Cleveland Past and Present | Page 3

July, 1797, the marriage was solemnized of William
Clement, of Erie, to Miss Cloe Inches, who had come to this city with
the family of Major Lorenzo Carter. The ceremony was performed by
Mr. Seth Hart, who was regarded by the surveying party as their
chaplain.
In the beginning of the following year, (1798,) the population had

increased to fifteen. No other immigration is recorded until that of
Rodolphus Edwards and Nathaniel Doane and their families, in 1799,
the latter consisting of nine persons. They journeyed from Chatham,
Connecticut, and were occupied ninety-two days in their transit--a
longer period than is now allowed to accomplish a voyage to the East
Indies.
In 1799, the Land Company caused a road to be surveyed and partially
worked, from Cleveland to the Pennsylvania line, about ten miles from
the lake, which was the first road opened through the Reserve. In the
Spring of that year Wheeler W. Williams, from Norwich, Connecticut,
and Major Wyatt, erected a grist mill at the falls at Newburgh, and in
1800 a saw mill was also built by them; a substantial proof that
sufficient corn and wheat were grown and lumber required to warrant
the speculation.
The desire of moral culture and education did not relax in this lonely
region, and in 1800, a township school was organized, and the children
were taught by Sarah Doane. The site of the school house was near
Kingsbury's, on the ridge road.
Cleveland received two additions in 1800, in the persons of David
Clarke and Amos Spafford, the former of whom erected a house on
Water street. The first sermon preached in Cleveland, was delivered in
that year by the Rev. Joseph Badger, an agent of the Connecticut
Missionary Society.
The years of 1798, 1799 and 1800, were remarkable for the early
commencement of genial weather. Pinks were in bloom in February,
and the peach trees were also in full blossom in March.
In 1801, the first distillery was erected by David Bryant. The
memorable 4th of July of the same year was celebrated by the first ball
in Cleveland. It took place at Major Carter's log house, on the slope
from Superior street to the harbor, and was attended by thirty of both
sexes.
The first village school was held in Major Carter's house in 1802, and
the children were taught by Anna Spafford.
In 1803, Elisha Norton arrived in Cleveland with a stock of goods
principally adapted to the Indian trade, which he exhibited for sale in
Major Carter's house. The State of Ohio was this year admitted into the
Union, and the first election was held at James Kingsbury's.

The first Post Office was established here in 1804, when letters were
received and transmitted every seven days.
In 1805, the harbor was made a port of entry, and classed within the
Erie district. In the same year the territory on the west side of
Cuyahoga was ceded to the State by treaty. During the negotiations for
that treaty, one of the commissioners, Hon. Gideon Granger,
distinguished for talents, enterprise and forethought, uttered to his
astonished associates this bold, and what was then deemed,
extraordinary prediction: "Within fifty years an extensive city will
occupy these grounds, and vessels will sail directly from this port into
the Atlantic Ocean." The prediction has been fulfilled, though the latter
portion of it required an extension of time, of a year or two to make the
fulfilment literal.
In 1806, Nathan Perry and family and Judge Walworth removed to
Cleveland the latter from Painesville. In the same year the first militia
training occurred. The place of rendezvous was Doane's corner, and the
muster amounted to about fifty men.
In 1809, the county of Cuyahoga was formed, Cleveland chosen as the
county seat, and Amos Spafford was elected representative. The same
year Abraham Hickox commenced business as a blacksmith, under the
euphonious cognomen of "Uncle Abram."
On the 5th of June, 1810, the first Court of Record was held in a frame
building erected by Elias and Harvey Murray, on the north side of
Superior Street, of which Judge Ruggles was President, assisted by
three Associate Judges. George Wallis and family arrived this year and
opened a tavern. Samuel and Matthew Williamson began business as
tanners. Dr. David Long commenced practice as a physician, and
Alfred Kelley as the first attorney in Cleveland. Elias and Harvey
Murray opened a store this year in Union lane, and may be termed the
first general merchants.
In 1812, was the first trial for murder and the execution in Cleveland,
that of the Indian O'Mic, for the murder of two white trappers near
Sandusky City. In the same year the court house was built.
The first brick house erected in the city was that of J. E. and I. Kelley,