Early Settlement

Early Settlement (placement site is St. Marks Church Garden)

Founding of New Albany

As early as 1808, the area known as New Albany was considered a good location for a settlement due to its proximity to the Ohio River and The Falls of The Ohio. The original tract of land (part of Clark’s grant) was 826 ½ acres between the Grant line and the foot of “the knobs”. This land was surveyed, entered and purchased from the government, at the land office in Vincennes, Indiana, by Colonel John Paul of Madison, Indiana.

The Scribner brothers – Joel, Abner, and Nathaniel, from New York/Connecticut - purchased the tract in 1813, to lay out a town to be called New Albany. At that time a few cabins (squatters) existed in the area surrounded by very dense forest.

The site was platted by surveyor John Graham, who created a regular gridiron design oriented toward the river. High Street, later renamed Main, was the major business and residential artery, paralleled by Market, Spring, Elm and Oak Streets. All five streets were bisected by State Street. The Scribner brothers posted advertisements to entice settlers to the area. The following is an excerpt from the posting.

“New Albany.

This town is just laid out with spacious streets, public squares, markets, etc. It is situated on the banks of the Ohio River, at the crossing place from Louisville to Vincennes, about two miles below the falls, in the Indiana Territory, and affords a beautiful and commodious harbor.”

The Scribner Family – Founders

The Scribner name is directly and intimately connected to the growth and development of New Albany and occupies a high place on its roll of honored citizens.

The family originated in England. The name there was Skrivener, and has been traced back to Benjamin Skrivener, who, in the quaint language of the time, “Tooke to wife” Hannah Crampton, daughter of John Crampton, of Norwalk. They were married March 5, 1679, or 1680. From this couple came the Scribner’s of America, of which branches are located in many parts of the country.

Nathaniel Scribner, Sr., was the progenitor of the New Albany branch of the family (fought at and was wounded in the Revolutionary War). His sons, Joel, Abner and Nathaniel Scribner, all Connecticut natives, purchased the land and founded the town of New Albany.

The Scribner House

The Scribner House is still located on Main Street. It was built by Joel and Mary Scribner. This simple wood-frame, Federal structure is the oldest building in New Albany. The 2 ½ story house has a basement, two parlors and a hall on the first floor. A two level rear porch offers a spectacular view of the Ohio River. Today the house is owned by the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and serves as its meeting place.

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