Suffragette to Visit Marietta

Marietta Daily Times, May 9, 1912

Miss Laura Clay of Lexington, Kentucky, an officer of the National Woman's Suffrage association, will be in Marietta on Wednesday, May 22, and will deliver an address at the assembly room of the court house that evening at 8 o'clock.

The meeting here will be held under the auspices of the local suffrage campaign committee, on which are Rev. and Mrs. E. A. Coil, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Morgan, Mrs. Charles H. Turner, Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Middleswart and other prominent men and women.

It is expected that an active campaign in behalf of the extension of the suffrage to women will be launched in this city, in common with hundreds in all parts of the country, the National association and state organizations being more active than ever before. There are many supporters of the movement in Marietta.

 

Arrival and Reception of Mr. Adams

Marietta Intelligencer, November 23, 1843

Mr. Adams arrived at this place on Wednesday of last week, at 2 o'clock, P.M. He was immediately waited upon at the boat by the Committee, and by them escorted to the Congregational Church, where a large concourse of people had assembled upon the firing of the guns announcing Mr. Adams' approach.

William R. Putnam, Esq., welcomed the venerable guest as follows:

Honored Sir - In the name of this audience, I bid you welcome to Marietta.

We rejoice, Sir, at this opportunity of paying our respects to you, and thus personally testifying the high regard we entertain of your public services and private virtues. We do cordially approve of the untiring exertions, and uncompromising integrity, ever manifested by you in defence of the liberties and rights of the people, and assure you that they will ever be held in grateful remembrance by us.

To which Mr. Adams briefly replied:

Mr. Adams commenced by referring to a period, doubtless beyond the remembrance, if not before the birth, of a majority of the dense audience around him, while he was a student of law in the town of Newburyport, Massachusetts,when the name of Marietta first saluted his ears. It awakened a powerful interest in his then youthful bosom, as it led his mind to the anticipation of that wonderful progress in western emigration and improvement which has since been realized; and more than realized. 

It was during the year 1788, in Ipswich Hamlet, a village in the neighborhood of Newburyport, that the speaker visited the Rev. Dr. Manasseh Cutler, when just returned from his first visit to the great west. He was exceedingly interested in the accounts which he received from the lips of that venerable man, in regard to the early prospects of a state which seems destined to become the first in this great confederacy. Since that time his eye had never left it, as it had advanced through the different stages of territorial government to the character of a respectable and powerful commonwealth, but he had continued an interested and delighted spectator of its progress.

Since that period his private fortunes had carried him over a considerable portion of the globe, but he had not expected the happiness of seeing with his own eyes the land - yea, the spot upon which he now was - which was thus associated with his early recollections, and on which his imagination had dwelt through the lapse of years with so much pleasure. But an incident recently occurred, which brought him to our State, and to the great city of the west; and as he had passed through the numerous corporations, so lately risen from the depths of the wilderness, in his way to that city, and on his return therefrom, his journey had been a continued repetition of enjoyment.

It would have been more gratifying to him, and doubtless would have been to the citizens, had the elements suffered them to manifest their respect for him without the exposure of this inclement day; but when, through the storm, so much of the light of human kindness as was here reflected, shone out upon him, he would say, that in return, through sunshine and through storm, the name of Marietta, and of her people, would ever dwell upon his heart. That name, so endeared to his memory by its connection with an incident which first awakened his mind to the future glories of Ohio, would be more deeply hallowed in his recollections from its recalling the occasion when, as now, he must discharge the painful but pleasing duty of bidding her his last farewell.

He was not at liberty to detain the audience longer with his remarks, for the vessel which had borne him hither was bearing others, anxious to reach the places of their destination. He would then close by invoking upon us the blessing of that heaven to which we are indebted for our liberties and our happiness.

The notes of Mr. Adams' remarks were not taken at the time, but subsequently written out from memory. 

After this address was concluded, and those who desired it had been personally introduced to him, Mr. Adams was accompanied by the Committee to the "Sacra Via" - "The Mound" - and other ancient works which he expressed a desire to visit, and thence to the Boat - upon which he immediately departed.

A committee of the committee, consisting of Hon. Ephraim Cutler, Caleb Emerson and Joseph Barker, Esqrs., left on the boat with him and accompanied him as far as Pittsburgh. A brief notice of the journey to that City and of his reception there is given by our correspondent Q.

His visit to this place will be a day long remembered. Old age will love to speak of it, and the family circle will repeat the story of his visit with feelings of gratitude and pleasure, one to the other. And those now in the happy days of innocent childhood will tell to another generation that they have seen and shaken hands with the great defender of the rights of man.

Blessings be upon this Patriot, Statesman, Sage, and may He who holds in His hands the destiny of men and of nations, vouchsafe to him many years of health and strength.

John Quincy Adams

Pittsburgh, Friday evening, Nov. 17, 1843.

The parade, the show, the external respect paid to distinguished persons in possession or pursuit of power, may pass for what it is worth. It may be sincere and hearty - or it may not. But the voluntary regard of a people bestowed on such men as John Quincy Adams, or Lafayette, when the recipients have no patronage, no favors, no offices to give in return, are truly honorable, as well to the givers as to the objects of such manifestations.

The honors bestowed on Mr. Adams at this place, though not such in appearance as the Pittsburghers would have wished, were amply sufficient to testify their deep respect and hearty good will. Arrangements were made in expectation that his arrival would happen, or might be timed so that his public entree should be at ten o'clock, A.M. to-day. But the noted Ben Franklin steamer was "too spry" for them. A respectable committee - Messrs. Harmar Denny, William Eichbaum, Thomas Bakewell, C. Darrah, and E. Stevens, met the Ben Franklin at Wheeling on Wednesday night and endeavored to prepare for these arrangements. Mr. Adams signified his entire readiness to acquiesce. But the captain, having delayed so much already, would delay no longer, and the personal friends who accompany him in his tour thought it not prudent to tax his exertions beyond what had been originally contemplated. The Ben Franklin drew near the city on yesterday, firing frequent salutes; passed up towards the Monongahela Bridge, and cam ashore in fine style. 

Swarming multitudes thronged the beach and "The Old Man Eloquent" was conducted ashore and to the "Exchange," by Mr. Hay, Mayor of Pittsburgh, and the Committee; and Wilson McCandless informed the people that Mr. Adams was not able, at that time, to undergo the fatigues of introduction.

To-day, though the weather was not favorable, there was a very large turn out to see Mr. Adams. A large number of Firemen and some militia made a very good display. It was contemplated to extend the march of the procession through the principal streets of the city, but heavy rain induced them to curtail it.

Mr. Adams rode in a carriage with the Mayor of Pittsburgh and Alleghany, and his friend and travelling companion, Mr. Grenell. Four or five other carriages followed, with the Committee and gentlemen from abroad. In the first of these was the delegation from Marietta, with Mr. Denney.

A platform was raised beside the Exchange and here Mr. McCandless made an eloquent and stirring address to Mr. Adams. There was a heavy mass of hearers - or spectators - in the streets. It rained heavily. Mr. Adams looked well and in spirits; amply able to have gone through a regular built speech, had the assemblage been in pleasant circumstances to hear. But here - as I understand he did at Marietta - he made a very pleasant apology for a speech, worth, as I think, some half dozen of your regular-built elaborations. He noticed here, with marked satisfaction, that he had been invited by all parties.

I think Mr. Adams was well pleased with his reception at Marietta, such a spontaneous rush, on so very short notice, testified most earnestly and unequivocally the affectionate regard of your citizens.

The conversations which took place on board the Ben Franklin after his visit to the "Old Settlement," are understood to have been of a very interesting character.

Fifty five years ago, it seems - while John Quincy Adams was a student in the Law Office of the celebrated Theophilus Parsons - he visited Dr. Manasseh Cutler at Ipswich Hamlet, just after the Doctor's return from the infant settlement on the Muskingum (in the promotion whereof he had been one of the main instruments) and there obtained a most interesting account of that settlement; from which time the progress and prospects of the Northwest - especially Ohio - have been the objects of high and never ceasing interest in the mind of Mr. Adams. One of the Marietta delegation to accompany him up the Ohio, was Judge Cutler, son of the Doctor, and of the same age with Mr. Adams. Another was Joseph Barker, the oldest Anglo American Native of Ohio now living. 

An interesting incident is said to have occurred soon after the Ben Franklin left Marietta. Judge Cutler remarked to Mr. Adams that he remembered with the strongest feelings of interest the fact that the firmness and sagacity of John Adams and John Jay, in negotiating the Peace of '83 secured us this great and growing and all important west. Mr. Adams replied in a subdued by touching tone and manner that he supposed certain things (my information was not certain what) would be remembered, but he had feared people had forgotten his father.

After supper Mr. Adams, having retired for a short time, came and sat down in the Gentlemen's Cabin and conversed with great freedom on quite a variety of topics. As he spoke without any reserve, as a man speaks among his intimate friends, it would hardly be proper to attempt any report of his expressions in detail. But of the group that listened around there is probably not one but would be exceedingly gratified could a truly graphic sketch he made of that scene.

Members of the Washington County delegation sat beside him. When a subject was suggested by the elder one, he would branch forth directly in a discourse, full of pith and interest, and in a very few minutes you would feel more entertainingly instructed than ordinarily by a dissertation of regular length, breadth and thickness. When a pause permitted the suggestion of a new topic, the same readiness was manifested in opening the rich store house of his mind, and handing forth from its well assorted treasures.

It was most interesting to note the attitudes of the listeners. Nearly every head and neck was turned and bent, that the ear might not miss its office in catching and reporting every word, every syllable that fell from the lips of John Quincy Adams.

Q.

   

John Quincy Adams at Marietta

The Marietta Register, April 14, 1881

From the "Evangelist."

In the summer of 1843 the newspapers announced that this distinguished man had consented to lay the corner-stone of the Cincinnati Observatory.  The month of November was selected for the imposing ceremonies of that occasion.  The 10th of November proved stormy, but an immense concourse of people assembled to witness an event so unusual, and also to see and hear a man whose name was associated with the history of the nation from its infancy. 

As soon as Mr. Adams was known to have accepted the invitation of the Cincinnati Astronomical society, the citizens of Marietta took measures to invite him to their place as the first settled north of the Ohio, and by men from Massachusetts.  Mr. Adams accepted their invitation conditionally, agreeing if consistent with other engagements to stop a little while, on his journey up the Ohio.  No day or hour for his arrival could be fixed, positively, but it was understood throughout the town that on his arrival the bell of the Congregational church would be rung.  People were watching all the boats in expectation of the distinguished guest.

Early one afternoon the preconcerted signal announced his arrival, and the whole town poured towards the church.  A great crowd met him at the wharf and went with him to the church.  He was introduced to the people, I think by Caleb Emerson, Esq., and in response he made an address extemporaneously.  In his remarks he showed a minute acquaintance with the first movements which resulted in the settlement in Ohio.  He spoke of the leading men in the enterprise.  He had known Rufus Putnam, what part he had borne in the Revolutionary War, and what had been the leading influence he exerted in founding the colony and in raising it through the hardships of its first decade.  He paid a noble tribute to the memory of this man, so dear to the Marietta people.

He spoke also of bold Commodore Whipple, who "fired the first gun on the sea at the British, in the opening of the Revolutionary War," by heading the party which captured and burnt the Gaspe in the waters of Rhode Island.  He described Col. Tupper, Return Jonathan Meigs, Gen. Varnum, Col. Parsons, the Devols, the Greens, the Putnams, Dr. Cutler and his son, the Fearings, &c., &c.  His knowledge of the families of the original settlers, where they came from, what they encountered on the journey and after landing at the mouth of the Muskingum, their sufferings during the Indian Wars, &c., surprised all present.  What made it the more remarkable was, that there was then no published book from which he might have gleaned the facts, for Dr. Hildreth did not publish his "Pioneers of Ohio" until 1848, and the "Lives of the Early Settlers of Ohio" until 1852. 

I was afterward informed that Mr. Adams accounted for his minute acquaintance with the early settlers of Ohio, by stating that he carefully read the accounts which were from time to time published in the newspapers of the day.  Many of the pioneers were educated men, and wrote from the wilderness letters to their friends in New England, detailing carefully all the events transpiring in the colony.  These were usually published in the Massachusetts newspapers and were read with as great avidity as a few years since people read the exciting letters from California.  From this source Mr. Adams drew the materials of that admirable half hour's address, and the minuteness of his details, and the correctness of his names, dates, and other statements, proved the amazing accuracy and discipline of his memory.

After his remarks were concluded, Mr. Adams left the pulpit and one by one the congregation were presented to him.  The first settlers were almost all gone, in fact I do not recall one who was present on this interesting occasion.  However, there were many there who had come as children with the pioneers, or who had been born soon after the settlement was made.  There were descendants of Israel Putnam, of Pomfret, through the line of his son, Col. Israel Putnam.  There were Deacon William Rufus Putnam and his son William Rufus, the son and grandson of Gen. Rufus Putnam.  There were the Nyes, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Col. Benjamin Tupper.  There were Judge Cutler and his son, the son and grandson of the Rev. Manasseh Cutler who negotiated with Congress the purchase of the land for the Ohio Company.  There were the descendants of Capt. Joseph Barker, prominent among whom was Joseph Barker, Esq., the first child born in Belpre township, which settlement was made soon after that at Marietta.  Capt. Barker himself had been dead only two months. 

The Danas from Newport and Belpre came also to welcome the sage of Quincy.  One of these, Mr. George Dana, a plain farmer, of uncommon mental parts and acquirements, came up leading his little son, John Quincy Dana, and said to Mr. Adams, "here is my youngest son, whom I have named to show my esteem for you."  Mr. Adams immediately put his hand on the lad's head and said "God bless you my son."

Descendants of Jonathan Stone, Paul Fearing, Ebenezer Battelle, Devol, and other Pioneers were introduced.  It was a singularly impressive sight thus to have the children and grandchildren of the very men Mr. Adams had been speaking of, come up to shake his hand.  In two hours from the time he landed he was on the boat, the crowd cheering him most heartily.

Mr. Caleb Emerson of Marietta accompanied Mr. Adams to Pittsburgh, and I was told that these remarkable men spent the greater part of the night in conversation.  Mr. Emerson was usually called "the walking Encyclopedia of Marietta."  Physically he was very lethargic, and he was negligent in the matter of dress, but in the absorption of knowledge he was a marvel.  He would read from the time he arose until late at night.  He had one of the most noble heads I ever looked at.  His knowledge expanded to every pursuit, and his almost miraculous memory seemed to retain everything he read.  His reasoning powers were masculine, and clear; and what he read he mastered.  His conversational talents were remarkable and it made no difference what topic might be introduced, he was ready to pour out the treasures of his mind, not in tame generalities, but in special detail. 

It excited the wonder even of intelligent men, to hear him trace the history of affairs in this country; for instance, the introduction of slavery, its progress, the views of patriots at the time the Constitution was formed, the means used to remove it, &c.  he was at home on every subject.  There was not a valuable book in the library of the Marietta Library Association, or that of Marietta College, which he had not devoured.  Not unfrequently he would go to Columbus, for the purpose of reading some rare book in the State Library.  In his habits he was simple, and it was a common habit with our boys in College when about to write a speech or composition on some assigned theme requiring reading, to call on Mr. Emerson to have him talk out what he knew.  And the kind hearted old gentleman always delighted to do the boys so easy a favor as that.

It was a common saying in Marietta, "what a pity Mr. Emerson did not have the executive energy which goads some men up to high places, for such a mind as his impelled by such energy would have made him a marked man in the nation!"  This was his deficiency, for with all his knowledge I do not think he ever published anything beyond one or two admirable papers in the North American Review.  A gentleman who was present told me that the conversation between John Quincy Adams and Caleb Emerson on the steamboat was marvelous, and that the Sage of Quincy did not outshine his plain companion from Marietta, a statement which I can easily credit, because few men had greater resources from which to draw than Mr. Emerson.

Mr. Emerson was a Baptist, but not a strenuous, intrusive one.  From its foundation he was a trustee of Marietta College, and took a lively interest in its welfare.  His views were held in great respect by his friends in the Board, and he had not a little influence in bringing that excellent institution to its present prosperity.  Originally he was a printer - and he had received only such an education as a Massachusetts Common School affords.

The exact date of Mr. Adams' visit to Marietta was Wednesday, November 15th, and the time two o'clock, P.M.  The day was unpleasant and rainy.  Mr. Adams rode from the landing to the church in Mr. Nahum Ward's carriage and after the address had been concluded and the informal reception brought to an end, the distinguished statesman was driven to the great mound in the cemetery, to the elevated squares and Sacra Via, which he viewed with great interest.  Mr. Emerson was one of the committee of three who traveled with Mr. Adams to Pittsburgh as a guard of honor.  The other members were Judge Ephraim Cutler and Judge Joseph Barker.

Nahum Ward was chairman of the Committee of Reception and the marshals were A. T. Nye and Noah L. Wilson.  The address of welcome was delivered by Deacon William R. Putnam.

Henry Clay

Marietta Intelligencer, May 23, 1844

Henry Clay passed Marietta on his way home on Friday morning last, on the steamer Little Pike.  The boat stopped here an hour or more, and many of the citizens of Marietta and Harmar embraced this opportunity of paying their respects to him.

He appeared to be in fine health, and (as well he may) in excellent spirits.

Hon. Thomas Ewing was in company with Mr. Clay.

                                     *     *     *     *     *

The citizens of Marietta and Harmar who had the pleasure of a trip to Parkersburg on Friday last, in company with Henry Clay, desire publicly to express their obligations to the officers of that excellent boat, The Little Pike, for the attentions shown them on that excursion.  No charge was made for our passage, and we were otherwise most hospitably entertained.