MS-006 Van Cleve-Dover Collection
A Special Collection of Historical Materials at the Dayton Metro Library Dayton, Ohio
Processed By:
Lisa P. Rickey, Archivist
and
Jared Baldwin, Reference Librarian
April 2010 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ...... 7
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH ...... 9 Benjamin Van Cleve...... 9 John W. Van Cleve ...... 10 Thomas Dover...... 11
BIBLIOGRAPHY & FURTHER READING ...... 12 Benjamin Van Cleve...... 12 John Whitten Van Cleve ...... 13 Thomas Dover...... 14
SCOPE AND CONTENT...... 15
BOX AND FOLDER LISTING ...... 17
Series I: Papers of Benjamin Van Cleve...... 23 Box 1, Folder 2: Correspondence from Benjamin Van Cleve to Robert Benham, 1794 ...... 23 Box 2: Letter Book of Benjamin Van Cleve, including correspondence regarding the letters, [1805]-1819, 1909...... 23 Box 3, Folder 1: Correspondence from Benjamin Van Cleve to John Cleves Short (Photostats from the J. C. Short Collection of Short Family Papers), 1812-1817, Undated...... 40 Box 6, Folder 1, and Box 7, Folder 1: Correspondence between Benjamin Van Cleve and his son John W. Van Cleve, 1817-1819...... 45 Box 1, Folder 6: Petition of First Settlers at Dayton and Mercers Station, [1795]...... 48 Box 2: Laws of the Territory of the United States North-west of the River Ohio , 1796- 1804...... 49 Box 2: Dayton Township Tax Assessment, 1798...... 49 Box 2: Surveyor’s Records of Hamilton County, Ohio, 1801-1810...... 49 Box 2: Acts of the State of Ohio, First Session , 1803...... 50 Box 2: Bond naming Benjamin Van Cleve as first Postmaster of Dayton, 1803...... 50 Box 2: Constitution of the Social Library Society of Dayton, 1805...... 51 Box 3, Folder 2: Business Transactions and Correspondence (Photostat), [1810-1820] ...... 51 Box 7, Folder 2: Business Transactions and Correspondence (Photostats), 1810-1813 ...... 55 Box 6, Folder 2: Deed to Benjamin Van Cleve of Dayton Academy Land, 1814...... 57 Box 2: Memoirs of Benjamin Van Cleve (original), [1773-1821] ...... 57 Box 3, Folder 3: Copies and research notes on the Memoirs of Benjamin Van Cleve , [1887, 1900], Undated ...... 58
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Series II: Papers of John W. Van Cleve...... 59
Subseries 1: Correspondence ...... 59 Box 6, Folder 3: Correspondence to John W. Van Cleve, 1819, 1839-1858...... 59 Notebook 1: Correspondence to John W. Van Cleve, letter book, [1835-1856]..... 63 Box 6, Folder 4: Correspondence from John W. Van Cleve, 1833-1854...... 65 Box 3, Folder 4: Correspondence from or about John W. Van Cleve (Photostats), 1848, 1954...... 67
Subseries 2: Financial Documents...... 68 Box 3, Folder 5: Account Books, [1817-1858], Undated...... 68 Box 3, Folder 6: Share Certificate, 1840 ...... 68 Notebook 2: Financial Day Book, 1830 ...... 68 Notebook 3.1: Receipts and Accounts notebook, vol. 1, 1826-1836...... 69 Notebook 3.2: Receipts and Accounts notebook, vol. 2, 1836-1846...... 69 Notebook 3.3: Receipts book, 1847-1854...... 69 Notebook 3.4: Monthly Cash Accounts notebook, 1852-1854...... 69 Notebook 4: Financial Records, 1847-1851, 1858 ...... 69 Notebook 11: List of Sheriff’s Fees notebook, 1834-1842...... 70 Notebook 11: Accounts on Books of Van Cleve & Comly, July 8, 1834 ...... 70 Notebook 6: Scrapbook of Receipts, 1836-1849 ...... 70 Notebook 12: Cash Book, Volume 2, 1848-1851...... 70 Notebook 27.1: Personal finance notebook, Volume 1, 1849-1853...... 70 Notebook 27.2: Personal finance notebook, Volume 2, 1854 ...... 71 Notebook 27.3: Personal finance notebook, Volume 3, 1855 ...... 71 Notebook 27.4: Personal finance notebook, Volume 4, 1856 ...... 71 Notebook 2: Dayton City Finance Notes, 1851-1856...... 71 Notebook 13: Dayton & Western Railroad financial records, 1855...... 71
Subseries 3: Official Documents ...... 72 Notebook 4: Will of John W. Van Cleve (copy), Memoranda, and Probate, 1858- 1867...... 72 Box 2: Records of the Dayton Library, 1826-1832 ...... 72 Notebook 10.1: Estate Account of Charles R. Greene, 1833...... 72 Notebook 10.2: Estate Account of Charles R. Greene, 1833...... 73 Notebook 10.1: Estate Account of E. W. Towner, 1845 ...... 73 Box 3, Folder 7: Will of Elizabeth Aughinbaugh, friend of John W. Van Cleve, 1845...... 73 Notebook 5.1: Estate Account of Mrs. Elizabeth Aughinbaugh, 1845-1857 ...... 73 Notebook 5.2: Estate Account of Mrs. Elizabeth Aughinbaugh, 1845-1857 ...... 73 Notebook 5.3: Receipts on Account of Jeptha Regans, 1846-1858...... 74 Notebook 5.4: Receipts on Account of Elizabeth Regans, 1845-1854...... 74 Box 2: Register of Deaths by Cholera in Dayton, 1849 ...... 74 Box 3, Folder 8: Deeds and Leases, 1852, 1858...... 74 Box 7, Folder 3: Commission Report, 1850 ...... 75
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Subseries 4: Academic Writings & Research Notes...... 75 Box 3, Folder 9: Historical Essays and Writings, Undated ...... 75 Box 3, Folder 10: Historical Notes, Undated...... 75 Notebook 14: Chronological Notes, Undated...... 76 Notebook 7.1: Pioneer Sketches and Historical Notes, Undated...... 76 Notebook 7.2: Pioneer Sketches and Historical Notes, Undated...... 76 Dayton 433 M952D: German-English Dictionary, 1812...... 76 Notebook 2: Notes on German grammar and vocabulary, Undated...... 76 Box 3, Folder 11: Scientific and Technical Writings, 1838-1857, 1971, Undated . 77 Notebook 17: Copper Mines of Lake Superior lecture, Jan. 29, 1857...... 77 Notebook 18: Colors of Minerals – Botanical Questions notebook, Undated...... 77 Notebook 19: Fossil engravings notebook, Undated ...... 78 Notebook 13: Botanical Notes and Sketches, [circa 1855]...... 78 Notebook 20: Data about Peach Orchard, 1847-1848 ...... 78 Notebook 21.2: Dayton Census Returns by Wards, [1829-1832] ...... 78 Notebook 21.2: Election Data, [1829-1832]...... 78 Notebook 7.2: Election Statistics: Ohio and Montgomery County, [1836-1840] ... 78 Notebook 20: Political Notes: Table of Majorities in Ohio Governors’ and Presidential Elections, [1836-1840]...... 79 Notebook 20: Political Notes: Political Notes: Montgomery County Township Majorities, [1841-1848] ...... 79 Dayton 050: The American Pioneer , 2 vols., 1842, 1843...... 79
Subseries 5: Artistic & Literary Materials...... 80 Box 4, Folder 1: Literary and Poetic Writings, [1842], 1849, Undated ...... 80 Notebook 8: German Poetry copied by John W. Van Cleve, Undated...... 80 Box 4, Folder 2: German Poetry translated by John W. Van Cleve, Undated...... 80 Notebook 10.2: Poem, Untitled, Undated...... 80 Notebook 22: Short Stories, Undated ...... 81 Notebook 15: Short Stories translated from German, [1860]...... 81 Notebook 20: Notes on “Orthographic [spelling] Curiosities,” Undated ...... 81 Box 4, Folder 3: Portrait Engraving of Edgar Conkling, Undated ...... 81 Box 4, Folder 4: Watercolor Paintings, Undated...... 81 Notebook 11: Notes for Map of Dayton, [circa 1834-1846] ...... 81 Map Collection – Cabinet 2, Drawer 1, Folder 1, Item 5: Map of Dayton by John W. Van Cleve, 1839...... 82 Notebook 20: Map of Flood at Dayton on January 2, 1847, [1847]...... 82 Notebook 20: Notes on Main Street and Wayne Avenue, 1850...... 82 Notebook 23: Album containing reprints of engravings and paintings, Undated.... 82 Notebook 9: Album of Pictures containing two illustrations, Undated...... 82 Box 4, Folder 5: Musical scores: Dances for the Violin , [1828] ...... 82 Dayton 784.4943 F499M: Musikalischer Hausschatz der Deutschen (Book of German songs), 1845 ...... 83
Subseries 6: Personal Notes & Mementos...... 84 Box 2: John W. Van Cleve’s Autograph Collection, Undated ...... 84
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Box 4, Folder 6: Mementos and Invitations, [1846-1856], Undated...... 84 Box 4, Folder 7: Travel Writings, [1853, 1857] ...... 85 Notebook 24.1: Travel Records, Volume 1, 1856-1857...... 85 Notebook 24.2: Travel Records, Volume 2, 1856 ...... 85 Notebook 4: Miscellaneous Notes, Undated...... 85 Notebook 20: Magic Squares game, Undated...... 86 Notebook 27.1: Miscellaneous Personal Notes, [1849-1853] ...... 86 Notebook 27.2: Miscellaneous Personal Notes, [circa 1854]...... 86 Notebook 27.3: Miscellaneous Personal Notes, [circa 1855]...... 86 Notebook 27.4: Miscellaneous Personal Notes, [circa 1856]...... 86 Notebook 21.1: Catalogue of Books belonging to John W. Van Cleve, 1832-184687 Notebook 22: List of Books with Source and Price, Undated ...... 87 Box 2: Dayton Library Association Bookplate, 1847...... 87 Box 2: Dayton Library Association Membership, 1850...... 87 Notebook 2: Books Purchased for Library, 1852-1853...... 88
Series III: Papers of Thomas Dover...... 89 Box 6, Folder 5, and Box 7, Folder 4: Correspondence to Thomas Dover, 1826, 1850- 1855, 1869, Undated...... 89 Box 7, Folder 5: Correspondence from Thomas Dover, 1857, 1870-1875 ...... 93 Notebook 22: Brief biography of Thomas Dover, [circa 1859]...... 94 Notebook 22: Miscellaneous Legal Notes, 1859-1862...... 94 Box 4, Folder 8: Receipts and Share Certificates, 1870-1875...... 94 Box 4, Folder 9: Thomas Dover in acct. with Commissioner of Montgomery Co. & Volunteer families (account book), 1861...... 95 Notebook 4: Estate Account of Thomas Dover, 1881 ...... 95 Box 4, Folder 10: Invitation, 1855...... 95 Box 4, Folder 11: Illustration of Thomas Dover’s Drugstore and Residence, Undated ...... 95 Notebook 4: List of Pharmaceutical Formulas and Dosages, Undated ...... 96 Notebook 25.1: Pharmacopeia of the United States of America, 1840 ...... 96 Notebook 25.2: “Conceipts and Receipts” notebook, Undated ...... 96 Box 4, Folder 12: Alphabetical list of soldiers, Civil War, from Dayton & Montgomery Co. (notebook), [1861-1865] ...... 96 Notebook 25.1: List of Books owned by Thomas Dover, 1852 ...... 96
Series IV: Papers of Other Relatives and Individuals...... 97 Box 2: Indenture Deed of John Van Cleve and his wife Elizabeth Vandeveer Van Cleve, 1791 ...... 97 Box 1, Folder 1: Correspondence from James Butler Fleming, 1791 ...... 97 Box 1, Folder 3: Warrant for Election in Dayton Township, 1802 ...... 97 Box 7, Folder 6: Correspondence to Jerome Holt, brother-in-law of Benjamin Van Cleve, 1810-1812...... 97 Box 2: Death Notice of Catherine (Benham) Van Cleve Thompson, 1837...... 98 Box 6, Folder 6: Correspondence to Serah (Dover) Allan, 1859-1871 ...... 98
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Box 4, Folder 13, and Box 7, Folder 7: Correspondence to Ebenezer Allan, [1851- 1864] ...... 100 Box 4, Folder 14: Correspondence to Mary Ann [Dover] Drill, 1871 ...... 105 Box 4, Folder 15: Correspondence from Mrs. H. S. [Henrietta Sophia Dover] Simpson, 1904...... 105 Notebook 16: Serah G. Dover’s Poetry and notes, [circa 1858]...... 105 Notebook 26: S. M. B. [Silas M. B.] Simpson Notebook, Undated ...... 106 Notebook 2: Estate of Samuel B. Dover, Account and Memoranda, 1852-1854...... 106 Notebook 25.3: Robert F. [Fay] Dover “Elements Acids Inorganic and Organic” Notebook, Undated ...... 107 Box 4, Folder 16: Correspondence to Horatio G. Phillips, 1828...... 107 Box 1, Folder 4: Correspondence to Horatio G. Phillips, 1832...... 107 Box 1, Folder 5: Correspondence to Horatio G. Phillips, 1836...... 107 Box 5, Folder 1: Letter book of William Murphy, 1806-1807 ...... 107 Box 5, Folder 2: Academic and Historical writings of Lewis [Louis?] Newsome, Undated...... 107
Series V: Genealogies and Reference Materials...... 109 Box 5, Folder 3: Van Cleve Family Genealogy Materials, [1945-1952]...... 109 Box 5, Folder 4: Benham-Thompson Genealogy Materials, 1903, [1944-1947] ...... 109 Box 5, Folder 5: Miscellaneous Genealogical Notes, Undated ...... 109 Box 5, Folder 6: Correspondence between Van Cleve Researchers and Family, and Dayton Public Library, [1939-1953], Undated...... 109 Box 5, Folder 7: Miscellaneous Correspondence and Reference Notes, 1946, 1954, Undated...... 111 Box 5, Folder 8: Miscellaneous Research Notes, Undated...... 112 Box 5, Folder 9: Auction Listing for Benjamin Van Cleve Autobiography and Journal, 1932...... 113 Box 5, Folder 10: Draft Announcement of Acquisition of Gentleman’s Library donated by Colonel Deeds, [1944-1945] ...... 113
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INTRODUCTION
The Van Cleve-Dover Collection includes materials created, collected, or used by members of the Van Cleve and Dover families, particularly Benjamin Van Cleve, Benjamin’s son John W. Van Cleve, and Benjamin’s grandson Thomas Dover. These materials include: correspondence; financial and business documents; official and legal documents; writings and research notes; personal notes and mementos; and some genealogical notes. Materials in the collection date from about 1791 until 1954. However, the bulk of the materials are from the 1830s-1850s. This collection provides insights about life in Dayton, Ohio, from its settlement in 1796 through the nineteenth-century, through the lives of the Van Cleve and Dover families. The collection contains approximately 10 linear feet of materials. 1 The Van Cleve-Dover Collection is organized into 5 series: Series I: Papers of Benjamin Van Cleve Series II: Papers of John W. Van Cleve Series III: Papers of Thomas Dover Series IV: Papers of Other Relatives and Individuals Series V: Genealogical and Reference Materials All materials in the Van Cleve-Dover Collection were donated to or received by the Dayton Public Library prior to 1954, over a period of several decades, and by several individuals, primarily members of the Van Cleve or Dover families. John W. Van Cleve himself donated some materials to the library prior to his death in 1858. Other donations came from family members David C. Baker (circa 1909), Myron S. Baker (date unknown), and Jessie Allan (date unknown). The largest single accession to the collection came from the estate of Mrs. Anna (Dover) McKnight, who died in April, 1942, and was a daughter of Thomas Dover. Mrs. McKnight’s relatives subsequently offered the collection to the public library for a reasonable price. Colonel Edward A. Deeds purchased the collection in 1945 and donated it to the Dayton Public
1 This calculation does not include the extensive Gentleman’s Library, only manuscript materials.
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Library. The Deeds donation also included an extensive Gentleman’s Library of books collection by Benjamin Van Cleve, John W. Van Cleve, and Samuel Best Dover. The Dayton Public Library announced the Deeds donation in the following article, which gives further information about the collection and its history: Dayton’s Early History Preserved: Col. Deeds Gives Library Rare Collection (Dayton Journal , January 28, 1945) A collection of rare and interesting documents on the early history of Dayton has been presented by Col. E. A. Deeds to the Dayton Public Library, William J. Hamilton, librarian, disclosed yesterday. The scholarly collection of books and documents was gathered by Benjamin Van Cleve; his son, John W. Van Cleve; and his son-in-law, Samuel Best Dover, and remained in the possession of Dover’s granddaughter, the late Mrs. Edwin E. McKnight of Wilmington avenue [sic], for many years. At her death in 1941 [sic], the collection passed to members of her family, including Mrs. Robert Kerr, Mrs. Harry Burrows and Mrs. W. Leroy McKnight, who refused to divide the collection for offers made outside the city. They believed the collection belonged to Dayton and, through Colonel Deeds’ generosity, the books were presented to the library, Hamilton said. The collection includes Benjamin Van Cleve’s manuscript memoirs covering the first 25 years of Dayton’s history, petitions in which he had a hand, records which were practically official, communications from leading citizens of that time. Also in the group are nearly 500 bound volumes showing part of the library of a studious family gathered during the first half century of Dayton’s existence, including samples of early printing done in Dayton, a copy of the first book printed in Ohio, the 1796 Maxwell code of “Laws of the United States Territories Northwest of the Ohio” and volumes printed in London and the Atlantic seaboard during colonial days. Benjamin Van Cleve, because of his position as Dayton’s first postmaster, received newspapers from Dayton, Cincinnati, Washington, New York and Baltimore and preserved them in bound journals. Nearly 100 years ago, the library received his file of the Dayton Reportory 1808-1809 as a gift of John W. Van Cleve to the Dayton Library association [sic]. Two years ago, Benjamin Van Cleve’s own copy of “The Constitution of the Social Library Society of Dayton,” of which he was one of the incorporators in 1805, was given to the library which owns, also, a number of other Van Cleve items given by other branches of the family, including David C. Baker of St. Louis, Myron S. Baker of Hiram and Miss Jessie Allan of Westwood. Much preparation, study and editing will be required before the new material can be placed on exhibition, Hamilton said. The collection will be held together as a special unit in the library’s collection of Daytonians and from time to time will be used for special exhibits.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Benjamin Van Cleve Benjamin Van Cleve (1773-1821) was one of the earliest European settlers of what would later become the city of Dayton, Ohio. He was born February 24, 1773, to John Van Cleve and Catherine Benham Van Cleve in Monmouth County, New Jersey. In December of 1789, John and Catherine Van Cleve headed west with their family, including 16-year-old Benjamin, and arrived at present-day Cincinnati on January 3, 1790. Less than two years later, on June 1, 1791, John Van Cleve was murdered by Native Americans while tending his fields. For a number of years after his father’s death, Benjamin carried the burden of supporting his mother and siblings. Benjamin Van Cleve was one of the first settlers of Dayton, Ohio, when he arrived with a small group of others at the present site of downtown Dayton on April 1, 1796. Benjamin Van Cleve’s other important roles in Dayton history include teaching at the first school in the city, being the first postmaster of Dayton, and serving as the clerk of courts for Montgomery County. He was also a surveyor. In 1805, Benjamin Van Cleve was among the founders of the first library incorporated in the state of Ohio; the library was located in Van Cleve’s log house in Dayton. Benjamin himself wrote down his memoirs in his Memoranda , which contains, among other things, the most accurate and detailed description of General Arthur St. Clair’s defeat and the only reliable account of the settlement of Dayton in 1796. On August 28, 1800, in Dayton, Benjamin married Mary Whitten, who was born February 17, 1782. Benjamin Van Cleve had five children with his first wife, Mary Whitten Van Cleve; she died on December 28, 1810. On March 10, 1812, Benjamin married Mary Tamplin, by whom he had no children. Benjamin died on November 29, 1821; his second wife Mary died in 1825 or 1826. The remains of Benjamin Van Cleve and both of his wives were interred in their final resting place in Woodland Cemetery, Dayton, on February 29, 1844. The five children of Benjamin Van Cleve and Mary Whitten Van Cleve were: John Whitten Van Cleve (1801-1858), who was unmarried; William James Van Cleve (1803-1808); Henrietta Maria Van Cleve (1805-1879), who married Samuel Best Dover
9 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection and later married Joseph Bond; Mary Cornelia Van Cleve (1807-1878), who married James Andrews; and Sarah Sophie Van Cleve (1809-1839), who married David C. Baker.
John W. Van Cleve John Whitten Van Cleve (1801-1858), son of Benjamin and Mary Whitten Van Cleve, was one of the first white children born in Dayton. John was born on June 27, 1801, five years after his father had arrived at present-day Dayton. John would become locally noted for his literary, scientific, and artistic achievements, and his life-long and unpaid work for the public good. John was a born scholar, endowed with a vigorous intellect and a facility for acquiring knowledge of both mathematics and languages. John entered Ohio University at Athens when he was sixteen years old. He established quite a reputation for his scholarship at the university; he was a teacher of Greek and Latin at the university before graduating. Upon his graduation, John studied law with Judge Joseph H. Crane, and was admitted to the bar in 1828. John’s political career included serving elected terms as recorder in 1824 and 1828, as well as three terms as Mayor of Dayton between 1830 and 1832, and he was several times the city engineer. In December 1828, John purchased an interest in the Dayton Journal , which he edited until 1834. John was also involved in the drug business, in partnership with Augustus Newell, their firm being Van Cleve & Newell. Van Cleve & Newell was located on Third Street near Main. In his later years, John W. Van Cleve became an accomplished musician, painter, engraver, civil engineer, botanist, and geologist. John was a founder of Woodland Cemetery, being president of the Woodland Cemetery Association from its inception in the early 1840s until his death. In 1847, John also became one of the founders of the Dayton Library Association, which would eventually become the present-day Dayton Metro Library system. John W. Van Cleve died from tuberculosis on September 6, 1858, in Dayton. His funeral was held the following day at the Phillips House, and he was buried in Woodland Cemetery, Dayton. He had no spouse or children.
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Thomas Dover Thomas Dover (1829-1881) was born February 24, 1829, in a log cabin five miles north of Dayton, on the Old Troy Road (now OH-202), though the family removed to Dayton in the early spring of 1839. Thomas was the son of Henrietta Maria Van Cleve (daughter of Benjamin Van Cleve) and Samuel Best Dover; Thomas was a nephew of John W. Van Cleve, who was his mother’s brother. The other children of Samuel B. and Henrietta Van Cleve Dover were: Mary Ann Dover (1825-1903), who married Jacob Andrew Drill; Robert Best Dover (1827-1841), who died as a teenager; Henrietta Sophia Dover (1830-1911), who married Silas M. B. Simpson; Phoebe Maria Dover (1833- 1876), who married Emory B. Belden; and Serah Greenham Dover (1836-1879), who married Ebenezer S. Allan. As a young man, Thomas learned the drug trade at the firm Van Cleve & Newell, with his uncle John W. Van Cleve . Thomas was with Van Cleve & Newell from 1843 until 1847, when after a bout with typhoid and a trip to Rising Sun, Indiana, he came home to find himself out of a job there. From 1851 until about 1862, Thomas worked for several druggists in Dayton, Ohio, as well as in Centerville, Indiana, and Muscatine, Iowa. He also worked with his father in the gas pipefitting business, as well as planting peach trees on his uncle John Van Cleve’s farm. In the spring of 1862, Thomas purchased a tract of land at the corner of Fifth Street and Wayne Avenue in Dayton and opened his own drug store, which he operated until his death. Thomas Dover married Louisa Jane Donavan on July 2, 1857, in Springfield, Ohio; Louisa had been born May 13, 1836, in Springfield. Thomas and Louisa had five children: Robert Fay Dover (1858-1897), who married Jennie Lehman; Samuel B. Dover (1860-1928), who married Clara Rice; Anna Maria Dover (1863-1942), who married Edwin E. McKnight; John James Dover (1865-1944), who married Bertha _____; and Harry Thomas Dover (1870-1877). Thomas Dover died April 21, 1881, being killed instantly upon falling from a stepladder in his drug store. He was buried in Woodland Cemetery, Dayton. His wife, Louisa, died March 5, 1896, in Dayton, and was also buried in Woodland.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY & FURTHER READING
Benjamin Van Cleve
Bond, Beverley W., Jr., editor. “Memoirs of Benjamin Van Cleve.” In Quarterly publication of the Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio . vol. XVII, no. 1-2, January-June. Cincinnati: The Abingdon press, [1922]. [Dayton B V222BO]
Conger, William R., compiler. Benjamin Van Cleve (1773-1821). Fort Worth, TX: American Reference Publishers, c. 1968. [Dayton B V222AAB]
Conover, Charlotte Reeve. Dayton, Ohio: An Intimate History . New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., c.1932. [Dayton 977.173 C753DAY 1932] Pp. 21-22; 52; 53; 57; 58.
Conover, Frank. Centennial Portrait and Biographical Record of the City of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio . Chicago: A. W. Bowen, 1897. [Dayton 977.172 C753C 1897] Pp. 176, 177, 862, 1277.
Drury, Augustus Waldo. History of the City of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio . Chicago; Dayton: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1909. [Dayton 977.173 D796] Vol. 1, pp. 40; 66-70; 93-94. Vol. 2, pp. 871; 272.
Edgar, John F. Pioneer Life in Dayton and Vicinity, 1796-1840 . Evansville, IN: Unigraphic, 1976. [Dayton 977.173 E23P 1976] Pp. 29-32.
Fillers, Mildred, compiler. Extracts from Benjamin Van Cleve's memoirs, Colonel Robert Patterson's memoranda and Colonel J. F. Hamtranck's letters, 1775-1804 / [copied by Dayton Public Library]; maps copied by Mildred Fillers. Dayton, OH: Dayton Public Library, 1951. [Dayton 977 E969 1951]
History of Dayton, Ohio . Dayton: United Brethren Publishing House, 1889. [Dayton 977.173 H673] Pp. 36-44.
The History of Montgomery County, Ohio . Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1882. [Dayton 977.172 H673] Book 2, pp. 272-273.
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Jillson, Willard Rouse, compiler. Ha rrod's Old Fort, 1791, as described and platted in Benjamin Van Cleve's manuscript biographical memorandum dating from the year 1773 . Frankfort, KY: Kentucky State Historical Society, 1929. [Dayton 976.9 V222h]
Starr, Christine. What They Wrote in Their Diaries . New York: [n.d.]. [Dayton B V222S]
Steele, Robert W., and Mary Davies Steele. Early Dayton . Dayton: W. J. Shuey, c.1896. [Dayton 977.173 S814E 1896] Pp. 34-50; 57-58.
Van Cleve, Benjamin. The Memoirs of Benjamin Van Cleve . [S.l.: s.n., 1778-1819]. [Dayton B V222AA]
Van Cleve, Benjamin. Memoirs of Benjamin Van Cleve . [S.l.: s.n., 18--?]. [Dayton B V222AB]
John Whitten Van Cleve
Conover, Charlotte Reeve. Dayton, Ohio: An Intimate History . New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., c.1932. [Dayton 977.173 C753DAY 1932] Pp. 95-98.
Conover, Frank. Centennial Portrait and Biographical Record of the City of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio . Chicago: A. W. Bowen, 1897. [Dayton 977.172 C753C 1897] Pp.177.
Drury, Augustus Waldo. History of the City of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio . Chicago; Dayton: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1909. [Dayton 977.173 D796] Vol. 1, pp. 167-168.
Edgar, John F. Pioneer Life in Dayton and Vicinity, 1796-1840 . Evansville, IN: Unigraphic, 1976. [Dayton 977.173 E23P 1976] Pp. 72-76.
Hall, Agnes Anderson. Letters from John . S.l.: S.n., [n.d.]. [Dayton B V2224H] (This source gives extensive information about John W. Van Cleve’s relationship with the Charles R. Greene family.)
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History of Dayton, Ohio . Dayton: United Brethren Publishing House, 1889. [Dayton 977.173 H673] Pp. 643-644.
The History of Montgomery County, Ohio . Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1882. [Dayton 977.172 H673] Book 2, pp. 755; 756.
Steele, Robert W., and Mary Davies Steele. Early Dayton . Dayton: W. J. Shuey, c.1896. [Dayton 977.173 S814E 1896] Pp. 67-76.
Van Cleve, John W. A Trip from Dayton to Chicago by Water in the Year 1847: Described in Verse . [Dayton, Ohio: H. Lowe], 1911. [Dayton 811 V222T]
Obituary of John W. Van Cleve, Dayton Daily Journal , September 7, 1858, page 2.
Thomas Dover
Drury, Augustus Waldo. History of the City of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio . Chicago; Dayton: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1909. [Dayton 977.173 D796] Vol. 2, pp. 1074; Vol. 1, pp. 93-94.
Edgar, John F. Pioneer Life in Dayton and Vicinity, 1796-1840 . Evansville, IN: Unigraphic, 1976. [Dayton 977.173 E23P 1976] Pp. 32; 179.
History of Dayton, Ohio . Dayton: United Brethren Publishing House, 1889. [Dayton 977.173 H673] Pp. 179; 287.
The History of Montgomery County, Ohio . Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1882. [Dayton 977.172 H673] Book 2, p. 273. Book 3, p. 83.
Steele, Robert W., and Mary Davies Steele. Early Dayton . Dayton: W. J. Shuey, c.1896. [Dayton 977.173 S814E 1896] Pp. 58; 169.
Obituary of Thomas Dover, Dayton Daily Journal , April 22, 1881, page 4. See also: Thomas Dover’s brief biography in Notebook 22 of this collection.
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SCOPE AND CONTENT
The collection largely represents the lives of Benjamin Van Cleve and his son John W. Van Cleve. The collection also includes, to a lesser extent, materials relating to other family members, as well as some genealogical notes. Benjamin Van Cleve was one of the first settlers in the city of Dayton, and his son John W. Van Cleve was a prominent member of the Dayton community during the early and mid-nineteenth century. This collection would be of interest to researchers of Dayton’s initial settlement, as well as nineteenth-century Dayton history, and perhaps also early Ohio settlement in general.
Series I: Papers of Benjamin Van Cleve
Series I, Papers of Benjamin Van Cleve, consists primarily of correspondence, especially between Benjamin and his son John. The series also includes: correspondence with John Cleves Short; financial records kept as the clerk of courts for Montgomery County, Ohio; and Benjamin’s personal memoir, Memoranda , which gives an account of the founding of the city of Dayton in 1796.
Series II: Papers of John W. Van Cleve
Series II, Papers of John W. Van Cleve, consists of correspondence; financial documents; official and legal documents; academic writings and research notes written or collected by John; artistic and literary materials created or gathered by John; and personal notes and mementos. Much of the material in this series is contained in notebooks. This series is the largest in the collection and is divided into the following subseries: Subseries 1: Correspondence Subseries 2: Financial Documents Subseries 3: Official Documents Subseries 4: Academic Writings & Research Notes Subseries 5: Artistic & Literary Materials Subseries 6: Personal Notes & Mementos
Series III: Papers of Thomas Dover
Series III, Papers of Thomas Dover, consists primarily of correspondence with family and acquaintances. The series also includes financial records, pharmaceutical notebooks, a brief autobiography, and other miscellaneous notes.
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Series IV: Papers of Other Relatives and Individuals
Series IV, Papers of Other Relatives and Individuals, consists primarily of correspondence among other family members besides Benjamin Van Cleve, John W. Van Cleve, or Thomas Dover. These family members include: Jerome Holt, Serah (Dover) Allan, Ebenezer Allan, Mary Ann (Dover) Drill, and Henrietta (Dover) Simpson.
Series V. Genealogical and Reference Materials
Series V, Genealogical and Reference Materials, is mostly comprised of various genealogical materials and research, including correspondence between Van Cleve researchers and the Dayton Metro Library. This series also includes an announcement about the acquisition of the Gentleman’s Library donated by Col. Edward Deeds.
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BOX AND FOLDER LISTING
Series I: Papers of Benjamin Van Cleve Box Folder Description Date 1 2 Correspondence from Benjamin Van Cleve to Robert 1794 Benham 2 NA 2 Letter Book of Benjamin Van Cleve, including [1805]-1819, correspondence regarding the letters 1909 3 1 Correspondence from Benjamin Van Cleve to John 1812-1817, Cleves Short (Photostats from the J. C. Short Undated Collection of Short Family Papers) 6 1 Correspondence between Benjamin Van Cleve and 1817-1819 his son John W. Van Cleve *Note: See also Box 7, Folder 1. 7 1 Correspondence between Benjamin Van Cleve and 1817-1819 his son John W. Van Cleve *Note: See also Box 6, Folder 1 (primary). 1 6 Petition of First Settlers at Dayton and Mercers [1795] Station 2 NA Laws of the Territory of the United States North-west 1796-1804 of the River Ohio (5 individual volumes) 2 NA Dayton Township Tax Assessment 1798 2 NA Surveyor’s Records of Hamilton County, Ohio 1801-1810 2 NA Acts of the State of Ohio, First Session 1803 2 NA Bond naming Benjamin Van Cleve as first Postmaster 1803 of Dayton 2 Constitution of the Social Library Society of Dayton 1805 3 2 Business Transactions and Correspondence [1810-1820] (Photostat) *Note: See also Box 7, Folder 2. 7 2 Business Transactions and Correspondence [1810-1813] (Photostat) *Note: See also Box 3, Folder 2 (primary). 6 2 Deed to Benjamin Van Cleve of Dayton Academy 1814 Land 2 NA Memoirs of Benjamin Van Cleve [1773-1821] 3 3 Copies and research notes on the Memoirs of [1887, 1900], Benjamin Van Cleve Undated
Series II: Papers of John W. Van Cleve Box Folder Description Date Subseries 1: Correspondence 6 3 Correspondence to John W. Van Cleve 1819, 1839-
2 Items designed as folder “NA” are not necessarily contained within a folder.
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1858, Undated NB 3 1 Correspondence to John W. Van Cleve, letter book [1835-1856] 6 4 Correspondence from John W. Van Cleve 1833-1854 3 4 Correspondence from John W. Van Cleve 1848, 1954 (Photostats) Subseries 2: Financial Documents 3 5 Account Books [1817-1858], Undated 3 6 Share Certificate 1840 NB 2 Financial Day Book 1830 NB 3.1 Receipts and Accounts notebook, vol. 1 1826-1836 NB 3.2 Receipts and Accounts notebook, vol. 2 1836-1846 NB 3.3 Receipts book 1847-1854 NB 3.4 Monthly Cash Accounts notebook 1852-1854 NB 4 Financial Records including property maps, farm 1847-1851, records, stock, and land transactions 1858, Undated NB 11 List of Sheriff’s Fees notebook 1834-1842 NB 11 Accounts on Books of Van Cleve & Comly 1834 NB 6 Scrapbook of Receipts 1836-1849 NB 12 Cash Book, Volume 2 1848-1851 NB 27.1 Personal finance notebook, vol. 1 1849-1853 NB 27.2 Personal finance notebook, vol. 2 1854 NB 27.3 Personal finance notebook, vol. 3 1855 NB 27.4 Personal finance notebook, vol. 4 1856 NB 2 Dayton City Finance Notes 1851-1856 NB 13 Dayton & Western Railroad financial records 1855 Subseries 3: Official Documents NB 4 Will of John W. Van Cleve (copy), Memoranda, and 1858-1867 Probate 2 Records of the Dayton Library 1826-1832 NB 10.1 Estate Account of Charles R. Greene 1833 NB 10.2 Estate Account of Charles R. Greene 1833 NB 10.1 Estate Account of E. W. Towner 1845 3 7 Will of Elizabeth Aughinbaugh, friend of John W. 1845 Van Cleve NB 5.1 Estate Account of Mrs. Elizabeth Aughinbaugh 1845-1857 NB 5.2 Estate Account of Mrs. Elizabeth Aughinbaugh 1845-1857 NB 5.3 Receipts on account of Jeptha Regans 1846-1858 NB 5.4 Receipts on account of Elizabeth Regans 1845-1854 2 Register of Deaths by Cholera in Dayton 1849
3 Items designed as box “NB” are contained within one of 27 numbered notebooks (number given in the folder column), which are contained within protective boxes and shelved with the manuscript collection.
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3 8 Deeds and Lease Agreements 1852, 1858 7 3 Commission Report 1850 Subseries 4: Academic Writings & Research Notes 3 9 Historical Essays and Writings Undated 3 10 Historical Notes Undated NB 14 Chronological Notes on events in western history, Undated from 1751 to 1807 NB 7.1 Pioneer sketches and historical notes Undated NB 7.2 Pioneer sketches and historical notes Undated DC 4 433 German-English Dictionary 1812 M952D NB 2 Notes on German grammar and vocabulary Undated 3 11 Scientific and Technical Writings [1849-1857], Undated NB 17 Copper Mines of Lake Superior lecture 1857 NB 18 Colors of Minerals – Botanical Questions notebook Undated NB 19 Fossil engravings notebook Undated NB 13 Botanical Notes and Sketches [circa 1855] NB 20 Data about Peach Orchard 1847-1848 NB 21.2 Dayton Census Returns by Wards [1829-1832] NB 21.2 Election data [1829-1832] NB 7.2 Election Statistics: Ohio and Montgomery County [1836-1840] NB 20 Political Notes: Table of Majorities in Ohio 1836-1840 Governors’ and Presidential Elections NB 20 Political Notes: Montgomery County Township 1841-1848 Majorities DC 050 The American Pioneer , 2 vols., 1842, 1843 Subseries 5: Artistic & Literary Materials 4 1 Literary and Poetic Writings [1842], 1849, Undated NB 8 German Poetry copied by John W. Van Cleve Undated 4 2 German Poetry translated by John W. Van Cleve Undated NB 10.2 Poem (single) Undated NB 22 Short stories Undated NB 15 Short stories translated from German [1860] NB 20 Notes on “Orthographic [spelling] Curiosities” Undated 4 3 Portrait engraving of Edgar Conkling Undated 4 4 Watercolor Paintings Undated NB 11 Notes for map of Dayton [circa 1834- 1846] MC NA Map of Dayton by John W. Van Cleve 1839 NB 20 Map of Flood at Dayton, Jan. 2, 1847 [1847]
4 Items desinated “DC” are shelved in the Dayton Collection under their appropriate Dewey Decimal classification. However, they were previously owned by John W. Van Cleve; they contain his handwritten notes.
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NB 20 Notes on Main Street and Wayne Avenue 1850 NB 23 Album containing reprints of engravings and Undated paintings NB 9 Album of Pictures containing two illustrations Undated 4 5 Musical scores: Dances for the Violin [1828] DC 784.4943 Musikalischer Hausschatz der Deutschen (Book of 1845 F499M German songs) Subseries 6: Personal Notes & Mementos 2 NA Autograph Collection Undated 4 6 Mementos and Invitations [1846-1856], Undated 4 7 Travel Writings [1853, 1857] NB 24.1 Travel Records, vol. 1 1856-1857 NB 24.2 Travel Records, vol. 2 1856 NB 4 Miscellaneous Notes Undated NB 20 Magic Squares games Undated NB 27.1 Miscellaneous Personal Notes [1849-1853] NB 27.2 Miscellaneous Personal Notes [circa 1854] NB 27.3 Miscellaneous Personal Notes [circa 1855] NB 27.4 Miscellaneous Personal Notes [circa 1856] NB 21.1 Catalogue of Books belonging to John W. Van Cleve 1832-1846 NB 22 List of Books with source and price Undated 2 Dayton Library Association Bookplate 1847 2 Dayton Library Association Membership 1850 NB 2 Books Purchased for Library 1852-1853
Series III: Papers of Thomas Dover Box Folder Description Date 6 5 Correspondence to Thomas Dover 1826, 1850- *Note: See also Box 7, Folder 4. 1855, 1869, Undated 7 4 Correspondence to Thomas Dover 1826, 1850- *Note: See also Box 6, Folder 5 (primary). 1855, 1869, Undated 7 5 Correspondence from Thomas Dover 1857, 1870- 1875 NB 22 Brief biography of Thomas Dover [circa 1859] NB 22 Miscellaneous Legal Notes 1859-1862 4 8 Receipts and Share Certificates 1870-1875 4 9 Thomas Dover in acct. with Commissioner of 1861 Montgomery Co. & Volunteer families (account book) NB 4 Estate Account of Thomas Dover 1881 4 10 Invitation 1855 4 11 Illustration of Thomas Dover’s Drugstore and Undated
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Residence NB 4 List of Pharmaceutical Formulas and Dosages Undated NB 25.1 Pharmacopeia of the United States of America 1840 NB 25.2 “Conceipts and Receipts” notebook Undated 4 12 Alphabetical list of soldiers, Civil War, from Dayton [circa 1861- & Montgomery Co. notebook 1865] NB 25.1 List of Books owned by Thomas Dover 1852
Series IV: Papers of Other Relatives and Individuals Box Folder Description Date 2 NA Indenture Deed of John Van Cleve and his wife 1791 Elizabeth Vandeveer Van Cleve 1 1 Correspondence from James Butler Fleming 1791 1 3 Warrant for Election in Dayton Township 1802 7 6 Correspondence to Jerome Holt, brother-in-law of 1810-1812 Benjamin Van Cleve 2 Death Notice of Catherine (Benham) Van Cleve 1837 Thompson 6 6 Correspondence to Serah (Dover) Allan 1859-1860 4 13 Correspondence to Ebenezer Allan 1851-1864 *Note: See also Box 7, Folder 7. 7 7 Correspondence to Ebenezer Allan 1851-1864 *Note: See also Box 4, Folder 13 (primary). 4 14 Correspondence to Mary Ann (Dover) Drill 1871 4 15 Correspondence from Mrs. H. S. [Henrietta Sophia 1904 Dover] Simpson NB 16 Serah G. Dover’s Poetry and notes [circa 1858] NB 26 S. M. B. [Silas M. B.] Simpson notebook Undated NB 2 Estate of Samuel B. Dover, Account and Memoranda 1852-1854 NB 25.3 Robert F. [Fay] Dover “Elements Acids Inorganic Undated and Organic” notebook 4 16 Correspondence to Horatio G. Phillips 1828 1 4 Correspondence to Horatio G. Phillips 1832 1 5 Correspondence to Horatio G. Phillips 1836 5 1 Letter book of William Murphy 1806-1807 5 2 Academic and Historical writings of Lewis [Louis?] Undated Newsome
Series V: Genealogies and Reference Materials Box Folder Description Date 5 3 Van Cleve Family Genealogy Materials [1945-1952] 5 4 Benham-Thompson Family Genealogy Materials 1903, [1944- 1947] 5 5 Miscellaneous Genealogical Notes Undated
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5 6 Correspondence between Van Cleve Researchers and [1939-1953], Family, and Dayton Public Library Undated 5 7 Miscellaneous Correspondence and Reference Notes 1946, 1954, Undated 5 8 Miscellaneous Research Notes Undated 5 9 Auction Listing for Benjamin Van Cleve 1932 Autobiography and Journal 5 10 Draft Announcement of Acquisition of Gentleman’s [1944-1945] Library donated by Colonel Edward Deeds
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SERIES I: PAPERS OF BENJAMIN VAN CLEVE
Box 1, Folder 2: Correspondence from Benjamin Van Cleve to Robert Benham, 1794
April 7, 1794 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Greenville, [Ohio] to his uncle Captain Robert Benham, (location unknown). Benjamin reports that packhorses have arrived, as well as several gentlemen from Cincinnati. He recounts that he recently came home to find a broken window and his trunk and pocketbook missing. He later found the trunk and pocketbook near a bridge; the pocketbook was empty, but the trunk contained his books and papers. He thinks he lost about $16.00. Thereafter, he had a sentinel placed at his door from his Excellency’s guard, with instructions not to let anyone but Benjamin in or out of the store. He also received orders that he must attend a court martial, for he was being charged with selling liquors without permission. He asks his uncle to send money to purchase three pairs of stockings, as well as linen for three shirts; if time permits, he asks to have his mother and sisters make the shirts, otherwise send the linen directly.
Box 2: Letter Book of Benjamin Van Cleve, including correspondence regarding the letters, [1805]-1819, 1909
Items are listed in the order in which they appear in the letter book. The page numbers in parentheses indicate the page of the letter book on which that letter appears. The use of “n.p.” indicates that those pages were not numbered.
March 30, 1909 Letter from D. C. Baker, St. Louis, Missouri, to Judge C. W. Dustin, Dayton, Ohio. Baker states that he has received Dustin’s earlier letter regarding the letter book of his [Baker’s] great-grandfather Benjamin Van Cleve. He describes the book as 116 pages, about 9 x 14 inches, bound and in perfect condition except that six or eight pages were torn out more than 70 years ago. He further describes the collection of letters in general.
April 2, 1909 Letter from A. W. Drury, (location unknown), to Dr. Conklin, (location unknown). Drury describes the current status of attempts to procure the Benjamin Van Cleve letter book for the city of Dayton. He also mentions a conversation with Miss Clatworthy [Librarian of the Dayton Library] about a trend in libraries to collect local history collections and says that if that is the case, he has some manuscripts of his own that he would donate to the library.
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May [?], 1909 Letter from D. C. Baker, St. Louis, Missouri, to A. W. Drury, Dayton, Ohio. Baker writes that he is sending with this letter the old letter book of Benjamin Van Cleve, also one of his court record books, also two or three old deeds, and also a lock of the hair of Catherine Benham Van Cleve, who was Benjamin Van Cleve’s mother. He also has some other “relics” that he promises to send later. He also includes some genealogy, particularly of his ancestors Sarah Sophia Van Cleve, youngest child of Benjamin, and her husband David C. Baker.
May 3, 1909 Letter from D. C. Baker, St. Louis, Missouri, to Judge C. W. Dustin, Dayton, Ohio. Baker writes that he will place the amount [that he needs to borrow] at $100, due to his ill health. He also has several other relics of Benjamin Van Cleve, which he will be glad to send without any consideration other than that they be preserved by the Dayton Society. These other relics include his “sun,” or magnifying glass, as well as an account book. The page following this letter also includes some additional family history, beginning with Jans Van Cleve, who came from Amsterdam, Holland, to Staten Island, New York, in 1653. He discusses Benjamin Van Cleve and Thomas Baker as well. In the margin, he writes: “No family in New Jersey contributed more men to the Revolutionary cause than the Van Cleve [family].”
June 5, 1909 Letter from D. C. Baker, St. Louis, Missouri, to A. W. Drury, Dayton, Ohio. Baker writes that he received Drury’s letter of the 3 rd , for which he sends his thanks for Drury’s kindness. He promises to find the articles mentioned as soon as he has time to rummage through his effects. As for the Van Cleve letter book, he writes: “I disliked to ask anything for it, but my condition [of illness] impelled me to it. … I have faith…that when I am able to return the one hundred dollars to you, you will credit me with having presented the letter book.”
Undated Note of W. J. H. [William J. Hamilton] describing the letter book.
Undated [circa 1805] Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, [Dayton, Ohio], to “Mr. Chairman,” (location unknown). (fragment, pp. 5-6) [The first items of the letter book are identified as pages 5 and 6, and it appears to be a legal statement of some kind.] The fragment begins: “…and it is well known, perhaps, Mr. Chairman, that the streams of water in this part are more constant than any in the western vicinity.” Van Cleve goes on to describe the streams, manufacturing, farming, and other aspects of the Miami Valley. He states: “I became a setler [sic] here 9 years ago. On the 27 th of September ’95 I first encamped on the ground.” He further describes the land and denotes events taking place a few days after the Treaty of Greenville. He then offers his convictions on the subject.
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Undated [circa 1806] Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, [Dayton, Ohio], to Major Peyton Short, (location unknown). (fragment, p. 11) [The second item of the letter book is identified as page 11, and it includes a fragment of a letter to Peyton Short, as well as the beginning of the October 28, 1806, letter to Peyton Short.] The fragment begins: “…but his first object is the field of Derrow above him which he expects he will forfeit. He therefore waits until he shall see you.” He goes on to say that he has only sold 80 acres since he last wrote, because the Dutch people to whom he expected to sell have not arrived yet. Also, Hunt’s brother has not yet arrived, and consequently he has no cash.
October 28, 1806 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Major Peyton Short, (location unknown). (pp. 11-12) Van Cleve writes that he still has not sold any land: “The land, the terms, or something always unfortunately did not please.” He expects to send a better account of his agency in a few weeks. He mentions Kirkpatrick and that he has heard Kirkpatrick’s word may not be dependable.
March 28, 1807 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Major Peyton Short, (location unknown). (pp. 12-13) Van Cleve reports that he has sold 234 acres of land to Captain Andrews and another 237 acres to one Mr. Archibald, a friend of Captain Andrews. He discusses a few other transactions involving Bucher, Houser, Bodley, and Hunt.
June 5, 1807 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Major Peyton Short, (location unknown). (pp. 13-14) Van Cleve writes that he had expected Short at Dayton for some time, and that is the reason he had not written before now. He reports on his land sales. He asks Short to write as to when he will “be over” [to Dayton] and give his opinion about the last trade.
March 31, 1806 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to unknown person, (location unknown). (fragment, p. 14) [This item begins on page 14; pages 15-16 are missing. There is no information to identify the addressee of the letter.] Van Cleve writes that he has rented out about half of the addressee’s plantation to several persons and expects to rent the whole thing.
Undated [circa 1806-1807] Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, (Dayton, Ohio), to General James Findlay, (location unknown). (fragment, pp. 17-18)
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The fragment begins in the midst of Van Cleve describing how he has been ill for the past few weeks and has been working to catch up on his various duties. He also mentions that he must arrange and sell the estate (near Staunton) of his late father-in-law [John Whitten], lately deceased. He also has not had time to settle with those who have received corn. On the second page, he gives an account of his recent transactions.
February 11, 1807 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Littel, New Providence, New Jersey. (pp. 19-20) Van Cleve writes that he has been uncommonly pressed with business lately, which together with a fortnight indisposition [illness] has prevented him from going abroad. He describes a financial situation regarding the estate of one Mr. Osborn and his widow, and also involving Nathaniel Bond and a Mr. Dean. He himself is not clear of the details of the situation. He remarks that there is no school here. He also comments on the marking off of Miami County and expects that Staunton will become the new county’s “seat of justice.” He reports that his father-in-law, an uncle, and several others have died recently. He says that there are a number of newcomers, mostly respectable families and society quite agreeable. He closes by saying he will travel to Eaton on Monday to pay for Littel’s lots.
March 11, 1807 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Joseph Carpenter, (location unknown). (pp. 20-22) Van Cleve reports that Carpenter’s account balance is $16.75 for advertising Nicholas Horner vs. William Brookie and Job Westfall vs. Jacob Brown. The costs in the suit Westfall vs. Brown were paid some time ago. He goes on to discuss the terms of the publishing and also includes a brief account statement at the bottom. Van Cleve is sending $15.37½ by Major Brown.
February 16, 1808 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to General James Findlay, (location unknown). (pp. 22-24) Van Cleve acknowledges receipt of Findlay’s letter and confirms that he has made an agreement with a Mr. Thomas Cotham to build a cabin on the upper part of Findlay’s plantation. The cabin will be constructed of hewed logs, 18 and 20 feet, one story and a half high, with “floors laid loose.” The cabin in other respects will be completely finished for $40. Van Cleve also gives an “account of [his] stewardship.” Van Cleve resolves to settle with Mr. Cooper on payment for a fence as soon as the latter returns from the legislature.
May 18, 1807 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Matthew Carey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (p. 25) Van Cleve reports that he has not been able to attract any subscribers for Carey’s splendid edition of the Bible. He attributes this to the many difficulties encountered in settling and improving a new country, rather than bad taste. Van Cleve does ask that
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Carey please consider him a subscriber for one copy, including Psalms, and hopes that by fall he will be able to send for a few more copies “for our little library.” After the letter’s signature, there is a note that reads: “Mr. Carey is a bookseller in Philadelphia.”
May 20, 1807 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to his cousin Lewis Van Cleve, Aurelius, New York. (pp. 25-32) Benjamin Van Cleve “takes a retrospective view of times past” and shares many reminiscences, including time that he and Lewis spent with Grandmother Van Cleve [Rachel Cowenhoven Van Cleve] and his memories about school. He spends a significant portion of the letter describing his journey to the Northwest Territory, now Ohio, and his activities of the early 1790s.
May 27, 1807 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to his cousin Lewis Van Cleve, [Aurelius, New York]. (pp. 32-35) Van Cleve continues his reminiscences where he left off in the previous letter. This letter describes his activities from about 1794 until the present time (1807), including activities with General Wayne, positions in government, and his immediate and extended family.
May 27, 1807 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Major Peyton Short, (location unknown). (p. 36) Van Cleve briefly describes some land transactions and indirectly asks Short’s opinion regarding one of the offers he has had for a certain piece of land. This letter mentions Hugh, Andrew, Derrow, and Shoub.
July 7, 1807 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Major Peyton Short, Woodford County, Kentucky. (pp. 36-37) Van Cleve discusses a dispute between Andrews and Fitzpatrick. He also discusses a number of actual and potential land transactions.
July 14, 1807 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Littel, New Providence, New Jersey. (pp. 37-38) Van Cleve updates Littel on his recent transactions with Mrs. Osborn and Mr. Dean, as well as some business involving others. He writes that he has paid Mr. Littel’s share in the library. Then he gives news from town, that Polly Patterson attempted to drown herself last week, and about the recent or forthcoming marriagesof Luther Bruen , Osborn Cooper, and George Harris. He expects that Cornelius Westfall will be appointed clerk of Miami County tomorrow. He also reports that John has recovered his hearing but has nearly lost the sight of one of his eyes, though it seems to be getting better.
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September 19, 1807 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Littel, New Providence, New Jersey. (pp. 39-41) Van Cleve writes that Littel ought to plan on coming [to the Miami Valley] as soon as possible if he hopes for a clerkship in Eaton. He writes that Mr. Westfall has already been appointed to a position in Miami County. He voices opinions about “our present administration” (the federal government) in regards to various international and domestic affairs, particularly relations with England and the Indians. He mentions the infantrymen of Captain William Newcom and Major Holt. He also mentions that Robert Newcom has died, that Dayton has been having an uncommonly healthy year, and that “poor Frittz” has had to have guardians appointed for him due to insanity.
January 27, 1808 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Little, New Providence, New Jersey. (pp. 41-43) Van Cleve writes that he fell very ill on November 25 and remained so for a few weeks, during which time his wife gave birth to a daughter [Mary Cornelia, born December 2, 1807]. He reports that Major Brown has moved further up the Miami River, just inside Miami County. He recently saw Mr. Squier, Mr. Jenney, and Major Holt (who is now the sheriff). Frittz has recovered his reason and no longer requires guardianship. Representative Mr. Cooper has returned from Chillicothe with news that a new county called “Prebble” [Preble] has been erected to the west and makes guesses about possible elected officials for that county.
February 27, 1808 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Major Peyton Short, Woodford, Kentucky. (p. 43) Van Cleve comments that he only recently received Short’s December 27 th letter, which took an unusually long time in reaching Dayton. He also writes that cold weather and high waters have prevented him from seeing Mr. Lock until today; however, Mr. Lock does seem inclined to see and deal with Major Short. He has not made any sales or collections lately. Colonel Patterson recently showed Van Cleve a letter that he had received from Major Short.
March 2, 1808 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Philemon Holt, Willington, Connecticut. (fragment, p. 44) [This item begins on page 44; however, pages 45-52 are missing.] Van Cleve writes that he has seen Philemon’s recent letter to Jerom [Holt]. He says that Jerom and family are well and that Dayton has had a healthy year except for the flu season. It was also a very wet season, and farmers could not plant their corn until very late; however, at Natchez, in the Mississippi Territory, crops were light on account of a drought. He writes that Philemon’s son very much wishes to see him and that said son was elected as county sheriff in October and will probably be reelected.
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July 6, 1808 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Major Peyton Short, Cincinnati, Ohio. (pp. 53-54) Van Cleve writes that per Short’s request, he has visited Mr. Lock again. However, Lock will not deviate from his previous proposal. Lock seems anxious to buy the land but is fixed in his resolution respecting the price he will give for it. Lock felt he would be able to convince Major Short to accept his price, if he were to speak to him in person. Van Cleve also writes of other sales, transactions, and receipts, including a situation with the Hunts, who are trying to avoid making payment.
July 6, 1808 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to General James Findlay, (location unknown). (p. 55) Van Cleve asks Findlay to please pay $39 to Major Short. He also asks him to make another transaction to Joshua Collett at Lebanon. He sent a receipt for Nathan Findlay along with this letter.
July 8, 1808 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to William Creighton, Jr., Esquire, Secretary of State and U.S. Attorney for the District Court of Ohio at Chillicothe, Ohio. (pp. 55-56) Van Cleve is writing to Creighton regarding a writ involving Andrew McCalla and Samuel Hopkins. He sends payment along with the letter.
August 3, 1808 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to the Postmaster of Lewisburgh, Virginia. (p. 57) At the request of Paul D. Butler, of Dayton, Van Cleve is enclosing a note for $55 with interest given by George and John Brown, who live near Lewisburgh.
August 3, 1808 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to George Brown and John Brown, (location unknown). (p. 57) Van Cleve informs the Browns that, at the request of Paul D. Butler, he has enclosed a note due from them for $55 with interest due thereon from the 1 st March 1806 to the Postmaster at Lewisburgh.
August 18, 1808 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to General James Findlay, Cincinnati, Ohio. (p. 58) Van Cleve reports that he has “two hands at the work” which Findlay proposed to have finished by fall. Approximately half of the ground is mowed, and half the rails have been made. However, he fears that they will not be able to get any more on the adjoining ground. He also reports that he has procured two bushels of seed and has the promise of more. He is very scarce of money and asks that more be send by Burnet or St. Clair.
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December 1, 1808 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Honorable Jeremiah Morrow, (location unknown). (pp. 58-59) Van Cleve writes respecting the wounds and disability of Bartholomew Barry, a disabled soldier. He asks that Morrow please acquaint Mr. Tiffin and Mr. Thomas, of Indiana, with the details of this case.
December 21, 1808 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Major Peyton Short, (location unknown). (pp. 59-60) Van Cleve reports on recent transactions with Houser, Lefever, and Sourbray [?], as well as Col. Robert Patterson. He also reports that Col. Patterson was recently on his way to Kentucky when he received word that his son-in-law [Samuel Venable, husband of Margaret Patterson] had died at Brownsville [Pennsylvania]. Consequently, Patterson sent money to Cincinnati by Mr. Nesbit 5. Furthermore, Col. Patterson is interested in purchasing an additional 220 acres from Short. Finally, Van Cleve discusses a possible settlement with Enoch regarding his waste of timber.
December 21, 1808 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Doctor Squier Littel, (location unknown). (pp. 60-61) Van Cleve has received several letters from Mr. John Littell of New Jersey wherein mention is made of several notes against Dr. Squier Littel and which notes are now in his hands. He has written to Dr. Littel on the subject previously and received no answer. Van Cleve notes at the end of the letter that since writing and sending this letter, he received one from Dr. Littel dated December 8.
December 21, 1808 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Little, (location unknown). (pp. 61-63) Van Cleve has received Little’s favors of March 15th . He has written to Squier Littel pressing him for payment in a friendly manner. He writes that John Little’s lots in Eaton cannot be disposed of for cash at present. Van Cleve also reports news from town, including news on members of the following families: Patton, Ludlow, Newcom, Patterson, Nolan, Wodeman, Lehman, Hanna, Johnston. He also reports: “Our Academy is going up. [Daniel] Cooper is our senator. [Edmund] Munger and [Philip] Gunckel are our Representatives. They are in session. Doctor Murphy, a phisician [sic] of this place, of great ability and accomplishments, after a fit of intoxication took a quantity of laudanum 6 on Sunday and expired the same day.”
5 Perhaps his son-in-law James I. Nisbet, husband of Elizabeth Patterson. 6 Laudanum, also known as opium tincture, is a highly potent narcotic made from opium alkaloids, including morphine and codeine.
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Van Cleve also laments the death of his son William on October 30 th . He writes further about his children and says that the loss of William “has occasioned the most painful sensations which the human heart is forced to endure.”
March 8, 1809 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to the Postmaster of Lewisburgh, Virginia. (p. 63) Van Cleve writes again regarding the matter of George and John Brown, saying that he has never received an answer to his first letter.
March 15, 1809 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Doctor Squier Littel, Butler County, [Ohio?]. (p. 64) Van Cleve writes to Squier Littel that he has received word from Mr. Littel of New Jersey, that Squier’s proposed payment plan is agreeable.
May 11, 1809 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Littel, Baskingridge, New Jersey. (pp. 64-65) Van Cleve writes that he will try to get a conference with “the Doctor” [presumably Squier Littel], and if no money can be obtained, put the notes in an attorney’s hands that an appearance [in court] may be entered. Van Cleve also reports that Mr. Hanna has just returned from Champaign County, where he was married to a young widow.
June 30, 1809 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to the Postmaster General, (location unknown). (pp. 65-66) Van Cleve writes regarding some unpaid and paid letters, as well as some other letters that the addressees have not received. He also proposes to contract himself for carrying the mail from Cincinnati to several other nearby towns, at a salary of $750. Or, he says he will do it for $500 plus the profits of carrying the newspapers.
Undated Van Cleve writes some notes regarding some letters written by Steele and Pierce to various people and firms, as well as a letter written by H. G. Phillips.
July 8, 1809 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to General James Findlay, Cincinnati, Ohio. (p. 67) Van Cleve writes regarding Findlay’s farm, which he (Van Cleve) superintends. He asks that Findlay find someone else to care for the farm, as it is “a very great trouble and injury to me.” The fences of the old field have been carried away by the uncommon floods of the Mad River. He also gives further updates regarding the farm.
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July 26, 1809 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Major Peyton Short, Lexington, Kentucky. (pp. 67-68) Van Cleve writes that he has received Short’s letters with papers enclosed. Mr. Bodley is willing to give up his 355 acres that he had reserved for himself, if Short will allow him a moderate compensation.
August 2, 1809 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Major Peyton Short, Lexington, Kentucky. (pp. 68-69) Van Cleve says that Shoub’s brother expected money by Mr. Kemp and would rather pay it to Short than to the bank.
August 2, 1809 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to R. J. Tyrel, the Postmaster of Lewisburgh, Virginia. (pp. 69-70) Van Cleve writes regarding an apparent dispute between one Mr. Butler and one Mr. Brown.
August 9, 1809 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Littell, Baskingridge, New Jersey. (pp. 70-71) Van Cleve has corresponded again with Doctor Littell, who hopes to settle his debts without a lawsuit.
August 18, 1809 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Thomas W. Burney, the Postmaster of Painted Post, New York. (p. 71) Van Cleve thanks the Postmaster for his kind attention to the business involving Mr. Martin.
August 16, 1809 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to General James Findlay, Cincinnati, Ohio. (pp. 71-73) Van Cleve reports that the last particular account which he transmitted to Findlay was dated June 16, 1808, as appears from the copy retained. In that account as in all others, he made all contracts as if no one was concerned but himself and charged Findlay with all expenses and credited him with all receipts. Findlay was then indebted to Van Cleve $133.21½ exclusive of any allowance. Van Cleve then gives a report of the account since he last transmitted it, in ledger format with a lengthy explanation following afterwards.
October 28, 1809 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Jeremiah McLene, Secretary of State, Chillicothe, Ohio. (pp. 74-75)
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Van Cleve encloses the abstracts of the votes given in this district for Representatives of the General Assembly; and in this county for Sheriff, Coroner, and County Commissioner. Van Cleve also includes his reasons for not making the returns officially.
January 15, 1810 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to General James Findlay, Cincinnati, Ohio. (pp. 76-77) Van Cleve received the certificate and letter of agency sent by Findlay. Likewise he received Findlay’s letter by mail stating the compensation to be allowed to Van Cleve in the agency of Major Short, and he is fully satisfied, believing the returns to be as liberal as need be. Van Cleve is also agreeable to Findlay’s request, enclosing a statement of all Short’s business that is now in Van Cleve’s hands, the amount of monies paid and to be paid to government, the lands sold to whom the received as far as within his knowledge and amounts due from the purchasers. Van Cleve closes the letter by saying that he shall endeavor to fulfill the duties assigned him to the satisfaction and best interest of his employers.
January 29, 1810 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Littell, Baskingridge, New Jersey. (pp. 77-78) Van Cleve gives a brief update in the matter regarding Doctor Littell. He gives news of his family and mutual friends. Then, he reports on the recent outcome of a federal trial involving some “negroes.”
March 19, 1810 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to his Excellency William H. Harrison, Governor of the Indiana Territory, Vicennes [Vincennes], Indiana. (p. 78) Van Cleve writes: “The people of these settlements are extremely anxious to have a way opened from here to Vincennes,” saying that, “such road would be of great advantage to the Territory as well as our settlements.”
March 19, 1810 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Doctor Frederick Ridgely, Lexington, Kentucky. (pp. 78-79) Van Cleve responds to Ridgely’s letter, inquirng about a man who bought land from Major Peyton Short, whom Van Cleve supposes to be John Hogarth. Ridgely has asked Van Cleve to settle with Colonel Patterson; however, Van Cleve says he has no data to settle by. He notes a statement shown to him by Symmes, and he mentions a few others who have paid for their land: Petticrew, Sunderland, and Botkin (assignee of Minnick). Van Cleve ends the letter by saying that he hopes Ridgely will send him the deeds for Petticrew and Sunderland, as well as the statement of Colonel Patterson’s receipts, as soon as possible.
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May 19, 1810 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Reily, Clerk of the Courts of Butler County and Postmaster of Hamilton, Ohio. (pp. 80-81) Van Cleve thanks Reily for his friendship and many favors, and he congratulates him on his marriage. Van Cleve writes that he was sorry to hear Reily and his wife have been sick. Van Cleve writes that he himself has been sick for much of his married life and that his wife has been sickly for 15 months. He notes that he has a year left to serve in his appointment as clerk.
June 7, 1810 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Littel, Baskingridge, New Jersey. (p. 81) Van Cleve congratulates Littel and his wife on the birth of their son and wishes them good health. He comments that his wife’s health has not been good lately. He has been informed that a judgment was recently entered against another man, Doctor Littell.
June 9, 1810 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to R. J. Tyree, Esq., Postmaster of Lewisburgh, Virginia. (p. 82) Van Cleve writes regarding a financial transaction between Mr. Brown and Mr. Butler.
June 9, 1810 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Thomas M. Burney, Esq., Painted Post, New York. (p. 82) Van Cleve hopes that Burney will receive Mr. Squier’s money from Martin.
October 29, 1810 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Charles Wilkins and Doctor Frederick Ridgely, (location unknown). (p. 83) Van Cleve gives the men an account of his agency, including transactions involving the following people: Samuel Shoub, George Shoub, Helms, Peter Inman, Jacob Replogel, John Bucher, Martin Houser, Samuel Kirkpatrick, David Lowry, John Ainsworth, and General Findlay.
February 9, 1811 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to David Hogan, (location unknown). (p. 83) Van Cleve sends $25, which will pay for the copies of the first volume of the Archives.
February 16, 1811 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Charles Wilkins, Esq., (location unknown). (n.p.) Van Cleve writes: “Agreeable to your request (of which I was informed by General Findly [sic]) I send you a statement of the certificates of Mr. Short together with
34 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection the sums due to government thereon those sent to Mr. Short last fall or summer are not precluded.” The statement of lands sold follows.
March 19, 1811 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Hon. Jeremiah Morrow, Hamilton County, [Ohio]. (n.p.) Van Cleve writes a laudatory letter regarding Doctor Edwards, whom he endorses as a possible replacement for the position of Indian Affairs Agent at Fort Wayne, the position currently held by Mr. [John] Johnston, who will quit the service the first of July. 7
March 20, 1811 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Littel, Baskingridge, New Jersey. (n.p.) Van Cleve apologizes for not writing sooner but offers a narrative as an explanation. The narrative includes his task of taking the census in 1810, as well as his wife’s illness and subsequent death on December 28, 1810. Van Cleve also writes of the growth and progress of the Miami Valley. A “bridle path” has been opened from [Dayton] to Vincennes, a distance of 200 miles. He speculates: “This would give a start to Eton [sic] should Congress give us the U. States road thro’ here.” He writes further: “This place is improving rapidly[.] You can have no idea of the alteration since you left here. Last fall the number of souls was upwards of 400, and numbers have come since. The number in the county was 7722, in the state 230,849 souls. 20 families came last fall in about two weeks into one neighborhood in the county.” In closing he again reflects upon the death of his wife and mortality in general, and he sends his sympathies regarding the death of Littell’s brother.
March 20, 1811 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to his uncle and aunt, Benjamin and Mary Van Cleve, Monmouth County, New Jersey. (n.p.) Van Cleve writes the news of his wife’s death and describes the progression of her illness in detail. He apparently sent a lock of her hair, as well as a lock of his son William’s hair, with the letter. He gives news of his sister Amy and other family members in Ohio, as well as brief news of his surviving children, John, Harriet [Henrietta], Mary Cornelia, and Sarah Sophia. He sends his love to all the family and friends in New Jersey.
March 30, 1811 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Albert Galatin, Esq., (location unknown). (n.p.)
7 John Johnston resigned as Indian Agent at Fort Wayne in 1811 in order to move to his farm at Piqua, Ohio. Soon after moving there, however, he was appointed as federal Indian Agent at Piqua, serving this post from 1812 to 1829.
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Van Cleve encloses the final certificate for the payment of the purchase money on a certain tract, for which he wants a patent. He asks that the patents be sent to him at Dayton, provided they have not already been forwarded to Cincinnati.
April 27, 1811 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Little, New Providence, New Jersey. (n.p.) Van Cleve extends his sympathy regarding the death of Little’s father. Then, he writes regarding land sales and purchases.
[April 27, 1811] Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Doctor Frederick Ridgely, Lexington, Kentucky. (n.p.) Van Cleve writes regarding recent and potential land transactions, involving the following individuals: Colonel Patterson, General Findlay, Major Short, Bodley, Cooper.
May 4, 1811 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to William Lamb, Chillicothe, Ohio. (n.p.) Van Cleve sends payment owed by Squier, as well as payments for newspapers. He also asks Lamb to inquire “about our negro business.”
May 18, 1811 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Lewis Cass, Esquire, Marshal O. D. Zanesville, [Ohio]. (n.p.) Van Cleve requests his payment for taking the census of manufacturers, as soon as the arrangements have been made for paying the census-takers.
May 23, 1811 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Major Peyton Short, Lexington, Kentucky. (n.p.) Van Cleve offers condolences regarding the death of Short’s wife, who has apparently passed away recently, and mentions that he too has recently lost his wife. He then turns to the land business. He reminds: “I was instructed since your absence ‘to act for you as I would for myself if the land was my own and I had no other resource to effect the payments but from the land itself’.” Van Cleve discusses land transactions involving the following individuals: Cooper, Bodley, General Findlay, William Short (Peyton’s brother), Morris, Snep, Young, Philip Miller, Replogel, Houser, Bucher, Kirkpatrick, Andrew, and Hunt, Campbell and Ainsworth, Grimes, Helms, Inman, Shoup, Rhuff[?], Martin Baum, Braner, Samuel Grimes, Shover[?], Doctor Ridgely, and Hogarth. Van Cleve also encloses approximately seven pages of “exhibits” detailing his land transactions over the past few years.
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May 25, 1811 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Martin Baum, Esq., Cincinnati, Ohio. (n.p.) Van Cleve writes to Baum regarding Peter Rhuff, who is currently in jail. Van Cleve writes: “Peter Rhuff whom you have here confined in jail has purchase 160 acres of land of me as agent for Peyton Short… He [Rhuff] has not paid me any part. And if you take the land and pay the money due thereon to General Findlay I will assign the section to General Findlay or Mr. St. Clair who will make you a deed as soon as the patent comes on…”
August 10, 1811 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Littel, New Providence, New Jersey. (n.p.) Van Cleve will see Mr. Byram soon to see whether he will assign a bond agreeable to Littel’s request. He thinks he can sell Littel some lots in Eaton for $130. Van Cleve also gives news of family and mutual friends, as follows: “Mr. Jeney is dead – Maria married to a Yankee lawyer. Squier, Holt, Hanna’s and my own families are well. Cooper has lost all his children. Butler has moved to Sandusky. Mr. Hanna’s last wife has a fine child. Mr. Brown is married to a young girl daughter of Col. Patterson.8”
September 21, 1811 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Major Peyton Short or C. Wilkins, Lexington, Kentucky. (n.p.) Van Cleve apologizes for not answering their letters earlier, citing his duties as Clerk of Common Pleas and Board of Commissioners for keeping him busy. Van Cleve gives an update as to the insecurity of the people in the area, in making further payments or improving upon land which has an unclear deed or patent. Van Cleve goes on to discuss specific actions regarding these individuals: Cooper, Lock, Jacob Hills, Symmes, Hogarth, Donnel, Brown, Lowry.
August 24, 1812 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Major Peyton Short, (location unknown). (n.p.) Van Cleve provides several exhibits, as an update of Short’s business done by Van Cleve since his last set of exhibits sent May 23, 1811. Van Cleve’s exhibits include transactions involving: Bartholomew, Patterson, Stephen Sprague, Braner, D. C. Cooper, Hunt, Reid, Hogarth, Philip Miller, Donnel, Houser, Griffith, Sherer, I. Dille, Jones, Replogel.
December 10, 1812 Extract from Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Littel, New Providence, New Jersey. (n.p.) Van Cleve gave news and an apology for neglecting to send the money received of Mr. Ramsay for a lot in Eaton sooner. He enclosed $50 received of D. C. Cooper.
8 On February 19, 1811, Henry Brown married Catherine “Kitty” Patterson, daughter of Col. Robert Patterson, in Dayton.
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April 16, 1813 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to the editor of “The War,” [city unknown], New York. (n.p.) Van Cleve sends payment for his copy of the first volume of “The War,” ($2) as well as $1 payments from Major D. Reid, Alexander McConnell, and George Grove. He asks that the editor please discontinue sending the paper to Mr. Peirce and Mr. Smith at the close of the first volume.
June 4, 1813 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to David Hogan, (location unknown). (n.p.) Van Cleve sends $26 to pay for the second volume of Archives for William Turnbull and for the third volume for all subscribers. He asks that Hogan please not bother sending a copy for Mr. Disbrow, who is being held prisoner at Detroit.
May 20, 1814 Extract regarding Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Doctor T. W. Dyott, (location unknown). (n.p.) Van Cleve notes that on May 20, 1814, he wrote to Doctor T. W. Dyott “that I had received a Box of Medicine the amount broke of mine and Mr. Reeder, respecting printing his advertisement and the necessity of obtaining license.”
May 23, 1814 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Thomas Constant, Esq., (location unknown). (n.p.) Doctor Dyott of Philadelphia has appointed Van Cleve as his agent at Dayton for the sale of his patent family medicines. Van Cleve is uncertain whether a license is required for this and has contacted Dyott in the matter. He encloses with his letter to Constant a payment for a license, requesting that if a license is required, that he be issued it, with it being dated according to the date on this application. If it turns out that he does not need the license, he asks that his money will please be refunded.
August 2, 1814 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Doctor T. W. Dyott, (location unknown). (n.p.) Van Cleve reports on the medicines that he has sold on Dyott’s behalf, listing the description, price, and quantity sold. Having deducted his commission from the sales, he is sending $50 to Dyott by H. G. Phillips and requests that Dyott send a further supply to Mr. Reeder and himself.
August 20, 1816 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Captain William S. Drake, Delaware County, Ohio. (n.p.) Van Cleve has sold one of Drake’s steers, as requested, and closes the $10 he was paid for the steer.
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March 11, 1815 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Henry Thurman, Washington, Ohio. (n.p.) Van Cleve sends $113 and includes a list showing how the money is broken down, including names, dollar amounts, and locations.
May 20, 1815 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to the Honorable Secretary of War, (location unknown). (n.p.) Van Cleve writes a lengthy recommendation for Captain James Rhea, late commandant at Fort Wayne.
May 6, 1816 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Robert Craig, Alexander Turner, David Breckinridge, and R. Harvey of Irvine, Scotland. (n.p.) Van Cleve imparts the melancholy news that the recipients’ friend William Millar has died. Van Cleve describes Millar’s last days and discloses that his estate, estimated at approximately $2,000, will be left to his natural daughter, age 19, who lives at Pittsburgh. Van Cleve asks that the men convey the news to Millar’s father, if he is still living.
November 1816 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Return Jonathan Meigs, Postmaster General, (location unknown). (n.p.) Van Cleve reports that the tide of emigration to the western country is now flowing to Indiana, principally to the neighborhood of Fort Harrison. He advises that a direct road from the central part of Ohio to there would be of great public benefit to emigrants, travelers, and to the general government in the sale settlement of the lands westward. [Note: The name (possibly signature) “Sarah S. Van Cleve” is written in cursive script, in pencil, on the bottom of the last page of this letter.]
December 2, 1817 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Joel K. Mead, (location unknown). (n.p.) Van Cleve requests that Mead discontinue sending papers to William Munger. He also encloses a payment for other individuals’ papers.
December 14, 1818 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to the editor of the “National Register,” (location unknown). (n.p.) Van Cleve sends payments for the papers of Joseph Crane and William Smith, as well as himself, but asks that Crane’s and Smith’s subscriptions be discontinued.
November 10, 1819 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to David Morris, Oxford, [Ohio]. (n.p.)
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Van Cleve discusses his only objection against Morris’s appointment to the secretaryship [sic] of Miami University, that objection being Morris’s holding infidel opinions and declaring them. Van Cleve hopes that Morris’s belief is quite otherwise than “Atheistical or Deistical.” Van Cleve declares that it is not for the interest of the institution that he has been induced to trouble Morris, but through friendship to him. Van Cleve writes multiple pages on religion and divinity. Van Cleve ends the letter by saying that he solicits no answer, being always averse to religious or political controversy.
December 11, 1819 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to his brother William Van Cleve, (location unknown). (n.p.) Benjamin Van Cleve writes that his income is scarce, and he has recently had to borrow large sums of money. He has had to bring John home from school, because he cannot afford to support the expense of his education any longer. He intends to discharge Mr. Conover at the end of the month and seeks to reduce his household to his immediate family only, out of financial necessity. Consequently, he asks William to please make arrangements for Isaac to leave him at the end of the present quarter, when his school term is over.
Box 3, Folder 1: Correspondence from Benjamin Van Cleve to John Cleves Short (Photostats from the J. C. Short Collection of Short Family Papers9), 1812-1817, Undated
February 8, 1812 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve (Agent for Peyton Short), Dayton, Ohio, to Isaac Burnet and John Dille, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Lease to John Dille’s land stating that he shall plant corn on the land and repay the debt with one third of the yield from the corn crop.
March 5, 1812 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to [John C. Short], (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin mentions that Cooper and Compton have failed their repayment obligation. He mentions that he has been indisposed due to pain.
June 12, 1812 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Mr. John C. Short, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin informs John that he is sending a little map of John’s father’s lands along with money.
9 The Photostats have a stamped date April 5, 1945, on the back, as well as the letters “L.C.” These items are labeled as having come from the J. C. Short Collection of Short Family Papers, presumably in the Library of Congress.
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June 29, 1812 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John C. Short, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin mentions that he will soon be hitting the road to conduct business.
January 7, 1813 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John C. Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin informs John that he has sent his brother to the Receiver’s office to pick up money owed to Col. Holt by Ainsworth.
January 28, 1813 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John C. Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin discusses enquiring about certificates in Chillicothe or Hamilton for John’s father’s land.
March 18, 1813 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John C. Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin writes that he has been unable to write for the past few weeks because he has been confined to his bed. He informs John that the contract to Minich has been relinquished and his notes returned.
March 27, 1813 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve (Agent for Peyton Short), Dayton, Ohio, to Peyton Short, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin writes that John Petticrew is to receive $125 and a note for $226 to be redeemed on April 2 nd .
April, 1813 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Mr. John Cleves Short, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin writes that he has enclosed two certificates which have been paid up by Lewis Brenner some time ago.
April 2, 1813 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Mr. John Short, Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photostat copy) Benjamin has delivered $450 to Burnet to be paid to [Jim]. He also mentions he was instructed to sell River Bottom, and Praire [sic] land with at gratuity of woodland for $5 per acre.
April 22, 1813 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John C. Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy)
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Benjamin mentions a judgment of a considerable amount against the Hunts of $500-$1,000.
May 7, 1813 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John C. Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin writes that he is sending a sum of thirty-five dollars, and requests that a receipt be sent to Dayton.
June 27, 1813 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John C. Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin writes about prices Mr. Burnet had paid for his lots of land.
August 11, 1813 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to J. C. Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin discusses about the money some of his debtors owe him, W. Holmes and John Mann.
October 8, 1813 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Cleves Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin mentions he sold Levi Jennings’ 80 acres and that Henry Jennings wants to purchase 80 acres.
October 15, 1813 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to J. C. Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin states that the tract of land between Hunts and Dille has not been surveyed but is supposed to contain about 200 acres. He also references a tract that was sold by Major Short to Colonel Patterson, as well as another tract called “the cherry bottom.”
October 22, 1813 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to J. Cleves Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin discusses selling land to Henry and Levi Jennings.
November 25, 1813 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio to, J. C. Short, Esquire, Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photostat copy) Benjamin writes about the notes that [Jim] had sent him are incorrect. He mentions that Mr. [Braner] is entitled to patents for [22& 28 /2 R8].
December 17, 1813
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Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John C. Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin reports to John that he has transferred every tract of land sold by him within the county and has made his returns regularly to the auditor.
February 11, 1814 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to J. C. Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin reports that Mr. Kemp has received money to pay for the land which will have to be deeded to Simon [Shovers].
February 25, 1814 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to J. C. Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin writes that Mr. Kemp has paid the full amount of $415.87 on [Shovers’] land.
April 7, 1814 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Cleves Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin reports that he is much obliged by John’s attention in forwarding and getting the entries at the Land Office.
July 11, 1814 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Cleves Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin encloses certificates of tax for 1813.
November 3, 1814 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to J. C. Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin lists a schedule of payments for Mr. Archibald on his land. Labeled “Archibald’s Statement of Bonds.”
November 8, 1814 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John C. Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin notes that David Lock sold a piece of his land to George Newcom for $525. He also writes that Mr. Newcom wants to meet with John before he leaves for Chillicothe.
December 1, 1814 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to J. C. Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin writes about a judgment that was executed against Elliot.
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December 31, 1814 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to J. C. Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin informs John that he cannot do the land surveying that John had requested. Benjamin informs John that he has been out of the surveying practice for some time, and no longer owns any surveying instruments.
March 4, 1815 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to J. C. Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin writes that Mr. Newcom has returned to town and has some money to pay John. He also writes that Samuel Dille has claimed a larger tract of land than he rightfully paid for.
March 26, 1815 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to J. C. Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin encloses a receipt of payments from Mr. Newcom, Levi Jennings, and John Mann.
April 15, 1815 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Cleves Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin encloses a receipt of payments from the Miami Exporting Company and George Newcom.
July 24, 1815 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Cleves Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin writes about the 35 acres he sold to Colonel Grimes. He also mentions to John that if he had the money, he would purchase a lot from him alongside the Mad River.
September 21, 1816 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John Cleves Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin apologizes for a non-payment.
October 12, 1816 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to [John Cleves Short], (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin writes that he was absent from home, and in Champaign County when John’s last letter arrived. Benjamin also writes that he will undertake to settle with Mr. Kinnon.
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August 30, 1817 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to [John Cleves Short], (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin writes that he had settled with Mr. Kinnon some time ago, and took his note for the balance due to John.
October 11, 1817 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio to, J. C. Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin encloses a receipt for $467.62 ½ from the judgment in Peyton Short vs. James Weeks.
October 11, 1817 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to John C. Short, Esquire, (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin sends instructions to John on how to format the receipt in the court case that was in favor of Peyton Short.
Undated Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, [Dayton, Ohio], to[John Cleves Short], (location unknown). (Photostat copy) Benjamin includes an auditor’s entry list for several unnamed persons living in Montgomery County, as well as one John Petticrew of Champaign County.
Box 6, Folder 1, and Box 7, Folder 1: Correspondence between Benjamin Van Cleve and his son John W. Van Cleve, 1817-1819 *Note: All items are contained in Box 6, Folder 1, unless otherwise noted.
July 10, 1817 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Athens, Ohio, to his father, Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. John writes to his father to thank him for the two newspapers and the change of clothes Benjamin had sent. John is inquiring from his father whether or not he approves of his leaving home to do his studies in Athens, Ohio. John also mentions his participation in the Fourth of July celebration in Athens the previous week.
July 21, [1817-1819] Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Athens, Ohio, to his father, Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. *Note: This item can be found in Box 7, Folder 1. John writes that he has begun studying algebra. His school has grown larger than ever with forty-two students attending. He tells his father that he now has three roommates: Lucius Bierce (Dr. Bierce’s brother), William Fullerton from Chillicothe, and Loring Putnam from Belpre.
45 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
September 18, [1817-1819] Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Athens, Ohio, to his father, Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. John mentions that he sent his father last week some of the currency they use at the academy that is printed in Marietta. A Mr. Smith from Lancaster, who left the academy in July, has returned with some silver to pay off debts.
May 28, 1818 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Athens, Ohio, to his father, Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. John writes that he is now boarding with Mr. Lindsey’s brother in a boarding house John had previously occupied. John mentions talking to Edwin, a young boarding school student who appears to be quite homesick.
June 18, 1818 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Athens, Ohio, to his father, Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. John writes to his father saying that he has received the letter his father sent on June 8 th . He mentions paying a sum of money to Joe Fluke to cover living expenses. He also writes that he has been studying Greek grammar and is ready to start reading the Greek authors. He also mentions that a man in the community named Davis received fourteen years in the penitentiary for raping his daughter.
June 25, 1818 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Athens, Ohio, to his father, Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. John writes that he received his father’s letter and three newspapers in last Friday’s mail. He tells his father that Jacob Lindly’s family is heading up to Athens for a while. He comments on the singularities of the scholars at school such as David Barber from Marietta.
July 19, 1818 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to his son John W. Van Cleve, Athens, Ohio. Benjamin informs his son that his indisposition has made him uneasy, and hopes his son’s health has recovered. He has borrowed two hundred fifty dollars from Mr. Phillips to help keep his business running. He makes it known to his son that he wishes he would devote a part of the Sabbath to reading the scriptures. He encloses ten dollars to help with his son’s expenditures.
November 6, 1818 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Athens, Ohio, to his father, Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. John mentions that he got back safe on Sunday evening and found all was well. He is now reading Homer with a Mr. [Daria], and is quite pleased with Homer’s writing.
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December 12, 1818 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Athens, Ohio, to his father, Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. John writes that he received a letter from his father yesterday. He is boarding at the same place as he did during the last school session. He writes about his roommate and chief friend Benjamin Smith, a brother of Senator Daniel Smith. He mentions that the enrollment at his school has risen to thirty-five students. He asks his father if he can ask that Mr. Conover would look in old newspapers and other sources which might have contained Phillip’s speeches.
January 29, 1819 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Athens, Ohio, to his father, Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. *Note: This item can be found in Box 7, Folder 1. John writes that he has just received a letter from his father, one from the girls, and one from Silas Baker. He offers to leave school for the winter and come home to help his father run his business. He proposes to return to school after he helps his father catch up on his work.
March 5, 1819 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Athens, Ohio, to his father, Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. *Note: This item can be found in Box 7, Folder 1. John writes about how the students at his school have the liberty to choose what they want to study. He mentions if he can get a horse, he would like to visit Columbus and Lancaster on the way home to Dayton.
June 1, 1819 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Athens, Ohio, to his father, Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. John writes to his father stating that he has not yet received any letters from him, but has received a letter from Mr. Conover. He comments on his finishing a book on Euclid, and the progress of his arithmetic studies. He mentions to his father that he has run out of money.
June 16, 1819 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Athens, Ohio, to his father, Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. John received a letter from his father yesterday. He mentions that Mr. Lindly has gone to Zanesville, and has yet to return. His academy will be moving to the college in the winter. He notes that the college and academy students will share the same facilities, but will remain as separate divisions. He mentions that studying Euclid is the most pleasant thing he has taken.
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June 30, 1819 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Athens, Ohio, to his father, Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. *Note: This item can be found in Box 7, Folder 1. John is paying particular attention to studying fractions in his arithmetic class. He loses his pocketbook and the six or seven dollars that was inside of it. He describes some of the rules he must abide at the academy.
July [7], 1819 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Athens, Ohio, to his father, Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. John acknowledges the letter he receives from his father about studying law with [Dana]. He does not wish to study law with his man because he sees him as a second or third rate lawyer. If his father insists on him studying law, he prefers to study with the lawyer Beecher in Lancaster.
August 3, 1819 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Athens, Ohio, to his father, Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. *Note: This item can be found in Box 7, Folder 1. John just received three letters, one from his father, one from the girls, and one from Isaac. His school now has an enrollment of forty-seven students. He mentions that he has received twelve dollars and gives an itemized bill of what debts he paid with the money.
September 8, 1819 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Athens, Ohio, to his father, Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. John compiles a list of banks in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Virginia.
September 21, 1819 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Athens, Ohio, to his father Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. *Note: This item can be found in Box 7, Folder 1. John acknowledges that he has received a letter last night from his father that had forty dollars enclosed. Mr. Shipman wishes to know about the Dayton Bank and their currency exchange policy.
Box 1, Folder 6: Petition of First Settlers at Dayton and Mercers Station, [1795]
[circa Nov. 1795] Petition from the first settlers at Dayton and Mercers Station in Montgomery and Greene Counties, State of Ohio, to the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress
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The petitioners state difficulties that they encountered in attempting to settle the area in November 1795, including general hardships and threats from Native Americans. They say that they have not received the expected advantages from the forming of these settlements. The petitioners were: William Gahagan, Samuel Thompson, Benjamin Van Cleve, William Van Cleve, Thomas David, James McClure, James Morris, Thomas Hamer, Abraham Glassmire, William Hamer, Solomon Hamer, William Chenoweth, George Newcom, William Newcom, Thomas Davis as representative of John Davis (deceased), William Hamer as representative of Solomon Goss, B. Van Cleve and William Gahagan as representatives of John Dorough.
Box 2: Laws of the Territory of the United States North-west of the River Ohio , 1796-1804
Benjamin Van Cleve’s personal copy of Laws of the Territory of the United States North- west of the Ohio River , in 5 volumes.
Box 2: Dayton Township Tax Assessment, 1798
Assessment of the Taxable Property for the township of Dayton; includes property holders’ names.
Box 2: Surveyor’s Records of Hamilton County, Ohio, 1801-1810
1801-1803 Benjamin Van Cleve, Surveyor of Hamilton County, [Ohio], surveyor’s records; 23 pages.
1804-1810 Benjamin Van Cleve, Surveyor of Hamilton County, [Ohio], surveyor’s records; 28 pages.
The following duplicate of Benjamin Van Cleve’s surveyor records is available in the Dayton Local History collection:
Van Cleve, Benjamin. [ Survey field notes of Benjamin Van Cleve, 1801-1810]. [S.l. : s.n., 1801-1810]. Dayton Local History 977.17203 V222S 1801/10 Book 1 covers the period from 1801-1803; Book 2 is 1804-1810. This item contains Holographs (photocopy) of the original, also available in this collection. Includes index (excerpted from Enumeration '96 : a name and source descriptive index to persons in the Ohio counties of Montgomery & Greene, 1796-1810, published in Dayton, Ohio by the Celebration ‘96 Bicentennial Committee, 1996).
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Box 2: Acts of the State of Ohio, First Session , 1803
Benjamin Van Cleve’s personal copy of Acts of the State of Ohio, First Session .
Box 2: Bond naming Benjamin Van Cleve as first Postmaster of Dayton, 1803
Dec. 12, 1803 Bond for $500 establishing Benjamin Van Cleve as the first Postmaster of Dayton and delineating his duties as such.
The document reads as follows: Know all men by these presents that we, Benjamin Van Cleve of Dayton in Montgomery Hamilton County & State of Ohio – and George Newcom of the same place are held and firmly bound unto the Postmaster General of the United States of America, in the just and full sum of five hundred dollars to be paid to the said Postmaster General or to his assigns: To which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators by these presents. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names and affixed our seals this twelfth day of December in the year of our Lord One Thousand, Eight Hundred and three. The condition of this obligation is such, that whereas the above bounded Benj.’n Van Cleve is appointed Postmaster at Dayton aforesaid. Now if the said Benj. Van Cleve shall well and truly execute the duties of the said office, and faithfully once in three months, and oftener if thereto required, render accounts of his receipts and expenditures as Postmaster to the General Post-Office in the manner and form prescribed by the Postmaster general in his several instructions to Postmasters, and shall pay all monies that shall come to his hand for the postages of whatever is by law chargeable with postage to the Postmaster General of the United States for the time being, deducting only the commission and allowances made by law for his care, trouble and charges in managing the said office, then the above obligation shall be void and of no effect. Signed, Sealed, and Delivered in the presence of } (signatures) [Witn.] S. Wheeler Benjamin Van Cleve Robt. Edgar George Newcom
Note: This document was originally donated to the “Relic Room” of Memorial Hall in May, 1909, by Woodbridge Odlin, who was formerly of Dayton, but was then living in Washington, DC. It found its way to the Dayton Library Museum, which later became Dayton Museum of Natural History (now Booneshoft Museum of Discovery). Eventually the library and the museum split, and in March 1994, this document was returned to the library’s manuscript collections by the museum.
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Box 2: Constitution of the Social Library Society of Dayton, 1805
1805 Constitution of the Social Library Society of Dayton
The first paragraph of the document reads as follows: Wheras establishments of Public Libraries, tends to promote useful knowledge, and is conducive to the good and happiness of a society; the subscribers for a Library to be kept in the township of Dayton, have been induced to associate and do hereby associate themselves into a society, to be known by the name of “The Social Library Society of Dayton” and do adopt the following constitution.
Note: This document is marked as having been donated by Wm. Leroy McKnight, July 1942, with the Van Cleve and Dover material.
Box 3, Folder 2: Business Transactions and Correspondence (Photostat10 ), [1810-1820]
October 22, 1810 Loan promissory note of John D. Campbell to John Ainsworth. (Photostat) Campbell must pay $73.72 ½ to Ainsworth. Signed by Benjamin Van Cleve.
October 24, 1811 Title bond for Benjamin Van Cleve and William Homer to Stephen Sprague. (Photostat) Van Cleve and Homer are held and firmly bound unto Sprague in the amount of $800. Sprague had on that day purchased 125.4 acres of land in the northeast corner of Section 25, Town 2, Range 8 of Van Cleve as agent for Peyton Short. The bond was witnessed by Arthur St. Clair, Jr.
December 26, 1811 Article for title of Peyton Short to Valentine Sherer. (Photostat) Sherer has purchased the southeast quarter of Section 22, Township 2, Range 8, between the Miami and Mad River. Signed by Benjamin Van Cleve, on behalf of Peyton Short; witnessed by Lewis Davis.
[1812] Note regarding the certificate in the Land Office. (Photostat) This note written by Benjamin Van Cleve pertains to a certificate for land in Section 3, Township 2, Range 8, being in the Land Office. Signed by Benjamin Van Cleve. Beneath the signature is another note which reads: “Look in John’s trunk for a rec’t in my favor given by Looker and Brown for $50.”
10 The Photostats have a stamped date April 5, 1945, on the back, as well as the letters “L.C.” These items presumably came from a collection in the Library of Congress.
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March 23, 1812 Article for title from Peyton Short to Col. Robert Patterson. (Photostat) Patterson has made himself accountable to Short for $1,060 in regards to the purchase of 220 acres of land in the south end of the west half of Section 34, Township 2, Range 8, between the Miami rivers. Signed by Benjamin Van Cleve, agent of Peyton Short.
September 25, 1812 Agreement between Peyton Short and Thomas Whalen. (Photostat) It is agreed that Thomas Whalen shall occupy and possess 50 acres of land to lay in a square around where he has now built the cabin to be the center, provided said 50 acres will lie in Section 24, Township [3?], Range 8. Signed by Benjamin Van Cleve, agent of Peyton Short; witnessed by Abraham Clark.
December 16, 1812 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to unknown recipient. (Photostat) The letter concerns an apparent difficulty regarding the assignment of land certificates. Van Cleve writes regarding transactions involving Lowry, Lamb (also spelled Lamme in same letter), Donnel, and Short. He states that Short will be at Cincinnati about the first of next month, and that while Short was in Florida, he (Van Cleve) was authorized to do all his business in this quarter.
December 29, 1812 Loan promissory note for Henry Enoch to Peyton Short. (Photostat) Van Cleve received $50 from Henry Enoch which, according to Enoch, is agreeable to a verbal agreement made with Short in the matter of 100 acres of land where said Enoch now lives. Signed by Benjamin Van Cleve, agent of Peyton Short.
December 30, 1812 Receipt of money from Andrew Lock to Peyton Short. (Photostat) Van Cleve received from Andrew Lock $92 in part of a judgment in favor of Peyton Short and against said Lock. Signed and received by agent Benjamin Van Cleve.
January 1813 List of lands of Peyton Short to be paid for January 1813. (Photostat) The list includes Exhibit of Mad River Business, as well as an account of sales and receipts of Dayton lots. The details include section, township, and range numbers, number of acres, money due to the government, and names of the buyers.
January 15, 1813 Peyton Short’s Lands, memorandum from Mr. Van Cleave [sic] at Dayton. (Photostat) The memorandum includes original quantity of lands, section, township, and range numbers, acres sold, amount received, and a remarks column. Received by Daniel [Symmes].
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May 1, 1813 Receipt of money from Andrew Lock to Peyton Short. (Photostat) Van Cleve received by $81.37 from Andrew Lock. In all, Lock has paid $246.37½ on account of a judgment in Short’s favor. Signed on behalf of Peyton Short, by his agent Benjamin Van Cleve.
August 10, 1813 Surveys of land. (Photostat) Descriptions of surveys conducted on Sprague’s land as well as Owen [Jones]’s land, including locations of trees and other boundaries.
September 20, 1813 Account of Benjamin Van Cleve with Peyton Short up to September 20, 1813. (Photostat) Includes an account of lands unsold belonging to Mr. Short, September 1813. Also includes a note on the front page that Benjamin Van Cleve believes there is a receipt of $33 paid to Col. Patterson in the hands of General Findlay.
September 21, 1813 Title bond to Henry Jennings. (Photostat) Van Cleve received of Jennings $70 on each of two occasions, which in combination with $100 paid to Peyton Short, is in full for the consideration of 60 acres of land in the west side of the northeast corner of Section 36, Township 3 [2?], Range 8. Signed on behalf of Peyton Short, by his agent Benjamin Van Cleve.
May 6, 1814 Exhibit of bonds in the hands of Benjamin Van Cleve (Photostat) The exhibit is labeled: “Exhibit of bonds in the hands of Benjamin Van Cleve for collection and of monies due from sales of Mad River lands made by my father, Mr. Van Cleve, Donnel, or other agents.” The entries include names of persons, amounts of notes now due, and interest accrued.
July 11, 1814 Taxes paid in 1813 for tracts of land transferred from Peyton Short. (Photostat) The note lists the names of people to whom land was transferred by Short, as well as the number f acres, section, township, and range information. Signed by Benjamin Van Cleve, Clerk of the Commissioners of Montgomery County.
August 20, 1814 Receipt for Col. John Grimes, agent for David Lock. (Photostat) Van Cleve received $54.75 from Col. John Grimes, agent for David Lock, to pay for lands purchased by Andrew Lock. Signed on behalf of Peyton Short, by his agent Benjamin Van Cleve.
August 31, 1814 Memorandum for Mr. Short from Colonel Grimes. (Photostat)
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The memorandum is regarding the Grimes estate in Virginia. Signed by Benjamin Van Cleve.
November 12, 1814 Receipt for David Lock. (Photostat) Van Cleve received $125 of David Lock in part toward the land he lives on. Signed on behalf of Peyton Short, by his agent Benjamin Van Cleve.
November 18, 1814 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to unknown recipient. (Photostat) Van Cleve acknowledges receipt of favors from Archibald through the mail. He describes the portion of land that was intended to be deeded to Archibald. He also references Martin, Newcom, Hunt, and Holmes, but says he has not heard from Mann, McKinnon, nor Dille.
November 30, 1814 Receipt for George Newcom. (Photostat) Van Cleve has received payment of $73 by Newcom for lands purchased of Peyton Short by Andrew Lock. Signed on behalf of Peyton Short, by his agent Benjamin Van Cleve.
April 13, 1815 Receipt for David Lock. (Photostat) Van Cleve received payment of $100 of David Lock by the hands of George Newcom. Signed by Benjamin Van Cleve, agent of Peyton Short.
May 1, 1815 Letter of Benjamin Van Cleve to unknown recipient. (Photostat) Van Cleve states that he does not think Dille’s land was ever surveyed but that it is supposed to be about 200 acres. He briefly describes its location.
October 26, 1815 Receipt for Peyton Short. (Photostat) Van Cleve received $111.81 ½ payment of Peyton Short by the hand of J. Cleves Short. Signed Benjamin Van Cleve.
December 24, 1815[?] Title bond of Levi Jennings. (Photostat) 2 Van Cleve received of Levi Jennings $106.66 /3 on September 24, 1813, in addition to two other notes of the same amount to be received in the future, in consideration for 80 acres of land being west half of the northeast quarter of Section 31, Township 3, Range 9. The land was deeded December 24, 181[5?]. Signed on behalf of Peyton Short, by his agent Benjamin Van Cleve.
January 3, 1816 and July 26, 1817 Receipts of payment from Robert Coleman. (Photostat)
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Van Cleve received payment from Robert Coleman for $500 to J. Cleves Short on January 3, 1816; and on July 26, 1817, $250 received of Robert Coleman for John C. Short, by Benjamin Van Cleve.
January 2, 1817 Receipt of payment from John Cleves Short. (Photostat) Van Cleve, Clerk of Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, received of John Cleves Short $12.47 in full of the costs in the suit, Peyton Short vs. William Elliott. Signed by Benjamin Van Cleve, Clerk of Montgomery County Common Pleas Court.
October 9, 1818 Deed for Isaac Griffith, Sr. (Photostat) Original agreement shows that $176 was received November 25, 1809, from John Bodley and Isaac Griffith in regards to the tract of land described, located in Section 20, Township 2, Range 8. The property was deeded on October 9, 1809. Signed on behalf of Peyton Short, by his agent Benjamin Van Cleve.
December 19, 1820 List of unsold Mad River lands. (Photostat) List of Lands, Unsold, Dec. 19, 1820 – patented to William and Peyton Short and left with Mr. Benjamin Van Cleve to sell. Includes a list of acreages, range, township, and section numbers, and notes regarding the buyers.
Box 7, Folder 2: Business Transactions and Correspondence (Photostats 11 ), 1810-1813
June 2, 1810 Title Bond of Peyton Short to Lewis Braner. ( Photostat) Title bond in recognition of the sum of nine hundred and twenty dollars paid in full by Michael Young on behalf of Lewis Braner for the property in the north half of Section 22, Township 2, Range 8.
May 23, 1811 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Peyton Short, Esquire, Lexington, Kentucky. ( Photostat) Van Cleve offers condolences regarding the death of Short’s wife, who has apparently passed away recently, and mentions that he too has recently lost his wife. He then turns to the land business. He reminds: “I was instructed since your absence ‘to act for you as I would for myself if the land was my own and I had no other resource to effect the payments but from the land itself’.” Van Cleve discusses land transactions involving the following individuals: Cooper, Bodley, General Findlay, William Short (Peyton’s brother), Morris, Snep, Young, Philip Miller, Replogel, Houser, Bucher, Kirkpatrick, Andrew, and Hunt,
11 The Photostats have a stamped date April 5, 1945, on the back, as well as the letters “L.C.” These items presumably came from a collection in the Library of Congress.
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Campbell and Ainsworth, Grimes, Helms, Inman, Shoup, Rhuff[?], Martin Baum, Braner, Samuel Grimes, Shover[?], Doctor Ridgely, and Hogarth, as well as Jonathan Donnel. Van Cleve also encloses several pages of “exhibits” detailing his land transactions over the past few years. These exhibits also include two maps showing land tracts. There is a nearly identical copy of this letter in the Letter Book of Benjamin Van Cleve (Box 1), dated May 23, 1811. The copy in the Letter Book does not include the maps or the account with Donnel, however.
September 21, 1811 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Major Peyton Short or Charles Wilson, Lexington, Kentucky. (Photostat) Van Cleve apologizes for not answering their letters earlier, citing his duties as Clerk of Common Pleas and Board of Commissioners for keeping him busy. Van Cleve gives an update as to the insecurity of the people in the area, in making further payments or improving upon land which has an unclear deed or patent. Van Cleve goes on to discuss specific actions regarding these individuals: Cooper, Lock, Jacob Hills, Symmes, Hogarth, Donnel, Brown, Lowry. There is a nearly identical copy of this letter in the Letter Book of Benjamin Van Cleve (Box 1), dated September 21, 1811. The copy in the Letter Book does not include as much detail about Lowry, however.
January 25, 1812 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Major Peyton Short, Lexington, Kentucky. ( Photostat) Since Van Cleve received Short’s letter, he has attended the Court and Board of Commissioners. He has also suffered “a severe fit of his old complaint” brought on by the cold. The Secretary of War requires a copy of a letter from Short stating that he has empowered Van Cleve to act as his agent. Van Cleve has also been thusly empowered by Wilkins and Ridgely, who have sent their letters already. Van Cleve also briefly discusses transactions he has made since he last saw Short, with individuals including: Kirkpatrick, the Andrews heirs, the Hunts, Philip Miller, Morris, the Brenners [Braner], and Rhuff.
August 28, 1812 Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Major Peyton Short, Lexington, Kentucky. ( Photostat) Van Cleve provides several exhibits, as an update of Short’s business done by Van Cleve since his last set of exhibits sent May 23, 1811. Van Cleve’s exhibits include transactions involving: Bartholomew, Patterson, Stephen Sprague, Braner, D. C. Cooper, Hunt, Reid, Hogarth, Philip Miller, Donnel, Houser, Griffith, Sherer, I. Dille, Jones, Replogel. There is a nearly identical copy of this letter in the Letter Book of Benjamin Van Cleve (Box 1), dated August 24, 1812.
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[September 1813] Major Peyton Short’s account with Benjamin Van Cleve. ( Photostat) Account ledgers showing records of Major Peyton Short in account with Benjamin Van Cleve, as well as cash paid and received for Peyton Short (by Benjamin Van Cleve), and Exhibits of papers belonging to Major Short in Van Cleve’s hands.
[September 1813] Major Peyton Short’s account with Benjamin Van Cleve. ( Photostat) Account ledgers showing records of Major Peyton Short in account with Benjamin Van Cleve, as well as cash paid and received for Peyton Short (by Benjamin Van Cleve), and Exhibits of papers belonging to Major Short in Van Cleve’s hands. This copy also includes a list of lands unsold. A note in an empty section of one of the ledgers reads: “Sept. 20, 1813 – Settled the within and above account this day with B. Van Cleve and received the voucher rec’ts numbered to 25 in the within account, which as far as I have been able to examine it appears to be correct, and there appears to be due to said Van Cleve two hundred dollars ninety cents. [signed] Peyton Short”
Box 6, Folder 2: Deed to Benjamin Van Cleve of Dayton Academy Land, 1814
June 17, 1814-July 2, 1814 From Commissioners of Montgomery County to Benjamin Van Cleve; deed to land for the Dayton Academy received on June 17, 1814, and recorded July 2, 1814.
Box 2: Memoirs of Benjamin Van Cleve (original), [1773-1821]
The original handwritten memoirs of Benjamin Van Cleve, including notes about family, ancestors, military career, and daily life.
A brief passage on page 77 marks his arrival at Dayton, Ohio: “April 1 st , 1796, landed at Dayton after a passage of ten days.”
According to inscriptions inside the front cover, it appears to have passed from Benjamin Van Cleve to Sarah S. Van Cleve, his youngest daughter, then on her death to John W. Van Cleve. From John W. Van Cleve, it passed to Thomas Dover and from Thomas Dover to his daughter Anna Dover McKnight.
Several transcribed and edited copies of Benjamin Van Cleve’s memoirs are available in the Dayton Local History collection. See the Bibliography & Further Reading on Page 7.
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Box 3, Folder 3: Copies and research notes on the Memoirs of Benjamin Van Cleve , [1887, 1900], Undated
Undated Typed copy of an excerpt from Benjamin Van Cleve’s Biographical Memorandum. The top of page 1 has notes saying it is from Mrs. Simpson’s copy, and was a gift of Orville Wright to Dayton Public Library on July 6, 1945. Also contains an excerpt on the last page titled “Mr. Van Cleve’s Oldest Description of St. Clair’s Defeat.
Undated Two duplicate typed copies of Benjamin Van Cleve’s Trip to Philadelphia, 1792. The top of page one states that this copy was copied from Benjamin Van Cleve’s Memoirs - Andrew’s copy.
September 1, 1887 Two Photostat copies of excerpts from Benjamin Van Cleve’s Memoirs in the Monmouth Inquire, Freehold, New Jersey.
December 8, 1887 Two Photostat copies of excerpts from Benjamin Van Cleve’s Memoirs and commentary in the Monmouth Inquire , Freehold, New Jersey.
December 22, 1900 Typed copy of extracts from Benjamin Van Cleve’s Memoirs done by Orville Wright. Notes on the first page indicated it was copied from Andrew’s copy, and donated by Orville Wright to the Dayton Public Library on July 6, 1945.
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SERIES II: PAPERS OF JOHN W. VAN CLEVE
Subseries 1: Correspondence
Box 6, Folder 3: Correspondence to John W. Van Cleve, 1819, 1839-1858
February 20 [no year given] Letter from C. P. [Brister], Times Office, Newark, to John W. Van Cleve, (location unknown). C. P. [Brister] writes that many years have passes since they last met. He writes that many changes have occurred in our homes and circle of friends. Many have died, married, or moved away from the area.
May 20 [no year given] Letter from Elizabeth Phillips Worthington [Mrs. John Worthington], Dresden, to John W. Van Cleve, (location unknown). Elizabeth Worthington writes about her travels abroad and includes several comments on the city of Dayton.
July 3 [no year given] Letter from Mary Sophia Greene [Mrs. Egbert Schenck], Female Seminary, Steubenville, Ohio, to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. She writes in general about school and other commonalities, as well as asks John to please remind some friends of debts they owe her. Signed, “Sophy.”
November 9, 1819 Letter from A. Brown, Athens, [Ohio], to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. Brown apologizes for the long day in his correspondence with John. He has been busy preparing for his entrance into college life.
September 14, 1839 Letter from Eliza P. [Phillips?], Philadelphia, [Pennsylvania], to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. Eliza mentions the news of her cousin Robert’s death.
June 25, 1840 Letter from Margaret Van Cleve, Harrogate, to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. Margaret acknowledges receipt of the letter and German book he sent her.
June 13, 1843 Letter from John Locke, Detroit, [Michigan], to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. [This letter is written in a difficult handwriting and uses poetic language.]
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December 30, 1843 Letter from Walter R. Johnson, Corresponding Secretary of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, [Pennsylvania], to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. The letter informs John that he was elected a Correspondent of the Academy at a meeting held on December 26, 1843.
October 13, 1844 Letter from J. G. Norwood, Madison, [Indiana], to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. Norwood informs John that he is sending him a box of coral fossils via the care of John B. Chapman in Cincinnati.
January 3, 1845 Letter from R. Buchanan, Cincinnati, Ohio, to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. Buchanan states that he has obtained the remaining numbers of Goldfuss and asks if John would like to have them.
February 3, 1845 Letter from R. Buchanan, Cincinnati, Ohio, to John W. Van Cleve, Esquire, Dayton, Ohio. Buchanan states that he is sending the Goldfuss.
February 8, 1845 Letter from R. Buchanan and George T. Browning, Cincinnati, Ohio, to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. Receipt for $45 dollars in return for copy of Goldfuss.
May 23, 1846 Letter from John Littell, Philadelphia, [Pennsylvania], to John W. Van Cleve, Esquire, Dayton, Ohio. Littell introduces John to Dr. George Green and his family. Dr. Green is from Warren County, New Jersey, and has been an acquaintance for seven or eight years. Signed John Littell of Essex Co., N.J.
August 12, 1845 Letter from Samuel Morrison, Detroit, [Michigan], to John W. Van Cleve, Esquire, Dayton, Ohio. Samuel describes the city of Detroit to John.
September 12, 1845 Letter from J. Sullivant, Columbus, Ohio, to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. Sullivant mentions that his previously unanswered letter to John stated that the Curator of Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio wanted John to deliver the annual address in December.
October 21, 1845
60 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Letter from W. Mather, Sault St. Marie, [Michigan], to John W. Van Cleve, Esquire, Dayton, Ohio. Letter detailing sixty-four rock specimens.
February 23, 1846 Letter from J. G. Norwood, Madison, Indiana, to John W. Van Cleve, [Dayton, Ohio]. Letter asking if John had sent a box of coral fossils as he had promised a year ago.
November 25, 1846 Letter from Lyman Draper, Point Pleasant, [West Virginia], to John W. Van Cleve, Esquire, Dayton, Ohio. Letter requesting to loan one of John’s scrapbooks to conduct research.
December 4, 1846 Letter from Henry Howe, Cincinnati, [Ohio], to John W. Van Cleve, Esquire, Dayton, Ohio. Henry informs John that he is sending a copy of his historical and descriptive work on Virginia. He informs John that he wants to speak with him about the work when he arrives in Dayton in two or three weeks.
December 14, 1846 Letter from Lyman C. Draper, Baltimore, [Maryland], to John W. Van Cleve, Esquire, Dayton, Ohio. Lyman expresses his thanks for the loan of materials from John. Also contains notes on the state of Kentucky.
March 8, 1847 Letter from James D. Dana, New Haven, Connecticut, to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. James is replying to John’s letter of the 27 th and expresses that he will be glad to provide any aid he can on the subject of corals.
May 23, 1848 Letter from Sarah S. Schenk, Jane Kirk, and Eliza Williams, from Cooper Female Academy, [Dayton, Ohio], to John W. Van Cleve, [Dayton, Ohio]. The three girls thank John on behalf of their geology class for his contributions to their studies.
February 8, 1849 Letter from Joseph Henry, Smithsonian Institution, [Washington, District of Columbia], to John W. Van Cleve, [Dayton, Ohio]. The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution acknowledges receipt from a Professor Walter R. Johnson of John’s desire to publish a manual of fossil coral. Mr. Henry informs John that the Smithsonian Institution has very stringent guidelines that writers must follow before their work might be accepted for publication by the Institution.
61 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
April 26, 1849 Letter from B. Wailes, Washington, Mississippi, to John W. Van Cleve, Esquire, [Dayton, Ohio]. Wailes acknowledges receipt of John’s letter and engravings of fossils in Ohio.
April 28, 1849 Letter from Robert W. Gibbes, Columbia, South Carolina, to Dr. John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. Robert writes to John that he has received a copy of John’s work on the fossils of Ohio from Professor Johnson in Washington. He asks John to write back detailing exactly what he wants to do with the publication on coral fossils.
May 19, 1849 Letter from Joseph Henry, Smithsonian Institution, [Washington, District of Columbia], to John W. Van Cleve, Esquire, [Dayton, Ohio]. Joseph writes to John to acknowledge the receipt of his letter dated May 5 th . He regrets that John does not think favorably of the proposition of presenting a memoir on the corallines of the west.
March 16, 1851 Letter from N. [Hark], Springs, [no state given], to John W. Van Cleve, Esquire, [Dayton, Ohio]. Contains information on a mineral spring well.
May 3, 1853 Letter from Manning F. [Fara], Assistant Corresponding Secretary of the Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio, Cincinnati, [Ohio], to John W. Van Cleve, Esquire, Dayton, Ohio. Letter to John about his election as a corresponding member to the Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio.
June 6, 1855 Letter from Robert [Worth], Gallipolis, [Ohio], to John W. Van Cleve, Esquire, Dayton, Ohio. Robert writes to John that he received his letter requesting genealogical information on the Newsom family.
July 6, 1855 Letter from Louis [Lewis?] Newsom, Gallipolis, [Ohio], to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. He writes about the French settling Gallipolis.
August 22, 1855 Letter from S. P. Hildreth, Marietta, [Ohio], to John W. Van Cleve, Esquire, [Dayton, Ohio].
62 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Letter contains genealogical information that John had requested.
February 28, 1856 Letter from Eliza Phillips Thruston [Mrs. George W. Houk], Severn Side, to John W. Van Cleve, [Dayton, Ohio]. Eliza makes note of some events involving Major Giddings and his wife, as well as other general anecdotes.
June 1, 1858 Letter from Josiah W. Gibbs, New Haven, Connecticut, to John W. Van Cleve, Esquire, Dayton, Ohio. Josiah writes to John asking for some genealogical information on the Van Cleve family.
Notebook 1: Correspondence to John W. Van Cleve, letter book, [1835-1856]
Note: Items are listed in the order in which they appear in the notebook.
October 11, 1835 Letter from Robert Peter, Lexington, [Kentucky], to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. Peter is much gratified at Van Cleve’s acceptance of his proposal to exchange plant specimens.
November 5, 1835 Letter from Robert Peter, Lexington, [Kentucky], to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. Peter has the pleasure to acknowledge that he has received the small package of plants that Van Cleve sent, by way of Cincinnati.
January 10, 1836 Letter from Robert Peter, Lexington, [Kentucky], to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. Peter has sent Van Cleve a package of plants, approximately 310 species, in his last letter, by way of Louisville and Cincinnati.
November 18, 1836 Letter from Robert Peter and unknown person, Lexington, [Kentucky], to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. The author writes that he and Mr. Peter have received the box of handsome specimens that Van Cleve sent to them recently. He finds only on fault with the specimens: he feels that some of them have been pressed too tightly. He asks what sort of press Van Cleve uses; then he describes the sort of press he considers best and includes a sketch.
August 4, 1838 Letter from John Torrey, New York, New York, to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio
63 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Includes an abstract of John Torrey and Asa Gray’s book A Flora of North America : Containing Descriptions of all the Known Indigenous and Naturalized Plants Growing North of Mexico; Arranged According to the Natural System.
July 28, 1838 Letter from John Locke, Cincinnati, Ohio, to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. Diluvial Grooves found in Limestone, at Light’s quarry Montgomery County, Ohio, by Professor John Locke. Caption at bottom of page reads: “Ruled from the stone itself by Doolittle & Munson Cincinnati.”
May 28, 1839 Letter from John Torrey, New York, New York, to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. Torrey apologizes for not writing sooner. He has been very busy. He compliments Van Cleve on his very nicely prepared specimens.
January 14, 1843 Letter from John S. Williams, Cincinnati, Ohio, to John W. Van Cleve, Esquire, Dayton, Ohio. [This letter is written in a very difficult handwriting.]
February 23, 1843 Letter from Hiram Bell, Greenville, [no state given], to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. [This letter is written in a very difficult handwriting.]
June 5, 1843 Letter from I. Burnet, [Cincinnati, Ohio], to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. [This letter is written in a very difficult handwriting.]
December 7, 1843 Letter from John Locke, Medical College of Ohio, to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. [This letter is written in a very difficult handwriting.]
June 28, 1856 Letter from Dayton [Hamar], Lafayette, [Indiana], to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. Hamar writes that he saw Mr. Parsens, who suggested that he write to Mr. Van Cleve. He writes a little bit about himself: that he was born December 9, 1796; that his first presidential vote was for Henry Clay and his most recent for General Scot [sic] [Winfield Scott]; he intends to vote for Fremont [John Fremont] in the next election.
January 9, 1841 Letter from Governor Thomas Corwin, Columbus, Ohio, to John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio. Governor Corwin appoints Van Cleve to examine the new Dayton-Covington Turnpike and to report back his findings.
64 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
August 26, 1846 Letter from T. Butler King, New York, New York, to Honorable Robert C. Schenk, location unknown. King writes that he has “put matters in motion” in New York and Philadelphia and thinks they will be able to get [$5,000?] in each place. He asks Schenck to talk to his friends in Boston.
Undated Letter from [Charles Whittlesey], location unknown, to unknown recipient. Only one-half sheet of letter is preserved. [This letter is written in a very difficult handwriting.]
September 1, 1842 Letter from H. Clay, Ashland, [Lexington, Kentucky], to Robert C. Schenk, [no location given]. Clay writes that he received Schenck’s letter communicating the arrangement of a barbecue at Dayton on the 29 th and expressing the wish that of Schenck and his friends that Clay should attend it. Clay intends to attend the event, if his health permits.
March 14, 1842 Letter from Thomas Corwin, Lebanon, [Ohio], to Robert C. Schenk, Dayton, Ohio. Corwin writes regarding a school teacher whom he praises for successfully teaching his own son, who he says is “at least as dull as his father.”
Box 6, Folder 4: Correspondence from John W. Van Cleve, 1833-1854 Note: Correspondence from John W. Van Cleve to his father Benjamin Van Cleve is included in Box 2, Folder 1: Correspondence between Benjamin Van Cleve and his son John W. Van Cleve.
September 11, 1833 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, [Dayton, Ohio], to Henry Disbrow, River Raisin, Michigan Territory. John writes that Mr. Greene requested he send this letter informing him that Lucyanna’s father [Charles Russell Greene] had been murdered by a ruffian.
May 6, 1840 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Margaret Van Cleve, Philadelphia, [Pennsylvania]. John regrets not accompanying Margaret to New Haven, describes a trip he took to Washington instead. (Photocopy) [The original photocopy of this item has an unusual smell and has been removed from folder 7 to avoid contact with other documents; a replacement photocopy made on archival quality Permalife paper has been put in folder 7 in its place.]
65 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
July 2, 1848 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Charles H. Greene, [no location given]. John writes to his friend Charles, who has joined the service, with advice about writing letters, memoranda, and geographical notes. He also advises him not to get into any bad habits and to do his duty cheerfully.
September 24, 1848 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Charles H. Greene, [no location given]. John reports various anecdotes of news from the city of Dayton as well as activities with friends.
February 11, 1849 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Charles H. Greene, [no location given]. John writes that he received Charles’ letter from Monte Video [Montevideo, Uruguay] and that he was glad Charles did not write anything about being homesick or quitting the service. John writes that he is no longer lodging at a hotel, and he gives new on the progress of the railroad and the courthouse construction.
July 20, 1849 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Charles H. Greene, [Montevideo]. John tells Charles that a rumor has been going around that he is dead. Also, Dayton is in the midst of a cholera outbreak. He also tells of mutual friends who are currently at Mackinaw.
January 8, 1850 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Charles H. Greene, [no location given]. John tells of a trip to St. Louis and reports on news from Dayton, including the death of Mrs. Robert Schenck from consumption.
July 28, 1850 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Charles H. Greene, [no location given]. John states that he saw in the [ Intelligencia ] a notice of Charles’ vessel being at Montevideo in May. John mentions that he traveled to a remote place called Carrollton [West Carrollton], eight miles from Dayton.
March 23, 1851 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Charles H. Greene, [no location given]. John mentions that the railroad between Dayton and Springfield has been finished, and the rail lines from Dayton to Cincinnati and Richmond, Indiana will be completed soon.
July 22, 1851 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Charles H. Greene, [no location given]. John gives general news about mutual friends and mentions a recent trip to Sandusky. John inquires whether Charles has been receiving his letters.
66 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
July 31, 1852 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Charles H. Greene, [no location given]. John mentions that his brother-in-law Samuel B. Dover died on July 12 th .
November 13, 1853 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Charles H. Greene, [no location given]. John comments that he had no idea Charles’ school was so strict, being second only to a monastery. He gives news of mutual friends and recent general activities.
November 22, 1853 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to the Commissioners of Montgomery County, [Ohio]. John reports to the Commissioners on his appointment to examine the account of the Recorder, and his suggestions for making general indexes to the records.
January 15, 1854 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Charles H. Greene, [no location given]. John discusses a trip to New England to establish a manufactory of locomotive engineers and gives general news of mutual friends.
May 28, 1854 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Charles H. Greene, [no location given]. John mentions that Doctor Smith’s daughter Lillie died the day before yesterday of consumption. He also tells of the recent marriage of Charley Compton.
Box 3, Folder 4: Correspondence from or about John W. Van Cleve (Photostats 12 ), 1848, 1954
May 21, 1848 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Charles H. Greene, [no location given]. (Photostat copy) John mentions that he read the homesick letter that Charles had sent his mother. John also recounts some of his unhappiness while he was a college student in Athens, Ohio.
January 13, 1954 Letter from John C. Baker, President of Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, to Miss Agnes Anderson Hall, Dayton, Ohio. (Photostat copy) Mr. Baker gives thanks to Miss Hall for her donation of the John W. Van Cleve letter, dated May 21, 1848, to the university.
12 The Photostats in this folder pertain to a letter written May 21, 1848. This folder contains a Photostat copy of said letter, the original of which is owned by Ohio University at Athens, Ohio.
67 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Subseries 2: Financial Documents
Box 3, Folder 5: Account Books, [1817-1858], Undated
Undated Account book listing expenses incurred on a trip to Wheeling.
Undated Notebook made of cardboard with three financial transactions on the first page.
1817 Account book with C. R. Greene, Dayton, Ohio. List of Ballances [sic] due in Memo Book No. 3, up to July 11 th .
1841 Account book. First page begins with “4 th W of Perry.” Accounts listed as in Dayton Bank with John W. Van Cleve 1841.
December, 1853 Account book with Exchange Bank. Lists financial transactions for the establishment of a company to manufacture locomotive engines in Dayton, Ohio. Includes signatures of stockholders.
February 9, 1857-October 16, 1858 Account book from Exchange Bank for John W. Van Cleve’s Estate.
Box 3, Folder 6: Share Certificate, 1840
January 28, 1840 Share Certificate No. 21 for five shares of the Dayton and Springfield Turnpike Road Company to John W. Van Cleve.
Notebook 2: Financial Day Book, 1830
July 15-October 9, 1830 This notebook contains several financial transactions under the heading Financial Day Book , for dates between July 15 and October 9, 1830. It is followed by a page labeled “Paper Sold,” with notes about paper sold in 1830.
68 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Notebook 3.1: Receipts and Accounts notebook, vol. 1, 1826-1836
1826-1836 Account book, labeled Receipts on the spine, containing receipts from 1826-1836, and copies of receipts filed from 1827-1832.
Notebook 3.2: Receipts and Accounts notebook, vol. 2, 1836-1846
1836-1846 Account book, labeled Receipts on the front cover, containing various receipt entries dated from 1836-1846.
Notebook 3.3: Receipts book, 1847-1854
1847-1854 Account book containing various receipts dated from 1847-1854.
Notebook 3.4: Monthly Cash Accounts notebook, 1852-1854
January 1, 1852-December 31, 1854 Account book, labeled Monthly Cash Account Commencing June 1852 on the cover, containing receipts and expenditures from January 1, 1852 through December 31, 1854.
Notebook 4: Financial Records, 1847-1851, 1858
1847-1851 Farm Record, Money Received and Paid Out, 1847-1851. Found on pages 9-13 of notebook.
January 7, 1858 Records of John W. Van Cleve’s land transactions. Found on pages 14 and 15 of notebook.
September 4, 1858 List of stocks belonging to John W. Van Cleve. Found on page 13 of notebook.
69 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Notebook 11: List of Sheriff’s Fees notebook, 1834-1842
May 31, 1834-August 4, 1842 Account book, labeled Memoranda on the front cover, beginning with a list of sheriff’s fees, May 31, 1834, through August 4, 1842.
Notebook 11: Accounts on Books of Van Cleve & Comly, July 8, 1834
July 8, 1834 Account book, labeled Memoranda on the front cover, containing an accounting record entitled Accounts on the Books of Van Cleve & Comly, July 8, 1834 . These accounting notes refer to the partnership between John W. Van Cleve and Richard N. Comly, who published the Dayton Journal and Advertizer [sic] together from October 1830 until July 15, 1834, when Van Cleve sold his interest to William F. Comly.
Notebook 6: Scrapbook of Receipts, 1836-1849
April 21, 1836-June 8, 1849 Scrapbook containing various receipts to John W. Van Cleve, dated from April 21, 1836, through June 8, 1849.
Notebook 12: Cash Book, Volume 2, 1848-1851
January 1, 1848-December 31, 1851 Cash book containing receipts and expenditures dated from January 1, 1848, through December 31, 1851.
Notebook 27.1: Personal finance notebook, Volume 1, 1849-1853
1849-December 29, 1853 Personal account book of John W. Van Cleve. Also includes farm measurements, proceeds of saw logs, farm journal entries, and taxes paid. [The notebook also includes farm measurements, proceeds of saw logs, farm journal entries, taxes paid in 1853, books for library, information and diagram of dead apple trees, and guest lists for parties and picnics.]
70 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Notebook 27.2: Personal finance notebook, Volume 2, 1854
January 1, 1854-December 29, 1854 Personal account book of John W. Van Cleve, including financial and tax information for 1854. Title page reads “Memorandum. C. January 1 st , 1854.”
Notebook 27.3: Personal finance notebook, Volume 3, 1855
January 1, 1855-December 31, 1855 Personal account book of John W. Van Cleve, including financial information for the year 1855. [The notebook also includes information on dead apple trees, Reading Society plays and stories, work on road, books read in 1855, desirable books, grade of Xenia Avenue, saw logs, levee trees, wood chopping, and information on family and friend’s birthdays.]
Notebook 27.4: Personal finance notebook, Volume 4, 1856
February 13, 1856-June 17, 1856 Personal account book of John W. Van Cleve, including financial information for the year 1856, information on his farm, taxes paid, money owed to from debtors and amount of cash on hand.
Notebook 2: Dayton City Finance Notes, 1851-1856
1851-1856 Notebook contains “City Finance Notes” for the city of Dayton, from years 1851 through 1856.
Notebook 13: Dayton & Western Railroad financial records, 1855
January-December 1855 Notebook containing memoranda, receipts and expenses, debts due, itemized accounts for the Dayton and Western Railroad.
71 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Subseries 3: Official Documents
Notebook 4: Will of John W. Van Cleve (copy), Memoranda, and Probate, 1858-1867
August 14, 1858 Copy of the Will of John W. Van Cleve, deceased. Found on pages 16-19 of notebook.
September 15, 1858 Probate of will, State of Ohio, Montgomery County Probate Court. Found on pages 20- 23.
September 21, 1858-May 24, 1867 Memoranda . Found on pages 26-49.
September 21, 1858 Appraisement of John W. Van Cleve’s estate. Found on pages 23-End.
Box 2: Records of the Dayton Library, 1826-1832
1826-1832 The Records of the Dayton Library consist of notes related to expenses, travels, books purchased, annual meetings minutes, and the Constitution of the Dayton Library. According to the records, the following individuals are named in the records as having been associated with the organization: John W. Van Cleve, Stephen Fales, Charles R. Greene, Alexander Grimes, James Perrine, William Bomberger, Elisha Brabham, Henry Stoddard, Joseph H. Crane, John Folkerth, Warren Munger, Ferdinand F. Carrell, Horatio G. Phillips, H. Jewett, and T. F. Bacon.
Notebook 10.1: Estate Account of Charles R. Greene, 1833
October 1833 Notebook entitled Memoranda, Charles R. Greene Estate, John W. Van Cleve . It contains an account of fees due to the estate of Charles R. Greene, and all the cost due to him at his death as Clerk of the Courts of Montgomery County, Ohio. The ledger includes names of parties involved, as well as judgment dates, which range from 1822-1833.
72 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Notebook 10.2: Estate Account of Charles R. Greene, 1833
[October 1833] Notebook containing Charles R. Greene’s estate accounts. This includes a page of “loose memorandums,” estate notes dated from between 1813 and 1833, a page of “orders,” and some other notes that have been crossed out.
[Note: For more information about John W. Van Cleve’s relationship with the Charles R. Greene family, see Letters from John by Agnes Anderson Hall, Dayton B V2224H.]
Notebook 10.1: Estate Account of E. W. Towner, 1845
August 1845 Notebook contains estate account information for E. W. Towner (d. Aug. 8, 1845). The notebook contains details of his will, as well as rent and insurance information regarding two properties he owned, Tharp House and Wentz House.
Box 3, Folder 7: Will of Elizabeth Aughinbaugh, friend of John W. Van Cleve, 1845
October 21, 1845 Last will and testament of Elizabeth Aughinbaugh naming John W. Van Cleve as executor of her estate, dated October 21, 1845.
Notebook 5.1: Estate Account of Mrs. Elizabeth Aughinbaugh, 1845-1857
1845-1857 Notebook contains memoranda and explanations of all the business transacted by J. W. Van Cleve as executive and trustee of the estate of Mrs. Elizabeth Aughinbaugh, dec., from 1845-1857.
Notebook 5.2: Estate Account of Mrs. Elizabeth Aughinbaugh, 1845-1857
November 22, 1845-December 7, 1857 Notebook contains receipts for money paid out by J. W. Van Cleve as trustee of the estate of Elizabeth Aughinbaugh, Nov. 22, 1845-Dec. 7, 1857.
73 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Notebook 5.3: Receipts on Account of Jeptha Regans, 1846-1858
1846-1858 Notebook contains Receipts on account of Jeptha Regans, 1846-1858.
[Note: Jeptha Regans was an early partner in the Dayton Journal and Advertizer [sic]. John Van Cleve was partial owner of the newspaper with Regans from 1828 until Regans’ death on June 15, 1830. For more information about John W. Van Cleve’s relationship with the Regans family, see A Trip from Dayton to Chicago by Water in the Year 1847: Described in Verse by John W. Van Cleve, Dayton 811 V222T]
Notebook 5.4: Receipts on Account of Elizabeth Regans, 1845-1854
1845-1854 Notebook contains receipts on account of Elizabeth Regans, 1845-1854. [Note: Mrs. Elizabeth Aughinbaugh was the grandmother of Elizabeth Regan Harries.]
Box 2: Register of Deaths by Cholera in Dayton, 1849
May 18-Aug. 12, 1849 Register of deaths by cholera in Dayton, during the cholera epidemic of the summer of 1849. The register lists the date of death, name of the deceased, age of deceased, place of death, and place (cemetery) where buried. The register is 7 pages long.
July 23-Aug. 16, 1849 Register of interments in Dayton, during the cholera epidemic of the summer of 1849. The register lists the date of the burial, the place (cemetery) of the burial, names of those buried (if known), ages (if known), places of death (if known), and the total number of burials on that date and place, with a count of how many were due to cholera. The register is 6 pages long.
Box 3, Folder 8: Deeds and Leases, 1852, 1858
March 1, 1852 Lease of John W. Van Cleve’s farm adjoining the city of Dayton to Jacob Stolz for a period of three years.
March 1, 1858 Lease of John W. Van Cleve’s farm adjoining the city of Dayton to Jacob Stolz for a period of three years.
74 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Box 7, Folder 3: Commission Report, 1850
August 10, 1850 Commission, with David Morrison and W. G. George, to survey disputed boundary lines of property owners on Fourth Street between Main and Jefferson Streets. Findings of the survey are included and signed by the three commissioners.
Subseries 4: Academic Writings & Research Notes
Box 3, Folder 9: Historical Essays and Writings, Undated
Undated Chronological data; 21 papers.
Undated Description of the Battle of Buena Vista. 2 Sheets, “Batteries at I, I, M,” and “Causes for Selection of Buena Vista and Description.”
Undated Historical essay written by John W. Van Cleve on General St. Clair; contains 9 bound pages.
Box 3, Folder 10: Historical Notes, Undated
Undated Notebook titled State of Ohio, Notes and References to Books , contains dates in Ohio history from 1680-1809.
Undated Notebook titled Index to Annals , contains events in Ohio history from 1751-1795. Van Cleve’s notes also include miscellaneous memoranda: an address for Midshipman Charles H. Greene, of the USS St. Louis; a note stating that in 1837 the public square was curbed; miscellaneous names and dates; a list of deeds; as well as some sketches of what appear to be land plots, with names above them.
Undated Notebook titled 41 Popes , contains tables of the Emperors of ancient Rome and the Holy Roman Empire, and monarchs.
75 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Notebook 14: Chronological Notes, Undated
Undated Notebook containing chronological notes referring to historical events in the Western country, chiefly from 1751-1807, with a few pages marked “early and uncertain dates.”
Notebook 7.1: Pioneer Sketches and Historical Notes, Undated
Undated Notebook with Memoranda from Books on the title page. Contains the following entries: Schiller’s Thirty Years War, Harmar’s Campaign taken from the Philadelphia Daily General Advertiser , January 10-11, 1791; Mails and Stages in 1791, Population of the N.W. Territory, 1790; Muskingum Settlements, A Pittsburgh Advertisement, The Early Settlements around Cincinnati, Building of Fort Hamilton, Steam Boats, and Acoustics.
Notebook 7.2: Pioneer Sketches and Historical Notes, Undated
Undated Notebook with Memoranda From Schiller’s Thirty Years War on the title page. Contains the following entries: timeline of Schiller’s Thirty Years War, miscellaneous notes from 1839, election statistics for Montgomery County, 1836-1840; and Ohio election returns by county, 1836-1840.
Dayton 433 M952D: German-English Dictionary, 1812
This item is shelved in the Dayton Collection.
Deutsch-Englisches und Englisch-Deutsches Worterbuch, nebst einer deutschen Sprachlehere, und den Grundregeln zur Aussprache fur beide Sprachen . German-English & English-German dictionary with a German grammar and principles of pronunciation for both languages [by] Heinrich Muhlenberg and Benedict J. Schipper. This dictionary belonged to John W. Van Cleve and includes some notes in the back cover.
Notebook 2: Notes on German grammar and vocabulary, Undated
Undated Notebook contains miscellaneous notes on German language grammar and vocabulary.
76 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Box 3, Folder 11: Scientific and Technical Writings, 1838-1857, 1971, Undated
Undated Scientific notes, 9 loose pages.
August 27, 1838 Letter from John W. Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to Dr. John Torrey, Columbia University, [New York, New York]. (Photocopy and Typed Photocopy) Letter contains botanical notes on sixteen specimens.
1849 Reprint of an article written by John W. Van Cleve to the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Vol. 1, pages 19-24.
January 2, 1856 Meteorological table for December, 1855, from Cooper Female Seminary.
January 29, 1857 Notebook titled “Copper Mines of Lake Superior,” containing 57 bound pages. [The notebook also contains an essay “Suppose We Go Into the Woods” on 18 loose-leaf pages; it traces the life, growth, death, and decay of the oak tree.]
April 5, 1971 Letter from Larry E. Morse, graduate student in Biology at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, to the Director of the Dayton Public Library, Dayton, Ohio. Morse states that he has found a copy of John W. Van Cleve’s 1849 paper on fossil corals in the Dayton area. He also includes a compilation of John W. Van Cleve’s botanical library completed on September 8-9, 1966, and an index to specimens in the Van Cleve collection.
Notebook 17: Copper Mines of Lake Superior lecture, Jan. 29, 1857
January 29, 1857 Notebook entitled Copper Mines of Lake Superior contains a lecture on that subject, the manuscript pages of which have been encapsulated and bound.
Notebook 18: Colors of Minerals – Botanical Questions notebook, Undated
Undated Notebook, entitled Colors of Minerals and Botanical Questions , contains 5 pages of mineral tables, and 2 pages of handwritten botanical notes.
77 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Notebook 19: Fossil engravings notebook, Undated
Undated Bound book containing 30 pages of drawings of fossilized [corals].
Notebook 13: Botanical Notes and Sketches, [circa 1855]
[circa 1855] Notebook contains drawing of 17 plant specimens and various botanical notes starting from the back of the notebook.
Notebook 20: Data about Peach Orchard, 1847-1848
1847-1848 Table labeled “Peach Trees Inoculated,” noting the row and type peach trees and how many grew and budded in each year, 1847 and 1848.
Notebook 21.2: Dayton Census Returns by Wards, [1829-1832]
[1829-1832] Notebook containing census returns for the five wards that comprised the city of Dayton, Ohio. Census figures are dated July 14, 1829; June 1, 1830; and January 1, 1832. Notebook also contains diagrams of the different wards, including street boundaries.
Notebook 21.2: Election Data, [1829-1832]
[1829-1832] Notebook contains data on elections of July 14, 1829; June 1, 1830; and January 1, 1832.
Notebook 7.2: Election Statistics: Ohio and Montgomery County, [1836-1840]
[1836-1840] Notebook contains data on election statistics for Montgomery County, 1836-1840, and Ohio election returns by county, 1836-1840.
78 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Notebook 20: Political Notes: Table of Majorities in Ohio Governors’ and Presidential Elections, [1836-1840]
[1836-1840] Notebook contains a table of majorities in Ohio governors’ and presidential elections, 1836-1840.
Notebook 20: Political Notes: Political Notes: Montgomery County Township Majorities, [1841- 1848]
[1841-1848] Notebook contains a table of majorities in several townships in County of Montgomery, 1841-1848, as well as miscellaneous political notes.
Dayton 050: The American Pioneer , 2 vols., 1842, 1843
These items are shelved in the Dayton Collection.
This monthly periodical was devoted to the objects of the Logan Historical Society or to collecting and publishing sketches relative to the early settlement and successive improvement of the country.
These two volumes (volume 1, Jan. 1842, and volume 2, Oct. 1843) were originally owned by John W. Van Cleve and were subsequently the property of Mrs. Edward E. McKnight, daughter of J. W. Van Cleve’s nephew Thomas Dover.
This set includes the signature of John W. Van Cleve in several places: v. 1 and 2, title page, p.5, p.25, p.125. John W. Van Cleve’s own penciled notes as follows: v. 1, plates following p.314, 316(?), 318(?); v. 2, pp. 345-346.
Special articles included in these volumes are: v. 1: Miami University / by A. R. Naylor; v. 2: Extracts from the memoranda of B. Van Cleve / by J. W. Van Cleve (material is similar to but not identical to B. Van Cleve’s Memoirs); Colonel Robert Patterson / by J. W. Van Cleve; Letters of Colonel Hamtramck (preserved in Dayton, Ohio, 1843, by relatives of an officer of the Ohio militia who was permitted to bring them away from papers of the Detroit garrison after the surrender of General Hull); Our cabin; or, Life in the woods / by [J. S. Williams].
79 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Subseries 5: Artistic & Literary Materials
Box 4, Folder 1: Literary and Poetic Writings, [1842], 1849, Undated
Undated Poem that begins with “Ohio’s plains were still among’d [sic]…”
Undated Poem that begins with “Oh what is that which thro’ [sic] the floor…”
Undated Poem that begins with “My son! Come go with me…”
[November 3, 1842] Poem that begins with “farewell…” Back sheet contains financial notes on items purchased from Van Cleve & Newell by Doctor A. B. Price.
August 20, 1849 Poem that begins with “God help thee strike…” Back of sheet contains miscellaneous notes.
Notebook 8: German Poetry copied by John W. Van Cleve, Undated
Undated Notebook of various excerpts from German poets copied by John Van Cleve.
Box 4, Folder 2: German Poetry translated by John W. Van Cleve, Undated
Undated Notebook contains German poetry translated by John W. Van Cleve. Note in back cover reads: “Translated by John Van Cleve from the German, presented by Mrs. Geo. Houk.”
Notebook 10.2: Poem, Untitled, Undated
This 16-line poem begins: “Let the goblets briskly flowing…” It describes a scene of drinking and merriment.
80 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Notebook 22: Short Stories, Undated
1822, Undated Notebook contains the story The Dog Tavern . It also includes brief narratives entitled “One of the Plaintiffs” and “Doing the Thing Politely,” which are set in the courts of Miami and Montgomery counties, respectively.
Notebook 15: Short Stories translated from German, [1860]
[1860] Notebook containing the story Jeppe vom Bege , Or The Transformed Farmer: A Comedy . The title page notes that the story was originally written in Danish by Holberg and translated into German by Oehlenschlager. Title page also bears the signature of Thomas Dover, 1860. A second book The Mountain Spirit by Rüberzahl begins on page 85.
Notebook 20: Notes on “Orthographic [spelling] Curiosities,” Undated
These notes show examples of oddly spelled words. Some are in list format, and others are examples of written letters with many misspelled words. There is also a small cartoon sketch in this section.
Box 4, Folder 3: Portrait Engraving of Edgar Conkling, Undated
Undated Portrait of Edgar Conkling (of the firm Conkling Wood & Co.), 6 x 9.5 inches.
Box 4, Folder 4: Watercolor Paintings, Undated
Watercolor paintings of scenes from John W. Van Cleve’s Michigan trip. Five (5) paintings, 7.5 x 10.5 inches, encapsulated. Three (3) paintings, 9 x 13.5 inches, mounted on heavy board and encapsulated.
Notebook 11: Notes for Map of Dayton, [circa 1834-1846]
Several pages of notes about downtown Dayton, apparently in preparation for creating a map. The notes include details such as distances between streets and widths of streets, measured in rods and poles. It mentions the following streets, some several times (in relation to others): Main, Water, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, South, Franklin, Washington, Bruen, Clegg, St. Mary’s, Roe, Perry, Wilkinson, Ludlow, Jefferson, St.
81 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Clair, Madison, Sears, Webster, Commercial, Kenton, McDonough [“MacDonough”], Montgomery, Clinton, Mulberry, Harris, Spruce, Mill, Canal, Race, Bridge, Foundry.
Map Collection – Cabinet 2, Drawer 1, Folder 1, Item 5: Map of Dayton by John W. Van Cleve, 1839
This map compiled by John W. Van Cleve in 1839 shows primarily downtown Dayton and the area now known as the Oregon District. It includes street names, lot numbers, rivers, canals, and bridges. It also includes locations for a small number of public buildings, churches, and manufacturing establishments.
Notebook 20: Map of Flood at Dayton on January 2, 1847, [1847]
This map labeled “Flood at Dayton, Jan. 2, 1847,” shows the area of downtown from Water Street south to South Street and from Perry Street east to Mill Street, with green ink apparently shading the flooded areas.
Notebook 20: Notes on Main Street and Wayne Avenue, 1850
Notes on the courses of Main Street and Wayne Avenue, as well as the positions of some houses on Main Street.
Notebook 23: Album containing reprints of engravings and paintings, Undated
Title page reads Album, published by C. Wells, New York. Reprint of various engravings and paintings.
Notebook 9: Album of Pictures containing two illustrations, Undated
Leather back album with two color illustrations on pages 4 and 5. The first illustration is labeled “Island in the Miami, One Mile Above Dayton” and the second “Unidentified Dayton Corner.”
Box 4, Folder 5: Musical scores: Dances for the Violin , [1828]
Notebook titled Dances for the Violin. Contains 180 music scores composed by John W. Van Cleve.
82 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Dayton 784.4943 F499M: Musikalischer Hausschatz der Deutschen (Book of German songs), 1845
This item is shelved in the Dayton Collection.
A book of German songs: Musikalischer Hausschatz der Deutschen : eine Sammlung von 1000 Liedern und Gesängen mit Singweisen und Klavierbegleitung / gesammelt und herausgegeben von G. W. Fink. The book was originally the property of John W. Van Cleve and includes translations done by him on pages 12, 25, and 59.
83 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Subseries 6: Personal Notes & Mementos
Box 2: John W. Van Cleve’s Autograph Collection, Undated
Contains autographs of Benjamin Franklin, United States Presidents James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, John Tyler, James Knox Polk, James Buchanan; Ohio Governors Arthur St. Clair (Governor of the Ohio Territory) through Allen Trimble; J. Y. Mason, M. Denman, R. Putnam, Jos. Harmar, John Johnston, Winfield Scott, Albert Gallatin, Richard Rush, Winthrop Sargent, Charles Willing Byrd, and J. Burnet.
Box 4, Folder 6: Mementos and Invitations, [1846-1856], Undated
Undated Calling card from Dr. W. Atwater
Undated Humorous poem entitled “The Farmer’s Blunder”.
Undated This poem describes an overweight man at the dinner table.
Undated Tribute to John W. Van Cleve from the Woodland Cemetery Association. Taken from pages 90 and 91 of the Records of the Woodland Cemetery Association.
October 23, [no year given] Invitation from Mr. and Mrs. Worthington to John Van Cleve to join them on Wednesday, November 4.
August 28, 1846 Ticket to picnic at Massie’s Creek, 7 miles from Xenia on the Columbus Turnpike. List of names written on the back of the ticket.
October 4, 1849 Invitation to breakfast at 6:00 a.m. on October 4, 1849.
March 17, 1856 Pass issued to John W. Van Cleve for the Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Dayton Railroad, valid from March 17, 1856, to December 31, 1856.
84 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Box 4, Folder 7: Travel Writings, [1853, 1857]
[June 15, 1853]-[July 4, 1853] The notebook contains water table figures, maps of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, mileage tables for Dayton and Chicago, various sketches, and an itemized budget of travel expenses from June 15, 1853-July 4, 1853. At its beginning, the notebook also has a list of books, including The Red Revenger , The Black Avenger , and Uncle Tom’s Cabin .
August 7, 1857-September 3, 1857 Notebook containing travel notes that begin “Left home at 8 o’clock and arrived at Cleveland, by the Clyde route at half past 4.” Also contains financial and botanical notes.
Notebook 24.1: Travel Records, Volume 1, 1856-1857
Notebook includes travel notes of trips to Mackinaw Island, Sault Ste. Marie, and Marquette in July 1856; a trip to Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, Michigan in October 1856; and a trip to Montreal in August 1857.
Notebook 24.2: Travel Records, Volume 2, 1856
Notebook containing some outlined sketches in pen and ink, itemized accounts of a trip from Dayton to Mackinaw Island, and a journal of a trip to Lake Superior, July 17- August 6, 1856.
Notebook 4: Miscellaneous Notes, Undated
Undated Map of Farm. Northeast Quarter, Section 33, T.2., R. 7. Shows the location of Van Cleve’s property just south of Xenia Avenue. Found on page 1 of notebook.
Undated Map of Door Yard. Contains location of trees adjacent to a house. Found on page 3 of notebook.
Undated Map of Apple Orchard. Found on page 5 of notebook.
Undated Map of Peach Orchard. Found on page 7 of notebook.
85 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Notebook 20: Magic Squares game, Undated
This page contains a few instances of a puzzle game called Magic Squares. All of the numbers in each row must add up to the same number. There are two completed squares, for the numbers 15 and 34. Two empty squares, one of them apparently intended for the number 111, remain uncompleted.
Notebook 27.1: Miscellaneous Personal Notes, [1849-1853]
Notebook contains guest lists for parties and picnics. Notebook also contains “List of Books for Library” as well as a list simply entitled “Books.” The former is very difficult to read, and all entries have been crossed out. The latter is plainly readable. Most of the books seem to be about history, geography, or perhaps travel. Notebook contains information regarding various fruit trees, including a diagram showing dead and fruit- bearing apple trees, as well as lists about oranges and peaches. The notebook contains one 16-line poem (two 8-line stanzas) near the end of the notebook is entitled “God Help thee Strike, Magyar!”
Notebook 27.2: Miscellaneous Personal Notes, [circa 1854]
Notebook contains some notes about electoral votes, as well as “List of Ages” (information on family and friends’ birthdays).
Notebook 27.3: Miscellaneous Personal Notes, [circa 1855]
Notebook contains “List of Ages” (information on family and friends’ birthdays). Notebook contains a list of books read by John W. Van Cleve in 1855, as well as a list of desirable books. Notebook contains information on Reading Society plays and stories. Notebook contains information and diagram of dead apple trees.
Notebook 27.4: Miscellaneous Personal Notes, [circa 1856]
Notebook contains “List of Ages” (information on family and friends’ birthdays). A portion of this notebook is dedicated to what appears to be a date book, which lists each day and date, with a brief note, presumably what Van Cleve did on that particular day. There are full entries for the months of January-May, half of June, and it appears that there are some pages missing, as the page opposite the first half of June is listed as “mber” at the top, which could have been September, November, or December.
86 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Notebook 21.1: Catalogue of Books belonging to John W. Van Cleve, 1832-1846
1832-April 1, 1846 Catalog of books belonging to John W. Van Cleve. Books listed are divided into 13 subheadings: History & Biography, Law, Science, Languages, Poetry, Theological, Newspapers, Miscellaneous, Walnut Book Case, Cherry Book Case, Mahogany Book Case, Newspaper Case, and Not in Cases. Notebook lists the number of volumes for each item and also the price.
Notebook 22: List of Books with Source and Price, Undated
This list is in the very back of the notebook, turned upside down, compared to other writings in the notebook. It contains several pages listing book titles, including the number of volumes, source from whom the book was obtained (many are from “JWVC” himself), and price of the book. They are divided according to the following categories: History & Biography; Laws, &c.; Botany; Chemistry, Arts, &c.; Arts &c.; Languages; Geography &c.; Charts; Poetry; Newspapers (bound); Theological; Miscellaneous.
Box 2: Dayton Library Association Bookplate, 1847
1847 A bookplate for the Dayton Library Association, bearing the name M. E. Curwen, the date 1847, and the designation “No. 1190.” The item is mounted on a card. A note on the card reads as follows: “Book-plate of th Dayton Library Association designed and engraved by J. W. Van Cleve. It bears the date of the organization of the Association and the autograph of the writer of the first Dayton history.” [Maskell E. Curwen wrote A Sketch of the History of the City of Dayton (1850), which is available at call number: Dayton 977.173 C98.]
Box 2: Dayton Library Association Membership, 1850
January 18, 1850 This certificate verifies the membership of John W. Van Cleve in the Dayton Library Association, and reads as follows: “It is hereby certified that John W. Van Cleve , By the payment of Fifty Dollars, is constituted a member in perpetuity, of the Dayton Library Association. “Dayton, January 18, 1850. Youngs.[?] V. Wood , treasurer.”
87 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Notebook 2: Books Purchased for Library, 1852-1853
Jan. 21, 1852-Jan. 11, 1853 This section includes several pages listing titles purchased for the library, including prices and dates purchased, ranging from January 1852 to January 1853. The lists include over 100 titles. There is also a page entitled “Orders Drawn on Treasurer of Library,” with transactions in January and April 1852.
88 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
SERIES III: PAPERS OF THOMAS DOVER
Box 6, Folder 5, and Box 7, Folder 4: Correspondence to Thomas Dover, 1826, 1850-1855, 1869, Undated *Note: All items are contained in Box 6, Folder 5, unless otherwise noted.
May 26, [year unknown] Letter includes messages from Thomas’s sisters Sophia and Phebe Dover, as well as his mother Henrietta Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to Thomas Dover, (location unknown). *Note: This item can be found in Box 7, Folder 4. Sophia writes about her visit to northwest Ohio and gives news about friends. Phebe says that she received the present Thomas sent to her and gives news about friends. Henrietta gives a recipe for making soap and apologizes that the girls did not send their letter sooner.
June 2, 1826 From Thomas Dover’s Uncle in Bestia[?], [state unknown], to Thomas Dover, [Dayton, Ohio]. (Typed transcription of original) The author talks about needing a new saddle and a new plough.
June [?], 1850 Letter from Mary A. Drill, Dayton, [Dayton, Ohio], to her brother Thomas Dover, Centerville, Indiana. Mary shares news of family and mutual friends. She says that their sister Sophia has news to tell him about herself and S. M. B. S. [Silas M. B. Simpson].
June 9, 1850 Letter from S. [Silas] M. B. Simpson, (location unknown), to Thomas Dover, (location unknown). He mentions the spring weather in the Miami Valley and says that all “Tom’s” kinfolk are well. He mentions that “General Lafayette”13 paid another visit to Dayton. He also says that the Masons are having a celebration later in the month.
June 25, 1850 Letter from Comly Van Cleve, Dayton, Ohio, to his cousin Thomas Dover, Centerville, Indiana. Comly writes from Thomas’s father’s house in Dayton, where he and his brother Joel are visiting from Pennsylvania. Comly says he prefers Ohio to his home state. He expects that Thomas will marry one of those “Hoosier gals” and invites him to visit in Pennsylvania soon.
13 It is not clear whom Silas is referring to as “General Lafayette,” but he seems to be talking about a friend; it may be a nickname. The most well-known General Lafayette, Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, who was a general in the American Revolution, died in 1834.
89 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
July 16, 1850 Letter from Henrietta Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to her son Thomas Dover, Centerville, Indiana. Henrietta apologizes that Thomas’s father has not written to him and explains why. She gives some news but says that there is not much to tell. She gives family news of Sophia and Serah. She tells of a little girl who almost drowned in the canal and an Irishman who was whipped by a local Methodist preacher. The last page contains several lines from a poem called The Curly Headed boy [sic].
May 11, 1851 Letter from H. [Henrietta] M. Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to her son Thomas Dover, [Muscatine, Iowa]. Henrietta laments that Iowa is so far away but says that if it suits Thomas, they may move there as well. She gives news of family and friends and mentions that “Uncle” [John W. Van Cleve] sold his drugstore yesterday to Mr. Newel [Newell]. She asks Thomas to write to his father about how long it took him to reach Muscatine [Iowa].
May 25, 1851 Letter includes messages from Sam B. Dover and Henrietta Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to their son Thomas Dover, [Muscatine, Iowa]. *Note: This item can be found in Box 7, Folder 4. Sam writes that they received Thomas’s letter dated May 9 th and gives news of family and friends. He says that Uncle “JWVC” (John W. Van Cleve) has sold his drug store to Newel [Newell] for $1600. He is glad that Thomas is not in California like William Bickford because the letters take so much longer to arrive from there. He is glad that he consented to let Thomas go to Muscatine. He says that they went to hear John B. Gough, the great temperance lecturer, recently. Henrietta says that Sam asked her to help him fill the rest of the sheet. She gives a brief report on what each person in the family is doing that evening. She comments that Thomas is probably tired of reading by this point.
June 22, 1851 Letter from Phebe Maria Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to her brother Thomas Dover, [Muscatine, Iowa]. Phebe gives news of the family and tells Thomas to try not to be homesick. She says that the gas houses are nearly done. She says that the depot is almost done but it looks like a big barn.
June 22, 1851 Letter from Serah G. Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to her brother Thomas Dover, [Muscatine, Iowa]. Serah gives news of family and friends. She writes that someone brings them the Muscatine Journal whenever possible. Dr. Langstead’s little boy died from a locust sting. She says their father read in the Muscatine Journal about a boy drowning and worries
90 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection because Thomas is so adventurous. She asks Thomas to write home every week. She tells a story about how mother got a new gold ring.
July 8, 1851 Letter from H. [Henrietta] Sophia Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to her brother Thomas Dover, [Muscatine, Iowa]. *Note: This item can be found in Box 7, Folder 4. Sophia writes that the whole family was glad to receive Thomas’s most recent letter. She also tells of the Fourth of July celebration in Dayton. She also gives news about friends and says that Thomas should receive the Dayton paper regularly now.
July 13, 1851 Letter from Silas M. B. Simpson, (location unknown), to Thomas Dover, [Muscatine, Iowa]. Silas writes that it is a hot, oppressive July morning. He mailed Thomas a copy of the weekly Gazette . He says that he recently had his daguerreotype taken with Silas Crowell. He shares other news from family and friends.
July 25, 1851 Letter from Henrietta M. Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to her son Thomas Dover, [Muscatine, Iowa]. Henrietta informs him that there have been no more cholera outbreaks in town. She worries about Thomas becoming sick and being so far away from home. She also shares news regarding his father and the gas company.
August 5, 1851 Letter from Henrietta M. Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to her son Thomas Dover, [Muscatine, Iowa]. Henrietta writes that his father has plenty of business for two and would be obliged to hire someone to help him put up [gas] pipes. She says that since Thomas does not seem very content with his present circumstances, they would be glad to have him home. Thomas’s father believes that if Thomas came home, he could get the office of secretary at Indianapolis or Madison, [Indiana?], or any other place that Mr. Lockwood was putting up gas works. Thomas has written previously about being lonesome and homesick.
August 27, 1851 Letter from Henrietta M. Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to her son Thomas Dover, [Muscatine, Iowa]. Henrietta gives news from home and mentions that daughter Phebe is sick with fever. She says that father encourages him to stay where he is for now and not leave his employer at an inconvenient time. However, they both encourage him to come home soon if he wishes, as long as he has not made any contracts to stay that honor binds him to fulfill. The rest of the family, however, will not be moving to “Ioway” [sic]. She asks Thomas to telegraph if he is coming home sooner than October.
91 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
September 5, 1851 Letter from [Henrietta M. Dover] , Dayton, Ohio, to her son Thomas Dover, Muscatine, [Iowa]. Henrietta reports that Edward Johnson arrived [from Iowa] with a package from Thomas, including a watch, some books, and a Bible. She says that Edward thinks Thomas should stay in Iowa and that his employer would pay him good wages. However, Henrietta thinks that if Thomas has no objection to change his business and work at pipefitting, it would not be long before he could raise enough money to buy a drug store of his own. Henrietta includes a copy of Sam Dover’s day book (with jobs and amount earned at each) for the past month to illustrate her point that Thomas could make good money as a pipe fitter. She says that when Thomas went to Iowa, they had initially expected that they would move there too. However, they have since given up that idea, and Henrietta declares that it would be just as likely for them to move to England as to Iowa. She says that Serah will write soon, and she guesses it will not be about gas pipes.
September 8, 1851 Letter from Serah Dover, [Dayton, Ohio], to her brother Thomas Dover, [Muscatine, Iowa]. Serah writes that Phebe is getting better and that the doctor told her to drink wine to help her recovery. She also gives general news of family and friends.
September 15, 1851 Letter from Phebe Maria Dover, [Dayton, Ohio], to her brother Thomas Dover, [Muscatine, Iowa]. Phebe apologizes for not writing more often and writes about her recent illness in detail. She also gives general news of family and friends.
July 13, 1855 Letter from H. [Henrietta] M. Dover, [Dayton, Ohio], to her son Thomas Dover, [Piqua, Ohio]. Henrietta gives general news of family and friends, including upcoming outings to some picnics around town. She inquires whether Thomas thinks he will stay longer in Piqua than he stayed in Kentucky.
August 15, 1855 Letter from H. [Henrietta] M. Dover, [Dayton, Ohio], to her son Thomas Dover, [Piqua, Ohio]. Henrietta gives general news of family and friends. Silas is about to embark on a journey to California. Uncle John W. Van Cleve is leaving for Lake Superior that day. The letter is continued on August 18, with Henrietta saying that she sprained her ankle stepping out onto the back porch with an armload of laundry. Grandmother, Phebe and Serah have also been sick.
August 21, 1855 Letter from Henrietta M. Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to her son Thomas Dover, [Piqua, Ohio]. Henrietta writes a brief note to update on the family, several of whom are ill.
92 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
September 17, 1855 Letter from Henrietta M. Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to her son Thomas Dover, [Piqua, Ohio]. Henrietta writes that the family had expected Thomas home from Piqua last week. She says that Uncle John arrived home from his trip, which he enjoyed very much except for the sea sickness, about which he composed a song “On the Sea Sick.” She also gives general news about family and friends.
October 30, 1869 Letter from W. H. H. Terrell, Office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General, Washington, District of Columbia, to Thomas Dover, Esquire, Dayton, Ohio. Terrell informs Thomas that his request to appoint additional agents for the sale of stamps and stamped envelopes to be an [sic] useless expense to the Government.
Box 7, Folder 5: Correspondence from Thomas Dover, 1857, 1870-1875
October 24, 1857 Letter from [Thomas Dover], [Dayton, Ohio], to E. D. Mansfield, Dayton, Ohio. The letter describes agriculture and industry in Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio. He describes the various industries, according to type.
May 11, 1870 Letter from Thomas Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to Honorable R. C. Schenk, [Washington, District of Columbia]. Thomas is inquiring about a postage stamp purchase. The back of the letter is stamped House of Representatives, May 4, 1870. Schenk’s reply is at the bottom of the back of the letter. The stationery bears Thomas Dover’s stamped imprint.
May 19, 1870 Letter from W. H. H. Terrell, Third Assistant Postmaster General, Washington, District of Columbia, to Thomas Dover, Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Terrell informs Thomas that it is against postal regulations to sell stamps at a discounted rate. He does inform Thomas that in some of the larger cities, special agents can be established to sell stamps at a two percent discount. The letter is co-signed by Honorable R. C. Schenck, House of Representatives.
August 1875 Letter from Thomas Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to Doct. J. S. Taylor, Kankakee, Illinois. Thomas writes about the history of the Van Cleve family and his late uncle John W. Van Cleve.
November 1875 Letter from Thomas Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to Doct. J. S. Taylor, [Kankakee, Illinois]. Thomas writes about the history of the Van Cleve family and elaborates more on his late uncle John W. Van Cleve.
93 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Notebook 22: Brief biography of Thomas Dover, [circa 1859]
This biography, probably written by Thomas Dover himself, covers the time period from his birth until about 1859, with particular focus on his career as a druggist, including where and with whom he worked.
Notebook 22: Miscellaneous Legal Notes, 1859-1862
These notes follow the biography of Thomas Dover in the back of the book. It seems to be updates to the biography, probably written by Thomas Dover himself.
Aug. 16, 1859 Appointed guardian for Hanson L. [Witturs?]
Nov. 4, 1859 Received of M. M. Munday, administrator of E. E. Brabham’s estate, $46.40, being the full amount of Hanson’s share.
Nov. 15, 1859 Paid probate fees, leaving a balance of $39.40, which was loaned to John Foley at 8% for one year.
Mar. 19, 1860 Purchased 40 acres of ground from William Full, who had purchased it from William Reaves and Mrs. Malinda Reaves (widow of William Reaves). Paid $200 cash through Jacob A. Drill. The tract of land is located in the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 30, Township 21, north of Range 15, in Jackson Township, Randolph County, Indiana.
April 1862 Purchased lot number 2315 (southeast corner of Wayne and 5 th streets) and renovated store into the corner room. Gave [Mr.] Belden my notes for $2,200 for 8 acres ground on Xenia Avenue and traded that giving $1,350 to boot for the corner.
Box 4, Folder 8: Receipts and Share Certificates, 1870-1875
January 15, 1870 Share certificate No. 73 for four shares of stock to the Dayton Coal and Mining Co. at a price of one hundred dollars per share.
94 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
January 15, 1870 Share certificate No. 74 for four shares of stock to the Dayton Coal and Mining Co. at a price of one hundred dollars per share.
April 28, 1873 Receipt No. A78425 from the Internal Revenue Service for the sum of twenty-five dollars for special tax on the business of retail liquor dealer.
April 28, 1873 Receipt No. A98650 from the Internal Revenue Service for the sum of five dollars for special tax on the business of dealer in manufactured tobacco.
May 16, 1874-1875 Four pages of accounts dating from May 16, 1874-1875.
Box 4, Folder 9: Thomas Dover in acct. with Commissioner of Montgomery Co. & Volunteer families (account book), 1861
September 10, 1861 – November 1861 Account book of Thomas Dover in accordance with the Commissioner of Montgomery County and Volunteer families.
Notebook 4: Estate Account of Thomas Dover, 1881
November 17, 1881 Listings for the estate of Thomas Dover. Found on pages 56-63.
Box 4, Folder 10: Invitation, 1855
January 1, 1855 Invitation for Mr. Thomas Dover and Lady to the First Annual Ball of Unger’s Brass Band at Maj. Hare’s Hall.
Box 4, Folder 11: Illustration of Thomas Dover’s Drugstore and Residence, Undated
Picture of drug store and residence of Thomas Dover, Southeast corner of Wayne [Avenue] and Fifth Street. 8.5 in. x 9 in.
95 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Notebook 4: List of Pharmaceutical Formulas and Dosages, Undated
List of pharmaceutical formulas and dosages. Found on pages 50-55.
Notebook 25.1: Pharmacopeia of the United States of America, 1840
This notebook contains notes from the national medical convention held at Washington, D.C., in 1840. Topics of the notes include: Weights and Measures; Materia Medica (catalog of medicinal substances); and Preparations. Thomas Dover’s signature is on the bottom right corner of the title page. There are a few miscellaneous notes that seem to pertain to pharmacy on the very last page.
Notebook 25.2: “Conceipts and Receipts” notebook, Undated
Notebook titled “Conceits and Receipts” containing various chemical formulae and recipes.
Box 4, Folder 12: Alphabetical list of soldiers, Civil War, from Dayton & Montgomery Co. (notebook), [1861-1865] Notebook containing an alphabetical list of soldiers from Dayton and Montgomery County who served during the Civil War.
Notebook 25.1: List of Books owned by Thomas Dover, 1852
Dec. 29, 1852 The lists contains headings “bound novels” (18 entries); “missalanious” [sic] (9 entries); and “pamphlet novels” (no entries).
96 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
SERIES IV: PAPERS OF OTHER RELATIVES AND INDIVIDUALS
Box 2: Indenture Deed of John Van Cleve and his wife Elizabeth Vandeveer Van Cleve, 1791
May 1, 1791 Indentured deed of John Van Cleve and his wife Elizabeth Vandeveer Van Cleve, Hunterdon County, New Jersey to Nathaniel Cornell.
Box 1, Folder 1: Correspondence from James Butler Fleming, 1791
June 3, 1791 Correspondence from James Butler Fleming (location unknown) to unknown recipient. James Butler Fleming, Corporal in late Captain Zeigler’s Company first Unite States Regiment, promises that the large pair of silver buckles which was taken and belonging to Monsieur Chibaut of French emigrant, living at that time in the garrison, knowing the buckles to be stolen, shall be replaced as soon as they can be forwarded from Pittsburgh to Major Zeigler or in his absence to Judge Gillman at Fort [Harmar?], so that the buckles may be sent to Monsieur Chibaut at Gallipolis.
Box 1, Folder 3: Warrant for Election in Dayton Township, 1802
March 2, 1802 Warrant from the United States of America to Jerom Holt of Dayton Township. The text of the warrant reads as follows: “Greeting. You are hereby required to give notice to the Inhabitants of said Township in three of the most Public places thereof at least ten Days before the first Monday in April next that they may and shall Convene on said Day at the House of George Newcome [sic] in the Township aforesaid, and then and there proceed to Elect by Ballot a Chairman, Town Clerk, three or more Trustees or Managers, two or more overseers of the Poor, three fence viewers, two appraisers of Houses, one Sister of Taxable property, a sufficient number of Supervisors of Roads, and one or more Constables; agreeable to a Law, entitled, ‘an act to establish and regulate Town Meetings[’] and of this Warrant make due return.”
Box 7, Folder 6: Correspondence to Jerome Holt, brother-in-law of Benjamin Van Cleve, 1810-1812
March 25, 1810 Letter from Edmund Munger, Washington, [District of Columbia], to Jerome Holt, Dayton, Ohio. Munger writes that he has sent some spare pork to Holt’s men.
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November 22, 1811 Letter from Abiel and Lucinda Fenton, Willington, [Connecticut], to Jerom [Jerome] Holt and wife, Dayton, Ohio. The Fentons give news of family and friends in New England, including members of the Fenton, Holt, Eldredg, Fellows, Hank, Vinton, and Hull families.
July 18, 1812 Letter from Philemon and Jemima Holt, Willington, [Connecticut], to their son Jerom [Jerome] Holt, Dayton, Ohio. Jerome’s parents convey news of family and friends in New England, including members of the Holt, Fenton, and Fellows families. The letter also recalls a previous letter from Jerome in which he said that he was about to march on to the frontiers. The end the letter by asking that Jerome give their respect to all his friends, including Mr. Van Cleve, lamenting that they will never be able to visit Ohio because of their age and the distance.
Box 2: Death Notice of Catherine (Benham) Van Cleve Thompson, 1837
August 8, 1837 Death Notice of Catherine (Benham) Van Cleve Thompson.
The text of the death notice reads as follows: DIED, In this place, on Sunday last, at the age of 83 years, Mrs. CATHARINE Thompson, formerly Mrs. Catherine Van Cleve, mother of the late Benjamin and William Van Cleve. She was the first female resident of this town and county, to which palce she came on the 1 st of April, 1796. She was also, one of the earliest inhabitants of Cincinnati, having come to that place before its name was changed from Losantiville, when two small hewed-log houses and a few log cabins constituted the whole town. Her first husband, John Van Cleve, to whom she was married by the Rev. William Tennant, of Monmouth county, N. J., was killed by the Indians, on the first day of June 1791, within the present corporate limits of Cincinnati. Her second husband, Samuel Thompson, was drowned in Mad River near this place, about twenty years since. She was the mother of thirteen children and her grand children have numbered eighty-seven, and her great grand children upwards of ninety. She was a worthy member of the Methodist church for the last twenty years of her life and died in Christian resignation. Dayton, August 8, 1837.
Box 6, Folder 6: Correspondence to Serah (Dover) Allan, 1859-1871
March 9, 1859 Letter from Thomas Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to his sister Serah (Dover) Allan, (location unknown).
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Thomas writes that he is sending three boxes, one rocking chair, one stand, and one bureau to Serah. He says that he packed up everything in her room except for the looking glass (mirror), which he could not get into the box. [This letter was written less than 1 week after Serah’s marriage on March 3.]
April 8, 1859 Letter from Thomas Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to his sister Serah (Dover) Allan, [Hamilton], [Ohio?]. Thomas writes that Serah seemed disappointed when Charley went down. He talks a bit about the weather, that he assumes it is just as cold at Hamilton as it is in Dayton. He mentions a pretty hat that his son Fay has. He says that Monday was election day and that they put Bombarger in for council, which made the Loco’s mad. He gives news from the family, including sister Sopha, Silas, Aunt Mary, and others.
April 24, 1859 Letter from Thomas and Louisa Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to Serah (Dover) Allan, (location unknown). Thomas writes that his wife Louisa and son Fay just returned from a two-day stay in Springfield. He says that Mary Ann’s husband Jacob [Drill] has returned from Missouri, which he likes very well. However, Mary Ann will not go so far away, and he expects they will likely move to Indiana instead. He gives other general news of family and friends. Louisa dotes on son Fay and then gives news of friends and family.
June 14, 1859 Letter from H. [Henrietta] Sophia “Sophy” (Dover) Simpson, Dayton, Ohio, to her sister Serah (Dover) Allan, (location unknown). Sophy gives news about her children, son “Mosey” and daughter Sera. She gives news of family and friends. Brother Thomas attended Amanda Good’s wedding to Timothy Green recently. Sister Mary Ann and husband Jacob are going to Darke County to look for a farm. Mosey has croup. John Lemmon was shot and killed.
June 29, 1859 Letter from Thomas Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to his sister Serah (Dover) Allan, (location unknown). Thomas asks Serah to let him know what her plans are for visiting. He gives general news of family and friends. He says maybe he will go fishing if he visits mother.
August 20, 1859 Letter from Thomas Dover, Dayton, Ohio to Serah (Dover) Allan, (location unknown). Thomas offers a suggestion for a business venture for Serah’s husband Eben if he happens to become out of work, but he asks Serah not to mention it to him unless he does in fact become out of work. He tells a few notes about some friends.
February 12, 1860 Letter from Thomas Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to Serah (Dover) Allan, (location unknown).
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Thomas writes that someone named Helen is angry with them over an incident. He also gives news that Mary Ann and Jacob are coming for a visit, and so are Mother and Mr. [Joseph] Bond [her husband]. Thomas says he is going to try to purchase 40 acres of land adjoining Jacob’s and let Emery try his hand at farming, and he could teach singing schools at night. He writes about a fire at Mrs. Simms’ house. He also says that he wrote the letter with a pencil because son Fay “won’t allow ink about.”
March 18, 1860 Letter from H. Sophia [Dover] Simpson, Dayton, Ohio, to her sister Serah G. (Dover) Allan, (location unknown). Sophia writes that William Allan died, and they attended his funeral. She gives news of visits with family and news of friends.
April 20, 1860 Letter from Thomas Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to Serah (Dover) Allan, (location unknown). Thomas writes about visits with family. He talks about helping to select the design for someone’s gravestone and includes a sketch of it.
Box 4, Folder 13, and Box 7, Folder 7: Correspondence to Ebenezer Allan, [1851-1864] *Note: All items are contained in Box 4, Folder 13, unless otherwise noted.
Undated Letter from John Allan, Dayton, Ohio, to his brother Eben Allan, [Piqua, Ohio]. John gives general news of family and friends. He suggests that if Eben’s boss would give him wages instead of board, their mother could move to Piqua, and he could live with her instead.
April 14, 1851 Letter from John Allan, Dayton, Ohio, to his brother Eben Allan, (location unknown). *Note: This item can be found in Box 7, Folder 7. John was pleased to receive Eben’s last letter, and he was also pleased to learn that Eben has been hearing lectures on the useful and entertaining science of physiology. He has also recently received a letter from the Old Country [Scotland], and he relays some of the news from said letter. He also gives local news of family and friends and tells of a recent fire. He asks Eben to write again soon, saying that he must practice writing so as to be able to write a good letter to Anne.
June 19, 1851 Letter from John Allan, Dayton, Ohio, to his brother Eben Allan, [Piqua, Ohio]. John writes that he has heard from James, who is traveling in New York. He asks Eben about the Indians at Piqua. He comments that Daytonians have voted for the new Constitution and a new license law.
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July 23, 1851 Letter from John Allan, Dayton, Ohio, to his brother Eben Allan, (location unknown). John tells general news of family and friends, and at the end of the letter advises Eben to “write as good as you are able and you will certainly improve.”
March 5, 1854 Letter from Margaret Allan, Dayton, Ohio, to her son Eben Allan, (location unknown). Margaret first describes a commotion that arose when she and John received Eben’s last letter, containing a few dollars. Margaret gives general news of family and friends. Then she tells of a “spirit raping” (séance) that she recently participated in, and they contacted the alleged spirit of Agness Cameron, who was a former sweetheart of Hay and died of consumption. [It is unclear in the letter whether she believes the séance was real or a joke.]
March 8, 1854 Letter from John Allan, Dayton, Ohio, to his brother Eben Allan, (location unknown). John describes his actions when he received Eben’s last letter, which contained two dollars. John writes that he is out of work now. He says, “My last dollar is very near finished and I am sorry to say that I do not know where my next one is to come from.” He then asks if Eben could send just a little bit more money. He says that Robert Hay visited recently and suggested that perhaps John would do better in Cincinnati. He also tells some news of family and friends.
March 25, 1854 Letter from Margaret Allan, Dayton, Ohio, to her son Ebenezer Allan, Xenia, Ohio. Margaret tells Eben that she received his last letter, containing seven dollars. She received a letter from James saying that he had taken a severe chill. She relays news of family and friends. She says she is not sure whether James will come or not, but she thinks he will if he gets some encouragement. She also asks Eben to send money for the rent as soon as he can.
December 11, 1856 Letter from John Allan, Dayton, Ohio, to his brother Ebenezer [L.] Allan, (location unknown). *Note: This item can be found in Box 7, Folder 7. John says that he received a letter from Andrew Allan, who reports that he voted the republican ticket in both elections and says that James Buchanan owes his election to the Catholic Church in the north and the slaveholders in the south. John says that he thinks the republicans will do better to stand on their old platform. John refers to Eben’s previous letter and is very interested in the part where Eben had said he might be able to get a position for John in the machine shop. John then goes on to talk more about politics, including the future presidential election of 1860, [John] Fremont, General [Winfield] Scott, and the Free Soil party. He says he hopes that Kansas will join the union as a free state after all, but it will require hard work to accomplish.
December 14-15, 1856
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Letter from Margaret Allan, Dayton, Ohio, to her son Eben Allan, (location unknown). Margaret briefly gives news of family and friends and then relays some news she read in the newspaper about ships carrying gold bullion.
July 22, 1857 Letter from Margaret Allan, Dayton, Ohio, to her son Eben Allan, (location unknown). Margaret says that she received Eben’s letter, care of T. Dover. She has written a letter to James and another to Anne. She sold four chickens and killed one for herself. She has had rats in her shed and chicken coop.
July 28, 1857 Letter from Margaret Allan, Dayton, Ohio, to her son Eben Allan, (location unknown). Margaret relays news of family and friends. She says that she has received another newspaper from the Old Country. She says that the rat keeps dancing about in the shed and wakes her some nights but has not killed any chickens. She set a trap for the rat, but instead one of the chickens got caught in it.
June 29, 1859 Letter from Margaret Allan, Dayton, Ohio, to her son Eben Allan, (location unknown). Margaret sends a brief reply to Eben’s recent letter. She asks if he knows where she can get straw to fill their beds. She also mentions that today is her birthday.
October 20, 1859 Letter from John Allan, Dayton, Ohio, to his brother Eben Allan, [Butler County, Ohio]. John says that he received Eben’s letter informing them of the sad fate of Andrew’s mother-in-law and her child. John was sorry to hear that Eben and his business partner are not getting along but advises that he may be better off to stick it out if the wages are good. John says that he expects Eben is gratified with the results of the recent election. He says in regards to the election, “I suppose you have seen that Montgomery Co. has come out all right. How did Butler [county] do?” He sends his love to Mother and Serah.
December 4, 1859 Letter from Thomas [Dover], Dayton, Ohio, to his brother-in-law Eben Allan, (location unknown). Thomas writes of some financial matters, then briefly gives news from the family. He also mentions that he has written this letter with a new formula of writing fluid and is pleased with it.
December 18, 1859 Letter from Thomas Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to his brother-in-law and sister Eben and Serah (Dover) Allan, (location unknown). *Note: This item can be found in Box 7, Folder 7. Thomas sends $10 and asks Eben and Serah to check their books against Davison’s book. He says, “If his [account] is correct, I don’t think you are making much, especially if you can’t get your money.” Thomas suggests that perhaps Eben and Serah
102 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection should “come up here” [to Dayton]. Serah could come immediately, and perhaps Eben would like to try his hand at that project they had discussed previously.
February 23, 1860 Letter from John Allan, Dayton, Ohio, to Eben Allan, (location unknown). John says that he has finished his term teaching school and is looking for work again, as there is no more school until summer. However, he expects that they will hire a female teacher “as they can have one cheaper.” He sends his best to Mother and Serah.
February 26, 1860 Letter from Thomas Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to [Eben and Serah Allan], (location unknown). Thomas reports that Jacob went to see a man about 40 acres. Silas has kept sober for 9 days and should thus be dubbed “the 9 day wonder.” They have gone to the fair three nights this week.
April 15, 1860 Letter from Thomas Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to [Eben and Serah Allan], (location unknown). *Note: This item can be found in Box 7, Folder 7. Thomas shares news of family and friends. He says that business is fair, considering that they are selling primarily paints and oils, which do not provide much profit but still help to pay expenses. They recently purchased a new carpet for an upstairs room. He has been collecting “odd cents” (coins) and asks them to save any unusual coins they come across. He goes on to discuss some of his collection.
May 30, 1860 Letter from Serah Allan, Dayton, Ohio, to her husband Eben Allan, (location unknown). Serah says that this is the fifth time she has written and hopes that Eben has received the other letters, “for if you and Emery don’t deserve letters, I don’t know who does, for we get more than anybody else.” John Allan and family visited last night, and she read Eben’s letters to them. Some friends have inquired whether they can have photographs of Eben, if there will be enough. She reports that Hattie is a cross child, and Grant enjoys playing with dad’s knife. Hattie broke Serah’s parasol the other day, so Serah took Hattie’s and exchanged it for a new one for herself. She reminds him that she sent six stamps in her last letter.
Friday 27 [May], 1864 Letter from Serah Allan, Dayton, Ohio, to her husband Eben Allan, (location unknown). Serah writes that she received a letter from Eben last night and another this morning. She corrects Eben about his time remaining in the service; he said had had 90 days left in his letter from the 23 rd , but Serah says it is only 75.
June 5, 1864 Letter from Serah Allan, (location unknown), to her husband Eben Allan, (location unknown).
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Serah is disappointed that Eben has not received any more of her letters, as she has sent six. She writes, “I guess you ain’t all so glad to get away from your scolding wives…as they thought you would be, I expect you would be most glad to see us as we would to see you, there will be a big time when the hundred days men gets back, you can bet…” Eben had mentioned in a previous letter that he ate all he had and could eat more if he could get it, so Serah suggests that he buy food next time he is hungry because she has money to spare. However, she warns him to be careful who he buys it from, because it would be better to go hungry than be poisoned. Thomas has been making arrangements to get back the money they had paid towards the draft, but he thinks Eben will need to be present to make oath that he had paid it before he could get the money back. Serah gives news of the children and the family.
June 14, 1864 Letter from Thomas Dover, Dayton, Ohio, to her husband Eben Allan, (location unknown). Thomas says that he would like to write a long letter to Eben and a few other people but has been so busy this week that he hopes he’ll be excused. He just received a letter from someone else giving news of the progress in Louisiana. He gives news of family and friends. He also shares the address of Willie Donovan, which Eben had requested in a previous letter. He promises to send a copy of the Journal as well as a Cincinnati newspaper soon.
June 28, 1864 Letter from Serah Allan, Dayton, Ohio, to her husband Eben Allan, (location unknown). Serah writes that she has not received many letters from him and about how she is “all blues” since he has been gone. She and the children are currently suffering from heat rashes. She writes that Mr. Goalman fixed their wagon recently, but she had to send for the police on his account shortly after because he came home drunk and entered into a domestic dispute with his wife. She describes the events that were celebrated when the 11 th Ohio came home on Monday. She closes by saying that she hopes he will not be eaten up by the bedbugs and that he will get home as soon as his hundred days are up.
July 10, 1864 Letter from Serah Allan, Dayton, Ohio, to her husband Eben Allan, (location unknown). Serah writes to assure him that although he says he has not received any letters from her in a while, there are four on the way. She fears that Eben will be among those men who are “sent after the raiders,” which she thinks would be worse than going into battle. She was worried to hear that he had been sick and had a sore foot. She comments that she and Eben had both spent the Fourth of July watching the fireworks, she at Picard’s Corner with children Hattie and Grant. She concludes the letter by writing: “Hattie says tell Pa she wants two letters then another one and then a blue one and I would rather have my husband than all the letters.”
July 21, 1864 Letter from Serah Allan and “L. D.” [Louisa Dover], Dayton, Ohio, to Eben Allan, (location unknown).
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*Note: This item can be found in Box 7, Folder 7. Serah writes that she has spent the last twelve Sundays writing letters to her husband and expects to spend a few more in the same way; however, she does not know whether she can wait any longer for him to come home. She suggests that Eben write a long letter to his mother, because his mother was jealous when Serah shared the letters that he had written to her. She gives news of friends and family, including the recent death of Captain Thorn, and the fact that Emery recently sent a picture. She reports that it has hardly rained in a long time and shares a cute anecdote about son Grant. L. D. writes that a letter was received through John containing an offer from Chadwick. The drug business trade has been good. Emery’s letter will be answered in a few days.
August 7, 1864 Letter from Serah Allan, Dayton, Ohio, to her husband Eben Allan, (location unknown). Serah writes that she received his letter from the third last night. She warns him jovially that if he does not leave there by Wednesday, he may “get it.” She has been preparing for his homecoming by washing all his clothes. She says, “I want all my work done so I can have plenty of time to look at you when you come.” She closes the letter by writing, “Good bye this time. I hope we will talk face to face next Sunday.”
Box 4, Folder 14: Correspondence to Mary Ann [Dover] Drill, 1871
May 9, 1871 Letter from Henrietta M. [Van Cleve Dover] Bond, Dayton, Ohio, to her daughter M. A. [Mary Ann] [Dover] Drill and family, (location unknown). Henrietta writes about her recent visits with family. She has a new house girl. Little Ralphy [Allan] was very sick recently with “spinal or spotted fever,” and she describes the disease and its remedies in detail so that Mary Ann might be able to recognize the disease and know how to cure it, since many children have died from it. Thomas and Louisa recently visited Louisa’s mother in Springfield.
Box 4, Folder 15: Correspondence from Mrs. H. S. [Henrietta Sophia Dover] Simpson, 1904
April 19, 1904 Letter from Mrs. H. S. Simpson, [Dayton, Ohio], to Mr. Arnold, Dayton, Ohio. (Photostat) She mentions that she is the oldest surviving grandchild of Benjamin Van Cleve. She also mentions that she has in possession a violin and bow belonging to Benjamin Van Cleve’s son and the original copy of Benjamin’s Biographical Memorandum.
Notebook 16: Serah G. Dover’s Poetry and notes, [circa 1858]
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This notebook contains approximately 56 individual poems, presumably written by Serah G. Dover (later Serah Allan) . Nearly all entries are written in a very faded ink, in a delicate handwriting. Most are very difficult to read. Also contained within the notebook: two clippings from the Dayton Daily Journal regarding the death of John W. Van Cleve; a newspaper clipping regarding the marriage of Miss Sarah [sic] G. Dover to Mr. Ebenezer S. Allan; a few other notes regarding family vital statistics; miscellaneous notes on classical history and mythology; miscellaneous political data and notes. Notes regarding the Best and Dover families, apparently written by Ruth (Haerr[?]) McKnight, are taped into the front cover of the notebook. The name following is inscribed inside the cover: “Serah G. Dover, Dayton, Oct. 3d, 1858.” According to a note included with the notebook, it belonged to John Van Cleve’s niece Serah (Dover) Allan. Eventually, the notebook was acquired by Allan’s daughter, Jessie Allan, and then by Mrs. William Leroy McKnight. Mrs. McKnight donated the notebook to the Dayton Public Library (date unknown).
Notebook 26: S. M. B. [Silas M. B.] Simpson Notebook, Undated
Contains notes and drawing on the back cover and fly leaf. Also contains 10 specimens of human hair.
Notebook 2: Estate of Samuel B. Dover, Account and Memoranda, 1852-1854
The Estate of Samuel B. Dover includes over 200 pages of information under the following headings: Memoranda (pp. 1-19) Account (pp. 20-29) Partnership (pp. 30-43) Temporary Memoranda (pp. 44-51) Collection by T. D. partnership (pp. 54-57) Inventory (pp. 58-62) Widow’s Property not appraised (p. 63) Widow’s Maintenance (p. 64) Property taken at the appraisement by widow (p. 65) Notes (pp. 66-69) Accounts appearing due to the estate (pp. 70+)
Further pages include miscellaneous receipts, expenses, payments, and exhibits. A lengthy ledger of various funds and bonds follows also.
Note: Although the table of contents at the front of the estate ledger denotes “page 1” as the first page, the entries begin near the middle of the notebook itself.
106 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Notebook 25.3: Robert F. [Fay] Dover “Elements Acids Inorganic and Organic” Notebook, Undated
Notebook with “Robt Fay Dover, Dayton, Ohio” on the front cover. Title page is labeled as “Elements Acids Inorganic and Organic.” Contains containing chemical formulae, recipes, and ingredients.
Box 4, Folder 16: Correspondence to Horatio G. Phillips, 1828
September 14, 1828 Letter from Nicholas Longworth, Brownsville, Pennsylvania, to H. G. Phillips, Dayton, Ohio. This brief note is written in a difficult script. It seems to discuss a monetary transaction. Longworth closes the letter with his regards to “your wife, [and] the girls.”
Box 1, Folder 4: Correspondence to Horatio G. Phillips, 1832
June 6, 1832 Letter from N. Longworth, Cincinnati, Ohio, to Horatio G. Phillips, Dayton, Ohio. This letter seems to be in response to a previous one from Horatio, and it is difficult to determine the meaning based on its contents. He mentions Elizabeth and Mary Ann.
Box 1, Folder 5: Correspondence to Horatio G. Phillips, 1836
May 31, 1836 Letter from Joseph Vance, Urbana, Ohio, to Horatio G. Phillips, (location unknown). Joseph reports that he will be going to Sandusky on horseback and that Horatio could come along. He will be home Saturday morning, and it is important that Horatio and Swain both be there. He comments on “the Flock” in his current county (Champaign) and in Clark County.
Box 5, Folder 1: Letter book of William Murphy, 1806-1807
October 1806-January 1807 Notebook containing copies of letters written by William Murphy at Philadelphia and at sea to John Donegan of Limerick, Ireland.
Box 5, Folder 2: Academic and Historical writings of Lewis [Louis?] Newsome, Undated
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Lewis [Louis?] Newsome’s work Sketches, anecdotes, and recollections, of the traditionary history of the French settlers of Gallipolis in the year 1790 . Contains 32 bound pages.
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SERIES V: GENEALOGIES AND REFERENCE MATERIALS
Box 5, Folder 3: Van Cleve Family Genealogy Materials, [1945-1952]
Contains various documents on the genealogy of different Van Cleve family members, typed copies of Benjamin Van Cleve’s personal memoirs, correspondence with librarians from the Dayton Metro Library, Dayton Historical Association, and Orville Wright. This folder contains approximately 85 items.
Note, see also: MS-001 Wright Brothers Collection (Dayton Metro Library), Box 16, Item: Book – Van Cleve. This item also contains information about Van Cleve genealogy.
Box 5, Folder 4: Benham-Thompson Genealogy Materials, 1903, [1944-1947]
April 28, 1903 Genealogical notes composed by Milton Wright on the Benham Family. Contains four typed pages of notes, the first page titled The Benham Family .
[1944] 1 typed page of genealogical notes beginning with the marriage of Catherine (Benham) Van Cleve to Samuel Thompson between 1791 and 1794.
[July 1946] 6 pages of genealogical notes beginning with Martha Ann Thompson. A note on the last page indicates the notes were from Mrs. Jas P. Hoffman.
[1947] 1 typed page of genealogical notes beginning with the marriage of Catherine (Benham) Van Cleve to Samuel Thompson between 1791 and 1794. Note at the bottom of the page indicates the notes were copied from paper in possession of Mrs. W. W. Ensey.
Box 5, Folder 5: Miscellaneous Genealogical Notes, Undated
Contains various handwritten genealogical notes and family trees. This folder contains approximately 53 items.
Box 5, Folder 6: Correspondence between Van Cleve Researchers and Family, and Dayton Public Library, [1939-1953], Undated
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Undated Thanksgiving Day greeting card from [Luella Gilkes], (location unknown), to Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton.
December 19, 1939 Letter from Mr. Harry M. Lydenburg, Director of New York Public Library, New York, New York, to William J. Hamilton, Director of Dayton Public Library, Dayton, Ohio.
June 13, 1945 Letter from E. Faries, (location unknown), to Mr. Hamilton, Dayton, Ohio.
October 25, 1946 Letter from [Luella] Gilkes, Park Ridge, Illinois, to Mr. Hamilton, Dayton, Ohio.
February 26, 1947 Letter from Mr. William J. Hamilton, Dayton, Ohio, to Mrs. W. H. Gilkes, Park Ridge, Illinois.
February 5, 1948 Letter from William J. Hamilton, Dayton, Ohio, to Mrs. W. H. Gilkes, Park Ridge, Illinois.
February 18, 1948 Letter from [Luella] Gilkes, Park Ridge, Illinois, to Mr. Hamilton, Dayton, Ohio.
February 26, 1948 Letter from [Luella] Gilkes, Park Ridge, Illinois, to Mr. Hamilton, Dayton, Ohio.
June 30, 1948 Letter from William J. Hamilton, Dayton, Ohio, to Miss Flanders, Monmouth County Historical Society, Freehold, New Jersey.
June 30, 1948 Letter from William J. Hamilton, Dayton, Ohio, to Mr. Howard Hughes, Trenton Public Library, Trenton, New Jersey.
July 2, 1948 Letter from Laura V. Conover, Freehold, New Jersey, to Mr. William J. Hamilton, Dayton, Ohio.
September 22, 1948 Letter from Roy G. Fitzgerald, Dayton, Ohio, to Mr. Wade B. O’Brien, Dayton, Ohio.
July 13, 1949 Letter from Mrs. Jay W. Minnich, Registrar, Fort Greeneville Daughters of the American Revolution, Greenville, Ohio, to Mr. Hamilton, Dayton, Ohio.
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July 14, 1949 Letter from Mr. Hamilton, Dayton, Ohio, to Mrs. J. Minnich, Greenville, Ohio.
October 15, 1949 Letter from William J. Hamilton, Dayton, Ohio, to Mrs. William H. Marshall, White Plains, New York.
October 21, 1949 Letter from Mabel Beck, Dayton, Ohio, to Mr. W. J. Hamilton, Dayton, Ohio. Includes obituary for Paul V. Troup from the Friday, October 14, 1949, edition of the Chicago Daily Tribune.
May 9, 1952 Letter from William J. Hamilton, Dayton, Ohio, to Mr. Guy Van Cleve, Custer, Montana.
October 13, 1953 Letter from William J. Hamilton, Dayton, Ohio, to Mrs. Thomas E. Halgrims, Aberdeen, South Dakota.
November 12, 1953 Letter from Roy G. Fitzgerald, Dayton, Ohio, to Ms. Consuelo Furman, New York, New York.
November 16, 1953 Letter from William J. Hamilton, Dayton, Ohio, to Mrs. Consuelo Furman, New York, New York.
November 24, 1953 Letter from William J. Hamilton, Dayton, Ohio, to Mr. A. V. Phillips, Boston, Massachusetts.
November 24, 1953 Letter from William J. Hamilton, Dayton, Ohio, to Mr. Walter O. Shriner, Terre Haute, Indiana.
Box 5, Folder 7: Miscellaneous Correspondence and Reference Notes, 1946, 1954, Undated
May 17, 1946 Letter from Ruth McKnight, (location unknown), to Mr. Hamilton, Dayton, Ohio. Ms. McKnight informs Mr. Hamilton that she has been going over old letters for the past week; fifty-eight of them written in Dayton. She provides a list of the number of letters for each year, and notes of important events in the letters.
January 13, 1954
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Letter from John C. Baker, Ohio University, [Athens, Ohio], to Agnes Anderson Hall, Dayton, Ohio. Baker writes to acknowledge Miss Hall’s gift to the University of the John W. Van Cleve letter written in Dayton, May 21, 1848.
Undated Note listing references to John W. Van Cleve in botanical literature. This data was compiled by Ronald L. Stuckey, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
Undated Note listing letters included in [Benjamin] Van Cleve’s scrapbook. 14 The letters noted include the following: June 3, 1791: Letter from James Butler Fleming to Benjamin Van Cleve. April 8, 1794: Letter from Benjamin Van Cleve in Greenville, Ohio, to his uncle, Robert Benham; copy of Robert Benham. March 2, 1802: Letter from John Gano to Benjamin Van Cleve. [Warrant from the United States of America to Jerom Holt of Dayton Township] June 6, 1832: Letter from N. Longworth in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Horatio G. Phillips in Dayton, Ohio. May 31, 1836: Letter from Joseph Vance in Urbana, Ohio, to (probably) H. G. Phillips. Undated: Petition of first settlers at Dayton Mercers Station on Mad River.
Box 5, Folder 8: Miscellaneous Research Notes, Undated
Undated Seven handwritten pages of notes beginning with the Battle of Monmouth.
Undated Two handwritten pages of notes beginning with Simpson typed copy presented to Dayton Public Library.
Undated Five pages of typed notes beginning with Hist. & Phil. Soc. Quarterly.
Undated Three pages of a typed copy of Defeat of General St. Clair , following Note “B”.
Undated Typed copy of “Note B,” Official Report of the Defeat of General St. Clair, Fort Washington, November 9 th , 1791. Pages are numbered 73-89.
14 All of these items can be found in Box 1 or Box 2 and are discussed elsewhere in this finding aid.
112 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Box 5, Folder 9: Auction Listing for Benjamin Van Cleve Autobiography and Journal, 1932
March 4, 1932 Auction listing of Benjamin Van Cleve’s Autograph Manuscript Autobiography and Journal. Auction listing is from American Art Galleries - Anderson Auction Co. Includes one Photostat copy, two reproductions, and one typed copy. Copies include a drawing of Fort Harrod, the first permanent European settlement in Kentucky.
Box 5, Folder 10: Draft Announcement of Acquisition of Gentleman’s Library donated by Colonel Deeds, [1944-1945]
Article draft of generous donation by Colonel Edward A. Deeds of books and documents gathered by Benjamin and John W. Van Cleve, and Samuel Best Dover. Contains two typed pages with proofreading marks.
113 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
INDEX
_____ James...... 10 Andrew...... 102 Mary Cornelia (Van Cleve) 10, 28, 35, Anne...... 100, 102 58, 99 Charley...... 99 Archibald Edwin ...... 46 _____...... 25, 43, 54 Elizabeth ...... 107 Arnold Helen...... 100 _____...... 105 James...... 100, 101, 102 Atwater Jim...... 41, 42 W...... 84 Maria...... 37 Aughinbaugh Mary Ann...... 107 Elizabeth ...... 18, 73, 74 Phillip...... 47 Bacon Robert...... 59 T. F...... 72 Acts of the State of Ohio, First Session 50 Baker Adams D. C...... 23, 24 John Quincy ...... 84 David C...... 7, 8, 10, 24 African Americans John C...... 67, 112 business...... 36 Myron S...... 7, 8 federal trial...... 33 Sarah Sophie (Van Cleve).. 10, 24, 35, Ainsworth 39, 57 _____...... 36, 41, 56 Silas...... 47 John...... 34, 51 Thomas...... 24 Allan banks ...... 48 Andrew...... 101 Barber Ebenezer S. .. 11, 16, 21, 99, 100, 101, David...... 46 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 Barry Grant ...... 103, 104, 105 Bartholomew...... 30 Hattie...... 103, 104 Bartholomew Jessie ...... 7, 8, 106 _____...... 37, 56 John...... 100, 101, 102, 103 Battle of Buena Vista...... 75 Margaret...... 100, 101, 102, 103, 105 Battle of Monmouth...... 112 Ralph...... 105 Baum Serah Greenham (Dover) ... 11, 16, 21, Martin...... 36, 37, 56 90, 92, 98, 99, 100, 102, 103, 104, Beck 105, 106 Mabel ...... 111 William ...... 100 bedbugs ...... 104 American Association for the Beecher Advancement of Science...... 77 _____...... 48 American Revolution...... 24 Belden Andrew _____...... 94 _____...... 11, 27, 36, 55 Emory B...... 11, 100, 103, 105 Andrews Phoebe Maria (Dover).. 11, 89, 90, 91, (Captain) ...... 25, 27 92 _____...... 56 Bell
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Hiram ...... 64 bridges...... 23, 82 Benham Brister Catherine.... See Van Cleve, Catherine C. P...... 59 (Benham) Brookie Family (general)...... 21, 109 William ...... 26 Robert...... 17, 23, 112 Brown Best (Major) ...... 26, 28 Family (general)...... 106 _____...... 32, 34, 37, 51, 56 Bickford A. 59 William ...... 90 George...... 29, 31 Bierce Henry...... 37 Lucius...... 45 Jacob ...... 26 birthdays...... 71, 86, 102 John...... 29, 31 births Browning Andrews, Mary Cornelia (Van Cleve) George T...... 60 ...... 28 Bruen Hanna, (infant) ...... 37 Luther...... 27 Littel, (male) ...... 34 Buchanan Bodley James...... 84, 101 _____...... 25, 32, 36, 55 R. 60 John...... 55 Bucher Bombarger _____...... 25, 34, 36, 55 _____...... 99 burials...... 74 Bomberger Burnet William ...... 72 _____...... 29, 41, 42 Bond I. 64 Henrietta Maria (Van Cleve) Dover Isaac ...... 40 .... See Dover, Henrietta Maria (Van J. 84 Cleve) Burney Joseph...... 10, 100 Thomas M...... 34 Nathaniel...... 26 Thomas W...... 32 books.... 8, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 68, 70, 71, Burrows 75, 76, 85, 86, 87, 88, 92, 96, 102, 113 Harry ...... 8 Botkin Butler _____...... 33 _____...... 32, 34, 37 Brabham Paul D...... 29 E. E...... 94 Byram Elisha...... 72 _____...... 37 Braner Byrd _____...... 36, 37, 42, 56 Charles Willing...... 84 Lewis...... 55 cabin...... 26 Breckinridge California ...... 90, 92 David...... 39 Cameron Brenner Agness...... 101 _____...... 56 Campbell Lewis...... 41 _____...... 36, 56
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John D...... 51 Comly Canada Richard N...... 70 Montreal...... 85 William F...... 70 canals...... 82, 90 Compton Carey _____...... 40 Matthew ...... 26 Charley...... 67 Carpenter Conklin Joseph...... 26 Dr. _____ ...... 23 Carrell Conkling Ferdinand F...... 72 Edgar...... 81 Cass Connecticut Lewis...... 36 New Haven...... 61, 63, 65 celebrations Willington ...... 28, 98 Fourth of July...... 45, 91, 104 Conover Masonic...... 89 _____...... 40, 47 census...... 35, 36, 78 Laura V...... 110 Chairman Constant (Mr.)...... 24 Thomas...... 38 Chapman consumption...... 67, 101 John B...... 60 Cooper Chenoweth _____...... 36, 37, 40, 55, 56 William ...... 49 Daniel C...... 26, 28, 30, 37, 56 Chibaut Osborn...... 27 (Monsieur)...... 97 Cornell chickens...... 102 Nathaniel...... 97 cholera...... 66, 74, 91 Corwin churches ...... 82 Thomas...... 64, 65 Civil War...... 21, 96, 103, 104, 105 Cotham 11th Ohio ...... 104 Thomas...... 26 draft...... 104 court martial...... 23 list of soldiers from Dayton ...... 96 courthouse Louisiana...... 104 Old Courthouse...... 66 raiders...... 104 Cowenhoven Clark Rachel ...... See Van Cleve, Rachel Abraham...... 52 (Cowenhoven) Clatworthy Craig (Miss) ...... 23 Robert...... 39 Clay Crane Henry...... 64, 65 Joseph...... 39 clerkship9, 15, 27, 28, 34, 37, 53, 55, 56, Joseph H...... 10, 72 72, 97 Creighton coin-collecting...... 103 William, Jr...... 29 Coleman Crowell Robert...... 54, 55 Silas...... 91 Collett Curwen Joshua...... 29 Maskell E...... 87
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Dana Van Cleve, William James...... 31 James D...... 61 Venable, Samuel ...... 30 Dana? Whitten, John...... 26 _____...... 48 Deeds Daria? Edward A...... 7, 8, 16, 22, 113 _____...... 46 Denman David M...... 84 Thomas...... 49 Derrow Davis _____...... 25, 27 _____...... 46 Dille John...... 49 _____...... 42, 54 Lewis...... 51 I. 37, 56 Thomas...... 49 John...... 40 Davison Samuel...... 44 _____...... 102 Disbrow Dayton Coal and Mining Co...... 94, 95 _____...... 38 Dayton Historical Association ...... 109 Henry...... 65 Dayton Library Association...... 10 District of Columbia Dayton Society...... 24 Washington ... 8, 50, 61, 62, 93, 96, 97 Dean Donavan _____...... 26, 27 Louisa Jane..... See Dover, Louisa Jane deaths ..... 7, 9, 10, 11, 26, 59, 65, 74, 90, (Donavan) 102, 105, 106 Donegan _____, Robert...... 59 John...... 107 Allan, William...... 100 Donnel Aughinbaugh, Elizabeth...... 73 _____...... 37, 52, 53, 56 Cameron, Agness ...... 101 Jonathan ...... 56 Cooper children...... 37 Donovan Dover, Samuel Best ...... 67, 106 Willie...... 104 Greene, Charles R...... 72, 73 Doolittle & Munson ...... 64 Jeney, (male)...... 37 Dorough Landstead, (male)...... 90 John...... 49 Lemmon, John...... 99 Dover Littell, (male) ...... 35 Anna Maria ...... See McKnight, Anna Little, (male) ...... 36 Maria (Dover) Millar, William ...... 39 Bertha (_____) ...... 11 Murphy, (Doctor)...... 30 Clara (Rice)...... 11 Newcom, Robert ...... 28 Family (general)...... 106 Regans, Jeptha...... 74 Harry Thomas ...... 11 Schenck, Renelsche (Smith) ...... 66 Henrietta Maria (Van Cleve) 9, 11, 35, Short, Mrs. Peyton ...... 36, 55 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 100, 105 Smith, Lillie ...... 67 Henrietta Sophia...... See Simpson, Thompson, Samuel ...... 98 Henrietta Sophia (Dover) Towner, E. W...... 73 Jennie (Lehman)...... 11 Van Cleve, John...... 98 John James ...... 11 Van Cleve, Mary (Whitten) 35, 36, 55
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Louisa Jane (Donavan) .... 11, 99, 104, Elliott 105 William ...... 55 Mary Ann...... See Drill, Mary Ann England ...... 28, 92 (Dover) Enoch Phoebe Maria ...... See Belden, Phoebe _____...... 30 Maria (Dover) Henry...... 52 Robert Best...... 11 Ensey Robert Fay...... 11, 21, 99, 100, 107 W. W...... 109 Samuel B...... 11, 21 fair...... 103 Samuel Best ... 8, 9, 11, 67, 90, 91, 92, Fales 106, 113 Stephen...... 72 Serah Greenham...... See Allan, Serah Fara? Greenham (Dover) Manning F...... 62 Thomas... 7, 11, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 57, Faries 79, 81, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, E. 110 96, 98, 99, 100, 102, 103, 104, 105 farming...... 24, 28, 40, 93, 100 Drake Fellows William S...... 38 Family (general)...... 98 Draper Fenton Lyman C...... 61 Abiel...... 98 Drill Family (general)...... 98 Jacob Andrew...... 11, 94, 99, 100, 103 Lucinda ...... 98 Mary Ann (Dover) . 11, 16, 21, 89, 99, fever ...... 91 100, 105 Findlay drownings...... 27, 90 James.... 25, 26, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, Thompson, Samuel ...... 98 37, 53, 55 drug business...... 11, 90, 92, 94, 96, 103, Nathan...... 29 105, 107 Fitzgerald drunkenness...... 30, 104 Roy G...... 110, 111 Drury Fitzpatrick Augustus Waldo...... 23, 24 _____...... 27 Dustin Flanders C. W...... 23, 24 (Miss)...... 110 Dutch (people) ...... 25 Fleming Dyott James Butler...... 21, 97, 112 T. W...... 38 floods...... 19, 31, 82 Edgar Florida...... 52 Robert...... 50 flu ...... See influenza Edwards Fluke (Doctor)...... 35 Joe ...... 46 Eldredg Foley Family (general)...... 98 John...... 94 elections ... 28, 33, 62, 64, 76, 78, 79, 86, Folkerth 97, 99, 100, 101, 102 John...... 72 Elliot fossils ...... 60, 62 _____...... 43 coral...... 61, 62, 77, 78
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Franklin Goss Benjamin...... 84 Solomon...... 49 Free Soil party...... 101 Gough freemasons ...... 89 John B...... 90 Fremont government ...... 28, 35, 39, 93 John...... 64, 101 Gray Frittz Asa ...... 64 _____...... 28 Green fruit trees ...... 11, 70, 78, 85, 86 George...... 60 Full Timothy...... 99 William ...... 94 Greene Fullerton _____...... 65 William ...... 45 C. R...... 68 Furman Charles H...... 66, 67, 75 Consuelo ...... 111 Charles R...... 18, 72, 73 Gahagan Charles Russell...... 65 William ...... 49 Lucyanna...... 65 Galatin Mary Sophia...... 59 Albert ...... 35 Griffith Gallatin _____...... 37, 56 Albert ...... 84 Isaac, Sr...... 55 Gano Grimes John...... 112 (Colonel) ...... 44, 53 gas pipefitting business..... 11, 90, 91, 92 _____...... 36, 56 Gentleman’s Library..... 7, 8, 16, 22, 113 Alexander...... 72 George John...... 53 W. G...... 75 Samuel...... 36, 56 Gibbes Grove Robert W...... 62 George...... 38 Gibbs Gunckel Josiah W...... 63 Philip...... 30 Giddings hair ...... 106 (Major) ...... 63 Van Cleve, Catherine (Benham)..... 24 Gilkes Van Cleve, Mary (Whitten) ...... 35 Luella ...... 110 Van Cleve, William James...... 35 W. H...... 110 Halgrims Gillman Thomas E...... 111 (Judge)...... 97 Hall Glassmire Agnes Anderson...... 67, 112 Abraham...... 49 Hamar? Goalman Dayton...... 64 _____...... 104 Hamer gold ...... 91, 102 Solomon...... 49 Goldfuss ...... 60 Thomas...... 49 Good William ...... 49 Amanda...... 99 Hamilton
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_____...... 110 _____...... 54 William J...... 8, 24, 110, 111 W...... 42 Hamtramck Holt (Colonel) ...... 79 (Colonel) ...... 41 Hank (Major) ...... 28 Family (general)...... 98 _____...... 37 Hanna Family (general)...... 98 _____...... 30, 31, 37 Jemima...... 98 Hare’s Hall (Maj. Hare’s Hall) ...... 95 Jerome...... 16, 21, 28, 97, 98, 112 Hark? Philemon ...... 28, 98 N. 62 Homer Harmar’s Campaign...... 76 William ...... 51 Harries Hopkins Elizabeth (Regan)...... 74 Samuel...... 29 Harris Horner George...... 27 Nicholas ...... 26 Harrison Houk William Henry ...... 33 George...... 80 Harvey George W...... 63 R. 39 Houser Hay _____...... 25, 30, 34, 36, 37, 55, 56 _____...... 101 Howe Robert...... 101 Henry...... 61 heat rash ...... 104 Hugh Helms _____...... 27 _____...... 34, 36, 56 Hughes Henry Howard...... 110 Joseph...... 61, 62 Hull Hildreth (General) ...... 79 S. P...... 62 Family (general)...... 98 Hills Hunt Jacob ...... 37, 56 _____..... 25, 29, 36, 37, 42, 54, 55, 56 Historical and Philosophical Society of Illinois Ohio...... 60, 62 Chicago ...... 85 Hoffman Kankakee...... 93 James P...... 109 Park Ridge...... 110 Hogan illness ...... 26, 92 David...... 34, 38 _____, James...... 101 Hogarth Allan, Ebenezer S...... 104 _____...... 36, 37, 56 Allan, Ralph ...... 105 John...... 33 Allan, Serah Greenham (Dover) ..... 92 Holberg Baker, D. C...... 24 _____...... 81 Belden, Phoebe Maria (Dover) . 91, 92 Holland Reily, John, and wife ...... 34 Amsterdam...... 24 Simpson, Moses...... 99 Holmes
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Van Cleve, Benjamin... 26, 28, 34, 41, Johnston 56 _____...... 30 Van Cleve, John Whitten.... 27, 46, 93 John...... 35 Van Cleve, Mary (Whitten) ...... 34, 35 Jones Indiana...... 30, 39, 48, 99 _____...... 37, 56 Centerville...... 11, 89, 90 Jones? Fort Harrison...... 39 Owen...... 53 Fort Wayne...... 35, 39 Kansas...... 101 Indianapolis...... 91 Kemp Lafayette ...... 64 _____...... 32, 43 Madison...... 60, 61, 91 Kentucky...... 30, 48, 61, 92 Randolph County ...... 94 Lexington .... 32, 33, 36, 37, 55, 56, 65 Richmond...... 66 Louisville ...... 63 Rising Sun...... 11 Woodford ...... 28 Terre Haute ...... 111 Woodford County ...... 27 Vincennes...... 33, 35 Kerr industry ...... 93 Robert...... 8 injury King Allan, Ebenezer S...... 104 T. Butler ...... 65 Barry, Bartholomew...... 30 Kinnon Dover, Henrietta Maria (Van Cleve) _____...... 44, 45 ...... 92 Kirk Van Cleve, Benjamin...... 40 Jane ...... 61 Inman Kirkpatrick _____...... 36, 56 _____...... 25, 36, 55, 56 Peter ...... 34 Samuel...... 34 insanity Lafayette Frittz, _____...... 28 (General) ...... 89 interments...... See burials Lake Superior...... 19, 77, 85, 92 Internal Revenue Service ...... 95 Lamb Iowa...... 90, 91, 92 _____...... 52 Muscatine...... 11, 90, 91, 92 William ...... 36 Ireland Lamme Limerick...... 107 _____...... 52 Jeney Land Office ...... 43, 51 _____...... 37 land rentals...... 25, 74 Jenney land speculation ...... 37 _____...... 28 land surveying... 9, 42, 44, 49, 53, 54, 75 Jennings land transactions... 11, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, Henry...... 42, 53 30, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 41, 42, 43, 44, Levi ...... 42, 44, 54 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 94, 100, 103 Jewett cherry bottom...... 42 H. 72 Langstead Johnson (Doctor)...... 90 Edward ...... 92 laundry ...... 105 Walter R...... 60, 61, 62
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Laws of the Territory of the United David...... 34 States North-west of the Ohio River 49 Ludlow Laws of the United States Territories _____...... 30 Northwest of the Ohio...... 8 Lydenburg Lefever Harry M...... 110 _____...... 30 Madison Lehman James...... 84 _____...... 30 Mann Jennie ..... See Dover, Jennie (Lehman) _____...... 54 Lemmon John...... 42, 44 John...... 99 Mansfield library... 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16, 20, 22, 23, 27, E. D...... 93 40, 50, 51, 55, 58, 70, 77, 86, 87, 88, manufacturing ...... 24, 36, 68, 82 106, 109, 110, 112 maps ...... 18, 19, 40, 56, 75, 81, 82, 85 Dayton Library...... 72 Marshall Dayton Library Association...... 87 William H...... 111 Social Library Society of Dayton ... 51 Martin Lindly _____...... 32, 34, 54 _____...... 47 Maryland Jacob ...... 46 Baltimore...... 8, 61 Lindsey Mason _____...... 46 J. Y...... 84 Littel Massachusetts John...... 26, 27, 28, 31, 34, 35, 37 Boston ...... 65, 111 Squier...... 30, 31 Cambridge...... 77 Littell Mather (Doctor)...... 34 W...... 61 John...... 30, 32, 33, 60 McCalla Little Andrew...... 29 John...... 28, 30, 36 McClure Lock James...... 49 _____...... 28, 29, 37, 56 McConnell Andrew...... 52, 53, 54 Alexander...... 38 David...... 43, 53, 54 McKinnon Locke _____...... 54 John...... 59, 64 McKnight Lockwood Anna Maria (Dover).... 7, 8, 11, 57, 79 _____...... 91 Edwin E...... 11 Loco’s (Locofocos?)...... 99 Ruth...... 111 Logan Historical Society...... 79 Ruth (Haerr?) ...... 106 Longworth W. Leroy ...... 8 Nicholas ...... 107, 112 William Leroy...... 106 Looker McLene _____...... 51 Jeremiah ...... 32 Lowry Mead _____...... 37, 52, 56 Joel K...... 39
122 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection medicine sales ...... 38 Larry E...... 77 Meigs Munday Return Jonathan ...... 39 M. M...... 94 Memoirs of Benjamin Van Cleve ...... See Munger Memoranda Edmund...... 30, 97 Memoranda 9, 15, 18, 21, 57, 58, 72, 79, Warren...... 72 105, 109 William ...... 39 Miami Exporting Company ...... 44 murders ...... 65 Michigan ...... 81 Murphy Ann Arbor ...... 85 (Doctor)...... 30 Detroit ...... 38, 59, 60, 79 William ...... 21, 107 Mackinaw...... 66, 85 national medical convention ...... 96 Marquette ...... 85 Native Americans...... 9, 28, 49, 98, 100 River Raisin ...... 65 Naylor Sault St. Marie ...... 61 A. R...... 79 Sault Ste. Marie...... 85 Nesbit Ypsilanti...... 85 _____...... 30 Millar New England...... 67, 98 William ...... 39 New Jersey...... 24, 30, 31, 35 Miller Baskingridge ...... 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 Philip...... 36, 37, 55, 56 Essex County ...... 60 Minich Freehold ...... 58, 110 _____...... 41 Hunterdon County...... 97 Minnich Monmouth County...... 9, 35, 98 Jay W...... 110, 111 New Providence...... 26, 27, 28, 36, 37 Minnick Trenton...... 110 _____...... 33 Warren County...... 60 Mississippi New York...... 38, 100 Natchez ...... 28 Aurelius...... 27 Washington ...... 62 New York... 8, 63, 64, 65, 77, 82, 110, Missouri ...... 99 111 St. Louis ...... 8, 23, 24, 66 Painted Post...... 32, 34 Monroe Staten Island...... 24 James...... 84 White Plains...... 111 Montana Newcom Custer...... 111 _____...... 30, 44, 54 Morris George...... 43, 44, 49, 50, 54, 97 _____...... 36, 55, 56 Robert...... 28 David...... 39 William ...... 28, 49 James...... 49 Newell Morrison _____...... 90 David...... 75 Augustus ...... 10 Samuel...... 60 Newsom Morrow Family (general)...... 62 Jeremiah ...... 30, 35 Louis ...... 62 Morse Newsome
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Lewis...... 21, 107, 108 65, 66, 67, 68, 71, 74, 77, 78, 79, newspapers. 8, 31, 36, 39, 45, 46, 47, 74, 81, 82, 84, 85, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 91, 102, 104, 106 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, Chicago Daily Tribune ...... 111 104, 105, 106, 107, 109, 110, 111, Dayton Daily Journal ...... 106 112 Dayton Journal ...... 8, 10, 104 Dayton Township...... 49, 51, 97, 112 Dayton Journal and Advertizer . 70, 74 Delaware County ...... 38 Dayton Weekly Gazette ...... 91 Eaton ...... 26, 28, 30, 35, 37 Intelligencia ...... 66 Fort Hamilton...... 76 Monmouth Inquire ...... 58 Fort Harmar...... 97 Muscatine Journal ...... 90 Gallipolis...... 62, 97, 108 Philadelphia Daily General Greene County ...... 48 Advertiser ...... 76 Greenville...... 23, 110, 111, 112 Nisbet Hamilton ...... 34, 41, 99 James I...... 30 Hamilton County...... 17, 35, 49, 50 Nolan Hiram ...... 8 _____...... 30 Lancaster...... 46, 47, 48 Northwest Territory ...... 27 Lebanon...... 29 Norwood Losantiville ...... 98 J. G...... 60, 61 Marietta...... 46, 62 O’Brien Massie’s Creek...... 84 Wade B...... 110 Mercers Station ...... 17, 48, 112 Odlin Miami County...... 26, 27, 28, 81 Woodbridge...... 50 Montgomery County 9, 15, 19, 20, 21, Oehlenschlager 45, 48, 50, 53, 55, 57, 64, 67, 72, _____...... 81 76, 78, 79, 81, 93, 95, 96, 102 Ohio...... 48, 62, 89, 98 Muskingum ...... 76 Athens . 10, 45, 46, 47, 48, 59, 67, 112 Oxford...... 39 Belpre...... 45 Piqua ...... 35, 92, 93, 100 Butler County...... 102 Preble County...... 28 Champaign County ..... 31, 44, 45, 107 Sandusky...... 37, 66, 107 Chillicothe... 28, 29, 32, 36, 41, 43, 45 Springfield...... 11, 66, 68, 99, 105 Cincinnati. 8, 9, 23, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, Staunton ...... 26 36, 37, 41, 42, 52, 60, 61, 62, 63, Steubenville...... 59 64, 66, 76, 84, 98, 101, 104, 107, Urbana...... 107, 112 112 Washington ...... 39 Clark County...... 107 West Carrollton...... 66 Cleveland ...... 85 Westwood ...... 8 Columbus...... 47, 60, 64, 84, 112 Xenia...... 84, 101 Darke County...... 99 Zanesville...... 36, 47 Dayton.... 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, Oregon District...... 82 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, Osborn 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, _____...... 26, 27 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, Parsens 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 54, 55, _____...... 64 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, Patterson
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_____...... 30, 37, 56 Oh what is that which thro’ [sic] the Catherine "Kitty" ...... 37 floor...... 80 Elizabeth ...... 30 Ohio’s plains were still among’d .... 80 Margaret...... 30 The Curly Headed boy...... 90 Polly...... 27 The Farmer’s Blunder...... 84 Robert... 28, 30, 33, 36, 37, 42, 52, 53, poetry ...... 105 79 German...... 80 Patton politics...... 101 _____...... 30 Polk Peirce James Knox...... 84 _____...... 38 postage stamps ...... 93, 103 Pennsylvania ...... 89 Price Brownsville...... 30, 107 A. B...... 80 Philadelphia 26, 27, 38, 58, 59, 60, 65, prisoners 76, 107 Davis, _____ ...... 46 Pittsburgh ...... 39, 76, 97 Disbrow, _____...... 38 Perrine Rhuff, Peter...... 37 James...... 72 public buildings...... 82 Peter Putnam Robert...... 63 Loring...... 45 Petticrew R. 84 _____...... 33 railroads...... 66 John...... 41, 45 Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Dayton pharmacy...... See drug business Railroad...... 84 Phillips Dayton and Western Railroad...... 71 _____...... 46 depots ...... 90 A. V...... 111 Ramsay Horatio G...... 21, 31, 38, 72, 107, 112 _____...... 37 Phillips House...... 10 rape...... 46 Phillips? rats...... 102 Eliza P...... 59 Reading Society ...... 71, 86 photographs...... 103, 105 Reaves daguerreotypes ...... 91 Malinda ...... 94 Picard’s Corner ...... 104 William ...... 94 picnics ...... 70, 86, 92 Reeder Pierce _____...... 38 _____...... 31 Regans plants...... 63 Elizabeth ...... 18, 74 poems Jeptha ...... 18, 74 [describes an overweight man at the Reid dinner table] ...... 84 _____...... 37, 56 farewell ...... 80 D. 38 God help thee strike ...... 80 Reily God Help thee Strike, Magyar!...... 86 John...... 34 Let the goblets briskly flowing ...... 80 religion ...... 40, 46 My son! Come go with me...... 80 Replogel
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_____...... 36, 37, 55, 56 Sarah S...... 61 Jacob ...... 34 Schiller’s Thirty Years War...... 76 republicans ...... 101 school ...... 9, 26, 27, 40, 46, 65, 67, 103 Rhea schools James...... 39 Academy of Natural Sciences, Rhuff Philadelphia...... 60 _____...... 56 Columbia University...... 77 Peter ...... 37 Cooper Female Academy...... 61 Rhuff? Cooper Female Seminary...... 77 _____...... 36 Dayton Academy ...... 17, 57 Rice Female Seminary, Steubenville ...... 59 Clara...... See Dover, Clara (Rice) Harvard University...... 77 Ridgely Miami University...... 40, 79 (Doctor)...... 36, 56 Ohio State University...... 112 _____...... 56 Ohio University 10, 45, 46, 47, 48, 67, Frederick ...... 33, 34, 36 112 rivers ...... 82 Scotland...... 100, 102 Great Miami...... 28, 51, 52, 82 Irvine...... 39 Little Miami ...... 52 Scott Mad ..... 31, 44, 51, 52, 53, 55, 98, 112 Winfield ...... 64, 84, 101 Mississippi ...... 85 séance...... 101 Ohio...... 85 settlement ...... 15, 35, 39, 49, 76 roads Sherer central Ohio to Fort Harrison, Indiana _____...... 37, 56 ...... 39 Valentine...... 51 Columbus Turnpike ...... 84 Shields Dayton and Springfield Turnpike ... 68 Amy (Van Cleve)...... 35 Dayton, Ohio, to Vincennes, Indiana Shipman ...... 33, 35 _____...... 48 Dayton-Covington Turnpike...... 64 ships ...... 102 National Road ...... 35 USS St. Louis...... 75 Old Troy Pike...... 11 Short rocks...... 61 _____...... 30, 34, 35, 52, 53 limestone...... 64 John Cleves 15, 17, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, Rüberzahl 45, 54, 55 _____...... 81 Peyton .. 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 36, Rush 37, 40, 41, 42, 45, 51, 52, 53, 54, Richard...... 84 55, 56, 57 Sargent William ...... 36, 55 Winthrop ...... 84 Shoub Schenck _____...... 27, 32 Egbert...... 59 George...... 34 Renelsche (Smith)...... 66 Samuel...... 34 Robert...... 66 Shoup Schenk _____...... 36 Robert C...... 65, 93 Shover?
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_____...... 36, 56 Steele Shovers? _____...... 31 _____...... 43 Stoddard Simon...... 43 Henry...... 72 Shriner Stolz Walter O...... 111 Jacob ...... 74 Simms stories (Mrs.) ...... 100 Doing the Thing Politely...... 81 Simpson Jeppe vom Bege, Or The Transformed _____...... 112 Farmer: A Comedy ...... 81 Henrietta Sophia (Dover)... 11, 16, 21, One of the Plaintiffs...... 81 58, 89, 90, 91, 99, 100, 105 Suppose We Go Into the Woods..... 77 Moses ...... 99 The Dog Tavern ...... 81 Sera ...... 99 The Mountain Spirit...... 81 Silas M. B. 11, 21, 89, 91, 92, 99, 103, straw...... 102 106 streets ...... 78, 82 slavery...... 101 Bridge...... 82 Smith Bruen...... 81 (Doctor)...... 67 Canal ...... 82 _____...... 38, 46 Clegg...... 81 Benjamin...... 47 Clinton...... 82 Daniel...... 47 Commercial...... 82 Lillie...... 67 Fifth...... 11, 81, 94, 95 William ...... 39 First ...... 81 Smithsonian Institution ...... 61, 62 Foundry...... 82 Snep Fourth...... 68, 75, 81 _____...... 36, 55 Franklin...... 81 soapmaking ...... 89 Harris...... 82 sobriety...... 103 Jefferson...... 75, 81 Sourbray? Kenton...... 82 _____...... 30 Ludlow ...... 81 South Carolina Madison...... 82 Columbia...... 62 Main ...... 10, 20, 75, 81, 82 South Dakota McDonough ...... 82 Aberdeen...... 111 Mill...... 82 spinal or spotted fever...... 105 Montgomery...... 82 Sprague Mulberry ...... 82 _____...... 53 Perry...... 68, 81, 82 Stephen...... 37, 51, 56 Race...... 82 Squier Roe ...... 81 _____...... 28, 34, 36, 37 Sears...... 82 St. Clair Second...... 81 _____...... 29, 37 South ...... 81, 82 Arthur...... 9, 58, 75, 84 Spruce ...... 82 Arthur, Jr...... 51 St. Clair ...... 82 steamboats...... 76 St. Mary’s...... 81
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Third...... 10, 81 Henry...... 39 Washington ...... 81 Tiffin Water...... 81, 82 _____...... 30 Wayne ...... 11, 20, 82, 94, 95 Torrey Webster ...... 82 John...... 63, 64, 77 Wilkinson...... 81 Towner Xenia...... 71, 85, 94 E. W...... 18, 73 Stuckey Treaty of Greenville...... 24 Ronald L...... 112 Trimble subscriptions ...... 26, 34, 38, 39 Allen...... 84 suicide ...... 27 Troup Sullivant Paul V...... 111 J. 60 tuberculosis ...... See consumption Sunderland Turnbull _____...... 33 William ...... 38 Swain Turner _____...... 107 Alexander...... 39 Symmes Tyler _____...... 33, 37, 56 John...... 84 Symmes? typhoid ...... 11 Daniel...... 52 Tyree Tamplin R. J...... 34 Mary.See Van Cleve, Mary (Tamplin) Tyrel Taylor R. J...... 32 J. S...... 93 Unger’s Brass Band, First Annual Ball telegraph...... 91 of ...... 95 temperance ...... 90 Uruguay Tennant Montevideo ...... 66 Rev. William...... 98 Van Cleve Terrell _____...... 98 W. H. H...... 93 Amy.... See Shields, Amy (Van Cleve) Tharp House...... 73 Benjamin.... 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, theft ...... 23 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, Thomas 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, _____...... 30 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, Thompson 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, Catherine (Benham) Van Cleve..... See 57, 58, 65, 79, 97, 98, 105, 109, Van Cleve, Catherine (Benham) 112, 113 Family (general)...... 21 Benjamin (uncle of Benjamin)...... 35 Martha Ann ...... 109 Catherine (Benham)...... 9, 24, 98, 109 Samuel...... 49, 98, 109 Comly...... 89 Thorn Elizabeth (Vandeveer) ...... 21, 97 (Captain) ...... 105 Family (general).... 21, 57, 63, 93, 109 Thruston Guy...... 111 Eliza Phillips...... 63 Henrietta Maria .. See Dover, Henrietta Thurman Maria (Van Cleve)
128 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Isaac ...... 40, 48 Bruen, Luther ...... 27 Jans...... 24 Compton, Charley...... 67 Joel...... 89 Cooper, Osborn...... 27 John. 9, 21, 53, 74, 80, 84, 97, 98, 106 Green, Timothy, and Amanda Good99 John Whitten.... 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, Hanna, (Mr.)...... 31 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 27, 35, 40, 45, Harris, George...... 27 46, 47, 48, 57, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, Reily, John ...... 34 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, Thompson, Samuel, and Catherine 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, (Benham) Van Cleve...... 109 83, 84, 86, 87, 90, 92, 93, 106, 112, Weeks 113 James...... 45 Lewis...... 27 Wells Margaret...... 59, 65 C. 82 Mary...... 35 Wentz House...... 73 Mary (Tamplin)...... 9 West Virginia Mary (Whitten) ...... 9, 10, 28, 34, 35 Point Pleasant...... 61 Mary Cornelia ...... See Andrews, Mary Wheeling...... 68 Cornelia (Van Cleve) Westfall Rachel (Cowenhoven)...... 27 _____...... 28 Sarah Sophie See Baker, Sarah Sophie Cornelius...... 27 (Van Cleve) Job...... 26 William ...... 40, 49, 98 Whalen William James...... 9, 31, 35 Thomas...... 52 Van Cleve & Comly...... 18, 70 Wheeler Van Cleve & Newell...... 10, 11, 80 S. 50 Vance whippings...... 90 Joseph...... 107, 112 Whitten Vandeveer John...... 26 Elizabeth ..... See Van Cleve, Elizabeth Mary.. See Van Cleve, Mary (Whitten) (Vandeveer) Whittlesey Venable Charles ...... 65 Samuel...... 30 Wilkins Vinton _____...... 56 Family (general)...... 98 Charles ...... 34 Virginia ...... 48, 61 Williams Lewisburgh ...... 29, 31, 32, 34 Eliza ...... 61 Wailes J. S...... 79 B. 62 John S...... 64 Wayne Wilson Anthony...... 27 Charles ...... 56 weddings ...... 59 Witturs? _____, Maria...... 37 Hanson L...... 94 Allan, Ebenezer, and Serah Dover. 99, Wodeman 106 _____...... 30 Brown, Henry, and Catherine Wood Patterson...... 37 Youngs.[?] V...... 87
129 MS-006: Van Cleve Dover Collection
Woodland Cemetery ...... 9, 10, 11, 84 Milton...... 109 Woodland Cemetery Association ...... 84 Orville ...... 58, 109 Worth? Young Robert...... 62 _____...... 36, 55 Worthington Michael ...... 55 _____...... 84 Zeigler Elizabeth Phillips ...... 59 (Captain) ...... 97 John...... 59 (Major) ...... 97 Wright
130