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PIONEER RECORD
REMINISCENCES
EARLY SETTIiERg AND SETTLEMENT
ROSS COUNTY, OHIO.
By ISAAC J. FINLEY and RUFUS PUTNAM.
CINCINNATI:
PRINTED FOR THE AUTHORS BY ROBERT CLARKE & CO. 1871.
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PREFACE.
In emleavorlng to accomplish faithfully what is GOJitained in this worh, it has been found that notwith- standing its nan-ow scope, it has involved considerahle time, expense, labor, and dijficulties, visiting, as we have, all the most noted forts, circles, mounds, camps, caves, cliffs, etc., within the county. We have endeav- ored to portray the toils, hardships, and privations of a pioneer life, when nothing but dense deep forests, inhabited only by wild, ferocious beasts, and bloody savages, covered the land: when the only habitation was the lude wigivam of the aborigines; when the hoivl of wolves, and scream of panthers, the hum of wild bees, the hissing and rattle of the poisonous snaJce, the gobble of the wild turkey, and the shrill whistle of the red hunter, constituted all the music that broke the solemn stillness of the backwoods. The first brave and hardy pioneers lived to see those forests melt away before the tide of industry, and fields of golden grain spring up to adorn the efforts of the husbandman with abundant har- vests. Alas ! those pioneers, the brave, enterprising men who made their homes first in the western land, with few exceptions, have passed away. Their names, at least, should be remembered by those who now reap the fruits of their labors.
CONTENTS.
Boss County, Iutrodii,oUon, 5
Huntington Township, 8
Franklin Township, 34
Twin Toiunship, S9
Buckskin Township, 6o
Paxton Township, 75
Liberty Toivnship, 84
Jefferson Township, 03
Deer field Township, ■ ■ ■ PQ
Colerain Township, IQQ
Union Township, IQa
Harrison Township, IQQ
Springfield Township, m
Green Township, 77,5
Concord Township, 120
Scioto Township, 128
Paint Township, 7^7
PIONEER RECORD
OF
ROSS COUNTY, OHIO.
Inti^oduction,
A few still live who were among the first pioneers of this neighborhood. They, perhaps, are the only ones who can fully appreciate the earl}^ home life among these hills and valleys. Only those who first cleared off these rough and sterile hills, who erected the first rough cabins, with their clapboard or bark roofs and puncheon floors, with blankets and quilts for doors and oiled paper for window-glass, with chimneys built of split sticks and mud, often not higher than their heads, can now, by contrast, value properly the comforts of a good modern home. Only those who have grubbed the thick underbrush and sap- lings; who have used the ax in deadening and felling the heavy timber, the maul and wedge in making the first rails; who have chopped up the trees, piled the brush, and then been smoked almost blind while burning the logs and brush, with fingers and hands bruised and burned, and arms begrimed with smoke and dust, and clothes torn from their backs, can have any idea of the pleasure there is in contemplating a beautiful, smooth lawn, without a stump or log. None but those who have held the first plow, amid roots, stum^ss, stones, and trees, while the faithful team was pulling and jerking it along, with the roots breaking
Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
and flying back against the plowman's shins, beating and bruis- ing them from the knees down, can really enjoy the delight that this same plowman feels while holding the plow as it moves slowly along, turning the soil up to the genial raj's of the sun, without a root or stump to obstruct it. Only those who have struggled for scanty crops among these clearings and upon the rough and sterile hill-sides, can pi'operly estimate the tilling of the same fields of later years. Only those who have had to con- vey little sacks of corn on horseback, over winding cow-paths, along the sides of the hills, across the ravines and valleys, to the mill, there to wait for his grist, in order that his family might have some hasty-pudding for their evening meal, can appreciate the variety of bread, the abundance of bread material, and the conveniences of mills in our land. The little boy, often less than ten years old, would frequently, while going up the steep banks, feel his sack slipping from under him, or hanging too heavily on one side, and then he felt desolate enough. Manj^ such calamities these little pioneers had to meet. The writer of this sketch, even in his day, has experienced several such mishaps on the way to mill, and sometimes had to wait for hours on the road, until some one came along and assisted in replacing the sack.
Mills were sometimes out of the question, and then the mortar and pestle would have to be resorted to. This was one of the most primitive articles of the country, and was made in the most primitive style. A log of some hard timber, about four feet long, and twenty inches in diameter, was squared at both ends ; one end rested on the ground, while uj)on the other a small fire was kindled, so as to burn deepest into the center'. In this way a cavity was formed, called a mortar, sufficient to hold a peck of corn. Then with a pestle, made heavy by attach- ing thereto an iron wedge, the corn was beaten until the bran or hull came off. This process was assisted by adding a little scalding water from time to time. After it became thoroughly dry, and the bran was blown away, this hominy, by being well cooked, made an excellent substitute for bread. ,
Introduction.
None but those who were deprived of an edneation by the want of a common school system can realize the gi^eat benefit of our popular mode of instruction. Our pioneers had no school system, and many of them hardly knew what a school was. The children of the present day, who now have comfortable school-houses and good teachers, and all provided at the public expense, have but little idea of the desolation and ignorance which prevailed prior to the commencement of our great com- mon school system.
The territory now forming Eoss county was well timbered at the time of its first settlement, abounding in the usual variety and extent of forest trees— the sugar, beech, hickory, walnut, poplar, and the oak of the different varieties, being the princi- pal. The soil in places is very good; the larger proportion, however, is hilly and not very productive, but is very well adapted to the growing of fruit, grapes, etc., and the citizens, of later years, have turned their attention to the raising of fruit. One can scarcely pass a farm but he sees orchards and vineyards being set out, and some of them are quite extensive.
Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
Huntington Township,
Present Civil Officers of Township.
Justices of the Peace, I. J. Finley, Samuel Einehart, and A. J. Pummell ; Trustees, Joseph Einger, Samuel Einehart, and Joseph Grubb ; Treasurer, William Combs ; Clerk, Jno. W. Kel- lough ; Constables, William Wilson and John Lee; Land Ap- praiser, Thomas DeLong. Post-office, Hoopole, at Farmersville.
Huntington has never furnished any county officers under its present organization, except I. J. Finley, who represented, in part, Eoss County in the Ohio Legislature in 1868-9; and it has never had a representative in the State's prison, I believe.
In Mcintosh's Memoirs in 1789, page 13.
Daniel Boone encamped on Paint creek, September 7, 1789, near the Eock rapids, on his route from Manchester to Fort Clark, on Mad river. Gen. Putnam, on April 15th of the same year, encamped at the same place, on his route to Vincennes to treat with the Indians.
Old Pioneers.
John Cochenour, stone-mason, was in the war of 1812, now dead. Mr. Cochenour was of great service to the new settlers in building chimneys for their cabins, etc. One evening, while coming home from his work, he was belated and it grew very dark; when within a mile from home, five large wolves attacked him, and he having left his gun at home was forced to take shelter in a large dogwood tree that stood near his path, and there remain until the morning light drove his adversaries away.
Huntington 'Township.
Peter Streevey emigrated to Ohio at an early day from Pennsylvania; was in the war of 1812 as teamster; now dead; was a resident of Huntington township over sixty years; was a great hunter. He and a Mr. Eolston, of whom mention will be made in another place, started out with their guns and dogs one morning on a bear hunt. After being out for some time, being near what is called the Bald Knob, they heard the dogs barking, and going up to them they found them barking up a large chesnut tree which had been broken off at the top, leav- ing the stump some forty or fifty feet high and hollow at the top, and about twenty feet up there was another hole in the side of the stump. The two hunters thumped the tree with the butts of their guns, when a bear stuck his head out and Streevey fired, and the bear fell back into the stump. Streevej^, supposing the bear dead, and being a good climber, climbed up the stump, taking with him a stout pole which he tied to his body with his suspenders, and upon arriving at the top commenced thrust- ing his pole down on the bear, when, to his surprise, bruin ran up and out at the top and down one side and Streevey on the other; the dogs met him at the foot of the tree, and one large dog of Streevey's locked jaws with the bear, and Streevey, in the excitement, fired at the bear, but only wounded him. He hastily reloaded his gun and snapped, but his gun being of the flint lock, as all were in those days, the powder being damp, his gun missed fire, when he renewed the px-iming and killed the bear ; after which, he reascended the stump and found two cubs, which they killed. During their day's hunting they killed seven bears, among them a very large one, which had taken shelter behind the roots of a large white oak tree which had been blown down. Mr. Streevey, during his lifetime, killed a great many deer, wolves, turkeys, etc. When young he mar- ried a Miss Tabitha Thomas, whose father emigrated to Ohio in very early times, and lived for a short time in Chillicothe with his family, when but two or three log cabins had been built in the place. One day, Mrs. Streevey, when nine or ten years old, was left with her sister in charge of the cabin, near
lo Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
the banks of the Scioto river, while their mother went to the river to wash their clothing. Several Indians came into the cabin and commenced cutting off slices of venison, which they found hanging up, and roasting it on the coals. The two young girls became frightened and ran under the bed; but after awhile they thought it would not do to let the redskins eat all their meat, so slipping out from their hiding-place, they ran down to their mother and informed her of what was going on ; where- upon the mother started for the house accompanied by a neigh- bor woman by the name of McMahan, I believe. On their way they armed themselves with clapboards, such as were used in those days for roofing. On entering the cabin they commenced clearing it of its intruders by lustily applying the boards to the naked backs of the redskins, which soon made them retreat in haste. Father Streevey and wife lived to a good old age, and died lamented and beloved by all who knew them.
Robert Bishop's Reminiscences.
Eobert Bishop emigrated to Ohio from Berkeley county. Virginia, in 1805, b}^ land, in wagons; has been a resident of Huntington township sixty-four years; still living; was in the war of 1812 under Capt. George Yoakem ; was second sergeant of his company; enlisted after Hull's surrender. The company went through Upper Sandusky ; belonged to the brigade of Gen. E. Tupper ; he received for his services fortj^ acres of land. When they first encamped, while their captain was gone to rejsort, one of their men went out to cut poles to build a tent; there was, a short distance from where they commenced to pitch their tents, a horse company encamped, and this man went on the grounds of the horse companj^, claimed and cut a pole, when he was arrested by them and put under guard ; they had him under a large oak tree and guarded by several men with their horse-pistols. When Capt. Yoakem returned, he asked Mr. Bishop what that meant, seeing the men standing around the tree with their pis- tols in hand. Mr. Bishop told the captain they had one of his men under arrest. When Yoakem heard this he drew his sword
Huntington township. ii
and ordered Bishop and another of his men to arm themselves with their guns and follow him, which they did ; they marched boldly up to where the man was under the tree, the guards standing around him with pistols in hand; Yoakem marched through the guards and taking the prisoner by the arm told him to go with him. The officers of the horse company ordered the arrest of the captain, which he soon found out. when he drew his men into line and ordered them to load their pieces. When the horse company saw the hostile appearance of Capt Yoak- em's company they drew back, and so the matter ended.
Mr. Bishop relates another incident connected with his sol- dier life. One day several of the horse company started out on a reconnoitering expedition, and did not return until late in the night; sometime during the night some of the horses breaking loose from their riders, came dashing into camp, whereupon the whole camp was aroused ; a squad of the remaining company mounted their steeds, snatched their arras, which were stacked near by, and, loading them with buckshot, some having five or six shot in them, started out to look after the party which had not returned. Before going far, they met them returning, when they all came in together, the men restacking their arms. On the next morning one of the men was cleaning his gun; Mr. Bishop and another of the company were standing near by, when he sna]3ped it, the gun went off, the contents passing be- tween Mr. Bishop and the other soldier, whose name is forgotten, so close they both felt the wind of the balls as they passed, and striking a man standing near, killed him instantly, two balls passing through his body, and breaking the leg of another man named Hill, I believe.
Mr. Bishop was a home hunter, and helped to kill many bears and wolves; was justice of the peace for many years, besides holding several other township offices.
Henry Bishop, father of Robert, emigrated to Ohio at the same time with Robert ; purchased land in Huntington town- ship in 1806, and died in 1820, at the age of ninety-eight. Jacob and George Vincentheller were old hunters. Paul Stree-
1 1 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
vey was in the Eevolutionary war. David and Jacob Toops were both in the war of 1812. John Lewis and George Yincentheller were the first settlers on what is known as the Alum Cliffs. John Methias was justice of the peace and county commissioner, in the first organization of the township, for some time. John Scantlin was in the Indian war of 1791, under Gen. St. Clair. John Yoakem was under Gen. Tupper, in the war of 1812. Job Haynes and George Grove were in the war of 1812, under Capt. William Keyes, of Huntington township, and were in Hull's surrender. Henry Long was sergeant in Capt. Elliott's home company. David Elliott was also in the war of 1812. George Euffner, whose biography will appear in another place, was in the war of 1812; was a great Indian fighter, and was in Hull's surren- der. George Houseman was in the war of 1812, and under Hull at the time of his surrender. Stanley Seyraore was in the Indian war of 1791. Daniel Toops was in the war of 1812; weaver by trade, and farmer; now dead. David Shoemaker was in the war of 1812, under Capt. Keyes. Daniel Grubb was in the war of 1812; was a home hunter ; killed several bears on his farm during his lifetime ; lived to be very old ; was an excellent farmer and a good citizen.
List of Old Pioneers furnished by Mrs. Mary W. Finley.
Isaac Jordan, in war of 1812; now dead. Eichard Elliott emigrated from Ireland at an early day, and settled in the town- ship ; was in war of 1812 ; a weaver by trade. William Sadler. Jacob Seeleg was in war of 1812; started to go as substitute, but on arriving at Chillicothe the man he was going for had obtained some one in his place, when he volunteered in Captain Keyes' company, but, being a good gunsmith, was detailed to work at that business. Alex. Monroe. Henry Wilt was in the war of 1812; still living; wagon-maker by trade. Eichard Honold, Thos. McCann, George Meyers, in the war of 1812 as teamsters; all dead. David Shotts, William McCann, Jos. Offort, Sr., Martin Howard, Nancy Park, John McCalley, David Mur- phy, Jacob Maurey, Peter Lightle (who served many years as
Huntington 'Township. 13
justice of the peace, and in other township offices), Frederick Baker, John Kilbourne, Peter Stagner, Michael Thomas (was an early settler, and a great hunter, in connection with Peter Streeveyand Benjamin Rolston, whose names appear in another place in this work). Henry Miskel, an old colored man, was among the first settlers, and deserves some notice. He rendered great service, daring the war of 1812, in assisting the women and children in taking care of the harvests during the general call, as harvest came on during the men's absence. I believe all the white men in the township at that time, except, perhaps, three, had to go. Miskel was a very large, stout man, and worked almost night and day in securing the crops of his neighbors. He lived to be very old. He did not know his own age.
BenniugWentworth, father of Mrs. Finley, and grandfather of Hon. I. J. Finley, served five years in the war of the Revo- lution as drummer, and three years in the French war; was a native of the State of Maine. He emigrated to Ohio in 1816, served for many j^ears as justice of the peace, and was, I be- lieve, the second male school-teacher in the township, a Mr. Gilfillen being the first. School was taught in a log cabin, with puncheon floor and oiled paper for glass lights. Phebe, his wife, was the first female teacher in the township. All the schools in those early days were sustained by subscription. Mrs. Wentworth organized, I believe, the first Sabbath -school, which she taught for several years at her own house. Mr. Wentworth and wife were members of the Baptist Church. They lived to a good old age, and died lamented and beloved by all.
A. P. Wentworth, the eldest son of Benning and Phebe Wentworth, was an earlj^ settler, and lived in the township for many years. He served during a long period as justice of the peace, clerk of township, etc. Was still living in Kansas, at last accounts, and holding office. Benjamin Wentworth, another son, was one of the first in the township who kept a store. He served for several years as justice of the peace, etc. ; now dead.
14 Pioneer Record of Ross Counly, Ohio.
Names of Pioneers and Incidents furnished by Mrs. Mary Hester.
Jiimes Finley, the father of Mrs. Hester, emigrated from Irehind in 1811 ; his family consisted of himself, his wife, and seven children — five sons and two daughters: John, father of Hon. I. J. Finle}', and for many years justice of the peace, and who held other township offices, died in 1858; James; Moses, for many years township treasurer; William, served through^the Mexican war, and died several years since of cholera in Cincin- nati; Isaac, carpenter by trade, now dead; daughters, Mary (Mrs. Hester) and Jane. They traveled from New Haven to Pittsburg, over the Alleghany mountains, in wagons; from there they came in a boat to Manchester, and lived near West Union, on the banks of Brush creek, for a short time, when the country was little more than a wilderness, the nearest neighbor being three miles away. They came to Huntington township soon after. Seth Vanmeter, a noted backwoodsman and hunter, killed a large panther a short distance from his residence; it measured nine feet from tip to tip. It was not an unusual thing to scare up a bear in those early days, or to see droves of wild turkeys crossing j^our path, or herds of deer galloping over the hills, or to hear the wolves howling around at night. Snakes were very numerous. Mrs. Hester killed a large rattlesnake as it was passing through the cabin door; it had sixteen rattles on its tail.
Benjamin Eolston, the noted hunter, while out on his farm one morning saw quite a large bear, which he and his dogs at- tacked. The bear fought until she put the dogs to flight, when Eolston dispatched her with his gun. Mr. Solston, while out one very cold night, lost his way and perished near his own home. Thus died one of the bravest hunters of his time.
Mrs. Hester is now living near the old Indian trail leading from Chillicothe to Portsmouth. Eeuben Elliott emigrated from Virginia at a very early day ; was a soldier in the Eevolutionary war ; died at the age of ninety, and was buried with the honors of war. Eobert McCann was a soldier in the Eevolution ; fought under General Washington at Brandywine ; kept hotel
Huntington 'Township. 15
in early days — sign, Three Kegs. Peter Clark, emigrated to Ohio from Kentucky ; he was slightly deranged, and was a great hunter; would often fire the woods in large circles, for the pur- pose of shooting deer and other wild animals. Benjamin Ma- lone emigrated to Ohio from Kentucky about the year 1800; was bearer of dispatches from Chillicotho to Detroit after Hull's surrender; he passed through Columbus before there was a house erected in the place ; is still living. William Heness em- igrated to Ohio from Virginia; was a member of an independ- ent company in the war of 1812, and took an active part in the defense of Fort Stephenson. David Ogden served "three years in the war of 1812. James Gladstone emigrated from Scotland at a very early day ; traveled in a wagon from New York to Pittsburg with his wife ; floated down the Ohio river in a canoe to Portsmouth ; they traveled from Portsmouth to Chillicothe on foot; settled in Huntington township when quite a wilderness. James Wilson came from Kentucky to Ohio ; enlisted for the war of 1812 at the age of fifteen years ; he is a cooper by trade, and is still living. Stacey Dcvinney, mill- wright by trade; fought as a soldier in the battle of New Or- leans, under General Jackson ; was a great admirer of the old hero. At the time Jackson was elected president in 1828, Hun- tington township gave him but eleven votes, I believe. At this election John H. Kobinson, or better known as "Hoopole " Rob- inson, made a bet of a barrel of whisky with Devinney that he (Jackson) would not get that many votes, Devinney winning the bet, of course.
Aaron Vanscoifs Reminiscences.
Mr. Aaron Vanscoy emigrated from Virginia to Ohio, in 1804, with his father, Aaron, Sr., in wagons; they settled in Gallia county, and remained there five or six years ; from there they came to Eoss County, and settled in Huntington township. He was in the war of 1812, under Captain Northup, Colonel Safford, and General Ed. Tupper; served six months; he be- longed to a rifle company, and traveled on foot to Urbana ; he
1 6 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
never received any pay, although promised six dollars a month ; he furnished his own arms, clothing, blankets, etc. He has often, when the mud and water were knee deep, made his bed by cut- ting a pile of brush, and spreading his blanket on top of it. He afterward received a warrant for one hundred and sixty acres of land, which was all the compensation he ever had for his services. He is still living, at the age of eighty-two. He has seen hundreds of Indians in the early days in the township ; he was a hunter, and has killed many deer, and helped to kill several bears, wolves, turkeys, etc., which were very plentiful when' he first settled in the township. He has heard the screams of the panther where he now lives, on what is called Indian creek. He used to trap a great many wolves on his farm in early days.
Enoch Vanscoy was in the employ of the government dur- ing the war of 1812, driving hogs; is still living. Wm. Haynes, Eev. Isaac Murphy, of the Eaptist denomination, John Camp- bell, Jacob Day, Benjamin Smith, and David Eidgeway, were in the war of 1812.
Henry NeborgalVs Reminiscences.
Mr. Neborgall's father emigrated to Ohio,> in 1808, with his family, consisting of six children, to-wit : Jacob, John, Cathe- rine, George, James, and Henry, ray informant, who has been a resident of Huntington township fifty-three years. He has seen many deer, turkeys, wolves, etc. He says, one day, when quite a lad, he was sent out by his father to haul wood near the house, and while thus employed he saw a gang of large wolves after the sheep in the field, and tried to get the dog to attack them ; but the dog seemed to be frightened and would not go near them. He then took a billet of wood and drove them ofP him- self, and saved the sheep. At another time, Mr. Neborgall's wife heard the screaming of a child in the woods at no great distance, and ran to see what was the matter. Upon arriving in sight of the child, she found it to be a cousin of Mr. Nebor- gall, named Waggey, who had been sent on an errand to a
Huntington 'Township. 17
neighbor's house, and, to her horror and surprise, she saw that five large wolves had attacked the poor little fellow. About the time Mrs. Neborgall arrived, a Mr. Peter Cockerell came to their aid, and they drove the wolves away, thus, in all proba- bility, saving the lad's life. On another occasion, Mr. Nebor- gall and a Mr. Joseph Haynes started one night to Chillicothe, with their marketing, on horseback. After jogging along for some time, they heard what they supposed to be the voice of some one hallooing who had lost his way in the thick -woods, which were very common in those days. They answered sev- eral times, and the sound came nearer and nearer. The trav- elers were soon satisfied that it was no human voice, but that of the panther. They put whip to their horses, the screams still following nearer and nearer, until they came to a clearing where another neighbor lived, on the Limestone road, when their unwelcome follower left them, for which they were very thankful. Mr. Neborgall says he was very well acquainted with William Hewitt, the hermit. Mr. Neborgall lived near him during his hermitage, and visited him often. Mr. Hewitt came from Virginia about the year 1808, I think. He first hunted awhile on the Big Kanawha, wiiere he killed bears and deer, and sold their skins to the hands at the salt works on that river. He used the bearskin for his bed, and had a shanty made from the bark of trees. When I first saw Hewitt, forty-five j'cars ago, he occupied a shanty made of bark on Crooked creek, near Mr. Daniel Shotts', not far Irom Farmersville. He lived there during the summer, and when cold weather came on he removed to a log cabin which had been built and roofed, on the land near James Toops. The cabin had no doors or windows cut out, and was erected on sideling ground, one side being raised some dis- tance from the ground ; the hermit dug the earth away on this side for an entrance. Here he lived for about four years, em- ploying his time mostly by hunting, and sustaining himself on the meat of the bear and deer. One Saturday evening, while returning to his cabin near the Pinnacle Knob, he killed a small deer of the "toehead " species, as he called it. He tied its legs
Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
together, swung it around his neck, and started on his way. After going a short distance he saw a very large buck, and, as he expressed himself, he "blazed away," and killed him. He tied this one's legs together, as before, and thus, with his two deer swung around his neck, he marched home. From this cabin he removed to the celebrated cave on the Portsmouth pike. Mr. Neborgall says he often visited him at his cave, and he, in return, would visit at Mr. Neborgall's house, and was very sociable after once becoming acquainted. He told me, says Mr. Neborgall, that he came from Virginia, and told me often the cause of his leaving and living as he did, not in just these words, but gave me to understand the cause to be this: He was married, and one morning he started on a tramp from which he did not expect to return for several days ; but from some cause he returned that night, and on arriving at his home he found, to his surprise, another man occujiying his couch with his wife. His first thought was to kill them both, but on further reflec- tion concluded he could live alone, and enjoy himself in the wilds of the forest, so he left for Ohio. He never returned to Virginia, but used often to speak of his wife. His mode of pre- paring his vension was to take the fleshy parts of the hams, and then build a fire of wood and let it burn to coals; he would then drive sticks in the ground around the bed of coals, and place thereon the flesh thus taken from the bones, letting it diy very hard, This he would use for bread ; the bony pieces he would broil on the coals for his meat. He was a verj^ large and muscular man, and seeminglj^ intelligent. His clothing consisted of skins dressed by himself, which gave him the ap- pearance of a wild man. He had in his cave his Bible, which he read during the greater portion of the Sabbath day. He was never known to hunt on that day. Mr. Neborgall says the last talk he had with Hewitt was a short time before he became sick so as to be confined to bed. He had quite a bad cough, and said he had gone down on the Scioto bottoms for some purpose, and was belated and overtaken by a very severe rain-storm ; it growing very dark he concluded he could not find his way,
Huntington Township. 19
so he built ji fire in the forks of a large fallen hickory tree in the pasture of Mr. James Davis, and there awaited the return of morning. It rained on him all night, from which exposure he took a cold that finally put an end to this truly singular man. The following incident is related of him: A gentleman quite well dressed rode up to the front of his cave one morning, and without ceremonj^ saluted him in this manner: "Well, old fellow, I have come to get the history of your life." Hewitt re- plied : "You leave here quick, or I will give you a history of hell." He left.
Mrs. Mary Hester, who was personally acquainted Avith Mr. Hewitt for several years, says he was a large, portly man, rather good looking, dressed in buckskin of his own make; he carried a long flint-lock rifle and a tomahawk, and depended on his rifle for subsistence. He would sometimes exchange his ven- ison for salt and ammunition. He was an extraordinary singer and whistler. He occupied a small cave situated on the Ports- mouth pike. There is a small mound erected to his memory above the cave. He was taken sick in his cave, but did not die there, being removed to Waverly before his death, where he was kindly cared for until he breathed his last. He was a peaceable, inoff'ensive man, of temperate habits, and generally beloved b}^ all who were acquainted with him.
The cave is under a shelving rock which juts out about fif- teen feet in the center, and extends fifteen feet each way from the center, and is about five feet high in front of the cave. The rocks have been torn away to some extent in constructing the Chillicothe and Portsmouth pike, which passes immediately in front of the cave. Under this shelving rock is another one, which was used by the hermit to build his couch upon. The cave is partly inclosed by a circular wall. The following is the inscription on his monument, erected by T. S. Hammon :
Wm. Hewitt, the Hermit, occupied this cave fourteen years, while all was a wilderness around him. He died in 1834, aged seventy years.
20 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
William Chestnut, Sr.'s, Eeminiscences.
Ml'. Chestnut emigrated to the Northwestern Territory in 1798, with his father's family, consisting of five children, to-wit: Daniel, William, Margaret, Polly, and Benjamin. Daniel Chestnut was in the \Yhisk3^ Insurrection under General Wash- ington. His grandfather emigrated from Scotland, and his grandmother from Ireland to Portsmouth, Ohio ; from there they came on foot b}' the old Indian trail to what is now Chilli- cothe, and settled. The}' lived there four years, and then moved on the hill where they lived three years. He afterward pur- chased two hundred and sixty acres of land from Genei'al Massie on Indian creek, in Huntington township. The first abode of Mr. Chestnut was an old waste house, where he lived ten days. The bed was made of crotches and clapboards. The second dwelling-place, a tent made from an old wagon-cover. The cabin he built on the land he purchased fi-om General Massie was sixteen by eighteen feet, and seven feet high, pun- cheon floor, old-fashioned style. Their food consisted of wild meat, such as bear, deer, turkey, etc., and hominy. The hominy was made in a wooden mortar or hand-mill. Every one would have to await his turn at this mill. Mr. Chestnut was a great hunter; he has killed all kinds of wild game. He had started, to Chillicothe with his team at one titne, and when on the way he met a very lai-ge bear, and concluded he was too good a prize to be lost. He took out his lead-horse and gave chase, carrying his rifle with him, and ran the bear some distance into the woods, where he succeeded in shooting him, after which he dressed and weighed him, finding that he made four hundred l^ounds net meat, perhaps the largest bear ever killed in Ohio. The meat was equally divided between himself and a neighbor, Wm. Thompson, and salted down. Wolves were very numerous in those days. Farmers who were lucky enough to have sheep had to build high pens for their protection. During one night Mr. Chestnut lost forty head of his best sheep by those sneak- ing rascals. The bears would frequently kill their hogs and carry them ofi' into the dense forests. Snakes were also very
Huntington 'Township.
numerous. Mr. Chestnut was once bitten by a copperhead, which confined him to his bed for several weeks. He served as the first justice of the peace for a term of seventeen years- Here I will give an incident that occurred in those early days, during his official term: A Mr. Ogden was in Chillicothe one day on some business, in company with a man calling himself Shears, who, in conversation with Mr. Ogden, told him that he wished to purchase a small piece of land in the vicinity of Chil- licothe. Ogden told him he would sell him a piece, when Shears proposed to go home with him and look at the land. They started, Shears, having no horse, trudging along on foot. Get- ting late, Ogden proposed that his companion should get up and ride behind him, which proposition was thankfully accepted. It seems that Mr. Ogden had some money tied up in the corner of his handkerchief. All money in those days was gold and silver, and could not be so handily carried as we do our greenbacks in pocket-books now. Ogden had twelve or fifteen dollars in his handkerchief, and had put it in his coat-pocket, but did not think of such a thing as his friend behind him ab- stracting it. They traveled home together, and when they entered the cabin Mr. Ogden's children came fondling around him. After being seated, he felt for his money, and found that handkerchief and all was gone. Mr. Ogden went to Es- quire Chestnut's, procured a warrant, and had Shears arrested, when he confessed the crime and gave up the money. The 'Squire ordered him to be committed to jail. Shears told the constable, after they had started on their way, he would rather take thirty lashes than go to jail. The night being very dark, the constable concluded that was the easiest way to get relieved of his pris- oner and consented. Mr. Chestnut was directed to cut the switches; whereupon he went to the woods near by, and soon returned with five stout switches or withes. They then tied the prisoner to a mulberry tree near by, and Mr. Ogden com- menced to apply them lustily to the prisoner's back. He would hit him a few cuts and then bathe his back with whisky, and exhort the prisoner to better deeds. After applying the thirty
22 Pioneer Record of Ross County^ Ohio.
lashes, save one, the prisoner was untied and permitted to go his way, if not a better man, perhaps wiser.
Mr. Chestnut was captain of the militia for several years, and died April 23, 1851, aged eighty-three years. He helped to cut out the old Zane trace, now the Limestone road. He and a Mr. "William Eichie were chosen, and acted as spies to watch the movements of the Indians in the upper end of the county, while Colonel Barnes was stationed at Waverly with his men. The Colonel wished to get some orders from Chillicothe, and started on his horse, and the two spies on their mission on foot. When on the dividing ridge, a large turkey ran across their path. Richie threw off his blanket and gave chase. Barnes, in the meantime, coming up, saw the blanket lying in the path, and, supposing there were Indians about, wheeled his horse, and started back full tilt, when Chestnut, who was standing under a tree, sheltering himself from the rain — it raining hard — hailed him, and explained matters, when each went his way.
William Chestnut, at the breaking out of the war of 1812, vol- unteered the 9th day of May, 1813, in Captain William Rutley's company, under Colonel Denny, which was in General Tupper's brigade, and on the 10th of the same month started for Fort Meigs, and served about ninety days, when he returned to Chilli- cothe, and was there dismissed. He received a land warrant in 1824, and was paid eight dollars per month for his services. When a boy, Mr. Chestnut, in July, 1798, saw an Indian chief, Captain Johnny, shoot the war-chief Toa-willa-wa. The bullet entered his forehead, and scattered his brains for some distance around on the ground. His squaw was present at the time, and bemoaned her loss by tearing her hair and other demon- strations of her terrible sorrow. The chief was buried in his costume and armor. In 1798, an Indian, who was intoxicated, rode his horse round in a circle for some time. A white man by the name of Thompson was standing near, when the Indian exclaimed: "I killed Thompson's father and brothers," at which Thompson became so enraged he made for the Indian,
Huntington Township. 23
and dealt him a heavy blow upon the head, which felled him dead at his feet. This so enraged the Indians of the neighbor- hood that they demanded Thompson, that they might avenge their supposed wrongs. But Tiiompson managed to escape, and fled the country. The Indians hunted for him for twO long years, but Thompson did not return for seventeen years. Mr. Chestnut has been married twice. His last wife died October 24, 1869. He still lives on his farm with his grand- son, Josiah Chestnut.
The following names of old pioneer settlers are furnished by Mr. Chestnut: Benjamin Chestnut, son of Daniel Chestnut, lives on his farm ; was two years old when his father landed in Ohio. Lemuel Chestnut, carj^enter, died at the age of sixty- seven. James Chestnut is living, and occupies the old home- stead. John Chestnut was a farmer; is now dead. Peter Cockerell is still living, but very frail; aged eighty years; William Lockwood, now dead ; William Selby, Sen., still living, and Larkin Selby; were all soldiers in the war of 1812. John Thompson was a great Indian killer in 1798. Hoeery McAllis- ter was in the war of 1812. Charles Chestnut was a famous hunter, Michael Thomas, whose name appears in another part of this work, was in the war of 1812, and in Wayne's campaign was one of the bravest men during the war, with Captain Keys, William Chandler, and Solomon Trego. Henry Montgomery emigrated to Ohio in 1797, and was drowned in Paint creek in 1800. George Funk was iii the war of 1812 ; also, Francis Kile, Heniy Strong, Lewis Wheaton, and Uriah Hurley.
Old Resident Settlers.
John Long, who served in the war of 1812, now dead, lived to a good old age. He held in his lifetime several town- ship ofiices, and was beloved and respected by all who knew him. John Bdgington lived in the township for many years; a good citizen; now dead. John Toops, shoemaker, is still living, and is very old. A. P. Riley, local preacher, is still living. Noah Hollis, still living, held several town-
24 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
ship offices. Jacob Bishop, blacksmith and carpenter, held sevei-al township offices; now dead. Daniel Shotts, quite a home hunter in his younger days, is still living. John Men- denhall, an old citizen, is still living. Henry Haynes is still living. Michael T. Streevey, an old hunter, has killed as many deer and wild turkeys, in his day,. as any man of his age in the township; still living. William Thomas, a great hunter and fisherman, is still living. Jacob Sheets, tailor and farmer, is still living. .John Gribson was a great singer and a good citizen. Benjamin Henis, now quite frail, has held several township offices. Jacob Blessing is still living, but very poor in health. Moses Finley, for many yeai's township treasurer, has gone West. Richard Boycr, for mau}^ years justice of the peace and trustee of township. Andrew McCoUister, for many years justice of the peace, school teacher, etc., moved West some years ago; is still living. Robert Ralston, a great raiser of stock, etc., is still living. His father, whose name appears in another place in this work, was a great hunter. Richard and Robert Elliott are still living. Ebenezer Rozell, Sen., 1 believe, was in the war of 1812; dead for many years. Milbourn Palmer held several township offices; now dead. Enos Rinehart, grocer, and trustee of township for several years, is still living. Henry R. Bishop, trustee of township for several years, is now living, but has been confined to his bed for several years with rheumatism. T. C. Robinson, still living, has served as town- ship officer. David Nelson, still living, has held several town- ship offices. John Seelig held several township offices; was captain of militia, etc.; is still living. P. G-. Selby held town- ship offices; is still living. Samuel P. Long, trustee of town- ship for several years, is now keeping a hotel in Chillicothe. John Murphy is still living. B. S. Ruley, carpenter and farmer, for several years justice of the peace, trustee, etc., is living. John Clutz, farmer, is living. George Lytic, for many years constable, is yet living. John M. Haynes held several town- ship offices; living. James Toops, trustee of township for sev-
Huntington Township. 2,5
eral years, is living. ' Abram Streevey served several years as trustee of township ; living. Bartholomew Eeihle, a resi- dent for many years, is now in Minnesota. He emigrated at an early day from Germany, and was truly one of our best German citizens. Lawrence Lowery, farmer, emigi-ated to Ohio from Germany several years since; living. James Lenox, Sen., emigrated from Ireland; was several years a resident of Hun- tington township ; is quite aged ; yet living. James Lenox, Jr., served several years as township trustee; is living. Benning Wentworth, carpenter, a great marksman, hunter, and wrest- ler in boyhood, is now living near Lattaville. Samuel E. Posey, farmer, a Pennsylvanian b}^ birth, served as trustee of township. Francis Hester, German by birth, has been a resi- dent of the township for several years, a good citizen ; is still living. Daniel Recob has been dead for several years. David Miller, constable for several years, is now dead. Jacob Yan Gundy was constable for several years. Darken Selby was in the war of 1812 ; dead for several years. Simon Johnson, was drummer for militia during the war of 1812; still living. Henry Cramer was in the war of 1812 ; is still living. Also> John and William Miller. Hector Sanford emigrated to Ohio, in 1797, from the District of Columbia, in a canoe, with his slave Thomas Watson. They landed at the big bend on the Scioto, above the mouth of Paint creek. His entire record will be given in full in another place. John England and Robert McCollister, and another whose name is not known, voted in the township for Andrew Jackson for President in 1S21, heonly receiving three votes in the township.
David Shotts, father of Mrs. Margaret Bishop, emigrated to Ohio from Virginia in the year 1810; was in the Revolutionary war, and stood guard at Frederick city; was also in the Whisky insurrection. He died, in the year 1825, in the following manner: He had been away from home and was returning, when he was overtaken, near bis own home, by a severe thunder storm, and took shelter under a large oak tree, which was struck by light- ning; he was there found dead; there were seven other trees
i6 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
struck near the spot, from appearances, at the same time. Mr. Shotts was quite a hunter, and in early days killed several bears, some two or three on his own farm. His familj^ con- sisted often children, to- wit: Catherine, Jacob, Elizabeth, Mar- garet, Hannah, Mary, Daniel, Sophia, Susan, and Jonas, all living except Catherine.
Jacob Grubb was in the war of 1812. He came to his death, several years since, in the following manner: He and some two or three neighbors went into Paint creek to bathe, Grubb being a great swimmer. They were in the water sometime, when, as Grubb was swimming across a deep hole, he was seen to sink, and before he could bo rescued was drowned. It is sup- posed he was taken with cramp.
George EuflPner emigrated to the Scioto Yalley, in 1798, from Eanawha, Virginia, and settled on the waters of Paint creek, near Chillicothe. The foundation of his cabin is yet visible. He was a fearless, brave, and daring hunter; had a great antip- athy to the Indians, in consequence of the killing of his father and mother by them, in 1791, on the Kanawha. He lived by hunting panthers, bears, wolves, and deer, and would kill, during his hunting excursions, any straggling Indians that crossed his path. During the wars of 1791 and 1812 he served as a spy. He moved his headquarters on the head waters of the Mohiccan, was frequently in company with the renowned Indian killers, Wetzel and Hughes. A few days after the burning of Greentown, a party of Indians was discovered upon the banks of the Mohiccan Lake. The discoverer was Bunty Billy. It appears that the Indians had recognized Billy at the same time he saw them. Billy at first attempted to run away, but the Indians called to him to stop, telling him that they would not hurt him; he stopped. The Indians approached him in a friendly manner, calling him good boy, etc. "Do you know a family by the name of Seymore?" asked a tall Indian. "Yeth thir, I geth I do, thir," said Billy. "Do you know a man by the name of EuflFner?" "Yeth thir, but I'd tbay to you, thir, not to put yourthelf in hith way, thir. He ith
Huntington 'Township. 27
a perfect devil, thir, when he ith not in a good humor, thir." "All right," said the Indian, and the Indians took their leave, and Billy hastened home to inform Euffner of his discovery. Instantly Euffner seized his rifle and set out in pursuit of the Indians. He soon got on their trail and followed them to the cabin of Seymore. The Indians had entered the cabin door when they were soon joined by Euffner. On their entry they appeared friendly, shaking hands with the whole family; nor were the famil}^ alarmed, as the visitations of Indians were fre- quent. But Euffner's sudden apj^earance aroused the suspicions of Philip Seymore. Euffner thinking that they would not dare to attempt an assault upon the family in his presence, insisted upon Philip, as he was the most fleet on foot, to run into the settlement and gather up some friends. As soon as Philip had left the cabin, Euffner immediately noticed a sudden change in the countenances of the savages; they cast upon each other significant looks and glances, as much as to say: "He is gone for aid, and now is our time." A deep, death-like silence now reigned in the lonely forest cabin. Kate Seymore could no longer endure this deathly gloom. Advancing toward Euffner, she said : " Oh, Euffner, we shall all be killed!" Euff- ner, who had sat eyeing the savages with a tiger's look, sprang to his feet and exclaimed, in a stentorian voice : " Imps of hell, leave this place this moment, or I will send your bloody red spirits to the burning pit of hell," advancing toward them. Instantly the Indians sprang from their seats, and made an attack upon the heroic Euffner with uplifted tomahawks. In the bloody conflict he killed three of the murderous savages, bat, being overpowered by their united strength, fell a lifeless bleeding corpse upon the cabin floor. The remaining savages then turned upon the aged and helpless couple, who sat like petrified statues, gazing with a vacant stare upon the terribly bloody scene around them. Two tall savages, with tomahawks uplifted, dripping with the blood of the murdered Euffner, dealt each a blow upon their heads, and they, too, fell in the aofonies of death.
28 Pioneer Record of Ross County^ Ohio.
Poor Kate was an eye-witness to the dreadful tragedy. She was comijelled to hand over all the money of her murdered father, and cook dinner for the murderous Indians. Immedi- ately after dinner Kanotchey, the brutal chief, approached Kate and sunk his tomahawk deep in her head. She, too, fell to rise no more.
The savages then left the cabin, concealing themselves in the deep, dark forest. Philip, on returning with help, entered the yard, and seeing the blood}^, mangled body of Eutfner, sprang into the cabin, where his worst fears were realized. The sight was shocking. Poor Kate, the once romping, laughing, beau- tiful, rosy-cheeked Kate — there she lay beautiful in death. Philip, on beholding her lifeless form, and those of his beloved parents and the noble Euffner, gave vent to a flood of tears, and exclaimed: "'Tis done; I am left alone." Said he to his neigh- bors: "Blood for blood shall be my motto." Bidding them fare- well, he bounded into the deep forest, becoming an Indian killer. His home was the forest; his covering, the blue sky; his food, wild meat. He would lay in ambush, and every straggling Indian that hove in sight he would kill. Near the close of the war, while seated on a high bluff near the Mohiccan, in a narrow bottom below, he saw a large, straight, tall Indian in shooting dis- tance. He cocked his gun, took ainl, fired, and killed the sav- age. He descended and walked to the place where the Indian lay. On examination of his costume and person, he found it was Kanotchey, the murderer of his sister. Philip said: "I am now avenged." He then returned to his home on the Mohiccan.
Race for Life, etc.
Michael Thomas, whose name appears in another part of this work, was a spy under Wayne, and traveled all over the North - western Territor3^ At one time, when out reconnoitering, he saw five or six Indians not far from him, and nearly at the same time the Indians saw Thomas and gave chase. Thomas, being very swift of foot, eluded his pursuers for some time, but the Indians could outwind him, and commenced gaining on
Huntington Township. 29
him so fast be began to look for a biding-place. As be ran along almost out of breath, be saw a large poplar tree which bad fallen, and the bark from the log bad fallen off and rolled up, and Thomas ran to it, threw in his gun and crawled in after. The Indians being so near, Thomas was almost sure they saw him, but it seems they did not. They came up and stood on the bark, immediately over Thomas" body, and he was sure they could hear bis heart throbbing; for he says he thought it seemed to raise the bark above him with the Indians standing upon it. But to his astonishment and great satisfaction, the Indians passed on without discovering him. He lay in his hiding-place all that day, and when night came on he crawled from it and made his Avay to the first post of safety.
At another time when Mr. Thomas was out on a scout, while standing on the banks of the Ohio river, he saw coming down the bank, on the opposite side, three large Indians. He then bid himself The Indians came down to the water and lay down to drink, when Thomas leveled his long and trusty rifle at one of their beads and fired, when the Indian tumbled head first into the turbid stream. The remaining two Indians fled into the deep forests, leaving their companion food for the fishes.
The Mistaken Shot.
Mr. Thomas and Peter Stveevey, son-in-law of Thomas, and whose name appears in another part of this work, started out one fine morning on a bear hunt. After being out several hours, near where the Baptist church now stands, on the side of a hill, Thomas told Streevey he saw a bear at the foot of the hill through the vines and brush, and pointed out the object to Streevey. Streevey told him he did not think it was a bear, but Thomas insisted it was a bear, and told Streevey to shoot. Streevey refused, saying it was no bear, but if be thought it was to shoot it himself. But Thomas still insisted on Streevey's shooting, when be finally consented and fired. When the would- be bear fell, they heard the jingle of a bell, and Thomas exclaimed :
30 Pioneer Record of Ross County ^ Ohio.
"You rascal, you have shot my breeding mare;" and when the two hunters reached the spot, behold, to their astonishment there lay Thomas' old black mare, stone dead. In those early days the hoz'ses and cattle of the pioneers were allowed to range at large, and would travel for miles away among the hills and valleys, and the owners would put bells on their stock, so that they could be more easily found when needed.
Natural Curiosities, etc.
The Alum cliffs are on Paint creek. What is called the court house is a circular formed cave, the circle being about three hundred feet around, the rocks projecting over about twenty or thirty feet, from which the water trickles down con- tinually. At the north end of this circular cave is a solid rock twenty feet square. The cliff of rock is about four hundred yards in length, and about one thousand feet above the level of the water, with alum and other salts. There are several other caves, one about thirty feet in hight, and extending into the rocks consider- able distance. Another cave is called the bake oven, by the old pioneers, from its similar appearance. All the way around the cliff is a ledge or layer of rock about four feet apart ; the under or lower layer is about four inches and the upper layer about two inches in thickness. On the other side of the creek is a similar layer of about the same thickness and like kind of rock. It seems as though at one time they were united, but by some eruption of nature had been sundered to make way between the hills for the passage of the stream. Also, at the north end of this circular cave, is another cliff, about half a mile in length, of solid rock. In this cliff is another circular cave about one hun- dred yards in circumference, and extends back under the rocks fifty feet, and about one hundred feet in hight. About one mile from this cave is still another large cliff about six hundred feet in hight and three hundred yards in length, which, from some unknown cause, took fire, proving thereby that this earth con- tains elements of its own destruction. This fire burned without cessation for the space of nine months. At the north end of this
Huntington Township.
cliff are three ancient graves covered with stone, about three feet high and twelve feet in length. In these cliffs is a kind of mineral pronounced by a geologist to be sulphurous acid ; there is also saltpeter to a considerable extent. Several years ago some gentlemen, whose names are forgotten, undertook to and did manufacture saltpeter there, but not finding it in quantities suf- ficient to pay, abandoned the undertaking. ' The cliffs are situ- ated on the banks of Paint creek, which name was derived from the Indians, there being a bank of red clay on said creek, near the beautiful village of Bainbridge, where the Indians, before going on their war path, would resort to paint themselves with this red clay. In early days these cliffs were a great harboring place for wild animals, such as panthers, bears, wolves, and foxes, and many an old hunter has been foiled in securing his game by its hiding in those rocks and caverns.
These cliffs, as seen from below, present one solid mass of jutting rocks, extending far out over the beholder's head in many places, and looking as though about to tumble down and crush him to atoms, which inspires him with astonishment and awe. The top of the cliff is crowned with spruce pines, which can be procured very handily, and the citizens of Chillicothe often resort thither to procure those evergreens to decorate their halls and ball rooms. Those who are fond of viewing natural curiosities would be well repaid for their trip. Indeed, I know of no place where there is such grand natural scenery. It is visited in the summer season by hundreds, and often has been a place of resort for pleasure; and many social parties have met on these rocky bights for the purpose of having picnics, etc. These cliffs are owned by the Hon. Ex-Sena- tor William Allen, and are about six miles from Chilli- cothe. Our venerable friend, Mr. Eobert Bishop, Sen., who lives near these cliffs, showed us several ancient curiosities picked up near them, which he has in his possession, such as stone axes, chisels, darts, and arrows of various sizes ; petrified horns of different kinds, shapes and sizes; bee combs, wedges, land turtles; bark and roots; stones, supposed to have been
32 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
used by the aborigines foi- skinning their game; pipes, etc., of different shapes and sizes. On Mr. Bishop's farm is a sulphur spring and deer lick. Near the cemetery on Bishop's hill, at the head of a branch, is a graded fall of about one hundred feet. And on the farm of Mr. George Long is a beautiful and pictur- esque f\ill, almost perpendicular, of twenty or thirty feet.
Ancient Works.
About four miles southeast of the village of Bourneville, on what is called Black run, a branch of Paint creek, are two quite curious fortifications. The first, a stone wall, incloses about one acre of ground; the wall is three or four feet high and forms almost a square, with inner walls, forming partitions as it were; the walls have been much higher from appearances. The second works are situated about two hundred yards south, and are thrown up in a perfect circle, with stone, about six feet high and three hundred feet in circumference ; nearly half of the wall has been washed away by the creek. On the inside of this circle, and in the center, is quite a mound thrown up of stone, which is nearly one thousand feet in circumference, and is eight or ten feet in hight, with a large white walnut growing imme- diately on the top- Near Mr. Aaron Vanscoy's, on Indian creek, at the head of a branch, is quite a mound of stone near where an old Indian trail used to pass; the mound is several feet in hight. There is a story connected with this mound which says: Several years ago some brave j'oung men concluded they would explore the mound and ascertain what was buried within it. They went to work and commenced to tear away the stones. After they had worked some time, all at once it commenced blow- ing, thundering, and lightning at a tremendous rate, when they became frightened and ran for their lives.
On Mr. John Dunn's farm, on Paint creek, is an ancient work thrown up in a circular form ; the distance around this circle is about three hundred yards, and about four feet high. On Mrs. Houlse's farm, adjoining, is an Indian mound some ten or twelve feet in hight, about sixty feet long and forty wide.
Huntington Township. 33
On the south side of Paint ci'eek, near the Chillicothe and Huntington pike, and about five miles up the creek, near the old dam, isan old salt well, where a considerable amount of salt was made several years ago, but it is now abandoned. The well is on the lands owned by Mr. John Dunn, of Chillicothe; it was bored by General Mc Arthur, I believe.
Indian Battle Grounds.
In 1790, a termination was put to the war, which, for several years, had raged between the Creek Indians and the kState of Georgia. Pacific overtures were also made to the hostile tribes inhabiting the banks of the Scioto and the Waba.sh. This being rejected, an arm}- of 1,400 men, commanded by General Harmar, was dispatched against them. Two battles were fought near Chillicothe, Ohio, on Paint creek, in the territory included in Huntington township, between successive detach- ments from this army and the Indians, in which the latter were victorious, cutting off almost the entire detachment.
34
Pioneer Record of Ross County ^ Ohio.
Fra?iilin Township.
The soil of Franklin is generally thin. With the exception of along the branches, as Stony creek, etc., the lands next to Chillicothe, along the Ohio canal, are reasonably good. One side of the township is bounded by this canal and the Scioto river. At this portion of the township, on the river, tbere is a large and beautiful bottom, which, for richness of soil, can not be surpassed by any lands in Ross county, or perhaps the State. It is owned principally by Messrs. Foster, Davis, and Higby. The first settlements in the township were made on the river. The other portions of the township were very little settled for several years afterward. The larger portion of this territory is very broken and hilly. There are no pikes in the towdship, and the roads are generally bad, the canal being the principal outlet for exporting their grain, cord wood, tan bark, etc. A good road along the bank of this canal is needed badly. The timber is principally oak of the different varieties.
Present Township Officers.
Justices of the Peace, Elias Schamehorn and Samuel Wood ; Treasurer, J. C. Foster; Trustees, Wm. McG-ayer, T. C. Foster, and David Crockett; Clerk, C. D. Higby; Constables, James Dawson and Jacob Piles. Post-office Alma.
John Foster's Reminiscences.
Colonel Foster's father came to Ohio in the year 1796, on an exploring expedition. He first went to Kentucky to see his brother-in-law, whose name was Cheneworth. He came up the Ohio river to the mouth of the Scioto, and up the Scioto in a canoe. In 1798 he emigi-ated with his family to Ohio from Cumberland county, Md. He first settled in Ross county, now Pike. From there he removed to the farm (where Colonel Foster is now living) on the banks of the Scioto, and lived in a
Franklin 'Township. 35
log cabin about one year, and then built a hewed log house, the first house of the kind erected in the township. It is now standing and in good condition. Mr. Thomas Foster's family consisted of eight children, six daughters anc^ two sons, John and Joseph. The latter died in the State of Indiana, in 1864 or 1865, at the age of seventy years. John was born August 4, 1801. He has lived in the township all his life, and occupies now the room in which he was born. He is now nearly seventy years of age, but his well-preserved physical condition would not indicate he had reached that period in life. He is a practical farmer, and one of the representative men of that great interest. His father had five brothers, Thomas, John, Benjamin, Joseph, and Eichard. Eichard was the first settler of Franklin township, when all was a dense wilderness, filled with wild animals of all kinds. Colonel Foster has held sev- eral offices during his lifetime, both civil and military. He represented the county in the legislature in 1848 ; was associate judge for a short time, when he resigned; was colonel of militia for several years, and held township offices, etc., for many years. His family consists of nine children, all living, to-wit : Joseph, William E., Mary Davis, Thomas, Jane Davis, John W., James P., Samuel D., major in late rebellion, and Eebecca Ann.
Eev. John Foster, of the M. E. Church, uncle of Colonel Foster, was born in 1771, died in 1839, was in the war of 1812 as captain of a company, and was father of twelve children, to- wit: Sarah,Euth, Catherine, Betsy, Joseph, John, Casandra, Mary, Eachel, Thomas, Eebecca, and ITancy. Lewis Foster, another uncle, was born December 26, 1760, and died at the age of ninety-two or three. Colonel Foster's father and his father were the first white men who rowed the canoe up the Scioto river. A Mr. Cheneworth came to Ohio the summer before Mr. Foster, but they came in wagons. T. C. Foster, son of Colonel Foster, has seven children, to-wit : Martha, Hannah, James, John, William, and George. James served from Au- gust, 1861, to January, 1866, in the late rebellion, in the
^6 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
33d, 53d, and 59th Ohio Yolunteers, and some months in an Illinois regiment the last year of the rebellion, and six months on Veatch's staff; was major of regiment eighteen months ; was at the battle of S'hiloh, siege of Corinth, battle of Corinth, and in Sturgis' defeat and battle of Tallulah, and is now treas- urer of the township. Colonel Foster has forty-five grand- children and two great-grandchildren.
List of Old Settlers— By Colonel Foster.
John Johnston was justice of the peace for twenty-three years; James G-reearlj'-, first school teacher; Quin Collins Groddard ; Samuel Wilson built first mill ; Richard Tomlinson, hotel-keeper at Three Locks or State dam, was justice for several years, captain of militia, auctioneer, etc.; John and George Pushon were in the war of 1812; William Eidenger; Enos Moore; John Beauman; Elias Scammehorn, justice of the peace for many years; Joseph Crockett,' one of the first settlers on Stony creek ; Jonathan Swyers ; Daniel Swyers was a Eevo- lutionary soldier and was at the battle of Lundy'sLane; Allen ISTixon ; Thomas Louzatta; Saul Phillips; Benjamin Phillips; J. E. Higby, extensive farmer on the river, and father-in-law of Hon. J. H. Keith, of Chillicothe; Sylvester Higby, a justice of the peace for several years, held other township offices ; Samuel Wood held township offices, was justice of the peace, etc.; Peter Bennett held township offices, and was captain of militia; S. O. Barker, justice of the peace for many years, township clerk, etc. ; James Pry; Edward Hurdell. Joseph Hern emigrated to Ohio from Germany in 1817; Mr. Hern was a soldier under Bonaparte, and was at Strasbui'g when Bonaparte was driven back from Russia. He went as a sub- stitute for his brother, who is now drawing a yearly pen- sion for his services, which Mr. Hern seems to think un- just. He will be seventy years old in April next, and is hale and hearty, and looks as though he might live that much longer ; he is a farmer, and keeps also a grocery store on the banks of the Ohio canal. Just below Mr. Hern's grocery are
Franklin 'Township. 37
the three locks and the State dam across the Scioto river. The dam is nearly one hundred yards in length, and is quite a resort for fishing parties, and Mr. Hern is always prepared to enter- tain guests on those occasions in the best style, with any- thing they may call for. Thomas Tomlinson was the first lock tender, and Richard Tomlinson was tlie first grocer, at these locks.
Mr. James Davis' Reminiscenses.
His father emigrated to Ohio in 1808, and settled on the high banks of the Scioto. His family consisted of eight children, to-wit: William, Lotha, James, Hannah, Marj', George, Charles, and Louisa. They removed to Fi-anklin township about 1815. He has held township offices in diff'erent capacities almost all his life. He used to be a flatboatraan, and take his boats to Natchez and New Orleans trading. This occupation he followed for many years. He would sell his cargo and boats, and then foot it home. James has held different township offices. On his father's farm there was an old Indian burying ground, contain- ing at first about twenty acres, which has from time to time been diminished by the washing away of the bank by the river, and is now almost extinct. They used to find many human bones, beads, etc., near and on the ground occupied by this graveyard. There are on the fjxrm some four or five ancient works of different shapes and sizes, and some of them of considerable extent. There is also on this farm a salt spring or deer lick. On James Davis' farm, some years since, a company bored an oil well some seven hundred feet in depth ; but, like many other companies, they failed to strike He. At the mouth of Stony creek. General McArthur, several years since, bored a salt well, and made a considerable quantity of salt of a very good quality, but it was finally abandoned. On Mr. Davis' farm is what is known as the Foster Chapel, erected forty years since, and is a good sub- stantial building yet. It belongs to the M. E. denomination. Mr. Davis' family consists of three children, to-wit: Emma, Mary E., and J. Russell Davis.
38 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
In earlier days, Franklin was a great place for game, such as deer, bears, panthers, wild cats, etc. Indians, when Mr. Fos- ter first settled on the river, were very plenty, and they had a trail passing along up the Scioto, which was perceptible for many years. About two miles from Mr. James Davis' farm is a circular-formed basin, some ten to twenty feet deep, which has the appearance of having at some time been much deeper. This basin is about fifty to sixty feet across, and must have been dug out for some purpose by the aborigines many years since.
We have been shown by Mr. J. C. Foster a beautiful robe, made of four deer skins, which he himself had captured in the hills of Franklin. He is quite a hunter, and says that there are some of those beautiful and timid animals to be found in the neighboring hills yet, which almost tempted us to try our hand. We were shown b}^ Mrs. James Foster quite a large and ancient split-bottom chair, which measured across the seat two feet and nine inches, and was used by her grandmother in her lifetime. The old lady was a very large woman, weighing about four hundred pounds; was born November 13, 1770, and died in the spring of 1841, aged seventy-one j^ears.
Twin Township. 39
^win Township*
Officers of Township.
Justices of the Peace, Allen Cochran and Thomas Platter; Trustees, David Moore, Benjamin Poole, and Eobert P. Mc- Cracken; Treasurer, J. Holter; Clerk, Abrara Sommers ; Con- stables, James Hanawalt and Jacob Eoberts; Land Appraiser, William A. Jones.
Old Settlers.
W. A. Shoults' father, John Shoults, emigrated to Ohio from Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1812 ; was in the war of 1812; was a blacksmith, wagon and cabinet-maker; died aged eighty-two years and six months; lived on Paint creek forty years. His brother, Christian Shoults, emigrated to Ohio at the same time, and died some years since in the State of Indiana.
Jacob Shotts was born in Augusta county, Virginia ; served as county commissioner one term ; was trustee of town- ship for several years; has lived on Paint creek for forty- six years. David Shotts, son of Jacob, served several years as trustee of township; was captain of militia. Joseph, another son, served several years as justice of the peace.
Ancient Burying Ground.
On Mr. Higby's farm, adjoining Mr. Shotts' lands, is quite an extensive ancient burying ground, where many human skeletons have been found ; some of them of very large size. On the farm of Mr. A. Koberts, there is another burying ground. Last summer, the hogs rooted out of the earth the entire frame of a man of very large size. The under jaw bones would easily go over an ordinary man's face.
40 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
Old Settlers.
Hugh Cochran emigrated to Ohio from near Lexington, Kentucky, in the year 1797; was in the war of 1812 ; served during the war, and died aged seventy-five. years. His sister, Elizabeth, was the first woman married in the Scioto Valley. In Howe's History of Ohio, we find the following account of the same: "On the 17th day of April, 1798, the families of Colonel Worthington and Dr. Tiffin arrived — at which time the first marriage in the vScioto Valley was celebrated, the parties beino- George Kilgore and Elizabeth Cochran. The ponies of the attendants of the wedding were hitched to the trees along the streets, which were then not cleared out, nearly the whole- town being a wilderness."
James Browning's fixther, Joseph Browning, was a soldier
in the war of 1812; was a tailor; died aged sixty-five j^ears.
John Lance's father emigrated to Ohio from Pennsylvania
in 1808; was a weaver ; died aged sixty-eight years. John,
now living, aged sixty-seven j^ears, is a harness-maker.
Daniel P. March's father, Stephen March, emigrated to Ohio, from the then Territory of Maine, in the year 1817 ; was judge of the court and justice of the peace for many years ; died aged sixty-five years. His brothers, Henrj^ and Joseph H. March, were in the war of 1812. Joseph served a part of the time as a substitute for a hotel-keeper living in Ken- tuckj', who was drafted. His wife's distress, in regard to losing her husband from home, moved the sympathies of Mr. March, and he offered himself as a substitute and was accepted.
Isaac Conner emigrated to Ohio from Now Jersey in the year 1805, and was in the Eevolutionary war; died aged eighty- two years. His son, John C. Conner, of Bourneville, served in the war of 1812, in Captain David Sutton's companj^, for six months, and was paid, after he was discharged, at the rate of eight dollars per month, and received a land warrant for one hundred and sixty acres of land also. He furnished his own uniform, consisting of linsey pants and homo-made linen shirts.
'Twin Township, 41
They rendezvoused at Newark for about two months ; from there he went to Urbana ; stayed a short time ; then to Finlej^'s block- house; from there to Sowlon's town ; remained a short time; from there through the Black swamp to the rapids of the Mau- mee; where he remained a few days, when part of the brigade was ordered back to Fort Meigs, where they were dischai-ged. His company suffered terribly by exposure to the cold and wet; they had to wade rivers, swamps, etc.; had often to cut brush and pile them up so as to make themselves a place to lie upon to keep their bodies out of the water and mud. They made their bread by mixing flour with water ; then, wrapping the dough around sticks, held it to the fire to bake. He says they were often put on picket guard at eight o'clock in the morning, and not relieved until the same hour next morning, and some- times it was raining and freezing all night. His brother, Joseph Conner, who died from exposure while in the service, was only eighteen years of age, and of a delicate constitution ; he was buried with the honors of war. J. C. Conner is a millwright and surveyor ; has served as township officer for many years in different capacities; was treasurer fifteen years, and was cap- tain of militia. He further says, at one time during his soldier life, there was one morning one hundred men sent out to stand picket guard, and they were kept out until the next morning at eight o'clock — the night being very severe, raining and freezing all the time — and out of the one hundred men, only nineteen lived. Among the" number who died was his brother above mentioned.
Gideon Coover, father of John Coovcr, emigrated to Ohio from Pennsylvania, in the year 1800; was drafted to serve in the war of 1812, but furnished substitute; died aged lorty- seven years. Samuel Coover emigrated to Ohio in 1808 ; was a tailor ; died aged eigiity-eight 3-cars. David Coover, brother of Samuel, died aged seventy j-ears. William Campbell emigrated to Ohio at an early day ; he was a resident of Twin township for sixty-five years ; served during the war of 1812, and was one of the bravest soldiers in his regiment. John
42 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
Campbell, his son, a farmer, is still living. Thomas McDonald emigrated to Ohio, from Scotland, at an early day; served in the war of 1812; now dead. David Somers emigrated from Virginia at an early day; was a soldier in the war of 1812; now dead.
Shredrich Wroten emigrated from Delaware in 180G ; was a soldier in the Kevolutionary war ; served five years and six months; was sergeant in his company; died aged eighty-nine years and six months. His son, Laban Wroten, has served his township for several years as constable and captain of militia ; was a grocer and farmer; as a home hunter, has killed many bears, deer, turkeys, wild cats, etc.; had been, in his younger days, quite a muscular man, and in early times when corn husk- ings, log rollings, raisings, etc., were in vogue, has had many a hard fought battle, in the way of fisticuffs, and it was but seldom that he did not come off victorious. John Freshour, I Sen., emigrated to Ohio, from Virginia, at quite an early day; he was one of the first settlers on Paint creek ; was a soldier in the Revolutionary war ; died aged eight3'-five years. One of his sons, Daniel Freshour, was in the war of 1812; is still living. John, another son, died aged seventy-one years; was quite an extensive farmer on Paint creek. James McMillen, carpenter, now dead.
Simon Johnston, Sen., was one among the earliest settlers ; was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Barney Minney was in the war of 1812, and died while in the service. Job Harness was in the war of 1812; John Harness also; is now dead. Thomas Dehart, miller, was in the war of 1812; now dead. Nelson Prather, farmer, dead. Enos Prather was quite an ex- tensive farmer on Paint creek in his day ; he removed to Kansas several years since, where he lately died.
Ralph Chaney, father of James Chaney, was an early settler ; has been dead for many years. He came to his death in the following manner: He was out one day felling a tree, and the wind, blowing very hard, threw it the way he did not expect it to fall, and caught him under it.
T'lvin Township. 43
Allen Cochran, Sen., father of John and Allen Cochran, Jr., served as justice of 'the peace, in Twin township, for fifteen years ; died aged sixty-two years. Isaac N. McCracken was justice of the peace and associate judge for several years. David Cochran, one of the early settlers, furnished wood for the legislature at its first sitting in Chillicothe.
Richard Acton emigrated to Ohio, from Kentucky, in the year 1800; was a soldier in the war of 1812, under Major Willett; died aged forty-five years. His son, Jacob Acton, of Bourneville, harness maker, has been a resident of Twin town- ship thirty years ; he was two 3^ears and seven months in the service of the United States, as a sailor on the Levant, a first- class sloop of war of twenty-six guns — six of them Paxtoo guns of eighty-four pounds; two fifteen pounds; the balance thirty- two pounds. John Hannawalt, tailor, emigrated from Penn- sylvania to Ohio, in 1820 ; lived in the village of Bourneville over forty years ; served as captain of the Independent Rifle- men at one time; is still living; aged seventy-two years.
The village of Bourneville contains about one hundred and fifty inhabitants, two stores, three groceries, one saloon, three churches, three blacksmith shops, one tannery, two harness shops, two shoemakers, two wagon-makers, one post-office (post- master, Abram Sommers), one cabinet-maker, one carpenter's shop and cabinet-maker's combined.
In this village, in the month of October, 1844, there was a brutal murder committed. Frederick Edwards was a store- keeper at the time, and, being a bachelor, he slept in the store, and was reported to have a considerable amount of money. Two fiends in human shape, by the names of Thomas and Maxwell, concocted a plan for robbing Mr. Edwards ; and breaking into the store for that purpose — not expecting to find any one there — they were attacked by Mr. Edwards, and a terrible struggle ensued, in which the latter lost his life. Thomas and Maxwell made their escape, but were afterward captured, tried, and found guilty. Thomas was hung in Chilli- cothe, in March, 1846. Maxwell made his escape, aided, as
44 Pioneer Record of Ross County ^ Ohio.
some suppose, by a woman from Cincinnati, who claimed to be his wife, and was never recaptured.
John McNea], father of Eobert McNeal, was a resident of Twin township for over fifty years; died aged seventy-five years. His son, Archibald, was a soldier in the war of 1812; died aged sixty-five years.
Abijah Flora, a carpenter, emigrated from Virginia to Ohio, or the then Northwestern Territory, at a very early day; he served in the war of the Revolution as lieutenant of his company; was one of the first settlers in Heller's bottom, on Paint creek ; died aged seventy years. His son, Thomas, has been a resident of Eoss county upward of sixty years ; he was called out during the war of 1812, and furnished a sub- stitute. HeAvasa great hunter in his younger days; and when quite a lad he went on a hunting expedition with his father and the Rev. James B. Finley, William Murphy, Jacob Myers, and Simon Girty, Jr., son of the noted Simon Girty, of historical notoriety. The company started with dogs and guns, and upon arriving at a small creek — now known as Black run, the dividing line between Huntington and Twin townships — on the farm now owned by Mr. John Schligle, of Chillicothe, just above the barn now being built on the left of the road, the dogs treed a bear up a large poplar, of which tree the stump and part of the body still remain. They managed to shoot the old bear, and cutting down the tree found two young cubs. Mr. Flora says he enjoyed the sport finel}^, and would like to live those daj^s over again. At another time, his father and Mr. George Vincent Heller were out walking one Sunday morning, through the beautiful forest bottoms of Paint creek, when they discovered some bear tracks in the soft ground, and followed them to a large elm ti-ee, and found there was a den in the hollow of the tree several feet up. Tbej^ started to inform thoir neighbors, and soon collected quite a number of men, women, and children, who with dogs and guns went along to see the fun. The first thing they did was to cut a small tree and lodge it against the one containing the bear; this accom-
'Twin Township. 45
plished, Mr. Jacob Heller went up the tree which had been lodged, and found the hole in the tree extended several feet down in the bod}", but they managed to get Mr. Heller a long papaw pole, to which they attached a bunch of hickory bark, which they set on fire, and, when in full blaze, Mr. Heller thrust it down in the hollow of the tree. Bruin soon made his appearance at the entrance of the hole, when George Heller raised his gun to shoot; he told Jacob his head was in the waj'-; he answered to fire away, as he was the matter of an inch or so out of the way; his brother fired, and the fur from the bear flew into his face and eyes, so close was he to the bear. The bear fell to the ground, and, amidst the howls of dogs, and shouts of men, and screams of women and children, bruin was hastily dispatched.
At another time, a Mr. Murphy treed a bear, and col- lected several of his neighbors, with their dogs and guns; among them Mr. Flora, my informant, then quite a lad. The tree was hollow, and when it fell the tree broke in two where the hole was. An old bear and two cubs rolled out, and im- mediately took to flight, the dogs and men in full chase ; they soon overtook and dispatched them
On returning, they passed by the tree which they had felled, when Mr. Flora, out of curiosity, stooped down and peeped into the hollow tree as it lay, when, to his surprise, out jumped another yearling bear, which took after him. He ran a short distance, and, finding the bear about to overtake him, he turned and ran back, the bear in full chase. He mounted the stump of the fallen tree, when the dogs came to his relief, and soon one of the party of men came up and dispatched the bear with his rifle, much to the relief of the boy. Names of Old Settlers.
The first preacher was William Kerns, and the first school teacher a Mr. Wilcox. William Keed was justice of the peace for many years. John Core and James Eussell served in the war of 1812 ; Benjamin Brackey, Presley Johnston, John Eeed, and David Breedlove emigrated to Ohio, from Kentucky, in
4-6 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
early days. Peter Shanks, Alex. Johnston, Thomas Ladd, G-eorge Kilgore, Philip Maston, Eobert McMahon, and Daniel Devoss were among the first settlers in Heller's bottom, on Paint creek. When they first settled there they owned a fine young sow, with a brood of pigs, which they had to fasten under their cabin at night, to prevent the bears from carrying off. Late one night they heard the squealing of their sow, and knew a bear had made his way to her by some means, and was carry- ing her off into the forest. They hastily arose, all in their night clothes ; the old lady prepared a torch by splitting a clap- board or two, and Mr. Devoss called several neighbors from their cabins near by, and they with their dogs and guns gave chase, the old lady carrying the torch and lighting the way. The dogs soon overtook the bear with his burden, and the men coming up, dispatched bruin, and rescued the sow but lit- tle injured ; but the men and old lady, in running through the nettles, which at that time were very thick and waist high, had their naked legs terribly pricked and scratched. Mr. Flora says when a bear captures a hog, he does not stop to kill it, but will hug it in his arms and commence eating until he has finished his repast,'the hog squealing all the time as long as life lasts.
George J. Moore emigrated to Ohio from Pennsylvania in 1813 ; was a farmer ; died in 1850. His son, David Moore, lives on the Milford and Chillicothe turnpike. In constructing said pike, several human skeletons were dug up near his house, some of them of very large size and some very small, as though of infants. Also, on Mr. Philip A. Eoad's farm, others, of simi- lar sizes, were found.
Daniel E. Dolohan says his father, Michael Dolohan, emi- grated to Ohio from Virginia about the year 1802 ; was in the service in the war of 1812, as scout ; died aged ninety-one years. Thomas Hanks emigrated to Ohio about 1790; was a soldier in the Eevolutionary war ; his sons, Joseph and John, were soldiers in the war of 1812 ; all dead. David Collins and a Mr. Miller built what are known as the Slate mills, on the north
1'win Township. 47
fork of Paint creek, which was one of the first flouring mills in the county. Jesse Wiley, Casper C. Pliley's father, Philip C. Pliley, William Pliley, and JeflPerson Pliley emigrated to Ohio at a very early day. Their father was in the Eevolutionary war. John Ward died in Hardin county, in 1867, at a very ad- vanced age ; was in the war of 1812, under General Harrison.
Benning Wentworth gives us the names of James Matthews, who emigrated from Scotland to Ohio in early days, and was treasurer of Highland countj^lbr a term of j^ears, and Eobert Waddle, also from Scotland, who was under Wellington at the battle of Waterloo, and a great player on the bag-pipe.
Peter Shaner emigrated to Ohio from Pennsylvania in 1800 ; served in the war of 1812, and helped cut out the Leba- non road, and is now living, aged eighty-six years. His father, Peter Shaner, Sen., was in the war of the Eevolution, fought at the battle of Brandy wine, and died at the age of seventy. John Gossard emigrated to Ohio from Pennsylvania, in 1808; was in the war of 1812, and served several years, in different capaci- ties, as township officer; died aged fifty-six years. Philip Gossard and Jacob Gossard served in the war of 1812 ; are now dead. James Nichols, miller and hotel keeper at the Slate mills in early days, served in the war of 1812 ; is now dead. Henry Sharp served in the war of 1812, and as justice of the peace for many j'ears. Dilard Eowe, Abott Eowe, and David Eowe served in the war of 1812. Charles Craig and John Craig were in the war of 1812, and their grandfather was in the Eevolutionary war. Alex. Craig and a Mr. Wilson were the first school teachers for many years. William Craig was the first man who drove a wagon and team to Chillicothe over Zane's trace.
Colonel John McDonald. — {From the Scioto Gazette.)
" Colonel John McDonald was born January 28, 1775, in Pennsylvania. His early life was sjjent upon the frontiers of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Kentucky. Before arriving at the age of twenty years he entered the militarj'^ service, under
48 Pioneer Record of Ross County^ Ohio.
General Wayne. He was attached to the army commanded by that veteran general in 1794, and was present, on the 20th of August of that year, at the memorable battle with the In- dians on the Mauniee. In 1796 became to Chillicothe, where he was married to Miss Catherine Cutwright in 1799. He settled on Poplar ridge in the year 1802. He held, in his lifetime, vari- ous offices in the militia, and served as colonel. In the war of 1812 he went with the Ohio troops to the frontier, in the double capacity of paymaster and quartermaster, and was taken pris- oner at the surrender of Detroit. In 1813 he was appointed a captain in the regular army. In 1814 he was placed in com- mand of a regiment of regular troops at Detroit, and remained in the service until peace was made and the army disbanded. In 1817 he was elected to the Ohio senate, and served for two terms. At a late period of his life be wrote and published a very interesting and popular work, comprising sketches of the first settlements on the Ohio, with biograpbical sketches of distinguished pioneers. Colonel McDonald was very exten- sively known, and greatly respected as an intelligent and use- ful citizen ; and so long as the early history of the Scioto Valley shall be preserved, he will be kept in honorable recollection."
Rev. James B. Finley gives the following account of Col- onel McDonald [See Finley's Autobiography, pp. 123-130] :
" Colonel John McDonald, one of my early companions, was of Scotch descent. His father was connected with the army of the Revolution from its first organization up to the year 1780. John was born in Northumberland county, on the 28th of January, 1775. His father crossed the mountains with his family in 1780, and settled at a place called Mingo Bottom, three miles below the present site of Steubenville. The Ohio river was then the extreme frontier, constituting the dividing line between the white and red man. No line, however, was sufficient to form a barrier against the invasions of both parties. The white man was as frequently the aggressor as the Indian, and many were the scenes of suffering, carnage, and massacre witnessed along this border line. My young friend was reared
Twin 'Township. 49
amid all the dangers of a border war. In the year 1789 his father removed to Washington, Ky., where we were then resid- ing, and soon after their arrival my acquaintance with young McDonald commenced.
''The first excursion of my friend McDonald was taken with Kenton. Three men from near Washington went out on a hunting expedition, and encamped on the waters of Bracken, about ten miles from home. While they were out hunting a party of Indians came upon their camp, and placed themselves in ambush, to waylay the hunters on their return at night. The names of two of the hunters were Dan Figgans and Josiah Wood ; the name of the other is forgotten. It was late when the party returned. As they were preparing their supper the Indians crept up stealthily, and fired, killing Wood and the one whose name is forgotton. Figgans, being unhurt, fled for his life. The Indians started in pursuit, with the most hideous 3-ells. The race was most fearfully kept up, but Figgans distanced his pursuers, and at midnight reached Washington, where he alarmed his friends at Kenton's Station. This bold warrior immediately mounted his horse, and, in a short time, having raised a company, started in pursuit. Young McDonald was anxious to accompany them, but his father, thinking him too young, being but fifteen years of age, to be of any service, refused his consent. He was not, however, to be deterred ; so stealing his father's rifle and horse, he started at full speed, and soon overtook the company. They arrived at the place about sunrise, and a most shocking scene presented itself to their view. One of the men had been scalped, and thrown into the fire, where he was nearly consumed : the other had also been scalped, and cut to pieces with the Indian hatchet. The party proceeded to the mournful work of depositing their remains in the ground ; and ascertaining by the tracks of the horses that the Indians had directed their course for the Ohio river, they started after them. When they arrived at the river, they found that the Indians, without waiting a moment, had plunged in and swam across, thus cutting off pursuit. This dreadful sight
50 Pioneer Record of Ross County^ Ohio.
had a tendency somewhat to cool the ardor of the youthful war- rior, who, nevertheless, would have been glad of an opportunity for taking revenge upon the savage foe.
"From this time McDonald was constantly engaged with scouting, hunting, and surveying parties. In the spring of 1792 he joined Gfencral Massie's settlement at Manchester, twelve miles above Maysville. This was the thii'd settlement on the northwest side of the Ohio river, above Cincinnati, or Losantiville, as the town was called. This infant settlement, together with the lives of all in the station, was in constant danger. Many and exciting were the scenes by which they were surrounded. Sometimes they were deeply depressed, and anon, when danger was over, their spirits rose exulting at the trials and conflicts through which they had passed. A report would sometimes come in that one of their number had fallen by the hand of the enemy, which would cast a shade of sadness and gloom on all hearts; then again the intelligence that the bold and daring hunter had captured the foe, would inspire them with courage. Thus life was made up of constant alterna- tions of hope and despondency. This constant warfare made the early settlers so familiar with scenes of blood and carnage, that they became, in a measure, indifferent spectators, and at the same time reckless and fearless of all danger. Scenes of horror that would have congealed the blood in the veins of those unaccustomed to them, would scarcely move the heart of the hardy pioneer.
"In the spring of 1794 Colonel McDonald and his brother .Thomas joined General Wayne's army, as rangers, or spies. The company of rangers consisted of seventy-two, of whom Captain Ephraim Kibby was commander. He was a true Jer- sey blue, fully adequate to any emergency growing out of his highly responsible position. It was the duty of the rangers to traverse the Indian country in every direction, in advance of the army. This was not only a toilsome, but a dangerous work. The company was divided into small detachments, which
TW/« Township. ^i
started out in every direction, and, after scouring the country, returned and made tlieir report to headquarters.
"Early in November of the year above mentioned, Mr. Lucas Sullivan, a land-speculator and surveyor from Virginia, collected a company of twenty-one men to go upon a surveying tour into the Scioto country. This was a hazardous undertak- ing. Notwithstanding the Indians had been severely beaten by General Wayne, a fiew months previously, yet the country was far from a state of peace. Attached to this company were three surveyors, namely, John and Nathaniel Beasley, and Sul- livan, who was the chief. Young McDonald was connected with this company. Every man carried his own baggage and arms, consisting of a rifle, tomahawk, and scalping-knife. While engaged in surveying, the hunters would go in advance as spies, and the surveyor, chain-carriers, and marksmen would follow in line, the whole being brought up by the jDack-horse and the man who cooked for the company. It was his business to keep a good look-out, so that the enemy should not attack them in the rear. In this military manner was most of the sur- veying in Ohio and Kentucky performed. They did not carry any provisions with them, but depended on their rifles for a living, which seldom failed to afford them an abundant supply.
" Having taken Todd's trace, they pursued their journey till they came to Paint creek, at the old crossings. From thence they proceeded to old Chillicothe, now Fi-ankfort, and thus on to Deer creek, where they encamped at the mouth of Hay run. In the morning Sullivan, McDonald, and Murray went down to Deer creek with the intention of taking its mean- derings back to the camp. They had not proceeded more than a hundred rods till a flock of turkeys came flying toward them. McDonald and Murray being on the bank of the creek, near to a pile of drift-wood, Murray, without reflecting a moment that the turkeys must have been driven toward them by some per- sons, slipped up to a tree and shot a turkey. He then slipped back, and as there were more turkeys on the tree, McDonald slipped up to the position left by his companion. Just as he
52 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
was about to fire, the sharp crack of a rifle fell on his ears, and, turning instantly, he saw poor Murray fall to rise no more. Looking in the direction from whence the messenger of death came, he saw several Indians with their rifles leveled at him. Quick as thought he sprang over the bank into the creek, and they fired but missed him. The Indians followed hard after him, yelling and screaming like fiends. Running across the bottom, he met Sullivan and three others of the company. Sullivan instantly threw away his compass and clung to his rifle. Their only safety was in rapid flight, as the Indians were too numerous to encounter. As they ran the Indians fired upon them, one of the balls striking Colvin's cue at the tie, which shocked him so much that he thought himself "mortally wounded. But he was a brave young man, and being fleet of foot, he ran up the creek and gave the alarm at the camp, stat- ing that he believed all were killed but himself. Those at camp of course fled as soon as possible. McDonald and his party ran across the bottom to the high land, and after run- ning three miles struck a prairie. Casting their eye over it, they saw four Indians trotting along the trace. They thought of running round the prairie and heading them, but not know- ing how soon those in pursuit would be upon them, and per- chance they would get between two fires, they adopted the bet- ter part of valor and concealed themselves in the grass till the Indians were out of sight. After remaining there for some time they went to the camp and found it deserted. Just as they were about to leave, one of the company espied a note stuck in the end of a split stick, to this effect, " If you should come, fol- low the trail." It was then sundown, and they knew they would not be able to follow the trail after dark. When night came on, they steered their course by starlight.
'' They had traveled a distance of eight or nine miles. It was a cold, dreary night, and the leaves being frozen, the sound of their footsteps could be heard some distance. All at once they heard something break and run as if it were a gang of buff'aloes. At this they halted and remained silent for some
Twin 'Township. 53
time. After a while the fugitives could be heard coming back softly. Supposing that it might be their companions, McDon- ald and McCormick concluded to creep up slowly and see. They advanced till they could hear them cracking hazel-nuts with their teeth. They also heard them whisper to one another, but could not tell whether they were Indians or white men. They cautiously returned to Sullivan, and the company, after delib- eration, finally concluded to call, which they did, and found, to their jo}', that it was their own friends who fled from them. They had mutual rejoicings at meeting again, but poor Murray was left a prey to the Indians and wolves. They now com- menced their journey homeward, and, after three days' travel, arrived at Manchester."
Names of Old Settlers, furnished by Col. John C. McDonald, Jr. Alex. Given emigrated to Ohio from Pennsylvania about 1800 ; was in the war of 1812 ; bought land of General Mc- Arthur and paid for it by months' work ; died of cancer in 1858. Isaac Pearce. Aaron Foster emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio; was in the war of 1812; was adjutant under Colonel John McDonald ; served as justice of the peace for twenty-one years ; was county commissioner one term ; died in 1862. Samuel Teter emigrated to Ohio from Washington county, Pennsyl- vania, about the year 1798; had four sons, Samuel, George, John, and Daniel ; all served in the war of 1812, except Samuel ; all dead. John Core emigrated from Maryland to Ohio in 1800; was a millwright and blacksmith, and built the first mill in Twin township; his three sons, John, Henry, and Chrisley, served in the war of 1812; Chrisley started the day after he be- came eighteen years of age. Henry was sergeant-major on Colonel McDonald's staif during the war. William Eeed emi- grated from Delaware to Ohio in 1798; was justice ofihe peace tor several years. Philip and Daniel Hare emigrated from Delaware in the year 1797 ; Daniel was captain of a company during the war of 1812, under Colonel McDonald. David Elliott was captain of a company in the war of 1812. Renjarriin^
54 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
Turner emigrated from Delaware to Ohio at an early day. Samuel Turner was one of the first hotel-keepers. Nathan Eeeves atrd-Ephraim Camper were the first school teachers. Jacob Myers served as major in the war of 1812; was one of the bravest officers of his regiment; he was a carpenter. John Mahan was in the war of 1812. John Walker built one of the first mills in the township; was a blacksmith. John Summerville emigrated from Scotland to America, and settled in Twin township at an early day ; was quartermaster under Colonel McDonald during the campaign of 1814; served as justice of the peace for many years; is still living. James Summerville was in the war of 1812, and was killed in the battle of Tippecanoe. Archy Mc- Donald emigrated to Ohio from Scotland. He came as a Brit- ish soldier, but deserted and joined the American forces; was at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. His two sons, John and William, served in the war of 1812. Joseph and Jacob Myers were in the war of 1812. Colonel John C. McDonald, Jr., who fur- nishes the above, is living, aged fifty-nine years, but his well preserved physical condition would not indicate that he had reached that period in life. He is a practical farmer, and one of the representative men of that great interest. He served one term as sheriff* of the county, to the credit of himself and county, and refused any further honors in that line, although his many friends would have been pleased to have given him their sufl'rages. He served during his time as land appraiser^ and filled several township offices.
Reminiscences by James P. Brown.
" I was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, and emigrated tc Ohio in 1816. Lived several years on the south branch of the Potomac, in Virginia. Was a volunteer in the war of 1812, under one Captain Ashby; was at the battle of Hampton Roads, under Generals Cobin and Crutchfield; the latter ordered about Bix hundred of us to advance and fire on about two thousand of the enemy. After giving the order, Crutchfield ran, and was not seen by his men until they found him about twelve miles
T^win Township. tt
distant from the fight. There were seven or eight of our men killed. We stood the fire of the enemy for some time, until it became too hot for us, and then retreated. General Cobin was wounded in the wrist. The ball went up his arm and came out at the elbow. He was on one side of a post and rail fence at the time he received the wound, and the enemy all around him, when one of our men broke down the fence and took him to the rear with his horse. Just before receiving his wound, he called to Captain Ashb}^, saying: 'I know you and your men will fight ; fight on !' But he was soon wounded, and ordered a re- treat. One of our men, John Barr, was shot through the leg-, and cried out: 'Oh, Lord, I am dead!' I took his gun to carry, when Barr got up and took to his heels, soon passing me in his flight; he had only received a flesh wound. After the fight was over, we commenced preparing our repast, which was composed of spoiled provisions, cooked in a few old rusty kettles." My informant says he paid two dollars and fifty cents per week for his board, and rations thrown in; he was not paid off for some time after being discharged, and had to pay his own way home. He is now living, aged eighty-three years. His father, Daniel Brown, was of English descent, and was a a distiller in Virginia. He settled in that State during the war of the Revolution, and had eight sons and eight daughters. John Camelin. father of Mrs. John Baum, emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio about 1800. Was called out during the war of 1812, but furnished a substitute; died aged about ninety- one years. Was born on the fourth day of July, 1776, the day of the Declaration of Independence.
By James Demoss.
James Demoss, Sen., emigrated from Ireland at an early day; was a soldier in the war of 1812; was a painter; died during the war by disease contracted while in the service. Benjamin Grimes, one of the early emigrants, settled in Heller's Bottom at quite an early day, and was many years a class leader in the Methodist Church; was married four times; died
^6 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
several years since in Fayette county, Ohio. His son, George Grimes, is now living on vvhat is known as the Barger farm, near the village of Bourneville. On Mr. Grimes' farm is quite an ex- tensive circular fortification, containing about eight acres; the embankment is now some eight or ten feet in hight. Near Mr. Demoss' dwelling, a few years ago, while the hands were work- ing the public road, in digging into a bank they found an entire human frame of a very large size. Old settlers, William McCaule}^, Matthias Cooney ; physician, Isaac Verden.
By Mrs. McKenzie, mother-in-law of Mr. William Igo.
Her father, Daniel Hare, emigrgvted from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, and from there to Ohio, in 1796. Her husband's grandfather was a drum-major in the Eevolutionary war, and served seven years. Her husband, Mr. McKenzie, was in the war of 1812, as captain of a company for some time, when the companies were consolidated, which relieved him; died aged about eighty years. He was for many years a leader in the M. E. Church. Mrs. McKenzie says her father came to Ohio without bringing his family, for the purpose of hunting and laying up a supply of meat for the next summer. He first chopped down a large tree, and cut it off some twelve or fifteen feet long; this he sj)lit in two and dug them out in the shape of troughs; the one half he filled with buffalo, bear, deer, and wild turkey, and salted them down ; then placing the troughs together, one on top of the other, he covered it with a lot of brush so as to deceive the Indians, telling them that when he he came out in the spring, and the brush had become dry, he intended to burn that log up. In the spring when Mr. Hare and his family arrived, they found their meat all right. At one time Mr. Hare went to watch a deer lick, and after fixing up a blind and being seated some time, he heard something approaching him through the brush in his rear, and upon turn- ing around, near him, was a large panther crouching, and in the act of springing upon him; he fired his rifle at the panther, -when it made one terrible scream and took off through the
'Twin Township. 57
thick woods one way and Mr. Hare the other, fully satisfied to leave for the present.
Mrs. McKenzie is now aged about seventy-nine years; she and her mother were the first two white women who settled on Paint creek. Her playmates were the 3'oung squaws, and she says, " many a romp have I had with them, and as fearless of danger as though they had been white children." "When we first settled on Paint creek, father had to go to Limestone for our meal and salt; some times we would use the hominy block in lieu of going to the mill for meal." At one time when her father was away from home, some Indians came to their cabin and asked her mother for salt, they being very fond of that article. The old lady refused to give them any. One Indian became enraged, and said: "My gun shoot by and by." But the old lady did not give them the salt, and they left seemingly much enraged. She, after they had left, feared they would return before her husband and do some mischief But they did not; and when he returned, she told him how the Indians had treated her in his absence, whereupon he went to tiie In- dian camp and informed their chief that one of his men had been at his cabin and insulted his wife. The chief called up the guilty Indian, and snatching the hatchet from Mr. McKenzie's belt, he beat the Indian over the head with it at a terrible rate. The Indian cried piteously during the castigation, and when the chief returned Mr. McKenzie's hatchet, he told him that that Indian would not trouble his family any more, and he did not. Mrs. McKenzie says her father was a great hunter in his time, and killed many bears, deer, turkeys, panthers, buffalo, etc. The buffalo used to mix with their farm cattle and were quite tame. Her father first settled near the big falls of Paint creek, on General Massie's land, and while living there she has heard the screams of the* panther and wolf in the night quite near their cabin. The first school teacher was David Eeed; the first preachers were William and Edward Carnes; the first school house was built on the lands now owned by Howard Newman.
58 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
By William Jgo.
His father, Lewis Igo, emigrated from Pennsylvania to Kentucky in the year 1794, and from Kentucky to Ohio in 1798, and bought the first land on Twin creek from General McArthur. It was the first tract of land sold by him in the county. My informant, born and raised on the same farm, and still living on it, is now sixty years of age. His father, on first arriving in the country, procured meat for his family by hunt- ing in the dense forests of that then wilderness; and for meal, he made occasional trips to the mills in Kentucky, or manu- factured it himself by a hand-mill. When they first settled, their nearest neighbor was at the Slate Mills, on the north fork of Paint creek, where R. E. Seymore now lives.
On Mr. Igo's farm is an old Indian trail, which leads from Pee Pee to Old Chillicothe. The trail in places is yet quite per- ceptible.
My informant's brother, Paul Igo, who now resides in the State of Illinois, was the first white child born in Twin town- ship. He was born in February, 1799.
I was shown, by my informant, a powder-horn and pouch that has been in use in the family over one hundred years. The strap is made of elk skin, and the pouch of buckskin. Its first owner was a great hunter, and has carried it thousands of miles through Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio.
Near the house, one night, Mr. Igo's father heard a dis- turbance among his sheep. He got up, and taking his loaded gun, went out to see what the trouble was, leaving his ammu- nition behind. He heard the dogs in full chase after some- thing, which they soon treed on a large stump several feet high. Upon drawing near, he discovered an animal of some kind on the stump, and, taking as good an aim as the darkness would admit, fired at it. He then called to his wife to bring him some ammunition and the ramrod, which he had left at the house in his haste. His wife soon brought the ammunition, but forgot the ramrod. There was near the stump a lot of blue-
Twin Township. 59
ash chips, where Mr. Igo had been hewing some puncheons. They raked the chips together, and he set fire to them, telling his wife that, as he could go more quickly back to the cabin after the ramrod, she had better await his return. The old lady, be- ing a little nervous, said she would not stay there, but go herself, which she did. By this time, Mr. Igo had quite a fire burning from his chip-pile, by the light of which he saw on the stump a large panther, his eyes glaring down upon his pur- suer like two balls of fire. Mr. Igo soon reloaded his trusty rifle, and fired the second shot, which took effect in the head of the panther, but too low down to penetrate the brain. The animal now began descending the stump backward, while Mr. Igo quickly reloaded his gun, and when the panther neared the ground, he fired again, the ball passing through its body, soon putting an end to its life. It measured nine feet from tip to tip.
By Hetiry Pool.
J. W. Pool, the father of Henry, emigrated from Maryland in 1813. He left his native State on the day of Perry's victory on Lake Erie; lived in Ohio exactly ten years, and died at the age of fifty; he was a blacksmith. Henry Pool is now sixty- five years of age. His father-in-law, George Vincent Heller, and also Jacob Yincent Heller, were in the Indian fight on Paint creek, at the Reeves' crossing. George was one of the chain-carriers who assisted in laying out the city of Chilli - cothe.
Mrs. Henry Pool says that she lived in Heller's Bottom with her father for several years. She particularly remembers one winter. In February, a deep snow had fallen, and was followed by rain. Mr. Heller had several tenants on his land at the time, and among them one named Eussell, who lived with his family in a small cabin. On the evening of the storm, Mr. Heller told the men they had better move out of their bouses, as a flood was coming, and the bottom would be inun-
6o Pioneer Record of Ross County^ Ohio.
dated before morning. Mr. Heller's house being on high ground, they all moved to it with their families, except Eus- sell, who sent his family out, bat could not himself be per- suaded to leave his cabin. The water shortly began to rise, and soon flooded the lower part of the house. He then took a kettle, filled it with coals of fire, and ascended to the loft of the cabin. But soon the water began to make its appeai'ance there also, when he commenced calling for help, but amid the roar- ing of the flood it seems no one heard him. He finally took a cake of deer's tallow, which he found in the cabin loft, and, taking off" his shirt, tore it into strips, which he wrapped around the tallow, and then set it on fire with the coals in his kettle. Tearing off" a portion of the roof, and elevating his light on a pole, he soon attracted the attention of his friends, who came to his relief in a dug-out, and convej'ed him to safe ground. In the morning his cabin could nowhere be found, the flood having carried it away. During the inundation, says Mrs. Pool, one of the neighbors lost a fine two-year old heifer, and one day, when hunting for her, after the water had sub- sided, he found her hanging by the neck in the fork of a buck- eye tree, fourteen feet from the ground, quite dead. What would our farmers, living in Paint creek valley, say if such a flood should make its appearance in these days?
Mr. Heller was one of the first farmers who brought sheep into the county. He was a local preacher and justice of the peace for many years. On the farm of Joseph Eoss, some years since, stood a largo hollow sycamore tree, with a hole cut in one side in the shape of a wedge, wide at the top, and cut down to a point, which is supposed to have been done by the Indians for the purpose of catching wolves, by placing meat on the inside so as to induce them to place their necks in this notch. Mr. Heller at one time started out to watch a deer lick, on the land he owned on Paint creek. After he had pre- pared his blind, and had been seated a short time, he saw a large bear jump up on a large poplar log near the lick, and in a few seconds a large panther made its appearance on the other
Twin Township.
end of the log. They made for each other, and when they met the bear struck the panther one powerful blow with his paw, and knocked him off. Mr. Heller did not stay to see the fight finished, but made a hasty exit for home. One day a Mr. Daniel Devoss, whose name appears in another place, and who lived on the ridge near what is called the Spruce hill, was out hunting his horses, when he met a neighbor's boy hunting cows, each having a dog with them. When passing along near the northwest side of the hill, the dogs commenced a furi- ous barking a short distance from them. When Mr. Devoss and the lad approached near the spot, they saw a large panther, who was jumping at their dogs from under some pine brush. When they came up the panther made a spring down the hill, the dogs following him, but they soon brought him to bay, and by clubs and stones, and the assistance of their noble dogs, quickly dispatched him. At another time Mr. Devoss was hunting his stock, which had strayed into Huntington town- ship, and on the farm formerly owned by Mr. Daniel Toops (an old settler), but now the property of Nathan Ward, near where the house now stands, he saw a large panther lying behind a log, which instantly sprang up and ran a short distance, and then stopped and looked at Mr. Devoss, who, having neither dogs nor gun, quietly retired and left him to his own reflec- rions.
Ancient Works.
Near Bourneville, and overlooking the beautiful valley of Paint creek, with the pretty town of Bainbridge in the dis- tance, is what is known as Spruce Hill, the name being derived from the large amount of spruce pine growing thereon. The crest of this hill, or mountain, is surrounded by a stone wall five or six feet in bight in some places, and from appearances has been much higher, but the hand of time has caused it to sink and crumble down. This wall surrounds the entire crest of the hill, or mountain, is almost circular in form, and is
62 Pioneer Record of Ross County , Ohio.
nearly three miles around. On this hill, within the inclosure, are found cinders, or dross, as if caused from the melting of some metallic substance. At the base of the hill, Paint creek flows over a bed of solid slate rock, and at low water may be seen two or three round holes, or wells, neatly cut out in the rock, about the size of an ordinary well, with closely fitting covers or lids over the top.
On Joseph Baum's farm, near Bourneville, is an earth for- tification thrown up, which is now from three to four feet in hight, with outlets or gateways at each corner. The embank- ment, or wall, is formed in a perfect square, embracing about thirty acres. On the farm of George Baum, adjoining that of Joseph Baum, is quite a largo mound, from three to four hun- dred feet in circumference at the base, perfectly round, and some thirty feet in hight. On the line between the lands of John Storm and Joseph Baum, is another fortification, in shape resembling the letter J, containing twenty-five or thirty aci'es.
Near the same place, on Mr. Baum's lapd, are three large pools, or basins, which were evidently scooped out by some race of people long since passed away. One of them is twenty or twenty-five feet in depth. There are large trees growing in these places, and near them are found pieces of broken earth- enware in abundance, human bones, teeth, etc. On the same farm is another work, built of stone, the whole resembling in shape a horse shoe. On the lands of the Messrs. Cochran, nu- merous pieces of earthenware have been found in plowing every spring from many years past.
Buckskin 1'ownship. 6^,
Buckskin Township,
Township Officers.
Justices of the Peace, John H. Ctirr, James Bell, and John Coder; Trustees, John Carr, Calvin Parrott, and John Murray;. Treasurer, D. O. Diggs; Clerk, Steward Evans; Constable, William Davis; Notary Public, Henry Hester; Land Ap- praiser, John Parrott; Postmaster, Levi Pricer — Office, South Salem.
The village of South Salem contains about three hundred inhabitants, two stores, three blacksmith shops, two wagon shops, two carpenter shops, four churches (two Methodist, one Presbyterian, and one colored), one grist and saw mill, two school houses (one white and one colored), and one cemetery.
By Henry Hester.
His father emigrated to Ohio in 1804, from West Pennsyl- vania; was in the war of 1812 as a lieutenant of a company: served as clerk of the township for many years ; was by trade a millwright; died aged fifty-two years, in Chillicothe. James Wilson. John H. Wilson served many years as justice of the peace in the township, and was in the war of 1812; now dead. John Morton emigrated from South Carolina in early days; now living. First preachers, Rev. James Dickey, who was pastor of the church in South Salem for twenty years ; Hugh Fullerton was also a pastor for twenty years. Frederick Parrott was in the war of 1812. John Wallace served for man}- years as justice of the peace. Sattcrfield Scott served as county commissioner one term, and for many years as justice of the peace; now dead.
64 Pioneer Record of Ross County^ Ohio.
By Alexander McGinnis.
His father, James McGinnis, emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1801 ; was in the war of 1812 ; was a shoemaker by- trade; was also a home hunter of considerable notoriety; he killed many deer and other game ; my informant says he would kill some days five or six deer, and hang them up in the woods, and then send him and his brother to bring them home; he died aged seventy-two years. His grandfather, James McGinnis, emigrated to Ohio at the same time ; served in the Eevolu- tionary war six years, and was wounded in the thigh with a ball which he carried to his grave ; lived in the township about twenty-two years ; was a shoemaker ; died aged eighty years, and retained almost the vigor of youth to near his death. Alexander McGinnis is now sixty-nine years of age, and has lived in the township about sixty years; is a local preacher of the Methodist Church. He says the first house built in South Salem was by a Mr. Douglas, in 1846 or 1847, and he built the third one in the place. His wife's maiden name was Tay- lor ; her father emigrated from New Jersey, in early days, to Ohio, and served in the war of 1812 ; was at Hull's surrender ; he was an elder of the Presbyterian Church for forty years, and died aged eighty-two years. George Pricer, Michael Hare, Robert Edminston, Jacob Davis, Abram Dean, Robert McGinnis, Captain Nathan Kilgore, and Captain Daniel Hare, were all in the war of 1812.
Row Buckskin Derived its Name.
Buckskin creek derived its name in the following manner: At the time of the settlement of the township, the Indians had a camp at Old Chillicothe (now Frankfort), and they made a raid among the white settlers, stole some horses, and committed other depredations along said creek. When the whites made a search for them, they found them camped near the creek on the land now owned by Daniel Cline, where stood a very hollow sycamore, which had a large opening in the side at the root.
Buckskin Township. 65
In this hollow the Indians had hung their skins— mostly deer— and built a fire under them for the purpose of drying them. When the whites attacked them, the Indians fled, leaving their skins to the whites. This circumstance gave the name to Buck- skin creek, and afterward to the township.
By Doctor Hamilton.
He emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1839. He built the house in which he now resides, in South Salem, in 1847, and has practiced medicine in that vicinity ever since ; was educated at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, and attended the University of his native State. After moving to South Salem he was very instrumental in building up the village, and especially the Academy.
By Willis Graham.
His father, whose name was George, emigrated from the State of Maryland in 1804; served as a soldier in the war of 1812; was a carpenter and cabinet-maker; died aged eighty- four years and ten months.
By Joseph Vanderman.
His father, whose name was John, emigrated from Penn- sylvania to Ohio in 1800; he and his brother Frederick were in the Eevolutionary war, and took an active part in the battle of Brandywino; they served under General George Washington. John Vanderman was a tanner; was a great hunter, and de- pended upon his rifle for sustenance for himself and family for several years in the first settlement of the country. At one time the Indians stole a fine bay mare from him; he and a younger man gave chase, and trailed them for several miles, when they found themselves surrounded by the savages, but they boldly dashed through them and made their escape. He died aged eighty-six or seven years. Joseph Vanderman served at one time as lieutenant of a militia company : never held any other office, though often solicited. His brothers,
66 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
John, Matthias, Conrad, and Henry, were all in the war of 1812, except Conrad, who died on his way to the army. He was a finely educated young man, and died beloved by all who knew him.
By Mrs. Frances Wilson.
Her husband, John H. Wilson, emigrated from Pennsyl- vania to Wheeling, Virginia, and thence to Kentucky. In 1800, he came to Ohio. He was in the war of 1812 ; served as justice of the peace for sometime; was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church for a great many years, and died at South Salem in 18G5, aged eighty-seven.
By John G. Caldwell.
His father, James Caldwell, emigrated to Ohio in 1805 ; was sergeant of his company under Captain Kilgore, and served his township for many years as justice of the peace and clerk, etc.j he also taught school in different townships for several years. His son has several books, in manuscript, written by him, of a religious nature ; he died aged sixty-three years. The following statistics, taken from some of his old books, and papers published in 1827, which had been preserved by his father, may be interesting to our readers :
Associate Judges of Ross County in 1827, Isaac Cook, James Armstrong, and Thomas Hicks; Clerk of Courts, Su- preme and Common Pleas, Recorder and Clerk of the United States District Court, Humphrey Fullerton ; Sheriff, Thomas Steel; Coroner, Joscphus Collet; Commissioners, John Mc- Clain, Wm. Wallace, and E. Fenimore ; Notary Public, John A. Fulton ; Postmaster, William Creighton ; Justices of the Peace, Levi Belt, and Wm. Creighton, Sen.; Attorneys-at-law, Wm. K. Bond, Joseph Sill, Piatt Brush, Tho5._Scott, Richard Douglas, Wm. Creighton, Jr., Edward King, Henry Brush, Samuel Treat, and Levi Belt; Physicians, John Edminaton, Joseph Scott, James Hayes, Samuel Monett, Jr., Samuel McAdow,
Buckskin I'ownship. 67
and William Heath; Merchants, John Carlisle (wholesale and retail), W. E. Southard, John Walker, T. V. & S. Swearen- gin, Barr & Campbell, Bphraim Doolittle, Wm. McFarland, Wm. Eoss & Co., John McCoy, JSTimrod Hutt, Waddle & Davison, Isaac Evans, John Hutt, James Culbertson & Co., Eunkle & Beard, James Phillips, John McLandburgh, Amasa Delano, David Kinkead & Humphrey Fullerton, Thomas Orr, Marquis Huling, Waddle & Dunn, James McClintock, Wm. McDowell & Co., Samuel Taggart, James Miller & Co., John McDougal, Austin Buchanan, Wm. Irwin, Drayton M. Curtis, and Samuel Monett; Innkeepers, Edmund Bayse, Thomas Cohen, Daniel Madeira, James Phillips, and Benjamin Woods.
Town Council of Chillicothe in 1827.
Levi Belt, Mayor; Jeremiah McLean, Eecorder; Benjamin Hough, Treasurer; Isaac Cook, W. E. Southard, John Waddle, James McDougal, David Kinkead, and George Nashee.
Bank of Chillicothe — Thomas James, President, and John Woodbridge, Cashier; Farmers', Mechanics', and Manufacturers' Bank of Chillicothe — Thomas S. Hyde, President; John P. Fessenden, Cashier.
The following lines are taken from a copy of the Scioto Gazette of 1815 :
THE YEARS TO COME.
My transient hour, my little day, Is speeding fast, how fast away ; Already hath ray summer sun Half its race of brightness run. Ah me! I hear the wintry blast, My "Life of Life" will soon be past; The flush of youth will all be o'er, The throb of joy will throb no more, And fancy, mistress of my lyre, Will'cease to lend her sacred fire. My trembling heart — prepare, prepare, For skies of gloom, and thoughts of care;
68 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
Sorrows and wants will make thee weep ,And fears of age will o'er thee creep. Health that smil'd in blooming pride ; Will cease to warm thy sluggish tide; The shaft of pain, the point of woe, Will bid the current cease to flow. And who, alas, shall then be nigh To soothe me with affection's sigh, To press my feeble hand in theirs, To plead for me in silent prayers. And cheer me with those hopes that shed Kapturc o'er a dying bed. Days of the future cease to roll, Upon my wild, afl"righted soul. Mysterious fate, I will not look Within thy dark eventful book; Enough for me to feel and know, That love and hope must shortly go; That joy will vanish, fancy fly. And death dissolve the closest tie. E'en now, while moans my pensive rhyme I list the warning voice of time; And oh! this sigh, this start of fear, Tells me the night will soon be here.
By Mrs. Matilda Hitchcock.
Her father, whose name was John Proud, emigrated to Ohio from New Jersey in 1801 ; he served as a soldier in the war of 1812 ; he was constable of his township for many years ; was a great hunter and paid for his farm, on which my in- formant, with her husband, now resides, in pelts and furs. He bought his land from General McArthur. He first lived two years on what was formerly known as the old Read farm, near Bourneville, when he moved to Buckskin township, which, at that time, was a howling wilderness, there being no settle- ment north within twenty miles. When he vvas moving to his new home in the woods, he took his familj'' and a part of his goods to his cabin, and leaving them in care of his wife,
Buckskin Township. 69
returned for the balance, ^y some cause he was delayed until the next day, leaving his family in their solitary cabin, which his wife had to defend all night, standing with the ax in her hands to keep the wolves out, as it had no door except what was very commonly substituted in those days, a blanket or quilt. He was a great hunter, and, at the age of seventy years, with spectacles on, he would kill squirrels from the tops of the highest forest trees with his rifle. He was a man of no education, but of a great mind— one of nature's true noblemen. He died at the age of seventy-four years.
By Samuel Br ad en.
His father, Eobert Braden, emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1800. He was in the war of 1812, and lived in Buckskin township forty-two years, where he died at the age of seventy- one years. My informant has been a resident of the township for seventy years, and is now aged seventy-three years. Old settlers, David Edminston, Robert Bdminston, Eobert Holding, J. Wilson, Benjamin McCline, Michael Hare, Eobert Young, Jacob Davis.
By C. W. Price.
The village of Lyndon, on Marietta and Cincinnati Rail- road, contains two stores, a grocery, a blacksmith shop, a car- penter shop, a wagon shop, a hominy mill, a planing mill, a saw and flouring mill, town hall, school house, and post-office. Number of inhabitants about 100.
By Abram Price.
His father, William Price, emigrated to Ohio from Yir- ginia in 1820, and died aged sixty years. My informant has served his township as treasurer for several years, and was a store-keeper in Lyndon.
By E. F. Coiner.
His father, Robert Coiner, emigrated from Virginia in 1836, and served for many years as justice of the peace and
70 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio,
deacon in the Presbyterian Church, was sergeant of a company in the war of 1812; is now a notary public, and aged about seventy-six years.
By John Howard.
His father, Adam, emigrated from Rockingham county, Vir- ginia, to Ohio, in 1809. He served as a soldier in the war of the. Revolution, and died at the age of seventy-two years. My informant served one term as director of the infirmary of Ross countj^ and has lived in the township fifty-eight years. Old settlers, Joseph Warnuch and Leeman. Warnuch served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution. J. Ricketts served as a soldier in the French war. Anderson Bryan served in the war of the Revolution.
By William Tharp.
His father, Daniel Tharjj, emigrated from Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1810, and died aged seventy-three years. My informant served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and at the time the war broke out, he was in Columbus, Ohio, making brick. He helped to make the brick for the old State House. He says in 1812 the place was but a village. On Mr. John Depoy's farm there has been, as is supposed, an ancient camp ground of the Indians, where many arrows of different sizes and shape may be found. In early days, on what is called the muddy fork of Buckskin, there was a beaver dam constructed across that stream, which remained, in part, for many years. Old settlers, James E. and Alex. Kerr, James Watt, Abram Stookey, Jacob Hire, John Fernour, John Sample (the latter was captain of a company in the war of 1812), William Grant, John Wallace, Robert Dubois, and James Dickey. Revs. Pit- tinger and Johnston were the first preachers. Mr. Tharp has an old-fashioned churn, which his family uses at the jjresent day, and which is over one hundred years old. The churn is made from the wood of the cypress.
Buckskin Township. 71
By Robert D. Patterson.
He was a carpenter, and moved from Highland to Buck- ekin township in 1841, and has served his township as con- stable for several years. He also served as one of the deputies for sheriffs Ghormley and Adams.
By Crawford Caldwell.
He emigrated to Ohio from Ireland in the first settlement of the country; served as a soldier in the war of 1812; has been a resident of the township for seventy years, and is now aged about eighty years. Old settlers, Jarret Ervvin ; William Smith, who served in the Kevolutionary war ; John McLean, also a Eevolutionary soldier; Kobert Holliday, who fought at the battle of Trenton, and Alexander Scroggs.
By John Lucas.
Ezra Lucas, his father, was born at Marietta, Ohio, and moved to Eoss county in 1811. He was in the war of 1812, was a cooper, and died aged about seventy-five years. His grandfather, Isaac Lucas, was one of the first settlers at Ma- rietta. He came from Boston, served seven years in the Revo- lutionary war, and was at the battle of Bunker Hill.
By Robert Wilson.
He was born near Pittsburg, in 1781, and from there he removed to near Wheeling, where, he says, he saw the body of the first person killed by the Indians near that place— a man named Robert Edgar. In 1797 or 1798 he moved to near Flem- ingsburg, Kentucky, and, in the fall of 1800, to Ohio, where he settled on Buckskin creek, near South Salem, on a fixrm his father had bought the previous year, when there were but three or four families living on the creek. In those early days, he says, the farmers turned their horses and cattle loose in the woods, to feast themselves on the luxurious herbage which grew so plentifully, and when they were needed they would have to be hunted in the deep forests, as they sometimes strayed many miles from home. On those occasions he invariably
72 Pioneer Record of Ross County^ Ohio.
carried his trusty rifle for protection and to kill game. He also says that he has killed raany bears in those hills, and some- times when they were feasting upon some of their hogs. The bear will not take time to kill a hog before eating, but as soon as it is caught will commence devouring it, the hog squealing as long as he has life. He says he has often been attracted to the place by the squealing of the hogs and killed the bear. Sometimes the hogs would return home with the flesh all torn from their backs. The wolves were also very plentiful and destructive to the sheep and pigs. "I was in the woods," says he, " one day, when my dog came running to me much frightened, and I saw, in a few moments, five large wolves in full chase after him. I fired and succeeded in killing one, when the balance made their escape into the forest.
"Our cabin was often visited by the Indians, who encamped on the creek near us, for days at a time, to hunt game. In 1802, after Ohio became a State, emigration increased in our neighborhood, and we began to have religious services. The first sermon preached in Buckskin was in the woods, on my father's farm, near where Major Irwin's house now stands, by two Presbyterian ministers, named Marcus and Dunlevy. After the service was closed, Father Irwin arose and made a short exhortation, and closed by saying: ' These ministers can not live upon the wind, therefore I propose to take up a collec- tion,' when taking up his hat he threw into it a silver dollar, and passing it around collected several dollars. The first church edifice erected was a small log building, near the resi- dence of James A.Wallace. The first minister who remained any length of time was the Eev. Eobert B. Dobbins, who was with us three or four years; the next was the Eov. James H. Dickey, who remained twenty-seven years."
My informant says: "I bought the farm I now live upon in 1804, and in 1805 did the first woi'k on it ; I cut the date — Feb- ruary 15, 1805 — in the bark of a beech tree which stands near my residence ; the tree is still standing, and the date is quite perceptible. In the same year, I planted some apple trees,
Buckskin Township. 73
which still bear fruit. I was married and settled on my farm in 1812, where I have lived ever since. In the summer of 1813, I was in the service of the United States as a soldier, having been called out to protect the frontier just after Fort Meigs had been besieged by the British, and was most of the time stationed at Lower Sandusky. I was a member of a rifle or light com- pany belonging to a battalion commanded by Major Robert Harper. Before we were discharged, my brother-in-law, John Halliday, and mj^self had our horses sent to us to ride home, and we turned them into a largo pasture near the fort, till the time of our discharge. Halliday went out one day to salt the horse?, and, after having gone some distance in the pasture, he heard a noise behind him near the fence, and look- ing around saw a party of Indians making for him; he started back on ' double quick time.' A.fter running about halfway across the pasture, he looked over his shoulder and saw one large Indian in advance of the others, so close that he could see the white of his eyes, which gave renewed impetus to his speed. On nearing the fence he looked for a favorable spot to cross, and to his great joy he saw a place where there was a wide space between the top rail of the fence and the rider; he made for it, and, without touching the fence, bounded thi'ough into the thick woods, and eluded his pursuers, and making a circuit of some miles got safely back to the fort."
Mr. Wilson is yet living and quite spry; his age is about eighty -nine years.
By Colonel William Collier.
His father. Captain James Collier, was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1752. When the colonies de- clared their independence, Mr. Collier took a decided stand in their favor. In 1776, he commanded a company in an expedition known as the Flying Camp; they rendezvoused at Lancaster, from there they marched to New York, took an active part in the battle of Long Island, and assisted in several skirmishes up the North river. They also fought at the battle
74 Pioneer Record of Ross County^ Ohio.
of White Plains, and were with General "Washington during his retreat through New Jersey. He also assisted in the capture of the Hessians at Trenton, and in 1777 was in the battle of Brandywine; also, was in several skirmishes at the White House. He and his company participated in the terrible sufferings at Valley Forge, where they were encamped for some time with General Washington. In 1778, Captain Collier was given com- mand of a company by the authorities of the State of Penn- sylvania, and ordered to Northumberland county to guard the frontier against the Indians. At Sunbury he joined a State regiment, and was stationed at Fort Muncie, on the west branch of the Susquehanna. He took an active part at the battle of Freeland's Fort. Having no command at this place, he volun- teered to bring in the dead. In 1779, he received a commission to enlist a company of rangers to serve during the war, in which he continued until its close. For his gallantry he was presented by General Lafayette with a fine sword, which is still in the family.
In 1814, he came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, and settled in Buckskin township, where he lived till the year 1844, when death called him away, lamented and beloved by all who knew him.
Pax ton Township. 75
Paxton Township,
Township Officers.
Justices of the Peace, J. M. Pearce and Charles Robbins Trustees, A. W. Seymore, A. Ferneaur, and J. W. Forneaur Constable, Samuel Tweed; Township Clerk, Charles Robbins Treasurer, J. H. Huling; Land Appraiser, Austin Pepple; At torneys, A. O. Hewett, J. R. Whitney, Lee S. Estel, and S. M Penn.
Officers of the Town of BaSnbridge.
Mayor, Lee S. Estel ; Marshal, William Rittenhouse; City Council, Charles Robbins, Samuel Townsend, Dr. S. C. RobertSj John H. Huling, and Robert X. Ivens; Recorder, A. E. Mc- Goffin ; Postmaster, A. B. McGoffin.
Number of Stores, etc.
Eleven stores and groceries, one drug store, three black- smiths, two wagon -makers, two harness makers, four shoe? makers, two tinners, one silversmith, two tanneries, four doc- tors, one saloon, one pump-maker, one hotel, one boarding house, two barbers, one bakery, one butcher, one carpenter, two man- tua-makers, two painters, one stoneyard, one Presbj-terian and three Methodist churches (including one colored), one union school and one colored school, three parsonages, and one National Bank by Rockhold & Co. Number of inhabitants, 900.
By Elijah Rockhold
His father, Joseph Rockhold, emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1797, and settled first at the Highbank Prairie; moved from there to Paxton township in 1800; served as cap-
76 Pioneer Record of Ross County^ Ohio.
tain of a company during the war of 1812, and his township for twenty-seven years as justice of the peace; he died at the age of eighty -five years.
Old Settlers.
Thomas and Captain William Stockton served during the war of 1812. Amos and Joseph Eeeder. Christian Benner built the first iron works at the Little Falls of Paint creek ; he emigrated from Germany to Ohio at a very early day. Henry Benner served as justice of the peace and captain of militia for many years. John Benner was born in Pennsylvania, and when but a small child, came with his parents to Ohio. Here he studied for, and was admitted to the bar, but soon left his practice, as his father needed his aid on the farm. He was a good neighbor, highly respected and loved by all who knew him. He died September 13, 1869, aged sixty-seven years. At the time of his death, he held the oflSce of mayor of Bainbridge and justice of the peace. The first mill was built by Jacob Smith, at the Big Falls of Paint creek ; first hotel was kept by John Torbett; first postmaster was Elijah Kelly, a blacksmith, who was also justice of the peace for many years. Mary Eock- hold, mother of Elijah, is one of the oldest ladies in the county, being now ninety-four years of age. She is in good health, and retains her mind to a remarkable degree. The author was in- troduced to her one evening by her son, when he awkwardly addressed her : "Why, you are a pretty old lady." She an- swered: "I am old, but not pretty, and never was." She is now living with her son in Bainbridge. Mrs. Eockhold says one of the first hotels was kept by Mr. Christian Platter, who was also a miller. The first store was kept by Enos Folk.
By Jacob Gault, of Bainbridge.
Mr. Gault emigrated to Ohio from Virginia in 1790, and served in the war of 1812; his captain was Mr. Joseph Eock- hold. Mr. Gault was at Hull's surrender, and at the siege of Lower Sandusky, under General William Henry Harrison ; ho
Pax ton Township. 77
Borved during the war; was afterward captain of a rifle com- pany of militia. He went from Bainbridge to Kentucky, and drove the carriage that conveyed Henry Clay to his home in that State when on his return from the treaty of Ghent, and re- mained with that celebrated statesman and patriot eight days at his own mansion. Mr. Clay's wife and daughter, and a gen- tleman by the name of Brown, were in the carriage with them. Mr. Gault says Mr. Clay was a fine violin player, and they had quite a pleasant trip. Mr. Gault used to drive team over the mountains from Chillicothe to the Bast for goods for the Messrs. Campbell, in early days ; he is now living, and over eighty years of age. He says in his younger days he was a lit- tle wild, which, of course, most men are. He relates the follow- ing as one of his boyish pranks : He was working at the old Eeeves' tannery, two miles east of Bainbridge, and in the neigh- borhood there was a young lady and gentleman who were en- gaged to be married. The day had been set and all the usual preparations made, but from some cause or other (my informant does not state whether his good looks had anything to do with the matter or not), the young lady repented, and, in her dis- tress, applied to Mr. Gault and asked: "What shall I do ? or where shall I fly?" He told her that in the cellar of the tan- nery, there was a large hogshead in which, if she wished, she -could hide, and he would see that she was cared for, which kind ofter the young lady accepted, and, together, they, on the evening when the twain were to have been united, hied off to the cellar, and the young lady, assisted by her gallant, entered the hogshead, when he covered it over with large pieces of tan bark, and day after day, for eight days, she remained in her prison- house, my informant conveying her food. On the evening of the eighth day, Mr. Gault procured a carriage and conveyed the lady to Lancaster, Ohio, and thus she eluded her would-be-husband.
From McDonald's Sketches, pp. 57, 58.
"In the year 1795, while Wayne was in treaty with the Indians, a company came out from Manchester, on the Ohio
78 Pioneer Record of Ross County^ Ohio.
river, to explore the Northwestern Territory, and especially the valley of the Scioto. General Massie was in this little band. After proceeding several days cautiously, they fell on Paint creek, near the falls. Here they found fresh Indian signs, and had not traveled far before they heard the bells on the horses. Some of the company were what was called raw hands, and pre- vious to this wanted much 'to smell Indian powder.' One of the company, who had fought in the Eevolutionary war, and also with the Indians, said to one of these vaunting fellows: 'If 3'ou do, you will run, or I am mistaken.' A council was now called. Some of the most experienced thought it was too late to retreat, and thought it best to take the enemy by sur- prise. General Massie, Fallenach, and E. W. Finley were to lead on the company, and Captain Petty was to bring up the rear. The Indians were encamped on Paint creek, precisely at what is called Eeeves' Crossing. They came on them by sur- prise, and out of forty men, about twenty of them fought. Those fellows who wanted to smell powder so much, ran the other way, and hid behind logs, and Captain Petty reported afterward that they had the ague, they were so much affrighted. The battle was soon ended in favor of the whites, for the In- dians fled across the creek, and left all they had but their guns. Several were killed and wounded, and one white man, a Mr. Eobinson, was shot through the body, and died immediately. These Indians had one male prisoner with them, who made his escape to the whites, and was brought homo to his relatives. As soon as the company could gather up all the horses and skins, and other plunder, they retreated for the settlement at Manchester, on the Ohio river. Night overtook them on the waters of Scioto Brush creek, and as they expected to be fol- lowed by the Indians, they made preparation for the skirmish. The next morning, an hour before day, the attack was made with vigor on the part of the Indians, and resisted as manfully by a few of the whites. There being a sink-hole near, those bragging cowards got down into it, to prevent the balls from hit- ting them. Several horses were killed, and one man, a Mr.
Paxton Township. 79
Gilfillan, shot through the thigh. Aftei' an hour's contest, the Indians retreated ; and the company arrived at the phice they started from, having lost one man, and one man wounded."
By Samuel Peacock.
His grandfather, Martin Gilmore, was in the battle of Reeves' Crossing above mentioned, and in the fight became separated from the company; two Indians gave chase; he ran to where Reeves' mill stands, and crossing the creek, turned and fired on the Indians, killing one of them, and had the sat- isfaction of seeing his carcass float down the stream. The In- diansfiredon himseveraltimes, butdid nothit him, and hefinally made his way in safety back to his company. He moved from Amsterdam to Bainbridge, where he lived for many years. He raised one of the first cabins in the place, and carried on the tailoring business. John Thompson served a term of years as commissioner of Ross county.
By George Free.
His father, Frederick Free, emigrated to Ohio from Yir- ginia at a very early day, accompanied with his family, in- cluding George, who has now been a resident of the township for sixty years. He was called out during the war of 1812, but furnished a substitute by the name of David McClellan. Near his residence was a stream called Cliff run, a branch of Paint creek, which, for natural scenery, can not easily be surpassed.. Its banks in places rise to the hight of fifty or sixty feet, of solid limestone, almost perpendicular, and on the top are inter- spersed with pine, which give the cliffs a beautiful appearance. At the point where this stream enters Paint creek, and for two miles above, are also cliffs, on either side, of limestone, rising sometimes nearly one hundred feet, with caves extending from fifteen to twenty feet and of considerable dimensions. Mr. Free's wife was a daughter of William Warniek, who was a sub- scriber to the Scioto Gazette for fifty years.
8o Pioneer Record of Ross County^ Ohio.
By Joseph Ogle.
He emigrated to Ohio from Kentucky about the year 1800 ; wa8 born in Maryland ; was in the war of 1812 in Captain Jos- eph Rockhold's company; was a home hunter, and has killed many bear, deer, and other game. He hauled wood for the use of the first legislature, which convened at Chillicothe. He is now nearly eighty-eight years of age. His wife was a daughter of Abram Pepple, who emigrated from Maryland to Kentucky, and from Kentucky to Ohio, in 1808. Her brother Abram was in the war of 1812. Old settlers, William Kent, Nathan Eeeves, and John Ferneaur. The first preachers in the neigh- borhood were Rev. Wm. Mick and Rev. J. B. Finley. Mrs. Ogle says she has heard Mr. Finley preach many times. He used to preach to the Indians, and had a colored man to interpret for him.
By Joseph Platter.
His father. Christian Platter, emigrated from Kentucky to Ohio in 1800; served his township in different offices for many years; built the mill on Paint creek known as the Platter mill, and died aged seventy-seven years. Joseph has served as township oflScer in diff'erent capacities for many years. He says near Bainbridge is a bank of red clay which some of the neighbors have used for painting their buildings, supjDosed to be the same with which the Indians used to paint themselves at the Big Falls of Paint. The water pours over a solid lime- stone rock, and falls about eight or ten feet, and just below there is another fall, but not so great.
By Robert Dill.
His father Robert Dill, Sen., and Thomas Dill, emigrated, in the first place, from Pennsylvania to Kentucky. From there they came to Ohio in 1800, and erected one of the first cabins that was built in the township. Robert Dill, Sen., served as jus- tice of the peace for several years. Indians were very plenty when they first came to Ohio, and would often call at their cabin. Mr. Dill was a home hunter. Deer were so plenty that they
Paxton Township. 8i
were often killed for their skins alone. At one time, while out on a hunt, he had quite a fight with wolves, there being some ten or fifteen of them, but escaped without harm. Mr. Dill, on making his first payment for his land, had to go to Pennsyl- vania. To make it, he started on horseback with about $1,500 in his saddle-bags, and on the way his horse, by some means, escaped from him, and started off with the money. After a hard chase and much anxiety of mind, he overhauled him and found all safe. Todd's trace passed immediately in front of the house in which he now resides. He has served his town- ship as an officer in different capacities from time to time. His father died aged seventy-one years.
Ancient Works.
On Mr. Dill's farm are six ancient mounds, of different sizes, from twenty to thirty feet in hight, and on Mr. Eichard Dill's farm is an ancient fort or fortification containing about twenty-four acres, which is a perfect square. The embankment is from three to four feet in hight, and, at regular intervals, there are low places or gaps. On Mr. Thomas Blackstone's farm is a circular formed work, containing some seventeen acres. The embankment is three or four feet in hight. All of these works seem to have been subjected to fire at some time, as there is found on them ashes and coals ; pieces of earthenware, some of fine workmanship, have been found in and about them. Kear some of these works freestone rocks, finely dressed, are found, some of them of an oblong shape, three by four feet, with the corners rounded off. One of these mounds is coated with gravel some eighteen inches in depth, and surrounded by a stone wall some three feet in hight. Several years since this mound was opened, and a skeleton was found in the inside, in a sitting posture, surrounded with stone.
By Thomas Blackstone.
His father, John Blackstone, emigrated from Virginia to Ohio in 1802, and was in the war of 1812. He was also at the defeat of St. Clair. During the fight he became very thirsty,
82 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
and lay down to take a drink. Not knowing they were de- feated, he was soon informed of that fact by another soldier, by the name of Black, who, when flying past and seeing him
lying there, called to him and said : " Blackstone ! d it,
why don't you run?" He rose and found the whole army in flight. But he soon was up with them. He died aged seventy, two years. He was a great hunter, and killed many bear, deer, wolves, and other game. One of his neighbors went to a deer lick at one time, and saw what he supposed to be the ears of a bear through the brush, working back and forth, as though keeping off the flies, when he up with his gun and fired. When the gun cracked he heard the tingle of a bell, and, upon going to the spot, to his surprise he found, instead of a bear, his own yearling colt.
By B. C. Carson, of Bainbridge.
The first tannery in Paxton township was sunk by Nathan Eeeves, two miles east of Bainbridge, at the crossing of Paint. He also kept a ferry boat at said crossing. Eeeves emigrated from Virginia, with the Carsons, about the year 1798. Mr. Carson's father, Eobert, settled in Highland county when New Market was the county seat, one mile west of where Hills- borough was laid out, where he sunk a tannery. The first school house was built on the farm of Christian Platter. It was also the first preaching place in the township. General Massie was one of the first settlers in the township, two miles west of Bainbridge. He laid out a town north of Paint creek, at the Great Falls, which was named Amsterdam. Here he built a grist mill and still house on the north side and a saw mill on the south. It was, however, very sickly, so he laid out Bainbridge, and it proving more healthy, Amsterdam was vacated. He also built a furnace on his farm, above town. Amos Folk was the first merchant in Bainbridge. He brought his goods from Chillicothe, in the first place, in saddle-bags. B. Kelly was the first blacksmith and justice of the peace. Austin Southard was the first shoemaker. These three families
Paxton 'Township. 83
composed the town for two or more years. Massie's mills, still house, and furnace are all gone. D. C. Carson was born in 1799, in all probability the first white male child born in the township. There has been fourteen still houses built in the township, but at this time there are none. Near Bainbridge are two fine sulphur springs, very strong, and perhaps as good as any in the State.
By Mr. Hoiuard Newman, of Twin Township.
On Mr. Price Taylor's farm, in Paxton township, stood a large mound, which Mr. Newman worked into brick some years ago. In this mound he found numerous human bones, some of a very lai-ge size, sometimes almost the entire frame. Some of the skulls were in a good state of preservation, con- taining the entire teeth. He found the center of the mound seemed to be filled with decayed matter, perhaps of human bodies; among this he found charcoal, pieces of lead, etc. Mr. Newman worked on this mound some three years before he made it up into brick.
84 Pioneer Recora of Ross County^ Ohio.
Liberty Township,
Township Officers.
Justices of the Peace, Elijah Humphrey and T. B. Er- skine; Trustees, Joseph Thomas, Madison Arganbright, and J. W. Drummond ; Treasurer, Samuel G. GrlflSn; Clerk, Elisha Murphy; Constables, Thomas GJ-rubb and Charles Parrott ; Land Appraiser, Levi Jones ; Postmaster, Thomas Katliff.
The village of Londonderry contains about two hundred Inhabitants, one M. E. Church, cemetery, two stores, three gro- ceries, two hotels, five blacksmith shops, one school house, one saddlery, two shoemaker shops, one silversmith and gunsmith, three phj^sicians.
For the above I am indebted to Mr. Samuel G. Griffin, father of Mr. P. G. Griffin, clerk of the court of Eoss county. Mr. Griffin emigrated to Ohio from Virginia in 1831, and is now aged about sixty-nine years. . He has served his township as treasurer for thirty-two years, and justice of the peace for sev- eral years.
Ancient Works.
On Mr. Thomas Orr's and Milton Jones' farms, near the bank of the Scioto river, is quite a large earthwork, several feet in hight, in an eight-square shape, with a gap at each corner. The inclosure contains about fifteen acres. On the same lands, near the river bank, is another earthwork, thrown up in a per- fect circle, containing about twenty or twenty -five acres, with a lane or gap dug out leading down to the water's edge.
On Mr. Daniel Harness' farm is another of those ancient works, square shaped, and in the center is a small mound six or eight feet in hight, the wall containing within it about eight
Liberty 'Township. 85
acres. Mr. Harness says on his farm, on the bank of the Scioto river, where the water had washed some of the bank away, were found at one time quite a large number of leaden balls of different sizes and shapes, some of them weighing an ounce or more, perhaps in all half a bushel, indicating that at some time there had been quite a severe battle there. He also states there was found on his farm a large stone pipe, weighing one pound, with the shape of a human face neatly cut upon it. Near the same place was found a marble or stone ball as large as a good sized apple, perfectly round and smooth, with a hole through the center, with many other curiously cut stones and darts. On Mr. Ed. Harness' farm is another of those mounds, which is about one hundred feet long, sixty feet wide, and fif- teen to eighteen feet in hight. Mr. Harness says at one time some persons opened this mound, and the inside was found to be quite hollow, the cavity admitting a person by stooping a little. Around the base were found buried a great number of human skeletons of quite a small size. A number of them were dug out. Under the head of each skeleton were found the fibers of seemingly very fine cloth, the threads appearing very plainly. Near this mound is a curiously shaped earthwork thrown up, containing some ten acres within the walls, with a long lane or outlet leading out for some distance from the main work.
Mr. John Davis, whose name appears in another place in this work, says Mr. Harness, in early times, started to Chilli- cothe on horseback to buy some salt, just after he had settled where he now lives, taking with him the last dollar he had, which would pay at that time for a half bushel. On the way he met a party who proposed a horse race for one dollar a side. Mr. Davis put up his dollar and won the race, and with his two dollars he bought a bushel instead of a half bushel of salt.
By Simpson Jones.
Among the very first settlements made in Eoss county was that of the Highbank Prairie, now included in this town-
86 Pioneer Record of Ross County j Ohio.
ship. A8 early as 1798 corn was raised b}'- different parties on that prairie. The crop spoken of by J. B. Finley, as hav- ing been raised by James Kilgore on the Station Prairie, was beyond doubt raised on the Highbank Prairie. As Kilgore settled and put up his cabin about where Horace Crookham now lives, and was living there in 1798, it is hardly likely he would cross the river and go up two miles to raise corn, when there was as good or better land within a few hundred yai'ds of his cabin. Mr. Kilgore afterward bought the upper tract of the Highbank Prairie, and divided it with a Mr. Holton, on which tracts of land, now owned by Thomas Orr and Milton Jones, both of them ended their days. We have no informa- tion that Mr. Kilgore attempted to raise any crop previous to 1798, in which year he did raise corn on the Highbank Prairie; so that we conclude the first corn was raised by the whites on that prairie instead of the Station. Among the earlier settlers who came out to make a crop preparatory to a settlement, were Thomas and Zebulon Orr, who raised corn on the Highbank in 1798 or 1799; also, Robert Corhen, Ben- jamin Kerns, Amos Taylor, and others — indeed, this was the center of the settlement, and the bank east of this rich and fertile prairie soon became lined with cabins, and so continued up to the time of the land sale. As the Government sold no smaller tracts than a section, it was the purpose of most of these early settlers to club together and buy homes on this prairie. But on the day of sale, when these lands were sold, the crier, instead of naming them the Highbank lands, offered them as the lands lying at the mouth of Indian creek, and they were bought by Benjamin Kerns, Felix Eennick, and Joseph Har- ness, except the upper fractional section, which was bought by James Kilgore and Holton. This made a scattering of the pioneers then settled along the bank, most of whom fell back upon the flats or second bottoms and uplands — some even seek- ing the hills on account of health and game. I have had it, says my informant, from more than one of these old settlers, that
Liberty Township, 87
it was their settled conviction that there was bribery used in the selling of the Highbank lands, but just who was accused I never learned. *
Eich and productive as these lands were, there was a terri- ble drawback to their attraction in the shape of chills and fevers. So prevalent was this disease that not a cabin or a fam- ily escaped for a single year; and it often happened that of a large family there would not be a single well member to fur- nish drink to the others. In such cases buckets would be filled in the morning by those most able and placed in some accessi- ble place, so when the shakes came on each could help himself or herself Had there been any seeming possible way of get- ing back to the old settlements, from which these adventurers had come, most, if not all, would have left the rich Scioto bot- toms, with their shakes and fevers; but so it was, there were no railroads or canals, or even wagon roads, on which they could convey their disheartened skeletons back to their old home- steads, with their pure springs and health-restoring associa- tions. At the time of the year when a tedious land or water trip could be made, there were enough of each family sick to prevent any preparatory arrangements for such a return ; while in winter there were even more obstacles in the way than the sickness of summer. Thus held not only by the charms of the scenery, and the productiveness of the soil, but by the sterner realities of shakes and burning fevers, few that came ever re- turned, but every year brought new neighbors.
« Who the party guilty of the bribery of the crier was, seemed to be indicated by several circumstances that followed soon after the sale. The first wheat raised on the Highbank was by Mr. Kerns, who was permitted to get it harvested and stacked, soon after which it was fired in the night and burned up. Among the first patches cleared in the upland by Mr. Kerns was for an orchard. Before fully completing the clearing, and while the log-heaps were on fire, Mr. Kerns had his apple-trees planted. These trees were obtained at a considerable cost, as there were no nurseries yet in this country. A night or two after the trees were all set out, and before the remains of the log-heaps were gone out, some person or persons went and pulled up every tree in the orchard, and laid the roots in the fire I — Jos. Smith.
88 Pioneer Record of Ross County , Ohio.
But to retui'n to the land sale. There was a general fee-l- ing of indignation toward the fortunate possessors of the High- bank lands, and parties who had expected to procure homes there hastened to make sure of the next best lands within reach. The Orrs removed to Dry run, in an adjoining township ; Eob- ert Corhen and Benjamin Hanson located on Walnut creek, near Mooresville; Amos Taylor, Thonias Jones, McClintick, and othei'S located on Walnut creek, where they lived till the close of life. On getting possession of the corn land on the Highbank, one of the purchasers claimed rent from those who had raised crops, and all paid except Thomas Orr. Orr refused to pay rent lor Congress land, and was sued by Benjamin Kerns, who failed to recover.
Very soon after the sale of the Highbank lands, all the bettor portions of the township were entered, chiefly by specu- lators and parties clubbing together. Few persons had the means to enter a whole section, or even a half section. All the land in the township, except the Highbank, was covered with a heavy growth of timber, such as white and black oak, hickory, sugar, poplar, beech, and walnut. To cultivate this land it was necessary first to clear it, which was a laborious job. Much of this timber, especially on Walnut creek, consisted of the finest yellow poplar, tall and straight, and many of them four and six feet in diameter. To get these trees out of the way re- quired much labor, as there were no saw mills, stationary or portable, then, to work up those remarkable trees, but thou- sands of them were deadened and suffered to stand and dry a few years, then cut down and burned by using the smaller limbs and other timber as "niggers." To clear a farm thickly set with timber was a work of years, and was accomplished only by persevering industry.
The beauty of these forests as they then stood, interspersed with all the varieties of timber common to this country, can only be imagined; and there is not a single nook or corner in the bounds of this township that has not been despoiled, not so much by the " scythe of time," as by the " ax of progress." It
Liberty Township. 89
scarcely seems possible that so great a change could be wrought in all our forests in seventy years as has already been. And it seems scarcely credible that in the settlement of a whole township, not one land owner could have had forethought enough to have saved a ten-acre lot of timber in its natural glorious state, with its magnificent poplars, walnuts, oaks, sugars, grapevines, pawpaws, spice-wood, etc. Such a ten-acre lot, as it once stood seventy years ago, would to-day be a greater curiosity, and attract more attention, than the best thousand acre farm in Eoss county. I know, says my informant, broken lands, that were covered with forests of sugar and poplar, in- terspersed with other varieties, which if they now stood as they stood even fifty years ago would bring one hundred dollars per acre, now not worth ten dollars per acre. Such has been some of our improvements on nature and her adornments.
The great pervading element our pioneers brought with them was destructiveness to trees, vines, flowers, and shrubs ; to wild beasts, from the fat bear to the little ground squirrel ; and from the wild turkey to the humming bird, the same hand of extermination was extended.
Speaking of those grand old poplars, saj^s my informant, reminds me of one I but recently manufactured into plank, turning out over eleven thousand feet of weather-boarding, be- sides some seven hundred feet of inch plank. To get this tree to the mill it was cut into eighteen logs, the four main body logs being split into quarters.
Next to the forests, the great attraction was the game of this region — the bear, deer, and wild turkeys. It frequently happened that great fat bears would be treed close to the cabin, and as for deer any one acquainted with the paths and divides could very soon find a white tail. Thomas Jones, my grand- father, raised a pet bear from a cub, taken Avhen quite small, which was, in his manners, decidedly an oddity. When grown he was kept chained in the yard to a stake, around which he had his circle and play-ground. There was one spot in that circle that he never passed without putting his nose to the
po Pioneer Record of Ross Couniy, Ohio.
ground and turning a somersault. No whipping or fighting him could so confuse him as to cause him to pass that sacred spot without this singular exhibition. After he had fairly ma- tured he was killed for his meat, and to get rid of the trouble of taking care of him. They also raised a pet deer which was, in her way, also a curiosity. She would go out in the woods and make friends with the wild deer, and then start for home in company with her gentleman deer, who generally forfeited his life b}^ his attentions, for no sooner was the pet belled-deer in sight than the gun and dogs were turned on the wild deer, when the tame deer would join the dogs in the chase, and rarely fail in capturing the deceived animal. At last the trusty deer was shot by mistake for a wild deer, having gone out without her bell.
Persons who once became accustomed to the use of bear meat often preferred it to any other meat. How much of this preference was founded in imagination was illustrated by an anecdote I will relate, wherein a certain Joshua Baltinger and John Eogcrs figured as regular bear hunters, as well as bear eaters. It happened on a time when the old pioneers were on a trading expedition to the Jackson salt works, that they put up for the night with Thomas Jones, who had but recently ar- rived, and erected his cabin, but had not formed a taste for eat- ing bear. A day or two before the arrival of his old acquaint- ances he had gone into the woods and killed a large black sow, and skinned and cut her up in the same manner as though she was a bear, taking care to leave her feet in the woods. Being fat the carcass had all the appearance of one, so much so that my grandfather said to the person who helped him to kill and dress the sow, "We will call her a bear." So the word went round that Tommy Jones had killed a fine fat bear. Such of the neighbors as liked bear meat must have a fry, while those who could n't go bear meat could not be prevailed on to touch the "critter." Among those was Tommy Jones himself As the two travelers were unsaddling, they espied the black skin hanging across a pole, and at once inquired what skin that was.
Liberty 'Township.
"A beai*," answered Tommy, quickly. "Killed a bear, Tom- my?" "O, yes; a fine fat one, too." Turning to Eogers, Balt- inger says: "I told thee we 'd get some bear meat before we got back, and now here it is." No excuse could prevent some bear meat from being fried for supper that night. Forthwith the skillet began to "siz and friz," and the peculiar flavor of the bear to fill the cabin, greatly to the delight of the old hunters. "Now," says Baltinger, "can 't thee smell the difference. Tom- my, between that bear meat and pork?" No pork, or any other meat, smelt like that bear meat. Thus the conversation went on while the meat was cooking, till brought on the table, when one of the old bear eaters, taking some meat and gravy on his plate, says : "1 tell thee. Tommy, where the difference is between this meat and gravy and pork; thee may eat all the bear gravy thee pleases, and it won't rise on the stomach like hog meat gravy." To this Tommy only remarked that "the paws of the bear were enough for him, he wanted nothing to do with the gravy." Thus feasted on bear meat from the old black sow, the old bear hunters went on their way rejoicing, taking good care to call again on their return trip to get an- other fill of bear meat, nor were they informed of the joke for some months afterward.
At that time hogs would generally be fat in the woods. Scarcely a year but there were either acorns or beech-nuts, and always roots in abundance. Of wild turkeys there was a great abundance. When a boy, says my informant, I shot a wild hen turkey that weighed nineteen pounds, a weight I never have known a tame hen turkey to reach. From what I have seen of the wild and tame turkey, I am satisfied there has been no im- provement made by domestication. On the contrary, I am sat- isfied there has been a perceptible deterioration in the turkey family since their domestication. The reasons for this I have nowhere seen accounted for.
92 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
Old Settlers.
Thomas Jones, ray grandfather, emigrated from New Jer- sey in 1804, and settled on Walnut oreek, where he opened a small farm, and raised nine sons and two daughters, all of whom lived to grow up, and all married and settled in the same neigh- borhood. For years he could take his nine sons into the har- vest field, and himself leading with the hand sickle make ten hands. Each of his eleven children became the head of a numerous household. The old homestead is still retained, and is in the possession of the youngest child. The Abi-aham Clay- pool and Amos Taylor farms remain in the possession of the children. With these exceptions all the other lands in the township have passed from the original purchasers into new hands.
Jefferson 'Township. 93
Jefferson Township.
By J. W. Vanmeter,
This township is in the southeast part of the county. Salt creek passes through it, near the center, in a southwest direc- tion. Richmond is the only town in the township, situated on the west bank of Salt creek and on the road leading from Chii- licothe to Jackson. The town contains about three hundred inhabitants, with five stores, two groceries, two hotels, two tan- yards, two blacksmith shops, three wagon shops, and two shoe- maker shops— all doing a good business ; one fine Methodist Episcopal Church, one large school house, with a school of from one to two hundred pupils, one gunsmith shop, two physicians, one surveyor, and one harness-maker.
At the east end of the town is a fine flouring and saw mill and a woolen factory. The advantages of water power here are perhaps as good as any in the county. At the crossing of the creek there is a fine bridge.
Bast of the creek the land is hilly, where a chance deer may be seen ; west of the creek the land is good. The town- ship was settled originally by Quakers from North Carolina. The town was laid out in 1811 by the Moffitts. The Coxes and Hinsons settled at this place in 1798. Soon after the settle- ment, other settlers came— the Meekers, Strattons, Minears, and many more Connecticut Yankees; also, the Rittcnours, on whose land is a stone barn, where the Rev. Mr. Cartwright preached in 1805. Anthony Rittenour emigrated to Ohio, from Maryland, at an early day, and has long since passed away, and bis son Jacob is the only one of the name left, who is now about eighty-six years of age. Mr. Rittenour served his country in
94 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
the war of 1812; he is the oldest man living in the township. Benjamin Short, aged eighty-four years, also served in the war of 1812 — these two being the only old soldiers of that war now living in the township. None of the Moffitts, or their descend- ants, now live in the township, they having long since moved to Chillicothe, Illinois. Henry Hinson, an early settler, died some years since, aged eighty ; his son, John Hinson, is the old- est man now living who was born in the township ; he is aged sixty-five years. Eli Stratton, one of the first settlers, died in 1867, aged eighty-nine years, having lived in the same house fifty-three years ; he moved to town about a year previous to his death. He was the father of S. D. Sti-atton, late recorder of Ross county. Out of all the persons living here forty years ago but five remain in the town and five in the township, all the others having died or moved away.
In this township are many old relics of the past, such as Indian graves, where charcoal, parched corn, fish bones, deer and dog bones, and whole human skeletons are found in the same mound, with plenty of broken earthenware, arrows, and pipes; and near the town at least a peck of large leaden balls have been picked up, and pieces of gun-barrels are also found, showing — as some suppose — the severe fighting old De Soto had, when on his way to Canada, with the aborigines. The old In- dian trail, from Kanawha to Chillicothe, passes here, going by way of the salt works at Poplar Row, now called Jackson. Mr. Rittenour says he has seen at least one hundred squaws, with their pappooses fastened to boards, resting or camping half a mile from town.
This township was at one time famous for hunting, game of all kinds being in abundance, and occasionally, to this day, a deer runs through the town; and the season is counted poor if we do not kill at least a dozen rattlesnakes in the township.
Mr. John Griffis, an old settler, who carries on the tannery which was erected in 1825, is now seventy -one or seventy-two years of age. He has been a resident of this place fifty years.
Jefferson 1'ownship. 9^
Besides other things, we claim to have the tallest man in the county, Mr. J. A. Stancliff, whose hight is six feet seven and a half inches. In the first settlement of this township, we had the social evil in the shape of still-houses. We had three in town, and nine within a mile of the place. My informant saj^s he has seen nine fights in half an hour, where the blows fell fast and furious; when all was over the parties would scramble up with mashed noses and black eyes, repair to the first dog- gery, and drink friends until the next meeting. With all this we have had but one person sent from this township to the pen- itentiary, and none hung as yet.
In this township, between the years of 1821 and 1847, there were twelve deaths by drowning, to-wit: Captain Levi Hicks, two names unknown, Loi-enzo Moffitt, a Mr. Dawson, John Hagans, a Mr. Martin, Peter Burr, two children of J. Tomlin- son, Anson Graves, and Daniel Bailey.
Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
Deerfie/d Township,
Deerfield township is noted for its large and extended plains, and rich and fertile bottoms on the Scioto and Deer creek, the ancient park for the elk and deer. Clarksburg, in this township, derives its name from Colonel William Clark, a vet- eran of the war of 1812, who resided on Hays creek.
Township Officers.
J. W. Timmons and A. S. Holloway, Justices ; James Temp- lin. Clerk ; E. W. Teniplin, Treasurer ; Samuel Cochran, Peter Baker, and J. W. Hurst, Trustees ; O. M. Hinson, Assessor ; James Templin, Jr., Land Appraiser.
Early Settlers.
Captain Clement Brown emigrated, in 1802, from Delaware. In 1803 he married Miss Eachel White, and permanently set- tled on the land which he had purchased on the rich bottoms of Deer creek. Mrs. Eachel Brown, his mother, came out that year, with the rest of her family — White, Henrietta, Kethura, Zaccheus, and Mary. John Wiley, who afterward married Hen- rietta, came out with them. Captain Brown cleared his land and cultivated it until 1812, when he and his company went to Fort Seneca, under Colonel Clark. On his return he continued the cultivation of his farm. He died at the age of eighty years, and such had been the increase in the value of land, that that which had cost him but little, was, at the time of his death, considered worth $200,000. He left a son and a daughter, Thomas W. and Sarah. Thomas W. Brown lives on his farm of two hundred acres at Mount Pleasant. He owns, beside, two thousand acres
Deerfield 'Township. 97
at other places. He has served his township in various capaci- ties, as trustee, assessor, etc. His family consists of Eichard N., N. W., Ambrose, Sina, Eebecca, Eichard P., Eachel, Elmore, and Kate W.
White Brown erected the first mill in the township. He was an exemplary man, a class leader in the Methodist Episco- pal Church for many years, and the father of Methodism in Deerfield township. He died, much lamented, in 1841, aged ninety-one years. His family consisted of Eebecca, Lucian, Amelia, Elizabeth, Anna, Margaret, Nelson, Mary, William, Sarah, Francis, and Priscilla.
Edward Tifiin, a relative of Governor TiflSn, emigrated to Deerfield in 1803, and located on the Scioto. He served in the war of 1812. He married a daughter of White Brown, and they had the following children : Mary Ann, Milton, Martha, Cynthia, Margaret, and Edward ; by his second wife he had three children — Newton, James, and Isabella.
Eev. Lorenzo Dow preached in White Brown's barn in 1828. Eev. Stephen Timmons, who emigrated to Deerfield in 1802, was the first Methodist preacher on Deer creek. He served several terms as justice of the peace, and was an early advocate of anti-slavery. He raised a large and respectable family. Abraham Shanton emigrated in 1803, and was in the war of 1812. Nathan Hide was a man of some note and popu- larity in the county. He was representative in 1865, and held, at various times, important township offices. He moved to Illinois. Colonel Hegler was in the war of 1812, as was also George Hill, a farmer and hunter. Samuel Clark was a son of Colonel William Clark. William Bryant, C. P. Davis, H. Ean- som, P. H. Potts, and William Goldsberg were farmers ; Wil- liam Stagg, a noted panther hunter ; Abram Payne, a singular man, but good company. William Haggard, who died at the age of eighty-three years, and M. Bragg, a farmer, were in the war of 1812. Jacob Switzer, Jacob Eobinson, Daniel Counts, Len. Counts, Isaac Fleming, and James Miner were in Captain Brown's company in 1813. Levi Noble emigrated in 1800.
9 8 Pioneer Record of Ross County ^ Ohio.
He was a noted hunter, and was in the war of 1812. His father served in the Eevolutionary war. Abram Alter, Jacob Lister, E. Hide (who served thirty-three years as justice), and Thomas Hardy, were all in the war of 1812. J. H. Hervey, Ives Wagill, and William Kerkendall were early emigrants — about 1801.
Colonel William Clark, a farmer and tanner, was an early settler in Deerfield. He commanded a regiment of militia sev- eral years, and was at Hull's surrender. William Lister was an early pioneer ; he served in the war of 1812 ; is now ninety- seven years of age, and voted at the last election. Joseph Tim- mons, son of the Eev. Stephen Timmons, the old pioneer preacher, is a man of ability and influence ; he is now a justice of the peace. John Foster came to Deerfield in 1802, and was the first school teacher in the township. His sons were Charles, John, Andrew, and James. John and James Tuttle owned large farms on Deer creek ; were men of influence and wealth, and early settlers in the township. David Jones was chaplain to General Wayne, in 1793-95, and Andrew Jones was one of his spies. Colonel Evans was in the Eevolutionary war ; came here in 1796. John McNeil. J. Wise; died aged one hundred years. Frederick Bray, Indian killer, died aged ninety-one years. Persal Smith. Joseph Conrad ; had at one time three wives ; died aged ninety-nine years. Byron and Baron Lef- fenwell were soldiers in the war of 1812. William Pennell was a fife-major under Colonel Clark. Thomas Carney and S. Howell were pioneers in 1801. Henry Mallow, George Smith, M. Stites, B. Thomas, Henry Lawrence, Eobert Taylor, and El- well Brown were mechanics, farmers, and tnerchants, useful citizens, and early emigrants. Benjamin Grimes, Curtis Wil- liams, James Tender, Thomas Junk, David Hagar, John Mc- Carthy, M. P. Junk, Amos Seropes, William Jones, Michael .Bush, John Bush, S. Mangold, John Farlow, David Plilly, Ed- ward Young, C. Stratton, Martin Peterson, John Holloway, G. Vincent, John Junk, Henry Colsten, J. Clemens, Aaron Beaton- ham, Lemuel Holloway, Thomas Carney, S. Chester, and Eufus Betts were all early pioneers, and nearly all in the war of 1812.
Deerfield 'Township. 99
James Templin, Sen., emigrated from Kentucky to this township in 1795. His family consisted of Solomon, Eobert, Jeremiah, Isaac, Margaret, and John. He landed at Ports- mouth, and came up the Scioto to the station. He bought his land from General Massie. OliTown was then the headquarters of the Indians. He and his brother John were in Colonel Clark's regiment in the war of 1812, and helped build Fort Meigs. At the close of the war he resumed the cultivation of his farm. He was twice married, and had fourteen children. He is now eighty-one years of age and rather feeble. His children are scattered, most of them being in the West.
The following pioneer names were handed in by Captain Hoddy : Lieutenant John Jackson ; James Huffman ; Noah Downs, fifer in Captain Brown's company ; James Baker, drum- mer; Eev. P. Baker, first Baptist preacher and father of Peter Baker; Edward and Thomas Noland, Stephen Emory, and Uriah Betts. The above were all farmers, and were in Colonel Clark's regiment.
Colonel William Clark's staff, in 1812, were : Eobert Hod- dy, Adjutant ; Benjamin Grimes, Chaplain ; James Miner, Pay- master; William Clawson, Quartermaster; John Clark, Ser- geant-major; M. E. Peterson, Lieutenant-colonel; and Major Calloway.
lOO Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
Colerain Township,
Township Officers.
Washington Jennings, Andrew Hinton, and Samuel Haris- inger, Justices of the Peace; Jacob Boustoer, S. Pontious, and Andrew Hinton, Trustees; John May, Clerk; A. Kose, Treasurer; J. Throgmorton, Assessor; Andrew "Wiggins and A. G. Betzer, Constables ; David Jones, Land Appraiser.
Colei-ain township, in early days, was a noted place for game of every kind. Walnut and Salt creeks were headquarters for all the hunters in the neighborhood ; their high and craggy banks were the biding places of bears, panthers, and wolves. The township is watered by the head waters of Walnut, Salt, and Kinikinick creeks. The face of the country is part rolling and part level; the soil is rich, and every acre can be tilled.
Adelpha is the principal town in the township, and is one of the oldest towns in the State. It has several stores, churches, etc.
Old Settlers.
Hon. Daniel Kershner was the first pioneer settler in this township, having come in 1796. He had quite a large farm, and was a man of some prominence. He served as captain in the war of 1812, and represented the county in the legislature in 1836. He died in 1844, at the age of eighty-four years. He had three sons — Daniel, John, and Elisha. Daniel, Jr., married and settled at the head waters of Walnut creek. He was captain of the militia, served two terms as county commissioner, and held several township offices. He is now seventy-two years of age, in good health, and much respected. John, the second eon, is owner of the old stone fort and a farm on Salt creek.
Colerain Township. loi
He mari'ied a daughter of the late Colonel Spangler ; has held several township trusts. There are several mounds and one old fort circle on his farm. Elisha, the third son, lives near John; a good farmer and excellent neighbor. John Kershner, Jr., is a bachelor, a great land speculator and stock dealer. The Kershners are all great land owners, men of wealth and influence.
Hon. Elias Henton was one of the earliest pioneers. Prior to leaving Virginia he had been elected judge. He was a noted hunter as early as 1796. The last panthers and bears he killed were in 1805, on the waters of Walnut creek. He held the office of justice for twenty-one years, and has served his township in other capacities. He is still living, much respected by his numerous friends and relatives. Aaron Jones has taken a great interest in improvements; is a man of sterling principles and sound sense. He was justice of the peace many years. Moses Jones was an early pioneer; entered his land in the forest, and made it a fine farm; held several civil and military offices, and was a man of character and highly respected. Martin Dresback was a pioneer of 1798. He was a soldier in General Harmar's campaign of 1791 and a noted hunter. He died at the age of ninety-six yeai*s. John Bookwalter was an early settler in Salt creek valley ; a good hunter. He served as spy from 1783 to 1795, in the campaigns against the Indians. He died at the age of ninety-five years, and his wife, Barbara, at the age of ninety-eight. Joseph, Aaron, and William Bookwalter were among the early pioneers, who cleared their farms in the forest wilderness and braved all the dangers of frontier life. They were men of worth and enterprise. William is still living on his farm, a useful citizen. John May was a pioneer of 1799. He was a great hunter, and served in the wars of 1791 and 1812. Frederick Pontious was an early settler ; a good man, who had much influence in society. He served several terms as justice. Washington Jennings was an early emigrant, a good farmer, and quite popular. He was a justice for many years. Joseph Poland, Henry Strauser, Isaac Harper, Isaac Larich, George
I02 Pioneer Record of Ross County y Ohio.
Flanagan, Jacob Boucher, and Conrad Eudy were all early pio- neers, and came at the same time. Captain John Patterson was one of the first settlers of Colerain, a brave, energetic man. His father was a major in the Eevolution. He served as a captain in the war of 1812, and was several terms justice of the peace. He died eighty years of age. Major Engle, a brave and kind man, and a good farmer, earned his title in the war of 1812. John Dunn was a farmer and justice; a noted man. Saml. Harisinger emigrated at an early day; a farmer; has served several years as justice and postmaster at Adelpha. David Kershner built the first distillery in the township. John Beach was the first innkeeper, and Alexander Smith the first shoemaker. Peter Marshall established the first boot and shoe store in the town- ship. John Stelinger was the first carpenter, Martin Nungester the next; Barton O'Neil, the first blacksmith and carpenter. Flanagan Merriman, an early settler in Colerain, is yet living, at the age of eighty-one years. Nathaniel Throgmorton, an eai'ly pioneer, has a large farm ; a man of sound sense, in whose opinion his neighbors place great confidence. He is one of our best citizens, and has raised a large and respectable family. Peter Goodman, a great stock dealer, David Holderman, Conrad Betzer, John Brown, Peter Strauser, Anthony Betzner, and John Strawner were all early pioneers. Samuel Dresback, an early settler, a man of influence, and full of enterprise, has held several township oflSces, and is much esteemed. John Alena- ther, Henry Hickel, T. W. Hickel, Frederick Haynes, Andrew Haynes ; George Gower, an English soldier under Dunmore, from whom Fort Gower took its name; Moses Dawson, David Dawson, Thomas Arnstow, William Hoover, J. D. Smith, D. Jones, Ja- cob Strouse, Thomas Nutter, Thomas Patton, Jacob Alexander Jacob Grawutt, N. Justin, Peter White, Peter Nicol, and Noah Clark were all early pioneers — all dead but three, and their descendants scattered over the West. David C. Bolous, the hermit, was an Indian killer and bear hunter. He came to the Hocking caves, from the Kanawha region, in Virginia, in 1789. He was never married, having been disappointed. Here he lived
Colerain T^ownship. 103
alone in the dense forest, and hunted game, which was in abundance. He would take the skins, furs, and venison to the Ohio, and sell to the traders. In 1791 he shifted his quarters to near Fort Harmar, and from there went, as a spy, to the Maumee, with General St. Clair, and was taken prisoner by the Indians, and lived with them until Wayne's treaty in 1795. He came to old Daniel Kershner's in 1797, and stayed there till the fall of 1799, when he went to the old earth fort on Salt creek, and built a cabin there, in which he lived till the time of his death in 1802. He had killed, in his time, ninety-six bears, seventy-three wolves, and forty-three panthers.
Ancient Mounds, etc.
On John Kershner, Jr.'s, farm is a model mound, thirty-five feet high; and on the west bank of Salt creek, an earth fort, in the shape of a half- moon; one large gateway, and a circular earthwork, extending from the half- moon to the ancient earth fort.
I04 Pioneer Record of Ross County, Ohio.
Union Township,
In Union township the face of the country is rather un- even. The bottom lands on the Scioto and Paint and Deer creeks are rich, and produce corn and grain of the best quality. Deer creek divides the township into North and South Union. The streams running through South Union are Eobinson's run, Anderson-'s run, Acton's run, Menary run, and Musselman's run, all emptying into Paint creek. The follow- ing streams empty into Deer creek: Yellow run. Dry run, and Hay run.
Early Settlers. By John Robinson, President of the Ross County Pioneer Association. His father, Joshua Eobinson, emigrated to the Scioto Yalley in 1795, in company with Greneral Nathaniel Massie and his surveyors. On arriving at the. station near where Chillicothe now is, they proceeded up the main Paint creek. Following the Indian trail at Keeves' Crossings, they came suddenly upon a party of Indians encamped. A battle ensued, which soon ended in favor of the whites. The Indians retreated through the woods, carrying off everything but their guns. Joshua Eobinson was shot through the body and died immediately. The body was interred near the mouth of Eocky fork, at the head of the rapids. A white man, who had been prisoner with the Indians, made his escape during the fight. The party re- treated to the Three Islands. William Eobinson, bi-other of Joshua, was also in this fight. He bought six hundred and forty acres from Greneral Massie in South Union, four miles south of Chilli- cothe. He moved to his purchase in 1800, and erected the first cabin in the vicinity, and soon cleared a fine farm. When the war was declared in 1812, he was one of the first to volunteer, although over age. He died at the age of seventy years. John Eobinson, on the death of his father, was adopted by bis uncle
Union Township. 105
William, and lived with him till he was of age. He was cor- poral in Captain Alexander Menary's company, of Colonel Clark's regiment, and marched to Sandusky. When the war was over, the regiment was disbanded at Chillicothe, and Mr. Robinson settled on the land on which he still lives, eighty- three years of age, in the enjoyment of good health. He had three sons, James, John, Jr., and Joshua — the latter dead — and two daughters. He furnishes us with the following names of early settlers: William Wilcox, William Cochran, Eichard Bradley, Alexander McClintock, B. Johnston, M. Yates, M. Dolly, M. Robertson, Alexander Robertson, and J. Clark, who all served in Colonel Wm. Clark's regiment in the war of 1812. John Acton, a man well advanced in years, came to Ross county in 1810, with his family, viz : Richard, John, William, Jeremiah, Sarah, and Benjamin, and settled in South Union. Richard and John were noted hunters. They died in 1810, aged respectively eighty-nine and eighty-eight years. William was in Captain Menary's company during the war of 1812. After it was over he settled on Colonel Evans' land. He is now living on his farm on the north fork of Paint creek, eighty- two years of age, and in good health and spirits. He furnishes the following names of early settlers : James Weaver, who is the father of ten sons, all farmers ; Jacob Shedy, James Augus- tus, Oliver Michael, James Anderson, James Pool, Michael Mus- selman, William Rogers, James Duncan, Jr.; General James Menary, who served in the war of 1812, and one term in the legislature; Richard Atherton, L. H. Atherton, Henry Ather- ton, and John Anderson, who was in the war of 1812.
Names of Early Settlers, furnished by Major James Weaver.
William Pool, Jacob Sharer, S. Organ, Oliver Nichols, Revs. Joseph and James Nichols, Addison Nichols, Stephen Ryan, Daniel Beard, George Steel, T. Anderson, Charles Binns, John Guster, James Steel ; Richard Barrett, blacksmith ; T. Arthur, first merchant and preacher ; H. Rouse, Wm. Fulton, Wm. Noble, and S. Day, who were all farmers.
io6 Pioneer Record of Ross County^ Ohio.
Names and Records, by John N. Hurst.
His rather, Levi Hurst, and family emigrated to Ross county, from Maryland, in 1801. They came in one-horse carts to Wheeling, where he purchased a flat-boat, in which he floated his etfects to Portsmouth, except the horses, which were sent by land. Here he hitched up his carts again, and in nine days reached Chillicothe, in the month of June. He moved into the woods the September following. Wild game was very plenty, and the Indians were hunting in great numbers that fall, so that clearing progressed very slowly. Mr. Hurst was the father of eight children. His sons' names were James, William, Harper, Samuel, Thomas, and John N. The latter occupies the beautiful homestead on Dry run. He has served his township as justice, clerk, assessor, etc. They are all Methodists. General Hurst, who served in the late war, and is nowUnited States revenue collector, is a relativeof 'SquireHurst. When Captain Harrod was killed by the Indians, a company was raised and pursued them as far as Old Town. In return- ing they indulged in firing at game, which so alarmed the settlers that they all left their cabins, and the whole thirteen families collected at Levi Hurst's, expecting an attack. Mrs. Hubbard stood during the night near the window, with an ax, saying that she would kill the first Indian that would attempt to get in. Mr. Levi Hurst built the first hewed log- house in the towiiship. He was born in 1770, and died in 1861. He and his wife had lived together seventy years.
John Rogers, one of the pioneers, helped to build the first cabin in Chillicothe. He was in the valley three months prior to the arrival of the first white woman, and drove the first cattle from Kentucky to Chillicothe. His old cabin is still standing. Judge James Armstrong served as judge one term. He was a man of ability. Joseph Clark, James and Hamilton Rogers were early settlers. Judge Joshua Robinson died in 1862, aged eighty-eight years. Thomas, John, and Joseph McCoy were the first settlers on Dry run. Thomas Earl was
Union 'Township. 107
an early settler and good man; served as justice several terms. David Augustus was in the war of 1812. Joseph Coujits, John Eussell, Henry Davis, and William Harvey were the first school teachers. Kev. Benj. Young was the first preacher. Eev. H. Smith organized the first Methodist Church in 1800. The first camp meeting was held in 1803, on Thomas Watts' farm. Eben Timmons, Thomas Hicks, Thomas Willis, Eobert Harvey, T. Tootte, N. Adams, Isaac Cook ; James Dunlap, who was a mem- ber of the State legislature; Colonel Evans, a man of great enterprise and a large land owner, who came from Kentucky ; Philip Miner, Jacob Mace, Joshua Clark, Joseph Counts, Asa Hawkins, Jacob Crispin, Levi Warner, Abram Winder, Charles Fryson, John Hinder, Milton Anderson, Thomas Thompson, Mr. Williams, David Corbit, Michael Baily, William Fulton, and Daniel Beard, who was in the war of 1812.
John Dunlap, father of James and all the other Dunlaps in this region, emigrated to Union township in 1796, and was so much pleased with the Scioto Valley that he bought a large body of land on the west bank of the Scioto, for which he gave nineteen cents an acre. This land is now owned by his sons, and is worth one hundred dollars per acre. His wife was a granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Franklin. His sons were Eobert, Eufus, James, John, Major, and Lorenzo.
Casper Smith came to the Scioto Valley in 179G. His father was a captain during the Eevolutionary war. Casper was in the war of 1812, and died in 1845. Henry and Thomas Bowdell and James Fish came in 1800. Eachel Buckworth is yet living, and has raised a large family. Thomas Vinsant. Mr. McCarfity, an early settler, was in the war of 1812. The latter was a kind man and good neighbor. His widow is yet living at Chillicothe, and still owns the old farm. John Huber, Sen., John Huber, Jr., and Henry Eussell, all farmers, with large families. John Eobinson, Thomas Littleton, Joseph Charge, Henry Cook, John Davis, Thomas Earl, Caleb Leland, and John James came in 1799 ; all farmers.
io8 Pioneer Record of Ross County^ Ohio.
Pioneer J^ames, etc., by Michael Beaver, Jr.
Michael Beaver, Sen., emigrated to Eoss county from Vir- ginia in 1800. His family consisted of Michael, Joseph, Eliza, Susan, and Elias. He purchased a section of the military land on Deer creek. He served in the Revolutionary war, and his son Michael in the war of 1812. The wife of the latter died in 1860, aged seventy-nine years. Peter Jackson was a justice for several terms, and had been in the Revolutionary war. John Baker, John Kirkendal, and Stephen Timmons. The latter was the first Methodist preacher, in 1796. William Noble still lives, at the age of eighty-eight years. A. Davenport. B. Rhine- hart's sons, John, Jacob, Henry, and Abel, are prominent and useful citizens. They were early settlers, having come in 1796. Jacob was a captain in the war of 1812, and his brothers were all members of his company. Abner and Benj. Kerns were drovers in the war of 1812. Colonel John Mace and Andrew Mace were sons of Jacob Mace, an early pioneer. This family have occupied prominent positions in civil and military affairs. J. S. Mace is now sheriff of Ross county. He is a man of in- fluence and an efficient officer. John Thompson, Jesse Grimes, Hezekiah Ingham, Isaac Ingham, and James Whitesides were in the war of 1812. George Bennett was the first blacksmith, and Len. Warner the first potter. William and Isaac Warner were carpenters. The Warner family were Quakers. Philip Mencil was a captain in Colonel Clark's regiment. This regi- ment was mustered out in 1813, on the farm of M. Beaver, on Deer creek. Anson Watts, who was also in that war, is still living, eighty-five years of age.
Ancient Works.
On Mrs. Steel's farm is a large earthwork, with two miles of wall, several large mounds, squai'es, gateways, and bastions. There is a circle on Mr. George Shearer's farm a mile long, with embankments six feet high. There is a lai-ge mound and circular fort on Mr. Wood's farm.
Harrison Township. 109
Harrison Township,
Township Officers.
James T. Search and Hiram Creamer, Justices ; Frederick "Wheeland, L. Freeman, and John Strauser, Trustees; Samuel Nichols, Treasurer; James Search, Assessor ; Warren Walters, Clerk.
On the east side of Walnut creek, adjoining Hocking county, the country is mountainous, with narrow valleys be- tween. The prominent sugar-loaf peaks, covered with the evergreen spruce and cedar, were as late as 1805 famous hunt- ing grounds for bear, panthers, wolves, wild cats, foxes, elk, deer, wild turkeys, and smaller game. Black, racer, copper- head, rattle, and garter snakes were very abundant. Mr. Han- son killed a racer which was sixteen feet long. Big Foot, the Indian chief, called this the bad ground — the habitation of bad spirits. It was considered unsafe to travel through it either on foot or horseback unarmed. It was a noted hunting park for both the Indians and the white hunters. The township is thickly settled along the vallej's of Walnut and Sugar creeks. The high hills are too steep to cultivate, and the soil too poor to produce profitable crops. Walnut creek is twenty miles long, rising in Colerain and emptying into Scioto river.
Early Settlers.
Samuel Hanson and family, who emigrated in 17i'8 ; Louis Graves, George Stanhope, James and Bennett Arinesly, Joseph Vangrundy, George Bishop, Daniel Ream, Anthony Raj^pole, John Lewis, Joseph Farmer, George and John Robuck, Wil- liam Johnson, Andrew Thompson, William Lockard, John Ort- man, Stephen Ross, Thomas Hanks, James Carothers, and