Maysville, 1808

This is the oldest and most accustomed Landing Place on the Ohio.  The landing is good, and the mouth of the creek affords a safe harbor for boats.  At the landing are several Store Houses well accommodated for the storage of merchandise, wares, etc. these are kept by Messrs. January, Martin, and Haughy, whose obliging and accommodated dispositions, render the transaction of business with them safe and comfortable. – Their charges and commissions are considered moderate, and their attention strict and punctual.  "Maysville is in Mason county, (K) situated on the south side of the Ohio, and on the west side of Limestone creek.  It stands on a lofty and uneven bank, and is not seen from the river until you are within two miles of the town.  Mr. Ellicot, in his Journal, says “It is a miserable village.”  There is, however a great deal of business done here; it has about 70 houses, a post office, several mercantile stores, and public inns.  Vessels of considerable burden have been built here, launched and taken down the Mississippi with success.  It is 4 miles northeast of Washington, the seat of justice for Mason county.

from Zadok Cramer's The Navigator, (Wikipedia) which was an early, indispensable, influential guide for those traveling the Ohio River, had the above to say about Maysville in 1808