south shore of the lake as bearing too much westerly. If it had proved to be true, that from the north-east corner of the Reserve ; the coast line was nearly west, their expected surjilus might have been realized. Had the English military expe- 212 SURVEY OF FOUR PARALLELS. ditions, carried instruments for astronomical oliser- vatious, tliis great error would liave been avoided. The surveyors were directed to fix this coast line in 1796, not by observations but by a traverse of the shore, made by chain and compass. This work was entrusted to Mr. Porter, under the supervision of General Cleaveland. West of the Cuyahoga, it was to be executed without the consent of the Indians, which rendered the undertaking somewhat hazardous. They now immediately commenced the traverse of the lake shore. Porter acting as surveyor, meas- uring westward along the coast; in order to find where the west line of the Reserve would intersect lake Erie. Warren, Pease, Spafford, and Holley again took to the woods, in order to run some paral- lels westward, from the Pennsylvania line to the Cuyahoga river. Warren had the town line between Nos. six and seven. Range one. (Vernon and Kinsman.) Pease between towns seven and eight ; Spafford and Stoddard between towns eight and nine, and Holley, between towns nine and ten, or the townships of Hanover and Richmond, Ashta- bula county. The extracts which I shall give, from the memoranda of Holley and Atwater ; detail the movements of the surveyors so fully, dui-ing the season, that it will not be necessary to notice them particularly. The parallels they were now running should bring them out near the mouth of the Cuya- MISTAKES AT THE CHAGRIN. 213 hoga, the line between seven and eiglit passing through the city of Cleveland. In order to keep strict faith with the Indians, they were directed not to cross the Cuyahoga river, to cut any trees, or make any marks, on the west side. All of the parties when they reached the Chagrin river, sup- posed they were at the Cuyahoga. The best maps they could procure had no river upon them, between the Grand river and the Cuyahoga. The surveyors were sorely perj)lexed on encountering this stream, and proceeded down it to the lake. Much discussion has taken place upon the origin of the name of the Chagrin river. Thomas Hutchins in his " Topographical Description of Virginia, Penn- sylvania, tfec," in 1778, notices a stream by the name of " Shaguin," which is said to mean in some Indian language, the "clear water." On Hutchens' map of 1764, no important streams are given between the "Cyahoga" and Presque Isle. It is thus not easy to determine what river is meant by the Sha- guin. The surveyors all speak of it as then known, as the Chagrin. Grand river is a name evidently of French origin, its Indian name being " Sheauga," from whence the term Geauga is derived, by a very natu- ral corruption. . It is highly probable that Chagrin is a title given by the French traders, to this stream from some accident or suffering, such as occurred at Misery river, of lake Superior. SURVEY OF THE PARALLELS, AND SOME OF THE TOWNSIIirS. FROM IIOLLEY'S JOURNAL, 1706. Coiiiieaut^ f^atui'daij Mormmj^ -J-'^y- 13^/^ — Pease's, Spafford's and my own company, left and Aveut to my line, and down it, to onr several places, to start lines for tlie Ciiyalioga. Pease, Spaffokd and myself stayed a little longer at Conneaut, and not meeting soon enough, we were obliged to go without dinner. Before night, they came up with us, and we encamped that night and the next together. Early in the morning of the 15th, which was Monday, I left my forty-five mile post, for the Pennsylvania line. Ran east to the Pennsylvania line with Parker, Shepard, Hamilton, Hacket, Forbes, and Daven- port, Pennsylvania line, at five miles, nineteen chains, fifty links; four chains eighty-eight links north of the twenty- third mile post (from the lake). ilt> rUKY KIN \Vb:si\VVUl\ T^mht/. .l.iy. U>M, Kan wost tVvnii tort \ till h AuiL^^L — -FortY-i^ixth inilont t'ortv vluiiiis, oiiihtv liuks^ n vivoi\ svipposonio marks whoiv IVuiKU had boon ahmu*. \vont thiw mUos hi t)io rain: m^ marks woiv tv> \»o tlniuvl : I svippostnl thoy hail not boon up tho river, Init fh^m ovory ohvmustatut* thought it uiust W tho OuvahoiTJU aud dotormiuod to boiiin tlio trn- voi'st* in tho morning. \\Wnr\ oast otVPou tkkV onoampmont. Wo mot with ghnd hoarts, 'Hio s.'Uuo night a tair w itid sprung up, auvl rouiKU, w ith his party, h^tt us tor Cuyahog\a, to supply Pkask w ith pi\n isivms. 'rh(trfnht(/s Adtj. ^oM. — Lott thonivHith otH'hagrin rivor. At twolvo oVhn'k, trtuoUnl up to \\ horo I liit tho rivor tirst, thou tollowod my lino baok to tho tbrtioth miU^ stako. IIMLM'^V mN 'UN', 'lOWN MM'X, 'J 1 7 ■ I '/'J. -'l///. IJ.iii ii<-rtli on ;i, in;i;.'ii('l i<* cowvhc I'oi' IIm- l;i,kc. ,1/^'/. L'V///. Seven niileHj Hi.\l,y-(,\V'» elmin,-;^ lifly linlvH, cn-nx; to t lie |;il;<'. Il'-I iirne(| |., (Im- live mih; post,. AV/z/cA/y, J'///. 2>S///,, SI,;iI'1- plujj;;ii(! iih, Moiiddij^ SrpL ^)lJi^ WM'u I'ennHylvjini,'!. Iin<'- Jii, tliirl-y-nine miles sixty <;}niins ;uio;i.f, fVoni "(iciiin- (inisli the, lines n<*rth of tlic one I Ii;mI run vv(;st, wliieh would eontiniK; to ^/row shorter, the other surveyors to eomj)l<;te (he lon^ 218 ADVENTURERS COMING WEST. lines to tlie south. But as the season is so far advanced, they could not possibly do this and lot the towns on the Cuyahoga, that was necessary. It was concluded that Pease, Spafford, and Stoddard should run short lines till Porter could complete the traverse of the lake, west of the Cuyahoga^ and I bring up my line. Then we are all to l)egin u])on the towns that are to be settled, some upon the city lots, and others upon that for farms to be sold this fall. Tuesday^ Sept. 6th. — The wind is so favorable this morning that Mr. Stow, loaded his boat, and started for Cuyahoga. Just as he was loading Mr. Hum- phrey, fi'om the New Town settlement, in the Genesee purchase came up with a boat and several men, all proceeding to Cuyahoga, and if proper encouragement was held out, wei'e determined to become settlers. Some persons were with him from Susquehannah, west branch. One of them who was rather unwell, stayed at Conneaut, and informed me that about two weeks before, he saw jA]\rES Campbell, and that he was hearty, and in profitable business, surveying about the head waters of the west branch of Susquehan- nah, and on the Allgheny mountains. Also West and ScHOFiELD. Thursday, Sept. 8th. — Left " Conneaut," to run a line to the lake, and then through to Cuyahoga. ARRIVES AT CUYAHOGA. 219 ISept. ^dth. — Traveled south to the fifty-fifth mile post and I'aii east to the Pennsylvania line, five miles, twenty-nine chains, and fifty Imks. Sept. 10th. — Ran west from my fifty-fifth mile post. Sept. 11th. — Thirteenth mile (from Pennsylvania line) variation one degree, thirty minutes. ' Sej)t. 12th. — Came to Warren's line, twenty chains and thirty-eight links south of his fifty-fifth mile post. /Sept. lUh. — Thirtieth mile complete, ranges six and seven, ran north to lake, (magnetic) two miles, fourteen chains, eighty-three links. Se2}t. 16th. — Traveled on the beach towards Cuya- hoga. Ate dinner at Grand river. Encamped a little east of the Chagrin river ; HAMiLTOisr, the cook, was very cross and lazy — was on the point of not cooking any supper because the bark would not peal, and he knew of nothing to make bread upon, Daven- port wet some in the bag. Encamped Sept. 10th, about three miles east of Cuyahoga — rained and blew very hard towards day. Saturday^ Sept. 17th. — Traveled to the mouth of the river, and after searching considerable time found our friends encamped a little way up the river. Stormy in the afternoon and evening. Variations, Porter's compass varied one degree, thirty-seven minutes, seven miles up on the fourth meridian, one degree, forty-two minutes at commencement of the 220 OUT OF PROVISIONS. tliirty-iiintli mile, same meridian at the nineteentli mile. Down the Pennsylvania line Mr. Porter's com])ass and mine varied alike fifty- three minutes east, Spafford's ten minutes less. 42d mile down Penii. line, IIolley's compass was 1° 40' E. " rOKTEll's u u ^o 35' E. " Spafford S '' u ]_o 35' E. At the S. E. t'or. or Keserve Porter's u u ^o 21' E. " Hglley's ii u ^o 40' E. At 33| miles up 1st merid. " u il, i)0 23' u u u u ran at 1° 37' " 35ms.51dis. " '' " comi^ass was 2° 15' ii. U (.i u ran at 2° 00' " 60 miles 1st merid. " comi)ass was 1° 53' Nine miles up his merid. (2d) Spafford'S " U -1 O 27' 2<)j. " u tt u tt 1 o 23' 50 ms. 60 chs. " u tc ^ o 20' Ran from Spafford's line at 1° 30' E. from P orter's 4t]i meridian and to (/iivahoira at ]° 50' Wednesdai/, /Se/)t. 21sf. — At twelve o'clock, M., we packed up everything, and embarked on board the boat for Conneaut, in consecpience of not having jn-o- visions to stay any longer. We had not a mouthful of meat when we went away, part of a barrel of flour, a bag of flour and two cheeses, and some chocolate, constituted our provisions, (about 30 in number). The two boats and the bark canoe carried us. We had a fair wind, and had sailed about eight miles, when we discovered Hall & Co., on the beach ^vith the cattle. We then went ashore, and found by them f^tJESUIT OF A BEAR. 22 1 that Tinker had arrived at Coniieaut with provisions. Esquire Warrei^ also was there. He sent on two of his men with two horses loaded with flour. Him- self and other hands waited to come with Tinker, when the wind shoidd be favorable. This news cheered us up exceedingly, and we returned to Cuya- hoga with much lighter hearts than we left it. It was dark when we came to the mouth of the river, and we discovered a fire lighted on the opposite shore. Just as we entered, Parker fired a gun. As we passed we saluted the people, and found that they were Indians, from Grand River, who had been west, hunting. We eat a mouthful of supper, and went to bed. Began to lot the east part of Cuyahoga town, at two and a half miles from the east line, at a corner, on the line that Stoddard ran west into said town. Thursday^ Se])t. 2'2d. — Left Cuyahoga, to lot the east part of the township) with Shepherd and Spaf- FORD. The day before we started from Cuyahoga, we discoved a ])ear swimming across the river. Porter and myself jumped into a canoe, and paddled after him, while another man went with a gun up the shore. But there was such a noise and hallooing, tliat the bear swam back and escaped. Munson caught a rattle snake, which we broiled and ate. Swnday^ Sept. 25th. — ^This day have been troubled with a dysentery, on account of living upon fresh beef ^2'2'2 SUKVEYvS IK i\ieNto1?. Sept. i>(V/^— Lots 40l\ 44,S, 450, 451. Davenpokt Aveiit in after ])i'ovisious, aud came back just as I was seated to copy my minutes, and to my great satisfac- tion brouglit me a letter from my tatlier, and one from Myron. Tliis I put down as a circumstance afford- ing me as much pleasure as anytliihg tliat lias taken place since I began surveying. Wednesdcn/j jSq)f. ^Stli. — I carved upon a beecli tree in Cuyahoga town, " Myron Holley', Jr.," and on a birch, ''Milton Holley, 179G, — Sept. 2()th, 1700. Friendship." jSafu/'diii/j Oct. 1st. — I left Cuyahoga in the boat, to run out several tracts of land in No. 10 range, nine for Capt. Perry and Mr. Mara'in, INIr. IIick- OCK, Mr. Rose, and Phelps tt Co. Encamped at Chagrin river. Gen. Cleaveland, Stow, and fifteen others came to us in another boat. Simdai/, Oct. '2(1. — AVent east to the east line of the toAvnship, run south, etc. After running out the com])any lands, Holley' took his old line at the Chao-riu river and ran it west between towns nine and ten to the lake, at forty-nine miles thii-ty-seven chains five links. Oct. StJi. — Started down the beach to mouth of Chagrin river, and found our boat and pro\^sions. Had a fair wind al)out half "way to the Cuyahoga, and rowed the remainder. Arrived at the river al)out eight o'clock in the evening ; found all well. TIIF.Y CLOSE TIIP] SEASON". 223 Mowlaij, Oct. \m, 1, r. M.— Left Cleveland at tlie iiioiitli of the Cuyahoga to finish lotting the eastern ])art of said townshij). Siieimikd and At- WATEK, chaininen, Landon, axnian, PAiiKEit, ilagnian, and IIanc'iiet, cook. Tlmrxdaif^ Oct. VMIi. — Encani])ed for the night; had root water. Saturdai/^ Oct. \^)t}i. — Lay still in consequence of rain. Oct. IGth. — Lots three hundred and eighty-iiA^e, three hnndred and eighty-seven, three hundred and ninety -four, and three hundred and ninety -five. Came to cam}) in consec^uence of hard rain ; found no fire; were all wet and cold, hut after pushing a])out the hottle and getting a good fire and su])i)er, we were as merry as grigs. Monday., Oct. 17 th. — Lots three hundred and ninety -one and three hundred and ninety -nine. Capt. Pekiiy took ahout four pounds of beef, and ate with us four days. . BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF AMZI ATWATEB. BY L. V. BIERCE, ESQ., OP AKRON. "Died, at Mantua, Portage county, on tlie 2 2d day of June, 1851, Amzi Atwatee, aged seventy- six years and one montli." Sucli is tlie brief notice that announces to tlie world the death of the last survivor of the first ex- ploring expedition on the Reserve. Judge Atwateii was born at New Haven, Con- necticut, on the 23d of May, 1776. His parents were poor, and unable to give him anything more than an ordinary education. Ushered into life in the early part of the Revolutionary war, and in that part of the colonies most exposed to the in- cursions of the enemy, his lulaby was the boom- ing of artillery, or the rattling of musketry. On the defeat of the Americans on Long Island, in 1776, when Amzi was but three months old, his father was called out with the militia for the defense of New 226 IIIS EDUCATiOT*r. York, from wliicli lie returned sick, and with a con- stitutiou hroken. When ohl enoiigli, young At- WATER was sent to school, where he ol)tained a little knowledge of reading, writing and arithmetic. So straightened were his parents' circumstances, that he was hired out to work by the day, week or month, as opportunities oifered, till he was a man. At the age of eighteen his father hired him out to work for an uncle, for sixty dollars a year, who transfered him over to a man by the name of Watson. "At the end of the year," says Judge Atwateti in a letter now before me, " my parents gave me my time with their good advice and blessing." He then hired to Watson" for seven months, at eight dollars a month, but he died before that term expired. Being out of employment young Atwater went to Westfield, in Massachusetts, to visit his uncle Rev. Noah Atwater, who was in the habit of teaching mathematics to a class of young men. He invited young Atwater to come and study with him the ensuing winter, which he did. Here he learned the art of surveying, in company with Warham Shep- herd, who was one of the iirst exploring party on the Reserve. In the minutes of that expedition, Warham Shepherd and Ajmzi Atwater are called "Explorers' Assistants." At this school a friend- ship was formed between them that lasted till the death of Shepherd, SLTRVEYS in Tllte itOLLAND miRCIIASE. 22^ In April, 1796, being then nineteen years of age, young Atwater left Connecticut, on foot and alone, witli a heavy knapsack on his back, to meet his friend Shepherd at Ontario county. New York, with whom he remained until the agents of the Connecti- cut land company, were ready to commence their survey, when he left for the then unknown west. He joined them at Canandaigua, June 13, 1706. His business was to collect cattle, and pack horses, with which he went all the way by land. Having served as chainman, drover, and assistant surveyor faithfully through the year 1796, he returned in the spring of 1797 as one of the assistant surveyors. The last of the surveyors left the Reserve the fore part of November, 1797, for the most part a sorry, sickly looking set of lieings, the very reverse of what they were in the spring. In 1798-99, Judge Atwater was in the employ of the Holland Land Company, in the western part of New York, and assisted in running nearly all the township lines. In the fall of 1799 he returned to Connecticut, and spent the winter with his uncle, in study. In 1800, in company with his brother Jotiiam, he came to Mantua, and made a permanent settlement on the farm where he died. In 1808, on the organization of Portage county, he was elected one of the Associate Judges, and subse- f228 HIS VIEW OF HIS LIFE. qnently held many pul^lic trusts, siieli as his neigh- l^ors urged upon him, but which he did not covet. He chose retirement, and in the Language of his old friend, Abeam Tappan, of Ashtabula, " his disposi- tion was mild, and he was honest to a proverb." In a letter to Mr. Tappaist, written March 24th, 1851, Judge Atwater says — "I need not say much how I have run tlie line of life. I have run through some of the swamps of ad- versity, and over many of the plains of prosperity. My assistants have generally been cheerful, and I may say faithful. My provisions hold out well, and perhaps I have enough to carry me through to the end of my line, which I have good reason to believe will soon be completed." EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY OF AMZI ATWATER, 1796. Arrived at Stow Castle at the mouth of Conneaut river September 14th, there we heard that the other companies were a part of them at the Cuyahoga, and that the Cuyahoga river, was fifteen miles west of the one we had followed to the lake, supposing it to be the Cuyahoga. A boat was at Conneaut going to carry provisions to the other companies at Cuya- hoga. We prepared to go on the same, but before We could get the Ijoat out of the creek, it was so near night that we concluded to stay until morning. The wind was so high for several days that we could CLEVELAND TOWNSHIP, 229 not go. On the 18tli of Septeinl)er four of us were sent to Cuyalioga T)y land, two leading tlie pack horses loaded with Hour, and the other two driving tlie cattle. When we were within six or seven miles of Cuyahoga, we saw Ijoats coming from there with the other comi^any in them. They had spent so much of their provisions that they thought it Ijest not to stay there any longer, but when they met us they returned to Cuyahoga, The next day after we got there, I w\as sent witli Mr. Stoddard to survey the south-east part of the township of Cleveland, No. 7, in the twelfth range, in one hundred acre lots, Avhicli ^vill l)e found to vary very much in size. There "were two other parties in the east j^art of the township, under Major Spaffokd and Mr, Holley. We stayed in the to^vnship about two weeks, and then returned to the house at the mouth of the Cuyahoga river. When we arrived at the house, I was sent with Mr. Pease to run out a part of the city plat. We were two or three days in finishing this, when aljout one-half of the company was dis- missed. MEMORANDA OF ORRIN HARMON'S CONVER- SATION WITH AMZI ATWATER. Amzi At water always styled the proprietors of Euclid as mutineers. He has minutely narrated to me the circumstances of the mutiny. They mutinied on their first arrival at Conneaut. The sale of the 230 THE ^lUTINY. township of Euclid, was a part of the compromise made then l)y Cleaveland and Pokter. The or- ganization of the company of surveyors and men was of the military order, and they were enlisted the same as in the army, for two years, providing it took so long. PROCEEDINGS AT CLEAVELAND, SEPT. 30, 1796. Suhstance of a contract made at Cleaveland^ Sept. SOth, 1796, betiveen Moses Cleaveland, a(/ent of the Connecticitt Land Company^ and the employees of the Company^ in reference to the sale and settle- ment of the tow7iship of Euclid, N'o. 8, in the eleventh Mange. — {^Frovi memoranda of Orrin Haemon, Esq^) On the part of the surveyors forty-one persons signed the agreement. Each party to have an e(]^ual share in the township, at the price of one dollar per acre, with interest from Sept. 1st, 1797, to remain in the service of the company faithfully to the end of the year, and to perform certain acts of settlement, as follows : To settle, in the year 1797, eleven families, buihl eleven houses, and sow two acres of wheat around each house — to be on different lots. In tlie year 1798 to settle eighteen more families, build eigliteen more houses on diiferent lots, and to clear and sow live acres of wheat on each. There must be also fifty acres in grass in the township. TERMS OF SETTLEMENT. 231 111 tlie year 1709, there must be twelve more fam- ilies occupying twelve more lots, (in all forty-one,) witli eii2:lit acres in wheat. On all the other lots three acres additional in wheat for this year, and in all seventy acres to be in grass. There must be, in the year 1800, forty-one families resident in the township. In case of failure to 2')er- form any of the conditions, whatever had been done or paid was to be forfeited to the company. But the failure of other parties not to affect those who perform. If salt springs are discovered on a lot it is to be excepted from the agreement, and other lands given instead To this contract are appended as witnesses, the names of Jeffries Marvin, and Nathan I^erry, the latter of whom became a resident in 1806, and died at Black river, October 28, 1813. Persons in the employ of the company who were not parties to this agreement : Amos Sawtel, Daniel Shulay, Nathan Chapman, Stephen Burbank, Samuel Barnes, Joshua Stow, Robert Hamilton, PROCEEDINGS AT A GENERAL MEETING OF THE EMPLOYEES OF THE LAND COMPANY HELD AT CLEAVELAND, SEPTEMBER 30, 1796. At a meeting of the proprietors of NTo. 8, in the eleventh range of towns in new Connecticut, held at the city of Cleaveland, on the 30th day of September, 232 LIST OF SETTLERS. 1790, l)eiiig the surveyors and assistants employed in surveying the summer past the country of New Connecticut. Setii Pease chosen Moderator. Moses Warren chosen Clerk. In said meeting it was agreed, that a majority of votes shall govern in any question Ijefore the meet- ing, without contradiction. Voted that it be determined Ly a lottery which of tlie said proprietors shall do the first, second and tliird years settling duties, as required l)y our patent this day executed by Moses Cleaveland, Esq., director of said New Connecticut Land Company, without contradiction. The lots being drawn, it is as follo^vs : No. Setii Pease, 1 Moses Warren, 2 Milton IIolley, 2 Amos Spafford, 3 Joseph Tinker, 2 Theodore Shepherd, 1 Richard M, Stoddard,.- 3 Elisha Ayer, 1 Amzi Atwater, 1 Samuel Agnew, 1 Shadrach Benham, 2 Stephen Benton, 3 David Beard, 3 Amos Barber, 3 John Briant, 3 No. Michael Coffin, 2 Nathaniel Do an, 3 Samuel Davenport, 3 Timothy Dunham, 1 Samuel Forbes, - - - 1 Elijah Gun, 3 Francis Gray, 2 George Goodwin, 2 Luke Hanciiet, 3 James Hacket, 2 James Hamilton, 2 Samuel Hungerford, - _ - 1 Thomas Harris, 2 William B. Hall, 2 Joseph Landon, 3 WHEN THEY WERE TO SETTLE. iVJ-') No. No. John Locke, 2 Charles Parker, 2 Asa Mason, 2 Olney F. Kice, 3 Joseph M'Intire, 2 Wareham Shepherd, 1 EzEKiEL Morley, 2 JoB P. Stiles, 2 Titus V. Munson, 1 Norman Wilcox, 2 George Proudfoot, 1 Total, 41. The names marked No. 1 are to do said settling duties in the year 1797, and the names marked No. 2 are to do said duties in the year 1798, and the names marked No. 3 are to do said settling duties in the year 1799, agreeable to said lottery. A true copy of part of the proceedings of the proprietors' meeting. Examined by Moses Wareen, Jr., Clerk. This copy is in the hand writing of Setii Pease. Mr. Atwater who was one of the j^arties to this compact, always spoke of the transaction as a mutiny. There is no such mention made of it, so far as I know, in the papers of General Cleaveland, or of the Land Comj^any. If they had regarded the conduct of Messrs. Pease, Spafford and Warren in that liirht, the proprietors would not have employed them again in the year 1797. After a trial of three months, wherein they had undergone the hardships of forest life, they were no doubt inclined to obtain some additional advantages for their services. The Company, on their part, required an early settlement of their lands. 16 234 SALE OF CITY LOTS. MR. PORTER\S PLAN OF DISPOSING OF THE LOTS IN CLEVELAND. " Terms proposed by Augustus Porter, for the sale of the one-fourth part of the township of Cleve- land after, making the following reservations, to wit : City lots No. 58, 59, 60, 01, 62, 63, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 and the point of land west of the town, and also some reservations of fiats on the river if it should be advisable, after surveying. The aforesaid quarter to be selected in the following manner, to wit: to begin with lot No. 1, and to take every fourth number in succession through the town, which should be offered for sale on the following terms : " 1st. To sell to each person who would engage to become an actual settler in the year l7l)7, one town or city lot, one ten or twenty acre lot, and one one hundred acre lot, or two one hundred acre lots, or as much less as they may choose, but in all cases to make settlement as aforesaid. " 2d. The pi'ice of town lots, fifty dollars, cash in hand. 10 acre lots, at $3.00 per acre, OQ u u u 2.00 " " 100 " " " 1.50 " " " Payable 20 per centum in hand, the remainder in three annual payments, with annual interest from date. Sept. 28th, 1796. The above is in the hand writing of Amos Spafford, FAI.L OV [1% AND WINTER OF 17'.)T. What Nvas nccomplislied in 17*.)() fell short of the expectations of all parties, particularly of the stock- holders of the company. Al)oiit fourteen thousand dollars had l^een expended upon the expedition. The field books of the surveyors show i-apid ^v^ork, frecpiently making eight, ten, and sometimes twelve miles in a day. Wareen appears to have been less energetic than the others, however, as he was con- tinued in service the next year, the comj^any must have l)een satisfied with him. When the season closed, there was a large tract in which no lines had been run. This was all that territory east of the Cuyahoga, west of the foiu'th meridian and south of the sixth parallel. The southern boundary of the Reserve, had not been continued west of the fourth Range, that is, only to the south-west corner of Ber- lin. Pease had run southerly, between ranges eight and nine, one township below the sixth 2:)arallel, to the north-west corner of Town five, Ranire eig-ht, (Mantua,) and thence west to the Cuyahoga, on the 236 THE SURVEYS INCOMPLETE. north line of Nortlifield, wliicli lie reached on the 6th of September. None of the six townships intended for sale were allotted, except fractions number seven and eight in the twelfth Range, afterwards Cleveland and New- Inirg. None of the ten acre out-lots in Cleveland were surveyed. Around these are the one hundred acre lots, numbering from 268 to 486, which, with the in and out lots of the city, cover fractional Towns seven and eight. Why the numbers of the one hundred acre lots w^ere not commenced at numljer one, I have no means of exj^laining. The four town- ships making four hundred lots, intended for dis- tribution, one to each share in the company, wei*e not yet sub-divided. It is probable that all, or nearly all, of the township lines north of the sixth parallel were finished this season. One cause of delay in the surveys, Avas the time lost by all the parties when they arrived at Chagrin river, and mistook it for the Cuyahoga. It w^as not always practicable to have provisions promptly de- livered to the surveying parties, so that their work could go on without interruption. The axmen, chainmen, cooks, pack-horse men and boatmen, soon got over their first enthusiasm, Avhich no doubt delayed their progress. After their experience in running the first four meridians, the romance of a life in the woods was very much dissipated. Every day was one of toil, and frequently discomfort. The I'llE MEN DISSATISFIED* 23 1 woods, and particularly the swamps, were filled with ravenous mosquitoes, who were never idle, day or night. In rainy weather the bushes were wet, and in clear weather the heat was oppressive. They were not always sure of supper at night, nor of their drink of New England rum, which constituted an important part of their rations. Their well provi- ded clothing began to show rents, from so much clamberino; over losrs and throus-h thickets. Their shoes gave out rapidly, as they were incessantly on foot, and were where no cobblers could be found to repair them. They had no special interest in the work, except their pay. It does not appear that their discontent arose to an open rupture with the surveyors, but was suf- ficient to hinder the progress of the work. The agent and his subordinates, were obliged to make promises of lands to such as proved to be faithful, which the proceedings of September 30th, sufficiently explain. Before they started homeward some of the party had selected lots in the capital city of New Connecticut. The allotment of the town and of the surrounding lots, was the work of all the parties. Porter states that he ran the outline of the tract to be comprised in the new town. Pease, Stoddard and Spafford had a hand in it, and Hol- LEY surveyed some of the one hundred acre lots. A rough map of the city was made during the survey, 238 SUEVEY OF THE CITY. a copy of wliicli is here given. A few lots were sold probably on tlie terms proposed by Poetek. Great expectations were formed of tlieir projected settlement in Euclid, wliicli, however, were not realized. FIRST MAP OR PLAT OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND, OCT. 1, 1796. The original, of which this is a copy, reduced by photograph, was found among the papers of John Milton Holley, at Salisbmy, Connecticut, in charge of his son. Governor Alexandee H. Holley'. It is endorsed in the hand writing of Amos Spaffoed: " Original plan of the town and village of Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 1st, 1796." The sheet is formed, by past- ing several sheets and parts of sheets, of foolscap together, evidently extemporized in the field. It was the first rough sketch, used l)y the surveyors be- fore their return to the east, Superior street was at first named "Broad" street — a very appropriate title, as it then had no equal in width. Miami street had the name of "Deer" street — probably from the appearance there, of one of those animals during the survey. Maiden street, or lane, was ignored in the subse- quent plat of Spaffoed, in 1801, and thus aband- oned. On this map there is no extension of Superior street to the river, which was done l^y Spaffoed, under tlie name of Superior Lane. SPAFFORDS MAP OF CLEVELAND. 239 H isiaisisisi i IS" ?i>^W. c^ ' «> ■u5 » s s " t" ■" i ^ <* I i REFERENCES. A, Lower Landing. B, Upper Landing. C. Public Square, of ten acres. D, Moutli of tlie River. JSE, Lake Erie. 240 THE oeiCtInal streets* The Public Square is here indicated by a blank space, like an enlargement of the streets crossing each other at that point. Ontario had at first the name of "Court street," which is erased, and the present name inserted. The letters A, B, C, D, and E, on the copy, are introduced by me, for the pur- pose of reference. On the face of the original, there are the numbers of the lots — two hundred and twenty in number; the streets, Superior, Water, Mandrake, Union, Vineyard, Bath, Lake, Erie, Fed- eral, Maiden, Ontario, Huron, Ohio and Miami — fourteen in number, and the names of the parties who had selected lots. These were : Stoddaed, lot 49, north-east corner of Water and Superior streets ; Stiles, lot 53, north-east corner of Bank and Supe- rior streets; Landois", lot T7, directly opposite, on the south side of Superior street; Bau^f, lot C>5, sixteen rods east of the Public Square ; Shepherd, lot CO, and CiiAPMAis", lot T2, all on the north side of the same street. "Pease's Hotel," as they styled the surveyors' cabin, is placed on the line between lots 202 and 208, between Union street and the river. North- west of it, about ten rods, on lot 201, their store house is laid down. Vineyard, Union and Mandrake streets, were laid out to secure access to the upper and lower landings on the river. Bath street pro- vided a way of reaching the lake shore and the mouth of the river. Original naimi^ of the city. 241 After the return of the surveyors, regular fieki notes of the surveys of the city, were made out by Setii Pease, which are regarded as the official re- turns. With these notes is a map, styled on the face of it "Plan of the City of Cleaveland, 1796," which is substantially the same as the one here given. The river l)luffs are slightly different, and the sand spit at the mouth is longer. There are the same number of streets with the same names, and the lots are alike on both ; Ijut the name of the city is spelled on the field plat without the letter " a," probably through inadvertence. In the papers and correspondence of those times, and until after the war of 1812, it is spelled l)otli ways. General Cleaveland, from whom the city was named, always signs with the letter " a " in the first syllable. Several copies of the plat, were made on a scale about the same as the first draft, during the win- ter of 1796-97, for the use of the company, but it was never engraved. The first published map of the Reserve is that of Setii Pease, after his return in 1797. About the year 1816, soon after the or- ganization of the village corporation, when some new streets were thought to T)e necessary, the authorized Ijook of field notes, with its miniature plan, was brought here l)y James Root, Esq., brother to Epiiraim Root, the secretary of the company. S4^ MISSING PAPERS. This book remained until about tlie year 1856, since when, not l)eing in official custody, it lias dis- appeared. There is not now upon the Western Reserve a collection of the papers, maps, field books and proceedings of the company, from whom all our land titles are derived. A part of the Field Notes of Pease, Holley and Wakren are in my possession. The survey of the city was commenced on the loth of September, and completed about the 1st of October. Holley's descriptions of their departure and journey homeward as far a^^Canandaigua are full and interesting, and are given without curtailment. Jfondcnj, Oct, IVM, 1790. — Finished surveying in New Connecticut ; weather rainy. Tuesday, Oct. IS?"//. — We left Cuyahoga at ;'. o'clock 17 minutes, foriio^rE. AVe left at Cuyahoga Job Stiles and wife, and Joseph Laistdon, with pro- visions for the winter. W]\r. B. Hall, Titi s Y. Mfistson and Olis^ey Rice eno-ao-ed to take all the pack horses to Geneva. Day pleasant, and fiiir wind about south-east; rowed about seven and a half miles, and encamped for the night on the beach. There were fourteen men on board the lioat, and never I presume, were fourteen men more anxious to pursue an object, than we were to get forward. Names of men in the boat : Augustus Pokter, James Hacket, vSeth Pease, Stephen Bento^^, Richard Stoddard, George Proudfoot, .rOUENEY DOWN THE LAKE. 24B Joseph Tinker, James Hamilton, Charles Parker, Nathan Chapman, ( Wareham Shepherd, Ralph Bacon, f Amzi Atwater, Milton Holley. Genesee. Walnut creek, a pretty stream twenty or thirty links wide, enij)ties into the lake about seven miles east of the Cuyahoga ; not navigable for boats. The to\vnship of Cleaveland lies on the lake shore, eight miles, four chains, seventy links. About one hun- dred and thirty chains east of the corner a stream, considera1)ly larger than Walnut creek, empties into the lake. This is in the town purchased by the sur- veyors, and named (by Moses Waeeen, Esq.,) Euclid ; in memory of the man who first made the principles of geometry known. About ten miles from the Cuyahoga, a rock sliore begins and contin- ues nearly a mile, then a good beach commences and continues to ChaOTin river. This river is about fourteen rods wide at its mouth, and navigable for boats up three or four miles at all times, when there is no obstruction at the outlet, which however, is frecpieiitly the case, with this as well as most of the other rivers upon this lake, in consequence of the waves driving up a bank of sand. Wednesday morning, 3 o'clock. — Clear and pleas- ant ; moon shone bright, and we hoisted sail. About daybreak it began to thicken up in the west, and by sunrise the sky was hid from sight. Just before sunrise we passed the first settlement (except those :14:-i ANOTHER SETTLEMIJnT. made by ourselves) that is on the shore of the Lake in New Connecticut. This is done l)y the Canan- daiqua Association Company, under the direction of Major Wells and Mr. Wildair. After the sun rose the wind got into the north and north-east, and came on to blow so fresh that we were obliged to run ashore on the beach and pitch our tent, al)out a mile east of the Chagrin. Thursdaij, Oct. '20tJi, 1700. — Started half after six in the morning ; no wind ; against the ninth Kange of towns. About nineteen miles T)y the lake shore from the Cuyahoga, a creek comes in, which forms a large marsh lying a mile along shore, and on average one hundred rods wide; at twenty -seven miles comes in Grand river. This stream is almost always a good harbor for boats, the outlet into the lake l^eino; al)out two or three rods wide and two or three feet deep. Just above the sand Imr, made l)y the washing of the lake, the river is nearly twenty rods wide, and the depth sufficient for large vessels to anchor in. It continues this depth almost a mile, and is navigable for any boat four miles from the mouth, up to the Indian settlement, where are rapids which now ol>struct the passage, but with some ex- pense might be made navigable for l)oats a great distance, I suppose forty or fifty miles at least. The general course is north, till it approaches within eight miles of the lake, when it runs twenty miles nearly due west l)efore it em])ties itself. About BUKNLNU SPRING. 245 tliirty-six miles is a burning spring in tlie lake, two or three rods from shore, wliieli is very perceptible as you stand upon the beach, from its boiling motion. Mr. Porter told me that he, with General Cleaveland and Mr. Stow, had made a trial to know if it really was inflammable, which they found to be the case, although it was a very unfavorable time when they did it. The Avaves ran high, and the wind }Aew hard. They held a torch w^ell light- ed very close to the Avater, w^hen there appeared a flame like that of spirits l>urning, but as it w^as so much mixed with other air, and the water so deep over it, (four feet) the flame would go out imme- diatel}\ About 11 o'clock the wind began to bloAv from the north-east, and came so hard that we 2:)ut ashore, and encamped near the spring at I o'clock, P. M. Fi'idaij^ 2Ls'^. — Started alxnit 2 o'clock; wind north-east, not strong ; about 10 it lulled awa}^, and we rowed to Conneaut; arrived about half after 12 ; took inventory of the articles left there, and about 4 o'clock in the morning, that is, on Saturday, the 2 2d, we hoisted sail for Presque Isle. We sailed and rowed prettily to the peninsula, unloaded, drew the boat across, and arrived at the garrison at 12 o'clock. Received a letter from my father of Sept. 16th, and one from Myron of the 15th, l)y Esquire Paine, of Onondaga county. 24(3 TllEY llEACII PKESQUE ISLE. This place is settling considerably fast, and, I tliink, must be a place of consequence, as it aftbrds a good harbor for vessels, has a good country around it, and is but fifteen miles by land from Le Beuf, which is on French creek, and al)out one hundred and fifty miles from Pittsburg, to which place from Le Beuf, is good boating thioiigh French creek and the Allegheny river all the way. The journey is performed often in two days. Settlers from the north-western part of Pennsylvania take this route to get on the Presque Isle lands. The peninsula is about seven miles in length, and from twelve rods to a mile wide. It is very little more than a bank of sand, although a great part of it is thickly tim- bered. The 1)ay is about six miles in length and two miles wide. In the channel there is a sufficient depth of water for ships to anchor, but they cannot get near shore. With some expense, a wharf can 1 )e made out to the channel, which prol^ably will be the case. Opposite the east end of the peninsula, on the main land, stands the fort. It has a com- manding prospect and is agreeably situated, except a bad marsh between it and the lake, which in dry seasons is extremely unhealthy. Sumlaij, Oct. 2S(I, '96.— Left Presque Isle at 35 minutes past one o'clock in the morning; a laud breeze from the south-west. The wind continued, and we rowed till about 1 o'clock, P. M., when it came so fast from the west, from where it had hauled PASS NIAGARA. 247 that we sailed till -i o'clock ; the wind then lulled, and we plyed our oars again ; arrived in Buftalo creek at half after 10 in the evenino;. We struck a tire, and ^v^ere asleep in less than thirty minutes from the time of landing. • Monday ') Homing^ Oct. 24:th. — Left Buffalo creek at 9 o'clock in the morning. We ran down the river to Chipeway landing, which is twenty miles distant, at half after 12 o'clock. We were so fortu- nate, as to get our Loat and luggage carried across the portage immediately, by some teams that came to the shore just as we did. We rode in a wagon to Queensto^v^l, Came across Capt. Davis at Major Ingersoll's inn. With him, Mr. Hunn", Mr. Butler and Major Pixley, we spent a sociable evening. Tuesday^ Oct. 'l^ytJi. — ^We left Major Ingersoll's at half 2^ast 7, and came to Newark. Davis came ^^'ith us. We l)reakfasted at Wilson's. Ne^vark is a pleasant village, situated on the west shore of Niagara river, just at its entrance into Lake Ontario. It is laid out in city form, and there are many very pretty buildings. I think it ^vill not l)e a place of so much business as Queenstown. Op- posite Newark stands the ancient fort of Niagara, l)uilt l:)y the French. It appears to have been a place of considerable strength, though many parts are now tumbling to ruin. We left Newark at half after 10 o'clock, A. M. ; wind north-east; about 1 o'clock the wind lulled, and we continued rowing 248 ON LAKE ONTARIO. till simdowii, then encamped on tlie beach at the mouth of a creek, or marsh, called Key Harbor. The shore of the lake to this place is generally low and clayey. Just before we came to the harbor, a rocky shore commenced. The opening, Avhere the marsh or creek comes in, is about fifteen rods, and about twenty miles from the fort. Wednesdaf/, Oct. 26/A. — ^ Started at 4 o'clock in morning ; wind rather ahead. We I'owed past Gol- den Harl)or, the Eagle's Nest, and on to Oak Or- chard; a creek of considerable size comes in here, supposed to l)e Tonawanda. From the appearance of the mouth, it never fills up with sand, therefore is a good harbor for l^oats, (the others mentioned were filled); arrived here al)out 12 o'clock. This is about forty-five miles from the garrison at Niagara. 1 liur.sday^ 27t7i. — Wind north-east, in consequence of which we are obliged to lie still. I had the head- ache this day. Towards evening the wind lulled away, and at a quarter after (3 o'clock we left our encampment, and determined to row all night. It was extremely cold ; the waves I'an high, and the Avind came on to blow considerably hard against us. However, we continued rowing, and about sunrise ])assed the Genesee river. Friday^ -T/^^- — ^^ ^^ o'clock and 45 minutes we entered the mouth of Gerundicut l)ay, and found a fire burning here. We breakfasted, and pursued our way at o'clock. This bay is about four miles in KEACir CANANDATGUA. 249 length, uiid from oiic-li;ilf to tliree-(|iiartei's of a mile Avide. A great part of it consists of tiags, niarsli, or a kind of mossy grass, coming close to the top of tlie Avatei'. Towards the head of the l)ay, the navi- gation is so difficult that we were obliged to strip, jump into the mud up to our waists, and haul the l)oat thirty rods to get into the channel. We pur- sued the river to the head of navigation, which is al)out eight miles as the river runs, Avhich is very crooked. Porter, Pease, Stoddard, and my- self stayed at Dunbar's that night, the others went on. ^Satid'dm/^ 20///. — ^We breakfasted, and then set out on foot for Canandaigiia, Avhere we arrived at sunset. Lodged at Sanborn's. JOHN MILTON HOLLEY. Of liim, Judge A:\izr Atwater, in his sketches of the personal appearance of the surveyors, says: "He was then a very young man, only al)out eigliteen years of age, though he appeared to l)e older; tall, stout and handsomely built, witli a fair and smiling face, and general good appearance. He was a beautiful penman." Neither Holley or Porter returned to the survey in 1797. They eventually became brothers-in-law, Porter removing, at an early day, to the banks of the Niagara river. Holley settled in Salisbury, 17 250 BIOGEAPHY. Connecticut, tlie old home of tlie Porters. He was a brother of Myron Holley, prominent in New York, as one of the Canal Commissioners of that State. John Milton spent his days at Salisbury, leaving a large and respected family. His son, Alexander H., once elected Governor of the State, still resides on the old homestead, near the famous Salisbury iron mine known as the " Ore Hill." MOSES CLEAVELAND. BY FREDEKICK WADSWORTH, ESQ., OF AKRON. "Mr. Cleaveland was a prominent and nuich respected citizen of Canterbury, Windham county, Connecticut; born about the year 1755. He gradua- ted at Yale College in 1777. In 1788, he purchased a portion of the interest of Samuel H. Parsons, in the Salt Sj^ring tract, on the Meander creek. His profession was that of a law}^er, practising in his native town, where he died in 180G. He was a Brigadier General of militia, and a Representative in the Legislature. His daughter, Mrs. Frances Cleaveland Mor- gan, of Norwich, Connecticut, says the city of Cleveland Avas a decided pet with him so long as he lived. There were many papers and journals of her father, which have been scattered in the changes of the family. Mrs. Morgan still treasures the cleaveland's person ale. 251 pipe wliit'li PA(iUA pivsented lier father, at tlic con- ference on Conneaiit creek." Mr. Atwatek says General Cleayeland ^vas ''a short, thick set nian, with a liroad face, dark coni- ])lexion and coarse features." In Judge Pouteh's letter of July, 1843, he states, that the General had furnished himself with an Indian dress, and l)ein(»: of a swarthy complexion, afforded an excellent like- ness of an Indian Chief; and was honored thereafter 1 )y the party, by the name of " Paqua," the name of the chief of the tribe referred to." Tliis resemblance to the aborigines, appears to liave been patent to everybody. In Judge Spauld- inct's address before the Cuyahoga County Pioneer Society, in October, 1858, he refers to it as follows : " It is said of him, that some years after he left college, he attended an annual commencement at New Haven, where he met certain members of his own class, with whom he was examining the trien- nial catalogue, that had then just issued from the press. It is usual, in this catalogue, to print the names of such of the graduates as have studied theology, in italics. Gen. Cleayeland, in running liis eye over the names of his classmates, chanced to find the name of one then present, who made no great pretensions to piety, printed in the form to de- note a clergyman. Fond of humor and ready at a joke, he snatched a pen, and wrote against the name of his friend — 'Settled at Mohegan;' which was 252 HIS NAME -SAKE PAQUA. then and is now, a small Indian settlement on the bank of the Thames, between Norwicli and New London. The catalogue thus amended, was passed around the company, amid roars of laughter, until it came into the hands of the innocent subject of their mirth, when he, with easy facility and wit, re- torted upon our hero, by writing against his name — ' Born at Mohegan.' " By reference to the list of original proprietors already given, it appears that he was an owner of $32,600 stock in the Land Company. After the business of 1796 was closed, it is not known that he afterwards visited the Reserve. Of Ms Indian name-sake, Paqua, or "Pawquaw," Mr. Atwater says : " He was not a large Indian, but straight and handsomely built, with a fair and pleasant countenance, lighter than most Indians." JOB P. STILES. Job p. Stiles and his wife had a cabin built for them on the hill, before the surveyors left. Rich- ard Landon, one of the surveying party, was left to spend the winter with them, upon this dreary spot. From some cause not yet explained, he soon after abandoned the place, and Edward Paine took up his residence with the Stiles family. During the winter a child is reputed to have been ^IHE PIONEER FAMILY. 25.H l>orii 111 the cabin, wliicli liad only S(|uaw,s for a nurse. The Indians who were quartered here at that time, constituting l)y far the most numerous part of its population, treated these lonely settlers with great kindness. Paine was a trader with the Indians during the winter of 1796-97, who afterwards became a prom- inent citizen of Geauga county. Stiles left here in ISOO, and survived to a good old age, dying in Leicester, Addison county, Vermont, about the year 1eing four hundred. A Committee of Partition was appointed consisting of Daniel Holbrook, Moses Warren, Jr., Setii Pease and Amos Spafford. TilE LAND company's PROCEEDINGS. ^5o Another committee was raised to inquire generally into the conduct of the directors. At a subsecj^uent meeting, on the 2 2d of February, 1797, this commit- tee made their report, thoroughly white-washing the directors, and overwhelming the dissatisfied stock- holders. They also " voted that Moses Cleaveland's contract with Joseph Brant, Esq., in behalf of the Mohawks, of Grand river, Canada, be ratified." By this time the distressing fact became known, that the "Excess Company" had no land whatever. Augustus Porter, who had made a traverse of the lake shore, from the Pennsylvania line to San- dusky Ijay, ascertained that it l)ore much more to the south, than the old maps represented. Upon calculating the contents of the tract, including the Fire Lands, he discovered that the Land Company had less than three million of acres, the quantity for which they had paid. QUANTITY OF LAND IN THE RESERVE. A, Porter's Keport to the Directors, Hartford, January 28, 1797, ON THE Quantity of Land in the Reserve. " I have surveyed the said Reserve, and found it to contain 3,450,753 acres, exclusive of the islands in Lake Erie, and including Sandusky bay, sup- posed to exceed the islands in quantity about 30,000 acres. (Presents a map.) Fixed the south-east cor- ner at tlie forty-tirst pai'allel l)y celestial observations, and by measuring from the Pennsylvania monument on Lake Erie, fixed by a surveyor general of that state. Determined the lake shore by a traverse from the Pennsylvania line. Was not aide to run tlie west line, on account of the Indian title not being extinguished. Owing to imperfections of the compass, there may be an error of a few tliousand acres." Mr. Poeter's estimate proved to l)e as nc^ar the truth, as liis means of computation "svould allow. Tlie length of the west line, depended upon the ac- curacy of the meander of the lake shore, along a rugged coast from the Pennsylvania line, until the 258 OOMPltTATlOIf OF mi. VASVl sum of the westings, slioiild e(i[ual one liundred and twenty miles. Great was tlie astonishment of the " Excess Company," when his report was puldished. After 500,000 acres are sul)ti'acted from 8,450,753, the Land company had less than they bargained for, and the " Excess Company" had nothing. Poktek's work was (juestioned, and a professor of mathematics from Yale College gave it a searching examination. No material error was discovered. Not many years since, the late Leonard Case had the patience to go through each township, and de- temiine the nmnber of acres l>y the surveys. His figures are as follows : Acres. Drafts east of the Cuyahoga, - - 972,861 Sales by the Directors east of Cuyahoga, 30,461 Drafts west of the Cuyahoga, - - 828,977 Islands in Lake Erie, . . . - 4,810 Fire lands, 496,590 Total, 3,333,699 The late (reneral Simon Perkins has given the following, as the result of his investigations : Acres. Salt Spring tract, 25,450 Conn. Land Co. east of Cuyahoga, - 2,002,970 Conn. Land Co. Avest of Cuyahoga. - 832,577 Islands in Lake Erie, . . . . 5,924 Fire lands, 500,000 General Perkins' total, - - - 3,366,921 Leonakd Case's total, - - - 3,333,699 AuGtTSTiTS Porter's totnl, - - - 3,450,753 COtlRllOTEl) RfeSlTLT. '2t)9 The calculation of Mr. Case l)eiiii»; made in o-reat detail, after all the lands had heen disposed of, with all the surve}'s and drafts before him, may he re- garded as very near the truth. Deducting the fire lands, 496,590 acres, from the whole lleserve, the Land Company, instead of 8,000,000 acres, only ac- quired 2,837,109 acres, from which a portion of the Salt Spring tract of about 4,000 acres sold by Par- sons should be deducted. Probably some of the water courses and small interior lakes, were left out of the contents of the to\vnships, as determined by Mr. Case. The south line of the Reserve is now considered as somewhat above the forty-first parallel, and is not strictly parallel with it. A close measure- ment, would ])robal)ly extend the western l)oundary of the fire lands to the ^vestward, due allowance not having lieen made, for the slack of the chain through, a tano:led undero-rowth. When the valueless swamp land shall be added to the proper deductions, the comj^any's purchase, amounted to little more than two and one -half millions of arable land. Having determined to go on and com})lete the surveys of the town lines, and the townships to be allotted, and also to make partition among the owners, an assessment of ten dollars j)er share was levied, to be j)aid on the 2r)th of June, and another of fifteen dollars, ])ayable September ir)th, 1797. 1200 ABSENCE OF LaW. At the amiiial meeting the directors and trustees, were empowered to take such measures, as should be deemed best calculated to procure a legal and practical government^ over the territory of the com- pany. As yet, the inhabitants who remained on their lands, were acknowledged or cared for }>y no legal authority. Most of them were at Cleveland, the extreme north-western point of the old county of Washington, erected in 1788. Their public busi- ness, as citizens of that county required them to travel to Marietta, on the Ohio. This they did not consider to be a practical government, and most of them doubted its legality. The seat of justice came a little nearer on the 29th of June, 1797, when Jefferson county was erected, with Steubenville as the county town. No magistrates were appointed for this part of the country, no civil process known, and no mode existed of making a legal conveyance. Citizens of the New England States, wlio have so much reverence for law, and such a constant use for it in the daily transactions of life, did not relish such a state of things. It was a lower civilization than their Indian neighbors possessed. For although there is no public authority, which the red man I'e- spects, he is his own executor of the customs of his tril)e, under the simple law of retaliation. The legislature of Connecticut, did not assume jurisdiction over her peoj^le in the western wilds, having already parted, with all shadow of right to the soiL THE BAKli :\rANUSCRIPTS. 261 EXTRACTS FROM THE BARR MANUSORJITS. "The Land Company in the fall of 17',H), cleared about six acres of land at Conneaut, east of the creek, and solved it with Avheat, which was brought from the settlement on Genesee river, New York. This was the first crop of grain, produced by civilized men on the Western Reserve. The sutterings of the families at Conneaut during the winter, Avere very great. The j^eople at Cleve- land were in a state of comfort, when compared with those at Conneaut, who Avere obliged to kill the cattle left by Mr. Ciiapjian in order to sustain life. The Indians supplied the Cleveland j^arty Avith game, Avhich Avas abundant, and they had the com- pany's stock of provision, on Avhich they could draAV at any time. The savages Avere friendly and even kind. They deserved the appellation of friends, instead of savages; except Avhen they were under the influence of intoxication. Among them Avere "Ogonce" or 0«ontz, an Otta- Ava; SactAmaav, a Chippewa, and Seneca, of the Seneca nation ; all chiefs of their respecti\^e tril)es. Seneca was the most friendly, and is spoken of as a noble specimen of Indian character. In the fall, the Senecas, OttaAvas, DelaAvares and Chippewas resorted here ; and having procured Avhat articles the traders had for them, dispersed to hunt througli the Avinter, on the Cuyahoga, the Grand river, Mahoning, 262 THE FIKST SETTLER. Tuscarawas, Kilbuck, and Black rivers. In the spring they returned with their furs and game, and after trafficking away their stock, hiunched their hark canoes to repair to Sandusky phiins and the Miami prairies, for the sununer. Here they })lanted corn, beans and potatoes, around their villages. While here the Senecas encamped at the foot of the bluff, between Vineyard and Superior lanes. On the west side were the Ottawas, Delawares and Chippewas. From the manner they had been hunted down by the Pennsylvanians, they called them Long Knives (swords) , but the new comers, they called by the more complimentary term of " Sagamosh " or white men, and sometimes Bostonians. Seneca was seen here in 1809, which is the last known of him. Ogontz was at Sandusky in the year 1811.'' JAMES KINGSBUKY. James Kingsbury was the first adventurer on his own account, ^vho arrived on the Company's ])ur- chase. He came from Alsted, New Hampshire, with his wife, Eunice, (ne Waldo,) arriving at Conneaut soon after the surveyors. There were also three children, whose fortunes were cast among the pio- neers : Abagail, who w^as afterwards Mrs. Siier.man, of Cleveland, then at the age of three years, Amos Shepherd Kingsbury, about a year younger, and Almon Kingsbury, an infant. DISTKESS AT CONISTEAUT. 263 Eunice Waldo was also from Alsted. In Novem- l)er, after the surveyors had left, he found it neces- sary to return to New Hampshire. The journey was made T^y way of Erie, Butfalo, Canandaigua, and Albany, on horse back. He expected it would occupy four, perhaps six weeks. Reaching New Hampshire with no unusual delay or hardships, he was immediately attacked with fever, which run the usual course. From Buffalo one of his party returned to Conneaut, bringing the last news, the wife expected to receive until his return. Until winter, the Indians occasionally furnished her with meat. A nephew of the Judge, about thirteen years of age, was left at Conneaut, with a cow and a yoke of oxen. The expected husband did not return ; no news arrived, and, in the height of her perplexity, a son was added to the household. Mrs. Gim w^as at Conneaut at the liirtli of this child, the first white native of the Reserve. As soon as the Judge could safely ride a horse, he started for the shore of Lake Erie. He reached Buffalo nearly exhausted, on the 3d of December. The next day he set forward, although the winter snow covered the ground. It was unusually deep, and fell without intermis- sion every day for three weeks. In places it was up to the chin of a man, standing erect. Weak and distressed in mind, he moved forward every day, having only an Indian for guide, companion and 264 Kingsbury's return. purveyor, soinetiiiies making only a few miles. It was the 24t}i of December wlien lie readied tlie cabin. Mrs. Kingsbury had finally recovered strength enough to move aljout, and had concluded to start with her family for Erie, the next day. Towards evening a gleam of sunshine, broke through the long clouded heavens, and lighted up the surrounding forest. Looking out, she beheld the figure of her husband approaching the door. He was nearly exhausted, his horse lia\ ing died of exposure. Mrs. Kingsbury relapsed into a fever, which deprived her young child of its natural food. The provisions left by tlie surveyors, Avere nearly gone. Before Mr. K. had recovered from the effects of the journe}", he was forced to return to Erie ; and prociu'e sustenance for his family. As there Avas no beaten track, it was impossible for the oxen to travel in so deep snoAV. He was obliged to drag a hand sled to Erie, and obtaining a ])usliel of Avlieat, to draw it himself to Couneaut. This they cracked and boiled. Soon after the cow died. The cattle had no other food, than the browse or small tAvigs of trees, wMch. were cut for them to feed upon. The young lad did not know the difference, in different kinds of timber for this purpose. It was sup})osed the cow died, from eating the In'owse of oak trees. On the twigs of the elm, beech and linn which are tender and nutritious, cattle may live through the winter, as well as the deer and the elk. While the THE FIRST DEATH. 265 VOW lived, there was a chance for the life of the infant, who was then less than two months old. The child who liad been named Albert, grew weaker from mere starvation, every day ; its moans incessantly piercing the ears, and distressing the liearts of the parents, both of whom were sick. In al)out a month, after Mr. Kingsbury reached home from the east ; the child died. There was only Mi; K. and his young nephew at the place at the time. They found a pine l)ox which the surveyors had left, of which a rude coffin was made. As they car- ried the remains from the house, the sick mother raised herself in bed; following with her eyes the lonely party ; to a rise of ground where they had dug a grave. She fell backward and for two weeks, \vas scarcely conscious of what was passing, or of ^vhat had passed. Late in February or early in March, Mr. Kingsbury who was still feeble, made an effort to obtain something whicli his Avife could eat, for it was evident that nutriment Avas her prin- cipal necessit}\ The severest rigors of winter began to relax. Instead of fierce northern blasts, sweeping over the frozen surface of the lake; there were southern breezes, Avhich softened the snow and mod- erated the atmosphere. Scarcely able to w^alk, he loaded an old " Queen's Arm," which his uncle had carried in the war of the revolution ; and which is still in the keeping of the family. He succeeded in reaching the woods, and 18 :20G A l.liKY SHOT sat down n])on n log-. A solitary pigvoii i.'ame, aiul jhtcIuhI \ij)oii the luLi'liost l^vaiu'lios t>t' a tivo. It "was not only high, but distaiiL Tlu' i-lianrcs ot' hitting the hinl were te^^■ incKHnl, luit a human lit'c sinant'cl to (leponJ u|H>n thoso i-lianct's. A singh> shot t'ound its way \o tho mark, and the hird iMl. It was Avidl c'ookod and tho hroth given io his an ito, who was innnediatoly rovivod. For tho first tinu> in t\vo weeks she spoke in a natural and rational way, saying, ''James, Avhere did you get thisf When the surveyors under ^Ir. Pkask returned to their work in the spring', tlie tamily came with them to Cleveland, as their permanent home. On the west side o\' the river, at a point Avhieh eannot now he Hxed Avith eertainty, l)iit ]H\d)ahly near where Centre and ]Main streets cross, there \vas a dihiju- dated house. The old settlers think it was ereeted 1>\ the Freneh, Init it Avas more j)robaMy done hy tlu> English, who were here soon after tlu' peaee of 17t).">. It Avas a better building than the Freut-h Avere in the habit of putting \i\^ in siu-h ri'mote ]>laees. It had been a eonifortablo and c-apai'ious log sti>re- honse. A'^ery likely the l-'renrh had built a eabin near the mouth o\' the river, whieh had disap[>eared. Indians are universally destruetix t\ Property, and especially houses that are not protected, remain but a short time after thcA' are aT)andoned. MOVKS TO CIJON'KI.ANI). 267 Probal)ly this ]ious(; was huilt aLout ]78(j, and iis(m1 foi" st()i"n lioiise on the toj) of the high plain which overlooked the Cuyahoga. A fine sample of pioneerism was this Major Carter. He was a noble fellow — a lit eoteniporary of Kustosbitry, but he was suffering at the time we kne"w him with a cancer on his lip, which we fear brought him to a premature grave. (teoege Wallace and he, kept the only taverns then in Cleveland. Dr. Long was the only practising physician and a thorough l)red one. There was no meeting house or established clergyman and but two stores, Perry's nnd HiRA^i Hancitetts. The road to Sandusky crossed the Cuyahoga a quarter, or may be half a mile from the lake, opposite Carter's house - — the wild grass on the river l)ottom, below that road to the lake, being then undisturl)ed even by a scythe. Our thouo-hts have often been recalled to the pleasant hours we have passed at Cleveland and at the farm and mansion, a good stout frame house, of our friend Kingsettry — then with a family of adult sons and daughters, l)ut whom until this notice struck us, we had supposed long since been gathered to his fathers." SURVEYING PARTY OF 1797. I have not yet discovered a full list of persons engaged in tlie expedition of 1797. The following names appear in Mr. Pease's diary and accounts, in a way which sho^vs they Yvere connected with the surveys of that year, l)iit there may have been others. Men were employed and discharged d^iring the season. Rev. Seth Hart, Superintendent. Seth Pease, Principal Surveyor.'^ surveyors. (8) Richard M. Stoddard,* Amos Spafford,"^^ Moses Warren,* Warham Shepard,* Amzi Atyv^ater,* Phineas Barker, Joseph Landon,* Nathajst Redfield. Theodore Shepard, (or Shepherd,) Physician,^' RMPLOYEES. (52) Col. Ezra Waite, Maj. William Shepard, Thomas Gun, Hubbard T. Linsley, Peleg Waterman, David Eldridge, (drowned) (or Washburn,) Minor Bicknell, (died,) 270 REGlSTEU OF THE PARTY. JosiAH Barse, (or Barze.) John Doane, JOTHAM At WATER, JoSEPH TiNKER,* Oliver Culver, Samuel Spafford, Dan'l Holbrook, Explorer, (son of Amos,) Stephen Gilbert, Lot Sanford, Nathaniel Doan,* Alpheus Choat, David Clark, William Andrews, (died,) Solomon Gidings, Matthew L. Gilgore, Samuel Forbes, E. Chapman, James Stoddard, David Beard,* Ezekiel Morley,* Solomon Shepard, Thomas Tupper, William Tinker, Chester Allen, Alexander Allen, James Berry, George Gidings, Berry Nye, James Stoddard, Joseph Nye, Enoch Eldridge, Asa Mason, Charles Parker,* Eli Kellogg, Job Coe, William Barker, Eli Kowley, (deserted,) Shubal Parker, (or Park,) Clark Reynolds, Jacob Carlton, William Stoddard, Phil Barker, John Hine, Eli Canfield, Sylvester Smith, * These were of the party of 1796. The names of the Shepherds are spelled both ways, interchangeably. The outfit of the surveying party of 1797, and the funds were entrusted to Seth Pease. He left Suf field on the 8d day of A])ril, and proceeded to Schenectady, to organize his coinpaii)'. Mr. Thomas Mather, of All>any, New York, assisted him in this business. It appears that the .lOUKNKY TlIKOU(4Jl NEW YORK. 277 Land Company did not siip])ly tlieni freely with money, for lie says : " Thursday, A]))' 11 1-itli. — Spent the week thus far in getting necessary supplies. The want of ready cash, subjects me to considerable inconvenience. Mr. Mather purchases the greater part on his own credit ; and takes my order on Mr. Epiiraim Root, Treasurer." pease's journal. April loth. — Helves were put into the axes, and they were ground. Rations began to be issued, and the camp utensils, left there by General Cleaveland, were again brought into use. Delayed on account of the compasses not being ready, which were to be made at Ballstown, by Mr. F. Young. Ap)'il 20th. — Six boats started up the Mohawk. Each mess of six men received for daily rations, chocolate, one pound; pork, five pounds; sugar, a small porringer ; one bottle of rum ; one-half bottle of tea ; flour or bread, not limited. A man, his wife and a small child, taken on board one of the boats. April 22(7.— Warham Shepard, sent back to Balls- town for another compass. Doan, Holbrook and Forbes sick. Ajyril 2-ith. — Arrived at the Little Falls of the Mohawk. Paid for lockage $12 07. April 25th. — Reached Fort Schuyler, where Phineas Barker joined them, and also Mr. Harts boat. 278 AT GERUNDIGUT BAY. April 26 fh. — ^Tlie men very mucli fatigued. A2)rU 27 fh. — Reached Fort Stanwix (Rome, New York.) Ajyril 2Sth. — At Oneida lake, joined by Ezra Wait and Samuel Keeny. April SOfh. — Made the portage around Oswego Falls. Mr. Pease obtained his trunk, left at Three River Point, the year previous. J£(fj/ Isf. — Passed Oswego Falls portage, with the freight, ran the boats over the rapids and reached the Fort. Detained by storms till Wedmesday, May 3d, and that day reached Salmon creek, one mile west of Great Sodus bay. The next day arrived at " Gerundigut " bay ; and found their expected arti- cles were not there. Oliver Culver, Samuel Spafford, and Daniel Clark joined .the comj^any. ''Friday, May 5//?.— This morning Mr. Redfield took charge of the men and stores. I started for Canandaigua, on a horse hired of Dunbar. (Dunl)ar was a mulatto hunter or squatter at the bay). AVent to Richardson's, ^vhere Mr. Hart was waiting for me, and we rode in company to Canandaigua." " 3fay G///.— Found Moses Shepard (or Shepherd) at Sanborn's (or Sanburn's) who had i)rocured 2)ork, flour, cheese, whisky, horses and cattle. Conversed with Mr. Augustus Porter, about taking the super- intendency of the surveys tliis summer, who con- cluded he could not attend to it ; and advised me to j^roceed according to my instructions. AT CANANDAIGUA. 279 Sinidaij^ Mluj ^ith. — Sent the hired horse by Mr. N. Doan to Gerundigut, and also Mr. Hart's ; gave liim a crown for expenses. One of our hands, by tlie name of Rowley, came to this place last night with his clothes, and inquired the way to Whites- town. It is reported he has left us, which I find to be so. Maij 10th. — The land j^arty in charge of Major William Shepard are : Warham Shepard, Thomas Gun, Hubbard T. Lindsley, Peleg Waterman, (i)rol)- ably Washburn.) Amzi Atwater, David Eldridge, Josiah Barse, Minor Bicknell, Jotham Atwater, John Doane, Doctor Shepherd. Thursday, May 11 fJi. — Departed from Gerundigut a few minutes 2:)ast G o'clock, A. M. Our fleet con- sisted of Major Amos Spafford, Seth Hart, Seth Pease, Joseph Tinker, David Beard, and N. Red- field, and six boats. I left one boat in charge of Moses Warren to l>ring on the whisky and other stores, expected this day. Reached Oak Orchard, forty to forty-five miles. S/niday, May 14///. — Arrived at the garrison at Niagara, and gave the commanding officer. Captain Bragg, my letter. I went in, but we were not per- mitted to inspect the works, which were undergoing repairs, and went on to Queenstown. On Monday we concluded to send boats No. 278 and 280 T^ack to Gerundiugt, in charge of Beard 280 ARRIVES AT (ONNEAUT. and Tinker, for the rest of the stores. Put up at Ingei'soll's. Friday, Maij 19^/^— Started from Chippeway with two boats, one for myself and one for Spafford. lieached Buffalo before night, and found the land ])arty had T)een here since last Tuesday. They had bought and borrowed some Hour and taken some fish, l)ut lived very sparingly. Major Shepard, Dr. Shepherd and Warliam Shepard came in this even- ing with three horses and a compass. May 20th. — Major Shepard set forward with the horses and cattle by land ; head winds. Jfoiu/ay, May 2 2 UIVEK. above the Indian settlement and encamped on the west side. I')'iJ(n/, OM. — The three gentlemen \ve saw the other day going to Cleaveland, hailed us. As they contemplated becoming settlers, we furnished them \\ith a h)at' of bread. Capt. Harper went with them, and all bid us good bye. Shepard took Tup- })er and went to ex])lore No. 11 in Range 0, and Xo. 11, Kange 5, to return in two or three days. Spaf- ford and A\^arren returned from exploring No. 11, in the Stli Kange. Satt(/'(/((>/ "ith. — Shepard and Kellogg came in sick. Aj^propriated Grand river township. Sandaij, StJi. — Opened the second barrel of }>ork and found it very poor, like the first, consisting almost entirely of heads and legs, with one old sow l)elly, teats two inches long, meat one inch thick. JlonJaf/, [^t/i. — Determined to lot No. 11, Kange 7, and to appropriate gore No. 12, Kange 0. She])ard came in. Ti/csJift/, 10th, Grand river. — Stoddard returned a little before sunset. Had finished his work except a line in No. 11, Kange S, on which, through mis- take, he started wrong. WednettJi. — Warhani Shepard and lleynolds we left at the middle of No. 11, llange 7, to guard stores, Avhich we landed. Camped at the hnrning springs, al)out three miles further. I tried one of them Avitli a candle; the l)uLl)les would flash like spirits, Avhicli I repeated three times, and the candle was put out l)y Avater. (The party impeded by head winds.) Conneaut^ 22^/. — Mr. John Youngs called on us, and says that Joseph Tinkei", — — Peirce and Capt. Ed^vards Avere drowned on the 8d inst., in the night, near Shaddauque, (Chataucpie, ) in a violent gale, u})setting the boat. Joel Hawley escaped, l)ut gave only an imperfect account how it happened. The lioat belonged to Mr. Abbott, who was not on board. There Avas some loss of property, of whicli three hiuidred dollars, in bank bills, belonged to Mr. Al)l)ott, and the boat was much injured. The bodies of Tinker and Peirce were found, near the shore, on the lOth, and interred at Sixteen-mile creek. We learn further, that a man by the name of George Clark, was murdered on the 25tli of Sej)- tember, on the Big Beaver; supposed by the Indians, \vho were seen with him the evening before the body was found. He Avas Avounded in the head Avith a rifle, and stabbed in the left side, Avith a knife. One of the Indians had a rifle, and the other a knife. 21 314 DEPARTURE FROM CONNEAUT. The Indians were arrested by Mr. Youngs, and another gentleman and committed to prison at Pitts- burg. Monday^ Oct. SSc/. — Had a fit of ague and fever, which continued until night. Tuesday, 2Uli. — ^Sold the roan mare and saddle to Nathaniel Doan, and took his note for thirty-two dollars. Mr. Youngs, Mr. Warren and Mr. Doan set out for Buffalo creek, this morning. Mr. Hart arrived with his boat. Conneaut, Oct. 2oth. — We are short of pork, not having more than three-quarters of a barrel, and receiving none by Mr. Hart's boat, must send one boat over to Chippewa. Accordingly fitted out one under Major Spafford. She took on board all the men, sick and well, except Mr. Hart, Wm. Barker and myself They were Colonel Ezra Wait, Amzi Atwater, Doctor Shepard, George Giddings, Samuel Spafford, David Clark, Eli Kellogg, Alexander and Chester Allen, H. F. Linsley, James Berry and Asa Mason. Major Spafford to wait at Queenstown for the other boat. Major Shepard started by land, for Buffalo creek, with Warham Shepard and Thomas Tupper. Parker agreed Avith Mr. Hart, to take the Stow horse to Buffalo creek. October 31st, 1707. — Mr. Hart and myself started from Conneaut, after sunset. Our hands were Lan- don, Goodsel, Smith, Kenney, (Keeny,) Forbes, Chapman and James and Richard Stoddard, with a LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE. 815 land breeze and our oars, got witliin two miles of Presque Isle. (Rediield's party left in the woods.) Jv^ov. 1st. — Near Lowrey's Creek, Richard and James Stoddard took their route by land. Had a slight fit of the ague. JVov. 2(L — At Lowrey's creek got a (j^uart of milk, which Mr. Hart paid for ; and bought two oars. y^ov. Sd. — Arrived at Buffalo creek at 4, P. M., found Major Shepard, Esquire Warren, and several of the sick men. Major Spaftbrd came in yesterday. Sunday ^tli. — The two Aliens, Eli Kellogg, and Thomas Tuj)per, started for Grenesee. Samuel Forbes, E, Chapman and the two Parkers, accompanied them; the two Parkers having arrived, with the Stow horse, from Cleveland. JSfov. QfJi. — This day the rear guard came up. Mr. Redfield, the two Nyes, Enoch Eldridge, the two Barkers, Shubal Parks, (or Parker,) Jacob Carlton, Clark Reynolds, and Richard and James Stoddard, with four horses ; snowing moderately all day." It does not appear, from the field notes, that the latitude of Cleveland was determined, either in 1796 or '07, or that the instruments were broug'ht here for that purpose. In fact, the position of this place was not fixed, astronomically, until January, 1859, when the late Lieutenant Colonel J. D. GRAiiA]vr, of the United States military engineers, in charge of the light houses on the lakes, determined the latitude of the new court house to be forty-one degrees, thirty 316 NO MINERALS DISCOVERED. minutes, five seconds, north ; and the longitude from Greenwich, eighty-one degrees, forty-two minutes, six seconds, west; ecj^ual to five hours, twenty-six minutes, forty-eight and one-tenth seconds, time. As the longitude was determined from Cambridge, Mass., by telegraph, and that is the best established point in America, from Greenwich, by chronometer, this may be regarded as correct ; unless there shall be a correction for Cambridge; since the Atlantic cable has connected it with the prime meridian in England. Neither do any of the field notes, letters or reports, connected with the surveys of the Land Company, refer to the existence of iron ore, or coal, on the Re- serve. The south line, as far west as the Tuscarawas, was run over beds of coal, and the east line, for about thirty miles- All the townships east of the Cuyahoga, were explored in 1796 and '97; of which about one thii'd were underlaid by strata of ore and coal, without being discovered. The first coal worked, to my knowledge, was taken from the bed of a small run, a mile west of Talmadge center, in 1810, and was used by blacksmiths only. In 1828 it was first brought to Cleveland, in small quantities, for the same purpose. As late as 1838, only a small amount was mined in the Mahoning valley, near Youngstown. Mr. Pease, with the other surveyors and commit- tee-men, remained at Canandaigua to finish the par- t>ROCEEDINGS OF THE LAND COMPANY. 317 tition, and make up their reports ; a work wliicli the stockholders expected would have been concluded a year sooner. On the 13th of December, 1T97, the committee reported upon the four townships, each of which had been surveyed into one hundred lots, containing one hundred and sixty acres. The surveyors for these towns were: Nathan Redfield, Eiciiard M. Stoddard, Phineas Barker and Joseph Landon. The towns selected by the committee, as the most valuable, were Nos. 5, 6 and 7, of Range 11, and No. 11, of Range 7; now Northfield, Bedford, Warrens- ville and Perry. At a meeting held at Hartford, Januaiy 23, 1798, Farjiers Brother and Red Jacket received a dou- ceur of hfteen dollars each for expenses, ten dollars in cash and five dollars in goods. " WJiereas, The Directors have given to TABriHA CuMi Stiles, wife of Job P. Stiles, one city lot, one ten acre lot, and one one hundred acre lot ; to Anna Gun, wife of Elijah Gun, one one hundred acre lot ; to James Kingsbury and wife, one one hundred acre lot ; to Nathaniel Doan one city lot, he l)eing obliged to reside thereon as a blacksmith, and all in the city and town of Cleaveland. Voted, that these grants be approved." Another tax of twenty dollars a share was laid. The Company having given up all ambitious hopes of being one of the powers of the Union, now ofler ^18 LOEENZO OARTEiR. their political title to the Congress of the United States, and in case it is accepted, they empower Mr. Swift to desire Governor St. Clair to lay off a ne^Y county comprising the Western Reserve. Donations of land to actual settlers were author- ized. The committee on roads, report in favor of constructing a road near the lake, from Erie to Cleveland, with a branch from Townsliij) 1 0, llange 8, (Lenox, Ashtabula county,) t(^ the Salt Spring, on the Meander creek. As the Six Nations claimed a part of the fifteen hundred dollars promised to the Mohawks, at Buf- ftdo, June 24th, 1T9G, "it is ordered that this sum be })aid to Israel CiiAPMAisr, Superintendant of Indian Affairs, to l)e distributed by him." At the same meeting a conunittee was appointed, author- ized to prosecute or settle Avitli the heirs of Sa]muel II. Parsons for their claim tc* the Salt Si)ring tract. MEMORANDA OF JUDGE BARK. Major Lorenzo Carter, who came hero in 1707, was a great acquisition to the settlement. lie was perfectly fearless, and otherwise peculiar!}' fitted to meet the perils of the wilderness. He was an expert marksman, and an enthusiastic hunter ; the terror of the deer and bear of the neighborhood. On the west side of the river, at the mouth, was a natural moTUid, covered with trees, (see GayloriVs EARLY BURIALS. 319 sketch.) Strange as it may seem, in the early days, and as late as 1820, persons have walked across the mouth on a sand bar, the channel being frequently closed up by storms. Kingsbury and Gun, came here from Conneaut, early in 1797, remaining that season, when they removed to the ridge, in what was afterwards Newburg. Ezekiel Hawley, came to Cleveland the same year. Kingsbury built a shanty east of the Public Square, and Gun occupied one of the Company's cabins, until one was built on River street, north of St. Clair, near the cupola opposite WmsLOw's warehouse, (1842, late Hussey & Mc- Bride.) Hawley built on the hill, on the north- east corner of Water and Superior, now (1842,) owned by Nathan Perry. The Land Company, the same season, put up a double log cabin, on the south side of Superior, east of Vineyard lane. Charles Parker and Ebenezer Merry, settled in Mentor the same year, and each sowed a crop of wheat, from seed obtained at Conneaut. Mr. Eldridge, one of the employees of the Land Company, who was drowned in crossing Grand river, was the first person buried in the city of Cleveland. The first burying ground was on lot 97, between Prospect and Huron streets, east side of Ontario, which was removed to Erie street in 1835. Peleg Washburn, who was an aj^prentice to Nathaniel DoAN, as a blacksmith, died of dysentery in 1797. At this time, a death or two excites little attention ; 320 SICKLY TBIES. hut when wo reflect liow few there were in this country at tliat time, their distance from lu)nu>: (U's- titute of the necessaries and comforts of civilization, a deatli and a hnrial, was an occurrence of no small moment. This was a sickly season. The old settlers ha\-e often remarked, in reference to those melancholy times, they could not have got alono- withont the o-ame which Major Carter killed, and the attentions of his irenerous wife." BIOCRAFHICAL SKETCHES. The liistoiy of every memher of the surveying parties of 179G-7, has a deep interest for their des- cendants, a large iiiim})er of whom reside in the country, of whicli they were tlie first thorough ex- j)lorers. They pursued their toilsome way, during those years, over iiW that part of the Reserve, east of the Cuyahoga, leaving perpetual evidence of their track through the forest, in measured lines, marked upon the trees. ( )nly a few of the hands employed l)y the com- pany on the surveys of 1790, returned to the work in 1707. Of those who passed that year in the field, l>ut a small portion T>ecame settlers. The formal com])act of Sept. 80, 179G, in reference to the settle- ment in Euclid, was carried out, })y not more than two. Probably the severe labors of the survey, cooled their admiration of the new country. Many of them underwent the ordeal of fever and asrue, which was abundantly sufficient to damage their faith in the "])romised land." ^2^ t:ZEKlEL MORLE^. A courageous man, who might be willing to encounter this miserable disease, which prostrates every form and grade of ambition, would not will- ingly expose his family to it. They saw that no civil government existed, or was likely to exist. Some of the surveyors, like Spafford and Atwater, determined to take their chances, and spend their days in New Connecticut. Doan, Gun and Clark, also became settlers. Of those who returned to New England, very few were again heard of here. At the recent pioneer meetings, the private history of a small number of them has reached us. San- FORD, Culver and Morley, survived long enough to hear of those movements, to rescue from oblivion the enterprises of their youthful days. EZEKIEL MORLEY. BY ALFRED MORLEY. Kirtland, Ohio, June T, 1858. Mr. Whittlesey :— In reply to your enquiries in regard to Ezekiel Morley, I will answer as nearly as I can. He was an uncle of mine, not my father. He was born in Glastenbury, Connecticut, in I7r)8; died in Chester, Geauga county, Ohio, August 0th, 18r)2, lacking nine days of ninety-three years. Emigrated from Genesee county, New York, to Chester, Ohio, in 1882. He was a Kevolutionary LOT ^ANFORD. 3^^ soldier, and drew a pension of ninety-six dollars a year. Was one of the surveying party in running the lines of the Western Reserve in 179G — '97, and assisted in erectino- the first los; cabin that was built in Cleveland. He supposed himself to be the first Avhite luan that saw Chagrin Falls. Enclosed you will find his sio;nature. My father was seventeen months older than luicle EzEKiEL, and was a Revolutionary soldier. He died where I now live, aged eighty-six years and six months, having lived with the wife of his youth sixty-three years, Youi's Truly, Alfred Morley. LOT 8ANF0RD. STATEMENT OP A. W. PERRY, lUS SON-IN-LAW, AND OP R. W. PERRY, A GRANDSON. Shokeiiam, Vt., November 21, 1859. We have consulted with Lot Sanford, who was not in the surveying party of 1790, but in that of 1797. He was born September oth, 1773, and was one of the party who went out to survey the Western Reserve. Aivios Spafford was the chief surveyor of this party. No particular incident happened on the outward journey, except the accidental death of David Eldridge. He undertook to swim his horse 324 THE FIRST GARDEl^. across Grand river, although strongly advised to the contrary, and the animal proving unequal to the task, Eldridge was drowned and his body carried on to Cleveland, and buried on the banks of the Cuyahoga. Sanford assisted in digging his grave, thus performing the office of sexton to the first white man who Avas buried in Cleveland. The company arrived and established their head quarters, building a log house, and enclosing a gar- den for the purpose of raising their vegetables^ Sanford laid a fence around this garden, being the first fence ever built in the town. There had been a log hut built at this place the year previous, by the same party. Seth Hart, the agent of the company, was left in charge of the head quarters. No incidents are mentioned while the party was out surveying, ex- cept the death of Minor Bicknell, who was taken sick with fever, and was carried through the woods fifty miles before he died. He was buried near the Cuyahoga, probably about thirty miles from the present site of Cleveland. Soon after arriving at head quarters, two more of the party — Andrews and Washburn — died, and were buried by the side of ELDRmcE. Several mem- bers of the company are mentioned, among whom are Samuel Spafford, (son of Amos,) and Olrer Culver, who were chainmen; Andrews was flagman, and Sanford — the subject of this sketch — went as sanfoed's company. 325 axman. He, with eleven others, left Cleveland the 12th of September, 1797, and returned to Orwell, Vermont, where he then lived, arriving the 3d of December. In April, 1804, he removed to a farm which he had purchased in Shoreham, Vermont, where he has since lived, being now in his eighty- sixth year. The two Barkers, Alpheus Choat, David Clark, Oliver Culver, the two Nyes and Amos and Sam- uel Spafford were ft'om Vermont; the two Gid- DiNGS were from Connecticut. Sanford and Sa.muel Spafford chopped four acres of timber in Euclid, the first ever choj^ped for settlement duties. About eight or ten years ago Job Stiles died in the town of Leicester, Addison county, Vermont. My brother has heard Stiles boast of putting up the first house in Cleveland. Sanford retains his mental faculties in a good degree, but is infirm from a paralytic stroke he had about tAvo years since, and therefore he cannot write you, but I send you his autograph, written before. He feels a lively interest in the historical articles published in Cleveland, which are read to him. You cannot better compen- sate him and his wife, who still lives, than by send- ing him such articles." Mr. Sanford died at Shoreham, April 20, 1860, on the farm he had cultivated since 1804, beinir eighty-six years and seven months of age. He there acquired a competence, living for more than fifty 330 OLIVER CULVER. years in communion with tlie Congregational church, of which he was a liberal supporter. His wife died in June, 1865, at the age of eighty-two. OLIVER CULVER. At the pioneer celebration of October, 1858, Oliver Culver, of Ne^v York, one of the surveying party of 1797, was present, supposed to be the only survivor. Lot Sanford was, however, then alive. The following letter gives a brief history of Cul- ver, who may still be living. Rochester, July 29, 1800. John Barr, Esq. — Mr. Oliver Culver, of Brigh- ton, to-d^y called on me, and handed me your letter of March 27th, 1800, in which you request hiui to state the date and place of his 1:)irth, and to send his autograph, for the Pioneer society of Cleveland. Mr. Culver would willingly send his autograph, l)ut he can not, because for some time past, his sight has so much failed, that he does not write, even his own name. In all other respects, his health continues robust and good. Mr. Culver Avas l)orn at East Windsor, ILartford county, Connecticut, Septendier 24th, 1778; and will be eighty-two years old on the 24th of September next. When he was five years of age, soon after the peace of 1783, his father removed from East Wind- OLIVER CULVER. 327 sor, to Ticonderoga, N. Y. After a short residence there, he removed to Orwell, Vermont, where Mr. Culver remained with his parents, nntil the spring of 1797, returning home, occasionally, until 1805. In February, 1797, he hired, wdth his father's consent, to Amos Spafford, to accompany him with a party of surveyors to the Connecticut Comj)any's Lands. Early in March, 1797, he was sent by Amos Spaf- ford, with his son Samuel Spafford, on foot, from Orwell, Vermont, to Schenectady, New York, to arrange for boats, and ascertain when they would he ready to carry the party on, from there up the MohaAvh. Samuel Spafford wrote back to his father, that the Mohawk would not be clear of ice, and the boats ready to start, before the first of April : and that he and Mr. Culver would go on to Ironduquoit bay, and there camp, and hunt, until the surveying party arrived. They did so, traveling by land, on foot, well provided with arms, ammuni- tion and provisions. At Ironduquoit bay, they camped, and boarded with Asa Dunbar, and family, a trapper, who was a mulatto man, from the Mohawk country, of whose location they were informed at Schenectady. They remained there hunting, and curing the skins taken, about six or seven weeks, until the surveying party under Mr. Spafford arrived, about the last of April. At Queenstown their boats were drawn over land, on carriages, with teams, by some Canadians, and 328 RETURN TO VERMONT. launched at Chippeway, from Avlience they crossed to the mouth of Buffalo creek, and coasted up from there along the south shore of lake Erie. At Cleve- land the party erected a log house. Mr. Culver was a chain bearer, that season at twelve dollars a month. When cold weather arrived, the party I'eturned to Vermont. Mr. Culver, and Samuel Spafforu stop- ped a few weeks at Dunbar's, and continued their hunt, with the object of collecting peltries. Late in Decmber, after the snow became too deep for hunting, they traveled on foot to Orwell. In 1798, Mr. Culver went to Cleveland, in a party of eighteen men, employed as before, to assist in cutting out a road, to the Pennsylvania line, on "which they worked that season. In 1800, he bought his present farm in Brighton, Monroe county, New York, cleared seven acres, and sowed it to wheat, and got a good crop. Up to 1804 he was emploped three years at Iron- duquoit landing, by Augustus (triswold ; superin- tending an ashery. In 1804 he went to Cleveland, with a boat load of salt, diy goods, liquors, and tobacco, cfec, and opened a store. Tlie vessel ^vas loaded at Black Bock, freight paid, three dollars per ])arrel. She was built at Erie, by Setii Beed, and commanded by Capt. Dobbin. In 1805, Mr. Culvek, married and settled on his faruL His ^vife died a few weeks since. I write this by his direction. Respectfully, yours, tfec, J. M. Hatch. SETH PEASE. 329 When CuLVEK, re-visited the city fifty-four years jifter his mercantile triji, its identity with the sickly and scattered town of 1804, could scarcely be traced. He was conveyed through long and compactly l)uilt streets, covering nearly all the ample space allotted by the surveyors for city and out-lots. When he last saw them, they were not distinguishable from tlie surrounding forest, except by an occasional horse trail, and l)y blazed lines upon the trees. SETH PEASE. The personal history of Mr. Pease, the most prominent of the surveyors, of the Land Company, is but imperfectly transmitted to us. According to Mr. Atwater, he " was above medium height, slen- der and foir, with Idaclv, penetrating eyes. In his movements he was very active, and persevering in liis designs, ^vith a reflecting and thoughtful air. lie was a ver}^ thorough mathematician." FROM a letter OE RALPH GRANGER. Fairpoet, Lake Co., O., Se2:>t. 27, 1848. "Setii Pease was my imcle. He was very ])re- cise in his business. Besides the minutes necessarily returned to the Company, he kept a full j^rivate journal. This I have seen, containing records of personal adventures with colored landscapes, one of which is the first residence of the surveyors at Con- neaught. He also brought to Connecticut, from 330 SETH PEASE. Ohio, specimens of minerals, wliicli I have seen, among tliem some beautiful alabaster from Sandusky. He died at Philadelphia. His wife died in Connec- ticut. The only children now living are Mrs. Noah A. Fletcher, of Washington City, and Alfred Pease, his youngest son, at Dayton, Montgomery county, Ohio. This journal may have been lost or mislaid." His journals, of which a portion for the years 1795 to 1799, inclusive, are before me, show excel- lent penmanship, and precise business habits. In 1795 he surveyed for the State of Massachusetts, in the province of Maine. After the close of the sur- veys east of the Cuyahoga, in 1797, Mr. Pease, engaged with Porter, Atwater, and others of his enterprising old friends of the woods, in the allot- ment of the "Holland Purchase," in western New York, This service occupied two years, '98 and '99. The elections of the year 1800, resulted in the success of the "Republican," or Jefferson party, over that of the Federalists. Under Jefferson's administration, Gideon Granger, became Post Mas- ter General, and Mr. Pease, who Avas a brother-in-law, was made Assistant Post INlaster General. Judge Calvin Pease, of Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, was his brother. In 1806, when the Indian title to that part of the Reserve west of the Cuyahoga, Avas extinguished, Setii Pease, was directed by the Gov- ernment, to extend the southern boundary along the NATHANIEL DOAN. 881 41st piii'allel, west of the river, wliicli he did. There is still hope of recovering more of the memoranda, to whicli the Hon. Kalpii Granger refers. His skill as a draftsman and sketcher, and his facility in description will give them gi'eat interest. NATHANIEL DOAN. Nathaniel Doan, was one of those of the first surveying party, who volunteerd for the second year's work. He was so well pleased with the new country, that he emigrated w^ith his family in 1798, and became one of the permanent settlers. In 1799 they fled from the miasma of the river bank, like the majority of the early residents, and settled on the Euclid road, four miles from the Cuyahoga, at the corners ; where the road from Newburg intersects Euclid street. This gave rise to a hamlet, which has increased to a village, and which, until recently, was known as "Doan's Corners." Mr. Doan Avas the blacksmith of the Land Com- pany, whose business it was, during the progress of the survey, to keep their pack horses well shod. In 179(S he erected a rude shop on the south side of Superior street, A blacksmith is a very important member of a pioneer settlement. He is soon brought into per- sonal acquaintance, with all the neighboring people. His shop becomes a central point for gossip, and for more serious discussions upon public affairs. Mr, 332 SETH UOAN. DoAN appears to have been an useful smith, and a good citizen, llis name appears frequently, in the proceedings at elections and town meetings. In 1(S()4, he was made a lieutenant in the first militia company organized here. Nathan Chapman, Avho Avas not personally connected with the STirveyors, but wdio a])pears to have been on the Keserve, from the year 1790, as a purveyor of beef, and a trader, Avas a friend of Doan. Chapman had no family, and died at Doan's Corners in 1814. Do an died at the same place, in 1815. The Avidow of the late Edward Baldwin, of Cleveland, once the sheriff and treasurer of Cuyahoga comity, is the daughter Nathaniel Doan. The late Setii Doan, who was his nei)he\N', in a statement made to James S. Clakk, Esq., in January, 18-41, remarks, "that a boat was despatched in the fall of '98, down the lake, to a mill ten miles west of Erie, at Walnut creek, for flour ; but it was beached and destroyed, at Euclid Point. They had occasional communications A\itli Detroit, through straggling Frenchmen and Indians. There w\as, as yet, no set- tlement at Buft'alo or Black Rock, nor any between Cleveland and the Ohio river. The one at Presque Isle, or Erie being the nearest. When we arrived, there were three or four clearings, of about two acres each. One between Water street and the bluff, just north of St. Clair street; another near Stiles' house, on Bank street, and one near Haw- KLIJAII GUN. 333 ley's at tlie end of Superior street, wliere the "Central Buildings," (Atwater Block,) are now standing." ELIJAH GUN. Althongh Gun, like Stiles, came to Ohio with the surveyors, and spent a large part of his life in the vicinity of Cleveland, his personal history has not been well preserved. On the approach of old age, he left the pioneer homestead, in Newburg, and removed to the Maumee river, to the residence of his son, near Napoleon, Ohio. Little has come down to us, of his occupations, and of his trials at Conneaut during the winter of l79G-'7. Both himself and his wife, appear to have endured the hardships of those days better than many of their cotemporaries. His cabin, at Conneaut, was about a mile above Stow Castle, on the creek. He reached a very advanced age, nearly or quite, four score and ten, dying among his kindred, on the banks of the Maumee. AUGUSTUS PORTER. Although Augustus Porter survived all the other surveyors, and lived on the shore of lake Erie ; his personal history is here imperfectly known. He appears to have attached much value, to the water power at Niagara Falls, and at the head of Niagara river, where the navigable waters of the lake term- inate. After spending about ten years in the woods o34 AUGUSTUS PORTEK. as a surveyor and explorer, principally in tlie west- ern part of New York, lie establislied himself for life on the Niagara liver. One reason why we are not better informed in regard to him, is given in the following extract from his letter to Judge Baku, dated at Niagara Falls, Jan. 10th, 1843. " Had I all my original papers connected with the subject above named, such as my journal, original field notes of the survey taken on the ground, cal- culations on contents, geographical remarks, of per- sons employed, aek or not, l>iit one o\' two things you shall , either you nuist go with nie peaceably, or be killed and thrown into this eat swamp, to be eaten by the wolves and turkey birzzards." The ^lajor had a peeuliar manner o{' suitiuii" actions and looks, to words. ''Oh I" says the man, " it' yini are in earnest. 1 don't eare it' I g\) baek." The -Major brought him to ]\Iajor SrAFFOKo, ^vho asketl him " AVliat made him go ott' in sueh a manner; you kno^v I owe you something."' He an- swered, 'vl suppose you cnve me a little, but 1 will tell vou lunv it is \\ ith me. I have been a nning eharaeter. and don't stay but a little \vhile in a ]daee. I have been in the habit when I left a })laee to nu\ a^vay." ^[ajor Si'AFKOUD told him " it was a bad one, and that he had better give it up; besides, you eannot run away from tliis plaee." The man said "he saw it woidd not do here, and he thought he would not try it again." Major Spaffokd to]d him " to eat his l>reakfast, and he woidd see in the mean- time how nuieh he owed liim, and then he miglit go when and where he pleased." The nuiu saiil "he had about given up the idea ot' going, and if the Major would let him work he would stay," wliieh was aiiTeed to, and he stayed two or three mouths. ANCIENT MOUTH OF CITYATIOGA. 345 Sometime in the fall of 1798, Major Carter said to me, " When I was living in my old log house un- der the hill, I saw an Indian coming up the river in a canoe. He landed opposite my house, fastened his canoe, and with his paddle walked up to where I stood. After the usual salutation, he asked, ' What stream do you call this V " The Major re- plied, "the Cuyahoga." "No, no, this is not the Cuyahoga. I was here when a boy so high, (placing his hand about the height of a boy ten or a dozen years old,) and the Cuyahoga was like this," making a plan with his ])addle on the ground, which corres- ponded with what we call the old river bed. [It must be kept in mind, that from the point where the parties stood, they could not have a view of the old river bed as we can now, on account of the forest.] The Major said he had not any doubt, that the river used to empty itself at the west end of the pond. The Indian appeared to Major Carter to be seventy or seventy-five years old. Subsecpiently I learned that in the year 1798, an old Oneida Indian, whose name was Scanodewan, who had been a faithful friend to the Americans during their struggle for independence, and was much attached to the Harpers, of Harperstown, State of New York, followed Col. Alex. Harper and family to Harpersfield, in this State. ScANODEWAN made himself usefid to the Colonel, 23 346 CAKTKU AS A KKGl'LATOK. by hunting and procuring game tor the 8U})j)i>rt of his family and others. Col. Harpek died in the fall of ITOv^, and soon after Scanodewan became uneasy, and told the fam- ily of Col. Harper that he would go to the lake, build a eanoe, and go up the lake. He returned to the widow Harper's, and reported to them the chano^es that had been made since he had been there before, more especially the alteration of the mouth of the Cuyahoga river. There can be little doubt that ScANODEWAN, was the same man who conversed Avith Major Carter on the subject. The facts relating to the Indian, I have recently obtained from Mrs. Tappex and lier brother. Col. Kobert Harper, of Harpersiield, Ohio, Avho is the youngest child of the late Col. Alex. Harper, and who was eight years old when his father died. Major Carter Avas tar from a quarrelsome man. I never heard of his lighting unless he Avas grossly insulted, and as he Avould say, " driven to it." It Avas a common saying in this region, that ^lajor Carter Avas all the law Cleveland had, and I think he often gaA^e out avcU measured justice. It Avas not unfrequent, that strangers traveling through the place, Avho had heard of the Major's success in Avhipping his man, Avho believed themselves smart fighters, thought they may gain laurels by having it said that they AA'hipped him. I never heard it as- AMOS SPAFFORD. 347 serted by any one, and never lieard of any one boasting, that sucli an act had been performed. He was kmd and generous to the poor and unfor- tunate, hospitable to the stranger, Avould put himself to great inconvenience to oblige a neighljor, and was always at the service of an individual or the pul^lic, when a wrong had been perj^etrated. In all the domestic relations he was kind and affectionate. In the year 1812 he was afflicted with a cancer on his face, and went to Virginia in 1813 for medical aid, which proved useless. He died February 8th, 1814, aged forty-seven, after enduring the most ex- cruciating sufferings for months, previous to his death. Mrs. Cahter survived him till October IStli, 1827, aged sixty-one. AMOS SPAFFORD. BY JUDGE HOSMER. Perrysburo, April 11th, 1843. J/y Dear Sir : — Of Major Amos Spafford I have been al)le to learn but little. He emio-rated from Vermont to Cleveland in 1800 or 1801. He re- ceived the ap2)ointment of Collector for the District of Miami, and of Postmaster, in 1810, at the com- mencement of which year he moved from Cleveland to the foot of the raj^ids, and built a small [log house imder the table of land, which forms the present site of Fort Meigs. O-iS rEKKY81UK(; SACKED. His first return to the Government shows that the amount of exports from this district, at the expira- tion of the first (juarter, was three thousand anil thirty dollars. It consisted of three thousand do\- hirs worth of coon, bear and mink skins, and thirty dollars worth of bears oil. Major Spafford culti- vated a piece of land, includino- Fort ^leigs, built several out houses, and acipiired considerable prop- erty here previous to the war. He Avas a man very nuich esteemed l>y the American and French inhabi- tants, was indeed an adviser and friend to all the early settlers. xVt the time the war broke out, there were sixty- seven white tamilies living on the twelve mile square Reserve, and some nine or ten tamilies in the imme- diate neio'hboi'hood. The first actual notice the settlers had, that hostilities had commenced after Hull's troops had marched through to Detroit, was the appearance of about forty Delaware Indians and as many British, at the foot of the rapids one bright morning in July, 1812. The Indians, under com- mand of their A\ar chief Sacamanc, by direction of the British, entered every house on the north side of the river, and after a friendly salutation, took all articles of any value which they could find, loaded them into the canoes, pirogues and fiats be- longing to the settlers, and then passed over to the south side. They met Major Spaffokd in his corn- field, and were about to subject his house to pillage. PETER MANOR. 349 1)ut were prevented by a salvo of twenty dollars, paid tliem hy the Major, which was all the money he had. With the excej)tion of tlieir chief, Sacamanc, and four other Indians, they together with the British, left with their plunder hy water, for Maiden. The Maumee river was in those days inhabited by a species of hybrid, half human, half animal, better known at the present time by the name of Canadian French. These creatures united in their character the cunning of an Indian, and the sagacity of the white. They were principally friends to the British interest. One among them, who had long been an Indian trader, was, however, a true American in feeling. His name, Peter Manor, should ever be remembered, for he was a true friend of the Ameri- cans. He knew Sacamanc, pretended a friendship for him and for the British, and learned from him that in the space of eight or ten days, it was the in- tention of the confederated tribes in the British interest to hold a council near Maiden, and in six- days thereafter to make a general descent upon Monroe, Maumee and the other places on their trail to Fort Wayne, Avhither they were going, with about fifteen hundred British, to aid the beseigers of that fort, for the purpose of pillage, massacre and rapine. Sacamanc and his four men left for the interior of our State, the day after the others had gone to Mab 350 PEREYSBURa ABANDONED. den. Manor visited Major Spafford the next day, asked him what he intended to do ; and was inform- ed that ]ie intended to remain on the river and attend to his business. Manor then told him of the conversation he had had with Sacaimano, at whicli the Major took aLarm, and conchided to make preparations to go down the lake. As the contem- plated attack was some two or three weeks distant, he was in no hurry. About live days after this, at or near ten o'clock in the morning, a man, who was brought up among the Indians, and who had been befriended by Major Spafford, came running to his house in breathless haste, with the astounding in- formation, that a party of some iifty Pottawatomies were within six miles of the foot of the rapids, and that they were massacreing every Yankee they met with. The Major spread the news among his neighbors. They immediately launched an old barge, which was l)uilt by the army a year previous at Fort Wayne, and used by Col. Underimick and other officers, to come down the river on their way to Detroit. Having put on board of this crazy hidk, what few articles of provision and furniture they could, the little party consisting of the Major's family and three other fiimilies, set sail for Milan, in Huron county. Scarcely had they got under cover of the point, be- lo^v the amphitheatre at the foot of the rapids, ere the Pottawatomies made their appearance. They spafford's farm ruined. 851 inquired after the Yankees, and were told by Manor that they had been gone a week. The Indians stole what money and other property the fugitives had left, and started for Maiden. Meantime, the little barge, fiivored by prosperous gales, reached Milan in safety. Major Spafford established his office as collector there until after the wai', at the close of which he and his old companions returned to old Fort Meigs. When they left they had dwellings, horses, fine corn-fields, and comfortal)le homes. On their return they found their fields destroyed, and their horses and cattle stolen by the Indians. Gov- ernment promised redress for the injuries committed by our army. Their families obtained a small com- pensation, for the supposed quantity of corn taken from the fields by Gen. Harrison's army. This small sum was obtained through the energy of Major Spafford, who, on behalf of himself and neighbors, made two trips to Washington, and sj^ent much time there before aught could be accom2:)lished. Nothing disheartened he commenced repairing his ruined homestead. Of the old arks that were used to transport provisions to our army during the war, from Fort Amanda and other j)laces on the Auglaize and St. Marys rivers, he constructed a comfortable farm house and office, both of which are still stand- ing in front of Fort Meigs. He received a grant from Government of a tract of land next above and adjoining the Fort, which is now owned by his son, 352 SPAFFORD'S PERSONALS. Judge AuEORA Spaffokd, of this place. He retain- ed his office of Collector until 1818, when he died at his residence. Major Spafford took an active part in all the early affairs of this county. He named our town Perrysburg, in honor of the hero of lake Erie. I have several letters of his in my possession, one to General Harrison and one to President Madison, setting forth in the most graphic language, the losses to which he and his neighbors had been subjected by the war, and asking for redress. He was a sound headed, pure hearted man, as all say who knew him, and as his piipers abundantly prove. Yours, faithfully, Hez. L. Hosmer. In Judge Atwater's description of the personal appearance of the surveyors, he says of Spafford, " he was more than medium in height, very straight, broad in the forehead, with a sober, serious coun- tenance ; rather slow in his motions, and on the whole was an excellent man." 1798. The committee on partition, Pease, Spaffoed, Warren and Holbrook, having reported from Can- andaigua, the directors called the stockholders to- gether at Hartford, to receive their lands. All the territory east of the Cuyahoga was included in the partition, except the six townships reserved for sale. These were Chapin, now Madison, Geauga county ; Mentor, Lake county ; Charlton, afterwards Chagrin, now Willoughhy, Euclid, Cleveland, then including Newburg, and Weathersfield, or the "Salt Spring Township," in Trumbull county. On the 29th of January, 1798, the long expected draft took place, consisting of ninety-three equal parcels, embracing a township or more. On the next day the four allot- ed towns were drawn, in four hundred parcels, one for each share in the company. These were, North- field, Bedford and Warrensville, in this county, and the township of Perry in Lake county. As the subject of civil government made no pro- gress, a petition was again laid before the general 3 54 . DOAIS^ FAMILY. assembly of Connecticut, reciting their numerous failures in Congress, and most earnestly praying for relief. This was in October, 179S. In December an agent was appointed, to urge upon Congress speedy attention to their condition, in case the assembly should fail them. At this meeting. Gen. Cleayelanu's contract \v\t\\ the surveyors, made at Cleveland, Sept. 30th, 179(), was ratified and assumed In' tlie company. Three hundred dollars was appropriated for the improve- ment of the Salt Springs, with a view to leasing tlie same. A bounty of two hundred dollars cash, or a loan of five hundred dollars, was oftered to such persons as would put up certain grist mills, and two more assessments of ten dollars ])er share levied. On the first of May, 1799, no relief had been ob- tained upon their petitions for a civil government, the losses and delays of their enter2)rise on this ac- count were again presented to the State of Connecti- cut. This had been so embarrassing to their opera- tions, that in the following year, the State Avas ask- ed to abate the interest due upon their payments. MSS. OF JUDGE BARK. "RoDOLPHus Edwaeds ffom Chenango county. New York, came to Cleveland this season ; also Nathan- iel DoAN and family, from Chatham, Middlesex county. Conn. His journey from Chatham occupied si^:Tir DOAN. 355 nhiety-two days. At Utica, N. York, lie was joined by liis nephew, Setii Doan, at the urgent request of the Litter, who was an ambitious boy of thirteen. In IcSOl Setii's ffither, Timothy Doan, moved into Euclid, as his future home, Nathaniel Doan" went at first into the cabin built by Stiles, and immedi- ately put up a blacksmith shop on the south side of Superior street, not far east of the end of Bank street. Joseph Landon and STEPiiEisr Gilbert cleared some ground and sowed it to wheat, on what was after- wards the Horace Perry farm. Major Carter planted two acres of corn on Water street, just south of tlie light house. In the latter part of the summer and all the fall, every person in the colony was at some time sick with fever and ague or billions fever. Doan's fami- ly was attacked on the way, and were obliged to stop at Mentor, from whence Parker and Church brought them here. It consisted of nine persons, every one of them sick. Seth Doan was the only one with strength enough to do anything, and he had shakes every day himself He was a])le, when the fit sub- sided to bring a pail of water, and gather firewood. For two months this bo)^ made the trip to Mr. Kinos- bury's after his daily fit was over, and brought a little corn for the sick, which they mashed in a hand mill at Newburg. The nearest water mill at that time was on Walnut Creek, in Pennsylvania. When Seth was unable to go, their only vegetable food was turnips. 350 DISTREi^SING SICKNESS. When Major Carter had an intermission of the disease, he and his hounds generally secured a deer, Avhich was liberally shared with the other sick fami- lies. Carter's family being somewhat acclimated, suffered less than the new comers. There was no physician to prescribe, and few medicines. In the place of calomel, they used an infusion of butternut bark, and for quinine and Peruvian bark, they substituted dog wood and cherry. For tea and coffee they burned corn, wheat, rye and peas. The families of Kingsbury and Gun, on the ridge, were in good health, and visiting the city as often as pos- sible, were untiring in their attentions to the sick. Edwards, who had moved to the ridge, was sick, and continued so all winter. As the cold weather came on, the invalids gradually recovered strength, so that by the first of January, 1799, they were in reasona- ble health. About the middle of November, four of the set- tlers who had a respite of one or two days between fits, started for Walnut Creek to get flour. As they were coasting along the shore below Euclid creek, their boat was wrecked in a storm, and they were obliged to return. During the winter and spring they were without flour, subsisting upon wheat and corn, ground in the hand mill and made u]) Graham fashion. The Land Company caused a road to be surveyed and partially worked this year, from Cleveland to THE FIRST MILL. 357 the Penusylvaiiia line, about ten miles from the lake, which was the first road opened through the Reserve. David Abbott, from Fort Stanwix, New York, set- tled at the Chagrin river, and Joseph Burk and family, in Euclid. Burton, Harpersfield and Youngs- town were also occupied for the first time as settle- ments." 1799. " Mr. N. DoAN, moved to Doan's corners in Janua- ry, where he lived both l)eloved and respected until his decease in December, 1815. After his removal Major Carter's was the only white family in Cleve- land until April, 1800. In the spring of '99 Wheeler W. Williams, of Norwich, Conn., and Major Wyatt commenced building a mill at the Falls, in New- burg. This being the first mill on the Reserve, its completion was celebrated by the pioneers with great joy and festivity. During the following winter oui* citizens enjoyed the luxury of bolted flour, made in their own mills, from wheat raised by themselves. Seth DoAisr is the only denizen of the city at that time, who still (1842) resides in it. Only four out of a population of ffteeii survive. These are Sarah Do AN, the widow of Nathaniel, Lucy Carter, wid- ow of James Strong, Alonzo Carter, of Newburg, (still living, 1866) and Seth Doan, the heroic boy. The season of 1799 was very healthy. With the exception of Messrs. Willia]vis and Wyatt, and two 358 TRUMBULL COUNTY ERECTED. or three young men who came to Newbiirg, no set- tlers arrived this year. Turiiand Kirtland, father of Prof. J. P. KiRTLAND, was made Agent for the Land Company and visited the Peserve." 1800. In the year 18U0 the inhabitants of the Western Reserve found themselves in the enjoyment of a civil government. The discussions between the State of Connecticut and the United States ^vere composed, by the transfer of the State claim of jurisdiction to the Federal Government, and the claim of the Go\'- ernment to the soil, to the State. Governor St. Clair established the county of Truml)ull, and issued a a proclamation for elections, to be held under the Territorial system ; wdiich ^vas dated Sej^t. 2 2d, and directed to David Abboit, Sheriff, commanding him, '' That on the second Tuesday of October, he cause an election to be held for the purpose of electing one person to i'ei)resent the county in the Territoi'ial Leg- islature." All elections by the existing laws, were to be held at the respective county seats of the coun- ties in the Territory. Of course this election was held at Warren, the seat of justice for Trumbull county. The manner of conducting the election ^vas after the English mode. That is, the sheriff of the county assembled the electors by proclamation, he presided at the election, and received the votes of the , CLEVELAND TOWNSHIP. 359 electors orally, or viva voce. It will readily be con- ceded, that in a county, embracing as Trumbull then did, a large Territory, only a portion of the elect- ors ^vould attend. The number convened at that election wuBforfff-tfco. Out of this number General Edward Paine received 38 votes, and was the mem- ber elect, (leneral Paine took his seat in the Terri- torial Legislature in 1801. Immediately after the organization of Trumbull county, at the first Court of Quarter Sessions in Au- gust, the county was organized into eight townships. The townships were named Youngstown, Warren, Hudson, Vernon, Richfield, Middlefield, Painesville and Cleveland. Cleveland embraced the townships of Chester, Russell and Bainbridge, now in Geauga county ; all of the present county of Cuyahoga east of the river, and all of the Indian country fi'oni the Cuyahoga to the west line of the Reserve. When the townships west of the I'iver were organized, after the county of Cuyahoga was erected, the channel of the river form- ed the western boundary of Cleveland. The City of Ohio and the City of Cleveland, were organized in March, 1836, without changing this boundary ; but the dividing line between the cities followed the new or artificial channel, made in 1827 by the con- struction of a harbor. A portion of Cleveland townshij^, embracing about seven acres at the mouth of the river, remain- 360 THE FIRST ELECTION. ed ill Ohio City until the to\vnshi]> organization was given u]). On the 2d of October, 1800, the election was hehl at Warren, where the electors assembled, after the Englisli fashion, for the iirst and the last time. None were present from Cleveland. The appoint- ment of township officers was vested in the Court of Quarter Sessions, composed of Justices of the Peace of the (piorum, appointed by the Governor. Efforts had been made by the Territorial Legislature to change this mode of appointment, to an election by the people, but the sturdy old Governor applied his veto to all such innovations. In 1802, he so far re- laxed as to allow of election districts, or precincts, of less size than a county. In Cleveland township, Kingsbury was the first Justice of the Quorum, A:\ios Spaffokd a Justice not of Quorum. Stephen Gilbert and Lorenzo Carter were the first constables. " Early in the spring, David Hudson })assed here, in company with Tiiaddeus Lacy and David Kel- logg and their families, to settle in Hudson, Summit county, Ohio. Capt. Allan Gaylokd, of Newburg, was of this party. (1866, Capt. Gaylord is still living). A school house was built this season, near Kingsbury's, on the ridge road, and Miss Sarah DoAN, daughter of Nathaniel Do an, was the teach- er. David Clark and Major Amos Spafford, Avith their families, arrived from Vermont, and became 1 I LOl'tENZO CAliTEU. * 361 settlers in Cleveland. Major Spaffukd occupied the Mel'^vin lot, south of Superior and east of Vineyard streets, near the corner, Mr, Clark built on Water street, west side, near the Mansion House, [The Mansion House of 1842 stood nearly opposite Vin- cent's furniture store]. John Walworth and Ed- ward Paine settled at Painesville, Benj. Tappen at llavenna, and Ephralm Quinby at Warren, during this year." — (Barr,) LETTER OF J. A. ACKLEY. Parma, July 2yth, 1858, Hon. John Barr, Dear Sir : — Lorenzo Carter, was a half brother of mine, but he, being the eldest of six children by the first, and myself the youngest of three children by the second husband; and our mother havino" lived a widow six years, brings us quite a distance apart. He was a man, and gone from home before I was l)orn. Consequently I can say little of him from my own knowledge, but must rely on what I have heard from my mother, brothers and sisters. Lorenzo Carter was born in the year 17G6, at Warren, Litchfield county, Connecticut, and conse- (|uently was about ten years of age, at the com- mencement of the Revolutionary war, at which time, he had the misfortune to lose his father. He was then left to the care of a widowed mother, in mode- 21 362 HIS .TOURNEY WEST. rate circumstances, with a family of six cliildren, all young; to pass tlirougli that turl)ulent period. Lorenzo was a strong, athletic, self-willed boy, and it could not be expected that a mother would guide and direct him like a father. But our mother was a thorough going woman, and managed to get along reasonably well, until the close of the war, when she married again, and soon after moved to Castle- ton, Rutland county, Vermont ; then almost a wil- derness. Lorenzo was about eighteen years of age, a veiy natural age to become fond of a dog or gun, hunting and fishing. The country l:)eing new, and game plenty, he soon l)ecame (piite a Nimrod. Arrived to manhood, he bought a lot of new land, took to him- self a better half, and settled on his land. But farming, or at least clearing a new farm, was not exactly to his mind. He soon became restless and wished for a change. About this time the Ohio fever began to rage, and Carter, in company with a man by the name of Higby, started for the West- ern wilds. Their course was through western Penn- sylvania, to Pittsburg, down the Ohio river as far as the Muskingum river. They then turned north, and struck the Lake at Cleveland, from thence by the nearest route home. Carter arranged his affairs as soon as possible, and the next year, in June, started with his family and effects for the west, and arrived at Cleveland in the summer of 1797. COL. JAMES IIILLMAN. .'i()H ]\[;iiiy stories are told of Major Oauteu, some aie true, and many that are not true. He was the man for a pioneer, with strength of body and mind, l)ut not cultivated. His maxim was not to give an insult, nor receive one, without resenting it, and the insulter generally paid dear for his temerity. With all his faults, his heart was in the right place, and he was as ready to avenge a wrong done to the weak, as one done to himself. Kespectfully, Yours, John A. Ackley. LETTER OF COL. JAMES HILLMAN. YouNGSTOWN, Ohio, Nov. 23, l8-4o. Judge Bakk, Cleveland: Dear Sh' — Yours of the 13tli came duly to hand, making entpiiries of the early times and settlement of Cleveland. In the spring of 1786, Messrs. Duncan tfe Wilson entered into a contract with Messrs. Caldwell t^ Elliott, of Detroit, to deliver a (quantity of flour and bacon at the mouth of the Cuyahoga river, to a man by the name of Ja:mes Hawder, an Englishman, who had a tent at the month of the river, for the purpose of receiving it. In May, 1786, I engaged ^vith Duncan tfe Wilson, at Pittsburgh, as a pack- horseman, and started immediately. We took the Indian trail for Sandusky, until we arrived at the "Standing Stone," on the Cuyahoga, a little below 3(54 THE IIAKBOK IN 1786. the month of Breakneck creek, where the village of Franklin is now. There we left the Sandnsky trail and took one direct to the month of Tinker's creek, where was a little town bnilt hj Heckewelder and Zeisberger, with a nnmber of Moravian Indians. They were Moravian preachers. Here ^Ne crossed the Cnyahoga, and "\\'ent down on the west side to the month. In going down we passed a small log trading house, where one Meglnnes traded with the Indians. He had left the honse in the spring before we were there. I understood he had some difficulty with the Indians and left, bnt Avhether any were killed I do not recollect. We made six trips that summer. On the second trip, one Hugh Blair, a pack-horseman, in crossing Breakneck creek, fell backwards from his horse and broke his neck. His horse got his foot fast in some beech roots. We called it "Breakneck creek," a name I believe it has always retained. The month of the Cnyahoga was then about the same as when I last saw it, in 1813. In 1786 there was a pond of water west of the month, which we called " Sun Fish Pond," where we caught sun fish. We carried axes to cut our ^vood, and I remember, we at one time undertook to open the mouth of the river, which was choked up with sand. We made wooden shovels and began to dig away the sand until the water ran through, which took away the sand so fast that our party was divided, a portion FiUST SAVr BOILING. 36o beino^ left on the east side where Cleveland now is. Caldwell (l Division of Militia of tJte State of Ohio : Sir : — We, the undersigned, hereby beg leave to represent that the proceedings of the compaii}- of An APPHAL WITtlOlTT EFFECT. 399 Militia, on Monday, the 7tli day of instant May, in choosing officers, in our opinion, illegal and improper, I^^irstly. By admitting persons under the age of eighteen years to vote, and Secondly. By admitting persons not liable to do military duty to vote. Thirdly. In admitting men to vote who did not belong to the town. FourtMy. By not comparing the votes with the poll l)oolv at the close of the elec- tion. We also consider the man who is returned as chosen Captain ineligable to the office. Firstly. By giving spiritous liquors to the voters previous to the election. Secondly. On account of having fre- quently threatened to set the savages against the inhabitants. All which charges we consider prove- able and able to be substanciated by good and suffi- cient witnesses. We therefore beg leave to request that the appointment of officers in the township of Cleveland may be set aside, and the said company led to a new choice. Thadeus Lacey, William W. Williams, EoDOLFus Edwards, Amos Spafford, Joel Thorp, Kobert Carr, James Hamilton, Abner Cochran." It does not appear that this remonstrance pro- duced any effect. At the next election Caeter with- drew or was dropped, though he was present and acted as one of the judges. 400 TREATY AVniI THE INDIANS. 1805. " Major Carter's son, Henry, a smart boy of about eleven years, was drowned at the moutli of the river. Search was made along the beach for the body, many days without effect. David Abbott built the " Cuy- ahoga Packet " at Chagrin river, a schooner of twenty tons, which sailed on lake Erie until the war, when it was captured by the British." — (Barr.) Judge Huntington about this time abandoned his hewed log house, the most aristocratic residence in Cleveland city, and removed to the mills he had purchased at the falls of Mill creek. This was prol)- ably owing to the same cause, which induced other families to prefer the highlands, the prevalence here of the detestable ague. What is now Newburg was then much the largest settlement. This was the year of the final settlement with the Indians, for their claims to lands west of the river. Wm. Dean, on his return from the treaty ground, writes to Judge Huntington as follows : The letter is superscribed to "The Hon'l. Sam'l. Huntington, at the mills near Cleaveland," and is dated "On board the sloop Contractor, near Black river, July 7, 1805." " Dear Sir : — On the 4th instant, we closed a treaty with the Indians, for the unextinguished part of the Connecticut Reserve, and on account of the PRANCINU DUtCIOIEN EXPECTED. 4()1 United States ; for all the lands soutli of it, to the ^vest line. Mr. Phelps and myself pay alDout $7,000 in cash, and about $12,000 in six yearly payments, of $2,000 each. The government pays $13,760, that is the annual interest, to the Wyandots, Delawares, Munsees, and to those Senecas on the land, forever. The exjDense of the treaty will be about $5,000, including rum, tobacco, bread, meat, presents, expen- ses of the seraglio, the commissioners, agents and contractors. I write in haste, being extremely sorry I have not time to send you a copy of the treaty. You will see General Ciiampiois", who will l)e able to give you further information. Having some intention of making a purchase of considerable tracts of land, in different parts of the Keserve, amounting to about 30,000 acres ; I beg of you to inform me what I should allow per acre, pay- ments equal to cash ; and address me at Easton, Pa. From thence, if I make a contract, I expect, with all speed, to send fifteen or twenty families of prancing Dutchmen." Abraham Tappen, of Unionville, Ashtabula Co., O., among many reminiscences of the surveys and set- tlements, thus refers to this treaty. " Owing to various causes, a treaty for the extin- guishment of the Indian title to the Company's land west of the Cuyahoga, and also the Sufferers', or Fire Land, was not helduntil June, 1805. Cleveland was designated as the place for holding the treaty. •402 kELUCTANCE OF THE TRIBE^i. The Indians to the west, having claims to the lands in question, were invited to attend in council at that place. The Indians residing in Western New York, having some claim to the land, sent a deputation of not far from thirty of their numl)er, to attend the treaty at Cleveland. They arrived at that place in June, accompanied by Jasper Parish, their inter- preter. The treaty was to l^e held under the auspi- ces of the United States (Tovernment. Commission- ers from the different parties interested in the treaty, were promptly and in season at the contemplated treaty ground. On the part of the General Govern- ment, Col. Jewet was the Commissioner, a very large muscular man. On the part of the Connecticut Land Company, Gen. Henry Champion appeared as Com- missioner. General Chajipion was also of more than common size, and a man of good sense. " For some cause the Indians living to the west, and interested in the subject matter of the treaty, refused to meet the Commissioners in council at Cleveland. And, if we except the dej^utation from New York, few or no Indians appeared at that place. After staying a few days at Cleveland, and being well assured that the Indians would not meet them in treaty there, the Commissioners proceeded westward ; and after some delay, and a show of great reluctance on the part of the Indians, they finally succeeded in meeting them in council. The "treaty was held at the Ogontz place near Sandusky City." SPECIE AND WHISKY RECEIVED. 403 I Other authorities have it at Fort Industry, on the Maumee. ] " It is said l^y those who attended this treaty, that the Indians in parting with and making sale of the above lands to the whites, did so with much reluc- tance, and after the treaty was signed, many of them w^ept. On the day that the treaty was brought to a close, the specie, in payment of the purchase money, arrived on the treaty ground. The sj^ecie came from Pittsburg, and was conveyed by the way of Warren, Cleveland, and the lake shore to the place whei'e wanted. The treasure was entrusted to the care of Ly.aian Potter, Esq., of Warren, who was attended Iw the following persons as an escort: Josiah W. Brown, John Lane, James Staunton, Jonathan Church, Lorenzo Carter, and another person by the name of Clark, all resolute men and well armed. The money and other property as presents to the Indians, was distril)uted to them the next day after the signing of the treaty. The evening of the last day of the treaty, a barrel of whisky was dealt out to the Indians. The consequent results of such a proceeding were all experienced at that time." Prof. KiRTLAND, in an introductory lecture deliv- ered at the oj^ening of the term in the Cleveland Medical College a few years since, related the follow- ing incident, connected with this attempt at holding a treaty : " Wliile waiting their tardy movements, the com- 404 MR. granger's PREbtdTION. pany collected one afternoon on the l)ank of the lake, near the present location of the light-honse, and were observing the descent of the sun, into the l)road expanse of waters at the west. The gorgeous dis- plays of light and shade, heightened by the brilliant reflections from the lake, unsurpassed by the bright- est scenes ever exhibited by Italy's boasted skies, served, in connection with concurring circumstances, to add interest to the occasion. One of the company, the Hon. Gideon Granger, distinguished for talents, enterprise and forethought, uttered, to his astonished associates, this bold and what was then deemed, extraordinary prediction : " ' Within fifty years,' exclaimed he, ' an extensive city will occupy these grounds, and vessels will sail directly from this j^ort into the Atlantic Ocean.' " A prophecy so specific and decided, coming from such a source, though received with a share of skej^- ticism on the part of some, made a deep impression on the great body of his hearers." Charles Jewet, was the Commissioner on the part of the United States, Henry Champion for the Land Company, and I. Mills, for the Sufterers 1^}' fire, or the Fire Lands Company. At the election in the fall of 1805, the poll book for Cleveland was rejected for two very good reasons. The certificate to the oaths of the clerks and judges was not attached, neither were the signatures of the judges of election* The number of votes cast was ELECTIONS IN 1805. 405 twenty-nine, of wliich James Kingsbury had twenty- seven for State Rejiresentative. In the county of Trumbull there were given for Edward Tiffin, for (lovernor; (the second term) three hundred and seventy-nine votes, and none against him. Jaimes Kingsbury received for Representative three hun- dred and seven votes, and Homer Hine three hundred and fourteen. MILITARY ELECTION IN CLEVELAND. 2h Elijah Wads worth Maj. Genl. ^tJi Division : We, the Judges of an election Holden in the seventh Comj)any of the second Battalion of the First Regiment of the fourth Division of the Ohio Melitia do Certify that the persons here after named is just and truly elected in sd Company to the differ- ent posts atached to their names, given under our hands. This the twentyeth day of May said eighteen liundred and five. Nathaniel Doan, Captain. Samuel Jones, Leuftenant. Sylvanus Burk, Ensign. Lorenzo Carter,' 1 AVm. Wr. WilliamSi \ Judges. Will'm. Erwin, J Done in presence of Rodolphus Edwards, Clerk. 406 RESULTS OF BAD SPELLINCx. ELECTORS' NAMES. Jack F. Mason, Nehemiah Dille, David Kellog, Timothy Doan, Eb. Charter, Seth Doan, Jacob Coleman, Steven Gilbert, Ben Warden, Samuel Hurst, Daniel Parker, Richard Blin, Cristofer Gun, Epeta"'' Rogers, ? "William Coleman, Samuel Jones, John Doan, Nathaniel Doan, Thomas Thomas, William Erwin, Henry Norton, Ben Wood, Harry Gltn, Sylvanus Burk, Jonathan Hubbard, Samuel Dille, Mason Clerk, Meage Data, Nathan Chapman, Charles Prard. ? Nathaniel Doan, Captain, 29 votes for Captain. Samuel Jones, 29 votes for Leuftenant. Sylvanus Burk, 2-1 votes for Ensign. Samuel Jones, one vote for Leuftenant. Ezekiel Holley (Hawley) six votes for Ensign. These returns are in the hand writing of llonoL- piius Edwards. It is very difficult to decypher some of the names which are given literally. In this way the names of families are sulyect to such changes that the originals cannot be recognized, " Hawley," has noAv become " Holly " or " Holley " which is identical with the Holley's of Salisbury, without any relationship. The name of Mr. Williams, of Newburg, the builder of the first mill is in the early papers written A DISTRESSING SHIPWRECK. 407 Wheeler W., Wm. W., and Willi a.ai Wheeler. Our immediate ancestors were not as well versed in orthography as they were in penmanship. The dis- turbances of the Kevolution, had a depressing effect upon education, even in New England. 1806. " Early in the spring, Mr. Hunter, his wife and one child, with a colored man, called Ben, and a colored boy, were driven ashore in a skiff, a short distance east of Rocky river. The shore at that place is a rocky cliff, nearly perpendicular. They held as fast to the rocks as possible, the surges breaking over them continually. "The wreck occurred on Friday, and the storm continued to increase that night. On Saturday there was no abatement, and the children died. Mrs. Hunter expired on Sunday, and Mr. Hunter on Monday. Some traders were j^assing along the coast for Detroit on Tuesday, and discovering Ben, who was the only survivor, brought him back to Cleveland. He was almost naked, having for three days and four nights kept his position on the cliffs, without a morsel to eat, by means of some bushes Avhich grew in the crevices of the rocks. Major Carter took care of Ben, and treated him kindly, for a year or more, while he was an invalid. The flesh came ofl* from his lower limbs, rendering him a very disagreeable object. 408 SURVEYS WEST OF THE KIVER. " Surveys were commeuced this year on tlie lands west of the Cuyahoga river. This brought many strangers to the place, which contained more white people than ever before. The year was rendered conspicuous by the holding of a militia training. They marched and countermarched to the lively roll of Joseph Burke's drum, which he had used in the Revolutionary War, and to the soul-stirring strains of Lewis Dille's fife. They were all undoubtedly brave, many of them bearing on their shoulders the old fire-arms of the Revolution." "The little settlement sustained a severe loss in the death of David Clark, and received a valuable accession in Judge Walworth and Major Perry, Senior." — (Barr.) Abraham Tappen, an old surveyor, proposed to run the town lines. The following extracts are from a fiill account of the survey by himself, published in the Cleveland Herald^ in January, 1851 : " I had spoken to Mr. Amos Sessions to join with me, and endeavor to obtain a contract for surveying the new purchase the coming season. Mr. Sessions was not a surveyor, but he was a man then in the prime of life, and possessing energy of character, and great perseverence in business he undertook, would make him a safe and trustworthy partner. We accordingly made the following proposals to be laid before the Directors : SURVEYS WEST OF THE RIVER. 409 ' Painesville, August 20th, 1805. 'To Gen. Henry Champion: — We will survey the land belonging to the Connecticut Land Com- pany, west of the Cuyahoga river, at the rate of dollars, cents per mile. We will survey it into townships, and make other sub-divisions as shall be directed l)y the Company. We will plainly blaze and accurately chain the lines; will map, and return field book, tfec. We will begin and finish the survey next season. For the purpose of furnishing provisions and other necessaries for said survey to receive dollars in hand at the commencement of the survey; remainder at the close. For the well and faithful performance of sucli survey, we will bind ourselves in bonds with sufiicient security. 'Abr'm Tappen, 'Anson Sessions.' The contract was made, the work commenced and vigorously prosecuted during the season. "From the west side of the Reserve, five hundred thousand acres of land, was to be measured off by the surveyor of the Fire Land Company. Almon RuGGLES, Es(|., was the surveyor of that Company. The Ijalance of the Reserve, from the east line of the Fire Land to the Cuyahoga river, was comprised in our contract for surveying, amounting to some eight hundred and thirty tliousand acres. We agreed to and did meet in Cleveland on the loth of May, to- 27 410 THE 8URVEY0RS OF CLEVELAND. j^etlier with our men, chain carriers, pack-horses and their drivers. Capt. James Hakper, of Harpers- field, was engaged as surveyor. The names of the men employed Avere James Arbuckle, Ira Wright, Augustus Staughton, Guy Carlton, John Ross, Samuel Parker, Mr. McMahan and his two sons, Alex. McMahan and Wm. McMahan, and a young man l^y the name of Hewit, and an Englishman, a worthless fellow, whom we soon discharged. Also, for a sliort time, an active young half-breed Indian, who took charge of a very vicious Indian horse, hired as a pack-horse. The horse had once been the property of the noted Indian chief Ogontz. As before stated, our party assembled at Cleveland on the 15th of May, and our boat with flour, tents, and other necessary articles, came into the river on the same day. We were prepared to send out two sur- veying parties immediately ; but the surveyor desig- nated by the United States Government to run the south line had not yet arrived. We had notified Judge KiRTLAND at what time we should be at Cleveland to commence the survey. He accordingly met us at that place on the day of our arrival. As it could not be known the prefcise time when the Government would commence running the south line, Judge Kirtland proposed that our surveying parties should commence, and shoxdd measure off their own meridians, taking care to commence so far south that when the south line was run, it would be PROGRESS OF THE SURVEY. 411 sure to cross our ranges. The Government surveyor did not commence running the south line until the 24th of June, at which time we had nearly finished our meridians. "The south line of the Reserve, as surveyed in 1796 by Seth Pease, measuring from the Pennsyl- vania line, ended at Tuscarawas river, a distance of fifty-six miles. A further distance of sixty-four miles was yet to be run, making the whole distance, to the south-west corner of the Reserve, one hundred and twenty miles. From the south-west corner a line Avas to be I'un to the lake, parallel to the west line of Pennsylvania. The running of these lines was to be done l)y a surveyor, under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, at Washington. The surveyor selected by the Treasurer was Setii Pease, then a principal clerk in the post ofiice department at Washington, and who, ten years before, had run the eastern section of the south line, to the Tus- carawas." — (A. Tappen.) The same process was gone through with to ob- tain a division west of the Cuyahoga as had been east of it. Tappen and his assistants, of whom Capt. Harper was the principal one, completed their meridians and parallels during the season of 1806. An ecpializing committee was out with the surveyors, whose track among the towns is shown upon a map now before me, by dotted lines. The parties in the woods sufi'ered from want of water, there being an 412 THE FIRE LANDS TRACT. unusual droughtli that summer. On the 16th of June a total eclipse of the sun occurred, which for a short time, produced in the shady forest the darkness of night. A commission, consisting of Amos Spafford, of Cleveland, and Almon Ruggles, of Huron, was or- ganized to establish the division line, between the Fire Lands and the Land Company. Their directions were, to lay off half a million of acres from the west end of the Reserve, using the meridian one hundred and twenty miles west of Pennsylvania, as the farther side, and the forty-first parallel as a base. Their measurements did not agree with those of Mr. Pease, and the dividing line was not established until sometime in the winter of 1806-7. This left an unsurveyed space on the margin of the Company's tract. These difficulties ];)rotracted the work of survey and of the final draft. The Govern- ment not being satisfied with the southern boundary, ordered it to be re-surveyed in 1808. The committee on equalization reported to Judge KiRTLAND, and in February, 1807, he started for Hartford with the results. Only one whole town- ship was sub-divided into lots for the purpose of equalization, but several of the fractional ones on the lake shore, were. No person then lived on the tract, as Mr. Tappen expresses it " white, red or black." In 1805 the Government concluded to have this coast open no longer to free trade with Canada. A THE FIRST CUSTOM HOUSE. 413 collection district was established for the south shore of the lake, called the " District of Erie," and John Walworth, of Painesville, was appointed collector. The mouth of the Cuyahoga was made a port of entry; and in 1806 Mr. Walworth became a resi- dent of Cleveland with his family. His first clear- ance was issued to the schooner " Good Intent," which was soon after lost on Lono; Point tosrether with cargo and crew. Up to this time, the more healthy settlement at Painesville, had taken the lead of the sickly city of Cleveland. The mouth of Grand river presented a much better natural harbor than the Cuyahoga. A State road had been survey- ed from the forks of the Muskingum (near Coshoc- ton) to the lake, which terminated at Grand river. Cleveland had hitherto been on the verge of the settlements. On the west bank of the Cuyahoga, within the cast of a stone from the houses under the hill, the Indian tribes had claimed the territory as their own, indefinitely westward, and the claim had been re- spected. They had the acknowledged right to es- tablish their lodges in any number, within half rifle range of the principal residents of Cleveland, from whence, at any time, they might instantly destroy the settlement, by a concerted discharge of their guns. This state of affairs was now ended, and the Indians were here only on sufferance and good be- havior. 414 T. 1). avebb's statement. Tlie Ciiyalioga had one advantage Avhicli Grand river had not. Its boatable waters approached those of the Tuscarawas, having a portage of only seven miles, to reach indefinite canoe navigation con- necting with the Ohio river. This route began again to be regarded as important, expecting through it to obtain commercial intercourse of much value. A scheme for improving the rivers and portages was already under discussion. 1807. Nothing of special interest occurred at Cleveland in 1807, except the excitement caused by the mur- der of NiCKSAu or NicKSHAW. The late Thomas D. Webb, of Warren came here in the fall, and thus describes the town and its society : "I first saw Cleveland in October, 1807. I put up for a day or two with Major A^vros Spaffoed, who kept a tavern. Having a letter of introduction to Governor Huntington, (then, however, a Judge,) I called at his house, and as he was absent on the circuit of the Supreme Court, I presented it to his wife and induced her to board me for a short time. I remained about three weeks, I think, and then left Cleveland. Gov. Huntington then lived in a log house, standing a little south of Superior street, not far from the site of the American House. He had a frame barn, in size thirty feet by forty, near by. In A SOCIAL PAETY. 415 his barn-yard I saw wild turkies for the first time. At that time the family of Governor Huntington was composed of his wife, children, the number I do not recollect, and one female domestic, Patty Ryan, who came with him from Connecticut, another, a Miss Cobb, who also came with him, had returned. All the families on the city or ten acre lots, or the lands adjoining, at that time, that I recollect, and I think that I recollect all, were, Amos Spafford, Gil- bert, Nathan Perry, Lorenzo Carter, Samuel Huntington, John Walworth, and an Irish family I have forgotten. Samuel Dodge had lived on a ten acre lot, but had at that time taken up his residence at Euclid ; other families had resided there also, but at the time I arrived, had removed. There were the remains of some two or three buildings along the bank of the river, one of which I was told had been occupied as a store by a Scotchman, by the name of Alex. Campbell. "Those buildings were all occupied at that time. When I was at Gov. Huntington's, there was a social party at his house, so far as I recollect, all females, except myself. There were several married ladies, I recollect particularly but two, Mrs. Wal- worth and Mrs. Huntington. We had all, or near- ly all, the young ladies in the place. I think there could not have been more than one absent ; those present were she that is now Mrs. Long, Mrs. Mathews, of Painesville, and a daughter of Mr. 416 senega's ideas of justice. Carter, afterwards Mrs. Miles and subsequently Mrs. Strong.'' What transpired in reference to the demise of NiCKSHAW, is well set forth in a letter from General Elijah Wadsworth, dated at Canfield, February 5th, 1807, to Judge Huntington, and his reply. " Judge Huntington, Cleveland, ^^Dear Sir : — Since I last wrote you, we have had information from your quarter that Nicksiiaw was killed instead of John Mohawk. If this be true, as Mohawk was the one who shot Mr. Diver, ought not Mohawk to be demanded of their chief, and de- livered up for trial V Elijah Wadsworth. "Cleveland, February 10th, 1807. " General Elijah Wadsworth, Canfield, ^^Deav Sir : — Yours of the 2 1st came to hand on Saturday last, and that of the 5th yesterday. I had, previous to the receipt of the first letter, seen Seneca and others of his tribe, also Ogontz and fifteen of his people who came here at the request of Seneca. "As the deceased was not one of Ogontz' nation, he said he should not like to lead in obtaining re- dress, but would be satisfied with what Seneca agreed to. "Seneca said all he wanted was that the same measure of justice should be dealt out to Indians and white men. He said he was not content to see irtJDSON READY FOR \VAR. 41? ail the exertions of our civil authority, used against those who had shot the white man while we were asleep^ as to the murder of an innocent Indian. He concluded by saying, he should be satisfied if both the Indian and the white agressors, could have a fair and equal trial. " I gave him assurances that the law would be put in force equally against both, and persuaded him to wait peaceably until the Court should meet at War- ren, My expectation was, and still is, that the Court of Common Pleas would issue a Bench war- rant for the apprehension of Dareow and Williams. " It is said the magistrates of Hudson have been deterred by threats, from taking measures to secure the offenders. I hope for the honor of Hudson, that the majority of the ]3eople do not countenance such atrocities, and that some of the civil authorities will have fomness enough to ^\\t the law in force. " Mr. Allen Gaylord told me, that the first man who attempted to arrest Darrow and Williams would be shot, and that the constables dare not ex- ecute a warrant against them, and that if the Indians wanted war they were ready for them. * * '^ " I had also called on Major Carter, who agrees with me that the best way to give the Indians satis- faction is to do them justice, that since our talk with them, there was no immediate danger, and no necessity of a further conference as to what course would be pursued against our offenders. On the 416 HOW NicSsHAW Was kill-ed. same day I saw Seneca again, who said he had been threatened by some Hudson people. He did not wish for war, and would engage to deliver John Mohawk when required to do it, voluntarily, when Darrow and Williams were secured for trial. " He and Major Carter and Mr. Campbell agree in their story. They went up to the place where NiCKSHAW was killed and buried him. There was no appearance on the snow, of a iight or scuffle and no club near. Nickshaw appears to have been shot in the back as he was running, and fell dead in his tracks. " Seneca observed that the Indians might lie and that white men might lie, but the snow could tell no lies. He is well convinced that it was an unneces- sary murder, and is willing it should be ascertained by trial. Under this conviction, justice demands, and our own interests require, that he should be gratified. " In case it should be necessary to demand the de- livery of John Mohawk under the treaty, the regular course is to get affidavits to the necessarj^ facts, transmit them to the Governor, and request him to make the demand. But I believe this to be un- necessary. -JJ * J have no doubt that Seneca will freely deliver John Mohawk, ^^hen I assure him that legal steps have been taken against Dar- row and Williams. Meanwhile, I think that you may assure your friends^ that for the present none of t)EATtt 01?* SEIfECA. 410 the Seneca nation among us, will harm our citizens and their property. " T am, sir, respectfully yours, Sam'l Huntington." Seneca, who, according to Mr. Cakter's state- ment, was a brother of Big Son, is well spoken of by all the early settlers. The late Edward Paine, of Chardon, was the companion of the Stiles fam- ily during the dreary and severe winter of 1796-7. After setting forth the conduct and character of the Indians who frequented the Cuyahoga, he says, " That they are capable of disinterested benevolence, and confer favors when none are expected, cannot be doubted by any one acquainted with Seneca, or as his tribe called him, " Stigwanish." This in English means "Standing Stone." In him there was the dignity of the Roman, the honesty of Aristides, and the benevolence of Penn. He was never known to ask a donation, but would accej^t one as he ought, ])ut not suffer it to rest here. An appropriate re- turn was soon to be made. He was so much of a tetotaler as to abjure ardent spirits, since in a drunken spree, he had aimed a blow at his wife with a tomahawk, and split the head of his child which was on her back." His home was in Seneca county, Ohio, from w^hom it was probably named. He also came to a violent death in 1816, at the hands of Jacob Ammond, of Holmes county, Ohio. Ammond claims that it was done in self defence, Seneca hav- ing first fired upon him. 420 INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT'S. During this year the great scheme for opening communication between lake Erie and the Ohio river was put before the public. Resolutions had been offered by Joshua Forman in the New York Legislature, for a survey for a canal to connect Hud- son river with lake Erie. The improvement of the Cuyahoga and Tuscara- was was then the great idea, of this part of the country and of Ohio. It was thought if twelve thousand dollars could ])y some means be raised, the channels of those streams could be cleared of logs and trees, and the Portage path made passable for loaded wagons. Thus goods might ascend the Cuyahoga in boats to the Old Portage, be hauled seven miles to the Tus- carawas, near New Portage, and thence descend that stream in batteaux. This great object excited so much attention, that the Legislature authorized a lottery to raise the money. A copy of the scheme, and one of the tickets is here given. Q No. 11441. CUYAHOGA AND MUSKINGUM NAVIGATION LOTTERY. THIS ticket entitles the bearer to such Prize as shall be drawn against its number (if called for within twelve months after the drawing is com- pleted,) subject to a deduction of 12A per cent. No. 11441. .J. WALWORTH, \ -^^f'f ^"^ f/".-^"""' ' ( of L omvussioners. THE SCHEME. 421 SCHEME OF A LOTTERY FOR IMPROVING THE NAVIGATION BETWEEN LAKE ERIE AND THE RIVER OHIO, THROlKiH THE CUYAHOGA AND M U S K I N G U ]\I . THE Legislature of the State of Ohio, having at their last Session, granted a Lottery to raise the sum of Twelve Thousand Dollars, for the above mention- ed purpose, and appointed the subscribers Commis- sioners to carry the same into effect — They offer the following SCHEME to the Public. FIRST CLASS. 12,800 Tickets at $5 each, |64,000 ITrize of $5,000 is $5,000 2,500 5,000 1,000 5,000 500 5,000 100 .5,000 50 5,000 10 34,000 3568 $64,000 Prizes subject to a deduction of twelve and a licdf per cent. The drawing of the First Class will commence at Cleveland on the first Monday of January, 1808, or as soon as three-fourths of the Tickets shall be sold ; and the Prizes will be paid in sixty days after the drawing is completed. 2 do. 5 do. 10 do. 50 do. 100 do. 3400 do. 422 INDUCEMENTS SET FORTH. Holders of Tickets, drawing Prizes of Ten Dol- lars, may, at their election, receive the money, or two Tickets of Five Dollars each in the Second Class. For the convenience of the owners of fortunate nmnbers, Persons will be appointed in Boston, Hart- ford, New York and Albany, to pay Prizes. Their names, together with a List of Prizes, will be pnl)- lished in some Newspaper printed in each of those places, and in three of the Newspapers printed in the State of Ohio. Persons will also be designated to pay Prizes in Zanesville and Steubenville. The subscribers have taken the Oath and given the Bonds required by Law, for the taithful discharge of their trust, and they flatter themselves that an object of such extensive importance, will not fail to attract the attention and patronage of many, who are not allured by the advantageous prospects held out in the Scheme. John Walworth, Esq., of Cleveland, is appoint- ed Agent of the Commissioners, to sign the Tickets, and transact the business of the Board in their recess. Samuel Huntington, Zaccheus A. Beatty, Bezaleel Wells, Lorenzo Carter, Jonathan Cass, John Shore, Seth Adams, James Kingsbury, Amos Spafford, Turhand Kirtland, John Walworth, Timothy Doane, Board of Commissioners. Cleveland, May 23d, 1807. CRAMER, I'RIXTER. THE FOURTH DRAFT. 423 The drawing never came off. Those who had purchased tickets, many years afterwards received their money back without interest. Leonard Case remembered when lie was the sole owner of one of those tickets. From a receipt of Stephen Oviatt, of Hudson, it also appears that he possessed one, the price of which was $5.00. It reads thus : Hudson, 29th Jan'y, 1811. Received of Heman Oviatt a Ticket of Cuyahoga and Muskingum Lottery, to account with him or the Man- agers, on or before the Drawing of said Lottery. No. 7775, Letter K. «f5,00. Stephen Oviatt. The paper on which the copy of Judge Wal- worth's letter is written, is of the old fashioned coarse brown sort, made by hand. It bears the name OHIO, C. B. S 426 STANLEY GRISWOLD. port of entry, established at Maumee, and in the spring of 1810 removed to Perry sburg. The county of Cuyahoga being organized, Nathan Perry, Sr., Augustus E. Gilbert and Nathaniel Doan were elected Associate Judges, all residents of Cleveland Township, as it then vs^as." — (Barr.) Although the project of connecting the lakes and the Ohio river with the sum of twelve thousand dollars had failed, Cleveland was attracting atten- tion. Stanley Griswold, of Connecticut, had been appointed Secretary for the territory of Michigan in 1805, under Governor Hull, and Collector of the port of Detroit. On account of official difficulties he resigned, and took up his abode in this township, at Doan's Corners. A vacancy occurred in the Senate by the unexpected resignation of Mr. Tiffin. Governor Huntington appointed his friend Gris- woLD to the vacancy, and on his way to Washington he addressed a letter to Judge James Witherell, of the District Court of Michigan, in which he sets forth the condition and prospects of Cleveland. "S03IERSET, Pa., May 28th, 1809. Hon. James Witherell, now at Fair Haven, Vt. Decvr 8ir : — Passing in the stage to the Federal City, I improve a little leisure to acknowledge your letter fi-om Jefferson, Ohio, of the 16th instant. In reference to your inquiry (for a place for Doctor Elijah Coleman,) I have consulted the principal PROSPECTS FOR A PHYSICIAN. 427 cliaracters, particularly Judge Walworth, wlio con- curs with me, tliat Cleveland would be an excellent place for a young physician, and cannot long remain unoccupied. This is based more on what the place is expected to be, than what it is. Even now a physician of eminence would command great prac- tice, from being called to ride over a large country, say fifty miles each way. There is now none of eminent or ordinary character in that extent. But settlements are scattered, and roads new and bad, wdiich would make it a painful practice. Within a few weeks Cleveland has been fixed upon by a com- mittee of the Legislature as the seat of justice for Cuyahoga count}'. Several respectable characters Avill remove to that to^vn. The country around bids fair to increase rapidly in population. A young physician of the qualifications described by you, Avill l)e certain to succeed, but for a short time, if ^vithout means, must keep school, for which there is a good chance in winter, till a piece of ground, bring on a few goods, (for which it is a good stand,) or do something else in connection with his practice. I should be happy to see your friend. I am on my way to the Federal City, to take a seat in the Senate in place of Mr. Tiffin, who has recently resigned. Veiy truly your obedient servant, Stanley Gkiswold." According to Collector Walworth's report to the Treasury Department, the amount of goods, wares 428 JOHN HARMON. and merchandise exported to foreign countries, (Can- ada) from April to October, 1809, was fifty dollars. At the fourth draft of April 2d, 1807, Samuel P. Lord and others drew the township of Brooklyn, No. 7, in Range 13. It was surveyed under their direction by Ezekip:l Hover, in 1809, the interior lines of which were ran with a variation of two de- grees east. The fifth and final division of the Land Company's property took place at Hartford, on the 5th of January of this year, at which the un- sold lots in Cleveland were included. LETTER FROM JOHN HARMON. Ravenna, June 11, 1860. Charles Whittlesy, Esq., Cleveland, Dear Sir : — I thank you for your kind invitation to attend the pioneer meeting at Newl^urg on the 13 th. You suggest if I could not attend, that I should put something on paper for the occasion. I fear I can scarcely add an}i;liing of interest to Avhat I some time since wrote you. I first visited Cleveland, that part now called Newburg, in August, 1806, a boy of sixteen and a half years, and spent some ten days, perhaps more, in the family of W. W. Williams. During my stay there, I formed some acquaintance with those of the neighborhood, especially with those young men or youths of my age, among -whom were the Williams', the Ha:miltons, the Plu^a^u^ SETTLEMENT AT NEWBURG. 429 and KiNGSBURYs, the Burks and the Guns, The Miles' had not then arrived. We attended meetings in a log barn at Doan's Corners once or twice, to hear the announcement of a new sect, by one Dan- iel Parker, who preached what he called Halcyon- ism — since, I believe, it has become extinct. We bathed together under the fall of Mill Creek, gather- ed cranberries in the marshes westward of the Edward's place, and danced to the music of Major Samuel Jones' violin at his house, afterwards the residence of my old friend, Ca])tain Allen Gaylord, Judge Huntington, afterwards Governor, lived then, I believe, at the place afterwards occupied l)y Dex- ter or Erastus Miles. Newburg street was opened previously, from the mill north to Doan's Corners, and was then lined with cultivated fields on l)otli sides, nearly the whole distance from Judge Kings- bury's to the mill. But much dead timl)er remained on the fields. There were some orchards of apple trees on some of the farms, and Judge Kingsbury's orchard bore a few apples that season, which was probably the first season of bearing. The Judge had a small nursery of apple trees, and there was a larger nursery of smaller trees on Mi*. Willta:ms' place. In May, 1809, when I first saw Cleveland city, as it was called even then, there were but few families there — Major Spafford, Major Carter, Judge Per- ry, Governor Huntington, and Judge Walworth, 430 TilE FIRST PIIYSICIAK. I remember ; and there may, perhaps, have been one or two more. David Clark and Elisha Norton, who had lived there, had left the city. Spafford and Carter kept taverns. Perry had a store. June 17th we had a military election at the house of Judge Griswold, to elect an officer — I believe an ensign — of the company that included what is now Cleveland, Newburg and Euclid. It was a spirited contest, and it resulted in the election of Allen Gaylord. Judge Griswold was absent from home at the time. It was understood he was attending a session of Congress. His wife was there, and appeared to be a very accomplished woman. Your friend, John Harmon. 1810. "George Wallace bought out Aivros Spafford, who lived and kept tavern on the Merwin lot, where the old 'Mansion House' recently stood, at the corner of Vineyard lane, and Superior street. Alfred Kelley, the first lawyer, and David Long, first doctor of the place, came here this year, both becoming useful and honorable members of their respective professions. " Lorenzo Carter built the schooner ' Zephyr ' of thirty tons, which was commanded by captain Stow. 'The i'lRST (:otjRT. 431 It was built on Superior lane, and launched at the foot of the street on the river. This was the first craft of vessel ^proportions built within the city. Elias and Harvey Murray, who were the first reg- ular merchants, opened a store near Williamsons on Water street." — [Barr. ) The organization of the county was perfected on the 1st of May, and the machinery of a county court put in motion, on the oth of June. On that day the Court of Common Pleas held its first session, which was in the store of Elias and Harvey Mur- ray, and of which, in 1855, the following notice appeared in a city pa23er : " The old house lately torn down, which stood next to the Forest City Block on Superior street, was the oldest frame building in Cleveland. It was built in 1810 by Harvey and Elias Murray, and by them occupied as a store until the surrender of Hull at Detroit in 1812; many sick and wounded soldiers being brought to this place, this store was converted into a hospital and so used as occasion demanded during the war of 1812-14. Since that time it has been used as a store, hotel, bakery, dwelling house mechanics shop and other uses until now, it has gone, with other relics of Cleveland's early years." Presiding Judge. — Benjamin Ruggles. Associate Judges. — Nathan Perry, Sen., Augustus Gil- bert, Timothy Doan. Cleric. — John Walworth. Sheriff. — Smith S. Baldwin. 432 FRONTIEK^TROUBLEfi. The grand jury found a l)ill for petit larceny, and several against persons for selling whisky to Indians, or selling foreign goods without license. Cleveland was now for the first time in full posses- sion of civil tribunals, civil Luv and order. Since the organization of Geauga comity in ISOG, their county seat at Chardon, was nearly as inaccessible as all the previous ones had l)een, but now, after fourteen years, the administration of justice became a fixed and local institution. The "respectable characters" referred to l)y Mr. Griswold, began to make their appearance. The year 1811 was barren of local incidents. Du- ring this year, the valley of the Mississippi was shaken by earthquakes, which extended to the shores of lake Erie, with diminished force. With these tremblings of the earth, there were ominious events transpiring in the Indian wigwams, along the frontier. The British government had never relin- (piished the hope of regaining the lost colonies. Jt liad kept possession of the lake country, fourteen years after our independence was an admitted fact, in the expectation that the Indians would extirpatt^ the western settlements. With British encourage- ment they had again become aroused, and were pre- paring to commence another frontier war ; when the United States, prefering an open enemy to a secret one, declared war against Great Britain. 'vi\K w'Ait OF lsli>. 433 1 do not propose to go into the details of what followed from 1812 to 1815. Cleveland became an important military station. A small stockade was built on the lake shore near the foot of Seneca street, called "Fort Huntington," after the recent governor, ^vho acted as district ])aymaster during the war. It Avas commanded by INIajor Jessup of the U. S. Army, but used more as a ])lace of imprisonment for sol- diers under arrest, than for the defence of the post. Cleveland was the rendezvous of the country mili- tia, who entered the service as a body, following the example of their revolutionary fathers, leaving their homes and farms ; to the care of the old men, w^omen and children. Many good precepts are wasted and lost, a good example never. The patriotic conduct of the soldiers of 1812, was not forgotten by their sons of our times when they were called upon to take arms, against the internal foes of the nation. Much of what transj)ired during the war will l)e found in the statement of persons who witnessed those events, and which are here presented. SPAFFORD^S MAJP. 455 MAP OF CLEVELAND IN 1814. This is a reduced copy of Amos Spafford's map of 1801, copied l\y the late Alfred Kelley, Esq. It was informally put upon record, and has been used more than any other map to determine the original streets and lots. Mr. Kelley put on all the buildings in existence in 1814, which are indicated in black. I have added the harbor and the various shore lines, together with buildings of an earlier date than the record of this map. The different positions of the shore lines are shown by the dates of the surveys, thus,' 1796, 1801, 1827, 1831, 1842, tfec. I — Biiildiugs in 1814. n — Buildiugs ofau earlier date. a — Fort Huntington, 1813. b — Trading bouse of 178(5, (• — Carters tirst cabin, 17!)7. il — .ToB P. Stiles' first cabin, 1790, e — Surveyors first cabin, 179(). ./■ — Surveyors cabin on the liill, 1797. (J — ('emetery lot, 1797. /(—Jail and Court House, ]Hl:>. /— KiNGSBURV's first cabin, 1797. ^- — Carter's house on the hill, 18015. This reputed copy of Spafford's map differs from the one heretofore given, and from the Pease map in some particulars, l)Ut has a general identity. Mai- den street, which is upon the Holley and Peask plat, is omitted from this, and Superior lane is added. Miami street is merged in Ohio, which here covers both, making a right angle in its course. Soon after the village corporation came into existence, in the year 181(3, Euclid street was laid out, from the square to its intersection with Huron, the Euclid road having been surveyed in 1797, through the ten acre lots. Bond, Wood and St. Clair streets, were laid out at the same time, also a street around the public square. STATEMENT OF SETH DOAN, 1841. '' Omic was a fine looking young Indian, about twenty-one, and was hung upon the Public S(]uare in this city, in the north-west corner, near where the old Court House and jail were then being erected. He was convicted of the murder of two trappers, BuEL and Gibbs, while they were asleej), in the night, near Sandusky city, for their traps and furs. Two other Indians, one older, the other a boy of fifteen were concerned with him, the older being taken near Carrying river, in the Maumee swamp, seized a musket from one of the party who arrested him, and putting the muzzle under his chin, pulled the trigger with his foot and shot himself dead. The boy was considered as forced into participation by the others and was suffered to escape, and lived to be the ring-leader of two others, in the murder of John HIS EXECUTION. 437 Wood and Geokge Bishop, west of Carrying river in 1816, for whicli they were all executed in Huron county. The family of the murdered John Wood, are now, (1841) resident in this city. The skeleton of Omic is in possession of Dr. Isaac Town, of Hud- son, Portage county. " One of the first nurseries of apple trees in this vicinity was from seeds saved by me and my brother, Timothy, Jr., from a basket of apples brought from Detroit ; which we bought at two dollars. Some of the finest orchards in Euclid, and the neighboring townships have their origin from these seeds." EXECUTION OF O'MIC, JUNE 24th, 1812. BY THE HON. E. WHITTLESEY. I was present at the execution, and as distinctly recollect the facts I shall narrate, as I did the night of the day they occurred. I was not at the trial, but understood that Peter Hitchcock was assigned as counsel for the accused. The custody of the prisoner was assigned to Lorenzo Carter (there being no jail) because he was a man of uncommon energy, and because he had more influence over the Indians than any other man in the west, or at least in Cuya- lioga county. Mr. Carter's house was on the high ground near the bank, to the right of the road that descended the hill to the ferry across the river, and \o the left of the street that leads to where the Light 438 THE MILITARY ON DUTY. House now stands. The prisoner was confined in a chamber of Mr. Carter's house. Strong irons were above his ancles, with which was connected a staple that was driven into a joist that supported the floor, so that the prisoner could not go to any window. Probably I should have said with more accuracy, that a chain was attached to the fetters, and a staple was attached to the other end, which was driven into the joist, ttc. After his conviction, O'Mic told Mr. Carter and Sheriff Baldwin, (who was from Dan- bury,) that he would let the pale faces see how an Indian could die ; that they need not tie his arms, but when the time came he would jumj) off from the gallows. Before Mr. Carter's house, in tlie direction of Superior street, was an open space somewhat exten- sive, and covered with grass. The religious exercises were held there. Several clergymen were present, and I think the sermon was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Darrow, of Vienna, Trumbull county. The military were commanded by Major Jones, a fine looking oflicer in full uniform, but he was in the condition that Captain McGuffy, of Coitsville, said he was when he was commanded to })erform an evolution by his company and could not do it. His explanation was, " I know Baron Steuben per- fectly well, but I cannot commit him to practice." O'Mic sat on his coffin in a wagon painted for the occasion. He was a fine looking young Indian, and MILITARY EVOLUTIONS. 439 watched everything that occurred with much anxiety. The gallows w\as erected on the Public Square in in front of where the old Court House was erected. After the religious services were over, Major Jones endeavored to form a hollow square, so that the ])risoner should be guarded on all sides. He rode backwarks and forwards with drawn sword, epaulets, and scabbard Hying, but he did not know what order to give. The wagon with O'Mic moved ahead and stopped; but as the Sheriff doubted whether he was to be aided by the military, he proceeded on- ward. Major Jones finally took the suggestion of of some one, Avho told him to ride to the head of the line, and double it round until the front and rear of the line met. Arriving at the gallows, Mr. Carter, the Sheriff and O'Mic ascended to the platform by a ladder. The arms of the prisoner were loosely pin- ioned. A rope was around his neck with a loop in the end. Another was let down through a hole in the top piece, on which was a hook to attach to the rope around the neck. The rope with the hook was brought over to one of the posts, and fastened to it near the ground. After some little time Mr. Carter came down, leaving O'Mic and Sheriff Baldwin on the platform. As the Sheriff* drew down the cap, O'Mic was the most terrified being, rational or irrational, I ever saw, and seizing the cap with his right hand, which he could reach by bending his head and inclining 440 ISrEGOTIATIOKS UPON THE GALLOWS. his neck in that direction, he stepped to one of the posts and put his arm around it. The Sheriff approached him to h)ose his hohl, and for a moment it was doubtful whether O'Mic would not thro^v him to the ground. Mr. Carter ascended to the plat- form and a negotiation in regular diplomatic style was had. It was in the native tongue, as 1 under- stood at the time. Mr. Carter appealed to O'Mir to display his courage, narrating what he had said about showing pale faces how an Indian could die, but it had no effect. Finally O'Mic made a proposi- tion, that if Mr. Carter would give him half a pint of whisky he would consent to die. The whisky was soon on hand, in a large glass tundjler, real old Monongahela, for which an old settler would almost be willing to be hung, if he could now obtain the like. The glass was given to O'Mic and he drank the whisky, in as little time as he could have turned it out of the glass. Mr. Carter again came down, and the Sheriff' again drew down the cap and the same scene was re-enacted, O'Mic .expressing the same terror. Mr. Carter again ascended to the platform, and O'Mic gave him the honor of an Indian, in pledge that he would not longer resist the sen- tence of the court, if he should have another half pint of whisky. Mr. Carter, representing the peo- ple of Ohio and the dignity of the laws, thought the terms were reasonable, and the whisky was forth- poming on short order. The tumbler was not given THE CLOSING SCENE. 441 to O'Mic, l)iit it was lield to his mouth, and as he sucked the whisky out, Sheriff Baldwin drew the rope that pinioned his arms more tight, and the rope ^vas drawn down to prevent the prisoner from going to the post, and to prevent him from pulling off his cap. The platform was immediately cleared of all but O'Mic, who run the ends of his fingers on his right hand, between the rope and his neck. The rope that held up one end of the platform was cut, and the body swung in a straight line towards the lake, as far as the rope permitted and i-eturned, and after swinging forth and backward several times, and the weight being about to be suspended perpen- dicular under the center of the top of the gallows, the body turned in a circle and finally rested still. At that time a terrific storm appeared and came up from the north north-west with great rapidity, to avoid which, and it being doubtful whether the neck was broken, and to accomplish so necessary part of a hanging, the I'ope was drawn down with the design of raising the body, so that, by a sudden relaxing of the rope, the l)ody would fall several feet, and there- by dislocate the neck beyond any doubt, but when the body fell, the roj^e broke as readily as a tow string and fell upon the ground. The cofiin and grave were near the gallows and the body was picked up, put into the cofiin, and the cofiin immedi- ately put into the grave. The storm was heavy and all scampered but O'Mic. 29 442 STANTON SHOLES. The report was, at the time, that the surgeons at dusk raised the body, and when it lay on the dis- secting table, it was easier to restore life than to prevent it. Elisha Whittlesey. Another old settler who remembers this execution, has said, that the old flint lock muskets and rifles, which the militia escort under Major Jones carried that day, were so thoroughly wet, by the storm, that the Indians would have had no difficulty in captur- ing the place, if they had made the attempt. In 1812 when real dangers began to gather around the settlement, Mr. Kelley states that other officers were elected. The Muster Koll of the Cleveland company, during the war has not yet been recovered. FKOM A LETTER OF CAPTAIN STANTON SHOLES, (Aged 87.) Columbus, July, 1858. John Barr, Sec'y Cuyahoga Co., Historical Society: Sir : — With a trembling hand I will state to the Society, that about the 3d of May, 1813, I received orders from the War Department, to march my company (then at Beavertown, Pennsylvania) to Cleveland, Ohio, to aid in the defence of this frontier and to establish a military post. On the 10th, I, with my company, arrived at Cleveland, and found Major Jessup and two or three companies of militia, called out some months before. I halted my com- pany between Major Caeter's and Wallace's. I THE IIOSriTAL. 44o was here met by Goveruor Meigs, wlio gave me a most cordial welcome, as did all the citizens. The Governor took me to a place, where my company could pitch their tents. I found no place of defense, no hospital, and a forest of large timber, (mostly chest- nut) between the lake, and the lake road. There Avas a road that turned off between Mr. Perry's and ]V[ajor Carter's that went to the point, which was the only place that the lake could be seen from the buildings. This little cluster of buildings was all of wood, I think none painted. There were a few liouses further back from the lake road. The ^vidow Walworth kept the post office, or Ashbel, her son. Mr. L. Johnsox, Judge Kingsbury, Major Carter, N. Perry, Geo. Wallace, and a few others Avere there. At my arrival I found a number of sick and wounded who were of Hull's surrender, sent here from Detroit, and more coming. These were crowded into a log cabin, and no one to care for them. I sent one or two of my soldiers to take care of them, as they had no friends. I had two or three good carpenters in my company, and set them to work to build a hospital. I very soon got up a good one, thirty by twenty feet, smoothly and tightly covered, and floored with chestnut bark, with two tier of bunks around the walls, with doors and windows, and not a nail, a screw, or iron latch or hinge about the building. Its cost to the Government was a few extra rations. In a short time I had all the bunks 444 FOKT HUNTINGTON. well strawed, and the sick and wounded good and clean, to their great joy and comfort, but some had fallen asleep. I next went to work and built a small fort, about fifty yards from the bank of the lake, in the forest. This fort finished, I set the men to fell- ing the timber along and near the bank of the lake, rolling the logs and brush near the brink of the bank, to serve as a breastwork. On the 19th of June, a part of the British fleet appeared off our harbor, with the apparent design to land. When they got within one and a half miles of our harbor it became a per- fect calm, and they lay there till after noon, when a most terrible thunder storm came up, and drove them from our coast. We saw them no more as ene- mies. Their object w^as to destroy the public or government boats, then built and building, in the Cuyahoga river, and other government stores at that place. About the middle of July General Harrison and suite paid a visit to this station. While here he made his head quarters at Major Carter's. His staff were. Col. Samuel Huntington, Paymaster of of the army, and ex-Governor of this State, and Majors George Tod and Jessup, and one or two more. Col. Wood, who was shortly after killed in battle at Fort Erie was a brave officer. General Harrison during his stay, took great care to scruti- nize everything that had been done for its defense. After three days stay the General and suite left o'mic keappears. 445 Cleveland as lie found it, to return to the army, then lying at the mouth of the Maumee river. After General Harrison left there was nothing worthy of note. One thing I ought to have men- tioned, that the General was very kindly received on his arrival at this place, and not a few came from different parts of the country to see Wm. H. Harrison, commander-in-chief of the north-western army. Citizens and soldiers were hand in hand. There is a debt of gratitude I owe the then citizens of Cleveland, for their kindness to me and my company officers, the few months we were stationed among them. Some time in July, I was attacked with the fever, and as Doctor Long lived in a small house, about half way from Major Carter's to the point, near to my camp ; I stepped to the Doctor's, he Avas not at home, and Mrs. Long- seeing me shake, requested me to lie down. I Avas soon up the stairs stripped of my coat and boots, and fell on the bed. When I aAvoke and came a little to myself I smelt something very sickening. Turning my face to the wall, my face partly over the bed, I was struck almost senseless, by an object on the floor between me and the wall, my face partly over it. It Avas a human skeleton, every bone in its place, the flesh mostly gone. I gazed at these bones till I verily thought I Avas dead, and that they had buried me by the side of some one that had gone before me. I felt very sick which roused from my legarthy and I 446 :mks. doctor long. found that I was alive, and had been sleeping along- side a dead man. As soon as I recalled where I was, I reached the lower floor in quickstep, giving Mrs. Long a fright, to see me come down in such haste. She very politely apologized for her forgetfulness. The season before, there had been an Indian hung for the murder of a white man, and I had the hick to sleep side by side with his frame, not fully cleaned. I do not remember the death of any citizen while I was encamped with them. STATEMENT OF MRS. JULIANNA LONG. June 14th, 1866. I first came to Cleveland in 1804, and stayed at Judge Huntington's. My father, John Walworth, moved to Cleveland from Painesville in April, 1806 ; we came up in an open boat which was wrecked, and my fother came near being drowned. He was so weak when he came out of the water that he could barely crawl on his hands and knees. My mother's name was Julianna Morgan, who AVas born at Gro- ton, Connecticut, Dec. 31st, 1769, and died in Cleve- land, March 2cl, 1853. My father died here Sept. 10th, 1812. He was born at Groton, Connecticut, June 10th, 1765. I remember Ezekiel Hawley, of Cleveland, who removed to Newburg at a very early day. His wii'e Lucy, was a sister of Lorenzo Carter. THE OLD FAMILIES. 447 When Judge Walworth came here there were the following families in Cleveland : Judge Hunt- ington, Major Spafford, David Clark, and Pierre Meloche, a Frenchman. Abram Hickox came here in 1808. His black- smith shop was on the north side of Superior street, where the Johnson House is now. Nathan Perry, senior, who was generally called Major Perry, came to Cleveland in the summer of 1807. His son, Horace Perry, came the next spring, and Nathan Perry, junior, the following fall. Afterwards Nathan Perry, senior, removed to Black river, and died there, but he was buried at Cleveland. [He died Oct. 28th, 1813, in his fifty- third year.] Meloche left here, and returned to Detroit about 1808, and Alexander Campbell, the trader, left the place in 1808 or 1809. Elias and Harvey Murray took Cajipbell's store under the hill. The first Postmaster was Elisha Norton, appoint- ed October 22d, 1805. He afterwards removed to Mantua, in Portage county, and my father took his place. Doctor David Long emigrated from Hebron, New York, in June, 1810, and we were married April 7th, 1811. AsiiBEL W. Walworth, my brother, was made deputy Postmaster Sept. 9th, 1809. 448 AN INDIAN FRIGHT. When the war Ijroke out, the following tnniilies were in Cleveland : George Wallace, Harvey Murray, Samuel Williamson, Abram Hickox, Hezekiah King, Levi Johnson, Elias Murray, David Hickox, who called Richard Bailey, liiuiself Henderson, Amasa Bailey, Maj. Samuel Jones, Hiram Hanchett. Also without families : Mr. Beaver, Alfred Kelley, James Root, Matthew Williamson. Mr. Stephen King, a brother to Hezekiah Kinc;, died here in the winter following. Mr. Beaver returned to Pennsylvania. I knew John O'Mic and his father very well. John was not a bad Indian towards the whites. When we were children at Painesville, we used to play together on the T)anks of the Grand river, at my father's old resi- dence, which we called Bloomingdale. This Avas the place where Governor Huntington lived and died. O'Mic's father came to our house, on Water street, a short time before the execution. We were very much afraid of the Indians then. I was alone, and my babe, (Mrs. Severance,) was sleeping in the cradle. He took up a gun which A\'as in the room, in order to show me how Semo killed himself, after he had been arrested. I thought he was going to kill me or my baby, in revenge for his son. I tiEStJRliECTioisr OF o'mic. 440 seized the child and rau up Water street towards ]\Ir. Williamson's, screaming pretty hard, I suppose. O'Mic followed after me, trying to ex23laiii what he meant. Mr. Williamson" caught the child, and we all went to Major Carter's house, which was on the corner of Superior street and Union lane. Major Carter had a short talk with O'Mic, who explained what he meant, and we all had a hearty laugh. O'Mic had lived near Painesville. I was in the crowd on the square when O'Mic was to be hung, and I suddenly thought, " why should I wish to see my old play-fellow die ? " I got out of the crowd as quick as possible and went home. All the people from the Western Reserve seemed to be there, j^artic- ularly the doctors. I remember several of them who stayed at our house. Among them was Dr. Allen, who recently died at Trumbull county. Dr. Coleman, of Ashtabula count}", Dr. Johnson, of Conneaut, and Dr. Hawley, of Austintown. When O'Mic was swung off the rope broke, and they were not sure that he was dead, but tljere was a storm coming on and he was hurried into the grave near the gallows. The Public Square was only partly cleared then, and had many stumps and bushes on it. At night the doctors went for the T)ody, with the tacit con- sent of the Sheriff. O'Mic was about twenty-one years of age, and was very fat and heavy. Dr. Long did not think one man could carry him, but Dr. Allen, who was very stout, thought he could. He 450 DEATH OF MRS. LONG. was put ujDon Dr. Allen's back, who soon fell over a stump and O'Mic on the top of him. The doctors dare not laugh aloud, for fear they might be discov- ered, but some of them were obliged to lie down on the ground and roll around there, before they came to the relief of Dr. Allen." On the 3d of July, 1866, the following announce- ment was made in the public prints of Cleveland : "Died, on the 2d inst., at her late residence, 394 Kinsman street, Mrs. Julianna Lono, widow of the late Dr. David Long, aged 71 years, 9 months." In a letter of the late Hon. Alfred Kelley, speak- ing of the panic caused by Hull's surrender, he makes the following statement : " Information was received at Cleveland, through a scout from Huron, that a large number of British troops and Indians were seen from the shore, in boats, proceeding down the lake, and that they would probably reach Cleveland in the course of the ensuing night. This information spread rapidly through the surrounding settlements. A large pro- portion of the families in Cleveland, Newburg, (then part of Cleveland,) and Euclid, immediately on the receipt of this news, took such necessary articles of food, clothing and utensils as they could carry, and started for the more populous and less exposed parts of the interior. About thirty men only remained, determined to meet the enemy if they should come, and, if possible, prevent their landing. .lOIIX WALWORTH. 45l They determined at least to do all in tlieir power to allay tlie panic, and prevent tlie depopulation of the country." " Several ladies of Cleveland, among whom were Mrs. Geoege Wallace, Mrs. Johis^ Walworth and Mrs. Dr. Long, resolved not to desert their husbands and friends. When Mrs. Long was told that she could not tight or forcibly oppose the enemy, she replied that she ' could nurse the sick or wounded — encourage and comfort those who could fight ; at any rate she would not, by her example, encourage dis- graceful flight.' " JOHN WALWORTH. John Walworth, though not among the earliest, was one of the most prominent settlers of the West- ern Reser^'e. He came from Aurora, New York, near Cayuga lake, to Mentor in 1799, and remaining there through the winter returned to New York in the spring for his family. Walworth was born in 1705 at Groton, New London Co., Connecticut. Like most young men who lived near salt water, he spent several years at sea, and visited the South American States. He came to settle at Cayuga lake in 1792. They reached their new home at Painesville on the 8th of April, 1800. He was small in stature, of very active habits, and had a pleasing countenance. There is in the family a paper-cut profile of his face, 452 PUBLIC TRUSTS. tlie lower part of wliicli lias an excellent expression, indicating kindness, coupled with intelligence. The upper part of the profile is concealed by the hair, which is brou2:ht down over the forehead accordina^ to the fashion, seventy years since. Mr. Walworth could not have been selected to fill so many offices, in the organization of the new government, if he had not been worthy of them. In those days profes- sional office hunters, seldom became the successful candidates. Men were selected because they were (pialified, not l^ecause they were anxious to obtain places. A portion of the appointments he was called upon to accept have already been given. He was commis- sioned by Arthur St. Clair, territorial Governor of Ohio, as Justice of the Peace for Trumbull county, July 4th, 1802; as an Associate Judge by Governor Tiffin, April 14th, 1803; as Postmaster at Paines- ville, Nov. 14th, 1804; Inspector of the Port of Cuy- ahoga, by Tiio^rAS Jefferson, June 12th, 1805 ; Collector of the district of Erie, July l7th, 1806; Associate Judge of Geauga county, Jan. 23d, 1806 ; Postmaster at Cleveland, May — , 1806, When the county of Cuyahoga was organized he l)ecame County Clerk and Recorder. It was no small part of Mr. Walworth's good fortune, that he had a wife well suited to the circum- stances, l)y which they Avere surrounded. Miss Julianna Morgan was born at Groton, Connecticut, MRS. WALWORTH. 453 December 31st, 1709. She was therefore at the mature age of thirty-one years, when they encoun- tered the trials of pioneer life at the extreme west. Their previous residence at Aurora, New York, was not far from the verge of civilization, but this was a movement three hundred miles further into the western wilds. Mrs. Walworth is remembered as a kind, disfni- fied, judicious woman, spoken of with respect and kindness, by all those who shared her society or her hospitality. When the stampede occurred at Cleveland, on the occasion of Hull's surrender, she was one of the three ladies who refused to leave the place. She rode a horse, not merely as a graceful exercise, but took long journeys in company with her husband. In 1810 she crossed the mountains in this manner, by way of Pittsburg and Philadelphia, to the eastern States. With such training, a vigorous physique, and a cheerful disposition, it is not strange that she sur- vived three generations ; long enough to witness the results of her husbands expectations. She died at Cleveland, March 2d, 1853. There were three sons, John Periandek, now living, Horace, who died recently in Louisiana, and AsHBEL W., who succeeded his father as Collector? dying at Cleveland, Aug. 24th, 1844, at the age of 454 THE FIRST SETTLERS. fifty-four years. The daughters were Mrs. Dr. Long and Mrs. Dr. Strickland. Mr. Walworth did not live to realize the brilliant hopes he had formed of this city and county. He died in the dark days of the war, on the 10th of September, 1812. Had he survived another year he would have heard on that day, the boom of Perry's victorious o-uns. But the character of such men has an influence beyond the grave. Their characteristics are impressed upon new communities, long after they are personally forgotten. RECORD OF THE EARLY SETTLERS. 1796. Job P. Stiles and Tabitha Cumi Stiles, his wife ; Edward Paine. ,. 1797. Lorenzo Carter and Rebecca Carter, ( ne ^Vikin ; ) Alonzo, Henry, Laura, ( Mrs. Stong, ) Mercy, ( Mrs. Abell, ) and Betsey, ( Mrs. Cathan, ) their children ; Miss Chloe Inches, ( Mrs. Clement ; ) James Kings- bury and Eunice Kingsbury, (ne Waldo,) with three children, Amos S., Almon, and Abigail, ( Mrs. Sherman ;) Ezekiel Hawley and Lucy Hawley, (ne Carter,) and one child; Elijah Gun and Anna Gun, and one child ; Pierre Meloche ; Peleg AVashburne, who died the same season. EARLY SETTLERS. 455 1798. Nathaniel Doan and Mary Doan, (ne Carey,) Job, and three daughters, afterwards Mrs. R. H. Blin, Mrs. Eddy, and Mrs. Baldwin; Samuel Dodge, Rodolphus Edwards, Nathan Chapman, Stephen Gilbert, Joseph Landon. 1799. Richard H. Blin, William Wheeler Williams, Mr. Gallup, Major Wyatt. 1800. Amos Spafford wife and family, Alexander Camp- bell, David Clark and wife, Mason, Martin, James, Margaret and Lucy, their children, David Bryant, Gilman Bryant and Samuel Jones. 1801. Samuel Huntington and wife, Miss Margaret Cobb, Julius C. and Colburn, sons of Mr. Huntington, Tim- othy Doan and Polly Doan, Timothy, Jr., Seth, John, Deborah, (Mrs. Crocker,) Mrs. Samuel Dodge, and Mrs. Bronson, their children; Elisha Norton and family. 456 POPULATION. INCREASE OF POPULATION. 1796, 4 1797, 15 1800, 7 1810,..-, 57 1820, about 150 1825, ahout 500 1830, U. S. Census, _- . 1,075 1832, about 1,500 1833, " 1,900 1834, City Census, 3,323 1835, " " 5,080 1840, U.S. Census, 6,071 Ohio Chy 1,577 7,648 1845, City '' 9,573 " " -__-2,462 12,035 1846, '^ " 10,135 1850, U. S. " 17,034 Ohio CMty ab'l 3,!>50 20,984 1851, City •' 21,140 1852, '' •' 25,670 1860, U. S. " 43,838 two cities uiiiled. 1866, City " 67,500 Some useful deduetious may T)e thawn from these figures, in regard to the future population of tliis eity. AVe lia^e here tlie number of people on both sides of the river since 1840 with a reasonable a})proach to aceiu'aev. The rate of increase in live years, from 1840 to 1845, is 58 per cent., from 1845 to 1850 is 74 per cent., 1850 to 1800, ten years, by the government census 100 per cent., and from 1860 to 1866, six- years, 76 per cent. Our present numbers, January, 1867, are computed at 70,000. From 1840 to 1850 the increase exceeded 10 })er cent, per annum, compounded annually. On the COLLKCroKS (»K (UTSTOMS. 457 east side, in the two succeeding yeui's it leiiclied LM and 24 per cent, per annum. The best ascertained average iiu-rensc of tiie five year periods, for the past twenty-five years, is nearly (>2 per cent. At this rate the census of 1870 should give ahout 1()(),0()0, of 1875, 102,00(1, and of 1880, 262,000. (X)LLEaTORS AT C'J.EVELAND, John Walworth, January ITth, ISOfi; died in olfice, Sep- tember 10, 1812, AsiiBEL W, Walwoutii, 1812 ; removed 182!). Samuel Starkweather, 1S29; resigned ISIO. George B, Merwin, 1840. William Milford, 1841, Smith Inglehart, 1845. C, L. Eussell, 1849. Robert Parks, 1853; died in office August oOth, ISCO. B. Brownell, 18G0, C!iiARLES L. Ballard, April 1861, John C. Grannis, April, 1865, EARLY LAKE CRAFT. 1079 — Schooner Griffin, (French,) ])iult at Cayuga creek, near Tonawanda. 1701-3 — The Schooner Gladwyn, (British,) and a French vessel Lurnt on the Nia«:ara river. 1785-6 — Schooners Beaver and Mackinaw, belong- ing to the North West Fur Company, 30 458 EARLY LAKE CRAFT. A vague tradition of a shipwreck wliicli occurred near the mouth of the Cuyahoga has long been current here. It was probably one of the above named vessels which was lost. While the Moravians were at Pilgerruh, Captain Thorn, who commanded the schooner, speaks of visiting them and procuring provisions, where he saw for the first time the kittens of a wild cat. There was at the same time a ti'ader at Rocky river. Mr. Carter saw the wreck of the schooner in his boyhood, 1797-8. Captain Gaylord, who came to Cleveland in ISOO knew Capt. Thorn very well, and often had from him the details, of the lonely winter he passed here after the shipwreck. It occurred late in the fall or early in winter, probably in December. The name of the vessel has been lost. According to Capt. Gaylord's recollection, she was in company with another schooner, both of which were seeking for the mouth of the Cuyahoga, perhaps as a shelter from the coming storm. They were on their way up the lake with supplies for the British garrisons. Capt. Thorn's vessel had on board some brass pieces for the Fort at Detroit, but the number of the guns is not well known, different accounts varying from one to three. It was near night when they were enveloped in a snow storm, and were close in with the land. In he darkness of the night, driven by a furi ous winter CAl'T. TJIOKn's SIIIPWRKCK. 455) storm, Capt. Tiiokn's vessel soon came ashore, not ^ar from Johnson's run, which enters the lake near the Marine Hospital. The crew got safely ashore, and concluded to pass the winter on the spot. They built a cabin on the bank, near the corner of Clinton and Wilson streets, the remains of which were there in 1800 and in subsequent years. The guns were taken from the hold, and carried j^artly up the bank, ^vrapped in a sail, well greased, securely plugged, and l)uried beneath a leaning tree on one of the benches, or slips, of the shore. When the first settlers came here, and even as late as 1830, there were evidences of the clearing which Captain Thoen made around this cabin, in old stumps and in the second growth of timljer. Capt. Lorenzo Cakteu, father of Alonzo, procured from the wreck, in the year 1807, the irons for the rudder of his new schooner the Zephyr. Capt. Levi Johnson' says he prociu'ed spikes and Ijolts for one of his first vessels from the same place. A piece of iron from Capt. Thorn's schooner is still to l)e seen forming the hinges, of Mr. Carter's gate at his homestead at Newburg. The guns were frequently sought after l)y the early settlers, but no trace of them has yet l)een found. No doubt the encroachment of the lake has left them long since beneath its waters, deep sunk in the quicksands of this shore. Captain Thorn was a Canadian, avIio in the war 4(30 LAKE CRAFT f'ONTINUED. of 1812, took part with us, mid afterwards lived to "be a very old man at Point au Chene, on the St. Clair Eiver, not far above lake St. Clair. 1796 — Two British armed vessels. 1797 — Schooner of sixty tons, Erie Pa., called the Washington. Cleared from Cuyahoga in the spring of 1806 and was never heard of afterwards. 1800 — Schooner Harlequin, of Erie, lost in Octo- ber of the same year, and twenty persons, being all who were on board of her. Also the schooner Good Intent, 50 tons, which was lost oft* Point Abino in 1806. 1801 — Schooner Adams, 150 tons, United States vessel built at Eiver Kouge, near Detroit. Also the Tracy, of 70 tons, U. S. transport, wrecked on Bird Island reef, 1809. Schooner Wilkinson, 80 tons, Detroit. 1804 — .Contractor, sloop, 50 tons. Black Eock, purchased by the United States in 1812 ; took part in the battle of Lake Erie under the name of the Trip. Cuyahoga Packet, sloop, 20 tons, Chagrin river. Schooner Lark, 20 tons. Grand river, Canada. 1805 — A Government sloop of 60 tons, Cayuga creek, where the Griffin was built in 1679. Eanger, of 50 tons, St. Clair river. 1807 — Schooner Mary, 120 tons, burnt by General Proctor in the Thames, 1813. 1808 — Zephyr, Cleveland, burnt at Conjocketa creek, near Black rock. PIONEER IIIVER MEN. 461 1809 — Schooner Catharine, 80 tons, Black Rock. In Perry's battle, 1813, as the Soniers. Charlotte, schooner, 90 tons, hnilt some years previous; cap- tured at Mackinaw, 1812, as the Salina. Became ice locked among the islands in the winter of 1812- 13, and floating down opposite Erie, was stripped and burned. 1810 — Schooner Ohio, 60 tons, Cleveland ; became a part of Perry's fleet. EARLY EIVER MEN. As early as 1 749 the Cuyahoga was regarded ])y geographers a 2:)oint destined to l)e of commercial importance. [Douglass's summary.] Franklin pointed to its future value in 1 705, recommending that it 1)6 occuj^ied for militaiy purposes. Wasl'- iNGTON foresaw its consequence, while discussino- a project for water communications between the lakes and Chesapeake Bay. Pownall and Evans only knew of five rivers on the south shore of lake Erie, but they had the sagac- ity to discuss the project of a canal, allowing batteaux to pass into the waters of the Shenango and Maho- ning from "Cherage," (Conneaut) and from the Cuyahoga river. — [Pownall's account, 1750. | It was this idea which Franklin and Washington enlarged upon, as the mode, and the route, of the future inland commerce of the west. Batteaux once transferred, from the waters of lake Erie to those of 4(>L^ riiK viKsr vokwakokk^. the Ohio, wei"e to be foived up its upper branches as tar as possible into the mountains, and ]U"operty thus transferred to the Atlantic rivers. When the State of Xew York, began to agitate tlie plan of a rival route by way of Oswego I'iver and the Mohawk, ill 170o-4. the discussions of Pownaii., Franklin, and AVasiiixoton were i-enewed. But we know of no ]>ermanent occupation for the usual purposes of trade, prior to 17S0: when the British, although in a state of quasi war, drew their supplies fivni the Uniteil States. Their j^osts held on our own soil, in violation of the treaty of 1783, obtained provisions from Pennsylvania thivugh this ]>lace. — I HiT.T.>[Ax's letter.] From 1700 to this time, the French and British tradei^s in furs were probably here, as there was no part of tlie country they did not penetrate. From 1 78G to 1 7iK-\ llour and beef weiv furnished to the military posts on the lakes, British and American, by way of F]rie and Cleveland. Dixoax iC' AVii.sox of Pittsburg, were the tirst forwarders who did busi- ness here, packing tlour in bags tipoif hoi'ses, ah">ng the time-worn trjiils of the Indians. When Gen. Waynk overcame the north-western tribes at the Maumee i-apids, in 1704, the enterpris- ing merchants of Pittsburg and Beaver, contracted to furnish supplies on the 3[aumee, by way of the Cuyahoga. The old Indian highway from Beaver to this placv, became a notable thoivughfare along wliic'li ninety liorsi^s and thirty men, were continually j)assing. From this ])lace goods and ])rovisions were taken, sometimes in vessels or in batteaux, to the Maumee or Detroit, and sometimes through by land on horses. The commercial importance of the mouth of the Cuyahoga was thus foresliadowed from the earliest days. It was on a nearer route from the valley of the Monongahela and the Potomac to the head of lak{^ Erie, than the one by the Allegheny river and Presque Isle or Erie. The Muskingum and the Cuy- alioga came so near together at Akron, that a portage of only seven miles was to be made witli a light canoe, and then an almost interminalde navigation might l)e pursued in all directions. These great natural routes being known to the early geographers and statesmen, led them to think of improvements here, and to predict great things for the future. When the city was laid out, its future business was ])rovided for by the landings intended foi* bat- teaux, by whicli it was expected the princij)al trans- portation would be effected. The "upper landing," at the foot of Vineyard lane, was for the u]) liver business, and the "lower landing," where Mandrake and Union streets came to the river, now St. Clair street, was for the lake trade. (General Cleaveland and the surveyors well knew that large vessels could not enter the river. Until 1827, when a har>)or was constructed by the General (xovernment, lake 464 SCHOONER ZEPHYR. craft of all sizes worthy the name of a vessel, came to anchor outside and were unloaded by lighters. Lorenzo Carter engrossed most of this business in the early days of the settlement. In 1805 the mouth of the Cuyahoga was made a port of entry. Most of the traffic, prior to this time, was made in open boats, coasting along the shore. The surveyors' old cabin. Carter's log shanty, and Campbell's store, afforded more than warehouse room enough for the business. Those staunch, well-built batteaux, appear to have been capable of weathering the terrific gales of the lakes as bravely, as the sloops, schooners and steam- ers of later times. Accidents were no more common than they are now. The scheme for improving the Cuyahoga by means of a lottery, got up in 1807 has already been noticed. With all its disadvantages, this route crossing by land to the Tuscarawas and to the Mahoning, down those rivers, up the Ohio and its branches to the Potomac, and down it to the ocean, was thought to be a competitor with the one by way of Niagara, Oswego, Fort Stanwix and the Mohawk. In 1808, Mr. Carter built the " Zephyr," of 30 tons, intended particularly for the trade of this place. Salt, iron, leather, groceries and dry goods were the principal needs of the settlers, in return for which they collected furs and made grindstones, to be sent east in payment. Murray tSz Bixby built the Ohio, of 60 tons, in 1810, which was launched near the caeter's avarehouse. 465 warehouse of Pettit c^ Holland. About this time Carter built a log warehouse on the bank of the lake between Meadow and Spring streets, where he received and discharged pro23erty until after the war of 1812, when it was undermined by a rise in the waters of the lake. The brothers Elias and Harvey Murray erected another in 1811, which stood within the point on the river bank, wdiere the new channel or harbor is now. Not far from this time, some per- son not yet identified, built a small log house for storage on the east bank, a short distance south of Superior street. Levi Johnson built the Pilot in 1813. About the year 1816 the first frame ware- house was built by Leonard Case and Capt. Wil- LiA]\i Gaylord. It stood a little north of St. Clair street, on the river. In 1817 or 1818 Levi Johnson and Dr. David Long j)ut up another, a short distance lower on this shore, northward of Case &, Gtaylord, and soon after a third was erected near them by John Blair. Of these early and enterprising for- warders, Johnson and Blair still survive. From Blairs warehouse down the river, to the point of ground on which the Murray's built, was then an impassal)le marsh. Alonzo Carter purchased land on the West Side, soon after the township of Brook- lyn came into market. He built a tavern and a small warehouse on that side, opposite Superior street. The ferry crossed at this street which was kept by Christopher Gun* 466 CLEVELAND PIER COMPANY. Ill 1816 au attem]:)t was made to l)iiild a pier on the open lake. For this purpose an act of incorpo- ration was procured and an association formed under the name and style of the " Cleveland Pier Com- pany," as follows : We, the undersigned, hereby covenant and agree to associate and form ourselves into a company, to be known and distinguished by the name and title of the " Cleveland Pier Company," for the purpose of erecting a ])ier at, or near the village of Cleveland, for the accommodation of vessels navigating lake Erie. Agreeable to an act of the Legislature of the of the State of Ohio, passed at their session in 1815 -16, authorizing the incorporating of a company for the aforesaid purposes. Alonzo Carter, George AVallace, A. W. Walworth, Darius E. Henderson, David Long, Sam'l Williamson, Sen., Alfred Kelley, Irad Kelley, Datus Kelley, James Kingsbury, EbenHosmer, Horace Perry, Daniel Kelley, Levi Johnson. Something was done towards this ])ier, principally by Mr. Kelley. These slight works, based upon rpiicksand, and constructed without the aid of pile drivers, withstood the fury of the lake storms l)ut a short time. About this time the late Chas. M. Gid- DiNGS became an importer of salt, fi-om his home at Onondaga to the western lakes. After a few years he became a citizen of Cleveland, where he pursued 'I'HK FIKST OATSAL BOAT. 407 a business career of surprising activity, so long as his liealtli allowed hiin to participate in business. In February, 18U), Noble H. Meiiwin, with his family, arrived at Cleveland, direct from Connecticut He purchasedt he tavern stand of Geoege Wallace, on the corner of Superior street and Vineyard lane, and a tract between Suj)erior and Vineyard lanes, extending to Division street, now Center street. He occupied his hotel, afterwards known as the " Man- sion House," but liecame extensively interested in vessel stock, transportation, army contracts, and coul mercial business generally. A log warehouse had been erected on his property, near the foot of Supe- rior street, which he continued to occupy for the ])urpose of storage and forwarding. When the Ohio canal was made navigable to Akron, the two lower locks were incomplete. Mr. Merwin" had the canal packet " Pioneer," brought from Buffalo, and taking her up the river, near where the stone mills are now, hauled her up the bank into the canal. On this boat the Cleveland party went to meet (iov, Tpjmble, and the party from Akron, consisting of the Canal Commissioners and other celebrities on the l)oat " Allen Trimble." Mr. Mekwin died at St. Thomas, West Indies, in October, 1829, leaving his first purchase unimpaired to his heirs. The site of the old log warehouse has became tra- ditional in the commerce of Cleveland. Gidings tk Meiiwin, Gidings Sl Baldwin, Gidings, Baldwin tt 468 PENNSYLVANIA WAGONS. Pease, and Griffith, Pease Sl Co., were firms whose names appeared successively upon tlie sides of the warehouses located there. A fire which occurred about 1854: destroyed the entire row of buildings from Superior street to the canal. In 1819, John Blair became a river man, compet- ing with GiDiNGS c% Merwin, in the purchase of wheat. In those days wheat, pork. Hour, potash, and in fact, all the merchantable produce of the country was brought in by four or six horse teams, laboring slowly onward, through roads that would no^v l^e regarded impassible, the owners encamping by the road side, wherever night found them. When the Ohio Canal was projected our citizens, and ^^tarticu- larly the produce dealers, indulged in the gloomiest antici2:)ations. No more Pennsylvania teams with their sturdy horses, and covered wagons, would enliven the streets of Cleveland. If Painesville, Black River or Sandusky wanted a canal, they were welcome to it. Mr. Blair and Levi Johnson are the only survi- vors of those early forwarders, who viewed the ap- proach of a Conestoga wagon with so much interest. When experience had shown that the canal did not prove to be the ruin of the place, they turned their enterprise into new channels. The General Govern- ment constructed a harbor while the State was excavating the canal. Sail vessels, steamboats and CLEVELAND AS A VILLAGE. 469 canal boats, became more plenty than the wagons had ever been. A race of active young men suc- ceeded the pioneers on the dock. Such of the original members of the Land Company as survived, at last witnessed in the decline of life, the success of the projects of their youth. PKESIDENTS OF THE VILLAGE OF CLEVELAND. Under the charter incorporating the village of Cleveland, dated December 23d, 1814, the first elec- tion took place on the first Monday in June, 1815. There were twelve votes cast at this election, which were given unanimously for the following oflicers : President — Alfred Kelley. Recorder — Horace Perry. Treasurer — Alonzo Carter. Marshal — John A. Ackley. Assessors — George Wallace and John Riddle. Trustees — Sam'l Williamson, David Long and Nathan Perry, junior. On the 19th of March, 1816, Alfred Kelley resigned his position as President of the corporation, and his father, Daniel Kelley, was appointed in his place. At the annual election, on the first Monday in June, 1816, Daniel Kelley was elected President by the unanimous voice of twelve voters, and was continued in the oflice through the years 1817, 1818, and 1819. The names of those who participated in this elec- tion were as follows : 470 VILLAGE ADMINISTRATIO]S'. A. W. Walworth, Irad Kelley, Thomas Kummage, George Wallace, Alonzo Carter, Samuel Williamso>, Levi Johnson, . D. C. Henderson, S. A. Ackley, Amasa A. Bailey, George Pease, Daniel Kelley. Tlie total assessed value of real estate within the city ill 181G, wliicli includes the entire plat surveyed 1796, was $21,005. At the election in the year 1820 Horace Pekky was made President, and Kkuben Wood, Recorder, who rose to the Presidency in the following year. From the year 1821 to 1825, Lkonakd Cask was regularly elected President of the corporation, but neglecting to qualify in the latter year, the Recorder, E, Wateumax, became President, ex-officio. Here the records are defective until the year 1828, Avhen it appears Mr. Waterman received the doulde office of President and Recorder. On account of ill health he resigned, and on the 30th day of May the trustees appointed Oikson Cathan, President, and I). II. Beardsley, Recorder. At the annual election, June, 1829, Dr. David Long was elected President, and a fire engine w'as purchased. Forty-eight votes were cast at this election. For the years 1830 and 1831, President, Richard Hilliard. For the years 1832, 1833, 1834 iind 1835, John W. Allen; at this last election there were one hundred and six votes cast. POST OFFICE. 471 POSTMASTERS AT CLEVELAND. Elisha Norton, October 2d, 1805. John Walworth, May, 1806. Died in office, September 10th, 1812. AsHBEL W. Walworth, 1812. Resigned, 1816. Daniel Kelley, 1816. Resigned same year. Irad Kelley, 1816. Removed, 1830. Daniel Worley, 1830. Resigned, May, 1840. Aaron Barker, May, 1840, to October 1841. Benjamin Andrews, October, 1841, to April, 1845. Timothy P. Spencer, April, 1845, to 1849. Dan. M. Haskell, 1849. J. W. Gray, 1853. Benjamin Harrington, 1857. E. Cowles, 1861. Geo. a. Benedict, 1865. LOCATION OF POST OFFICE. Judge Walworth at first occupied tlie upper part of a frame building ou the north side of Superior street, near Water street. When his family moved from this building, to their house on the Walworth farm, Pittsburg street; a small frame office was erected south of Superior street, where the American house now stands. During Judge Walworth's life, this office contained the combined authority of the, city, the county, and the federal governments. Mr. Kelley states that in 1810, Mr. Walworth was Recorder, Clerk of the Common Pleas and Supreme Court; Postmaster and Collector of the Cuyahoga district. The same office accommodated Mr. Kelley, 472 LOCATION OK THE POST OFFICE. the only attorney in the place, and Dr. Long, the only physician. During the first quarter of 180G the receipts at the post office amounted to two dollars and eiglity-tliree cents. Probably the post office remained at the same place while AsiiBEL W. Walworth was Postmaster. When Irad Kelley succeeded to that place it was removed to his brick store, on the south side of Su])e- rior street, opposite Bank street. The receipts for a year were about five hundred dollars, of which one- fourth belonged to the Postmaster, as compensation, which included rent, fuel and clerk hire. All letters written by the Postmaster could be franked by him, which, to a man of business was of more value than his per centage on receipts. The postage in those days was never less than five cents, and for distances ex- ceeding three hundred miles, it was twenty-five cents. Under Postmaster Worley, the delivery office was removed to the north side of Superior street, at Mil- lers block, between Seneca and Bank streets, and afterwards to a store where tlie Johnson House is now, the rear of which was occupied as the Custom House. Mr. Haskell removed it to the Herald buildinir, on Bank street. When Mr. Gray received the appointment, the office was transferred to his building on Waters treet, west side, near St. Clair. While Mr. HarrinctTon was postmaster the gov- ernment building on the Puldic Square was com- pleted, and thus the place of delivery became fixed. COURT iiottsp:?. 473 THE FIRST COURT HOUSE. While O'MiG was dangling upon the gallows on the north west quarter of the Public S(|uare, the assem- bled multitude sat upon the timbers, which Levi Johnson had collected for the erection of a Court House. It was of the composite order. The lower story was divided in two parts, one of which was the jail, and the other the residence of the jailer. The apartment designed for criminals, was constructed of l)locks of square timber three feet long, placed end- wise and bolted together. Over all, in the second story, was a Court room, equal in size to the ground plan of the building, the position of which is given on the map of 1814. Mr. E. Wateeman officiated as jailer, President of the village corporation, and Recorder. In 1828 the citizens became al)le, and spirited enough to have a new Court House, and a separate jail. It was a fine building for those times, of which a faithful sketch l)y Professor BiiAiNERD is given on the next page. It stood upon the south-west quarter of the Square, facing towards the lake. Here justice was adminis- tered thirty years, until it became wholly insufficient for want of room, and unsafe for the public records. The present edifice for the Courts, and other public offices, Avas erected in 1858. II. L. Noble, one of our early and honest mechanics, had the contract for 31 474 THE SECOND COURT HOUSE. building the brick Court House represented above. When it was taken down it was found to be sound and good as new, and except in the exposed wood work, was capable of enduring at least another cen- tury. The old stone jail, oftener called the " Blue Jug," stood opposite the Court House, on the south, fronting the Sc^uare. Of these twin institutions, where an entire generation received the administra- tion of justice, where so niapy judges sat, and lawyers labored; where sheriff 's and bailiff's executed the decisions of the courts, or the findings of juries, upon troops of unlucky culprits, not a relic now remains. In WiiELPLYS views of Cleveland, the old Court House is a conspicuous object. But for these picto- rial representations, the next generation would have CLEVELAND, WEST SIDE. 4^5 lost all traces, of what constituted the public build- ings of the county, during the active life of the present. OHIO CITY. On the west side of the river, opposite St. Clair street, where the Indians had a ferry, a trail led out across the marshy ground, up the hill past the old log trading house, where there w^ere springs of water, to an opening in the forest, near the crossing of Pearl and Detroit streets. In this pleasant sj^ace the savages practised their games, held their pow wows, and when wdiisky could l)e procured, enjoyed themselves while it lasted. The trail continued thence westerly to Kocky Kiver and Sandusky. Another one, less frequented, led oif southerly up the river to the old French trading post, ^vhere Magexis was found in 1786, near Brighton; and thence, near the river bank, to Tinkers creek, and probably to the old Portage path. A less fre- quented trail, existed from the Indian villages of Tawas or Ottawas and Mingoes, at Tinkers creek, by a shorter route, direct to the crossing of the Cuyahoga at the "Standing Stone," near Kent. The packhorsemen, who transported goods and flour to the northwest from 1786 to 1795, followed this trail, crossing the Cuyahoga at Tinkers creek. Samuel P. Lord drew a considerable part of the township of Brooklyn, whose son, the late Rioiiakd 470 OHIO CITY INCOKPORATED. Loud, and the late Josiaii Barber, became very early, if not the earliest settlers. The Carters, father and son, purchased the land at the month of tlie river, on the west side soon after the survey. Alonzo occupied this tract, living and keeping tavern in the " Red House," opposite Superior lane. In 1881 the s])irit of speculation crossed the river. Lots on the west side began to command high prices. The Buffixlo Company purchased the Car- ter farm, where a rival city was expected to arise, covering the low ground with warehouses, and the Iduffs with stores and residences. In 1834-3-"), water lots on the old river bed, commanded higher prices than they do no^v. In tlie flush times of 1836-37, land contracts on long time, became a kind of circulating medium, on both sides of the river, daily passing from hand to liand, by indorsement ; the speculation accruing to each successive holder, being realized in cash ; or in promises to pay. The coni])any excavated a short ship canal from the Chiy- ahoga to the old river l)ed, at the east end, and the Waters being high, a steamboat passed into tlie Lake, througli a natural channel at the west end. On the 3d of March, 1830, the village of Brooklyn ])ecame an incorporated city. Soon after, the city made a canal, from the Cuyahoga river opposite the extremity of the Ohio canal, through the marsh, into the old river ])ed, al)ove the ship channel. The bridge, represented among the ]ithogra])hs at the THE BATTLE OF THE URIDGK. 477 beginning of this book, which stood ut the foot of Columbus street, was built l)y the late James S. Clark, and an excavation made through the bluff, on the south side, at great expense. City rivalry ran so high, that a regidar battle occurred on this bridge in 1837, between the citizens and the city authorities on the west side, and those on the east. A field piece was posted on the low ground, on the Cleveland side, to rake the bridge, very much as the Austriaus did at Lodi, and crow- bars, clubs, stones, pistols, and guns Avere freely used on both sides. Men were wounded of ))oth parties, three of them seriously. The draw was cut away, the middle pier, and the western abutment partially blown down, and the field piece spiked, by the west siders. But the sherift', and the city marshal of Cleveland, soon oljtained possession of the dilapidated bridge, which had been donated to the city. Some of the actors Avere confined in the county jail. The bridge ques- tion thus got into court, and was finally settled by the civil tribunals. In 1855, (June Oth,) all jeal- ousies and all rivalry Ijetween interests, that had never been in reality opposite, were hapily termi- nated, by an union which did away with the arbitrary and unreal line of separation. The following list of gentlemen filled the ofiice of Mayor, during the existence of the Ohio City char- ter. 478 MAYORS WEST SIDE. ] 836 — JosiAH Barber. 1837— Francis A. Burrows. 1838-9 — Norman C. Baldwin. 1840-41— Needham M. Standart. 1842— Francis A. Burrows. 1843 — KiciiARD Lord. 1844-45-46— D.H.Lamb. 1 S47— David Griffith. 1848— John Beverlin. 1849— Thomas Burnham. 1850-51-52— Benjamin Sheldon. 1853— Wm. B. Castle. FLUCTUATIONS IN THE LEVEL OF LAKE ERIE. When the early emigrants arrived at Buffalo creek they were at the end of roads. From Canandaigua to lake Erie, there was only a summer trail for horses, along Avhich sleighs and sleds could he moved, on the snow in winter. West of Buffalo there was nothing resembling a road, except an ancient trail of the savages, not much used by them, except in their warlike expeditions. Fortunately at the beginning of this century, the lake was low, causing a beach of clean sand at the margin of the water. Some of the streams were difficult to ford, l)ut many of them ^vere so much choked with sand, at their mouths, that teams could cross. Not far outside of the shore line there is deposited a changeable sand bar, ^vhich forms at the debouche of all streams, where the force of the current is lost in the still water. In the transparent waters of our northern lakes this bank is easily found. The emigrants thus made a passage of the streams by leaving the land, and 480 THE SPRING RISE. driving tlioir toanis, a])paiviitly into the lake. If the water was rougli, tlie waves breaking over the beaeh, tliey made a eomtbrtable eamp, above the bhiifs in tlie woods near tlie shore, and waited patiently tor better weather. A tew years afterwards, they were surprised to see this natural road submerged, by the waters of the lake. This alternate appearance and disa])pearance, of the lake beaeli, has been a standing mystery to the pioueei*s and their descendants. It is a change due to the most simple and natural causes. The lakes are large ponds or reservoirs, through which the waters oi many united rivers How to the ocean. .Vll livers are affected by the seasons, but it is more noticeable in large ones like the Mississippi, the Gauixcs and the Amazon. A year or two c^f drought in the country about their main branches, always jM-oduces low water. When other meteorological eoiulitions occur, and one or more rainy seasons folUnv cacli other, the rival's are high. The Straits connecting our northern lakes, are short rivers, not having capacity enough to discharge the surplus waters at once. This chain of lakes and their connecting outlets may be regarded as one i>;reat river, from tide water at Quebec, to the sources of the St. Louis river, in Minnesota. Like all larii;e rivers, there is a spring rise and a wintei* fall ; except in lake Superior, wliere the rise occurs in Ausrust or September. SUDDKIVf <»S(:iLLA'ri()NS. 481 '^riiis Miimial I'isc, occui's in ,]\i\\v. or 'Inly, .-ihoiit, the tiiiH^ of tlic ainiUM.l Hood oF tli(! Missoui'i jukI I Ik* Mississippi rivers. It is mucli less in (|u,'iiitity, Ixiinnj only from twelve to sixteen iiielies; owing to tlio expansions, wliieli act as i-eservoirs that must l)e liUed ; and vvliieli wlien full, recjiiire some months for theii- dischai'ge. In the fall the surfaces of tlie lakes decline, simultantiously, as tlu^y rose. A smalhu- supply of rain, and iner(%'ise(l (!vaj)oration, together with a continual dischai'ge t(^wards the ocean, dis- ))oses of the surj)lus water of the; si)ring rains. Wlu^n winter sets in, tin; «"j)j)ly fi'om the sti'eams is diminished by frost, and the lowest stage is reached in K(;])ruary or March. These results have been ol)tain(!d hy long contin- ued measur(unents, of the changes of h;vel on all the lakes, during the past fifty years. The annual rise and ftill, is only one; of tlu; fluctu- ations, to which the lakes are subject. Tluire is a sudden Hux and rc^flux, whicli is completed in a few seconds, or few minutes ; S(^metimes due to % 1—* ^ t ^ tr- V. ■^ _fc ;t ;s" t ^ e t: H- T -5 ;; C^ t: X Ni- t q • -t C Si 1 H t T) (» r* kW t -^ ^ =;• ^ J; io -£ X "T > V M. S* M H ^ (J». Hj £v 25 M^ -+• ^mi 57" feJ ^ ^ i-it- 1 ;$^ ^ hj •* y-t ^ t ^ li^ t/i Ul> .^ y. e: blAGRAM EXPLAINED. 485 tlie incli, a (juarter of au inch representing one foot, whicli is divided l)y finer lines, into fifths or two- tenths of a foot. Each place where registers wei-e kept, had a zero, or point of reference of its own, bnt these are reduced hy means of consecutive readings to the one at Buffalo, as the most permanent. At Cleveland, we used the high water line of June, 1838, counting downwards. Several marks were made on the piers and warehouses at that time, all of which have disappeared, except one, on the wing wall of the canal lock, at the river. The plane of reference however, has l)een preserved hy adopting it as the city zero, for engineering work, and multiplying hench marks in different ])arts of the town. Capt. B. Stannard has kept the registers here, for the lake survey since 1854. A similar diacfram mio;ht now he made for the years; taking the mean height of each period of twelve months as the ordinate, instead of one month, and thus show at a glance, the secular fluctuations. For the three best determined years, in my tables, the difference is as follows, counting downwards ; the lake being on a declining stage of the water. 1839, below 1838, 1.25 feet. 1840, " 1839, 1.25 " 1841, " 1840, 1.05 " Total decline in three years, 4.15 486 ANNUAL FLUCTUATIONS. An examination of the curves at once demonstrates wliat I liave already stated; that there is an annual spring rise, and a wintei' fall in the surface of the lakes, like that of our large rivers. This annual difference between the highest and lowest months, is not precisely the same at all places. At Cleveland, the average of 16 years is 1 ft. '5 in. At Detroit, " " " " " 1 " 21 " At Buffalo, " " " " " " 10^ " Average of these three stations, 1 ft. H in. These observations dispel the popular belief, derived from the Indians ; that the lakes rise seven years and decline seven years. This could not be the case, unless the seasons should repeat themselves in every particular, in that period. In these tables there is no case of a change at seven, or at fourteen years. From 1810 to 1838, there was a continual rise ; a period of nineteen years. From 1838 to 1841, a decline; in 1841 a slight rise, and from 1842 to 1851, eight years, a regular decline. In 1803-54 there was a high stage ; in the latter year for a short period fully \iy> to the line of 1838. Since 1853, we can rely upon the water registers of the lake survey, for which an effort is now being made before Con gress to have them published. By these it was dis- covered, after many thousands of observations on lake Michigan, by Lieut. Col. (TKAirA:\r and Prof. Tin-; LUNAR TIDE. 487 Lapiia.m, that there is a slight lunar tide on the lakes. It is too small for direct cognizance, being for ordina- ry tide at Chicago, only yVW ^^ ^ ^^^^ ^^ 1 i^^^ AV foi' the spring tides -fjf^ or 3 inches j^. A- v ' ' ^ AW IS59