Adams County, Ohio - Chapter 5, 1880

Chapter 5

At the first court, held September, 1797, tho county was divided into six townships, as follows: Cedar Hill, Manchester, Iron Ridge, Union, Scioto and Upper.

Cedar Hill began at the mouth of Eagle creek, extended np the river to a point opposite the mouth of Cabin creek at Lawson's Ferry, thence north to the northern boundary of the county, thence west on said line to the west line of the county-, thenco south to the place of beginning.

Manchester township began at the south-east corner of Cedar Hill, opposite tho mouth of Cabin creek, thence up the Ohio l iver to the mouth of Island creek, thenco up that streajp to the main forks, thence oil the highlands, between these main branches, to the highlands between Eagle creek and Bush creek, to a point where the Maysville and Wheeling road crossed said highlands, between tho waters of Lick Fork and Eagle croek, from thence north to tlie north line of th3 county-, thence west ou said county line to the north-east corner of Cedar Hill township, thence south along that line to the place of beginning.

Iron Ridge, probably so named from tho vast deposits of iron ore found in the hills of what is now Jefferson and Meigs townships, began at the south-east corner of Manchester, at Island creek, thence up tlie river to tlie first large branch abovo tho mouth of Salt creek in Scioto county, theiiGe nearly northwardly to the north line of the county, thence west to the Manchester township line, thence south to the place of beginning.

The other three townships, Scioto, Union and Upper, were in the cast side of tlie county, and were taken out in 1803, to form Scioto county.

Those townships remained until 1808, when tho Commissioners re-divided tlie county into townships, with new names. Today there is but one that bears the old name - Manchester.

The Old Zane Trace

This is probably tlie first laid oft' road in Ohio. In May-, 1798, Congress passed a law authorizing Ebcnezcr Zano to open a road from Wheeling to Limestone, now Maysville, Kentucky. The next year, 1797, Mr. Zane, accompanied by his brother, Jonathan Zanc, and his son-in-law, John Mclntiro, both experienced woodsmen, proceeded to mark the new road. This road passed through Zanesville, Lancaster and Chillicothe, on tho general route of tlie Maysville and Chillicothe pike. It passed through Adams .county, a little to tho west and north of tho villngo of (Vest Union. Tlie mail was carried over this route tho next year, 1798, and it was probably Hie first mail route established in Ohio. This was at first only a bridle path, ant^barely passable on horseback. It afterwards became a great thoroughfare through Ohio, and was tho route over which tho southern statesmen - President Jackson and Henry Clay among others - passed oil tlioir way to Washingt^mojty.

Early Records

Tho first record wo find regarding the local affairs of (lie county, after its organization in July, 1797, is of a court of Quarter Sessions, held at Adninsville, in March, 1798. >-

At this court. James Scott, Henry Massio aud Joseph. I).irliuton were appointed Commissioners, and Simeon Reeder, Aaron Moore, Noble Grimes, James Edison, Thomas Dick and Jobu Watts, were appointed Assossors.

Tlio Commissioners and Assossors appear at tliih date, to have jointly, constituted a body for transacting the general business of tho county.

This jiody first mot for tlie transaction of business at Adamsville, on tho 13th of Juno, 1798, but for lack of « quorum, they adjourned to meet at tho sumo place on tho 27th of Juno.

U ilio appoinled tlnio. n quorum was present. mu! Miry proceeded it> appoint a clerk, wlion Joseph liai'liiilt'ii was seleeled lor ilto position. Tlioy next proceeded to appoint collectors of taxes for iln- several low nsltips. ns follows: .liilm II. Gonclt, t'p|ior townsltip: David Mileliell. I'nion township; Stephen Reach, Iron Kill ilt' lownsliip: Samuel Smith, Scioto township; John Ellison, Manchester township; William Ruins, Cedar Hill lownsliip. Ilaviim calculated the amount of the public debt of tho county ami other necessary expenses, such as building jail, etc., they proceeded to make a levy of #2,400, to meet tho sumo.

Tliev next proceeded to appoint constables to tako a list of tho axable property of their respective .townships, and report tho >ame to the board on the 9lh of August, at the dwelling house of John tienetl. in Manchester.

The first record we find of the existence of a Sheriff, is the payment of a bill of #38.50 to John Harnett, Shcritf, for taking Hugh MePill to Cincinnati:

appears to the satisfaction of the Commissioners, that John Crawford, of Iron Ridge township, who was taxed as a -ingle man. is married, and that his property is taxed to and paid, bv his son, Motes Crawford. Ordered that his money be

"George' Campbell, a single man, in Iron Ridge township, who was taxed, this day proved to the satisfaction of the Commissioners, that he was under age and is exonerated."

'- Return of persons subject to taxation, by Stephen Beach, collector ot Iron Ridge township, who were omitted by tho Const able Assessor, to-wit:

The Commissioners met agreeable to adjournment, 28th of .1 une last, and were present, Henry Massie and Joseph Darlintou, Commissioners. James Scott being appointed Commissioner at the General Court of Quarter Sessions at the March Term, this day exhibited a certificate of his qualification and took bis sank First Orders Drawn on the Treasury. - "The following accounts against the county were presented to aud allowed by Commissioners and Assessors, to-wit :

At a Court of General Quarter Sessions, held at Washington, in March, 1799, George Gordon and James Edison, w&re' appointed Commissioners.

At the term held at Washington, May 20th, 1799, Matbaniel Washburn was allowed for taking care of, aud barying * sick man, who died at his house, #16 00.

At the December session for 1799, Jno.' Killin, collector for the same township (Iron Ridge) obtained warrants against h long list of delinquents among which we select tho following:

The foregoing items of one dollar set opposite each respective name, was the "bachelor" tax. This class of men do not appear to hove received much sympathy from the community - or enjoyed the respect of mankind - or woman-kind cither for that matter. Scorned by "old maids" - for their obduracy, chased by constables, armed with warrants, intent to wring from them an uuwilliiig and distasteful tax - they seem to have had no rights, that the unfeeling a.id tyrannical world felt "bound to respect"

Blit a brighter day was soon to appear. The new constitution presently formed, forever set at rest this annoyance, by prohibiting the assessment of a poll tax.

At a Court of General Quarter Sessions, held March 14th, 1800, George Gordon, James Edison and Joseph Kerr were appointed Commissioners. Joseph Ken was appointed Secretary for the Board.

John Davidson presented tho certificate of Sheriff Barrett, that Stephen Davidson had served 33 days as guard - for which an order was issued for #33.

At the July Term, 1806, Noble Grimes was allowed #45, for furnishing rooms and repairing Court House. Isaac Wamslev, Joseph Moore, Noble Grimes, and Jonathan Wamslcy were allowed #1.25 each for killing wolvc3.