the michigan meridian · allison looker was married to benjamin hough’s daughter rachel. he held...

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FEBRUARY 23, 2017

Radisson Plaza Hotel

Kalamazoo, MI

Joseph D. Fenicle, PS

Ohio & Michigan Professional Surveyor

Angular By Nature, LLC

Adrian, MI

http://rhymeswithorange.com/?s=the+new+neighbors

Joseph D. Fenicle, PSOhio & Michigan Professional Surveyor

Angular By Nature, LLCAdrian, Michigan

February 23, 2017 – MSPS 76th Annual Conference – Kalamazoo, MI

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Today’s Agenda

Housekeeping Items

Thank you to MSPS for having me today.

Today’s Agenda

Housekeeping Items

Thank you to MSPS for having me today.

Thank you to all of you!

Why I do this

Required and I like it!

Ohio Revised Code 4733.151 – January -1, 2012

Michigan Administrative Code Rule 339.17505 – Oct. 10, 2013

Ohio Revised Code 4733.151

One - Is the activity, course or seminar relevant to the practice of engineering or surveying and does it include technical, ethical or managerial content?

Two - Is the provider of the course, seminar or activity reputable and one that can demonstrate knowledge and expertise on the subject matter?

Three -Does the provider supply a course outline and a record of attendance?

Questions?State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors877-644-6364

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Michigan Administrative Code Rule 339.17505

R 339.17101 Definitions.

(e) “Course” means any qualifying activity with a clear purpose and objective that willmaintain, improve, or expand the skills and knowledge relevant to the licensee’s area ofprofessional practice. Regular duties for compensation shall not be considered qualifiedactivities, except for employer compensated continuing education activities.

Questions?

Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)Professional Licensing 517-373-8068

“Is the provider of the course, seminar or activity reputable and one that can demonstrate knowledge and expertise on the subject matter?”

“Is the provider of the course, seminar or activity reputable and one that can demonstrate knowledge and expertise on the subject matter?”

Credentials

AAS GeoGraphics GIS/GPSBS Surveying & Mapping

Survey Intern 2000Ohio Professional Surveyor 2002 #8210Michigan Professional Surveyor 2004 #51478

Over a dozen articles in Trade Magazines and PLSO/MSPS NewslettersAdjunct Professor and Speaker across Ohio and Michigan

Ohio Certificate of Authorization # 04885

Michigan Based Limited Liability Company ID E6143N

Member of…

Professional Land Surveyors of OhioMichigan Society of Professional Land SurveyorsNational Society of Professional Surveyors

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Three Other Reasons Why I do This

Three Other Reasons Why I do This

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References

A History of the Rectangular Survey System – C.A. WhiteSurveyors of the Public Lands in Michigan – N. CaldwellSpecial Instructions to Deputy Surveyors in Michigan 1808-1854 – R. BerryBlazes, Posts, & Stones – J. WilliamsThe Ohio – Michigan Boundary – C. ShermanOhio Land Subdivisions – C. ShermanThe Toledo War – D. FaberInitial Points of the Rectangular Survey System – C.A. WhiteThe USGS StoreSeeking Michigan WebsiteThe Michigan ArchivesJack Owens, PS, Mike Bartolo, PS, Dean Ringle, PE,PS, Glenn Richard, PS, et alThe Territorial Papers of the Michigan Territory, Volume X, XI, XII – C.E. Carter

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What we are going to talk about…..

Indian Treaties

War of 1812

The Michigan Meridian Crew

The Michigan Meridian

The Michigan Baseline and initial points (limited)

New Michigan Historical Marker at Meridian Baseline State Park

Ohio Historical Society Historical Marker

What we are NOT going to talk about…..

Land Ordinance of 1785

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Let’s Talk History – Indian Treaty History

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Main Treaties Ceding Indian Lands in Ohio/Michigan

1795 Greenville Treaty 16,930,417 Acres1805 Fort Industry Treaty 2,726,812 Acres1807 Detroit Treaty 345,600 Acres1808 Brownstown Treaty Two Roads1817 Fort Meigs Treaty 4,554,459 Acres1818 St. Marys Treaties 297,600


Main Treaties Ceding Indian Lands in Ohio/Michigan

1795 Greenville Treaty 16,930,417 Acres1805 Fort Industry Treaty 2,726,812 Acres1807 Detroit Treaty 345,600 Acres1808 Brownstown Treaty Two Roads1817 Fort Meigs Treaty 4,554,459 Acres1818 St. Marys Treaties 297,600

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The Treaty of Detroit or the Treaty with the Ottawa, etc. 1807 was executed by General William Hull, governor of the Michigan Territory. As requested by President Thomas Jefferson he “desired” the Eastern half of Michigan to be released from Indian Title. General Hull held a council in Detroit with the chiefs and warriors of the Ottawa, Chippewas, Wyandots and Pottwatamies. This treaty covered the first public land to be available in what would become the State of Michigan in 1837.

One Time Payment of $10,000 $3,333.33 to Ottawas $3,333.33 to Chippewas $1,666.66 to Wyandots $1,666.66 to Pottawatamies

Forever Annuity of $2,400 (to reservations) $800 to Ottawas $800 to Chippewas $400 to Wyandots $400 to Pottawatamies

“It is further agreed and stipulated, that the said Indian nations shall enjoy the priviledge of hunting and fishing on the lands ceded as aforesaid, as long as they remain the property of the United States.”

“Beginning at the mouth of the Miami river of the lakes, and running thence up the middle thereof, to the mouth of the great Au Glaize river, thence running due north, until it intersects a parallel of latitude, to be drawn from the outlet of lake Huron, which forms the river Sinclair; thence running north east the course, that may be found, will lead in a direct line, to White Rock, in lake Huron, thence due east, until it intersects the boundary line between the United States and Upper Canada, in said lake, thence southwardly, following the said boundary line, down said lake, through river Sinclair, lake St. Claire, and the river Detroit, into Lake Erie, to a point due east of the aforesaid Miami river, thence west to the place of beginning.”

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White Rock in Lake Huron

Detroit Urbanism: Uncovering the History of Our Roads, Borders, and Built Environments. Indian Villages, Reservations, and Removal – March 7, 2016 by Paul Szewczyk.

World Digital Libraryhttps://www.wdl.org/en/item/2746/

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World Digital Libraryhttps://www.wdl.org/en/item/2746/

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Let’s Talk History – War of 1812 History

Battle between United States and the British Empire -attempt to restrict U.S. Trade and America’s desire to expand

Lost the Battle at Detroit but won the Battle of Lake Erie because of Commodore Olive Hazard Perry – Sept. 1813Battle of Lake Erie put the Northwest Territory back in U.S. ControlWashington D.C. was burnt on 1814Key battles were won in New York, Baltimore and New OrleansTreaty of Ghent signed on February 17, 1815

Known as the “2nd War of Independence” national pride soared

National Debt went from 80 Million to 125 Million Needed land to fulfill Military Warrants Needed to sell land to pay off national debt

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Ordered built by General “Mad” Anthony Wayne – 1794

Forts built within a days march from each other

Protection from “The English, the Indians, and all the devils in hell.” according to Lieutenant John Boyer.

Northwest Indian War, Tecumseh’s War & War of 1812

1894 – Entire Fort Rebuilt to exact detail.

1940 – Granite Boulder placed at assumed POB (flagstaff).

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Benjamin Hough, DSAlexander Holmes, DS

Thomas Evans, DSAllison Looker, DS

Nine Other Men to Clear Line, Hunt, Cook & Haul Equipment

1773 Born in Loudon County, VA and Raised in Washington County, PA1801 Purchased Land in the Seven Ranges at age of 281802 Surveyed in Cross Creek Township near Steubenville, OH1804 Appointed as a General Land Office Deputy Surveyor (31 Years Old)1804 County Commissioner for Jefferson County, OH1805 Trustee for City of Steubenville, OH1805 Ohio Senate1807 Ohio House of Representatives1808 State of Ohio Auditor1810 Moved to Zanesville from Chillicothe – new capital1812 Moved to Chillicothe1815 Asked to move to Columbus – new capital but did not move1815 Contract to Survey the Michigan Meridian (42 Years Old)1819 Died at 47 years old

A Map of the State of Ohio from Actual Surveys by B. Hough & A. Bourne

David Rumsey Map CollectionCartographic Associates

Published May 01, 1814

Benjamin HoughAlexander BourneJohn Melish

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Moved from England

5 Children

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11 Children

Surveyor of Lord Fairfax and LandownerSuper Wealthy

Friend of George WashingtonBuilt Corby Hall, Waterford, VA

9 Children, 3 of which became Surveyors

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Surveyor in Virginia, Pennsylvania & Ohio

9 Children

Corby Hall14873 Milltown Road, Watertown, VA

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1778 Born and Raised in Washington County, PA1800 Appointed as a General Land Office Deputy Surveyor (22 Years Old)1802 Moved to Licking County, OH1804 Appointed as Licking County Surveyor1808 Common Pleas Court Judge1815 Contract to Survey the Michigan Baseline1815 Contract to Assist B. Hough with the Michigan Meridian (37 Years Old)1823 Common Pleas Court Judge1833 Died at 55 years old in Newark, OH

Moved from England

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8 Children

14 Children (2 of which became Deputy Surveyors)

Not much is known about Thomas Evans other than he held additional contracts to subdivide townships within Michigan.

Allison Looker was married to Benjamin Hough’s daughter Rachel. He held additional contracts in the State of Indiana. He was also an officer in the war of 1812.After Allison passed, Rachel married his brother James Harvey Looker.

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2nd Cousin of Abraham ClarkSigner of the Declaration of Independence

After the War of 1812 the national debt went from 80 million to 125 million.

Congress designated an area of land Northwest of Detroit to satisfy military warrants.

Also needed the public lands as a source of revenue

Needed to be surveyed first!

Indian Hostilities elsewhere & confusion of Indian Treaty Line

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“Let the two million acres in Michigan be as near the north boundary of OHIO & the western shore of Lake Erie, as convenient. The northern boundary of Ohio not having yet been determined, you will be careful not to extend the surveys so far south as to encroach on that boundary.”

Josiah Meigs*, March 23, 1815

*Meigs was Commissioner of the General Land Office in 1815

In October 1814 Josiah Meigs and Edward Tiffin switched jobs. Meigs became Commissioner and Tiffin became Surveyor General. Meigs did not like Cincinnati

and Tiffin did not like Washington D.C. Tiffin was the first Commissioner of the GLO as created in April 1812.

Act of December 24, 1811 & January 11, 1812

“…provided that military bounties of 160 acres would be given to each soldier who had faithfully served in the armed forces in the war with Great Britain…”

Act of May 06, 1812

“That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby authorized to cause to be surveyed a quantity of the public lands of the United States, fit for cultivation, not otherwise appropriated, and to which the Indian title is extinguished, not exceeding in the whole six millions of acres, two millions to be surveyed in the territory of Michigan…”

Alexander Holmes had contract for Michigan Baseline, but could not survey it due to Indian hostility. He tried, but had to turn back and return to Detroit.

Benjamin Hough also had contract for the sections along the road between Fort Meigs and the Western Reserve. He also could not survey it due to the Indian hostility. Once again he tried, but had to turn back.

The surveyors found out that the Indian Hostility was due to a confusion of the Indian Treaty Line – they thought it went on a straight line from Fort Defiance to White Rock.

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Indian Opposition led by Chief Tarhe, the Crane.

• A distinguished Wyandot Chief and Loyal American• Leading spirit at the Treaty of Greenville in 1795• Born in Detroit in 1742, member of the Porcupine clan• Fought in the Battle of Thames at 72 years old• His name came because of his height and slender build. The

French translation means “at him” or “at the tree”.• Tarhe married a French Canadian with daughter named Myerrah

(White Crane)• White Crane married Isaac Zane who founded Zanesville.• The book “Betty Zane” was about Isaac and his brother Ebenezer• Tarhe moved around a lot and lived mostly in Logan County and

along the Hocking River.• He died in November of 1816 at Cranetown in Upper Sandusky,

Ohio• Funeral was the largest ever known for an Indian Chief

Benjamin Hough and Alexander Holmes joined forces and decided to survey the Indian Treaty Line, but to also survey the Michigan Meridian and establish and run the Michigan Baseline all in one season - actually in 3 months.

The theory is they went to the baseline and calculated the latitude (or relied on latitude as observed by Woodward. Hough calculated the N. Cape of Maumee Bay to determine N. Line of Ohio then they traveled to Fort Defiance and calculated the latitude there. Then they could run North without backtracking South and fulfill both of their contracts together.

This sounded good, but this did NOT work in the end!

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March 9, 1815 Tiffin proposed surveys be started

April 1815 Tiffin contracted with Hough

April 1815 Tiffin contracted with Holmes

May 1815 Hough measured lat. at N. Cape

September 29, 1815 Field work started

October 1815 Alexander and Samuel met up

November 1815 Survey work ceased

July 16, 1816 Survey work resumed

According to Thomas Freeman there are two ways to determine Due North

1. To determine the variation of the magnetic needle note exactly by a good watch when the Polar Star and the first [star, Alioth] in the tail of the great Bear (or star next the Square) are vertical to each other, or range with a Plumb line. Ten minutes after wards the polar Star will be on the [t]rue meridian a Stake or Small light placed at that time in a right [true] line with the Plumb line and the Polar Star will point out a true meridian.

2. The most convenient, practical & accurate mo[de] for Surveyors to ascertain the Variation of the needle will be by the polar Star’s greatest Elongation which will be visible from the first of November to the first of March (& to) the West and from the first of May to the first of Sept. to the East.

Brackets by Owens

Volume 10, Fall 2014 Turning the Horizon – MSPS GLO Procedures for Astronomical Observation by Jack OwensThomas Freeman “Instructions to the Principal Deputy Surveyor of the Land District East of Island of N. Orleans” 1819Micajah T. Williams“General Instructions to His Deputies; By the Surveyor General of the United States, for the States of Ohio and Indiana, and the Territory of Michigan”

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According to Thomas Freeman there are two ways to determine Due North

1. To determine the variation of the magnetic needle note exactly by a good watch when the Polar Star and the first [star, Alioth] in the tail of the great Bear (or star next the Square) are vertical to each other, or range with a Plumb line. Ten minutes after wards the polar Star will be on the [t]rue meridian a Stake or Small light placed at that time in a right [true] line with the Plumb line and the Polar Star will point out a true meridian.

2. The most convenient, practical & accurate mo[de] for Surveyors to ascertain the Variation of the needle will be by the polar Star’s greatest Elongation which will be visible from the first of November to the first of March (& to) the West and from the first of May to the first of Sept. to the East.

Thomas Freeman was a famous astronomer & surveyor from 1792 to 1821. He was a good personal friend of George Washington and worked as his land agent and also collected rents and secured payments for land Washington sold. Washington appointed Freeman to survey the US/Spain boundary in 1796 and from 1800-1805 surveyed much of the Northwest Territory. In 1806 he was chosen to survey the Red River Expedition by Thomas Jefferson.


According to Micajah Williams, from 1833, he cites Freeman’s first method.

“The star commonly called the North Star, is not directly north but revolves round the pole in a small circle, once in 24 hours. It can therefore be due north only twice in that period; and that is within a very few minutes of the time, when a star, called Alioth in the constellation of Ursa major, or the great bear, is directly over or under it. There is also another star nearly in an opposite direction from the pole, called Gamma, in the constellation of Cassiopeia. When these three stars are vertical, the north star is very near the meridian.”


According to Micajah Williams, from 1833, he cites Freeman’s first method.


Micajah T. Williams was the Surveyor General from 1831-1834


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I believe that Hough used both methods for determining Due North.

Owens believes that Hough used the 2nd method and that if timed right during September - October and March-April the elongation could be observed during the same evening. Owens writes that “Hough’s double observation fits the first time frame, Western Elongation early in the evening followed 12 hours later by Eastern Elongation early in the morning.

“We arrived at Fort Defiance on the 29th Ult. And obtained a very satisfactory observation of the polar star when at its greatest elongation, both East and West, and also when on the Meridian, two nights in succession, and found from each observation (both exactly agreeing), that the variation of the compass at that place, was 4° 39’ East, and by that variation ran the meridian line.”

Freeman

To determine the variation of the magnetic needle note exactly by a good watch when the Polar Star and the first [star, Alioth] in the tail of the great Bear (or star next the Square) are vertical to each other, or range with a Plumb line. Ten minutes after wards the polar Star will be on the [t]rue meridian a Stake or Small light placed at that time in a right [true] line with the Plumb line and the Polar Star will point out a true meridian.

Williams



Freeman

1. The most convenient, practical & accurate mo[de] for Surveyors to ascertain the Variation of the needle will be by the polar Star’s greatest Elongation which will be visible from the first of November to the first of March (& to) the Westand from the first of May to the first of Sept. to the East.


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Used with Permission from Paul Sewick

http://corktownhistory.blogspot.com/

Things get real confusing

• Hough heads back to Ohio on Oct. 20th due to illness.• Alexander and Samuel keep surveying until late November then stop• Hough comes back in January/February of 1816 to set Initial Point• 1819 Saginaw Treaty gives Wampler Contract• Wampler comes into the picture in 1824 and sets second initial point against his

instructions to use Hough’s previously set corners creating 14.18 Chain Jog14.18 Chains = 935.88 Feet

• Wampler’s Corner = Baseline West as set on or near January 19, 1824 (South Corner)• Hough’s Corner = Baseline East as set in 1816 (North Corner)

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Not without controversy – even in 1815!

Unsigned Letter to Josiah Meigs – August 26, 1815

“Dear sir; I wish Government to be informed through you that Mr. Benjamin Hough has by some means insinuated himself in favor with Surveyor General Tiffin & has got for himself and a parcel of boys he has about him nearly all the public surveying. Hough was a while Auditor of this State and from his errors and inability was put out last session. Mr. Tiffin not being himself a judge has been grossly imposed on by this Hough, who is not a mathematician & yet pretends to everything, & has got the mathematical instruments that was purchased by the United States at a great price, pretending to make observations with them and has left part of them at the lake when discharged by the indians. You may rely sir that he never saw a quadrant before he saw one of Mr. Spencers about a year ago. He is a complete imposter from the eastern states & is pretending & has together nearly all the instruments. You well know I suppose, or the Government knows or ought to know that Mr. Tiffin knows nothing about these things & has suffered himself to be blinded to these fellows to the injury to the U. States. I hope you will make it known to government & that Mr. Tiffin might be cautioned on the subject. If notice is not immediately taken of this I shall inform government publicly, exposing the fact within the National Intelligence. I think it my duty that such men ought to be exposed. For the reality of this statement you had better inquire of Mr. ______, or some man acquainted with the abilities of this B. Hough, for there never was a man more deceived than Mr. Tiffin to entrust such a man with the instruments that is not even a mathematician. The thing is absurd and ridiculous. I am, etc.” (no signature)

Not without controversy – even in 1815!

Unsigned Letter to Josiah Meigs – August 26, 1815

“Dear sir; I wish Government to be informed through you that Mr. Benjamin Hough has by some means insinuated himself in favor with Surveyor General Tiffin & has got for himself and a parcel of boys he has about him nearly all the public surveying. Hough was a while Auditor of this State and from his errors and inability was put out last session. Mr. Tiffin not being himself a judge has been grossly imposed on by this Hough, who is not a mathematician & yet pretends to everything, & has got the mathematical instruments that was purchased by the United States at a great price, pretending to make observations with them and has left part of them at the lake when discharged by the indians. You may rely sir that he never saw a quadrant before he saw one of Mr. Spencers about a year ago. He is a complete imposter from the eastern states & is pretending & has together nearly all the instruments. You well know I suppose, or the Government knows or ought to know that Mr. Tiffin knows nothing about these things & has suffered himself to be blinded to these fellows to the injury to the U. States. I hope you will make it known to government & that Mr. Tiffin might be cautioned on the subject. If notice is not immediately taken of this I shall inform government publicly, exposing the fact within the National Intelligence. I think it my duty that such men ought to be exposed. For the reality of this statement you had better inquire of Mr. ______, or some man acquainted with the abilities of this B. Hough, for there never was a man more deceived than Mr. Tiffin to entrust such a man with the instruments that is not even a mathematician. The thing is absurd and ridiculous. I am, etc.” (no signature)

Did they actually survey thru Ohio… when it didn’t even really matter?

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Did they actually survey thru Ohio… when it didn’t even really matter?

The evidence says…YES

Book 3 ½, Cover

Book 3 ½, Page 4

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Book 3 ½, Page 4

Commenced the Meridian, or Indian boundary line, Beginning at the Mouth of the Great Auglaize river and run by the true meridian due North (the Variation being 4°39’ East) crossing the Miami of Lake Erie to the North bank of the Miami; being the width of that river and the width of the great Auglaize being and from the point of Beginning (on the west shorebears S31W, up, and the south shore of the Miami upwardly, bears West,

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Book 3 ½, Page 5

Book 3 ½, Page 6

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Book 3 ½, Page 7

Book 3 ½,

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East On Random between Sect. 25 + 36

10.20 Crossed an old line marked “R 1 E, T 11 S

27.53 an Elm 20 in. diam.

James Riley, DS 1821

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233 Chains (R)15,378 Feet (R & M +/-)

Cross Branch 20 Links Wide Running WestBook 3 ½, Page 7

Branch 20 Links Wide Running S 45 WBook 3 ½, Page 10

1907 Defiance QuadrangleMeasurements by Google Earth

207 Chains (R)13,662 Feet (R & M +/-)

Tanby Ditch

Peterson Ditch

Book 3 ½, Page 29

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What the Michigan Meridian looks like today.

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Pleasant Lake Quadrangle

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?

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1815 Surveying Michigan Group

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Administered by the Ohio Historical Society

Vital educational tool to inform residents and visitors about significant aspects of Ohio’s past.

The markers identify, commemorate, and honor the important people, places and events that have contributed to Ohio’s rich history.

Standards are set to ensure historical significance and historically accuracy.

Be associated with events that have made a significant contribution to broad patterns of history.

Be associated with persons no longer living who have made significant contributions to patterns of history and culture.

Embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, style, period, method of construction, architecture, or represent the work of a master.

Yield, or be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.

Be associated with ethnic groups who have made distinctive and significant contributions to history.

Embody characteristics of the state representing significant aspects of the physical or natural history of the earth and its life.

Represent popular stories or myths that, although not verifiable, are significant to history and culture.

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Title of Marker Classification Location of the Proposed Marker Owner of the Property upon which the marker is to be erected Type of Marker Funding sponsor of the marker Maintenance of the marker Shipping Address Statement of Significance Suggested Marker Text Annotated Bibliography Application Submitted By

May 24, 2012 NW PLSO

May 21, 2013 Central MSPS

March 17, 2014 Toledo PLSO

NW PLSO = $918.05

Central MSPS = $918.50

Toledo PLSO* = $917.60

$2754.15

*Toledo PLSO made an additional motion to donate an undetermined amount for construction materials and to help fundfuture maintenance.

It all began with the signing of the Treaty of Detroit on November 17, 1807 by the Chippewas, Ottawas, Wyandots and Pottawatamies. The tribes ceded approximately 345,600 Acres between Detroit and the Auglaize River and east of a line drawn due north from Fort Defiance. Prior to the War of 1812 the Secretary of the Treasury, Albert Gallatin, limited the national debt to 80 million dollars. After the war the debt inflated to about 125 million dollars and a need for revenue was apparent. Congress, in addition to needing land for military warrants, was also going to sell the land as ceded from the tribes. On March 9, 1815 Surveyor General Edward Tiffin proposed to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, Josiah Meigs that surveying be started. In April of 1815 Tiffin contracted with Benjamin Hough to survey the Meridian from Fort Defiance north to the baseline at a rate of $3.00 per mile. The survey was started September 29, 1815 by Benjamin Hough, assistant Alexander Holmes, Hough’s son in law Allison Looker, Thomas Evans and about 9 other men helping to clear line, hunt, cook and haul equipment. The crew ran north from Fort Defiance for 42 miles before branching in different directions. The 42nd mile marked the southwest corner of the proposed 2 million acres of military lands. Until this point most of the meridian actually fell in Ohio and most notably the disputed territory which prompted the Toledo War. In November of 1815 the surveys ceased due to poor field conditions and the lack of promise to provide soldiers with land fit for cultivation (officially suspended on April 2, 1816). Surveys did not resume until July 16, 1816 and when completed created a confusing second initial point. The Michigan Meridian and accompanying baseline control all townships and ranges across the state of Michigan and that portion that now lies within Ohio. The quality of work and the hardships that the survey crew endured while surveying the meridian shall be remembered and honored. The Michigan Meridian is only part of the vast public land survey system that spans the western United States.

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1815 MICHIGAN MERIDIAN

After the War of 1812, the United States Congress proposed two million acres of military bounty land for the Michigan Territory. To survey the land, the meridian had to first be established. U.S. Surveyor General Edward Tiffin created the meridian based on the western line of the Treaty of Detroit (1807). He contracted with Deputy Surveyor Benjamin Hough in April 1815 to begin the survey for $3 per mile. Taking a reading from Polaris (the North Star), Hough, Alexander Holmes, and 11 crew members surveyed the line due north from Fort Defiance. The difficult terrain they encountered temporarily halted all surveys in the territory and ultimately led to the bounty land being transferred to the Illinois and Missouri Territories.

In 1787 when the Northwest Ordinance was drafted based on an inaccurate map drawn by geographer John Mitchell, the problems began. Ohio thought the language from the Ordinance drawing an East-West line from the southern tip of Lake Michigan included present day Toledo and the Mouth of the Maumee River. The Michigan Territory held the Ordinance Line and when surveyed Ohio found the problem and changed their constitution to read “a line drawn directly from Lake Michigan’s southern extremity to the most northerly cape of the Miami (Maumee)Bay”. Commonly known as the Harris Line, William Harris surveyed the line based upon Ohio’s Constitution. John Fulton, as ordered by the Michigan Territory, surveyed the Ordinance Line, or Fulton Line and officially created the “Toledo Strip”. After the bloodless Toledo War and sour feelings on both sides Ohio was granted the 400 square miles of the Toledo Strip and by order of President Andrew Jackson granted Michigan Statehood and was granted 9000 square miles of the Upper Peninsula.

As originally surveyed by William Harris in 1817, retraced by The Ohio Boundary Commissioners Surveyors and again retraced by General Land Office Surveyor Andrew Porter the line was finally permanently retraced and monumented by Samuel Stinson Gannett and crew in 1915. The 48th Legislature of Michigan approved Act 84 of the Public Acts of 1915 and the 81rst General Assembly of Ohio approved House Bill 701 to jointly finance the survey. The survey resulted in 72 granite monuments being set over 69.92 miles between July 12 and October 26, 1915. The entire survey cost $7,197.98 or $102.95 per mile and was known as one of the cheapest state line retracement surveys ever performed, yet one of the most accurate.

The monuments came from the largest open face granite quarry in the world – Mount Airy, North Carolina. The monuments were shipped to Toledo and the top 18 inches were dressed and cut by Lloyd Walker Brothers of Toledo.

S.S. Gannett, Geographer of the United States Geological Survey was known as a state line boundary retracement specialist. Over his career he surveyed the state lines between New Hampshire/Vermont, Maryland/West Virginia, North Carolina/Tennessee and Idaho/Washington. He was the son of the Henry Gannett, Chief Geographer of the United States Geological Survey.

The Ohio-Michigan Boundary settled one of the most deeply disputed state lines in the United States. The granite monuments still exist today and when checked with modern survey instrumentation one can only marvel at the accuracy used to run and establish this historic state line.

1915 OHIO MICHIGAN STATE LINE SURVEY

Between July 12 and October 26, 1915, Samuel Stinson Gannet, Geographer of the United States Geological Survey and crew retraced and surveyed the Ohio and Michigan State Line. Working with a transit and dragging a 300 foot steel tape, the crew surveyed 69.92 miles and set 72 granite monuments. The 700-pound monuments are 5 feet 6 inches tall and cost $18.00 each, including delivery from Mount Airy, North Carolina. The top 18 inches were cut and carved by Lloyd Brothers in Toledo. Once the survey was complete, it put an end to one of the greatest disputes over a state line in the history of the United States.

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60’ R/W

45’ R/W

Post 21

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Copyright David Green, State Line Observer

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THANK YOU

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the michigan meridian · allison looker was married to benjamin hough’s daughter rachel. he held...

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