NEWS

Zanesville's first Fourth of July celebration

Lewis LeMaster

Ebenezer Zane made an agreement with the federal government to cut a route through the wilderness from Wheeling to Maysville, Kentucky.

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Zane's party — which included his brother, Jonathan, and son-in-law, John McIntire — began work in the summer of 1796. The Trace actually was more of a path than a road; it was only wide enough for men riding on horseback.

For making this path, Zane was permitted to select three sections of land for himself. Therefore, he claimed land along the Muskingum, Hocking and Scioto rivers.

As part of the deal with the federal government, ferry service had to be made available at the larger streams along the path, so in 1797, McIntire sent William McCulloch, Henry Crooks and their families to man a simple ferry at what is now the foot of Main Street. Those were Zanesville's first citizens.

The next year, McIntire arrived and built a log cabin at the foot of Market Street. In 1800, for a minimal price, Zane sold his land along the Muskingum River to his brother and McIntire.

Thomas W. Lewis, Zanesville's first prominent historian, wrote: "It is said in the early summer of 1800 Zanesville had but about six cabins, whereas West Zanesville and Natchez each numbered several more rude homes. When it came to preparations for the coming Fourth the rivalry between the villages on the west side of the river was such that neither was willing that the other should be host; and so it came about that the honor fell to Zanesville." ("Zanesville and Muskingum County Ohio," vol. 1)

One citizen in particular played a huge role in the town's first great celebration: "Mr. John Greene, or more familiarly called 'General,' first came out here in the winter of 1799, and stopped with William McCulloch, during the season hunting bear and deer, salting the hind quarters for the use of his family, the coming spring. That he might have a place to put his family in upon their arrival here, he purchased the lot on the northeast corner of Main and Seventh streets to Cypress alley, which was occupied by a small cabin, he paying the sum of $200 for the whole." (Daily Courier, Jan. 27, 1877)

For the 1800 celebration, "Greene provided coffee and flour for bread and pastry. With a limited supply of Dutch ovens in the little settlement the cooking was something of a problem, but Greene helped to solve it by constructing an 'out' oven, using yellow clay and straw. Not a brick was to be found within sixty miles of Zanesville at that time." (Lewis, "Zanesville and Muskingum County Ohio," vol. 1).

Additionally, he provided the site for the celebration: "The first Fourth of July celebration ever held here took place at the tavern which Gen. Greene, shortly after coming here, built, which was a story and a half double cabin with a porch in front and a hall in the middle. It stood at the head of Main street, opposite Silliman street." (Daily Courier, 1-27-1877)

Greene had invited all settlers who lived within a day's ride to attend. According to The Courier: "Men came with their wives, sons and daughters, from all sections, to join in the festivities of the day." (Jan. 27, 1877)

John McIntire had lumber brought up the river from Beverly to make several simple tables. His wife, Sarah, helped the ladies collect enough cups and plates for the occasion. Ferryman Henry Crooks brought a roast pig to the celebration, while other men went into the woods to find game.

According to a hunter who was in this area a few years before the celebration: "There is no country more abounding in game than this. The stag, fallow deer, buffalo and bears fill the woods. ... Wild turkeys, geese, ducks, swans, teal, pheasants, partridges and so forth, are here found in greater abundance than our domestic fowls in all the older settlements of America. The rivers are well stocked with fish of different kinds and several of these fish are of exquisite quality." (Lewis, "Zanesville and Muskingum County Ohio," vol. 1)

After the noon meal, Joseph Fitch Monroe read aloud the Declaration of Independence.

Then the dancing began at 4 p.m. and didn't end until about 4 a.m. the next morning. (According to another source, the dance did not end until 9 a.m.)

Thomas Dowden and "Black Mess" Johnson, a former slave, supplied the music with their violins: "Johnson, who had run away and found employment, first with Ebenezer Zane and then with McIntire, was followed by his owner to McIntire's cabin. Rather than turn Johnson over, McIntire offered the owner $150 and the owner returned to Maryland. Since slavery had been outlawed in the Northwest Territories under the Ordinance of 1787, this effectively bought Johnson his freedom." (Zanesville: 200 Years, Times Recorder, Chuck Martin, book editor)

So for Johnson, "Independence Day" had a special significance.

With full stomachs, the visitors headed back to their respective homes on July 5. Perhaps a few had hangovers from indulging in too much alcohol, but all were happy to be living in this still-young nation that offered so many opportunities and freedoms.

Lewis LeMaster, of Zanesville, is a historian and retired teacher.