Property Transferred

The Marietta Daily Times, February 3, 1912

Marietta Township gets part of old Muskingum

Formal transfer of an irregular strip of territory, formerly in Muskingum Township, to Marietta Township, was made in the office of County Auditor Burton this morning, and hereafter the property will be taxed as a part of Marietta Township.

The boundary line was changed when it was found some time ago that Muskingum Township had never been legally constituted, and steps were taken to remedy this condition. The property affected is on the edge of Marietta city and consists of 43 parcels of land. The people living there will now vote at Mile Run and Fultonburg instead of in Muskingum as they have done heretofore.

 

Will Become Custodians of School Lands

The Marietta Daily Times, May 18, 1917

Township trustees, clerks and treasurers are to become custodians after June 29 of school and ministerial lands held in trust by the State of Ohio for the support of schools and advancement of religion within the townships.

On that date an act of the general assembly, passed last March goes into effect. This act provides for the better administration of the school and ministerial land held in trust by the state to codify the laws relating thereto, to safeguard both the trust and the rights of the citizens of Ohio holding leasehold or fee simple titles to those lands, and make more certain the rights and obligations of the state and the lessees.

Charles W. Withum, Muskingum township clerk, is in receipt of a letter from Auditor of State A. V. Donahey calling attention to the act, which is designed to bring up-to-date records of this department, neglected for a generation.

In the first act of Congress, passed in 1785, providing for the survey and sale of lands in the Northwest Territory, it was especially provided that Section No. 16 in every township should be set aside for the support of schools within the township.

When the Ohio Company obtained its grant of lands these sections were excluded from the grant.

When the Ohio convention met pursuant to the act of congress providing for the organization of the state of Ohio, it specially asked Congress in relation to these lands, that every township receive its section and that in the special districts, land equal to one-thirty-sixth part of the district be set aside for the support of the schools, and that all these lands be vested in the state as trustee. By acts of congress of 1802 and 1803, this was done. Hence today the state holds these lands as trustees.

Until 1826 those lands could not be sold. Prior to that year leases were granted for terms of years varying from one year to perpetual terms. These old leasing acts in respect to perpetual leases all provided for annual rents of six per cent upon the valuation of the lands. Revaluations were required to be made, usually every 33 or 35 years.

Administration of these lands was originally placed in the hands of officers of the original surveyed townships. Because the lines of the original surveyed townships have been largely broken p in the formation of our present civil townships, and because of local indifference or lack of knowledge of the conditions of the trust, boards of trustees and treasurers have been but infrequently elected. So there has been practically no administration of these lands in most of the townships.

Rents have accumulated, in some instances for fifty years, ands have been impoverished, timber has been cut, oil and coal  have been taken without remuneration to the trust. Lands have been sold and only partly paid for, and outstanding interest has been defaulted.

Schools of nearly every county in the state have suffered, some of them to the extent that they are now financially embarrassed when they should have a surplus in their treasuries.

The new code is designed to give a better administration to the generous gift of the nation to the schools of Ohio, to secure the rights of citizens now occupying these lands, and to bring to the schools the revenues to which they are entitled.

The lands in Washington county are bringing a revenue of from $1800 to $1700 annually.

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. 

Injunction Against the City

The Marietta Register, September 29, 1871

The Council of Marietta broke ground a few days ago on the lower end of the Common, on Front Street above Putnam, for the erection of a City Building, to contain the Mayor's Office, Council Chamber, Police Office, City Prison, Firemen's Hall and Engine Room - whereupon two applications were made to the Court for an injunction to stop the city from the work, one on the part of M. D. Follett and other citizens, the other by Weston Thomas, David Barber, and F. a. Wheeler, Trustees for land granted in Washington County for religious purposes.

The cases were heard before Judge E. A. Guthrie at the Court House, Thursday, September 21st.

It was claimed on part of the citizens, plaintiffs, that the ground named on which the city was about to erect this building, had been for more than three-quarters of a century left open and used for public amusements; that the citizens asking for the injunction had taken the titles to their lots fronting on the Common with the understanding that it was to be kept open for public ornament and amusement, and had a right to have it kept open; that it having in the grant been given for a Common, its use could not be diverted to any other purpose. The defense denied and claimed the right of the city to use the grounds for public buildings, as within the grant for a "Common." 

The Court granted a temporary injunction on this application, enjoining M. H. Needham, W. W. McCoy, and others, contractors and builders, from proceeding with the work. Knowles, Alban, Ewart and Follett, counsel for plaintiffs; City Solicitor R. L. Nye, and Nye & Richardson for defendant.

For the Trustees, it was claimed that they had Section 29 in Town 2 and Range 8, part of which falls within the corporate limits of Marietta, a portion left open as the Common in question, on which the city was now about to erect the building for municipal purposes. Questions, whether the Trustees had any powers as such, and any powers over this Common, and what were powers of the city over the same, involving not only the legal title, but the duties of the Trustees.

The Court overruled the application for a temporary injunction in this case, and leaves the application for a perpetual injunction, on final hearing. Knowles, Alban & Hamilton, for plaintiffs; Nye & Richardson, for defense.

Henderson Trust Sale

American Friend & Marietta Gazette, November 7, 1827

Under the authority of a deed of trust made to the subscribers by Alexander Henderson of Wood County and his wife for the benefit of Richard H. Henderson & others, dated the 11th of December 1825 and recorded in the Clerk's office of said County court of Wood, Deed Book No. 6, page 651, will be offered for sale for cash before the front door of the court house in Leesburg, Loudoun County, Virginia, on the 26th day of January, 1828, the tract of land in said deed described.

This is one of the finest farms in all Western Virginia, & take it altogether, none is known more attractive. It is situated in the county of Wood, immediately on the Ohio, and consists of upwards of 400 acres of rich bottom, beside the hill land adjoining. The bottom is all cleared and in cultivation, and yields the most abundant crops, it is about half a mile wide and never overflows.

The improvements are excellent, a large, new and commodious dwelling, a spacious barn, still-house, &c. &c. extensive orchards of choice fruits, and first rate meadows.

The estate is about 12 miles above Marietta and 24 above Parkersburg. A good market for its small productions is afforded by the boats which continually ply before it, and one of the routes examined for the projected Baltimore Railroad strikes the Ohio at this estate. The islands in front of the tract, as described in the deed, will be sold with it. A farmer, grazier, or active man of business would find this place every way worth his enquiry; and for picturesque beauty of situation and prospect, it is almost unrivaled. The undersigned convey the title vested in them, which is believed to be sound.

Erasmus G. Hamilton

James McIlhany

Marietta Commons

American Friend, September 27, 1816

Fellow Citizens of Marietta.

The following statement may be some information to those of you who were not at the first settlement of this place. The Ohio Company held up as an inducement to settlers, a large and extensive commons to consist of 4000 acres, to remain for the use of the citizens of this town forever; and their agent was ordered to lay off the same at, and near the confluence of the Muskingum with the Ohio, as appears of record. After this, a meeting of the said company was held in this place and the superintendent was directed to lay out 3000 acres of the said commons into three-acre lots; it was so done, and they are now held by themselves or heirs.

Some have asserted that Marietta never had any commons; if so, from what common was it that the 1000 three-acre lots were laid off? And, if there had been no common, would the proprietors of the Ohio Company have resolved to lay out the three-acre lots in the manner above mentioned? Could the Ohio Company have given to the citizens of Marietta any better title to the said lands, than by their resolutions, and laying off the same agreeably thereto? Can they afterward divest us of our rights and convey the property to others? I say no - with no more propriety than I could give to two different persons, warrantee deeds of the same piece of land, and of course the title which the Ohio Company has given to the three-acre lots and to the fractions of the 4,000 acres, is good for nothing. Judges of law say that if the 4,000 acres were laid out as commons, they are commons still.

Will the citizens of Marietta quietly suffer themselves to be divested of their rights? It is presumed not, and therefore hoped that they will attend the town meeting to be held on the 5th of October at 8 o'clock A.M.

A Friend to just rights and privileges.

 

New Map of Washington County

The Marietta Republican, October 29, 1858

Map of Washington County, Ohio, by William Lorey, published by Edwin P. Gardner, Philadelphia, 1858. Library of Congress.

We have received a copy of the splendid new map of our county drawn by William Lorey, Esq., one of the best Civil Engineers in the State, and published by Mr. E. P. Gardner, who has the reputation of getting out some of the finest maps ever published. 

It shows the boundary lines of every lot and tract of land in the county, and gives the owners' names, besides giving all the roads, township lines and all the principal streams. It is very accurately drawn, beautifully engraved and elegantly framed. It is likewise ornamented with excellent views of a number of fine dwellings.

No resident of the county, especially a real estate owner, should be without it. It is very cheap at $5, the selling price. The limited number only over those subscribed for can be furnished, and those desirous of procuring a copy of this ornamental and almost indispensable article, should apply to Mr. Gardner at once. Copies may be had at the County Auditor's office and seen in the business houses and dwellings of Marietta generally.

Map of Washington County, Ohio (1858), Library of Congress website:
https://www.loc.gov/item/2006636760/

Illustrations include: Residences of G. W. Barker, Union Township; Edwin Guthrie, Belpre Township; Walter M. Buchanan, Watertown Township; E. S. and William McIntosh; Mrs. S. M. Dana, Waterford Township; and the Mansion House hotel, Marietta, Mrs. F. Lewis, proprietress.

Plats include: Newport, Bonn, Plymoutha nd Pleasanton, Beverly, Salem, Marietta, Harmar, Buell's Lowell, Matamoras, Grandview, Watertown, Barlow, and Cutler. 

Interesting sites on the Marietta plat include:  Plank Road (above Marion Street); a Powder Magazine on Montgomery Street near Sixth; a Brewery on the corner of Sixth and Montgomery streets; a Candle Factory on Third Street near Warren; Tanneries on Second Street near Sacra Via, on Montgomery at Sixth, and on Second between Butler and Greene; Wendelken's Flour and Grist Mill on Front near Knox; Cotton and Grey's Churn Factory near Seventh and Putnam streets; the Brick Yard of J. Pierce near Seventh and Cutler; the Union Chair Factory on Sixth between Putnam and Butler; J. O. Cram's Saw and Flour Mill along the Muskingum River near Butler; the Gas Works on the corner of Fifth and Greene streets; and the Steam Ferry crossing the Muskingum River at Putnam Street.

Dickson Armory Bill Passed With A Rush

The Marietta Times, February 6, 1914

Goes Through the House and Without Loss of Any Time.

Something of a record for speedy enactment was made by the Dickson Bill, adopted by the senate at Columbus, Wednesday, which authorizes the state armory board to accept a part of the Ice Harbor lot in this city as a site for an armory and to build an armory on the ground. That it went through in a hurry and at a time when the assembly was hard pressed for time was due to the efforts of Rep. W. M. Dickson of this county.

The measure was planned, drawn and adopted in less than a week. On January 29, Rep. Dickson conferred with Gov. Cox in regard to the measure, and Adj. Gen. Wood was called into the conference. The governor said that if Rep. Dickson had a bill drafted that would pass muster at the attorney general's office, he would message it over to the house. Rep. Dickson called A. D. Follett on the phone and the local attorney wrote the bill, with exception of the description of the site, which was secured by Dr. Dickson at the armory board's officers.

Dr. Dickson then drafted the bill and had it approved by the attorney general. He introduced it in the house Monday evening, had the rules suspended and the measure passed to second reading. Tuesday morning under a suspension of the rules the bill was passed by the house and sent to the senate. This body approved it Wednesday afternoon at 4 o'clock.

As a result Marietta will soon have an O. N. G. armory.

Text of the Bill

The text of the Dickson Bill follows:

Whereas, the state armory board desires to erect an armory building in the city of Marietta, Ohio, and has caused plans and specifications for such building to be made, and land in said city suitable for the erection of such armory building has been offered to the state of Ohio and said state armory board as a gift, and a deed conveying said land to the state of Ohio has been duly executed and tendered to the state of Ohio and said state armory board, which deed conveys to the state of Ohio, the full unencumbered fee simple title to said land except that, under legislation which can not be modified by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, said land can not be used except for public purposes, and any building erected thereon must be occupied and used for some public purpose, such as the proposed purpose of a state armory building, for which reason the state armory board has not yet accepted said deed, and desires that the General Assembly of the state of Ohio act upon the matter of the acceptance of said deed therefor.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio:

Section 1. The state armory board is hereby authorized to accept, as the site for an armory building to be erected by it on behalf of the state of Ohio in the city of Marietta, Ohio, and to erect and maintain on such site said armory building, the following described land situate in the city of Marietta, county of Washington and state of Ohio, bounded and described as follows, to-wit:

Beginning at a point on Front Street where the southerly line of the lot deeded to the United States for the purpose of a Lock Tender's house intersects Front Street; thence from said point southerly along the westerly line of Front Street one hundred and eighty-five (185) feet; thence westerly on a line at right angles to Front Street to the Muskingum River; thence northerly along the east bank of the Muskingum River to a point where the southerly line of the property deeded to the United States for a Lock Tender's house intersects the Muskingum River; thence along the southerly line of said United States property to the place of beginning.

Provided, however, that the deed conveying such site to the state of Ohio shall first be approved by the Attorney General as conveying to the state of Ohio a sufficient title to the land included in such site for the purpose of using such land for any and all public purposes, including the erection and maintenance of an armory building.

Speech in the House

In support of the bill, Rep. J. J. Stanley of Portage County, chairman of the committee on military affairs, said on the floor of the house:

"The mere mention of that name 'Marietta' should cause every fibre within us to tingle with pride, and rouse every impulse of reverence, patriotism and devotion. What Plymouth Rock is to the nation at large, Marietta is to Ohio and the vast empire states carved out of the Northwest Territory.

"Around the name cluster memories of a period of history-making incidents and events unequalled in the annals of the world, which pass before us in mental review the valorous conquerors in the French and Indian wars side by side with revolutionary heroes; and close in the wake of the white-winged dove of peace we follow the course down the beautiful river, of the redoubtable Rufus Putnam, and his [forty]-seven intrepid companions to that ideal site at the conjunction of the Muskingum, where they planted the first white settlement in what is now our proud boast, the Grand Old Buckeye State.

"With public attention attracted and centered on the marvelous growths and developments in other portions of the state, Marietta's claims have been sadly overlooked, and she petitions us today for this slight recognition of her just desserts.

"She should have this armory as a fitting monument to her sacred past, as a pantheon for the holy relics of early days, and as an assembling place for the rapidly thinning county contingent of the dear old Boys in Blue.

"We are a long time dead, and to some of us approaching the shadows of life's sunset, it is comforting to think that future generations will bless our memories for bestowing this gift on Marietta, the birthplace of our glorious commonwealth."

  
 

Unrecorded Deeds

Marietta Register, February 4, 1875

The following unrecorded deeds are on file in the Recorder's office of this county.  Some of them are quite old, and no doubt are a missing link in a chain of title to lands in the county, and should be looked up by the owners:

Adams Township
John Campbell to Gideon G. Marshall, dated June 30, 1837.
A. Judd to Simeon Blake, (Lowell), Dec. 28, 1857.
Samuel Lewis to Stukely Driskill, Nov. 28, 1854.
John Craig to Samuel Stewart, Dec. 14, 1839.
McGrew and Hutchison to Samuel Stewart, April 21, 1842.

Aurelius Township
United States to Howard Stansbery, Aug. 15, 1837.

Barlow Township
Joshua Tuffts to David M. Clayton, Sept. 28, 1860.

Belpre Township
Isaiah Clark to Board of Education, April 27, 1853.
John Wallace to David Wallace, August 29, 1853.
John Watson to Levi K. Townsend, April 6, 1858.
George Dana to Francis Stone, April 15, 1856.

Decatur Township
Rufus Beach to Alex Johnson, November 13, 1858.
A. J. Haynes to Samuel Spears, October 23, 1855.
Borden Stanton to Samuel Spears, July 28, 1857.
Thomas Rowland to John Rowland, December 14, 1859.

Dunham Township
Auditor of Washington county to De Lano's Heirs, January 29, 1866.

Fearing Township
Thomas Hartley to Thomas Lane, January 13, 1858.

Grandview Township
Hackathorn and Brownfield to Calvin Beaver, Oct. 28, 1865.
C. McMunn to Isaac Rinard, Matamoras, Aug. 18, 1865.
Robert Cripps to W. J. Martin, Matamoras, September 28, 1857.
Joseph Campbell to Geo. W. Beaver, December 26, 1856.
Shannon & Hubbard to I. R. Cline, Matamoras, August 6, 1856.
H. A. Williamson to Alonzo Dye, Grandview Village, December 5, 1857.
Samuel Beck et als. to Sandford Armstrong, February 2, 1838.
Samuel Montgomery to Joseph Davis, April 1, 1847.
James D. Wimer to Benjamin Thompson, Grandview Village, September 6, 1857.
Isaac R. Cline to W. J. McConnel, Matamoras, May 14, 1859.
Wm. Martin to John Monroe, Matamoras, November 16, 1858.
Horace Holland to John A. Davenport, Trustee, September 29, 1857.
Robert Cripps to Samuel Judge, Ma[t]amoras, November 30, 1857.
Henry Sheets to School District No. 4, August 12, 1851.
Wm. H. Young to Stinson Burri[s]s, Matamoras, April 21, 1857.

Indpendence Township
H. J. Patterson to School District No. 7, January 17, 1853.
David Cline to Trustees of M. E. Church, March 23, 1849.
Stillman Harvey to Barton A. Wells, November 5, 1841.
Hoffman & Kinzell to Hoffman, april 24, 1856.

Ludlow Township
Thomas A. Way to George J. Morrill, March 18, 1845.
Porter Flint to Trustees of M. E. Church, September 8, 1843.
Wm. Parke to F. A. Lamping, July 28, 1871.
F. A. Lamping to Wm. Parke, April 14, 1870.

Liberty Township
United States to Eli Doudall, August 21, 1837.
Wm. Covey to James Jameson, April 2, 1844.
United States to Wm. P. Blackinton, July 1, 1851.
Conrad Shaffer to School District No. 1, February 14, 1845.
Wm. Love, Sr., to Robert Scott, May 5, 1858.
Daniel Keeder to Wm. Covey, February 15, 1842.
Jos. Enochs to Thomas Wilkinson, May 24, 1844.

Lawrence Township
United States to Wm. P. Blackinton, July 1, 1851.

Marietta City
Stephen Daniels to Wm. Griggs, May 24, 1839.
W. P. Strickland to A. Rein, September 15, 1855.
Wm. Buck to D. Alban, Trustee, November 26, 1866.
Isaac H. Cole to Amando Olney, May 12, 1852.
Wm. A. Whittlesey, M. C., to Eliza A. Tenney, September 5, 1865.
Dewing & Welch to George Pfeiffer, June 24, 1851.
Geo. Harris to George F. Harris, November 24, 1856.
John W. Corey to John Guyton, September 2, 1854.
City to Barney Malloy, March 30, 1859.

Harmar
J. J. Parker to Wm. Chevalier, April 12, 1864.

Newport Township
Stephen Stewart to Rebecca Stewart, August 22, 1863.
J. C. Ayers to Jos. P. Carver, July 27, 1849.
Joseph Barker to Thomas Lyons, March 28, 1844.
Robert Magee's Heirs to Stephen Stewart, January 14, 18[?]9.
Geo. W. Harness to S. S. Tho[r]niley, August 5, 1859.

Palmer Township
Isaac Perry to A. H. Perry, August 24, 1863.

Salem Township
Archa Foster to Ephraim Gould, March 28, 1854.
Andrew Twiggs to George Miller, December 31, 1851.
Nathaniel Bishop to Samuel R. Lancaster, September 24, 1856.

Union Township
James Willis, Jr., to Milton Willis, ____, 1860.

Watertown Township
Lovina Buell to Henry Leget, June 18, 1838.
Joseph C. Lynn to John Larcomb, Village, November 14, 1868.
Mary H. Oviatt to W. H. McConnell, September 14, 1856.

Waterford Township
John Bacon to School District No. 5, October 20, 1838.
Samuel Beach to C. W. Tallman, September 4, 1850.
J. C. Preston to Hannah Murray, October 21, 1858.
Dan. C. Lawrence to Caleb Gilpin, October 20, 1845.
Thomas McClure to Caleb Gilpin, June 16, 1843.
Thomas McClure to Caleb Gilpin, May 7, 1846.
David G. Lawrence to Caleb C. Gilpin, May 7, 1850.
Richard Ross to Robert Vaughan, May 14, 1835.
P. O. Dodge et al. to D. S. Young, (Beverly), April 26, 1858.

Wesley Township
Milton Smith to School District No. 2, October 11, 1841.
Amos Bartlett to School District No. 2, August 3, 1832.
Gideon Ellis to David Ellis, April 30, 1858.
Charles Hill to William L. Ellis, March 5, 1860.
Amos Witham to William L. Ellis, March 25, 1859.
John Shrader to Gideon Mills, April 24, 1859.
John Sheets to J. K. Bucey, January 17, 1858.
John Bradfield to Trustees of M. E. Parsonage, September 7, 1848.
Fred. Wagner to E. M. Kennedy, November 19, 1872.
Benj. Morris' Administrator to Elias Bundy, September 14, 1847.

Warren Township
Geo. W. Bailey to A. S. Bailey, December 21, 1857.

Roxbury Township
Asa Cheadle to Philip and John Shrader, Dec. 22, 1833.

There are several mortgages, leases and contracts not included in the above.

For Sale

American Friend, January 17, 1817

A convenient Farm, two miles from Marietta, with a dwelling house and good Orchard.  For terms, apply to the subscriber in Fearing, or to James Whitney, on Point Harmar.

Abraham Whipple

Hears He Is An Heir to Site of Marietta

The Marietta Daily Times, March 15, 1910 
Western Man Reads Newspaper Story that Makes Him Worth Million. Writes To the Clerk of Courts Here To Learn Tale Is Only Dream. Nothing Known Here of Leasing of Land on Which this City Stands.

To learn through the columns of a newspaper that he was one of the heirs to the land upon which Marietta is situated and, as such, entitled to a share in its estimated value of $16,000,000, and then to find that the story was only the dream of some unknown relative, was the sad experience of James A. Sprague, cashier of the Selden State Bank of Selden, Kansas, and a former resident of this state.

The story is an interesting one and was uncovered here for the first time when Mr. Sprague wrote to Clerk W. J. Dutton of the Washington county court asking for information on the matter.

He first learned of the property when he read an account in the Topeka State Journal of March 4 under date of Meade, Kansas. The story told the good fortune of S. S. Conger, a railroad section boss and is, in part as follows:

“Mr. Conger’s mother’s family name was Sprague, a family which came to Marietta before the revolution. On the declaration of independence, there were three brothers, one of whom was married. Two single men entered the patriot army, serving until the close of the war.

“After the war congress gave to each of them, as to others of the soldiers, land warrants in payment for their services. These warrants they laid on land on the Ohio River.

Leased Site of Marietta.

“Neither of the two soldiers ever married. On April 7, 1788, Rufus Putnam, who was leader of a colony, located his colony on the land covered by their warrants and founded the City of Marietta, now the county seat of Washington County, Ohio. The brothers leased the land for 99 years, either to Putnam or to the government. The lease expired in 1901 and the heirs of the married brother of the two soldiers who had, by will, inherited the property of his brothers, at once began legal action to secure their rights under the leases.

The years since then have been used in finding the various descendants of Sprague proving their legal rights, and contesting another family of Spragues who spell their names differently. Now all of these legal matters have been consummated, the value of the property found and awarded, and the court, at the coming April term, will make distribution of the estate which amounts to $16,000,000. Mr. Conger’s share of the estate amounts to something over $25,000.”

Grandson of Jas. Sprague.

After reading this article, Mr. Sprague immediately wrote to the local clerk of courts for information upon the matter. He is the great grandson of James Sprague, the married brother of the two soldiers referred to in the newspaper article, and as such, would have been entitled to a very large share in the property if the story were true.

In his letter to the court, he gives a very interesting story of the family history, in detail, beginning at the time when his great grandfather, with his two brothers, came to this city and helped to build the old blockhouse which still stands at the corner of Second and Washington streets.

Text of Letter.

The first letter received by Mr. Dutton is as follows:

To the Honorable Court of Common Pleas, Marietta, Washington County, Ohio.

Dear Sir:

I have just read in the Topeka State Journal, of Topeka, Kansas, a statement that one of my ancestors who settled in Marietta about 1789 and his two brothers had placed land warrants upon the original townsite of Marietta and had leased the same for 99 yrs. and that the lease expired in 1901; that the heirs of Sprague had contested the rights of property and an award had been made on the valuation of sixteen million dollars; and that this amount was to be distributed at your April term of court, therefore I wish to inform you that I perhaps am one of the lineal descendants of these original Spragues.

Came to Marietta in 1789.

My great grandfather, James Sprague, and his two brothers came to Marietta about 1789 and built a part of the block house which was erected against the Indians. My grandfather often told me about his father and two uncles coming there at the early date. My great grandfather, James Sprague, was an officer in the Revolutionary War and I think he finally settled in Muskingum County, Ohio.

I think he had two different wives at least and perhaps three. My grandfather’s name was Jonathan Sprague, son of the original James Sprague above referred to, and he signed his name Jonathan Sprague II, as there were other Jonathan Spragues living along the Muskingum River. He located on a farm about five miles above Lowell, near the river about 1842. My father Joseph S. Sprague, was a land holder in your county in Adams Township for many years.

Other Members of Family.

Now if this is the Sprague whose estate is being distributed, we wish to know it at once so as to protect our rights in the matter. My grandfather had two full brothers names Samuel and Elijah and a half brother named William who was younger than the other family. My great grandfather, James Sprague, had two daughters named Bety Sprague Starling (her married name) who died in Washington County, and Levina Simmons who resided always, I think, near Otsego, Muskingum County, Ohio.

I do not know positively how many direct heirs my great grandfather left but I am under the impression that there was an older set of children than my grandfather and his brothers and sisters. But assuming that there might have been as many as sixteen direct heirs, my grandfather would inherit the 1-16 part of his father’s estate, which, as reported, would be $1,000,000.

Direct Heirs.

His direct heirs were Hannah Sprague Thomas, Joseph S. Sprague (my father), Rachael Sprague Brundege, John L. Sprague, who died without issue but left a widow, and Mary Sprague _____ (name forgotten) and Eliza Sprague Null and William W. Sprague, the only surviving members of his father’s family. My father Joseph S. Sprague had four children, all living, namely: Manly H., the writer James A., Leota E. Sprague Hardin, and Edwin C. Sprague, who is believed to be a resident of your county at present.

The names and addresses of all these heirs above referred to, I think can be furnished without great difficulty. We never heard or had notice of, any rights which may be ours having existed in any estate coming to us through our ancestors and we are at a lost to understand why such has been the case.

Asks Information.

I have written to you quite fully and the importance of the subject under discussion is our apology for the length of this missive. I appeal to you for such information as you may have touching this matter, assuring you of our kind appreciate of any effort made by you in our behalf. We wish to know definitely whether these ancestors named are the ones whose estate is being distributed. Thanking you in advance for a reply, and the name of some reliable attorney who is not interested in the distribution, we are,
Very Truly Yours,
James A. Sprague
Son of Joseph S. Sprague
Son of Jonathan Sprague, II
Son of James Sprague, who settled at Marietta, O. in 1789.

Nothing Known Here.

In reply, Mr. Dutton informed him that there was no record here of any of the transactions related in the newspaper article and he received another letter from Mr. Sprague in which the latter states that he is convinced that the matter is groundless.

It is possible that some persons, well acquainted with the early history of Marietta, will know something about the matter and there may be other developments. It is certain, however, that the case has never been brought into the local courts, and so far as can be learned, no such claim has ever been established here.