Page:A Topographical Description of the State of Ohio, Indiana Territory, and Louisiana.djvu/31

25 growth is large. Excellent farms are made back from the Ohio on both the Hockhockings, and on their branches where there are large bottoms, and rich swelling hills.

On the Great Hockhocking thirty miles from the Ohio, are the two college townships granted by Congress to the Ohio company for the endowment of a University. Athens, one of these townships, is beautifully situated on a bend of the river, commanding an extensive prospect. The settlements commenced in 1797. The town is laid out in a regular form; the never failing springs of excellent water are numerous; and the soil extremely rich and fertile. The number of families in the town supposed to be about one hundred. An act incorporating the university was granted in 1801. A building has been erected for the instruction of youth, who are at present under the care of a preceptor. The bottom lands on this river are more extensive and of a better quality than those on the Muskingum.

On this river thirty miles from Athens and five miles beyond the line of the Ohio company's purchase, are falls commodiously situated for any kind of water works. The descent of the water is nine feet, and the stream never fails at any season of the year. Above the falls, the land on both sides the river, is level and rich. There the hills flatten off into extensive plains. 3