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'Y^LU'WMIIYIEI^SIirY-

1915

HISTORY

SENECA C 0 IT i\ T Y
CONTAINING
A DETAILED NARRATIVE
«F THE FRINCIPAL EVENTS THAT HAVE OCCDRRED SI.-iCK ITS HR'I
SETTLEMENT DOWN TO THE PRESENT TIME;
A HISTORY OF THE INDIANS
THAT FORMERLY RESIDED WITHIN ITS LIMITS;
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTIO.NS.
EARLY CUSTOMS,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, &c, i. .
WITH A.f
INTRODUCTION,
ceNTAlNING A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE STATE, FROM THh niM u\ >.R\
OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER DOWN TO THE YEAR If'l?.
TO THB WHOLE OF WHICH IS ADDEO
AN APPENDIX,
r
CONTAININe
Tabular Views, &c .
BY CONSUL W. BUTTERFIELD,
SANDUSKY :
I). CAMPBELL fe SONS, WATER STRKI"J',
1848.

Cn J1-.4

DEDICATION

ROBERT G. PENNINGTON, ESQ.,
THESE UNPRETENDtNG PAGES
ARE INSCRIBED
WITH FEELIXCS OF PROFOUND RESPECT.
EV
HIS HI'MBLE ,\ND FAITHFUL SERV.^NT,
CONSUL W. BUTTERFIELD.

PREFACE.

The object in writing the following pages has been to
perpetuate the memory of our oldest settlers, and to rescue
from oblivion such as is of interest to our citizens, by giving a
faithful narrative of the most important events which have
occurred within the limits of the county.
We had at first prepared a limited sketch, which was
intended for publication in one of the county papersj but at
the suggestion of our very esteemed friend, Mr. James Gray,
of Melmore — and as, upon investigation, it was found that
much matter might be added which would interest the public,
we have produced this volume.
Much of the materials have been furnished us by those who
are residents of, or have resided within the county; and while
we have sought the homes of early settlers for information, we
have been greeted with a frank welcome, characteristic of its
inhabitants. As our pleasant, though arduous task is now finished, we
take this opportunity to acknowledge the many obligations due
to those who have been pleased to render us assistance, and
the work is now respectfully submitted to the public, for their
careful and candid perusal. C. W. B.
Tiffin, Dec. 1st, 1847.

INTRODUCTION.

Ohio* derives its name from the river which washes nearly
all of its eastern and southern boundary. The name is of
Indian origin; and some writers have imagined it to signify
handsome river; as, about the middle of the' eighteenth century,.
some French explorers of the county, who found the stream
a pleasant one to sail upon, and fine lands along its borders,
called it, " Iw-helle-riviere,'" or the beautiful river. But that
circumstance could have had no influence with the Indians, at
an earlier period, in inducing them to give it a name of that
signification. Another, and more probable meaning of the
word Ohio, is bloody. This was applied by the Indians to the
river, from the circumstance of numerous bloody battles having
been fought along the shore, by different tribes, in centuries
past. This signification is corroborated by the tehite ¦wo'man
whose history has been given to the world, and which would
seem to establish the fact beyond a doubt.
* The Shawanese called the Ohio river, Kis,.ke, pi, la Sepe — i. «., Eagte river, Tha
Wyandots were in the conntry generations before the Shawanese, and consequently their
name of tbe river is the primitive one, and slionld stand in preference to all othefN .
Ohio may be called an improvement on the expression, O, HE, ZXJH, and was, no doubt,
adopted by tbe early French voyagers in their boat songs, and is substantially the same
word as used by tbe Wyandots; the meaning applied by the French, fair and beautiful.
" LA BELLE RIVIERE," Ijeiog precisely the same as meant by tbe Indians — great, grand
and fair to look npoa. Col.. JonK Johkbtok..

8 INTRODUCTION.
The present state of Ohio, is a part of that vast region,,
formerly claimed by France, between the Alleghany and Rocky
mountains, and first known by the general name of Louisiana.,
The earliest civilized inhabitants were Frenchmen. As early
as the year 167-3, two French missionaries penetrated from
Cemada to the Mississippi, and they may be regarded as the
discoverers of that mighty river. Their names were Mar
quette and Joliet. They commenced their journey of discovery
from Quebec, with five men; traversed the rivers, forests and
immense inland seas, and arrived at last at Green Bay. From
Green Bay, they pursued their course up Fox river, crossed
the Pbrtage from ils head' to that of the Wisconsin; when,
with no companions but the two, they embarked upon its bosom
and followed its course, unknown whither it would Ifead'them.
Solitary they floated along till ih seven days they entered, with
inexpressible joy, the broad Mississippi. Sailing on their soli-
taiy way, the^ discoverers heard afar, a rush of waters from the
west — and soon the vast Missouri came down with its fiercer
current, to hasten on the more sluggish Mississippi. They
discovered and passed the mouth of the Ohio; nor did they
stop till they had descended the river a thousand miles, to its
confluence with the Arkansas; and ascertained, as well from
its general course as from the informaticSh of the Indians, that'
its mouth must be far west of the English colonies on the At
lantic coast.
The day of the discovery of the Mississippi river, an era
which should be so memorable to this country, was June 1.5th,
1673. We can imagine the sensations of these explorers,,
when they first beheld that broad and beautiful river. We
can fancy how their imaginations kindled at the view of the
romantic bluffs, the grand forests, the flowering prairies, ths
tangled grape vines on the trees, the beautiful birds that flutter
ed among the branches, the swans, sailing in their stateliness oa

INTRODUCTION. 9
the stream, and, as yet, unterrified by the sight of man; the
fishes darting in the pellucid wave, and nature in her array of
June !
Mai-quette and Joliet now retraced their course to the the Illi
nois; entered and ascended that river and beheld the beautiful
fertility of its summer prairies, abounding in game. They
visited Chicago, and in September were again at Green Bay.
The ne.xt year, Marquette retired for devotion, from the com
pany with which he was journeying, to pray by a rude altar of
stones beneath the silent shade. There, half an hour afterwards,
his dead body was found. He was buried on the shore of the
lake, and the Indians fancy that his spirit still controls the
storms. On the return, Joliet found at Frontenac, M. de la Salle, who .
was then commandant of the Fort. It may be expected that
he did not undervalue their discovery or underrate the beauty
of the river and country which he had explored. La Salle at
once gave up his imagination and his thoughts to this discovery.
He was a man of standing, courage and talent, and well fitted
for the enterprise. At the close of the summer of 1679, he
had, by the greatest exertions, equipped a small vessel, called
the Griffin, at the lower end of Lake Erie, and launched it upon
its waters. This was the first vessel that ever navigated lake
Erie. On his journey across the lakes he was accompanied
by father Hennepin, a Jesuit, and forty men. He marked De
troit as a suitable place for a colony; gave name to Lake St.
Clair, planted a trading house at Mackinaw, and finally cast
anchor in Green Bay. At length, through many discourage
ments by disaster, treachery and defeat, they reached the
great Illinois. Here La Salle sent out a party, under Henne
pin, to explore the sources ofthe Mississippi; while he returned
on foot to Frontenac. The next year, having returned to the
Illinoia, he bnilt a small vessel and sailed down the Mississippi

10 INTRODtrCTION.
until he reached its mouth. He also erected forts and estab
lished settlements at various points. Fully satisfied of the vast
importance of prosecuting the system of colonization thus
commenced, he proceeded to France and communicated his
ideas to the French government. The minister of the French
king readily entered into a scheme, which not only promised
an immense accession of valuable territory, but seemed likely
to create a permanent and efficient T)arrier to the western ex
tension of the English colonies. An expedition was fitted out
for the prupose of planting a colony at the mouth of the Mis
sissippi river, and command given to La Salle. This expedition
failed, and its illustrious but unfortunate commander perished,
a victim to the treachery of his own men.
This expedition did not, however, quench or abate the ardor
of the French in the prosecution of their great plan. A second
expedition sailed from France, under the command of M.
D'Iberville. This officer explored the Mississippi river for
several hundred miles, and permanent settlements were made
at different points; and from this time, the French colony west
of the- Alleghanies, though occasionally harassed by the
English and the Spaniards, steadily increased in numbers and
in strength.
Before the completion of the first quarter of the eighteenth
century the colony had been divided into quarters, each having
its local governor or commandant and judge; but all were
subject to the superior council-general of Louisiana. One of
these quarters was established north-west of the Ohio. Forts
had also been erected on the Mississippi, on the Illinois, on the
Maumee and on the lakes. Still, however, the communication
with Canada was through Lake Michigan, as the nearer route
through the, Ohio river and Lake Erie had' not yet been dis
covered. This discovery was, however, made soon afterwards.
Before the year 1750, a French fort had been fortified at the

INTRODUCTION. 11
Biouth of the Wabash; and a communication was established,
through that river and the Maumee, with Canada. About the
same time and for the purpose of checking the progress of the
French, the Ohio Company was formed and made some
attempts to establish trading-houses among the Indians. This
event, however, only hastened what it was designed to prevent,.
A third chain of fortifications was established, extending from
the confluence of the Monongahela and the Alleghany to the
sources of French creek, and to Lake Erie. The French were
now in actual possession ofthe whole valley ofthe Mississippi;
and the English government became seriously alarmed. Ne
gotiations took place, in the course of which, England proposed
to limit her American colonies on the west, by a line drawn
from Lake Erie through French creek to its mouth, and thence
direct, to the nearest mountains of Virginia. These negotia
tions availed nothing, and the contending parties referred th«ir
controversies to the arbitrament of war. The events of the
contest which ensued do not belong to this sketch, but its issue
decided the momentous question, whether the vast central valley
of North America should bear through all coming time, the
impress of English or French civilization.
By the treaty of 1763, France ceded to Great Britain all
her possessions in North America east of the Mississippi, and
on this foundation, the title of the former power to the region
included by the Ohio, the Mississippi, and the great lakes, rests
more safely, according to the international law of Europe, than
on any other. Long before this time, however, English
charters had been granted, including within their limits the
whole of this country. In 1609, a grant was made to thc
London company, of all territory which extends along the coast
for two hundred miles north and south from Point Comfort and
" up into the land throughout from sea to sea, west and north
west." In 1624, this company was dissolved upon a writ of

12 INTRODUCTION.
quo-ioarranto, and the grant was resumed by. tbe crown. In
1662, Charles II. granted to certain settlers upon thc Connec
ticut, all the territory between the parallels of latitude which
include the present state of Connecticut, from the Atlantic to
the Pacific. The pretensions which Massachusetts advanced
during the revolutionary war, to an interest in the western
country, were founded upon a similar charter granted thirty
years before. Notwithstanding these extensive grants, the
English government, after the peace of 1763, evinced a deter
mination to confine the colonies to the coast, and to prevent the
settlement of the interior. By a royal proclamation, all the
lands west of the sources of the Atlantic rivers, were declared
to be reserved under the sovereignty, protection and dominion
of the king of Great Britain for the use of the Indians, and all
persons were forbidden to settle or remain within the reserved
territory. In consequence of this proclamation, no settlements
were made north-west of the Ohio until after the declaration of
Independence, when the detached colonies of Britain became
free and united states. Until that period, the soil remained in
the hand of the rightful proprietors, undisturbed by the wander
ing hunter or the vagrant trader. Over the whole vast extent,
except where the prairie spread its luxuriant vegetation, and
where the settlements of the French or the villages of the
Indians dotted the wilderness, there stretched a mighty and
unbroken forest, yet ignorant of the woodman's steel.
During the war of the Revolution, the frontiers of Virginia,
Pennsylvania and New York were harassed by the murderous
incursions of the savages from this region and from Canada;
and, in 1783, an expedition was concerted against the Wyan
dot village, lying upon the waters of the Sandusky. Great
exertions were made to procure volunteers. Every man who
should equip himself with a horse and rifle was to be exempted
from two tours of militia duty; and, any loss, either of arms

INTRODUCTION. 13
or horses was to be repaired out of the plunder of the Indian
towns. The volunteers were to rendezvous on the 20th of
May, at an old Mingo village on the western shore of the
Ohio, about forty miles above Fort Pitt, and the unfortunate
Colonel Crawford was unanimously selected as the leader of
the expedition. On the appointed day, four hundred and fifty
mounted volunteers assembled at the Mingo village and impa
tiently awaited the arrival of their colonel. Crawford instantly
accepted the appointment, which had been so unanimously
pressed upon him, and, a few days before the day of rendez
vous, -passed through Pittsburgh, on his way to the appointed
place. He there prevailed upon Dr. Knight to accompany the
detachment as surgeon, and having provided such medical
stores as were likely to be useful on the expedition, he lost no
time in putting himself at the head of his troops.
On Saturday, the 25th of May, the little army commenced
its march, striking at once into a pathless wilderness, and
directing their coui-se due west. On the fourth day, they
halted at the ruins ofthe old Moravian town, about sixty miles
from the Ohio, where a few of the volunteers gave a sample of
the discipline which was to be expected from them, by aban
doning the party and returning home. The main body,
however, still seemed eager to prosecute the expedition, and
the march was continued with unabated spirit. On the morn
ing of the 30th, Major Brunton and Captain Bean, being a
few hundred yards in advance of the troops, observed two
Indians skulking through the woods, apparently observing the
motions of the detachment. They instantly fired upon them,
but without success. Secrecy now being out of the question,
it only remained to press forward with all practicable dispatch,
and afford the enemy as little time for preparation aa possible.
As the wilderness began to deepen around them and the critical
moment approached in whicb their courage would be tried, it

14 INTRODUCTION.
became evident that the ardor of the men was considerably
cooled. On the eleventh day of their march, they reached the spot
where the town of Sandusky had formerly stood, but from
which the Indians had lately removed, to a spot about eighteen
miles below. Here the detachment halted, and here the insub
ordinate spirit of the army first displayed itself. They insisted
upon returning home, alledging the tired condition of their
horses, and the fact that their provisions were likely to be soon
exhausted. The officers, yielding to the wishes of their co^n-
stitue^nts, (for the troops had elected their own officers,) de
termined in council, that they would continue their march one
day longer, and if no Indians appeared, they would then retuni
home ! What other results than -these which we are now about
to record, could have been anticipated from such officers and
such men ? Just as the council broke up, a single light-horse-'
man, belonging to the advanced guard, rode in at a gallop, an
nouncing that a large body of Indians' were formed in an open
wood, a few miles in advance, and seemed determined to arrest
the further progress of the invaders. Instant preparations were
made for battle. The troops, notwithstanding their previous
murmurs, advanced with alacrity, and soon came up with the
light-horsemen, who were slowly retiring, within view of the
enemy. The country was generally open, and well adapted
to the operations of cavalry. Here and there a thin copse of
woodland appeared, free from undergrowth and giving to each
party a full view of their enemy's movements. The Indians
had partially obtained possession of one of these copses,
although their full force had not yet come up.
The importance of seizing the wood was instantly seen, and
Crajvford hastily ordered his men to dismountj tie their horses,
and force the enemy from their position before their reinforce-
lonents, could arrive. This judicious order was promptly and

INTRODUCTION. 15
feffectually obeyed. Both flanks of the Indian position were
immediately turned, and a rapid and threatening movement
upon their front, quickly compelled them to give way. Craw
ford now took possession of the wood, but scarcely had he done
so, when the main body of the enemy hurried up to the assist
ance of their van, and, out-flanking Crawford, in turn opened
a heavy and galling fire upon his men, from which they found
it very difficult to obtain shelter.
The action now became sharp and serious; Crawford main
taining his ground, and the enemy, (who were hourly increas
ing in number,) making the most strenuous efforts to regain
the wood. From four in the evening until dusk, the firing
was very heavy, and the loss considerable. During the whole
of this time scarcely an Indian was visible, unless for a moment
when shifting his position. Their nui-nber could only be
ascertained from the many wreatlis of smoke which arose from
every bush, tree, or tuft of grass within view. At night the
enemy drew off", and Crawford's party slept upon their arms
upon the field of battle. On the next day the attack was
renewed, but at more respectful distance. The Indians had
.apparently sustained some loss on the close firing of the
preceding evening, and seemed now determined to await the
arrival of additional reinforcements. Occasional shots were
fired through the day, on both sides, but without much injury
to either. As soon as it was dark, the field officers assembled
in council; and, as the numbers of the enemy were evidently
increasing every moment, it was unanimously determined to
retreat by night, as rapidly as was consistent with order and
preservation of the wounded. The resolution was quickly
announced to the troops, and the necessary dispositions made
for carrying it into effect. The out-posts were silently with
drawn from the vicinity of the enemy, and as fast as they came
in, the troops were formed in three parallel lines, with the

16 INTRODUCTION.
wounded borne upon biers in the centre. By nine o'clock at
night, all necessary arrangements had been made, and the
jetreat began in good order.
Unfortunately, they had scarcely moved a hundred paces,
when the report of several rifles were heard in the rear, in the
direction of the Indian encampment. The troops soon became
very unsteady. At length, a solitary voice, in the front rank,
called out that their design was discovered and that the Indians
would soon be upon them. Nothing more was necessary.
The cavalry were instantly broken; and, as usual, each man
endeavored to save himself as best he could. A prodigious
uproar ensued, which quickly communicated to the enemy that
the white men had routed themselves and that they had nothing
to do but pick up stragglers. The miserable wounded, not
withstanding the piercing cries with which they supplicated to
be taken with them, were abandoned to the mercy of the enemy,
and soon put out of pain.
Dr. Knight, the surgeon of the detachment, was in the rear
when the fight ^commenced, but seeing the necessity of
dispatch, he put spurs to his horse and galloped through the
woods as fast as the darkness of the night would permit. He
had not advanced three hundred yards, when he heard the
voice of Colonel Crawford, a short distance in front, calling
aloud for his son, John Crawford, his son-in-law, Major Harri
son, and his two nephews. Major Rose and William Crawford.
Dr. Knight replied, in the same loud tone, that he believed
the young men were in front. "Is that you, Doctor V asked
Crawford, eagerly; for no features could be recognized in the
darkness. "Yes, Colonel; I am the hindmost man, I believe."
"No, no!" replied Crawford, anxiously; " my son is in the
rear yet: I have not been able to hear of him in front ! Do
not leave me. Doctor; my horse has almost given out; I can.

INTRODUCTION- 17
not keep up with the troops, and I wish a few of my best
friends to stay with me !"
Knight assured him that he might rely upon his support in
any extremity, and drew up his horse by his side. Colonel
Crawford still remained upon the same spot, calling loudly for
his son, until the last straggler had passed. He then, in strong
language, reprobated the conduct of the militia, in breaking
their reuiks and abandoning the wounded, but quickly returned
to the subject of his son, and appeared deeply agitated at the
uncertainty of his fate. Perceiving, however, that further
delay must terminate in death or captivity, the party set spurs
to their horses and followed the route of the troops. Presently
an old man and a lad joined thgm. Crawford eagerly asked if
they had seen his son or nephews 1 They assured him that
they had not; upon which he sighed deeply, but made no
reply. At this instant, a heavy fire was heard at the distance of a
mile in front, accompanied by yells, screams, and all the usual
attendants of battle. Not a doubt was entertained but that the
Indians had intercepted the retreat of the main body, and were
now engaged with them. Having lost all confidence in his
men, Crawford did not choose to unite his fortune to theirs,
and changed his course to the northward, in such a manner as
to leave the combatants- upon the right. He continued in this
direction for nearly an hour, until he supposed himself out of
the immediate line of the enemy's operations, when he again
changed his course to the eeistward, moving as rapidly as possi
ble, with an interval of twenty paces between them, and
steadily regulating their route by the north star. The boy
who accompanied them was brisk and active, but the old man
constantly lagged behind, and as constantly shouted aloud for
them to wait for him. They often remonstrated with him upon
the impropriety of making so much noise, at a time when all

18 INTRODUCTION.
their lives depended upon secrecy and celerity; and he repeat
edly promised to do so no more.
At length, upon crossing Sandusky creek, the old man found
himself once more considerably in the rear; and once more
shouted aloud for them to wait, until he could come up. Be
fore they eould reply, a halloo was heard in the rear of their
left, and apparently not more than one hundred paces from the
spot where the old man stood. Supposing it to be the cry of
an Indian, they remained still and silent for several minutes,
looking keenly around them in the expectation of beholding
an enemy. Every thing, however, remained silent. The old
hian was heard no more, and whether he escaped, or was
killed, could never be ascertained. The party continued their
flight until day-break, when Colonel Crawford's horse and that
of the boy, sunk undfr their riders arid were abandoned.
Continuing their journey on foot, they quickly fell in with
Captain Biggs, an expert woodman and gallant officer, who, in
the universal scattering, had generously brought off" a wounded
officer. Lieutenant Ashley, upon his own horse, and was now
composedly walking by his side, with a rifle in his hand and a
knapsack upon his shoulders. This casual meeting was grati
fying to both parties, and they continued their "journey with
renewed spirits. At three o'clock in the afternoon, a heavy fall
of rain compelled them to encamp. A temporary shelter was
quickly formed by barking several trees, after the manner of
the Indians, and spreading the bark over poles so as to form a
roof A fire was then kindled, and the rain continued to -pour
down in torrents. They remained here through the night
without any accident.
Continuing their route on the following morning, at the dis
tance of three miles from the camp, they found a deer, which
had recently been killed and skinned. The meat was neatly
sliced and bundled up in the skin, and a tomahawk lay near-^.-

INTRODUCTION. 18
giving room for suspicion that Indians were in the neighbor
hood. As the whole party had fasted for thirty-six hours, this
was a very acceptable treat, and lifting the skin, with the meat
enclosed, from the ground, they carried it with them until they
had leisure to cook it. Having advanced a mile farther, they
observed a smoke in the woods before them. The party
instantly halted, while Colonel Crawford and Dr. Knight went
forward to reconnoiter.
Cautiously approaching the fire, they found it burning bright
ly, but abandoned, from which they inferred that a party had
encamped there the preceding night, and had retired a few
minutes before their approach. Having carefully examined
the bushes around, and discovered no Indian signs, they directed
their friends in the rear to come up, and quickly set about pre
paring breakfast. In a few minutes, they observed a white
man, skulking in the rear, examining the trail and apparently
very shy of approaching them. Calling out to him in a
friendly tone, they invited him to approach without fear, assur
ing him that they were countrymen and friends. The man
instantly complied, and informed them that he had killed tbe
deer which they were cooking, but hearing them approach, be
had taken them for enemies, and had fled into the bushes for
eoncealment. Highly pleased at the accession to their strength, the party
breakfasted heartily upon the deer and continued their march.
By noon, they had reached the path by which the army had
marched, a few days before, in their advance upon the Indian
towns, and some discussion took place as to the propriety of
taking that road homeward. Biggs and the doctor strenuously
insisted upon continuing their course through the woods, and
avoiding all paths; but Crawford overruled them,, assuring them
that the Indians would not urge their pursuit beyond the plains
which were already far behind. Unfortunately, the colonel

20 INTRODUCTION.
prevailed; and, abandoning their due eastern course, the party
pursued the beaten path. Crawford and "Knight moved one
hundred and fifty yards in front. Biggs and his wounded friend,
Ashley, were in the center, both on horseback, the doctor
having lent Biggs his horse, and the two men on foot brought
up the rear.
They soon had reason to repent their temerity. Scarcely
had they advanced a mile, when several Indians sprung up
within twenty yards of Knight and Crawford, presenting their
guns, and in good English ordered them to stop. Knight
instantly sprung behind a large black oak, cocked his gun and
began to take aim at the foremost. Crawford, however, did
not attempt to conceal himself, but calling hastily to Knight,
ordered him twice not to fire.
Instantly, the Indian at whom Knight had taken aim, ran up
to the colonel with every demonstration of friendship, shook
his hand cordially, and asked him how he did. Knight still
maintaining a hostile attitude behind the tree, Crawford called
to him again, and ordered him to put down his gun, which the
doctor very reluctantly obeyed.
Biggs and Ashley, seeing the condition of their friends,
halted, while the two men in the rear very prudently took to
their heels and escaped. One of the Indians then told Craw
ford to order Biggs to come up and surrender, or they would
kill him. The colonel complied, but Biggs feeling no inclina
tion to obey his commander in the present instance, vei"y coolly
cocked his rifle, took deliberate aim at one of the Indians, and
fired, although without effect. He and Ashley then put spurs
to their horses, and for the time escaped. The two prisoners
were then taken to the Indian camp, which stood within a few
miles of the place where they were taken; and on the next
evening, five Delawares came in with the scalps and horses of

INTRODUCTION. " 1
Biggs and Ashley, who, it appeared, had returned to the road,
and were intercepted a few miles farther on.
On the raorning, which was the 10th of June, Crawford and
Knight, together with nine prisoners, were conducted by their
captors, seventeen in number, to the old town of Sandusky,
about thirty-three miles distant. The main body halted at
night, within eight miles of the village, but as Colonel Craw
ford expressed great an.xiety to speak with Simon Girty, who
was then at Sandusky, he was permitted to go on that evening,
under the care of two Indians. On Tuesday morning, the
llth of June, Colonel Crawford was brought back from San
dusky on purpose to march into town with the other prisoners.
Knight eagerly accosted him, and asked if he had seen Girty?
The colonel replied in the affirmative; and added that Girty
had promised to use his utmost influence for his (the colonel's)
safety, but was fearful of the consequences, as the Indians
generally, and particularly Captain Pipe, one of the Delaware
chiefs, were much incensed against the prisoners, and were
endeavoring to have them all burned. The colonel added, that
he had heard of his son-in-law. Colonel Harrison, and his
nephew, William Crawford, both of whom had been taken by
the Shawanese, and admitted to mercy. Shortly after this
communication, their capital enemy. Captain Pipe, appeared.
His appearance was by no means unprepossessing, and he ex
hibited none of the ferocity which Knight, from Girty 's account,
had been led to expect.
On the contrary, his language was flattering and his manners
bland. But one ominous circumstance attended his visit.
With his own hand he painted every prisoiier Hack .' While
in the act of painting the doctor, he was as polite as a French
valet, assuring him that he should soon go to the Shawanee
town and see his friends; and" while painting the colonel he
told him that his head should be shaved — i. e., he should he

22 INTRODUCTION.
adopted — as soon as he arrived at Wyandot town. As soon as
the prisoners were painted, they were conducted towards the
town. Captain Pipe walking by the side of Crawford, and treat
ing him with the utmost kindness, while the prisoners, witl^
the exception of Dr. Knight, were pushed on ahead of him*
As they advanced, they were shocked at observing the bodies of
four of their friends, who had just left them, tomahawked and
scalped, with an interval of nearly a mile between each.
They had evidently perished in running the gauntlet. This
spectacle was regarded as a sad presage of their own fate,. . In
a short tirae they overtook the five prisoners who remained
alive. They were seated on the ground, and appeared much
dejected. Nearly seventy squaw? and Indian boys surrounded
them, menacing them with knives and tomahawks, and exhaust
ing upon them every abusive epithet which their language
afforded. Crawford and Knight were compelled to sit down
apart from the rest, and immediately afterwards the doctor was
given to a Shawanee warrior to be conducted to their town,
while the colonel remained stationary.
The boys and squaws then fell upon the other prisoners and
tomahawked them in a moxnent. Among them was Captain
McKinley, who had served with reputation throughout the
Revolutionary War until th,e capture of Cornwallis. An old
squaw, approaching him and brandishing a long knife, seized
him by the hair, instantly cut off" his head and kicked it near
the spot where Crawford sat in momentary expectation of a
similar fate. Another destiny, however, was reserved for him.
After having sufficiently exhausted their rage iipon the lifeless
bodies of the five prisoners, the whole party started, up, and
driving Crawford before them, marched towai-ds the village.
Presently, Girty appeared on horseback, coming from San
dusky. He stopped for a few moments, and spoke to Crawford,
then, passing to the rear of the party, addressed Knight---" Is

INTRODUCTION. 2:?
this the doctor!" inquired he with an insulting smile. " Yes !
Mr. Girty, I am glad to see you !" replied poor Knight, ad
vancing towai'ds him, and anxiously extending his hand. But
Girty cursed him in a savage tone, ordered him to be gone,
and not to suppose that he would give his hand to such a 
rascal. Upon this the Shawanee warrior who had him in cus
tody, dragged him along by a rope. Girty followed on horse
back, and informed him that he was to go to Chillicothe.
Presently they came to a spot where there was a large fire,
around which about thirty warriors, and more than double that
number of squaws and boys were collected.
As soon as the colonel arrived, they surrounded him, strip
ped him naked, and compelled him to sit on the ground near
the fire. They then fell upon him and beat him severely with
^icks and their fists. In a few minutes, a large stake was fixed
in the ground, and piles of hickory poles, rather thicker than
a man's thumb, and about twelve feet in length, were spread
around it. Colonel Crawford's hands were then tied behind
his back; a strong rope was produced, one end of which weis
fastened to the ligature between his wrists and the other tied to
the bottom of the stake. The rope was long enough to per
mit him to walk around the stake several times and then return.
Fire was then applied to the hickory poles, which lay in piles
at the distance of six or seven yards from the stake.
The colonel, observing these terrible prepai-ations, called to
Girty, who sat on horseback at the distance of a few yards from
the fire, and asked if the Indians were going to burn him.
Girty very coolly replied in the affirmative. The colonel
heard the intelligence with firmness, merely observing that
he would bear it with fortitude. When the hickory poles had
been burnt asunder in the middle. Captain Pipe arose and
addressed the crowd, in a tone of great energy, and with ani
mated gestures, pointing frequently at the colonel, who regarded'

24 INTRODUCTION.
him with an appearance of unruffled composure. As soon as
he had ended, a loud whoop burst from the assembled throng,
and they all, rushed at once upon the unfortunate Crawford.
For several seconds the crowd was so great that Knight could
not see what they were doing; but in a short time, they had
dispersed sufficiently to give him a view of the colonel.
His ears had been cut ofl^, and the blood was streaming down
each side of his face. A terrible scene of torture now com
menced. The warriors shot charges of powder into his naked
body, commencing with the calves of his legs and continuing
to his neck. The boys snatched the burning hickory poles
and applied them to his flesh. As fast as he ran round the
slake, to avoid one party of tormentors, he was promptly met
at every turn by others, with burning poles, red hot irons, and
rifles loaded with powder only; so that in a fev^ minutes nearly
one hundred charges of powder had been shot into his body,
which had become black and blistered in a terrible manner.
The squaws would take a quantity of coals and hot ashes and
throw them upon his body, so that in _a few minutes he had
nothing but fire to walk upon. In the extremity of his agony,
the unhappy colonel called aloud upon Girty, in tones which
rang through Knight's brain with maddening eflTect — " Girty !
Girty ! ! Shoot me through the heart ! Quick ! — Quick ! ! Do
not refuse me ! !" " Don't you see I have no gun, colonel ?"
replied the monster, bursting into a loud laugh, and then turn
ing to an Indian beside him, he uttered some brutal jests upon
the naked and miserable appearance of the prisoner.
The terrible scene had now lasted nearly two hours, and
Crawford had become much exhausted. He walked slowly
around the stake, spoke in a low tone, and earnestly besought
God to look with compassion upon him and pardon his sins.
His nerves had lost much of their sensibility and he no longer
shrunk from the fire-brands with vi'hich they incessantly touched

INTRODUCTION. 25
him. At length he sunk in a fainting fit upon his face and lay
motionless. Instantly an Indian sprung upon his back, knelt
lightly upon one knee, made a circular incision with his knife
upcJn the crown of his head, and clapping the knife between
his teeth, tore the scalp off with both hands ! Scarcely bail
this been done, when a withered hag approached with a board
full of burning embers, and poured them upon the crown of
his head, now laid bare to the bone ! The colonel groaned
deeply, arose, and again walked slowly ai'ound the stake ! !
Nature at length could do no more, and at a late hour of the
night, death released him from the hand of his cruel tor
mentors. The awful torture which Crawford had undergone, made a
deep impression upon the mind of Knight. He resolved, if
possible, to make his escape, and this he did in a most wonder
ful manner, before reaching Shawanee town. The particulars
of his last adventure, are omitted for want of room. Thus
ended the lamented expedition of Colonel William Crawford;
rashly undertaken, injudiciously prosecuted, and terminating
with almost unprecedented calamity.
Soon after this, a treaty was concluded with the Wyandots,
Delawares, Chippewas and Ottawas, when the United States
acquired the title of those tribes to all the land east, west and
south of a line drawn from the mouth of Cuyahoga up that
river to the Tuscarawas portage, and to the forks of the Tusca
rawas above Fort Lawrence; thence to Loramies, thence to
the Maumee, and thence with that river to Lake Erie. The
territory thus ceded, included about three-fourths of the present
state of Ohio. In May, 1785, Congress proceeded to provide
by ordinance for the future survey and sale of the public do
main in the west. The land was directed to be divided -into
townships of six miles square, by lines running north and south
and intersected by other lines at right angles. These townships
3

26 INTRODUCTION.
were subdivided into sections, each containing a square mile, of
six hundred and forty acres; and each range was to be num
bered from south to north, commencing on the Ohio river.
The ranges were to be distinguished by progressive numbers
westward, the first resting upon the western boundary of Penn
sylvania as a base-line.
In 1786, a company, called the " Ohio Company," was
organized in New England, and entered into a contract with
Congress for the purchase of a million and a half acres, lying
on the Ohio and including the mouth of the Muskingum and
the Hockhocking, at the price of one million of dollars. The
members of the company were most of them officers and
soldiers of the Revolutionary arihy, who proposed to seek in
the western wilderness, the means df retrieving their shattered
fortunes — or at least, a home and a subsistence. The purchase
money they intended to pay in continental certificates, with
which many of them had been paid for their military services,
and which were then much depreciated in value. The contract
was executed in November, 1787. The next year, 1788, the
first permanent settlement in Ohio was made a.xMarietta, at the
mouth of the Muskingum. Congress then proceeded to form
the first territorial government, and General Arthur St. Clair,
a citizen of Pennsylvania, who had been a distinguished officer
of the Revolutionary army, and enjoyed the full confidence of
Washington, was appointed governor and commander-in-chief.
Samuel Holden Parsons, James Mitchel Varnum and John
Armstrong, were appointed judges; and Winthrop Sargent,
secretary of the territory. The first acts of territorial legisla
tion were passed at Marietta, the only American settlement
north-west of the Ohio. .,;
In October, 1788, John Cleves Symmes, in behalf of himself
and his associates, contracted with Congress for the purchase of a
million of acres of land adjoining the Ohio and between the Great

INTRODUCTION. 27
and Little Miami; but, in consequence of his failure to make due
payments, the greater part of this tract afterwards reverted to
Congress. Only 248,540 acres became the property of the
contractors. Not long after the completion of his contract,
Symmes sold the site of Cincinnati to Matthias Denman, of
New Jersey, who entered into a contract with Colonel Patter
son and Mr, Filson, of Kentucky, for laying out a town. Fif-
son, however, was killed by the Indians before he entitled
himself to any proprietary right under the agreement, and his
interest in the contract was transferred to Israel Ludlow.
On the 26th of December, 1788, Patterson and Ludlow with
a small party, arrived at the site of the projected settlement
In course of the winter, a town was surveyed and laid out by
Colonel Ludlow; and the courses of the streets of the future
city were marked on the trees of the primeval forest. The
name first given to the place was Losantiville — a barbarous
compound, intended to signify " a town opposite the mouth of
the lAcking;" but this name was soon after changed to Cincin
nati. The site selected, was extremely beautifiit Seen in the
summer, it presented a vast amphitheatre enclosed on all sides by
hills, wooded to their summits. The Ohio — la belle riviere of
the French — came into the valley from the north-east, and,
sweeping gracefully around near its southern border, departed
to the south-west. From the south, the Licking brought its
moderate tribute just opposite to the selected site; and a little to
the west, Mill creek flowed silently from the inland country to
its confluence with the Ohio. The unaccustomed luxuriance
of the vegetation, and the majestic size of the forest trees,
covered with the thickest foliage, with which the wild grape
vine was frequently intermingled, astonished and delighted
the eye of the eastern emigrant. Even in winter, when the
settlement was made, the scene though divested of its summer
glories, was far from being unattractive or uninteresting. Tbe

28 INTRODUCTION.
climate, it is true, was inclement; but that very inclemency
was a protection against savage incursions. Game of every
description abounded in the woods, and the waters teemed with
fish. The emigrants, therefore, had little experience of the
hardships usually encountered in the first settlement of a wil
derness. On the first of June, 1789, Major Doughty arrived at Cin
cinnati, with one hundred and forty soldiers. A lot containing
fifteen acres, sloping from the upper bank to the river, was
selected, on which Fort Washington was built.
At the general pacification of 1783, between the United
States and Great Britain, there were several stipulations upon
both sides, which were not complied with. Great Britain had
agreed, as speedily as possible, to evacuate all the north-western
posts which lay within the boundaries of the United States;
while on the other hand, Congress had stipulated that no legal
i mpediments should be thrown in the way, in order to prevent
the collection of debts due to British merchants before the de
claration of war. Large importations had been made by
American merchants, upon credit^ in 1773 and 1774; and as
civil intercourse between the two countries had ceased until
the return of peace, the British creditors were unable to col
lect their dues. Upon the final ratification of the treaty, they
naturally became desirous of recovering their property, while
their debtors, as naturally, were desirous of avoiding payment.
But when Congress recommended the payment of all debts to
the legislatures, the legislatures, determined that it was inexpe
dient to comply. The British creditor complained to his
government; the government remonstrated with Congress upon
so flagrant a breach of one of the articles of pacification; Con
gress appealed to the legislatures; the legislatures were deaf
and obstinate, and there the matter rested. When the question
was agitated as to the evacuation of the posts, the British in

INTRODUCTION. 29
turn became refractory, and determined to hold them until the
acts of the legislatilres, preventing the legal collection of debts,
were repealed. In the meantime, the Indians were supplied, as
usual, by the British agents, and if not openly encouraged, were
undoubtedly secretly countenanced, in their repeated depreda
tions upon the frontier inhabitants.
These at length became so serious as to demand the notice
of government. Accordingly, in the autumn of 1790, General
Hm-mar was detached, at the head of three hundred regular
troops, and more than one thousand militia, with orders to
march upon their towns bordering upon the lakes, and inflict
upon them such signal chastisement as sho'uld deter them from
future depredations.
On the 20th of September, the various troops designed for
the expedition, rendezvoused at Fort Washington, now Cincin
nati, and on the following day commenced their march to the
Miami villages. The country was rough, swampy, and in many
places almost impassable, so that seventeen days were consumed
l)efore the main body could come within striking distance of
the enemy. In the meantime the great scarcity of provisions
rendered it necessary for the general to sweep the forest with
numerous small detachments, and as the woods swarmed with
roving bands of Indians, most of these parlies were cut off.
At length, the main body, considerably reduced by this petty
warfare, came within a few miles of their towns. Here the
general ordered Captain Armstrong, at the head of thirty regu- '
lars, and Colonel Hardin, of Kentucky, with one hundred and
fifty militia, to advance and reconnoiter. In the execution of
this order, they suddenly found themselves in the presence of
a superior number of Iridians, who suddenly arose from the
bushes and opened a heavy fire upon them. The militia
instantly gave way; while the regulars, accustomed to more .
orderly movements, attempted a regular retreat. The enemy >
3*

30 INTRODUCTION.
rushed upon them, tomahawk in hand, and completely sur
rounded them. The regulars attempted to open a passage with
the bayonet, but in vain. They were all destroyed, with the
exception of their captain and one lieutenant:
Captain Armstrong was remarkably stout and active, and
succeeded in breaking through the enemy's line, although not
without receiving several severe wounds. Finding himself
hard pressed, he plunged into a deep and miry swamp, where
he lay concealed during the whole night within two hundred
yards of the Indian camp, and witnessed the dances and joyous
festivity with which they celebrated their victory. The lieu
tenant (Hartshorn) escaped by accidentally stumbling over a
log and falling into a pit, where he lay concealed by the rank
grass which grew around him. The loss of the militia was very
trifling. Notwithstanding this severe check, Harmar advanced
with the main body upon their villages, which he found deserted
and in flames, the Indians having fired them w'ith their own hemds.
Here he found several hundred acres of corn, which was
completely destroyed. He then advanced upon the adjoining
villages, which he found deserted and burned, as the first had
been. Having destroyed all the corn which he found, the
army commenced its retreat from the Indian country, supposing
the enemy sufficiently intimidated.
After marching about ten miles on the homeward route,
General Harmar received information which induced him to
suppose that a body of Indians had returned and taken posses^
sion of the village which he had just left. He detached,
therefore, eighty regular troops, under the orders of Major
Wyllys, and nearly the whole of his militia, under Colonel
Harden, with orders to return to the village and destroy such
of the enemy as presented themselves. The detachment
accordingly countermarched, and proceeded with all possible
dispatch to the appointed spot, fearful, only that the enemy

INTRODUCTION. 31
might hear of their movements and escape before they could
come up. The militia, in loose order, took the advance; the
regulars, moving in a hollow square, brought up the rear.
Upon the plain in front of the town a number of Indians were
seen, between whom and the militia, a sharp action commenced.
After a few rounds, with considerable effect upon both sides,
the savages fled in disorder, and were eagerly and impetuously
pursued by the militia, who, in the ardor of the chase, were
drawn into the woods to a considerable distance from the
regulars. Suddenly, from the opposite quarter, several hundred Indians
appeared, rushing with loud yells, upon the unsupported regu
lars. Major Wyllys, who was a brave and experienced officer,
formed his men in a square, and endeavored to gain a more
favorable spot of ground, but was prevented by the desperate
impetuosity with which the enemy assailed him. Unchecked
by the murderous fire which was poured upon them from the
different sides of the square, they rushed in masses up to the
points of the bayonets, hurled their tomahawks with fatal
accuracy, and putting aside the bayonets with their hands, or
clogging them with their bodies, they were quickly mingled
with the troops, and handled their long knives with destructive
effect. In two minutes, the bloody struggle was over. Major
Wyllys fell, together with seventy-three privates, and one
lieutenant. One captain, one ensign, and seven privates, three
of whom were wounded, were the sole survivors of this short,
but desperate encounter.
The Indian loss was nearly equal, as they sustained several
heavy fires, which the closeness of their masses rendered very
destructive, and as they rushed upon the bayonets of the troops
with the most astonishing disregard to their own safety. Their
object was to overwhelm the regulars, before the militia could
return to, their support, and it was as boldly executed as it had

32 INTRODUCTION.
been finely conceived. In a short time, the militia returned
frora the pursuit of the flying party, which had decoyed them
to a distance — but it was now too late to retrieve the fortune of
the day. After some short skirmishing, they effected their
retreat to the main body, with the loss of one hundred and
eight killed, and twenty-eight Vounded. This dreadful
slaughter, so reduced the strength and spirits of Harmar's army
that, he was happy in being permitted to retreat unmolested to
Fort Washington, having totally failed in accomplishing the
objects of the expedition.
The failure of Harmar made a deep impression upon the
American nation, and was followed by a loud demand for a
greater force, under the command of a more experienced
general. Arthur St. Clair was at that time governor of
the North-western Territory, and had a claim to the command
of such forces as should be employed within his own limits.
This gentleman had uniformly ranked high as an officer of
courage and patriotism, but had been more uniformly unsuc
cessful and unfortunate, than any other officer, in the American
Revolution. He had comraanded at Ticonderoga in the spring
of 1777, and had conducted one of the most disastrous retreats
which occurred during the war. Notwithstanding his repeated
misfortunes, he still commanded the respect of his brother offi
cers and the undiminished confidence of Washington. He
was now selected as the person raost capable of restoring the
American affairs in the norlh-vi;est, and was placed at the head
of a regular force, amounting to near fifteen hundred men,
well furnished with artillery, and was empowered to call out
such reinforcements of militia as might be necessary, Cincin
nati, as usual, was the place pf rendezvous.
In October, 1781, an army was assembled at that place,
greatly superior in numbers, officers, and equipments, to any
which had yet appeared in the west. The,regular force was

INTRODUCTION. 33
composed of three complete regiments of infantry, two com
panies of artillery, and one of cavalry. The militia who
joined him at Fort Washington, amounted to upwards of six
hundred men, most of whom had long been accustomed to
Indian warfare. The general commenced his march from
Cincinnati in October, and following the route of Harmar,
arrived at Fort Jefl'erson without material loss. Shortly
after leaving Fort Jefferson, one of the militia regiments, with
their usual disregard to discipline, determined that it was inex
pedient to proceed farther, and detaching themselves from the
main body, returned rapidly to the fort, on their way home.
This ill-timed mutiny, not only discouraged the remainder, but
compelled the commander to detach the first regiment in pur
suit of them, if not to bring them back, at least to prevent them
from injuring the stores collected for the use of the army at the
fort. With the remainder of the troops, amounting in all to
about twelve hundred men, he continued his march to the Great
Miami villages.
On the evening of the 3d of November, he encamped upon
a very commanding piece of ground, upon the bank of oneof
the tributaries of the Wabash, where he determined to throw
up sorae slight works for the purpose of protecting their knap
sacks and baggage, having to move upon the Miami villages,
supposed to be within twelve miles, as soon as the first regi
ment should rejoin them. The remainder of the evening was
employed in concerting the plan of the proposed work with
.^lajor Ferguson, of the engineers; and when the sentries
were posted at night, every thing was as quiet as could have
been desired. The troops were encamped in two lines, with
an interval of seventy yards between them, which was all that
the nature of the ground would permit. The battalions of
Majors Butler, Clarke, and Patterson, composed the front line,
the whole under the orders of Major General Butler, an officer

84 INTRODUCTION.
of high and merited reputation. The front of the line was cov
ered by a creek, its right flank by the river, and its left by a
strong corps of infantry.
The second line was composed of the battaTions of Majors
Gaither and Bedinger, and the, second regiment under the
comraand of Lieutenant Colonel Darke. This line, like the
other, was secured upon one flank by the river, and upon the
other by the cavalry and pickets. The night passed away
without alarm. The sentinels were vigilant, and the officers
upon the alert.
A few hours before day, St. Clair caused the reveille to be
beaten, and the troops to be paraded under arms, under the
expectation that an attack would probably be made. In this
situation they continued until day-light, when they were dis
missed to their tents. Some were endeavoring to snatch a few
minutes' sleep, others, were preparing for the expected march,
when suddenly the report of a rifle was heard from the militia
a few hundred yards in front, which was quickly followed by a
sharp", irregular volley in the same direction.
The drums instantly beat to arras, the officers flew in every
direction, and in two minutes the troops were formed in order
of battle. Presently the militia rushed into camp in the utmost
disorder, closely pursued by swarms of Indians, who in many
places were mingled with them and were cutting them down
with their tomahawks.
Major Butler's battalion received the first shock, and was
thrown into disorder by the turaultuous flight of the militia,
who, in their eagerness to escape, bore down every thing before
them. Here Major General Butler had stationed himself, and
here St. Clair directed his attention, in order to remedy the
confusion which began to spread rapidly through the whole
line. The Indians pressed forward with great audacity, and
many of them were mingled with the troops before their pro-

INTRODUCTION. 35
gress could be checked. Major General Butler was wounded
at the first fire, and before his wound could be dressed, an
Indian, who had penetrated the ranks of the regiment, ran up
to the spot where he lay, and tomahawked him before his
attendants could interpose. The desperate savage was instantly
killed. By great exertions, Butler's battalion was restored to
order, and the heavy and sustained fire of the first line, com
pelled the enemy to pause and shelter themselves.
This interval, however, endured but for a" moment. An
invisible, but tremendous fire quickly opened upon the whole
front of the encampraent, which rapidly extended to the rear,
and encompassed the troops on both sides. St. Clair, who at
that time was worn down by a fever, and unable to mount his
horse, nevertheless, as is universally admitted, exerted hiraself
with a courage and presence of mind worthy of a better fate.
He instantly directed his litter to the right of the rear line,
where the great weight of fire fell, and where the slaughter,
particularly of the officers, was terrible. Here Darke com
manded, an officer who had been trained to hard service during
the Revolutionary War, and who was now gallantly exerting
himself to check the consternation which was evidently be
ginning to prevail. St. Clair ordered him to make a rapid
charge with the bayonet, and rouse the enemy from their
covert. The order was instantly obeyed, and at first, apparently with
great effect. Swarms of dusky bodies arose from the high
grass, and fled before the regiment with every mark of conster
nation. But as the troops were unable to overtake them, they
quickly recovered their courage, and kept up so fatal a retreating
fire that the exhausted regulars were compelled, in their turn,
to give way. This charge, however, relieved that particular
point, for some time; but the weight of the fire was transferred
to the centre of the first line, where it threatened to annihilate

36 INTRODUCTION.
every thing within its range. There, in turn, the unfortunate
general was borne by his attendants, and ordered a second ap
peal to the, bayonet. , This second charge was made with the
sarae irapetuosity as at first, and with the sarae momentary suc
cess. But the attack was instantly shifted to another point,
where the same charge was made, and the same result foUpwed.
The Indians would retire before them, still keeping up the
most fatal fire, and the continentals were uniformly compelled
to retire in turn. St. Clair brought up the artillery in order
to sweep the bushes with grape, but the horses and artillery
men were destroyed by the terrible fire of the enemy, before
any efiect could be produced. They were instantly manned
afresh from the infantry, and again swept of defenders.
The slaughter had now become prodigious. Four-fifths ' of
the officers and one-half of the men were either killed or
wounded. The ground was covered v?ith bodies, and the little
ravine. which led to the river, was running with blood. The
fire of the enemy had not in the least slackened,, andthe troops
vvere falling in heaps before it, in ev,ery part of tbe camp.
To have attempted to maintain his position longer, could
only,have led to the total destruction of his force, without the
possibility of annoying the enemy, Tvho never showed them
selves, unless when charged, and whose numbers (to judge
from the weight and extent of the fire) raust have equaled, if
not exceeded his own. The men wer* evidently much dis
heartened, but the officers, who_were chiefly veterans of the
Revolution, still mainlained a firra countenance, and exerted
themselves with unavailing heroism to the. last Under these
circumstances, St. Clair, determined to save the lives of the
survivors, if possible, and for that purpose collected the rem
nants of several battalions into one corps, at the head of which
he ordered Lieutenant Colonel Darke to make an impetuous
charge upon the enemy, in order to open a passage for the

INTRODUCTION. 37
remainder of the army. Darke executed his orders with great
spirit, and drove the Indians before him, to the distance of a
quarter of a mile. The remainder of tlie army instantly rush
ed through the opening, in order to gain the road ! Major
Clarke, with the remnant of his battalion, bringing up the rear,
and endeavoring to keep the Indians in check. General St.
Clair's horses were killed, as well as those of his aids. He
was placed, by a few ft'iends, upon an exhausted pack-horse
that could not be urged out of a walk, and in this condition fol
lowed in the rear of his troops.
The retreat soon degenerated into a total rout. Officers who
strove to arrest the panic, only sacrificed themselves. Clarke,
the leader of the rear guard, soon fell in this dangerous ser
vice, and his corps were totally disorganized. Officers and
soldiers were now mingled without the slightest regard to dis
cipline, and " devil talce the hindmost," was the order of the
day. The pursuit, at first, was keen, but the temptation afford
ed by the plunder of the camp, soon brought them back, and
the wearied, wounded, and disheartened fugitives, were per
mitted to retire from the field unmolested. The rout continu
ed as far as Fort Jefferson, twenty-nine miles from the scene of
action. The action lasted more than three hours, during the
whole of which time, the fire was heavy and incessant.
The loss, in proportion to the nuraber engaged, was enor
mous, and is unparalleled, except in the affair of Braddock. —
Sixty-eight officers were killed upon the spot, and twenty-eight
wounded. Out of nine hundred privates, who went into the
action, five hundred and fifty were killed, and many were woun
ded. General St. Clair was untouched, although eight balls
passed through his hat and clothes, and several horses were kill
ed under him. The Indian loss was reported by themselves al
fifty-eight killed and wounded, which was probably not under
rated, as they were never visible after the first attack, until
4

88 INTRODUCTION.
chai'ged with the bayonet. At Fort Jefferson, the fugitives
were joined by the first regiment, who, as noticed before, had
been detached in pursuit of the deserters. Here a council of
war was called, which terminated in the unanimous opinion,
that the junction with the first regiraent did not justify an at
terapt upon the enemy in the present condition of afFairs, and
that the army should return to Fort Washington without delay.
This was done ; and thus ended the second campaign against
the Indians.
There was an interval of more than a year between the de
feat of St. Clair, and the appointment of his successor. The
choice fell upon General Wayne of Pennsylvania, nnd he lost
no tirae in proceeding to the head-quarters of the western ar
my, and arrived at Fort Washington in the spring of 1793. —
Reinforceraents of regular troops were constantly arriving, and
iri addition to the usual compleraent of cavalry and artillery, a
strong legionary corps was raised upon continental establish
ment, and placed under his command. In addition to this, he
was authorized to call upon the governor of Kentucky, (Shel
by,) for as many mounted militia as might be necessary. It
was so late in the season, however, before all the various for
ces could be collected, and all the necessary supplies procured,
that he judged it prudent to defer any offensive moveraent un
til the spring.
The raounted volunteers were accordingly dismissed, with
spme flattering encomiums upon their zeal and readiness, while
the regular forces were placed in winter quarters. During the
winter, Wayne remained at a fort which he had built upon a
western fork of the Little Miami, and to which he had given
the name of Greenville. By detachments from the regular
troops, he was enabled to sweep the country lying between him
and the Miami villages, and having taken possession of the
ground upon which St. Clair was defeated, he erected a small

INTRODUCTION. 39
fort Upon it, which he called "Recovery." His orders were
positive, to endeavor if possible, to procure peace upon reason
able terms, without resorting to force, and he accordingly open
ed several conferences with the hostile tribes, during the win
ter. Many of their chiefs visited him in his camp, and exam
ined his troops, artillery and equipments with great attention,
and from time to time made ample professions of a disposition
to bury the hatchet ; but nothing definite could be drawn from
them, and from the known partiality of Wayne to the decision
of the sword, could it be supposed that he pressed the overtures
with much eagerness. As the spring approached, the visits of
the Indians became more rare, and their professions of friend
ship waxed fainter. In February, they threw aside the mask
at once, and made a bold effort to carry the distant out-post at
Fort Recovery, by a coup-de-main. In this, however, they
were frustrated by the vigilance and energy of the garrison ;
Emd finding that Wayne was neither to be surprised nor deceiv
ed, they employed themselves in collecting their utmost strength
with a determination to abide the brunt of battle.
In the spring, the general called upon the governor of Ken
tucky for a detachment of mounted men, who repaired with
great alacrity, to his standard, in two brigades, under Todd and
Barbee, the whole comraanded by Major General Scott, amount
ing to more than fifteen hundred men, accustomed to Indian
warfare. The regular force, including cavalry and artillery,
amounted lo about two thousand, so that the general found him
self at the head of three thousand raen, well provided with ev
ery thing, in high spirits, and eager for battle. The Indian
force did not exceed two thousand, and was known to have as
sembled in the neighborhood of the British fort at the rapids of
the Miami.
It was late in July, before Wayne was ready to march from
Greenville, and from the nature of the country, as well as the

40 INTRODUCTION.
necessity o^ guarding against surprise, his progress was very
leisurely. He continued his march, however, in order of battle
until he arrived within view of the enemy. The regular force
formed the centre column, one brigade of mounted volunteers
moyed upon the left under General Barbee, the other brought up
the rear under Brigadier Todd. The right flank was covered
by the river, and Major Price, with a select corps of raounted
volunteers, was advanced about five miles in front, with orders
to feel the enemy's position, and then fall back upon the main
body. About noon, the advanced corps received so heavy a
fire from a concealed enemy as to compel it to retire with
precipitation. The heads of the columns soon reached the
hostile ground and had a view of the enemy. The ground for
miles was covered with a thick growth of timber ; which ren
dered the operation of cavalry extremely difficult. The In
dians occupied a thick wood in front, where an immense num
ber of trees had been blown down by a hurricane, tbe branches
of which were interlocked in such a manner as greatly to im
pede the exertions ofthe regulars.
The enemy were formed in three parallel lines, at right
angles to the river, and displayed a front of more than two
miles. Wayne rode forward to reconnoiter their positions, and
perceiving frora the weight and extent of the fire that they were
in full force, he instantly made dispositions' for the attack.
The whole of the mounted volunteers were ordered to malie
a circuit, for the pui'pose of turning the right flank of the Indi
ans ; the cavalry were ordered to move up under cover of the
river bank, and if possible, turn their left ; while the regular
infantry were formed in a thick wood in front of the " fallen
timber," with orders, as soon as the signal was given, to rush
forward at full speed without firing a shot, ai'ousing the enemy
from their covert at the point of the bayonet, and then to deliver
a close fire upon their- backs, pressing them so closely as not

INTRODUCTION. 41
to permit them to re-load their guns. All these orders were
executed with precision. The mounted volunteers moved off
rapidly to occupy the designated ground, while the first line of
infantry was formed under the eye of the commander, for the
perilous charge in front.
As soon as time had been given for the arrival of the several
corps upon their respective points, the order was given to. ad
vance, and the infanti-y, rushing through a tremendous fire of
rifles and overleaping every impediment, hastened to close with
their concealed enemy and maintain the struggle on equal terms.
Although their loss in this desperate charge was by no means
inconsiderable, yet the effect was decisive. The enemy rose
and fled before them more than two miles with considerable
loss, as, owing to the orders of Wayne, they were nearly as
much exposed as the regulars. Such was the rapidity of the
advance and the precipitation of the retz'eat, that only a small
part of the volunteers could get up in time to share in the action,
although there can be no question that their presence and
threatening movement contributed equally with the impetuous
charge ofthe infantry, to the success ofthe day.
The broken remains of the Indian army were pursued un
der the guns of the British fort, and so keen was the ardor of
Wayne's raen, and so strong their resentraent against the En
glish, that it was with the utmost difficulty they could be res
trained from storming the fort upon the spot.
The Indian force being thus completely dispersed, their corn
fields cut up, and their houses burned, Wayne drew off his for
ces from the neighborhood of the British post, and in order to
hold the Indians perraanently in check, he erected a fort at the
junction of the Auglaize and Miarai in the very heart of the
Indian country, to which he gave the very appropiate name of
Defiance. As this was connected with Fort Washington by
various intermediate fortifications it could not fail completely
4*

42 INTRODUCTION.
to overawe the enemy, who in a very short time, urgently and
unanimously demanded peace.
Accordingly, on the 3d of August, 1795, a grand council was
held at Greenville, where eleven of the most powerful tribes of
the .north-west were represented, to whom General Wayne dic
tated the terms of peace. The treaty thus negotiated, stipula
ted for the mutual release of prisoners. The boundary estab
lished at Fort Mcintosh was confirmed and extended westward
from Loramies to Fort Recovery, and thence south-west to the
mouth of the Kentucky river! All the territory eastward and
southward of the line thus established, was ceded to the United
States ; and the Indians solemnly pledged themselves, never
again to raake those lands or any part of thera, a cause or pre
tense of war or injury. to the American people. Upon these
conditions, the United States received the Indian nations into
their protection, and relinquished all claim to lands, not included-
within the treaty boundary.
A large quantity of goods was likewise delivered on the
spot, and perpetual annuities, payable in merchandize or in do
mestic animals, implements of husbandry, or other convenient
utensils at the pleasure of the receivers, were promised to each
trite which became a party to the treaty. This treaty was the
foundation of a permanent peace. It was the act of all the
tribes who had any claims to the territory of the Wabash, and
the observance of its conditions was secured by the expec
tation of solid benefits as the rewards of good faith ; and by
the dread of severe retribution as the consequence of infraction.
Its effect upon the improvement and' prosperity ofthe west was
jmmenEe. Confidence in the ability arid disposition of the
government to protect the western settlers was universally re
stored, and the emigrant no longer had the fear of the toma
hawk and the scalping knife, of the midnight conflagration and
the noon day ambush, before his eyes, when he undertook the

INTRODUCTION. 43
conquest ofthe wilderness. No combination of tribes nor any
single tribe again lifted the tomahawk against the United States
until just before the breaking out of the war with Great Britain,
During this long interim several important events transpired.
In the year 1796, settlements wefe made on the southern shore
of Lake Erie, at Cleveland and at Conneaut by settlers fi-om
New England. The intermediate countries between these
settlements of the north and those of the south, was gradually
filled up by subsequent emigration of settlers from different
quarters ofthe United States, by their natural increase, and by
immigrants trom various parts of Europe. From Marietta,
settlers spread into the adjoining country. The Virginia
Military reservation drew considerable numbers of Revolution
ary veterans and others from tbat state. The region between
the Miamies, from the Ohio far up towards the sources of Mad
river, became checkered with farras, and abounded in indica
tions of the presence of an active and prosperous population.
In 1796, Wayne county was established, including all the
north-western part of Ohio, a large tract in the north-eastern
part of Indiana, and the whole territory of Michigan. Before
the end ofthe year 1798, the North-Western Territory contained
a population of 5000 inhabitants, and eight organized counties.
In September, 1799, the first (territorial) legislature, under
the ordinance of Congress, of the l:ith of July 1786, for the
government ofthe territory ofthe United'States, 'north-west of
the Ohio river, convened at Cincinnati. During that session
which was appointed for the 16th of September, 1799, but did
not open until the 24th, General William Henry Harrison, was
elected delegate to Congress, and forty-eight acts were passed
by both houses, thirty-ECven of which were approved by Gov
ernor St. Clair, and eleven v/ere returned by him without
signing. The eleven acts vetoed, were |)rijicipaHy relating^to
tiie erection of new counties and fixing of county-seals ; these

44 INTRODUCTION.
being matters over which he claimed exclusive jurisdiction.
The session closed in December following.
In 1801, the state of Connecticut relinquished her claim of
jurisdiction over the Connecticut Western Reserve, and re
ceived a title in fee, of the soil, from the United States. The
territory was thereupon erected into a county called Trumbull,
and the courts of the territory established therein. By an act
of Congress of the same year, the territory north-west of the
Ohio was divided by a line ^rav/n from the raouth of the Ken
tucky to Fort Recovery, and thence northward to the territo
rial line ; and Chillicothe was established as the seat of govern
raent of the eastern division, now Ohio. The second session
of the territorial legislature was therefore held at Chillicothe.
On the SOth of April, 1802, Congress passed an act authorizing
the call of a convention to form a state constitution, for that
part of the then North-Western Territory, lying between
Lake Erie and the Ohio river ; and east of a meridian drawn
due north from the mouth of the great Miami river, and exten
ding easterly to Pennsylvania. On the first of November fol
lowing, pursuant thereto, the convention met at Chillicothe and
formed our present state constitution.
The formation of the constitution was the work of little
more than three weeks. On the 27lh of November, it was or
dered to be engrossed for a third reading, and on the 29th, was
ratified and signed by the merabers of the convention. It was
never referred to the people for their approbation, but becarae
the fundamental law of the state by the act of the convention
alone. Besides forming the constitution, the convention had
another duty to perform. The act of Congress providing for
the adraission*of the new state into the Union, offered certain
propositions to the people. These were, first, that section
sixteen, in each township, or where that section had been dis
posed of, other contiguous and equivalent lands should be gran-

INTRODUCTION. 45
ted to the inhabitants for the use of schools; second, that thirty-
eight sections of land where salt springs had been found, of
which one township was situated on the Scioto, one section on
the Muskingum, and one section in the United States Military
tract, should be granted to the state, never however, to be sold
or leased for a longer term than ten yeai-s ; and third, that
one-twentieth of the proceeds of public lands, sold within the
state, should be applied to the construction of roads from the
Atlantic, to and through the same. These propositions were
offered, on the condition that the convention should provide by
ordinance, that all lands sold by the United States after the
thirtieth day of June, 1802, should be exempt from taxation by
the state for five years after the sale.
The ordinance of 1785, had already provided for the appro
priation of secJ[^^sixteen to the support of schools in every
township sold ^^ne United States, and the appropriation thus
became a condition of the sale and settleraent of the western
country. It was a condition offered to induce purchases ot
public lands, at a time when the treasury was well nigh empty;
and this source of revenue was much relied upon. It extended
to every township of land within the territory, except those in
the Virginia Military reservation ; and wherever the reserved
section had been disposed of, after the passage of the ordinance
Congress was bound to make other equivalent provisions for
the same object. The reservation of section sixteen, therefore,
could not in 1802, be properly made the object of a new bar-
gain between the United States and the state ; and many
thought that the salt reservations and the twentieth of the pro
ceeds of the public lands, were very inadequate equivalents for
the proposed surrender of the right to tax. The convention
however determined to accept the propositions of Congress, on
their being so far modified and enlarged, as to vest in the state
for the use of schools, section sixteen in each township sold by

46 INTRODUCTION.
the United States, and three other tracts of land, equal in quan
tity, respectively, to one thirty-sixth of the Virginia reserva
tion, of the United States Military tract, and of the Connecticut
Reserve, and to give three per centum of the proceeds of ths
public lands sold within the state, to be applied under the di
rection ofthe legislature, to roads in Ohio. Congress assented
to the proposed modification and thus corapleted the compact.
Ohio was now a state and a member of the Federal Union.
The constitution which was first adopted, has never since been
altered in any respect. It makes the usual distribution of
governmental power into three great departments ; legislative,
judicial and executive. The executive power is vested in a
go-vernor, elected biennially by the people. [See Appendix."]
His authority is very limited. The veto power, that anomaly in
a republican government, is not recognize(^^fc|[ie constiution
of Ohio. It is the duty of the governor to (^^municate such
information and recommend such measures to the legislature
as he may think expedient ; on extraordinary occasions he may
convene the general assembly ; and in case of disagreement
between the two houses, as to the time of adjournment, he may
adjourn thera ; but with the business of legislation, he has
nothing to do. He is commander-in-chief of the army and
navy of the state, except in case of impeachment ; he raay
grant reprieves and pardons ; all commissions are to be made
out by him under the great seal ; and he ihay fill vacancies
which occur during the recess of the general assembly, in of
fices of legislative appointment, by granting commissions, which
shall expire at the end of the next session.
On the 1st day of March, 1803, the general assembly con
vened at Chillicothe. Their first care, of course was, to adapt
the state laws of the territory to the new state of things intro
duced by the constitution. With this view, several laws were
passed. The state courts were organized, their jurisdiction

INTRODUCTION. 47
defined and their practice in some degree, regulated. Judges
of the new courts were appointed agreeably to the constitution,.
and the courts of the territory, the general court, the circuit
courts, the courts of common pleas and the courts of general
quarter sessions, were all abolished. Most of the powers ex-
ei-cised by the courts of quarter sessions, formerly, in establish
ing highways, erecting public buildings, granting licenses, &c.,
were transfered to the associate judges ofthe court of common
pleas. Provision was made for the election of justices, and for the
transfer to them of the unfinished business of the territorial
magistrates. The tax laws of the territory were slightly modi
fied and continued in force. A secretary, an auditor and a
treasurer of state were appointed, and approjiriate functions
assigned to each. In addition to his other duties, the latter offi
cer was charged with the receipt of the three per cent, of the
proceeds of the public lands to be paid by the United States
agreeably to tiie compact. Laws were passed for leasing the
school lands and salt reservations. Senators were elected to
the national Congress and provision was made by law for the
election of representatives.
While this legislature was in session, the treaty for the pur-
diase of Louisiana was concluded with France. This acquisi
tion was of immense importance to the western country. It
secured the free navigation of the Mississippi, at that time the
only outlet for western produce, and put an end to the vexatious
impositions and restrictions, to which the American trader had
been subjected at New Orleans, by the Spanish authorities. In
December, 1803, the second general assembly convened agree
ably to the provisions of the constitution. Further alterations
and improvements were introduced into the statutes. The
militia laws on that subject, were all repealed. To encourage
Immigration, a law was passed at this session, and has ever

48 INTRODUCTION.
since remained in force, to enable aliens to acquire and hold
land within the state. Provisions were also made for the ap-
propriation of the three per cent, fund, to the construction and
improvement of roads. The plan was to divide the fund into
small sums, to be applied in different parts of the state, under
the direction of road commissioners, and this plan has ever
since been persisted in.
At the session of 1803-4, also, the revenue system of the state
was simplified and improved. The main reliance for revenue
continued to be upon lands. The burden of this tax was borne,
in a great measure, by non-residents who had no other prop
erty of any kind in the state. The collectors of the tax
were required to pay two-thirds of the proceeds into the state
treasury, and one-third into the several county treasuries. The
administration of justice was improved by the enactment of
laws, defining the duties and authorities of justices and constables
and regulating the common law and chancery practice of the
courts. At the session of 1809-10, the laws were a second time re
vised. The Indians, who since the treaty of Greenville, had re
mained quiet, now began to commit aggressions upon the in
habitants of the west. The celebrated Tecumseh, aided and
encouraged by British influence, was conspicuously active, in
his efforts to unite the native tribes against the Americans and
to arrest the farther extension of the settlements. His procee
dings and those of his brother, " The Prophet," soon made it
evident that the west was about to experience the_calamities of
another Indian war, and it was resolved to anticipate the move
ments ofthe savages. In 1811, General William Henry Har
rison, then governor of Indiana territory, marched against the
town of " the Prophet," upon the Wabash. On the 6th of No
vember, he arrived at Tippecanoe, their principal town, where

INTRODUCTION. 49
he was met by Indian messengers, with whom an agreement
was made, that hostilities should not take place until the next
morning, and that then an amicable conference should be held.
Just before day -break, the savages, in violation of their engage
ment, made a sudden and furious attack upon the troops in
their encampment. Nothing but the precaution of sleeping
in order of battle, on their arms, saved them from total defeat.
A dreadful slaughter was made, but the savages were finally
repulsed, dispersed, and their town laid waste. In the same
year, occurred an event of more- momentous consequence to
the west, than the issues of a thousand battles. This was the
voyage, frora Pittsburgh to New Orleans, ofthe first steam boat
ever launched upon the western waters.
In June, 1812, the United States declared war against Great
Britain. Of this war, tlie west was a principal theatre. Defeat,
disaster, and disgrace marked its opening scenes ; but the latter
events of the contest were a series of splendid achievements.
Colonel Croghan's gallant and successful defense of Fort
Stephenson, was among the most briUiant. He was in the 22d
year of his age, when left by General Harrison, in command
of 160 men, and with one six-pounder at Fort Stephenson. On
the evening ofthe first of August, the British and Indians, who
had corae up the Sandusky river, from the bay, commenced
from their boats a heavy cannonading upon the fort, and threw
in a great number of shells from their batteries. They contin
ued their operations without success, until the evening of the
second, when, after throwing a great number of balls from a
six-pounder, at the north-west angle of the fort, for the purpose
of making a breach, a column under the command of Lieuten
ant Colonel Short, advanced to the point on which the artillery
had been played, with the intention of storming, but the judi
cious management of Colonel Croghan, foiled the enemy in
his attempt. The ditch which surrounded the works, was

50 INTRODUCTION.
about eight feet wide, and of equal depth. This the enemy had to
enter before they could approach the pickets, which had a bayo
net driven through the top of each, in a horizontal direction.
While in this situation, a six-pounder which was masked in a
block-house, poured upon them a tremendous shower of musket
balls, which did terrible execution. This so confounded the
assailants, that Lieutenant Colonel Short, who had previously
ordered his raen to scale the pickets and show the d — d Yankee
rascals no quarters, now exhibited a white handkerchief as a
signal of distress, evincing a disposition to have quarters shown
him, after he had proclaimed that the garrison should be mur
dered. It was, however, too late ; the next discharge proved fa
tal ; he fell, and Lieutenant Gordon, ofthe 29th i-egiment, died
by his side. This was near two hours before sunset. The
firing from the block-house, was principally directed at the ene
my, who had taken refuge in the direction of the ravine,
the slaughter there was immense, and General Proctor, who
commanded in person, ordered the allied armies to retreat to
their boats. The greater part of the night, was occupied in
carrying off the dead and wounded ; and from the nuraber of
trails, it was evident, that no less then fifty of the dead were
dragged away. About thirty killed, including the two officers
just mentioned, were left in the ditch and ravine, and thirty
prisoners, eighteen severely wounded, which General Proctor
in his hurry, left behind, were afterwards brought into the fort
Major Croghan had but one man killed, and seven slightly woun
ded. The brevet rank of lieutenant colonel, was conferred by
the President of the United States, upon Major Croghan, and
the ladies of Chillicothe, presented him with a sword, and a
flattering address.
Croghan's gallant defense of Fort Stephenson, Perry's vio-
toryupon Lake Erie, the total defeat, by Harrison, ofthe allied
British and savages, under Proctor and Tecumseh, on the

INTRODUCTION. 81
Tliames, and the great closing triumph of Jackson at New Or
leans — all reflected the most brilliant lustre upon the Ameri
can arms. In every vicissitude of this contest, the conduct oi
Ohio, was eminently patriotic and honorable. Pier sons volun
teered with alacrity their services in the field ; and no troops
more patiently endured hardships, or performed better service.
Hardly a battle was fought on the western frontier, in which
some of these brave citizen soldiers, did not seal their devotion
to their country with their blood.
In 1816, the seat of the state government was removed to
Columbus, and the year following, the first white settler located
himself within the present limits of this county.

HISTOEY OF SEIECA COUITY.

CHAPTER I.
Aborigines — War between the Wyandots and Senecas — Naval fight — Tbe
Wyandots settle upon the Sandusky — Treaty with the Indians — Grant
of land to the Senecas — Seneca Indians — Theii' removal to the west —
An execution for witch-craft.
The country, watered by the Sandusky and its tributaries,
was originally inhabited by a powerful and war-like tribe of In
dians, known as the Wyandot or Huron tribe.
According to a tradition of this nation, their home was once,
on the north side of the river St. Lawrence, down to Coon lake,
and from thence, up the Utiwas. Their name for it, was Cu-
none-iat-iia. The Senecas, who were blood relations of the
Wyandots, owned the opposite side of the river, and the island
on which Montreal now stands. They were both large tribes,
consisting of many thousands.
A war originated between the two tribes, in this way: A
man of the Wyandots wanted a certain woman for his wife ;
but she objected and said he was no warrior ; he had never ta
ken any scalps. To accomplish his object, he raised a small
war-party, and in their scout, fell upon a party of the Seneca
hunters and killed and scalped a number of them. This caused a
war between the nations, that lasted more than a century, which
they supposed was fully a hundred winters, before the French
came to Quebec.
5»

54 HISTORY PF SENECA COUNTY.
They say they were the first instigators in the war, and were
generally beaten in the contest. Both tribes became greatly
wasted in the conflict. They often made peace ; but the first
opportunity the Senecas could get an advantage against them,
they would destroy all they could, men, women, and children.
The Wyandots, finding they were in danger of being exter
minated, concluded to leave their country and go far to the
west. With their canoes, the whole nation made their escape
to the upper lakes, and settled in the vicinity of Green bay,
in several villages ; but after a few years, the Senecas made
up a war-party, and followed them to their new settlements, fell
on one of their villages, killed a number, and returned. —
Through this long period, they had no instruments of war but
bows, arrows, and the war-club.
Soon after this, the French came to Quebec, and began tra
ding with the Indians, and supplied them with fire-arms, and
various other irapleraents. The Senecas having got supplied
with guns, and learned the use of thera, made out a war-party
the second time, against the Wyandots, came upon them in the
night, fired into their huts and terrified them exceedingly: they
thought at first, it was thunder and lightning. The Senecas
did not succeed so well as they expected. After a few years,
they made up a third war party, and fell upon the Wyandot
villages and took nearly all of them ; but it so happened at this
time, that nearly all the young men had gone to war with the
Fox tribe of Indians, living on the Mississippi.
,^Those few, that escaped the massacre by the Senecas,
agreed to give up, and go back with them, and become one
people ; but requested of the Senecas, to have two days to col
lect what they had, and make ready their canoes, and join them
on the morning of the third day, at a certain point, where they
had gone to wait for them, and hpld a great dance through the
night.

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 55
The Wyandots sent directly to their other two villages, which
the Senecas had not disturbed, and got all their old men and
women, and such as could fight, to consult on what measures
to take. ' They came to the resolution to equip themselves in
the best manner they could, and go down in perfect stillness,
so near the enemy as to hear them. They found thera enga
ged in a dance and feasting on two Wyandot men they had killed
and roasted, as they said, '¦^for Iheir beef," and as they danced,
they shouted their victory and told how good their Wyandot
beef was. They continued their dance until the latter part of
the night, and being tired, they all laid down and soon fell into
a sound sleep. A little before day, the Wyandot party fell on
them and cut them all off; not one was left to carry back the
tidings. Thus ended the war, for a great number of years.
Soon after this, the Wyandots procured guns fi'om the French
traders, and began to grow formidable. The Indians, who
owned the country where they had resided for a long time,
proposed to them to go back to their own country. They
agreed to return, and having proposed themselves as a war-par
ty, they returned — came down to where Detroit now stands,
and agreed to settle in two villages, one at the place above men
tioned, and the other, where the British fort. Maiden, now
stands. But previously to raaking any settlement, they sent out in
canoes, the best war-party they could raake, to go down the
lake some distance, to see if there was an enemy on that side
of the water. They went down to Long Point, landed, and
sent three men across lo see if they could make any discovery.
They found a party of Senecas bending their course around
the Point, and returned with the intelligence to their party.
The head chief ordered his men, in each canoe, to strike fire
and offer some of their tobacco to the Great Spirit, and prepare
for action.

56 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
The chief had his son, a small boy, with him ; he covered
the boy in the bottom of his canoe. He determined to fight
his enemy on the water. They put out into the open lake —
the Senecas carae on. Both parties tools: the best advantage
they could, and fought with a deterraination to conquer or sink
in the lake. At length the Wyandots saw the last man of the
Senecas fall ; but they had lost a great proportion of their own
men, and were so wounded and cut to pieces, that they could
take no advantage of the victory, but only gain the shore as
soon as possible, and leave the enemy's canoes to float or sink
among the waves. Thus ended the war between the two na
tions, forever.
The Wyandots afterward settled in this country, and their
principal town was upon the Sandusky. But little was known
of them or their country prior to the war of the Revolution.
During this conflict, they became extremely troublesome to the
back counties of Pennsylvania and Virginia ; particularly to
those of Washington, Youghiogany and Westmoreland.
In the early part of the year 1782, these irregular excur
sions became so galling, that the ill-timed, and melancholy ex
pedition of the unfortunate Crawford, was concerted against
them, particulars of which, have already been given in the In
troduction. After this defeat, which stands upon record, as one
of the mpst calamitous and disastrous expeditions that ever
stained the American arms, the aggressions of the savages
were rauch raore frequent. The frontiers were continually
harassed by thera, indiscriminately murdering those of- every
age or sex; or hurrying them captives to the wilderness, to be tor
tured with all the cruelty which savage ingenuity could devise.
The fury of the Indians of north-western Ohio, was not
checked, until they were aroused from their coverts . by the
victorious Wayne. In 1794, he dictated to many of the nor
thern tribes, the terras of peace. From this event, down to the

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 57
renewal of the war, under the auspices of Tecumseh and the
Prophet,* they remaihed comparatively tranquil. The death
of their chief, and their total defeat by Harrison, destroyed
forever their power in the north-west.
On the 29th of September, 1817, a treaty was held at the
foot of the rapids of the Miami of Lake Erie, between Lewis
Cass, and Duncan McArthur, commissioners of the United
States, on the one part, and the sachems, chiefs and warriors of
the Wyandot, Seneca, Delaware, Shawanee, Patawatima, Otta
wa, and Chippewa tribes of Indians, when all their lands within
the limits of Ohio, were ceded to the United Stales, forever. —
Al this time, there was not a single white settler within the pre
sent limits of Seneca county.
At the treaty just raentioned, the United States granted to
Takawmadoaw, Captain Harris, Isahowmasaw, Joseph, Tawg-
you. Captain Smith, Coffeehouse, Running-aboul, and Wip-
ingstick, who were chiefs of the Seneca tribe of Indians, a tract
of land, containing thirty thousand acres, lying upon the east
side of, and adjoining the Sandusky river, and mostly within
the present limits of this county. There was an addition of
ten thousand acres, lying south of this tract, granted lo the
Senecas, by the United States, on the 17th of September, 1818;
at which time, a treaty was held, supplementary to the treaty of
the Miami of Lake Erie. The whole tract, consisting of forty
thousand acres, has since been known as the " Seneca Reser
vation." Although this nation was called the " Seneca tribe of In
dians," there was not, in reality, a Seneca among them. They
were chiefly Cayugas ; with a few Moha'wks, Onondagas,
Tuscarawas, Wyandots and Oneidas. But the Mingoes were
originally, Cayugas, and their chief was the celebrated Logan.
* During the late war, the Wyandoti, Shawanese and Senecas, remained fricndlj to
tha United Statei.

58 HISTORY or SENECA COUNTY.
After the murder of his family, of which he speaks in his mas
terly speech, sent to the governor of Virginia, the Mingoes
were scattered in bands, over the territory north west of tbe
Ohio. Their hunting grounds, were principally, upon the Scioto,
and Olentangy ; and as one of'the Seneca chiefs very signifi
cantly remarked, " their children were raised upon their
backs," indicating that they had no particular home. At the
time of the treaty, they had concentrated upon the Sandusky,
and it is a fact worthy of notice, which has been attested by a
Seneca chief who knew him well, that upon its banks, were
spent some of the last days of Logan, the Mingo chief
The Senecas lived upon their grant, until their removal to
tlie west, which was agreed upon at a treaty held at Washing
ton city, on the 29th of February, 1831. This treaty was
made between James B. Gardiner, commissioner on the part
of the United States, and Comstock, Seneca Steel, Captain
Good-hunter, Hard-hickory and Small-cloud-Spicer, chiefs of
the Seneca tribe. George Herrin, acted as interpreter ; and
Henry 0- Brish, as sub-agent. The whole of their grant of
forty thousand acres of land, was ceded to the United States,
giving thera full authority to sell the same ;- and the proceeds
were to be placed in funded stock, at five per cent, interest ;
which was to be paid lo the Indians as an annuity, after deduc
ting the cost of building for the latter, a saw and grist mill.
Tiie United States also gave them seventy-six thousand acres
of land, lying upon the Neosho and Cowskin rivers, north-west
of the state of Arkansas, and ninety miles above Fort Gibson.
In the fall of 1831, this tribe to the nuraber of five hundred
and ten, started for their new home in the west. A part un
dertook their journey by land, and after experiencing numer
ous hardships, and meeting with many accidents, finally suc
ceeded in reaching Missouri by the next spring. The divisiom

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 59
under the immediate charge of their sub-agent, Mr. Brish,
traveled by water, encountering but little difficulty.
They finally all met on the 26th of April, above St. Louis,
and arrived at their new homes, the 4th of July, following. —
Twenty-eight of their number died on the road.
The home of the Senecas is in a beautiful country, which, it
is feared, will not remain long in their possession. The des
troyer is among them, and their number has already greatly de
creased. On the 26th of August, 1845, they numbered, in all,
including men, women, and children, but one hundred and
fifty-three. The last two years have proved fatal to raany. —
The survivors live in corafortable houses, generally, and raise
good crops of the coarser grains.
Their idea of education, is loo ingenious to be overlooked ;
"for," say they, "it may perhaps be reconciled to the con
sciences of white men, who have a great many laws, contracts,
&c., written upon paper, and education is necessary to evade
them. But we have but few, and they are written in ihe heart!"
The following highly interesting narrative, of the execution
for witch-craft, of one of these Indians, named Seneca John, is
from the pen of Henry C. Brish, a resident of Clinton town
ship, in this counly.
"About the year 1825, Coonstick, Steel, and Cracked Hoof,
left the reservation, for the double purpose of a three years
hunting and trapping excursion, and to seek a location for a
new horae for the tribe, in the far west.
" At the time of their starting, Comstock, the brother of the
two first, was the principal chief of the tribe. On their return
in 1828, richly laden with furs and horses, they found Seneca
John, their fourth brother, chief, in place of Comstock, who
had died during their absence.
" Comstock was the favorite brother of the two, and they at
once charged Seneca John, with producing his death by witeh-

60 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
craft. John denied the charge, in a strain of eloquence, rarely
equaled. Said he, ' I loved my brother Comstock, raore than
1 loved the green earth I stand upon. I would give up myself,.
limb by limb, piecemeal by piecemeal ; I would shed my blood,
drop by drop, to restore him to life.' But all his protestations
of innocence, and affection for his brother Comstock, were of
no avail. His two other brothers pronounced him guilty, and
declared their determmation to be his executioners.
" John replied that he was willing to die, and only wished to
live until the next.^morning, to see the sun rise once more. —
Thfs request being granted, John told them that he should sleep
that night on Hard-hickory's porch, which fronted the east,
where they would find hira at sunrise. He chose that place be
cause he did not wish to be killed in the presence of his -wife,
and desired that the chief. Hard-hickory, should witness that 7ie
died like a brave man.
" Coonstick and Steel, retired for the night, to an old cabin
near by. In the raorning, in company with Shane, another
Indian, they proceeded to the house of Hard-hickory. :¦ '
" A little after sunrise. Hard-hickory heard their footsteps up
on the porch, and opened the door just enough to see out. He
saw John asleep upon his blanket, and they standing around
bim. At length one of them awoke him. He arose upon his
feet, and took off a large handkerchief which was around his
head, letting his unusually long hair fall upon his shoulders. —
This being done, he looked around upon the landscape, and at
the rising sun, to take a farewell look of a scene that he was
never again to behold, and then told thera he was ready to die.
" Shane and Coonstick, each took hira by the arm, and Steel
walked behind. In this way, they led him about ten steps from
the porch, when Steel struck him with a tomahawk on the back
of his head, and he fell to the ground, bleeding freely. Sup
posing this blow sufficient to kill him, they dragged him under

HISTORY op SENECA COUNTY. 61
a peach tree near by. In a short time, however, he revived- —
the blow having been broken by the great mass of hair upon
his head. Knowing that il was Steel who struck the blow,
John, as he lay, turned his head towards Coonstick, and said,
' Now, brother, do you take your revenge.'
" This so operated upon the feelings. of Coonstick, that he
interfered lo save him ; but it enraged Steel to such a degree,
that he drew his knife, and cut John's throat from ear to ear ;
and the next day he was buried with the* usual Indian ceremo
nies, not more than twenty feet frora where he fell.
" Steel was arrested, and tried for the murder, in Sandusky
county, and acquitted. The grave of Seneca John was sur
rounded by a small picket enclosure. Three years after when
I was preparing to move them to the west— says Mr. Brish — I
saw Coonstick and Steel remove the picket-fence and level the
ground, so that no vestige pf the grave remained."
6

CHAPTER II.
Simon Girty — His character — Attack on Fort Henry — Girty'a harangue —
Attack upon Bryant's station — Girty's speech — Answer of Reynolds—
Girty's cruelty to Crawford corroborated — His death — Seneca Indians
sacrificing two dogs to the Great Spirit. .
The notorious Simon Girty, was adopted by the Seneca In
dians, and became an expert hunter. He was frora Pennsyl
vania, to which slate his father had emigrated from Ireland. —
The old man Vi'as beastly intemperate, and nothing ranked
higher in his estimation than a jug of whiskey. " Grog was
his song, and grog would he have." His sollishness turned his
¦wife's affection. Ready for seduction, she yielded her heart
to a neighboring rustic, who, to remove all obstacles tq their
wishes, knocked Girty on the head, and bore off the trophy of
his prowess.
•Four sons of this interesting couple were left — Thomas, Si
mon, George, and James. The three latter were taken prison
ers, in Braddock's war, by the Indians. George was adopted
by the Delawares, became a ferocious monster, and died in a
drunken fit. James was adopted by the Shawanese, and be-,
came as depraved as his brother. It is said, that he often visit
ed Kentucky, at the time of its first settlement, and inflicted
most barbarous tortures upon all captive women who came with
in his reach. Traders, vrho were acquainted with him, say, so
furiojjs was he, that he would not have turned on his heel to
save a prisoner from the flames. To this savage, are to be at
tributed many ofthe cruelties charged upon his brother Simon

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. 6.T
: — yet he was caressed by Proctor and Elliott. In Kentucky
and Ohio, Simon sustained the character of an unrelenting bar
barian. Sixty years ago, with his name was associated every
thing cruel and fiend-like. To the women and children, in
particular, nothing was more terrifying than the name of Si
mon Girty ! Al that time, it was believed by many that he had
fled from justice, and sought refuge among the Indians, deter
mined to do his countrymen all the harm in his power. This
impression was an erroneous one. Being adopted by the In
dians, he joined them in their wars, and conformed to their usa
ges. This was the education he had received, and their foes
were his. Although trained in all his pursuits as an Indian, it
is said to be a fact, susceptible of proof, that, through his im
portunities, many prisoners were saved tVom death. His in
fluence was great, and when he chose to be merciful, it was
generally in his power to protect the imploring captive.
His reputation was that of an honest raan, and he fulfilled
his engagements to the last cent. He was intemperate, and
when intoxicated, ferocious and abusive alike of friends and
foes. Although much disabled the last ten years of his life, by
rheumatism, he rode to his hunting grounds, in pursuit of
game.* In September, 1777, Girty led the attack on Fort Hegry,' on
the site of Wheeling, during which he appeared at the window
of a cabin, with a white flag, and deraanded the surrender of
the fort, in the name of his Britannic majesty. He read the
proclamation of Gov. Hamilton, and promised the protection of
the crown if they would lay down their arms, and swear alle
giance to the king. He warned them to submit peaceably, and
admitted his inability to restrain his warriors, when excited irt
the strife of battle. Col. Shepard, the commandant, promptly
'Campbell'* Sketches,

64 HISTORY PP SENECA COUNTY.
replied, that they would never surrender to him, and that he
could only obtain possession of the fort, when there remained
no longer an American soldier to defend it. Girty renewed-
his proposition, but it was abruptly ended by a shot from a
thoughtless youth, and Girty retired, and opened the siege,
which proved unsuccessful.
Baker's station, in that vicinity, was also attacked, not far
from this tirae, by Girty and his band, but without success.
In August, 1782, a powerful body of Indians, led by Girty,
appeared before Bryant's station, in Kentucky, about five miles
from Lexington. The Kentuckians made such a gallant resis
tance, that the Indians became disheartened, and were about
abandoning the siege ; upon this, Girty, thinking he, might
frighten the garrison into a surrender, mounted a stump, withr
in speaking distance, and commenced a parley. He told them
who he was, that he looked hourly for reinforcements with
cannon, and that they had better surrender at once ; if they did
so, no one should be hurt ; otherwise, he feared they would all
fall victims. The garrison were intimidated ; but one young
man, named Reynolds, seeing the effects of the harangue, and
believing his story — as it was — ^to be false, of his own accord,
answered him in this wise : " You need not be so particular to
tell us your name ; we know your name, and you, too. I've
had a villainoiis, untrust-worthy cur-dog this long lime, named
Simon Girty, in compliment to you ; he's so like you— ^just as
uglj', and just as wicked. As to the cannon, let them come on;
the country's roused, and the scalps of your red cut-throats,
and your own, too, will be drying on our cabins, in twenty-
four hours ; and if, by chance, you, or your allies do get into
the fort, we've a big store of rods laid in, on purpose to scourge
you out again." This response of Reynolds, was effectual : —
the Indians withdrew, and were pursued a few days after, (the
defenders ofthe fort being in the mean-time reinforced,) to tha

HISTORY OF SENECA CPUNTY. 65
Blue-licks, where the Indians lay in ambush, and defeated the
Kentuckians with great slaughter.
Girty was also at St. Clair's defeat, and led the attack on
Colerain. Dr. Knight, in his narrative of his captivity and burning of
Col. Crawford, (see Introduction,) speaks of the cruelty of Si
mon Girty, lo the Colonel and himself. Col. Johnston corrob
orates the account of Dr. Knight. In a comraunication before
us, he says : " He was notorious for his cruelty to the whites,
who fell into the hands of the Indians. His cruelty to the un
fortunate Crawford, is well known to myself; and although I
did not witness the tragedy, I can vouch for the facts of the case,
having had them from eye-witnesses. When that brave and
unfortunate commander was suffering at the stake by a slow
fire, in order to lengthen his misery to the longest possible
time, he besought Girty to have him shot, to end his torments,
when the monster mocked him by firing powder, without ball,
at him. " Crawford and Girty had been intimately acquainted in the
early settlement of Pennsylvania ; I knew a brother of the lat
ter at Pittsburgh, in 1793."
Mr. Daniel M. Workman, now living in Logan county, gave
us orally the following, respecting the last years of Girty :^-
" In 1813," said he, " I went to Maiden, and put up at a hotel,
kept by a Frenchman. I noticed, in the bar-room, a gray-
headed and blind, old man. The landlady, who was his daugh.-
ter, a woman of about thirty years of age, inquired of me,
• Do you know who that is V pointing to the old man. On ray
replying ' No,' she replied, ' it is Simon Girty .'' He had then
been blind about four years. In 1815, I returned to Maiden,
and ascertained that Girty had died a short time previous. —
Simon Kenton informed me that Girty left the whiles, because
he was not promoted to the command of a battalion. Girty
6»

66 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
was a man of extraordinary strength, power of endurance,
courage and sagacity. He was in height about five feet ten in
ches, and strongly niade."*
The following account of the Seneca Indians sacrificing two
dogs to the Great Spirit, is given by an eye-witness. It hap
pened just before their departure for their new homes.
We rose early, and proceeded directly lo the council-house,
and though we supposed we were early, the Indians, were al
ready in advance of lis.
The first object which arrested our attention, was a pair of
the canine species, one of each gender, suspended on a cross !
one on either side thereof These animals had been strangled
— not a bone was broken, nor could a distorted hair be seen ! —
They were of a beautiful.creaOT color, except a few dark spots
on one, naturally, which same spots were put on the otber arti
ficially, by the devotees. The Indians are very partial in the
selection of dogs entirely white for this occasion, and fpr which
they will give almost any price.
Now for part of the decorations, to which 3 have already al
luded, and a description of one will suffice for both.
First, a scarlet ribin was tastefully tied just above the nose,
and near the eyes another ; next, around the neck, was a white
ribin, to which was attached sorae bulbs, concealed in another
while ribin ; this was placed directly under the right ear-; ahd
I suppose it was intended as an amulet, or charm. Then, rib-
ins were bound around the fore-legs at the knees, and near the
feet — these were red and white alternately. RounB the body
was a profuse decoration ; then the hind-legs were decorated as
the fore ones. Thus were the victims prepared, and thus or
namented for the burnt offering.
While minutely making this examination, I was almost un
conscious of the collection of a large number of Indians, who
* Ohio — ^its history and antiquities.

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. 67
were then assembled to offer their sacrifices. Adjacent to the
cross, was a large fire, built on a few logs ; and though the snow
was several inches deep, they had prepared a sufficient quanti
ty of combustible material, removed the snow from the logs, and
placed thereon their fire. I have often regretted that I did not
see them light this pile. My own opinion is, they did not use
the fire from their council-house; because I think" they would
have considered that as^common — and as this was intended to be
a holy service, they no doubt, for this purpose, struck fire from
a flint, this beilig deemed sacred. '
It was a clear, beautiful raorning, and just as the first rays of
the sun were seen in the tops of the towering forest, and its re
flections frora the snowy surface, the Indians simultaneously
formed a semi-circle enclosing the cross, each flank resting on
tlie aforesaid pile of logs.
Good-hunter, who officiated as high-priest, now appeared,
and approached the cross ; arrayed in his pontifical robes, he
looked quite respectable.
The Indians being all assembled — I say Indians, for tliere
was not a squaw present, during all this ceremony — at a private
signal given by the high-priest, two young chiefs sprang upon
the cross, and each taking off one of the victims, brought it
down, and presented it on his arms, to the high-priest, who, re
ceiving it with great reverence, in like manner, advanced to
the fire, and with a very grave and solemn air, laid it thereon.
And this he did with the other — but to which, whether male or fe
male, he gave preference, I did not learn. This done, he reti
red to the cross.
In a devout manner, he now commenced an oration. Tho
tone of his voice was audible, and somewhat chanting. At ev
ery pause in his discourse, he took from a white cloth he held.
in, his left hand, a portion of dried, odoriferous herbs, which he
threw on the fire. This was intended as incense,. In the mean

68 HISTPRY OF SBNECA COUNTY.
while, his auditory, their eyes on the ground, with grave aspect
and in solemn silence, stood motionless, listening attentively to
every word he uttered. Thus he proceeded, until the victims
were entirly consumed, and the incense exhausted, when he
concluded his service-
The oblation now made, and the wrath of the Great Spirit,
as they believed, appeased, they again acsembled in the coun
cil house, for the purpose of performing a part in their festival,
different frora any I had yet witnessed. Each Indian, as he
entered, seated hiraself on the flool'i thus forming a large cir
cle ; when one of the old chiefs rose, and with that native dig
nity which some Indians possess in a great degree, recounted
his exploits as a warrior ; told in how many fights he had been
the victor ; the nuraber of scalps he had taken from his ene
mies ; and what, at the head of his braves, he yet intended to
do at the " Rocky Mountains ;" accompanying his narration
with energy, warmth, and strong gesticulation. When he en
ded, he received the unaniraous applause of the assembled tribe.
This meed of praise was awarded to the chiefs by " three
times three" articulations, which were properly neither nasal,
oral, nor guttural, but rather abdominal.
Thus, many others in the circle, old and young, rose in or
der, and ^ro/orma, delivered themselves of speeches. Among
those was Good-hunter ; but he
" Had laid his robes away,
His mitre and his vest,"
His remarks were not filled with such bombast as some oth
ers ; but brief, modest and appropriate ; in fine, they were
such as becarpe a priest of one of the lost ten tribes of Israel.
After all had spoken who wished to speak, the floor was
cleared and the dance renewed, ii) which Indian and squavv uni
ted, with their wonted hilarity and zeal. ¦«-
Just as the dance ended, an Indian boy ran to me, and with

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 69
fear strongly depicted in his countenance, caught me by the
arm, and drew me to the door, pointing with his other hand to
wards something he wished me to observe.
I looked in that direction, and saw the appearance of an In
dian running al full speed to the council-house ; in an instant,
he was in it, and literally in the fire, which he took in his
hands, and threw fire, coals and hot ashes in various directions
through the house, and apparently, all over himself! At his en
trance, the young Indian%^ much alarmed, had all fled lo the
further end of the house, where they remained crowded, in
great dread of this personification ofthe Evil Spirit ! Afier di
verting himself with the fire a few moments, al the expense of
the young ones, to their no small joy, he disappeared.
This was an Indian disguised with a hideous false face, hav
ing horns on his- head, and his hands and feet protected from
the eff'ects of the fire ; and though not a professed "Fire-king,"
he certainly performed his part to admiration.
During the continuance of this festival, the hospitality of the
Senecas was unbounded. In the council-house, and at the res
idence of Tall Chief, were a number of large, fat buck^, and
fat hogs, hanging up, and neatly dressed. Bread, also, of both
corn and wheat, in great abundance.
Large kettles of soup ready prepared, in which maple sugar,
profusely added, made a prominent ingredient, thus forming a
very agreeable saccharine coalescence. All were invited, and
all were made welcome ; indeed, a refusal to partake of their
bounty, was deemed disrespectful, if npt unfriendly.
I left them in the afternppn enjoying themselves to the full
est extent ; and so far as I could perceive, their pleasure was
without alloy. They were eating and drinking ; but on this
occasion, no ardent spirits were permitted — dancing and rejoi
cing — caring, and, probably, thinking not of to-morrow.

CHAPTER III.
Erection of counties — The New Purchase — Land Districts — Sale of lands
— Seneca county — Roads — Oakley — Sandusky river — Honey creek —
Wolf creek — Organization of the county — First annual election.
On the 12th day pf February, 1820, an act was passed by
the General Assembly of Ohio, erecting into fourteen separate
and distinct counties, all the lands within the state, which, by
the late treaty, had been ceded by the Indians to the United
States. These lands included the whole of what was called
the " New Purchase," and were, soon after the treaty, direct- .
ed to be surveyed. From the boundary line between this
state and Indiana, the surveyor, Mr. Bourne, ran a line due
east, until it reached the south-west corner of the Connecticut
Reserve, dividing the New Purchase into two parts. This is
the base-line, which separates this county from those of Wyan
dot and Crav/ford. From the Indiana line, which was taken as
a meridian, other lines were run parallel lo the same, cutting
the base-line at right angles, at the distance of every six miles
throughout its whole length. These lines, running north and
south, are called ranges.
Lines were also run, parallel to the base-line, at the distance
of every six miles, both north and south, until they reached
the northern and southern extremities of the purchase. As
these lines cross the ranges at right angles, the whole is cut
into squares of thirty-six miles each, containing thirty-six sec
tions of land. The ranges are numbered progressively east^
ward, from the Indiana line, until they strike the western edge

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 71
of the Connecticut Reserve. All of the squares, each one of
which constitues a township, are noted by progressive nurabers
from the base-line, both north and south. All the other lines,
except the base-line, were run by Alexander Holmes, who fin
ished his survey, in the fall of 1819. By provisions of the
act already mentioned, the ninth of the fourteen counties, to in
clude township one, two, and three, north, in ranges thirteen,
fourteen, fifteen, sixteen and seventeen, east, was called Seneca.
The county, thus constituted by name and boundary, re
ceived its narae from the Seneca tribe of Indians, whose histo
ry has already been given. The county was not organized,
until four years afterwards, during which tirae, it remained at
tached to Sandusky county for judicial purposes. During the
summer of 1820, and the spring of 1821, the several town
ships in this county were surveyed into sections and quarter-
sections, except the land comprising the Indian grants, which
were not surveyed until 1832.
The whole of the New Purchase having been thus divided,
a line was drawn north and south, nearly in the center, separa-
rating it into two parts, called the Piqua and Delaware land-
districts ; the former comprising the western, and the latter,
the eastern section. On the 3d of August, 1821, so much of
the Delaware land-district as lay north of the base-line, was of
fered to the highest bidder, in the town of Delaware, the mini
mum price being fixed, al ten shillings per acre.
The average purchase price of the land bought in this coun
ty at the sale, was but little higher than that established by law.
Very little since has been entered by speculators, so that the
population of Seneca county, from its coraraenceraent, has been
of a perraanent and industrious character. Possessing but lit
tle fictitious capital, its increase in population and wealth has
been steady and rapid.
Thirty years ago, it was a mighty forest — an unbroken chain

73 HISTORY OP SENECA CPUNTY.
of wilderness — entirely ccvered with sturdy oaks, and thrifty
Jiickories, intermingled with numerous other forest trees, such
as beech, maple, poplar, black-walnut, sycamore, &c. Upon
the bosom of the Sandusky, the wild-fowl reposed in safety,
and the deer sported in their native haunts. Along this river
and its tributaries, the hungry wolf prowled in search of food;
and their hiding-places were in the thickets of the up-land. —
Here and there, the smoke ascended from the Indian's wigwam,
curling majestically, amidst the branches of the towering oak ;
while the wily hunter pursued his game along the margin of
creeks ; or reposed upon his matted couch, by blazing faggots
of the wilderness. Such was Seneca county, thirty years ago !
At that time, there was only one solitary road leading through
the county. This was first known as " BelVs road;" having
been surveyed by Gen. Bell, of Wooster, as early as the year
1812. It connected Upper and Lower Sandusky, and was
opened by a Mr. Meeker.- It ran along the western bank of
the Sandusky river, and has since been known as the " old ar
my road," frora its being the principal thoroughfare for troops
and supplies, duringthe war of 1812. For several years after
the close of the war, large quantities of flour and other provis
ions, for the settleraents around Lower Sandusky, passed along
this road; and many emigrafits from Europe, who had previ
ously landed in Canada, took this course, on their way to the
south, raaking it quite a traveled road, before there was a white
settler in the county. In 1821, this road was again surveyed
by David Risdon, Esq. and constituted a stale road.
In 1820, Israel Herrlngton surveyed what is at this time
known as the " Morrison state road," leading from Croghans-
ville to Delaware. It received its name from one of the com
missioners, who was at that time,' a resident of Croghansville,
This was the first road east of the Sandusky.
In 1822, a road was surveyed by Col. James Kilbourn, lead-

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.

73

ing from Sandusky City to Upper Sandusky, and known as the
"Kilbourn road." The first teams di-iven along the line of
this road, within thejimits of the counly, were by Thomas
Baker, from New York, and Ezra Brown from the same state ;
both of whom, have ever since been residents ofthe county.
.During the month of February, 18'iO, was established the
first post-office in the county, at Oakley. This town had been
surveyed some time previous, by Joseph Vance, upon land gran
ted to one Robert Armstrong, an account of whom will be giv
en hereafter. This was the first surveyed and platted town in
the county. In 1,':24, it was again surveyed, by David Risdon,
and its name changed to Fort Ball. The gentleman just na
med, was the first post-master,- and at the time of his appoint
ment, there was but one mail-rout through the county — which
was along the '¦^ old army road" — and extended from Columbus
to Lower Sandusky.
Sandusky river, the lai'gest streara of wafer in the county,
passes through it, from south to north, dividing it nearly, into
two equal parts. It riijcs in the western part of Richland coun
ty, and after_ a. westerly course of twenty miles, reaches Upper
Sandusky, where it changes ils course, running northerly, until
it reaches the southern boundary of this count}-. It crosses the,
line, in the south-east corner of Seneca township, and after de
viating from its northerly direction into Eden township, it again
passes into Seneca. Running along the eastern edge of this
township, it crosses into Hopewell, almost due north of its en
trance into the county. From Hopewell township, it passes
into Clinton, a little below the mouth of Honey creek ; and
after pursuing a northerly course in this township, it enters
Pleasant. After passing through Pleasant township, it leaves
the county, and taking'a northerly course, falls into Sandusky
Bay, about eighty miles, by the course of the river, from its
source. 7

74 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
As to the origin of the name of this river, there are two
opinions. By some, il is believed to be a word of French ex
traction, given to the bay and river, by the Indians, in honor of
the first French trader who visited the country. In Cham-
paigne county, Illinois, there is now living, a man of this name,
who claims that one of his ancestors settling al an early period
upon the .Sandusky, and becoming a great favorite among the
Indians, they, as a mark of respect, gave his name (Sowdows-
ky) to the river and bay.
By the tradition of aged Indian warriors, given to the late
William Henry Harrison in the friendly chat of the wigwam,
when he first became acquainted with the north-western tribes,
the following appears to be the origin and signification of the
word Sandusky. After the naval conflict upon the lake, be
tween the Wyandots and Senecas, mentioned in Chapter I.,
these conquering bands, having landed at Maumee, followed the
lake shore towards the east, passing and giving names to bays^
creeks, and rivers, until they arrived at Cold creek, where it
enters the Sandusky bay. Being charmed with tlie springs of
clear, cold water in this vicinity, they pitched their tents and
engaged in hunting and fishing. By them (the Wyandots) the
bay and river weis called Sandusky ; meaning in their language,
" at the eold water." ;
"I have a note of conversatipn,'-' says JohnH. James, in the
American Pioneer, " with William Walker, at Columbus, in
1835-6, at which time, he was principal diief of the Wyandots,
at Upper Sandusky, in vi'hich I asked the meaning of the word,
Sandusky. He said it meant '¦at the cold water,' and should
be sounded San-doos-tee. He said it ' carried with it, the force
of a preposition.' The Upper Cold W^^^'j^^d the Lower
Cold Water, then, were descriptive .Indian names, given long
before the presence of the trader, Sowdowsky."
In the vocabulary of Wyandot words, given by John Johns-

HISTORY OP SENECA CPUNTY. 75
tpn, Esq., formerly Indian agent in Ohio, as printed in Archse-
logia Americana, Vol. I. p. 295, the word ¦water is given, Sa-
un-dus-tee ; and in page 297, he gives tlie name of Sandusky
river, as Sa-undusiee, or water within water pools.
The Sandusky, compared with most of our western rivers, is
rapid and shallow. It becomes quite low during the summer
months ; but in the spring and- fall, it generally fills its banks,
as also, during the winter raonths.
The greatest rise of waters ever known in this river, occur
red in- January last. In 1621, according to the observations of
one Spicer, an Indian captive, who had then lived nearly forty
years upon its banks, the water rose that year higher- than it
had before, since his recollection. In January last, it was con
siderably above the mark of 1821.
In 1819, Paul D. Butler, in the employ of Robert Arm
strong, a sketch of whose life will be given hereafter, erected
a saw-mill upon this river, between wbat are now the towns of
New Fort Ball and Tiffin, which was the first mill in the coun
ty. It was a miserable affair, and was soon after demolished.
There are, at this time, seven grist-mills, and several saw-mills
upon this river within the limits of the county. The land aloiig
the Sandusky is very fertile, and as you recede frora the river
towards the west, it is genei-ally level, and in sorae places incli
ning to be wet. In the eastern portion of the county, the soil
is more clayey.
Honey creek, the largest tributary of the Sandusky, rises in
the New Haven marshes, near the corners of Richland, Craw
ford, Fluron, and this county, and passes directly into the latter,
in Venice township. Taking a north-westerly course through
Venice, it enters the township of Bloom, near its north-east
corner. Pursuing.^a south-westerly direction through Bloom,
it passes into Eden township ; and after making a large-curve

76 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
in Eden, it leaves the latter township near its north-west cor
ner, and in Hopewell falls into the Sandusky.
The first grist-mill erected in the county was upon this creek,
just above the site of the town'of Melmore. It was built in 1821,
by Ezra and Case Brown. The first grist ground iii this mill,
was for a Mr. Free, of -the township of Bloom. The event was
hailed with great joy by the early settlers, as they were now
relieved from those long Eind tedious journeys through the 'wil
derness, to Upper Sandusky, Monroeville, and Mt. Vernon. —
In 1827, another mill was erected upon this stream, by' John
Kinzer, (an early settler from the state of Pennsylvania,) a lit
tle below the present village of Melmore. Mr. Kinzer has ev
er since resided upon the banks of this creek — a very intelli
gent man, and much respected citizen. Honey creek receiv
ed its name from the appearance of the water when high, which
very much resembles honey.*.
Wolf creek, another tributary of the Sandusky, rises in the
south-west part of the county, and after passing through Sene- ]
ca, Hopewell, and Liberty townships, it finally falls into the
Sandusky river, in Saiidusky county, soon after it enters its
limits. This stream, running through a level country, is some
what sluggish. It received its narae frora the circumstance of
a great number o? wolves formerly inhabiting the swamps near
its source, and the thickets around the wet prairies, a little west
of its mouth.
By an act of the General Assembly of Ohip, of the 22d of :
January, 1824, Seneca was organized into a separate and dis
tinct county. All justices of the peace, and other officers were
to continue lo discharge the duties of their respective offices un-
* There are several sink-holes in theied of this stream, into which much of the wa
ter precipitates itself, and many are of the opinion that were these tilled, as they say
might be done with a limited expense, sufficient water would run the year round, to driye
the several mills located upon the creek. '

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. 77
til their successors should be chosen and qualified according to
law. It was farther provided, that all qualified electors residing in
the county, should meet in their respective townships, on the
first Monday of .A.pril, following, and elect their several offi.
cers until the next annual election ; and until others were cho
sen and qualified according to law.
It was also enacted, that all suits and actions, whether of a
civil or criminal nature, which had been commenced, should be
prosecuted to final judgment and execution ; and all taxes, fines
and penalties which were due, should be collected in the same
manner as if the act had not been passed.
This act took effect, the first day of April, 1824, and accor
ding to its provisions, elections were held in the townships of
Thompson, Seneca, Eden and Clinton, these being the only
ones then organized. The county officers first to be chosen,
were a sherif and coroner. For the former office, Agreen In
graham received one hundred and ninety votes — for the latter,
Leverett Bradley received two hundred and six, and both were
elected. ,
The first county court was held the 12th ofthe same month,
at Tiffin, in the house at present occupied as a Masonic hall.
It continued about thirty minutes ; during which tirae a county
surveyor was appointed ;* and a clerk of the courtt, pro tem.
Hon. Ebenezer Lane presided at this court as president judge,
and William Cornell, Jaques Hulburd and Mathew Clark were
his associates.
On the 12th of October of the same year, the first annual
election was held in the county, and the ticket elected was as
follows :
Sherif,  i,Agteen Ingraham.
* David Risdon. t Neal McGaffey.
7*

78 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
Cproner, =.-  Christopher Stone.
Auditor,  , . David Smith.
r Benjamin Whitmore,
Commissioners, < Thomas Boyd, and
C Doctor Dunn.
During the same year, a prosecuting attorney was appointed
by the court of Comraon Pleas ;* and a treasurer, ¦f by the
county commissioners. [For a list of counly officers, see Ap
pendix.] Immediately after its organization, the affairs of the county
commenced with a successful tide of operation. Courts of jus
tice were established, officers chosen, townships organized,
roads constructed, mills erected, and the dense forests fallen by
the sturdy hand of industry.
• Rodolphus Dickinson, t Milton McNeal.

CHAPTER IV.
Camp BaU — First settler in Seneca county — Clinton township — Fort Ball
-^Robert Armstrong-^William McCuUock — Tiffin — Laud joffices —
Mad River and Lake Erie RaiL-road.
About the middle of July^ 1813, a detachment of men, uri"
der the command of Lieutenant Colonel James V. Ball,* built
a stockade near the old army road, upon the bank of the San-
*AboQt half a mile south-west of-Ba lis ville, in Sandusky county, Lieut. Col. James V.
Ball had a~ skirmish with the Indians, a day or two previous to the assault on Fort Ste
phenson. There is, or was a few years since, an oak tree on the site of the action, on
the road to Columbus, with 17 hacks in it, to indicate the number of Indians killed on the
'occasion. Thc squadron was moving towards the fort, when they were suddenly fired
upon by the Indians from the west side ofthe road, whereupon Col. Ball ordered a charge,
when he with his suit and the right fiank being in advance, first came into action. The
colonel struck the first blow. He dashed in between two savages, and cut down the one
on the right ; the other, being slightly in the re'^r, made a blow with a tomahawk at his
back, when by a sudden spring of hi.s horse, it fell short, and was buried deep in the can-
tel and pad of his saddle. Before the savage could repeat the blow, he was shot by Cor
poral Ryan. Lieut. Hedges — now General James Hedges of Mansfield, the surveyor of
Tiffin and brother of Josiah'Hedges, proprietor of the latter place — following in the rear
mounted ona small horse, pursued a large Indian, and just as he Iiad come up to him, bis
stirrup broke, and he fell head-first offhis horse, knocking the Indian down. Both sprang
to their feet, when Hedges struck the Indian across his bead, and As he was falling, buri
ed the sword up to its hilt in his body. We have been informed, that many years after,
the lost stirrup was found, and sent to the gallant Hedges, at Mansfield,
At this^ time, Captain Hopkins was seen on the left, in pursuit of a powerful savage,
when the latter turned and made a blow at the captain with a tomahawk, at which his
horse sprang to one side. Cornet Hayes then came up, and the Indian struck at him, his
horse in like manner evading the blow. Sergeant Anderson now arriving, thc Indian wai
iOon'dispatche,d, By this time, the skirmish was over, the Indians, who were about
twenty in number, being nearly all cut down ; and orders were given to retreat to the
main squadron.
Col. Ball dressed hia men, ready for a charge, should the Indians appear inforce, and
moved down without ftirther molestation to the fort, where they urrived, at 4 o'cloct,
is the afterne«D.

80 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTT.
dusky river, opposite the present town of Tiffin ; and in hon
or to its commandant, it was called " Camp Ball."
This camp was built as a transient place of security, in case
of disaster at the north ; and as a magazine for supplies. —
The camp consisted of stakes a foot in thickness, fixed in the
ground, with bayonets driven through them, horizontally, near
their tops. Against these, logs were piled upon the outside ;
and over the logs, dirt was thrown from a ditch, which sur
rounded the whole. There was room in the interior, for five
hundred men.
After the battle of Tippecanoe, a detachment was sent by
General Harrison, who was then at Seneca, up the river, to
strengthen this camp. The soldiers -were quartered here sev
eral days, during which time, they were frequently destitute of
provisions ; and once, their supply was so completely exhaust-
ed, that they were obliged to subsist entirely vpon fish — a part
standing guard to protect those that were fishing, from the lur
king savages.
Before the battle at Fort Stephenson, this detachment left for
the Maumee, but the post was occasionally occupied, until Har-
risen left the country. Vestiges of Camp Ball still remain. —
Between the ground and the river, is a beautiful spring of wa
ter, which serves to mark the spot where the camp once stood.
It is on the west bank of the river, just above the new bridge.
which crosses the stream, at the foot of Washington street. Tif
fin. Several soldiers were buried near the camp ; and among
their number was the father of a Mr. Powers, of Delaware.^—
The remains of one of these, were exhumed a short time since,
by some workmen in the employ of R. W. Shawhan.
On the 18th of November, 1817, Erastus Bowb, the first
settler in Seneca county, arrived at Camp Ball, where some
hired men had erected him a log house, which was within the

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. 81
limits of the camp — many of the stakes standing at the time.
Here commenced the first settlement in the county.
Mr. Bowe was born in Rutland county, X'ermont, and pass
ed through this county as early as 1812, under the command
of General Hull. He was in Norton's company, at the build
ing of the fort at Lower Sandusky ; and was one of those da
ring rangers, who scoured the Indian country, and protected
the whites from savage cruelty; He was a citizen of Dela
ware, eight years previous to his settling in this Qounly. Af
ter the close of the war, he occasionally hunted in this vicini
ty, and among the early settlers of the county was famous as a
deer-hunter. Soon after his arrival iri 1817, he erected a house just below
Camp Ball ; and here he opened ihe first tavern in the county.
His charges must have been somewhat in advance of those of
the present day; as butter was worth, at that time, two shillings
a pound ; pork, six dollars per hundred ; and flour, twelve
dollars per barrel. Mr. Bowe has ever since resided in the
county, and is now a resident of Hopewell township. Thirty
years ago, he came to this county, and for several months was
the only settler within its limits.
With what astonishment, mingled with admiration, must he
look back upon the years that have passed, and see the mighty
change that has been wrought, since he first located upon the
banks of the Sandusky ! Instead of standing in the door of his
humble log shanty, which was then Tar in the wilderness — a,
dense portion of which occupied the present site of the town
of Tiffin — he now sees there, from the beautiful village of New
Fort Ball, a large and flourishing town, the county-seat of a
populous and wealthy county !
There is now the track of a rail-road, where was then an In
dian trail ; and instead of the wild whoop of the Indian hunt-

82 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY,
er, his ears are now greeted with the shrill whistle of the lo
comotive, and the thundering of rolling wheels !-_
Clinton township was organized on the first Monday of June,
1820 ; and its boundaries, defined by the commissionera of
Sandusky county, as follow : " Commencing where the town
ship line between (townships) No. two (2) and three (3)
strikes the river, on the east bank thereof; thence with said
line, to the north-east corner of township No. two, (2,) in
range fifteen (15) east; thence south with the range line between
ranges fifteen (15) and sixteen, (16,) to the south-east corner of
the aforesaid township ; thence west to the township line be
tween (townships) No. one (1) and two ; (2;) thence north
wardly, with the meanders of the river, to the place of begin
ning." It received its name from De Witt Clinton, governor
of New York.
The first township election was held on the "15th of June,
1822. Its population in 1840, was 2,195. Sincei that time, it
has steadily increased in business, population and wealth, num
bering among others of ite enterprising farmers — George Sto
ner, Samuel Waggoner, Kzra Baker, Jacob Souder, Elislia
Olmsted, Thomas Coe, J_acob Adams, John Souder, Dennis
Stoner, Levi Davis, Samuel Rule, John Swander, William
Hunter, Joseph Richards, Eli Olmsted, Thomas Ellis, Freder
ick Cramer, Ezra Derr, John Baugher, William Baker, John
Keller, Hezekiah Searles, Jacob Holtz, Joseph Burnsides,
Grafton Bernard, Dennis Cramer, and Aenas Cramer.
Jn 1819, Abner Pike settled in Oakley ; (now New Fort
Ball ;) and, on the 1st of April, of the following year, David
liisdon came tothis town, and shortly after was appointed post--
master, the first in the county. Subsequently, Mr. Pike loca
ted upon the farrti at present owned by Ezra Balcer.
At the time ofthe survey of Oakley by Joseph Vance, there
were no dwellings upon the site of the town, and only one

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 83
house -in its vicinity, which was the residence of Mr. Bowe.
In 1824, the town of Fort Ball was surveyed upon the same
plat, by David Risdon, receiving its name from the camp be
fore mentioned. Had it not been that the land upon which
this town was surveyed, belonged to Robert Armstrong, it
would, doubtless, have become the county-seat of the county.
At the treaty of the Miami of Lake Erie, the United States
granted to Mr. Armstrong this tract, consisting of one section,
of 640 acres of land, afterwards known as the " Armstrong
Reservation." Armstrong was taken captive by the Wyandot Indians, at
three years of age, in the state of Pennsylvania. He married
a half-blood Indian woman, and was in every respect a gentle
man. He spoke excellent English ; so rauch so, that it would
not have been suspected he had ever lived among the Indians.
Having been for a number of years, employed as interpreter
by the United States, it was in consideration of his valuable
services in this capacity, that he received his grant of land. —
He died in 182.5, about two miles from Upper Sandusky, upon
the Wyandot reservation.
The United Stales granted, at the same time and place, to
the children of William McCuUock, a section of 640 acres of
land, lying just below the Armstrong reservation, above men
tioned. McCuUock was killed by a cannon ball at the siege of
Fort Meigs, while sitting in General Harrison's tent ; and was
employed at the time, as interpreter for the United States.
Dr. Eli Dresbach, from Circleville, a graduate of the Ohio
Medical college, settled in this town, (Fort Ball,) on the 17th
day of February, 1823, and removed from the latter place to
Tiffin in 1826, where he has since resided.
Rodolphus Dickinson, from New York, a member of Con
gress for this district, settled in Fort Ball, in 1824, and was the
first attorney at law in the county.

84 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTS.
On the 15th day of February, 1826, Abel Rawson, from
Massachusetts,, who succeeded Mr. Dickinson as prosecuting at
torney, settled in this place and became a permanent resident
He has ever since, pursued the practice of law in this county,
and now ranks among the first in his profession,' in northern
Ohio. Fort Ball, (now New Fort Ball,) has since grown steadily,':
and is at the present time a flourishing «nd healthy place. —
Its location is pleasant — commanding a view of the whole of
Tiffin, and also, much of the surrounding country. It contains
about sixty dwellings, one church, three large ware-houses,
three stores, two tanneries, two carriage-shops, two hotels, two
groceries, one cabinet-shop, three shoe-shops, one tin-shop, and
three blacksmith's-shops.
Its population is over four hundred, and is rapidly increas
ing. New Fort Ball was surveyed and platted, by James Durbin,
county surveyor, on the 25th of November, 1837. It is situ
ated upon the;eastern. portion of the Armstrong reservation,
and contains six hundred and twenty in-lots. The town is
made to include all of the northern additioti to Tiffin/ and all
of what was before known as " Fort Ball."
TippiN, the county-seat. of this county, is situated in Clinton
township, upon the east bank of, and adjoining the Sandusky
river, in latitude 41° 7' north, longitude 6° '8' west, of Wash
ington city. It received its name from Edward Tiffin, presi
dent of the convention that formed the Constitution of Ohio,
and first governor of the state, after its admission into the Un
ion, fe.
In 1821, Josiah Hedges, from Mansfield, Richland county,
entered at the Delaware land-office, the land upon which Tiffin
now stands. It was surveyed by General James Hedges, of
Mansfield, brother of the proprietor. The first stick was cut

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. 85
upon the town-plat, in Blarch, 1822, and soon after, Messrs.
Wetz, Drennon, and John Mim, of Mansfield, and Henry
Welch, of Eden township, had a lown-lot given to each of
them by the proprietor, with the stipulation that they were to
erect cabins, and bring on their families, which was done im
mediately thereafter.
James Spink, of Wooster, came to the place during the same
month, bringing with him a small stock of goods ; but the next
winter, he left ; his store having been broken open and plun
dered of goods, to a considerable amount.
Simeon B. Howard, from the eastern part of the state, came
to the place during the same month ; so that on the 25th of
March, 1822, the day the county-seat was located here, there
were six cabins in the place. The commissioners to locate the
seat of justice, were Messrs. Herford, Miner, and Cyrus
Spink. In 1822, Mr. Hedges, proprietor of Tiffin, erected a saw
mill on Rocky creek, about a quarter of a mile east of the town,
and a grist-mill about half a mile north of the place, upon the
Sandusky river. He also erected the first frame house upon
the town-plat in 1822, the same that is at present occupied as
a Masonic hall. It was used as a store until the next year,
(1823.) Soon after, it was occupied for the holding of the
county courts, which were continued here until 1828.
The prospects of Tiffin, the first few years after its com
mencement, were not very flattering, nor its appearance very
prepossessing. The unhealthiness of the town, incident to all
new settlements — its situation on the side of the river, (then
without abridge,) opposite to Fort Ball, thftough which the main
traveled road from Columbus to Lower Sandusky then exten
ded — and the vigorous efforts made at the time to remove the
seat of justice from Tiffin to Fort Ball — all conspii-ed to dis
hearten the proprietor, who began to be fearful that it would
8

86 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
never progress to any extent. But his apprehensions proved
groundless, as it has since steadily increased, and is now a thri
ving, populous, and beautiful town.
The streets are wide, and, generally well paved. It is the
great mart of trade for the surrounding country — the farmer
finding here a ready market for his produce, at all times of the-
year. Communication by rail-road, with Sandusky City and
Cincinnati, is now secured. It js 86 miles north of Columbus,
and 34 from Sandusky City ; and is situated nearly in the cen
ter of the county. Formerly, it was dull and unhealthy; but
receiving many improvements, it has become an enterprising
and healthy town, full of life and activity. Its population, ac
cording to the census of 1840, amounted to 728. It has since
more than doubled.
It contains two Lutheran^two Catholic, one Episcopal,'one
Methodist Episcopal, one Reformed Methodist, and one German
¦Reformed church. Also, four hotels, one foundry, eight gro
ceries, i^ine tailor's-shops, three silversmiths, five saddlers, four
cabinet-shops, four blacksmith's-shops, five carriage-shops, two
gunsmiths, four tin-shops, and one lai-ge, brick school-house.
Its merchants, are R. W. Shawhan, Rufus W. Reid, the
Messrs. Cronises, Rummell and Snyder, Robert Crum, Bald
win and Pride, Andrew Glenn, Jesse Shriver, Rolla Johnson,
W. D. Scott, Geo. Taylor, Einstein and Hobbs, Howard and
Nailor, and E. Ayres & Co. A book-store has also been open
ed of late, by Ebert and Seney.
There are eight physicians in the place — Eli Dresbach, Hen
ry Kuhn, J. A. McFarland, Andrew Hepburn, James Fisher,
B. Raymond, Jacob Staub, and S. W. Bricker.
There are also twelve lawyers — Warren P. Noble,' William
C. Hedges, William H. Gibson, Sidney Sea, R. G. Penning
ton, William Lang, J. P. Pillars, Luther A. Hall, Jesse Stem,
Richard Williams, Joel W. Wilson, and Abel Rawson.

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 87
On the 4th day of July, 1825, the commissioners of the
county, Thomas Boyd, Benjamin Whitmore, and Doctor Dunn,
held an extra session for the purpose of receiving proposals
for the building of a jail, in the town of Tiffin.
They contracted with Elijah Farquassan, as the lowest bid
der, for the sum of four hundred and fifty dollars. It was com
pleted and received by the commissioner, the 4th of March,
1826. This was a very unsubstantial place for the confine
ment of criminals, which may explain why so many cleared
themselves, at an early day.
On the 4th of May, 1828, a quantity of land, by an act of
Congress, was granted to this state, equal to one-half of five
sections in width on each side of the Miami canal, between
Dayton and the Maumee river, at the mouth of the Auglaize,
so far as the Miami canal should be located through the public
lands ; but reserving for the United States, each alternate sec
tion of the land unsold, to be selected by the commissioner of
the land-office. By the fourth section of the same act, and un
der certain conditions, five hundred thousand acres of land in
this state were granted to Ohio, to aid her in the construction of
her canals.
In order to dispose ofthe five hundred thousand acres so gran
ted, an act was passed by the General Assembly, February 12,
1829, entitled " An act to provide for the sale of certain lands
granted to Ohio," and for this purpose, two land-offices were
established, one of which was located at Tiffin. Here it re
mained, until 1837, when it was removed to Maumee.
In April, 1828, the United States land-office, for the sale of
lands in the Delaware land-district, was removed from Delaware
and located at Tiffin, where it was continued until the next
year, when it W£is removed to Bucyrus.
On the 5th of January, 1832, the charter of the Mad River
and Lake Erie Ruil-road company was granted, by the Gener-

ab HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
al Assembly of Ohio. The line of this road was run the same
year, by a Mr. Stansbury, assisted by Messrs. Morris of Penn
sylvania, and Van Antwerp of Albany, and extended from
Sandusky City to Dayton, a distance of one-hundred and fifty-
three miles. The road was commenced, in September, 1835,
and finished, as far as Tiffin, in 1841. It is now nearly com
pleted, throughout its whole Jength.
The benefits derived from this road, by the citizens of Sene
ca county are immense. A market is established at home, for
their produce ; the value of land is enhanced ; and those tire
some and dreaded journeys to the lake for merchandise, and a
market, are now obviated. It has given a powerful impulse to
the onward progress of the county, both in activity and wealth.
A few years ago, the whole country was a wilderness— the
home of the Indians, who were trapping along^ the Sandusky
and its tributaries, or hunting in the low-lands through which
they flow. But their wigwams have vanished ; their council-
fires have become extinguished, and their hupting-grounds the
cultivated fields of the white man. The bones of their warri
ors and young men lie scattered in various places, tacitly tell
ing that once the red men were lords of the soil, and the right
ful owners of the land we occupy.
Their war-dance has ceased. Their wild whoop and fierce
yell, are heard no longer, in the silent woods. They have
gone, and the wilderness has passed, away. But a vestige of
their strength remains, in the wilds of the far west !
A little later, and here and there a hardy adventurer is bra
ving the difficulties of an unsettled counh-y, while the idea of a
rail-road is not yet dreamed of But now, the powerful loco
motive with its immense train comes sweeping along upon the
iron rails, bringing the luxuries of every clime — the labor of
every nation — to our very doors !

CHAPTER V.
Seueca Patriot — Printing-press^Indepcndent Cliroliicle — Tiffin Gazette
— Van Burenite — Seneca Advertiser — Wiiig Standard — Cholera —
Court-house — Jail and Sherif 's house — Jtank.
On the 4th day of August, 1832, was issued the first number
of the " Seneca Patriot," thefirst paper printed in the count}-.
This sheet, E. Brown, editor, and J. FI. Brown, proprietor, was
offered to subscribers, at one dollar and twenty-five cents, per
year, in advance.
" We propose," says the editor, " to insert occasionally, as
near as may be, an equal proportion of matter, to be published
under the following general heads — Clay Politics, Jackson
Politics, and Anti-masonic Politics. By this means, each
reader attached to the several parties, may find something suit
ed to his party ta;te, and political feelings." In three months
from this, however, he broke up his neutrality, and came out a
thorough Jackson Patriot. Saj^s he, " we go for Democratic
principles and Jacf:son, against all combinations."
The history of the press, used in this office, is somewhat re
markable. It was brought to Washington, Pennsylvania, by a
Mr. Colerick, prior to the year 1800, from some place on the
Atlantic coast It was removed from Washington, to Wells-
burg, Virginia, about the year 1820, by J. P. McArdle.' From
thence, it was removed to Mount Vernon ; thence, to Clinton,
and finally, from the latter place to NorwalkJ in 1827. Here it
became the property of the Messrs. Browns, and by them was
8*

90 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
taken to Sandusky City in 1830; and at length brought to Tif
fin, in 1832.
V- " It must be acknowledged, that this venerable press, in the
service of half a century, has earned at least the reputation of
a faithful ^herald of a noisy world.' It has no doubt embla
zoned to the world the achievements of many an eminent
statesman, and probably chronicled, as they occurred, the
stirring events which gave our government its national ex
istence. Commencing its tour of pilgrimage upon the At
lantic coast, it has wound its way to the fancied ' far west.' It
is, indeed, a relic of other days. 'He who would compare, at
this day, that sturdy lever with the vast improvements made up
on its like, since its first days, would behold one of the most
astonishing and remarkable evidences of human skill ever de
veloped in any branch of scientific or mechanical invention.
" If this be the first press (and it doubtless was) that cross
ed the Alleghanies, it should become the property of the west ;
and here be preserved, to attest the improvements made in the
' art preservative of arts.' "*
After the dissolution of the firm which published the " Sene
ca Patriot," Mr. Alonzo Rawson purchased the office, and pub
lished the "Independent Chronicle." He disposed of the es
tablishment to J. F. Reed, who commenced the " Tiffin Ga
zette" which was published some time by him, and subsequent
ly by Joseph Howard, who was succeeded by S. A. Griswold,
Esq., the latter gentleman discontinuing it in the fall of 1842.
In 1840, a second printing-press was brought to Tiffin by an
association, and in July of that year the first number of a pa
per enli^Bd the " Van Burenite and Seneca County Adverti-,
ser," was issued by " H. Cronise and others." This paper was
published until the fall of 1841, when it was discontinued. —
* Seneca Advertiser.

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. 91
In the spring of 1842, the office was purchased by John G.
Breslin, who issued the first number of the " Seneca Adverti
ser" on the 6th of May of the same year. The publication of
this paper is still continued by the same proprietor.
" We shall advocate," says the editor, in the first number of
this paper, " with a becoming zeal, and dignifiedly in manner,
the great Democratic Republican principles, as established and
taught by Thomas Jefferson. That ours is a government of
specified and limited — not general powers, and ought so to be
strictly observed to attain the ends for which it was established
— all must admit,
" The few and venerable patriots, who, when our govern
ment dated its existence, were upon the bright summit of glo
ry, and have lived till this late day, are willing to exclaim that
our system of government has eminently exceeded the most
sanguine expectations of those who achieved the glorious vic
tory upon which it was established, and become an object, not
only of admiration, but of envy and emulation by all the
world .
"It is, therefore, our duty, rendered imperious by the posi
tion we occupy as a nation, to preserve for its character as pure
and untarnished as the bright and illustrious spirit of liberty
which dictated its existence among its framers ; and still serve
as a beacon-light to the benighted, and a home for the oppress
ed of mankind, the object for which the blood of our forefath
ers and heroes — and labor of our sages have been bestowed to
obtain. " In regard to the present federal administration, we unhesi
tatingly declare, that we will war against it and its measures an
unyielding opposition. We would banish from us all preju
dice — cast off all party predilection, and admonish the Ameri
can people to view the awful and deplorable condition of our
country, brought about by the short federal predomination of

92 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
one year, and ask themselves if this is the ' change' to which
they were invited.
" The Democracy, who in trying times have been entreat
ed to rally and rescue our government must appreciate the pres
ent as a crisis equally important, and prepare to restore her
from the dominion of an unprincipled and reckless political
party, who are now plunging her into debt, disgrace, and dis
honor, regardless of consequences. We shall - endeavor to
maintain a courteous, but decided position, in regard to the
principles we intend promulgating, and in discussion have a
strict observance for the truth of what shall appear in our paper.
* # ** * # -* # « *
" With these remarks, we throw ourselves upon the support
of our friends in the cause of Democracy, and by an honest,
fearless and independent course, we hope to merit the support
which they shall be pleased to bestow upon us."
On the 18th of November, 1845, the first number of the
"Whig Standard," was issued by Geo. L.Wharton, editor. —
This paper is still printed at Tiffin. The following is the con
clusion of the editor's " Salutatory :"
" We shall enter our protest against the Locofoco party, and
labor ardently for the preservation of those principles bequeath
ed to us by the patriots of the Revolution — the principles of the
Whig party — a party whose origin was our country's Revolu
tion, and whose fidelity and patrio.tism achieved our Indepen
dence. Upon this broad platform we shall stand, adhering
firmly to liberty, despising anarchy and despotism with an eye
single to the interest of our country, feeling assured that, upon
the integrity ofthe Whig party, rests our destiny as a nation."
On the 9th day of June, 1832, the Cholera, that fearful
scourge of nations, made its appearance in America. It com
menced amongsome newly arrived Irish immigrants in Canada,
and proceeded rapidly along the valleys of the St. Lawrence,

HISTORY OP SENECA COU.NTV. 93
Champlain and Hudson, and on the 26th of the same month,
several cases occurred in New York. A great proportion of
the inhabitants left the place in dismay ; but, notwithstanding _
the reduction of numbers, the ravages of the disease were ap
palling ! It spread with great rapidity throughout the states of
New York and Michigan, and along the Ohio and Mississippi
to the gulf of JMexico.
From New York, it went along the Atlantic coast, as far
as North Carolina, and apparently followed the great routs of
travel, both on land and water. It did not, however, make its
appearance in this county, until the 19th of August, 1834. —
Its ravages were confined entirely to the town of Tiffin,
though some died in the country after they had left the place.
The_^rsi person that fell a victim to this disease, was the wife
of John Hubble. During its continuance, sixty-three died, and
many more were attacked, but recovered. All that could, left
the town, and scattered in various parts of the county. Those
with whom it proved fatal, were principally of the poorer class
of foreigners. One thing is quite remarkable. During the
whole time that it prevailed in this county the wind blew from
the nortll ; and as soon as it changed, the fatality ceased !
The most general disease which at present prevails in the
county, and indeed ever has, since its first settlement, is bilious
fever. This disease makes its appearance periodically, com
mencing the latter part of summer, and continuing until the
close of autumn, prevailing more extensively, and with in
creased severity, during the month of September. It is more
common along the Sandusky and its tributaries than in other
sections of the county.*
* A correspondent, speaking of early times, remarks ; '* It was then quite sickly —
none of the comforts of life, such as groceries, or.store-goods, were to be had nearer than
Sandusky or Huron. Many suffered, and probably died, for the want of proper care. —
There was no physician nearer than at Lower Sandusky, (Dr. Brainard,) and I have seen
people carrying boards on their backs, two miles through the woods of which coffins were

94 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTT.
No fatal and malignant epidemic, except the Cholera, ha»
ever scourged this section of country. Genuine Phthisis
Pulmonalis, or Consumption, is of rare occurrence ; and, since
the forests have been cleared ; since they have been turned
into cultivated fields, Seneca has justly ranked as a healthy
county. On the 17th day of January, 1834, the county commission
ers issued notice to receive proposals for erecting a court-house
to be built in Tiffin. On the 13th of February, of the same
year, the commissioners, after deliberating upon the proposals
submitted, finally agreed and entered into a written contract
with John Baugher, to build the same, for the sum of nine
thousand, five hundred dollars.
It was finished in the fall of 1836, and on the night of the
21st of May, 1841, all, except its walls, were burned to the
ground. A large amount of papers, books, &c., belonging to
private individuals and of considerable value were consumed,
but none of any worth belonging to the county were destroy
ed, except a few in the clerk's office, and some others of in
considerable value.
On the 10th of June, of the same year, the commissioners
ordered the re-building of the court-house, and on Friday, July
23d, entered into an examination of proposals for doing the
same. - The lowest proposal was by John Baugher, who offer
ed to do the joiner-work for two thousand nine hundred and
ninety dollars, which was accepted. Jacob Emrick contract
ed for the mason-work, at eight hundred dollars ; and Alison
Phillips, for the plastering, at four hundred and fifty dollars. —

to be made. But the county soon began to settle rapidly, changing the face of the coun
try — society began to improve — the county-seat was located — physicians, mechanics and
merchants came in — ^but sickness still prevailed, which for some time, was very discour
aging to early settlers, who were much indebted to Dri. Dresbach, Kuhn, and a few oth
ers, for their valuable services,''

HISTOKY OF SENECA COUNTT. 95
In June, 1843, the building was completed a second time, the
same walls standing that were built for the first house. These
are two stories high ; and, with two feet of hewn stone for a
foundation, measure thirty-three feet. To the top of the dome,
it is seventy-one feet. This elegant building is fifty feet in
front, £md seventy in depth. The basement story is occupied
by the several county officers. In the one above, is a large
and commodious room for the holding of courts, and two jury
rooms. On the 16th of May, 1843, the county commissioners agreed
upon a plan for a county-jail and sherif 's house ; and, on the
26th of June, of the same year, they entered into a written
agreement with Ephraim Riker, of Erie county, for building
the same. The former is of hewn stone ; the latter of brick ;
and both, under one roof and constituting one building, are
well calculated for the object for which they were built.
On the 12th of July, 1847, Samuel Waggoner, Benjamin
Tomb, Rufus W. Reid,- Alfred Johnson, Daniel Brown, Will
iam M. Buel, Daniel Smith, William Fleet, R. G. Pennington
and William H. Gibson, subscribed stock to the amount of fif
ty thousand, dollars, divided into shares of one hundred dollars
each, and filed in the proper office their application for an in
dependent bank, agreeably to the provisions of an act entitled
"An act to incorporate the State Bank of Ohio, and other ban
king companies," passed by the General Assembly of Ohio,
February 24th, 1847.
On the 2d day of August, of the same year, and during the
pending of , the application before the bank-commissioners, the
above named persons, with others as their associates, enlarged
the capital stock of the bank to one hundred thousand dollars,
and filed accordingly, an amended application, which was act
ed upon by the board of commissioners, and an independent
bank, to be located at Tiffin, with a capital of one hundre«"

96 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
thousand dollars, was granted' them on the 9th of August ofthe
same year.
The bank was organized by electing Benjamin Tomb, Sam
uel Waggoner, William M. Buel, Rufus W. Reid, and R. G.
Pennington, directors-; who afterwards elected Benjamin
Tomb,* president, and R. G. Pennington, cashier, pro tem. —
William E. Chittenden, has since been elected permanently,
as cashier of the bank. The notes of the bank are provided
by the treasurer of state, as well as those of all indepeiident
banks, at the expense, of the several banks, and are registered
at the treasurer's office, and obtained upon the order of the di
rectors of the several banks, upon depositing with the treasurer
certificates of the funded debt of the state, or of the United
States, agreeably to the terms of the statute, in this behalf.
Annual meetings for the election of officers, are held on the
first Monday of January in each year. The bank commen
ced business, on the 13th day of November, 1847, and is now
in successful operation. The notes, the engravings of which
are neatly executed, are of four denominations — ones, threes,
fives and tens.
* On Tuesday, the ?th of February, 1S4S, the office of president became vacant, by the .
resignation of Mr. Tomb ; whereupon, Abel Rawson, Esq., was elected to-fill the va
cancy.

CHAPTER VI.
Journey of the Welches — John Vanmeter — Eden Township — First phy
sician — Melmore.
In the month of February, 1819, Thomas and Hugh Welch
started from Huron county to seek a home in the wilds of Sen
eca. Having reached the limits of the county, as since defi
ned, they soon struck a beautiful stream of water, where they
encamped fbr the night.
The sight of the lofty forest-trees filled them with admira
tion ; and they were not a little surprised to find the wilder
ness already green with leeks, and a modest wild-flower, here
and there, " wasting its fragrance" in the silent woods ! The
wide-spreading branches of the oak, black-walnut, hickory and
sycamore, partially protected the earth from the severity of
winter. This was supposed to induce the early appearance of
vernal vegetation.
The stream where they had encamped, was Honey creek. —
The next morning, they followed its course downwards, until
they arrived within the present limits of Eden township. —
Near what is now the residence of William Fleet, they came
upon a band of the Seneca Indians employed in making sugar,
and with them, they again encamped for the night. The next
morning, pursuing their journey down the creek, they at length
arrived at a village of Mohawk Indians, consisting of about
twenty log huts, pleasantly situated upon both sides of the
9

98 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
stream. This village was located upon a tract of land of a
thousand acres,* granted at the treaty of the Miami of Lake
Erie to one John Vanmeter, a white man. and to his wife's two
brothers. Vanmeter was captured by the Wyandot Indians, in the
month of March, 1778, at the age of five. This happened
within a mile of West Liberty, in the state of Virginia. The
people in the neighborhood, having been frequently alarmed
by Indian aggressions, had assembled for the purpose of
building a fort, to protect themselves from savage cruelty.
It was a beautiful day in the spring of the year, and two of
the elder boys of the family were directed to proceed to a
" chopping," and arrange some brands. John accompanied
them, and the father proceeded to thq fort. The boys had -but
just commenced their work, when they were suddenly beset by
a party of Indians. The elder boys made good their escape, :
but John was easily captured. The Indians then directed
their course to the house of Vanmeter, set it on fire, murder
ed his wife and daughter, and immediately fled to the wilder
ness, carrying with them their captive boy.
He ever afterwards lived among the Indians ; completely
forgetting his native tongue, though he learned it again, before
he died, so as to converse quite fluently. He was afterwards
induced to visit his relatives and friends; but refused to remain
among them, " preferring," as he said, " the innocent and un
restrained indulgences of the Indian's life, to the arbitrary re
straints of civilized society." Vanmeter was a man of more
than ordinary decision of character ; of a benevolent disposi
tion, and friendly to the whites. Owning a large stock of
cattle and several horses, early settlers relied much upon his
generosity ; and it weis not in vain, that they sought relief at his
* Now owned by Lloyd Norris.

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTV. 99
hands, in times of distress and destitution. He married a wo
man of the Seneca nation, (a relative ofthe celebrated Brandt
whose name is well known in the state of New York,) and di
ed a few years since, on the grant made him by the United
States. In 1629, the Indians of this village, who were a remnant of
the Mohawk tribe, joined the Senecas and left the county with
the latter. Thomas Brandt, one of these Indians, and a broth
er-in-law of Vanmeter, was a captain in the United States ser
vice, during fhe last war, and fought at the battle of Browns-
town. The Welches were welcomed by Vanmeter, with every
demonstration of friendship ; and making known to him their
business, they were directed to a tract of land which he repre
sented as of excellent soil. Being well suited with it, both as
to quality and location, they resolved to proceed no farther. —
Here commenced thefirst settlement in Eden township, which
was upon the farm now owned by David Olmsted. In June,
of the same year, they were joined by two other brothers, Mar
tin and John Welch.
At that time, their nearest neighbor was Erastus Bowe, at
Oakley, six miles distant. On the north, the nearest settle
ment was at Lower Sandusky. On the south, there was a
house erected at the point where the Morrison state road now
crosses the Sandusky river, in Wyandot (then Crawford) coun
ty ; and on the east, it was nearly twenty miles to a habitation.
They cut out, for their own convenience, a wagon-road, lead
ing from a point a mile north of the center of Norwich town
ship, Huron count}', and running near the site of the present
town of Republic, to their settlement in Eden. This was the
first track, in imitation of a highway, east of the Sandusky
river within the limits of the county. Soon afterward, Thomas

100 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
Welch died. The other brothers are now residents of Wyan
dot county.
Other settlers now located upon Honey creek ; and before
the "sales" at Delaware, on the 3d of August, 1821, there
were twelve squatters upon the land of the United States, with
in the present limits of Eden township. Tiiese were the
Welches, together with Ira Holmes from Chenango county,
New York, Daniel Pratt, Henry Craw, Samuel Knapp,^ Chris
topher Sponknable, William Clark,* Case Brown, from Kinder-
hook, Columbia county, New York, and John Searles.
Soon after the "sales," William Cornell, Daniel Hough, M.
D., John Gibson, Ezra Brown, Thomas Baker, Philip Bretz,
Richard Jaqua, and John Downs, f settled in Eden township,
*Mr. Clark was from Cayuga county,'New York. His daughter, [Sarah] became the
wife of James Mathers, which was the first marriage in the county. The two have since.
removed to California. The ceremony vvas. performed by David-Smith, Esq., first justice
in the county. Mr Smith was at that time a resident of Fort Seneca — now Pleasant —
township, and has since deceased.
t The following story — well authenticated — may not be altogether unattractive to juve
nile readers :
Many years ago, while the country was a wilderness, the few inhabitants aleng the
banks of Honey creek were obliged to get their grinding done al the old Iridian mill, at
Upper Sandusky.
It was in the fall of the year, and although the Indians at that time were numerons,
their presence was not ordinarily a source of alarm to the early settlers, who had become
familiar with their habits and dispositions. Onejnorning, three lads, each with his horse
and grist, started for the mill. They had just entered Crawford [now Wyandot] county,
when the great abundance of liickory-nuts upon the ground, attracted their attention. —
Dismounting, they began to fill their pockets, and while thus engaged, one of them, hear
ing a noise, raised his head, and tt) his great terror, saw jnst in advance, an Indian, stan
ding by a tree, with a gun in his hand, and a dog by his side. The Indian, who doubtless
had concluded to have some sport with the hoys, without" intending to harm them, re
mained silent, waiting for a good opportunity to accompli&h his object. The other lads
were not long ignorant of his presence ; and the next moment were upon their horses,
dashing through the woodsat full speed. The Indian thereupon blew a slirJll whistle
upon, his charger, at the same time leveling liis gun at the terrified boys. This was
enough. Their fright was complete. The Indian uttering a fierce yell, and letting loose
his dog, followed at full speed. This was too much ; first one, then another of thcir
grists was thrown off. Relieved of their burdens, and pressing forward, -they were not
long in leaving the Indian and his dog, far behind. Tho boys, however, did not in tho

HI8TORT OP SENECA COUNTT. 101
and became permanent residents. John Searles and Case
Brown have since deceased — the latter, the Sth of February,
1843. In 1820, Eden was surveyed into sections and quarter-sec
tions by James T. Worthington, assisted by David Risdon. —
In 1821, it was organized into a separate and distinct township,
receiving its name from the quality of the soil, which is re
markably fertile, especially that which borders on Honey creek.
Thefirst township election, was held the 4th of June, of the
same year, at the house of John Searles. *
On the 6th of March, 1822, Selden Graves, _^rs< practicing
physician in the county, settled in Eden township, upon the
farm where he now resides. His ride soon extended over the
whole of Seneca, and occasionally into the adjoining counties
of Huron and Crawford.
Eden now began to settle rapidly. The great fertility of
the soil, attracted emigrants from various parts, especially from
the state of New York ; and at the organization of the county
in 1824, its population exceeded that of either of the other
townships. In 1830, it contained 819 inhabitants ; in 1840,
they had increased to 1471. It has since steadily augmented both
in population and wealth ; numbering among its enterprising
farmers — Richard Baker, George Denison, Thomas Baker,

least relax their speed, until they arrived at the residence of a white man^ on the San
dusky river, the only one throughout the whole distance.
Through his importnjiities, they reluctantly consented to return with him for their
grists, which were found near the trail ; the Indian having blazed two trees against
which he had placed them. On their return from the mill, they could not be induced to
take the same rout-, bnt sought their homes by the circuitous way of Tyemochetee.
* The following was the successful ticket : David Clark, clerk ; John W^elch, James
Mathers, and Henry Craw, trustees ; Ira Holmes, and John Searles, overseers of the
poor i Daniel Pratt, and Jobn Searles, fence-viewers ; John Searles, treasurer ; Hugh
Welch, and Ira Holmes, apfiraisers i Samuel Knapp, and Jobs Welch, supervisors ;
Thonaas Welch, constable.
9*

102 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTT.
Selden Graves, Lloyd Norris, Sylvanus Arnold, John Baker,
William Fleet, James Watson, Jesse Koler, William Watson,
David Olmsted, Benjamin Brundage, Daniel W. Eastman, Phil
ip Bretz, John Kagy, Adam Pennington, John Bretz, Jonah
Brown, John Gibson, Henry Shauk, John Crum, Jacob Price,
John Downs, Peter Springer, Jacob Andre, Samuel Kennedy,
and many others.
In 1824, a town was surveyed in this township, where the
Kilbourn rOad crosses Honey creek, to which the surveyor.
Col. James Kilbourn, gave the name of Melmore. This word
is a fantastic compound of the Latin mel, which signifies honey,
and the English adjective, more ; from the circumstance of the
place being situated upon Honey creek.*
*The following piece of poetry, composed by Mr. Kilbourn, on his survey of thi.
town, exhibits the spirit of the times :
MELMORE. - >
Where honey-dews from the mild Heaven,
Distil on the foUage below —
Where Honey creek's waters are given,
T' enrich the sweet vales as they flow —
Where playful, the heart-cheering breeze
Sweeps o'er,the sweet bosom of flowers —
There Melmore is seen, on a hill.
With fragrance and health in her bowers.
This country and village to prove,
Of pleasure and health the abode,
Kind Nature has formed in her, love.
And on her good children bestowed.
Tho fees to her agents are sraall,
For titles in form which they give ;
Then come, men of enterprise-^all.
Accept, Skud iu happiness live.
Merchants and laborers come,
A fortune is ofiered you near j
Here make it your permanent home.

BISTOKT OP SENECA COUNTT. 103
The land upon which this town is located, was entered at the
Delaware land-office, by Case Brown, afterwards one of its
proprietors. John C. Jones erected the first dwelling-house
upon the plat. He died here, in 1828. Thefirst public house
was kept by Joshua D. Munsel, since deceased. The first
store in this town was opened by Buckley Hutchins, who set
tled here, September 28th, 1824, where he has ever since re
sided. He became _^rs< post-master, holding that office for sev
eral years, until succeeded by Philip J. Price, the present in
cumbent. James M. Stevens, an early settler, became owner of many
of the lots of land in this town, which, upon his death, in 1830,
descended to his heirs. James Gray, William Ireland, Daniel
M. Bate (for many years a practicing physician in this town)
and John Lambertson, Esq., were also early settlers, and are
still residents of the place.
Melmore is pleasantly situated, upon a high bank of the
creek ; and may be considered one of the healthiest villages in
the county. Its population in 1830, was 77. It has since in
creased to 250. It contains forty dwellings, two stores, two

The country will cherish you here.
Come, taste the Melmorean springs.
Possess the Melmorean lands.
Wealth, honor, and pleasure they'll bring.
To strengthen your hearts and your hand*.
So healthy the country is, round.
That doctors have little to do ;
So moral the people are found.
They live without ministers, too :
So honest our neighbors we call,
Bo peaceful and happy at home,
They've need of no latoyers at all,
Aud none are desired to come.

104 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTT.
taverns, two tailor's-shops, three shoe-shops, three blacksmith's-
shops, one cabinet shop, one saddler and one carriage-shop. —
It contains also, one Presbyterian, and one Methodist Episcopal
church. At the raising of the latter, on the 16th of July,
1836, Amroy Butterfield, father of the writer, was instantly
killed by the falling of a bent.
There are three physicians located in this town ; Henry
Ladd, Robert McD. Gibson, and Timothy M. Smith.

CHAPTER VII.
Camp Seneca — Indian council — Fort Meigs — Fort Stephenson — General
Harrison at Camp Seneca^Grand Camp — ?ern''s Victory.
About the 1st of July, 1813, a detachment of men, under
the command of Gen. William Henry Harrison, erected a
stockade upon the west bank of the Sandusky river, within the
present limits of Pleasant township, in this county, to which
was given the name of " Camp Seneca."
It was situated upon a bank, about forty feet above the bed
of the river, close to the old army road ; and containing with
in the enclosure an acre and a half of ground. It was built
nearly in the form of a square, surrounded by pickets consist
ing of oak timbers, a foot in thickness, and twelve feet high. —
Between the ground and the river, are several springs of wa
ter ; to, and around one of which, the pickets extended.
On the east side of the camp, were two rows of pickets,
about six feet apart, the space being filled with dirt. On the
south was a single row of pickets; and a little beyond, is a deep
ravine, between which and the camp an embankment was
thrown up, which is still partially visible. On the west, was a
single row of pickets, with a ditch about six feet deep, and
twelve feet wide. On the north, there was likewise a deep
ditch with an embankment, upon the top of which were placed
the pickets.
A block-house was erected at the south-west corner, sixteen
feet high, and about twenty-five feet square, no vestiges of

106 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
which remain. It consisted of large logs, with port-holes for
cannon and small arms, and was located in such a manner as
to completely command the ditch. There was a projection at
the north-east corner, strongly picketed, probably used as a
magazine ; and two small block-houses, at each of the other
corners, with port-holes.*
Previous to the building of this camp, and -while at Frank
linton, in June, 1813, General Harrison held a council with
the chiefs of the friendly Indians, of the Delaware, Shawanese
Wyandot and Seneca tribes, in which he stated to them that the
time had arrived for all those who were willing to engage in
the war, " to take a decided stand for or against the United
States" — that the president wished no false friends — that the
proposal of Proctor to exchange the Kentucky militia for the
tribes in our friendship, indicated that he had received some
hint of their willingness, to take up the tomahawk against us ;
and that to give the United States a proof of their good dispo
sition, they must remove with their families into the interior,
or the warriors must accompany him in the ensuing campaign,
and fight for the United States. To the latter condition, the
chiefs and warriors unanimously agreed ; and said they had
long been anxious for an invitation to fight for the Americans.
Tarhe, the oldest Indian in the western country, who represen
ted all the tribes, professed in their name the most indissoluble
friendship for the United States. General Harrison then told
them he would let them know when they would be wanted in
the service ; " but you must conform to our mode of warfare.
You are not to kill defenseless prisoners, old men, women, or
children." He added, that by their conduct he would be able
lo tell, whether the British could restrain the Indians from such
* Thelaad upon which Camp Seneca was built, is now owned by Joel Risdon, and R.
M. Titus. It is about nine miles from Lower Sandusky; and one mile south of the nor
thern boundary of the county.

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 107
horrible cruelty. For if the Indians fighting with him, would
forbear such conduct, it would prove, that the British could al
so restrain theirs if they wished to do it. He humorously told
them he had been informed that General Proctor had promised
to deliver him into the hands of Tecumthe, if he succeeded
against Fort Meigs, to be treated as that warrior might think
proper.* "Now, if I can succeed in taking Proctor, you shall
shall have him for your prisoner, provided you will agree to
treat him as a squaw, and only put petticoats upon him ; for he
must be a coward who wouldkill a defenseless prisoner."-|-
In the month of June, while at Franklinton, General Harri
son was informed that Fort Meigs was again invested. Al
though he doubted the intention of the enemy to attack that
place, at this time, he promptly started a reinforcement to its
relief, and on the 28th, reached there in person. It proved to
be a false alarm, and the general returned to Lower Sandusky,
on the first of July, and on the following day set off for Cleve
land, on business connected with the public stores, and the
building of boats for transporting the army across the lake. —
On the 23d, a body of eight hundred Indians were seen to pass
Fort Meigs, for the purpose, it was supposed, of attacking Fort
Winchester. Two days afterwards, the British and Indians
appeared in great numbers before Fort Meigs, then commanded
by General Clay. In the meantime. Captain Oliver, accompa-
* We find the following note in Dawson, on this subjec t : " There is no douht that
when Proctor made the arrangement for the attack on Fort Meigs with Tecomthe, the
latter insisted, and the former agreed, that General Harrison, and all who fought at Tip
pecanoe, should be given np to the Indians to be burned. Major Ball, of the dragoons,
ascertained this fact from the prisoners, deserters and Indians, all of whom agreed to its.
truth." On the supposition that this statement be true, it proves that Tecumthe meditated tho
violation of the agreement he made with General Harrison, at Vincennes, in 1810, that
in the event of a war, prisoners, and women and chilflren should be protected. On no
other occasion is he known to have departed fromthc spirit of his engagement.
t M'Afee.

108 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
nied by Captain McCune, was sent to apprise the commander-
in-chief of the fact ; and reached him at Lower Sandusky,
with (jertain information that the united force of the enemy,
principally Indians, was not less than five thousand — a greater
number than had ever before assembled on any occasion during
the war. General Harrison, with remarkable accuracy of
judgment, as the result proved, came to the conclusion, that
this investment of Fort Meigs was a feint, made by the enemy,
to call his attention to that place, while Lower Sandusky or
Cleveland, was really the point on which the next attack would
be made. He immediately removed his head-quarters to Camp
Seneca, nine miles' above Lower Sandusky. From this place
he could fall back and protect Upper Sandusky, or pass by a
secret rout, to the relief of Fort Meigs— two points to be de
fended — Lower Sandusky being of comparatively little impor
tance. Major Croghan was left at Lower Sandusky, with one
hundred and sixty regulars, for the defense of Fort Stephen
son. There were about isix hundred troops at Camp Seneca —
a force tpo small to advance upon Fort Meigs. Captain Mc
Cune was sent back to General day, with the information,
that as early as the commander-in-chief could collect a suffi
cient number of troops, he would relieve the fort. The day
after the return of the express, the enemy raised the siege. —
As had been anticipated by General Harrison, the British sailed
round into Sandusky Bay, while the Indians marched across
the swamps of Portage river, to aid in the projected attack on
Lower Sandusky.
As. early as the 21st of April, of this year. General Harri
son, in a letter to the secretary of war, in speaking of the ul
terior operations of the campaign, remarked : "I shall cause
the movements of the enemy to be narrowly watched j but in
the event of their landing at Lower Sandusky, that post cannot
be saved. I will direct it in such an event to be evacuated. —

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. 109
The stores there are not of much consequence, excepting
about five hundred stand of arms, which I will cause to be re
moved as soon as the roads are practicable — at present it is im
possible." These arms were subsequently removed. Just be
fore the express from Fort Meigs reached General Harrison,
he in company with Major Croghan and other officers, had ex
amined Fort Stephenson, and- concluded that it could not be
defended against heavy artillery ; and, if the British should
approach it by water — which would raise a presumption, that
they had brought their heavy artillery — the fort must be aban
doned and burnt, provided a retreat could be effected with safe
ty.- In the orders left with Major Croghan, it was stated : —
" Should the British troop's approach you in force with cannon,
and you can discover them in time to effect a retreat, you will
do so immediately, destroying all the public stores.* You must
be aware, that the attempt to retreat in the face of an Indian
force, would be vain. Against such an enemy, your garri
son would be safe, however great the number."
On tlie 1i9th, General Harrison was informed that the siege
of Fort Meigs had been abandoned. The scouts sent out by
him, reported that from the indications, they believed an attack
was meditated by the Indians, then lying in numbera on the
south side of Fort Meigs, upon Upper Sandusky. Upon this
information, a council of war was called, composed of McAr
thur, Cass, Ball, Paul, Wood, Hukill, Holmes and Graham,
who were unanimously of opinion, that as Fort Stephenson
was untenable against heavy artillery, and as it was relatively
an unimportant post, that the garrison should not be reinforc
ed, but withdrawn, and the place destroyed. The following
order was forthwith sent to Major Croghan : " Sir : Immedi
ately on receiving this letter, you will abandon Fort Stephen-
* The amonnt of stores at this place was inconsiderable ; every thing valuable had
been previously removed.
10

110 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
son, set fire to it, and repair with your command this night to
head-quarters. Cross the river, and come up on the other side.
If you should find, or deem if impracticable to make good your
march to this place, take the road to Huron, and pursue it with
the utmost circumspection and dispatch." The bearer of this
dispatch losing his way, it did not reach Major Croghan until
eleven o'clock of the next day. The major was then of opin
ion that he could not retreat with safety, as the Indians were
around the fort, in considerable numbers. A majority of his
officers concurred in the opinion that to retreat was unsafe, and
that the post could be maintained at least until further instruc
tions were received from head-quarters. The major, therefore,
promptly returned the following answer : " Sir : I have just
received yours of yesterday, ten o'clock, P. M., ordering me
to destroy this place, and make good my retreat, which was re
ceived too late to be carried into execution. We have deter
mined to maintain this place, and, by Heavens, we can." —
The strong language of this note, was used on the supposition
that it might fall into the hands of the enemy. It reached the
general on the same day, who, not fully understanding the mo
tives under which it was written, sent Colonel Wells next mor
ning, escorted by Colonel Ball, and a detachment of dragoons,
with the following order : " July SOth, 1813.
" SiK — The general has just received your letter of this date, inform
ing him that you had thought proper to disobey the order issued from this
office, and delivered to you this morning. It appears that the information
which dictated the order was incorrect ; and as you did not receive it in
the night, as was expected, it might have been proper that you should
have reported the circumstance and your situation, before you proceeded
to its execution. This might have been passed over ; but 1 am directed
to say to you, that an officer who presumes to aver, that ho has made bis
resolution, and that he will act in direct opposition to the orders of his
geueral, can no longer be intrusted with a separate command. Colonel

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. Ill
Wells IS sent to relieve you. You will deliver tho command to hinU and
repair with Colonel BaU's squadron, to this place. By command, &c.
"A. H. HOLMES, Ass't. Adjutant General."
In passing down, the dragoons met with a party of twenty
Indians, and killed seventeen of tbem. When Major Croghan
reached head-quarters, he explained to the general his motives
in writing the note, which were deemed satisfactory. In the
mean-time, the scouts had reported to General Harrison, that
the Indians had not gone in the direction of Upper Sandusky.
Upon receiving this information. Major Croghan was directed
to resume his post, with written instructions of the same im
port as had been previously given.
On the evening of the Slst of July, some scouts sent out by
General Harrison, discovered the British within twenty miles
of Fort Stephenson, approaching the place by water. It was
after twelve o'clock, however, on the next day, August 1st, be
fore these scouts, in returning to Camp Seneca, by Lower San
dusky, communicated this information to Major Croghan, and
in a few hours afterwards the fort was actually invested by the
British and Indians. A flag was now sent from the enemy de
manding a surrender. The messenger was informed that the
commandant and garrison were determined to defend it to the
last extremity. The attack was promptly commenced, and
gallantly sustained. The result was glorious to the American
arms, and covered the gallant Croghan «nd his officers and
raen, with honor. Only one man was killed, and but seven
wounded, belonging to the garrison. The loss of the enemy
was not less than one hundred and fifty, in killed and wound
ed. General Harrison, when informed ofthe attack on Fort Ste
phenson, paused before moving to its relief He weis hourly
expecting considerable reinforcements from the interior, but
had not with him at Camp Seneca, a disposable force of more

113 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
than eight hundred men, the fifth of whom were cavalry, who,
in the thick woods extending the greater part of the way; be
tween that place and Lower Sandusky, would have been of lit
tle use. The remainder of these eight hundred men were raw
recruits. To have marched upon an enemy, several thousand
strong, with such a force, would, in all human probability, have
resulted in its total destruction. Again, in moving to Fort
Stephenson, he must necessarily leave the camp at Seneca with
one hundred and fifty sick soldiers in it, exposed to the Indian
tomahawk ; while Upper Sandusky, at which were ten thou
sand barrels of flour, besides other supplies of public stores,
indispensable for the main objects of the campaign, was equal
ly liable to be attacked and destroyed by Tecumthe, who, with
two thousand warriors, was then lying in the swamp, between
that point and Fort Meigs, ready to strike upon either Camp
Seneca or Upper Sandusky, in the event of General Harri
son's moving to Fort Stephenson. Under these circumstances,
he was bound by every military principle, to retain that posi
tion in which he could, with the most certainty, accomplish the
best results. He therefore determined to wait, for a time, at
least, the progress of events, hoping that reinforcements would
arrive before the fort could be reduced. On the night of the
2d, he was informed that the enemy was retreating, and early
nest morning having in the night been reinforced by three
hundred Ohio militia, he set out for the fort attended by the
dragoons, and directing the remainder of the disposable force
to follow under Generals Cass and McArthur. Upon reaching
the fort, the general was told by a wounded sei-geant of the
British troops, that Tecumthe was in the swamp, south of Fort
Meigs, ready to strike at Upper Sandusky, on the first oppor
tunity. This information, corroborative of what he had before
heard, induced the commander-in-chief to direct General Mc-

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. 113
Arthur, who had not yet reached the fort, to return to Camp
Seneca with all possible dispatch.
[n his official report of this afiair. General Harrison said :
" It will not be among the least of General Proctor's mortifica
tions to find that he has been badlod by a youth, who has just
passed his twenty-first year He is, however, a hero worthy
of his gallant uncle, George R. Clark." The president imme
diately conferred the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel, on Ma
jor Croghan.
Shortly afterwards an attack was made in some public prints
upon the conduct of General Harrison, in regard to the defense
of Fort Stephenson. Major Croghan promptly replied to it,
by forwarding to a newspaper in Cincinnati, a communication
under date of Lower Sandusky, August 27th, 1813, in which
he gives the reason already stated, for disobeying General Har
rison's order to destroy the fort, and retreat to Camp Seneca,
and says :
•' I have with much regret seen in some of the public prints,
such misrepresentations respecting my refusal to evacuate this
post, as are calculated not only to injure me in the estimation of
military men, but also to excite unfavorable impressions as to
the propriety of General Harrison's conduct relative to this af
fair. " His character as a military man is too well established to
need my approbation or support. But his public services enti
tle him at least to common justice. This affair does not fur
nish cause of reproach. If public opinion has been lately mis
led respecting his late conduct, it will require but a moment's
cool, dispassionate reflection, to convince them of its proprie
ty. The measures recently adopted by him, so far from de
serving censure, are the clearest proofs of hia keen penetra.
tion and able generalship."
10*

114 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
The letter concludes with the following paragraphs, alike
honorable to the soldier and the gentleman :
" It would be insincere to say that I am not flattered by the
many handsome things which have been said about the defense
which was made by the troops under my command ; but I de
sire no plaudits whioh are bestowed upon me, at the expense of
General Harrison.
" I have at all times enjoyed his confidence, so far as my
rank in the army entitled me to it. And on proper occasions
received his marked attention. I have felt the warmest attach
ment for him as a man, and my confidence in him as an abh
commander remains unshaken. I feel every assurance that he
will at all times, do me ample justice ; and nothing could give
me more pain than to see his enemies seize upon this occasion
to deal out their unfriendly feelings and acrimonious dislike-^
and as long as he continues (as in my humble opinion he has
hitherto doj^p) to make the wisest arrangements and most judi
cious dispositipn, which the forces under his command will jus
tify, I shall not hesitate to unite with the army in bestowing up
on him that confidence which he so richly merits, and which
has on no occasion been withheld. 'i-
As.soon as this invasion of the territory of Ohio was known.
Governor Meigs called upon the militia of the state to repel
the enemy. The appeal was promptly and nobly responded to,
but the abandonment of the siege of Fort MeigSj and the gal
lant defense of Fort Stephenson, rendered their services unne
cessary. When tbe militia were disbanded, without an oppor
tunity of meeting the foe, or being employed in the main expe-
iJition against Canada, there was much discontent among them.
To allay this feeling. General Harrison met them at Upper San
dusky ; and, through the governor, made known the reasons
for their being disbanded. These were, mainly, that to retain
in camp all the Ohio troops then embodied, was impossible, as

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. 115
the embarkation on the lake could not be effected under fifteen
or eighteen days, and so large a force, even for a short time,
would consume the provisions provided for the support of the
campaign. The delay in moving upon Canada arose from a
cause which General Harrison could not then publicly explain,
lest it should reach the enemy. Under the plan of the cam
paign, he was not to cross the lake until he had the full co-ope
ration of Commodore Perry's fleet. The period when this
could be obtained, was uncertain. Under such circumstances,
the retention of so large a body of militia, in camp, would have
defeated the plan of the campaign. At the same time, the
commander-in-chief bore his testimony to the fact, that the ex
ertions made by Governor Meigs to Eissemble the militia, and
the promptitude with which the call had been met, was truly
astonishing, and reflected the highest credit on the state. —
Some of the disbanded officers, however, met together, not
withstanding this explanation, and in a moment of popular dis
content, passed resolutions to the effect, that they were greatly
disappointed in not being kept in service, and that there wes
something mysterious in the conduct of General Harrison. —
The cool reflection of these officers, and a subsequent knowl
edge of the whole plan of the campaign, have long since caus
ed them to regret their course on this occasion ; and, to admit
with a frankness honorable to their character, that they had
done great injustice to the commandei^in-chief
Active preparations for the expedition against Upper Cana
da were now making. The call by General Harrison, on the
governor of Kentucky, for volunteers, was prompfly respond
ed to, by the venerable Shelby, who, in a patriotic appeal to
the people of that state, appointed the Slst of August for the
rendezvous of the troops ,at Newport. Public attention was
now directed with great intenseness, to the rival fleets on Lake
Erie. About the 2d of August, the vessels under Commodore

116 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
Perry were finally equipped. On the 5th, General Harrison
visited the fleet, and furnished the commander with a compa
ny of soldiers, to. act as marines, who were afterwards ack
nowledged to have performed a valuable service. Col. John
son, with his mounted regiment, was recalled from Kentucky
to the frontiers. Every exertion was made along the whole
line from Cleveland to Fort Meigs, to hasten on the stores,
while Governor Shelby was steadily advancing with a strong
body of mounted men towards the scene of action. In the
midst of these active preparations, in which the energy of the
commander-in-chief was everywhere perceptible, he received,
on the 12th of September, at Seneca, a note in which Commo
dore Perry says :
" We have met the enemy and they are ours — two ships,
two brigs, one schooner, and a sloop."
This important and glorious news spread, with the rapidity
of an electric shock, throughout the whole line of the army,
and as it reached the various detachments, pressing on to the
shore of the lake, it quickened their speed, and awakened a
burning desire to achieve a victory equally brilliant, over the
enemy under Proctor.
On the 20th, the embarkation commenced from the mouth
of Portage river. On the 26th, the army reached the Middle
Sister — having touched at Put-in-bay, where a general order of
debarkation, of march and of battle, was issued by the com
mander-in-chief, which, for lucid minuteness and military acu
men, has been pronounced by competent judges, to be unsur
passed in its kind. On the morning of the 27th, the final em
barkation of the army commenced, in sixteen vessels, and up
wards of eighty boats.* The sun shone in all his autumnal
beauty, and a gentle breeze hastened on the ships to that shore,
on which it was anticipated the banner of our country would
have to be planted, amid the thunder of British arms, and the

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. 117
yells of ferocious Indians. While moving over the bosom of
the lake — every eye enchanted with the magnificence of the
scene, and every heart panting for the coming opportunity of
avenging their country's wrongs — the beloved commander-in-
chief caused the following address to be delivered to his army :
"The general entreats his brave troops to remember, that
they are the sons of sires whose fame is immortal ; that they
are to fight for the rights of their insulted country, while their
opponents combat for the unjust pretensions of a master. —
Kentuckians ! remember the River Raisin ; but remember it
only whilst victory is suspended. The revenge of a soldier
cannot be gratified upon a fallen enemy."
When this stirring appeal was read, on each vessel, and in
each boat, the shouts of " Harrison and victory," rose, succes
sively, from an army of freemen, and went booming over the
rippling waters. The landing was effected at four o'clock,
with a celerity and an order, as remarkable as the spectacle
was beautiful and grand ; and, about sun-down, the army en
tered Maiden in triumph, heralded by the national air of
"Yankee Doodle."*
* Life of Harrison.

CHAPTER VIII.
Attempt to assassinate Gen. Harrison — James Montgomery — Pleasant
township — Fort Seneca — Peter Pork — William Spicer — Bloom" town
ship — Elizabethtown — Bloomville — Silver creek — Scipio townshipr—
Republic — Seneca county Academy.
While Gen. Harrison was at Camp Seneca, he narrowly es
caped being murdered by an Indian. It appears that the friend
ly Indians of the Delaware, Shawanese, and Seiieca tribes had
been invited to join him. A number had accepted the invita
tion, and had reached Seneca before the arrival of the Ken
tucky troops. All the chiefs, and no doubt the greater part of
the warriors, were favorable to the American cause ; but be
fore their departure from their towns, a wretch had insinuated
himself among them, with the intention of assassinating the
commanding general. . He belonged to the Shawanese tribe,
and bore the name of Blue Jacket, but was not the celebrated
Blue Jacket, who signed the treaty of Greenville with Gen.
Wayne. He had formerly resided at the town of Wapakonet-
ta ; he had, however, been absent for a considerable time, and
had returned but a few days before the warriors of that town
set out to join the American army.
He informed the chiefs, that he had been hunting on the
Wabash, and at his request, he was suffered to join the party
which were about to march to Seneca. Upon their arrival at
McArthur's block-house, they halted and encamped for the pur-

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. 119
pose of receiving provisions from the deputy Indian agent.
Col. Mc. Pherson, who resided there.
Before their arrival at that place. Blue Jacket had communi
cated to a friend of his, (a Shawanese warrior,) his intention
to kill the American general, and requested his assistance ; this
his friend declined, and endeavored to dissuade him from at
tempting it, assuring him that it could not be done without the
certain sacrifice of his own life, as he had been at the Ameri
can camp, and knew that there was always a guard around the
general's quarters, who were on duty day and night.
Blue Jacket replied, that he was determined to execute his
intention at any risk — " that he would kill the general, if he
was sure that his guards would cut him in pieces not bigger
than his thumb-nail."
No people on earth are more faithful in keeping secrets than
the Indians, but each warrior has a friend, from whom he will
conceal nothing. Luckily for General Harrison, the friend of
the confidant of Blue Jacket was a young Delaware chief,
named Beaver, who was also bound to the general by the ties of
friendship. He was the son of a Delaware war-chief of the
same name, who had, with others, been put to death by his own
tribe, on the charge of practicing sorcery.
General Harrison had been on terms of friendship with the
father, and had patronized his orphan boy, at that time ten or
twelve years of age. He had now arrived to manhood, and
was considered among fhe most promising warriorsof his tribe:
to this young chief, the friend of Blue Jacket revealed the fa
tal secret. The Beaver was placed by this communication in
an embarrassing situation, for should he disclose what he had
heard, he betrayed his friend, than which nothing could be
more repugnant to the feelings and principles of an Indian
warrior. Should he not disclose it, consequences equal, or
even more to be deprecated, were likely to ensue. The assas-

120 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
sination of a friend, the friend of his father, whose life he was
bound to defend, or whose death to avenge, by the same princi
ple of fidelityand honor which forbid the disclosure.
While he was yet hesitating. Blue Jacket came up to the
Delaware camp somewhat intoxicated, vociferating vengeance
upon Colonel McPherson, who had just turned him out of his
house, and whom he declared he would put to death for the in
sult he had received. The sight of the traitor raised the indig
nation, and aroused the resentment of the Beaver, to the high
est pitch. He seized his tomahawk, and advaiicing towards
the culprit, " You must be a great warrior," said he, " you will
not only kill this white man, for serving you as you deserve,
but you will also murder our father, the American chiefj and
bring disgrace and mischief upon us all. But you shalldo nei
ther — I will serve you as I would a mad dog."
A furious blow from the tomahawk of the Bfeaver stretched
the unfortunate Blue Jacket at his feet, and a second termina
ted his existence ; *' there," said he, to some Shawanese, who
were present, " take hira to fhe camp of his tribe, and tell them
who has done the deed."
The Shawanese were far frora resenting it ; they applauded
the conduct of the Beaver, and rejoiced at their happy escape
frora the ignominy which the accomplishment of Blue Jacket's
design would have brought upon them.
At the great treaty which was held at Greenville, in 1815,
Gen. Cass, one of the commissioners, related thewhole of the
transaction to the assembled chieffe, and after thanking the Bea
ver in the name of the United States, for having saved the life
of their general, he caused a handsome present to be made him
out of the goods which he had sent for the purpose of the trea-
ty. It is impossible to say what was the motive of Blue Jacket,
to attempt the life of General Harrison : he was not one of the

HISTORY OP BENECA COUNTY.

lil

Tippecanoe Shawanese, and therefore could have no personal
resentment against the general. There is little doubt that he
came from Maiden when he arrived at Wapakonetta, and that
he came for the express purpose of attempting the life of the
general ; but whether he was instigated to it by any other per
son or persons, or had conceived the idea himself, has never
been ascertained."
On the 20th of November, 1819, James Montgomery, a na
tive of Pennsylvania, but then a resident of the south part of
this state, having been appointed as agent of the Seneca Indi
ans, settled in this county within the liraits of Camp Seneca,
where the Indians had erected him a log house, which was cov
ered with bark, with puncheon for a floor.
Mr. Montgomery remained agent for the Indians, and lived
near the camp until his death, which occurred the first of June,
1830. Mr. M. was a worthy citizen, and greatly beloved by
the Indians. When he first came to the county, there were
hut five families between his residence and Oakley, now New
Fort Ball.
Pleasant township was organized the 6th of June, 1831. —
Among its first settlers, were John Chaney, Nathan Shippey,
ahd Caleb Rice, none of whom are now residents of the town
ship. The name, Pleasant, was suggested by James Gordon,
one of the county commissioners at the time. This township,
lying upon both sides of the Sandusky, contains more bottom
land than any other in the county. Among its enterprising
farmers, are Lorenzo Abbott, Isaac I. Dumond, Benjamin
Tomb, John Claggett, Uriah Egbert, M. B. Fry, Vincent Bell,
Daniel V. Flummerfelf, D. H. Jop, M. M. Titus, G. Sheafs,
and others.
On the 14fh of January, 1836, Erastus Bowe and Vincent
* Memoirs of Harrison.
11

122 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY,
Bell caused to be surveyed on the corners of sections nineteen
and twenty in this township; a town, to which they gave the
name of "Fort Seneca." This place, (formerly known in
the vicinity as " Swope's Corners,") was surveyed and platted
by David Risdon, county surveyor, and contains fifty-seven in-
lots. It received its name from the stockade before mention
ed, which was about three miles below the town.
It is situated within 60 rods of the Sandusky river, upon the
Columbus state-road, six miles and a half from Tiffin, and elev
en from Lower Sandusky. , Its population is one hundred. It
isa post-town, containing twenty dwelling-houses, one Metho
dist Episcopal church, one tavern, one store, one district school-
house, two blacksmith's-shops, three shoe-shops, one tailor-shop
and one cabinet-shop. There is also a physician located in this
town— Dr. F. M. Bell.
On the 4th of October, 1829, Benajah Parker, a resident, of
what is now Fort Seneca, in Pleasant township, was stabbed by
an Indian of- the Seneca nation, named Peter Pork. It ap
pears that the Indian, who had been drinking, called at Park
er's house, and asked for whiskey. Angry words ensued on
its being refused, and while Parker was attempting to force the
Indian out of doors, the latter drew a knife, and with a back
handed stroke, inflicted a dangerous wound in the side of the
forraer. Parker lingered for several months and died.
Peter Pork, as soon as he had committed the deed, fled to his
cabin and prepared to defend himself Having placed his tom
ahawk under his bed, and his knife in the wall at the head, he
laid down to sleep. He was a stalwart Indian — fhe whole tribe
standing in awe of him. The neighbors in the vicinity soon
assembled near his house, and while asleep, they secured his
tomahawk and knife, He was then awakened — but not until
after a severe contest, was he secured and placed in confine
ment.

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. 123
On the 28th of April, 1830, he was tried by the court of
common pleas of this county, and found guilty of '-stabbing
with intent to kill." He was sentenced to three years' confine
ment in the penitentiary.
At the treaty of the Miami of Lake Erie, the United States
granted to one William Spicer, a white man, who had been
captured at the age of five, by the Wyandot Indians, and had
ever since lived among them, a section of 640 acres of land,
situated on the east bank of the Sandusky river, within the
present limits of Pleasant township. This tract, generally
known as the "Spicer section," is now owned principally by
Benjamin Tomb, formerly of the state of Pennsylvania.
Spicer was -captured in Pennsylvania, and to the day of his
death was, as to his habits, manners and language, a perfect In
dian. When the country was first setfled by the whites, he
had resided upon the Sandusky forty years. His history is but
little known. He was taken by the Wyandots, to the banks
of the Ohio river, and used by them as a decoy to bring boat
men to the shore, that chanced to be passing upon the stream.
Tying him to a tree near the wafer's edge, fhey would compel
him to utter the most plaintive tones, as if he wished to be re
lieved from his unfortunate and perishing condition, while fhe
savages lay in ambush, ready to fall upon fhe unsuspecting vic
tims of Indian cunning and duplicity. Many thus fell a prey
to savage cruelty, though it is to be presumed that Spicer was
compelled to act as he did.
On the 5th day of April, 1822, Noah Seitz, from Fairfield
county, settled upon the north-east quarter of section twenty, in
what is now the township of Bloom. This was thefirst settle
ment within its limits. Mr. Seitz sold out soon after, to Ed
ward Sutherland, and removed to Eden township, upon the
banks of Honey creek, just above fhe present village of Mel-
mpre, where he still resides.

124 HISTORY or SENECA COUNTY.
In the spring of the same year, Thomas Boyd, Sen., from
Ross county, with his sister, Mrs. Mary Donnel, came to this
township. At the Delaware land-sales, he purchased land up
on which he afterwards resided, until his death, which occur
red November 27th, 1847. " Mr. Boyd was a native of the
state of Pennsylvania, and son of Major Boyd, who under Gen
eral Washington contributed a gallant share in achieving the
liberty of the nation. Mr. B. emigrated in an early day to
the state of Ohio, which he adopted as his future home, and
ever afterwards manifested the most ardent attachment to her
best interests."
The same year — 1822 — Joseph McClelland and James Boyd
settled upon Honey creek, in Bloom township, and were soon
after followed by Abram Kagy, Lowell Robinson and Nehe
miah Hadley. The next year, John Seitz, Geo. Free, and Ja
cob Bretz, became citizens of this township, and permanent
residents of the county.
On the 7th day of June, 1824, a petition was presented to
the board of county commissioners, for the organization of
townships Nos. one and two in range sixteen. The organiza
tion was perfected accordingly, including the present town
ships of Bloom, Scipio, Reed and Venice. The name Bloom,
was suggested by John Seitz ; and though adopted for its brev
ity, it may not be deemed altogether inappropriate ; as the wil
derness at that time presented a scene of surpassing beauty —
the garden of nature in fullest bloom.
The population of this township, in 1830, amounted to 389.
According to the census of 1840, it had increased to 1168. —
The soil is remarkably fertile, there being scarcely an acre of
indifferent land within its limits. It is probably not exceeded
in this respect, by any other township in the county.
Among its enterprising farmers, are Lowell Robinson, Jo
seph McClelland, David Roop^ John T. Reid, Simon Keller,

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 125
Lewis Seitz, John Seiiz,* Benjamin Huddle, Philip Heilraau,
David Troxel, William Roberts, Isaac Rohrer, Levi Neibel,
Adam Baker, Jacob Myers, Oliver L. Robinson, and many
others. In 1822, Harry Blaokman, from Genessee county. New
York, settled in this township, at the place since known as
"Blackman's Corners.'' Here he resided sixteen years; and
is at present a resident of Eden township. At these " Cor
ners," on the Kilbourn road, a town was surveyed by Jaraes
Durbin, county surveyor, in 1830, which by the proprietor.
Dr. James Fisher, « as called Elizabethtown. It has never
flourished — containing, at the present time, six dwelling-hous
es, a blacksmith's shop, one carriage-shop and a tavern.
In 1837, Philip J. Price, Julius Treat, and Thomas T. Treat
Esq., caused to be laid out, on the Marion state- road, five miles
south of the town of Republic, and upon the school section
(16) in this township, a town, to which they gave the name of
'¦' Bloom.ville." It has a post-office — Thomas T. Treat, from
Aurora, Erie county. New York, being p'ost-master.
In 1840, its population was 13. It has since increased to
60. The town contains twelve dwelling-houses, three shoe-
shops, one tailor-shop, two blacksmith's-shops, one carriage-
shop, one store and two physicians — Dr. Bellville, of the reg
ular practice, and Peter J. Smith, Thorapsonian.
Silver creek, a tributary of Honey creek, rises in Crawford
county, and passes into Bloora township near its south-east cor
ner, (sec. 36.) After pursuing a north-westerly course, it falls
into Honey creek, just after entering the township of Eden. —
There are three saw-mills and a grist-mill upon this stream,
and wafer sufficient tp drive them more than three months of
*Mr. Seitz passed througii this county during the last war, in company with twenly
others, with wagons loaded with clothing/ for the soldiers at Fort Stephenson, whore
thev arrived, three weeks after its gallant,defense by Col, Croghan,
11»

126 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
the year. Three young men traveling from Mansfield to Tif
fin, at an early day, gave name to this stream. Striking it,
near its source, and being delighted with the franspaj-eney of
its waters, they agreed that it should be called " Silver creek."
They followed its downward couree fo its junction with anoth
er stream, to which, from the peculiar resemblance- in the. col
or of its waters to that of honey, they gave the name of "Hon
ey creek." [See Chap. III.]
Soon after the land-sales at Delaware, in. 1821, William An-
way, frora Scipio, Cayuga county, Ne-w York, setfled in what
is now Scipio township. He. may be considerpd fhe first set
tler ; although at the- time, two families were located upon the
school section (16) who soon after, left the county. The late
Mr. Laughery was the first that purchased land in this township.
Among the oldest settlers in this township, besides those just
mentioned, were C. T. Westbrook, John Wright, Adam Hance,
Abram Spencer, Isaac Nichols, Messrs. Stephens and Osborn,
and Timothy P. Roberts. The gentleman last mentioned, set
tled here in May, 1824,. and erected the first frame dwelling-
house in the township, tha one in v/hich he now resides.
Scipio was surveyed into sections and quarter-sections, by
Silvanus Bourne, in 1820 ; except a small portion, which be
longed to the- Seneca Indians, and which was sarveyed by C.
W. Chrisfmas, in 1832-!
On the 6th day of December, 1824, a. petition was present
ed to the commissioners of the county, praying for the organ
ization of the second township in th© sixteenth range, to be
known by the name of " Scipio." It had, at that time, sixteen
qualified electors. The township was organized accordingly,
and included, at the time, the whole of the present township of
Reed.* * The name was given to this township by Mr. Anyv-ay, after the township he left, in
the state of New York.-

HISTORY OP SENECA CO<!;NTy. 127
Thefirst annud election was held on Christmas-day, of the
same year. The number of votes polled amounted fo seven
teen — thirteen of those voting, receiving offices ; leavingybur
only, as the " sovereign people."*
Through the energy of its inhabitants, Scipio has now be
corae one of the first townships in die county. Its progress
was somewhat retarded at an early day, on account of an in
sufficient supply of water ; but this defect has been overcome
by the ingenious contrivances and perseverance of its inhabi
tants. Although there is not a stream of wafer in the town
ship large enough to propel a mili, yet there are several, as
well as factories and machine-shops, in active operation, by the
aid of steam.
The population of Scipio, according to the census of 1840,
was 1556. Since that time, it has rapidly increased in num
bers and in wealth.
In 1834, General Sidney Smith (now Sea) caused to be sur
veyed, in this township, upon the adjoining, corners of sections
fifteen, sixteen, twenty-one and twenty-two, a town to which he
gave the name of " Republic." It was surveyed and platted by
R. M. Shoemaker. The greater part of the land upon which
it is situated, was entered at Delaware, by Messrs. Adam Hance
and John Wright, in the year 1822 — the former entering the
east, and tlie latter the west part. The first dwelling-house
erected upon the site of this town, was of hewed logs, and was
built by John Wright, near the spot where a house has since
been erected, which is at present occupied by Mr. Gale, as a
store. But very little was done towards the improvement of the
* The following was the successful ticket — William B. Mathewson, rlerk : John
Wright, Seth F. Foster, and Jonathan Nichols, trustees ; Adam Hance, and Joseph Os
borne, overseers of the poor ; William Stephens, and Ezekiel Sampson, fence-viewers ;
William Anway, jun., lister ; William Anway, treasurer ; Cornelius T. Wostbrook, and
Morrison McMillan, constables ; John Anway and E. II. BroM'n, supervisors.

128 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
place until the year 1838. Upon the completion of the Rail
road from Sandusky City, in 1841, to this town, it received ah
impetus which it still retains, and is now, as to wealth, popula
tion and business, fhe second town in the county. Republic
contains one Universalist church, erected in 1845, at an ex
pense of two thousand dollars ; one Methodist Episcopal church,
erected in 1846, at a cost of two thousand three hundred dol
lars ;, and one Presbyterian church, erected in 1847, at an ex
pense of about two thousand four hundred dollars.
It contains also, nine stores, one apothecary, one silversmith,
one furnace, a steam saw and grist-mill, one carding-rnachine,
two forwarding houses, one district school-house, three shoe-
shops, two cabinet-shops, two tin-shops, four tailor-shops, two.
carriage-shops, four blacksmith's-shops one bakery, and one hat-
shop.. Its population is about 1100.
There are in this town a Masonic chapter, a lodge of the In
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, (No. 40,) a division of the
Sons of Temperance, (No. 170,)' and a Temple of Honor.
There was formerly in this town, as in the township, a scar
city of water, whioh consider.ably retarded its early progress ;
but three public wells have been recently dug by the Messrs.
Davis, (natives of England,) to t^he depth of sixty-five feet. — r
Owing to the peculiarquality of the earth, considerable skill
¦\vas required to complete them. Good water is now obtain
ed in abundance.
The general appearance of Republic, is prepossessing and
pleasant. It is a healthy village, while its growth has been
more rapid than any other town in the county, and bids faiir to
exceed what a few years ago, were the expectations of the most
sanguine. There are six physicians located in this town — William C.
Cole, William L. Hamilton, F. S. Kendall, J, S. Sparks, J.
Ball, and Dr. Pierce. There is also one attorney-at-law resi-

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. 129
dent of the place, William W. Culver, formerly from the state
of New York.
The Seneca County Academy, a spacious brick edifice, is lo
cated a little east of this town, in the center of a beautiful plain,
containing about four acres of ground, partially surrounded
by a pleasant grove. The building has accommodations suffi
cient for three hundred pupils, and presents an imposing ap
pearance. The act incorporating this academy was passed by
the General Assembly of Ohio, March 4th, 1836. [See Ap
pendix.] The members of the corporation met and organized, Febru
ary 8th, 1844. The capital stock of the institution amounts
to three thousand dollars, and is divided into three hundred
shares of ten dollars each, the principal part of which was ta
ken in Scipio township.
The stock-holders, at their first meeting, elected nine trus
tees — William C. Cole, Evan Dorsey, and John McConaghy,
for three years; Timothy P. Roberts, Charles Lamkin, and
James H. Benham, for two years ; and Zephaniah Hathaway,
William Toll, and David D, Ogden, for one year. At the ex-
-piration of one year, Josiah Roop, Alfred Johnson, and Zeph
aniah Hathaway were elected for three years, to fill the vacan
cies which had then occurred. February 2d, 1846, Sylvester
H. Lamkin, Robert R. McKee, and Joshua Maynard, were
elected for the ensuing three years.
The president and secretary are elected annually, by the
trustees. The treasurer is elected by the stockholders, for fhe
term of three years.
The board elected Timothy P. Roberts, first president, but
having sold his share in the stock, his office became vacant ;
whereupon, Josiah Roop was elected to fill the vacancy. Josh
ua Maynard, M. D., has since been twice elected president, and
still continues in that office. William C. Cole, became first

180 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
secretary, serving until the first Monday of February, 1847,
when he was succeeded by Josiah Roop, the present incum
bent. Edson T. Stickney, was the firet treasurer, and has since
cofitinued in office.
The academy commenced operations November 10th, 1845,
S. W. Shepard, principal; Miss Sarah Jane Thayer, precep
tress, and Mrs. Elizabeth A. Baxter, teacher of miisic. M
Shepard studied his preparatory course in the state of Vermont.
and graduated with the degree of A. B. at the Ohio Universi
ty. Three years after, the degree of A. M. was conferred up
on him by the same institution. He is still principal of the
academy. On the 1st of July last, a Miss Curtis was employed as pre
ceptress, and teacher of music and drawing, which station she
still occupies,
A primary department was established in this institution, in
the winter of 1847, under the charge of Miss Amelia E. Root,
as teacher. Miss A. Pearce is at present conducting the same.
Thc. whole number of piipils that have attended this institution
since its commencement, up to. the present time, is four hundred
and thirty-two.

CHAPTER IX.
Thompson Township — Sink-holes — Cave — Lewisville — Reed Township
— Lodi — Venice Township — Caroline — Attica.
On fhe 25th of April, 1820, the commissioners of Sandusky
county set off a township in this county, to which they gave
the name of Thompson, It extended, also, into the former
county ; and its boundaries, as defined by the commissioners at
that time, were as follow : " Beginning at the north-east corner
of the Seneca reservation ; running thence north, to fhe pres
ent trailed road from Croghansvill^ to Strong's settlement ;
thence east, tintil it shall intersect the Fire-lands ; thence
south, with said line to the base-line ; thence west, along said
line, until a line due north will strike the place of beginning."
This tract comprehended, besides a portion of Sandusky coun
ty, nearly half of this county east of the Sandusky river. —
Thompson includes at this time the original surveyed township.
No. 3, in the 17th range, and' the fractional township. No. 3,
in fhe 18th Range.
Thefirst township election was held on the 6th day of May,
1 820, at the house of Joseph Parmenter. The first settlers in
this township were William and Nathan Whitney, Joseph Par
menter, Horace Purdy, David Underbill, James Whitmore,
Jaraes Underbill, Eli Whitney, Jasper Underbill, Benjamin
Clark, Solomon Dimmick, Benjamin Murray, A. H. Twiss,
and others — several of whom are still residents.

132 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
There were several squatters upon the land of the United
States within the limits of Thompson ; but owing to the scar
city of water at that tirae, most of them left the county.
The population of this township, in 1830, amounted to 362.
In 1840, it had augmented to 1404. It is now steadily and
rapidly increasing in population and wealth, ranking as one of
the first townships in the county. The soil is remarkably fer
tile, and the face of the country beautifully undulating. The
appearance of many of the farms — their farm-houses and ex
tensive barns, indicate the intelligence, activity, and wealth of
its farmers — among whom are John Bunn, Samuel Steward,
Jacob Bunn, Jacob Karn, John Reyer, Daniel Close, M. Good,
Jacob Decker, Jobn Refer, Peter Dewalt, William Heter, Sol
omon Dimmick, A. H. Twiss, and many others.
Thompson is settled principally by people from the state of
Pennsylvania, andiramigrants from Germany. Of the latter,
there is a large settlement in the south-eastern section of the
township, which is rapidly'increasing. They are Roman C^fhr
olics, and have established a Nunnery, which contains, accord
ing to the best information we could obtain, twenty-four broth
ers and fifty-nine Sisters of Charity.
The greater part of Thompson rests upon a bed of lime
stone rock, which is from two to twelve feet^ below the surface.
This bed is usually loose, and the seams in the rock form the
numerous " sink-holes," which are seen in all parts of the
township. Of these, two are worthy of notice. Into one, a
stream called " Sink creek" precipitates itself, and entirely dis
appears. Many years ago, a saw-mill was erected, just above
the sink, upon this stream, and is still in operation, with suffi
cient wafer to drive it over three months of the year. To the
west of this, is another sink, where a small stream also disap
pears, upon which a saw-mill has likewise been erected. Du
ring the occurrence of fhe greatest floods, these sinks are too

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. 133
small to receive the waters from above, in consequence of
which an overflow is caused, inundating considerable of the
country beyond.
But by far the greatest object of interest in this township,
is the " Thompson Cave." The entrance to this remarkable
place is about ten ro.ds from the Mad River and Lake Erie
Railroad ; near the south end of the east half, of the north
west quarter, of section one ; which is almost in the extreme
north-east corner of the county. It is situated upon the land
owned by Mason Kinney, one and a half miles from Bellevue,
and three-fourths of a raile from Lewisville, in this township.
The discovery of the cave is generally attributed to George
and Henry Hassan. It was probably first 'explored by Lyman
and Asa Strong. As early as the year 1815, it was known to
the settlers upon the Fire Lands^ and was then much frequent
ed by hunters, for the purpose of killing rattle-snakes, which
were found here in great numbers. From this circumstance,
it was called the " Rattle-snake's Den." But these poisonous
reptiles have long since disappeared.
The mouth of this cave is a space of about six feet in length,
and three in width. Upon examining the land in the imme
diate vicinity, it appears that about five acres, from some un
known cause, have sunk several feet. Some have conjectured,
that the lime-stone rocks pace rested upon a bed of soap-stone,
which was washed away in time, leaving a cavity, into which
the whole mass above was precipitated, causing a wide seam in
the rocks, which constitutes the cave. That there has been a
great convulsion of the earth in this vicinity, is almost certain ;
for, as you descend into fhe cave, it is discovered that on one
side, the strata of the rocks are nearly horizontal ; while on the
other side, they are inclining at an angle of about forty degrees.
Upon entering the passage, -a natural path Ifeads gradually
downwards in a north-«asterly direction. At the depth of
12

134 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
about thirty feet, the light frora above is obstructed, below
which, darkness forever reigns, unless driven away by the
lights of the curious, who are exploring the wonders of this
silent and gloomy place. After a descent of about forty feet,
a large space is opened ; and here, as the eye surveys the lof
ty ceiling, and penetrates the recesses around-, the mind is pe
culiarly impressed with the awful grandeur and magnificence
of the scene.
Proceeding onward, water is observed dripping from the
rocks above, which is found upon examination, to be impregna
ted with sulphur, and not di^greeable to the taste. Beneath,
are discovered the tracks of harmless animals, that roam about
in places inaccessible to man ; while over head, bats are seen
suspended from the rocks, apparently lifeless ; but when brought
to the sun, they soon recover, and immediately direct their
course to the cave.
After a descent of nearly two hundred feet, the passage is
interrupted by a stream of pure, cold ^ater, which is very
pleasant to the taste, and has a slow current to the north-ward.
This stream rises during the wettest portions of the year, about
eighty feet, and again recedes upon the recurrence of dry
weather. In 1844, a year remarkable for rains, the wafer
rose in the cave one hundred and seventy feet, or within thirty
feet of the surface of the earth. \^en at its minimum height,
the stream presents only a few feet of surface ; but its bottom
has never been reached.
This cave is certainly an object of interest to all who admire
the works of nature, or delight in subterranean wonders ; and
were the rocks excavated around the mouth, so as to render the
ingress less tedious, it would doubtless be visited by thousands.
[ See " note " at the end of this chapter.]
On the 1st day of January, 1841, the county surveyor, Jonas
Hershberger, surveyed a town on sections eleven and twehe,

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 135
in Thompson township, to which was given the mame of Lew
isville, from a town of the same name in the stafe of Pennsyl
vania. The proprietors were George Schoch, Jr., Jacob Kor-
ner and Frederick Harpster.
Lewisville is pleasantly situated upon the Mad River and
Lake Erie Railroad, and is rapidly improving. The country
around is delightful, descending in nearly every direction from
the town. The post-office is called Flat Rock.
It is one mile west of the Huron county line — one and one-
fourth miles south of the Sandusky county line ; twenty-one
miles from Tiffin ; twelve miles from Republic ; fifteen miles
from Norwalk, the county seat of Huron county; eighteen miles
from Sandusky City ; and three and a half miles south-west from
Bellevue, Sandusky county; Its population is 80. It contains
eighteen dwellings, one store, one cabinet-shop, one tailor-shop,
two shoe-shops, three blacksmith's-shops, one saddler's-shop and
one carriage-shop. There are two practicing physicians, resi
dents of this town — Joseph Myers and Henry L. Harris.
On fhe 18th day of January, 1825, Seth Reed and George
Raymond, frora Steuben county. New York, settled upon sec
tion twenty-four, in what is now fhe township of Reed. These
gentieraen entered land at the Delaware land-office, and were
thefirst settlers within the limits of the township. They were
followed soon after by Edward Cassefy and Elijah Reed. In
a short time, Tornis Cronkite, Thomas Bennit, Samuel Sco-
thorn and Isaac Bennit, became permanent residents of tlfe
township.* *0n the 9tli day of March, 1.^27, two youngmen left their homes in this townsliip,
and crossed over into Norwich, Haron county, upon a hunting excursion. Discovering a
flock of wild turkeys, they secreted themselves, and commenced calling them, according to
the usual method adopted by hunters. While thus engaged, a neighbor, who was in tho
vicinity, unknown to either of them, was deceived by. the noise, and cautiously approach
ing the spot, and discovering what was supposed to be a turkey, he immediately fired!
The next moment he discovered he had shot his neighbor. There he sat, the blood run
ning down his side, when it was found upon examination, that tbe ball had struck him

136 HISTORY OF SENKCA COUNTY,
Reed was constituted a legal township on the 5th day of De
cember, 1826 ; and was thus named in compliment to Seth Reed,
one of its earliest settlers. The first township election was
held at the house of this gentleman, on the first day of the
year following.
The face of the land in this to\vnship is generally undula
ting, and its soil very fertile. There are no mill-streams with
in its limits ; although there are three saw-mills in active oper
ation by the aid of steam. In 1830, the population of Reed
was 264. According to the census of 1840, it had increased
to 1214. There are several sink-holes within its limits, as in
Thompson township.
Among the enterprising farmers of this township, are Mat
thew Clark, Thomas Bennit, A. C. Baker, Benjamin Sanford,
John B. Schuyler, Jacob Cole, William P. White, Henry Ryno,
Levi Reed, James Harrison, W. H. Cronkite, John Clark,
John Hover and others. Reed is steadily and rapidly increas
ing both in population and wealth.
On the 4th day of January, 1838, John Terry and Catha
rine Beard caused to be laid out on sections five and six, injhis
township, a town, to which was given the name of "Lodi."
It was surveyed and platted by James Durbin, county surveyor.
Lodi is a post-town — ^the first post-master was Lyman White,
the present incumbent. »*
The population of this town is 80. It contains fourteen
dwellings, one Baptist church, one forwarding house, two ho
tels, two stores, one tannery, one steam saw-mill, one grocery.

just behind the ear, apparently passing through the same. He was conveyed to his
home, and medical assistance procured as soon as possible. It was then found upon a
closer e.xamination, that the wound was not fatal, and after three months suffering he
recovered. This, it must he acknowledged was a very narrow escape from an untimely grave; and
it is to be presumed, that thc incidents of that day still remain vivid in the memories of
those men; and will thus continue, coeval with their existence.

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. 137
one cabinet-shop, two wagon-shops, two tailors' -shops, two
blacksmiths'-shops, and two shoe-shops. There is one practic
ing physician, Robert P. Frazer, a resident of the place. Lodi
is situated upon the Mad River and Lake Erie Rail-road, five
miles from Republic, and fourteen from Tiffin.
On the 1st day of June, 1829, Ezra Gilbert presented a pe
tition to the commissioners of this county from the citizens of
the original surveyed township No. 1, in the 17th range,
praying for its organization into a legal township, to be known
by the name of Venice. It was organized accordingly ; but
included the ff fictional township in range 18. The first town
ship election was held June 13th, 1829.*
Among the earliest settlers of this township, were Cornelius
Gilmore, Ezra Gilbert, Henry Speaker, Samuel Halsted, Gov-
erneur Edwards, John Wallet, David Kemp, Jacob Cook,
Andrew More, William McPherson, Johnson Ford, Philip
Muck and James McKibben.
The population of Venice in 1840, was 1222. Since that
time, its increase has been gradual and rapid. The early pro
gress of this township was somewhat retarded, on account of
its wet appearance at an early day. But since the land has
been cleared, it is found to be of excellent soil, and well adapt-
ted to the growth of wheat and most other grains.
-Among others of its enterprising farmers, are George
Ringel, Thomas Bennett, David Ringel, Capt. J. Miller, An
drew More, James McKibben, Samuel Shade, James D. Ste
phens, John McKibben, Henry Myers, (tailor,) Z. Bretz and
James McKibben, Sen.
On the 28th of February, 1828, Col. James Kilbourn, of
* The ticket elected was as follows: Philip E. Bronson, township clerk; Thomas
West, Ezra Gilbert, Moses Smith, tmstees; James Halsted, treasurer; Henry Speaker,
Elisha Fair, overseers of the poor; Cornelius Gilmore, Ezra Gilbert, fence-viewers-,
Warren Blakesly, constable.
13*

138 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
Worthington, surveyed a town on sections ten and eleven, in
this township to which he gave the name of " Caroline,"* in
*The following song was composed on May-day, following the survey of this town, by
the colonel, who has oftfen sung it with great glee at. his numerous ''jollifications,"
CAROLINE.
A SONG.
As poets have sung of their masculine towns,
Where rivers Me fiowing and pleasure abounds.
The muse I invoke, on the entrance of May,
To sing of sweet " Caroline," blooming and gay.
Where the forest is cleft, by the hands that were strong.
Aud the Sandusky turnpike, extending along —
Erect In the midst of the richest of lands.
On the borders of Honey creek, smiling she stands.
Here, roads are concentred and travelers come.
And here may the stranger.repose at his home;
Improvements extend, and the laboring hand.
Of various artisans, rise in demand .
Here, mandrakes and violets spreading around,
Ahd the high tulip-poplars are shading the ground.
There, ftieadowsaud fields, 'mid-the forests are seen.
Presenting their verdure in bright living green.
Approaching the scene, and when viewing it near.
The gods of the waters enamored appear;
And lihgera while in their course as they flow.
Before they descend to the rock-lands below.
When settlements spread, came the good Doctor Pearse,
But no one was sickly, and none on the hearse;
He quit of necessity — and just the same fate.
By just the same causes, took off Doctor Bate.
Here Dutchmen, and Scotchmen, and Yorkers unite —
And with Yankees and Irishmen, pull awAy right —
yVit\ilong ¦p^l, and strong ¦pidl, comjiacted they stand —
And by pulling together, success they command.

HISTOKY OP SENECA COUNTY. 139
compliment to a daughter of Cornelius Gilmore, first inhabit
ant of the town.
Its proprietors were Hector Kilbourn, Byron Kilbourn, and
Cornelius Gilmore.
Caroline is situated on the south bank of Honey creek, upon
the Sandusky City and Columbus turnpike. The first settler
upon the town plat was Cornelius Gilmore, a native of Penn
sylvania, who settled here in the winter of 1830.
On the 1st of April of the same year, Andrew More settled
in this town, where he resided until his death, which occurred
August 6th, isle. On the 17th of June, 1830, James McKib
ben moved to this town, and has ever since been a resident of
the place. At that time there were only fifteen families in
Venice township. Caroline contains sixteen dwellings, one
tavern, one store, one large tannery, one district school-house,
three shoe-shops, one blacksmith-shop and one carriage-shop.
In 1840 its population was 27. It is now nearly a hundred,
and is gradually increasing.
On the first day of May, 1833, William and Samuel Miller,

McPherson of Caroline pleases as well
As any McPherson, that Scotland can tell;
Hanna, Stephenson, Willoughby, Bennett, aspire,
McKibben, the merchant, and Gilbert, tho squire..
For jollification, when met as a band.
If a spealier we need, we've a Speaker* at hand.
And many more worthies — and leading the corps,
We name with great pleasure, our friend, landlord More!
Now last, but not lea'it, sing we Heaven's last gift—
Whose cares and whose smiles give to man the best lift —
Their beauties of person, and character shine,
To honor their sex, and our sweet Caroline.
*01d Mr. Henry Speaker, often made speaker of thc meeting.

140 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
from the state of Pennsylvania, caused to be surveyed on sec
tion ten, in Venice township, a town, to which they gave the
name of " Attica." It was surveyed and platted by David Ris
don, county surveyor. It received its name from the post-of
fice, which was established here prior to its survey. The
name "Attica" was given to the post-office by Ezra Gilbert,
one of the first settlers on the plat, from a town of the same
name in the state of New York, where he had formerly resided.
Among the other first settlers of- Attica, were Samuef Halsted,
of New York, and the Messrs. Millers, who are still residents
of the place. The first public house was opened by Ezra
Gilbert — the first store, by Nathan Merriman, since deceased.
In 1836, Attica contained twenty dwellings, and a population of
100. In 1840, the increase in population was 18 over the
number in 1836. It contains at this time, forty dwellings,
and a population of 200. There are in this town, one Pres
byterian church, three stores, two hotels, one steam saw and
grist-mill, ohe grocery, a district school-house, one foundry,
two cabinet-shops, two tailor's-shops, three shoe-shops, three
blacksmith and three carriage-shops. : There are three practic
ing physicians, residents of this, town — Benjamin F. Freeman,
Calvin Jones, and Benjamin Vannatta. John L. La Marcux,
attorney-at-law, is also a resident of the place. Thefirst post
master in Attica was Ezra Gilbert. The office is now held by
H. B. Cain.
Attica is situated upon the Sandusky City and Columbus
turnpike, 77 miles from the latter, and 28 railes south from the
forraer place. The main traveled road, from Fort Findlay
through Tiffin, passes through this place to New Haven, Hu
ron county, Wooster, &c. Attica is 22 miles south-west from
Norwalk, the county seat of Huron county ; 18 miles from
Monroeville ; 12 miles west from New Haven ; 18 north from
Bucyrus, Crawford county ; 14 east from Melmore ; and 16

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. 141
miles from Tifiin. Attica is a healthy and vigorous town, sur
rounded by beautiful farms, and is gradually increasing both in
population and wealth.
Note. The following communication, published in the
Sandusky Clarion, August 17th, 1844, though somewhat of a
digression from the history of the county, will be read with
interest, as the subterranean passages in the eastern portion of
this county have given rise to much speculation. ,
Messrs. Editors — I have seen, going the rounds of the pa
pers, as a "singular phpnomenon," the flowing of the water
from a well about 1 1 miles from this place. Singular, I think
it is not, and new I know it not to be. Neither, as represent
ed, did it commence " all at once to^ow," for it was known
to' be rising many days before it comraenced overflowing, and
had been daily watched. Some days it rose a little, and some
days it fell a little, until the last violent rain, when it com
menced running over.
But perhaps you will better understand the subject, if I give
you the result of my observations, and what I have -learned
concerning the subterraneous waters of that region, for the last
quarter of a century.
Cold Creek, probably the principal out-let of the water, rises
in Margaretta township, about three and a half miles from San
dusky Bay, (and at an elevation of 50 feet above Lake Erie,)
info which it flows, in a northerly direction, and in that dis
tance supplies the water for four large flouring mills.
The spring that the creek flows from, was originally about an
acre in extent ; but by damming it close to the head, the course
of the water was changed under ground, so as to divert a part
of it, which again burst out at about two hundred rods distant,
from a great depth in the earth, forming a hole about ten feet
across, which was afterwards partially surrounded by a circu-

142 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
lar dam, with the intention of forcing the water back to the
old creek; but as the water would not run up hill, the dam was
extended, and* a canal dug, uniting the springs in one level.
The new spring is now about one hundred feet across, bowl-
shaped, and from 40 to 60 feet deep, with the water so clear
that a person looking from a boat on its surface, can see small
objects floating at fhe bottom, and seera themselves to be float
ing in the air.
These springs rise less than two miles from the western
boundary of the " Fire Lands," which isi'also our county line
west, within which distance another rises," called the " Rock
well spring," which flows west into Sandusky county, and
supplies water to a saw-mill.
The water that supplies these springs is supposed to come
from the extensive swamps and raarshes that lie from 25 to 30
miles in a southern direction, and about five miles north of fhe
dividing ridge that separates the waters fiowing into the Ohio
river and those flowing into Lake Erie at this point, and at
rather a gradual elevation of about 400 feet above the level
of the lake.
From Cold Creek to these swamps, there is strong evidence
of large quantities of water running under the surface of the
earth. The first is about 50 rods from the head of the creek,
where fhe breaking out of a few stone at the bottom of a small
ledge, exposed a large and deep stream of water, constantly run
ning, the boffonj of which cannot be reached at 20 feet, in a
slanting direction, and the surface can be seen ten feet wide.
At another place, some two miles south, water can always be
obtained by sinking a bottle from 40 to 60 feet in the crevices
of the rook. Then again, about five miles south from Cold
Creek, is a dishing prairie, of from one to two hundred acres
in extent, which, after a series of rainy seasons, fills, by the
water rising fi-om its bottom, through the alluvial soil that forms

HISTORY OP SENEC.\ COUNTY. 143
the surface ofthe prairie. Then about one mile further south,
is a similar prairie, frora the south side of which, at about fen
feet elevation frora its bottora is fhe "flowing well." The
first account of the flowing of this prairie, reaches back about
27 years. A man who had settled on the north bank for the
purpose of cultivating the lands below, which he found ready
for the plow, was in the night alarmed by a loud report, and
the shaking of the earth, and upon going to the door of his
cabin, he heard a sound as of running water. Upon going
towards the spot from whence the sound proceeded, he found
the water rushing frora the surface of the earth with tremen
dous force, on the south bank of the prairie, in a volmne larger
than a hogshead, which continued to flow until the prairie was
filled, and the water ran ofl' frora the north-east side of the
basin. After this the prairie filled, several difierent seasons,
through the alluvial soil on its sides and bottom, but not always
so as to run over, until about 12 years ago, when the " flowing
well " burst out about 60 rods east of the first one. After it
had ceased flowing, a man living near, thought to follow the
water as it settled down, so as to have a well, it being difficult
to find wafer in this neighborhood. After digging about 18
feet in a perpendicular direction, the course diverged fo the
westward, in a descending direction, about as miich further;
then after removing the rubbish about 20 feet further, in a per
pendicular direction, it was abandoned, at a distance of about 50
feet from the surface of the earth. Since that time, water
could always be found at the bottora, in the spring of the year.
Eight years ago it overflowed again, since which time there
has occasionally been high water in it during a wet season, and
it once rose to within a few feet of the fop ; but never ran over
until the present season, when it filled the prairie to the extent
of about 75 acres, floating off the fences and destroying the
crops. It lasted about ten days, when it ceased flowing, and ran

144 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
back, so that the prairie was dry within a Week, notwithstand
ing the bottom of the basin is eight feet below where the wafer
was drained to the well — the wafer settling away through fhe
soil at the bottora.
M'hile the water was at its highest point at this time, the
faraily upon the farra where the " flowing well " is situated,
heard a loud report in the night, which seemed to come from
the earth, during a thunder-storm. In the morning, it was
found to have' come from the "blowing out" of another
hole, about three-quarters of a mile, in a north-wesferly di
rection, from which the water was flowing in a stream as large
as a hogshead. Around all the " blow holes," as they are
called, the broken lime-stone is scattered for many feet, thrown
out by the force of the water when it first burst out.
From this spot, for ten miles or more, towards the dividing
ridge, the face of the country is indented in nuraerous places,
with flowing prairies and "sink-holes," from a few rods to
many acres in extent. Many of the "sink-holes" are mere
bowl-shaped depressions of the surface, occasioned, probably
during periods of high water, by the wasting away of the earth
below, into the cavernous region, through some crevice in the
compact lime-stone immediately beneath. I am led to this con
clusion, frora the fact, that in some places, wells have been dug
into the compact lime-stone, that have furnished water until
some dry season, when it has becorae low, and in blasting for
more, they have broke through info the loose lime-stone, and
lost what they had.
Others of the sink-holes have openings at the bottom,
through which the water rises, in a wet season, whilst through
the bottoms of others the surplus wafer from the surface of
the country runs off. Advantage has been taken of some of
these depressions to form the pond of a saw-mill near Belle
vue, that runs from two to four months in the spring of the

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 145
year, carried by water that is accumulated from fhe draining
of a large tract of country above, which, after supplying the
mill, run? off through a "sink-hole."
_I think, if it were not for the "sink-holes" to carry off the
water, in many places the country would be full of ponds and
swamps, rendering it unhealthy. The citizens of Bellevue
have been compelled, this season, for the second time, to drain
a pond caused by the overflowing of a " sink-hole."
About two mile^ still south of Bellevue, there is an opening
info the cavernous'^iime-stone, that can be traversed above two
hundred feet, at the extremity of which runs a large stream of
water, at more than 130 feet from the surface ofthe earth, and
this season the cavern was filled to within frora twenty to thir
ty feet of the surface.
A few railes still further south, is a sunken prairie, in the
bottom of which stands a black-walnut tree, that holds a rail-
cut eighteen inches through, among its branches, more than 20
feet from the ground, floated there when the water was at that
height. In connection with the above, I will raention a circumstance
that took place a few years ago, in the region of the "sink
holes :"
A man, well known to rayself, had a team of three yoke of
cattle, plowing in the spring. When it commenced raining,
he stopped his work, and turned his cattle loose in the field.
The rain proved to be a long storm, lasting several days. —
When it held up, and the cattle were sought for, one of them
was missing, supposed by the owner to have jumped the fence
and strayed off, until, more than three weeks afterwards the ox
was found in the lot, where he had settled down through the
soil into a crevice of the rock below, with nothing but his head
and shoulders out. He was taken out, and lived, with no oth
er injury than the loss of hair from the buried part. Another
13

146 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY,
OX was lost three weeks, and found at the bottom of a " sink
hole" in the woods ; the sides of which he had browsed clean.
I will further state, that when some parts of the country I
have been describing, were first setfled, they were very much
infested with rattlesnakes, (although fhey are now rarely found,)
which were sometimes found early in the spring, in large num
bers, upon the surface of the earth, nearly in their torpid state,
driven from the rocks below, by the rising of the water, before
the sun was sufficiently powerful to warm them into active life.
I have written so much more than I intended when I com
menced, that I will finish by adding that, notwithstanding the
immense quantity of water in the country above. Cold Creek
is never affected by the rising or falling of the water, six inch
es. Yours, respectfully, W.

CHAPTER X.
Sale of School-sections — Free-schools — Present condition— Obstacles re
tarding their progress.
By an act of the General Assembly of Ohio, the school-sec
tions in the townships of Eden, Clinton, Seneca and Scipio,
were appraised, several years since, at their actual value, and
permanently leased for ninety-nine years, fhe interest of which
was to be paid annually.
Since that time, they have been sold, together with the school-
sections in each of the other townships of the county, except
those of Big Spring, Loudon, Liberty, and a portion of the
section in Hopewell township. The school-section in Adams,
af that tirae was owned by the Seneca tribe of Indians ; but
since their removal to the west, it has been appraised and sold.*
As there is a general interest manifested at the present day,
with regard to the subject of popular education ; and as the
present condition of the common schools of this county, is not
very dissimilar to that of most of theotber counties of the state,
we have appended a sketch of the origin and progress of tlKi
free-school system in Ohio.
The Ordinance of 1787. provided that " religion, morality,
and knowledge being necessary to good government and the
* Each township that has disposed of its school-section, draws interest upon a certain
proportion of the proceeds annually, which is applied for the payment of teachers in the
several school districts throughout the township.
[For statistics, see Appendix.]

148 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall
be forever encouraged." In the previous Ordinance of 1785,
regulating the sale of lands in the west, section number 16, of
every township was reserved " for the maintenance of public
schools within the said township." And the Constitution of
Ohio, using the words of the Ordinance of 1787, says, " that
schools and the means of instruction, shall be forever encoura
ged by legislative provision."
In accordance with the feelings shown in these several claus
es, the governors of Ohio always mentioned the subject of ed
ucation with great respect, in their messages ; but nothing was
done to make it general. It was supposed that people would
not willingly be taxed, to educate the children of their poor
neighbors ; not so much because they failed to perceive the ne
cessity that exists for all to be educated, in order that the com
monwealth may be safe and prosperous ; but because a vast
number, that lived in Qhio, still doubted whether Ohio would
be their ultimate abiding-place. They came to the west to
make money rather than to find a home, and did not care to
help to educate those whose want of education they might nev
er feel.
Such was the state of things, until about the year 1816, at
which time several persons in Cincinnati, who knew the bene
fits of a free-school system, united, and commenced a corres
pondence with different portions of the state. Their ideas be
ing warmly responded to, by the dwellers in the Ohio com
pany's purchase, and the Western Reserve more particularly,
committees of correspondence were appointed in the difterent
sections, and various means were resorted to, to call the atten
tion of the public to the subject ; among the most efficient of
which was the publication of an Education Almanac, at Cin
cinnati. This work was edited by Nathan Guilford, a lawyer

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 14&
of that place, who had from the first taken a deep interest in
the matter.
For seven^or eight years this gentleman and his associates la
bored silently and ceaselessly to diffuse their sentiments, before
any attempt was made to bring the subject info the legislature.
At length,- in 1824, it having been ascertained that a strong feel
ing existed in favor of a common school system through the
eastern and north-eastern parts of the state, and it being also
known, that the western men who were then bringing forward
their canal schemes, wished to secure the assistance of their
less imraediately benefited fellow-citizens, it was thought to be
a favorable tirae to bring the free-shcool proposition forward;
the understanding being, that, as neither the friends of canals,
nor those of schools, were strong enough by themselves to
carry their project, each should assist the other.
This understanding, which was rather implied than express
ed, has led some to say, that the free-school system was attained
by " log-rolling ;" which saying, though true in one sense, is
not to be understood in the sense that refers to individual soli-
i tation and promise. On this occasion Cincinnati sent to the
senate, Mr. Guilford, whose avowed and raain object in thus
entering public life, was to help on the accomplishment of his
-favorite project, and to that he devoted hiraself during the ses
sion. Many thought his toils useless ; sorae of the leading
men said the measure was unconstitutional, unwise, and against
popular feeling entirely ; but they proved false prophets, as it
was carried by a very large vote, and became a popular
measure. The Rev. Manasseh Cutler, one of the leading directors of
the Ohio company, stood by the side of the chief projector of fhe
school law at the bar of the house of representatives when the
final vote was taken upon it, ajid, as the speaker announced the
result, the old man raised his hands and uttered the words of
13*

150 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Simeon: "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word ; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation!"
It was -a touching and true tribute.
Mr. Guilford, having brought about the particular good
which he had in view, became a private citizen again, setting
to the common political aspirants of the country, an example
well worthy of their consideration.
Praise for his devotion to so noble a cause, would be here
misplaced, but no one can doubt, looking only to the object he
effected, that his narae will ever be remembered with those of
the great benefactors of Ohio and the west.*
The act of that year imposed a general fax upon property,
of half a mill upon the dollar, for the support of schools, and
provided for their establishment in every township. It after
wards underwent several alterations, and in 1831, was super
seded by another and better law upon the same subject. To
this latter were made several amendments ; when in 1838 an
other general revision took place. Since that time, several ad
ditions and alterations have been made, but'^the general features
of the law of 1838 still remain in force.
That the common schools of this county are not equal to
those in the eastern states, or even to the older counties in this
state, is not surprising. Our county is new, and its inhabitants
have not had the time, with an age of twenty-four years only,
to mature its institutions. But we are looking forward to the
time when the sun of science shall rise higher above the hori
zon — when the public schools of our county will be the pride
of every citizen.
Aside from the obstaoles arising from the defective school
system of the state, there are those which retard the onward
progress of popular education, and which might be removed
' North American Review.

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. 151
in every county, were the subject well understood, and the
blessings of education rightly appreciated. We will mention
a few only.
1. Neglect of parents and guardians to visit the school
room. There is no class of raen who need greater support and
encouragement than teachers, and yet none receive less. It is
not strange that they should contract errors, for none proffer
sympathy or counsel ; nor is it strange that they become disheart
ened, and sluggishly and. faithlessly discharge their duties, for
no kind voice beckons them on to diligence and duty. No
agent in any other employment would be so neglected by his
principal ; and yet what vocation ought to comraand such strict
and affectionate supervision as that of the teacher i The inju
rious consequences, however, of this inattention to schools, at
tach vi'ith the greatest power to the pupils. A child cannot be
supposed to have any adequate or enlarged views of duty, in
dustry or learning, when parents exhibit an alraost total indif
ference to their condition or progress. Did'aparent exhibit as
much indifference to his flocks and herds, as he frequently
manifests in regard to the education of his children, he would
be regarded as improvident and injudicious.
Dews, sunshine, and rain, are not more needed for the growth
of plants in the vegetable kingdom, than are the genial influen
ces of sympathy and co-operation in giving prosperity and
beauty to the more interesting plants to be found in the nurse
ries of our country's hope and glory."
2. Employing incompetent teachers. The importance and
responsibility of the office of teacher — says Emerson — are
sadly undervalued. A very coraraon irapression is, that any
person of tolerable character, who has been through a school,
and acquired the eleraenfs of the branches taught, is qualified
•The secretary of stata's report, 1848.

152' HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY..
to teach ; as if the art of teaching were nothing raore than
pouring into the mind of another what has been poured into
ours; as if there were no such thing as mind to act upon,
habits to form, or character to influence. The prevailing
opinions in regard to the art are such as the common sense of
mankind and, the experience of centuries has shown to be ab
surd as to every other art and pursuit of civilized life. To be
qualified to. discourse upon our moral and religious duties, a
man must be educated by years of study ; to be able to ad
minister to the body in disease, he must be educated by careful
examination of the body in health-and disease, and of the ef
fects produced on it by external agents ; to be able fo make out
a conveyance of property, or to di'aw a writ, he must be edur-
cated ; to navigate ships, he must be educated by years of ser
vice before, the mast, or on the, quarter-deck ; to transfer the
products of the earth, m" of art, from the producer to the con
sumer, he must be educated ; to make a hat or coat, he must
be educated, by years of apjJrenticeship ; to- make a plow he
must be educated ; to niake a nail or a shoefor a horse or an ox
he must be educated ; but to prepare d man to do-all these things;
to train the body in its most tender years, according 'to the
laws, of health, so that it shall be strong, to resist disease ; to
fill the mind with useful knowledge, to educate it to compre
hend all the relations of society,, to bring put all its powers in
to full and harmonious action ; to educate the moral nature, in
which the very sentiraent of duty resides, that it may be fitted'
for an honorable and worthy fulfillment of the public and pri
vate offices of life; to do all this is supposed to require no
study, no apprenticeship, no preparation.
So long then as the business of an instructor is not consider
ed in its true light, as one of the highest,- noblest, and most use-..
ful employments on earth— so long as the compensation is very

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. 153
low — will the people of this county labor under the disadvan
tages of a depressed state of popular education.
3. The use of old and dilapidated school-houses. We
do not look for deep religious feeling, in a community who
occupy good dwelling-houses, but are content to worship in
poor and neglected churches ; nor do we expect great rever
ence for Christianity, from children, if the sanctuary to which
they are carried on Sunday, is old and dilapidated — disfigured
by abuse — without paint — its windows broken — and not a shrub,
or free, or square yard of verdure in its neighborhood.
The school-house is dedicated to education, as the house of
worship is to religion. In one case, as in the other, the state
of the edifice indicates the regard which its builders and guar
dians have for the object to which they have devoted it. Nor
this only. The condition and aspect of the building, with its
appendages and surrounding landscape, are inseparably associ
ated in a child's mind, with his first day at school, and his first
thoughts about education. Is it well, then, that these earliest,
most lasting, and most controlling associations, should be char
ged tvith so much that is offensive 1 Is it to be expected, that
the youthful mind can regard that as the cause, next to
religion, most important of all others, which is upheld
and promoted in such buildings as the district school-house
usually is ? Among the most comfortless and wretched tene
ments, which the pupil ever enters, he thinks of it with repug
nance ; the task which it imposes, he dreads ; and he at length
takes his leave of it — as of a prison, frora which he is but too
happy to escape.
When parents are no longer indifferent about the welfare
of their schools — when they desire no longer to hire those teach
ers whose only recoramend is, that they will teach "cheap " —
when they do not fail to examine their children at home with
regard to their progress at schools — when they are no longer

154 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
remiss in visiting the school-room — then may we expect that
Seneca county will shine bdght as a star of the first magni
tude in the great constellation of Ohio ! and then will her
common schools be the proudest monuments of her great-
NES.9.

CHAPTER XI.
Adams township — Sulphur Springs — Green Spring— Festival of tho Sen
eca Indians.
On the 6th day of December, 1826, the township of Adams
was organized, and made to include a,ll the land in the ori
ginal surveyed township. No. 3, in the 16th range, except
what was then owned by the Seneca tribe of Indians, and
one tier of sections on the west side of township No. 3, in the
17th Range, or what is at present Thompson township. Adams
includes at this time, the whole of the original surveyed town
ship No. 3, in range 16. That part not then o^yned by the In
dians, was surveyed into sections, and quarter sections, by Syl
vanus Bourne, in 1820; the residue was surveyed in 1832, by
C. W. Christmas.
The first township election was held on Monday the 25th
day of December, 1826, at the house of Sarauel Whiteman.*
The soil in this township is remarkably rich, producing all
kinds of grain and grass in abundance. The land is heavily
tirabered, consisting chiefly of oak, walnut, poplar, raaple,
beech, &;c. The surface is usually rolling, and very well
watered. * The ticket elected was as follows : Martin Olds, L. T.Butler, and Thomas Long-
with, trustees ; Abraham Kine, clerk ; Charles Shelby ahd Samuel Whiteman, over
seers ofthe poor ; G. Lee and Samuel Heartsock, fence-viewers; Cyrcnus Wright, treas
urer i William Myers, William Mead and Francis Evens, supervisors ; Moses Pyalt,
constable.

156 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
In 1830, Adams contained 265 inhabitants. In 1836 the
population was estimated at 600. In 1840 it had augmented
to 1250. Since that tirae it has steadily and rapidly increased
in population and in wealth, nurabering araong many others
of its enterprising farmers — Asa Crockett, L. C. Stone, Dan
iel Rule, Ezra West, Jaraes Crockett, E.- Smith, Solomon
Drown, John Petticord, Enos Mead, John Craig. William My
ers, Sen., Samuel Whiteman, (1st,) Reuben Drinkwater, G.
Lee, John Kessler, and John Pain.
The greatest natural curiosity in Adams township, is the Sul
phur Springs. These are nearly in the middle of section set-ew,
at present owned by Josiah Hedges, proprietor of Tiffin.
The water which issues frora the earth in several places, is
clear and cold, and sti-ongly impregnated with sulphur. It is
not unpleasant to the taste, and possesses the remarkable prop
erties of petrifying substances.- Old logs have been taken
from the bed of fhe stream which is formed by these springs,
partially turned to stone, and various other substances have been
found completely petrified. There is quite a large and s'eady
current proceeding from these springs, which, after a souther
ly course of about thirty rods, mingles with the waters of Bea
ver creek.
The generally received opinion with regard to these springs is,
that they are formed by the wafer which sinks into the earth
near the north-east corner ofthe county — in the bed of Honey
creek — and in Reed township, and which after a subterranean
passage, here breaks forth upon the surface. This of course is
mere conjecture. .
Beaver creek, a small stream of this township, passes near
these springs, and after receiving the waters of the latter,
crosses into Pleasant township, on section twelve. Taking a
northerly direction, it leaves the county near the north-east cor
ner of the township. This creek was formerly .inhabited by

HlSTOltY OF SENECA COUNTY. 167
beavers, as vestiges of their works still remain. From this
circumstance, originated the name of Beaver creek.
There are three saw-mills on this stream, above fhe sulphur
springs; and water runs sufficient fo drive them over four
months of the year.
In 1838, a large flouring-mill was erected on Beaver creek,
by Josiah Hedges.* It is just below the spring, in Pleasant
township ; and unlike other mills of the county, is not in the
least affected by dry weather. During some of the summer
months, its patrons are generally from all parts of the county,
and occasionally from AV'ood, Hancock, Wyandot, Crawford
and sometimes from Putnam county, eighty miles distant.
In Sandusky county, eighty rods north frora the northern
boundary line of this county^ there are sulphur springs sirailar
fo those in Adams. From the color of the water they have re
ceived the name of " Green Springs." The wafer from these
springs unites with Beaver creek, after which, the latter takes
the namecf " Green creek ;" and empties into the Sandusky
river, in Sandusky county.
On the 26th day of May, 1839, David Reeves, of Sandusky
county, and David Risdon, of Seneca county, surveyed a town
on section No. 5, in Adams township, and sections Nos. 31
and 32, in the original surveyed township No. 4, in the 16th
range, in Sandusky county, which was named by the proprie
tor, Jacob Stem, " Green Spring," from the springs before
mentioned. The first settlers of this town were Jacob Stem, Bishop
Adams, and Daniel H. Dana. This is a healthy and pleasant
town, and contained in 1840, a population of 29. Since that
time it has increased to 100. There are 20 dwellings in the
place. One store, one foundry, one carriage-.shop, one sad-
* This mill is now owned by Josiah Q. Hedges, a son of Josiah Hedges.
14

158 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
dler's-shop, one tailor's-shop, one cabinet-shop, three shoe-shops,
and one blacksmith's-shop.
Green Spring is a post-town — thefirst post-master was Dan
iel H. Dana — that office is now held by Robert Smith. There
are two practicing physicians, residents of this town — S. T.
Finch and Thomas Cochran.
On the 30th day of April, 1846, Thomas Heming surveyed
on section 36, in Adams township, a town, to which the pro
prietor, Daniel Kistler, gave the narae of Adamsville. It has
never been improved to any extent. In 1833, a town was sur
veyed on section 7, in this township, by David Risdon, to
which the proprietor, Josiah Hedges, gave the name of " Sul
phur Spring," from the springs before described, which are
near the plat. This town contains but a few-houses.
More than half of the present township of Adams, ahd so
much of Pleasant township as lies east of the Sandusky river,
together with a portion of Clinton and Scipio townships, for
merly belonged to the Seneca Indians. But as we have given
a geographical description of most of what was formerly their
grant of land, we proceed to a more minute account of that na
tion, and we cannot better introduce this subject, than by giv
ing the following, from the scrap-book of Samuel Crowell, of
Lower Sandusky, which was published in the " Sidney Auro
ra," of 1844, as it relates sorae interesting facts relative to this
nation ; but more particularly, as it describes their famous chief,
" Hard-hickory." Says the writer :
The Senecas who roamed those wilds,
In ages long by-gone.
Are now rejoicing iu tho chase,
Towards the setting sun.
Their sacrifices offer'd up.
And Deity appeas'd—

history or SENECA COUNTY. 159
Their " Father-land" they left in peace,
With their exchange well pleased.
On the first day of February, some fourteen years since, I
witnessed an interesting, and to me, a novel religious ceremony
of the Seneca tribe of Indians, then occupying that portion of
territory now comprising a part of the counties of Seneca and
Sandusky, Ohio, familiarly known to the inhabitants of this re
gion, as the " Seneca Reservation."
The fact that this nation had recently ceded this Reserve to
the United States, and were about to commemorate, for the last
time in this country, this annual festival, previous to their emi
gration to the Rocky Mountains, contributed iiot a little to add
to if an unusual degree of interest.
To those acquainted with the characteristic trait of the red
men, it is unneeessary to remark, that there is a reservedness
attached to them, peculiarly their own ; but, especially, when
about to celebrate thisannual festival, they seem, so far at least
as the pale-faces are concerned, to shroud their designs in im
penetrable secrecy.
And the festival of which I now speak, might have been, as
many others of similar character were, observed by, themselves
with due solemnity, and without the knowledge or interference
of their white neighbors, but that the general poverty and reck
less improvidence of the Senecas were proverbial : And those
weref fhe causes which awakened the suspicions of the inquisi
tive Yankees.
In order, therefore, that the approaching festival, as it was in-
fended to be the last of those observances here, should not lack in
any thing necessary to make it imposing, and impress a perma
nent recollection of Sandusky on the minds of their rising race,
no effort was spared, and no fatigue regarded, that would lend
to promote this object. Thus for some time previous to the pe
riod of which I am now speaking, by the unerring aim of thp

160 history op SENECA COUNTY.
Seneca rifle, the antlers, with the body of many a- tall and
stately buck, fell prostrate ; and in crowds the Indians now
came into Lower Sandusky, with their venison and their skins ;
and the squaws, with their painted baskets and moccasins, not
as heretofore, to barter for necessaries, biit chiefly for orna^
ments.
*#« »« ## m *-
The principal head men, or chiefs of the Senecas, were
"Good-hunter," "Hard-hickory,", and " Tall Chief ; there
were also some sub^ or half-chiefs ; among those of the latter
rank, Benjamin F. Warner,* a white, or half-breed, had con
siderable influence.
In this, as in other nations, civilized as well as savage,
though there may be several men of apparent equal rank, yet
there is usually ohe, who either by artificial, or universally ac
knowledged talent, directs, in a great measure, the, destinies of
the nation, and such, among the Senecas, was " Hard-hick
ory." To a mind of no ordinary grade, he added, from his inter
course with the whites, a polish of manner, seldom seen in an
Indian. The French language, he spoke fluently, and the En
glish, intelligibly. Scrupulously adhering to the costume of
his people, and retaining many of their habits, this chief was
much endeared to them : while on the other hand, his urbani
ty, and for an Indian, he possessed, as already observed, a largp
share of the suaviler in modo ; his intelligence, his ardent at
tachment to the whites — and above all, his, strict integrity in bu
siness transactions, obtained for him, and deservedly, the res
pect and confidence of all with whom he traded. Such was
"* Warner was a white man, and had previously been a fireman on one of the steam
boats that plied- between Buffalo and Green Bay. On one ofthe downward trips, he per
suaded an Indian woman that was Iraveling to New York, ^to elope with-him. .They ,
came to the Seneca nation, and were adopted by them.

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 161
the trust the merchants of Lower Sandusky reposed in this
chief, that when an indigent Indian came to ask for goods on
credit, if Hard-hickory would say he would see the sum paid,
no more was required. Thus his word passed current with,
and current for, the whole nation.
And as in the mind of man there is something intuitive,
better known, than defined, by which instinctively, as it were,
we find in the bosom of another, a response to our own feel
ings ; so ih the present case, this noble Indian soon discovered
in the late Obed Dickinson,* a merchant of Lower Sandusky,
a generous, confiding, and elevated mind, whose honorable vi
brations beat in unison with his own.
To Mr. D. therefore, he made known the time ivhen they
would celebrate their festival, by sacrificing their dogs, &c., and
cordially invited him to attend as a gu£St, and if so disposed, to
bring a friend with him.
Correctly supposing that I never had an opportunity of
witnessing this religious rite, Mr. D. kindly requested me to
accompany him to their council house, on Green creek, in
that part of this county included in the present township of
Green creek. On giving me the invitation, Mr. D. remarked,
that by taking a present in our hand, we would probably, be
made the more welcome. In accordance, therefore, with this
suggestion, we took with us a quantity of loaf sugar and to
bacco. It was some time in the afternoon when we arrived, and im
mediately thereafter, we were ushered into the council house
with demonstrations of public joy and marked respect.
As soon as seated, we gave our presents to Hard-hickory,
who rising, held one of them up, and pointing to Mr. D., ad
dressed the Indians in an audible voice, in their own tongue ;
then holding up the other, he pointed to me, repeating to them
* Brother of Hon. R. Dickinaon
14*

162 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
what he had before said — this done, he turned to us atid said :
"You stay here as long as you want; nobody hurt you."
Confiding in the assurances of this-chief, 1 hungup my valise,
in which were some important papers, for I was then on my
way further east, attending to my official duties as sherif^of
this county, and felt perfectly at home.
To the inhabitants of- this section of Ohio, a minuje de
scription of the council house, wpuld be deemed unnecessary.
Suffice if to say, that its dimensions were perhaps, sixty by
twenty-five feet ; a place in the center for the fire, and corres^
ponding therewith, an aperture was left on the roof for the ,
smoke to ascend.
Contiguous to the fire-place were two upright posts, four or
five feet apai-f ; between these posts,-a board fourteen or fif
teen inches abroad, was firmly fastened ; and over this board
the skin of a deer was stretched very tight. Orfa seat near
this -board, sat a blind Indian, with a goiird in- his hand, in
which were beans or corn — with this he beat time- for the dan
cers. Such was the musician, and siich the music.
The dancing had cpmraenced previous to our arrival and
was continued with litfle intermission for several successive
days and nights. An effort by me to describe their manner
of dancing, would be fruitless. I have witnessed dancing as
semblies in populous cities of the east, araong the refined class
es of society — but having seen nothing like this, I raust there
fore, pronounce it sui generis. I was strongly solicited by
some of fhe chiefs to unite with them in the dance ; I, however,
declined the intended honor — -but gave to one of them my cane,
as a prox^, with which he seemed much clelighted. Several of
their white neighbors, both male and female, entered the ring.
There was on this occasion a splendid display of ornament.
Thosevvhohave seen the members of a certain society, in their
most prbsperous days, march in processioii, in honor of their

HISTORY or SENECA COUNTY. 163
patron saint, decorated with the badges and insignia of fheir
Order, may have some conception of the dress and ornament
al decoration of those head men while engaged in the dance.
I will select " TJnume Pluribus." Their doctor, as he was
called, wore very long hair, and from the nape of his neck,
to fhe termination of his cue, there was a continuous line of
pieces of silver — the upper one being larger than a dollar, and
fhe lower one less than a half dime.
*Some of the more inferior Indians were stuck over with
baubles, and hung round with strings. Many of them wore
small bells tied round their ancles ; and those who could not
afford bells had deer hoofs in place thereof: these made a jing
ling sound as they put down their feet in the dance.
The squaws also exhibited theraselves to the best advantage.
Several of them were splendidly attired and decorated. Their
dresses were chiefly of silk, of various colors, and some of them
were of good old fashioned queen's gray. These dresses were
not "cut," as our fair belles would say, a la mode — but they
were cut and made after their own fashion ; that is, not so
long as to conceal the scarlet hose covering their ancles, their
small feet, or their moccasins, which were so ingeniously
headed, and manufactured by their own olive hands.
Nor must I omit saying, that the sobriety and correct de
meanor of the Indians, and the modest deportment of fhe squaws
merited fhe highest commendation.
At the commencement of each dance, or to borrow our own
phraseology, each "set dance," a chief first rose, and began to
singthe word " Yah-ho-wah !" with a slow, sonorous and strong
xyllabic emphasis, keeping time with his feet, and advancing
round the house ; directly another rose, and then in regular
succession, one after the other, rising and singing the- same
word and falling in the rear, until all the Indians had joined in
the dance ; next, the squaws, at a respectful distance in the

164 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
rear, in the same manner, by seniority, rose and united in the
dance and the song. Now the step was quicker, and the pro
nunciation more rapid — all singing and all dancing, while Jim,
the blind musician, struck harder and faster with his gourd on
the undressed deer skin ; thus they continued the same dance
for more than one hour, without cessation !
The Indian boys who did not join in the dance, amused them
selves the meanwhile, discharging heavy loaded muskets
through the aperture in fhe roof, the reverberations of which
were almost deafening. Taken altogether, to fhe eye and the
ear of a stranger, it seemed like frantic festivity.
Tall Chief, who was confined fo his bed by indisposition, felt
it so much his duty to join in the dance with his people, that he
actually left his bed, notwithstanding it was mid-winter, came to
the council house, and took part in the dance as long as he
was able to stand.
About the " noon of night," Hard-hickory invited Mr. D.
and myself to accept of a bed at his residence ; to this propo
sition we readily assented. Here we were hospitably provi-.
ded for, and entertained in a style which I litfle anticipated.
Even among many of our white inhabitants, at this early day,
n curtained bed was a species of luxury not often enjoyed: —
such was the bed we occupied.
Shortly after our arrival at the house of this chief, Mr. D.
retired ; not so with our friendly host and myself — while sit-u
ting near a clean brick hearth, before a cheerful fire. Hard-
hickory unbosomed himself to me unreservedly. Mr. D. was
asleep, and the chief and I were the only persons then in
the house.
Hard-hickory, among other things, told me it was owing
chiefly to him that this feast was now celebrated ; that it was
in part to appease the anger of fhe Good Spirit, in consequence

HISTORY OP SENKCA COUNTY. 165
of a dream he lately had, and as an explanation he gave me
the following narration :
" He dreamed he was fleeingfrom an enemy — it was, he sup
posed, something supernatural, perhaps an evil spirit ; that af
ter it had pursued him a long time, and for a great distance,
and every effort to escape from it seemed impossible, as it was
now just at liis heels, and he almost exhausted ; at this peril
ous time he saw a large water, to which he made with all his re-
niaining strength, and at tlie very instant when he expected each
bound to be his last, he beheld, to his joy, a canoe, near the
shore ; this appeared as his last hope ; breathless, and faint,
he threw himself into it, and that moment, of its own accord,
quick as ttn arrow from the bow, it shot from the shore leav
ing his pursuer on the beach."
While relating this circumstance to me,, which he did with
earnestness, trepidation, and alarm, strongly expressed in his
countenance, he took from his bosom something neatly and
very carefully enclosed in several distinct folds of buck-skin.
This he begem to unrol, laying each piece by itself, and on
opening the last, there was enclosed therein, a canoe in min-
iafin-e. On.ji»anding it to rae to look at, he remarked that no oth
er person save himself and rae, had ever seen if, and that, as
a memento, he would wear it in his bosom as "long as he lived."
It was a piece of light wood, resembling cork, about six
inches long, and, as intended, so it was, a perfect model of a
cfinoG #*»#*»
The night now being far advanced, he pointed to the bed,
and told me fo sleep there ; but that he must go fo the council
house to the dance, for his people \yould not like it, if he would
stay away, and wishing rae good night, he withdrew.
The proceedings of the next day, have already been related.
[See conclusion of Chapter II.]

CHAPTER XII.
Death of Hard-hickorj'— Benjamin F. Warner— Peter Pork— Charlicu—
Jacob-Nicely.
An annuity of sixteen hundred dollars was due, from the
Ktate of New York, for a limited number of years, to certain
families of -Cayugas, of which Hard-hickory's, vvas one, and
previous to their removal, was regularly paid to them at their
old home, upon the Sandusky river.'* By an arrangement
with fhe government in their treaty at Washington, that annu
ity was to be forwarded to them, at their hew home, on the Ne
osho, through the hands of the government agents.
In the year 1834, a draft, for the sum due them from the
state of New York, was forwarded and received by them ; and
in order to make a'distribution of the money amongst those en
titled to receive it, it was necessary to have the draft cashed, for
which purpose Hard-hickory, with George Herrin, for inter
preter, were delegated to go to Fort Gibson. They went —
sold their draff, and received the money. '¦-.„-
Hard-hickory then proposed to Herrin, a trip to Washing-
Ion city to see after the business of the tribe, relative to the
sale of their lands in Ohio. Said he, "let us go while we
have this money ; it will make no difference to our pepple, as
our great father, the president, will pay us back all the money
* For this statement relative- to the death of "Har^-hickory, I am indebted to Henry
C. Brish. He received it jiersonally, from Small-cloud-Spicer, a chief ofthe Senecas,
in the year 1836.

HISTORY op SE.N'ECA COUNTY. 167
we spend in going there, and returning home, as he did when
we went to make our treaty." So off they started for Wash
ington. For more than a month they revelled in all the luxu
ries and dissipation of that city, until they ^^¦ere tired of them,
when they determined to return to their homes. They then
requested the comraissioner of Indian affairs to reimburse fhe
amount they had expended, and furnish means for their return,
which could not be coraplied with.
On arriving af horae, their money was neaidy gone. Hickory
was then called before his people to give an account of himself.
He stated that there was something wrong about the draff,
and he had to go fo Washington to arrange it — that the presi
dent said it should all be made right, and they would get the
money soon, all in silver.
Doubting this statement, they sent a messenger to Fort Gib
son, to ascertain the truth. He reported, on his return, that
Hickory had drawn the money for the draft, and consequently,
the chief's statement to the contrary, was false. A solemn
council was called, before which he was summoned to appear,
and this he did accordingly. To the charge of falsehood he
plead guilty, and attempted not to palliate the ofi'ense or to justify
it, but threw himself upon the mercy of his people, offering at
the same time, to surrender all his horses and other property,
as an indemnity for fhe money spent, which would have been
sufficient, or nearly so, to have satisfied the amount. For sev
eral days the council went on, and some were for saving his
life ; but a large majority were against him. He had betray
ed his trust, and dishonored his high station as a chief At
length the verdict came that Hard-hickory was sentenced to
die. If Hickory had stood forth before his people, and asserted
at once the truth of the matter, he would have preserved hjs
honor-; and from my knowledge of the tribe to which he be-

168 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTV.
longed. Says Mr. Brish, I have no doubt, but that he would
have saved his life.
In hopes that they would come to terms, and spare him ; and
believing that no one would attempt to kill him in the presence
of his wife, who was much respected by the tribe, he confined
himself to his house, heavily arrtjed. For several daj-s and
nights, his house was surrounded. At length the notorious
Shane, (who was oneof the murderers of Seneca John,) vol
unteered to kill him in his house. Shane, having just return
ed frorn the Cherokee country, went that night to the house of
Hickory, who was his upcle, and rapped at the door. Hickory
recognized his voice, and supposed he would have one friend
who would try to save him.
On being assured that no one accompanied him. Hickory di
rected his wife to unbar the door, and let him in, which she
did. Shane wore a blanket, and approached Hickory in the
middle of the room, holding out his left hand, whilst his right
was under his blanket, holding' the handle of -a long-knife.
Hickory held out his right hand to Shane, and as soon. as their
hands were grasped, Shane drew his knife, and stabbed Flickory
through the body, and then dragged him out of doors, where
several Indians stabbed and tomahawked him ! Thus perished
the renowned chief. Hard-hickory, with fhe seal of falsehood
stamped uppn his hitherto unblemished name.
In the previous chapter, mention was made of Benjamin F.
Warner. Judging from the dress of that individuaf — says Mr.
Brish — which was entirely Indian, andthe fact that he waS al
most constantly with Hard-hickory, and other chiefs, of whom he
was a great favorite, my friend, Samuel Crowell, might readily
have supposed, that he was part Indian, as well as a sub-chief—
such, however, was not the case. He neither spoke their lan
guage at that time, nor had a drop of Indian blood in him — he
was a Yankee.

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. 169
Ben. was a good fellow, as will be shown by a circumstance,
which I will hereafter relate. He came among the Senecas
but a short time previous to their removal to their new homes,
having, for a wife, a Mohican woman, from Green Bay, whose
name was Betsey Kon-ke-pot, and was adopted with his wife
and child into the Seneca tribe, and in common with them,
drew a proportion of the annuity money due from the govern
ment. He became a sort of Major Domo of fhe tribe, making
their bargains, and adjusting their settlements of business
transactions with their white neighbors. If a horse was miss
ing, Ben. could track him with unerring precision, till he found
him. He could stock a gun or a plow, build a house, tan a
skin, in short was always ready for sport, or work, and withal,
remarkable for sobriety.
He emigrated with the Senecas. His wife died on the jour
ney soon after crossing the Mississippi river, and Ben, with
his child, went on with the tribe to their new homes upon the
Neosho. On reaching the west part of the state of Missouri — con
tinues Mr. Brish — we came fo a solitary cabin, far beyond
any other habitation, which we found occupied by a woman
and three or four children, all of whom had been sick of the
fever, of which the husband of the woman, and father of the
children had but recently died, and was buried by his own
family near the door. They were in an utter state of destitu
tion, almost without clothing, and totally without provisions.
We supplied them abundantly with such things as they need
ed. At that time, Warner was acting as one of my teamsters,
and had with him a cow, which he bought of a frontier settler,
and was driving her to the Indian country for his own use.
After we had left the cabin some distance, I heard the woman
call out — "you have left a cow behind." On looking back, I
saw Warner's cow in a small picket enclosure, near the house,
15

170 history of SENECA COUNTY.
and immediately drew his attention to the fact. His reply
was, " I put her there — guess the woman '11 want her worse
than I shall!" So the cow was left, and Benjamin Franklin
Warner proved, that under a rough exterior, he carried a no
ble and generous heart.
There were many Indians among the Senecas, who were
highly esteemed, for their uprightness and honesty, by their
white neighbors — many that were respected for their kindness,
hospitality and civility — yet there was one, who was, in every
respect, a savage — a perfect monster ; delighting in the shed
ding of blood, whether of friends, or foes. This was Peter
Pork, the Indian who caused the death of Benajah Parker.
Pork was a Cayuga, and the terror of his nation. Strong-
arm-Tequania, an Indian of his tribe, was killed by him. It
occurred just before the fatal affray with Parker. Both bad
been at Lower Sandusky, and as they were returning home,
somewhat intoxicated, they concluded to try the speed of their
horses. A race ensued, which ended in a regular fight — or
duel — between them. The weapons chosen were axes ! Te-
quania was mangled in a terrible manner. His wounds, which
were deep and fatal, were dressed by Dr. Ely Dresbach, of Tif
fin. After nine days' suffering he expired.
An Indian woman, usually known as " Thomas Brandt's
old wife," was also killed by this Indian. She was then at
a very advanced age, and lived in a log hut, at some distance
from any of her tribe, entirely alone. She was met one day
by Peter Pork, (who hacl accused her of witch-craft,) who
tomahawked her without farther ceremony. He then covered
her remains with brush, near the spot where she had fallen.
A search was instituted, and her body found some distance
from the place where it had been left, horribly mangled by the
wolves ! We are informed, that since the Senecas removed to
the west, be has killed another Indian, named Joseph Silas, who

history op SENECA COUNTY. 171
was greatly beloved by the whites while living upon the San
dusky. As many as eight Indians, in all, are known to have
been slain by this savage.
There was an old Indian living upon the Vanmeter tract, a
Mohawk, whose name was Charlieu, who was famous for his
animosity to the Americans. At the age of about twenty-five,
he fought with the rest of the Canadian Indians, under Mont
calm, upon the heights of Abraham, where the brave and gen
erous Wolfe was killed. At that time he was married, and had
one child. -He fought during the last war, on the side of the
British, and had a large number of scalps in his possession when
in this county, which he had taken during the war. He join
ed the Seneca Indians, with the rest of his tribe, in 1829, and
with them, started for the west. At St. Louis, he was taken
sick, and died on the 26th of April, 1832. As he wore sev
eral crosses suspended from his longhair, he was claimed by
the Roman Catholics, tod received a Christian burial in the
Catholic church-yard of that city. He was supposed to be over
one hundred years of age when he died. He spoke French
fluently and was well known to the first settlers of this county.
It has already been stated, that the frontiers of New York,
Pennsylvania, and. Virginiaj during the Revolutionary war,
were continually harassed by the murderous incursions of
the savages from the region of the Sandusky, and from
Canada. Besides those captive whites, whose homes were formerly
within the limits of this county, and who had a quantity of
land granted to each, at the treaty of the rapids of the Miami
of Lake Erie, in 1817, there was one to whom no land was
granted, whose history is somewhat remarkable. He was a
son of a Mr. Nicely, then a resident of the state of Pennsyl
vania, on the banks of the Loyal Hannah river, and was cap
tured by the Wyandot Indians.

172 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
It was a pleasant day in the summer, and two daughters of
Mr. Nicely proceeded to a hay-field, not far away, for the pur
pose of gathering berries. Taking with them their youngest
brother, who was then about three years of age, they placed
him upon a pile of hay, and went some djstance to seek
for berries. While thus employed the child was discovered
and carried off by a band of Wyandots, who were lurking
about the settlements in that vicinity.
But the little fellow cried so loud, and, as the Indians said,
"made a noise so much like a crow," that they gave him
the name of that bird.* By this title, he was ever after known
among the Indians. He was adopted by the Wyandots, and
educated in all the arts of savage warfare.
Many years subsequent, his father learning that there were
captives residing upon the "banks of the Sandusky river, de
termined to visit this country, in hopes of finding his long
lost son. He came to Upper Sandusky, and after visiting all
the .whites among the Wyandot Indians,- without receiving
any intelligence of him, and with hopes well nigh exhaust
ed, he proceeded down the river to the home of the Senecas.
After first calling upon Spicer, he went to the residence of
"the Crow." The instant the old man fixed his eyes upon
him, he exclaimed — " You are my son ,' Is your narae
Jacob ?" The Crow replied in the aflnrmative ; as he }iad
never forgotten his name. The anxious father then exam
ined one of the . arms of his son, and found a scar, produced
by a burn, when a child. This was a sufficient identity ; and
we can imagine the heart-felt joy of the old man as he gazed
long upon his swarthy features.
He then tried to persuade his son to leave the Indians and
return with him to his home. But no: there veas too much
* In Indian he was called Che-kaw-wa.

history of SENECA COUNTY. 173
pleasure in roaming the deep wild-woods — too much glory and
delight in the excitement of the chase ! The unfettered, un
restrained indulgences of an Indian's life, were far more con
genial to his feelings, than the habits, manners and forced re
straints of civilized society. No persuasion — no argument,
was for a moment listened to, as all that was dear to him was
here ; and to leave them all forever, he could — he would not.
His father was wealthy and offered him land. But what cared
he for riches or lands ? Freedom in the " far west " was all
he desired ; and the hunting-grounds of his youth were much
more to be preferred, than the fenced and cultivated fields of
his native state^
But after much importunity, he consented to return and
make his mother a short visit?. Accordingly, both started on
their journey ; but the first night, at the house where they
had put up, and when all were asleep around him, the recol
lection of by-gone days, and years spent in tranquil secu
rity upon the banks of the Sandusky, made fhe Crow already
anxious to return. While these things were revolving in his
mind, the idea occurred to him, that, when he had once reach
ed the place of his nativitj', his relations woutld strive to
compel him to remain. He immediately resolved to return ;
and before day-break, he arose and retraced his steps to his
family and his home. His father proceeded on, dispirited and
discouraged; and soon after died of a broken heart! Such
is the force of education ; and such the power of paternal af
fection. The Crow's place of residence was in Pleasant township —
this county — upon the farm at present owned by the heirs of
the late Israel P. Haines. He emigrated with the Senecas to
the west, and died of the cholera, in 1833, on the banks of
the Neosho river. A truly honest man, he was highly res-
15*

174 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
pected by all who knew him ; although a perfect Indian in
habits and manners. He spoke Indian and French fluently,
and the English intelligibly, and was often employed as inter
preter by the Americans.

CHAPTER XIII.
Murder of Drake — Seneca township — Berwick — Hopewell township —
Bascom — London township — Rome — Risdon — Liberty township —
Bettsville — Jackson township.
It has been stated thgit at the time of establishing the first
post-office at Oakley, there was but one mail-route through the
county, leading from Lower Sandusky to Columbus. Many
years ago, the mail was carried along this route, by a young
man, (a son of Judge Drake, of Marion,) who was killed, as
was supposed at that time, by an Indian. He was found, torn
by the wolves; and there were marks of a knife also discovered
upon his body.
In 1830, Judge Drake came to this county to find out, if
possible, who the murderer of his son was ; or fo what tribe
he belonged. He called upon Mr. Brish, then agent of the
Senecas ; and, in company with the latter, proceeded to the resi
dence of Jacob Nicely or "the Crow." The interpreter em
ployed, was Martin Lane. Upon being interrogated, the
Crow stated that the son of Judge Drake was killed by an In
dian whose name was "Big Kettles," and that, as soon as he
committed the murder, he fled to Canada. The judge return
ed home, fully satisfied that his son was murdered by a Cana
dian Indian. But such was not the fact. Mr. Brish, some
time subsequently, asked George Herrin what Indian was called
"Big Kettles." The reply was, that it was Spicer, the white
man who lived upon the banks of the Sandusky.

176 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
It appears that the young man had passed over to the east
side of the river ; and, when' near Spicer's residence, was met
by himand accompanied to the place where he was to cross
back to the west side of the river. ¦ Spicer mounted the horse
behind him ; and as soon as they had reached the opposite
bank, he drew his knife, and reaching around the young man,
with one effort cut him nearly in twain !
He then dragged him behind an old log near a spring, which
is just below the dam of John Keller, on the Sandusky river.
As soon as this was done, he proceeded to Crow's house, who,
observing that he was covered with blood, inquired if he had
killed a deer. Spicer replied, that he had killed a white man,
whereupon Crow ordered him to be gone, as, in all probability,
he would be pursued; and if traced to his (Crow's) residence,
they might suspect him as being accessory to the murder.
Spicer fled to Canada, but affer a while returned. These par
ticulars, until related to Mr. Brish, were kept a profound se
cret. Soon after the Senecas concentrated tipon the Sandusky, they
erected their first council house upon the river bank on the
farra at present owned and occupied by General Treat, in whftt
is now Sandusky county. This tribe had several burying-
grounds, the principal of which was at the old coiinciF house,
and contained, about 20 acres of land within the enclosure.
The majority of the Seneca Indians lived in log cabins, while
the chiefs, generally resided in good comfortable houses. They
usually hunted over all this section of country — on the Mau
mee, and sometiraes around the marshes near New Haven.
But now these sons of the forest are gone ; and truly can
the early settlers -<>f this county exclaim that, we are now sur
rounded by a new race of inhabitants. The almost unprece
dented influx of population which has poured in upon us from
the east, and the south, has gathered around us a new genera:.

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 177
tion, so that we of the " olden time," seem now to live in the
midst of strangers ! The red men of the forest have disap
peared — the, pioneer, shunning the society of the refined and
intelligent, has gone to the ultima thule ov the "far west,''
and the squatter has followed his footsteps !
On the 8th day of May, 1820, the commissioners of San
dusky county set off a township, in this county, which inclu
ded all of the land west of a line drawn south to the base-line
from the south-east corner of the Seneca reservation, and to
which they gave the narae of Seneca.
Portions have been taken from this township at various times,
to form new ones, so that at present it comprehends the origin
al surveyed township No. 1, in the 14th range, only. The
land included within its present limits was surveyed into sec
tions and quarter sections by ¦ J. T. Worthington in 1820.
Theirs* election for township officers was held on Mon
day, the 1st day of June, 1820. At the next annual election
the following officers were chosen : W. Barney, John Lay,
and David Riisdon, trustees ; John Eaton, clerk; Benjamin Bar
ney, treasurer; Joseph Keller and David Rice, overseers of
the poor :.' James Montgomery, Erastus Bowe, and Joel Chaf-
fin, supervisors ; P. Wilson, lister ; Asa Pike, appraiser ;
Thomas Nicholson, and Abner Pike, fence-viewers ; John
Boughton, and Joel Lee, constables. At the state election in the
fall of the same year, the whole number of votes polled in Sen
eca township, which comprehended at that time about three-
fourths of the whole county, was twenty-six !
In 1830 the population of this township was 369. In 1840,
it had augmented to 1,393. It has since steadily and rapidly
increased in population and in wealth — numbering among its
enterpising farmers, Hon. Henry St. John, Wm. McCorraick,
Alexander Bowland, John Galbreth, Peter Wickert, Joseph
Conaghan, William Kerr, Caleb Brundage, Daniel Hoffman,

178 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
John Yambert, David Fpght, William Harmon-, Jacob Steib,
Benjamin Harmon, John Blair, George Heck, Jacob Wolfe,
John Waggoner, James Aiken, James Brinkerhoff, John Crock
er, Jacob Kroh, and many others.
In addition to the other Indian grants made at the treaty held
at the foot of the rapids of the Miami of Lake Erie, in 1817,
there was likewise granted to Catharine Walker, a Wyandot
woman, and to John B. Walker, her son, who was wounded in
the service of the United States, a section of 640 acres of land,
lying mostly within the present limits of this township, and
directly west of, and atfloining the tract in Eden township,
granted to John Vanmeter, which is owned by Lloyd Norris.
On the iSth day of April, 1845, Henry F. Kastner, Wil
liam Brinkerhoff, and John Campbell, caused to be surveyed on
section nineteen, in this township, a town, to which was given
fhe name of Berwick. It was surveyed and platted by Thomas
Heming. It contains nine dwellings, two stores, one tavern,
one steam saw-mill, one wagon-shop, one shoe-shop, one tailor-
shop, and one blacksmith's-shop. Its population is seventy.
Berwick is situated on the Tiffin and Findlay, and on the
Bucyrus and Perrysburg state road. It is located also upon
the Mad River and Lake Erie Rail-road, nine miles from Tif
fin, the county seat of the county.
On the Vth day of December, 1824, the original surveyed
township. No. 2, in the 14th range, was constituted a legal
township,, and received the name of Hopewell. The first
election for township officers was held on Christmas-day of the
same year, at thehouse of Joseph Pool.*
This township was surveyed into sections and quarter sec
tions by J. T. Worthington, in the year 1820. Among the
* There were chosen at this election the following officers: John Eosenbergej,
John Stoner, and Nathan C<idwallader, trustees ; James 6otdon,,.clerk ; John Stoner,,
treasurer.

HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY. ITO
first settlers of this township, were Robert Shippy, John Cha
ney, and Nathan Shippy. In 1830, its population was 549. —
In 1840 it had augmented to 91."). Since that time it has
rapidly increased in population and wealth; numbering among
its enterprising farmers, A. G. Ingraham, Jacob S. Jennings,
John Sleeper, David Cover, James Mathews, John A. Ros-
enberger, George Shaul, John Kimes, Henry Creager, Abra
ham Miller, Christian Mussetter, Andrew Wolf, William Rick
ets, William Kimes, John Mowser, John Baughman, A. R.
Bachtel, John Anderson, Aaron Ruse, S. Watson, Solomon
Ruse, Thomas Elder, John Briner, Philip King, Peter Weav
er, Hiram Hart, Peter Young, and others.
The land in this township is remarkably rich, producing
all kinds of grain and grass in abundance. The surface is
v«ry level, and well watered.
On the 1st day of February, 1837, George W. Gist sur
veyed on section 17, in this township, a town, to which the
proprietor, John Miller, gave the name of Bascom.
This town contains twelve dwellings, one store two taverns,
one cabinet-shop, one wagon-sTiop, one tannery, one black
smith's-shop, and a district school-house. In 1840, its popula
tion was 6. Since that time it has increased to 60.
Bascom is situated on the Tiffin and Defiance state road, six
miles from the former place.
On the 6th day of August, 1836, James Durbin surveyed a
town on section 16, in this township, to which the proprietor,^
Samuel Waggoner, gave the name of Hopewell. This town
has never been improved.
On the 5th day of March, 1832, by order of the board of
commissioners, the original surveyed township, No. 2, in range
13, was constituted a legal township, to be known by the name
of Loudon. It was'surveyed into sections and quarter sections,
in 1820, The first election for township officers was held at

180 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
the house of Benjamin Hartley on the 2d day of April, 1832.*
Loudon is very well watered, and possesses a rich and fertile
soil. In 1840 its population was 763. Since that time it has
increased steadily and rapidly in population and importance ;
numbering among its enterprising farmers, Samuel Bear, Ja
cob Rumple, Benjarain Stevens, Martin Adams, Benjamin Hart
ley, Abner Wade, Philip Hennessy, Robert Rainy, Jacob Fruth,
George Hemming, Peter Ebersole, Henry Sheller, David
Youngs, Conrad Rumple, Jacob Kaiser, John Good, Peter T.
King, John Rinebolt, Jacob Dillon, Thomas Dillon, Nathan
Shippy, and many others.
On the 31st day of August, 1832, Roswell Crocker caused
to be surveyed on section 6, in this township, a town, to which
was given the name of Rome.
It was surveyed and platted by "David Risdon. Rome is
pleasantly situated, and is surrounded by a beautiful country. It
contains fifty dwellings, two churches, three stores, two taverns,
two steam saw-mills, two tanneries, two steam grist-mills, one
warehouse, two cabinet-shops, three shoe-shops, three tailors'-
shops, two saddlers'-shops, and five blacksmiths'-shops. There
are three physicians, residents of this town — ^Alonzo Lock-
wood, George Patterson, and Simon Bricker.
In 1840 the population was 80. At this time, it is about
300 and is rapidly increasing in population and wealth. Its
appearance is pleasant, and there is probably no town in the
county, away from the line of the Rail-road, which is more
favorably situated for business, than Rome. It is located upon
the Lower Sandusky and Fort Findlay state road ; upon the
* There were ten electors present at this election-; the" vote for each ofBccr -was unan*
imous. The following was the successful ticket: Abner Vt^ade, justice of the peace ;
John Tennis, clerk : Benjamin Stevens, Peter T. King, and John Rickets, trustees ;
Samuel Carbaugh, constable ; Benjamin Hartley, supervisor; Abner Wade and Nathan
Shippy, overseers of the poor ; Benjamin Stevens, treasurer ; Nathan Shippy, John
Kuse, and John Sheller, fence-viewers.

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTT. 181
Defiance and Tiffin state i-oad ; and upon the Bucyrus and Per
rysburg state road.
It is 22 miles from Lower Sandusky, the county-seat of
Sandusky county ; 14i miles from Findlay, county-seat of
Hancock county ; 14 from Tiffin, the county-seat of this coun
ty ; 66 miles from Defiance, county-seat of Defiance county ;
36 miles from Bucyrus, county -seat of Crawford county ; 31
miles from Perrysburg, county-seat of Wood county ; 25
miles from Upper Sandusky, county-seat of Wyandot county ;
12 miles from Van Buren, Hancock county; lOi miles from
Springville, this county ; and 80 rods east of the Hancock
county line.
On the 6th day of September, 1832, J. Gorsuch caused to
be surveyed on section one, in township No. 2, in the 12th
range, in Hancock county — and on section six, in Loudon
township, this county, a town, to which the proprietor gave
the name of Risdon. It was surveyed and platted by Wil
liam L. Henderson, of Hancock county, and David Risdon,
of this county. It was thus naraed, in compliment to the lat
ter gentleman, who is at present, a resident of New Fort Balh
Among the first settlers of Risdon, were Henry Welch,
Jeremiah Mickey and John P. Gordon. It contains 30 dwel
lings, one church, one tavern, three stores, one carding-ma-
chine propelled by steam, one steam saw-mill, one foundiy,
one tannery, one cabinet-shop, one wagon-shop, two shoe-shops,
two saddlers'-shops and three blacksmiths'-shops. In 1840, its
population was 39. It is now 200. There are two phj^icians,
residents of the place — Marcus Dana, and R. C. Caples.
Risdon is a post-town — the present post-master, is William
Thomas. The town is pleasantly situated on the bank of the
east branch of the Portage river ; and is steadily increasing in
population and wealth.
On the 5th day of June, 1832, the commissioners of tho
16

183 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
county constituted the original surveyed township, No. 3, in
range 14, a legal one, to be known by the name of Liberty.*
The land comprehended within the limits of this township,
was surveyed into sections and quarter sections, by J. T.
Worthington, in 1820. In 1840 its population was 1,084.
Since that tirae it has steadily and rapidly increased in popula
tion and wealth — numbering among its enterprising farmers,
Jonathan Abbott, George Puffenbarger, John Mickels, Jacob
Null, Reuben Lott, John Powl, Jacob Fleck, John Shaul, Lewis
Fleck, John Baughman, Daniel Lynch, George Feasel, Thomas
Huse, Henry Feasel, John Berky, Jacob Sise, Henry Craul,
John Sigler, Martin Edwards, Joseph Fry, Barney Zimmer
man, John Beck, Robert Powl, Israel Smith, R. Littler, E.
Brooks, Levi Creasy, Orrin Befz, Philip Myers, E; Rogers,
Isaac Myers, George Dunbar, Jacob Myers, John Betz, Fred
erick Rosenberger, and many othei'g.
In the north-eastern part of this township, is a tract of land
about three miles in length,, and three-fourths of a mile in
width, remarkably stony. In some places, the lime-stone rock
literally covers the ground. In others, it is not so thickly cov
ered, and tolerable crops are raised. The lime-stone, by being
exposed to the weather, becomes white, giving to the land a
singular appearance. This tract is the more remarkable, as
the county in general, is so very free from any thing of the
kind. The balance ofthe township, is quite level, possessing a rich
soil, and producing an -abundance of grass, and all kinds of
grain. The west branch _of Wolf creek passes in a north--
easterly direction through this township, upon which several
* At the election for township officers, held April 1st, 183.3, the following was thi suc
cessful ticket:
John Rosenberger, Evan W. Brook, and Jacob Kime, trustees; John Craun, clerk;
Eben Conway, and Nicholas Rumbaugh, constables ; Adam Fleck, Isaac Heartsock.
James Hudson, Levi Crissy, and Joseph H. Conway, supervisors.

HISTORY OP SENEGA COUNTY. 183
saw-mills have been erected. Water runs sufficient, in this
stream, to drive these mills over six months of the year.
MiddZeJMrg, a town surveyed by David Risdon, on the Sth
of September, 1832, is situated on section nine, in this township.
It is located on the land of Jacob Kessler, and has never been
improved. On the 12th day of April, 1838, John Betz caused to be
surveyed on section three, in this township, a town, to which
he gave the name of Betzville. It was surveyed and platted
by David Risdon, surveyor.
Betzville is pleasantly situated on the south side of the west
branch of Wolf creek, and contains seven dwellings, two
churches, one cabinet-shop, and one shoe-shop. In 1840, its
population was 23. Since that time it has increased to 40.
On the 4th day of December, 1832, the original surveyed
township. No. 3, in range 13, was constituted a legal township,
and named Jackson. The land comprised within its limits,
was surveyed into sections and quarter sections, by J. Glasgow,
in 1820. The first election for township officers, was held on
the 3d of April, 1833, at the house of Abraham Rinebolt.*
In 1840, the population of this township was 586. Since
that time it has raipidly increased. The land is generally very
level, and the soil is rich and fertile. Among its enterpris
ing farmers, are Jonas Hampshire, Michael Stahl, Enoch
Trumbo, Abraham Rinebolt, C. Foster, George Stoner, John
Larabright, Jacob Stahl, Frederick Feble, Henry Swoap, John
Lynch, Daniel Swoap, Jaraes Robertson, Conrad Myers, Gid
eon Jones, Jacob Kimmel, Henry Huffman, George Stahl,
* The officers chosen at this election, were as follows; Christian Foster, John Btom-
bangh and Michael Stahl, trustees ; Henry Hutfmanand Abraham Rinebolt, supervisors;
Samuel Rinebolt, Andrew Ferrier and Daniel Swoap, overseers of the poor ; Enoch
Trambo, clerk ; Daniel Williams, treasurer ; Joseph Hampshire and Jacob Holingcr,
fence-viewers.

184 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
John Bear, Williara Stahl, Isaac Miller, John W. Hollopeter,
Mathias Hollopeter, and others.
On the 7th day of December, 1844, Isaiah Hollopeter
caused to be surveyed on section seventeen, in this township, a
town, to which he gave the narae of Rehfiboth. It was survey
ed and platted by Thomas Heming.

CHAPTER XIV.
Big-spring township — Springville — Oregon — Productions of the county —
Conclusioii.
On the 6th day of March, 1833, the original surveyed town
ship No. 1, in the 13th range, was constituted a legal town
ship, and received the name of Big-spring. It was thus
named from the circumstance of there being a large spring of
water within its limits. The first election for township officers
was held on the 4th day of April, of the same year.*
Hugh MulhoUand, E. Bogart, John Peer, Hiram Bogart,
Philip Peer, and Austin Knowlton, were among the first set
tlers of this township. Big-spring was surveyed into sections
and quarter sections, by J. Glasgow, in 1820, except that part
of the township which was then owned by the Wyandot Indi
ans, and which was surveyed by C. W. Christmas in 1832.
The population of Big-spring, according to the census of 1840,
amounted to 925. Since that time it has rapidly increased in
population and in wealth, numbering among its enterprising
farmers — Jacob Boucher, Peter Lantz, John Jinkins, Isaac
DeWit, Frederick Waggoner, Ira Taft, William Blue, Israel
Harmas, John Hile, W. BurgesiS, Nathan L. Huling, George
Kline, Austin Knowlton, Peter Wenner, M. Clark, John Wag-
* The oificers chosen at this election, were as follows; WilUam Brayton, clerk ; E.
Bogart, and Richard Reynolds, trustees ; Hugh MulhoUand, treasurer ; Cornelius Bo
gart, Andrew Springer, and Joshua Watson, fence-viewers ; Elgafa Brayton and Charles
Henderson, overseers of the poor ; Austin Knowlton, constable.
16*

186 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
goner, Francis Etchey, Michael Waggoner, Lewis Shaney,
James W. Laughead, William Clark, Sen., and many others.
The land in Big-spring township is generally level, but the
soil is rioh, producing all kinds of grain and grass in abun
dance. At 'the treaty held at the foot of the rapids of the Miami of
Lake Erie, September 28th, 1817, the United States granted
to the Wyandot Indians, then residing at Solomon's town, and
on Blanchard's fork, sixteen thousand acres of land, which
was laid off in a square form, the center beifag at Big-spring,
(now the town of Springville,) on the trailed road from Upper
Sandusky to Fort Findlay.
At a supplementary treaty, held September 17th, 1818,
with the Indians, a very wise provision was made to protect
them from irnposition, which had so often been practiced upon
^them by the avaricious whites. It was stipulated, that all
lands granted them by the United States, could not be disposed
of except by the consent of the presidenf.
Part of the land in Big-spring township consists of prairie ;
and in the southern section is a ridge, which is quite stony.
The land is heavy timbered and well watered.
On the 20th of September, 1825, Elijah Brayton, then a
resident of Crawford (now Wyandot) county, who resides
near Springville, in this township, lost a child, a lad about
eight years of age, who has never since been heard of.* It
appears that the boy had followed an elder brother and a neigh
boring friend, who were seeking for some cattle that had
strayed away, when the little fellow was directed to a house
near by, while the others proceeded onward. He followed
the path which had been pointed out to him, but a short distance,
when it is supposed he became bewildered, and immediately
* We have 'the particnlatt of this event orally, from a sister of the lost child, th^e witb
of Davi.d Burns, of Springville.

HISTORY OF BENECA COUNTY. 187
took to the woods. On the return of the others to the house
where they expected to find him, they learned to their sur
prise, that he had not been seen. Alarm was immediately
given. The inhabitants for many miles around turned out,
and the whole country for a considerable distance, in every di
rection was thoroughly searched. The Indians were particu
larly assiduous in their generous endeavors to find the child,
but all to no avail.
A large reward was offered fo the one who should find him,
or any of his remains; but after many days, as no traces
of the little fellow had ever been discovered, the search was
finally abandoned. Some imagined he had been torn to pieces
by wolves ; sorae, that he had been stolen by the Indians ;
while others were of theopfnion, that he had died of want in
some secluded spot. What became of the unfortunate child,
will, in all probability, remain forever unknown !
During this search, Neal McGaffey and other citizens of
Fort Ball, who had likewise left their homes upon this occa
sion, encamped for the night upon the site of the present town
of Rome, in Loudon township, which was then a dense wil
derness. Being highly pleased with the spot of ground, and
the-appearance of the woods around, they jocosely called it
"Fort McGaffey."
In fhe month of May, 1834, David Risdon surveyed, on
section twenty-nine^ in Big-spring township, a town, to which
the proprietors, Benjamin and John Jenkins, gave the name of
Springville. It was thus named, as there is a large spring
of water imraediately west of the town. Unlike those in
Adams township, the water from this spring, has no traces
of sulphur, but is clear, cold, and impregnated with lime. The
site of this town, which was formerly an Indian village, is
very beautiful. It contains twelve dwellings, two taverns, one
wagon-fShop, two blacksmiths'-shops, and two tailors'-shops. In

188 HISTORY OP SENECA COUNTY.
1840, Springville contained thirty-five inhabitants. It has
since about doubled. There are two practicing physicians,
residents of this town — D. Peters, and George H. Scoles.
Oregon, a town surveyed, February 17th, 1844, on sections
thirty-five and thirty-six, in Big-spring -township, by R. M.
Shoemaker, is situated on the Mad River and Lake Erie Rail
road, ten and a half miles from the county seat of the county.
Its proprietors were Erastus 'H. Cook and D. C. Hendersoii.
Among the first settlers upon the site of this town, were Eli
Gehr, Adam Fetter, John Gantz, and Charle? Foster.
Oi-egon contains twenty-three dwellings, one large forward
ing house, one tavern, three, stores, one saw-mill, propelled by
steam, one cabinet-shop, one tailor-shop, one blacksmith's-shop,
two wagon-shops, and two shoe-shops. The post-office at this
place is called "Foster's Mill." The first post-master was
William White. The office is now held by John Carr.
There isa practicing physician, a resident of this place — Sam
uel B. Owens.
The population of this town is over one hundred, and is
rapidly increasing. It is three and a half railes from McCutch-
enville, and five miles from Carey, in Wyandot county.
It has now been nearly thirteen years, since Big-spring was
constituted a legal township, which was fhe last one organized
of the fifteen townships of the county. In 1830 the whole
number of inhabitants in the several townships, amounted to
5,148. According to the census of 1840, the population had
augmented to 18,128. At the present time it is probably
about 22,000.
Seneca, compared with the counties that surround it, is second
to none in the fertility of its soil, number of streams, activity,
intelligence and morality of its inhabitants, and in the increase
of its population.
The staple production of this county is wheat, large quan-

HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. 189
titles of which are raised annually, and transported by means
of the rail-road, out of the country. The average yield
throughout the county, of this grain, may be estimated at
about twenty bushels to the acre.
Indian corn is grown in abundance, especially along the
mai'gin of the numerous streams, where the soil, consisting of
a rich loam, is calculated in a high degree, for its growth.
AH of the other coarser grains, together with potatoes and
other vegetables, are produced in large quantities. Apples,
peaches, pears, and other fruit, thrive reraarkably in all parts
of the county.
On the 15th of May, 1834, a severe frost destroyed all the
fruit, and proved fatal also to the potatoe crop. ^Vheat was
considerably injured, and flour at one tirae, in Tiffin, was held
at fourteen dollars per barrel.
In most parts of the county, the soil is well adapted to the
raising of grass, which, however, is sometimes injured by
dry weather. In 1838, a j-ear remarkable for the " great
drouth," which prevailed in nearly the whole of northern Ohio,
the clover crop was a total failure, and corn was likewise
much injured. The channels of most of the smaller streams
became dry, and many wells failed for the first time.
The farmer, however, relies with a great degree of certainty
upon good crops when his grain is well sown, being almost
certain to reap an abundant harvest, as the reward for his toils.
Seneca county produces some excellent horses, and many
of the farmers have large stocks of cattle. Sheep, also, have
been brought from the east, which produce the finest quality of
wool. William Fleet and other enterprising farmers of Eden
township, have been actively engaged in this undertaking ; and
we can but commend so laudable an enterprise as is the in
troduction of a superior breed of these valuable domestic ani
mals into the county.

190 HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.
Besides those streams which have been described, there are
numerous others in the county, some of which are deserving
of notice. There are several east of the Sandusky, that fall
into this river, below the mouth of Honey creek. The most
considerable of these, are Rocky creefc- staking its name from
the rocky appearance of the bed of its stream — which falls into
the river at Tiffin — Tyber cree^, which empties into the San
dusky on section seventeen, in Clinton township — Spicer's
creek — taking its name from the captive white, before spoken
of, which falls into the river near the north-west corner of
the "Spicer section," in Pleasant township — and Sugar creek,
which empties into the Sandusky on section twenty-two, in the
same township.
" At the time of the organization of the county, money was
very scarce, as produce would neither sell for it, nor purchase
goods. Whiskey was about fhe only commodity in market.
Since then the county has progressed rapidly in every kind of
improvement. Indeed, at present, the generalrsobriety of its
inhabitants is truly remarkable, especially when compared with
fhe state of society, in- this particular, a few yeai's since. To
estimate the condition of morality and Christianity among its
inhabitants, we have only to look at the multiplicity of churches,
which are now to be found in every township.
What then may not be anticipated from a county that has
its whole surface covered with the richest soil? That has a
climate, tem,perate and healthy, and streams rapid and numer
ous? Witb so much intelligence, activity, and zeal among
its farraers, mechanics, and merchants, with a few years that
have passed as a precedent, we may safely conclude that it
will still continue to increase in population and wealth, ever
ranking among the first, with the counties that surround it,
in all that appertains to greatness and importance. Such is
the condition — and such are the prospects of Seneca county.

APPENDIX.

CONSTITUTION OF OHIO.
Done in convention, begun and held at Chillicothe, on Monday, the Ist
of November, A. D. 1802, and of the independence of the United
States the 27th.
We, the people of the eastern division of the territory of
the Uhfted States north-west ofthe river Ohio, having the right
of admission into the general government, as a raember of the
Union, consistent with the constitution ofthe United States, the
ordinance of Congress of one thousand seven hundred and eighty-
seven, and the law of Congress entitled, " An act to enable the
people of the eastern division of the territory of the United
States northwest of the river Ohio, to form a constitution and
state government, and for the admission of such stafe into the
Union, on an equal footing with the original states, and for other
purposes ;" in order to establish justice, promote the welfare,
and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our poster
ity, do ordain and establish the following constitution or form of
government, and do mutually agree with each other to form our
selves into a free and independent state, by the name of The
State of Ohio.

192 CONSTITUTION OF
ARTICLE I.
¦§ 1. The legislative authority of this state shall be vested
in a general assembly, which shall consist of a senate and
house of representatives, both to be elected by the people.
2. Within one year after the first meeting of the gen
eral assembly, and within every subsequent term of four years,
an enumeration of all the white male inhabitants above twenty-
one years of age shall be made, in such manner as shall be
directed by law. The nuraber of representatives ^shall, at the
several periods of making such enumeration, be fixed by the
legislature, and apportioned araong the several counties, accord
ing to the number of white male inhabitants of above twenty-ono
years of age in each ; and shall never be less than twenty-four
nor greater than thi;'fy-six, until the number of white male in
habitants of above twenty-one years of age shall be twenty-two
thousand ; . and after that event, at such ratio that the whole
number of representatives -shall never be less than thirty -six,
nor exceed seventy-two.
3. The representatives shall be chosen annually, by the citi
zens of each county respectively, on the second Tuesday of
October. 4. No person shall be a representative who shall not have
attained the age of twenty-five years, and be a citizen of the
United States, and an inhabilantTof this stMe ; shall also have
resided within the limits of the county in which he shall be
chosen, one year next preceding his election, unless he shall
have been absent on the public business of the United States,
or of this state, and shall have paid a state or county ta.x.
5. The senators shall be chosen biennially, by qualified vo
ters for representatives; and, on their being convened in con
sequence of" the first election, they shall be divided by lot from
their respective counties or districts, as near as can be, into two

THB ST.tTE OF OHIO. 193
classes ; the seats of the senators of the first class shall be va
cated at the expiration of the first year, and of the second class
at the expiration of the second year ; so that one-half thereof,
as near as possible, may be chosen annually forever thereafter.
6. The number of senators shall, at the several periods of
making the enumeration before mentioned, be- fixed by the leg
islature, and apportioned among the several counties or dis
tricts to be established by law, according to the number of
white male inhabitants of the age of twenty-one years in each,
and shall never be less than one-third, nor more than one-half
of the number of representatives.
7. No person shall be a senator who has not arrived at the
age of thirty years, and is a citizen of the United States ;
shall have resided two years in the county or district immedi
ately preceding the election, unless he shall have been absent
on the public business of the United States, or of this state, and
shall, moreover, have paid a state or county tax.
8. The senate and house of representatives, when assembled,
shall each choose a speaker, and its other officers ; be judges of
the qualifications and elections of its members, and sit upon its
own adjournments ; two-thirds of each house shall constitute a
quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn frOm
day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members.
9. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and
publish them. The yeas and nays of the raerabers, on any
question, shall, at the desire of any two of them, be entered
on the journals.
10. Any two members of either house shall have liberty to
dissent from and protest against any act or resolution which
they may think injurious to the public or any individual, and
hove the reasons of their dissent entered on the journals.
11. Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings,
punish its members for disorderly behavior ; and, with the con-
17

194 CONSTITUTION OP
currence of two-thjrds, expel a member, but not a second time for
the same cause ; and shall have all powers necessary for a
branch of the legislature of a free and independent state.
12. When vacancies shall happen in either house, the gov
ernor, or the person exercising the power of the governor, shall
issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.
13. Senators and representatives shall, in all cases, except
treason, felony, or breach of the peace, be privileged from ar
rest during the session of the general assembly, and in going
to and returning from the same ; and for any speech or debate,
in either house, they shall not be questioned in any other place.
14. Each house may punish, by imprisonment, during their
session, any person, not a merhber, who shall be guilty of dis
respect to the house, by any disorderly -or contemptuous beha
vior in their presence ; provided such imprisonment shall not,
at anyone time, exceed twenty -four hours.
15. The doors of each house, and of committees of the
whole, shall be kept open, except in such cases as, in the opin
ion of fhe house, re.quire secrecy.- Neither house shall, with
out the consent ofthe other, adjourn for more than two days,
nor to any other place than that' in which the two houses shall
be fitting.
16. BiUs may originate in either house, but may be altered,
amended, or rejected by the other.
17. Every bill shall be read on three different days, in each
house, unless, in case of urgency, three fourths of thehouse
where such bill is So depending, shall deem it expedient to dis
pense with this rule ; and every bill having passed both houses,
shall be signed by the speakers of their respective houses.
18. The style of the laws of this. stafe shall be, "Be it en
acted by the general assembly of the state of Ohio."
19. The legislature of this state shall not allow the following
oflicers of government greater annual salaries than as follows.

THE STATE OF OHIO. 195
until the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, to wit :
the governor not more than one thousand dollars ; the judges of
the supreme court not more than one thousand dollars each ; the
presidents of the courts of common pleas not more than eight
hundred dollars each ; the secretary of state not more than five
hundred dollars ; the auditor of public accounts not more than
seven hundred and fifty dollars ; the treasurer not more than
four hundred and fifty dollars ; no member of the legislature
shall' receive more than two dollars per day during his
attendance^ on the legislature, nor more for every twenty-five
miles he shall travel in going to and returning from the gener
al assembly.
20. No senator or representative shall, during the time for
which he shall havebeen elected, be appointed to any civil of
fice under this state which shall have been created, or the
emoluments of which shall have been increased, during such
time. 21. No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in
consequence of appropriations made by law.
22. An accurate statement of the receipts and expenditures
of the public moneys, shall be attached to and published with
the laws, annually.
23. The house of representatives shall have the sole power of
impeaching, but a raajority of all the raembers must concur in
an impeachment. All impeachments shall be tried by the sen
ate ; and ^vhen sitting for that purpose, the senators shall be on
oath or affirmation to do justice according to law and evidence.
No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-
thirds of all the senators.
24. The governor and all other civil officers under this
state, shall be liable to impeachment for any misdemeanor in
office ; but judgment, in such case, shall not extend furthe
than removal from office, and disqualification to hold any office

196 CONSTITUTION OF
of honor, profit, or trust, under this state. The party,,whether
convicted or acquitted, shall, nevertheless, be liable to indict
ment, trial, judgment, and punishment, according to law.
25. The first session of the general assembly shall com
mence on the first Tuesday of March next ; and forever after,
the general assembly shall meet on the first Monday in De
cember in every year, and at, no other period unless directed
by law or provided for by this constitution.
26. No judge of any court of law or equity, secretary^of state,
attorney-general, register,- clerk of any court of record^ sher
if, or collector, member of either house of Congress, or per
son holding any office under the authority ofthe United States
or any lucrative office under the authority- of this state, (pro
vided that appointments ih the militia, or justices of the
peace, shall not be considered lucrative offices,.) shall be eli
gible as a candidate for, or have a seat in, the general assembly.
27. No person shall be appointed to any office, within any
county, who shall not have been a citizen and inhabitant there
in, one year next before his appointment, if the county shall
have been so long erected ; but if the county shall not
have been so long erected, then within the limits of the
county or counties, out of which it shall have been taken.
28. No person who heretofore hath been, or hereafter may
be, a collector or holder of public moneys, shall have a seat
in either house of the general aslembly, until such person shall
have accounted for and paid into the treasury, all sums for
which he may be accountable or liable.
ARTICLE II.
§1. The supreme executive power of this state shaU be
vested in a governor.
2. The governor shall be chosen by the electors of the mem
bers of the general' assembly, on the second Tuesday of Oc
tober, at the same places, and in the same manner that they

THE STATE OF OHIO. 197
shall respectively vote for members thereof. The returns of
every election for governor shall be sealed up and transmitted
to the seat of government, by the returning officers, directed
to the speaker of the senate, who shall open and publish them
in the presence of a majority of the members of each house of
the general assembly ; the person having the highest number
of votes shall be governor ; but if two or more shall be equal
and highest in votes, one of them shall be chosen gover
nor by joint ballot of both houses of the general assembly.
Contested elections for governor shall be determined by both
houses of the general assembly, in such manner as shall be
prescribed by law.
3. The first governor shall hold his office until the first
Monday of December, one thousand eight hundred and five,
and until another governor shall be elected and qualified to of
fice ; and forever after, the governor shall hold his office for
the term of two years, and until another governor shall be
elected and qualified ; but he shall not be eligible more than
six years in any term of eight years. He shall be at least
thirty years of age, and have been a citizen of the United
States twelve years, and an inhabitant of this state four years
next preceding his election.
4. He shall, from time to time, give to the general assembly
information of the state of the governraent, and recommend to
their consideration such measures as he shall deem expedient.
5. He shall have the power to grant reprieves and pardons,
after conviction, except in cases of impeachment.
6. The governor shall, at stated times, receive for his ser
vices a compensation, which shall neither be increased nor di
minished during the term for which he shall have been elected.
7. He may require information in writing, from the officers
in the executive department, upon any subject relating to the
17*

198 CONSTITUTION OF
duties of their respective offices, and shall take care that the
laws be faithfully executed.
8. When an officer, the right of whose appointment is, by this
constitution, vested in the general assembly, shall during the
recess die, or his office by any means become vacant, the gov
ernor shall have power to fill such vacancy, by granting a com
mission, which shall expire at the end of the next session of
the legislature.
9. He may, on extraordinary occasions, convene the gener
al assembly by proclamation, and shall state to them, when
assembled, the purposes for which they shall have been con
vened. 10. He shall be commander-in-chief of the army and navy
of this state, and of the militia, except when they shall be call-
ed into the service of the United States.
11. In cases of disagreement between the two houses, with
respect to the time of adjournment, the governor shall have
the power to adjourn the general assembly to such time as lie
thinks proper, provided it be not a period beyond the annual
meeting of the legislature.
12. In case of the death, impeachment, resignation, or
removal of the governor from office, the speaker of the sen
ate shall exercise the office of governor until he be acquitted,
or another governor shall be duly qualified. In case of the im
peachment of the speaker of the senate, or his death, removal
from office, resignation, or absence from the state, the speaker
of the house of representatives shall succeed to the office, and
exercise the duties thereof, until a governor shall be elected
and qualified.
13. No member of Congress, or person holding any office
under the United States or this state, shall execute the office of
governor. 14. There shall be a seal of the state which shall be kept by

THE STATE OF OHIO. 199
the governor, and used by him ofiicially, and shall be called the
great seal of the state of Ohio.
15. All grants and commissions shall be in the name and by
the authority of the state of Ohio, sealed with the seal, signed
by the governor, and countersigned by the secretary.
16. A secretary of state shall be appointed by a joint ballot
of the senate and house of representatives, who shall continue
in office three years, if he shall so long behave himself well.
He shall keep a fah" register «f all the official acts and pro
ceedings of the governor, and shall, when required, lay the
same, and all papers, minutes, and vouchers, relative thereto,
before either branch of the legislature ; and shall perform
such other duties as shedl be assigned him by law.
ARTICLE III.
§ 1. The judicial power of this state, both as to matters of
law and equity, shall be vested in a supreme court, in courts of
common pleas for each county, in justices of the peace, and
in such other courts as the legislature may from time to time
establish. 3. The supreme court shall consist of three jtidges, any two
of whom shall be a quorm. They shall have original and
appellate jurisdiction, both in common law and chancery, in
such cases as shall be directed by law : provided that nothing
herein contained shall prevent the general assembly from add
ing another judge to the supreme court after the term of five
years, in which case the judges may divide the state into two
circuits, within which any two of the judges may hold a court.
3. The several courts of common pleas shall consist of a
president and associate judges. The state shall be divided by
law into three circuits : there shall be appointed in each cir
cuit, a president of the courts, who, during his continuance
in office, shall reside therein. There shall be appointed in

200 CONSTITUTION OF
each county not more than three, nor less than two associate
judges, who during their continuance in office shall reside
therein. The president and associate judges, "in their respec
tive counties, any three of whom shall be a quorum, shall com
pose the court of common pleas, which court shall have com
raon law and chancery jurisdiction in all such cases as shall
be directed ¦ by law ; provided that nothing herein contained
shall be construed to prevent the legislature from, increasing
the number of circuits and presidents after the term of five
years. 4. The judges of the supreme court, and courts of common
pleas shall have complete criminal jurisdiction in such cases
andin such manner as may be pointed out by law.
5. The court of common pleas of each county shalLhave ju
risdiction of all probate and testamentary matters, granting ad
ministration, the appointment of guardians, and such other
cases as shall be prescribed by law.
6. The judges of the court of common pleas shall, within
their respective counties, have the same powers with the judges
of the supreme court, to issue writs of certiorari to the justices
of fhe peace, to cause their proceedings to be brought before
them, and the Hke right and justice to be done.
7. The judges of the supreme court shall, by virtue of their
offices, be conservators of the. peace throughout the state.
The presidents of the courts of common pleas, shall, by virtue
of their offices, be <;onservators of the peace in their respec
tive circuits ; and the judges of the court of coraraon pleas
shall, by virtue of their offices, be conservators of the peace
in their respective counties.
8. The judges of the supreme court, the. presidents, and
the' associate judges of the coui'ts of common pleas, shall be
appointed by a joint ballot of both houses ofthe general assem
bly, and shall hold their offices fpr the term of seven years, if

THE STATE OF OHIO. 201
80 long they behave well. The judges of the sujireme
court, and tbe presidents of the courts of common pleas, shall,
at stated times, i-eceive for their services an adequate compen
sation, to be fixed by law, which shall not be diminished during
their continuance in office ; but th^y shall receive no fees or
perquisites of office, nor hold any other office of profit or trust
under the authority of this state or the United States.
9. Each court shall appoint its own clerk, for the term of
seven yeare ; but no person shall be appointed clerk, except
pro tempore, who shall not produce to the court appointing him
a certificate from a majority of the judges of the supreme
court, that they judge him to be well qualified to execute the
duties of the office of clerk to any court of the same dignity
with that for which he offers himself They shall be remov
able for breach of good behavior, at any time, by the judges of
the respective courts.
10. The supreme court shall be held once a year in each
county ; and the courts of comraon pleas shall be holden in
each count)' at such times and places as shall be prescribed by
law. 11. A competent number of justices of the peace shall be
elected by the qualified electors in each township in the sever
al counties, and shall continue in office three years ; whose
powers and duties shall from tirae to be regulated and defined
by law.
12. The style of all process shall be : " The state of Ohio ;"
all prosecutions shall be carried on in the name and by
the authority of the state of Ohio ; and all indictments snail
conclude "against the peace and dignity of the sarae."
ARTICLE IV.
§ 1. In all elections, all white male inhabitants, above the
age of twenty-one years, having resided in the state one year

202 CONSTITUTION OF
next preceding ihe election, and who have paid, or are char
ged with, a state or county tax, shall enjoy the right of an
elector ; biit no person shall be entitled to vote, except in the
county or district in which he shall actually reside at the time
of the election.
2. All elections shall be by ballot.
3. Electors shall, in all cases except treason, felony, or
breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their at
tendance at elections, and in going to and; returning from the
same. 4. The legislature shall have full power to exclude from the
privilege of electing, or being elected, any person convicted
of bribery, perjury, or any other infamous crime.
5. Nothing contained in this article shall be so construed as
to prevent \vhite male persons, above the age of twenty-one
years, who are compelled to labor on the roads of their re
spective townships or counties, and who have resided one year
in the state, from having the right of an elector.
ARTICLE v.
^ 1. Captains and subalterns in the militia shall be elected
by those persons in their respective company districts subject
to military duty.
2. Majors shall be elected by the captains and subalterns of
the battalion.
3. Colonels shall be elected by the majors, captains, and sub
alterns of the regiment.
4. Brigadiers-general shall be elected by the commissioned
officers of their respective brigades.
5. Majors-general and quarter-masters-general shall be ap
pointed by joint ballot of both houses of the legislature.
6. The governor shall appoint the adjutant-general. The ma
jors-general shall appoint their aids, and other division staff offi-

THE STATE OF OHIO. 203
cers. The brigadiers-generalshall appoint their brigade-majors,
and other brigade staff officers. The commanding officers of
regiments shall appoint their adjutants, quarter-masters, and
Other regimental staff officers ; and the captains and subalterns
shall appoint their non-coraraissioned officers and musicians.
7. The captains and subalterns of the artillery and caval
ry shall be elected by the persons enrolled in their respective
corps, and the majors and colonels shall be appointed in such
manner as shall be directed by law. The colonels shall ap
point their regimental staff, and the captains and subalterns
their non-comniissioned officers and musicians.
ARTICLE VI.
§ 1. There shall be fleeted in each county, one sherif and
one coroner by the citizens thereof, who are qualified to vote
for members of the assembly ; they shall be elected at the
time and place of holding elections for members of as
sembly ; they shall continue in office two years, if they shall
so long behave well, and until successors be chosen and duly
qualified ; provided, that no person shall be eligible as sherif
for a longer term than four years in any terra of six years.
2. The state treasurer and auditor shall be triennially ap
pointed, by a joint ballot of both houses of the legislature.
3. All town and township officers shall be chosen annually,
by the inhabitants thereof duly qualified to vote for mem
bers of assembly, at such time and place as may be directed
by law.
4. The appointment of all civil officers, not otherwise di
rected by this constitution, shall be made in such manner as
may be directed by law.

204 CONSTITUTION OF

ARTICLE VII.

^ 1. Every person who shall be chosen or appointed to any
office of trust or profit under the authority of the state shall,
before entering on the execution thereof, take an oath or affir
mation to support the constitution of the United States and of
this stafe, and also an oath of office.
2. Any elector who shall receive any gift or reward for
his vote, in meat,"^ drink, money, or otherwise, shall suffer
such punishment as the law shall direct; and any person who
shall directly or indirectly give, proraise, or bestow any such
reward to be elected, shall thereby be rendered incapable for
two years to serve in the office to which he was elected, and
be subject tosuoh other punishment as shall be directed by law.
3. No new county shall be established by the general as
sembly, which shall reduce the county or counties, or either of
them, from which it shall be taken, to less contents than four
hundred square miles, nor shall any county be laid off of less
contents. Every new county, as to the right of suffrage and
representation shall be considered as a part of the county or
counties frora which it was taken, until entitled by numbers to
the right of representation.
4. Chillicothe shall be the seat of government until the year
one thousand eight hundred and eight. No money shall be
raised until the year one thousand eight hundred and nine, by
the legislature of this state, for the purpose of erecting public
buildings for the accommodation of the legislature.
5. That: after the year one thousand eight hundred and six,
whenever two-thirds of the general assembly shall think it ne
cessary to amend or change this constitution, they shall re
commend to the electors, at the next election fbr members to
the general assembly, to vote for or against a convention ; and
if it shall appear that a majority of the citizens of the state.

THE STATE OP OHIO. 205
voting for representatives, have voted for a convention, the
general assembly shall, at their next session, call a convention,
to consist of as many members as there be in the gener
al assembly, to be chosen in the same manner, at the same
place, and by the same electors that choose the general assem
bly, who shall meet within three months after the said election,
for the purpose of revising, amending, or changing the consti
tution. But no alteration of this constitution shall ever take
place so as to introduce slavery, or involuntary servitude into
this state.
6. That the limits and boundaries of this state be ascer
tained, it is declared, that they are as hereafter mentioned —
that is to say, bounded on the east by the Pennsvlvania line ;
on the south by the Ohio river, to the mouth of the Great Mi
ami river ; on the west by the line drawn due north from the
mouth of the Great Miami aforesaid ; and on the north by an
east and west line, drawn through the southerly extreme of
Lake Michigan, running east after intersecting the due north
line aforesaid, from the mouth ofthe Great Miami, until it shall
intersect Lake Erie or the territorial line, and thence with the
same through Lake Erie to the Pennsylvania line aforesaid:
Provided, always, and it is hereby fully understood and de
clared by this convention, that if the southerly bend, or ex
treme of Lake Michigan should extend so far south, that a
line drawn due east from it, should not intersect Lake
Erie, or if it should intersect the said Lake Erie east of the
mouth of the Miarai river of the lake, then, and in that case,
with the assent of the Congress of fhe United States, the nor
thern boundary of this state shall be established by, and extend
ed to a direct line running from the southern extremity of
Lake Michigan to the most northerly cape of the Miami Bay,
after intersecting the due north line from the mouth of the
Great Miarai river as aforesaid, thence north-east to the ter-
18

206 CONSTITUT19N OF
ritorial line, and by the said territorial line to the Pennsylvania
line. ARTICLE VIII.
That the general, great, and essential principles of liberty
and free governraent may be recognized, and forever unalter
ably established, we declare,
§ 1. That all men are born equally free and independent,
and have certain natural, inherent, and unalienable rights,
among which are the enjoying and defending life and liberty,
acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and piirsuing
and obtaining happiness and safety ; and every free, republi
can government, being founded on their sole authority, and
organized for the great purpose of protecting their rights and
liberties, and securing their independence — to effect these ends
they have at all times a complete power to alter, reform, or
abolish their government whenever they raay deem it neces
sary. 2. There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude
in this state, otherwise than for the punishment of crimes,
whereof the party shall have been duly convicted ; nor shall
any male person, arrived at the age of twenty-one years, or
female person, arrived at the age of eighteen years, be held to
serve any person as a servant under the pretense of indenture,
or otherwise, unless such person shall enter into such inden
ture while in a state of perfect freedom, and on condition
of a bona fide consideration received or to be received for their
service, except as before excepted. Nor shall any indenture of
any negro or mulatto hereafter raade and executed, out of the
state, or if made in the state, where the term of service ex
ceeds one year, be of the least validity, except those given in
the case of apprenticeships.
3. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to wor-

THE STATE OF OHIO. 207
ship Almighty God according to the dictates of conscience ;
that no human authority can in any case whatever, control
or interfere with the rights of conscience ; that no man
shall be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of
worship, or to maintain any ministry, against his consent ;
and that no preference shall ever be given by law to any re
ligious society or mode of worship : and no religious test
shall he required as a qualification to any office of trust or
profit But religion, morality, and knowledge, being essen
tially necessary to good government, ,and the happiness of man
kind, schools, and the raeans of instruction, shall forever be
encouraged by legislative provision, not inconsistent with the
rights of conscience.
4. Private property ought, and shall ever be held inviolate,
but always subservient to the public welfare, provided a com
pensation in money be made to the owner.
5. That the people shall be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and possessions, from unwarrantable searches and
seizures ; and that general warretnts, whereby an officer may
be commanded to search suspected places, without probable evi
dence of the fact committed, or to seize any person or per
sons, not named, whose offenses are not particularly described,
and without oath or affirmation, are dangerous to liberty, and
shall not be granted.
6. That the printing presses shall be open and free to every
citizen who wishes to examine the proceedings of any branch
of government, or the conduct of any public officer ; and no
law shall ever restrain the right thereof Every citizen has an
indisputable right to speak, write, or print, upon any subject,
as he thinks proper, being liable for the abuse of that liberty,
In prosecutions for any publication respecting the official con
duct of men in a public capacity, or where the matter publish'
ed is proper for public information, the truth thereof may al

208 CONSTITUTION OF
ways be given in evidence ; and in all indictments for libels,
the jury shall have a right to determine the law and the facts
under the direction of the court, as in other cases.
7. That all courts shall be open, and every person, for any
injury done him in his lands, goods, person, or reputation,
shall have remedy by the due course of law ; and right and
justice administered without denial or delay.
8. That the right of trial by jury shall be inviolate.
9. That no power of suspending the laws shall be exercised
unless by the legislature.
10. That no person arrested or confined in jail shall be treat
ed with unnecessary rigor, or be put to answer any criminal
charge, but by presentment, indictraent, or impeachment.
11. That in all criminal prosecutions, the accused hath a
right to be heard by himself and his counsel, to demand the
nature and cause of the accusation against him, and to have a
copy thereof ; to meet the witnesses face to face ; to have com
pulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor ; and in
prosecutions by indictment or presentment, a speedy public
trial, by an impartial jury of the county or district in which
the offense shall have been committed, and shall not be com
pelled to give evidence against himself — nor shall he be twice
put in jeopardy for the same offense.
12. That all persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties
unless for capital offenses, where the proof is evident, or the
presumption great, and the privilege of the writ of habeas
corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in case of rebel
lion or invasion the public safety may require it.
13. Excessive bail shall not be required, excessive fines
shall not be imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments in
flicted. 14. All penalties shall be proportioned to the nature of the
offense. Nowise legislature will affix the same punishments

THE STATE OF OHIO. 209
to the crime of theft, forgery, and the like, which they do to
those of murder and treason. When the same undistinguish
ed severity is exerted against all offenses, the people are led
to forget the real distinction in the crimes themselves, and to
commit the most flagrant with as little compunction as they do
the slightest offenses. For the same reasons, a multitude of
sanguinary laws are both impolitic and unjust ; the true de
sign of idl punishments being to reform, not to exterminate
mankind. 15. The person of a debtor, where there is not strong pre
sumption of fraud, shall not be continued in prison after de
livering up his estate for the benefit of his creditor or credit
ors, in such manner as shall be prescribed by law.
16. No ex post facto law, nor any law impairing the va
lidity of contracts, shall ever be made ; and no conviction shall
work corruption of blood, or forfeiture of estate.
17. That no person shall be liable to be transported out of
this state for any offense committed within the state.
18. That a frequent recurrence to the fundamental princi
ples of civil government is absolutely necessary to preserve
the blessings of liberty.
19. That the people have a right to asserable together, in a
peaceable manner, to consult for their common good, to in
struct their representatives, and to apply to the legislature for
redress of greivances.
20. That the people have a right to bear arms for the de
fense of themselves and the state ; and as standing armies in
time of peace are dangerous to liberty, they shall not be
kept up, and that the military shall be kept under strict subor
dination to the civil power.
21. That no person in this state, except such as are employ
ed in the army or navy of the United States, or militia in ac-

18*

210 CONSTITUTION OF
tnal service, shall be subject to corporeal punishment under
the military law.
22. That no soldier in time of ' peace be quartered in any
house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war,
but in the manner prescribed by law.
23. That the levying taxes by the poll is grievous and op
pressive ; therefore, the legislature shall never levy a poll tax
for county or state purposes.
24. That no hereditary emoluments, privileges; or honors
shall ever be granted or conferred by this state.
25. That no law shall be passed to prevent the poor in the
.several counties and townships within this state, from an equal
participation in the schools, academies, colleges and universi
ties within this state, which are endowed, in whole or in part,
from the revenue arising from donations" niade by the United
States for the support of schools and colleges ; and the doors
of the said schools, academies, and universities, shall be open
for the reception of scholars, students, and teachers of every
grade, without any distinction or preference whatever, contra
ry to the intent for which the said donations were raade.
26. That laws j^hall be passed by the legislature which shall
secure to each and every denomination of religious societies, in
each surveyed township, which now is, or may hereafter be.
formed in the state, an equal participation, according to their
number of adherents, of the profits arising from the land
granted by Congress for the support of religion, agreeably to
the ordinance or act of Congress, making the' appropriation.
27. That every association of persons, when regularly form
ed within this state, and having given themselves a name, may,
on application to the legislature, be entitled to receive letters
of incorporation, to enable them to hold estates, real and per
sonal, for the support of their schools, academies, colleges, uni
versities, and for other purposes.

THE STATE OF OHIO. 211
28. To guard against the transgression of the high powers
which we have delegated, we declare that all powers not hereby
delegated, remain with the people.
SCHEDULE.
§ 1. That no evils or inconveniences may arise from the
change of a territorial governraent to a permanent state gov
ernment ; itis declared by this convention that all rights,
suits, actions, prosecutions, claims, and contracts, both as it re
spects individuals and bodies corporate, shall continue as if no
change had taken place in this government.
2. All fines, penalties, and forfeitures, due and owing to the
territory of the United States, north-west of the river Ohio,
shall inure to the use of the state. All bonds executed to the
governor or any other officer in his official capacity in the ter
ritory, shall pass over to fhe governor, or the other officers of
the state, and their successors in office, for the use of the stafe,
or by him or them to be respectively assigned over to the use
of those concerned, as the case raay be.
3. The governor, secretary, and judges, and all other offi
cers under the territorial governraent shall continue in the ex
ercise of the duties of their respective departraents, until the
said officers are superseded under the authority of this con
stitution. 4. All laws and parts of laws now in force in this territory, not
inconsistent with this constitution, shall continue and re
main in full effect until repealed by the legislature, except so
much ofthe act entitled " An act regulating the admission and
practice of attorneys and counsellors at law ; and of the act
made amendatory thereto, as relates to the term of time which
the applicant shall have studied law, his residence within the
territory, and the term of time which he shall have practiced as

212 CONSTITUTION OF
an attorney-at-law, before he can be admitted to the degree
of a counsellor-at-law.
5. The governor of the state shall make use of his private
seal until a state seal be procured.
6. The president of the convention shall issue writs of elec
tion to the sherifs of the several counties, requiring them to
proceed to the election of governor, members^ of the general
assembly, sherifs, and coroners, at their respective election dis
tricts in each county, on the second Tuesday of January next,
which elections shall be cdhducted in the manner prescribed by
the existing election laws of this territory ; and the members
of the general assembly then elected, shall continue to exer
cise the duties of their respective offices until the next annual
or biennial election thereafter, as prescribed in this constitu
tion, and no longer.
7. Until the first enumeration shall be made, as directed in
the second section of the first article of this constitution, the
county of Hamilton shall be entitled to four senators and eight
representatives ; the county of Clermont one senator and two
representatives ; the county of Adams, one senator and three
representatives ; the county of Ross two senators and four
representatives ; the county of Fairfield one senator and two
representatives ; the county of Washington two senators and
three representatives ; the county of Belmont one senator and
two representatives ; the county of Jefferson two senators
and four representatives ; and the county of Trumbull one
senator and two representatives.
Done in convention, at Chillicothe, the 29th day of November,
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
two, and of the independence ofthe United States of Amer«
ica the twenty-seventh.

THE STATE OF OHIO.

213

In testimony
names.

whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our
EDWARD TIFFIN, President.

Jos. Darlington,
Israel Dokaldson,
Tao. Kerker,
James Caldwell,
Elijah Woods,
PmLip Gatch,
James Sargent,
Henrt Abrahs,
Em. Carpenter,
John W. Browme,-
Charles W. Btrd,
Fba. Ddnlavt,
Wm. Goforth,
John KrrcHELi.,
Jer. Morrow,
John Paul,
John M'Intirb,
Attest.

John Reillt,
John Smith,
John Wilson,
Rudolph Bear,
Geo. Humphrey,
John Milligan,
Nath. Updegraff,
Baz. Wells,
Mich. Baldwin,
James Grubb,
Nath. Massie,
T. Worthington,
Davh) Abbott,
Sam. Hunt|||gton,
Eph. Cutler,
Ben. Ivbs Gilman,
Rufus Putnam,
THO. SCOTT, -Secre/ary.

CONSTITUTION

THE UNITED STATES

We, the people of the United States, in order to form a
more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquil
lity, provide for the comraon defense, promote the general wel
fare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our
posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the
United States of America. article I.
^ 1. All legislative powers herein granted, shall he vested
in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a
senate and house of representatives.
2. The house of representatives shall be composed of mem
bers chosen every second year, by the people of the several
states ; and the electors in each state shall have the qualifica
tions requisite for electors ofthe most numerous branch ofthe
state legislature.
No person shall be a representative who shall not have at
tained to the age of twenty-five years, and been seven years
a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elec
ted, be an inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen.

216 CONSTITUTION OF
Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among
the several states, which may be included within this Union,
according to their respective numbei-s ; which shall be deter
mined by adding to the whole number of free persons, inclu
ding those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding
Indians not taxed, three-fifths of allothei persons.
The actual enumeration shall be made within three years
after the first meeting of the Congress of the United
States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such
manner as they shall by law direct. The number of repre
sentatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but
each state shall have at least one representative : and until
such enumeration shall be made, the state of New Hampshire
shall be entitled to choose three ; Massachusetts eight ; Rhode
Island and Providence Plantations one ; Connecticut five ;
New York six ; New Jersey four ; Pennsylvania eight ; Del
aware one ; Maryland six ; Virginia ten ; North Carolina
five. South Carolina five, and Georgia three.
When vacancies happen in the representation from any state,
the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election
to fill such vacancies.
The house of representatives shall choose their speaker and
other officers ; and shall have the sole power of impeachment.
' <§ 3, The senate of the United States shall be composed of
two senators from each state, chosen by the legislature there
of, for six years ; and each senator shall have one vote.
Immediately after they shall be assembled, in consequence
of the first election, they shall be divided, as equally as may
be, into three classes. The seats of the senators of the first
class shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year ; of
the second class at the expiration of the fourth year; and of
the third class at the expiration of the sixth year ; so that one
third may be chosen every second year ; and if vacancies hap-

the united states. 217
pen, by resignation, or otherwise, during fhe recess of tho leg
islature of any state, the executive thereof may make tempo
rary appointments, until the next meeting of fhe legislature,
which shall then fill such vacancies.
No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to
the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of thn
United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabit
ant of that state for which he shall be chosen.
The vice president of the United States shall be president
of fhe senate, but shall have no vote unless fhey be equally di-
\ jded. The senate shall choose their other officers, and also a pres
ident pro tempore, in the absence of the vice presidenf, or
when he shall exercise the- office of president of fhe United
States. The senate shall have the sole power to try all impeach
ments. When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath
or affirmation. When the president ofthe United States is
tried, the chief justice shall preside ; nnd no person shall bo
convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the mem
bers present.
Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further
than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and en
joy any office of honor, trust or profit, under tho United
States ; but the party convicted shall, nevertheless, be liable
and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment ac
cording to law.
4. The times, places, and manner of holding elections for
senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in each state
by the legislature thereof; but the Congrfess may at any time
by law, make or alter such regulations, except as to the j)lac(.'s
of choosing senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year ;
19

218 constitution of
and such meeting shall be on fhe first Monday in December,
unless they shall by law appoint a different day.
5. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns,
and qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each
shall constitute a quorum to do business ; but a smaller num
ber may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to
compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner and
under such penalties as each house may provide.
Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, pun
ish its members for disorderly behavior, and with the concur
rence of two-thirds, expel a member.
Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from
time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may, in
their judgment require secrecy ; and the yeas and nays of
the members of either house, on any question, shall, at the de
sire of one-fifth of those present, beentered on the journal.
Neither house, duringthe session of Congress, shall, without
the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor
to any other place than that in which the two houses shall be
sitting. 6. 1* he-senators and representatives shall receive a compen
sation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of
the treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases except
treason, felony, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest
during their attendance at the session of their respectivehouses,
and in going to or returning from the same ; and for any speech
or debate in either house, they shall not be questioned in any
other place.
No senator or representative shall, during the time for which
he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the au
thority of the United States, which shall have been created, or
the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during
such time, and no person holding any office under the United

the united states. 319
States shall be a member of either house during his continu
ance in office.
7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the house of
representatives ; but the senate may propose, or concur with
amendments, as on other bills.
Every bill which shall have passed the house of representa
tives and the senate, shall, before it become a law, be present
ed to the president of the United States ; if he approve, he
shall sign it, but if not, he shall return it, with his objections,
to that house in which it shall have originated, who shall enter
the objections at iaj'ge on their journal, and proceed to recon
sider it. If, after such reconsideration, two thirds of that
house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with
the objections, to the other house, by which it shall Tftewise
¦ be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of that house,
it shall become a law. But in all such cases, the votes of both
houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names
of the persons voting for and against the bill, shall be entered
on the journal of each house respectively. If any bill shall
not be returned by the president within fen days, (Sundays ex
cepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same
shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the
Congress by their adjournment, prevent its return, in which
case it shall not be a law.
Every order, resolution, or vote, to which the concurrence
of the senate and house of representatives may be necessary,
(except on a question of adjournment,) shall be presented to
the president of the United States ; and before the same shall
take effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved
by him, shall be re-passed by two-thirds of the senate and
house of representatives, according to the rules and limitations
prescribed in the case of a bill.
8. The Congress shall have power :

220 constitution op
To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises ; to
pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general
welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and exci
ses shall be uniform throughout the United States:
To borrow money on the credit of fhe United States:
To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the
several states and with the Indian tribes:
To establish an uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform
laws on the subject/ of bankruptcies, throughout, the United
States: y
To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign
coin,_. and fix the standard of weights and measures:
JJlo provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securi
ties a^d current coin of the United States :
¦ To establish post-offices and post-roads :
To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by secu
ring, for liraited tiraes, to authors and inventors, the exclusive
right to their respective writings and discoveries :
To constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court :
To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on
the high seas, and offenses against the law of nations :
To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and
make rules concerning captures on land and water :-
To raise and support armies ; but no appropriation of money
to that use shall be for a longer term than two years :
To provide and maintain a navy :
To make rules for the government and regulation of tbo
land and naval forces:
To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws
of fhe Union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions :
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining tlw:
militia, and for governing such part of them as may be em-
jiloyed, in the service of the United States, reserving' to the

THK UNITED STATES. 221
States respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the au
thority of training the militia according to the discipline pre
scribed by Congress.
To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever,
over such district, (not exceeding ten miles square,) as may
by cession of particular states, and the acceptance of Con
gress, become the seat of government of the United States, and
to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the
consent of the legislature of the stafe in which the same shall
be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards
and other needful buildings — ^and
To. make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for
CJHTying into execution the foregoing powers and all other
powers vested by this constitution in the government of the
United States, or in any department or officer thereof.
9. The migration or importation of such persons as any of
the states now existing, shall think proper to admit, shall not
be prohibited by the Congress, prior to the year one thousand
eight hundred and eight ; but a tax or duty may be imposed
on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each person..
The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be sus
pended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the pub
lic safety may require it
No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed..
No capitation, or other direct tax, shall be laid, unless in
proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed
to be taken.
No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any
state. No preference shall be given by any regulation of com
merce or revenue to the ports of one state over those of ano-
flier; nor shall vessels bound to, or from one state, be obliged
to enter, clear, or pay duties in another.
No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in con-
19*

322 CONSTITUTION OF
sequence of appropriations made by law ; and a regular state
ment and account of the receipts and expenditures of all pub
lic money shall be published from time to time.
No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States ;
and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them,
shall, without the consent of Congress, accept of any present,
emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any
king, prince, or foreign state.
10. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confed
eration ; grant letters of marque and reprisal ; coin raoney ;
emitbills of credit ; raake any thing but gold and silver coin a
tender in payment of debts ; pass any bill of attainder, ex post
facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts, or grant
any title of nobility.
No-^ state shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any
imposts or duties on-imporfs or exports except what may be ab
solutely necessary for executing its inspection laws ; and the
net produce of all duties and imposts, laid by any stafe on im
ports or exports, shall be for the use of the treasury of the
United States ; and all such laws shall be subject to the revis
ion and control of the Congress. No state shall, without the
consent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops or
ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement
or compact with another state, or with a foreign power, or en
gage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent
danger as will not adrait of delay.
article II.
§ 1. The executive power shall be vested in a president of
the United States of America. He shall hold his office du
ring the term of four years ; and together with the vice presi
dent, chosen for the same term, be elected as follows :
Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature

THE UNITED STATES. 223
thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole
number of senators and representatives fo which the state
may be entitled in the Congress : but no senator or representa-
tative, or person holding an office of trust or profit under the
United States shall be appointed an elector.
[ The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote
by ballot for two persons of whom one at least shall not be an
inhabitant of the same state with themselves : and they shall
make a list of all the persons voted for, and of the number of
votes for eadi ; which list they shall sign and cerfifj', and
transmit, sealed, to jfhe seat of the government of the United
States, directed to the president of the senate. The president
of the senate shall, in the presence of the senate and house of
representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall
then be counted. The person having the greatest nuraber of
votes shall be the president, if such number be a majority of
the whole number of electors appointed ; and if there be
more than one who have such majority, and have an equal
number of votes, then the house of representatives shall im
mediately choose by ballot, one of them for president ; and if
no person nave a majority, then from the five highest on the
list, the said house shall, in like manner, choose the president :
but in choosing the president, the votes shall be taken by
states, the representation from each state having one vote ; a
quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members
from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states
shallbe necessary to a choice. In every case, after the choice
of the president, the person having the greatest nuraber of
votes of the electors shall be the vice president. But if there
should remain two or more who have equal votes, the senate
shall choose from them, by ballot, the vice president.]
[ This clause altogether altered and supplied by the XHth
amendment.']

224 CONSTITUTION OF
The Congress may determine the time of choosing the
electors, and the day on which they shall give their votes ;.
which day shall be the same throughout the United States.
No person except a natural born citizen or a citizen of tihe
United States at the time of the adoption of this constiution,
shall be eligible to the office of president ; neither shall any
person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained
to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resi
dent within the United States.
In case of the removal of the president from office, or of his
death, resignation or inability to discharge the powers and du
ties of the said office, the same shall devolve oii the vice presi
dent, and the Congress raay by law provide for the case of re
moval, death, resignation or inability, both of the president
and vice president, declaring what officer shall then act as pres
ident, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the disabili
ty be removed, or a president shall be elected.
The president shall, at stated times, receive for his services
a compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminish
ed during the period for which he,shall havebeen elected; and
he shall not receive, within that period, any other emolument
from the United States, or any "of them.
Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take-
the following oath or affirmation i
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully exe
cute the office of president of the United States, and will, to the
best of my ability, presei've, protect and defend the constitu~
lion of the United States."
2. The president shall be commander-in-chief of the army
and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the sev
eral states, when called info the actual service of the United
States : he may require the opinion in writing, of the princi-

THE UNITED ST.\TES. 225
pal officer in each of fhe executive departments, upon any sub
ject relating to the duties of their respective offices ; and lie
shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses
against the United States, e.Kcept in cases of impeachment.
He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of
the senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the sena
tors present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with
the advice and consent ofthe senate, shall appoint ambassador.s
other public ministers and consuls, judges of the supreme court,
and all other officers of the United States, whose appointments
are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be es
tablished by law. But the Congress may by law vest the ap
pointment of such inferior officers as they think proper, in the
president alone, or in the courts of law or the heads of depart
ments. The president shall have power to fill up all vacancies thfit
may happen during the recess of the senate by granting com
missions, which shall expire at the end of their next session.
3. He shall from time to time, give to the Congress infi^r-
mation of the state of the Union, and recommend to their con
sideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expe
dient: he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene lx)th
houses, or either of ihem ; and in case of disagreement be
tween them, with respect to the time of adjournment, he raay
adjourn them fo such time as he shall think proper : he shall
receive anrtbassadors and other public officers: he shall fake
care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commis
sion all tbe officers of the United States.
4. The presidenf, vice president, andall civil officers ofthe
United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment
for, and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes
and misdemeanors.

236 CONSTITUTION OF

ARTICLE IH.

§ 1. The judicial power of the United States shall be vest
ed in one supreme court, and in such inferior courts as the
Congress may, from time to time ordain and establish. The
judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their
offices during good behavior, and shall at stated times, receive
for their services a compensation, which shall not be diminished
during their continuance in office.
2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and
equity, arising under this constitution, the laws of the United
States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their
authority; toall cases affecting ambassadors, other public minis
ters and consuls ; to all cases of admiralty and maritime juris
diction ; to controversies to which the United States shall be a
party ; to controversies between two or more states ; be
tween a state and citizens of another state ; between citizens
of the same state, claiming land% under grants of different
states ; and between a state or the citizens thereof, and foreign
states, citizens or subjects.
In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and
consuls, and those in which a state shall be a party, the supreme
court shall have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases be
fore mentioned, the supreme court shall have appellate jurisdic
tion, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under
Buch regulations as the Congress shall make.
The trial of all crimes, .except in cases of impeachment,
shall be by jury ; and such trial shall be held In the stafe where
the said crimes shall have been committed ; but when not com
mitted within any state, the trial shall be at such place or places
68 the Congress may by law have directed.
3. Treason against the United States shall consist only in
levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giv-

THE UNITED STATES. 227
ing them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of
treason, unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the sansa
overt act, or on confession in open court.
The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment
of treason ; but no attainder of treason shall work corruption
of blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the person at
tainted. ARTICLE IV.
^ 1. Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the
public acts, records and judicial proceedings of every other
state. And the Congress may, by general laws, prescribe the
manner in which such acts records, and proceedings, shall be
proved, and the effect thereof.
2. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to oil privi
leges and immunities of citizens in the several states.
A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or oth
er crime, who shall flee from justice and be found in another
state, shall on demand of the executive authority of the state
from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the
state having jurisdiction of the crime.
No person held to service or labor in one state under the
laws thereof, escaping into another, shall in consequence of
any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service
or labor ; but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to
whom such service or labor may be due.
3. New states may be admitted by the Congress into this
Union ; but no state shall be formed or erected within the ju
risdiction of any other state ; nor any stafe be formed by tbe
junction of two or more states, or parts of states, without the
consent of the legislatures of the states concerned, as well as
of the Congress.
The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all

228 CONSTITUTION OF
needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other
property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this
constitution shallbe so construed as to prejudice any claims of
the United States, or of any particular state.
4. The United States shall guarantee to every state in-tliis
Union, a republican form of government, and shall profec-t
each of them against invasion ; and on appplication of the leg
islature or of the executive, (when the legislature cannot be
convened,) against domestic violence.
ARTICLE V.
The Congress, whenever two-thirdsof both houses shall deem
it necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitution ; or
on the application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the sev
eral states, shall call tt 'convention for proposing amendmenis,
which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes,
as a part of this consfhution, when ratified by the legislatures
of three-fourths of the several states, orty conventions in three-
fourths thereof, as the. one or the other mode of ratification
raay be proposed by the Congress ; provided, that no amend
ment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight
hundred and eight, shall in any manner affect the first and
fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article ; and that
no state without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suf
frage in the senate. ARTICLE VI.
All debts contracted, and engagements entered into, before
the adoption of this constitution,, shall be as valid against the
United^States under this constitution, as under the confederu-
tion. This constitution, and the laws of ~lhe United States, which
shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or

THE UNITED STATES. 229
which shall be made under the authority of the United States,
shall be the supreme law of the land, and the judges in every
state shall be bound thereby, anything in the constitution or
laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding.
The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the
members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and
judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several
states, shall be bound by an oath or affirmation, to support this
constitution ; but no religious test shall ever be required as a
qualification to any office or public trust under the United
States. ARTICLE VIL
The ratification of the conventions of nine states shall be
sufficient for the establishment of this constitution between the
states so ratifying the same.
Done in convention, by the unanimous consent of the states
present, the seventeenth dayof September, in the year of our
'Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of
the Independence of the United States of America, the
twelfth. In witness whereof, we have subscribed our names.
* GEORGE WASHINGTON
President, and delegate from Yirginia.
New Hampshire — John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman.
Massachusetts — Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King.
Connecticut — Wm. Samuel Johnson, Roger Sherman.
New York — Alexander Hamilton.
New Jersey — William Livingston, William Patterson, Da
vid Brearly, Jonathan Dayton.
Pennsylvania — Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, Thom
as Fitzsimons, Jaraes Wilson, Thomas Mifflin, George Cly-
mer, Jared Ingersoll, Governour Morris.
20

230 CONSTITUTION OP
Delaware — George Read, Gunning Bedford, Jr., John Dick
inson, Richard Bassett, Jacob Broom.
Maryland — James McHenry, Daniel of St. Tho. Jenifer,
Daniel Carroll.
Virginia — John Blair, James Madison, Jr.
North Carolina — William Blount, Richard Dobbs Spaight,
Hugh Williamson.
South Carolina — John Rutledge, Charles Pinckney, Pierce
Butler, Chas. Cotesw orth Pinckney.
Georgia — William Few, Abraham Baldwin.
Attest, WILLIAM JACKSON, Secretary.
AMENDMENTS.
ARTICLE I.
First;,Congress, first session, March 4, 1789.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment
of religion, or ptehibiting the free exercise fiiereof ; or abridg
ing the freedora of speech, or the press ; or the right of the
people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the' goverment
for a redress of grievances. ARTICLE II.
A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of
a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms,
shall not be infringed. ARTICLE III.
No soldier shall in time of peace, be quartered in any house
without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in
a manner to be prescribed by law.

THE UNITED STATES. 231

ARTICLE IV.

I'he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures,
shall not be violated ; and no warrants shall issue, but upon pro
bable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly
describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things
to be seized. ARTICLE V.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise
•nfamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictraent of a
grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces,
or in the militia, when in actual service, ,in time of war or
public danger ; nor shall any person be subject for the same
offense, to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb ; nor shall
be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against
himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property, without
due process of lay : nor shall private property be taken for
public use, without just compensatiorS* ARTICLE VI.
In all criminal prosecutions, tb.e accused shall enjoy the
right to a speedy and public tri?',, by an irapartial jury of the
state and district wherein t.^ie crime shall have been commit
ted ; which disirict shall, have been previously ascertained by
law ; and to be informed of the nature and cause of the ac
cusation ; to be confronted with the witnesses against hira ; to
have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor,
and to have the as^sistance of counsel for his defense.

232 CONSTITUTION OF
ARTICLE VII.
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy
shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be
preserved; and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re
examined in any court of the United States than according
to the rules of common law. ARTICLE VIII.
Excessive bail shall- not be required, nor excessive fines
imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
ARTICLE IX.
The enumeration in the constitution of certain rights, shall
not be construea to deny or disparage others retained by the
people. ARTICLE X.
The powers not delegated to the UniteiJ States by the con
stitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the
states respectively, or to the people.
ARTICLE XI.
ThirdCongi'ess, second session, Decembers, 1793.
The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed
to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecu
ted agSinst one ofthe United States by citizens of another state,
or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.
ARTICLE XIL
Eightli Congress, first session, October 17, 1803.
The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote,
by ballot, for president and vice president, one of whom, at

THE UNITED STATES. 233
least, shall not be an inhabitant ofthe same state with themselves ;
they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as presi
denf, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as vice presi
dent ; and they shall raake distinct lists of all persons voted for
as president, and of all persons voted for as vice president, and
of the number of votes for each ;. which lists they shall sign
and certify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat of government of
tiie- United States, directed to the president of the senate ; the
president of the senate, shall, in the presence of the senate
and house of representatives, open all the certificates, and the
votes shall then be counted ; the person having the greatest
number of votes for president shall be the president, if such nura
ber be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed ;
and if no person have such majority, then from the persons
having the highest nuraber, not exceeding three, on the list
of those -voted for £is president, the house of representatives
shall choose immediately, by ballot, the president ; but in
choosing the president^ the votes shall be taken by states,) the
representation from each state having one vote ; a quorum for
this purpose shall consist of a member or merabers frora two-
thirds of, the states, and- a raajority of all the states shall be
necessary to a choice ; and if the house of representatives
shall not choose a president, whenever the right of choice
shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next
following, then the vice president shall act as president, as in
the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the
president. The person having the- greatest number of votes as vice
president, shall be the vice president, if such number be a ma
jority of the whole number of electors appointed ; and if no
person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers
on. the list, the- senate shall choose the vice president; a quo-
20*

234 CONSTITUTION.
rum for tbe purpose shall consist of twx)-thirds of the -whole
number of senators; and a majority of the whole number shall
be necessary to a choice.
But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of
president, shall be eligible to that of vice president of the
the United States.

TABULAR yiE¥S, &C.

Names of all county officers from the organization of the-
county down to the present year, with the time ofthe election
of each.
[Note. Those officers having the letter c, annexed were
appointed by the county commissioners. Those having the
letters c p, were appointed by the court of common pleas, pur^
suant to the laws then in force.}

YEAR,

.\LL-^J.

YEAR

NAMES.

ELECTED.

NAMES.

ELECTED.

Agreen Ingraham,.

1824

Levi Keller,

1838

II u

1826

11 11

1840

William Patterson,

1828

Uriah P. Coonrod,

1842

David Bishop,

1830

11 11

1844

11 (t

1832.

Eden Lease,.

1846.

Joel Stone,

1834

(E {(..

183e

CORONERS.
Christopher Stone,
1824
George Flack,.
1832
(( (C
1826
Eli Norris,
1834
William Toll,
1828
Levi Keller,
1836
il ((
1830
Henry McCartney,
1838
236

TABULAR

VIEWS.

YEAR

YEAR

NAMES. 1

ELECTED.

NAMES. ELECTED.

Daniel Brown,

1840

Gorge H. Show,

1844

George H, Show,

1842 r

Sarauel Herrin,

1846

AUDITORS.
David Smith,
1824
Levi Davis,
1836
11 II
1826
II II
1838
II 11
1828
Gabriel J. Keeo,
184.0
II 11
1830
II II
1S42,
David E. Owens,
1832
Frederick W. Green,
1844
II K
1834
II II
1.846
TREASURERS.
Milton McNeal, c
1824
John Gooden,
1835 .
11 11 c
1825
11 II
1837
11 ll (.
1826
Joshua Seney,
1839
Agreen Ingraham, c
1827
II II
1841
Jacob Plane, c
1828
Richard Williams,
1843
II II
1829
II II
1845
.1 II
1831
George Knupp,
1847
.{ohn Gooden,
1833
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
Rodolphus Dickinson
, e p 1824
John J. Steiner,
1839
Abel Rawson, c p
1826
Joel W. Wilson,
1«40
Sidney Smith,
1833
U 11
1842
Selah Chapin, Jr.
1835
William Lang,.
1844
Ifihn J. Steiner,
1837
(1 11
184P
TABULAR VIEWS.

237

COMMISSIONERS.

YEAR
NAMES. ELECTED.
Thomas Boyd, 1824
Benjamin Whitmore, 1824
Doctor Dunn, 1824
Thomas Boyd, 1825
Timothy P. Roberts, 1826
James Gordon, 1826
Case Brown, 1827
James Gordon, 1828
Tunothy P. Roberts, 1829
Case Brown, 1830
David Risdon, 1831
John Keller, 1832
John Crum, 1 year, 1833
Marcus Y. Graff, 2 yrs. 1833
John Seitz, 3 years, 1833

NAMES. I
Lorenzo Abbott,
Benjamin Whitmore,
John Seitz,
Lorenzo Abbott,
John Terry,
Andrew More,
George Stoner,
John Terry,
Joseph McClelland,
Morris P. Skinner
Jacob Decker,
Joseph McClelland^
Morris P. Skinner,
Jacob Decker,

COUNTY SURVEYORS.
David Risdon, 1824 Jonas Hershberger,
George W. Gist, 1836 Thomas Hemming,
James Durbin, 1837 " "

TEAR
ILECTED. 1834 18351836 1837
1838
1839 1840 18411842
1843 1844 1845
1846 1847

1839
1842 1845

Neal McGaffey, c p
Abel Rawson, c p
II 11
WilUam H. Kessler, 1839

RECORDERS. 1824 William H. Kessler, 1842
1828 « " 1845
1836 Robert M. C. Martin, 1846

238

TABULAB

: VIEWS.

ASSESSORS.

YEAR
YEAR
NAMES.
ELECTED.
NAMES. ELECTED.
David Risdon,
1827
John W. Eastman,
1836
11 11
1829
Robert Holley,
1837
John Wright,
1831
Samuel S. Martin,
1838
Reuben Williams,
1833
BMijamin Carpenter,
1840
John Welch,
1835
ASSOCIATE JUDGES.
William Cornell,
1824
Henry C. Brish,
1838
Jacques Hulbert,
1824
Andrew Lugenbill,
1838
Mathew Clark,
1824
Lowell Robinson,
1838
Agreen Ingraham,
1831
Andrew Lugenbill, ¦•
1845
Benjamin J'ittenger,
1831
William Toll,
1845
Selden Graves,
1831
Henry Ebert,
1845
Note. Associate judges are appointed by the legislature.
CLERKS OF COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. ,
Charles F. Dresbach,
Henry Ebert,
18401847
Neal McGaffey, 1824
Joseph Howard, 1830
Luther A. Hall, 1834
(At the October term of this year, Samuel Stoner was ap
pointed clerk pro tem.)
Note. Clerks of the court of comraon pleas are appoint.
by the judges.
M ACT,
Incorporating the Seneca county Academy, passed March 4th, 1836.
§ 1. Beit enacted by tlie general assembly ofthe state of Ohio,
That Samuel Waggoner, Sidney Sraith, Joshua Maynard,
Chancey Rundell, Timothy P. Roberts, Sola Chapin, Jun., and
Calvin Bradley, of the county of Seneca, together with such
persons as may be associated with them for the purpose of es
tablishing an academy in the town of Republic, be and they
are hereby created a body politic and corporate, with perpetual
succession, by the name of the " Seneca County Academy,"
and by that name shall be competent to contract and be con-
trapted with, to sue, and be sued, answer, and be answered
unto, in all courts of law and equity ; and to acquire, possess
and enjoy, and to sell, convey, and dispose of property both
personal and real ; and shall possess all the powers usually in
cident to such corporations. Provided, that the annual income
of such property shall not exceed two thousand dollars.
2. That any three of the above named persons shall have
power to call a meeting by giving ten days previous notice
thereof, by advertisement set up at three of the most public
places in the township of Scipio, aforesaid.
3. That said corporation shall have power to form a consti
tution and adopt by-laws for its government, to prescribe the
number and title of its officers and define their powers and du
ties, to prescribe the manner in which members may be admit-

240 SENECA COUNTY ACADEMY.
led and dismissed, and other powers necessary for the efficient
management of its corporate concerns.
4. That any future legislature may modify or repeal this act.
WILLIAM MEDILL,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
ELIJAH VANCE,
Speaker of the Senate.

tabular views.

241

The following table contains the names of each township in
the county ; also, the names of the gentlemen by whom
they were surveyed into sections and quarter-sections, and
the time of the survey of each
townships. surveyors. year surv'd.
Adams, Sylvanus Bourne, 1820
C. W. Christmas,( Indian Grant,) 1832
BigSpring, J. Glasgow, 1820
C. W. Christmas, (Indian Grant,) 1832
Bloom, Sylvanus Bourne, 1820
Clinton, J. T. Worthington, 1820
Eden, J. T. Worthington, 1820
Hopewell, J. T, Worthington, 1820
Jackson, J. Glasgow, 1820
Loudon, J. Glasgow, 1820
Pleasant, J. T. Worthington, 1820
C. W. Christmas, (Indian Grant,) 1832
Reed, Price J. Kellogg, 1820
Scipio, Sylvanus Bourne, 1820
C. W. Christmas, (Indian Grant,) 1832
Thompson, Price J. Kellogg, 1831
Venice, Price J. Kellogg, 1820
Seneca, J. T. Worthington, 1820
Liberty, J. T. Worthington. 1820

Tabular view of th^ several towns in the county — the town
ships in which they are located — names of surveyors of each
and time of the survey.

TOWNS.

TOWNSHIPS.

SURVEYORS.

YEAR surv'd,

Oakley,

Clinton,

Joseph Vance,

1819

Tiffin,

Clinton,

James Hedges,

1821

Fort Ball,

Clinton,

David Risdon,

1824

31

242

tABULAB VIEWS.

TOWNS.

TOWNSHIPS.

SURVEYORS. YEAR SURv'^D,

Melmore,

Eden,

James Kilbourne,

1824

Caroline,

Venice,

James Kilbourne,

1828

Rome,

Loudon,

David Risdon,

1832

Risdon,

Loudon,

David Risdon,"

1832

Middleburg,

Liberty,

David Risdon,

1832

Attica,

Venice,

David Risdon,

1833

Sulphur Spring

;, Adams,

David Risdon,

1833

Springville,

Big Spring,

David Risdon,

1834

Republic,

Scipio,

R. M. Shoeraaker,

1834

Fort Seneca,

Pleasant, ^

¦ David Risdon,

1836

Hopewell,

Hopewell,

James Durbin,

1836

New Fort Ball,

Clinton,,

James Durbin,

1837

Bloomville,

Bloom,

Julius Treat,

1837

Bascom,

Hopewell,

George W. Gist, ":

1837

Bettsville,

Liberty,

David Risdon,

1838

Elizabethtown,

Bloom,

Jaines Durbin,

1838

Lodi,

Reed,

James Durbin,

1838

Green Spring,

Adams,

David Reeves,

1839

David Risdon,

CC

Thompsontown

, Thompson,

Jonas Hersberger,

1840

Lewisville,

Thompson,

Jonas Hershberger,

1841

Rehoboth,

Jackson,

Thomas Heming,

1844

Oregon,

Big Spring,

R. M. Shoemaker,

1844

Berwick,

Seneca,

Thom^ Heming,

1845

Adamsville,

Adamsr,

Thomas Heming,

1846

90

AN ABSTRACT,
Of the value of personal property in this county, subject to taxation in the years
1825-35, and at the present time.

1825.

1835.

1847.

¦< aa¦<

No. Value. No. Value. ..¦ No. Value.

Horses  322 $13,160
Houses  1,75()
Cattle...  1,079 9,890
Mules 
, Sheep 
Hogs  — ¦
Carriages 
Watches 
Pianos 
Unenumerated articles 
ManuPctr's & Merch. stock  12,500
Credits and moneys   
Total, $37,300

1691 49
4,223

$67,640 20,340 33,784

18 1,110

44,109

6369 $225,242

14,212 4
46,349 2,120 ' 394906 13

$166,983

114,214 155
25,66526,092 17,764 8,198 1,775
56,188
152,925
278,923
$907,141

244

tabular views.

Appraiser|ient and purchase price of the school section (16) in
each township of the county.

TOWNSHIPS.

APPRAISEMENT.

PURCHASE PRICE.

Adams,

$3,200

$4,443

Big Spring,

(not sold.)

Bloom,

3,120

3,691

Clinton,

(no records. )

Eden,

1,254

1,254

Hopewell,

(part unsold.)

Jackson,

4,950

5,229

Liberty,

(unsold. )

Loudon,
11
Scipio,
(no records.)
Seneca,
800
800
Pleasant,
1,042
1,042
Reed,
2,230
3,943
Thompson,
9,300
11,090
Venice,
2,780
2,783
The following is a tabular view of the whole whole and
fractional school districts in each township, together with the
number of youth entitled to draw public, money in each, for
the year 1847.
WHOLE
FRACTIONAL
NO. OF
TOWNSHIPS.
DISTRICTS.
DISTRICTS.
YOUTH.
Adams,
¦ 7 ¦
4
677
Bloom,
9
3
749
Clinton,
11
1
1,396
Eden,
10
1
663
Hopewell,
8
1
530
Liberty,
9
0
631
Loudon,
9
a
650
TABULAR

VIEWS

WHOLE

FRACTIONAL

TOWNSHIPS.

DISTRICTS.

DISTRICTS.

Pleasant,

8

0
Reed,
11
4
Seneca,
9
1
Scipio,
11
3
Thompson,
9
3
Venice,
8
4
Big Spring,
6
0
Jackson,
8
1
21*
246
NO. OF
YOUTH. 604 676718 953
700 686645
406
MIES OE THE SIJBSCRIBEES
TO THIS WORK.

NA.MES. RESIDENCE.
E. Dresbach, Tiffin,
T. P. Graves, do
W. H. Gibson, 3 copies, do
Fred'k Singer, do
William Lang, do
Sidney Sea, 3 copies, do
Warren P. Noble 3 do
Robert M.C. Martin, do
H. Gross, do
Samuel Stoner, do
J. W. Wilson, 3 copies, do
Richard Willianis, 2 do
Joshua Seney, do
J. P. Pillars, do
George E. Seney, (Jo
George Ebert, do
L. W. Pillars, do
Lloyd Frees, do
William Hobbs, * do
W. M. Anderson, do
R. G. Pennington, 2 do
S. P. Gross, do
Josiah Roop, Republic,
S. W. Shephard, do
D. C. Myers, do
George H. Show, do
Robert Chamberlain, do

NAMES, RESIDENCE.
Jacob Roth, Tiffin,
George W. Black, do
A. A. Gardner, do
J. E. Webster, do
W. A. Kershiser, do
Albert Beilhartz, do
John L. Graves, .. do
Dennis C. Stoner, ""Clinton,
Adaline Buskirk, Melmore,
Maria Colman, do
Angeline Arnold, do
Araanda Arnold, do
Laiira Buskirk, do
Maria Ireland, do
Emil/ Butterfield, do
Robert McD. Gibson, do
John Lambertson, do
James F. Newton, do
P. J. Price, 3 copies, do
Isaac Arnold, do
Dennis P. Edgar, do
John C. Kinzer, do
John Williamson, Republic,
A. W. Littler, do
Wm. R. Fleming, do
Gad Goodspeed, do
E. A. Sloat, do

SUBSCRIBERS NAMES.

247

NAMES. , RESIDENCE.
T. M. Smith, Melmore,
Nathan M. Wright, do
William Lightcap, * do
Jacob C. High,' do
William C. Stephens, do
E. B. Kinzer, do
H. J. Roberts, do
Francis W. Butterfield, do
Scudder Chamberlain, do
Jacob Chamberlain, do
Emanuel Trimer, Eden,
Richard Jayna, do
John Crum, do
James Gray, Melmore,
Sylvanus Arnold, do
Hiram Pratt, do
Daniel M. Bate, do
James M. Stevens, do
William Melroy, do
George W. Chamberlain, do
Harding Sraith, do
Henry Kline, do
A. Seitz, do
Jas. C. R. Eastman, do
Jacob Weeks, do
Moses King, do
H. K. Burg, do
G. A. Blackwell^ do
James M. Chanche, do
Henry Ladd, do
William Wing, Eden,
Samuel Seitz, do

NAMES. RESIDENCE.
John Lawrence, Eden,
Levi Chamberlain, do
John L. Downs, do
George Kennedy, do
Isaiah Cline, do
George R. Weeks, Melmore,
Jacob Krauss, do
Horace Arnold, do
E. J. Charaberlain, do
John Osenbraugh, Eden,
Harry Blackraan, do
John Wolf, do
Ransom Holmes, do
Nelson E. Merrell, Ao
John Kinzer, do
M. C. Gibson, do
Philip Springer, do
Joseph Hall, do
William Dilley, do
Lloyd Norris, do
Michael Kern, do
Samuel Herrin, do
Amos Nichols, do
John Kagy, do
Edward S. Bellamy, do
Joel Wright, do
John G. Patterson, do
R. W. Bellamy, do
George Swigarf,, do
Samuel Garber, do
Seneca C. Wing, do
William B. Mathewson, do

248

SUBSCRIBERS NAMES

NAMES. RESIDENCE.
Henry L. Blackman Eden,
Edward Talman, do
Robert L. Speer, do
R. H. Squier, do
Samuel Grelle, do
Benjamin Brundage, do
Gamaliel Cowles, do
D. W. Graves, do
Elizabeth Graves, do
Jaraes B. Watson, do
William Watson, do
William Brown, do
Isaac Bretz, do
A. K. Bretz, do
George Beaver, Bloom,
Robert McClelland, do
Jacob Black, .. do
Noah Rhinehart, do
Chester Brown, Crawf'd co.
Hugh Welch, Wyandot co.
H. B. Martin, . do
J. Maynard, Republic.
Calvin P. Ransom, do
J. P. Maynard, do
G. G. Smith, do
N. P. Calwell, do
Jason Parmenter, do
W. C. Cole,. do
John S. Smith, do
Jonas Roop, do
W. A. Parks, do
G. H. Spangle, do
H. R. Allison, do

NAMES. RESIDENCE.
James Davis 2 Republic
W. M. Dildine, do
P. M. Smith, do
A. Burrill, do
Timothy Craft, do
E. S. Stickney, do
A. G. Sargent, do
0. E. Page, do
Daniel Brown, do
H. P. Benton, do
David Lawton, do
W. A. Barns, do
Ezra Brown, do
R. W. M'Cartney, *i do
N. Church, ^< do
Wm. Parker, do
W. W. Culver, do
A. H. Westbrook, do
Paul DeWitt,, do
Henry D. Wilson, do
F. S. Kendall, do
G. W. Haxton, do
David Maltby, do
L. D. McArdle, do
R. F. Parks, do
Nathan Foster, do
J[ob Pettys, do
Abr'm. T. Miller, do
Peter Rurasey, do
D. S. Reynolds, do
John B. Frary, do
Jonathan Pettys, do

COITENTS.

Introduction — page.
Origin and signification of the word Ohio  7
Discovery of the Mississippi river  8
Expedition of M. de la Salle  9
Expedition of M. D'Iberville  10
English charters  11
Expedition of Crawford  12
Treaty with the Indians  25
First settleraent in Ohio  26
Survey of Cincinnati  27
Building of Fort Washington  28
Expedition of General Harmar  29
Defeat of ArthurSt. Clair  32
Expedition of General Wayne  38
Treaty of Greenville  42
First territorial legislature convened  43
Framing of the constitution  44
Ohio adraitted into the Union  '. . . 46
Alteration of laws  47
Battle of Tippecanoe  48
Croghan's victory  49
Seat of the state governraent removed to Columbus, 51
Chapter I. Aborigines — War between the Wyandots
and Senecas — Naval fight — The Wyandots settle
upon the Sandusky — Treaty with the Indians —
Grant of land to the Seneca Indians — Their remov
al to the west — An execution for witchcraft  53

250 contents.
Chapter Iir Simon Girty— rHis. character — Attack on
Fort Henry — Girty's harangue — Attack upon Bry
ant's station — Girty's speech — Answer of Rey
nolds — Girty's cruelty to Crawford corroborated —
His death — Seneca Indians sacrificing two dogs
to the Great Spirit  , 62
Chapter III. Erection of counties — The new purchase'
— Land district — Sale of lands^Seneca county —
RoadsT-Oakley — Sandusky river — Honey-creek 
Wolf-creek — Organization of the county— Frst an
nual election  ¦ • • 70
Chapter IV. Camp Ball — Firsl«settter in Seneca county
— Clinton township — Fort Ball — Robert Armstrong
—William McCuUock — Tiffin — Land-offices — Mad
River and Lake Erie Rail-road  .'.. , 79
Chapter V. Seneca Patriot — Printing press— ^Inde
pendent Chronicle — Tiffin Gazette — ^Van Burenite
— Seneca Advertiser — Whig Standard — Cholera —
Court-house — Jail and Sherifs house — Bank  89
Chapter VI. Journey of the Welches — John Van
meter — Eden township — First physician — Melmore, 97
Chapter VII. Carap Seneca — Indian council — -Fort
Meigs — Fort Stephenson — General Harrison at
camp Seneca — Grand camp — Perry's victory  105
Chapter VIII. Attempt to assassinate Gen. Harrison —
James Montgomery — Pleasant township — Fort Sen
eca — Peter Pork — William Spicer — Bloom town
ship — Elizabethtown — Bloomville — Silvericfeek —
Scipio township — Republic — Seneca County Acad
emy  118
Chapter IX. Thompson township — Sink-holtes — Cave
— Lewisville — Reed township — Lodi — Venice
township— Caroline — Attica ....,,.  131

contents. 251
Chapter X. Sale of school sections — Free-schools —
Present condition — Obstacles retarding their pro
gress  .' . 147
Chapter XI. Adams township — Sulphur-spring — Fes
tival of the Senqca Indians  155
'Chapter XII. Death of Hard-hickory — Benjamin F.
Warner — Peter Pork— Charlieu — Jacob Nicely . . 166
Chapter XIII. Murder of Drake — Seneca township— ;
!^,erwick — Hopewell township — Bascom — Loudon
township — Rome — Risdon — Liberty township —
Bettsville — Jackson township  175
Chapter XIV. Big-spring township — Springville —
Oregon — Productions of the county — Conclusion . . 185
Appendix  191

ADVEETISEMENT.

Most of the works which have been consulted, and from
which extracts havebeen made in collecting materials for this
work, have been mentioned in the proper place. The author,
however, has raade free use of the " Western Adventure,"
" Chase's Statutes," and several other valuable works in com
piling the Introduction, which were not thus acknovifledged.
In gathering materials from such a multiplicity of sources,
it is hardly to be expected but that errors have found their way
into this history ; although great pains have been taken to get
at facts, and to give dates as correct as possible. Should any
errors be discovered, they will be promptly corrected in anoth
er edition, (if the sale of the present one warrant its publica
tion,) and where such are discovered by readers, they will
confer a great favor by sending a communication with correc
tions, to the author, q^t Tiffin.

the end.

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