OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - Know your Ohio: Cleveland Rev War Verterans-pt5  
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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 five in series of 5--

     This is the fifth in a series dealing with Cleveland's heroes of
Revolunionary War fame and of Patroitic celebrations in the early days
of the Cities history.

     All fourth of July Celebrations followed pretty much the same
pattern in the early days of Cleveland.  There was a Parade. Someone
offered prayer. The Declaration of Independnce was read by a robust
voiced citizen, and a chosen speaker delivered an oration.  There was a
dinner, toasts and the discharge of canon and musketry.
    On the Fourth of July in 1823, the parade formed at 11o'clock at the
Academy on the site of Engine House no.1.  All survivors of the
Revolution were there. Daniel Kelley offered a prayer; an ode was sung;
Maj. Reuben Wood read the Declaration of Independence and William J.
Cogswell delivered the oration. Horace Perry and Aaron Hubbard presided
at the dinner and toasts preceded an artillary salute.
     A neighborhood celebration was held out on the East Side at John
Wisner's home by farmers and their families. Timothy Watkins and James
Strong officiated. Ahimaaz Sherwin Jr., son of the Revolution, led a
procession to the school house where Rev. Russel Downing offered a
prayer; Anson Dibble read the Declaration; and Amimaaz Sherwin, Sr., 64
year old Revoluntionary veteran, delivered an address, Residents in the
vicinity of Euclid Creek formed at the home of William Coleman,
descendant of a Revolutionary veteran, under Lieut. William W. McCrumb
and marched to the Baptist Meeting house were the Rev. Jarvis S. Hanks
offered prayer; William M. Camp read the Declaration and Havillah
Farnsworth delivered the oration. Coleman and Amaziah Porter presided
over dinner served by the ladies ad musket fire and martial music
followed the usual toasts.
    In 1824, the fourth came on Sunday, Throughout the nation elaborate
plans were in progress to observe the day honoring " the invincible
warriors of '76 whose love of freedom and detestation of tyranny caused
to be written the brightest page in history." With some consternation
and great indignation, the young men of Cleveland learned that no plans
were underway to observe the day here.  They decded to avert such an
oversight.
    A general rally took place at sunrise on July 3. A national salute
of 24 guns was fired. At 11o'clock, the Declaration of Indpandence was
read at the Academy and the gathering moved to Spangler's Tavern on
Superior Street, where the celebration continued with dinner and general
festivities.  Euclid celebrated also, inviting her neighbors to assist.
From Rodney Strong's a procession formed under Maj. William M. Camp and
Marshalls Bela B. Clark and Isaac B. Lee. Twenty four maidens
impersonated the 24 states and at the discharge of a field piece, the
procession marched to the Presbyterian Meeting house escorted by a
company of riflemen under Lieut. Benjamin S. Walsh. There was a prayer,
an " ode to Science" and an oration by John W. Willey.
    So through the years the celebration continued, along with the usual
feasting and processions, always ending with the toasting and salutes
that concluded the day. Always in rememberance of our  "Great
Revoluntionary War Veterans and our Independence."
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