1811 Switzerland County and Vevay. Niles Register

Dated Oct. 9, 1811, this account of Vevay is among the earliest accounts published about the Swiss Settlement. It is also one of the most detailed accounts available that covers a wide range of activities before 1820.

Niles Weekly Register, Baltimore, Vol. 1, No. 8.

By the politeness of a Swiss gentleman, residing at Vevay, Indiana territory, we have been favoured with the following sketch of the Swiss settlement; New Swisserland is situate on the right bank of the Ohio river, in Jefferson county, Indiana territory, about seven miles above tire mouth of the Kentucky.

This settlement was began in the spring of the year 1803 by some Swiss of the canton of Váud, formerly a part of the canton of Bern, their principal object is the introduction of the culture of the grape vine in this country. This settlement, or rather the place down the river to the mouth of the Venoge Creek, known by the name of Indian creek, about four miles and a half fronting the river, and extends back for the quantity of about 3700 acres of land—2500 of which they have purchased under a law in favor of J. James Dufour and his associates, allowing them twelve years to pay for it from 1802, the time of the purchase; the remainder they have bought as other purchasers, and paid for it.

The lower end, about two miles along the river, is occupied by thirteen Swiss families, containing sixty-six individuals, of every age—10 of those families have successively come to join the three first who had began the settlement. Had it not been for the difficulties in crossing the ocean, it is believed the whole distance of four and a half miles would have been filled up with as many more of those indubious people.

The improvements of the of the Swiss are considerable, Considering the time when they began, the few hands employed in them and their inexperience in the way of improving lands in this country. They have now about 140 acres in cultivation, about 8 or 9 acres more planted in vines, which are not yet bearing; and they continue planting more every year. The crop of wine of 1810 has exceeded the quantity of 2400 gallons, the quality of which has been thought, by judges of wine, superior to that of the claret of Bordeaux.

Out of the quantity about 120 gallons was white or yellow wine made out of Madeira grapes. These two kinds of wine are the only two which have hitherto succeeded, but others are going to be tried and it is very probable that some of them will also produce good wine.

When the vines are older and the vine dressers are able to let their wine acquire age before they sell it, the quality will certainly will be greatly superior to what it is now, and there is no doubt that, in the course of the number of years, the United States will be able to do without imported wine. The precious culture of the vine will be tried in different parts of the union and will undoubtedly multiply with rapidity. The Swiss will encourage it with all their power. They give vine slips gratis to whoever will plant them with instructions and directions for their cultivation

The Swiss also cultivate Indian corn, wheat, potatoes, hemp, flax and other articles necessary farmers, although in small quantities. Some of their women make straw hats, which they sell in Cincinnati and on the river to trading boats, which usually stop there to purchase them to carry to the Mississippi country where they are very ready for sale.

They are made quite different from the other straw-hats, by tying the straws together, instead of plaiting and sewing the plaits. One of Mr. J.F. Dufour's sisters first brought the art to this country, from Swisserland. As the Swiss, enlarge their vineyards every year more and more, their settlement will of greater consequence to the United States, not only in producing good and wholesome wine, but also in being a model for those who may establish new vineyards in other parts of this comment which may be found suitable for their culture.

New Swisserland has the advantage of two roads —one is a fork from the road leading from Lawrenceburg to Port William, taking off to the right, about one mile and half before arriving at Venoge, or Indian creek, and leads to Dufour's ferry. The other leads from the upper end of Jefferson County, down to Madison, all along the river. There is a post office, by the name of Vevey, which is the name of the town intended to be shortly laid off, for the accommodation of mechanics.

* On account of the great number of creeks in the United States called by the name of Indian the Swiss, who own its mouth, have thought proper to alter its name to that of Venoge, a small river in the Pays de Vaud, on the banks of which some of the Swiss spoken of here were raised.