Ohio History Journal

edited by

 

PAUL C. BOWERS, JR.

 

GOODWIN F. BERQUIST, JR.

 

James Kilbourne:

New Light on his Story

 

 

James Kilbourne played an important, if not widely known, role in

the settlement and development of Ohio. Born in Farmington, Con-

necticut in 1770, Kilbourne became a prosperous merchant and land

owner as well as a lay reader and clergyman in the Protestant Episco-

pal Church. He was a man of stature in both the business and spiritual

affairs of central Connecticut by the turn of the century.

In 1800 Kilbourne conceived of a plan for western emigration. Af-

ter two exploratory trips to western New York, he turned his attention,

at the suggestion of his father-in-law, John Fitch, to the Northwest

Territory. After first exploring much of central Ohio, he led a group

of New England farmers and mechanics to Worthington in 1803 and

there founded a community dedicated to prosperity, virtue, educa-

tion, and self-sufficiency. In essence, Worthington was a haven for

Episcopalians as well as a bit of New England in the wilderness.2

Kilbourne's importance for the history of Ohio far transcends the

founding of a single frontier community. At various times he served as

a colonel of the frontier militia, land agent and organizer of numerous

immigrant groups, a state and national legislator, college founder,

trustee, and president, a leading officer in local and state Masonic so-

cieties, and a prime mover in the establishment of the first Episcopal

diocese west of the Alleghenies. He was also the founder and princi-

pal agent of the Worthington Manufacturing Company, one of the

 

 

Paul C. Bowers, Jr., is Assistant Professor of History and Goodwin F. Berquist,

Jr., is Professor of Communication at The Ohio State University. Research funds to

make this study possible were jointly provided by the College of Humanities and the

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

 

1. Paul C. Bowers, Jr., and Goodwin F. Berquist, Jr., "Worthington, Ohio: James

Kilbourn's Episcopal Haven on the Western Frontier," Ohio History, LXXXV (Summer

1976), 247-53.

2. Ibid., 258-61.

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194                                                            OHIO HISTORY

 

larger industries of the state in its day. After the collapse of that com-

pany in 1820 Kilbourne turned his attention to town development,

roads, railroads, and canals.³

Kilbourne's multi-faceted career has not received the attention one

would expect in scholarly and popular accounts of the history of early

Ohio. A major reason for this neglect is that primary documents con-

cerning his life have been hard to come by, especially since the early

1900s. For many years the major source of information about Kil-

bourne has been an autobiographical account of his life, published

in  the  Old   Northwest Genealogical Quarterly.⁴       Recently, however,

previously unpublished documents, including James Kilbourne's let-

ters to Payne Kenyon Kilbourn, a kinsman who was preparing a

genealogy of the Kilbourne family, have been discovered in the

Litchfield Historical Society.⁵ These letters offer an unusually intimate

view of an old pioneer reminiscing on the ideals, ambitions, and

events that made him a powerful figure in the American surge to the

west.⁶

 

3. Ibid., 262.

4. James Kilbourne, "Autobiography of Col. James Kilbourne of Worthington, Ohio,"

The Old Northwest Genealogical Quarterly, VI (October 1903), 110-21. The publication

committee of the Quarterly notes that in his old age Kilbourne "wrote for a relative

an account of his life, which we here publish thanks to the courtesy of his grand-

daughter, Mrs. William G. Deshler, who has the original manuscript." Annotations are

credited "largely" to "information gathered from the letters and papers now in the pos-

session of another granddaughter, Miss Emma Jones who has kindly placed the whole

collection in our hands, for study." The "Autobiography" is in the form of a single

letter, dated Worthington, March 22, 1845, and addressed to Payne Kenyon Kilbourn,

Esq., of Litchfield, Connecticut. The original manuscript which formed the text of the

"Autobiography" has not been discovered. The publication committee of the Quarterly, or

Mrs. Deshler, may have returned the document to a trunk which contained a large mass

of James Kilbourne's letters and papers. Miss Emma Jones, however, records that her

mother burned most of these papers. Correspondence of the Late James Kilbourne,

Founder of the Church in Ohio, the Scioto Purchase, and the Homestead Bill

(Columbus, 1913), 5.

5. The Litchfield Historical Society, Litchfield, Connecticut, has in its archives twenty-

two letters from James Kilbourne to Payne Kenyon Kilbourn written between March

9, 1843, and February 11, 1850. Several earlier letters in the Litchfield archives in-

dicate that Payne Kenyon Kilbourn initiated a correspondence with James' youngest

son primarily to gain biographical and genealogical data from the father. The manuscript

that Mrs. Deshler provided the committee was probably a copy, made by either James

or Payne Kenyon Kilbourn, of most of two letters dated March 22 and 29, 1845,

that James wrote to the genealogist. Jas. Kilbourne, Jr., to Payne Kenyon Kilbourn,

July 26, September 26, and November 14, 1840; May 24, 1841; March 29, 1842,

Jones, Eaton Collection, Box 1, Litchfield Historical Society.

6. The Old Northwest Genealogical Quarterly "Autobiography" is only a part of the

personal history that James Kilbourne wrote for his kinsman. He began a highly de-

tailed history of his life in a letter dated December 10, 1844, but abandoned it for

the more general overview provided in the letters of March 22 and 29, 1845. However,

he continued to provide intimate details about himself and his family, urging his

correspondent "to put your patience to the task it will have, to compare and select . . .

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James Kilbourne                                                    195

 

Three items in the Litchfield collection are especially noteworthy.

Writing near the close of his long life, Kilbourne reflects in one let-

ter on the effect of the Revolutionary War on his family, his father,

and himself. It is as highly charged an account of the crucible of

youth as one is likely to find among the musings of a still active and

extroverted old man. A second letter contains an extended account

of Kilbourne's religious pilgrimage from Congregationalism to Epis-

copalianism, and thence to his own very personal brand of humanistic,

or "natural," religion which reflects so clearly his intense individual-

ity and unquenchable drive. Finally, there is his speech, delivered to

"The Kilbourne Historical and Genealogical Society of North Amer-

ica" at Niagara Falls, New York, in May 1849. This is one of the few

speeches still extant of a man famous as an orator in his own time.

All original spelling will be retained in the documents published

here. On occasion Kilbourne's punctuation is simplified to provide

clarity. According to the documents housed at the Litchfield Histori-

cal Society, James Kilbourne was emphatic about spelling his name

with a final e. The editors are happy to correct an error concerning

the spelling of Kilbourne's name made in their earlier essay published

in Ohio History.⁷

 

The Ruine of My Father

The American Revolution led not only to the ruin of Josiah Kilbourne but

also to the devastation of his family. The consequences of that ruin forced

young James into a forbiding world with little education or training. In this

letter James reveals the powerful impact of the Revolutionary War on his

formative years. He expresses pride in his father's unwavering patriotism as

well as an awareness of the awful sacrifice he made for the American cause.

The ruin of his father underlines his own rise from catastrophe to success.

Psychologically, James was born scarred and spurred by the fate of his family.

December 10, 1844

. . . When 1 was one year old, my Father moved from his first

place, 6 miles west of Weathersfield, to a farm mostly new 21/2 miles

further west, and about half of that distance from any neighbor, and

still further from school. He made rapid improvements, and soon be-

came a farmer of comfortable independence; but remained in the

same condition, as to neighbors & schools, as at first, until the close of

the revolutionary war in 1783. My four Oldest Brothers and Sisters,

 

 

the incidents you may think worth preserving." Payne Kenyon Kilbourn did draw upon

the December and March letters, but did not utilize other materials furnished to him

including the documents published in part in this paper. James Kilbourne to Payne

Kenyon Kilbourn, December 10, 1844, Jones, Eaton Collection, Box 1.

7. Bowers and Berquist, "Worthington, Ohio," passim.

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196                                                 OHIO HISTORY

 

had good opportunities of english schools at the Old place. And the

Brother & Sister, next older than myself, by 4 & 6 years, went to live

with an Uncle & Aunt, who had no children, when my Father moved to

the new farm, where they had good schooling; But I had none. The

Revolutionary troubles which had commenced sometime before, as I

well remember, and resulted in Blood-Shed in Apl. 1775, engrossed

the attention of all, deranged all private business, and improvements,

and new settlements. I will not trouble you with detailing the effects

of that tremendous struggle, on my Father and his affairs. Will only

say, it resulted in the death of three of his family, his total ruine in

property, and a partial derangement of his Intellect, for sometime. He

gave up his finely cultivated farm and Buildings, when I was 13 years

old, and himself 53. He retired to a Secluded spot, where he bought

32 acres of land, mostly new, built a house & made other improvements.

I remained with him there 3 years. This place was 2 miles from the

nearest school; but had there been a school at the door, ther was no

time for me to attend it. My mother, was very infirm, and at great

expens for Doctors. In about 3 years, from various causes, my Father

was compeled to part with 25 acres of his land, and to mortgage the

remainding % and his House. On this Occasion, Septr. 22nd 1786, he

called me in from work, advised me of the facts, and proposed that I

might go & do the best I could for myself. After a sleepless & tearful

night considering of the matter I accepted the offer thinking I might

best healp my Parents in so doing. On that day, Septr. 23rd 1786, with

a heavy heart, I left my paternal home, not 16 years old until the 19th

of Octr. following. Was poor clad for summer, had no winter clothes,

coat, or shoes, and without learning. Could read intelligably, which I

learned to do at home; but was a poor speller, had no knowledge of

grammar, could scarcely write my name, and had no knowledge of

arethmatick. In short, was as poor a boy, as almost ever went out to

seek support and advancement, in a cold-hearted world. ...

September 22, 1845.

. . .You ask, how the Revolutionary War effected the ruine of

my Father as suggested in one of my letters?

An answer in detail, would be long, beyond all admission: and with-

out that, no very correct Idea can be given of it.

You are already advised of his Parentage, marriage, & place of resi-

dence.⁸ He was a man of Good Common Sense; of a vigourous Physical

Constitution. Had the Common School learning of those times. Was

 

 

8. Genealogical data included in a letter from Jas. Kilbourne, Jr., to Payne Kenyon

Kilbourn, September 26, 1840, Jones, Eaton Collection, Box 1.

• 4
 

James Kilbourne                                                 197

 

strictly moral & honourable in life; unostentaciously religious; and

unambitious of any public preferment. He was first a Tanner & Shoe-

maker on a moderate scale; and Cultivated about 30 acres of land,

which he inherited from his Father. And continued thus, about 17

years. His two oldest children being sons,⁹ he sold his small farm,

bought lands further back, and nearly new; sufficient to make farm-

ing his only occupation, abandoned his trade, and comence oppera-

tions on the new farm in the spring of 1771; built a House during the

Summer and moved into it in October following, when I was a year

old. He was one of the most hard laboring and economical men in the

World. But though greatly attached to his own business & Home when

the Revolutionary War commence 4 years after in 1775, he was an ar-

dent Patriot and Whig of that day; and stopped at no sacrifice in the

cause; and to such men, they were many & great. When our people

wer killed, at Lexington, Apr 19th 1775, my two oldest Brothers were

young men, in their 20th 18th years. Josiah, the eldest, then went to

Boston, in the Militia; and soon enlisted, among the first that did en-

list, so called 12 months men. He was in all the hard fought scenes of

that viccinity; re-enlisted, and continued in the Service, to the end of

the war. Rose from a Private to respected commands; and was dis-

charged with honour, and a ruined constitution, from numerous

wounds, and all kinds of suffering. He married, but died soon after,

without Issue.

William, the second son, was also called out frequently in the Mili-

tia; and in the affair of West Chester between two advanced parties

of the opposite Armies,10 he was so injured, as to be unable to do a

days work on the farm for 6 years. These two Sons were all the healp

my Father had and he was often called out in the Militia himself.

Labour, was difficult to obtain, and at high prices when obtained. He

sold everything he could spare to the agents of the government, for

Continental, & States money, at the rate of Wheat at 4 shillings (662/3

cents) per bushel: and sold a small farm he had acquired at some dis-

tance, for the same currency, expecting to invest it all, in a larger

farm adjoining that on which he lived, and which he expected would

be for sale. That matter was delayed, until the money depreciated

greatly. He was advised that it would become good, and kept it, until

 

 

9. The two oldest sons of Josiah Kilbourne and Anna Neal were Josiah, Jr., born

in 1756, and William born in 1758. James Kilbourne to Payne Kenyon Kilbourn,

March 9, 1843, Jones, Eaton Collection, Box 1.

10. The Battle of Westchester was one of a number of skirmishes that occurred as

the British sought to block the retreat of Washington's army after the Battle of Long

Island. See Henry B. Carrington, Battles of the American Revolution: 1775-1781

(New York, 1876), 235.

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198                                                 OHIO HISTORY

 

it was worthless, or not yealding him more than one per cent.

When the Enemy were marauding, and burning the Towns in the

South part of Connecticut, previous to their driving Washington from

Long Island & New York, the Militia were called there nearly en mass,

and returned, who did not die there, with the "Camp-distemper," so

called, a most malignant, contagious Bloody flux,- and spread it, wher-

ever they went, or stoped. A Cousin of my Mothers, stoped at my

Fathers, with the disease upon him, and communicated it to the fam-

ily. Several were down with it at one time, my Father being one. Two

of my sisters died of it, 10 days apart, viz. my second sister, 16 years

old, and the one younger than myself, 4 years old. The youngest sister

died first, and while the eldest was expiring, and two men, supporting

my Father, one under each arm, that he might see her last aggo-

nies, an express from the army, blew a horn, and threw a letter into

the yard and passed on. My eldest sister, the only one well, opened the

letter, and read, that my eldest brother was killed, in the battle at Flat-

bush, Long Island;11 that he fell against the writer, and was left on

the ground, in the retreat. It was instantly seen, that these accumu-

lated calamities were too much for my Fathers strength, and he was

carried back to his bed, with his mind deranged, a few minutes before

my sister breathed her last.

I was one of the sick, and insensible at the time, but became som

better, and remember the funeral, on the succeeding day. My brother,

however, was not killed, as you must already have concluded. He was

severely wounded, being shot through the body. But after that wing of

the Army gave way, Washington, with the other wing, and a great

effort, regained that ground, and brought off the wounded.

Meantime, my mother, who had been a remarkably healthy & Vig-

orous woman, as I always heard, until my birth, from that time as I

learned, became very infirm & sickly, and remained so as long as she

lived, which was 30 years, with great suffering much of the time, and

at great expense for Doctoring and attendance.

Though my Fathers mind became better, with returning health, his

mental powers continued so deranged, for three years, that he was un-

fit to manage his affairs, and that under the most imbarrassing cir-

cumstances he had ever known. He seemed to have so much of rea-

son, and his friends so respected him, and his feelings, that they did

not interfer. This kindness, proved unkind; for his anxiety to be clear

of debt, induced him to make such sacrifices, as resulted in complete

 

 

11. The Battle of Flatbush was a part of the greater Battle of Long Island, August

26-27, 1776, which ended in British victory and the retreat of Washington's army.

See Carrington, Battles, 199-213.

• 6
 

James Kilbourne                                                 199

ruine. After about 3 years, he came perfectly to his right state of mind. But it was too lute, to retreve his circumstances. My mother still re- maining very infirm, and expensive it became impossible for him to rise, or even to retain long the little he had left, when he came to his right mind. His efforts to improve a new, retired spot, and how he had to part with it, you have seen in my own personal story ....     A Religious Pilgrimage Religion played a critical role in James Kilbourne's life. His own religious faith reflected a fundamental optimism, trust in a benevolent and rational God, and a rugged, unsophisticated humanism which emphasized the classic American Protestant virtues of integrity, hard work, honest dealing, and in- dividual responsibility. Deeply moved by his son James' death, he could yet assert "that Infinite Goodness, Infinite Wisdom, and Infinite Power which comprise the Divine Attributes, embracing as Infinite does, all Periods, Places, and things, do not, can not let anything go wrong; nor Curse any being with the existence he unsolicited, and voluntarily gives. Justice and

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200                                                           OHIO HISTORY

 

Mercy, equally forbid it. With Doctr Young, above quoted, we therefore say

'He never had created, but to Bless!' "12

In the following letter Kilbourne recounts his religious pilgrimage. The

letter reveals certain basic characteristics of the man: to depend upon himself

his own reason informed by experience-and to trust in a God who rewards

those who do well as well as good.13

 

October 15, 1846

. . . In my letter of March 22nd 1845, which you received, I men-

tioned, that, having been successfull in Merchandizing, beyond my

most sanguine hopes, and having put my Farms, Mills, Tavern Stand,

and all other possessions in good order; and secured the means of ease

and comfort, enough to make me satisfied, I concluded to relax a lit-

tle, from that constant and ardent exertion of Body & Mind which

had affected those results; still wishing, however, to be active to some

good   purpose.14 Meantime, Theology        had   always been a favorite

studdy, and Ecclesiastical History had been fully a due share of my

reading.15 My parents were members of the Old Congregational

Church, of Connecticut, and taught me accordingly. Doctr Smalley of

N. Britain, and Doctr Pitkin of Old Farmington, were our Ministers,

at different times. I listened closely to their teaching, and, at an early

period in life, became dissatisfied with many of their doctrines, which

I could not believe, though I sought conviction, in retirement, with

prayers, and tears. Those doctrines, appeared, with the limited reason-

ing I could command, too absurd for acceptance. I soon learned, that

true faith, is not an act of the will, but, the effect of evidence on the

 

12. James Kilbourne to Payne Kenyon Kilbourn, October 5, 1846, Jones, Eaton

Collection, Box 1.

13. Kilbourne's religious principles are strikingly similiar to those expressed by

another, highly individualistic, self-made American, Benjamin Franklin. Both were

born into staunchly orthodox Christian families, although Kilbourne remained an

Episcopalian from age eighteen onward while Franklin never affiliated himself as a

member of any specific denomination. Nevertheless the Episcopalianism of Kilbourne

was closely akin to the Deism of Franklin. See especially Franklin's discussion of

religion and morals in Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, ed. John Bigelow (New

York, n.d.), 150-66.

14. See James Kilbourne to Payne Kenyon Kilbourn, December 10, 1844, Jones,

Eaton Collection, Box 1.

15. Kilbourne's teenage mentor, Alexander Viets Griswold, was in time to become

Presiding Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in America. In his letter of

December 10, 1844, James explicitly describes their relationship and concludes thus:

"I owe more, for the stand I have taken, and the stations I have occupied in

society, to that excellent man, than to any one and I believe I may truely say, to all

other men on earth. I have felt some pride that he was my friend, and that my name,

after many years that we were sepparated, with the kindest expression of regard,

was on his lips in the last conversation he ever held . ..," Jones, Eaton Collection,

Box 1.

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James Kilbourne                                                       201

 

understanding. Many, however, seem to believe, what others tell, or

preach, without calling for evidence or considering any. But this, I

could not call, believing. We have a Yankee word, that describes the

faith of such persons "Kindor." They Kindor believe. Our "Tucky-

hoes" in this country, have a word of similar import-"Sorter." They

"Sorter believe." But I learned, that true faith, is the conclusion at

which the understanding arrives, upon the honest examination of the

best evidence obtainable. With such views, at 18 years of age, I with-

drew from the Congregational, Calvinist Society, and joined the Prot-

estant Episcopal Church, as then constituted in the United States.

I did not in all things agree with that Church, and so declared at that

time; but thought it more correct than any other, then & there exist-

ing. The British 39 Articles, for the union of Church and State, were

not then adopted by the Anglican Church, though strongly urged by

some; but were most spiritedly rejected by Bishop Sebury, of Connec-

ticut, and the other old Bishops.16 It was not until 1800, that those

Articles were adopted by the Genl Convention. Had they been adopted

prior to 1788, I should not have joined that Church.¹⁷ During the

season of relaxation mentioned above, and in my letter of March 22nd

1845, having been often called to lead in the services of the Church

as Lay-Reader, and from other causes, I was strongly urged, by many

friends, to take Orders. I was anxious, also, for a change in preach-

ing, from abstract Doctrines to inculcating the necessity of practical

Virtue. Recognizing the fact that all persons wish for Happiness and

perswading them, that, if they desire to be happy, they must be

good.

That there can be no permanent happiness otherwise; and that

goodness consists, in the love & practice of Truth, Justice & Benevo-

lence. Under these circumstances, I acceded to the proposition; and

received orders, by the late Bishop of Connecticut, Doctr Abraham

Jarvis, of Middletown City. I officiated in many vacant Churches,

was invited to settle permanently in 3 or 4;.....

 

16. For a discussion of the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England, see Wil-

liam P. Haugaard, Elizabeth and the English Reformation: The Struggle for a Stable

Settlement of Religion (Cambridge, 1968), 258-72. The debate over the Book of Common

Prayer and the Thirty-Nine Articles among Episcopalians in post-Revolutionary America

is briefly discussed in George Hodges, Three Hundred Years of the Episcopal Church

in America (Philadelphia, 1906), 90-98.

17. The Journals of the General Conventions of the Protestant Episcopal Church in

the United States of America, from the Year 1784, to the Year 1814, Inclusive

(Philadelphia, 1817), does not contain a journal for 1800. However, the General

Convention of September 1801 did reach a "Resolution . . . respecting articles of reli-

gion," in which the Thirty-Nine Articles were adopted with several emendations

and a substitute article for article thirty-seven of the Church of England. See

Journals of the General Conventions, 206-07.

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202                                                        OHIO HISTORY

 

Kilbourne here describes his early interest in "Western emigration," lead-

ing to the creation of the Scioto Company.

. . .When I had obtained Associates, and explored & purchased here,

I had no thought of quitting the profession I had taken, though pro-

nouncing openly my dissent to some of the 39 Articles. But when the

Association declared it indispensable, that I should go on, as the prac-

tical Head & Leader in all their public concerns, I saw the Incompati-

bility of those Occupations, and declared the same to them, and they

acquiesed in my views. They all adhered to the Episcopal Church,

except 3 of the 40. Meantime, I informed them, that without compen-

sation, I would attend to all the duties necessary to keep the order of

the society, and extend the knowledge of the principles of the Church,

in the adjacent settlements, and other parts of the state, until they

could have a suitable person, to devote himself to clerical duties. That

I would then decline further service in that way, and contribute more

than any other person, to the support of the regular Incumbent;-

and proceeded accordingly.

During the continuance of this connection, I officiated in most of the

principal Towns, and many smaller settlements in the state, as public

or private business called me to them,--and frequently by special

invitation. Was once called to Preach before the Grand Lodge of Ohio,¹⁸

and the State Legislature, and others in the Hall of the House of Repre-

sentatives,--both Branches having adjourned for the occasion, and all

the members in attendance. I succeeded in forming several societies

that became and remain permanent Churches. The members thought

with me, that we should have a Bishop here. I visited the Conventions

in Massachusetts, Connecticut, N. York, & Pennsylvania, and Interested

them in favour of a Western Diocess, although we had not the can-

nonical number of Presbyters. Attended the General Convention for

that purpose; obtained a special Cannon. After several meetings here,

of Delegates from the societies I had formed, and two others, formed

in the East Side of the State by Rev. J. Dodridge of Virginia,¹⁹ formed

 

18. Kilbourne became a Mason in Granby, Connecticut, in 1796. Letter, Mrs. Eva

C. Dewey, Curator of Salmon Brook Historical Society, Granby, Connecticut, to Goodwin

Berquist, June 26, 1977. Between 1810 and 1814 he held several offices in the Grand

Lodge of Ohio, including Junior Grand Warden and Deputy Grand Master. See W. M.

Cunningham, History of Freemasonry in Ohio from 1791 (Cincinnati, 1909) 58, 62,

72, 76.

19. For another account of the founding and development of the Episcopal Church

in Ohio, and the role of Joseph Dodridge, see Edward Thornton Heald, Bezaleel

Wells: Founder of Canton and Steubenville, Ohio (Canton, 1948), 36-37. Philander Chase,

whom Kilbourne detested, is silent on Kilbourne's work for the Episcopal Church in

Ohio. See Philander Chase, Bishop Chase's Reminiscenses: An Autobiography, 2 vols.

(Boston, 1848).

• 10
 

James Kilbourne                                                      203

 

a regular Diocess. Obtained two Presbyters from Connecticut, who with

Mr Dodridge and myself, and the Lay Delegates in the Convention,

sitting in this town, Elected a Bishop. He being duly consecrated, at

Philadelphia, by Bishop White & others, and, elected Rector our church,

I resigned the Parish of St. Johns Church, Worthington, into his hands,

as Rector;-delivered to him the Keys, with a formal public induction,

and address;-and retired from that charge, to other public duties and

my own private Occupations, some of which have been communicated

to you  ....

 

Address to My Friends and Kindred

In the spring of 1849, James Kilbourne made the last of his many journeys

from Ohio to the East. At Niagara Falls the old and ailing pioneer presided

over a meeting of Kilbournes from all parts of North America.

During his lifetime Kilbourne had delivered hundreds of public addresses,

speeches, and sermons, but few could have given him as much pleasure and

satisfaction as his address to "My Friends and Kindred."²⁰ Here he truly

speaks in the role of the "principal Sachem of the Tribe" as Joel Buttles once,

called him.²¹

To be a famous orator in the first half of the nineteenth century did not

necessarily mean that one spoke immortal prose. To judge from Kilbourne's

address to his kinsmen, one would look in vain for anything approaching depth

of feeling, artful use of language, or universal appeal in his many public

addresses. Instead, what Kilbourne provided was the story of himself and his

kin, as he lived, remembered, and believed it, a story embellished, as he no

doubt thought necessary and proper, with the sentiment and bombast typical

of the spaciousness of such rhetoric.²² Kilbourne's final public address, given

eleven months before his death in his seventy-ninth year, points directly to the

personal and societal characteristics that he espoused as the foundations of his

own achievements as well as the greatness of his family and nation.

In the opening phrases of his address, Kilbourne identifies the accomplish-

ments of his family with the growth, progress, and destiny of the nation. Pride

in his own success, despite "formadable obstacles," is firmly imbedded in an

optimistic and vigorous nationalism. Perseverance and enterprise, he con-

fidently asserts, are the hallmarks of his life, as well as that of his family

and nation. The identification of his own career with the social, political, and

geographic development of America is clear.

 

Address & c.

My Friends and Kindred.

Called by your Suffrages, to preside in "The Kilbourne Historical

and Geological [sic] Society of North America," and to apply Parlia-

 

20. Kilbourne sent a copy of the speech to his Connecticut kinsman in a letter

dated May 28, 1849, Jones, Eaton Collection, Box 1.

21. Extracts from the Diary of Joel Buttles Who Died in Urbana, Ohio, August, 1850

(Newport, RI, 1889), 23.

22. For a discussion of the genre of nineteenth-century oratory, see Richard M.

Weaver, The Ethics of Rhetoric (Chicago, 1953), 164-85.

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204                                                 OHIO HISTORY

 

mentary usages during your deliberations, I avail myself of the oc-

casion, on first taking the Chair, to express to you my deep feeling of

gratitude, and high Sense of the honour done me, in this proof of your

kindness and confidence. But, my Kinsmen, I shall find no words, that

can duely declair the affectionate excitement, the profound regard

which the present scene has awakened in my Bosome!

It is true, that my Neighbors and others, have often called me to

preside over the deliberations of public Assemblies; some of them

numerous, and highly animated with public concerns. But, who com-

pose the Assembly that have done me this honour? The Honourable

descendants, in the 8th generation, of one Anglo-Saxon pares

Thomas and Frances Kilbourn!

Those of our family name & connections, have not been very numer-

ous where I have resided, or traveled, compared with some other

names, but I have sought and cultivated acquaintance, with as many as

I could find, and am happy to say, that, although I have met with num-

bers, who have not distinguished themselves for great wisdom and use-

fulness, there has generally existed strong marks of the true Anglo-

Saxon character, for Invention, for enterprise and perseverance; and

many, have illustrated those characters, in useful labours, in the fields

of War, in the furtherance of Science, and in the glorious arts of peace

and civil government. We could particularize many worthy names and

acts of the kind, in the generations past, and that which now is passing;

nor have low beginnings, nor formadable obstacles, in many cases,

been able to paralyse exertion, or prevent success, with highly credit-

able results!

The unquenchable drive of the pioneer breaks out in the old man's

reference to those (not the least himself) who have carried civilization to

the wilderness. Certainly not all Kilbournes were pioneers, but he was, and

it is in the context of his own values, ambitions, and success that he praises

his family. Indeed, Kilbourne sees himself as the exemplar of the people

who are on the way to conquering a continent.

 

Our kindred are among those, who have navigated every Sea, have

fought as patriots, in many fields of battle. Witness the astonishing

defence of Kilbourn's Station, at Walpole, N. H. The deadly conflict

at Flatbush, L. I. The Storming of the Batteries, at Monterey, and the

Glorious Field of Buena Vista!

They have brought out, and sucessfully applied, many new and useful

Inventions. They have, in many parts of this Country, been among the

Leaders, the Pioneers, in breaking up the Forests, and encountering

the perils, labours, & privations of Wilderness Countries, infested with

poisonous Reptiles, fierce Beasts & Savage Man. They have done

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James Kilbourne                                               205

 

much, to reduce these Wilds, to Fertile Fields, Rich Meadows, and

gardens of fruits flours, with pleasant Homes, where dwell Plenty,

Social Intercourse, and Independence, with Cities rising, and Com-

merce extending!

Our Anglo-Saxon language, has been carried to, and spoken, more

or less extensively, in every quarter, if not in every Country of the

Globe. In this to, our kindred borne their part. And if their enterprise

has not kept up with the extension of the language, it can not be a

mighty way behind.

The field of Enterprise, in which our kindred have thus taken part,

as regards the Home Department, already extends from    St. Croix

to Detroit, and from the Atlantic, to the Pacific Ocean. Louisana

and Canada are parts of its extension, Main and California within its

borders. I like much, the enterprizing spirit, which has sepparated us

so far asunder. I like much the social, kindred spirit, which has brought

so many of us together, from distances so great! We may well con-

gratulate each other on the occasion, which brings home to our

Bosoms, such pleasant Recollections. ... It is ordained, in Gods Pri-

mordial Law, the Law of Nature, Eternal Unchangeable, which

pervads, and governs all things, at all periods, and in all places, that,

ancestor and descendant, parent and child, sister and brother, have

Bond of Union, of mutual influence and co-opperation between them,

generally, which does not exist, in equal degree, in other associations,--

and greatly promotes the happiness of all, where it does exist. And

though the Family relationship becomes remote, in time and affinity,

still, it does, and will exist, in a greater, or less degree, in all grads of

kindred, and usually the strongest, where the name, and affinity continue

together, and where meetings, writing, and mutual aids, are frequent.

 

Kilbourne often referred to his ethic of work, honesty, integrity, and ration-

ality as fundamental to his success. In this last excerpt from his address he

reminds his extended family that God rewards the good man, the man who has

lived and acted according to the principles of justice, truth, and benevolence.

 

These principles, are, I trust, in perfect accordance with the great,

natural law of propriety:--the law of adaptation, of means to ends, if

properly understood and applied. But we should not carry our personal

and kindred attachments so far, as to violate, or neglect, our obligations

to others. It is misjudgement, or inordinate selfishness, generally

both, when we so act. Our own rights, our neighbors rights, and public

duty, are alway consistant with each other, and together, the best

guarantee for our happiness and honour, in all social relations of life.

All persons desire, and seek happiness, but many take wrong means

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206                                                OHIO HISTORY

 

to obtain it, and fail of the object. There is one way, and only one, to

obtain the highest degree of Happiness, compatable with our present

state of existence, and that is, to be good. The word, goodness, is of no

mystical import. It denotes the Moral, and therefore the Parent At-

tribute, in the divine nature. The Attribute of Goodness, in God, or as

received & cherished by man, has three characters, and only three; viz.

Truth, Justice, and Benevolence. to adopt and apply this principle,

in all its characters, is our highest duty. To adopt and apply this prin-

cipal, in all its characters,-[will] effect our highest Happiness. It is the

best way, to live in peace with our neighbors. It is the sure way, to be

at peace with our selves; and we can not fail to be at peace with our

God, when we act, as he acts and from the same motive,-the love, and

universal application of the principles of goodness.

All numerous and extensive societies are, or may be made powerfull

engines, for Good, or Evil, as their designs may be.

It will be in the power of this society, extending through North

America, and connected with the numerous descendants of the same

general ancestry, in the Land of our Orrigin, to effect great good to its

own members, by cultivating the social virtue and graces, and in a

consciousness, that, by our example, we are extending benefits to

others, from whom and in respect to whom we expect no return but what

such consciousness will impart. Disinterested acts of goodness, which

we do to others, when reflected back, upon our own bosoms, contribute

the highest happiness, our social and rational natures can know.

The great Doctor Young has eloquently said, "Reverberated pleas-

ure, makes a God."

Let us then, my Kinsmen, so apply the power and influence of this

society, as that, while we shall realize the expected delights of

Social Intercourse, and Kindred affection, we may also, secure to

ourselves, the god-like pleasure, of seeing the happiness in others,

which our disinterested acts of benevolence may have confered!

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