A Journey Through Warren County in 1797, Beers History of Warren County, Ohio

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The History of Warren County, Ohio

A Journey Through Warren County in 1797

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Transcription contributed by Martie Callihan 11 February 2005

Sources:
The History of Warren County Ohio
Part III. The History of Warren County by Josiah Morrow
Chapter X. Historical Notes and Collections.
(Chicago, IL: W. H. Beers Co, 1882; reprint, Mt. Vernon, IN: Windmill Publications, 1992)
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The following is an extract from the manuscript journal of Rev. James Smith, father of Judge George J. Smith:

"Monday, October 9, (1797).—We returned to Columbia, where we had occasion to visit Mr. Smith, the Baptist minister. We breakfasted with Mr. Smith, and then returned to Bro. McCormick’s. After we got dinner, we started for the old Chillicothe Indian town near the head of the river. We proceeded as far as Col. Paxton's. with whom we spent the evening.

"Tuesday. 10th. —Having sent for Mr. Donnels, a surveyor of the military lands, he arrived this morning, and we bargained with him to do ours, return the work and send us a certificate in eight months, for which we agreed to give him one-third of the land. We breakfasted at Col. Paxton's. then rode on to Deerfield took dinner and pursued, our course, and took up. in the evening, with a Richard Kirby. The land through which we have passed to-day has been various. A considerable part we found to be thin, white-oak land, but we found also some large bodies of fine. rich, fertile land, well adapted to farming and excellent for meadow and the raising of stock. It may not be amiss here

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to observe that there has not been a frost to bite anything in this country till this morning; hence it appears that this climate, though about one hundred and twenty miles north from Lexington, is not near as cold, for when I left those parts, the corn blades in many places were entirely killed. But on my arrival northwest of the Ohio, I was surprised to find not the smallest symptom of frost. To account for this surprising circumstance, it may be observed that the soil of this country is a little inclined to sand, which is naturally warm. It is also generally very clear of stones, whereas Kentucky, being without sand, and at the same time has everywhere a bed of stone under the surface, makes it (as I suppose) subject to frost and those sudden chills which are so common in that country. During last winter, the wheat in Kentucky was almost entirely killed, while the wheat in this country grew and produced a fine crop.

"Wednesday, 11th.—We started pretty early, baited at Martin Keever's, and then rode on to Waynesville. This little town is situated on the western bank of the Little Miami. The lots are sold to none but actual settlers, and, though it was only settled last spring, about fourteen families are already here. They have the advantage of good air, good water and good land. They are also on an equality. Pride and slavery are equally strangers; industry is seen in all, and the consequences are, they are happy.

"We lodged here with a Mr. Heighway, an emigrant from England, who, with a number of his country people, suffered inconceivable hardships in getting to this country. It was curious to see their elegant furniture and silver plate glittering in a small, smoky cabin. We have to-day traveled through a fine country; the land is extremely rich and well-watered.

"Thursday, 12th.—Mr.Heighway, after compelling us to take breakfast with him, accompanied us some distance, and put us into the right way to Old Chillicothe. We pursued our journey, still north, over fine land and streams of water. About 1 o'clock, we were saluted with a view of one of those beautiful plains which are known in the country by the name of ' pararas.' Here we could see many miles in a straight direction, and not a tree or a bush to obstruct the sight The grass in the ' parara' we found higher than our heads on horseback as we rode through it. After riding about two miles through this enchanting paradise, we arrived on the spot where the old town of Chillicothe stood, of which scarcely a vestige now remains. We saw a few slabs, and something like an old breastwork, but so decayed and covered with grass that it was scarcely discernible. The stumps of gate-posts were still to be seen, but the houses were all destroyed, having been burnt a few years ago by the order of a commander of an expedition against the Indians. We sat us down on the green grass and eat our dinner of bread and cheese on the very spot, where, a few years ago, the bloody savages held their grand councils. While we rested here, there came a man to us and informed us that himself and his two brothers (who lived about a mile from this place) had found sixty bee-hives within a mile and a half of their house, three of which they had taken the week before, and had gotten fourteen or fifteen gallons of honey. The land about this town, I think, is equal, for wheat and grass, to any that I ever saw. Having now traveled sixty or seventy miles from the Ohio, we determined here to put a period to our travels northwardly, and pursue a different route to the Ohio again. We returned about ten miles, and lodged with a Mr. Vaunts.

"Friday, 13th.—We took in our way the town of Deerfield. It has thirty or forty families residing in it. It is a new town, having only been settled since last spring twelve-month. It is something surprising to see with what rapidity settlements are made and towns erected in this country. This, I suppose, is owing to two causes: First, the fertility of the land, which induces

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new adventurers to settle there; and second, that excellent regulation which shuts out slavery. This induces the mechanic and the manufacturer who choose to settle in towns to carry on their different employments. * * * * We crossed the river at Deerfield, and rode on six or seven miles to Col. Paxton's.

" Saturday, 14th.—We took breakfast, and set forward and reached Bro. McCormick's about 11 o'clock. After resting ourselves an hour or two, we rode down the river to Mr. Smallie's, and got some old corn to take with us through the wilderness to the Scioto."


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This page created 11 February 2005 and last updated 15 March, 2005
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