Thomas Hanson’s Survey 1774

Thomas Hanson was a surveyor who accompanied Col. Floyd on an expedition on the Ohio River in 1774. His description of surveying 2,000 acres, seven miles of bottom land that was three and a miles below the mouth of the Kentucky River, suggests that he surveyed the land just upstream from Milton and that he viewed the Indiana shore from the hilltop opposite Madison’s future site.

Thomas Hanson's Journal, April 7-August 9

Journal from his trip on the Ohio River in 1774.

edited by Avi Hathor

21st. Mr. Floyd surveyed 600 acres of land on the lower side of the mouth of Kentucky which takes in little Kentucky for Col. Preston. The land is very good, but I think some of it overflows.

22nd. In the evening we embarked and went down the river three miles & half, leaving a letter at the mouth of Kentucky to direct any Person or Persons that followed the line how to find us.

23d. As we were on a bottom, Mr Taylor surveyed 1000 acres & then Mr Douglas began at his line, & Surveyed another 1000 acres, which took in the Bottom, except a small point at the lower end. It is 7 miles long. We campt at the lower end, Good land. 24th. Mr. Floyd went on the top of the hill from the River & surveyed a tract of land which is good and well Timbered & watered. We encampt 5 miles below on a small bottom, where it rained in the time.

25th. Mr Floyd surveyed the Bottom and some upland to the Quantity of 1000 acres. It was Showery weather.

26th. We embarked & at the same time saw a canoe coming down the river with a Red flag flying. We hailed them but they would not come to us, therefore we went to them and found them to be 2 Indians. One of them was called Dickirson who had a pass from the Commandant at Fort Pitt, to go down the River in order to collect their Hunters, and cause them to go home, as they expected a war between the white people & the Shawnese. They told us that the people on the river near Fort Pitt had left their Habitations and were gone to the fort, But expected they were returning again to their hornes. That they thought it would be made up again. They said the white people & the Indians had a skirmish & that the white people had killed 16 Indians viz. 13 Shawnees 2 Mingoes & 1 Deleware. We parted with them but were afraid that they would follow us. Therefore Mr. Floyd Mr. Taylor Mr. Douglas & and an other man got into a canoe by themselves thinking to have a further conference with the Indians, but they being fearful would not come nigh us any more. This put our people into different opinions as to what to do. Some were for going down the river by way of the Mississippi. But Mr. Floyd and the rest of the surveyors were determined to do the business they came on, If not repulsed by a greater force than themselves. We proceeded to Otter Creek, 4 miles and Mr. Taylor surveyed the Bottom containing 1000 acres. Good Land.

27th. We went down the River 7 miles where Mr . Taylor made another survey, and then went 4 miles further where we encampt.

28th. Mr. Floyd made a survey of 2000 acres of upland & proceeded 8 miles down the river to an Island. The upland is very good.

29th. We left the Island & went down to the falls 12 miles, & encampt on an Island at the Fall. Mr. Douglas surveyed the Shore from Harrod's Creek to Bear Grass creek.