The Fort was built in 1785 on the west bank of the Muskingum River at the Ohio River. It had a pentagonal shape and occupied about 3/4 acre. It was one of several forts built on the upper Ohio River to keep order. Congress planned to sell land in eastern Ohio to new settlers and was having the land surveyed. The soldiers’ mission was to protect surveyors and settlers from Indian attacks and remove squatters living on land they didn’t own.
Joseph Buell's journal at Fort Harmar gives a first hand account of life at the fort. Springtime was welcome then as now after months of cold, limited activity, and boredom. His reports of daily activities are interspersed with evidence of better weather and morale. Quotes, spelling, and punctuation are from his journal.
Spring 1786. Buell was then at Fort McIntosh, northwest of Pittsburgh.
March 27 "...the weather continues to be warm & pleasant & there is great prospect of a forward spring." Spring weather is fickle, though. On April 1, "The snow fell upwards of a foot deep."
April 3 "(We) went down the river…to disperse the people from settling on the Indian shore (western shore of the Ohio River)." Evicting squatters was part of the soldiers' mission because present day Ohio was not yet open for settlement.
9 "The troops began to exercise & continued twice a day...The weather is very warm..."
May 8 Joseph Buell arrived at Fort Harmar.
12 "Began to make our Gardens..." There were extensive gardens at Fort Harmar for food and to keep troops busy during periods of light duty. Commandant John Doughty was interested in horticulture. Peach trees planted there produced fruit for eating – and for peach brandy. One hybrid peach was named the "Doughty Peach."
24 "I was tried by a Court Martial for selling a pint of liquor without permission. I was acquitted & ordered to return to my duty" This was a rough start to Joseph Buell’s Fort Harmar duty.
25 "Engreham of Capt Hearths Company died which is the first death by sickness." There was a burial ground near the fort; the exact location is not known.
31 “French was whipped five lashes for insulting a Corporal. We have some very disagreeable weather about this time. yet I employ myself pretty well,...working in my garden...".
Spring 1787
March 20 "Mr Williams arrived with his family to settle on the other side of the Ohio (River)...which renders our Situation more delightful..." Those settlers were Williamstown founders Isaac and Rebecca Tomlinson Williams.
27 "...some of the inhabitants brought a Buffalo into the Fort, which was 18 hands high & weighed 1000 lbs"
April 1 "The Indians came within twelve miles of the Garrison & killed an old man & took a young boy prisinor..."
3 "We began to lay out our gardens & dig them up"
25 "One of our men discovered two Indians were endeavoring to steal our horses... The weather begins to be warm & pleasant."
May 2: “All the Sergeants at our Garrison crossed the Ohio to Mr Williams’ where we had decent entertainment…we passed the day very happy,
14 “John Stockly deserted & was immediately pursued & overtaken…& ordered to run the gauntlet Eleven times.
21 “In the evening I sent a young man who cooked for me to Carrs Island…after some milk.” He never returned. “We afterwards heard that (Indians) had killed & scalped him.”
Spring 1788
April 7 Gen Putnam arrived here…with 50 men.” These were the first workers to start the settlement at Marietta. “They began with great spirit & there is great prospect of its being a flourishing place in a short time”
23 “The contractors large boat arrived here with a supply of provision & liquor.” Such arrivals were always morale boosters.
May 1 “The weather was pleasant. The trees put forth and all things seem (bright).” May Day was celebrated. “The Sergeants went up to Carrs Island & had a dinner…We live pretty peaceable & happy” - except for delays in getting paid.
Joseph Buell (1763-1812) left the Army in November of 1788. He settled in Marietta where he operated a tavern. He later served as a judge, State Senator, and General in the Ohio Militia.
