Madison's Episciopal Church Troubles 1838

This denominational account shows that the first Episcopal Church in Madison failed, which I have not seen discussed elsewhere. From the date, it is clear that the current church, Christ Church, was organized soon after this was published.

A Journal of the Proceedings of the Bishops, Clergy, and Laity of the Protestant Episcopal. Church in the United States of America, in A General Convention, Held in the City of Philadelphia, from September 5, to September 17, Inclusive, A. D. 1838. Together with the Constitution and Canons for the Government of the Protestant Episcopal Church. New York: 1838, Swords, Stanford & Co., No. 152 Broadway.

At Madison, where was the next church organized in this Diocese, with far more favorable prospects, and which soon numbered 22 Communicants, we are constrained to acknowledge an instance of almost total failure, and that from want of union, from the frequent change of its ministers, and from other adverse causes. Its church edifice, built and consecrated, has been
sold for debt, and its members scattered. Here, to succeed, to any good purpose, there must be a new beginning, laying a new foundation in unity and brotherly love.

1811 Niles Register

Dated Oct. 9, 1811, this account of Vevay is among the earliest accounts published about the Swiss Settlement. It is also one of the most detailed accounts available that covers a wide range of activities before 1820.

Niles Weekly Register, Baltimore, Vol. 1, No. 8.

By the politeness of a Swiss gentleman, residing at Vevay, Indiana territory, we have been favoured with the following sketch of the Swiss settlement; New Swisserland is situate on the right bank of the Ohio river, in Jefferson county, Indiana territory, about seven miles above tire mouth of the Kentucky.

This settlement was began in the spring of the year 1803 by some Swiss of the canton of Váud, formerly a part of the canton of Bern, their principal object is the introduction of the culture of the grape vine in this country. This settlement, or rather the place down the river to the mouth of the Venoge Creek, known by the name of Indian creek, about four miles and a half fronting the river, and extends back for the quantity of about 3700 acres of land—2500 of which they have purchased under a law in favor of J. James Dufour and his associates, allowing them twelve years to pay for it from 1802, the time of the purchase; the remainder they have bought as other purchasers, and paid for it.

The lower end, about two miles along the river, is occupied by thirteen Swiss families, containing sixty-six individuals, of every age—10 of those families have successively come to join the three first who had began the settlement. Had it not been for the difficulties in crossing the ocean, it is believed the whole distance of four and a half miles would have been filled up with as many more of those indubious people.

The improvements of the of the Swiss are considerable, Considering the time when they began, the few hands employed in them and their inexperience in the way of improving lands in this country. They have now about 140 acres in cultivation, about 8 or 9 acres more planted in vines, which are not yet bearing; and they continue planting more every year. The crop of wine of 1810 has exceeded the quantity of 2400 gallons, the quality of which has been thought, by judges of wine, superior to that of the claret of Bordeaux.

Out of the quantity about 120 gallons was white or yellow wine made out of Madeira grapes. These two kinds of wine are the only two which have hitherto succeeded, but others are going to be tried and it is very probable that some of them will also produce good wine.

When the vines are older and the vine dressers are able to let their wine acquire age before they sell it, the quality will certainly will be greatly superior to what it is now, and there is no doubt that, in the course of the number of years, the United States will be able to do without imported wine. The precious culture of the vine will be tried in different parts of the union and will undoubtedly multiply with rapidity. The Swiss will encourage it with all their power. They give vine slips gratis to whoever will plant them with instructions and directions for their cultivation

The Swiss also cultivate Indian corn, wheat, potatoes, hemp, flax and other articles necessary farmers, although in small quantities. Some of their women make straw hats, which they sell in Cincinnati and on the river to trading boats, which usually stop there to purchase them to carry to the Mississippi country where they are very ready for sale.

They are made quite different from the other straw-hats, by tying the straws together, instead of plaiting and sewing the plaits. One of Mr. J.F. Dufour's sisters first brought the art to this country, from Swisserland. As the Swiss, enlarge their vineyards every year more and more, their settlement will of greater consequence to the United States, not only in producing good and wholesome wine, but also in being a model for those who may establish new vineyards in other parts of this comment which may be found suitable for their culture.

New Swisserland has the advantage of two roads —one is a fork from the road leading from Lawrenceburg to Port William, taking off to the right, about one mile and half before arriving at Venoge, or Indian creek, and leads to Dufour's ferry. The other leads from the upper end of Jefferson County, down to Madison, all along the river. There is a post office, by the name of Vevey, which is the name of the town intended to be shortly laid off, for the accommodation of mechanics.

* On account of the great number of creeks in the United States called by the name of Indian the Swiss, who own its mouth, have thought proper to alter its name to that of Venoge, a small river in the Pays de Vaud, on the banks of which some of the Swiss spoken of here were raised.

1861 Agate (Civil War soldier)

This letter is part of a much longer account by a Switzerland County soldier who signed as "Agate". Using such pseudonyms was common in newspapers in the 1800s. His account gives an unflattering accounting two Madison men that he accused for attempted profiteering. The rest of the letter has more details of how the merchants and their cohorts got the ship, the "Stephen Decatur" to not stop at Vevay in an effort to avoid spending money on food for the Union soldiers. The Col. Wharton mentioned was apparently William G. Wharton, commander of the 22nd Regiment Indiana Infantry

Vevay Reveille, Aug. 29, 1861

On board the steamer Stephen Decatur on Aug. 26, 1861

In regard to the manner in which we were shipped and fed. Col. Wharton and Bob Lodge of Madison, who superintend the feeding and transportation of these troops, are to blame for our not being provided for in the proper manner. Situated in a country in which everything pertaining to our health and comfort can be had at a moment’s notice and with but little expenses, it was neither just nor right that we should be compelled to subsist for 24 hours on dry bread and raw bacon and warm muddy water.

One of the greatest acts of villainy, trickery and swindling,. but little short of the acts of some of the arch traitors of the southern conspiracy on the part of Col. Wharton and one or two others has just developed itself Indeed some of the signs of it was manifested by the Capt. of the boat refusing to land at Vevay The same trick was attempted at Cincinnati and had the captain of the boat delayed the landing a little longer than he did, he and his assistants would have been roughly handled. Then it was the mutterings which might have been heard, like distant thunder all the morning, burst forth in a fury, and had the boat attempted to pass the city she would have been taken by the officers of the soldiers and run ashore.

It appears that there should have been six boats at Madison to receive the six companies, but Col. Wharton, wishing to make a handsome little sum in the operations provided only four boats for the transportation and crammed the troops aboard entered in league with the commanders and gave strict orders to rush the troops through to Pittsburgh without supplies, without accommodations for cooking and then pocket the spoils—charge the United States Government with the expense of six boats, draw the money and divide it among themselves but thanks to the energy and firm determination of Carlan and Danglade [two officers], Col Wharton’s villainy was thwarted.

The "Steven Decatur" [sic, Stephen] was landed, the steamer "J.H. Done" was chartered and the Fayette County company transferred from our boat to it. Col. Wharton was then told that he had got to provide provisions and ice for the use of the soldiers, which request he was compelled to comply with. Consequently, we soon had a place to cook plenty of provisions and a good supply of ice stowed away on board. Why such acts of high-handed villainy are tolerated by our executive is quite a mystery. It is certainly a grand oversight on the part of officers in high quarters to allow such villains as Col. Wharton to go unpunished.