OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - Know your Ohio: Tidbits of Ohio -- Part 104 ************************************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/ohfiles.htm ************************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Darlene E. Kelley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374 March 11, 2008 http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/know.htm ************************************************ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Historical Collections of Ohio And Then They Went West Know your Ohio Tid-bits -- Part 104 by Darlene E. Kelley +notes by S Kelly ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ohio's Great Scheme It was the year 1807 that the great scheme began for opening communication between Erie and the Ohio river was put before the public. Resolutions had been offered by Joshua Forman in the New York Legislature, for survey for a canal to connect Hudson river with lake Erie. The improvement of the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas was then a great idea, of their part of the counrty and of Ohio. It was thought that twelve hundred dollars could by some means be raised, the channels of those streams could be cleared of logs and trees, and the Portage Path made possible for loaded wagons. Thus goods might ascend the Cuyahoga in boats to the Old Portage, and be hauled seven miles to the Tuscarawas, near New Portage, and thence descend that stream in batteaux. This great object excited so much attention, that the Legislature authorized a lottery to raise the money. The ticket show as this; Q No 11441 Cuyahoga and Muskingum Navigation LOTTERY This ticket entitles the bearer to such Prize as shall be drawn against its number ( if called for within twelve months after the drawing is completed.) subject to a deduction of 121/2 per cent. No. 11441 J. Walworth Agent for the Board of Commissioners THE SCHEME: The Legislature of the State of Ohio, having at their last session, granted a Lottery to raise the sum of Twelve Thousand Dollars, for the above mentioned purpose, and appointed the subscribers Commissioners to carry the same into effect. They offer the following SCHEME to the Public FIRST CLASS 12,800 tickes at $5 each $ 64,000 1 prize of $5,000 $ 5,000 2 do. $2,500 is $ 5,000 5 do. $1,000 $5,000 10 do $ 500 $5,000 50 do $ 100 $5,000 100 do $ 50 $5,000 3400 do $ 10 $34,000 3568 $64,000 Prizes subject to a deduction of twelve and a half percent. The drawing of the First Class will commence at Cleveland on the first Monday of January, 1808, or as son as three-fourths of the Tickets shall be sold; and the Prizes wll be paid in sixty days after the drawing is completed. Holders of Tickets, drawing prizes of Ten Dollars, may, at their election, receive the money or two Tickets of Five Dollars each in the Second Class/ For the convenience of the owners of fortunate numbers, Persons will be appointed in Boston, Hartford, New York and Albany, to pay prizes. Their names, together with a list of Prizes, will be published in some Newspaper printed in each of those places, and in three of the Newspaper printed in each of those places, and in three of the Newspapers printed in the State of Ohio. Persons will also be designated to pay Prizes in Zaineswille and Steubenville. The subscribers have taken Oath and given the Bonds required by Law, for the faithful discharge of their trust, and they flatter themselves that an object of such extensive importance, will not fail to attract the attention and patronage of many, who are not allured by the advantageous prospects held out in the Scheme. John Walworth, Esq., of Cleveland, is appointed Agent of the Commissioners, to sign the Tickets, and transact the business of the Board in their recess. Samuel Huntington Zaccheus A. Beatty Bezaleel Wells Lorenzo Carter Jonathan Cass John Shorb Seth Adams James Kingsbury Amos Spafford Turhand Kirtland John Walworth Timothy Doane Board Of Commissioners Cleveland, May 23d, 1807 ===================== The drawing never came off. Those who had purchased tickets, many years afterwards received their money back without interest. Leonard Case was the sole owner of one of those tickets. Note++ The paper on which the copy of Judge Walworth's letter is written, is of the old fashioned course brown sort, made by hand. It bears the name OHIO,C.B. & B., in water lines, and was made within the State. This I have seen. Judge Huntington was elected Governor of Ohio, succeeding Edward Tiffin, who became a member of the United States Senate. Another large draft took place April 2d, 1807, including most of the Company's land west of the Cuyahoga. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Tid Bits continued in Part 105