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Collection

Edward Miller journal, 1794

1 volume

The Edward Miller journal contains daily entries between July and November of 1794 concerning his military service, including the building of Fort Wayne and the Battle of Fallen Timbers.

The Edward Miller journal contains 49 pages of daily entries, which document the period between July 26 and November 1, 1794, when Miller was serving as captain in the 2nd U.S. Sublegion, under General Anthony Wayne. During this time, the Sublegion departed from Greenville, Ohio, traveled around northwest Ohio--including Fort Recovery and the towns of Defiance and Maumee--and returned to Greenville. The journal recounts the sublegion's duties (including building and repairing roads, bridges, and garrisons), its many marches, encounters with Native Americans, and the exhaustion and illnesses of the soldiers.

Miller's detailed description of the Battle of Fallen Timbers (August 20), which relates positions and numbers of wounded and killed, sheds light on the conflict. Also of interest are his continual updates concerning the building of Fort Wayne, which occur between September 22 and October 22. Miller's entries, though frequently terse, show the complexity of the relationships between the Americans, the British, and various American Indian tribes engaged in the dispute. On October 13, he wrote, "The Indians are now in Counsel at Ditroit with Mr. Elliot and Colo Symco [Simcoe], which gives us every Reason to suppose that the Indians however prone to peaseable measures will be urged to go to war by the presents and promises of the British." Miller's journal ends abruptly on November 1, 1794, just before the Sublegion's return to Greenville.

Collection

Northwest Territory Celebration letters, 1937-1938

0.25 linear feet

The Northwest Territory Celebration letters chronicle the daily experiences of a group of re-enactors who traveled from Ipswich, Massachusetts, to Marietta, Ohio, by ox-driven Conestoga wagon and self-made flatboat in 1937-1938 to mark the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Northwest Territory.

The 64 Northwest Territory Celebration letters chronicle the daily experiences of a group of 36 historical reenactors who traveled from Ipswich, Massachusetts, to Marietta, Ohio, by ox-driven Conestoga wagon and self-made flatboat in 1937-1938, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Northwest Territory.

The party produced letters en route almost daily from December 3, 1937-January 20, 1938; weekly from January 20, 1938-March 29, 1938; and almost daily from March 29, 1938-April 7, 1938. These letters were sent to subscriber Fred G. Olson of Fulton, Illinois, and contain reports about towns in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. At some stops, local Boy Scout troops or other groups staged reenacted attacks by Native Americans; at other times, the travelers faced difficulties when crossing snowy landscapes and the Allegheny Mountains. The travelers mentioned their oxen, "Tom" and "Jerry," and other animals, such as horses and dogs. While at West Newton, Pennsylvania, they discussed their efforts to construct 18th-century flatboats for the final leg of their journey (February 10, 1938-March 29, 1938).

The Northwest Territory Celebration Commission authorized the journey, and postage was free. Each of the letters was folded, addressed, and sealed with wax in the style of 18th-century post. The address on each is accompanied by an illustration by party member Milo Scott. The illustrations depict scenes of the journey and of pioneer life.

Collection

Northwest Territory collection, 1755-1822

0.25 linear feet

The Northwest Territory collection contains approximately 100 miscellaneous items relating to the settlement and surveying of the Northwest Territory, as well as the social and military history of the region.

The Northwest Territory collection contains approximately 100 miscellaneous items relating to the exploration and settlement of the Northwest Territory, as well as the region's social and military history. Although the territory existed from 1787 to 1803, the materials span 1755 to 1822 and include both correspondence and documents.

Examples of items in the the Northwest Territory collection:
  • Two letters by John Armstrong providing news of Fort Hamilton in Ohio (January 14, 1792; January 19, 1792).
  • Letter from Isaac Shelby to Charles Scott concerning the recruitment of the Kentucky Volunteers, who are to be sent to Fort Jefferson (September 18, 1793).
  • A letter by Andrew Marschalk describing the cutting of a road from "Lormies" (Fort Loramie, Ohio) toward St. Marys, Ohio (March 18, 1796).

Also included are several military returns and warrants for arrest.