428 - HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO

CHAPTER XXXIII.

MARIETTA—REMINISCENCES OF SLAVERY DAYS.*

Remarks on the Growth of Anti-Slavery Sentiment by James Lawton— His Early Poem on Slavery—Something of His Character and Services for the Cause—Harry Barnette's Freedom Paper—"Aunt Lydia Pervis—James . Birneys’ Anti-Slavery Newspaper in Cincinnati— Theodore Weld in Marietta—Rev. Bennet Roberts—Anti and Pro-Slavery Societies—The Prominent Pioneers of Abolition Sentiment— Mob Spirit Active—Fears of Violence—The Belpre Abduction Case —Peter H. Garner, Crayton J. Lorraine, and Mordecai Thomas Imprisoned at Parkersburgh and Refused Bail—The Question of Boundary Line.

THE manner in which the Northwestern Territory was secured to freedom has been already related in this work. The fact that most of the men who frrst came to Ohio were desirous of the extinction of slavery is undeniable, but in Washington county, as elsewhere, anti-slavery sentiment was a growth, and a general sketch of some of the causes of its growth may properly be given here.

In January, 1879, Mr. James Lawton, of Barlow, published an article in the Marietta Register from which the following extracts are taken. He says "That a systematic opposition to an institution which had grown with the growth of our country and strengthened with its strength, an institution acknowledged in our Constitution and secured by law, that such an institution should be assailed by citizens of the free States combined under a name which plainly indicated its annihilation, might well be deemed preposterous by many. On the other hand, the gross inconsistency of slavery with our National confession of faith, as expressed in our Declaration of Independence, together with the aggressive tendency of slavery, seemed to many minds to render combined opposition imperative. There was enough in the woes which slavery inflicted on its victims to arouse the indignation of every philanthropist; but the impetus given to

* By A. T. Nye, Esq., of Marietta.

anti-slavery views was perhaps less from the known sufferings of the enslaved than from the continually increasing demands of slavery for extension and domination. Reasonable persons who could make allowance for early training and habits formed where slavery ruled, were indignant at its threatened and actual infringements on the rights and privileges of those not connected with the institution,—such as its claim of jurisdiction over the Ohio river to low water-mark on this side, and the assumed dictation of what passengers on steam-boats should not discuss as topics of conversation—one known as an opponent of slavery being liable to mob law there. • • •

In some of the slave states there were laws against incendiary speech or publications which might be so construed that anything said, written or exhibited against slavery there, would render any thus offending, liable to punishment. To illustrate the working of those laws I will state a fact. One of the oldest citizens of Belpre, in this county, made mention of something in reference to slavery, to a man engaged in making a flat-boat on the Virginia shore, which the workman seemed to doubt, but requested to see the paper which contained the article, which the Belpre man handed him the next day; and for that act he was threatened with and liable to imprisonment in the Parkersburgh jail for many years afterward, and other citizens of this county were not only threatened, but roughly handled while on necessary business on that side of the river, not for anything said or done there, but for their opinions.

Many thinking persons were brought to consider the subject of slavery more seriously, and to reflect on the consequences of such a despotic course, • • and felt constrained to throw their influence against slavery.. . But although most of the substantial portion of the community were in favor of free speech, and opposed to mob-violence, but few, comparatively, endorsed the abolition movement.

I suppose no one doubts that the slave question tended to make slave property less secure in many parts, by causing discontent among the enslaved, but I doubt if more than a very small portion of abolitionists took any direct means to increase that discontent. Still the so called "underground railroad" did exist, and many a dark subject found freedom through its labyrinths, but made his appearance as a fugitive before assistance was given."

Mr. Lawton was one of the early abolitionists of this county. As early as 1818 he wrote a short poem on the subject of slavery. It was first published in the American Friend with flattering comments, and about 1821 was printed, by Benjamin Lundy in a periodical published in Tennessee, called the "Genius of Universal Emancipation," with the remark "that as the writer was born in Marietta, he was young, and did not know that the line "Shall her fair banners o'er oppression wave," was literally true, that the United States flag did wave over the slave pens at Washington."

The lines as copied from the original in Mr. Lawton's hand writing, are as follows:

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"SLAVERY—1819."

Shall man forever prove the scourge of man,

And thus subvert the great Creator's plan,

Who when be first bade nature spring from night

Clothed you bright sun in robes of dazzling light,

Balanced the earth upon his firm decree,

Bade all be equal, all alike be free?

The darkest tenant of Angolas’ plains,

Feels the same current beating in his veins

As that which warms the fairest forms that shine.

Where beauty, wealth, and honor all combine;

The same affections warm his heart not less.

The same joys heighten, the same fears depress.

Then why despise the tincture of the skin,

Since all mankind are formed alike within?

One general life pervades each human frame,

All passions similar, all souls the same.

Yet cruel man, though impotent and vain,

Binds his own fellows in oppression's chain,

‘Tis cruel sure, the limbs in chains to bind,

More cruel still to chain the human mind.

Ye Southern rulers, drop the afflicting rod,

No longer tempt the vengeance of a God.

For you, fair freedom loathes her sacred name,

For you Columbia mourns her tarnished fame,

Shall her fair banners o'er oppression wave?

Can freedoms’ pinions fan the toiling slave?

Confusion strange, to grasp in the same hand

The blood stained scourge, the peaceful olive wand.

Hail, Marietta! thou, my native town.

1sill sing thy praise, for freedom there is known.

No petty tyrants tread thy peaceful streets,

No mourning slave the passing stranger meets,

Blessed be thy name, while fair Ohio's waves

Shall part thy borders from the land of slaves.

May well fraught barges ever line thy shores,

And smiling plenty rest within thy doors.

Mr. Lawton was among the very first in Washington county to subscribe to anti-slavery papers, and he never repudiated the name Abolitionist, but he was not alone among our citizens in sympathy with the slave. He says: "The underground railroad did exist. One station on that line (in Decatur) was established in consequence of the suffering witnessed by one man in the separation of a slave family at Washington's Bottom, Virginia. Many things occurred to make men think, and to think, with some, meant to aid."

Before the late war there were but few colored families in Marietta. Among these was Harry Bartlette, who lived here many years, and was well known to all our citizens. He was a quiet and peaceful man, and, with his wife, a member of the Congregational church. He was born a slave, and the following paper gives some insight into his history:

COPY OF HARRY BARTLETTE'S FREEDOM PAPER.

To all to whom these presents may come:

Know Ye, that in October, 1817, I bought of George Neale, of Wood county, Virginia, a black man, named Harry Grey Bartlette, and that he lived with me in Belpre, Ohio, four years, for which he was to have his freedom, and he is now free, both by my consent and by the law of Ohio.

Given under my hand at Belpre, March 1st, 1824.

EDMUND DANA.

Harry died in Marietta April 5, 1860. His wife, who was colored, claimed to. have been born free and of French descent. She died in Marietta September 25, 1875.

Mr. Dana's object in buying Harry was that he might obtain his freedom. Some years later, owing to stringent laws, it became very difficult for any master to liberate his slaves, and equally difficult for anyone in Ohio to do for any slave what Mr. Dana did for Harry.

Another well known colored person who lived in Marietta was commonly called "Aunt Lydia." On her tombstone, in Mound cemetery, may be found the following:

Lydia Pervis, died January 1, —, aged seventy-five years. Though born in slavery, with a dark skin, Doctor Jonas Moore gave her temporal freedom, and Jesus gave her spiritual.

She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, and at her death left property to the church worth eight hundred dollars.

Before 1830 doubtless many slaves were liberated by being purchased by humane persons on this side of the river.

The following paper, prepared by A. T. Nye, of Marietta, shows something of the excited stage of feeling on the subject of slavery in Ohio in 1835.

The laws of Ohio in 1835 were very strict in relation to colored people coming from other States. Among other things it was required that they should give bonds never to become a township charge, and that a colored man could not be allowed to give testimony in a case where a white man was a party. These and similar provisions gave rise to many outrages against the colored people, especially in Cincinnati

In 1833 or 1834 James G. Birney started an antislavery paper in Cincinnati, called the Philanthropist. About this time began the formation of anti-slavery societies in the west. A society was formed at Putnam, Ohio, in 1833. In the summer of 1835 Mr. Theodore Weld, a distinguished anti-slavery lecturer, came to Marietta for the purpose of lecturing on the subject of slavery. He brought a letter of introduction to A. T. Nye from his brother, Major Horace Nye, of Putnam, Ohio, a member of the anti-slavery society there. He was invited by A. T. Nye to make his home at his house. He particularly desired to lecture at the college. Because of the excited state of pro-slavery adherents here and throughout the State, it was not deemed safe or prudent by the faculty to allow such lectures to be delivered in the college buildings. Under an arrangement with the directors of the Marietta library the use of the library hall was granted him, on condition that he would hold meetings in the daytime only. Mr. Weld accordingly lectured in the afternoon for several weeks. He was an earnest -and eloquent man. Many of the college students and citizens attended his lectures, which resulted in the formation of an anti-slavery society in Marietta. The pro-slavery mob feeling was held under restraint, though very restless and disposed to do mischief. No efforts were made, however, to disturb the meetings held by Mr. Weld.

Of the society formed at this time Rev. Bennet Roberts, of Watertown, was appointed president, and Samuel Hall, one of the oldest students in college, secretary. Other students became members. The society held meetings in different places. In the course of the season they had arranged to hold a meeting at the schoolhouse in Harmar, a building which fronted the commons.

430 - HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO.

While they were holding this meeting they were interrupted by a set of men who came with intent to break it up. Their threats and their conduct at the time drove the society out of the house. Several members escaped through the windows, and Mr. Hall and others who lived in Marietta were obliged to swim the river in order to get home in safety. The conduct of the mob was violent and offensive, and, though no one was injured, the effect of the disturbance was to strengthen the pro-slavery adherents, and the anti-slavery society met after that under an apprehension that the meetings might be disturbed. Until this time the mob spirit that had been so violent in other parts of the State had been kept in some measure of subjection here; but now it seemed that it might break out at any time. Threats of violence were frequently made, but no overt acts of riot were committed for some time..

In October, 1836, public notice was given that the first annual meeting of the anti-slavery society would he held at the Baptist church on Church street, and that Rev. Bennet Roberts would at that time deliver an address. It soon became evident that there was a mob spirit abroad in town, and a determination on the part of pro-slavery men to break up the meeting. The meeting of the society was advertised for Monday (about the middle of October). On the Saturday night previous the pro-slavery men held a meeting at the court house, the avowed object of which was to concert measures to prevent the holding of the anti-slavery meeting on Monday. The pro-slavery meeting was attended by a number of those who sympathized with the mob spirit. The meeting was rather boisterous, and a good deal of talk was indulged in as to what they would do. Ichabod Nye, William Slocomb, and Caleb Emerson, influential citizens, attended for the purpose of attempting to pacify the people assembled, and to prevent, if possible, any acts of violence. They were treated with rudeness, and insulting language was applied to them, but they did not leave. After a considerable amount of noise and talk, a resolution was passed to appoint a committee to visit the officers of the anti-slavery society for the purpose of inducing them to give up the meeting. Charles B. Flood was at the head of this committee, which was instructed to report to an adjourned meeting to be held on Monday morning. For some time previous to this, the mayor of the town, A. T. Nye, had received intimations, by letter and otherwise, that violence was meditated in case the anti-slavery meeting was held. Several leading citizens tendered him their services, the first to do so being George Dana, esq., of Belpre. The danger seemed to render it necessary that more than ordinary precautions should be taken to preserve peace. With the marshal, M. J. Morse, the mayor made what preparation seemed possible. The legal title of the ground on which the Baptist church was built was in the name of William Dana, of Newport. He became deeply interested in the condition of things and the measures being taken to prevent disturbance. He had given the society permission to occupy the church for the annual meeting. On Monday, the day set for the meeting, Mr. Dana left home early in the morning, and a short distance from home met Judge Joseph Barker going to Newport village on business. Mr. Dana stated the object of his trip to Marietta that day to Judge Barker, and the Judge turned about and came to Marietta with him. Mr. Dana said he would "rather see the church building torn to its foundations than that the right of free speech should be denied."

Monday morning the mayor and the marshal went to the church, and, by previous arrangement, a number of prominent citizens from town and county were there to aid them, if necessary, in preserving peace. Among these were: George Dana, of Belpre; George N. Burch, of Union; William Dana and Joseph Barker, of Newport; David Putnam,, jr., James M. Amlin, George Burgess, Judson Hollister, Ichabod H. Nye, and others of Marietta and Harmar.

In the meantime the pro-slavery meeting assembled according to adjournment at the court house. The committee appointed at the previous meeting reported that it had handed a communication to Mr. Samuel Hall, secretary of the anti-slavery society, which he had received with the tongs and did not read. The meeting was highly indignant, and a great many hard speeches were made. It is said that Mr. A. V. D. Joline was much excited and said many things to excite others, at the same time repeatedly saying, "But I am not in favor of mobbing," or something to that purport. Colonel Ichabod Nye, Mr. Slocomb, and Mr. Emerson were again present, their reception by no means courteous, and it is said that Colonel Nye told Mr. Joline that he reminded him of a New England parson who, meeting some boys on their way to the salmon pond on Sunday, reproved them, saying, "You must not fish on Sunday, boys; but, boys, you know I like fish." This brought out a general laugh at Mr. Joline's expense. After a meeting of a boisterous nature, it was resolved that the "Abolitionists were beneath contempt," and the more considerate ones concluded it was best to go home. Another portion, however, were determined not to give the matter up, and they proceeded in a body to the Baptist church. When they arrived there the meeting was in progress and Mr. Roberts was speaking. Although their object had been to break up the meeting, the presence of so many men of character in the house seemed to deter them from the attempt, and their indignation now became directed toward Mr. Hall personally. Shortly after noon the meeting closed, and now began the most serious difficulty of the day. Those men who had come to disturb the meeting, by their conversation and threats seemed determined to inflict punishment on Mr. Hall. At the close of the meeting the mayor advised the friends of Mr. Hall to have him leave by the basement door at the rear of the building, rather than provoke disturbance by his presence on the street. This they attempted, but found the door locked, and therefore returned to the front part of the house. In the meantime the mob had discovered the movement and pushed toward the rear of the building for the purpose of intercepting Mr. Hall This gave Mr. Hall a slight advantage.

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He came out of the front door on Church street, James M. Amlin on one side of him and George Burgess on the other. They walked rapidly toward Fourth street, and were followed by the mob. The mayor warned the rioters of the consequences of any act of violence, and they, seeing the support that the mayor and marshal had at hand in the presence of prominent citizens, some of them carrying good stout canes, * seemed to lose courage, and the pursuit ended at Fourth street. Mr. Hall went on to the college in some haste, but uninjured.

The threats uttered during the day led the mayor to fear that some attempt might be made after nightfall to injure or destroy the college buildings. Accordingly he requested the students and some gentlemen from the country to remain at the college that night. The apprehensions of those at the college were kept alive by a drum which was kept in vigorous use in the lower part of town, supposed to be designed to call the pro-slavery partisans together. These manifestations were kept up until a late hour—probably to let down the courage of the mob, its spirit having been broken at the church. At all events it finally dispersed, and people generally except those at the college went home. Thus ended a memorable day in the history of the town. The excitement was intense, and the danger of an outbreak imminent, but the right of free speech was vindicated and the law sustained. The anti-slavery society lived for some years and there were always anti-slavery sentiments held by a considerable portion of our best citizens. It is not practicable here to mention in detail all the events which kept alive an interest in anti-slavery movements here, and some of the actors being yet alive are better fitted to give information than the writer of this article, but an affair which occurred ten years later became of national importance, and was briefly as follows, as published June, 1868, in the Marietta Register:

In 1845 six slaves of John H. Hayward, of Washington’s Bottom, Virginia, just below Blennerhassett's island, escaped into Ohio. At the river bank a party of Ohio men, unarmed, met them to assist, but some Virginians having obtained knowledge of the purpose of the negroes were there in advance concealed in the bushcs, and fully armed. Al the baggage was being taken from the bot the Virginians rushed on them and secured five of the negroes and captured Peter M. Garner, Crayton j. Lorraine and Mordecai Thomas, white citizens of Ohio. The Virginians claimed that these men, who had never set foot on Virginia soil, were fellons and amenable to the laws of that State for an alleged offense not known to the laws of Ohio. They were forcibly carried over into Virginia on the night of July 9, 1845, and lodged in jail in Parkersburgh. No one in Virginia could be found to bait them, though Nahum Ward, A. T. Nye and William P. Cutler, offered to idemnify any Virginians who would become their bondsmen. Intercourse with their friends from Ohio was denied them, and Marietta lawyers employed to defend them were rejected. Subsequently the wives of the prisoners were permitted to visit them under guard. . August 16th a public meeting was held at the court house in Marietta to take into consideration further measures for the liberation of Ohio citizens now in jail at Parkersburgh, and the vindication of the rights of Ohio." September ad the prisoners, each collared by two men, were taken from jail to the court house in Parkersburgh and there pleaded "not guilty" to the charge of "enticing and assisting in the county of Wood, Virginia," the six negroes to escape from slavery. Bail was again refused except by a Virginia freeholder, and the prisoners went back to jail. The jury found a special verdict of guilty turning on

'It is said that this was the only occasion on which Mr. George Dana, of Belpre, was ever known to carry a cane, and it was a strong one. Colonel Nye had a similar one in his hand at the court house. "jurisdiction" in the case, to be tried by a higher court. The question of jurisdiction or boundary between the two States was argued before the court of appeals at Richmond, December 10-13th, and the court divided equally on the question whether the State line was at low water mark on the Ohio side of the river or above that. The men had been captured just above low water mark. At a special term of the court of appeals held in Parkersburgh, Garner, Lorraine and Thomas were admitted to bail in the sum of one hundred dollars each on their own recognizance, and were set at liberty January 10, 1846, having lain in jail six months. Hon. Samuel F. Vinton, of Gallipolis, argued the case for the prisoners before the superior court of Virginia. It was never decided. Peter M. Garner died at Columbus, Ohio, June 14, 1868, in his sixty-first year ; Mordecai Thomas removed to Belmont county, and Crayton J. Lorraine removed to Illinois. This case was regarded with the deepest interest, and was of far more than local importance. Sixteen years later many of the actors in this affair were living to see the State of Virginia turned into a battle-ground in which the same principle was fought for, and to see a little later the overthrow of slavery accomplished.