United States History Student Edition

F A View of Marietta in 1798

By 1788, the Northwest Territory had its first permanent community of American settlers. Called Marietta, it was located in present-day Ohio. The town was built along the Ohio River, which helped it grow quickly. At first, settlers mostly came from New England. Later, they arrived from Virginia and Kentucky. Marietta was organized the way many towns were in the east. The community included four common areas, with space for a school and a church. Settlers were given one lot outside of the town for farming and one lot within the town. This drawing depicts the town of Marietta in 1798.

PRIMARY SOURCE: ILLUSTRATION

EXAMINE THE SOURCE 1. Analyzing What is shown in this illustration of early Marietta? Considering that this is a town on the frontier, does anything about the illustration surprise you? Explain. 2. Drawing Conclusions What does the illustration suggest about government in the Marietta settlement? 3. Evaluating Do you think an illustration such as this might have encouraged settlers to move to Marietta? Explain.

British Library

181

First Governments and the Constitution