Old Marietta Papers - Number 4

 The Marietta Register, August 21, 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."

So much has been pressing upon us the past few weeks that we have neglected our notes on Old Papers. We now continue notes from the "Western Spectator."

The Spectator was started Oct. 20, 1810. It was Federalist in politics and edited by the late Caleb Emerson, who was an able writer. Its publication was continued a little over two years, when the office was sold to other parties, and the paper took the name of "American Friend."

Oct. 19, 1811, Doctors John B. Regnier and Joseph Evans advertised a dissolution of partnership. Doctor Evans further advertised to sell lots, furniture, books, &c., as he was going to leave Marietta. James Stanley advertised for Fulling Cloth at "Stanley's Mill" on Duck Creek. Col. James Mann, under date of Waterford, Oct. 26, 1811, orders the Artillery Company, 1st Brig. 3d Div. Ohio Militia, to meet at the Court House in Marietta Nov. 16, to elect a Captain in place of Capt. Prouty, resigned.

Married, Nov. 12, 1811, by Rev. Stephen Lindsley, Mr. Charles Shipman, of this town, to Miss Frances W. Dana, of Belpre.

Benjamin Ives Gilman and D. Woodbridge, Jr., trading under the firm D. Woodbridge & Co., advertised to dissolve partnership, Jan. 1, 1812.

Married, Nov. 21, 1811, by Rev. Stephen Lindsley, William Corner, of Marietta, to Miss Sarah Maxon of Fearing.

Dec. 14th, 1811, it was announced that the Marietta Steam Mill was completed, engine up and in operation, except the mill stones, which would shortly be in motion.

Also on the same date occurred this paragraph: "Some people of our city have taken no small alarm on account of a number of Shawnee Indians hunting in this vicinity, some of whom were in town yesterday. As they have with them their squaws and papooses, we believe there is no cause of apprehension on their account."

Speaking of the Earthquake of 1811, which extended over the Mississippi Valley - the most violent at New Madrid, on the Mississippi - the Spectator says: "On the morning of the 16th inst. at 25 minutes past 2 A.M. the inhabitants of Marietta and vicinity were alarmed by a violent shaking of their houses, which was soon found to proceed from the earthquake. The same motion was felt at 20 minutes past 3, and at 1/2 past 7, when the tremor of the ground continued until about 8 o'clock. By some an explosion was heard resembling the noise made by emptying a load of small stones."

At Zanesville the shocks were much stronger than in Marietta, and at 8 A.M., the shock is related to have lasted four minutes; the cupola of the Court House moved to and fro, the iron rod vibrating six or eight inches, and the sign posts and trees put on undulatory motions. At Louisville several chimneys were thrown down, and the gable end of one house was dashed in.

On the morning of Jan. 23, 1812, there was an earthquake again at this point, the shocks lasting about four minutes; and again on Feb. 4th.

Married, Jan. 28, 1812, by Rev. Stephen Lindsley, Mr. Samson Cole to Miss Polly Duncan.

March 1, 1812, by Rev. Stephen Lindsley, Mr. James M. Booth to Miss Sally Alcock, both of this place.

Ansel Wood advertises a house of entertainment, "Wood's Tavern," in Harmar, March, 1812.

Of deaths, we notice, Feb. 2, 1812, Mrs. Huldah Tupper, widow of Gen. Benjamin Tupper; in April, Capt. Gilbert Devol, Jr., aged 46; May 13, Mrs. Sabra Porter, wife of Amos Porter, of Salem, who died about two years ago, the last of the first party who landed at Marietta, April 7, 1788. And on June 13, 1812, died Maj. Gen. Joseph Buell, aged 49, who was one of the first settlers of Marietta. He had been in the Ohio Senate, and Associate Judge. William Gray, Esq., one of the first settlers of Waterford, died July 24, 1812, in his 52d year.

"Married, (July 1812) in this town, by Rev. Stephen Lindsley, Mr. George Dunlevy to the amiable Miss Harriet Devol."