Ohio History Journal

LUCAS SULLIVANT--HIS PERSONALITY AND

ADVENTURES

BY MISS JANE D. SULLIVANT.*

Aside from court records and a few lingering oral

traditions, the principal source of information concern-

ing the life and personality of Lucas Sullivant, is to be

found in the Family Memorial, written and published

for private distribution by his youngest son, Mr. Joseph

Sullivant, in 1873. Upon this source all subsequent his-

tories of Franklinton, and even of Columbus and Frank-

lin County have drawn freely, though in many cases

without crediting the author.

In view of this fact, and since Mr. Andrew D.

Rodgers, in the address published on the foregoing

pages, has very properly confined himself largely to the

legal aspects of his subject, it may not be amiss to give

here a more personal view of Lucas Sullivant, from

his own son's account, and to relate some of the adven-

tures and experiences which he endured in the hazard-

ous undertaking of surveying in the wilderness; as well

as to give a glimpse of what it meant a hundred years

ago to live here on the very borders of civilization.

LUCAS SULLIVANT.

Lucas Sullivant was born in September, 1765, in Mecklen-

burg County, Virginia, and, when about sixteen years of age.

volunteered to accompany an expedition destined for Augusta

and other then western counties, which were threatened with an

Indian invasion. His courage and good conduct during that ex-

* Selections from Genealogy and Family Memorial, compiled by Miss

Jane D. Sullivant, granddaughter of Lucas Sullivant.

(177)

Vol. XXXVII-12.

Lucas Sullivant--His Personality and Adventures  179

turous and dangerous career betwixt the Scioto and Miami Rivers,

in the "Virginia Military Land District."

In some of his first attempts, Mr. Sullivant was driven back

by the Indians, but finally, having formed and equipped a larger

surveying party at Limestone, (now Maysville), Kentucky, he

bade farewell to his friends, and, with a stout heart, equal to

any fate, turned his back upon civilization and the settlements,

and, striking out through the wilderness, arrived in due time upon

the Scioto, and commenced his operations in the territory of the

present Franklin County. His party consisted of about twenty

men, including surveyors, chain-carriers, markers, huntsmen,

scouts and pack-horse men with pack-horses, carrying blankets,

provisions, axes, kettles and camp equipage.

Of provisions they carried only some flour, bacon and salt,

depending for their chief subsistence upon the skill of the

hunters and the abundance of wild game, such as bears, deer

and turkeys. When scarce of flour they substituted for their

bread the dry breast meat of the wild turkey, or the lean flesh

of the deer, or jerked venison, as it was called, from the peculiar

mode of its preparation; and the fat and greasy bear meat fur-

nished a wholesome and palatable substitute for bacon. Many

times, scarce of provisions, they were hungry and sore tried

for a full meal, especially when in the vicinity of parties of

Indians liable to be attracted by the ring of the hunter's rifle.

Wolves were constant visitors, barking and howling about

the camp, lying in wait for any odd scraps, and the panther

(Felis concolor), or American cougar, was more than once found

prowling around, most probably attracted by the venison which

was generally in good supply in their camp.

While surveying on Deer Creek in the present Madison

County, Mr. Sullivant was in advance running his line, when

suddenly he encountered a Frenchman on horseback accom-

panied by two Indians on foot, and, apprehending nothing from

so small a party, he passed on after exchanging salutations and

signs of amity. Soon after, hearing gun shots, he came quickly

back, and found that the rear guard of his own party, upon

discovering the Indians, had fired upon them, killing the French-

man, who was most probably a trader among them. When he

fell, one of the Indians instantly sprang upon the horse and

dashed away; the other plunged down the bank of the creek

and disappeared. Mr. Sullivant was much provoked, and severely

reprimanded his men for this unnecessary attack, and, believing

it would soon be followed by a retaliation from the Indian villages

on the Scioto, closed up his work as soon as possible and left

the neighborhood.

180       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

Jonathan Alder, well-known to our old citizens, had been

captured in Virginia, when he was about nine years old, by a

roving party of Indians, and carried into Ohio, where he was

adopted into a family, and, becoming a member of the tribe

by appropriate rites and ceremonies, he married and lived among

them for many years. After the settlement of the county, he

bought land of my father, and was a frequent visitor at our

house in my boyhood.

Although I had heard my father relate the incidents of the

Deer Creek attack and the consequences that followed, it was

gratifying to learn further particulars from Alder, who told me

he was still living with the Indians, and, at this very time was

with a small party conveying a lame and sick man to a famous

doctor, living at the Mingo town, or encampment, on the east

bank of the Scioto, one mile and a half below the present city

of Columbus. He said they were so near as to distinctly hear

the gunshots and shouts of my father's party, and having sent

one of the number to ascertain the cause, and finding it was from

a body of white men, they became very much alarmed, and, appre-

hending an attack, stole away as quietly as possible from so

dangerous a vicinity, and traveling nearly all night, they arrived

at their destination early in the afternoon of the next day, and

found that the Indian who had taken the Frenchman's horse had

arrived in the morning before them.

This fellow was the hero of the hour, magnifying the sad

affair into a desperate and long continued fight, of which he

was the sole survivor, and from which he had escaped after

deeds of unwonted valor. It is true his tale seemed somewhat

marvelous and rather incredible, as he had neither wounds nor

scalps to show, but, as there was none to contradict, his story

passed current, and indeed seemed to be strongly confirmed

when Alder and his party related what they knew. The camp

was hardly large enough to contain the vain-glorious boaster,

and he was strutting about in full feather when, unfortunately

for his reputation, the other Indian, who had precipitated himself

over the bank of the creek, and hid in a pile of driftwood, now,

on the second day, made his appearance and gave a true version of

events. Whereupon, said Alder, with his peculiar and quaint

laugh, the first fellow encountered such a storm of ridicule and

reproach that he was driven from the camp village.

I asked Alder what ailed the sick man and what became of

him. He replied that he had a painful and swollen knee, and

in the opinion of the doctor, was bewitched generally, and, from

the signs, he knew it was the work of a certain woman of the

tribe. The doctor, after half roasting his patient with hot stones,

Lucas Sullivant--His Personality and Adventures  181

gave him a decoction of herbs to drink, and then pretty nearly

melted him with a tremendous sweat, and, rubbing him off,

stretched him on his blankets, and, after considerable singing,

smoking and powwowing, proceeded to scarify the knee, and

(according to Alder), drew therefrom a mussel-shell about six

inches long, remarking that now he had got that thing out, the

man would get well, but that the woman would die. I remarked,

"I don't think such a thing possible, Mr. Alder." "Oh! but I

stood by and saw it done, and, sure enough, the woman did die in

three weeks, and the man got well." No doubt, the cunning old

doctor and conjurer was an expert at sleight of hand, and took

measures to secure the fulfillment of his prophecy about the poor

woman, and, perhaps at the same time, to gratify some private

grudge, and establish his own reputation more firmly.

After a consultation was held at the Mingo village, an expe-

dition was sent out to capture or destroy the surveying party;

but, in anticipation of such a procedure, Mr. Sullivant was per-

forming his last day's work, preparatory to leaving the vicinity,

when, on the fourth day from the affair of the Frenchman, and

late in the afternoon, while engaged in running and closing up

the last lines of his surveys, and being, as usual, in advance, he

discovered a body of savages, somewhat larger than his own

party, crossing a high grassed prairie or glade, and at such a

distance that the parties would meet if he continued his course.

He signaled his men to squat in the grass, and, when they got

together, he said: "Now, here is a chance for a fight if you

desire it. Say the word and we will go in. It is for you to

determine." A council was held, and it was decided to let the

Indians pass by, and for this course none were more clamorous

than, or so strenuous as, those who, with insolent bravado, had

scoffed, but a few days before, at any danger likely to result

from their attack upon the Frenchman and his little party.

Mr. Sullivant remarked: "It has turned out just as I

expected, for those most restive and insubordinate under whole-

some discipline always prove the most unready and cowardly in

the presence of real danger." After directing the men to keep

together, and assist each other in any emergency, he pointed out

the direction of Limestone, in case they became separated, and

told them they were not to fire a gun, as it would reveal their

locality to the Indians. Rising from concealment, he proceeded

to finish his last line and close the survey at the place of begin-

ning. This was effected just at twilight, and my father was

making his last entry in his field book, when a flock of turkeys

nearby began to fly up in the trees to roost. This sudden

temptation was too much for some of the men and several shots

182       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

were fired. My father warned the men to be ready, for the

Indians were within hearing and would be on them in a few

minutes. He had scarcely ceased speaking, when they rushed

upon them with a whoop and a volley. He lifted his compass,

which was on the Jacob's staff standing beside him, and tossing

it into a fallen tree top, unslung the light shotgun he carried

strapped on his back, and fired at an Indian who was advancing

upon him with uplifted tomahawk, and, turning about to look

for his men, saw they were in a panic and rapidly dispersing, and

he also took to his heels, and fortunately, in about a quarter of

a mile, fell in with six of his men. Favored in their flight by

the darkness, and shaping their course by the stars, they journeyed

all night and most of the next day before halting.

The third night, as they were traveling along, footsore and

weary, they heard voices which seemed to proceed from a hillock

in front, and they stopped and hailed. The other party, discov-

ering them at the same moment, challenged and ordered a halt.

A parley ensued, when, to their great surprise, those on the

hill appeared to be the other and larger party of their own men.

But no advance was made by either side, each fearing the other

might be a decoy in the hands of the Indians, for it was not an

uncommon trick for the cunning savages to compel their unfortu-

nate prisoners to play such a part.

After numerous questions and inquiries, and a good deal

of talk on both sides, the larger body insisted, under threat of

an immediate volley, that the advance should be made by the

smaller party. Mr. Sullivant handed his note-book and papers

to his own men, with the request to deliver them to his friends

in Kentucky in case anything should happen to him and they

be fortunate enough to escape, and promising to give them warn-

ing, at all hazards, if there was treachery in the case, he went

forward alone, and finding all right, his own little party ad-

vanced and they had a joyful meeting in the wilderness.

Upon comparing experiences, they found that two men were

missing, Murray, and another whose name I do not recollect,

who had fallen at the fire of the Indians when they made their

attack.

An interesting sequel to the incidents here related is the

fact that years afterward, when Madison County was settling,

and my father had sold this tract of land, and it was being cleared

up, the compass was found but little injured, where it had been

flung, and having been recovered, is still carefully preserved by

the writer as a memento of those perilous times.

Lucas Sullivant--His Personality and Adventures  183

Upon one expedition, Mr. Sullivant had appointed a ren-

dezvous for his party at the Forks of the Scioto, by which name

the junction of this river and Whetstone (now called Olentangy)

was known by the early surveyors, and was so designated on their

maps. He directed his men, if he was not present by a certain

time, to leave a canoe for him and proceed up the river, and

await his arrival at the mouth of the stream now known as

Mill Creek. Mr. Sullivant was detained and did not join his

men at the Forks of the Scioto, but found, on his arrival, a

canoe which had been left according to his directions. It was

late in the evening, but he embarked immediately, intending to

proceed up the river a few miles before encamping.

Just after pushing out, he discovered three Indians lurking

in the grove of great sycamores that used to stand on the west

bank of the Whetstone. He pushed on up the river, keeping a

sharp lookout, and soon found that the Indians were cautiously

following, and there was no further doubt as to their intention,

which was to pursue and come upon him after he had encamped

for the night.

At dusk, having reached the wooded island opposite the

stone quarry, three miles above the present site of Columbus, he

took the north channel and landed on the island. Here, having

seen that his pursuers were still following, he proceeded rather

ostentatiously to haul up his canoe and secure it for the night, in

full view of the Indians, and began to cut bushes and drive

stakes, as if preparing for a camp, and soon kindled, on purpose,

a small and smoky fire, sufficient to attract attention, but without

giving much light.

It having, by this time, become fairly dark, he took his gun,

compass and pack, and quickly, but quietly, crossed the island

and waded across the river to the opposite side, and proceeding

but a little way, stopped to rest and eat some supper. He

trusted in his strategem to deceive the Indians, who, he believed,

would wait, according to their usual custom, until far into

the night before coming upon their unsuspecting victim when

wrapped in profound sleep, and, before this attempt, he hoped

to be far on his way toward his men, whom he did join next

evening.

Soon after he reached the west side of the river the moon

rose, and, tearing a leaf from his note-book, he wrote, as well

as the light permitted, a brief account of the circumstances, and

signing his name, placed it in a cleft stick stuck into the ground,

and, before leaving, carved his initials and the date on the bark

of a tree.

184       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

A long time afterward, when botanizing on the bank of the

river above the quarry, I took refuge from a passing shower

under the spreading branches of a large sugar-tree.  Some

ancient ax marks on the bark attracted my attention, and passing

around the tree, I was surprised at seeing the letters "L. S."

and a date on the bark. This event, which I had heard related

in my boyhood, instantly occurred to me, and I perceived I was

standing on the precise spot where my father had left this

memorial of himself, in the solitude of the wilderness, near

fifty years before, when fleeing for his life, with naught but

his own courage and self-reliance to sustain him.

* * * * * *

To our present generation the mention of travel by canoe

may appear strange, and I will here state that, before there were

any mill-dams or obstructions, the Scioto River furnished the

most easy access to the valley, and, during the early settlement of

the State, many families and immigrants availed themselves of

the transport by pirogues and canoes to reach Piketon, Chilli-

cothe, Circleville, and other places, and the first settlers in the

town of Franklinton came in canoes.

* * * * * *

The want of grist-mills was severely felt by the early settlers.

What few mills were in the county were distant from Franklinton

and not convenient of access, and the laborious process by hand

mills and graters was frequently resorted to, to obtain a coarse

flour and meal for hoe-cakes. The old-fashioned hominy mortar,

constructed out of a log, was in constant requisition, the hominy

pot was kept hot winter and summer, and fried hominy was no

mean substitute for bread.

* * * * * *

At and previous to this time, there prevailed a very uneasy

feeling in the public mind, owing to the uncertain and even

unfriendly disposition manifested by the Indian tribes still re-

siding within our borders. An Indian war had only been averted

by the opportune victory of General Harrison over the Indians,

at the famous battle of Tippecanoe, in the Indiana Territory in

the year 1811.

Now, in the summer of 1812, they were again restive, having

been tampered with and much demoralized by the celebrated

Prophet and his distinguished brother, Tecumseh, a chief among

the Shawnees. Our difficulties with Great Britain resulted in a

declaration of war against that power in June, 1812. The Eng-

lish Government had its agents among the Indians of the North-

west, who were furnishing arms and inciting them to hostility

Lucas Sullivant--His Personality and Adventures  185

against our unprotected and exposed settlements, and the inhabi-

tants, therefore, had just grounds for their apprehensions.

The Ohio troops, intended for the protection of our borders

and to operate against the British forces in Upper Canada, were

assembled at Franklinton, Dayton, and Urbana, and, under the

lead of our patriotic Governor Meigs, were marched a short

distance from the latter place, and turned over to the command

of General Hull. He marched to Detroit, and the unfortunate

and unnecessary surrender of his whole army to an inferior

force of British and Indians, without so much as striking a

blow, is a matter of history known to all.

Such an unlooked-for and astounding blow almost paralyzed

the country and created great alarm, for many of the Indian

tribes, encouraged by this untoward event, and urged by the

British agents, now openly took sides against us. Months of

apprehension supervened, and a feverish anxiety infected the

whole community, for Franklinton was really a frontier settle-

ment, and the inhabitants were in constant dread, lest, by some

sudden attack, their houses should be given to the flames and their

wives and little ones fall a prey to the tomahawk and scalping-

knife of the remorseless savages, who spared neither sex nor

age, and marked their track with fire and blood.

Indian alarms were frequent, and, on such occasions, the

terrified settlers from up Darby Creek, Sells' settlement on the

Scioto, from Delaware and Worthington and the adjacent re-

gions, came flocking into Franklinton, and at one time a ditch

and stockade was commenced around the Court-house, to convert

it into a citadel.

During this troublesome and exciting period, Mr. Sullivant

rendered efficient aid, and, by his own calmness and conduct,

did much to allay excitement and restore courage and confidence,

for the citizens looked much to him. He kept two scouts of his

own, well skilled in wood-craft and knowledge of Indian signs,

constantly on duty for some weeks, as far up as the present

Zanesfield, in Logan County, who reported to him at short inter-

vals. This inspired confidence, and gave assurance that timely

warning would be given of any real Indian invasion, and it

became a saying with many that, "when Sullivant went into a

stockade, or prepared to fly with his family, they would follow,

but not until then."

The war proceeded with varying success, till the disastrous

defeat of our forces under General Winchester, and the atrocious

murder of our wounded and prisoners at Frenchtown (more

commonly known as the battle of the River Raisin), under the

very eye of Proctor, the British commander, showing an utter

186       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

disregard for the rules of civilized warfare, carried sorrow and

mourning into many a household in Kentucky, and still further

revived and intensified the dread of savage invasion.

Under the circumstances, it was deemed highly important

that the Ohio tribes, who had hitherto remained neutral, should

now be induced to take an active part on behalf of the Govern-

ment in the ensuing campaign, or at least give a guarantee of

their peaceful intention by removing, with their families, within

the white settlements.

Accordingly, a meeting was arranged and held on June 21st,

1813, on the grounds of Mr. Sullivant at Franklinton. The

Delaware, Shawnee, Wyandot, and Seneca tribes were repre-

sented by about fifty of the chiefs and warriors. General Harri-

son represented the Government, and with him were his staff

and a brilliant array of officers in full uniform.  Behind

was a detachment of soldiers. In his front were the Indians.

Around all were the inhabitants of the region far and near,

with many a mother and maid, as interested spectators.

The General began to speak in calm and measured tones

befitting the grave occasion, but an undefined oppression seemed

to hold all in suspense, as, with silent and almost breathless

attention, they waited the result of the General's words, which

seemed to fall on dull ears, as the Indians sat with unmoved

countenances and smoked on in stolid silence. At length the

persuasive voice of the great commander struck a responsive

chord, and, when Tarhe, "the Crane," the great Wyandot chief,

slowly rose to his feet, and, standing for a moment in a graceful

and commanding attitude, made a brief reply, and then, with

others, pressed forward to grasp the hand of Harrison, not only

in token of amity, but in agreement to stand as a barrier on our

exposed border, a terrible doubt and apprehension was lifted

from the hearts of all. Jubilant shouts rent the air, women wept

for joy, and stalwart men thrilled with pleasure as they now

thought of the assured safety of their wives and children from

a cruel and stealthy foe, and they prepared at once, with cheerful

alacrity, to go forth to the impending battles.

*   *   *   *   *   *

In 1816, having procured a charter from the Legislature,

Mr. Sullivant built a large and expensive toll-bridge across the

river between Franklinton and Columbus. This bridge served all

the traffic crossing the river until 1833 when the Government

bridge was built.

About 1820, Mr. Sullivant and a few other citizens built the

Columbus Academy, a one-story two-roomed frame building,

Lucas Sullivant--His Personality and Adventures       187

which stood near the site of the present Second Presbyterian

Church on Third Street*. This schoolhouse stood away out in

the commons among the pawpaw bushes, and in all the neighbor-

hood there were but three houses east of High Street at this

time. There were none south on Third or Fourth Streets, which

were covered with stumps and bushes in that direction, and all

beyond Fourth Street were out-lots, used for meadows and cow

pastures, and where, occasionally, a few patches of corn were

cultivated.

In person, Mr. Sullivant was of medium height, muscular

and well proportioned, quick and active in his movements, with

an erect carriage and a good walk, a well-balanced head, finished

off with a cue, which he always wore; a broad and high forehead,

an aquiline nose, and a blue-gray eye, a firm mouth and square

chin. He was firm and positive in his opinions, but courteous

in manners and expression, prompt and decisive to act upon his

convictions, and altogether a man of forcible character, exercising

an influence over those with whom he came in contact.

He died August 8th, 1823, in the fifty-eighth year of his age.

The following obituary notice, copied from the Columbus

Gazette of August 14, 1823, was written by some friend who

knew him well:

DIED

In Franklinton, on Friday last, Lucas Sullivant, Esq. In the death

of this active and enterprising citizen, the community has lost a member

whose place can not well be supplied, his relations a valuable friend, and

his children a beneficent protector. He possessed a great spirit of liberal-

ity, which an ample fortune, acquired by his own great industry, enabled

him to gratify to an uncommon extent. He was a man of strict in-

tegrity, of the most persevering industry and rigid economy. He was a kind

and indulgent father, a sincere and hospitable friend, a generous neighbor,

and the poor were never turned away empty from his well-filled granaries.

Dr. John M. Edmiston, distinguished physician, who came

here in 1812, was a gentleman of much intelligence and fine cul-

ture. He was the personal friend and attending physician, and

much attached to Mr. Sullivant, fond of visiting him and talking

with him, holding him in high estimation.

He used to say of Mr. Sullivant:     "Take him all in all,

with his strong and vigorous intellect, his knowledge of human

nature, his decision of character, good judgment, high sense of

personal honor and integrity, he is one of the most remarkable

men I ever knew. He seemed born to be a leader, and in

whatever direction he had turned his attention, he would have

distinguished himself and become a man of mark."

*This building was razed some years ago.

188       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

SARAH STARLING SULLIVANT.

Sarah Starling, second daughter and fourth child of Col.

William Starling and Susanna, his wife, married Lucas Sullivant,

and removed with him to the new village of Franklinton, where

he owned large and valuable estates. This was before Ohio was

a State, and while it was yet an almost unbroken wilderness, but

the young wife was equal to the situation and bore the hardships

and privations of the period with courage and a cheerful spirit.

In 1812, after the surrender of General Hull to the British

forces, at Detroit, the whole frontier was exposed to an irruption

of bloody savages, the allies of Great Britain. For months the

inhabitants were harassed with fears of such an invasion, and

indeed Indian alarms were more than once wide-spread and

prevalent, all of which she bore with calmness and fortitude.

Calls for volunteers were frequent on such occasions, and I

suppose it was when my father was so absent that, one night

when I was sleeping with my mother, "Dragon," an unusually

large and intelligent mastiff, kept up a fierce barking, displaying

an extraordinary excitement, and ever and anon taking post

under my mother's window, which seemed the special object of

his defense, she drew me up closer, saying: "I am afraid 'Old

Drag' smells Indians."

On another occasion, when the newsboy brought in the

weekly copy of the Freeman's Chronicle, a paragraph met her

eye, and, letting the paper fall, she exclaimed: "Thank God, our

troops have taken Malden." Calling me to her, with the tears

standing in her eyes, she again said: "My son, thank God, our

troops have taken Malden."* Yes, "our troops have taken

Maiden," were words of great significance, and full of comfort

to the women of those days, who devoutly thanked God that

this stronghold of the savages had been destroyed--a place

where the bloody and reeking scalps of our women and children

were paid for with British gold!

In these days of immunity from Indian alarms, it is difficult

to convey any adequate idea of the dread of attack and massacre

that possessed all classes at that time. It must be remembered,

however, that the horrible atrocities, committed in the Indian bor-

der wars of Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Ohio, were

yet fresh in the recollection of most of the adult population of

that period. He who has taken part in Indian warfare, or once

heard the war-cry of the savage, will never forget how, for the

time being, it strikes terror and apprehension to the stoutest

heart, and he only can fully understand and appreciate the dread

of the cruelties and mutilations which were the general conse-

*Malden, in Upper Canada, was the headquarters of the hostile In-

dians, where they received arms and outfits from the English agents.

Lucas Sullivant--His Personality and Adventures  189

quences and accompaniments of an irruption of bloody and re-

morseless savages.

After the battle of the Thames in Upper Canada in October,

1813, and the defeat of General Proctor with his Indian allies,

and the death of their leader, Tecumseh, which occurred at the

same time, apprehension from the Indians, in a great measure,

subsided, and large parties of Ohio tribes from Sandusky, Maca-

cheek, and other villages and camps on the headwaters of the

Scioto, were frequent traders in Franklinton with Lincoln

Goodale, R. W. McCoy, Henry Brown, Starling and DeLashmutt,

Samuel Barr, and other merchants, or as they were called in

those days, "store-keepers." The Indians brought furs and skins,

baskets, maple-sugar, cranberries, dried venison, hams, etc., which

they sold for hard silver, refusing all kinds of paper money, and,

as they neither asked for nor gave trust, they generally bought

or sold one thing at a time, paying out or receiving the price, as

the case might be, closing each transaction, never making a bill,

or paying for the whole in a lump. They bought powder and

lead, tobacco, knives and squaw-axes, paints for the face, broad-

cloth and squaw-cloth, bright calicoes and handkerchiefs, blankets,

and above all, but lastly, a good supply of whisky, for it was

their custom, after completing their purchases, to celebrate the

occasion by a "high drunk," in which all participated save a few

old men and women selected to take care of the rest, and these,

no doubt, afterward had their share in compensation for present

self-denial. These drunken orgies would last for three or four

days, and were generally accompanied with much singing, howl-

ing and dancing, alternated with brawls and fighting.

Franklinton was the rendezvous of the second army under

Harrison, gathered after Hull's surrender, and the Kentucky

troops, under the command of the gallant and venerable Governor

Shelby, were encamped on the premises of Mr. Sullivant, and

his house was the welcomed resort of the officers and men, many

of whom were personal friends and acquaintances of himself

and his wife.

She was a ministering spirit to the sick soldiers, in camp and

hospital, supplying their wants from her own table and stores.

In 1814, a malignant and contagious typhus, or cold plague, as

it was called, broke out in camp, and she contracted the disease,

of which she died April 28th of that year.

She was very much beloved and respected by all who knew

her, and many an immigrant, in the early settlement of the

country, had cause to bless her, for, to the poor and needy, the

sick or afflicted, she was indeed a "Lady Bountiful," and the

memory of her gentle manners, her good deeds and abounding

charities long survived her.