FOOTNOTES:
[109] For the early history of the Scioto, see Croghan’s Journals, vol. i of this series, p. 134, note 102.—Ed.
[110] Major John Belli was a cosmopolitan, his father being French, his mother Dutch, and he himself born (1760) and educated in England. He inherited estates in Holland, but having become imbued with republican principles, emigrated to America, bearing letters of recommendation from John Jay. Belli landed at Alexandria, Virginia, in 1783 and remained there nine years, forming a personal acquaintance with Washington, Knox, and other public men. Sent west on public business in 1791, he remained as deputy-quartermaster of the army until after Wayne’s victory, when he purchased land at the mouth of Turkey Creek, and built thereon the house of which Cuming speaks. It was a large two story frame building, unusually good for the region, and was named “Belvidere.” Major Belli married a cousin of General Harrison, and although the founder of Alexandria at the mouth of the Scioto, preferred his home at Turkey Creek, where he died in 1809.—Ed.
[111] Vanceburgh, at the mouth of Salt Lick Creek, is now the county-seat for Lewis County; but Clarksburgh, a village below, was originally so chosen.—Ed.