E31 - The Interesting History of the Western Reserve

The history of the Connecticut Western Reserve, also known as the Western Reserve, is one of the most interesting histories recorded. It was an area in the Northwest Territory held, sold and distributed by the State of Connecticut in the years after the American Revolution. A part of the Western Reserve, the Firelands or the Sufferers' Lands, was set aside for sufferers who were burned out of their homes by the British during the American Revolutionary War.

In this episode, Jim and Dan talk about the history of the Western Reserve, how it was held, sold, and distributed. They will also speak about how they hope to spend their retirement, who wins Dan’s challenge from the previous episode, and what prize awaits the winner. 

Enjoy!

In This Episode

02:27 - The history of Firelands, also known as the Sufferers' Land

13:55 - How the Northwest Territory areas were sold and distributed after the American Revolution

23:23 - What led to the dissolution of Connecticut Land Company

25:49 - What the Quieting Act is all about

30:25 - What it’s like to drive in the streets of Birmingham

37:29 - Why Jim loves Alabama

43:25 - Trailing at Daniel Boone National Forest

45:38 - How Jim hopes to spend his retirement

51:47 - The winner and the prize for the challenge from the previous episode

56:54 - When and how North Ridgeville was founded

Favorite Quotes

22:00 - "We know how this happened. Oh, we're gonna go and negotiate with the Iroquois. Iroquois lived here, their whole lives. They loved their town, right. And now there are white guys coming up. He's like, hey listen, we want to talk to you guys about this. They're like, nope. You don't think Moses Cleveland walked up and goes, listen, guys, I got these 12 blankets for you. And I want you just hold them close to your face and feel how soft they are. And then like 14 weeks later, everyone in that Indian nation was sick, smallpox." - Jim Larkin and Dan Wilkinson Jr.

23:23 - "One of the problems that befell the Connecticut Land Company was the company mismanagement. Sales efforts by the company were not organized. The company did not even set up a marketing office in the Western Reserve to promote sales of the land." - Dan Wilkinson Jr.

45:40 - "I know I'm getting older. But you know what I want? I want enough property where I can head out either on a horse or on an ATV. It's right around my property in the morning, come back, grab my coffee, and walk out with my dog in the woods." - Jim Larkin

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