OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - Know your Ohio: Tidbits of Ohio -- Part 97 ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgenwebarchives.org ************************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Darlene E. Kelley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374 August 31, 2006 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Historical Collections of Ohio And Then They Went West Know Your Ohio Tid Bits - Part 97 by Darlene E. Kelley notes by S. Kelly Holley's Journal ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Tid Bits - Part 97. Survey or the Paralels and some of the Townships >From Holley's Journal, 1796 Conneaut, Sat Morning, Aug 13th -- Pease's, Spafford's and my own company, left and went to my line, and down it, to our several places, to start lines for the Cuyahoga. Pease, Spafford and myself stayed a little longer at Conneaut, and not meeting soon enough, we were obliged to go without dinner. Before night, they came up with us, and we encamped that night and next together. Early in the morning of the 15th, which was Monday, I left my forty-five mile post, for the Pennsylvania line. Ran east to Pennsylvania line with Parker, Shepard, Hamilton, Hacket, Forbes, and Davenport, Pennsylvania line, at five miles, nineteen chains, fifty links; four chains eighty eight links north of the twenty-third mile post ( from the Lake.) Tuesday, Aug 16th, -- Ran west from forty-fifth mile post, first meridan. Aug 23rd -- Forty-sixth mile at forty chains, eighty links, a river, supposed to be the Cuyahoga, sun two hours high, Parker and myself set off down the river, to find some marks where Parker had been along; went three miles in the rain; no marks were to be found; I supposed they had not been up the river, but from every circumstance thought it must be the Cuyahoga, and determined to begin the traverse in the morning. Wed, Aug 24 -- Began the traverse of the Cuyahoga, as supposed. We had completed about five miles, when we were overtaken by Hall and Munson, who had been in search of us, supposing we might mistake the river, who told us that it was not the Cuyahoga, but the Chagrin, and that a friend Porter was in the mouth of it, waiting to supply us with provisions. As soon as I heard this I left traverse, and traveled about three-quarters of a mile, when we came to a lake, a little east of Porter's encampment. We met with glad hearts. The same night a fair wind sprung up, and Porter, with his party, left us for Cuyahoga, to supply Pease with provisions. Thurs, Aug 25th -- Left the mouth of the Chagrin River. At twelve o'clock, traveled up to where I hit the river first, ten followed my line back to the fortieth mile stake. Aug 26th -- Ran north on a magnetic course for the Lake. Aug 27th -- Seven miles, sixty two chains, fifty links, came to the lake. Returned to the five mile post. Sunday Aug 28th -- Started a line ( east ) from a five mile post, between ranges eight and nine, and fifty miles from the south line, variation one degree, fifty-six minutes east. Aug 30th -- Thirteenth mile. No musquitoes or gnats to plague us. Monday, Sept 5th, 1796-- Pennsylvania Line at thirty-nine miles sixty chains and eighty-nine links. From thence traveled to Conneaut, and arrived Sun about two hours high. We found that Monsieur Tinker had not returned with the boat from " Gerundicut." and Mr. Stow had taken all provisions and stores of every kind, except some few articles of little consequence, packed them up and carried them to the beach to go on board the boat for Cuyahoga. He had tried in vain twice to load the boat, in consequence of which I saw him, and found he had left about seventy-five pounds pork, and other provisions in proportion. I learned from him that after serious consideration, Mr. Porter had determined to alter his first plan of doing the surveying, which was, for me to finish the lines north of the one I had run west, which would continue to grow shorter, the other surveyors to complete the long lines to the south. But as the season is so far advanced, they could not possibly do this and lot of the towns on the Cuyahoga, that was necessary. It was concluded that Pease, Spafford and Stoddard should run short lines till Porter could complete the transverse of the Lake, west of the Cuyahoga, and I bring up my line. Then we were all to begin upon the towns that are to be settled, some upon the city lots, and others upon that for farms to be sold this fall. Tuesday, Sept 6th, -- The wind is so favorable this morning that Mr. Stow, laded his boat, and started for Cuyahoga. Just as he was loading Mr. Humphrey, from the town settlement, in the Genessee purchase came up with a boat and several men, all proceeding to Cuyahoga, and if proper encuragement was held out, were determined to become settlers. Some persons were with him from Susquehannah, west branch. One of them who was rather unwell, stayed at Conneaut, and informed me that about two weeks before, he saw James Campbell, and that he was hearty, and in a profitable business, surveying about the head waters of the west branch of Susquehannah, and on the Allegheny mountains. Also West and Schofield. Thursday, Sept 8th -- Left Conneaut to run a line to the lake, and then through to Cuyahoga. Sept 9th,-- Traveled south to the fifty-fifth mile post and ran east to the Pennsylvania line, five miles, twenty nine chains, and fifty links. Sept 10th,-- Ran west from my fifty-fifth mile post. Sept 11th,-- Thirteenth mile ( from Pennsylvania line ) variation one degree, thirty minutes. Sept 12th -- Came to Warren's line, twenty chains and thirty-eight links south of his fifty-fifth mile post. Sept 14th -- Thirtieth mile complete, range six and seven, ran north to Lake, (magnetic) two miles, fourteen chains, eighty three links. Sept 16th -- Traveled on the beach towards Cuyahoga. Ate dinner at Grand River. Encamped a little east of the Chagrin river; Hamilton, the cook, was very cross and lazy- was on the point of not cooking any supper because the bark would not peal, and he knew of nothing to make bread upon. Davenport wet some in the bag. Encamped Sept 16th, -- about three miles east of Cuyahoga -- rained and blew very hard towards day. Saturday, Sept 17th, -- Traveled to the mouth of the river,and after searching considerable time found our friends encamped a little way up the river. Stormy in the afternoon and evening. Variations were checked, Porter's compass varied one degree, thirty seven minutes, seven miles up on the fourth meridian, one degree, forty-two minutes at commencement of the thirty-ninth mile, some meridian at the nineteenth mile. Down the Pennsylvania line Mr. Porter's compass and mine varied alike fifty-three minutes east, Spafford's ten minutes less. Wednesday, Sept 21st. -- At twelve o'clock, A.M., we packed up everything and embarked on board the boat for Conneaut, in consequence of not having provisions to stay any longer. We had not a mouthful of meat when we went away, part of a barrel, of flour, a bag of flour and two cheeses, and some chocolate, constituted our provisions, ( about 30 in number ). The two boats and the bark canoe carries us. We had a fair wind, and had sailed about eight miles, when we discovered Hall & Co., on the beach with the cattle. We then went ashore and found from them that Tinker had arrived at Conneaut with provisions. Esquire Warren also was there. He sent on two men with two horses loaded with flour. Himself and other hands waited to come with Tinker, when the wind should be favorable. This news cheered us up exceedingly, and we returned to Cuyahoga with much lighter hearts than we left it. It was dark when we came to the mouth of the river, and we discovered a fire lighted on the opposite shore. Just as we entered, Parker fired a gun. As we passed we saluted the people, and found that they were Indians, from Grand River, who had been west, hunting. We ate a mouthful of supper, and went to bed. Began to lot the east part of the Cuyahoga town, at two and a half miles from the east line, at a corner, on the line that Stoddard ran west into said town. Thursday, Sept 22nd. -- Left Cuyahoga, to lot the east part of the township with Shepherd and Spafford. The day before we started from Cuyahoga, we discovered a bear swimming across the river. Porter and myself jumped into a canoe, and paddled after him, while another man went with a gun up the shore. But there was such noise and hollooing, that the bear swam back and escaped. Munson caught a rattle snake, which we broiled and ate. Sunday, Sept. 25th -- This day have been troubled with dysentery, on account of living upon fresh beef. Sept 26th, -- Lots 492, 443, 450, 451, Davenport went in after provisions, and came back just as I was seated to copy my minutes, and to my great satisfaction brought me a letter from my father, and one from Myron. This I put down as circumstance affording me as much pleasure as anything that has taken place since I began surveying. Wednesday, Sept. 28th, -- I carved upon a beech tree in Cyahoga town, " Myron Holley, Jr.," on a birch, " Milton Holley, 1796, Sept 26th 1796. Friendship." Saturday, Oct 1st. -- I left Cuyahoga in the boat, to run several tracts of land in No. 10 range, nine for Capt. Perry and Mr. Marvin, Mr. Hickock, Mr. Rose, and Phelps & Co. Encamped at Chagrin river. Gen. Cleaveland, Stow, and fifteen others came to us in another boat. Sunday, Oct 2nd, -- Went east to the east line of the township, run south & etc. After running out the company lands, Holley took his old line at the Chagrin river and ran it west between towns nine and ten to the lake, at forty-nine thirty seven chains five links. Oct 8th, -- Started down the beach to mouth of Chagrin river, and found our bot and provisions. Had a fait wind about half way to the Cuyahoga, and rowed the remainder. Arrived at the river about eight o'clock in the evening, found all well. Monday, Oct 10th, 1 P.M. - Left Cleaveland at the mouth of the Cuyahoga to finish lotting the eastern part of said township. Shepard and Atwater, chainmen, Landon, axman, Parker, flagman, and Hanchet, cook. Thursday Oct 13th, - Encamped for the night had root water. Saturday, Oct 15th -- Lay still in consequence of rain. Oct 16th -- Lots 385, 387, 394, 395. Came to camp in consequence of hard rain; found no fire; were all wet and cold, but after pushing about the bottle and getting a good fire and supper, we were as merry as grigs. Monday, Oct 17th, -- Lots 391, 399. Capt. Perry took about four pounds of beef, and ate with us four days. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Tid Bits con't in part 98.