OHIO STATEWIDE FILES OH-FOOTSTEPS Mailing List Issue 139 ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenwebarchives.org ************************************************************************** OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest Volume 05 : Issue 139 Today's Topics: #1 Fw: Tid Bits - Part 65 B ["Ohio Archives EV1" To: OH-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <008701c5b729$bf756090$0201a8c0@margaret> Subject: Fw: Tid Bits - Part 65 B Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit ----- Original Message ----- From: "Darlene & Kathi kelley" To: Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 3:54 PM Subject: Tid Bits - Part 65 B Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Darlene E. Kelley Aug 9, 2005 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Historical Collections of Ohio And Then They Went West Know your Ohio Tid Bits- Part 65B by Darlene E. Kelley Notes by S. Kelly [ ] ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Tid Bits - Part 65 B. [ The Desert Isle ] by Margaret Blennerhassett Like mournful echo from the silent tomb That pines away upon the midnight air, Whilst the pale moon breaks out with fitful gloom, Fond memory turns, with sad but welcome care To scenes of desolation and despair, Once bright with all that beauty could bestow. That peace could shed, or youthful fancy know. To the fair isle reverts the pleasing dream, Again thou risest in thy green attire, Fresh as at first thy blooming graces seem, Thy groves, thy fields their wonted sweets respite, Again thou'rt all my heart could c'er desire Oh' why dear isle art thou not still my own? Thy charms could then for all my griefs atone. The stranger that decends Ohio's stream, Charm'd with the beauteous prospects that arise, Marks the soft isles that 'neath the glist'ning beam Dance in the wave and mingle with the skies, Sees also One that now in ruin lies, Which erst, like fairy Queen tow'red o'er the rest, In every native charm by culture dress'd. There rose the seat where once, in pride of life My eye could mark the queen of rivers flow, In summer's calmness or in winter's strife, Swol'n with the rains or baffling with the snow, Never again my heart such joy know: Havoc and Ruin and rampant War have past Over that isle with their destroying blast. The black'ning fire has swept throughout her halls The winds fly, whistling thro' them, and the wave No more in spring-flood o'er the sand-beach crawls, But furious drowns in one o'erwelming grave The hallow'd haunts it water'd as a slave: Drive on destructive flood and ne'er again On that devoted Isle let man remain. Too many blissful moments there I've known, Too many hopes have there met their decay, Too many feelings now forever gone To wish that thou would'st e'er again display The joyful colouring of thy prime arrray Buried with thee let them remain a blot, With thee their sweets, their bitterness forgot. And oh! That I could wholly wipe away The memory of the ills that work'd thy fall The memory of that all-eventful day When I return'd and found my own fair hall Held by the infuriate populace in thrall, My own fireside blockaded by a band That once found food and shelter at my hand! My children ( Ah a mother's pangs forbear, Nor strike again that arrow thro' my soul ) Clasping the ruffians in suppliant prayer To free their mother from unjust controul, With the false crimes and inputations foul, The wretches --vilest refuse of the earth Mock-jurisdiction held around my hearth! Sweet Isle! Methinks I see thy bosom torn, Again behold the ruthless rabble throng That wrought destruction taste must ever morn Alas I see thee now --shall see thee long Yet ne'er shall bitter feeling urge the wrong That to a mob would give the censure due To those who arm'd the plunder-greedy crew. Tyrants of Liberty ( nane so ador'd By crowds to lawless demagogues a prey, Who, cheated by the ever-echoing word, Feel not their liberies are filch'd away, Themselves the tools of base Ambition's sway,) "Twas yours to loose " the dogs of war," and cry "On-On the Traitors! Strike for Liberty." Thy shores are warm'd with bounteous suns in vain, Columbia! Of spite and envy spring, To blast the beauty of mild nature's reign: The European stranger who would fling O'er tangled woods refinements' polishing, May find ( expended every plan of taste) His works by ruffians render'd doubly waste. Self-dubb'd philosopher -- the mob's delight! Thy looming Science like thy mammoth's bones >From quiet earth shall ne'er be dragg'd to light. Then pray ( if thou canst pray ) in humble tones. That trying Death who no distinction owns >From Freedom's sore may sweep thy crowded name. And save Columbia such blot of shame! For thee no patriot lyre shall e'er be strung, Foul stain of Liberty the rabble's choice! Not e'en thy bombast from the chair that rung Shall live in future generations' voice, Thy baleful slang no more make fools rejoice For who would sound the blessings of thy reign, Confed'rate vile of Atheists and Tom Paine! Great shad of laurel'd Washington arise! Methinks I see thy halo'd frowning brow, indignant see thee turn thy piercing eyes, Thy voice exclaims -- " Where are the heros now " Who bled for Freedom, that the rabble low "Dare thus uncurb'd, on Freedom's sacred shore, " Their vengence on defenceless woman pour." Thine was the soul that knew no base intent By cringing arts to win the mob's applause; Thy purpose on thy country's welfare bent, In arms thou'rt foremost to maintain her cause, And having freed establish'd her with laws, How must thou weep illustrious shade--to see Thy plans perverted by Democracy! Freedom no more -- wild Anarchy restrains, With jarring interests the leveling throng, Busy Ambition every effort stains The fangs of tyranny to plant among The very mob by whom his curse is rung. Spare-spare me from that phantom of equality That equals men in knavery ad brutality! +++++++++++++++++++ [ ] Life of Harmen Blennerhassett The tragic tale of Harmen Blennerhassett is one of a man who appeared never to avoid the periods of seemingly self-induced ill fortune. He was, at the same time, well respected aristocrat and a mna of cosmopolitan society. However, his inability to overcome an adolescent naivety ultimately sealed his fate and marred the Blennerhassett name frever. His extravagant mansion stands firmly amid the Ohio River as a reminder of his unforgettable existence. He was born October 8, 1764 to Conway Blennerhassett, a wealthy Irish land owner, and his wife Elizabeth Lacy. At the time of his birth, the family was not residing at " Castle Conway." as Blennerhassett estate was known, but rather at the English villiage. Hambledon, in County Hampshire. The Blennerhassetts were away from Ireland to avoid the violent raids on prominent Irish landlords by a group of peasant outlaws known as the " Whiteboys." Although the third son of his father, Harman inherited " Castle Conwy," when his older brothers preceded their father in death. Already a practicing attorney, the future of this 27 year old seemed as bright as the morning sun. In only a few years, however, Harman ceased to practice law and began the task of squandering his unearned fortunes. To share his riches, he went against the laws of te churches of both England and Ireland and wed his neice, Margaret Agnew. This religiously unlawful union, along with Harman's revolutionary political views, made it no longer worthwhile for him to remain in Ireland and prompted their journey to America. As a young man in Ireland, Harman Blennerhassett showed signs of resentment toward the established government of the land, and subsequently aligned with unscrupulous charaters who held simular views. Whether or not he formed political opinions on his own, or simply fell prey to the rhetoric of more intelligent people, remains to be seen, although eve his loving wife accused him of being extremely naive at times. It seems that he must have been a somewhat capable politician, for he was quickly promoted to Secretary of a revoluntionary faction known as the Society of United Irishmen. To escape persecution for his unusual choice of bride and companions, Blennerhassett sold his father's estate far below face value and used this money to establish himself in the New World. he and his young wife took up residence in new York and Pittsburgh, before deciding upon a splendid strip of property nestled in the midst of the Ohio River. It was here Harman Blennerhassett constructe a mansion that was the most beautiful and extravagent of its time. For a few years, he was content to toll as an amateur chemist and musician, while also hunting to pass the time. The couple blossomed as the premier social attraction of the Ohio Valley as they used the island paradise to draw guests by the thousands. Due to the extravagant nature of the Blennerhassetts, accounts of their riches were greatly exaggerated, They had little income other than the interest earned by their capital, which did not come close to meeting their overwhelming, and unnecessary expenses. It is probable that tales of the supposed Blennerhassett fortune reached the ears of Aaron Burr, who was recovering from political devastation and was in the need of an investor of the influence of Harman Blennerhassett to carry out plans of either annexing Texas or forming a new govenment out of the western states. And this Blennerhassett's revolutionary idealism reared its ugly head once again. And so from this river hideaway on Blennerhassett Island, he and Aaron Burr allegedly hatched a plan to separate the western states from the Union and set up a new government. News of the plot spread quickly throughout Ohio Valley and many neighbors became immediately suspicious of Burr's continued presence on the Island. On November 27, 1806, President Thomas Jefferson issued a proclamation calling for the arrest of Burr and his followers. This only increased the excitement in the Ohio Valley, as it roused the Virginia Militia to form to make the arrest. Harman fled his island paradise only hours before the malitia laid seige to it. He then met up with Burr and his associates in Kentucky, but Burr's dream of a separate western nation was not to be. Interest quickly declined when consorts began to realize the consequences of this act of treason. Burr and Blennerhassett were arrested and imprisioned in Virginia State Penitentiary. Burr stood trial for high treason, but was acquitted when a five month trial failed to produce any concrete physical evidence as proof of his plots. Harmon's release came soon after, and both men were granted freedom, although their reputations, as well as their fortunes had been destroyed by the ordeal. Aaron Burr sought refuge abroad, in Europe. and Harman Blennerhassett purchased a small cotton plantation and moved his family to the Mississippi territory. Their stay on the plantation was short lived, however, when declining cotton prices and crop failures forced this once proud family to return to Ireland and survive only by the grace and pity of an older sister of Blennerhassett. Harman died a devastated man on February 2, 1831 from a series of apoplectic strokes. Margaret Blennerhassett survived her husband by eleven years, only to give way to poverty and disease in the summer of 1842. The Blennerhassetts, once the inhabitants of an impeccable island pardise and the toast of the Ohio Valley, had witnessed the destruction of their nearly Utropian existence, and had resorted to living off the incomes of various family members, including their two eldest sons. In all they had conceived five children, although they adopted another. Two sons and a daughter were born the island, but only sons survived infancy. Once settled onto their Mississippi plantation, Margaret bore two more children, a son and daughter. Once, again, however the daughter died in infancy. Of all the sons, only the youngest bore children, none of which reached adulthood, and when he died in 1862, the Blennerhassett name died with him. The extreme highs and lows of Harman Blennerhassett's life seem tragic at first glance, but when examining this it becomes more pleasant to focus on the wonderful, although brief period, in which the Blennerhassett family fourished on their isolated island home. Few ever had it so good, and so it seems almost fair that they fell from grace ad tasted the poverty and hardships endured by so many of that era, For this fall, the blame must rest firmly on the shoulders of Harman Blennerhassett, for it was he alone who allowed himself to become entranced by the revolutionary propagana more than once in is 66 years. Recent history has been kind to the Blennerhassetts, however pitiful their existence may have been, for they are now remembered primarily for their architectural masterpiece, which has been restored to its original splendor and is now a profitable tourist attraction. ] ++++++++++++++ ( This writer has recently been informed that Madame Blennerhassett in this ninteeth century, has been reburied on her island property and finally has returned to her beloved Isle, she so desired. ) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Tid Bits continued in part 66. -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 3801 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Try www.SPAMfighter.com for free now! ______________________________ ------------------------------ X-Message: #2 Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2005 19:39:40 -0400 From: "Ohio Archives EV1" To: OH-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <008d01c5b72a$1482e800$0201a8c0@margaret> Subject: Fw: Tid Bits - Part 66 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit ----- Original Message ----- From: "Darlene & Kathi kelley" To: Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 7:33 PM Subject: Tid Bits - Part 66 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Darlene E. Kelley Aug 10, 2005 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Historical Collections of Ohio And Then They Went West Know your Ohio Tid Bits - Part 66. by Darlene E. Kelley notes by S. Kelly ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Tid Bits- Part 66 Old Time Drinking Habits Drunkenness and desertion were prevelent evils of the Revolution. The punishment for drunkeness and other triffling offences was not infrequently flogging to the extent of one hundred or even two hundred lashes, and the death penalty, without the process of court-martial, was inflicted on deserters. Buell relates that three men, the finest solders of the company, deserted at Mc Intosh, and being captured were shot by order of Major Wyllis, who commandd the fort-- an act which he chronicled as the most inhuman that he ever saw. Drunkenness was common in that day among all classes. A large proportion of the soldiers of the Revolution died drunkards. Early in that century if a beggar appeared at one's door, and they often did, and clothed in rags, it was common to charaterize him as an " old soldier," It was from tis fact arose tetime doggerel; " Who comes here?" A grenadier. " What do you want ?" A pot of beer. " Where is your money?" I forgot. " Get you gone you drunken sot." A chaplain of a regiment of the Continental Army complained that the men were not punctual at morning prayers. " Oh, I"ll fix that," said the colnel, so he issued an order that the liquor ration would hereafter be given out at the close of morning prayers. It worked lke a miracle; not a man was missing. It is impossible for this generation to conceive of the position of society when the drinking habit was universal among the American people. Alcoholic liquids were considered a necessity of life; a sort of panacea for all ills, a crowning sheaf to all blessings; good in sickness and in health; good in summer to dispel the heat, and good in winter to dispel the cold; good to keep on work and more than good to help on a frolic. So good were they considered, that their attributed merits were fixed by pleasant names. The first dram of the morning was an " eye-opener;" duly folowed by the " eleven-o'clocker " and the "four-o'clocker"; whilst the very last was a " night cap;" after which one was supposed to take no more drinks that day, unless he was unexpectedly called up at night, when, as people generally slept in rooms without fires, he prudently fortified himself against taking cold. Don't imagine these were all the drinks of the day-- by no means. the decanter was at the dinner table and stood ready at all times on the sideboard of every well to do family. If a friend had called, he would be welcomed by the" social glass;" if one had departed, a pleasant journey was tendered in a flowing bumper; if a bargain was made, it was rounded by a liquid "Clincher"; if a wedding had come off, a long and prosperous life was drunk to the happy pair; if one died, the watchers with the dead ( as was the custom of the time ) were provided wit refreshments through the long solemn hours of the night; ardent spirits were always included, while the bearers at the funeral had set out for them the decanter and glass. Drinking, all the way from the cradle to the grave, seemed the grand rule. Dinah, the black nurse, as she swaddled the new born infant, took her dram; and Uncle Sam, the aged, grey haired sexton, with the weak and watery eyes and bent, rheumatic body, soon as he had thrown tha last spadeful of earth upon the little mound he had raised over the remains of fellow mortal, turned to the neighboring bush on which hung his green baize jacket, for a swig of the bottle; after which, and smacking his lips the while, he gathered up his tools and slowly and painfully hobbled homeward to attend to his duties to the lving-- one to ring the town bell at noon, the dinner hour, and again at nine at night, to warn the people to close the stores, stop work and prepare to retire. This was in accord with a favorite couplet of the day; " Early to bed and early to rise, Makes people healthy, wealthy, and wise." An hour later, almost the entire population of the little town, after burying up their fires and blowing out their miserable, dim, little lights, would be laid out around in horizontal positions in their various dwellings-- some with " night caps" and some without " night caps," and some with two " night caps" -- one outside and the in-- sometimes more than that in. ++++++++++++++++++ Blissful Sleep Poets and philosophers have written much in praise of sleep. It is an early habit of the race. The first man of us all, only on awaking from a sound nap, found " his affinity." and after she was by his side. There is GOOD in sleep. "Blissful sleep! This death while yet living-- mysterious, transient death -- the body still holding the soul within its portals while the mind, helpless and helmless, may be wafted by the varying currents of spiritual power through limitless regions of the unknown: but memory gone, it returns no report save that, in some mysterious way, it has noted the passing of time -- can tell whether it has been wandering one hour or ten." ++++++++++++++++++ In those ancient and somewhat melancoly days, church deacons not only frequently ran distilleries, but sold rum, whiskey and gin over the counter at two cents a dram (the price of the time ); while the parson, that good old man, after finishing a round of social visits, not unfrequently returned to is own dwelling so mellowed by the soothing influence of the cordial welcomes of his parishioners, as to feel that this was not such a very bad world after all. This may seem as an exaggeration as to the habits of the people an old-time clergy; but none can gainsay the evidence of Lyman Beecher. In his autobiography, Mr. Beecher describes a scene at a meeting of the Consociation of Congregational ministers and laity at the house of Rev. Mr. Heart, in Plymouth, which took place in the year 1811, on the ordination of Mr. Heart. He says; " In the sitting room of Mr. Heart's house, besides food, was a broad sideboard covered with decanters and bottles and sugar and pitchers of water. There we found all the various kinds of liquor then in vogue. The drinking was apparently universal. This prepartion was made by the society as a matter of course. When the Consociatin arrived they always took something to drink round; also before public services, and always on their return. As they could not all drink at once, they were obliged each to stand and wait for his turn, as people do when they go to mill. There was also a decanter of spirits on the dinner table to hepl digestion, and a gentleman partook of it through the afternoon and evening as they felt te need, somemore and some less. the sideboard, with the spillings of water and sugar and liquor, looked and smelled like the bar of a very active grog shop. None of the Consociation were drunk; but that there was not at times a considerable amount of exhilaration I cannot affirm. When they had all done drinking, and taken pipes and tobacco, in less than fifteen minutes there was such a smoke you could not see. And the noise I cannot describe; it was the maximum of hilarity. They told their stories and were at the height of jocose talk. They were not old-fashioned Puritans. They had been run down. Great deal of spirituallity on the Sabbath, and not much when they got where there was something good to drink. When things are at there worst they began to mend. The terrible evils arising from temperance finally startled the land. The first point in the reform was gained when as one entered a friend's house tha latter felt it a breach of hospitality not to give a sidewise toss of the head and an angular glance of an eye to the sideboard, and then with a smile of tender soitude ask. " What will you have to drink?" And then farther along in the progress of the Temperance idea, when a stranger guest was present, the old, course, digusting question," What will you hve to drink?" was not put at all, and so when a invitation was extended it came from some od fossil of antiquated habits, moved by the spirit of sociality, who, in a hesitating, timid sort of manner, would inquire-- " Do you ev-ever in-Indulge?" The Temperace reform act began in 1832, and soon there came such a moral resurrection of the old-style American people as history has not seen-- the banishing of intoxicating liquors as a common beverage from the homes of respectable families. Such a use had become disgraceful, for public opinion sustained what the enlightened moral sence could only contemplate with a loathing and a shudder. This was a wonderful point gained and it came to stay, great blessing society. But then in some few cases an unlooked for extreme was reached; not only did uch people banish alcoholic drinks from their homes but all sorts of stimulents, as tea and coffee; and then came a crusade against meat, inaugurated by Sylvester Graham, who advocated a purely vegetable diet as a preservative against a desire for stimulents. he had many followers; and among his captives was Horace Greeley, who for a while lived in a vegetarian boarding house, and when there in a lady boarder met the lady who captured him. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Tid Bits continued in part 67. -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 3801 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Try www.SPAMfighter.com for free now! -------------------------------- End of OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest V05 Issue #139 *******************************************