Description

The Ohio Board of Canal Commissioners was created in 1822 through an act passed by the State of Ohio General Assembly. Early members included Thomas Worthington, Isaac Minor, and Alfred Kelley. Their duties were to examine, survey, and estimate the practicality of canals connecting the Ohio River with Lake Erie, and to make an estimation of cost. During construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal and the Miami and Erie Canal, each commissioner was responsible for certain sections of the canal, including hiring laborers, engineers, and building suppliers. In the 1830s, Commissioners continued to mange the completed waterway, employing toll collectors, maintenance laborers, and resident engineers. Commissioners also approved requests for water rights and were responsible for the canal's finances. The collection consists of payment vouchers for work done on the Ohio and Erie Canal, signed by Commissioner Alfred Kelley from 1824-1826, and on the Miami and Erie Canal, signed by Commissioner Micajah J. Williams from 1825-1826.