Adams County, Ohio - Chapter 7, 1880

Organization

This township was organized by the Commissioners, December 2, 1818. It was formed from the north part of Wayne, and comprised nearly the same territory now embraced within the present limits of Scott and Winchester.

The south-western portion is moderately rolling land and good -soil. There arc a number of fair looking farms. Sonic of these farmers raise fine stock - especially cattle and hogs, hut the northern and north-eastern parts arc hilly, poor looking lands, with farms that correspond.

The principal stream of water is George's creek, which traverses from north-west to south-east. It is so called from George Eccrest, who settled upon it at an early day.

Tranquillity

This is but a small place, and was never regularly laid out as a village, having grown up by lots being sold from time to time to persons who desired to improve them and engage in business. It contains 1 store, 1 blacksmith shop, 1 saddler's shop, 1 millinery shop, 2 doctors, 1 church and 1 mill - perhaps a dozen houses and 50 to GO inhabitants.

It received its name in this way: The lion. John T. Wilson, who started a store here at an early day, went to Cincinnati to buy his stock of goods, and when packing, the dealer inquired how they were to he directed. Air. Wilson, who had neither village or post office near him, was at a loss. The merchant said it was belter to have them marked to the name of some place; any name would do. Air. Wilson, who was a moral upright man, hesitated a moment, when the thought that "Tranquillity'" was a word indicative of the peaceful quietude of the neighborhood, suggested that word as an appropriate name for his place of and business, which it has borne ever since.

This village is located in the north-cast corner of the township. in Kenny'* survey. It stands on high rolling hind, and is surrounded by a poor, hilly country.

It was not laid out iim it town, hut lots have been sold by Samuel Lccdy from his farm, as buyers wanted them. There is in the place L store, 2 blacksmith shops, 1 shoe shop, t wagon mak-w, and GO inhabitants.

There are nine sub-districts in the township, with an enumeration of children of school age in 1870 : Males, 223; females, 21 1 ; total, 43k Number enrolled lor same year: Atales, 203; females 150. Average daily attendance: Alalc-S, 114; females, 101.

Tranquillity. - This office was established June R), Is is, with John MVGroighf, who has continually retained the office to t he present lime.

Maa Hill. - This office was established in 1853, with John A. Williams as Postmaster, 'flic following is a list of the Postmasters sinc;e: A. C. Post, Samuel McClure, J. L. Roberts, Joseph Wiscctip, Z. T. Guthrie, Isaiah Swisholm.

Buck Run. - This office was established in 18 - with R. K. Campbell as Postmaster. Although Air. C. lias moved, it is believed no successor is yet appointed, an assistant or deputy filling the place.

Early Reminiscences

Scott Township. - The first death that occurred among the early colonists, was a child of AL*. Beard, which was buried in the cemetery where the U. 1*. church stands at Tranquillity. This is believed to bo the first grave of a 'while person in Scott township.

'flic first school house was a log cabin, built in 1807 or 8, and stood on the grounds of the present cemetery of the U. P. church. The first teacher was James McGill. This house was used five or six years, when a new one was built on the farm now owned by James Gaston.

The oldest house now remaining in the township, was built by Joseph Gaston in 1802; in this building, his son, James Gaston, who now owns the premises, was horn in 1816.

When the early settlors came lo this neighborhood, there was a camp of Indians on the west branch of Brush creek, at a place since known as Indian Bottom. It was on what is iioav the farm of Airs. Sarah Criswell. A Air. Alonfgomcry, who lived near them, had a son, some 1G or 17 years old. who used to go and play with the Indian boys, and became so attached to them and their manner of living, that when the tribe left the country, he went with them, in despite the entreaties of his parents, who never heard of him afterwards.

AIount Zion Church - Methodist Episcopal. - This is situated near the north-west corner of the township. It was organized in 18GG, with a class of twelve members. In 1868, they bought one acre of land of John Martin, and built a very neat frame house, 32x40, at a cost of $1,100. The dedication sermon was preached

AIount Leigh - Presbyterian. - This is one of the car churches of this neighborhood, and has a history that wouM doubtlessly be interesting, could it be accurately gathered, bui from a lack of interest in the matter, those who ought to be particularly interested in il, have failed to supply tangible data lor the purpose.

Tranquillity U. 1*. Church - First Preaching, First l'. P. Church. - A lull history of the early planning of this church, at Tranquillity, could it be gathered, would doubtless make an interesting article for our work, but unfortunately it appears to be lost. After diligent search the writer was unable to find a record of it - or even find any rf its members or other old citizens who have any clear personal recollections concerning it, though it has had an existence of three-quarters of a century. They have even preserved but lew traditions of it, and these are vague and indefinite.

As nearly as can be gathered, preaching >vas air carl y-i list itution among these pioneers. The first sermons preached, were probably at private houses in the neighborhood. Sometime in the year 1807, a meeting was held at the house of John Milligan, to adopt preliminary measures lor forming a church organization, but we can only gather a few of the names of yiose who participated in the meeting and organization, and these only from tradition. They arc said lo be John Milligan, John Alclntirci

-V miios Montgomery, John McCullough, Alexander McCullough* Robert Elliott, l)nvi<l McCreight, Sr., David McCreight, Jr., Jus. Wright Robert Glasgow, Joseph Glasgow, These persons joined in a petition to the A. It. Presbytery, of Kentucky, asking for the organization of a church, ami that it be called ,4 Hopewell," which name had already been given to the preaching station. This name it bore until 1S35, when it was changed to "West Fork," and in the year 1800, it was again changed to "Tranquillity," which it yet bears. The next step in its history was to build a tent as a temporary place of worship. This must have been about 1807 or 1808.

These tents arc structures six or eight feet square, made of logs or boards, with three sides enclosed, and one side open, covered with boards or slabs, and a lloor elevated a few feet above the ground. They are usually built in forests or grove*. In the front or open side, with a slab or board for his desk, stood the preacher, who addressed the congregations, who were seated in front of him, on logs or on benches made from the halves of saplings split in two parts for scats, beneath the protecting shade afforded by the thick foliage of the branches of the trees above them, avcII calculated to remind us of Bryant's " Forest Hymn : "

Such was the starting of this church, but its subsequent history is obscure, its congregation having seemingly forgotten the injunction, "the man dies but his memory should live."

This tent, after serving its purposes a year or two, was probably succeeded by a log house, in which the congregation could assemble and worship, protected from inclement weather. This house was built sometime in the year 1810. It was 30x35, and used for a long time without chimney or floor. It was afterwards enlarged by making an addition to the two sides. This addition Avas in the form of a pen of three sides, joined to the main building by placing the front or open side next to it. cutting out the logs of the house opposite, in the same manner that the outside frame work was made for the old cabin fire-places. One of these rooms was used as a pulpit, while the door entered the opposite one. This house was afterwards ceiled and weatherboarded, and used until 1853, when it was succeeded by the present one, a frame building 50x70. nicely finished inside and outside, costing .$2,200. The congregation owns about acres of land, deeded at different times, by James Mclntirc, Nancy Mc- Creight and lion. John T. Wilson. About lx/> acres of this is used for the cemetery.

The new organization, together with Eagle Creek and Cherry Fork, were supplied by the following named ministers of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, to-wiU Revs. John Steele, James Brown, Abraham Craig, Janies Magill, David Risk and R. H. Bishop, a part of their time.

Tne first regular pastor of the congregation was the Rev. William Baldridge, who continued in charge from 1809 to 1818, giving one-fourth his time between these dates, and one-half his time from 1818 to decease, October 6, 1830. The next pastor was li v. Robert Stewart, from 1832 until 1838. one-half his time, hen he was released to give his full time to Cherry Fork congregation. The next pastor was the Rev. John Graham, who took charge in 1811, and continued until his death, July 15. 1849, , of cholera. He was pastor of the West Fork and West Union churches, united in one charge. The next pastor was Rev. Marion Morrison, who took charge for his whole time, in 1850, and remained until 1856, when he resigned, to accept the chair of mathematics in Monmouth College, Illinois. The next was Rev. John Gilmore* who took charge in April, 1857, and continued until February, 1871, when lie resigned. The next pastor wa9 Rev. Jonathan Stewart, who took charge September, 1871, and continued until his death, March 2, 1878. The next was the present pjistor, Rev. Washington Wallace, who took charge June 1, 1879. The congregation has had seven regular pastors, who have bad charge of it during a period of 51 years ; the other 11 years 'iTlivc been made up by supplies, making the whole age of its existence 73 years.

The following named persons Rave been ordained elders in the congregation since its organization, to^wit: John Milligan, John McCullough, Robert Elliott and James W right, v/ ho constituted the first board. In 18I4> John Glasgow and Mutihew Mc- Crelght were ordained to the same office. In 1&32, R. B. Glasgow, James McCreight, Isaac Smith and John McChllaug1!), Jr., wore ordained to the same office. Again thero were ordained in 1871, J. M. Glasgow and Joseph McCreight; in 18.16, J. M. McCreight and John Daviess; in 1800, W. P. Biockenridgo and Matthew McCreight, Jr.; in J868, William O. McCrolRlit, Simpson William*, Isaac N. Smith, R. P. Finley and John Eakin, were ordained ciders, making in nil, 21 ciders win have at different times boon chosen by tbe congregation, 'flic present board consists of William <). McCreight, John Hay lew, J. M. McCreight, W. P. Breckinridge, Simpson Williams, R. p. Finley and John Platter; the last named person was received from a neighboring church by a certificate.

The congregation has bad tin following clerks: From its organization down to 1835, were Isaac Smith and William McCormick ; from 1835 to 1$44, Thomas Kirkpatrick. The next was William M. Hays, 1844-47; John McCreight, 1848-55; David Gaston, 1855-65; James Smiley, 1866-67; Robert S. Williams, 1867-68; S. A. McCullough, 1869-80.