Peter Spung’s Reviews > The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West > Status Update

Both Hildreth and Cutler led complete lives, upstanding Christian men of impeccable character to whom Ohio is forever indebted. in 1860 the population reached 2 million, and William Cutler was elected to Congress. He gave passionate abolition speeches, just as his father Ephraim often did. In 1863 the Confederates under John Morgan fought the Ohio militia across southern Ohio before surrendering in Salineville.

In his early 80s in the early 1850s, Cutler regularly rode on horseback 28 miles one way to his farm in Amesville. In 1853 his horse stumbled and threw him. He died July 8 1853 of internal his injuries, having never missed an Ohio U trustees mtg. Just before and much to his delight, Uncle Tom's Cabin was published in 1852 about stories from black servants in Cincinnati. Dr Samuel Hildreth died 16 days after Cutler.

Ephraim Cutler, the most notable of Ohio's pioneers aged gracefully in his tight family. His son William was very mild mannered and humble, and became Speaker of the House in the Ohio state legislature. In June 1846, matriarch Sally and Ephraim's wife of 38 years died. Son Charles died in 1849 of cholera in California, having joined the gold rush. Marietta remained a small town of less than 4,000 people in 1850.

John Quincy Adams travels west at 76 y.o. to dedicate a new observatory (and the largest in the western hemisphere) in Cincinnati, then visits Marietta w/ fanfare. Discussion on a boat trip north with Ephraim Cutler, Caleb Emerson, and Joseph Barker, Jr. covered a wide range of topics: the 1783 Treaty of Paris & NW Territory and John Adams, the Ohio Constitution, and the Underground Railroad thru Marietta and Ohio.

Many from afar visited Ohio and the northwest territory. The erudite socialites were not impressed by the earnest and hardworking in the Marietta area. Charles Dickens was astonished and charmed by Cincinnati. Dr. Hildreth took three months to visit his family in the east via carriage, steamboat, canal boat, train coach and many stops at rapidly growing towns. A visit to his alma mater Yale was especially endearing.

The end of the war of 1812 brought optimism and growth to Ohio, now at 500,000 people. The state Capitol again moved, to Columbus. Ephraim Cutler strives for state education and the Ohio University. Dr. Hildreth builds a mansion in Marietta with barter labor from some of his 600 patients. Manesseh Cutler & Rufus Putnam die. Ohio passes an equal tax, state education, and a canal. Marietta College was founded in 1834.

Teacher & later country doctor Samuel Hildreth arrived on the Ohio frontier from Massachusetts in 1806 at 23. Marietta had 180 dwellings and 1,500 inhabitants. From 1800 to 1810, Ohio grew from 45K to 231K people as "Ohio Fever" moved people west. Ephraim Cutler's beloved Leah dies of consumption, who picks out his next wife Sally Parker. Earthquakes, floods, epidemics, battles and steamboats make life interesting.

Aaron Burr the former US VP arrived in Marietta a year after killing Alexander Hamilton. Ever charming, plotting and scheming, he had 15 boats built at Blennerhasset's expense to either overthrow Mexico or divide the Union's western states from the east. Jefferson had him arrested and tried. He was acquitted. Blennerhasset's exquisite home and island were destroyed, and the family disbursed and each died penniless.

The Treaty of Greenville signed by American officials and Indian representatives on Aug 3, 1795, ended 4 long years of fighting. A new era and a wave of settlers arrived, including fewer federalists and more republicans including Irish immigrants. Thx to Ephraim Cutler, Ohio's constitution narrowly averted a slavery clause, and was approved by Pres Jefferson and Congress. It became the 17th state on Feb 19, 1803.

... Was epic, worse than any suffered by the American army during the entire Revolution. 623 soldiers dead and 200 others. The Indians suffered 22 dead and 40 wounded. Ebenezer Denny traveled east to break the news to Washington and Congress, which took a month in treacherous conditions. A more professional army was raised with a new commander, who won a big victory on Aug 20, 1794. The settlers felt relieved.