Local Columns

July 4, 1788 – “We Were One Great Family”

July 4, 1788, in Marietta, Ohio, dawned warm, humid, and windy. Rain threatened. Joseph Buell was a soldier at Fort Harmar. His journal entry for July 4, 1788: "This day was celebrated with thirteen rounds from the six pounder (cannon) and repeated again at four o'clock. The troops received an extra allowance…." The "allowance" was probably extra liquor rations.

That first July 4 at Marietta featured cannon salutes, a feast, an oration, spirits, toasts, – and rain. There were many Revolutionary War veterans here. Only twelve years had elapsed since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The camaraderie from a shared passion and sacrifice was strongly felt.

Colonel John May reports in his journal: "…labour ceases today, in memory of the Declaration of Independence…at one o'clock, General Harmar and Lady, Mr. and Mrs. McCurders, and all the officers not on duty came over (from Fort Harmar)…at half-past one an excellent oration was delivered by (General James Mitchell) Varnum and the cannon fired a salute of fourteen guns."

Varnum's speech was uplifting. The opening two paragraphs set the tone: "This anniversary, my friends, is sacred to the independence of the United States. Every heart must exult, every citizen must feel himself exalted upon the happy occasion. The memorable Fourth of July will ever be celebrated with gratitude to the Supreme Being, for that revolution which caused tyranny and oppression to feed upon their own disappointment, and which crowned the exertions of patriotism with noblest rewards of virtue."

The weather was fickle. Colonel May: "At 3 o'clock just as dinner was on the table, came on a heavy shower…However our provisions were rescued from the deluge but injured materially. When the rain ceased, the table was laid again; but before we had finished, it came on to rain a second time. But on the whole, though, we had a handsome dinner…"

Henry Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio offers a description of the food served: "A repast, consisting of all the delicacies which the woods and the streams and the gardens and the housewives skill afforded, was served… There was venison barbecued, buffalo steaks, bear meat, wild fowl, fish, and a little pork as the choicest luxury of all. One fish, a great pike weighing one hundred pounds - the largest ever taken, it is said, in the waters of the Muskingum – ...was speared by Judge Gilbert Devoll and his son Gilbert."

Then there were toasts. Major Ebenezer Denny noted in his journal: "When dinner was over thirteen toasts were drunk, each accompanied with a round from the three pounder (cannon), attended in the intervals by two drums, two fifes, and a couple of excellent violins." They drank separate toasts to: "The United States, Congress, His Most Christian Majesty King of France, the United Netherlands, The Friendly Powers Throughout the World, The New Federal Constitution, George Washington and the Society of Cincinnati, His excellent Governor St. Clair and the (North)Western Territory, The Memory of Heroes, Patriots, (Delaware Chief) Captain Pipes and a Successful Treaty, Amiable Partners of our Lives, All Mankind."

All were pretty buzzed when the toasts were done. The official activities ended with a "grand illumination (fireworks) of Fort Harmar." Yes, there were fireworks in the colonies then. The partying lasted past midnight. May "slept sound till morning."

A participant's recollection later in life captured the spirit of that first July 4: "Never had such a dinner since. We were one great family, loving God and each other, proud of our new home and resolved on success."