OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - Know your Ohio: Cleveland Rev War Verterans-pt4  
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Darlene E. Kelley
http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374
July 1, 1999
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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
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Part 4 in seies of 5--

Celebration--

    After Cleveland was incorporated into a village, the first holiday
when veterens of the Revolution marched, so far as records show, was the
Fourth of July in 1819. Two weeks before, the Cleaveland Register issued
a call for gentlemen of the hamlet to meet at early candlelight at
Mervin's Hotel on Superior Street to plan for the occasion.  In the next
issue, Editor Andrew Logan printed an ode, addressed to the veterens,
which included these verses:
" Then like an angel from above,
Great Washington for us did move, 
Our Armies led and made us free
From galling chains and tryany.

Ye reverend fathers, who have been
With him thoughout the bloody scene,
Hunger and cold suffered, that we
Might taste the sweets of liberty.

For us you've acted well your part!
Let gratitude inspire each heart!
When in their graves, our fathers be
We'll not forget they made us free!"

    The Fourth of July was a Sunday so the celebration was the next day.
The procession, including many veterens formed at 11 o'clock at the
Merwin House and marched to the frame courthouse on Public Square, where
the Declaration Of Independence was read. Followed by an address by
future Gov. Rueben Wood, with appropriate exercises and singing. At the
Commercial Coffee House, a public dinner was served, with Lawyer Samuel
Cowles as chairman.

Parade--

    A year later the veterens marched again on July Fourth.  At sunrise,
a cannon was fired. At 12 noon the parade formed before the Merwin House
with Gen. Daniel Miles and Capt. Rueben Wood as Marshals of the day.
Came fifers and drummers, the veterens, citizens and strangers, the town
marshall and county and townshp officers--many from a distance for all
the country around was urged to attend.
    Next came Horace Perry, villiage president; Alfred Kelley, orator
and Maj Elisha Taylor, reader; Trustee Wildman White, Silas Walworth and
Irad Kelley; Recorder Samuel Cowles and Treasurer A. W, Walworth.
    Opposite the new bank at the northest corner of Bank (W. 6) and
Superior, the ladies formed a line at the rear.  At the courthouse the
procession parted, allowing the ladies to enter first. Exercises opened
with a prayer by Rev. Randolf Stone. Maj. Taylor read the Declaration.
Alfred Kelley delivered the address.  The opening line of his speech: "
Well may we hail the birthday of our nation, which has secured to us the
choicest blessings that ever heaven conferred on man" is worth
remembering today, as are the closing lines, " Let us then, with one
accord, rally round the standard of our independence. Let  every man
rest on his arms, ready at the moment to rise and defend his country and
our republican institutions."
    The celebration ended with a banquet at Merwin's Hotel, presided
over by Wood, Kelley, and Elias Lee. Toasts were drunk and the company
departed at an early hour in the greatest harmony.
     Through the next 10 years, the veterens marched in Fourth of July
parades. Citizens met at the courthouse about two weeks before and
decided on the program.  In 1822, Israel Town, George L. Chapman and
Ziba Willes, editor of the Herald, were on the committee. The exercises
opened with a patriotic ode by a choir; Daniel Kelley offered an
appropriate prayer; Josiah Barber, of the West Side , read the
declaration and Samuel Cowles delivered the oration. At 2 o'clock, the
old soldiers, officials and marchers sat down to a sumptous repast at
the Merwin House, presided over by Reuben Wood, Reuben Champion, and
Peter M. Weddell. At the close toasts were drunk amid cannon shots and
cheers.
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Continued in part five--