MSS 754 Joseph Vance Papers

              MSS 754
OHIO Joseph Vance Papers
K I S T O R Y 1/ 4 cubic foot
Standard inventory
Collection Synopsis
Provenance: The Ohio Historical Society acquired the Joseph
Vance Papers as the gifts of George L. Converse and an anony-mous
donor in 1940. Marjorie J. Myers processed the collec-tion
in March 1982.
Property rights: The Ohio Historical Society owns the property
rights to this collection.
Copyrights: Copyrights have not been dedicated to the public.
Consideration of the requirements of copyright is the responsi-bility
of the author and publisher.
Access: Thig collection is open under the rules and regulations
of the Ohio Historical Society.
Citation: Researchers are requested to cite collection name,
collection number, and the Ohio Historical Society in all foot-note
and bibliographic references.
Biographical sketch: Joseph Vance was born in Martinsburg,
Virginia and moved to Franklin County, Ohio, around 1800. As a
civil engineer, he surveyed much of the land in the area. In
1805, he married Cynthia Hart of Marietta; they had four children.
Vance served as a captain of the Light Guards in Franklinton and
as a member of General Genough's staff during the War of 1812.
The Vance's three hundred acre farm is now the Ohio State
University farm. Vance died in 1824. Source: Centennial
Biographical History of the City of Columbus and Franklin Countx
( 1901), p. 389.
Scope and content: The Joseph Vance papers date from 1797 to
1815 and occupy one- quarter cubic foot. The papers are arranged
chronologically and primarily consist of incoming letters with
scattered draft replies and survey sketches filed where appro-priate.
The letters document Vance's work as surveyor and land
agent, especially for Jonathan Dayton and John Kerr.
The fifty- two items from Jonathan Dayton to his agent Joseph Vance
refer to Dayton's land investments along the Scioto River. Letters
contain detailed instructions on which lots to sell, to whom, and
for how much, including Dayton's tract bought by the Connecticut
Land Company ( 1002). Later letters inquire about the progress of
settlement, laying of roads, and prospects for increased land
values if the seat of government is located at Columbus. The
letters also mention dealings with and opinions of other prominent
pioneers such as James Kilbourne, Lucas Sullivant, and Thomas
Worthington. Dayton's problems with inaccurate surveys, currency
exchanges, tax payments, and numerous lawsuits are recorded, as
are his. difficulties receiving requested information from Vance.
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OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
1982 Velma Avenue. Columbus. Ohio 13211- 2497 pi,: 614297.2300 fx: 614.2g7.2411
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