OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - Know your Ohio: Moses Cleavland / Western Reserve [3] *********************************************************************** OHGENWEB NOTICE: All distribution rights to this electronic data are reserved by the submitter. Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require the permission of the copyright owner. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Darlene E. Kelley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374 June 26, 1999 *********************************************************************** Historical Collections of Ohio The Kelley Family Collections Newspaper article, Plains Dealer compiled by S.J. Kelley-- 1925 And Then They Went West by Darlene E. Kelley 1998 *********************************************************************** Third of Series-- The Settling Of Cleveland-- Cleaveland-- Moses Cleaveland's personal appearance is an interesting topic today. In the Library of The Western Reserve Historical Society, I was shown rare letters and memorandums referring to him. Among them was a photograph of a portrait. His high forehead, wide temples, crinkly hair combed back like a wig, large jaw and shrewed, arching eyebrows, first impress you. He has short, queer side whiskers and with his wide face has the hawklike cast of an Indian. The white lapels of his Continental military coat are folded back showing many metal buttons. He has a high rolling collar and shows no neckwear but a fairly profuse lace choker. A lawyer of good standing in his New England town he looks as if he would not be easily imposed upon. One who saw him left this description: " Gen. Cleaveland was a short, thick-set man, with a brown or dark complxion and careless dress." Cleaveland encountered his first big obstacle to the surveying expedition of 1796 at Buffalo. Knowing the Indian Tribes of the Six Nations intended to question his right to the Western Reserve, he asked them to meet him there. War- Like Red Jacket, Little Billy, Farmers Brother and Mohawk Chief, Joseph Brandt, with 600 Iroquois ( Six Nations) encamped at Buffalo intending to intercept him. The surveying expedition arrived on Tuesday, June 21, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The Council fire was uncovered at evening and covered again until morning, when it was opened again. After some delay, Brandt gave Cleaveland a speech in writing. In the evening the Indians held one of their wild cerimonial dances. Agreed-- On Thursday morning, after several speeches, Cleaveland agreed to give them $1000 and promised-- if the United States did not grant them an annuity of $ 500-- to make an additional present of $1,500. Amzi Atwater, in charge of cattle and pack horses, had arrived at Buffalo. During the encampment of several days he was ordered to supply the Indians with beef. After the council, they were given two beef cattle and whisky for a feast, and money for their return. On Monday, June 27, land and water divisions left Buffalo Creek. The boats started at 11:05 for Cataraugas Creek, 28 miles southwest across Lake Erie. Atwater with 13 pack horses and cattle was ready to proceed along shore when a dozen men from Ontario County, New York, unexpectedly joined him. Though warned that the expedition had only limited provisions, these land speculators insisted upon going along. Trouble-- They reached Cataraugus and encamped on the beach for the night. There were 44 men, 2 women, 1 child, and a Negro named Joseph Hodge. " Black Joe" had been hired at Buffalo as Indian interpreter and pilot. The land speculators proved troublesome and a dispute started as to who was in command. Before leaving Cataraugus, on June 28, some of the unbidden guests were sent aboard the boats and Maj. Sheppard took command of the land party. They had sailed scarcely a mile when a wind sprang up dead ahead and the boats returned to the creek. High winds from the northeast continued and they remained there until July 1. That morning they left the creek and sailed with a fair wind until 10 o'clock when they took to the oars. They camped the next night past the first Pennsylvania line, 16 miles from Presque Isle (Erie). On Saturday they entered Presque Isle harbor at 10:15 a.m. They veiwed the fort built by the United States and the old French Fort where a town now stands. The water was to rough for a landing at the Wharf so they crossed the bay one mile to the peninsula and encamped. Cattle and horses were driven around shore to the camp. All started out together on July 4. The lake was smooth and calm and the beach tolerably good for travel. ********************************************** Continued in fourth Series--