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The map above shows the location of the first settlement in Franklinton. Notice how close Franklinton is to the Scioto River (at the top of the map). Why would Sullivant create his village so close to the river? What are the benefits of being located on lower ground near the river? What could be some problems with being located on lower ground close to the river?
Source: Franklin County Engineer
CHAPTER 1. EARLY SETTLEMENTS, 1797-1830
SECTION 2. THE FOUNDING OF FRANKLINTON
A NEW VILLAGE TAKES SHAPE
In 1797, Lucas Sullivant created a settlement on the west bank of the Scioto River. Sullivant was a land surveyor from Kentucky. He received this land as payment for his work. Sullivant named his village Franklinton in honor of Benjamin Franklin.
Franklinton was located near the "forks of the Scioto." This is the area where the Scioto River and Whetstone (now called the Olentangy) River meet. The west bank was lower ground. Being located on the lower ground was good for farming. When the river flooded, it created fertile soil for growing crops. However, the first settlement in 1797 was a little too close to the river. A flood that year destroyed the few homes in the village. Sullivant rebuilt the village a year later a little further west. Sullivant was a pioneer, a person who is among the first to settle in a new area. Pioneers have to build a community from nature. They modify (change) the environment by clearing tall trees from wilderness land. They use timber from the trees and bricks made of clay to build homes and other buildings. Pioneers also plant crops and farm the land.
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Sullivant wanted others to help build Franklinton, so he gave away plots of land on Gift Street. The new village began to take shape. There were many "firsts" in early Franklinton. Many of these "firsts" show how early settlers in Franklinton improved their community and promoted the common good. Lucas Sullivant built the first school, church, courthouse, jail, mill, and store in Franklinton. Rev. James Hoge served as the first minister. Dr. Lincoln Goodale was the first doctor. A log cabin home on Gift Street became the first post office. Andrew McElvain was the first mail carrier. He was only 13 years old when he began traveling to Chillicothe to deliver and pick up mail. Both Lucas Sullivant's land office and the first post office are still standing today.
THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN IN FRANKLINTON
Arthur Boke, Jr. was the first African-American to live in Columbus. He grew up in the home of Lucas and Sarah Sullivant along with their children. There are different stories about how Arthur came to live with Lucas and Sarah. Some accounts say his mother, a former enslaved woman, left him on the Sullivants' doorstep when he was a baby. Other accounts say that Arthur's mother died and his father, Arthur Boke, Sr. left him with the Sullivants.
The different accounts of Arthur Boke, Jr. shows how historians sometimes disagree on the details of events. History can be challenging because we do not always have complete records of the past. Like detectives, we have to piece together records from primary and secondary sources to draw conclusions. You will be asked to do that kind of work throughout this textbook. Click here to begin your first History Mystery activity: Who was Arthur Boke, Jr.?
The different accounts of Arthur Boke, Jr. shows how historians sometimes disagree on the details of events. History can be challenging because we do not always have complete records of the past. Like detectives, we have to piece together records from primary and secondary sources to draw conclusions. You will be asked to do that kind of work throughout this textbook. Click here to begin your first History Mystery activity: Who was Arthur Boke, Jr.?
NATIVE AMERICANS IN FRANKLINTON
There were already Native Americans living near the Scioto River when Lucas Sullivant arrived. Native Americans of the Seneca-Cayuga (also called Mingo), Shawnee, and Wyndot nations lived near the river. Native Americans in Ohio traveled along rivers such as the Scioto. They could use canoes to travel by water for most of the long distance between Lake Erie and the Ohio River.
Native Americans lived by hunting deer and other animals and catching fish. There were many animals living in the valley of the Scioto River. This made the area a good place for Native Americans to hunt and trap. When the white settlers arrived, they cleared the land and drove away many of the animals that Native Americans hunted.
There was both cooperation and conflict between white settlers and Native Americans. The two groups traded some goods. White settlers would trade nails, knives, scissors, mirrors, and even bells to Native Americans. In return, Native American traded deer hides and furs.
There were also times of violence and war between the two groups. Before Franklinton was settled, Colonel William Crawford attacked a Mingo village in 1774. When Sullivant arrived, he wanted to keep peace with the Native Americans. During the War of 1812, General William Henry Harrison negotiated (worked out) a peace treaty to make sure Native Americans did not fight against the Americans.
Native Americans lived by hunting deer and other animals and catching fish. There were many animals living in the valley of the Scioto River. This made the area a good place for Native Americans to hunt and trap. When the white settlers arrived, they cleared the land and drove away many of the animals that Native Americans hunted.
There was both cooperation and conflict between white settlers and Native Americans. The two groups traded some goods. White settlers would trade nails, knives, scissors, mirrors, and even bells to Native Americans. In return, Native American traded deer hides and furs.
There were also times of violence and war between the two groups. Before Franklinton was settled, Colonel William Crawford attacked a Mingo village in 1774. When Sullivant arrived, he wanted to keep peace with the Native Americans. During the War of 1812, General William Henry Harrison negotiated (worked out) a peace treaty to make sure Native Americans did not fight against the Americans.