SURVEY ON THE PARALLELS AND SOME OF THE TOWNSHIPS

From Holley’s Journal, 1796.

Conneaut, Saturday 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 the 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 the 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 meridian.

Aug. 23d. -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.

Wednesday, Aug. 24.-Began the traverse of the Cuyahoga, as we 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 friend Porter was in the mouth of it, waiting to supply us with provisions.

As soon as I heard this I left the traverse, and traveled about three-quarters of a mile, when we came to the 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.

Thursday, Aug. 25th.-Left the mouth of Chagrin river. At twelve o’ clock, traveled up to where I hit the river first, then 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 abut 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 more 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 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 traverse of the lake, west of the Cuyahoga, and I bring up my line. Then we are 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, loaded his boat, and started for Cuyahoga. Just as he was loading Mr. Humphrey, from the New Town settlement, in the Genesee purchase came up with a boat and several men, all proceeding to Cuyahoga, and if proper encouragement 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 profitable business, surveying about the head waters of the west branch of Susquehannah, and on the Allgheny 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. 12.-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. 16. 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, 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.

42d mile down Penn. Line        Holley’s compass was     1° 40′ E.

”                           Porter’s        ”        ”        1° 35′ E.

”                           Spafford’s   ”         ”        1° 35′ E.

At the S.E. cor. or Reserve        Porter’s       ”          ”        1° 21′ E.

”                           Holley’s      ”         ”        1° 40′ E.

At 331/2 miles up 1st merid.          ”             ”         ”        2° 23′

”                           ”       ”            ”                        ran at 1° 37′

” 35 ms. 51 chs.    ”         ”                  compass was         2° 15′

”                           ”       ”                                    ran at 2° 00′

” 60 miles 1st merid.        ”                  compass was         1° 53′

Nine miles up his merid. (2d)    Spafford’s ”           ”        1° 27′

291/2           ”                      ”        ”           ”           ”        1° 23′

50 ms. 60 chs. ”                   ”         ”           ”          ”        1° 20′

Ran from Spafford’s line at 1° 30′ E. from Porter’s 4th meridian and to Cuyahoga at ——————— 1° 50′

Wednesday, Sept. 21st.-At twelve o’clock, 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 by them that Tinker had arrived at Conneaut with provisions. Esquire Warren also was there. He sent on two of his 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 eat a mouthful of supper, and went to bed.

Began to lot the east part of 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 a noise and hallooing, 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 a 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 Cuyahoga town, “Myron Holley, Jr.,” and on a birch, “Milton Holley, 1796,-Sept. 26th, 1796. Friendship.”

Saturday, Oct. 1st.-I left Cuyahoga in the boat, to run out 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. 2d.-Went east to the east line of the township, run south &c. 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 boat and provisions. Had a fair 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 Cleveland at the mouth of the Cuyahoga to finish lotting the eastern part of said township. Shepherd 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 three hundred and eighty-five, three hundred and eighty-seven, three hundred and ninety-four, and three hundred and ninety-five. 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 three hundred and ninety-one three hundred and ninety-nine. Capt. Perry took about four pounds of beef, and ate with us four days.