The Marietta Intelligencer, April 3, 1861

To the Public Generally

Justice to myself demands that I should be heard by the public at large in justification of myself against the unjust accusation of James S. Stowe, as I have heard he has charged against me before boatmen at New Orleans, and all along the Mississippi, and in our own community it has been published in the newspapers, and James S. Stowe, in answer to my letter to him of the 15th of March, says that he charges me with being the cause of his being cut loose, fired upon, and driven away from the landing at Lake Providence and other places below.

Now to show that James S. Stowe, to screen himself from his long known difficulties at Lake Providence, has taken this methods of shifting it on to me, whom he calls his neighbor. But we will let the community who cut him loose and fired at him, speak for themselves below.

S. M. Devol

[Simeon Manchester Devol, 1800-1876]

To Whom It May Concern

This is to certify that the cause of Mr. James Stowe being moved from Providence Landing, was not in consequence of any report made by S. M. Devol, Esq. - but was caused by remarks made against the institution of Slavery, at this landing for a number of years past, all of which can be proved by various individuals, among whom is the Town Marshal. Mr. James Stowe was moved from this landing previous to Mr. Devol's arrival here.

Providence, La., Feb. 27, 1861.

A. C. Jamison, Constable

A. W. Green

H. Stein

J. P. Gentry

W. M. Shaw, Prop'r of Wharf Boat

John W. Graves

*     *     *

James S. Stowe (1806-1895)

Note: James S. Stowe began flat-boating in 1829 and was very successful in the business, carrying a variety of goods including flour, meat, lard, beans, and butter. All along the river he had a reputation for being a “sharp but honest dealer.” His anti-slavery views were also well known. In the months leading up to the Civil War, Northerners were often threatened when traveling in the South. Stowe was a victim of this hostility while on the Mississippi River at Lake Providence, Louisiana, in 1860. His boat was tied up at the shore when news was received that South Carolina had seceded from the Union. That night Stowe, who did not carry a gun, was shot at and his tow line was cut. He was told by an angry mob that “no Lincoln abolitionists could land at their shores” and was given until four o’clock to leave. (Sources: History of Washington County, Ohio, H. Z. Williams & Bro, 1881; “Old Time Flatboatmen,” The Marietta Daily Leader, January 17, 1904)

The Country

The Marietta Intelligencer, October 6, 1858

The township of Aurelius, to which we made our first visit last week, though considerably curtailed of its once fair proportions by having a large slice cut off to make up the new county of Noble, compares well in most respects with other townships in the county. It is quite hilly, but the soil is good and in ordinary seasons yields the farmer a fair remuneration for his labors. This year they have been more unfortunate than their neighbors in the western part of the county and along the river bottoms; their wheat was an entire failure. Hardly sufficient has been harvested for seed. Oats there are none and corn is only middling. Still the farmers are hard at work, nothing discouraged but earnestly engaged in preparations for the coming year. Most of the wheat is already sown and a good deal up.

Macksburgh, which is the only village in the township, is a small collection of houses, boasting two or three stores, a tannery, a flouring mill, a smithy or two, a good school house and neat little Methodist church. Something can be said of Macksburg which is not true of many villages in the county. No liquors are kept there for sale.

The hills in Aurelius are full of coal and a very good article can be delivered at 5 cts. a bushel.

We shall expect better things of our Aurelius friends at election this fall than the meagre majority of 8 or 10 votes which they gave last year. They rolled it up to thirty-five in 1856, and they can do it again. Will you not, Republicans of Aurelius, see that not a vote is lost. Let each man do his duty and we have nothing to fear. Sham Democracy will receive a defeat that will make it ashamed ever to show its head again.

Salem is even more hilly in some parts than Aurelius, and how they cultivate many of the hills is a mystery to us. But if they can only get the surface plowed and the grain sown, an abundant crop is almost guaranteed. Some of the farmers in this township had, even this year, a fair crop of wheat. It is a limestone soil, strong and productive.

The village of Salem is a very brisk little place; the streets often present a very city-like appearance when crowded, as they often are, with people. The Steam Flouring Mill of Stanley, Feldner & Co., has been greatly instrumental in giving an impetus to business. It was erected in November last, is built of wood, 30 by 40, three stories high, with an engine room 20 by 30. It contains two run of burrs, and is capable of grinding 30 barrels of flour per day. There is also a steam saw and lath mill owned by Mr. Alden. There are four stores in the place - E. Lindner's, F. Kueck's, Darrow & Davenport's, and Stanley & ____'s -  one hotel, two wagon shops, two blacksmith shops, and a tin shop.

A select school has recently been opened by Miss Wetherby of Lowell, under quite flattering prospects. She has already an attendance of 24 scholars. They have two churches, Methodist and Presbyterian, in each of which services are held every other Sabbath.

Mr. James Stanley is just preparing the foundations of a brick Hotel which will be an ornament to the place. The main building will be 20x83, three stories high, with a piazza 6 feet wide. This will be connected with another building already erected, thus making the entire frontage over 40 feet. In the rear is a kitchen 12x16. The style is to be Swiss. Charles DeLong is the architect and builder.

Boye's flouring mill on Duck Creek, a mile or two from the village, enjoys an excellent reputation for its flour. As we passed we found him engaged in putting in a new dam. 

We congratulate the Salem people in having at last got rid of their worthless postmaster. They have been imposed upon long enough. Under a new administration we trust their interests will be better attended to.

The village of Bonn, a couple of miles south of Salem, does not present an appearance of great thrift, though we observed some recent improvements in the way of building and painting.

There are several things we should like to speak of suggested by our trip, were not our columns so crowded with other matters.

Old Marietta Papers - Number 38

 The Marietta Register, June 24, 1864

"Old Marietta Papers" was a series of columns compiled and published in 1863 and 1864 by Rodney M. Stimson, editor of "The Marietta Register."

To go back to the first newspaper ever published in Marietta, the "Ohio Gazette and Virginia herald," by Wyllys Silliman, an article we have just discovered, written by the late Caleb Emerson in 1839, says that he then had in his possession an imperfect paper of the first number issued - on December 7, 1801. The earliest number in possession of the Register Office bears the date Oct. 24, 1803, and is No. 97.

In the opening address of the first number - according to an extract in Mr. Emerson's article - the editor apologizes for adding "Virginia Herald" to the title previously fixed upon, "Ohio Gazette." "He might rest this apology," he says, "upon the generous and extensive patronage he has received from the inhabitants of the western part of Virginia"; but he wishes to place it upon a broader ground and he goes on as follows:

"He is, indeed, proud in having this opportunity, at this time, and by this measure, to give to his Fellow-Citizens on both sides of the Ohio a pledge of his equal regard and an example of that liberality of sentiment, which is not only so decorous in private character, but which forms so important a pillar in the fabric of social and political happiness.

Breathing the same air - having the same wants - being capable of the same pleasures - talking the same language - living under the same national government, what is there to limit or divide our affections? - A river! - A river whose kindred branches we inhabit - whose current, mild and unbroken, though composed of a thousand tributary streams, affords us an impressive lesson of unity and peace.

Surely this country ought to become one of the happiest under Heaven! Blessed with a friendly climate - a rich and diversified soil - a rapidly increasing population - and separated on all sides from the rest of the world by lakes and mountains, we form a world of our own, which can be ruined only by our own follies - shall we admit, that of all the most fatal, a spirit of discord.

At present we enjoy the protection of a Government recognizing an equality of rights and having liberty for its basis; may it be perpetual! but may we never forget that the best guarantors of our freedom will ultimately be found in the justness of our principles and the harmony of our feelings!"

The only thing that has ever created anything of a "spirit of discord" between those residing upon this or that side of the "river whose kindred branches we inhabit," is Slavery. Our neighbors over the river have now put that out of the way, and hereafter it will be a reign of "unity and peace."

Jan. 9, 1840, "George Benedict, Dealer in Groceries and Provisions at the Upper Landing on Ohio Street" first appears in an advertisement. Mr. Benedict is still "at it," now on Front Street, although he took a vacation from that business for some years, in the way of steamboating and banking.

Jan. 23, 1840, the Intelligencer notices a Durham calf raised by Judge Joseph Barker of Newport, which was eight months old and weighed 630 lbs.; also a potato raised on the farm of William R. Putnam, Jr., which weighed 3-1/3 lbs.

Franks and Hendrie advertise that they had bought the extensive iron foundry - "Washing Foundry" - of Nye & Cram and would carry it on.

Feb. 20, 1840, Edgerton & Woodbridge (Luther Edgerton and George M. Woodbridge) advertise the close of their business; and Woodbridge & Barber (George M. Woodbridge and Levi Barber) continued the store at the same stand.

March 2, 1840, the County Commissioners formed the township of Jolly from the north part of Grandview. On the formation of Noble County in 1850, a portion of the township was attached to Monroe County and subsequently the remainder of the township was again attached to Grandview.

About this date, J. P. Wightman leased the Mansion House from John Lewis.

March 28, 1840, Robert Hurdsman and a Mr. Yates were drowned at Beverly while attempting to cross the Muskingum in a skiff. Mrs. Yates was in the skiff, but retained her hold on it after it passed over the dam, and was rescued.

April 26, 1840, Thomas Fleming was drowned while passing over Chambers' dam on the Little Muskingum.

May 7, 1840, F. B. Loomis first advertised his store in Marietta.

May 19, 1840, John Miner, a son of Henry Miner, was drowned in the Little Muskingum, about a mile Corner's mill.

June 1, 1840, the County Commissioners formed Independence Township.

July 1, 1840, J. Moorehead opened an office as attorney at Law in the Court House.

July 14, 1840, "George H. Wells, recently from the city of New York," announced that he had established himself in the Hardware business on Front Street. Mr. Wells is still here, in the grocery business. This was the foundation of the present house of Bosworth, Wells & Co.

July 28, 1840, Rev. Thomas Wickes, from Troy, N. Y., was installed as Pastor of the Congregational Church in Marietta. Opening prayer by Rev. L. G. Bingham, former pastor; sermon by Rev. Dr. Linsley, then President of Marietta College; installation prayers by Rev. M. DeWitt; charge to the pastor by Rev. Francis Bartlett; right hand of fellowship by Rev. Dr. D. H. Allen, then Professor in Marietta College; charge to the people by Rev. L. G. Bingham; concluding prayer by Rev. B. Roberts; benediction by the pastor. Mr. Wickes is still the pastor of that church.

Aug. 4, 1840, the "Mail Line and "Opposition" stages, while racing, came into collision while ascending March Run Hill, six miles above Marietta, as they were coming down from Zanesville. The opposition stage was thrown off the bank, with nine passengers, several of them injured, a Mr. Peck from New York very seriously.

Aug. 28, 1840, Squire A. Null fell, with a scaffold, sixteen feet to the ground while at work on the house of Vincent Payne in Marietta, and was so severely injured that he died on the next Monday, aged 24.

Sept. 11, 1840, a shocking fight occurred at Beverly between workmen on the Lock and the Creekites, as they were called, between whom ill feeling had existed for some time. Clubs, stones, brickbats, knives, etc., were freely used, and the fight did not terminate until five or six persons were seriously injured, one dangerously. Gov. Shannon, Dem., was speaking there at the time, but the fight did not arise from politics, and was not at the meeting.

Returning from Beverly, a horse and wagon drive by a German named Kneille of Marietta was precipitated from the bank near Coal Run, and Mr. Kneille was instantly killed and his wife very much injured. There had been some racing and the horse was frightened.

Oct. 30, 1840, in carelessly loading a cannon at the foot of Front Street, it burst and so seriously injured a German that he died the next Tuesday.

Marriages in 1840:

Feb. 13, Stephen Smith of Marietta and Sarah J. Marshall of Harmar.

March 8, George W. Lane of Aurora, Indiana, and Sally Maria Buell of Marietta.

March 9th, Matthew Beswick and Lydia Smith, both of Harmar.

March 17th, Conrad Cline of Virginia and Mary Ann Crawford of this county.

March 18th, John Thornily and Jane Temple.

March 19th, William Whittock and Nancy Patton, both of Fleming.

April 19, Ethan Allen of Marietta and Patience Dye of Lawrence.

April 21st, in Newport, Bartlett Jackson and Amanda M. Bell.

April 29th, William Wallace Dodge and Harriet H. Holden.

May 5, William Alcock and Polly White.

May 10th, William Slocomb and Siba H. Buell.

May 20th, Noah L. Wilson and Kezia R. Waters of Columbus.

May 21st, Leonard Scott and Rebecca Briggs of Westchester County, New York.

May 30th, Jacob Moats and Elizabeth Young of Salem. 

June 11, David McKibben and Eliza Ann Crea.

June 25th, in Newport, Ira Hill 3d and Desdemona Lackey.

July 1, Nathan Udell and Eliza Payne of Salem.

July 1, in Belpre, Asa D. Newell and Eleanor Shettlesworth.

July 23d, Wyllys Hall Jr. and Emma Sullivan.

Aug.12, Peter Wilkins of Harmar and Anna Otten of Fearing.

Aug. 18th, Joshua Ripley and Cynthia F. Rouse, both of Belpre.

Sept. 1, in Fearing, Thomas Lankford and Hannah Hill.

Sept. 16th, George Putnam and Susan A. Westcott.

Sept. 23d, Milton Ellenwood and Sophronia S. Needham, both of Warren.

Sept. 24th, Solomon Athey and Lucinda N. Hill, both of Fearing.

Sept. 24th, Rufus Payne of Salem and Mrs. Elizabeth Gay of Guernsey County [in Guernsey County].

Sept. 30th, John Floyd of Woodsfield and Nancy Harper of Marietta.

Oct. 1, Francis Vinton and Harriet W. Fox, both of Waterford.

Oct. 18th, Jacob Wood of Marietta and Marinda Longfellow of Aurelius.

Oct. 21st, Z. B. Ballard of Decatur and Mary Ann Cole of Warren.

Oct. 23rd, Hiram Martin of Watertown and Caroline Woodruff of Barlow.

Nov. 8, Joseph Caywood 2d and Elizabeth Reed, both of Lawrence.

Nov. 24th, William P. Cole of Warren and Louisa Shields of Watertown.

Dec. 17, Henry Coomes and Polly A. Vaughn.

Dec. 17th, Joseph Morris and Elizabeth Herrington, both of Harmar.

Deaths in 1840:

Jan. 3, in Warren, Catharine, daughter of Lewis W. and Susan Reppert, aged three years.

March 8, in Cincinnati, Mrs. Sarah S. Bingham, wife of Rev. Luther Bingham, former pastor of the Congregational Church in Marietta.

March 19th, Clarinda, daughter of Nathaniel Bishop, 22.

April 22, in Marietta, Samuel Weston, in his 25th year.

May 9, in Union, Eliza Dickey in her 26th year.

May 10th, in Harmar, Mrs. Susannah Burlingame, wife of Christopher Burlingame and daughter of Gen. Rufus Putnam, 74.

May 11th, Mrs. Eliza, wife of Charles Sullivan, in her 39th year.

May 12th, in Lawrence, Mrs. Hannah Caywood, wife of Joseph Caywood and daughter of Samuel Dye, Esq.

May 21st, Harriet Tharp, wife of Silas Tharp of Harmar, 29.

May 26th, in Michigan, Mrs. Josephine N. Rice, daughter of J. Gabaudan of Marietta.

June 28, Mrs. Sally Booth, wife of James M. Booth, Esq., in her 51st year.

July 5th, in Harmar, Elizabeth Spencer Stone, wife of Augustus I. Stone, 24.

July 5th, in Waterford, Elizabeth McDonald, wife of Thomas McDonald, 56.

July 26th, in Clermont County, Daniel D. Morris, formerly of Marietta.

Aug. 16, in Roxbury, Elias Pewthers, Esq., 37.

Sept 11, in Choctaw Nation, Edward H. Byington, son of Rev. Cyrus Byington, in his 12th year.

Nov. 12, in Waterford, David White, 74.

Nov 27th, Col. Ichabod Nye, in his 78th year, a native of Tolland, Conn.; his family, with that of Gen. Benjamin Tupper, who was his father-in-law, and those of Col. Cushing, Maj. Goodale and Maj. Coburn, landed at Marietta, Aug. 19, 1788, the first families that arrived here.

Dec. 6, Lucius S. Palmer, 22.

Dec. 14th, William Skinner, Esq., 71.

Dec. 17th, Mrs. Sarah H. Andrews, wife of I. W. Andrews.

Corner of Putnam and Front Streets

The Marietta Register, August 10 1865:

Public Sale of Valuable Real Estate!

Will be sold at public auction on the 14th cay of August, A.D. 1865, on the premises themselves the following real estate, to-wit: All the landed property belonging to the estate of Mrs. Mary S. Jackson [Mary Sophia Meigs], deceased, situate in the city of Marietta, Ohio, and vicinity, and commonly called "The Meigs Property;" that is to say - 

- A lot on Ohio street in Square No. 68.

- Lots Nos. 566, 567, 568, 569 in Square No. 37.

- Lots Nos. 593, 594, 598, 206, in Square No. 45, situate on Front and Scammel streets, which lots will probably be subdivided into 60 feet lots fronting on the principal streets and running back 180 feet to an alley.

- Also lot No. 2 in Square No. 22, opposite the old graveyard.

- Lots Nos. 39, 64, 65, 105, 1005, 1006 in Square No. 5 on Front street, opposite the tanyards.

- Also lot No. 597 and parts of lots Nos. 595 and 596, fronting on Front street, 150 feet, running back to an alley 180 feet, including the old Mansion House, office &c.

- Also that valuable property at the corner of Putnam and Front streets, now occupied by Joseph L. Stephens and others as business rooms, owned by David Barber, Esq., in common with the devisees of Mrs. Mary S. Jackson, deceased, fronting on Front street 180 feet, running back 45 feet. Will be sold in lots to suit purchasers. The present lessees are to have one month to remove their wooden structures.

- Also a valuable 8 acre lot lying between the Fair Ground and the Muskingum River, subject to the present tenancy.

- Also another 8 acre lot and some fractions, making together 11 acres and a fraction, say 85-100 of an acre, on the river bottom adjoining lands of A. T. Nye, Esq., and others, subject to the present occupancy.

- Also that very desirable and valuable tract of land on the Muskingum River, 5 miles from the city, adjoining James Ward's lands, at the first lock on the river above the city, known as Duvall's Lock [Devol], containing 13-3/4 acres.

- Also 50 acres of valuable timbered land, 1 mile east of Duvall's Lock and adjoining lands of W. B. F. Duvall and others, with some oil prospects.

- Also three other tracts of timbered land on the west side of the Muskingum River, near the said Duvall's Lock, one tract containing 68 acres, being part of 100 acre lot No. 12, R. 9, T. 3.

- Another tract contains 72 acres, part of 100 acre lot No. 13. Also, lot No. 14, part of 100 acre lot No. 14, containing 80 acres. All very valuable for timber, and together the making of a good up-land farm. These lands have been in request for oil purposes.

- We also propose to sell that valuable estate situate in the Ohio River, opposite Marietta, known as Kerr's Island, or Triplit's [Triplett] Island, (lately called Jackson's Island), estimated to contain near 200 acres of very superior land. Propositions have been made by oil men to bore on this property.

Terms of Sale - One-half cash in hand; the residue in two equal payments of six and twelve months, with interest from day of sale, secured by mortgage on the premises so sold.

James M. Jackson, Executor for himself and other heirs of Mary S. Jackson, deceased.

 

*     *     *

The Marietta Register, August 31, 1865:

The Sale of the Business Corner of Front and Putnam Streets

Two weeks ago we published the amount of the sale on the 14th inst. of the part of a lot on the lower corner of Front and Putnam streets, this city - viz: 171-1/2 feet on Front street by 45 on Putnam, including the old two-story brick building, for the total amount of $11,350. The details of the sale may be of interest to many of our readers. It was sold in seven divisions, facing Front street, each 45 feet deep, as follows:

1. To West & Varley, corner, with brick building, 46 feet on Front and 45 on Putnam, $4,500.

2. To Martin Wendelkin, 23 feet, $1,280.

3. To John Schramm, 21 feet, $1,285.

4. To J. G. Theiss & Bro., 27-1/2 feet, $1,310.

5. To Fred. Wehrs, 16-1/2 feet, $1,085.

6. To Lewis Leonhart, 18-3/4 feet, $1,005.

7. To John Leonhart, 18-3/4 feet, $885.

The ground only was sold, except on the corner - the frame buildings on divisions 2, 3, 4, and 5, belonging to persons who held leases, to expire in four weeks after the sale. Divisions 6 and 7, next to the canal, have no buildings on them at present. The property was sold at auction by the representatives of the Meigs Estate, David Barber holding a part interest therein.

Omitting the corner, the rest of the ground sold for $49.60 per front foot, 45 feet deep; or $1.10 per square foot for the whole ground.

It should be noted that, while this property is valuable, yet it is not in the main business part of Marietta. It is on one of the two chief business streets, but above the heavy trade, yet valuable for retail stands.

The brick building, we may state, was erected about the year 1817 by Henry P. Wilcox - the same who built the house where Col. Mills now lives; and who left Marietta within a few years after.

*     *     *

The Marietta Register, February 23, 1886:

Guitteau Corner

"Hallo, Mister, are you hunting up old things yet? If you are, you will see a great lot at the Guitteau Corner," was the greeting of a friendly teamster who stopped his span of horses to give me the good news.

At the instance of a friend who the night before had told me of this wondrous find in the old house at the corner of Front and Putnam streets, I had hunted up Mr. John Mankin and from him was promised the sight of all he had taken home, and now to know that many old things were with Capt. West and Mr. Buck started me for their coal office. They kindly allowed me to look over all they had gathered, but one thing I had heard of was not among them - the leather mail bag of 1820. 

Soon I traced this to Postmaster Grosvenor. Finally, and with his consent, I had a full look at it and contents. Now I propose telling your readers all about what I saw, excepting two things - that don't concern the dwellers here-abouts in 1886.

First I will speak of the building. As early as 1816 it was built by Gov. R. J. Meigs and Mr. Henry P. Wilcox. The north room was occupied as a store and the south room as the Post Office. The store goods were owned by Gov. Meigs, and Mr. Wilcox was Postmaster from 1818 to 1825. And right here I will answer a question often asked me about Marietta Postmasters, who they were, and when they served.

Gen. Tupper distributed letters from 1788 to 1794, I believe. R. J. Meigs, Jr., handled the mails from 1794 to Oct., 1795. Josiah Monroe from Oct. 1795 to 1800. David Putnam from 1800 to 1802. Griffin Greene from 1802 to 1804. Phillip Greene from 1804 to 1806. Griffin Green, Jr., from 1806 to 1815. Sam Hoit from 1816 to 1818. H. P. Wilcox from 1818 to 1825. David Morris from the summer of 1825 to late in 1825. Daniel H Buell from 1825 to 1829. A. V. D. Joline from 1829 to 1841. Abner L. Guitteau from 1841 to 1850. F. A. Wheeler from 1850 to 1853. Nathaniel Bishop from 1853 to 1857. A. D. McCormick from 1857 to 1861. Sala Bosworth from 1861 to 1870. William B. Mason from 1870 to 1878. S. L. Grosvenor from 1878 to 1886. Each one of these men, excepting A. Guitteau in his second term, represented the party in power during his employment as Postmaster. But I am away from my subject.

This old building has been variously occupied since the days of Wilcox. At one time John K. Joline taught school in the north part of it. The Jolines printed a paper in it. A. V. D. Joline occupied the south part of the building for a Post Office. Abner L. Guitteau used the building for a Post office and grocery for several years. The Marietta lodge of Free Masons occupied the upstairs for years. Mr. Elijah B. Guitteau, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Brigham and others at times had salesrooms in it.

It has recently changed hands and is being overhauled from cellar to garret, and many old papers and curious things have been brought to light. Notably the papers of Gen. Wilcox, dating back to 1810, Gov. R. J. Meigs, H. P. Wilcox, A. V. D. Joline, John K. Joline, &c.

I have only time to speak of a very few of them. It would not have answered for us fellows who live in find houses and don't pay our debts to have lived seventy years ago around here. Listen:

"Mr. Silas Cook: Sir: - You are requested to stay the service of the writ of attachment until Saturday at 10 o'clock. I will be accountable for General Wilcox so far as to deliver his body on that day. In the suit of J. M. vs. Joseph Wilcox - 17 Nov., 1813. Timothy Buell, Sheriff."

Within the remembrance of the writer, a nicely dressed gentleman with ruffled shirt was in jail bounds for five months for debt. 

There used to be wolves as well as dogs around here. Read:

This agreement made between Joseph Wilcox and Thomas Reynolds of Marietta, witnesseth that I, Thomas Reynolds, take this 6th day of July, 1812, one ram of the merino breed, said ram is 7/8 blooded, has horns of a middling size, with a hole in each ear on the following conditions: (viz.). Then followed the conditions, the last of which is that said Reynolds is to secure said ram from the wolves and dogs, but said Wilcox insures the life said ram against all unforeseen accident and natural death.

Another:

Article of agreement between Joseph Wilcox and Samuel Shepard. Said Samuel Shepard takes of said Wilcox a part of a square of land situated in Marietta called the Elevated Square. Said land is to be put in flax and corn - 1-1/2 acres to be put flax. Furth conditions unnecessary to copy, signed Marietta, 10th March, 1811.

And so on I could write of interesting things contained in these papers, but the morning bell for six o'clock is ringing and I must close.

Postage in those days for a double sheet letter from Philadelphia to this place was fifty cents; now it is four cents.

W. 

Old Marietta Papers - Number 11

The Marietta Register, December 4, 1863

"Old Marietta Papers" was a series of columns compiled and published in 1863 and 1864 by Rodney M. Stimson, editor of "The Marietta Register." 

January 1, 1819, the Report of "The Society in Marietta for the Promotion of good Morals," appears in the Friend, signed by David Putnam, S. P. Hildreth and John Cotton. It relates principally to Sunday Schools. May 11, 1817, three Sunday Schools were opened, one under the Superintendence of William Slocomb at Buell's school room; one under Elisha Huntington at Muskingum Academy: and one under Dr. John Cotton at Point Harmar. In 1818, there were two Sunday Schools, one in Marietta, under charge of William Slocomb, and one at Harmar, under Mr. Judson. The committees reported that "the progress in the schools was such as to afford the highest satisfaction." The number of scholars in the two schools in 1818 was 208.

February 22, 1819, citizens met at house of Moses McFarland to form an Agricultural Society. Capt. Jonathan Devol, Chairman, Anselm T. Nye, Secretary. Adjourned to meet April 7, but we find no account of that meeting. The Society met Nov. 17 - Benjamin Ives Gilman elected President; S. P. Hildreth, Recording Secretary; Nahum Ward, Corresponding Secretary; David Putnam, Treasurer.

Spring election, 1819, Town Council elected, to wit: Caleb Emerson, John Merrill and Amzi Stanley; Town Clerk, Royal Prentiss; Treasurer, Sampson Cole; Assessor, D. H. Buell; Constables, Enoch Hoff, Notley Drown, John J. Preston; Police Officers, Griffin Greene, C. Sylvester, J. R. Curtis.

April 13, 1819, a steer, raised by William R. Browning, Esq., of Belpre, 5 years old, killed, and weighed - beef 1290; hide 114; rough tallow 192; total 1596.

May 6, 1819, Henry P. Wilcox, P. M., removed the Post Office to the corner of Market (Front) and Putnam streets.

July 4 (Monday, 5th), 1819, dinner at Major Hill's. We give two of the toasts: By A. Warner - "The members of the late Congress, who opposed the extension of slavery, may they be the Mordecais whom the sovereign people shall delight to honor." By William Slocomb (then a teacher - "The rising Fair, may they ever let virtue be the subject, propriety of conduct the attributes, and good reputation the object, neatness and modesty connective particles, and benevolence and charity inseparable adjuncts."

September 13, 1819, a public meeting was held at the Court House (old one) for ascertaining public opinion in reference to a new Court House - Hon. John Sharp of Lawrence, Chairman; James M. Booth, Secretary. The committee, R. J. Meigs, D. H. Buell and L. Barber, reported in favor of a Court House with fire-proof offices at corner of Second and Putnam streets. Report adopted and sent to the County Commissioners. The present [1863] Court House is the result of this preliminary movement, not built, however, until 1822.

Extraordinary Pumpkins. In the year 1818, George Dana of Belpre raised 35 pumpkins from one seed, weighing in the aggregate 1759 lbs. and 11 oz. The weight of each is published in the Friend of Jan. 8, 1819. The 11 largest weighted: 154, 140, 130, 110, 108, 96, 94, 93, 90, 88 and 84. The smallest weighted 3 lbs and 14 oz.

Election in 1819. For Senator, in Washington County, Sardine Stone 540; Levi Barber 346; William R. Putnam 27. But Athens gave Barber 513; Stone 222. Majority for Barber, in the district, 88. For Representatives, Ephraim Cutler of Washington, and Elijah Hatch were elected, each receiving a majority in both this and Athens counties. For Commissioner, Titan Kimble was re-elected - Kimble 506; William Skinner 136; John True 103.

Marriages in 1819:

February 16, Lincoln C. Shaw and Miss Royal Protsman.

February 13, John Pierce of Marietta and Polly Locey of Warren.

["At Warren, on the 13th inst. by Ephraim Cutler, Esq, Mr. John Pierce of Marietta, to Miss Polly Locey, of the former place." American Friend, 26 Feb 1819, p. 2, c. 4]

March 1, Pardon Cook, of Wood Co., Va. (now Rev. P. Cook of this city) and Polly Russell of Union.

March 11, Edwin Burlingame and Jane Evans.

March 25, John Taylor and Mary Kepple, both of Salem.

April 1, Uz Foster and Mary Riley.

April 15, Samuel B. Jones of Fearing and Desdemona Slaughter of Marietta.

June 8, Elijah Boyce of Pint Pleasant, Va., and Mary Stacy of Union.

August 8, William Talbot and Jemima Smith.

August 18, Amos Chesebro and Lydia Maxon.

October 10, William Humphreys and Lydia Crane.

October 27, William R. Browning of Belpre and Miss Sophia, daughter of Col. Joseph Barker of Union.

October 21, Willey Fowler of Fearing and Cynthia Perkins of Salem.

December 2, in Lawrence, Robert Pierce and Susan Dye.

December 21, Gen. Nathaniel S. Cushing of Gallipolis and Mrs. Susan Merwin of Marietta.

Deaths in 1819:

January 1, Joseph Lincoln, aged 19, "an amiable young man of fine promise."

February 4, Timothy Stanley, aged 47.

February 16, William Whitehouse, aged 23.

February 24, in Adams, Mrs. Mary Spooner, wife of Dr. Cyrus Spooner.

February 26, Mrs. Jane Taylor, widow of Col. Robert Taylor, in her 79th year.

March 5, 1819, (nearly three months after it occurred), the death of Maj. Haffield White in Wooster (Watertown) is announced; he died Dec. 15, 1818, aged about 80, and was one of the leading men at the first settlement of Marietta.

April 23, in Wooster (Watertown), Mrs. Hannah, wife of Ezekiel Deming, Esq., in her 40th year.

May 13, Silas Parker, a candidate for the Gospel Ministry, aged 25.

May 29, Commodore Abraham Whipple, aged 85; his wife died October before, at the age of 79.

June 28, Isaac Palmer, aged 42.

July 8, in Lawrence, Mrs. Sophia Hoff, aged 70.

August 14, Wade Cross, aged 41.

 

New Market House

The Marietta Intelligencer, June 22, 1859

Mr. Editor: The building I have erected on Greene Street in this city, for the purpose of a market-place, will be ready for occupancy Saturday, June 25th, 1859. The basement will be for meat-stalls, for which I shall make a charge. The first floor above will be furnished with suitable conveniences for a vegetable market (free of charge). The whole is furnished with gas light.

All persons living at a distance may deposit their produce in said room the evening preceding market; the door will be left open until 9 o'clock P.M. for that purpose. The doors will be open at 3 o'clock in the morning. The hour for selling will be regulated by the butchers. The meat0stalls will be sold on Thursday, June 23d, 1859, at 3 o'clock P.M.

George Scherer

Marietta, June 15th, 1859.

An Ordinance Regulating Markets in Marietta

The Marietta Intelligencer, December 25, 1856

Sec. 1st. Be it ordained by the City Council of the city of Marietta, that the market house and so much of Second Street as lies between Ohio and Butler, and so much of Greene as lies between Front and Third, and so much of Ohio Street as lies between Front and Third streets, is hereby set apart as a public Market.

Sec. 2d. That public markets be held from the 1st of April to the 1st of November on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday of each week, and that markets be opened at 3 o'clock A.M., and closed at 9 o'clock A.M. Also that from the 1st of November to the 1st of April public markets be held on Wednesday and Saturday of each week and that markets be opened at 11 o'clock A.M. and closed at 2 o'clock P.M. of each said market days.

Sec. 3. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell any provisions or other commodity whatever, usually sold in market on market days, within the market house or within the market space, before the time mentioned in the second section of this ordinance.

Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Clerk of the market to lease annually on the first market day of November of each year, to the highest bidder, each of the stalls of the market house, and if any remain not leased on or after that day he shall lease them by private contract on the best terms he can obtain, but he shall lease no stall to any person without payment of the rent in advance.

Sec. 5. Every person offering any commodity for sale in market who is not the lessee of a stall or stand in the market house shall occupy such place in said market space as shall be assigned him or her by the Clerk of the market.

Sec. 6. It shall be unlawful for any person selling any commodity in market to use false weights or measures in ascertaining the quantity sold, and any person offending against the provisions of this section, shall in addition to the penalties hereinafter prescribed, forfeit all articles by him or her so offered for sale, and it shall be the duty of the Clerk of the market to seize and sell the same for the use of the city.

Sec. 7. It shall be unlawful for any person to offer for sale or to sell in market or elsewhere in Marietta, any tainted meat, or unwholesome, damaged or spoiled provisions of any kind whatever.

Sec. 8. All persons occupying stalls or stands in the market house, shall keep the same and all the implements and appurtenances belonging thereto or used therein, clean and in good order.

Sec. 9. It shall be unlawful for any person to disobey or resist the Clerk of the market in the performance of his duties.

Sec. 10. It shall be unlawful for any person to purchase any commodity or article whatever in market on market days before the time prescribed for the opening of the market.

Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of the Clerk of the market, to keep the market house clean and in good repair. To cause persons offering articles for sale in market to occupy such stands and places as will best suit the convenience of the public and purchasers.

     To safely keep the weights and measures belonging to the market house, and to see that all weights and measures used in market conform to the lawful standards. To take possession of all property forfeited to the city, and to sell the same for the use of the city.

     To cause all offenders against the market laws to be prosecuted.

     To ring the bell at the hour of opening the market.

     To keep order in market during market hours.

Sec. 12. The bell shall be rung at the hour for opening the market, and the ringing of the bell shall be held and taken as the true time for opening the market.

Sec. 13. If the Clerk of the market shall willfully fail to perform any of the duties belonging to his office, the Council may dismiss him therefrom and on conviction of any willful failure or neglect to perform any duty imposed by the city ordinances, or by law, or by the nature of his office, he shall, on conviction thereof before the Mayor, be fined in any sum not exceeding fifty dollars.

Sec. 14. Any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall, on conviction thereof before the Mayor, be fined in any sum not exceeding fifty dollars.

Sec. 15. The ordinance entitled "An ordinance regulating the markets in Marietta and prescribing the duties of the Clerk of the market, passed September 20th, 1854, is hereby repealed.

Passed Dec. 17, 1856.

W. F. Curtis, President Council.

Attest. R. E. Harte, City Clerk.

  

A Wet Season

 American Friend & Marietta Gazette, August 13, 1831

The Season has thus far been remarkably wet - more so, perhaps, than any since the settlement of the country. Much small grain has been left standing in the field, so much injured as not to be worth the reaping - grass has also suffered, and although the crops have been abundant, but little fair weather has offered the farmer opportunity to reap the fruits of his labors. Four fair days in succession during the past week has been improved to much advantage in making hay, and much will be saved in good order. 

At no time, within the present season, has the Ohio River been so low as to suspend its navigation by Steam Boats; during a part of Wednesday last and the following night, it rose about eight feet and is now half way up the banks.

The high stage of the waters has been very favorable for emigrants on their way to the West. During the past season from 500 to 1000 it is estimated, have arrived at this place by way of the Ohio Canal and the Muskingum River, where they embark on board of Steam Boats, generally, for the States below us.

Watertown, Palmer, Wesley, and Barlow

The Marietta Intelligencer, June 2, 1858

In a flying trip a few days since through the townships of Watertown, Palmer and Wesley and Barlow, we found grass and wheat everywhere to be doing finely; no complaints were made except occasionally that a field was found to be slightly affected with the fly. 

But murmurs, loud and deep, were heard constantly about the long-continued rains and their effect on the corn land. Comparatively little corn has been planted. None but high and sandy land would do to plant with any prospect of the corn's coming up. Many farmers had not planted a hill. The five days we were out fortunately proved pleasant and without rain, and almost every farmer we called on was found either planting or preparing to plant corn. There has been very little drying weather within the last week, and the heavy rains of yesterday have made planting impossible for at least another week. The present prospect is certainly not the most flattering to the farmers, with the low prices for produce on hand and so poor a show for another crop.

Of peaches and cherries there seemed to be a fair prospect of an average crop. We observed now and then an orchard of apple trees that gave earnest of a respectable yield, but most of the trees were without fruit. What few apples there are, are of the more ordinary kinds, the grafted fruit being most easily killed by the frost.

One very noticeable feature of the farms through the townships above mentioned is the uniformly good barns with which they are provided. More regard seems to be had for the comfort and welfare of the quadrupeds than for themselves, for in numerous instances we saw good framed barns for the cattle and rather inferior log houses for the family.

With few exceptions, the farms are in good order and well improved - fences strong and trim, implements ready for use and housed, the brush cut down in the fence corners and other out of the way places, gates and bars in good order, &c. 

There is only one fault, a very general one by the way, which we wish to complain of. It is that the front yard is too often enclosed with a rail fence and made into a pasture, a vegetable garden, or a pig pen, instead of being surrounded by a neat board or picket fence and adorned with shrubbery and flowers. There is very little, too little, attention paid to the surroundings of dwelling houses. We believe that every farmer's wife would thank her husband for a little spot in the front yard which she might have the control of, and that should be held sacred against the incursions of calves, pigs, or the plow, where the taste for flowers, so proverbial to the sex, might be cultivated, and where some relief might be obtained from the toil and drudgery of everyday life. That it would contribute immeasurably to the happiness of the wife there can be no doubt.

Every means for the development and cultivation of purity of taste, refinement of feeling, and nice perception of the beautiful ought to be improved, and none are so easily obtained at so cheap an expenditure as in the arrangement and care of shrubbery and flowers.

  

1850 Census Statistics

Marietta Intelligencer, August 15, 1850:

1850 Census Statistics of Barlow

The Deputy Marshals of this County are now busily engaged in performing the duties of their appointment, and we hope to make weekly reports of their proceedings. By favor of B. F. Stone, we are enabled this week to give an abstract of the census returns of Barlow.

The increase of population in that township is greater than we expected, being over 20 percent. Two facts are worthy of special notice. 

1st. The number of families in the township exceeds the number of dwelling houses only two. We doubt whether there are a score of townships in Ohio in which only one dwelling house in a hundred has two families.

The rate percent of mortality is almost unprecedentedly small, less than 4-5 of one percent!

From Mr. Stone's items we copy as follows:

The population of Barlow is 1,062. There are in the township three ministers and three churches. The value of church property is $800. The church buildings will seat 875 persons, viz: Old School Presbyterian, 375; New School, 200; Methodist Episcopal, 300.

There are in the township 188 dwelling houses and 190 families. There were eight deaths in the year ending June 1, 1850, viz: two of consumption, one disease of the heart; one dropsy; one tonsillitis; one erysipelas; one scarlet fever; and one inflammation of the head. The ages of the persons deceased were 71, 38 26, 19, 16, 4, 2, and 2.

The Crops of 1849 were very short. The estimate is that the wheat fell short 7/8, oats 1/4, and potatoes 1/2. The potato crop was cut short by rot. As to the wheat crop, Mr. Stone says: "You may think reporting the crop of 1840 [1849] was 7/8 short is a wild idea, but I verily believe that no person could with any degree of propriety say that the calculation is far from the fact."

The usual average of crops in Barlow is estimated as follows: Wheat, 12 bushels per acre, Corn 30; oats 20; Potatoes 85.

The average wages paid for hands per month with board is $10. Day laborers 50 cents and board; carpenters, 87 cents and board. Weekly wages of female domestics with board $1.

Mr. Stone concludes his letter with a remark to the truth and justice of which every man who knows anything of the people of Barlow will subscribe. He says: "I do not believe that a more kind and hospitable, or a more industrious people, can be found in this or any other country, than I found in Barlow township, Washington County, Ohio."

Probably a larger proportion of the inhabitants of Barlow are Scotch, or of Scotch descent, than of any other township in the county. They are industrious, frugal, hospitable, and scrupulously honest. The township also has some of the Yankee leaven and we suppose, a sprinkling from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. We presume the native Buckeye now predominates.

One fact more we may state in regard to Barlow. We presume there is no township in the county, and but very few in the State, in which so large a proportion of the citizens are free holders, nor one in which so few persons can be found who ever lack the necessities and comforts of life. Poverty, such as exists to a greater or less extent in nearly every township, is a thing unknown in Barlow.

Marietta Intelligencer, August 22, 1850:

1850 Census Statistics of Belpre, Warren, Beverly, and Ludlow

By favor of B. F. Stone, we are enabled to give some statistics of Belpre township. The population is 1,623 , an increase of over 20 percent since 1840. 

There are 270 dwelling houses and 278 families in the township. 

The number of deaths in the year preceding June 1, 1850, was 14, as follows: of consumption, 6; cholera infantum, 2; scrofula, 1; dropsy in the head, 1; putrid fever, 1; nervous fever, 1, unknown, 2. The ages of the persons deceased were as follows: 52 years, one; 33, one; 31, two, and 26, 25, 23, 22, 10, 6, and 3, each one; two, 1 year; and 1 less than one year.

There are four churches in Belpre, and one resident minister. The number of persons accommodated by the church buildings, and the value of the buildings, is thus stated:

Methodist, upper Belpre, 200 persons, $300 value.

Methodist, lower Belpre, 250 persons, $300 value.

Universalist, 250 persons, $300 value.

Congregational, 300 persons, $500 value.

Crops. The usual average crops are stated thus:

Wheat, 16 bushels per acre; Corn, 45; Oats, 25; Potatoes, 105. Last year Potatoes were short 1/4 and wheat about 7/8.

The increase of population in Belpre is greater than we anticipated. We shall look for the agricultural and other statistics from there with interest. Belpre is Mr. Stone's township, and he very modestly declines saying half so much in its praise as he might. We venture to copy from his letter, communicating the facts given above, one paragraph:

"Perhaps we cannot say with our Barlow neighbors that we are all industrious, to a man, yet the fact that there is a steady increase of wealth in the township proves that the majority of the people are industrious and prosperous, and sir, if you do not believe what I say about the increase of wealth in the township, I will refer you to the Auditor's books, and there you will find a steady increase of personal property, moneys and credits, new structures &c. brought upon the duplicate for taxation."

Correction for Barlow: There was an error in our statement last week as to the value of church property in Barlow. It is $1,900 instead of $800.

Warren - Beverly - Ludlow

Col. A. Stone has completed the census of Warren township and returns 1,425 inhabitants, an increase of 50 percent since 1840!

Mr. Lewis H. Green has completed the census of Ludlow, and sends us the following report:

The whole population is 1,051, an increase of nearly 100 percent since 1840! The number of males is 559; females, 492. Married within the year, four. Died within the year, 15. Born in the State of Ohio, 577. Value of real estate (by owners), $94,000. Other statistics will be published at an early day.

The "Huckleberry-Knobs," as a citizen of Columbus once styled this part of Ohio, are "coming out." We shall by and by see if the population of the "knobs" has not increased faster in the last ten years than that of the "fertile" counties in the center of the state. We want to compare the rate percent of mortality, too. We think the returns will show that Marietta is the healthiest town in Ohio and that the rate percent of mortality in the county, in the year ending June 1, 1850, was less than one half the average of the state.

The following is a table of the returns so far made in this county, compared with the returns of the last preceding census:

Barlow - 1840, 880; 1850, 1,062

Belpre -  1840, 1,296, 1850, 1023

Beverly village - 1840, 317; 1850, 526

2nd Ward, Marietta - 1840, 858; 1850, 1,635

Warren - 1840, 931; 1850, 1,425

Ludlow - 1840, 539; 1850, 1,051

Letter From Robert Oliver

Gazette of the United States, July 21, 1790

From the Hampshire Gazette -

Mr. Butler -  As every information from gentlemen of veracity relative to the Ohio Company is likely to be of public utility, I send you the following extract of a letter from Col. Robert Oliver, who has lived there almost two years, not doubting but it will be agreeably received by your customers in general, and in particular those interested in said Country - the public service being my only motive. I am yours, &c. William Sizer.

Wolf[creek], May 25, 1790.

Dear Sir, 

I shall endeavor to answer your letter methodically and, in the first place, do assure you the report that we were obliged to move to the city on account of the Indians, was every part thereof false and without the least foundation. The Indians have killed one man and stole some horses, which is all the mischief they have done on the purchase since my arrival. They appear to be very friendly and to bear a great regard for the Yankies, as they call us.

I lived at the city the first winter, and in the spring took up my land at this place, and undertook with three others to build mills, which we have completed and they are of the first rate.I raised last season about 100 bushels of corn, some potatoes, turnips, &c. &c. I moved my family here last September and have lived her ever since - have not been in the last disturbed. I have caught near two barrels of fish, some suckers, perch and pike; I have taken pike here of 24 lb. They appear to be of the same kind of the pickerel in New England.

I like my situation well, my land is exceeding good. You wish to know the summer season. It would not be worthwhile to give you a detail of every day. Let it suffice to say, the summer season appears to be well calculated to nourish the growth of the fruits of the earth. The weather in summer is not warmer, as I can perceive, than in New England, but of longer duration. 

The bottom land is as heavy timbered in general as the beech and maple land in Chester. The hills are oak and hickory, the most beautiful timber for building I ever saw. The face of the earth is not covered with stones as in New England, but they appear to be in quarries and are discovered upon the sides of hills and at the sides and bottom of creeks. They are almost, or entirely, either lime or free stone. The free stone makes as good grind stones as the Nova Scotia stone and are excellent for building. We have plenty of good clay. The boards the joiners use are yellow poplar, cherry and black walnut, of which there is great plenty.

The hills are about one mile from the Ohio at the mouth of the Muskingum. This is not all bottom land, part of it is what we call second bottom, and part an oak plain. The land at or near the point is flowed, I believe, once a year at least, occasioned by the water of the Ohio and Muskingum overflowing their banks, they being somewhat low. This is also the case with some part of the bottoms up the Muskingum. These bottoms will not bear wheat at present, for they are by far too rich, but the plains and hills appear to be excellent for wheat.

You request to know how many families there are at or near Marietta, but of this I am unable to inform you. There are three settlements here, one at Marietta, one down the Ohio and commences about twelve miles from Marietta and continues for near six miles. There is another at this place of about sixteen families, besides men who have not got their families and a number of single men. This settlement is about fourteen miles by land, but twenty-four by water, from Marietta. 

Provisions the last summer were very plenty. Flour sold at two dollars per hundred weight, bacon seven pence and eight pence per pound, whiskey three shillings and sixpence and four shillings per gallon, and almost every other necessary of life was sold at as low a rate. But provisions are now scarce and high. A vast quantity of flour is gone down to New Orleans (at the mouth of the Mississippi), but although provisions are scarce I believe we shall make a rub of it, and with a common blessing shall raise this year double the quantity of grain necessary for the support of the people on the ground. 

I must close my letter by giving you my real judgment (and it is founded partly on reason and partly on experience) on the difference between supporting a family here and with you. Take farms of a middling quality and equal improvements, I can raise three pounds of pork, two of beef, two of wool, two yards of common broad cloth, two pounds of butter, two and a half of bread, and two of all sorts of vegetables, as easy as you can one in New England. Believe me, Sir, I do not exaggerate.

.