Fourth of July

 The Marietta Register, July 8, 1864

The Fourth of July passed off very quietly in Marietta, even the shooting of fire-crackers by the boys was not in the usual profusion. At 9 o'clock A.M., the children, parents and friends assembled on the Commons above Putnam Street and, to the music of Major Payne's Martial Band, marched to the College Grounds, where exercises were held. Prayer by Rev. Mr. Battelle and addresses by L. H. Sargent of Cincinnati, who is known as "Sunday School Sargent," and by A. E. Chamberlain, President of the Cincinnati branch of the U.S. Christian Commission. Music, refreshments, and a social time were then the order. For this entertainment, the children are indebted to D. P. Bosworth, R. P. Iams, and perhaps others.

 

Old Marietta Papers - Number 26

 The Marietta Register, March 25, 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."

The Institute of Education at Marietta was advertised at length in the "Friend" of September 11, 1830, by Rev. L. G. Bingham. It comprised four departments - Infant School, Primary School, High School, and Young Ladies' School.

March 24, 1831, Spring Term of the "Institute of Education" began. High School, Dr. N. P. Brown, a graduate of Williams College. Young Ladies' School, Miss Spalding from Ipswich Female Seminary, Massachusetts. Primary School, Miss Battelle and Miss Winchell. Infant School, Miss Howe. Writing School, Mr. A. Bingham.

April 1831, Rev. Mr. Bingham sold one-half of the "Institute of Education" to Mansfield French, who had been a teacher in the Preparatory Department of Kenyon College; after which Mr. French gave his attention to the management of the Institute.

Luther Bingham

July 1831, the young men of the High School in the Institute formed a "Manual Labor Association" - a kind of association just then beginning to come into notoriety in connection with educational institutions. By these associations, "Manual Labor," for a certain number of hours in a day, was compulsory upon the students - for health, the benefit of the pocket, etc. Shops were provided to work in and ground to labor upon. For some years these Manual Labor Associations had quite a "run," but for nearly a quarter of a century they have been among the "things that were." However good in theory, they failed in practice.

August 30 1831, David Putnam, Ephraim Cutler, Caleb Emerson, William R. Putnam, Dudley Woodbridge, John Cotton, Arius Nye, Luke DeWitt, and Levi Whipple, published a communication in the "Friend," that they had attended the examinations of the "Institute" and were "highly gratified with the management of the teachers and the progress of the scholars," etc.

March 15, 1832, in the evening a meeting of the friends of the "Institute" and of the advancement of education in Marietta was held - S. P. Hildreth, chairman, Douglas Putnam, secretary.

The Institute, it appears, had prospered so largely that it had outgrown its facilities for the accommodation of students. Mr. French, one of the proprietors (Rev. Mr. Bingham being the other), read a paper setting forth the wants of the Institute. Caleb Emerson, Arius Nye, and Dr. Cotton addressed the meeting. A committee of seven was appointed to consult upon the interests of the Institute and report an an adjourned meeting, Friday evening, March 23d, to-wit: C. Emerson, A. Nye, J. Cotton, D. Protsman, W. Thomas, R. Crawford, J. Whitney.

An able report in the premises was published in the "Friend" of April 7, 1832. The great advantage of Marietta for an institution of learning - health, beauty of location, etc., were duly set forth, as well as the profit to the town from such an institution. The result was a plan set on foot to erect a new building, donations for it to be received; also a Board of Trust was appointed, Caleb Emerson, James Whitney, S. P. Hildreth, John Cotton, Arius Nye, Weston Thomas, and Douglas Putnam.

April 7, 1832, the "Friend" announced: "The new building (for the Institute) is already commenced. It is to be very spacious and located on a high and healthful situation - far above the reach of our highest floods, and will have a very commanding prospect. The dimensions of the building are 75 by 40 feet. It is to be three stories in height, besides the basement story, with a dome above. The building, it is hoped, will be ready for the reception of scholars in the Fall."

Institute Building
(First Marietta College Building)

At this date the name "Institute of Education" appears to have been dropped for the "Marietta Collegiate Institute.."

About September 1, 1832, the Annual Catalogue was published. The number of pupils during the year was 230, of whom 117 were from abroad. Eight states were represented, among them: Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky. In the High School, 33 had been in the languages. It was announced in the "Friend" as the intention of all concerned to make the Marietta Collegiate Institute an entirely public institution, so as to perpetuate its advantages on a permanent basis."

September 25, 1832, the Fall Term of the Marietta Collegiate Institute commenced. Miss Deborah Wells (subsequently Mrs. D. P. Bosworth) now became associated with Miss Spalding in the Ladies' Seminary; and "Mr. Smith," with Mr. French, in the High School. "Mr. Smith," then so humbly announced, was a graduate of Middlebury College, Vermont, and remained here nearly twenty-two years - became widely known as "Rev. Henry Smith, D.D., President of Marietta College," and since has been a Professor in Lane Theological Seminary, then Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, and now is Pastor of a Presbyterian church at Buffalo, New York.

Henry Smith

January 26, 1833, public notice was given that the Institute which had before that time been under the "exclusive control of Messrs. Bingham and French," had been recently incorporated by the name of "Marietta Collegiate Institute and Western Teachers' Seminary" and placed under the direction of a Board of Trustees appointed by the legislature, "with the view of making it a public institution, and thus enlarging the sphere of its operations, and extending its usefulness." In pursuance of this design, the Trustees called a public meeting to be held at Library Hall, Wednesday evening, February 6, 1833. The call was signed by John Cotton, L. G. Bingham, Jonas Moore, and Douglas Putnam, committee of the trustees.

February 6, 1833, Wednesday evening, public meeting for the Collegiate Institute, held at Library Hall, according to notice previously given. Rev. John Spalding from the East (a Home Missionary Agent, we believe) made an eloquent address; also Rev. Mr. McAboy, on the practicability and importance of elevating the standard of education in the West, as connected with the great and interesting objects proposed by the Board of Trustees at this meeting. Rev. Mr. Smith, then a teacher in the High School, spoke particularly upon the Manual Labor system in connection with education, enlarging upon its merits. Rev. Mr. Vail, of Lane Seminary, spoke of the striking advantages of this system and presented a plan for the Institute, as adopted by the Board, requiring $20,000 to carry it into effect. It was resolved unanimously to attempt to raise the $20,000 in the East and the West, within twelve months, and to make an effort to raise $8,000 or $10,000 in town and vicinity, within three months. The books were opened on the spot, and within a few minutes, between $6,000 and $7,000 was subscribed by individuals present.

The plan then proposed was for an English Department to enable young men to obtain a thorough English education, training them for teachers; a Classical or Collegiate Department; an Academic Department, to prepare for the two higher Departments; and a Female Department.

February 25, 1833, Monday evening, was held at Library Hall, the first public Exhibition by the young men of the Institute, of which we have any account - by part of the members of the "Philodemic Society." The parts consisted of eight original orations:

Signs of the Times: Sidney Brooks, Buckland, Massachusetts.

Importance of Fixed Moral Principles: John M. Slocomb, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.

Physical Education: Luther Temple, Heath, Massachusetts.

Novel Reading, Israel Archbold: Harrison County, Virginia.

Public Opinion: John W. Bosworth, Marietta.

Virtuous and Intelligent Youth, the Hope of our Country: John W. Latta, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Literature and Civil Government as influenced by a general devotion to Party Politics: David Dunn, Mount Vernon, Ohio.

Christian Missions: S. P. Dunham, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Our notice of the infancy of Marietta College must conclude with the remark that the present Charter of "Marietta College," by the legislature, bears date January - , 1835. In that year, Rev. Joel Linsley, D.D., from Park Street Church, Boston, became the first President of the College. The first class graduated in the summer of 1838.

Joel Harvey Linsley

The Corners

The Marietta Register, September 14, 1865

William Corner of Cornerville is one of the oldest residents of this county and is one of the prompt-paying subscribers to the Register - prompt also, every other Corner. He was in our office the other day to "pay in advance," as usual, and after the Yankee style, we asked him a "power" of questions. He will be 77 years of age, Feb. 3d next - and is now a "sounder" man than the majority who are fifteen years younger. It is pretty certain that no "life insurance" will give us his length of years. He is "well kept" because he has lived as a man should live - although he didn't tell us this. Next Sunday it will be seventy years since he arrived in this county, with his mother - coming on Sept. 17, 1795.

Seventy years! A long time to look ahead. Who of us will see that day, seventy years hence? That would make one now in the prime of thirty an even century of age. Too old, by considerable, yet 69 years less than the reputed age of the English Henry Jenkins. The child now of ten would then be advanced into the "seve and yellow leaf" of fourscore. But before then, one after another of us, now so full of life and energy, will drop off, and only for a day, shall we be missed!

To look back seventy years - it was then the Administration of Washington, the first President of the United States - who has been "gathered unto his fathers" almost sixty-six years. Now it is the Administration of Andrew Johnson, our seventeenth President. And what changes within that seventy years! The great Napoleon had just then commenced his career, but has now been dead more than forty-four years. Our great Generals Grant and Sherman were born a quarter of a century since that. Steamboat navigation was then unknown; the railway had not seen the light by thirty years; and the telegraph so wonderful, but now so common, was nearly a half a century later than the day when the Corners arrived at Marietta.

Gen. Rufus Putnam had planted the first colony in Ohio, here in Marietta, only a little over seven years before that; but he died over forty years ago, at the age of 86. Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr., then lived in Marietta, but it was fifteen years thereafter before he became Governor of Ohio; and he lived still fifteen years after that, nine of those years as Postmaster-General, still since his death, a generation and over one-third of another have passed.

Hold! We began to talk about the Corners. They came from Cheshire, England. The heads of the family that came here were George Corner and his wife. Their sons were William, Matthew and George - we do not know the order of their ages. William was the father of the present William Corner, and died at Bedford, Pennsylvania, on the route here. His wife married the second time in this county, to Col. Israel Stone, the father of our venerable fellow-citizens, Col. Augustus Stone and Benjamin F. Stone. John B. Stone, of McConnelsville, is the son of this second marriage.

The family of William Corner, Sen., consisted of George, Sarah, Mary, William, Maria, and Edwin. Sarah married a Mr. Flagg, and still lives in Delaware, this state. Maria married Richard Miner and died over fifty years ago. Mary married a Mr. Woodward and died in this county. Edwin, long a citizen of McConnelsville, now lives in Columbus and was born in Pennsylvania on the route here.

George, it will be seen, is a favorite name with the Corners - the oldest that came here being George Corner; and he had a son George; a grandson George; and George S. Corner is his great-grandson. How many little Georges there are is more than we know; and the Georges to be goes still further beyond our knowledge.

Of the character of the Corners as citizens - well, we know that they pay promptly, and, of course, honestly for all they get, and that proves all other things to be about as they should be, in nine cases out of ten. Besides, one of them sold us some bushels of potatoes, once upon a time, that had just come out of the pit, and before any of them had been used in his own family; but when they did begin to use them it was discovered that they had become, some of them, internally bad, and he came to make reparation before we had well found it out! Not every man who brings articles to market is quite that particular.

We beg pardon of the Corners for thus meddling with their affairs - a quiet people, too independent to seek notoriety. It is due perhaps, to say that this is a dish of our getting up, not theirs.

Old Marietta Papers - Number 25

The Marietta Register, March 18, 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."

The Flood of 1832, the most famous of all floods in the annals of Marietta, here demands notice.

Jan. 1, 1832, it was announced that the week previous had been "intensely cold," such as had "never been witnessed by our oldest inhabitants." The rivers were frozen over and teams crossed on the ice, There was about four inches of snow on the ground. On Jan. 14, there had been a break up in consequence of warm weather. Snow disappeared and the rivers were disgorging themselves of the ice which was about a foot thick. Many boats and much property suffered destruction from the ice. The steamboat Emigrant was sunk at Harmar, and went off in the ice. Part of her machinery was taken out. The steamer Whit was destroyed at Parkersburg; the Pittsburgh, just below the city of Pittsburgh; and the Potomac, Lady Washington, Chesapeake, and New Jersey, all at Cincinnati, we believe. The rivers were not very high at this time.

It soon turned very cold again, and on Jan. 26th, the mercury stood at 10 degrees below zero. Snow about eight inches deep at this point. 

Feb. 4th, it was announced that there were "copious showers, which promised to raise the rivers, and prepare them at least for navigation."

Feb. 11. "Much rain has fallen. The creeks have all been filled to overflowing, and the great river now threatens inundation to all the lowlands. Last evening (Friday, 10th) the banks of the Ohio, at this place, were beginning to overflow."

From this time - Friday evening, Feb. 10, 1832, when the Ohio began to overflow its banks in this place - it was "lively times" in Marietta for a few days. The "Friend" missed its publication in the following week, and the next week after only a small sheet was issued - although the printing office was above high water on Fifth Street, back of the College grounds. The water continued rising about four inches an hour through Saturday and Sunday; and on Monday morning, Feb. 13, at 8 o'clock, it came to a stand - "at the height of five feet more than it had been known since the settlement of the country." In several houses at the Point, of low stories, it was on the second floor, and the inhabitants left them for the higher ground. Some small buildings, shops and stables were removed from their foundations, some being carried away.

The "Friend" defends the town, and says, "the place has suffered little comparatively with other towns on the Ohio," and instances Pittsburgh and Wheeling at which places the damages from the flood were very large. It says: "The river on Saturday and Sunday, was literally full of property from above - many buildings of light construction, hay, wheat and oat stacks, rails, boards, rafts of lumber."

Feb. 15 - Wednesday - people who had been driven from their houses at the Point returned to them. Many had lived in their second stories.

At Wheeling, Saturday evening, Feb. 11th, the water was 49 feet above low water mark; 15 or 20 frame dwelling houses were swept off. Wellsburg was entirely overflowed. From headwaters, the flood came principally from the Allegheny, not much from the Monongahela. The Pittsburgh Democrat says: "On Friday last (10th) Pittsburgh, Allegheny-Town, and the lowlands bordering the rivers were visited by the horrors and devastation of the greatest flood that ever occurred since the erection of Fort Duquesne by the French; and it would be in vain to attempt to give the particulars of the losses by our fellow citizens, or to describe the perilous escapes from the raging element." The Democrat estimates the loss in Pittsburgh at "exceeding $200,000," and says the water there rose 31 feet above low water mark.

The flood was at its height at Pittsburgh, Feb. 10th, at 9 o'clock, P.M.; at Wheeling, on the 11th, at 8 P.M.; at Marietta, 13th, at 8 A.M.; at Cincinnati, on the morning of the 18th, being a trifle over a week later than at Pittsburgh. Cincinnati was flooded back to the "Lower Market," between Second and Third streets - 631 feet above low water mark.

In correcting exaggerated statements abroad in reference to the damage by this flood in Marietta, placing the amount at $50,000, the "Friend" says: "It is our opinion that half the sum mentioned, perhaps one-third, will repair all losses actually sustained."

Of the exaggerations - not to say lies - told about the flood in Marietta, the following are specimens. A letter from Wheeling to the Philadelphia Chronicle states:

"The steamboat Columbus, which has just arrived, reports that not a vestige remains of many of the towns below. Marietta presents a most melancholy appearance. A large portion of the place has entirely disappeared (!), and in the higher parts of the town little more is to be seen than the tops of the chimneys. Nothing could be learned of the safety of the inhabitants as the boat could not effect a safe landing."

People here who know the truth may possibly call that a genuine specimen of "tall lying." Another paper says:

"A gentleman recently from the West says that while running up the Ohio, several hundred buildings were met floating down; and that at Marietta, the steamboat in which he was passed through the streets [perhaps true at the Point] and delivered her passengers at the third story windows of the houses."

That'll do!

To prove that Marietta was not killed, on March 24th the "Friend":

"Our situation is salubrious and commanding. Many have decided to locate here, and a considerable influx of population is expected. Arrangements are making for the erection of more handsome and desirable buildings the approaching season, than have been put up in any one season before."

The Pioneers of Watertown

The Marietta Register, December 14, 1871

Warren, Dec. 1, 1871.

A. T. Nye, Esq., Dear Sir:

I can give the names of nearly all of the first permanent settlers of Watertown. William Ford, Sr., and family of  sons and one daughter, William Ford, Jr., Nathan Proctor, Jacob Proctor, my father Simeon Deming, Horace Wolcott, and families, all came together from Massachusetts and Connecticut, I think, in 1795, to the headwaters, came down in the spring and went out and built their cabins and removed their families to Watertown.

Elias Wolcott came the next year and is now living, the only one of the first settlers. Also John Waterman and Ferrand Waterman were early settlers and remained during their life time. One brother, Sherman Waterman, was shot by the Indians. He swam across the creek to the block house and died. Major Haffield White and his son, Peletiah White and family, were permanent residents at Wolf Creek Mills.

Ezekiel Deming came soon after and settled permanently; also Simon Starlin and sons, and sons' sons, too numerous to count.

Jason Humiston came previous to 1800. I can not be definite about the year when the families came.

William Woodford came early, married Diana Ford, and became a permanent resident. William Ford, Jr., also returned from Wayne's army and married and raised a family of twelve children.

All those parents named except three have lived and died in Watertown. Nathan Proctor settled in Barlow.

I can recollect many events of the War of 1812, perhaps not of interest. There was a number of young men went from Watertown in that service: Elias Wolcott, Lorey Ford, Elisha Mallory, Norman Hart, Benedict Hutchins, Duty Green, David Deming, William Henry, Alexander Walker, Neal Walker, all living to return except Norman Hart.

Joel Deming 

Old Marietta Papers - Number 24

The Marietta Register, March 11, 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."

Jan. 9, 1832 - Monday - Jackson State Convention held at Columbus. Delegates from this county, Dr. Morris German of Harmar and John Lewis of Marietta; elected at a caucus held at John Brophy's.

Jan. 19, 1832. The steamboat "Whale" was launched from Whitney's shipyard; built for Capt. L. C. Wood to run between New Orleans and the Balize - 320 tons burden.

Jan. 30, 1832. Monday evening, the Quarterly Meeting of the Washington County Temperance Society was held at the Court House. Ephraim Emerson was President of the Society, Douglas Putnam, Secretary. The Address was delivered by William A. Whittlesey and by resolution a copy was requested for publication. It was published in the "Friend" of Feb. 25, 1832; and it also appeared in the "Western Republican," published by John Brough.

Feb. 1, 1832. The mercantile firm of "John Mills & Co." - John Mills and Luther Edgerton - was dissolved; also that of "Shipman & Woodbridge" - Samuel Shipman and Dudley Woodbridge.

Feb. 10, 1832. Notice was given of a new mercantile firm - "Mills & Co." - John Mills, Samuel Shipman and Noah L. Wilson. And shortly after notice was given of the firm of "Morgan & Woodbridge" - David T. Morgan, now of Washington, Pa., and the late Dudley Woodbridge.

July 4, 1832. Celebration. Procession formed at the Court House under direction of Chief Marshal Jesse Hildebrand. Marched to the Methodist Church. Declaration read by George M. Woodbridge, "who prefaced it with some very pertinent remarks." Oration by Joel Tuttle, Esq., of Fearing. L. Soyez prepared the dinner under shade near Mr. Ward's residence. James M. Booth, Esq., was President, S. H. Gates, Vice President. There were volunteer toasts by John Lewis, James Withrow, N. Ward, John Brough, Joshua Way, Dan Stone, Col. West, Wesley Protsman, Charles H. Brough, L. J. P. Putnam, William Warren, Jesse Hildebrand, Noah L. Wilson, J. A. Cram, Jacob C. McCabe, Cyrus Olney, George C. Olmstead, John F. Martin, Thomas Proctor, Dudley D. Greene, John G. Gilmore, Augustus J. Stone and George M. Woodbridge.

July 9, 1832. A public meeting was held at the Court House "to take precautionary measures against the introduction of Asiatic Cholera into our town and vicinity." Caleb Emerson was Chairman, John Brough, Secretary. Various measures of cleansing, draining, &c. were adopted. The number of deaths reported at Cincinnati, six days ending Oct. 23, was 140. The "Friend" of Nov. 3d says: "No case of cholera has yet occurred here to our knowledge, and the citizens enjoy good health generally."

July 15, 1832. Sunday, Rev. J. T. Wheat of Wheeling, Episcopal, preached at Library Hall - the first notice we have seen of preaching by that denomination in Marietta. Dec. 28th following, a bill was introduced in the Ohio Senate to incorporate St. Luke's Church, Marietta.

Dec. 1832. Daniel Goodno, Esq., was drowned in the Ohio at Belpre.

Election in 1832:

The election in this county in 1832, as it appears, was not very bitterly contested. The contest was between the "National Republicans" or "Clay men" and the "Democratic Republicans" or "Jackson men." The former triumphed by a majority of 196 on Governor.

The vote in the county stood: For Governor, Darius Lyman 917, Robert Lucas 721. For Congress, Samuel F. Vinton 955, George House 694. For Representative, James M. Booth (re-elected) 818, Joel Tuttle 709, Ezekiel Deming 92. For Sheriff, Jesse Loring 845, Joseph P. Wightman 794. For Commissioner, Ebenezer Battelle 917, Robert Williamson 709. For Surveyor, Griffin Greene (no opp.) 1,602. For Surveyor, Benjamin F. Stone (no opp.) 1,619. 

Marietta voted - Lyman 168, Lucas 120. Vinton 191, House 108. Booth 169, Tuttle 118, Deming 2.

Presidential Election in 1832:

There were three tickets before the people - Clay, Jackson, and Wirt or Anti-Masonic. The first was headed by Henry Clay for President, John Sergeant of Pennsylvania for Vice President; the second by Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren; the third by William Wirt and Amos Ellmaker of Pennsylvania. The Clay candidate for Elector, this District, was George Renick of Chillicothe; the Jackson, Isaac Humphreys of this county; and the Wirt, Nahum Ward of Marietta. The Wirt ticket received only a few hundred votes in the State. Jackson carried the State, but this county went against Jackson by a majority of 248. The precise number of votes severally given to Clay, Jackson and Wirt (the latter very few) we have not at hand. The returns in the Friend are given as "Anti-Jackson" and "Jackson." The following is the vote of the county:

Adams - Anti-Jackson 59; Jackson 39.

Aurelius - Anti-Jackson 29; Jackson 29.

Belpre - Anti-Jackson 112; Jackson 40.

Barlow - Anti-Jackson 68; Jackson 36.

Decatur - Anti-Jackson 39; Jackson 0.

Fearing - Anti-Jackson 51; Jackson 38.

Grandview - Anti-Jackson 31; Jackson 49.

Lawrence - Anti-Jackson 20; Jackson 55.

Ludlow - Anti-Jackson 0; Jackson 50.

Liberty - Anti-Jackson 0; Jackson 15.

Marietta - Anti-Jackson 249; Jackson 126.

Newport - Anti-Jackson 59; Jackson 39.

Roxbury - Anti-Jackson 59; Jackson 60.

Salem - Anti-Jackson 59; Jackson 35.

Union - Anti-Jackson 49; Jackson 48.

Warren - Anti-Jackson 30; Jackson 79.

Waterford - Anti-Jackson 141; Jackson 42.

Watertown - Anti-Jackson 84; Jackson 66.

Wesley - Anti-Jackson 28; Jackson 40.

Total - Anti-Jackson 1140; Jackson 892.

The vote was the largest that had then been given in the county - 2,032, an increase of 261 from the Presidential Election in 1828. The total vote in Marietta was 375, an increase of 62 in four years. The majority against Jackson in 1828 in Marietta was 85; in 1832 it was 123.

Marriages in 1832:

March 15, in Union, L. J. P. Putnam and Eliza Kidwell.

Aug. 28, Mansfield French of Marietta and Miss A. M. Winchell of Granville.

Sept. 16, Prof. John Kendrick (then of Kenyon College) and Miss Julia Guitteau of Marietta.

Sept. 20, Joseph Wood of Pa. and Lavina A. Cook of Newport.

Oct. 17, Benjamin Hartwell and Elmina Woodward, both of Newport.

Oct. 21, R. D. Hollister of Warren and Miss Sophia B. Dana, daughter of Edmund B. Dana of Union.

Oct. 11, George Hutchinson of Barlow and Margaret Rogers of Watertown.

Oct. 25, John Test of Marietta and Huldah Smith of Warren.

Oct. 25, Parkerson Reed of Va. and Frances E. Crane of Newport.

Nov. 1, Colbert O'Neal of Belpre and Seraph D. Dana, Daughter of Stephen Dana, of Newport.

Nov. 13, at Athens by Rev. R. G. Wilson, John Brough, Editor of the Western Republican, Marietta, to Miss Achsah P. Pruden, daughter of Silas Pruden, Esq., of Athens.

Nov. 15, Thomas J. Westgate and Miss Abigail Wheeler.

Nov. 15, Dudley D. Green and Nancy Ogle.

Nov. 18, William Mathews of Wesley and Mary Ann Springer of Watertown.

Nov. 23, Horace Wright of Union and Phelista Danielson of Watertown.

Dec. 19, Avery Chappell of Belpre and Laura Ann Putnam of Union.

Dec. 27, Augustus S. Guthrie and Cynthia Ann Knowles, both of Belpre.

Dec. 30, Samuel Griggs (now of Minnesota) and Asenath Wheeler.

Deaths in 1832:

April 10, in Fearing, Asahel Chapman, 30.

June 8, Julia Ann Buell, eldest daughter of D. H. Buell, Esql, 15.

June 13, James Bliss, 50.

June 17, Ruth Whitney, wife of James Whitney, Esq.

July 9, in Harmar, William Greathouse.

July 27, in Wood Co., Va., Samuel S. Spencer, 55.

Aug. 2, in Gallia Co., Francis Thierry, who came from France and settled in Marietta in 1790; long a resident of this place and at one time owner of a part of the "College Square"; he was 67 years of age at his death.

Sept. 9, Dr. Thomas Jett, a native of Stafford Co., Va., aged 83.

Oct. 21, Anna Maria Cole, daughter of Sampson Cole.

Nov. 17, in Chester, Meigs Co., Theodorus Nye, 39.

Nov. 26, in St. Augustine, Florida, Col. John Lawrence Lewis, formerly of Marietta, 54.

Dec. 16, Lovett Bishop, 25.

Dec. 31, in Belpre, Persis Howe.

Suburban Residences

The Marietta Intelligencer, February 9, 1859:

We are glad to see a beginning made towards covering the slopes of our beautiful hills with tasteful residences. Few towns can compare with Marietta in beauty of location, if we consider the town plat alone, and regard the hills which border the Muskingum on either side, merely as pleasant objects on which the eye may rest. The citizens of many a Western city would gladly pay a handsome price for such hills merely to look at; and we always prize them higher after being subjected to the monotony of view presented by so many of our towns.

But these hills, beautiful as they are by nature, may be made more so by art. Whoever erects thereon a handsome edifice and surrounds it with those marks of taste and beauty which are the natural surroundings of a fine house on such a site, deserves the thanks of all our people. He is a public benefactor.

Our twin sister across the Muskingum has taken the lead of us in this matter. But we are glad to learn that the example set by the Messrs. Putnam is about to be followed by one of our citizens. Mr. William F. Curtis has purchased from the College a beautiful lot, fronting on Seventh street, between Greene and Butler, and is making preparations to erect a tasteful house. His enclosure embraces fourteen or fifteen acres, and his house will be placed near the center. This will give him ample scope for ornament. Rightly laid out and cared for, these grounds may be made extremely beautiful.

Of the view from them, it is not necessary to speak. A finer prospect than is here presented to the eye on a pleasant day in May or June, is rarely to be met with on either continent.

William Curtis House on Orchard Street

The Marietta Intelligencer, June 22, 1859:

Improvements in Harmar

The following, as near as we can ascertain, is a statement of the improvements which are making upon the other side of the Muskingum this season. Their number is greater than we supposed, even exceeding that of improvements in Marietta; though they are not quite so extensive.

Douglas Putnam - Large stone dwelling at the end of Putnam St., on the side of Harmar hill. The main building is two stories high, and 80 feet front by 68 ft. deep; the observatory four stories high, and 15 ft. square, commanding an extensive and beautiful prospect; and the office and library two stories high, 30 ft. by 19. There is a brick building in the rear for a wash-room and store-room, two stories high, 32 ft. by 28; and a fine two-story frame building at the side, for a stable, 28 ft. by 36. John Slocomb is the architect and master builder. Nelson Alcock was superintendent of the stone work, Joseph Jones, of the brick work, and Henry Miller, plasterer. The building will be completed by fall.

Douglas Putnam House, later known as The Anchorage

Levi Barber - Two story frame dwelling, just finished, on Franklin St. There are two parts to the building - one 30 ft. by 16, and the other 15 by 24. William Barnet, builder.

Thomas Turner - Frame cottage, with stone foundation, 34 ft. by 36. William McCoy is contractor for the frame work, and Samuel Cox for the stone work.

E. Locker - Two story frame dwelling, 36 ft. by 24 - on Main St., between Putnam and Lancaster. The work on the building is done by the day, there being no contractor.

G. W. Sharp - Frame dwelling - on Franklin St. There are two parts to the building - one two stories high, the other, a story and a half, together measuring 36 ft. by 22. J. S. Sharp, builder.

N. Cordry - Frame dwelling of the same size and location. E. S. Morton, builder.

David Putnam - Two story frame dwelling, 14 ft. by 28, with kitchen in the rear, 12 ft. by 14 - on Clinton St. William McCoy, builder.

William McCoy - Two story frame, 20 ft. by 40 - on Franklin St. - to be used for the present as carpenter shop, for the owner.

Putnam, Pool & Co. - Two story frame, 32 ft. by 80, in the rear of their establishment, to be used as a ware house and stable by the manufacturing Company. The work on the building is done by the day.

Chapin & Bro. - Addition to their sawmill, on Ohio St., of two stories, 21 ft. by 73. The old part is to be raised 6 feet.

Isaac Spaulding is altering a ware house on Ohio St. into a fine dwelling house, 45 ft. by 20, and improving his former dwelling.

John Bartlett - Addition to house on Ohio St., on one side, one story, 32 ft. by 10 - on the end, two stories, 16 ft. square.

Gardner Hall - Two story frame dwelling, 24 ft. by 18, on Franklin St. George Locker, builder.

S. N. Cox - Frame cottage, 16 ft. by 24, on Franklin St., William McCoy, carpenter.

Josiah T. Hart - Two story frame dwelling, 16 ft. by 24, in McCoy's addition to Harmar. William McCoy, builder.

Gilbert Wood - Frame cottage, 16 ft. by 24, on Wood St. William McCoy, builder.

Harmar in 1875, D. J. Lake's Atlas of Washington County, Ohio. Note changes in street names. Ohio Street later became Virginia Street.

Old Marietta Papers - Number 23

The Marietta Register, March 4, 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." 

Jan. 28, 1831, Walter Curtis of Belpre elected Associate Judge of Washington County.

Feb. 1831, Francis Devol received $10 bounty for killing a wolf over six months old in Union Township; and John Craig $8.25 for killing a wolf in Aurelius.

Feb. 1831, a little daughter of Notley Drown, in Harmar, about eight years old, was so badly burned by her clothes taking fire, that she died soon after.

Apr. 19, 1831, the steamboat Tri-Color, Capt. Notley Drown of Harmar, exploded at Wheeling, killing Capt. Drown, Henry Cherry and Joseph Worstell of this place, and O. B. Nowland, who had formerly lived here. Eight persons were killed and eight severely injured. Capt. Drown was the father of the present Capt. H. H. Drown of the Bostona No. 2.

July 23, 1831, Charles Haskell of Newport was drowned while swimming to try to secure his wood-flat, which had broken loose from the bank of the Ohio in high wind. He was a highly respectable citizen.

Election in 1831:

The election in this county in 1831 was close. There were two papers, one on each side - the "Friend" being the organ of the opposition to the Jackson Administration, theirs being called the "National Republican Ticket." The "Western Republican," started by John Brough, January 1831, was the organ of the Jackson men, who called theirs the "Democratic Republican Ticket." Gov. Brough was then only about twenty years of age and the "Friend" speaks of him as "Muster Brough."

The National Republicans triumphed in this county by a small majority, except that Royal Prentiss was beaten for Treasurer 62 votes, by Michael Deterly.

The vote in the county stood - For Senator, Arius Nye 684, Isaac Humphreys 611. For Representative, James M. Booth 702, Samuel H. Gates 590. For Commissioner, Jabish F. Palmer 737, Robert K. Ewart 561. For Treasurer, Royal Prentiss 625, Michael Deterly 687 The rest of the National Republican Ticket had no opposition - For Auditor, William A. Whittlesey 1135. For Assessor, Jesse Loring 1130. For Recorder, Daniel H. Buell 1140.

Marietta voted - For Senator, A. Nye 165, Humphreys 130. Representative, Booth 169, Gates 118.

Marriages in 1831:

Jan. 7, William Greene and Mary Ann Bartlett.

Jan. 23d, J. F. Stroble and Elizabeth Snyder.

Jan 27th, John Parker of Union and Sabina Carl of Waterford.

Feb. 15, in Warren, Richard Pattin and Mary Smith.

Feb. 16, Douglas Putnam and Mary Ann Hildreth.

March 3d, in Adams, John Mason and Rosanna Cook.

March 31st, John M. Plumer and Jane H. Fulton.

Apr. 11th, Alfred Dana and Jane H. Fulton.

Apr. 11th, Alfred Dana of Newport and Anna T. Pratt of Adams.

May 3d, George W. Barker and Emeline Devol.

June 28, Joseph Barker, Jr., of Newport and Mrs. Mary Ann Shipman.

July 5, Stephen Hart and Eliza Buck.

Oct. 10, Josiah M. Hart and Clarissa Gray, both of Waterford.

Nov. 15, Richard Greene of Newport and Harriet Brown of Barlow.

Deaths in 1831:

Jan., at Vicksburg, Chester Howe of Marietta, aged 27.

Jan., at Utica, new York, Mrs. Mary Ann Ward, wife of Col. William H. Ward and daughter of the late Gen. Joseph Buell of Marietta, aged 26.

Jan. 25th, in Warren, Philip Cole, 50.

Jan. 30th, Benjamin Guitteau.

Feb. 12, in Watertown, the wife of William Woodford.

March 23d, in Fearing, Maj. Benjamin F. Carlisle.

Apr. 14th, Mrs. Mary Mathews, wife of James B. Mathews and daughter of Capt. Daniel Greene.

Apr. 19th, in Harmar, Joel Olney.

Apr. 20th, John M. Luce, 35.

Apr. 29th, Mrs. Siba Buell, widow of Gen. Joseph Buell, 62.

May 8, in Warren, Mrs. Sabra Smith, wife of William Smith.

June 15, Mrs. Elizabeth Perry, wife of Abram B. Perry, 56.

June 28th, the wife of Col. Levi Barber.

July 4, Mrs. Eunice Edgerton, 81.

July 30th, the wife of Otis Wheeler, and on the same day their son, aged 2-1/2 years.

Nov. 7, Eliza Holden, eldest daughter of Joseph Holden, 20.

Dec. 19, Mrs. Hannah Jennings, wife of Junia Jennings.

Dec. 26th, in Belpre, Mrs. Mary Dana, 80.

Illicit Distillery Suppressed

The Marietta Register, April 11, 1872

On Friday last, April 5th, Messrs. Woodbridge and Barber, Government Revenue officers, took possession of a small distillery in Waterford Township, together with two stills, and from 25 to 50 gallons of whisky, manufactured and unmanufactured. The distillery belonged to a Mr. Hiram Beach, and he has been running it contrary to law since early last fall. 

The penalty for a violation of the revenue law in respect to the distillation of liquors is very severe, including the confiscation of the machinery, buildings and property on which the distillery is located, and in extreme cases confinement in the penitentiary. The still, liquor, &c. were stored with Devol & Bowen, Beverly, and the officers are awaiting instructions from Washington. The property will probably be sold.