The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-10

Written Tor the sunday Journal.
Cincinnati this year viii celebrate the csntsn-
NAL Of the settlement of the territory now CON-
prisine the Ststes of Ohio and Indiana. and
more especially the lands between the Miami
rivers. The following is sketch of the first
settler and first owner of al the lands between
the Great ard Little Miami rivers.
John Cleves Symmes was born at Riverhead,
Long Island. on Jolly 81. 1742 He was married
three times-in l76l to Anna Tuthill who died in
l776; in 1874 to Mrs. Mary Haisey. sister of Col
James Henry, Of Somerset county, New Jersey.
and in 1904 at viueennes. Ind. to Susan Liv-
ings,on, daughter of VIM. Livineston, Governor
of New Jersey during the revolutionary war,
and who was also the first Governor CHOSEN by
the popular vote of that State Mr.. Symmsss
daughter Anna married VIM Henry Harrison.
at North Bend. o., Nov. %, 1875. Their
third son. John Scott Harrison. is the father Of
Hon. Benjamin Harrison and Irwin Harrison,
of Indianapolis.
In early life Mr.. Symmes taught school and
Was surveyor. About ITO be moved to Flat
Brook. Sussex county, New Jersey. where he
lived for many years. He called his place here
Solitude. for what reason 10 not known. Re
was . prominent figure in the struggle of the
Revolution, and was chairman OF the Committed
OF Sdlety OF MS county IN liza, anu Also WAS
colonel in IT'S of . native reRiment In March.
l716, he was ordered to New York and WAS en-
ploysd there and on Long island Ia erecting de-
fensss. He was delegate from Sussex county.
Now Jersey, to the State convention which met
at Burlington on June 10. 1776. and was a mem
ber OF the committee appoin'ed to draft . Con-
stitution for that State He was sent 10 Ticon-
dsroca and made new ARRANGEMENTS with
the New Jersey troops there. His com
mand helped 70 cover the retreat Of
- n.
engaged he attacked . detachment of 500 Brit
ish troops. under General Leslie at Springfield,
on Dec IA. This the first check 10 the
progress OF the British toward Philadelphia
He was with Genera! Dickinson when he sur
priced The British on Staten Island, and also was
at Red Bank when the hostile ships came up the
Delaware and attacked the fort there and at
Fort Miffiin. On juno %. l778. he was in the
battle OF Monmouth, and be conducted several
expeditions to Long island. when IN the hands
OF the British. During one OF the battles he
was in he bad three horses shot from under him.
He was Q personal friend of General Washing
ton. He was tho staff Of General ST Clair
during the campaign which ended in disaster
In civil life Col. Symmss was . conspicuous
figure. He Was Lieutenant governor Of New
jersey one term. and six years . member OF the
Council In III he was appointed one Of the
Associate Judges of the Supreme Court Of New
Jersey, and in lIS6 he was elected to Congress
The ordinance of Congress establishing the
Territory Northwest OF the Ohio" was passed
July ID, 1877. and Oct. %, 1877. Judge
Symmes, Gen. James NJ. Varnum and Gen. Sam
d. Parsons were appointed judges OF the SUI
preme Court OF this Territory. In 17sS Judge
Sypmes passed down the Ohio, and spent the
ensuing winter n the Daniel Boone settlement,
10 Kentucky, In 1887 Judge Symmes made q
contract with Congress for 1000 900 acres Of land
In Ohio between the Great and Little Miami
rivers. for sixty-six and two-thirds cents per
acre. aud il 10 designated upon the early maps az
''Symmesis Purchase" In the spring of 1889 be
took possession of these lands. with small col
ony. The Indian war, which followed soon,
caused the settlements to be few and Judge
Symmes was obliged to make a new contract
with Congress, and this time for only 248 900
acres. He selected site for settlement at North
Bend and it was his intention TO found q city
there. But this scheme failed. on account Of
the military post being established at Cincin-
natl, which afforded protection to the settlers
aeainst the Indians. During his residence at
North Bend be had frequent intercourse with
the Indians, and after the treaty of Grsenville
several Indians told him that they had often
raised their rifles to shoot him, but. recognizing
him, had desisted-
On March I. 1911, his house in Cincinnati was
set on IRE during his absence. and entirely de-
stroyed with the contents. causing loss of $780,
000 On Feb 26. 1914, Judge Symmes died at
the residence of Gen. w. h. HARRISON, his SON.
in-law, on Front street. in Cincinnati from can
Ger. His death was serene, and he preserved
his senses until about ten minutes before he
died General Harrison took the body 10 North
Bend. where it was buried with military honors
At the time of his death he was ssventy-two
years old. General Harrison was appointed
one of the executors Of the estate OF the de-
ceased. The following inscription 10 upon the
tomb: Here rest the remains of John Cloves
Symmes, who At the foot OF these hills made
the first settlements between the Miami rivers
Born on Long island State Of New York July
81. l742 Died at Cincinnati, Feb. 20. 1874"
SAM d. SYMMEs,
CRAwFoapsvILLE June L. 1888.