The Parkersburg Resolves and West Virginia Statehood

     West Virginia became a state in 1863 during the Civil War by separating from Virginia. Sounds simple, but it was a complex effort, unique in American history - due to 3 main factors: passionate motivation, slavery, and constitutional issues. Wood County leaders played a leading role.

    MOTIVATION: In April 1861 the United States were no longer united. Eight states had passed an "Ordinance of Secession." Virginia was next on April 17. Delegates from northwestern Virginia wanted no part of it and voted 30-17 OPPOSING secession. A pro-Union letter written by Arthur Boreman to George Henderson of Henderson Hall explains why: “Why should we risk a new government in the south when we are already governed by the best constitution ever and God given freedoms which might disappear under a new government...” Western Virginians resisted being dragged into secession by wealthy eastern plantation owners.

     Local opposition began before Virginia actually seceded. A mass meeting on January 1, 1861, chaired by Wood County legislator General John J. Jackson, passed the Parkersburg Resolves* protesting secession. Its main points were 1. Secession was unconstitutional and "fatal to the Union," 2. "Our grievances" could be resolved within the Union "under the constitution." 3. Our "national prosperity, happiness, and future security depend on preserving the Union..." After the Virginia secession vote, Jackson urged delegates: "We must return to our people and prepare to defend the Union..."Leaders quickly organized a convention in Wheeling to oppose secession. 

Independence Hall at Wheeling, summer 1861 during Second Wheeling Convention for statehood. From West Virginia and Regional History Center. 

    SLAVERY: Northerners wanted to abolish slavery. But many West Virginians accepted or were indifferent to slavery; some were slave owners. For example, there were several plantations with slaves in Wood County. Ironically, some thought staying in the Union would preserve slavery since it was permitted then. One of the "grievances" mentioned in the Parkersburg Resolves was a "violation of the Constitutional rights of slaveholders" by the free states (certainly including Ohio). The "God given freedoms" mentioned by Arthur Boreman did not exist for slaves in the slaveholders' world view. The initial West Virginia constitution permitted slavery, though Congress wisely required a no-slavery clause. 

     CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES: At the first Wheeling Convention on May 13, 1861, John Carlile, a fiery former politician and slave owner, urged immediate creation of a new state. Wood Countians Boreman and Jackson counseled a more careful approach. The challenge was that the U S Constitution required approval of the state of Virginia to create the new West Virginia. No way would Confederate Virginia approve that. No problem. The Second Wheeling Convention in June 1861, devised a solution: they declared the Confederate Virginia government illegal. They then established the “Restored Government of Virginia” in its place. Their reasoning was that since Virginia had abandoned its authority by seceding, a successor Union government could fill the void. Pretty convoluted, but clever. Fortunately, President Lincoln recognized this as the legitimate Virginia government – a crucial step.

     Next the Second Wheeling Convention authorized creation of the new state, initially named Kanawha, on August 20, 1861. Voters overwhelmingly approved: 18,408 to 701. A Constitution for West Virginia was completed and ratified by voters on April 3, 1862. The Restored Virginia legislature gave the required constitutional consent on May 13. Then on to Congress. After 7 months of debate, the statehood bill passed on December 10. President Lincoln signed it on December 31, 1862. Statehood became official June 20, 1863. Arthur Boreman became the first governor.

Coat of arms of West Virginia. “Montoni Semper Liberi” means “Mountaineers are Always Free.”

    WOOD COUNTY LEADERS played important roles in the statehood process. 

• General John J. Jackson, Wood County, Virginia legislator, was passionate about the Union cause. His oft-repeated motto was "Unfaltering devotion to the Union, the Constitution, and the enforcement of the laws." He chaired the January 1 meeting, spoke against secession in the Virginia legislature, and urged Western Virginia delegates to oppose secession. Yet despite his zeal for the Union, he urged caution and adherence to the constitution in planning the transition.
• Arthur I. Boreman presided over the Second Wheeling Convention and served as first Governor of West Virginia.
• George W. Henderson was a delegate to the first Wheeling Convention and later served in the legislature of the Restored Government of Virginia.
• Businessman Peter G. Van Winkle was an influential moderate voice for statehood. He had a leading role at the Second Wheeling Convention and in drafting the Constitution for the new state. He served as one of the state's first two U. S. Senators

    CONFLICT AND CONTROVERSY: Statehood did not eliminate the conflicts on Union vs Confederacy. Sizable groups favored each. West Virginians served in both Union and Confederate armies. Tensions between families and friends persisted for years. 

    Historians and legal scholars have debated the legality of WV statehood on several points, such as:  

• The Wheeling Conventions were not legally constituted bodies, and its delegates were not elected. 
• Elections on statehood issues did not always include all eligible voters, especially in counties under Confederate control. 
• The Restored Government of Virginia concept had no legal precedent. 

     For one discussion of these issues, click here. The legality of the statehood process was ultimately validated by the Supreme Court decision in Virginia v. West Virginia in 1871. 

     West Virginia, born in conflict and uncertainty, survived and thrived. 

*Click here for full text of the Parkersburg Resolves. 

Early Salt Making on the Ohio Frontier

     Today, there seems to be too much salt in our diets. But salt on the frontier was a scarce yet vital resource. Blueridgetales.com: "Life (then) hinged on one thing: salt. It preserved food, kept animals and humans healthy, and was used as trade currency..." Salt in Washington County in the 1790s was $8 ($200 today!) per bushel if bought in the east. Finding local sources was imperative.

     Most salt deposits had been discovered centuries ago by animals and indigenous people. Animals were attracted to “salt licks”; buffalo (yes, they roamed the Midwest) wore paths to the salt which were used as roads early on. Those locations became good hunting grounds for natives. The Ohio Company learned from Indians about salt near Jackson, Ohio called the "Scioto Salines." The exact location was unknown. There was a "warm" (tempers flaring) debate in February 1790 among Ohio Company leaders about managing that salt deposit. Griffin Greene said salt discoveries should be finders keepers. Thomas Wallcut, visiting from Boston, objected strenuously to allowing any individual control a salt deposit. Wallcut was quite vocal for a visitor. We don’t know what he said, but he apologized to Return Jonathan Meigs and Ebenezer Battelle for "my conduct at the meeting," though both said his opinions were "justifiable and right." The high emotion was for naught. The salt deposit – when located 4 years later – was on land the Ohio Company did not own.

     Settlers found a salt deposit on Salt Creek in Muskingum County. "Shrewd Yankees of Marietta" and others formed a joint stock company in 1795 to produce salt there. 50 area people invested $1.50 each to raise $75. They purchased 24 large kettles from Pittsburgh. Salt was made by boiling away the salt water until salt crystals remained. It was a 24/7 operation, staffed by volunteers. 

Depiction of early salt making

     Ephraim Cutler periodically worked the kettles. He recalled that one day two French travelers stopped and stayed overnight. They became "quite loquacious" and sang French songs with another Frenchman from Gallipolis. One of the visitors was exiled Prince Louis Philippe of France. Decades later King Louis Philippe I would ask American visitors if they knew of Marietta, Ohio, where he had stopped later.

     Silas Thorla owned land near known salt deposits just east of Caldwell in Noble County. He learned newer methods of salt recovery from the Kanawha River salt works. They drilled a well in 1814 down 200 ft and reached brine which was boiled to recover the salt. The well also produced a curious dark, oozing liquid which often fouled the salt. It was oil, and natural gas was present too. Oil and gas! Exciting discovery? Nope; it was a nuisance then.

Thorla McKee 1816 well with sycamore casing and small amounts of oil. The well produced salt brine and oil.

     The oil was discarded or bottled as a cure-all, “Seneca Oil.” Workers learned to be careful. The gas periodically released pent up pressure as a 50 ft tall saltwater geyser, like Old Faithful. Discarded oil floated on the water of Duck Creek. Some curious boys set the oil on fire; soon a half mile of creek was a blazing inferno. One night, Robert Caldwell was supervising the kettles. He used flaming embers for light. Accumulated gas ignited. The explosion shook houses for miles around. A second well was drilled in 1816 and survives today as the Thorla – McKee Well located east of Caldwell. Salt production continued for 20 years. It claims to be the oldest oil well in America, still producing minute amounts of oil.

To early pioneers, salt meant survival. They learned to be creative and work together in producing salt. Salt recovery techniques later became useful in drilling for oil. The Bible encourages us to be “salt of the earth”- good examples to others. Stay salty, my friends.

The Port Royal Experiment

  I had never heard of the Port Royal Experiment. In 1861, Union forces took control of the islands around Beaufort, Port Royal, Paris Island, and Hilton Head in South Carolina. 195 plantations were abandoned, liberating thousands of slaves. The Union army, federal government, and charity groups stepped in to provide care and orient the freed slaves to independent living.

     When Marietta native and social activist Frances Dana Gage (1808-1884) heard about it, there was no holding her back. She left Ohio and her sick husband to help. Supervisor General Saxton was impressed by Frances' spirit and organization skills. He appointed her as Superintendent over 5 plantations and 400 slaves on Parris Island, SC.

Engraving of Frances Dana Gage, Wikipedia.org

     She spoke of her work at a July 4th speech in 1863 at Springfield MA (edited quotes): "Down in South Carolina, the first liberated slaves are living and working. God has led many to do this work of educating them. This experiment has been entirely successful. The negroes are ready to be taught and lifted up. They have a new language to learn; theirs has been corrupted by slavery." Frances said that she had received many donations from Northerners of practical things like clothing. The challenge: how to distribute them. At first, she believed handouts were best. But she soon realized that it was better for able-bodied slaves to prioritize their wants and buy items with money earned from their labor. Charity was needed for the elderly, disabled, and children.

     Frances continued, "You have seen the marks of scourges on slaves' backs. Those are men; I have seen the bodies of women thus scarred. A horrible amount of cruelty has prevailed here."  She concluded, "Let us provide what they need to live. One of their songs says, 'Oh, don't get weary waiting, brothers.' Let us take to heart this lesson."

     We get further insights from a thank-you letter (edited, below) that Frances wrote to people in Tallmadge, Ohio, dated January 29, 1863, who had sent donated material. “I received your package. My heart leaped for joy. Little did I dream that my visit to your homes would lead to your sending this offering of kindness… I have seen how slaves live at the plantations. Let me describe one cabin, sixteen feet long by fourteen broad, divided into two rooms. They sleep on board bunks with rice straw or an old mattress, dirty clothes, bits of carpet, cotton rags, and blankets...In this cabin, one of the best, lived seven or eight persons. The cabin floor was dirty; pots and kettles simmered around the fire. A board cot held a sick girl, Mary, who had been sick a twelve month with a fever, rheumatism, and scrofula (an infection of lymph nodes in the neck). Oh, such a sight...I dare not complete the picture. Poor Mary will suffer less tomorrow because of that box from Tallmadge.”

     “Old Flora, a slave, says she is getting along nicely—has thirty-six grandchildren. She asks me: ‘Oh! missis, me wants' a flannel; ole massa never gits us flannel.’ Judy's baby was rolled in a bit of blanket. ‘Please missus git me something for baby.’ Judy's eyes will sparkle tomorrow over a pretty calico slip. Old Sharper, who has been whipped a thousand lashes in his day who says: ‘Ebery Monday morning, missus, ole Sharper git de lash,’ Old Sharper shall have a coat like a ‘gemman.’ (gentleman).”

      Frances Dana Gage’s husband died, and after a year she returned to Ohio. She continued garnering support for slaves and the Port Royal Experiment by using her strongest talent: public speaking and writing. As one researcher noted, “She had but one pair of hands, while her voice might set in motion a hundred, nay, a thousand pairs of hands.”

   

Life in the Early 1800s Through the Lens of Newspaper Notices

   Newspapers were THE media in the early America. Advertisements and notices offer a fascinating glimpse of life at the time. Here are a few such items from local papers in the early 1800s, compiled by Debbie Noland Nitsche from Andrews' History of Marietta and Washington County. Your author's notes are in parentheses.

     From the OHIO GAZETTE and VIRGINIA HERALD October 24, 1803:

List of letters uncalled for by Griffin Greene, Postmaster, for persons living at "Belleprie, Little Kenhawa, Kenhaway, Gallipolis, Guiandot and Big Sandy."

John Cline and Enos Atwater will apply "for a right of establishing a ferry from a point at Fort Harmar across the Ohio River..."

“…inhabitants of the townships of Newport and Tuskarawa, in the county of Washington," intend to petition the Ohio legislature for a new county, with "a county seat near the mouth of Licking Creek on the Muskingum."

From WESTERN SPECULATOR and successor AMERICAN FRIEND newspaper 1811-1820:

1811. Joseph Buell (civic leader who served at Fort Harmar) asks for the return of "Rollin's Ancient History" and other borrowed books. 

Western Spectator (newspaper) offers books for sale. Whiskey received for books. 

Enoch Shepard, Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, announces copyright of a book entitled "Thoughts on the Prophecies."

1812 (July 29.) Lieutenant T. E. Danielson calls for five-year volunteers for the regular army. Bounty $16; wages $5 per month.

Jason R. Curtis, Hatter, wishes to buy muskrat and rabbit fur.

1814. Nathaniel Dodge established a ferry to Harmar. 

Races will be run on the Common of Marietta November 10 under the rules of racing in Virginia.  A purse of $70 offered (about $2100 in today’s dollars!).

1815. Elisha Frost, Inn-keeper, has taken the public house formerly kept by Isaac Mixer, Jr. (Mixer was described as a man of "vicious character" who once sold a 7-year-old negro boy into slavery.) 

Rufus W. Adams wishes to purchase 100 dozen goose quills at 6 cents a dozen. 

Samuel P. Hildreth, Town Clerk, collector of non-Resident Taxes. (Hildreth was a doctor, scientist, and historian). 

John Greene, 2nd., of Adams offers a reward for conviction of thief who stole five barrels of salt near the store of Augustus Stone. 

David Putnam (Harmar businessman) warns the public about a horse thief who pretends to be a missionary.

1816. John Bell, Deerfield. Lots for sale in "Malta, a new town about 26 miles below Zanesville." 

Montgomery Bell, of Tennessee offers $300 reward for negro man Carey, and $50 for the boy Bob. 

Joshua Shipman (master carpenter and builder), Wool carding

1817. John Cram will receive wheat, rye, oats, and white beans in payment for debts due Oliver Dodge & Co.  

Abraham Whipple (Revolutionary War naval hero), Fearing, offers to sell a farm two miles from Marietta.

1818. James Brown, Nashville, Tennessee, warns people not to harbor 22 "German servants who indentured themselves to go to Alabama Territory-and absconded at Marietta."  

1819. W. Thomas, Jeffersonville Indiana Canal Lottery tickets for sale. (Lotteries helped finance public improvements.) 

Royal Prentiss,Town Clerk, will lease to the highest bidder the Mound Square as a pasture for sheep only. (Our beloved Mound Cemetery leased for sheep grazing!)

1820. Joseph Barker, Jr., Newport, is about to erect a mill to extract flax seed oil. (Local historians are working to preserve Barker Jr.’s home at Willow Island.) 

Joseph Wilmott, Fearing, claims right to construct a dam at the Ox-Bow on Duck Creek.

Abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher said newspapers, by democratizing knowledge for all citizens, are “a treasure to the people.” They were also a source of curiosity and amusement.

 

 

 

 

Ephraim Cutler and the One Vote Story

     “One Vote! The Musical” is a play written about Marietta's founding and its place in Ohio and American history. It was performed during July, 2026 as part of the America 250 celebration. The title comes from the story of Ephraim's Cutler's iconic effort which kept slavery out of Ohio, by his deciding vote.

     That story began in 1787. The Ohio Company of Associates, mostly Revolutionary War veterans, pitched a creative idea to Congress. Paraphrasing here, "Have we got a deal for you: Allow us to buy land using our veterans’ land warrants and some hard cash. We get the land you owe us, and your Federal debt is reduced." Congress paid attention.

     The Ohio Company also wanted civil rights protections for citizens – and no slavery. Manasseh Cutler, Ephraim Cutler's father, - a puritan minister and scientist, was a tough negotiator. He was emphatic about slavery: "Exclude slavery forever from the territory northwest of the Ohio River, and we will buy your land...Allow it to enter, and not a penny will we invest." On July 13, 1787, Congress passed the Ordinance of 1787, creating a new territory – WITH civil rights and WITHOUT slavery. Fast forward to 1802 when a Constitutional Convention convened for Ohio statehood. Delegates from Washington County included Rufus Putnam, Ephraim Cutler, Benjamin Ives Gilman, and John McIntire. Slavery was a contentious issue.

Portrait of Ephraim Cutler, from Marietta College Special Collections

     Ephraim Cutler seemed an unlikely delegate to wield influence at the convention. He and Washington County delegates were staunch Federalists, a party that was out of favor. He incurred contempt from some for casting the sole no vote against statehood before the Convention even started. 

     The "One Vote" story from Ephraim Cutler’s memoir is that he kept Ohio from becoming a slave state, rising from a sickbed to cast the deciding vote. At the Convention, he was appointed to the Bill of Rights Committee. The committee chair proposed allowing slavery, for men up to age 35 and women until 25. This was considered a "compromise" (slavery-lite) because of the age limits. But it was still slavery. Cutler was angered. He knew this wording came from then President Thomas Jefferson, a Virginia slave owner. Jefferson wanted to introduce slavery where it had been prohibited before (the Northwest Territory expressly prohibited slavery). It would set a dangerous precedent for other states formed from the Territory. Cutler: no way!

     He strongly objected, stating that his constituents opposed slavery and that the slavery prohibition in the Northwest Ordinance was binding on states formed from the territory. Emotions were running high on both sides. Cutler calmy urged each committee member to prepare wording expressing their views and continue the discussion the next day. When the committee reconvened, he proposed a section including the words "There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in this state..." Despite some opposition, the Committee accepted Cutler's wording - by a single vote, 5-4. He was surprised that the motion carried, saying in his memoir, “The Jeffersonian version met with fewer friends than I expected.”

     But Ephraim Cutler's memoir says his One Vote was cast in a session of the entire Convention. That didn't happen, historians say. Convention records say no one proposed any change to Cutler's no-slavery committee language, perhaps testimony to Cutler's influence. There was an attempt to strike wording about servitude to prevent slavery being practiced under the guise of a being a servant; it was defeated 12-21. Cutler's memoir was written decades after the actual event. Some have suggested he confused his version of the Convention slavery vote with the Committee vote or with a Convention vote on another Black rights issue.

     One Vote story – true or false? Doesn’t matter! All agree that Ephraim Cutler was passionate about keeping Ohio a free state. His courage and influence made it happen. 

     There were two other One Votes of note. One was Ephraim Cutler’s aforementioned sole negative vote against statehood at the Convention’s opening. He, like most Federalists, thought the timing was not right. But, why vote no and incur ill will on what was just a perfunctory motion? He had the courage to vote his conscience, “I was expressing the will of my constituents (and)… my own…convictions.”

     The other One Vote was that of a free Black man, Kit Putnam, in the election of delegates to the Convention. He was the first Black to vote in Ohio, as permitted under Territorial law. Ironically, the first Ohio Constitution denied Blacks the right to vote.  

Caleb Emerson, July 4th Toastmaster

     Early American July 4 celebrations included toasts, along with a speech and dinner. July 4 was a patriotic observance, not yet the recreational holiday of today. The victory and sacrifice of the Revolutionary War were top of mind. Many veterans or their survivors were still living.

    First, "OFFICIAL" toasts were offered with wording often approved in advance by a committee. These toasts emphasized patriotic themes, heroes, and more - including women. Women? That seemed a gratuitous gesture from the male toastmasters, yet it recognized women's vital domestic role, though women could not yet vote or participate in most male-dominated vocations. After each toast, participants took a drink, gave a loud HUZZAH! (“Huzzay,” as in today’s HOORAY!), and guns or cannon were fired. With each toast and gulp the vibe became more spirited, you could say.

Flag that flew over Fort Harmar. It was a garrison-style flag, 16-20 ft long by 12-14 ft wide, with 13 stars and stripes for the original 13 colonies/states

    "VOLUNTEER" toasts followed the official toasts, offered impromptu by those present. These could be highly personal, humorous, and partisan, often fueled by alcohol.

     Below are toasts (edited) for July 4, 1816, in Marietta, composed by civic leader/newspaper editor Caleb Emerson – document from Marietta College Special Collections. These sentiments reflect the national situation in the post-War of 1812 period. 

1. The day we celebrate. Time can destroy the marble monument and clothe with oblivion the noblest works of man, but the memory of this day shall live.

2. President James Madison. He has been weighed and not found wanting- his service deserves our gratitude. 

3. Congress - may their exertions for the country be more conspicuous, solicitude for their own emolument be less conspicuous. 

4. The memory of George Washington - the faithful guardian of our infant liberties... what tongue shall withhold its praise?

5. Thomas Jefferson - the firm patriot and enlightened sage. Retirement has not diminished our admiration of his virtues.

6. The Army and Navy - they have both conferred immortal honors on their country.

7. Our next president - James Monroe - the pride of his country.

8. The sovereignty of the people - the only source of legitimate power...

9. Gov. Shelby (governor of Kentucky?), the soldier and patriot. 

10. General Jackson - The gallant Jackson and the Battle of New Orleans will be remembered. 

11. Vermont and New Hampshire - northern lights, not blue lights. (A jab at Federalists from a War of 1812 event.) 

12. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut - not the first time that the oldest children turned out to be a disgrace to the family...(another partisan barb) 

13. The western states (those west of the Appalachians) - may their patriotism keep pace with their wealth and strength.

14. Agriculture, commerce, and manufacturing - the main pillars of...our greatness 

15. The patriots of South America- may their struggles for liberty be attended with complete success.

     Click here to view the original document listing the toasts, from Marietta College Special Collections.. Note the edits and the cursive handwriting flourishes.

     Most of Emerson’s toasts resembled typical nonpartisan official toasts. But a few (number 3,11,12) are more personal, reflecting his Democratic Republican Party views. That party was in power; Federalists’ influence was fading. The politics angle made me wonder what current volunteer toasts might sound like with today’s unbridled discourse? I asked AI. Here are a few such AI-generated hypothetical current toasts to: 

“Free elections and the peaceful transfer of power – the quiet strength of a republic, 

Civil disagreement – may we argue ideas without forgetting our common citizenship, Future generations – may they inherit a nation more united than today, 

May public service always place the common good above private gain.” 

These are worthwhile sentiments; maybe we ought to bring back July 4 toasts.

     At the first celebration at Marietta on July 4, 1788, toasts expressed sentiments more specific to independence and the new settlement: 

The United States, Congress, the King of France, The United Netherlands, The Friendly Powers throughout the World, The New Federal Constitution, George Washington and the Society of the Cincinnati, His Excellency Governor Arthur St. Clair and the Northwestern Territory, The Memory of Heroes, Patriots, Captain Pipe (Delaware Indian Chief) and a Successful Treaty, The Amiable Partners of Our Lives (women), All Mankind. 

     Impressive list. Volunteer toasts, if offered, were not documented.

     There may have been disagreements and partisan bickering on the other 364 days of the year, but there was usually a spirit of unity on July 4. A participant at Marietta on July 4, 1788 recalled: “We were one great family, loving God and each other, proud of our new home and resolved on success.”