Ashland County, Ohio - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 7 of those read), 1863 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 7 of those read)

Tis township was surveyed by Jonathan Cox, D. 8. U.S., in 1807. The same year the survey was duly platted and certified to Jared Mansfield, Surveyor-General of the United States. As with the other townships in the county, so with Montgomery, at the time of the survey there was not a white family within its borders.

Montgomery was detached from Vermillion, and organized in 1816. The records are incomplete. Such as are in the hands of the present clerk, deemed of public interest, .are subjoined : -

Trustees: Jonas H. Gierhart, Peter Thomas, and Leander Carter - Treasurer: John Jacobs - Assessor: Samuel Swineford - Clerk: Lorin Andrews - Constables: Stephen Wolf and C. S. Vanarnam.

Trustees: Peter Thomas, Leander Carter, and Jonas H. Gierhart - Treasurer: John Jacobs - Assessor: Samuel Swineford - Clerk: Lorin Andrews - Constables: Stephen Wolf and C. S. Vanarnam.

Trustees: Peter Thomas, Leander Carter, and Hugh McGuire - Treasurer: John Jacobs - Assessor : Jonas H. Crouse - Clerk: John A. McClusky - Constables: ©. S. Vanarnam and Stephen Wolf.

Trustees: Peter Thomas, Hugh McQuire, and Burr Kellogg - Clerk: J. A. McClusky - Assessor: G. W. Hill - Treasurer: John Jacobs - Constables: C. S. Vanarnam and Christian Gierhart.

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1850. Trustees: Peter Thomas, Burr Kellogg, and David Bryte - Clerk: Orlow Smith - Treasurer: John Jacobs - Assessor: Alanson Andrews - Constables: A. C. Swineford and Uriah Drumb.

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1851. Trustees - Peter Thomas, Burr Kellogg, and George W. Urie. Clerk : Geo. W. Hill - Treasurer: John Jacobs - Assessor: John Tanyer - Constables: A. C. Swineford and R. Scott.

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1852. Trustees: Hugh Burns, John Smalley, and George Stough - Clerk: Wm. Ralston - Treasurer: John Jacobs - Assessor: John Tanyer - Constables: John G. Brown and Merida Figley.

Trustees: Hugh Burns, John Smalley, and Willets Skinner - Clerk: Wm. Ralston - Treasurer: John Jacobs - Assessor: Andrew Sponsler - Constables: John G. Brown and A. C. Swineford:

Trustees: Philip Kosht, Leander Carter, and John Smalley - Treasurer: John Jacobs - Assessor: Andrew Sponsler - Constables: John Lauterbaugh and A. C. Swineford.

Trustees: Geo. W. Urie, Peter Thomas, and Leander Carter - Treasurer: John Jacobs - Clerk: Wm. Willson - Constables: A. C. Swineford and M. M. Desenberg.

Trustees: G. W. Urie, Leander Carter, and Isaac Gates - Assessor: A. Sponsler - Clerk: T. L. Arthur - Treasurer: John Jacobs - Constables: Henry Woods and A. C. Swineford.

Trustees: Isaac Gates, G. W. Urie, and H. Ames - Clerk: T. L. Arthur - Treasurer: John Jacobs - Assessor: A. Sponsler - Constables: Henry Woods and Wm. Lash.

Trustees: Andrew Proudfit, Jacob Martin, and John Smalley - Clerk: F.S. Jacobs - Assessor: A. Ls an gpl" acy F.S. Jacobs - Constable: A. C. Swineford.

Trustees: James McCool, Andrew Proudfit, and John Smalley - Clerk: Wm. G. Heltman - Assessor: A. Sponsler - Treasurer : E. W. Wallack - Constables: A. C. Swineford and H. G. Hood.

Trustees: Levi Somers, Moses Latta, and Geo. W. Urie - Clerk: Wm. G. Heltman - Assessor: A. Sponsler - Treasurer: E. W. Wallack - Constables: Amos Hilborn and John McNaull.

Evangelical Lutheran

There is a church of this denomination on the east line of the township, organized in 1858. The present building is of brick, and will accommodate with seats a congregation of about three hundred and fifty persons. Rev. Mr. Wolf had the first. charge of the congregation. A German Reformed clergyman, Rev. Adam Staump, also preached in the house a year or two after the erection of the church building. Rey. William Galbraith is the present pastor; Samuel Horn and Elisha Worley, deacons.

German Baptists

The denomination of German Baptists, or Brethren, have three mecting-houses in the county, known as "The Ashland District," - the Ashland meeting-house, three miles southeast of town, the Maple Grove meeting-house, about one mile west of Orange, and Snowbarger's meeting-house, near Lafayette, Perry Township. There is also another congregation, belonging to the same body, in the "Loudonville District," who are yet, however, without a church building. The membership in the Ashland District amounts to about three hundred; and in the Loudonville District, of such as reside within this county, there are between twenty-five and fifty. |

This denomination has reached its present numbers in this county by accessions made to it by immigration and conversions which have chiefly occurred during the last ten years. They are a thrifty, industrious, and staid people - unassuming in their manners, unostentatious in their dress, and of well-established integrity. To correct a misunderstanding which prevails to some extent in regard to their peculiar tenets, we subjoin a "History OF THE GERMAN BAPTISTS OR BreTHREN. [By Rev. Philip Boyle, Uniontown, Maryland.] - The German Baptists, or Brethren, are a denomination of Christians who immigrated to this country from Germany, between the years 1718 and 1730; they are commonly called Dunkers; but they have assumed for themselves the name of ' Brethren,' on account of what Christ said to his disciples, Matt. xxiii. 8, 'One is your master, even. Christ, and all ye are brethren.'

"The following account of these people has been extracted from a work called 'Materials towards a History of the American Baptists,' published in 1770, by Morgan Edwards, then-Fellow of Rhode Island College, and overseer of the Baptist church, in Philadelphia : -

"Of the Germans in Pennsylvania who are commonly called Tunkers, to distinguish them from the Menonists; for both are styled Die Taufer, or Baptists. They are called Tunkers in derision, which is as much as 'sops, from tunken, to put a morsel in sauce; but as the term signifies dippers, they may rest content with their nickname. They are also called Tumblers, from the manner in which they perform baptism, which is by putting the person head forward under water, (while kneeling,) so as to resemble the motion of the body in the act of tumbling. The first appearance of these people in America was in the fall of the year, 1719, when about twenty families landed in Philadelphia, and dispersed themselves, some to Germantown, some to Skippack, some to Oley, some to Conestoga, and elsewhere. This dispersion incapacitated them to meet in public worship, therefore they soon began to grow lukewarm in religion. But in the year 1722, Baker, Gomery, and Gantzs, with the Franzs, visited their scattered brethren, which was attended with a great revival, insomuch that societies were formed wherever a number of families were within reach one of another. But this lasted not above three years; they settled on their lees again; till about thirty families more of their persecuted brethren arrived in the fall of the year 1729, which both quickened them again and increased their number everywhere. Those two companies had been members of one and the same church, which originated in Schwartzenan, in the year 1708, in Germany. The first constituents were Alexander Mack and wife, John Kipin and wife, George Grevy, Andreas Bhony, Lucas Fetter, and Joanna Nethigum. Being neighbors, they agreed together to read the Bible, and edify one another in the way'they had been brought up, for as yet they did not know there were any Baptists in the world. However, believer's baptism and a congregational church soon gained on them, insomuch that they were determined to obey the gospel in those matters. These desired Alexander Mack to baptize them, but he deeming himself in reality unbaptized, refused; upon which they cast lots to find who should be administrator; on whom the lot fell hath been carefully concealed. However, baptized they were in the river Eder, by Schwartzenan, and then formed themselves into a church, choosing Alexander Mack as their minister. They increased fast, and began to spread their branches to Marienhorn and Epstein, having John Naas and Christian Levy as their ministers in those places; but persecution quickly drove them thence; some to Holland, some to Crefelt. Soon after the mother church voluntarily removed from Schwartzenan to Serustervein, in Friesland, and from thence migrated toward America, in 1719; and in 1729, those of Crefelt and Holland followed their brethren. Thus, we see all the ' Junker churches' in America sprang from the church of Swartzenan, in Germany; that that church began in 1708, with only eight souls, and that in a place where no Baptists had been in the memory of man, nor any now are: in sixty-two years 'that little one is become a thousand, that small one a great nation.' It is very difficult to give a true account of the principles of these Tunkers, as they have not published any system or creed, except what two individuals have put forth, which has not been publicly avowed. However, I may assert the following things concerning them, from my own knowledge, viz.: general redemption they certainly hold, and with all general salvation. They use great plainness of dress and language, like the Quakers, and like them will neither take an oath nor fight. They will not go to law, nor take interest for the money they lend.* They commonly wear their beards, and keep the first day, (except one congfegation.)+ They celebrate the Lord's Supper, with its ancient attendants of lovefeasts, washing feet, kiss of charity, and right hand of fellowship. They anoint the sick with oil for recovery; and use the trine immersion, with laying on of hands and prayer, even while the person baptized is in the water, which may easily be done, as the person kneels down to be baptized, and continues in that posture till both prayer and imposition of hands be performed. Their church government is the same with the English Baptists, except that every brother is allowed to stand up in the congregation, and speak by way of exhortation and expounding; and when by these means they find a man eminent for knowledge, and possessing aptness to teach, they choose him to be their minister, and ordain him with laying on of hands, attended with fasting and prayer, and giving the right hand of fellowship. They also have deacons, and aged women for deaconesses, who are allowed to use their gifts statedly. They do not pay their ministers, unless it be by way of presents; neither do their ministers assert their right to pay, esteeming it 'more blessed to give than receive.'

* The taking of interest is now tolerated among them, but most of them do not demand or take full lawful interest, and some of them do not take any interest for the money they lend to their poorer brethren.

t It is quite probable the author here alludes to the (Sieben Taeger) Seventh Day Baptists, who formed a settlement at Ephrata, in Lancaster County, in Pennsylvania, in the year 1724. These are the same people meant and described under the name Dunkards, in Buck's Theological Dictionary. There is no account given of the German Baptists or Brethren in that work.

Their acquaintance with the Bible is admirable; in a word, they are meek and pious Christians, and have justly acquired the character of 'Harmless Tunkers'"

The Rev. E. Winchester, one of the Baptist missionaries from England, in a work published by him in 1787, gave, among other things, the following account of these people: "They are industrious, sober, temperate, kind, charitable people; envying not the great, nor despising the mean. They read much, they sing and pray much; they are constant attendants upon the worship of God; their dwelling-houses are all houses of prayer; they walk in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless, both in public and private. They 'bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" The law of kindness is in their mouths; no sourness or moroseness disgraces their religion; and whatsoever they believe their Saviour commands they practice, without inquiring or regarding what others do."

"Though they in general maintain the same principles at this present time, yet they themselves confess there is not that same degree of vital piety existing among them that there was at the close of the eighteenth century; owing, as they think, to the circumstance of many of then having become very wealthy; and of their intermarriage with others. |

"The German Baptists, or Brethren, have now dispersed themselves almost through every State in the Union, more or less; but they are most numerous in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, and Indiana. It would be a difficult task to give a regular statistical account of these people, as they make it no part of their duty to keep an exact account of the number of communicants. Some of their larger congregations number from two to three hundred members; each congregation has from two to three preachers, and some more. In traveling and preaching there are in general two. together; and very frequently one speaks in German, and the other in the English language, to the same congregation. None of their ministers receive any pecuniary compensation for any services they perform pertaining to the ministry; they preach, officiate at marriages and funerals among all who call upon them, without respect to persons: though their ministers will not perform the rites of matrimony, unless they can be fully satisfied that there are no lawful objections in the case of either of the parties to be married.

"Their teachers and deacons are all chosen by vote, and their bishops are chosen from among their teachers, after they have been fully tried and found faithful; they are ordained by the laying on of hands and by prayer, which is a very solemn and affecting ceremony. It is the duty of the bishops to travel from one congregation to another, not only to preach, but to set in order the things that may be wanting; to be present at their love-feasts and communions, and, when teachers and deacons are elected or chosen, or when a bishop is to be ordained, or when any member who holds an office in the church is to be excommunicated. As some of the congregations have no bishops, it is also the duty of the bishop in the adjoining congregation to assist in keeping an oversight of such congregations. An elder among them is, in general, the first or eldest chosen teacher in the congregation where there is no bishop; it is the duty of the elder to keep a constant oversight of that church by whom he is appointed as a teacher. It is his duty to appoint meetings, to baptize, to assist in excommunication, to solemnize the rites of matrimony, to travel occasionally, to assist the bishops, and in certain cases to perform all the duties of a bishop. It is the duty of their teachers to exhort and preach at any of their regular stated meetings; and, by the request of a bishop or elder, to perform the ceremony of baptism and rites of matrimony.

"Tt is the duty of their deacons - or, as they are sometimes called, visiting brethren - to keep a constant oversight of the poor widows and their children, to render them such assistance as may be necessary » from time to time; it is also their duty to assist in making a general visit among all the families or members in their respective congregations, at least once a year, in order to exhort and comfort one another, as well as to reconcile all offenses that may occur from time to time. It is also their duty to read the Scriptures, to pray, and even exhort, if it may appear necessary, at their regular meetings of worship.

"The general order of these people has been to hold their meetings for public worship at dwellinghouses; but in some of their congregations they have now erected meeting-houses, or places expressly for worship. Some of them are built very large, without a gallery or a pulpit.

"They, as yet, have but one annual meeting, which is held every year, about Whitsuntide, and is attended by the bishops and teachers, and other members who may be sent as representatives from the various congregations. At these meetings there is, in general, a committee of five of the eldest bishops chosen from among those who are present, who retire to some convenient place, to hear and receive such cases as may then be brought before them, by. the teachers and representatives from the various congregations, which are (or at least the most important of them) afterward discussed and decided upon, and then those several queries, with the considerations as then concluded, aré recorded and printed in the German and English languages, and sent to the teachers in all the different congregations in the United States, who, when they receive them, or as soon as convenient, read them to the rest of their brethren. By this course of proceeding, they preserve a unity of sentiment and opinion throughout all their congregations.

'"'Some of their ministers manifest a great deal of zeal in their Master's cause; and although some of them are poorly circumstanced in the world, yet they, at their own expense, leave their families for several weeks in succession, and some even longer, to preach the gospel to others. They have had a general revival among them within the few last years past; many have been convicted and converted under their preaching, and the cause of religion seems to be progressing among them; and, what might seem strange to some, is, that they baptize by immersion, and that at any season of the year.

"In connection with what has been said in the commencement of our account concerning their doctrines, etc., we will only add, by way of conclusion, that they believe that God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is accepted with him; and that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life; and that God sent his Son into the world to seek and to save that which was lost, believing that he is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God through a crucified Redeemer, who tasted death for every man, and was manifested to destroy the works of the devil. And although it has herein been testified that they hold general redemption as a doctrine, still it is not preached among them in general, as an article of faith. It has probably been held forth by those who felt themselves, as it were, lost in the love of God; and, perhaps, on this account, they have been charged with holding the sentiments of the Universalists, which they all deny. They conceive it their duty to declare the whole counsel of God, and therefore they feel themselves bound to proclaim his threatenings and his judgments against the wicked and ungodly; yet in accordance with their general principles, which are love and goodwill, they are more frequently led to speak of the love and goodness of God toward the children of men."

Henry Baughman

Henry Baughman removed with his wife and one child to Montgomery Township, April 1, 1814, and settled upon the southwest quarter of section 3, now owned by Michael Myers. His nearest neighbors at this date were Messrs. Chandler and Naylor, the former of Perry, and the latter of Mohican Township. In 1819, he purchased of Moses Riddle the farm he now occupies in Orange Township.

James Boots Samuel Burns

Samuel Burns removed from Franklin County, Pennsylvania, to Wheeling, Virginia, in 1797, being at this time twenty-one years of age. In 1798, he became a resident of what is now Belmont County, on the Ohio side of the river. He was impaneled and served on the first grand jury at Pultney, Belmont County, which was held in Ohio after its organization as a State. He was also on the first jury held at Mansfield, after Richland became a county; and also a member of the first grand jury convened at Ashland after the organization of this county, at the May Term, 1846.

He entered the quarter section upon which he now resides, and removed to it in the spring of 1814. He came from Guernsey County, and removed his family on pirogues - embarking at Will's Creek, and coming up the Muskingum, White Woman, Mohican, and Jerome Fork, and landed at Finley's Bridge. His family were fourteen days on the water - an unusually tedious voyage. His land adjoined that of Esq. Newell. When he removed to the county, his family consisted of his wife and four children. The former died on 28th December, 1860, at the age of seventyseven. Mr. Burns is now eighty-five years of age, having been born in 1776.

Daniel Carter

Daniel Carter - originally from Butler County, Pennsylvania - immigrated to Montgomery Township, in January, 1812, having previously, with his family, resided a brief time at Jeromeville. From the latter point to the farm he subsequently selected and purchased in Montgomery Township, and which is now owned by John Mason, one mile northeast of Ashland, he cut the first road through an unbroken forest. This journey and settlement he made with a wife and family of eight children, namely: John, William, Daniel, Richard, Elizabeth, James, George, and Anna. He settled down, at that inclement season of the year, in an open-ended tent covered with clap-boards - living in that condition until he was enabled to cut and haul together logs suitable for a cabin house. When he came to raise his dwelling, he was compelled to travel sixteen miles through the wilderness to obtain the fourth man required for the purpose. Having cleared and planted seven acres in corn and potatoes in the spring of 1812, a panic was created among the settlers by the receipt of intelligence, in September of that year, of Hull's surrender at Detroit; and, anticipating that a general Indian invasion and massacre would follow this event, Mr. Carter and family desertéd their new home, and sought a place of refuge near New Philadelphia, in Tuscarawas County. Here they remained until February of the following year, (1813,) when they again returned to their farm, and where they found, happily, that their premises had been unmolested; and also their crops, which they had planted, save such as had been destroyed by deer and turkey. Here they remained until information was received at Jeromeville of the attack by the Indians upon the white inhabitants on the Black Fork; immediately upon the receipt of which information, Thomas Carr volunteered as a messenger to' inform Mr. Carter's family and neighbors of the attack, and warn them of their danger. Mr. Carter and family immediately fled, and made a successful escape to the fort. On subsequent examination of the premises, the tracks of the same Indians were discovered that were visible in the vicinity of Newell's house, which had been burned by the Indians. Mr. Carter's property escaped destruction, it is supposed, for reasons of past friendship. From Carter's the Indians passed to Cuppy's house, half a mile north, which was burned; they then continued to the house of Mr. Fry, (now owned by Daniel Wertman,) one half mile west of Cuppy's, where they finished their depredations.

At the close of the war, Mr. Carter entered the four quarter sections now occupied by his sons, David and Samuel, Mrs. Sackett, Mrs. Shearer, Thomas Elliott, Abraham Myers, and Jesse Callahan. Upon the homestead now occupied by Daniel Carter, he died on the 7th of February, 1854, at the age of seventy-nine years.

Henry Gamble removed to the farm upon which he now resides in March, 1815 - having entered his land at the office in Canton, in 1813. Mr. Gamble served during the last war with Great Britain; and was engaged in the service at Fort Meigs. His neighbors, at the time of his settlement, according to his

Francis Graiiam

Forty YEARS Aco. Recollection of Times that have Passed. - In the year 1821, I, Francis Graham, came to Uniontown, Richland County, Ohio. From Sandusky City, then in Huron, now Erie County, where I had resided for some time previous, I brought with me a small stock of dry goods and groceries. Uniontown at that time was a small village, containing about fourteen or fifteen families; two distilleries; one sawmill; one small tannery; one wheelwright shop for the manufacture of small wheels for spinning flax; one blacksmith shop, owned and occupied by Samuel Urie; and one physician, (Dr. Joel Luther.) I was informed that David Morphey brought to Uniontown a very small stock of goods, in 1818, and did not replenish his stock, and that Mr. Joseph Sheets, then a citizen of the place and a very worthy man, brought a small stock of goods from Steubenville, Ohio, in the year 1819 or in 1820, and did not replenish his stock; both of said stocks of goods had been entirely exhausted before my arrival, not a vestige of them left, so that I found Uniontown without a store, without a church, without a tavern, and without a post-office.

I rented a room for my goods from Mr. Sheets, and engaged board of him on the lot now owned and occupied by Jacob Barnhart, a grocer, on Main Street. Board at that time could be had for from six shillings to a dollar a week. Said Sheets entertained travelers as they called, there being no tavern in the place. In 1822, John Hull, the wheelwright, opened a tavern in a small building, which was some- years after moved back to give place for what was afterward the Slocum House, where the Town Hall now stands. I found goods in demand, but no money in the country to buy them. They would go off like hot cakes if I would sell on credit, but that would be a dangerous course for me to pursue, as my means were quite limited, and if my goods were sold without getting in exchange for them something that would buy more, it would place me in a critical situation; but I saw no alternative, and trust I must; at the same time I would take in exchange for my goods anything I could turn into money, or considered better than goods, and in pursuing that course, I found some hard bargains on my hands before the year came round.

Country Produce. - The products of the country brought low prices at that time, from the fact that there was no market or demand for them beyond home consumption. It was very difficult for people to raise money to pay their taxes. Wheat might have been had for twenty-five cents a bushel, cash, but no one wanted it only for family use; consequently there were not large quantities of that article raised. Oats traded off at twelve to fifteen cents a bushel; corn was in better demand, and brought in store goods from fifteen to twenty cents per bushel, and became almost a lawful tender, because it could be converted into that "delicious beverage" called whisky, and the thirst for that article in the Northwest had created a market in Michigan, where we sent all of our whisky. The farmers sold their corn to the merchant for goods or to the distiller for whisky, and sometimes took it west himself. Horses, cattle, and hogs were sought for to some extent by trading men.

I was obliged, as a means of raising funds, to purchase cattle, hogs, and sometimes horses, from the farmers; stock cattle suitable for feeding, and generally disposed of in Berks or Lancaster Counties, in Pennsylvania. Hogs were driven to Pittsburg and sold to butchers. My horses were sold in Baltimore and Philadelphia, and about twice out of three times were sold at a loss. About the year 1824, I began to pack pork, at home, for the Michigan market, produced by a large emigration from the Eastern States. And after the opening of the New York and Erie Canal, in the fall of 1826, I sent my pork to the New York market. In the fall season, for three years, I purchased grass-fed fat cattle, from eighty to one hundred and forty head, drove them to Sandusky City; where I had them slaughtered and packed for the New York market. This was as a necessity for the purpose of raising money to keep my stock up, as a large amount of my means were in the hands of my customers, and could not be realized when much needed. In the purchase of these cattle, I could generally pay a portion of the cost out of my store, and frequently pay a. part in customers' notes, who were not then prepared to make payment; and for any balance due, I would often get a credit of from four to nine months, for which I gave my note. In that way I made a raise. After the opening of the New York and Erie Canal, which was in the fall of 1826, produce began to advance gradually.

Prices of Produce from 1820 to 1827, about as follows : - Wheat, I have said, could be bought for twentyfive cents per bushel, cash; corn would command from fifteen to twenty cents in trade; oats, from twelve and quarter cents per pound; eggs, from four to five cents a dozen. The article of maple sugar was an important item of trade in Richland County, and gave material aid to the community, not from the high prices it commanded, for it was worth but from five to six and a fourth cents per pound, according to quality; but from the large quantity made. It was not unusual in good seasons for sugar, for many of the farmers who had large crops, or sugar orchards, to make in one season from eighteen hundred to twenty-five hundred pounds of sugar. I will here name a few of the most noted sugar makers of those days in the vicinity of Uniontown, viz., Jonas Crouse, Andrew Proudfit, Abraham Huffman, and Elisha Chilcote, as some of the individuals who made for several years after I came to Uniontown about the quantities of sugar above named; even the poor man who had but a small crop, if he made but three or four hundred pounds, it enabled him to get many necessaries that he could not have otherwise paid for. During the spring and summer months, I took at my store large quantities of maple sugar; I generally put it into new flour barrels, which would contain, when filled, from two hundred and twenty to two hundred and fifty pounds; very dry sugar being lighter than damp. I took of that article one year forty-two barrels. Sugar could not readily be sold for cash, but could be bartered for salt, white fish, iron, nails, window-glass, and castings at the furnace, in Licking County, or at Vermillion, now in Erie County, Ohio. I have already said there was no market in Uniontown for wheat, nor for some years after, beyond home consumption. About the year 1825, John Stewart, an early settler of Richland County, and a very worthy man, and for many years surveyor of Richland County, built a flouring mill on the Rocky Fork, say three miles southeast of Mansfield. When his mill was completed, he put a notice in James Purdy's seven by nine paper, then published in Mansfield, saying his mill is now in running order, and he wished to purchase wheat, and would pay thirty-one and a fourth cents, cash, for good merchantable wheat delivered at his mill. The farmers about Uniontown were much elated with the idea of getting cash for wheat, and a number of them loaded their wagons with wheat, and carried it to Stewart's market for thirty-one and a fourth cents a bushel. I well recollect one of them who sold Stewart wheat was my neighbor Henry Gamble, who is yet living and can speak for himself.

Post- Office - I have said there was no post-office in Uniontown, when I came to it in 1821. In 1822, I got up a petition to the Postmaster-General for a postoffice at Uniontown, Richland County, Ohio, by the name of Uniontown, praying that Francis Graham be made postmaster, and forwarded it to the Hon. John Sloan, then our Representative in Congress from the Richland and Wayne County District, asking him to do me the favor to present the petition to the Postmaster-General, and use his influence for the establishment of the office and my appointment as postmaster. Mr. Sloan in due time responded to my call, saying he had presented my petition, that the Postmaster-General declined granting us a post-office at Uniontown, by that name, as there were already two Uniontown post-offices in the State, and there should be but one. Mr. Sloan then made choice of the name of Ashland, there being no post-office in Ohio by that name. The papers came.on in due time, and Francis Graham was postmaster. There was then a contract let for carrying the mail, once a week, from Wooster, in the County of Wayne, via Uniontown, in Richland County, to New Haven, in Huron County, and a Mr. Bell, near Fredericksburg, in Wayne County, took the contract. The mail was carried on horse, I think for about one year, when the Post-Office Department discovered it would not pay expenses, and withdrew the contract. I then wrote to the late Hon. John McLean, who was then Postmaster-General, who, subsequently for a long period of his life, discharged the important duties of Justice of the United States Supreme Court with signal ability and credit to himself and honor to his country, asking him if some plan could be devised by which Uniontown could have a mail; that I felt, as did also many of our citizens, the loss of the mail very much. The Hon. gentleman then proposed to give me the net. proceeds of the office for a given period, if I would hire the mail carried to some connecting point on a mail route that would best accommodate our place and vicinity with a mail. I then hired the mail carried weekly, to Mansfield, for about three years, and sustained quite a loss in the operation.

Prices of some Articles of Merchandise. - In the early days of Uniontown, many articles of merchandise were high comparéd with present prices. Bar iron was worth from eight to ten cents per pound, according to size and quality; nails, from twelve to fifteen cents a pound; copper, thirty-five to thirty-seven cents a pound; cotton shirting, fifty cents a yard, such as now sells for nine or ten cents per yard; calico that you buy now for ten cents, sold then for twenty-five cents; and cotton yarn sold for seventyfive to eighty cents a pound; teas and sugar were not extravagantly high, neither were woolen goods very high. Money continued scarce until after the opening of the New York and Erie Canal. The union of the waters of Lake Erie with those of the Hudson, added to the beneficial influences of the United States Bank, gave an impetus to all branches of trade and business throughout the country. Produce of all kinds gradually advanced in price, and the currency of the country was greatly improved. The insolvent banks of the country, or Wild Cat banks, as they were familiarly called, were obliged to close their doors. When the condition of the solvent banks of the country was greatly improved and strengthened by the operations of the United States Bank, exchange on New York and other Atlantic cities was reduced in a short time after that bank went into operation from ten or fifteen per cent. to about one per cent. The circulating medium became sound and healthy. Confidence among business men became general and strong, and the man who drew bank bills from a bank for speculative purposes could, with safety, retain the money at pleasure. Prior to this state of things, a man was not safe in keeping a large amount of bank paper over night for fear the bank would be closed the next day. No one will deny that there were bad men in the country at that day. But crime of every description, in my opinion, has increased more than tenfold since. Swindling, theft, or robbery was rare forty years ago in Northern Ohio.

As money became more plenty, business men, with small means, found less difficulty in raising funds; as produce advanced in price, people became better prepared to pay for what they purchased. The transportation of my produce to Huron or Sandusky City was a heavy, laborious operation, the country being new, roads bad, and many of the streams not bridged. It generally took teams from six to seven days to make a trip. I well recollect an instance where David Markley, Esq., who, at that time, owned the farm now owned by the heirs of the late Alanson Andrews; said Markley took a load of whisky to Sandusky City for me, and loaded back with salt and white fish, had a first-rate set of team, and was eight days in performing the trip; said he was obliged to call for help a number of times to pull him out of bad places. I have already related how we obtained a post-office at Uniontown. Well, the post-office was Ashland, and the village Uniontown, and continued so for two or three years after the post-office was established, when the citizens petitioned the legislature, praying that the name of Uniontown be changed to that of Ashland, and Uniontown, Richland County, became extinct.

I have said in the fore part of this epistle there was no church in Uniontown. When I came to it, in 1821, the good people of Uniontown and vicinity who possessed morality enough to appreciate the preaching of the gospel, had built a log meeting-house in the country, one mile west of the village, on the road to New Haven. Here, I must say, the location of said meeting-house did not comport with my views of church matters; but directly vice versa - for I say build your church where there are people. It is more natural and more convenient for the country people to go to town than it is for the citizens of the town to go to the country to meeting. But the wise heads who had the responsible duty to discharge of locating said meeting-house, had said that was the place for it, and the citizens of the village could go out there to meeting. The Rev. William Matthews, a Presbyterian divine, and a very worthy man, preached in said house, every third Sabbath, and some of the citizens did go to hear him; but not near as many as should have gone.

Mr. Matthews preached in said house for a few years after my arrival at Uniontown, and was then succeeded by the Rev. Robert Lee, from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, who purchased and lived on the farm for many years, now owned by Peter Vantilburg, on the Olivesburg road. Mr. Lee preached in said meeting-house for a number of years, and then removed to Leesville; in Crawford County. Mr. Lee was succeeded by the Rev. William Robinson, an elderly gentleman, who resided for a time in Ashland, and removed from there to Orange, then in Richland County. I think I am not mistaken in saying the old man was killed in Wayne or Stark County, while riding in his carriage, by the fall of a tree. In the year 1834, the Presbyterians purchased a lot of John Smith, who owned a fafm and lived where Christopher Mykrants's brick house now stands, on Cottage Street, and erected thereon the Hopewell Church. From that time the country meeting-house was vacated as a place of public worship, and the trustees sold the building to the widow Haggerty for a dwelling-house a few years after. About the year 1824 or 1825, the Methodist Episcopalians of Uniontown and vicinity organized a society, and for some time held their meetings in a log building, occupied as a school-house, which stood on Main

Street, about where A. C. Swineford's dwelling-house now stands, but generally'met at the residence of some of the members of their society, as best suited their convenience. And in the year 1828, the trustees purchased a lot on Second Street, where the Court House now stands, and erected thereon a stone church, where the congregation continued to worship until after the erection of Ashland County. In 1847, the trustees sold the lot and building to the Commissioners of Ashland County, for a Court House, and within a few years after, the said trustees erected the commodious and well-arranged church on a lot near the Union school buildings, where the congregation now worship.

There was no good flouring mill at or near Uniontown when I came to it, or for some years after. There were a number of small inferior mills in the vicinity of Uniontown: I say inferior, because their construction was such that it was impossible for any of them to make good flour. The structure was of logs, and generally about fifteen to twenty feet square, with one run of Buckeye burrs, dug out of some of the Richland hills, and manufactured by some man who, if not thoroughly skilled in the art, claimed at least to have seen a millstone in his day. These mills made pretty coarse flour; had no screen for cleansing wheat, and their bolting operation was not number one; yet they could grind corn or chop grain very well. One of those mills was owned by Andrew Alexander, located in. Uniontown, about where the Union Mills office now stands. Another was owned by Conrad Kline, two miles east of Uniontown, very near where the bridge now crosses the creek on the road from Ashland to Mr. Roseberry's. The third was a little mill owned by Thomas Oram, one and a half miles northeast. from Uniontown, on the spot where J. G. Sloan's mill, or more recently, where John Sharack's mill now stands. And the fourth of the aforesaid mills was owned by Martin Mason, five miles north from Uniontown, where Leidigh's mill now stands. These mills accommodated the country with flour and meal for quite a distance, to the best of their ability, and the inhabitants seemed to cherish the privilege of having access even to poor.mills. Persons wishing to obtain good flour, and circumstances would permit, frequently sent their wheat or took it to Herring's mill, on the Clear Fork, about twenty miles distant; or to a mill at Loudonville, eighteen miles from Uniontown. LEither of the last named mills made good fine flour; and sometimes three or four neighbors would unite and load a team for one of those mills, and each one bear his proportion of the expense, and generally felt well paid for the cost incurred. A trip to one of these mills consumed about three days, if they brought their flour home with them.

On my arrival at Uniontown, in 1821, the place did not present a very flattering appearance, but I. found some good inhabitants in it, and a healthy place. I also discovered, from the fertility. of the soil in the vicinity, that it- must become rich from agriculture. In that I was not mistaken; by reference to our State Agricultural Reports, it will be seen that but few if any township in the State of Ohio produces a greater annual product than Montgomery

Jacob H. Grubb

Jacob H. Grubb removed to Uniontown, 23d November, 1823. Originally from Union County, Pennsylvania. His family at that date consisted of his wife and one child, (the latter now the wife of David J. Rice.) Mr. Grubb rented a log house for his family, of Christopher Mykrants, situated upon the ground now occupied by the warehouse of KE. W. Wallack, in the rear of the Town Hall. In the same building he also prosecuted the business of cabinetmaking upon a small scale - Alexander Miller being his only competitor in the business.

The first school in the town was taught by Therrygood Smith, in his cabin, which was situated on the second lot west of the present residence of Hugh Davis. This was in 1824.

In the year 1825, the school-house referred to by Mr. Slocum was erected on the lot now owned by Sarah Jones. This school was taught by Chandler Foote.

In 1826, the third school was taught in a cabin owned by Cullen Spaulding, which stood upon the lot now owned by Witwer, Myers & Co. Mr. Fleming taught this school.

At one or all of these schools, Mary Grubb, (now Mrs. Rice,) Alexander Morehead, (brother-in-law of Abraham Holmes,) Sarah Coonrod, and Lawrence Whitzel; Lorin and Mary, children of Alanson Andrews; Lucretia, Elizabeth and Thomas, children of John Smith; Mary Ann and John, children of Elias Bailey; Gideon, son of Ebenezer D. Nightingale; the children of John Herryman and of Mr. Holmes; Julia, Emery and Harrison, children of Seth B. Cook; Sarah, daughter of John Jones, and Jacob Keefer, grandson of Mr. Shaffer, were scholars in attendance.

The Methodist meetings, in 1823, and for many years subsequent, were held at the residence of John Smith, whose house was upon the lot now occupied by Christopher Mykrants.

Sage Kellogg

Sage Kellogg removed to Uniontown (now Ashland) -in October, 1818. He taught the first school in Orange Township, in the winter of 1818 and 1819, in a log hut then erected about three-fourths of a mile north of the present town of Orange. Mr. Kelloge's profession was that of a school teacher.

John Hough

John Hough, born in Frederick County, Maryland, removed to Montgomery Township in 1823. In the following year, he purchased of Benjamin Byers, of Wayne County, the quarter section upon which he has since resided. When he removed to the county his family consisted of his wife and eight » children - only three of whom now survive, namely, John and William and Mrs. Mary EKichelbarger.

The town of Ashland, at the period of his arrival, contained not more than half a dozen families, while Jeromeville was quite a flourishing town.

James Kuykendall

James Kuykendall, born in Pennsylvania, immigrated to Montgomery Township, having previously (in November, 1813) entered two hundred and six acres in the northwest quarter of section 6, (now known as the "Coup farm,") in March, 1815. He made the journey from Wellsville, on the Ohio River, through a country which was settled at intervals of from about four to ten miles by: little towns and cabins of white people - conveying himself, his wife, one child, a brother, and all his worldly effects, (except some stock,) upon three horses. Mr. Kuykendall aided in the erection of the first house (being of hewn logs) within the limits of what now constitutes the original town of Ashland, which occupied the ground upon which Treace's tavern now stands. It was built by William Montgomery for his own use, and occupied by him for a "tavern."

Mr. Montgomery, when he subsequently laid out the town, gave it the name of " Uniontown," in honor of his native town of that name in Pennsylvania. Within the limits of what now constitutes the town of Ashland, Mr. Kuykendall informs us that he has killed many a deer. In 1837, he removed to Fulton County, Illinois, where he at present resides.

Mr. Kuykendall informs us that the first burial in the old Hopewell churchyard, one mile west of Ashland, was the body of Mrs. Griffin, a lady considerably advanced in years.

Rev. Charles Law, an Old School Presbyterian clergyman, from Matour's Run congregation, about twelve miles southwest of Pittsburg, on the Steubenville road, was traveling as a missionary to the

Wyandotte and Seneca Indians, and on his return was taken ill of fever, and died at the house of Andrew Stevens, situated on the farm now owned by John Mykrants. His body was buried in the old Hopewell grounds, when, after having laid twenty years, it was disinterred and removed to Pennsylvania.

Cows - $4 to 6; Wheat - per bushel, average 20 cents; Corn - per bushel, average 5 to 8 cents; Oats - per bushel, average 6 cents; Ginseng, (dried) - per pound, 25 cents; Deer Skin, (dried) - per pound, 124 cents. No money - but "trade."

Hunting, as will be observed, at this time was more profitable than cultivating the soil - the products of the forest being of more value than those of

Henry Maize

Henry Maize, formerly of Union County, Pennsylvania, removed to Uniontown, 23d June, 1828. Mr. Maize purchased of Alanson Walker a lot upon Main Street, and erected thereon during the same year the building now occupied by Abram C. Swineford. He was married on the 25th December, 1828, to Mary N., daughter of the late Henry Miller. He erected a dwelling and gunsmith shop, being of logs, upon the lot now occupied by the family of J. A. F. Miller, and prosecuted the business of gunsmithing at that place for several years. Mr. Maize gives the

Wheat, 25 cents per bushel, in trade - (refused at that rate by John P. Reznor, merchant, in exchange for "crockery ware.") Pork and beef, $2.00 per hundréd pounds. Potatoes, corn, and oats, 8 @ 10 cents per bushel. Eggs, 2 @4 cents per dozen. Butter, 3 @ 5 ceuts per pound. Good milch cows, $10 per head. Wood, 50 cents per cord.

Joseph Markley

Joseph Markley emigrated from Somerset County, Pennsylvania, to Montgomery Township, in March, 1815, and settled upon the land which he had the previous October purchased of the widow Trickle - said land being the east half of section 17, and now adjoining the town of Ashland, on the east. Those members of his family who accompanied him to the country consisted of his wife and seven sons and two daughters - five sons remaining in Pennsylvania. Aaron Markley, who now resides upon the land above mentioned, is the only survivor of the original emigrating party now living in the county - the others being deceased or removed. Joseph Markley died in September, 1831, at the age of sixty years. David Markley, (now a resident of Stark County, Illinois,) was a man of considerable influence during his residence in Uniontown. He was six feet two inches in height, of fine physical development, and proportionate strength. He owned a distillery, and would grasp a full barrel of whisky, and raise it from the ground and place it in a wagon without making extraordinary effort. He appeared to possess the concentrated strength of two or three ordinary men. Since his residence in Illinois, he has been repeatedly elected a member of the legislature of that State, and has held other official positions, in all of which he appears to have discharged his duties satisfactorily.

During the first season of their residence in the country, the Markley family endured privations such as they had never before known. None of the family were skilled in the use of the rifle, and consequently could not supply themselves with wild game. The family having nearly consumed their stock. of corn meal, two of the boys (Jonathan and Horatio) were dispatched with jack-horses to Shrimplin's mill for a new supply. The journey occupied three days, and their route was on an Indian trail - there being no roads which had been traversed by wagons. One dollar and twenty-five cents per bushel was the price paid at the mill for corn. During the spring, the family had made a considerable quantity of sugar - and corn bread and sweetened water, without a pound of butter or meat, formed the only food for the family during the period of several weeks.

These were the families of William Montgomery (whose cabin occupied the place in South Ashland where Gilbert and John Miller now reside) and Conrad Kline, (who then resided upon the farm now occupied by John Mason.)

When the town was laid out by Mr. Montgomery, there was not a cabin or family upon the town plot. Henry Gamble and John Smith settled in the neighborhood during the same spring that Mr. Markley came to the country.

Hugh McGuire visited Montgomery Township § in the year 1810, on a hunting and exploring excursion. There were no white inhabitants in the township at that date. Robert Newell removed to the township the succeeding year, (1811,) from White Eyes Plains, (Newcomerstown,) Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Mr. McGuire is the present owner and occupant of a farm which was among the original entries of Mr. Newell.

John McNaull removed to the land he now occupies, being a quarter on the southeast section of Montgomery Township, in the spring of 1815. Mr. McNaull was born in Ireland, but had resided in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, six years, and in' Frederick County, Maryland, the same length of time; and from the latter place he removed: to the place above described. His nearest neighbor was William Reed, of Vermillion Township. He had no family other than his wife; all his children having been born in this county.

Christian Miller Christopher Mykrants

Christopher Mykrants settled in Uniontown, in April, 1823. At that time the only church in the neighborhood was the old Hopewell, about one mile west of the town. The school building was a small log cabin, standing on a lot west of the residence of Hugh Davis. The chimney, according to the general custom of the time, being of lath and clay, took fire, and the building was consumed. The inhabitants were generally rude in their habits and dress, but kind and hospitable. Upon public occasions, ardent spirits were used very freely - fights were frequent, and at times involved nearly the whole crowd; but enmities were not lasting, and peace and reconciliation always returned with a disappearance of the effects of the liquor.

Wheat would command about 25 cents, and corn from 9 to 124 cents per bushel. In 1828, Luther M. Pratt effected an arrangement in Rochester, New York, by which he was enabled to offer 373 cents per bushel for wheat - a price then unprecedented in the history of the country since a surplus of that grain had been produced.

The first vehicle in the form of a carriage which made its appearance in this town or township was brought by Dr. Luther from Connecticut, in 1821. Its springs were of wood, and, excepting the tires upon the wheels, there had not been twenty pounds . of iron used in its manufacture. It was made in Connecticut, and a novelty in this country. Applications for its use were so pressing and frequent, that the doctor sold it for eighteen dollars.

The family of Mr. Mykrants at this time consisted of his wife and daughter Elizabeth and sons John and Jacob. The first named became the wife of the late Dr. Joel Luther, and now resides-with her sonin-law, Dr. J. B. F. Sampsel. John is a resident of

Andrew Proudfit, Sen

Andrew Proudfit, Sen., entered, in 18138, the half section of land in Montgomery Township now occupied by Andrew Proudfit, Jun., Dr. J. B. F. Sampsel, and Alfred Slocum. He removed his family to the place in December, 1817. His family then consisted of his wife, and the following named children: John, (now a resident of Orange Township,) Nancy, (now the wife of Samuel Burns, of Wood County,) David, (since deceased,) James, (now a resident of Indiana,) Temperance, (wife of John Mason,) Mary, (now deceased,) Jane, (who married Solomon Urie, and now resides in Michigan,) Andrew, (now residing in Ashland, and the owner of the principal portion of the old homestead,) Esther, (wife of Samuel Lawson, of Illinois,) and Sarah, (since deceased.) Andrew Proudfit, Sen., died June 10, 1842, aged seventy-one years; and Mary, his wife, died May 31, 1841, aged sixtyseven years.

Michael Riddle

Michael Riddle removed to the land, section 2, now occupied by his son, William Patterson Riddle, in the spring of 1819. Mr. Riddle was one of the founders of the Disciple Church, in Ashland County, and lived and died honored among his neighbors. At the time of his removal to the county, his family consisted of his wife, his sons George W. and Aaron, and his daughter Abigail. George W. Riddle is now a resident of Montgomery Township. Aaron died 17th November, 1851. Abigail resides with her brother, William P. Riddle, upon the old homestead.

Samuel Rowland Joseph Sheets

Joseph Sheets removed from Steubenville to Uniontown, Montgomery Township, in November, 1817. At that time, William Montgomery, David Markley,. and John Croft, with their families, constituted the population of the town. Mr. Markley-had had a small stock of goods, but was closing up his 'business. Mr. Montgomery was the keeper of the only house of entertainment for travelers, and was engaged in distilling whisky. Mr. Montgomery also was the proprietor of a tannery, which he subsequently sold to George Swineford, and which occupied the premises now occupied by David Whiting.

When Mr. Sheets established himself in Uniontown, his family consisted of his wife and daughter Elizabeth, (the latter now being the wife of Johnson S. Martin, of Montgomery Township.) His son, William Sheets, (now residing about two miles east of Ashland,) was the first male child born within the town who lived to reach manhood. Lorin Andrews, President of Kenyon College, and late a colonel in one of the Ohio volunteer regiments, was the second child, who attained maturity, born in Ashland.

William Skilling

William Skilling removed to Uniontown, in June, 1817. David Markley had a small stock of goods in a log building upon the site now occupied by the Town Hall. This was the only stock of goods in the town. Samuel Urie was the only blacksmith - his house and shop being on, or in the neighborhood of, "the Robinson corner." Nicholas Shaeffer was a carpenter by trade, but as there was not a frame house in the town or township, his limited business was confined to the manufacture of doors and window sash, and hewing of logs for the more imposing structures. John Antibus was engaged in the business of manufacturing hats in a small shop in the vicinity of the present McNulty House. His business was very limited, and in two or three years he removed to Mansfield, where he died about twenty-five years since. John Croft was conducting. a tannery upon the premises now occupied by David Whiting.

The business of the town, therefore, when Mr. Skilling first entered it, was in the hands of one merchant, (whose stock would possibly amount to a load for a one-horse wagon,) a blacksmith, a carpenter, and a hatter, and the stock invested in the whole would not, probably, amount to one-fifth of that invested in the smallest dry goods establishment now doing business in Ashland. Montgomery, Smart, Urie, Croft, and Seaton - five in all - were the only families, according to the best recollection of Mr. Skilling, then residing in the place. There was only one street - the east and west - in the town; and that was crowded with logs and stumps.

Peter Swineford

Peter Swineford removed with his family, which consisted, at that time, of his third wife and the following children, namely: Jacob, John, George, Samuel, Anthony, Susan, Peter, Elizabeth, and Abram C. This was in the spring of 1819. He purchased of John Owens the quarter section in Montgomery Township which was subsequently owned and occupied by his sons John and Samuel, and upon which place he died in the latter part of the winter of 1849. Of the children of Mr. Swineford above named, the only survivors, at this time, (January 14, 1862,) are John, George, Susan, Elizabeth, and Abram C.

Elias Slocum

Elias Slocum emigrated from Rodman Township, Jefferson County, New York; whence he set out on an exploring tour to the Western country on the 9th of June, 1817, in company with his then neighbors, Eber Lucas, George W. Palmer, and William Butterfield. Messrs. Slocum and Palmer arrived at Ashland (then known by the name of Uniontown) on the ninth of July. On the fifteenth October the men returned for their families; and at Sackett's Harbor, on their way westward, the party took passage on board the schooner Almira for Lewistown; from thence, arriving at Black Rock, they embarked, about the middle of November, on board a schooner for Sandusky City. The name of this vessel is not recollected; but the name of her captain was Harpin Johnson, and the mate was his brother, David Johnson. The vessel, with her cargo and passengers on board, proceeded on her upward passage and "lay to" opposite Buffalo, awaiting the arrival of her captain. About seven o'clock in the evening, that officer arrived in company with two men, one giving his name as Jno. Smith and the other E. Page. After these men were aboard, the schooner, under a favorable wind, again proceeded on her way; and about twelve o'clock on the same night the vessel encountered a head wind, which increased in violence until it reached the climax of a hurricane. Captain Johnson concluded that if he could get his vessel under the lee of Long Point, on the Canada side, he would be safe; and, after skillful working, succeeded, and anchored his vessel. The gale continued to increase in fury until both the topmasts of the schooner were carried away, and on the following morning, having parted her cable, she had no other remedy than to return to Black Rock.

During the interval which had. elapsed after embarking at Black Rock, Mr. Slocum had found a newspaper aboard giving the details of a murder which had been committed in Schoharie County, New York, and describing the supposed murderer. From certain appearances about one of the passengers who had accompanied the captain to the vessel from Buffalo, and who had given his name as John Smith, and particularly from the circumstance that he and Page were extremely anxious to go ashore at Long Point, (and which was only prevented by the earnest remonstrance of Mr. Slocum, representing that it would imperil the lives of those remaining on board to part with the schooner's only boat,) he had been led to the conclusion that this man John Smith was none other than the veritable John Vanalstine, the murderer of Richard Huddleston, deputy sheriff of Schoharie County. On the return passage, therefore, to Black Rock, so firm was Mr. Slocum in this conviction, that he formed the resolution to arrest the suspected person immediately upon landing at that port; and, accordingly, after the passengers had disembarked, Mr. Slocum induced Page (the companion of Smith, and who was cognizant of his crime and aiding him in his escape) to go to the hotel of Major Berry, and order dinner for ten of the passengers. Having thus separated Smith, alias Vanalstine, from his companion, he immediately arrested Smith in the name of the people, and by the authority of the State of New York, as the murderer of Deputy Sheriff Richard Huddleston, and proceeded with him to the jail at Buffalo, where he was lodged, and remained three days - and a Court of Inquiry resolved to detain him until a witness from Schoharie could be obtained to identify the prisoner. On the sixth day after the court had examined the case, the witness appeared and.at once recognized Vanalstine. Upon confronting his witness, he was so overwhelmed that he fainted. On the day following, the court delivered the prisoner into the hands of Mr. Slocum, who conveyed him to Schoharie, and transferred him to the hands of High Sheriff Keiser. The prisoner was put upon trial - convicted and-sentenced - and, on the last Friday of March, in 1818, was executed; having previously made to Mr. Slocum,-and afterward to the world, a full confession of his crime.

at Black Rock; and, in January, sat out overland for their Western destination; and in the latter part of March, 1818, arrived at Uniontown - having been about eight weeks in accomplishing this part of the journey.

Mr. Slocum, on his first visit, had purchased of George Butler one hundred and six acres in section 16, Montgomery Township; and, jointly with Alanson Andrews and George W. Palmer, purchased of William Montgomery, the original proprietor of Uniontown, three acres on the south side of "Montgomery's Run," (a part of the ground being that upon which the dwellings of David Whiting, Jacob Hildebrand, and the shop and dwelling of Mr. Desenburg are now situated.) Upon this purchase they erected a patent distillery - being the first of that character in this section of the country. Mr. Slocum's family removed to a cabin on section 16, which had been erected for them by Mr. Butler. Upon this land Mr. Slocum made the first improvement, and there continued his home during a period of about twelve years.

His family, at the date of his arrival in the country, consisted of his wife and six children, namely: Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth, Lyman, Wealthy, and Ephraim, (the latter now residing upon the farm which his father first purchased and improved.)

There was not, within his knowledge, a schoolhouse in the country; but during the year 1818 a building for this purpose, of log walls, cabin roof, and puncheon floor, inclosing a room in which a very stinted quantity of light was admitted through greased paper windows, and capable of seating very uncomfortably about fifteen or eighteen children, was erected in the vicinity of the present residence of Miss Sarah Jones. Here the late Lorin Andrews' and the elder children of Mr. Slocum and a few others learned the first rudiments of their education.

In the year 1820, a son of James Durfee, aged about eight years, whose family then resided in Jackson Township, near what was then the Wayne and Lorain County line, (being the farm now owned by John Buchanan,) became lost in the woods. The child was in charge of his uncle, David Souls, and had been placed to guard an opening in the fence. A rain coming on, and becoming impatient by reason of the protracted absence of his uncle, it is supposed that the child undertook to find his way home, in which effort he became lost. After a faithful search of about twelve days by the people of the whole neighborhood, aided by others from remote townships, the hope of recovering his body was abandoned. Subsequently some remains of his hair, bones, and clothing were found in the forest, near the present town of Perrysburg, within a distance of two miles of his father's house. These relics explained the little sufferer's fate. His body, when either living or dead, had been attacked and devoured by wolves.

It is-no reproach to the first and most prominent officers of Montgomery Township that they were illiterate - unable even to read or write - as they had had little or no opportunities of education, having spent their boyhood in a wilderness that had never been reached by the schoolmaster. It was, therefore, the fact with regard to Robert Newell, Esq., (one among the earliest of the settlers, and whose cabin was burned by the Indians during the war of 1812, as elsewhere related,) that he could neither read nor write, and of course never kept a docket. So satisfactorily, however, and with such an even hand did he dispense justice, upon principles of strict equity rather than law, that his official acts were indorsed by a re-election. Eloyd Eddy, his son-in-law, and Jacob Kline, elected as constables, were also equally illiterate. In most cases, Squire Newell would refuse absolutely to issue summons, fixing up and enforcing on summary but equitable terms a settlement of issues among neighbors; but this could not always be done. In one instance, Andrew Clark demanded summons on Martin Mason, for balance of pay claimed for constructing a mill-race, and the squire, after protracted efforts to bring the parties to a settlement, was unable longer to defer an "issue of summons." Accordingly he called upon Constable Kline, and, presenting that "civil" functionary with a strong buckeye club, notified him that that was his authority for bringing Mason, dead or alive, into "Court," - to call upon said defendant, and if he showed any symptoms of unwillingness to obey the summons, he was to make such vigorous use of said club over the head and shoulders of defendant as would induce him to respond and accompany him. Defendant, however, readily obeyed the summons, and the litigants appeared before his honor. The squire demanded, first of the plaintiff, then of the defendant, a full statement from each of the matter at issue; which demand having been complied with by the statements of the parties, he gave judgment as follows: "Mason shall pay to Clark two bushels of corn; Clark being a poor man, and having no horse, you, Mason, shall deliver the corn at his house. Forever after this you are to be good friends and neighbors, and if either shall ever fail in the least particular to obey ¢his order, I will have the offender before me and whip him within about 'a inch' of his life. As for myself I charge no fees. Not so with Constable Kline; his charge being a quart of whisky, which plaintiff and defendant will see is brought into Court as promptly as possible, for the use of all present."

In the early days, there were no religious sects or political parties. It was emphatically an "era of good feeling." When word was given out that a. preacher would hold a meeting at either a private or a public house, it was attended by all the neighbors, far and near - the men appearing often with their rifles, which would be stacked in a corner of the room - and no particular inquiry would be made as to what denomination the preacher belonged. The clergymen, however, who mostly visited the country were Presbyterians and Baptists. At this juncture of time, also, and up to the period of the second contest between Adams and Jackson, in 1828, there were no party divisions. The officers, county and township, generally received the unanimous support of the electors. When there was anything like a contest, it was more on personal grounds, and determined more on the question of personal popularity, than any other.

The date of the settlement of Montgomery Township may be said to have commenced about the year 1818, the settlers prior to that time being very few in number. From 1818 until about 1821, the township had received considerable accessions to its population. Squire Newell was the largest landholder, he being the owner of one thousand acres; the next largest was a Mr. Lanterman, of Trumbull County, (father-in-law of Luther M. Pratt,) who was the owner of about nine hundred acres, embracing what is now known as the "Tunker Settlement." Under the laws of Congress in force at that time, no one could enter less than a quarter section, and very few of the original settlers entered more than that quantity. These quarters were often divided and sometimes subdivided by the original purchasers, and sold to other settlers, which had a strong tendency to promote the density of the settlement, and develop the resources of the country.

Mr. Slocum and his neighbors often spent six days in the week in attending cabin-raisings and log-rollings. - On some of these occasions, he would travel five and six miles distant from his home. These gatherings had a powerful tendency to create and cement the ties of social friendship, and every one considered it a point of honor to obey the invitation of a neighbor to attend a "raising" or "log-rolling."

The bears were the great enemy of the swine, but after they had become so far exterminated as to permit the introduction of hogs, the mast of the forest afforded them food in sufficient quantity to fatten, with the aid of very little or no corn. The owners would kill them, as their wants required, by shooting in the woods. This practice, as may be supposed, gave rise to some ill feeling and litigation, as men would sometimes mistake their neighbors' hogs for their own. Deer and turkey were abundant in the forest. No man who was the owner of a gun and understood its use, need be out of a supply of the best kind of wild animal food. Since Mr. Slocum's residence'in this country, he never knew a case of severe suffering for want of food. There was 'always suffcient in the country, coarse though it may have been, to sustain life and health; and if a neighbor was in want, ample relief was promptly offered.as soon as the circumstances became known. Kquality, fraternity, truth, and charity were virtues more honored in the observance than in later times.

Michael Springer

Michael Springer entered at the office, in Canton, the land upon which John Springer now resides, in Montgomery Township. He also entered the quarter sections which George Swineford and Austin Moherman at this time own and occupy. He was a native of Pennsylvania. The lands above mentioned were purchased for his children, whose names were, severally, Daniel, Sarah, John, Nancy, Michael, Elizabeth, Peter, Susan, William, Mary, and Mar-

George Thomas

George Thomas, originally from Pennsylvania, settled in Petersburg, Mifflin Township, in 1818, and built the first house in that town. Died in 1841. His sons now (May, 1861) living in the county are Henry, Peter, and Josiah; the first and last named being residents of Orange, and Peter of Montgomery Township.

Daniel Vantilburg

Daniel Vantilburg emigrated from Jefferson County to his present residence, in Montgomery Township, in the autumn of 1816. His nearest neighbors then were Daniel Carter, John Owens, William Montgomery, and Joseph and David Markley - the three latter constituting the then population of Uniontown. He entered the quarter upon which he now resides in 1812, and his patent, signed by James Madison, President, and Edward Tiffin, Commissioner of the General Land Office, bears date 14th January, 1814.

He remained at Cuppy's (now Boyer's) mill the night prior to the burning of Mr. Cuppy's house, by Indians, and aided Mr. Cuppy in burying and otherwise secreting his goods.

Alanson Walker

From the "Stray Book," now in the hands of J. A. McCluskey, Esq., and the first entry in which was made by J. Gallup, Esq., J. P., January 25, 1823, a very correct idea of the value of live stock in Montgomery Township at that period may be gathered. _

On the twenty-ninth of that month, G. W. Palmer and Jonathan Markley were called upon to appraise two animals which had come into possession of John Smith as estrays. A heifer supposed to be one year old was appraised at $4; and a hog supposed to be of the same age was appraised at $1. Joel Luther and Joseph Sheets, on the 27th of March, 1823, appraise a hog eighteen months, which had come to Alanson Andrews as a stray, at $1.75. On the 17th July, 1824, Alanson Andrews and Henry Gamble appraise a horse, supposed to be thirteen years old, found upon the premises of Wm. Skilling, at $25.

Cha Pth Vif

Tuk seat of justice of Ashland County was originally known as Uniontown, and under the latter name was laid out July 28, 1815, by William Montgomery. The causes which led to the change in the name of the town are explained in the statement of Francis Graham, Esq., to which the reader is referred.

In 1817, the population, as near as can be ascer- | tained, consisted of the following named persons and their families: William Montgomery, Jacob Shaffer, Elias Slocum, George W. Palmer, Alanson Andrews, Samuel Urie, Joseph Sheets, David Markley, Amos Antibus, Joel Luther, and Mr. Nightingale. Jacob Shaffer, above named, was a shoemaker and a revolutionary soldier, and lived in a small dwelling upon the lot now occupied by the store of Judge Wick.

It could not have been supposed by its enterprising proprietor, that the town was destined to advance beyond the dignity of a "Cross Roads" establishment, as the original narrow and zigzag street unmistakably indicates his views. The rude inn, the blacksmith, weaver, tailor, shoe shop, and distillery would have marked very nearly the culminating point in the town's prosperity, had it not been that the enterprise of a generation of men who succeeded the founder of the town conceived the idea of establishing an institution that was destined, under Providence, to accomplish results that have led to the Ashland that now exists. And this brings us at once to the basis of the rise and progress of the town. It is not too much to say that Ashland owes all the consequence it has attained, and its success in local conflicts with rival rival towns, to

The town for many years was only known abroad through this popular institution of learning. It was conducted with a degree of skill and ability that gave it reputation throughout the State. The catalogue published in 1842 contains a per cent. of names that have since become conspicuous in the history of the country, of which any college in the State might be proud. The catalogue above mentioned was for the academic year 1841-42. The names given as constituting the Board of Trustees are: Rev. Robert Fulton, President; John P. Reznor, John Jacobs, William S. Granger, Joseph Wasson, Francis Graham, James Stewart, Abraham Huffman, Joseph McComb, D. W. Brown, William McComb, Jonas Stough, Silas Robbins, Secretaries; and John L. Lang, Treasurer. . The Faculty consisted of Rev. R. Fulton, A.M., Principal; Lorin Andrews, First Assistant, and William Johnston, Second Assistant. The Female Department was under charge of Miss Jane E. Coulter, Preceptress, Winter Session, and Miss Mary C. Johnson, Preceptress, Summer Session. Referring to the claims of the institution upon public favor, the Board of Trustees in their catalogue say : -

"Taking all things into consideration, there is, perhaps, no other. place in the State that contributes so 'much to the attainment of the ends for which such an institution is established. Easy of access in all directions - and in point of morals, cheapness of living, healthful climate and situation, it is unsurpassed.

"Owing to the death of Rev. R. Fulton, the late Principal, the Board of Trustees have elected the Rev. Samuel Fulton, of Wellsburg, Virginia, Principal of the Institution."

Of the Female Department the Board say that "it is entirely separate from the other, under the care of experienced teachers, where a thorough course of been made with one of the most respectable families in town for the accommodation of female boarders, » where they will be under the immediate care of the teacher."

A letter from Rev. R. R. Sloan, now of Mount Vernon, communicates the most satisfactory information regarding the history of the academy that we have been enabled to obtain from the many sources to which application has been made. From his letter, dated the 5th of March, 1862, the following extracts are made : -

"My first knowledge of the Ashland Academy was in the spring of 1839. It had been built previous to that year - the fruit of the enterprise and public spirit of the citizens of Ashland. A Mr. Johnson and sister, of Granville, I think, had charge of the school during the year 1838. Mr. McClure, now of Cuyahoga Falls, had taught prior to them - whether in the academy, or before it was. reared, I cannot now say.* My impression is that the school he so successfully and popularly managed gave birth to the thought of an academy. In the spring of 1839, Rev. Robert Fulton, of Florence, Pennsylvania, was chosen as principal, and entered on the discharge of his duties the first of May. I was associated with him, having charge of the English Department; and Miss J. E. Coulter (now Mrs. Sloan) having charge of the Young Ladies' Department.

* It was before the erection of the academy. Mr. McClure's school was on the second floor of the building now owned by Jacob Barnhart, and occupied by him as a dwelling and grocery. It was at that time one of the best structures in the town.

"Miss Coulter continued in charge of the Young Ladies' Department for two years, and was succeeded by Miss Lisle, and she subsequently (others perhaps intervened) by Miss J. M. Beckett, now of Lancaster, Ohio.

"My connection with the academy lasted only a year. Returning to Jefferson to complete my collegiate course, I persuaded Mr. Lorin Andrews, then, as since, my bosom friend, to abandon the study of the law and give himself to the profession of teaching. Consenting to do so, I commended him to Mr. Fulton, and he became my successor - and subsequently the principal - assisted by A. McFulton and John W. Rankin. His success as a teacher there and elsewhere is known, for it is part of the school history of Ohio.

"Though many of the pupils have since occupied important places - figuring conspicuously in the pulpit, at the bar, and on the forum - I am not familiar enough with their life to give even a sketch of their nisary

The last principal of the academy was Rev. Mr. Rowe, who is described by those who knew him well as an accomplished scholar and instructor, but was not appreciated. He taught one or two terms in 1845 or 1846, assisted by Thomas Milligan. The existence of the Ashland Academy terminated with the labors in it of Mr. Rowe. Its discontinuance may be regarded as a misfortune to the town. But the public spirit that created and sustained it became engrossed in other schemes. The material interests of the town may have been advanced by new chan- nels successfully wrought out by the enterprise of its citizens; but it may be affirmed that the moral and intellectual standard of the community would have been much higher than now had the Ashland Academy been continued, and its educational facilities enlarged as population and wealth increased. Although the population, since the erection of the present school buildings, has increased about forty per cent., the school facilities have not been augmented; and instead of educating students from abroad, many citizens of the once literary town of Ashland seek institutions in distant towns and counties for the education of their sons and daughters.

This system was adopted by the electors of the School District, in 1850. The Board of Education purchased the house and grounds of the former Ashland Academy, and erected a two-story building adjoining, making of the old edifice a wing. Mr. John Lynch was employed as superintendent, and continued until September, 1852, when he was succeeded by Mr. 8. M. Barber. Who were the assistants during the administration of Mr. Lynch, and who were originally associated with Mr. Barber, is not a matter of record. On the 4th of November, 1861, Mr. Barber, having received a captain's commission in the military service, tendered his resignation as Superintendent of the Union School, and the Board declined to receive his resignation, and granted him a furlough for the term of six months. On the 30th of December, Mr. C. W. Mykrants was temporarily employed. His assistants were nearly the same as those engaged when Mr. Barber retired from the school, namely: Miss E. N. Burr, High School Department; Mr. S. S. Hare, Grammar School; Mrs. Rohrbacher, Secondary Department; Misses Agnes Jeffreys, Eliza Poe, Mary Sloan, and Jane Kellogg, in the several Primary Departments. Mr. Mykrants' connection with the school ceased in June, 1862, and most of his assistant teachers retired at the same time.

Mr. George L. Mills was appointed superintendent in August, and entered on duty September 15. Mr. Mills is a graduate of Yale College, and had been for several years Principal of the Newark Schools. His associates are, in the High School, Miss E. N. Burr; Grammar School, Miss Jennie Gardiner; Secondary Department, Miss Emma L. Fulkerson; Primary Department, Miss Elizabeth E. Stubbs, Miss Mary Sloan, and Miss Isabella Buchan.

There are seven church organizations in Ashland, namely: 1 Old School Presbyterian; 1 Methodist Episcopal; 1 Lutheran; 1 Disciple; 1 Baptist, and 2 German Protestant. The three last named denominations have no church buildings - the old Hopewell, Court House, and Town Hall being used by them as places of worship.

First Presbyterian

were several Presbyterian families, viz.: those of Robert Nelson, Abraham Doty, David McKinney, William Houston, David Pollock, Abel Montgomery, and others.

Toward the close of the year 1816, the Rev. Joshua Beer, who spent most of his ministerial life on the waters of Sandy, in the Presbytery of New Lisbon, preached in the neighborhood a few times; and shortly afterward, the Rev. William Matthews came to the same place also.

These clergymen were both before the people, at the same time, as candidates for settlement. Their choice fell upon Mr. Matthews, who was engaged 'as stated supply for one-third of the time, and the other portion of his time he devoted to the churches of Jeromeville and Mount Hope - the latter of which was then called Muddy Fork.. The original-settlers in this community were mostly Presbyterians. The congregation of Hopewell was formed in the year 1817, and was called " Montgomery."

In the same year (1817) the Lord's Supper was dispensed for the first time; and, on that occasion, twenty-two persons with certificates of church membership, and twelve received on examinations - in all thirty-four persons - were associated together in a new society. Elders from elsewhere officiated on that occasion, and a church was not regularly organized, as no elders were elected.

In the year 1818, two elders, viz., Robert Nelson and Abraham Doty, were elected, ordained, and installed. These being the first elders of the church, its proper organization, therefore, must date from the time of their ordination. The congregation continued for some time to worship as they could in private houses.

The first house of worship, a square log building, was erected in the year 1819, about one mile west of Uniontown, (or Ashland, as the village has since been called.) In the year 1820, the name of the church was changed from Montgomery to Hopewell. Of the progress of the church nothing is known for several years. The earliest sessional record extant is dated May 22,1822. At that time it appears that the Rev. Robert Lee was the officiating minister. In the year 1826, Mr. Lee left, and Mr. Matthews returned, and was regularly stationed as pastor of the Hopewell Church. In this place he continued for nearly eight years. These were years of prosperity, as the membership arose to nearly one hundred and forty. On the Ist of July, 1833, twenty-one members were dismissed as a colony to form a new church at "Clearcreek," seven miles north of Ashland. On the fifth of August following, nineteen members were dismissed, in order to form a church at Orange, five miles east from north of Ashland; and on the 21st of April, 1834, thirty-nine members were set off as a colony to form a church at Olivesburg, six miles west of Ashland. Thus in less than one year, seventy-nine members were dismissed; and this mother church had three promising daughters settled in her vicinity. After sending out these three colonies, there were sixty-five members left in Hopewell Church. Mr. Matthews having left, the Rev. James Robinson was engaged in the former part of the year 1834 as stated supply for half the time; and he officiated in that capacity until the close of the year 1837. As the village of Ashland had somewhat increased, and a new house of worship was required, it was deemed best by the members to remove the site of the church to the village; and in the year 1836, a new and commodious house of worship was erected in Ashland. The Rev. Samuel Hare officiated as stated supply in the churches of Hopewell and Clearcreek, in the early part of the year 1839. .In the mean time the community had been filling up with people from New York and some of the Eastern States.. About this time the habit of parcelling out the lines of the hymns in singing - a practice brought from the Old Country by the Scotch-Irish part of the community - was discontinued in the church.

In 1839, for about nine months, the Rev. 8S. N. Barnes preached statedly for Hopewell Church; and Robert Fulton, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Washington, and Principal of the Ashland Academy, an institution just put into successful operation by the liberality and energy of the citizens, was employed as stated supply for some time in the years 1840 and 1841.

Prior to this, and as early as 1836, partial alienations between some of the members of the church began to manifest themselves. These grew to some extent out of personal differences, and were encouraged by differing tastes and customs in reference to modes of worship. A part of the membership were of Scotch-Irish descent, having emigrated from Pennsylvania; and a part were of Puritan origin, having been reared in New York and other Eastern States. These classes differed in taste and custom in reference to some matters of form. This difference, added. to personal alienations already existing, produced unpleasant contentions. These contentions ultimately concentrated upon the mode of conducting praise in the church. One party desired to have a choir to lead the congregation. The other were utterly opposed to this method of conducting praise. Other matters, as the unpopularity of some members of session, etc., were agitated, (Messrs. William Campbell, Joseph Sheets, and Aten, having been elected and installed as elders at some unknown date prior to this;) but the choir question became the permanent one. Various schemes for the pacification of these troubles were adopted; among others the following: The choir party agreed to bring their choir from the gallery, and place it upon elevated seats in the rear end of the church; the other party to let it live on this condition. But this compromise failed to secure the harmony desired; and, at length, wearied with this state of things, the advocates of the choir, in April, 1841, applied to Presbytery for the organization of a new church in Ashland. The prayer of the petitioners was not granted; but the difficulties in the church having been before Presbytery, it took order in the premises by giving counsel to the church. Two several committees, by appointment of Presbytery, visited the church during the following May. They heard the whole history of the difficulties from the lips of both parties; and, in view of all the facts, they gave such advice as they thought best adapted to restore harmony. The anti-choir party refused to be controlled by this advice; and a portion of them at least contemplated the securing of another organization; but not agreeing together on this subject, they abandoned the project. The difficulties still continuing and increasing, a pro re nata meeting of Presbytery convened in Hopewell on the 13th day of July, 1841. Having investigated the difficulties and their history, and, in view of the inefficacy of the measures adopted previously, both by the parties and the Presbytery through its committees to investigate evils, Presbytery resolved "That the Hopewell Church be dissolved, and its name erased from the roll of Presbytery." It also directed those who desired to enjoy the privileges of the Presbyterian Church, and could agree to walk together, to seek a new organization. At the same time it appointed a committee to receive such application if made, and organize a church in Ashland. Alleged dereliction of duty on the part of the session, and dissatisfaction with the session by a large minority of the church were the reasons, chiefly, which led the Presbytery to dissolve the church.

A number of persons, including those who were favorable to choir singing, made application to the committee of Presbytery; and on the 29th day of July, 1841, were organized into a church, called the First Presbyterian Church of Ashland.

Of the act of Presbytery in dissolving the Church of Hopewell, a complaint was carried up to the Synod of Ohio in October, 1841, and the Synod sustained the complaint, thereby declaring the continued existence of Hopewell Church. At the time of the dissolution of the church the membership exceeded one hundred. Of these, fifty-seven were found still to adhere to the old organization. The remainder went into the new organization.

From the period of its resuscitation until the spring of 1843, the Rev. James Robinson gave part of his time as supply to Hopewell. In the month of July, 1843, the Rev. Samuel Moody, from Steubenville Presbytery, took charge of Hopewell and Orange, and was installed as pastor of the same on the 7th day of November, 1843; which relation he sustained until the time of his decease, April 25, 1856. He was: suddenly called away by being drowned, in attempting to cross the Ohio River, near Wellsville.

After the division, it was not found practicable to maintain a Sabbath-school in Hopewell, because of the scattered situation of the families, and having public worship only half the Sabbaths, all the children in and near the village could attend Sabbath-schools in those churches where the congregations met for school and public worship every Sabbath.

The First Church of Ashland was organized with a membership of forty-three, all or nearly all of whom had been members of the Hopewell Church. At the organization, Messrs. Joseph Wasson, Thomas Smith, and Samuel Fulton were elected to the eldership; the latter two were ordained, and all were installed as elders - Mr. Joseph Wasson having been previously ordained. Messrs. William Wasson, Jacob Mykrantz, and Samuel Smith were elected, ordained, and installed as deacons. Immediate measures were taken for the erection of a house of worship - the congregation, in the mean time, worshiping in a school-room. A lot was purchased, in a central position, of Mr. Francis Graham, and, in 1842, a neat and very substantial stone edifice, 43 by 50 feet, was erected, at a cost of twenty-two hundred dollars, and dedicated to the worship of Almighty God. During the first three months of its existence, the church was supplied by Rev. James Rowland, of Mansfield. In January, 1842, Mr. Robert Fulton, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Washington, who had charge of an academy in the village, and had been serving the Hopewell Church at the time of its dissolution, but had in the mean time been preaching to the Jeromeville and

Lexington churches, was engaged as stated supply; and in April, 1842, the church presented a call for his services as pastor. His delicate and declining health induced him to hold this call for a time; and in a few months it became manifest that he could not continue to labor in the ministry. He was soon constrained to cease preaching, and shortly afterward he removed to Wellsburg, Virginia, where, on the 20th day of August, 1842, he died of pulmonary consumption. Subsequently to his removal, Mr. Samuel Fulton, nephew to Mr. Robert Fulton, and licentiate of the same Presbytery, supplied the congregation for six or seven months. Mr. Joseph Gordon, of the same Presbytery, succeeded him, and labored four or five months. Subsequently, Mr. Simeon Peck, a licentiate of a Presbytery in Western New York, was heard for a few Sabbaths, as a candidate for settlement.

In November, 1848, the church invited Rev. John Robinson, then pastor of the churches of Corinth and Monroesville, in the Presbytery of Steubenville, to visit them with a view to settlement as pastor. With this invitation he complied in December, 1843, having been dismissed from his former charge, at a pro re nata meeting, held in the Second Church, at Steubenville. On the 18th of January, 1844, he removed to Ashland, and commenced regular labor among them upon the first Sabbath, the 4th day of July, 1846. At the next meeting of the Presbytery of Richland, April 10, 1844, they presented a call for his pastoral labor at a salary of five hundred dollars per annum; which call he accepted, and on the 21st day of June, 1844, was installed as pastor by a committee of Presbytery.