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Amos Stoddard and the Territorial of Missouri

Quoted from: "The Heritage of Missouri"

Upper Louisiana, from its climate, population, soil, and productions, and from other natural advantages attached to it, will, in all human probability, soon become a star of no inconsiderable magnitude in the American constellation. – report by captain Amos Stoddard

Captain Amos Stoddard of the United States Army was appointed to receive "the quiet and peaceable possession of Upper Louisiana, together with the military posts at St. Louisiana its dependencies,: from the Spanish officials. He was to act for both the Republic of France and for the United States. Captain Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition was in St. Louis at the time and assisted in the planning for the transfer. After making careful preparations by letter, Captain Stoddard and his men landed at St. Louis on March 9, 1804. The Americans marched to the Government House, at the southeast corner of Main and Walnut, where the formal but friendly ceremony of exchange took place. Both the soft-spoken Lieutenant-Governor De Lassus and the politem, correct Stoddard spoke to the people gathered to witness the ceremony. After the signing of an agreement there was the firing of cannon salutes and an exchange of flags, then banquets and balls in fine French style. Captain Stoddard wrote, "[I] took possession of Upper Louisiana in the name of the French Republic on the 9^th day of March; and on the next day, I assumed the country and Government in the name of the United States."

No doubt the French settlers were both bewildered and troubled by these changes. One report declares that the "older inhabitants took it sadly to heart." Once again they had been traded away by their own countrymen. Stoddard described the reaction of the Creoles to the deal as follows. "they seemed to feel as if they had been sold in open market, and by this means degraded…."

Amos Stoddard temporarily acted as the Commandant of all of Upper Louisiana until provisions for government were made. Under orders from President Jefferson, he made few changes in government during his half-year tenure.

When Missouri became American in 1804, Amos Stoddard estimated that there were approximately 1500 Negro slaves in Upper Louisiana. His estimate is probably accurate since the census of 1800 shows a total 1195 slaves. The influx of southern immigrants after the Louisiana Purchase brought many more slaves into the territory.

1804 Events of Interest

1804 United States took formal possession of Louisiana

( March 10)

1804 Louisiana divided into two parts:

Territory of Orleans and Territory of Louisiana

( March 26)

1804 Lewis and Clark started expedition up the Missouri River

( May 14)

Quoted from: "Goodspeed of South East Missouri"

The first settlement in what is now Stoddard County was made not far from the year 1825. At that time Benjamin Taylor and a married son, Jacob Taylor, came from North Carolina, and located about three miles east of Bloomfield. There were two other sons, Abraham and Isaac, who made settlements. Isaac, settled two miles northwest, and Abraham, settled four miles north of Bloomfield.

Among the pioneers of Stoddard County are, John and Jonas Eaker, of North Carolina, Absalom B. Bailey, William Wray, Ephraim Snider, Thomas Neale and Jacob Miller.

After the year 1829 the territory organized as Stoddard County and was attached to Cape Girardeau County. By the court of that county is was divided into two townships. The part east of Castor River was called Pike Township, and the part to the north, Castor Township. Joseph Chapman and Thomas Wylie were appointed justices of the peace, and Joel Ramsey, constable in the first and Thomas Neale and John Eaker, justices of the peace, and William Hardin, constable in Castor Township. The first election in Pike Township was ordered to be held at the house of Jacob Miller and in Castor at the house of John Wray. The settlement went on very rapidly between 1830 and 1840. At the latter date the population numbered over 3,000.