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AMONG the many historic characters
of the Scioto valley who were identified with the early history of
Chillicothe, Ross county and the State of Ohio, Gen.
NATHANIEL MASSIE was one
whose memory is dear to Ross county, and perpetuated by his
posterity in the tenderest evidences of generous regard for his
exalted achievements. Much has been said in this volume
regarding the accomplishments. Much has been said in this
volume regarding the accomplishments of this eminent pioneer of
civilization, and much remains to be said which will never reach the
printed page. In a limited way, he was the "father of his
century," in the sense that the memory of Worthington bears
that honored distinction, with reference to the Nation's life.
As a frontiersman, surveyor, statesman, soldier, kind and loving
husband and father; a big hearted, generous friend and neighbor; a
man who lived in advance of his time, and brought around him other
men, of like characteristics, who have left indelibly stamped upon
the life of the great commonwealth, their own characteristics, the
life of General Massie is familiar to all.
Nathaniel Massie was born in Goochland county, Virginia, on the
28th of December, 1763. His father, Major Nathaniel Massie,
was a plain, substantial farmer in the Old Dominion, and with
practical good sense, reared his sons in the atmosphere of
self-reliance and self-support. Nathaniel, the eldest
son, chose surveying for his occupation, having previously completed
a practical and thorough education. In 1780 he generously
offered his services at a substitute in the Patriot army, taking the
place of his father, or some other relative whose services could not
well be dispensed with at the home fireside. Whether his
military service in the Revolution was of long or short duration,
active or passive, is not a matter of record; but the fact already
stated, shows him to have been a young man of ardent patriotism, of
unusual energy, and laudable ambition. It seems to be the
opinion of his grandson, Hon. D. M. Massie, of Chillicothe,
that he was present at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
Returning from the army, young Massie completed his
professional education, and, with a horse and the necessary
surveying outfit, some money,
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and letters of introduction from prominent Virginians to men of like
character in the new country of Kentucky, he started out on the
"voyage of life." He was then scarcely nineteen years of age.
At the elegant home of Colonel David Meade, near Lexington,
he met Miss Susan Everard Meade whom he married in 1800.
He brought her to his recently established home on the banks of
Paint creek in Paxton township, which was the home of both until
called to another life. The public services of General
Massie need not be recounted here, since the record appears
fully in connection with the many thrilling events in which he was
the central figure. The Ohio home was not unlike that left
behind on their removal from Kentucky. The slaves were absent,
but their places were filled by a numerous retinue of hired
servants. Among these was the famous Indian chief,
Wawwilaway, whose tragic death is characterized as one of the
foulest deeds ever committed in Ohio. Three sons and two
daughters came to bless the union and brighten the happy home of
General and Mrs. Massie. Those survived his untimely
death, which occurred on the 3d of November, 1813. Though he
lived less than fifty years, General Massie accomplished more
in that brief period than most men are permitted to do in the "Three
score and ten years" allotted to man. He died beloved by all
his fellow citizens. His generous spirit had enabled many a
poor struggling settler to establish a happy home in the wilderness,
and these and their posterity mourned him as a friend, and revere
his memory as a kind benefactor. It is said that "No man is
perfect save One." Nathaniel Massie was a man of human
instincts, and doubtless had his faults. These are buried with
him; and the memory of his useful life, his exalted citizenship, his
benevolence and human sympathy, are more enduring than the costly
monument which marks his final resting place, overlooking his field
of labor, from beautiful Grand View.
EDWIN TIFFIN: The
heart of the patriotic Chillicothean thrills with commendable pride
at the mention of his name. No character in the early history
of the county and State is more thoroughly interested in the early
history of the county and State is more thoroughly interwoven in the
history of State organization, and the troublous times preceding and
immediately following that event, than is that of Edward Tiffin,
Ohio's first governor. With him begins the history of Ohio,
and the record of early political events of which all Chillicotheans
of whatever political differences of paramount importance, party
lines are often eliminated, and the supremacy of those principles
which affect locality and personal interest, are given precedence.
We can readily see how and why this was the case in Ross county,
during the desperate struggle for State organization.
Edward Tiffin, already prominent as a champion of the
Chillicothe party, in opposition to the Territorial governor, was
the successful standard bearer in the race for gubernatorial honors.
He served with distinction dur-
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mentioned, being General, and afterwards governor, Robert
Lucas. These parties brought with them their former
slaves, whom they liberated, and provided for until they were able
to care for themselves. This magnanimous act has much of human
instinct underneath the surface, since the life of a free negro, in
a slave country, would not only have been hazardous, but also
fraught with untold hardships and privations. In his private
and social life, Dr. Tiffin was of an affable, pleasant
temperament, which surrounded him with many admiring friends.
DUNCAN McARTHUR was
pre-eminently a self-made man. He rose to prominence and
affluence, unaided by the stimulating hand of ancestral wealth and
influence, and carved for himself an honorable name and frame in the
annals of history. Such achievements are
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THOMAS WORTHINGTON,
the illustrious statesman, to whose energy, influence and ceaseless
toil, the State of Ohio owes as much as to any other man, living or
dead, was born in Berkeley county, Virginia, Feb. 10, 1773.
His parents died in his early childhood, and though deprived of the
loving care of the parental home, his nurture and rearing were
entrusted to hands only second to father and mother, in the person
of General William Darke, who was his guardian and protector
through the tender years of childhood and early youth. Through
the influence of his guardian, he enjoyed the best educational
advantages afforded in the time of his student days. But he
indulged a strong and apparently irresistible desire to go to sea.
His zealous guardian opposed his inclination, and tried to divert
his mind into other channels; but all in vain. Young
Worthington probably without the consent of the one who stood in
the relation of a parent, enlisted as a common sailor on a British
merchant vessel, and spent two years on the ocean.
During this experience he came near being arrested as a deserter
from a British man-of-war, and was only saved from such a fate by
the persistent defense of his captain, who had taken a fancy to the
stalwart young American, even though he was himself an Englishman.
the British "press-gang" followed the seas with unabated energy,
until after his majesty was taught a lesson during the yeas
immediately following 1812, and they were the terror of American
seamen. The "trumped up" documents which called for the
apprehension of young Worthington, were applicable to any
other American whose services would be useful in the service of the
king. But the representations of Capt. James Taylor
that "Worthington was a young man of high standing in
Virginia, whose people were wealthy and influential, and would
undoubtedly make trouble," were sufficient to cool the ardor of the
over-zealous lieutenant, and divert his impressment proceedings to
some one else not so well fortified. They also had the effect
of establishing a lasting friendship between Worthington and
Captain Taylor, which continued during the life of the
latter. The experience of this two years' cruise, together
with the added judgment of maturer years, induced young
Worthington to return at once to the scenes of his childhood,
and make a new start on life's journey. As related in another
sketch, he accompanied the Tiffin party to the Scioto valley, and
together with his illustrious brother-in-law, began a political and
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civil life unsurpassed in usefulness, purity of purpose, and sound
judgment.
The public career of Thomas Worthington is the
history of the organization of the State, and of its material
development from that day until his death, in 1827. In fact he
was in New York on public business of great importance, connected
with the construction of the Ohio and Erie canal, when attacked with
his fatal illness, and died there, on the 20th of June. The
"American Intelligencer" characterized Worthington as the
"father of the American system of public improvement."
Though honored with exalted positions form the
existence of the Territorial legislature until his death, his zeal
and energy for the public welfare never weakened. He was a
member of the Territorial legislature in 1799 to 1801; a member of
the convention to frame the State constitution in 1802, and the
representative of this precious document and the people, in the
United States senate, in 1803, and the motive power which secured
its approval, and the erection of the new State. It was
Worthington, who, true to principle as an opponent of slavery in
all its forms, introduced into the State constitution the clause
prohibiting negro apprenticeships - a form of slavery at the time
prevalent in several states. His work and influence in the
United States senate was of incalculable value to the embroyo State
just emerging from its swaddling clothes. Toward the close of
his second term in the senate, Mr. Worthington was elected
the fifth governor of Ohio, and resigned his seat in Congress to
enter upon the duties of chief magistrate of the State, in which
position he served the people from 1814 to 1818.
When entering upon his first duties as governor, he
found the campus surrounding the state house in disorder, from the
rubbish, logs, brush, roots and general debris resulting form an
effort to clear the ground. the city authorities of Columbus
were disinclined to meddle in State affairs; hence, with that spirit
of self-reliance and push for which the governor was noted, he
headed a party of prisoners he had "borrowed" from the warden of the
penitentiary, and labored faithfully for two days, in policing the
ten acre lot, that he might enter upon a "clean" administration.
The mansion of Thomas Worthington, known as
"Adena," was at the time of its erection, one of the finest
residences west of the Alleghenies.* It is a stone structure,
standing on an eminence over-looking the City of Chillicothe.
Around it cluster many historical events and delightful memories,
and its spacious rooms hav sheltered
---------------
* Another historical spot, or at least one which is remembered with
feelings of reverence, because of its long existence, and the
prominent character of its early occupants, is "Buena Vista," the
home of the late M. Scott Cook, whose prominent family was
connected with some of hte most noted people of the State and
nation.
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numerous historical characters. There is no location in the
vicinity of Chillicothe which affords a finer landscape scene than
can be witnessed from historic "Adena." The noted Indian
chief, Tecumseh, was entertained on his visit to Chillicothe,
under the hospitable roof of "Adena." No doubt the
grandeur of the occasion was an event in his life, of as much
importance to him as his mission of peace and good will as to his
pale-faced brethren.
Bernard, duke of Saxe-Weimar Eisenach, who
visited Chillicothe in 1825, and was entertained at the home of
Governor Worthington, wrote of it in his "Travels in North
America:" "The governor's house is surrounded with Lombardy
poplars; it is constructed in the style of an Italian villa, of free
stone, with stone steps on the exterior, is two stories high and has
two wings, having a court in front of the center building containing
honeysuckle and roses. On one side of the house is a terrace
with flowers and kitchen vegetables. Behind the house are
large clover fields and to the right the farm buildings.
Governor Worthington occupies himself with the raising of
cattle, particularly sheep; he had a flock of one hundred merinoes.
He has ten children, on whom he has expended a great deal for their
education. His eldest son was traveling in Europe, another son
was in the military academy at West Point." Edward King,
who had married the second daughter, Sarah Ann, was at the
home and aided in the entertainment of the guest, who ascended to
the governor's lookout, on top of the house, from which could have
been seen every part of the vast estate of twenty-five thousand
acres, if the great forests had not yet been so little invaded that
they soon obstructed the view. "I took breakfast with the
worthy governor and his family," the duke continues, "and found
here, as at the home of Governor Morrow that the father of
the family observes the laudable custom of making a prayer before
sitting down. At breakfast we took leave of this respectable
family, whose acquaintance I consider one of the most interesting I
made in the United States."
A few words might be said of the children of
Governor Worthington. Mary, the eldest daughter, married
Alexander Macomb, who was a colonel in the war of 1812, and
major-general in command of the United States army in the days when
Andrew Jackson was president. The widow of Edward
King married the British consul at Philadelphia, became a devout
Roman Catholic and was an intimate friend of Pope Pius IX.
Eleanor married Dr. Arthur Watts, of Chillicothe, and
one of her children became the wife of Gen. Saunders A. Piatt
of Mac-a-cheek. Margaret married Professor
Mansfield, and Elizabeth became Mrs. Pomeroy.
Gen. James Taylor Worthington, the eldest son, was for many
years an honored citizen of Chillicothe. His first wife was a
daughter of Samuel Galloway, and his second a daughter of
Benjamin Piatt. A younger son, Thomas, was a
distinguished officer in the war of the Rebellion.
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WILLIAM ALLEN, the twenty-fifth governor
of Ohio, and the last citizen of Chillicothe to whom that
distinguished honor was extended, was a native of Edenton, Chowan
county, North Carolina. He was
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COLONEL JOHN McDONALD,
whose sketches of Massie, McArthur and other pioneers
entitled him to be called the Plutarch of the the Scioto
valley, was born Jan. 28, 1775, in Pennsylvania. His father
moved with his family to Mingo bottom, near the state of
Steubenville, in 1780, and to Kentucky in 1789. Then young
McDonald made his first excursion into Ohio with Simon Kenton,
and in 1792 he joined General Massie's settlement at
Manchester. In the spring of 1794 he enlisted with Capt.
Ephraim Kibby's scouts, in the army of General Wayne, and
was with Wayne through the victorious campaign of that year.
In the following November he came into the Scioto valley on an
exploring expedition with a party led by Lucas Sullivant, a
land speculator and surveyor from Virginia, and had an encounter
with the Indians, in which one of his companions was killed.
In 1796 he came to Chillicothe, where he was married to Catherine
Cutwright, Feb. 5, 1799. He settled don Poplar Ridge, Twin
township, in 1802. He went into the war of 1812, as a staff
officer with General Hull, and was made a prisoner at the
surrender of Detroit. In 1813 he was promoted to captain in
the regular army of the United States, and in 1814 was given command
of a regiment of regulars at Detroit, a position he held until peace
was declared. In 1817 he was elected to the legislature, in
which he served two terms, and this was the close of his public
service. His biographical sketches, already mentioned, were
published first in the Western Christian Advocate, and in book form
in 1838. They are the best written, most interesting and
trustworthy
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of Ohio pioneer documents, not excepting the productions of Judge
Burnet or any other.
Colonel McDonald was the son of William and
Effie McDonald of Scotch descent, who bore the same names before
marriage and were distantly related. He was the eldest of
seven children, the others being Thomas, James, William, Hiram,
Nancy and Henrietta. Thomas was associated
with John in his adventures as a scout under General Wayne
and afterward sat in the legislature. James entered the
regular army as a captain in 1808 and served through the war of
1812-15, with promotion to major. He was on the staff of
General Ripley, and after 1815, was on staff duty as
inspector-general. In civil life he had the offices of county
sheriff and deputy United States marshal. The sister, Nancy,
married Gen. Duncan McArthur and Henrietta became the
wife of Presley Morris, a prominent pioneer. The
parents both died within four days in September, 1823, and were
buried at the McArthur homestead, on Fruit Hill.
Thomas Scott, Michael Baldwin, Frederick Grimke,
William Creighton, Allen G. Thurman, and others, are mentioned
in other chapters. James Grubb was a Chillicothean who
received the strongest commendations from General McArthur
for his ability, integrity and political zeal in the early days of
territorial strife and contention. He was characterized as a
"true philanthropist, a lover of his friend, and opponent of every
species of slavery, a man possessing good reasoning abilities,
modesty and boldness." Mr. Grubb was also a member of
the constitutional convention. Joseph Kerr was adjutant
general of Ohio, a member of the state senate and house, and for a
few months United States senator.
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