Summary

“A New Era Commences” traces the path of Ephraim Cutler, eldest son of the Reverend Cutler, on his journey with his family to the frontier, where he would settle. After a difficult trip, the family found themselves pleasantly surprised by the good people and good environment they saw in Marietta and its vicinity, and Cutler was offered several prestigious positions due to his father’s respected name. By 1795, he would become a highly influential figure in the region. Meanwhile, at the frontier, more money was coming in and the log cabins were being replaced one by one by better and fancier homes. Harman Blennerhassett, an Irish aristocrat married to his niece, came with his wife to Marietta in 1797 and quickly exemplified the allure of the region for wealthier residents. He had a house built for himself on...