Adams County, Ohio - Chapter 12: Pubuc Roads and Highways, 1900

The first public road sur/eyed and established in Adams County was the old post road over that portion of Zane's Trace from opposite Limestone or Maysville on the Ohio River to the north line of the county near the Sinking Spring. This road,however,was established under authority of Hamilton County, in 1796, the year preceding the organization of Adams County. It was known by the name of Zane's road, the Limestone road, and the Limestone and Chillicothe road, and is as variously designated in the early road records of Adams County. Afterwards the "New State Road," as it was called, was laid out over the same general line, but so changed and altered in many parts as to form a new road. The most notable change was that beginning at the old ford of Brush Creek where the SprouU bridge now spans that stream. Here the new State road crossed the creek and passed by the way of the Steam Furnace and intersected the old Chillicothe road to the east of Locust Grove. In later years the Maysville and Zanesville turnpike was constructed along the general route of the old post road over Zane's Trace before mentioned, passing through Bradyville, Bentonville, West Union, Dunkinsville, Dunbarton, Palestine, Locust Grove, and Sinking Springs.

Under the Territorial Government the Court of Quarter Sessions heard petitions, granted views, and ordered surveys for the location of public roads; and upon proper hearing ordered or refused the establishment and record of such roads. The earlv records of this court disclose the fact that all roads petitioned for were granted without reference to the number of petitioners or their place of residence in the county. But after settlements began to dot the valleys of the water courses throughout the county, and rivalry between them was aroused for improved roads to the county seat or principal market points, the Court acted with much formality and great deliberation in the establishment of these public highways.

The first step in the establishment of a public road was the filing of a proper petition praying for the granting of such improvement, subscribed by more than twelve re^dent freeholders of the county. After a second reading of the petition, if there was no remonstrance against the proposed road, viewers were appointed and a survey of the route ordered ; after the report of the viewers and surveyors, if favorable to the petitioners, and there still being no remonstrance filed, the Court, after due consideration, would order the establishment of the road as a public highway, and a record of the same made by the Clerk of the Court.

All the early roads in the county began at some one of the many ferries across the Ohio River and extended into the interior to settlements on Brush Creek, Eagle Creek, Red Oak, Scioto Brush Creek, the Scioto River, or to intersect Zane's Trace leading to the settlements on Paint Creek. There was but one east and west road across the county, other than the roads from Logan's Gap to Ellis' Ferry, and from Manchester via Washington to Alexandria, at the mouth of the Scioto, and that one was established in 1799 from Manchester to the settlement made by Capt. Feagins near where Georgetown in Brown County is now situated. There was a trail thence to Williamsburg and the settlements on the Miami. This excepts the post route from ChilHcothe to Cincinnati, which passed through the old town of New Market and territory at that time within the limits of Adams County.

"Upon petition of sundry persons the Court admit and order a road laid out from Manchester to the east fork of Eagle Creek (in the vicinity of the Kirker settlement) and appoint Joseph Kerr, surveyor, and William Hannah and Daniel Robbins, reviewers."

"On petition of sundry persons the Court admit and order a road laid out from Manchester to the land opposite the mouth of Bull Creek, to take the bottom from Law son's road. Andrew Ellison, surveyor, Adam Pennyweight and William McGarry, reviewers."

"On the petition of sundry persons the Court order a road laid out from Manchester to the Lick Fork to where it meets the Limestone road, from thence to the crossin.G^ of Brush Creek, and appoint Andrew Ellison, surveyor, and Robert Ellison and Joseph Eyler, reviewers."

"The Court order a road laid out from Ohio Brush Creek where the Limestone road crosses it to ChilHcothe. Duncan McArthur, surveyor (afterwards Governor of Ohio), and Henry Abrams and William Carr, reviewers."

"The Court order and allow a road laid out from Nathaniel Massie's mill to Joseph Collier's on Scioto Brush Creek. Benjamin Lewis, surveyor; James Williams and Hector Murphy, reviewers."

Xo more roads were granted until the June session of the court in 1798, when the following entry was ordered: "On petition of sundry persons for a road from the mouth of Brush Creek to Adamsville, granted."

At this session of the court the road from Manchester to the Rock House (Ellison's") on Lick Fork was established and made a matter of record. This road began at a beech tree at the upper end of Manchester, crossed Island Creek, continuing in a northerly course to Killinstown; thence crossing Lick Fork at the town of Waterford ; whole distance, twentv miles.

The Court also ordered at this session a road laid out from Capt. Brook's road (which began at the river five miles above Ellis' Ferry) to Ellis* Ferry opposite Limestone, and also a road from Manchester to Henry Moore's mill

Adams County at this date included what is now Ross County, and the record shows that the Court ordered a road laid out from the Falls of Paint Creek, afterwards known as "the Falls road," to *ElHs' road near John Shepherd's on Brush Creek, and appointed Duncan McArthur, surveyor, and Daniel Hare and John Brown, viewers.

At the December session, 1798, the return of the survey of the road from Adamsville to the Scioto, whole distance from the court house twenty-four miles, was made and the plat ordered recorded. William Russell, surveyor.

"The Court order that the road leading from Manchester to Scioto Brush Creek shall be altered around David Lovejoy's fence not to exceed ten rods until it intersects James Naylor's line, and then with his line until it intersects the old road."

John Edg^ngton, brother of Asahel Edgington, who was killed by the Indians on Lick Fork, and Edward Thomas were appointed viewers of a rood from Osier's or Beasley's Ferry below Limestone to St. Clairsville, now Decatur in Brown County.

A road was granted beginning^ at John Shepherd's crossing of Brush Creek, extending along the Falls road (Falls of Paint Creek) to the Sinking Spring. Simon Shoemaker and Thomas Aerl, viewers.

The following petition could not fail to bring the Court to its senses and cause it to act immediately to relieve the "awful" condition of affairs in the Kyte Fork "vicinitude."

"The petition of the inhabitants of the east fork of Eagle Creek and the vicinitude thereof prayeth that Your Honors would grant us a survey for a highway from Edwards' Ferry, opposite Maysville, on the nearest and best ground, to the mouth of Kyte's Fork, of Eagle Creek and thence to the junction of the State road at or near the fifteen-mile tree from Maysville. Your petitioners being well aware of the necessity of a public highway being laid out on that ground for the accommodation of the public and neighborhood or settlement such highway will pass through, and more especially as Mr. Edwards by the insinuations of one or two of the inhabitants of this creek who for their own private emoluments have persuaded him to decline having the survey made agreeable to your order of the last session for laying out a highway from his ferry to the State road from the eleventh to the thirteenth mile tree, and intend superseding it by a petition for a road from Limestone to the mouth of Thomas' Run of the east fork under the head of accommodating that settlement which will open a door for carrying it on through an unknown tract of rough country' and join the State road

*EI11b* road was that portion of Zane's trace which Nathan Ellis had Improved atbfnown expense from his ferry opposite Limestone to John Shepherd^s on Ohio Brush Creek now known as Frlstoe's.

between Brush Creek and the Falls of Paint which if necessary would be burthensome to our inhabitants; therefore, we pray that you would grant us a survey, as we are sensible of its being the most eligible ground for the benefit of the public and this settlement as it crosses the east fork where Seth Foster is building a grist and saw mill, and also there intersects the road from Manchester to New Market, which roads will lully supply the present and future settlements, for which our most earnest desire is that you would grant our request, for which we in duty bound will ever pray/' Granted, and ordered that Thomas Middleton be surveyor and Stephen Beach and R. Smith, reviewers. John Lodwick, security for costs.

At the March session, 1799, a petition was granted for a new road "on better ground and nigher way from Manchester to Killinstown, to intersect the old road near Robert Ellison's. John Barritt, surveyor ; Job Dening and James Collins, reviewers. John Killin, for costs.

The road from the mouth of Thomas' Run to Limestone so greatly deplored by the "Kyteforkers" in a petition heretofore noticed, was granted at this session. John Thomas, for costs. Nathaniel Beasley, surveyor, and John "Kingsawley" (Gunsaulus) and Ellis Palmer, reviewers.

A road was petitioned for at this session from John Stinson's ferry opposite the mouth of Svcamore Creek to" the town of Washington at the mouth of Brush Creek. Hector, Murphy for costs; Joseph Kerr, surveyor, and Richard Grimes and John Sherley, reviewers.

The September term, 1799, was mostly consumed in considering petitions for and remonstrances against proposed roads. James Edwards had the year previous established a ferry opposite Limestone in opposition to Nathan Ellis who had. in 1796, settled where Aberdeen now stands, and conducted a ferry and later a tavern for the accommodation of prospectors and emigrants to this portion of the Northwest Territory. After the opening of Zane's road, which terminated at Ellis', his ferry became the source of immense revenue, and as he owned the landing for some distance above and below the termination of the road, he monopolized the ferry on the Ohio side of the river, to the envy of James Edwards and John West, who owned lands fronting the river below Ellis' possessions. So these two citizens conceived the idea of gettting a public road located from a point on the river bank below the lands of Ellis, and across his lands to intersect Zane's road in the rear of Ellis' landing and residence. By this means thev would not only be enabled to maintain a ferry, but also to turn the traveling public from toward Ellis' to their own ferry. The following petition had been presented to the Court at the previous March session : "Yonr petitioners, inhabitants of Cedar Hill Township, and county aforesaid, most respectfully showeth that the emigrants by the route of Limestone, Kentucky, to the said township and county, labor under various inconveniences in landing below the road of Nathan Ellis, Esq., which being drove down the Ohio by the current of the river as low as will be opposite to the southwest street that leads from the house of Benjamin Suttcm who occupies all the ferries in Limestone aforesaid ; and that a road may be readily had from opposite said street (in Limestone) on the land of James Edwards, to rim about ninety poles in the same, thence throug^h lands of Nathan ElKs, Esq., along the hillside about twenty poles to where it will intersect the road now established. Your petitioners therefore pray that Your Worships will appoint suitable persons to view the above recited desired road and make a return of their proceedings in the same to Your Worships for confirmation, and your petitioners will ever be in duty bound, etc. Granted and ordered that Philip Lewis be surveyor, and Wm. Dunbar, and Stephen Beech, reviewers. John West, security for costs."

At this September session, as aforesaid, Judge Ellis sat as a member of the Court, and through his attorney, William Creighton, first Secretary of State of Ohio, moved the Court not to receive the return of the viewers and surveyors then filed with the Cl^rk of the Court, John S. Wills. But notwithstanding the protest of Judge Ellis, the Court overruled the motion. Then his attornev moved for a review of the road, which motion was granted, and Peter Shoemaker, Daniel Collier, and John Collins were appointed reviewers.

At this time the celebrated Thomas' Run road, which was a matter of contention between Ellis and Edwards and their respective adherents, was before the Court for confirmation of the survey, and the Court ordered a review of that proposed thoroughfare. The remonstrances, among other matters, allege that "there is no necessity for any such road (to Edwards' Ferry) as there is a very good road established, sixtysix feet wide, by the Court of Hamilton County, and is now opened at least twenty feet wide and made commodious for travelers and on a^ good ground as ever can be got through the same neighborhood and as near ; and must run within a small distance of the above (Zane's) road the whole length of the way, and can never serve the pubHc if opened, but if opened will just serve to draw the benefit of Capt. Ellis' public labcM" to Edwards' Ferry, which we, your petitioners, conceive to be too hard and unjust, and therefore object to the opening of the said survey, and pray that Your Honors (the petitioners for the improvement addressed the Court as "Your Worships") may appoint three disinterested men to review the above survey and make report to your next Court of General Quarter Session of the Peace whether the said survey is of public utility or not, and your petitioners in duty bound shall ever pray, etc."

Judge Ellis, or Capt. Ellis, as he was familiarly known, himself petitioned the Court with reference to the Edwards Ferry road above noticed as follows : "To the Honorable John Beasley, John Belli and Joseph Kerr, members

"The petition of your petitioner humbly showeth that whereas Your Honors were pleased to order a survey of a road beginning twenty rods below opposite Ben vSutton's ferry at Limestone and to intersect Zane's road at about 120 rods from the river which is at least twenty rods further about than the other road, and will call for a great deal of labor to make said road, and when made will be ver}' injurious to your peti- tioner's farm as it will deprive him of all his woodbine pasture that he has on his land that is watered, and will forever be injurious to him, and cannot accommodate the public half as well as the road that your petitioner has made through his own land and as far as twenty miles at one hundred and seventy -two dollars expense (this portion of Zane's road was also known as Ellis' road, and is frequently so referred to in the early records of the county) ; that your petitioner has never received any satisfaction more than the good-will of the public, and now it appears that undermining men wish to draw the benefits of my labor to their coffers. I must therefore object to the opening of the above road and pray that Your Honors may appoint three disinterested men to review the above survey and make report to your next court whether such road is of public utility or not, and your petitioner in duty bound, etc.

The survey of the Waterford and Killinstown road was confirmed at this session, which was as follows : Agreeable to an order of the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for Adams County ,at their June term, 1799, surveyed the road from the town of Waterford on the Lick Fork of Brush Creek (Old Stone Tavern) beginning at the lower street ; thence south 85 east 40 poles; south 65 east 44 poles; south 51 east 52 poles ; east 28 poles ; south 64 east 30 poles ; south 5 east 66 poles ; south 10 east 120 poles ; one mile ; south 94 poles ; south 10 west 54 poles ; south 20 west 216 poles to the nine-mile tree on the Manchester road in Eyler's lane and with said road 240 poles to Killinstown. John Beasley, surveyor; John Shepherd and John Drake, assistants.

At this session was presented the petition of the inhabitants of the Eagle Creek and Red Oak settlements for a road beginning at the county line between Hamilton and Adams Counties w'ithin half a mile of Poague's ^erry at the mouth of Red Oak; thence to James Creswell's mill on said creek ; thence the nearest and best way to John Shepherd's horse mill ; thence to a point near Indian Lick to intersect Orr's road (from his ferry at Logan's Gap) leading to the Falls of Paint Creek (passing near where th( villages of Decatur and Tranquility are now situated). Abraham Shepherd, surveyor, and John Shepherd and William Dunlap, reviewers.

A road from Washington up Brush Creek to intersect the Chillicothe and Manchester road was granted upon the petition of Hosea Moore, Thomas Berkett, William Peterson, Joseph Collier, Daniel Collier, Christian Wood, Henry Moore, George Campbell, Simon Fields, John Henderson, James Carson, Jacol) Tanner, S. Rost, Isaac Wamsley, Jr., Isaac Wamsley, Sr., Cornelius Williamson, Samuel Smith, Zeke Barber, Alex. Barber, Lazaleer Swim, Stephen Beach, Cyny Rusion. Isaac Wamsley for costs. Philip Lewis, surveyor. Hosea Moore and Henry Neave, assistants.

In early days the very necessary commodity, whiskey, was scarce, and to secure plenty of it, in about 1807, a party from Xew Market started out to cut a road through the \voods to near Winchester, where a German named *He!nphill had a still-house, the fame of which had spread to the early settlers.

It was on Xew Year's day, 1807, that a party started from the tavern of George \V. Barrere, in Xew Market, headed by that gentleman with his compass and Jacob-staflF to locate the route for the new road. He was followed by thirty men with axes, and a barrel of Jacob Medsker's best whiskey on a pole sled drawn by a horse. Several tin cups were hung on one side of the sled and a side of bacon on the other. A boy rode the horse and for a saddle sat on a bag, the ends of which were filled with corn dodgers. A few of the force carried rifles, with which to procure any game which they should be fortunate enough to meet. Mike Moore had charge of the barrel and provisions, and carried with him his ^ I fiddle with which he made the camp lively during the evening. The whiskey barrel was nearly empty in the morning, which proved an incentive to the force to be expeditious with their work and reach a new base of supplies, where a fresh drink could be taken. On the return a barrel of Hemphill's best was placed on the sled, and the speed being greater, the larger portion of it returned to Xew Market. Thereafter the New Marketers had a sure road for the transportation of their favorite beverage.

At the June session, 1800. William Sprigg, for whom Sprigg Town- * i ship was named, and who afterwards became a Supreme Judge of Ohio, as attorney for Israel Donalson and others, presented to the Court a petition for a road from the crossing of Elk Run to intersect the Limestone road at or near the residence of George or Isaac Edgington (near Union Church, south of Bentonville). This petition is subscribed b> George Rogers, Ezekiel Rogers, Peter Bilber. Richard Roundsavill, John Rogers, Nathaniel Rogers, John Austin, Wm. L. Kenner. I. Donalson, William Morrison. John Morrison, Joseph Morrison. John Goodin and Daniel Henderson.

The following petition for a road from Shoemaker's Crossing of Brush Creek to Zane's road discloses the fact that Zane's road was as has heretofore been suggested, so "straightened and amended" as to lose its identity within a few years after the trace was blazed through Adams County. This accounts far the many conflicting claims as to its original location, by the descendants of those who lived in the county about the time of the opening of the trace, and who rely upon tradition as the foundation of their knowledge. "Your petitioners pray that a road may

The above is taken from Williams' History of Highland County, and the George W. Barrere mentioned was the father of the late Nelson Barrere. a notice of whom appears In this volume under the chapter devoted to the Judiciary and Bar of Adams County.

James W. Finley, afterwards a noted divine and missionary to the Wyandotte Indians, was an associate of Barrere and a frequenter of the bar room in his tavern about the period mentioned, and was known throughout the settlement, as the "New Market Devil."

be established from Shoertiaker's Crossing of Brush Creek (near Sproull's) on the nearest and best course passing Mr. Chapman's, till it -ntersects Zane's road and thence with the said road straightening it in many places and making such amendments thereon as may be thought necessary, to the county line. Your petitioners further pray that a road may be established from the termination of a road established by the county of Ross, leading from the Pee Pee town to the line of this county to intersect the first road asked for at the most convenient place. James Boyd, Jesse Weatherington, Abram Boyd, Joseph V^an Meter, Absalom Van Meter, Seth Van Meter, Peter Shoemaker, Simon Shoemaker, John Sample, Jonathan Boyd, Samuel McDermitt, John Shirley, David Mc- Dermitt. Daniel Collier, William Ogle, Enoch Ogle, Thomas Ogle, Henry Moore, Jesse Eastburn, Joseph Collier, C. Williamson, Hosea Moore. Thos. Kirker, William Peterson. Abraham Neff, John Chapman, Adam Hatfield, Robert Ellison, James Ellison, Job Denning.

This latter road, nine miles in length, was ordered opened two rods w^ide at the March session, 1801, and the former, Shoemaker's ford road fifteen miles in length and four poles v/ide.

At the September session, 1800, the road from the twenty-mile tree to the Sinking Spring, was surveyed. The road leading' from the court house in Washington to intersect the Manchester and Chillicothe road was surveved bv Hosea Moore and return thereof to court made and same read a second time. Whole distance sixteen miles, and road established four poles wide.

At the December session, 1800, the following petition was presented to the Court praying for a road from crossing of Eagle Creek at Logan's Gap to the Red Oak settlement :

"The Court of General Quarter Session of the Peace, at Washington, in and for the countv of Adams, Territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio.before John Beasley, Moses Baird, Noble Grimes, Joseph Kerr, Thomas Kirker and John Russell, Esquires, justices assigned to keep the peace and to grant orders for highways, etc., in the county aforesaid, we, the undernamed subscribers considering the disadvantages attending those who travel through Massie Township, and the titility resulting from a good road through said county and township, unanimously solicit your approbation and commands in appointing William Stephenson, James Espey, and Mills Stephenson, Esquires, to view and make out from the crossing of Eagle Creek at Logan's Gap, the ground that shall be thought best and nighest to pass over Red Oak as nigh the river as high water wiP permit. Pass over our informality unnoticed. Our countr}' is young, therefore our petitions cannot be polished by the hand of formality. December 5. 1800. Ignatius Mitchell, William Gregory, Thos. Espey, Wm.. Stephenson, Gabriel Cox, Mills v^tephenson, James Cresswell, John Thomas, Robert McBride, George McKinney, Samuel Creswell, John Redmond, Richard Roylston. Xewell Redmond, Daniel Redmond, James Stephenson, Elza Redmond. Survey granted. At the June session, 1801, said survey was returned by John Smith, Surveyor, and road ordered estaiilished from Eagle Creek at Logan's Gap to crossing of Red Oak ; distance two and one-tenth miles.

At this session was read the first time, survey of the road from Holmes' Mill on the east fork of Eagle Creek to the eight-mile tree on the highway from Thomas' Run to Edwards' Ferry.

There was also granted at this term of the court a road from George Edwards' mill on Fishing Gut Creek, passing Col. Gutridge's settlement, and intersecting 2^ne's road at a white ash marked three and one-fourth miles to Ellis' Ferry. James Edwards, Willim Rains, John West. Francis Jacobs, John Gutridge, Sr., John Gutridge, Jr., Robert Miller, William Hamilton, John Dillon, George Swisher, William Patterson, Thomas Roberts, Asabel Brookover, George West, Thomas Justice, Simon Reeder, John Simpson. William Cornell, William Gollshar, Nathan Ellis.

A petition for a road to be laid out from Washington to intersect the road from Manchester to Chillicothe, at or near Killinstown, was filed at this term subscribed by the following petitioners: John Brown. John Brown, Jr., Simon Shoemaker, Peter Shoemaker, Thomas Grimes, Laz'l Swim, James Collins. Jesse Witherington, Stephen Bayless, Patrick Kiliin, Joseph Eyler, William Boldridge (Baldridge), Samuel Boldridge, Ben Piatt, John Boldridge, James Allison. Davison C. Clary, Thomas Mason. Job Denning, John Killin. Henry Smith, James Miller, Alex. Barber, Thomas Brown, Laid Furguson.

December session, 1801. Road from Washington to William Dunbar's landing opposite Sycamore Creek. James Barritt, Surveyor; James Nailor, David Lovejoy, and Hector Murphy, viewers ; John Barritt, surveyor; David Bradford, John Ellison and David Leitch, security for costs.

At same session the road from Robert Ellison's trace to John Treber's granted. "Beginning in the road already laid from Manchester to Adamsville where Robert Ellison's trace leaves the said road at the forks of Island Creek, thence through the western part of James Collins' plantation to itersect the Limestone road (Zane's) three miles and fifty poles from Treber's, the whole distance being five miles and two hundred and thirty-nine poles." John Beasley, surveyor.

Zane's road from John Treber's to top of Brush Creek hill was changed as follows: from Treber's on the highlands to the old Indian ford of Brush Creek, and thence on nearest and best grounds to intersect main road at the twenty-seven-mile tree.

The survey of this road was (granted upon the petition of Peter Wickcrhani, John Treber, Joseph Horn, Nathan Ellis, Abraham Shepherd, Samuel Swan, William Murfin, James Boyd, Abraham Boyd, Jonathan Boyd, William Boyd, Peter Platter, David Honsell, John Milligan, David Bunnell, James Bunnell, at September session, 180T.

The return of the survey was made on the eighth day of December, tRoi. by John Beasley, surveyor; Jacob Treber and John Sample, chainmen. The road began at the twenty-one-mile tree near Treber's and thence as follows: North 60 east 60 poles; north 120 poles; north 20 east 734 poles ; north 47 east 66 poles ; north 82 east 60 poles ; north

42 east 106 poles ; north 54 west 34 poles at Tod's old crossing of Brush Creek; north 34 east 194 poles; north 69 east 46 pc4es; north 33 east 10 poles ; to the said road again at or near the twenty-seven-mile tree, he whole length of the above mentioned road is six miles ; width established, thirty feet.

The Court order and appoint David Edie, John Mehaffey and Benjamin Grace, viewers, and Nathaniel Beasley, surveyor, of a road from Limestone to county (Clermont) line. James Edwards, John West and Seth Foster, for costs.

James Naylor, Zed. Markland and Zephaniah Wade, reviewers, and John Barrett, surveyor, of road from Donalson's Creek to Washburn's Mill. Adam Pennywait, David Lovejoy, and Zeph Wade, for costs.

Charles Osier, Joseph Stewart, and William Middleton, viewers; James Stephenson, surveyor, of road from opposite Sutton's Ferry at Limestone to the Buffalo crossings. James Edwards, John West and George Edwards, for costs.

David Edie, Joseph Washburn, and Parmenus Washburn, viewers, and Israel Donalson, surveyor, of a road from Manchester to New Market. Joseph Darlinton, Nathaniel Beasley, and Needham Perry, security for costs.