Washington County, Ohio - Chapter 22: Reminiscences by Col. Joseph Barker, 1902 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 22: Reminiscences by Col. Joseph Barker

Sketch of Col. Barker's Life - The Early Courts - Store Supplies - Ship-building - The French Emigrants - Indians Dissatisfied - Scarcity of Food - Why the Indians did not Keep the Treaty of Harmar - Building of the Block-houses. - Big Bottom Massacre - Wolf Creek Mills - Provisions for Defense - Indian Alarm - The Garrison at "The Point" - Indian Troubles - First Enlistment of Men for the Indian War - Cultivation of Land Encouraged - Belpre - - Upper and Lower Settlements - Reminiscences of Prominent Persons of the. Early Settlements.

Colonel Joseph Barker was born in New Market, New Hampshire, September 9, 1765. He was educated at Exeter Academy and afterward learned the trade of a carpenter.

In 1789 he married Ehzabeth Dana, daughter of Capt. Wilham Dana, of Amherst, New Hampshire, and with his father-in-law came t(j the new settlement on the Muskingum. Their mode of conveyance as far as Simrell's Ferry was an ox team; at the ferry they were joined by Isaac Barker from Rhode Island and Thomas Stanley of Connecticut. The three friends built a boat and in it floated down to Marietta. Throughout the time of the Indian war, Colonel Barker remained at Marietta serving in the militia and working at his trade.

In 1795 he moved up the Muskingum, about seven mjles from Marietta. The next winter his cabin, work-shop, store house and tools were destroyed by fire, also nearly all the provisions laid up for the year. In that day the less represented the destruction of many thousand dollars in capital if we measure it by its importance to the owner. Mr. Barker returned to Marietta and resumed work at his trade; building a house for Paul Fearing, for William Skinner, for Rev. Daniel Story and the Blennerhassett mansion. He returned tO' his farm on the Muskingum and began to build vessels. In 1806 he built 15 boats for the famous Burr expedition.

He was commissioned by Go\-ernor St. Clair as justice of the peace in 1799. He also passed through the different grades, by promotion, in the militia until he became colonel of a regiment. In 1830 he was elected associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas, an office which he continued to hold until declining health forced him to resign in 1842. Hedied in September, 1843, ^g^d 78 years.

And Representative Cittlens The Early Courts

I do not remember any court being held in Marietta during the Indian war, nor do- I recollect any circumstance which would induce me to believe there vvas at Cincinnati; subsequent to the war, they traveled by water up and down; it was easier, cheaper, and more expeditious traveling by water than land ; there were no bridges - no roads - no taverns and but few cabins; aside from the danger from the Indians, when in a canoe or pirogue one could carry his kitchen, his dormitory, and his magazine, and could shift sides of the river to avoid danger.

In 1792 a mail route was established from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati. Charles Mills - brother to Col. John Mills - who now resides in Gallia County, was employed to carry the mail from Marietta to Gallipolis once a week in a skifif or canoe for $20 per month, and $8 apiece for two hands ; how long the mail was carried in this way, I do not remember.

In June, 1788, the Governor and judges commenced the duties of their office and the county of Washington was laid off, including the Ohio Conipanys Purchase, as far north as the Indian boundary. Joseph Gilman, Esq., and Gen. Benjamin Tupper were appointed magistrates for Marietta ; Griffin Greene, Esq., for Belpre; Col. Robert Oliver, for Waterford; Col. Ebenezer Sproat, high sheriff; Benjamin Ives Gilman, clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions, and Court of Common Pleas, and Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr., prosecuting attorney.

Tttie first Court of Quarter Sessions and Common Pleas was held in September, 1788; the next court was held in March, 1790, at which a grand jury was empaneled and found a bill against Ezra Lunt for stealing a hog, who was later acquitted on his trial before a petit jury.

until after the war the court was held in the Northeast Block-house chamber, in the Campus Martins, where religious and other meetings were held; similar meetings were held at "the Point," in Buell's ik Mimsell's Old Red House Hall - where William Holden's store now stands.

To collect a sufficient number to form a grand jury or petit jury. Colonel Sproat had summonded most of the Revolutioners from. Belpre, so that by what were legally required to attend, and those who attended through curiosity or t!;e novelty of ihe case, a larger number of Revolutionary officers met together than had assembled on any former occasion or did afterwards; as there was no public occasion to call the settlers together during the war. After the war, the influx of settlers made it unnecessary to call many to any one point. They seemed to be perfectly aware of the circumstance, and it was the topic of general conversation that it was probable that no future occasion would require the assembling of so large a proportion of those who had been associated in securing American independence, and the fee of the land they had purchased for a liomc. There was a kindness of feeling and friendship which had been created by associatiiiu in peril, and toils, and dangers,, and which were renewed and strengthened by a re-union; in the toils and watchfulness in subduing and cultivating a wilderness and repelling the dangers which threatened their peace and security from a crafty and vindictive enemy, while securing a second independence, - a permanent competency for themselves and families.

Colonel Battelle lived adjoining the Court House and had brewed a keg of spruce beer for the occasion, and as they were all from the "Land of Flip," and it being no sin to drink flip in those days, and as their hours of convivial enjoyment were few and far between, each one who had not attended court in Ohio before was mulcted a pitcher of flip, and while the chord of friendship was still brightning, they gave the parting hand with a warm inquiry "\Mien shall we all meet again?"

After the war, the Court of Quarter Sessions was held quarterly, composed of the justices of the county - Joseph Oilman and Benjamin Tiupper of Marietta - Griffin Greene and Daniel Loring from Belpre - Robert Oliver from Waterford - Alvin Bingham from Middletown (Athens) - Philip W'hitten from the Long Reach (then in Marietta) - and your humble servant from Adams (now Union and Adams) ; subsequently others were appointed as the population increased.

Colonel Sproat, as sheriff, and Benjamin Ives Gilman, as clerk, held their offices until the reformation from Federalism tj Democracy took place.

Adam Smith says that "laws were made to protect the property of the rich, against the poor." It would seem to follow, where there is very little property, little law- is required, I do not recollect of any civil suit being commenced during the war, nor but one criminal action; an officer from General Harmar's garrison struck a citizen with his cane, who complained; the officer was fined a dollar and costs. Although we had sufficient law, we had not sufficient means to carry it into effect. We had no place of confinement, and if your debtor had no property, taking his body would only be increasing the debt, unless he would consent to work, and then you must be your own bondsman. Much like the present time - if your debtor can secrete his property, you cannot take his body.

Store Supplies

There were but a few merchants, and those with limited capital ; no one came here with property who could do better with it somewhere else; the price of calico was from $i to $1.75; coffee 50 cents; tea - young Hyson - $2; salt, from $4 to $5 a bushel; nails, 25 cents : sugar, we made ourselves - sugar trees were plenty, but metal to boil in was scarce and dear, so that many settlers labored under the want of kettles who otherwise might have gone far toward supporting their families. When General Putnam was in Xew York, and obj tained the grant for the "donation" lands. Lady Washington sent out a kee of loaf made from maple sugar to be distributed among the ladies of the officers of the Revolutionary Army residing in the Ohio Company's Purchase; the demand for kettles for making sugar induced traders to fetch them on, and although very dear, 10 and 12 cents per lb., still it was an ad\-antage to procure them at that rate.

Ship-Building

Ship-building commenced 'at Marietta at the beginning of this century; the brig "St. Clair" was built in 1800 by Charles Greene & Company. Her burthen was about 100 tons; she was constructed by Stephen Devol from Rhode Island. Tllie company loaded her with flour and pork principally; this was the first square-rigged vessel built upon the waters of the Ohio, and navigated to the ocean. She was commanded b}' Abraham Whipple from Rhode Island, who was a commodore in the Navy of the United States during the Revolution. In 1802 the ship "Muskingum," of 20 toils, was built by Captain Devol, and owned by Benjamin Ives Gilman ; and the brigantine "Eliza Greene," owned by Charles Greene - both of Marietta. Several were built in Jvlarietta, and ship-building was carried on largely at Marietta and above and below, and was a popular business for several years; these vessels were built principally by English goods; the workmen were paid by orders on the store, and these orders passed from hand to hand as currently as the present bank bills, and much of the same character. They would bring dry goods only. Groceries, such as tea, coffee, salt, and iron were cash articles, and were an. exception as these dry goods banks did not pay specie for their notes. Prices of goods were very high, and vessel building with goods seemed to promise a profitable investment of capital, but on trial it proved disadvantageous to the owners, the workmen, and the country ; the owners all became losers from numerous causes ; the difficulty and expense of employing unexperienced workmen.

although they were paid cheap, their labo'- came dear, because it required from 50 to 100 competent men to perform the work; they frequently had to take the vessel to New Orleans or an Eastern port to be rigged, which was more than half of the expense, and thus from having to entrust the business to the care of an agent, was likely to be ordinarily and dearly executed; but, above all, the difficulty of selling to advantage; shippers say that a secondhand vessel is like a second-hand coat; if a man wants a coat, he chooses ^o make it himself, and will not buy a second-hand one, even if new; so, if a shipper wants a vessel, he chooses to build one to suit the trade he is in, and the arrangement of his \-oyages ; it is a maxim of shippers that a second-hand vessel is always unsalable ; with the skipper, much depends on the character of the vessel ; the workman, to be sure, got his goods, but like a track in the water, they soon disappeared, and he was none the richer from year to year, while the country suffered fm- improvement and cultivation, which is a prdUiinent addition to the capital of himself and society.

The French Emigrants

In September. 1790. what have been called the French emigrants arrixed. and were permitted by Colonel Sproat (who then had charge of the garrison) to take possession of all the vacant rooms at Fort Harmar; they arrived in the night; in six Kentucky boats, and said to be 450 men, women and children ; this company came from Paris to settle on lands which were purchased from Colonel Earlow, and which they expected to find immediately below the Ohio Company's Purchase. General Putnam was one of the company who sent Barlow to France to sell land ; finding the company would fail in giving a title from the United States, they made General Putnam agent, who brought out Major Burnham with a company of laborers who erected some houses for the reception of the emigrants, a part of whom went down the next spring and took possession ; the greater part of these emigrants were engaged in France in employment of companies and individuals who came out with them, paid their passage, and subsistence, and some wages, on to the Muskingum ; they were to be employed - some as house servants, others in clearing and cultivating the land, others in building houses, others as carpenters, tailors, blacksmiths, &c. - all kinds of trades. Tlliere were others - private adventurers and gentlemen - some single, some with families. Beaucaire was said to be designed for a priest, and others for subordinates in the ecclesiastical line; in fact, some of every trade from the marquis down to the porter. The Marquis Manassa and his son, the Viscount, seemed to be the ostensible leaders; a large number came out in his employ ; M. Debutts - a German-Frenchman - had a number under him: there were companies of two or more who brought out parties, but for what particular purpose, it was difficult to ascertain. The Marquis got a house in the Campus Martius and had a number of domestics. M. Debutts resided at "the Point ;" others at Fort Harmar.

Toward spring, they began to scatter : the Marquis, Debutts and some other gentlemen went over the mountains and back to France; quite a number went to Gallipolis; some to Canada ; some staid about Marietta, and got "donation" lands. I suppose they had been defrauded in their purchase of land ; they were disappointed - put out - and ill-natured; they grumbled; they Sa\crc Foutcrcd the Yankees; they jabbered ; there might have been more tongues in Babel, but they never went faster; take them all together, they were a trifling acquisition to our settlement.

I was not in when the Indians were in fi:ir a treaty in lySS, and where they remained till the treaty was signed, the 9th of January,. 1789. I arrived in Marietta, NovenTl>er i, 1789; I wbs informed (by the concurrent testimiony of all the inhabitants) that the Indians-, came in dissatisfied and uncheerful to the-

.treaty; they com(plained O'f being duped and .decei^-ed 'by the remloval O'f the place of holding the treaty. Tliey expected the treaty to have been holden at Fort Lawrence, on the Tuscarawas: it was Lawrence township; the north side of the Tluscarawas was a county, wihere a fort 'had been built and armed and garrisoned with a lieutenant's command ; but circumstances convinced the Governor that it was unsafe to hold a treaty in the center of the enemy's country, as the Indians were strongly suspected of a design of cutting off all the whites with the garrison that were assembled for a treaty. General Harmar sent a party O'f soldiers in the Ohio Company's boat - "Mayflower" - who propelled her up the M[askingum', and brought off the garrison, .arms, pro'\-isions, for the treaty down to Fort Harmar. As the Lidians came in to the treaty, thev employed themselves in hunting and disturbing the game far which they had no use (they drew rations from the public) except for the skins of the deer ; so great was their industry and perseverance that in the fall and winter they brought in deer and turkeys and piled them up on the banks of the Muskingum, west of Doctor Cotton's, like a rack oi hay, until the inhabitants were obliged to assemlble and throw them: into the river tO' abate the nuisance. The carcasses left about the woods brought in the wolves and panthers, and de- .stroyed all deer. (A man by the name of Bagly coming fromi Wolf Creek, toward spring, one cold, sno-wy, frozen afternoon, was attacked by a large gang of wolves who drove his up a tree, where he had to sit and play the fiddle for them until they saw fit to leave him next day). When interrogated why they destroyed and wasted the game, the Indians answered they meant tO' "destroy and stairve out every white-face north of the Ohio." Tliey frequently alluded to the prospect O'f repossessing their lands, and recovering their hunting-ground. One old Indian, when he drew^ his blanket, threw it over his shoulders, saying be had got his corn-field on his back, but he would have it to walk on next year.

Scarcity Of Food

It was said there were better than 400 Indians - niicn, women, and children - and so thoroug-hly did they destroy the game, within 10 miles of M'arietta, that barely a deer could be seen where before a good hunter could kill fromi 10 to 15 of a day; I have heard Hamilton Kerr (who hunted for General Harmar and supplied his garrison with wild meat the year previous) say that the hills betw.een the Muskingum and Duck Creek were the best hunting-ground he had ever seen, and he could leisurely kill 15 deer of a day, and frequently of a morning. The Indians were burning the w;oods every year tO' keep down the undergrowth and made good pasture for the deer, and good hunting for themselves. To the circumstances of the Indians destroying nearly all the game in the neightorhood, combined with that of a severe frost in the early part of September, 1 789, may be attributed the very great scarcity O'f bread and meat in the spring and summier O'f 1790. Many fanuilies were destitute of coavs; there were a few yoke of oxen, which could not be spared from clearing and the plow ; and noi young stock except a few breeding sows. A large majority of the emiigrants had literally strewed all their money on the mo^mtains, and in the enjoyment that they had got to the "Land of Promise" they forgot to provide for the future; in fact there was very little tO' be bought, for those who had money. Where wild meat had formerly been very plaity, there was very little brought in; somie few from over the Ohio; but those who had not means could not buy, and by the middle of May the majority of people were out of bread, meat, or ntjlk, and especially those families - the largest and most necessitous - where poverty, improvidence and scarcity m(eet; charity and benevolence only could give relief. It was no time for catch-penny and chuck-farthings. Genuine hospitality prevailed; those who had, dealt out freely but sparingly, without money or price, to those who had not, which soon brought on a gen- eral scarcity; then the most free-handed adopted the strictest economy, and managenient that they might assist the needy ; nettles were the first herbs up in the spring, and were freely used ; next, pig-weed and poke sprouts.

The latter part of May, General Putnam wrote oil tO' Col. R. J. Meigs to "open a hole of potatoes" he had at the Campus Martins and "distribute them among the people for planting at 50 cents." Tliey were all taken in a few! hours (although very much grown, they answered well for planting). When the potatoes were up, the tops were used for greens ; coffee, tea, and sugar were out of the question ; spice-bush and sassafras were the comr mon drinks; some mp-ple sugar was made, but mtost people were not prepared for want of metal to boil in - in this way, the people got along until the season brought relief in squashes, beans, then potatoes, then green corn, which was considered a complete relief, and then wheat harvest, and the hand mill was considered a luxury.

It was the fore part of June, 1789, before the great cornfields on the plains extending from near the Wilcox house up to Washington street, containing 70 acres, were fenced, grubbed, and girdled and fit for planting; all hands had been eraployed during the sumimer of 1788, and most part of the winter, in the employ of the United States surveyors in building log cahins, sawing planks, and putting up the block-house, and other buildings in the Campus Martins, for the Ohio Company^ - in building a large, heavy bridge across Tiber Creek, where the stone bridge now stands (from which a man by the name of Lot Cheevers, goldsmith from Boston, fell and lost his life) - until it was too late to think of clearing and fencing; there were sniall patches of bottom, land \\-hich were too much shaded for cultivation. A large number associated together to go to work and inclose a large field on "the Plain" and each one occupy in proportion to labor he put in, to prqwre the field for planting; the field was planted with a great variety of vegetables and would have yielded a fair return, had the frost held off as in ordinary seasons. But the crop being planted late, and the frost coming early, the whole was injured ; the appearance of some of the corn induced a belief that after Ijeing dried through the winter it would do to eat; but, on making bread of it in the spring, it produced an effect similar to "sick wheat." Charles Greene had a crib at Belpre of 30 bushels which had the appearance of being good, but on trial none could eat it ; it even m^ade the hogs sick. Corn soon rose, in Marietta, from 50 cents to $1.50 and $2 a bushel. Here Mr. Williams' benevolence stepped, in of which you are sufficiently acquainted. Capt. Jonathan Devol and Isaac Barker got into a canoe and came up to Mr. Williamls' ; they had half a guinea in gold; they told him their families had no bread and they came to get the worth of their money in corn. "How many is there of you " said Mr. Williams. "Rising of 20," was the reply. "Dang it" - says the old man - "there's a heap oif you; but you must have half a bushel apiece;" and they had.

At a meeting of a small circle of elderly ladies, the most reputable and indqjendent the country afforded, while discussing over the collapsing times - over a cup of spice-bush tea, and a piece of dry johnny-cake, without meat or butter - mutually agreed that should they live to see the return of a bare comfortable plenty, they would ne\'er again find fault or even complain of their living.

I am not enough acquainted with the relative transaction of the parties of that time to be able to make up anything like a correct opinion ; but think it probable the reason may be found in the circumstances that the Western Indians were continually committing depredations on the south side of the Ohio' River until the commencement of hostilities; that the Miamis and Wabash Indians utterly refused to come into the treaty, which was the cause of considerable difficulty between thenx and the Wyandots and Delawares, with a majority oi the individuals of the tribes who' did come in were apposed to the treaty, and in particular the influence which the Britisli garrison and the British agents on the Afaumee, who received their skins and furs and dehvered them arms and ammunition, had, to induce them to^ commence hostihties against the United States. Governor St. Clair sent the late Governor, Return J. Meigs, to Detroit with a dispatch to the British commander. Col. Thomas Gibson from' Penns}'h-ania, w'ho was after\\Tird Auditor of the State o-f Ohio, was the licensed Indian trader, and had a strong block-house store on the bank, near \\'here the steam-mill stands in Harmar. Tihe tall, well-built, active, half- French ancj half-Indian Garoot, who was known to Colonel Gibson and bore a good reputation, agreed for a price to take Meigs upon one of his horses and escort him to Detroit; the writer well recollects that he sold Garoot, through Colonel Gibson a new saddle worth $20 for wbich he has not got the pay. Creditors have the best memories. Meigs went out with the expedition in safety, found the British very socialble and polite, but the Indians were morose, distant, and cold ; and from their looks and actions, and some information obtained from the inhabitants, he had wellgrounded suspicions that they intended to waylay him), coming in, and take his life ; he closed his business in the most private and shortest manner, procured a young half-French Indian, \\:ith some good horses, and started without the knowledge of British or Indians ; they mlade forced marches, and short encampments, and got sp far the start that the Indians gave up the pursuit, and he arrived safe. This same Clliarlie was one of the Indians, recognized by IVlJeigs two years after, who wa^daid him, wounded his young man, killed his boy, and chased him with a tomahawk to within protection of Fort Harmar.

Building Of The Block-Houses

on the bank of the Muskingum, near the upper end oif the present corn-field where a good spring comes out under the bank. Two sets O'f sav.-yers were employed. They furnished hewed poplar logs, which were whip-sa\\-'ed into four-inch planks, of which the blockhouses were constructed. He built a house for him'self O'f the same material, on the south side of the Campus Martins, which received his family in the summer of 1789. I presume "the Garrison" was begun in 1788, and finished in the summ«r of 1789, as it was apparently completed - that is, that part which was built by the Ohio Company - when I arrived, in November, 1789. Governor St. Clair and his family arrived in January, 1790, and occupied the Southwest Block-house which was called the "Go'vernor's Block-house," which was finished with good, smooth, poplar floors, doors, casings, &c., and a brick chimney, with three fire-places below, and three above.

In August, 1790, I was employed by General Putnam with two hands, Owen and Flagg, to line the pickets between the hoitses, with four-inch ash stuff, pinned on tO' the pickets so high as to cover a mian, perforated with embrasures convenient for a musket. Likewise the plank of the block-houses had been sawed in a proper direction for embrasures which had not been cut out ; they were cut out and filled with plugs, which could be taken out and put in as occasion required. I m'oved into the Campus INIartius the ist of 'December, 1790, after which some further rq^airs were made.

Lots had been surveyed and drawn for by a numjber of persons who had associated to make a settlement at Big Bottom, who, about the beginning oi winter, determined to- go on and cultivate their land : those best acquainted wlith the Indians, and those best capable of judging from appearances, had but little doubt tliat the Indians were preparing to commence hostilities, and strongly opposed the settlement going out that fall, and desired that they remain until spring, by wliidi timie, probably.

the question of war or peace would be settled. Even General Putnam' and the directors o'f the Ohio Comipany, who gave away the land to have it settled, thought it risky and imprudent, and strongly remonstrated against venturing out at that time ; but the young men were impatient - confident in their own prudence, and albility to protect themselves, and sanguine in the hope of success, they went. They put up a large block-house, which might accommodate the whole on . an emergency, covered it and laid puncheon floors, stairs, &c. The house was made up of large beech logs and rather open, and it was not chinked ; this job was left foT a rainy day, or some more convenient season ; here was their first great error ; here their building O'f Babel stopped, and the general interest was lost in that convenience of each individual, and with this all was lost. The second great error was that they kept no sentry ; the Indians had got an Indian lad about 18 years old, who was born and brought up in Rhode Island, whose name I forget; he had been enticed by the Ohio Indians without the settlement and then restrained from comling back ; they took him, to Sandtisky and round in their hunting parties and came on to the M,uskingum about Christmas ; they came down within about 20 miles of Big Bottom, and struck a camp for hunting; this lad had been employed tO' keep camp and do' chores, but was seldom! left alone ; they told him he must stay and keep camp a day or twO' - that they were going to look for a better huntingground, 'but still wished to keep their present camp until they could find a better ; the Indians proceeded down the westerly side of the ]\ft.iskingum, opposite the block-house, where there was a high hill near the river, from \\lhich they could view as much of the bottom as was not obstructed by trees, see how every nuan was employed, and what was transacting aibout the block-house. As was observed, the general business of fortification and security had been suspended ; stopping the cracks between the logs of the house, and picketing and a sentry had been neglected ; no system of defense and discipline was introduced ; their guns were lying in different places, without order about the house; about 20 men in company in the block-house and each individual and mess cooked for themselves ; one end of the block-house was appointed for a fire-place, and

1 when the day closed in, all came in, built a large fire, and commenced cooking and eating their supper ; the Indians fronii the opposite hill i grow dark, the Indians slipped across the river, surrounded the block-house, and each had a deliberate aim at the inmates through the door and the cracks in the logs. Part of the Indians rushed in at the door, others kept up the fire from without, and secured those who attempted to escape. Those wiio were not crippled at the first fire endeavored to escape by getting into the chamber, and some got though the roof, and jumjped down, but were all killed or taken. TKvfo j\lr. Bullards had a small camp back in the Bottom, which probably had escaped the notice of the Indians, \\iho on hearing the guns at the block-house, made their escape and got into Waterford and gave the alarm; the Indians took up the puncheon floor and built a fire, and attempted to burn the slain and the house ; but, as the wood had been recentlv cut, and was all green, the fire subsided burning some so as to disfigure them - others partially - the ann of William James was found, clinching a piece of Indian bread in his right hand, which he was probably eating at the time he was shot; Mir. Jamfes was the largest and supposed rmuch the strongest man in the colony ; six feet and four inches high, and very strongly built; twO' or three sizes larger than his brother, John James of Pike County, whom you know, or his sister, Mrs. Bennett Cook; but physical power is lost when prudence and science are neglected.

Th.ese men, no doubt, had the power to defend themselves against the Indians, but they had no Rex'olutionary officer to plan and direct their defense ; had they spent a few days in picketing their block-house and chinked well between the logs, and kept one sentry, which would have required service from each of but one day in 20, the Indians would never have attacked them. They had no stock or other plunder to induce an attack; nothing but dry fighting could have been expected, at wlbich the Indians have no relish, except on the miost advantageous tennis. The Rhode Island Indian boy suspecting they were on the Muskingum, made his escape, and after a day or two got in \'ery much alarmed, and in continual fear lest the Indians should get him again. He entbraced the first opportunity and returned to Rhode Island.

Wolf Creek Mills

The destruction of Big Bottom was a signal for all the settlements tO' move into garrison, and fortify themselves against the Indians. The settlement of Wolf Creek Mills was the most of an outpost. Col. Richard Oliver, Maj. Haffield White and Capt. John Dodge and a few more families resided there. This being the only mill in the county, and resorted to fromi all the settlements for bread, was given up with reluctance, but as no pecuniary inducemlent offered to induce people to stay, they were Obliged to abandon it. Colonel Oliver and Captain Dodge went to Marietta, and the rest to Waterford garrison, of which I know very little.

Wolf Creek Mills were built in the summer and fall of 1789 by Col. Robert Oliver, jNIaj. Hafiield White and Capt. John Dodge, all from Massachusetts. The machinery was brought by two brothers by the name of Potts from Pennsylvania, who afterward built a mill on Mil] Creek a little above William IMcFarland's, which was nearly completed when liurnt h\ the Indians in the spring of 1791.

In January, 1790, the company were taking their millstones up in a small keel-boat; through carelessness of the hands, the water rose in the night and took the boat off, which was taken up by Captain Stone next morning at Belpre; it was followed by Major White, he being on a visit to Belpre. I assisted Major White up to Marietta with his boat and millstones. In jMarch following, in company with a number of neighbors from Marietta, I went to Wolf Creek Mills, which had been in operation a few days; we had a large pirogue and 60 liushels. principally of corn; we landed within half a mile of the mills at 10 o'clock; a four-ox team took our grain to the mills, and returned the meal, and we had all ground and started for Marietta at two and arrived at Marietta before sun-down. I saw a bushel of corn ground in those mills in two minutes by a watch. As there was no one living at the mills during the Indian War, the people set a day for grinding, and everyone went with his grist and his gun, and kept the guard while the mills were grinding.

Provisions For Defense

In Marietta, the Campus Martins was sufficiently strong to offer security to the inhabitants in that quarter; but "the Point" had no blockhouse or pickets for defense. Arrangements were immediately adopted for the erection of a fortified enclosure, which would include a large portion of the inhabitants, with a sentry-box. A large block-house was erected on Front street, near C. Humphrey's house, where McLane now lives. Then a line of pickets extended westerly by Judge Cotton's to the bank of the Muskingum, where there was a small block-house with a sentry-box on top, which was occupied by some families ; thence from the center block-house (the lower story of which was occupied by the guard and the upper story accommodated two families and a large sentry-box on the top, guarded with bulwarks to protect the sentry) a line of pickets extended southerly on a line diverging east from the east line of Front street, so as to include the old red Buell house, where Mr. Holden's store now is, to the bank of the Ohio River, where a small block-house with a sentry-box was occupied by some families, near which, on Ohio street, a strong gate was erected, sufficient to pass teams, and another the same si?e near the bank of the Muskingum, which were all the gates which led into the garrison ; a four-pound cannon was placed on the Ohio, and a four-inch howitzer at the center block-house; these pieces were fitted with cartridges, filled with cut pieces of iron, and ounce lead balls ; this garrison was guarded by three sentrys - one on the center block-house, by day; and the same on each block-house by night. The enlisted men kept one sentry day and night on the center block-house - No. 4 - the other was taken by routine from the inhabitants; alarm posts were assigned for all the inhabitants within, to which they were to repair in case of an attack or alarm; these alarm posts were - first, the block-houses, next such of the dwelling houses as were best fortified, or made so, against an attack by the Indians. The firing of a cannon was to be the signal for each one to repair immediately to his alarm post with his arms ready for defense; the cannon were fired in the daytime when news came of Indians in the neighborhood, and of the discovery of Indian sigjis in the vicinity, to put all persons out of the garrison on their guard; we had several alarms of this kind, but nothing like a serious attack.

Indian Alarm

In the spring of 1791. a party of 20 or 30 Indians were in and hanging loosely upon the skirts of the settlement at \\^aterford, then at Marietta, then at Belpre. On a very rainy, dark night, the sentinel from the bastion of the Campus Martius saw by the help of a flash of lightning an Indian skulking almost under him; the cannon was fired, answered at "the Point," but nothing further was seen of the Indians, but plentv of their tracks in the morning. Some short time after, Capt. Joseph Rogers from Pennsyhania. and one of the men with him, were killed and scalped on the hill in the Indian path leading from Mill Creek to the Campus Martius. Edward Henderson, from Massachusetts, another sny who was with Rogers - although a number of balls passed through his clothes - made his escape, was followed by the Indians, but being an athletic man he outran them and, taking a circuitous route over Duck Creek, came in on the Ohio', and about 12 o'clock made the gate on Ohio street. He was immediately recognized by the sentry; Colonel Sproat was called - a cannon was fired, and answered at the Campus Martius and Fort Harmar. The story ran through the garrison, and from the simple statement that Captain Rogers was killed, and Henderson had been chased, it rose to that the Indians had chased him into the garrison, and were at the gates, making the attack. All was consternation, but everyone made immediately for his alarm post. Some little circumstances served to mark the propinquity of different individuals ; the first person for admittance at the central block-house was Colonel Sproat with a bo.x of papers ; then came some young men with their arms ; then a woman with her bed and children. Then came old William Moulton - from Newburyport - aged 70, with his leather apron full of old goldsmith tools and tobacco ; his daughter, Anna, brought the j China tea-pot, cups and saucers ; Lydia brought the great Bibile, but when all were in, mother was missing. "\Miere is Mother?" She must be killed." "Xo." said Lydia, "Mother said she would not leave the house looking so; she would put things a little to rights, and then she would come." Directly mother came, bringing the looking-glass, knives, forks and spoons, &c. Soon messengers were exchanged with the Campus Martius and no appearance of hostilities were discovered. All returned to their homes in the morning. A party from "the Point" and the Campus Martius went out about 10 o'clock and brought in Captain Rogers, and buried him in Second street on the east side, a little north of the large brick house built by ^^'aldo Putnam last year.

In the spring of 1792. a party of United States troops were stationed at "the Point," commanded by Lieutenant Tillinghast from Rhode Island, who erected the block-house, which, after the war. was occupied by the county as a court house and jail; it was built bv the United States troops, superintended by a carpenter from the citizens, paid by the United States; it was buiU of liewed logs i8 inches thick, the lower story 26 feet outside, with a suitable projection in the upper, and a wellguarded sentry-box on the top ; well-chinked, good puncheon floors, and a bullet-proof door, &c. This house was set in the line of pickets, partly in, and on the east side of Front street, not far from where Mr. Buck's house now stands. This house was occupied by the United States troops, who kept a sentry and assisted in guarding the garrison until ordered down the river with General Wayne.

After the defeat of General St. Clair, Captain Haskell was ordered to "the Point," and took command of the garrison and military government. The gates were closed at sundown and- sentries set on the adjacent blockhouses, which prevented any passing until sunrise next morning. This produced some conflict between the military and the citizens. A number of families who had stock, houses, &c., outside the garrison, went out by day and returned by night: this made it difficult to conform to the strict policy of the garrison, as the citizen had to divide his own rations while the soldiers were fed by the public. Many necessary circumstances prevented the citizen from so arranging his business as to be in garrison before sunset ; several families moved out to the houses in the vicinity of the garrison, and staid out at the risk of the Indians.

A considerable of land was cultivated about the Court House, and around by Mr. Slocomb's. and out on Hart street. People who were out there and about the Campus Martins were not disturbed by the Indians, and staid out until peace.

Ixdiax Troubles

About the time General Harmar was sent out, Matthew Kerr, a native of Ireland, had located himself and family immediately above the mouth of Duck Creek : he had three sons - Hamilton, George and Matthew, all expert woodsmen - and a son-in-law, Peter Neiswanger; their principal occupation was hunting. Hamilton Kerr hunted to supply General Harmar's garrison. They had cleared and cultivated a small field which supplied vegetables for the family, and feed for their stock ; on the taking of Big Bottom, they all moved into the garrison, but left their cows, horses, hogs, corn and vegetables above the Creek, where they went daily in a canoe, and fed their stock and brought away such vegetables as were wanted. Late in the spring of 1791, the old gentleman got into his canoe, and went up and fastened it in the mouth of the Creek, and after takingcare of the stock returned to his canoe with 5ome potatoes ; he had got into his canoe with his gun and pushed off' when the Indians, who were secreted in the bush, shot three or four balls through him - run down - caught the canoe - and took his scalp and gun and fled, after shoving off the canoe. A party immediately pursued but did not overtake them ; the canoe floated down the river, and was taken up a little above the garrison. The people standing on Ohio street heard the report of the Indians' guns, saw them run down the bank and take his scalp, and heard their yell of victory. Not long after, some of the young men went up to look after their stock, and found that the Indians had been there that morning, killed a large hog, and taken a part , with somepotatoes, turnips and cabbage, and had gone. They came immediately back ; a party was soon assembled from the Campus Alartius and "the Point." Tbose who attended puljlic preaching were required by law to carry their arms ; it was about the middle of the forenoon service. The young men jumped to their arms,. left the meeting, and were immediately in pursuit of the Indians. They followed them from I the mouth Of Duck Creek a few miles up the Little Muskingum, then they saw a smoke arise up a run, where the Indians had built a fire, commenced cooking, having their campkettles over the fire, filled with pork, potatoes, turnips, &c., and were in high spirits, enjoying the prospect of a good breakfast. Edward Henderson headed the party ; he took a number of men and proceeded up the run under cover.

Avith a view to flank or get beyond the camp ; but the concert of action was not such as to command success ; when the first party got within gunshot, Henderson fired and wounded an Indian mortaUy, but not so as to prevent his running a quarter of a mile; the Indians - seven in numiber - sprung to their arms, and Avere out of sight in an instant; the rest of the party fired promiscuously, while the Indians were in motion, probably wounded one badly, as he threw away his blanket, but was assisted by the others and got over the hill and out of sight. The one first shot was assisted and exerted himself to near the top of the hill, where they left him with his gun loaded that he might have his revenge, but he was too far exhausted to use it to effect. Tliey got one Indian - his arms - two blankets - the campkettles and their dinner - and some other small things, which were sold at auction for the benefit of the party, and returned without injury. In the summer of 1791, a cow belonging to 'Squire Russell came in to the Campus Martins Avith an arrow sticking in her side ; the arrow was hickory with a tri-angular piece of tin fastened in the end. A scout was immediately raised, consisting of 20 citizens, led by Hamilton Kerr, and 22 U. S. troops who were stationed at Fort Harmar, commanded by a Lieutenant. This party proceeded directly to Shepard's Mills - now Robinson's. Another of 12 was ordered up the Muskingum to ascertain if the Indians had driven off the cattle. We found the cattle along by and above 'Squire Putnam's, and the trail of 20 or 30 Indians - - fresh made - going up. They crossed INIill Creek and kept to the mouth of Second Creek, turned short round under the hill - lower side of Second Creek - and went up and, as was afterwards ascertained, Avent directly over the hill to the aforesaid mill, where they met the party of 40 from the Campus Martius. Sproat and Shepard had built a log cabin near where Robinson's house now stands, and cleared the land about 70 yards toward Marietta. As Kerr and his party arrived at the edge of the clearing, within 70 yards of the house, they saw the Indians coming up through the weeds which were high, round the lower corner of the house; as they came up. one after another - eight or 10 - they kept their eyes steady, examining the house, without noticing the party who stood directly facing them. The partycould gain nothing by moving, and stood waiting for orders until Mr. Kerr fired and shot an Indian through the heart ; the Indians dropped instantly down into the weeds and were out of sight, and soon down under the bank of the creek. George Kerr fired about the same time, but only one. Indian was killed. A promiscuous fire issued from the rifies and muskets when there was nothing to be seen ; the wounded Indian dropped his bow and arrows, and jumped down the bank, and ran through the high weeds 10 or 12 rods before he fell dead. The Indians ran across Duck Creek and over toward 'Squire Hobby's. The whites did not think proper to follow them, and came in without the Indian Kerr had killed, but in the afternoon they augmented their strength, procured a horse, and returned, and brought in the Indian whole. The party who scattered up the Muskingum as far as Barker's Ford, thought it imprudent to return by the river, and took back over the hills, over Tupper Creek and Mill Creek, and fell in with the party going out for the Indian, about where Sampson Cole's house now stands, on the top of the hill on the road to Duck Creek, and vent out with them, and all came in together.

In the spring of 1792, Robert ^^'harff, a citizen residing in Fort Harmar, was shot while chopping on a log below the garrison, near where ]Mr. Fearing's house stands, and scalped by the Indians, who made their escape without being detected, until their mischief was completed.

In July the late Governor Return J. [Meigs was returning frojni an eight-acre lot which he cultivated, a little below the garrison, on "the lower Point," with his hired man and a mulatto 1x)}' aljout 1 2 years old ; ^\-hile walking upon the westerly side of the run to cross back to the Campus Martius, where his familyresided, when about half way up, he was fired upon by two or three Indians, who lay con- cealed near their path. The man - Joseph Simmons - was shot tlirough the left shoulder, and instantly jumped down the bank and swam the river ; an Indian pursued him to the river but did not think it prudent tO' follow him in deqi water. While this was transacting, the 'l>oy got the path and ran to the Campus ^Martins ; he had got up to opposite the upper end O'f the corn-field, on the east bank, below \\'ashington street. He ran down the bank into the river to- get across - the water being shoal on the sand-bar, to where it w,as about two feet deqj - when the Indian o\-ertook. tomaha.wked, and scalped hint. There were naen on the eastern bank but with no guns at the time. When he had got the scalp, the Indian swung it over his head, gave a shout O'f \-ictory and ran up the 'bank, but men had run down and se\-eral guns were fired at him before he got into the bushes but without effect.

It is now time to return to Meigs - left with the other Indian, ^^'hen the Indian saw Meigs made no use of his gun, he rightly suspected that it was not loaded, threw down his gun, and advanced upon Al.eigs with his tomahawk and knife, Meigs - knowing the other Indians must be near - threw his gun away, and took to his heels. When within 15 or 20 steps, Meigs recognized this Indian to be the samie who two years before had escorted him in from! Detroit, and, said: "Is that you, Charlie?" The Indian threw his tomahaw'k and pursued him down to near the Steam Mill, Meigs having gained a good distance in the race. Charlie turned and ran back until he joined the other Indians where their trail wias followed u]) the hill, opposite the Campus Martins; by this time the banks were strung with armed nuen but the birds were flown.

The Campus Martins was laid out, and the corner block-houses were built by the Ohio Comipany; the lines intermediate between the Wock-houses were Ixiilt by individuals, except some short lines oif pickets ; the gates, the outside line of projecting pickets, the abbattis, and other defenses had been done bv the soldiers and inhabitants in company in March, 1791. In consequence of the large number of Indian moccasin tracks around some large trees on the top of a hill, opposite the Campus Martins, on the west side oif the river, a consultation was held by our white chiefs, w'ho came to the conclusion that there niust be a large part}- Oif Indians encamlped in the neighbo-rhood, who prohably had or would have some British witii a small field-piece, who \\-ould throw rockets from that hill and burn the Campus Martins ; all hands were set to work - soldiers and citizens to cover the roofs with mud, to prevent the fire; they split white oak lath, one inch square, and 10 or 12 feet long, and nailed them A\-ithin one foot of each other across all the roofs, and then carried up mud and covered all the roofs, about one inch thick. Had the covering been oi good clay, it would have lasted some time; but as it was only of commton earth the first heavy rain washed the whole off. But the British ne\-er came.

First Enlistment Of Men For The Indian

On General H}armar's being ordered to Cincinnati, about the ist of September, 1790, the Secretary oi War - General Knox - directed Colonel Sproat to take charge of the public property left at Fort Harmar. He enlisted for one month into the United States sen-ice one sergeant, one corporal, and 12 privates to guard and preserve the public property in and about Fort Harmar ; in order to induce these men to enlist, the Ohio Com/pany advanced their wages, in addition to the pay of a United States soldier, to $8 per month, paid out of Greene & ]\Ieigs' store, and when the men were discharged, they gave Colonel Sproat a power to draw their wages from the Paymaster-General, which was sent on by Charles Greene and brought out in goods. This furnished a remittance to the merchant, and a footing to his store bill.

Indian war. Alxnit two months after, a full coniipany was enlisted - otircers .and n'en - wiith three surgeons, and mates ; these were distributed between the Campus ]\Iartius, "the Point," Belpre, and W'aterford. The officers and surgeon's mates drew. the same pay and rations from the United States as those oi the same grade in their service, and the men the same as United States soldiers, made up by the Obio Con-4iDany to $8 per month. ^Ir. Fearing was appointed commissary and supplied rations on a commutation to those who chose. Tbese enlistments were renewed every three months the first year. To introduce a routine in the officers and men, after, the first year, the Ohio' Company stopped their addition to the pay of the soldiers, and they only received pay as United States troops and, although the pay and rations of the soldiers was not more than $5 per mi.inth. yet there was a competition among the citizens for the berth, the means of getting money in any other way being extremely difficult. Tbe officers and surgeon's mates continued to- receive pay. The spies - six in number - Henderson and Shenn

Oakes and Delano .at Belpre, and som« occasional changes, received $1 and rations per day: these different sums constituted by far the greatest part of the circulating medium until the fall of 179.^. when there was a danand for all the C(3rn that could be spared tO' supply tbe cominiissary's department at Fort \A'asbington, Cincinnati, preparatory to Wayne's march against the Indians, at 40 cents per bushel, delivered on the ibank. In the fall of 1793, large quantities, for the amount oi settlement, were exported to Cincinnati. As the people worked in lairge parties and kept a sentinel and had escape an attack, they felt themselves tolerably secure fromi surprise, and almost every man had more or less O'f a corn-field for which he could get any kind oi" goods on credit or money by waiting till the return of the deliverjr oif the corn.

The proprietors of land near the garrisons encouraged every person to clear, wholly or partially, and cultivate as much land as they had means to accomlplish ; in this way everyone found means of obtaining the few things absolutely necessary, and by 1793 the travel up and down the river, added to the imanigration into the settlemient, furnished a ready market and demand for all the surplus produce that could be spared from home consumption. In the spring of 1793, Col. .\lexander Oliver purchased four or five acres Oif land on the bank of the ri\er at Belpre; he planted the 17th day of June, aaid in November I saw to the measure of 75 bushels of corn from the acre delivered into a boat belonging to Charles Reed to take to Cincinnati.

Belpre was the most thriving settlement ; of the number Oif settlers there was a greater portfon of Revolutionary officers, whose military education, mature judgment, enterprise, perseverance, and industry gave them a decided superiority and certain success over their less fortunate contemporaries. Tliey were born and educated in New England, where knowledge, purdence, and industry were exalted to the heighth of the cardinal virtues; these were the elements which formed a rq)utable Yankee cliaracter, and of wHiich it was disreputable to be without.

Belpre was surveyed, and the settlement comintenced, and several small fields were planted in the spring of 1789. In June Captain King was killed and scalped by the Indians; he was shot while chopping a log in the "Middle Settlement." Considerable iniiprovement was made in clearing and erecting houses in the summer and fall, and in the winter aiid spring of 1790. Most of the settlers got down on 'to their lots and by the loth of June had a small corn-field planted on the front of almost every lot ; they adopted the plan of running a straight fence parallel with the river, carrying the path for traveling back of their corn-fields, and fencing on the river road the next winter. As the future wants of the settlements were to be supplied from« present crops, every exertion was made by each to get into the ground as great a variety and quantity as possible amidst the wants and pri-. vations of the very necessaries of life, and, as their corn-fields all bordered on the river, they showed a continued corn-field for males, excq^t at some intervals where there were no settlers. Being at Marietta, and wishing to get home, Allajor Goodale stepped into a flatbottomed boat with an old Virginian who was bound for Kentucky, floated da\ra, and as he lived at the lowler part oi Belpre he showed the Virginian the continued corn-field, as they passed along, and told him the quantity of labor which had l^een done in a few months. "Well - " said the Virginian - "I know one

The rough journey over the mountains and the work and triil incident to a new settlement was great and the old clothes were giving out. Col. Ebenezer Battelle, from Boston, and Captain William Dana, from New Hampshire, in the spring of 1790, sowed flax, pulled it in the blossom in June, water-rotted it in swamps near the bank, dressed, had it spun and wove by ^^'illiam Dana, of Newport, and made it up into shirts and trousers, which were worn on the 4th of July at a meeting for the celebration.

On the commencement of the Indian War in January, 1791, all the settlers in Belpre built and went into one large garrison called Farmers' Castle, but found it very difficult to move their stock and feed for them to the vicin" ity of the garrison ; those living nigh left all and went, and fed occasionally ; those living at a distance had to haul their feed and make the best shift they could until summer.

When thev had got their families into garrison, all who owned stock formed themselves into a company for the mutual insurance of each other's stock; they appraised each other's stock, and each man became obligated to contribute to any loss of stock by the Indians, in proportion to the value of his own. A number of cattle were killed in the spring. Mr. Lasure had two cows killed. Capt. Benjamin Miles, from Rutland, Massachusetts, drove in his team, a yoke of extraordinary oxen as to size and value; they were a complete match - red, 15 hands high, girting eight feet, and equally good for work. As the stock was all thin in the spring, killing was sheer wantonness, as the Indians made use of no part of what they destroyed. These cattle were dressed and a part brought to Marietta, with a view tO' supply the troops, but in consequence of its lying in the blood for some time, and being so very lean, the soldiers would not eat it; but the insurance was immediately paid by the other stockholders. As the Indians had not wantonly destroyed the stock on the south side of the Ohio, the settlers on this side prac- I ticed turning their stock across onto the islands and on to the main, where they remained se- : cure until fall.

In the garrison, guards \\ere strictly kept by day and night. They were partly men enlisted in the service of the United States and j partly drawn out by routine from the inhabij tants ; they were commanded by an officer in the pay of the United States, whose duty it was to provide the sentinels and see that they were regularly and strictly kept up; these were se- I lected from the more experienced officers of the Revolution - what was called the "Senior'' class. These served in rotation as officers of the day, and while on duty had command of the whole; they made it their business to see that the pickets, the gates, the houses, and every part of the garrison was kept in repair; to see that the wood and other combustibles were so arranged that they would be safe against a fire ; to see that the stacks of fodder, pens. &c., were not brought so near as to make ,' it a cover for the enemy ; and to> see that too j many had not left the garrison at one time, - and those without arms ; to receive the reports of the spies, and to send and receive dispatches, as was found necessary. When spring returned, each individual must produce something to support liis family. This could only be done by working in parties large enough to keep sentries to secure those at work while the spies were looking out for the whole; b}' making large circles around the settlement, by which it was difficult for the Indians to come in without leaving a trail or some sign, and there were very few instances during the war that the Indians were not discovered by their signs, and the news circulated through all the settlements before they made an attempt at mischief. It is surprising what a small circumstance will catch the eye of an experienced woodsman; a leaf has been moved - a tree broken - or a spear of grass bent - which will lead to a minute investigation and discovery.

Upper And Lower Settlements

As the settler who moved in from a distance found it very inconvenient and expensive in time to carry on their land and maintain their families, they began to conclude that they could move back, and fortify and protect themselves ; those from below built a garrison at the lower point of the island, on Major Goodale's farm, and those from above built one a little below the mouth of the Little Kanawha, on land of Capt. Jonathan Stone, and called "Upper Settlement" garrison, in which Captain Stone, Capt. William Dana, Wanton Casey and Col. Silas Bent were the principal landholders. Maj. Nathan Goodale was proprietor of the land at the "Lower" garrison, and was considered one of the most industrious, persevering and well-bred farmers in the County: he had been an officer through the Revolution, and moved to this county from Brookfield, Massachusetts. Previous to his starting to this country, he selected the best bull and three of the best cows that he could procure ; he broke them to work together in the yoke, and draw on to this country a wagon with part of his family. The breed of that stock was disseminated through this county and is still held in high estimation to this day. In fact, they have been considered the best milkers that have been introduced into this county.

In the spring of 1792, Major Goodale was clearing and preparing some ground for planting, some 20 or 30 rods back of the garrison, within gunshot, with his team ; he was moving some timber for clearing and fencing near the edge of uncleared land and had been there but a short time when the oxen were observed standing still, but he was not to be seen. After some little time, the team remaining still, anxiety was felt for his safety, an examination was made, but he was not to be found ; moccasin tracks were discovered, which led to the conclusion that he had been taken by the Indians : but no certain information has been obtained of the manner of his capture, the direction he was taken, or the event of his fate.

At the treaty of 1794, some information was obtained relative to every prisoner captured by the Indians along the river and taken as far back as the Indian villages. Hence it is probable that somewhere in the intermediate distance, either from cool, deliberate barbarity, or in some struggle to regain his liberty, he fell, either by the rifle, the tomahawk or the knife. His loss made a vacancy hardly to be filled; his memory is still fresh and green in that of his contemporary pioneers, and still cherished with respect and affection by their descendants. His name is not lost; a son and a daughter still survive: ]\Irs. lames Kilbourne, of Washington, and Dr. Lincoln Goodale, of Columbus, - one of the wealthiest and most reputable men in Ohio.

The members of the "L'pper Settlement" of Belpre succeeded in fortifying and protecting themselves against the Indians, and were fortunate in the safety of their persons and property, while they adhered to the rules which had been adopted, and practiced for their safety. But in March, 1793, one of the settlers, Tonas Davis, from Massachusetts, found a skiff laid upon the ice at the mouth of Crooked Creek, three miles above the garrison, and as nails were a verv scarce and dear article he proceeded to take it to pieces for the nails ; as he was at work at the water's edge, two Indians and a negro shot him from the top of the bank; one with a large-bored musket; scalped him and took his clothes and tools. They were not detected until he was found, and he related all the circumstances at Wayne's treaty.

Early in the year 1794, a party of about 20 Indians had made a large bark canoe about 15 miles down the Ohio; in which they crossed over to the Virginia side, sunk their canoe under water beneath some willows, and set out to hunt some prey between the river and Clarksburg. Taking the Little Kanawha in their route, they found a familv by the name of Armstrong, living on the bank of the river, at the head of Blennerhassett's Island, about a mile below the Little Kanawlia. The house stood immediately on the bank, and a little garden, inclosed with a brush fence, on the other side; the Indians got on the fence and pressed it. down - the fence - to imitate cattle breaking over. Armstrong got up, unbound the door, and went out : when within a rod of the fence, he saw the Indians jumping over; he hastened in and barred the door, but the Indians were close upon him ; the door not being sufficiently strong, they beat it down with their tomahawks; the man and his wife crept into the loft, burst a hole through the roof of the cabin, and jumiiDed out; the man made his escape; the woman broke her leg in striking the ground and was despatched with an ax; a boy about 10 vears old, in the house, was taken prisoner : the rest - four or five girls and boys - were tonmhawked and scaljjed. One boy by the nanije of Hugh, whose brains were running 'over his face, was still creeping and moaning about the house - perfectly insensible, and who died that night. TwO' sons - nearly men - were in a small floating mill anchored in the Ohio, and escaped without injury.

Benjamin Ives Oilman, son of Joseph Oilman, was a promjinent and talented citizen ; he was the first clerk of the court in the county of \yashington, which office he retained until the commencement of the Territorial government, when he was released. The subsequent history of himlself and family is well known. He was a delegate from the county to the convention which formed the Constitution of Ohio.

^^'INTHR0P S.^RGENT, a native of Boston, and secretary of the Northwest Territory, married the -daughter of Oen. Benjamin Tupper, and resided in ^Marietta until the fall of 1790, when Oeneral Harmar was ordered down the river; he followed and tarried below.

Capt. Josi'Ah Monroe, a native of New Hampshire. He served through and commjanded a company at the close of the Revolution; he came on directly after the company and subsequently brought on his family ; he was the first postmaster in the county ; he died at Afjarietta, but has left a number of descendants, by his son, Joseph ^Monroe, and by his daughter, the wife of Col. Daniel Converse, in Muskingum Connty.

Permit me to mention a circumstance to show how hard was the case with man}- a ReYOlutiOnary officer - and soldier. At the close of the war, in 1783, Captain Monroe returned home, purchased a small farm, aniDunting to about $1,000, paid a small part and got credit for the balance for four or five years, giving his brother-in-law. Captain Crosby, as surety, thinking by the time the money was due he shotild realize the money for his services - to the amount of $800, and interest. In 1787 final settlement of the notes would bring but 12 to 15 per cent, on their nominal value. In

1788 he left Iiis final settlement notes with his brother-in-la\v, who ntanaged to keep niY the execution until the Constitution was adopted, when they rose to 2^ per cent. a!lj<:A-e par and paid all demands.

Capt. Willi.^m Mills, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, father o-f Col. Jolin Mills, of Marietta, and brother of Col. John Mills, Adjutant General of the United States troops, who died in Cincinnati. He was apponitetl by the Governor captain of artillery, in January, 1790. He was sometime necessarily aljsent as administrator of his brother's estate in Cincinnati ; subsecjuently he brought on his family, wJio resided in Marietta.

Maj. Coggsvvell Oi.ney and Maj. Asa CoBURN, from Rhode Island, lived in the Can-^pus Martius during the war. Their descendants are settled along the Muskingum. Phineas - IMtijor Coburn's eldest son - came out with the Ohio Company, and now resides in the north part of this county.

Maj. Ezra Putnam, o-f Danvers, Massachusetts, came early to the ^^"estern Country wjith his family, three sons, - two of wdiom were massacred at Big Bottom. He was an oihcer in the Provincial troops, at the taking of the Island df Cape Breton in 1745. He and his wife li\ed to an ad\-anced age in the Campus Martius, and kept a domestic boarding house ; he was prolific in the legends of the old French wars, and frequently sang a ballad of 70 verses, on the taking of Copcrtoon. when he could not remember whether he had his axe in his hand or had left it in the house !

Capt. Enoch Shepard, from Massachusetts, and brother to General Shepard, who commanded at Springfield when General S'.iays attacked the arsenal, came early to the county with a large family ot children, one of whom still lives in Marietta, the wife of Maj. John Clark. He was a substantial, intelligent business man. In the summer and fall of 1790, in ccmpany with Colonel Sproat, he exiiended a large amount of labor and property in erecting a saw-mill and grist-mill on a large scale. Tney had the frames and machinery read) for o]:eri'tion on the site where Robinson's jnill stands, on Duck Creek, when the war stopped their operations and the mills were burned by the Indians, and the whole was a dead loss. But his industry and enterprise were not cramped by this misfortune, for many undertakings of magnitude and utility, after that, were executed by his judgment and perseverance.

Dudley Woodbridge, Esq., from Norwich, Connecticut. Himself and family removed here early in 1789. He was bred to the law, but subsequently engaged in trade, and was one of the first merchants in Marietta, which business he continued to pursue. He was one of the first judges of the Court of ' Common Pleas for the county, under the Con- stitution. His descendants are among the most reputable and prominent citizens of the ^^'estern Country.

William Skinner, Esq., was a native of 1 Pennslyvania, and one of the first settlers in I the county, and was engaged in mercantile j business, under the firm name of Skinner & JNIcKinley. He was the second high sheriff, and the first under our present Constitution! I His descendants are too conspicuous to re- I quire any further relation from me.

Charles Greene, a native of Rhode Isl- \ and. He was bred a merchant, and came early j to J^Iarietta with his mother-in-law (by the nanre of Sheffield) and Isaac Pierce, Esq., (whose wife was her daughter) and one other j daughter who married Major Zeigler, of the United States troops. Mr. Greene was afterward in company in a store of goods, under the firm name of Greene & Meigs. This firm was established principally by the credit of the Obio Company to provide the means of redeeming their outstanding orders in goods wliich were selling at a large discount ; but as goods were a cash article, these orders imanediately rose to par, and furnished a valuable medium ; likewise, all the soldiers employed by the company, and by the United States, and the spies, could get credit at the store, by hypothecating their wages wiiich were paid ill the East.. This induced all the retailers of goods to fall into the same plan ;" this was the introduction of the credit system in our county. Mr. Greene mo'ved to Cincinnati, where his descendants are reputable citizens at this time. Orders on the store were as current then as bank bills are noAv.

Let us now leave the city, with all its good, and all its necessary evil, and its root of all evil, and its professions where the Judge tries all - the Lawyer pleads for all - the Sheriff hangs all - the Doctor cures all - the Merchant cheats all - the Mechanic works for all - and the Soldier fights for all - and go into the neighborhood ^vhere the farmers pay for all.

M'aj. Nathan Goodale was from Brookfield, Massachusetts. He was a soldier and an officer in the Revolution, belonging to the infantry. He was an active pa.rtisan, faithful and persevering. Rufus Stone mentioned to me not long since that among 'the old family papers was a letter from his father, who was in the army, to his mother, where he mentions that Captain Goodale had just brought into camp 15 prisoners; his reputation was that of a 'faithful, enterprising and brave officer; he was one of the most industrious and successful farmers, for the time allowed that was to be found in the county. His loss threw a damper over the whole settlement; no one could be more regretted, as no vacancy would have been so difficult to fill.

Capt. Jonathan Stone, from New Brontill, Massachusetts, was a soldier and an officer during the Revolution. He commanded a company of light infantry, and was principally engaged in partisan warfare, where his station was near the lines which separated the antagonistic troops, by which he was subjected to numerous perils, which demanded the utmost vigilance and activity, both of the soldier and the officer. Early in life he had qualified himself as a practical surveyor, and subsequent to the Indian war completed the survey of the Ohio Company's Purchase, in company with Jeffrey Madison. He was run for a member of the first Territorial Legislature; but his chief characteristic was that of an intelligent and substantial farmer, and an industrious and useful citizen.

Capt. Jonathan Devol, a native of Rhode Lsland, came out with General Putnam, and his company, but was not in the Ohio Comipany's employ until they arrived at Simrell's ferry, where he was employed by General Putnam to build the Ohio Company's boat, which was called the "Mayflower." which brought the pioneers of the State of Ohio to Marietta ; he was then employed by the superintendent in providing the material and erectj ing the block-house on the Campus Martins, I Vi-Jiere he built himself a dwelling house. Early in 1789 he removed his family to Belpre "Upper Settlement,'' where he remained until the close of the war, \\-hen he remo\-ed to ^Marietta, and from there up the ]\Iuskingum, where his descendants now reside. While residing in Belpre, Captain Devol, in company with Griffin Greene, Esq., built the first floating mill to hs operated on and put in action by the current of the Ohio, in the quick water between the island and the main, atove Farmers' Castle. This mill was placed upon two boats of unequal sitze, the water-wheel running between tliem, and the machinery and stones for grinding were placed in the larger, which likewise received the grain and the tenders and the customers, &c. This mjill was anchored in the quickest water, and a communication with the shore was kept up by means of canoes and boats, which were the only traveling carriages incident to a country where there were neither roads nor bridges, but only the navigable streauis. This mill - although but a makeshift - supplied the garrison and the scattered inhaliitants for 2Q or 30 miles up and down the Ohio. These mills were a risky piece of property, and gave the owners much watchfulness and expense in securing their safety; but like other floating capital, they were not subject to statutory provision to regulate the

At the close of the Indian war, Captain De\'ol selected a suitable site, purchased land, moved his family, and comnienced buildinganother floating mill, in 1795. In the absence of all other kind of mills except hand mills and the means oi purchasing from abroad, the exigency of the public demanded something that would reduce corn tO' breadstuff. Captain Devol had made one experiment, and was still to make impro\-ements, and he persevered under very discouraging circuniistances, - want of necessary funds, the difficulty of procuring iron, millstones, &c. ; in the beginning of 1796 the mill began to grind, and although a mere circumstance to a mill - a mere temporary concern - yet it did the grinding, in the times of a thin population, for a distance of 50 miles above Alarietta and 50 miles below, and even ground mieal to go to Zanesville in its first settlement. Subsequently Captain Devol bui^t a mil! upon a larger scale, which stood prominent upon high stone pillars, with a water-wheel 40 feet in dimensions : this mill accon.imodated a large circle of inhabitants, as the Aluskingum is the only perennial stream in the county; at the time of the year when mills ceased to operate was the most advantageous t:n\e for these mills, and the most beneficial to the public.

In 1801 Captain De\'ol built the ship "Mniskingum," of 204 tons, launched in the spring of 1802, belonging to Benjamin Ives Gilman, Esq., and the brig "Eliza Greene." owned by Charles Greene, merchant, of ^Marietta.

In 1802 a nunilljer of vessels were built at Pittsburgh, Wheeling, [Marietta, ana on the [Muskingum, which were launched and floated down the Ohio, in April, 1803.

Capt. William Dana, a native of Watertown, near Boston, was some time in his country's service. He commanded a company of artillery previous to and for some years after the battle of Bunker Hill. He had leased a large farm and resided in the neighborhood of Worcester and was compelled to relinquish the same to prevent a large sacrifice of property. He left New Hampshire, early in May, 1788, with two sons, and arrived in Marietta the fore part of June. He built a log cabin on the corner of Market Square, exactly where the Post Office now stands; he was to clear and improve the land and give up his possession when the people required its use. As it was too late to plant, he and the Ixiys cleared a small piece toward the Female Seminary and made a small kiln oi bricks, which were probably the first kiln of bricks burned m Ohio. Bricks were made near the s;aiie place by ]Maj. Ezra Lant of Newbin\vport. Massachusetts, in the summers of 1789 and 1790. ^^'hen I took possession of the cabin I purchased the lease, and cleared and fenced Market Square, and the comanJon in front of the Muskingum, and sold my possession to Mr. Burlingame, and he to Dr. True, whose descendants now own it. I had a small chimney ' built of those bricks, and when I removed to the garrison of "Upper" Belpre in the spring od" 1793, I took some hundreds of those bricks to build a small chimney in the chamber of Captain Dana's block-house, and Avhen I moved up the [Muskingum - December i, 1795 - I brought up in General Putnam's barge 500 bricks, a considerable number of which I took to Belpre and w'hich were made in the first kiln made on Z^Iarket Square, and are now about our premises.

Col. Ebenezer Battelle, a native of Boston, had been captain of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston, who could not be elected to that position without lie had held a colonel's commission under the Governor of Massachusetts. He arrived with his family in Marietta in 1789, and removed to Belpre in the spring of 1790. He was liberally educated and was an active partner in a book- ' store with Isaiah Thomas in Boston. He was educated with a view of his embracing a clerical life, but he did not embrace that profession. He moved to Ohio and became a farmer. He officiated as chaplain in the Belpre settlements during the Indian war. These patriots of the Revolution did not forget that they were the recipients of the gifts of a protecting Providence, and did not neglect to meet on the hoi}' Sabbath and offer np their prayers and adoration to our Gracious and Merciful Father, their constant and bountiful benefactor, and with thankfulness and gratitude for the present and past implore His protecting care for their country and themselves in time to come.

Capt. Nathan Gushing, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, a soldier of the Revolution, and a true and valuable officer, came with his family early to the- settlanent. and settled in Belpre. Farmers' Castle stood partly on his land : he was head of the police and had principal charge of the military in that garrison. He was one of the most candid, industrious and valuable citizens. He had a large family, which he took the utmost pains to educate during the war, and who now occupy reputable and respectable stations in the country.

Gapt. Roi-and Bradford, a native near Plymouth, Massachusetts, a soldier of the Revolution, was a good man, a good citizen, and a good farmer. He left tout one child now living - Robert Bradford, of Parkersburgh. He was a descendant of old Governor Bradford, of Plymouth, and brought to Marietta a number of articles of household furniture that Ijelonged to his ancestoirs, several of which are no\v in possession oi his son Robert. He h?xl a rare escape from the Indians in returning from Scioto Springs, in 1794, with G. Greene.

Gapt. O'i.iver Rice, of Rutland, Massachusetts, was an officer through the Revolution. He married after the war - lost his wife - came out early, and settled in Belpre - was afterward a major in the militia - a sterlingcitizen and among the best of farmers ; his line is e.xtinct in this country. He was a brave man at Stony Point, and was a lieutenant.

G.\PT. Jonathan Haskell came early and settled in Belpre; subsequently he was appointed a captain in General Wayne's army. He was \\\th General Harmar out against the

Indians; he came up with his company and resided one winter and a part of a summer in Marietta. He married a sister of Capt. Daniel Green. He was out with ^^'ayne ; he returned to Belpre, where he raised his family and made his exit ; he had a daughter married to Mr. Lawton of Barlow.

Lieut. George Ingersoll, a native of Boston, came earl\- to Belpre, having been an officer of the Re\-olution ; he was a lieutenant of the first artillery conxpany in the county. He was for some time under pay as an officer of the United States in the Indian war ; he returned over the mountains after the war. He had some employment at West Point, where he got married and did not return.

Col. Israel Putnam, son of Gen. Israel Putnam, of the Revolution, came with his son, Alaj. Aaron Waldo Putnam, and returned to Connecticut, and in 1793 brought the residue of his family. Colonel Putnam was one of the largest capitalists of the time that emigrated to our county; he was an experienced and enlightened agriculturist : his example and precept were beneficial in giving an earnest t<ine and direction to farming in Belpre. Manv of our Revolutionary settlers had been practiced to watchfulness and inured to daiiger, and disciplined to the use of the sword and gun, who w(ere not familiar with the plow and the scythe and the sickle, hut by the example of those l>etter skilled, they soon became good farmers.

Ma J. A. W. Putnam, late of Belpre, was one of the most skillful, extensive and thorough farmers early in the settlement. His farnii lay about half a mile below Farmters' Castle, and when the war commenced he moved into that garrison, but left his stock on the farm, where they required his daily attention. The Indians - who were secreted back on "the Plain," co\-ered by the woods - watched those who went out to feed their stock; as Major Putnam was ou his way tp feed, and had got a sufficient distance, as they judged, they left their cover and endeavored to cut off liis retreat, but he early discovered them and gave the alarm to the garrison ; the citizens tlew^ to their arms and made a sortie ^\^ith all speed down the river in the direction to meet Major Putnam and intercept the Indians before the)- should meet AJajor Putnam. When the Indians found they could not effect their object, they made a halt, fired several shots at Major Putnam and received several shots froml the party without effect, then made their retreat to the woods : but the citizens did not think prudent to follow. lest they should be led into an ambush.

I Griffin Greene, Esq., from; Rhode Island, was an early settler. He moved to- Belpre in the spring of 1790. He had been engaged in mercantile business in Rhode Island and had been active in the cause of his country during the Revolution, suffering some loss which led himi to Europe, where he observed a floating mill for grinding grain, near Amsterdam, which led to the erection of one of sinuilar construction in Belore, in company with Capt. Jonathan Devol, as related elsewhere. Escpiire Greene was a man of genius, and a man of talents, a useful, enterprising and exemplary citizen. His after life and family are well kno\\-n.

Daniel Loring, from ]\lQssachusetts, was an early settler in Belpre: he was appointed a magistrate by General St. Clair, and subsequently a judge under the Territorial government; he was a substantial and correct man. and one O'f the best kind of citizens ; his descendants are an exemplification of his worth and estimation in society.

Isaac Pierce, Esq., a native of Rhode Island, was brother-in-law to Charles Greene: they came together early in 1789; he was an early settler in Belpre; he was bred a merchant, but he soon learned the trade of a farmer; subsequently he became a magistate. and was much resorted to for those instruments of writing so necessary in society to keep its surface sn^ooth, by keeping the rough even and the crooked straight. His ph\-sical powers were moderate, but his nii:)ral and luental were

Col. Alexander Oliver, from the western part of Massachusetts, came on in 1789, and moved to Belpre in March, 1790; he had a large family; one daughter married Judge Daniel Symmes, another William Spencer, of Cincinnati. The family were reputable: his descendants are all settled in the western part of the State.

Capt. Benjamin Miles, of Rutland Massachusetts, settled in the "Lower Settlement" oi Belpre; his famiily was large and rqxitable. He was a substantial farmer and took much pains to.educate his children, some of whom:, I belie\-e, occup_\- prominent situations in society.

i William Browning, from Rutland, Massachusetts, came on with General Putnam's famiily in 1790. Col. Daniel Bent, from the samie place. Israel Stone, from the same place. All were settled in Belpre in 1790. They w^ere all substantial farmers. Captain Curtis, from Connecticut, ^NIr. Guthrie and and family, from the same place, were -in garrison during the war, were settled in Newbury. The above persons had large families, some of whom occupy prominent stations, and all are reputable and noted.

I have been more particular with the first settlers of Belpre, because I consider they possessed in a mo re eminent degree those sterlingqualities which form a base on which to erect this social edifice, and which are best calculated at once to cherish, guard, and perpetuate our republican liberties. They must have had some education in earlv life; they must have been practiced to industry and economy under the influence of a respect for morality and religion ; they could not have been selected to lead their countrymen to battle for their country's rights merely for their physical powers (as of old) but they m)ust have been chosen from^ their moral standing and superior intellect. They had a second education in the army of the Re\olution, where they heartl the precepts of wisdom and saw the examples of bravery and fortitude ; they had 'been discipHned to obey and learned the advantage of subordination tO' law and good order, in promoting the prosperity and happiness of themselves and the rest of mankind.

I must not omit the name of one person ; he deserves a rank with our best men - Daniel Mayo, from Boston. He was educated at Harvard University ; he came early to Belpre and taught school in Farmers' Castle in the time O'f the war ; he was not only a scholar but a gentleman, a most esteemed citizen, and subsequently married a daughter o^f Col. Israel Putnam and moved to Newport, opposite Cincinnati.

Dean TVler, a native of Haverhill, Massachusetts, came out very early. He had been liberally educated. He possessed abilities, but his genius was eccentric; he had been exclusively confined to handling books and found it difficult to became accustomed to the ax-handle and the hoe, and without the means to live without, there were few implements which offered the means tO' keep the pot boiling, and instead of growing up with the settlement and becoming a guide and benefactor, he became worse than indolent, buried his talents and liis errors should not be remembered.

Gray, of Massachusetts, was a nephew to William Gray, an extensive merchant, for whom, he was named, who lived some time in Salem, and subsequently in Eostc:n. He came early with his family and settled in \\'aterf(jrd ; his physical anc: mental powers v,-ere such as would c<jmmand attention and favorable notice in any society had his passions been under the guidance of moral principle and his intellect under the discipline of education. He was some time employed as a lieutenant in the United States service, and his uncle - Billy Gray, of Boston - regularly sent iim money enough to maintain his family, but lie was deficient in the characteristics of the Yankee - industry, economy and regular habits. Two of his daughters are respectively married to the Messrs. Howard, of Waterford.

Island, came early to the county with his family, which were numerous. His oldest sons, Gilbert and Jonathan, settled in Marietta ; they were both blacksmiths, industrious and valuable mechanics and good citizens. He was son-e time a judge of the Sujjreme Court of Rhode Isiand, in the time of the Rfevolutiou, when patriotism ran down the streets like a s tream, and paper money like a flood. He was a man with a strong mjnd; had read much and had formed some eccentric theories b}' which he anived at the conclusion that the moral and mental were and ought to be subordinate to the physical powers.

Benjamin Shaw, from Beverly, Massachusetts, cam.e early to the country and settled at Waterford ; he was a good citizen and a substanial farmer. He had a large family, who now hold reputable and respectable stations in society: his oldest daughter married Benjamin Dana, of Waterford ; his youngest son, Bo}-lston Shaw, now resides on and inherits the paternal property at Waterford.

Benjamin Dana, from Pomfret, in Vermont, came out with Col. Israel Putnam's family in 1704 and resided in Belpre until the peace ^^ ith the Indians. He then purchased property in. and removed to, Waterford ; he became one of the most extensive and successful agriculturists in the county. He inherited all the qualities analogous to the evergreen and granite Oif his native State, and adopted all the improvements and advantages incident to the more fertile soil and congeniel climate of the State of Ohio. He very early began the cutivation of the fine-wooled Merino and Saxon sheep ; his flock is the largest and finest in the county. Very few men with the same means could have accomplished sO' much and still fe-wer could have done more.