Brown County, Ohio - Chapter 14: Washington Township, 1883

Chapter 14: Washington Township

southern boundary line of Highland County, dividing in part Highland and Brown, at a point five and one-half miles from the corner or connection of the said line with Adams County, and running from thence due south to the township line dividing the townships of Eagle and Byrd, thence westwardly with the line dividing Eagle, Pleasant and Clark Townships; thence north five and onehalf mile3 to a point (from which point a line shall be run at right angles to the first line run, forming one entire township, to be called Franklin Township), and from the said last -mentioned line to continue north to the line dividing the townships of Clark and Perry; from thence with the said line and its bearings to the Highland County line; thence with the said lines dividing the counties of Highland and Brown, with the bearings therof, to the point of beginning, forming one entire township, to be called Washington Township.

On the north of this subdivision is Highland County, on the east Eagle Township, on the south Franklin Township, and on the west Scott and Pike Townships. Generally speaking, its surface is level, there being some hills along the water-courses. The surface is well watered by the East Fork of White Oak Creek, Slab Camp, and smaller tributaries of the first-mentioned. The East Fork of White Oak flows through the northern part of the township from east to west, and joins the main stream of the same name, which forms the line separating this township and Pike, at the western boundary of the township. Slab Camp Creek, so named, as tradition gives it, after an Indian camp that was once pitched along its waters, and the remains of which were traceable to the. pioneer settlers. The soil is fertile, and the products correspond with those of other sections of Brown County. Pikes are as yet unknown to this section, but in railroads it excels all other townships in the county, having direct communication with the outside world in three directions, and in the near future will be added the fourth. The Cincinnati & Eastern Railroad passes through the northern part of Washington, running in an easterly and westerly direction; the Hillsboro & Sardinia road terminates at Sardinia; and the Georgetown & Sardinia Railroad is in process of construction.

The first permanent settlement made in what is now Washington Township is credited to the Wardlaw family. Just prior to the dawn of the present century - in the early spring of 1800 - Robert Wardlaw, with wife, Martha Downey, and a number of sons and daughters, some of whom were married and were parents themselves, emigrated from Kentucky and halted on the banks of White Oak and effected the Wardlaw settlement. The family had for some years resided in Kentucky, where the father owned considerable land, which, it is said, he traded for that on White Oak. Here he possessed 300 acres, in Survey No. 1,053, which lies on either side of White Oak Creek, in what is now the subdivisions of Washington, Scott and Pike, at a point where the three are close together. Robert's home was in Scott, but those of William and Samuel, who were men of families, were in Washington, along the North and East Forks of the creek. The family had, prior to going to Kentucky, resided in the State of Yirginia. Further reference to the father will be found in the sketch of Scott Township. Other sons and daughters of Robert and wife were John, James, Josiah, Hugh, Mattie and Jane. William's wife was Isabel Nesbitt, and their children were James, Samuel, Philander, Robert, Jane, Mary and Matilda, the most of whom became permanent residents of Brown County, and the men folks assisted in the clearing and improvement of land. The father, William, was a soldier of the war of 1812, a member of Capt. Jacob Boerstler's company, and was engaged in battle with the company at Brownstown, where he was killed August 4, 1812. Samuel Wardlaw married Elizabeth Nesbitt, a sister to William's wife, and their sons were Allen, Preston, Levi, Rainey and Henry; and the daughters were Mary, Ann and Elizabeth. All remained permanent settlers in the county, and Levi and Rainey of the township, where both are now residing, on the original tract of their parents Samuel died May 6, 1848, in the seventy-fifth year of his age.

John Wardlaw married Elizabeth Lance, and settled in Washington Township. James married Nellie Irwin, and became a permanent settler of this township. Josiah's wife was Sarah Kimball, and they resided in Scott Township. Hugh married Rebecca Irons, and remained permanently in the township. He, too, went into the war of 1812, with his brother, enlisting in the same company and regime at. His death occurred January 24, 1864, aged seventy- two years; and that of his wife, March 19, 1871. in her seventy-ninth year. Jane became the wife of Joseph Calvin, a pioneer of this township.

Joseph Calvin, of whom we could learn but little, came to the White Oak region some time prior to 1805, as it appears of: records in Clermont County, that he was married to Jane Wardlaw June 1, 1805, by William Hunter, a Justice of the Peace of that county. He settled on White Oak, just above the Wardlaw settlement. His children were Sophronia, Polly, James, Sally, Luther, Robert and another son, whose name is not recalled. Mr. Calvin hailed from Kentucky.

Vinson Calvin, a brother of the one above named, with his family, came from Kenton's Station, Ky., removing on Christmas Hay, 1807, and effected a settlement on White Oak, near Joseph. He was a native of Kentucky, and were Lewis, Ann, John and Elizabeth, all of whom were born in Kentucky. It is said that Simon Kenton, Jr., was a half-brother to these sons and daughters. Lewis married Zena Graham, and, in connection with Joseph McFadden, purchased 500 acres of land in Washington Township, which they improved. He removed from this vicinity some years ago to Clermont County, where he died in 1878. Ann married John Hineman, and lived in this neighborhood many years, then removed to the West. The others married and went W est.

Among the first settlers in the vicinity of Sardinia, and the most prominent man in th9 community, was John Moore, a native of Madison County. N. J., born near Elizabethtown December 4, 1779. His parents were natives of England, and, in religious belief, were Friends, or Quakers. At the age of sixteen years, our subject left the parental roof and located in Monongalia County, W. Va. , where he engaged in teaching. In 1799, he was united in marriage with Frances Graham, and, six years later, removed to Ohio and settled on Red Oak Creek, in the vicinity of Ripley. In 1807-08, he taught school on Straight Creek, and afterward at Red Oak. Mr. Moore settled near

Sardinia Boon after his arrival in the Buckeye State, remaining on Red Oak not longer than a year or two. He spent the summers on his land in Wash ington Township, and was engaged in teaching during the winters, at the points named. This plan he continued until the winter of 1815-16, when he began teaching in what was afterward long known as the Moore Schoolhouse, near the present site of Sardinia, and continued teaching thereat until 1884. His wife died in 1832, and he afterward married Mrs. Fannie Petti John. Father Moore was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church from 1812 until the organization of the Congregational Church in Sardinia, in 1851. From an obituary notice written at his death, November 9, 1857, we quote as follows: "Exact in his intercourse with his fellow-men. honest in all the transactions of life, desirous of promoting the good of mankind, and possessing a Christian character worthy of imitation, he won the affection and esteem of the community in which he lived. Few live so exemplary. He had a taste for reading, which he did not fail to cultivate in the decline of life. The Bible was his daily companion. He was a constant attendant upon the services of the sanctuary. Xn politics, Mr. Moore was an Abolitionist, and afterward a Republican. He was a man of strong character, fixed principles and undaunted courage in advocating his principles. It is said by a venerable and highly respected citizen of Sardinia that John Moore molded the character of the community in which he lived. By his first marriage, Mr. Moore had ten children, only five of whom lived to the age of maturity. Jane married Amzi Huggins. Sarah married Rev. R. I. Huggins, and they now reside near Bethel, Clermont .County. She is the only child that survived her father. The eldest son, Josiah, married Patsy Gilliland, settled in the vicinity of his father, and there became an enterprising and useful citizen, a sketch of whom appears elsewThere in this wmrk. The next son, Ira, died in 1849, aged twenty- nine years; John B., the youngest son. died in 1845, at the age of twenty- four years.

The Petti john families, five^in number - namely, those of James, Edward, Richard, Amos and Thomas - emigrating from Monongalia County, W. Va., were among the earliest settlers of this locality. Just at what ime they came is not definitely fixed; however, it is certain that they were here early in the present century, and are to be classed with Washington's earliest pioneers. On the question of the time of their emigration, we give the date as fixed by the son of James, a resident of St. Louis, as twTo years before Ohio became a State. Now, as there is a question on this point, too, we leave the reader to his own opinion. It is thought, by one who has given the subject of pioneer history in the vicinity of Sardinia some attention, and is wTell versed in the history of the township, that the date of the Pettijohn settlement as given above is too early by several years. It appears of record that a deed for land lying in Survey 3,389 was made to Amos Pettijohn under date of November 28, 1809. Of these families our knowledge is limited, as none of the immediate descendants are in this locality, and therefore not a great deal of their family history can be given. Amos Pettijohn, whose wife's given name was Susan, and their children, so far as known, were Hannah, Nancy, William and Rachel, settled a little northeast of the present village of Sardinia. He was one of the first Elders of the Presbyterian Church, and a useful and influential citizen. Thomas Pettijohn settled north of Sardinia. His wife's given name was Ruth, and their children, so far as 1 nowm, were Samuel, Boaz, Huldah, Ruth and Elias. Richard Pettijohn settled in the same vicinity. He raised a large family of children, and the survivors are all now in the West. He was one of the first Justices of the Peace in Washington Townshi p. Of James and Edward we know nothing, save that the former's wife was Elizabeth Johnson, a native of Virginia, and that William, their son. was a soldier in the war of

1812. Abraham Pettijohn, of one of these families, married soon after their arrival, and remained in this vicinity for about thirty years, and became a man of some prominence in the township.

It is said that all of these families were noted Abolitionists, and instilled these principles into their children, who became noted for their devotion to this then unpopular and odious doctrine. From these families sprarg twelve physicians, ten of whom are still living, and are engaged in active practice. In 1829, there were as many as a dozen Pettijohn families,- who sprang from the pioneer settlement in and about Sardinia, residing in the township at one time.

In the fall of 1809, an addition was made to the White Oak settlements by the removal of David Graham from West Virginia to this section. ' Mr. Graham was a native of West Virginia, and, before his emigration to Ohio, had married Jane Dunn, of that State, and on his arrival his family consisted of wife and five children - one son and four daughters - and afterward were added to the family two sons and five daughters. By name, the children were Zena, Rebecca, Dortha, Susan, Cassandra, Elizabeth, Jane, Alice, Nancy, John, David and Henry. The father settled on a tract of land now situated on the road leading from Sardinia to Brownstown, about one mile southwest of Sardinia This pioneer was one of the original members of White Oak Presbyterian Church, and a Taluable man in the community in which his life was spent. He died August 7, 1845, in the seventy- second year of his age, his wife having preceded him nearly six years, aged sixty-seven years. Their remains rest in the graveyard at Sardinia. Zena, the eldest daughter of these parents, married Lewis Calvin. Rebecca married Joseph McFadden, now deceased; she is a resident of Sardinia. Dortha married S. D. Runyan, both of whom are dead. Susan married Jacob Davis, and both are dead. Cassandra is the wife of Dr. Isaac M. Beck, of Sardinia. Elizabeth married Oliver Shroufe, and is in Iowa. Jane married Shepherd Johnson, and is in Kansas. Alice married George Parks (deceased), and is a resident of the State of Illinois. Nancy became the wife of Andrew^ Raney, and died in Illinois. The sons are all in the West.

In 1808, John Vance and wife, Lydia Reiss, emigrated from Lexington, Ky., to Clermont County, stopping in the vicinity of Bethel, on Clover Creek, where the father rented Land of Jasper and John Shotwell, upon which he resided until the year 1810, and then removed to a tract situated on the east side of White Oak. in the extreme northwestern part of the township, which he had purchased of the same men. Here Mr. Vance reared the little and rude log cabin, the home of the pioneer, and began the task incumbent upon all comers to a new country. He was a man of some family before coming to Ohio. While hailing, as he did. from the Blue Grass Region, he was not a native of that State, having formerly come from Virginia. He was the father of the following-named children: Margaret, William, Sarah, Reiss, Elizabeth, John.

Patrick, James, Lewis A. and Morris. William is now residing on the homestead, and is the father of twenty children, ail of whom were born on that farm. He has been twice married. His first wife was Sophronia, daughter of the pioneer, Joseph Calvin; and his present wife was Margaret Jane Moore. Margaret married John McCain. John married Mrs. Elizabeth (Bratton) Sands. Patrick married Rebecca Brannon. James married Jane Cumberland. Lewis married, first, Matilda Dey, and second, Jane Stanford. Morris married Nancy Calvin. Sarah married Thomas Schroufe. Elizabeth married Daniel Runnels, and Reiss died unmarried.

About the time that David Graham made his appearance in the township, there settled on the present site of the village of Sardinia Joseph Bratton, a

A. line of settlement along Slab Camp was made during the war of 1812- 15, or about that time. The families emigrating thither were the Days, Hamiltons, Higinbothams and Nevinses. The Hamiltons, of whom Robert was the head, came from Virginia, and their land was on the stream named, situated about two miles southeast of Sardinia. Mr. Hamilton was a native of the State from whence he emigrated, born July 26, 1788, and his wife, Nancy Parish, was one year his senior. They were married in 1811, and, before settling in this locality, stopped a year or two in the vicinity of Georgetown. Their children were Sarah, Ellen, Ann, Joseph, Elizabeth, Amanda, Delilah, Joshua and Susannah. Mr. Hamilton was commissioned a Justice of the Peace of the township in 1826.

The Higinbothams, of whom some of the sons and daughters were Sam uel, Elizabeth, Mary, Rebecca, Catherine, Sarah and John, setttled across the creek from Hamilton's. They only remained in the township a few years.

Andrew Nevins was a Kentuckian, and emigrated to this State early in the present century, and stopped some time in the southern part of the county before making a permanent settlement on Slab Camp Creek. He was twice married, and had a number of children, among whom were Hugh; John and Andrew P. He was a pious man, and one of the early Methodists of this vicinity. It was greatly through his efforts that a society of that denomination was so soon organized in the Slab Camp settlement. It is said that it was on his invitation that Rev. John Strange, one of the old itinerant Methodist preachers, first came to hold services in this section of the country.

Of the family of Days we can give no information, the descendants having all removed from the neighborhood. A family by the name of Lyon settled along Slab Camp at about the same time the above-mentioned families came there. Later arrivals in Washington were the Kincaids. Matthew, the father, was a native of Pennsylvania, and emigrated with his father to the Northwest Territory in 1797, and effected a settlement in what afterward became Adams County. His father, Samuel Kincaid, was in the war of 1812, and lost his life at Fort Meigs, where he was killed by the Indians May 5, 1813. Matthew, too, was in that war. In 1817, he located in this township, settling in the vicinity of Sardinia. He was a tanner by trade, and carried on that business for twenty years. His death occurred January 9, 1871.

Two years later came to this locality the families of Thomas Purcell and Clarkson Dunn, both of Irish descent. Mr. Purcell hailed from Kentucky, and became a resident of the country around Sardinia. Mr. Dunn was a native of Maryland; also his wife, Elizabeth Hamilton. The former was a soldier in the war of 1812. In 1816, with his wife and three children, he descended the Ohio River in a flat-boat and landed at Ripley. He soon removed to Straight Creek, and, in 1817, located near Georgetown, and in 1819 made a permanent settlement above Sardinia. He was a prominent citizen of the township. f His death occurred in September, 1852, and that of his wife some years later, j

Among the pioneers of Washington of whom but little is now known other than that they resided in the township were Levi Estel, James Bell and John Kibler, all of whom carried on mills on White Oak.

The settlements along the water-courses grew rapidly, and it was but a few \ years from the beginning of the march of emigrants to this region until the lands were all taken up and the vicinity peopled. In 1825, among the names of householders other than those mentioned above were the following: Joseph - j

The land lying in the southwestern part of the township was not settled, comparatively speaking, until a late day - not until after 1830. A family of Germans by the name of Ernst settled on and improved land in that locality. Many other Germans settled throughout the southern part of the township, the first of whom were the Feiks and Biehms. The reader, as he proceeds, will notice, in connection with other subjects, the names of later arrivals. It is beyond our province to here further trace the line of settlement and speak of the hardy forefathers of many of the people of Washington, who, by their toil and privations, made possible the beautiful fields and highly cultivated farms of to-day.

Justices Of The Peace

The following are the names of persons commissioned to the office of Justice of the Peace in Washington Township, with the dates of their commissions: Richard Pettijohn, January - , 1823, December 20, 1831; John J.

1825 - Trustees, Abraham Pettijohn, Peter Shinkle, Edward Pettijohn; Treasurer, Joseph WTright; Clerk, Matthew Kincaid; Overseers of the Poor, William Grant, Amos Pettijohn.

1827 - Trustees, David McKee, A. Starke, George Kauts; Treasurer, Clarkson Dunn; Clerk, John Moore; Overseers of the Poor, John Bingman, James Bell; Fence Viewers, Michael Hough, Lewis Calvin.

1830 - Trustees, John J. Gregory, Hugh Nevin, George Wright; Treasurer, Clarkson Bunn; Clerk, Matthew Kincaid; Overseers of the Poor, John Anderson, ; Fence Viewers, .

1836 - Trustees, Clarkson Bunn, William Vance, Thomas Rilea; Treasurer, Aaron Bunn; Clerk, Robert Graham; Overseers of the Poor, John Gregory, George Wright and James Wardlow; Fence Viewers, John B. Mahan, Joseph Pettijohn.

1840 - Trustees, Hugh Nevin, Ira Tracy, Clarkson Bunn; Treasurer, Aaron Purdum; Clerk, John Gaddis; Overseers of the Poor, John B. Mahan, Josiah Moore; Pence Viewers, Clarkson Bunn, A. P. Nevin, William Lilley.

1841 - Trustees, Clarkson Bunn, Ira Tracy, John Wright; Treasurer, Aaron Purdum; Clerk, John Gaddis; Overseers of the Poor, John B. Mahan, J. W. Myers; Fence Viewers, Moses B. Briggs, A. P. Nevin, Clarkson Bunn.

1843 - Trustees, Hugh Nevin, Levi Bunn, Joseph Wright; Treasurer, Aaron Purdom; Clerk, John H. Hallam; Overseers of the Poor, A. P. Nevin Squire Purcell; Fence Viewers, Matthew Kincaid, Squire Purcell, William Wilson; Assessor, John Moore.

1846 - Trustees, Huston Bare, Samuel Wright, Henry Dunn; Treasurer, M. B. Riggs; Clerk, C. P. Evans; Assessor, A. Hays; Overseers of the Poor,

Sardinia Presbyterian Church . - Dnder date of November 1, 1811, in the records of White Oak Congregation. Presbyterian Church, there appears the following; " The Rev. John Boyd, having been previously invited, came to this congregation aud took charge thereof. Although the people of this congregation had been favored with frequent supplies of a preached Gospel prior to this time, yet they were not organized until the following year, and, when Mr. Boyd came among them, it was on the invitation of the people, without any order of presbytery. Previous to Mr. Boyd's taking charge of the congregation, the Rev. James Gilliland had, by particular request, preached a number of times, and had baptized six children for Francis Petti john, namely, Deborah, Sally, Zachariah, Lewis, Barlow and Joseph; and one or two of Joseph Bratton's children. At this time, there were only nine professors or communicants in the congregation, namely, Isabel Bratton, Thomas Pettijohn and Ruth, his wife, David Graham, John Moore and Fanny, his wife, Joseph Bratton and Ann, his wife, Francis Pettijohn."

At the spring session of Washington Presbytery, held in April, 1812, a supplication was presented by White Oak Congregation, praying for one-fourth part of the ministerial labor of Rev. John Boyd, as a stated supply, which was granted. Some time in the summer of 1812, Thomas Pettijohn and John Moore were chosen to the office of Ruling Elders, and were ordained September 18 of that year. On the following day, the session met at the tent near the house of Mr. Bell. There were present Rev. John Boyd, Moderator; Thomas Pettijohn and John Moore, Elders; and John Davies, of New Market session, and John Evans, of Straight Creek. At this session, Mrs. Deborah Pettijohn and Amos Pettijohn made application for admission to the church on examination. On the evening of the same day, four of Amos Pettijohn' s children were baptized, namely, Hannah, Nancy, William and Rachel. Some time during the year before a session was formed, the following-named children of Thomas and Ruth Pettijohn were baptized: Samuel, Boaz, Huldah,

On the second Sabbath of 1813 were baptized Lena, Dorothy, Rebecca, Susannah and Cassandra, daughters of David Graham. The annual report for that year shows nine children baptized; number in communion, eleven (the same number communed in 1812), and none admitted on examination. August 13, 1814, Mrs. Jane Wardlow was admitted on certificate from Mt. Pleasant congregation, Kentucky. John Pettijohn and Susannah, wife of Amos Pettijohn, were admitted on examination. Two children were baptized during the year, and fourteen communed. The report for the year 1815 was as follows: One baptized, three admitted on examination and four on certificate ;

The pastorate of the Rev. John Boyd continued with the church until about April 1, 1816, and the church was without a pastor until November, 1817, when the pulpit was supplied by Revs. James Gilliland and Robert B. Dobbins. During the year closing November 1, 1816, four were admitted on certificate and one on examination, and the number of communicants was twenty-six. Six children were baptized. The report of the following year showed a membership of twenty- seven.

XJntil the latter part of the year 1815 or the first of the year following, services were held at private houses, and perhaps in the groves when the weather permitted. This year, a rude log house was erected, which stood in Highland County, probably two miles northeast of the present village of Sardinia, just over the line separating the two counties. January 1, 1818, the church extended a regular call for one- quarter of the labor of Rev. Mr. White as a stated pastor. The call was accepted, and Mr. White was installed pastor of the united congregations of New Market and White Oak about June 3, 1818. The membership for the years 1818, 1819, 1820, 1821 and 1822 was thirtytwo, thirty, thirty-two, thirty-six and thirty-nine, respectively. Mr. White remained the pastor of the congregation until December, 1823, and preached occasionally for them until March 7, 1824, when he delivered his farewell sermon. Rev. Robert Dobbins, as stated supply, succeeded Mr. White to the pastorate, and served from April 24, 1824, until 1833, when the Rev. Robert Rutherford's ministerial labor began with the congregation. Father Dobbins is said to have been an eccentric man, strong in his affections and positive in his hatreds. In 1829, the second church building was erected, on ground given to the congregation by Amos Pettijohn, located at the cemetery at Sardinia. It was constructed of brick, and served as a place of worship until about the year 1846, when the present frame building was erected at Sardinia. John Moore was very active in the interests of the church, and gave liberally toward the building of the new edifice. The membership of the church in 1830 was forty-five; in 1831, seventy-four; and in 1832, eighty-four. Mr. Rutherford was succeeded to the pastorate by Rev. Dyer Burgess in 1837, who served the church during that and the following year, when his successor was the Rev. James Shaw, w7ho remained in charge until May, 1841. During the decade from 1830 to 1840, the records, as pertains to the pastors, is obscure, and it is possible that some of the names given were only supplies. During this period appears the names of Rev. George Pogue and James H. Dickey, and, in 1840, that of Rev. John Rankin. The latter year, the church membership was ninety-six. In 1841, the name of Rev. Dyer Burgess again appears.

October 1, 1841, Rev. Daniel Gilmore became pastor of the church, and continued in that relation until November 3, 1844. His successor was Rev. John Rankin, who was a supply oniy. In 1845, the membership was 126. April 26, 1846. Rev. Samuel Rankin was ordained as pastor of White Oak

Congregation, and served until December 3, 1850. In 1848, the congregation petitioned the Presbytery to change the name of the church from White Oak Congregation to that of Sardinia Church, which was done. Rev. Rankin was succeeded by Rev. John H. Byrd, whose pastorate commenced May 1, 1851, and ended in 1854. Under his ministry, the church, September 29, 1851, adopted new articles of faith, and was organized as a Congregational Church, which lasted only through his pastorate, then again became a Presbyterian Church. In 1852, the Beauford and Sardinia Churches were consolidated. Other pastors of the church have been as follows: Rev. S. A. Vandyke, December, 1854, to 1857; Rev. V. M. King, October 1, 1859, to 1868; Rev. H. W. Guthrie, June 1, 1868, to January, 1870. The church was then without a pastor for some years. Rev. S. A. Vandyke became the stated supply, and served the congregation in 1879, 1880 and 1881.

Methodist Episcopal Church at Sardinia. - Among the early settlers of what is now Washington Township, there were a number of Methodist families who had settled mainly along the stream known as Slab Camp, prominent among whom were the Kevins, Days and Hamiltons. For a number of years, the principal preaching-place of this denomination was at the house of Andrew Nevin. Private residences were freely thrown open for worship in the early day3 of the settlement along Slab Camp, and, later, schoolhouses were much used. At what time the first class or society was here organized we cannot state, as we can find no record on the subject. However, from tradition, there seems to have been a Methodist society along the stream named at a very early day. This section of the country was then in White Oak Circuit, the ministers of which, from 1808 to 1820, were the following named: 1808, David Young;

1809, John Johnson; 1810, Isaac Pavey; 1811, Benjamin Lakin, Eli Trent; 1812, W. Griffith, Reuben Rowe; 1813, Robert Finley, D. Sharp; 1815, John Strange, S. Chenoweth; 1816, John Strange, Isaac Pavey; 1817, W. Griffith James Simmons; 1818, B. Westlake, S. T. Wells; 1819, F. Landrum; 1820, William Page, L. Swormstedt. In about the year 1829, this congregation joined the township in the erection of a schoolhouse, paying so much money with the understanding that it was to be used in part by them as a place of worship. They here held meetings until 1840, when Andrew Nevin donated to the church about one acre of ground, located about one and a half miles southeast of Sardinia. That year, there was here erected a frame church, which was occupied by the congregation until 1860. This year, they purchased a lot in the village of Sardinia, of Huston Bare, and erected a neat one -story frame church building, in which they continue to worship. The church has long been known as the Mt. Carmel Methodist Episcopal Church. The charge is now on the Mt. Oreb and Sardinia Circuit, and Rev. G. W. Fee is the pastor. Membership, 115.

In 1840, a Baptist Church was organized at Sardinia, with a meihbership of twelve or fifteen. There had then, for some years, been living in the neighborhood the Rev. Hampton Pangburn, a minister of that denomination, and principally through his efforts the organization at this place was effected. The minister organizing the church was Rev. John Stearns. A meeting-house was built in 1841 or 1842. The society did not flourish, and only existed a few years.

Wesleyan Methodist Church. - There was organized in the village of Sardinia, about the year 1844 or 1845, a society known as the Wesleyan Methodist Church, by the Rev. Silas H. Chase. The organization was effected in the Baptist Meeting-House, with a membership of about twenty persons. In the absence of records, we cannot give the names of ministers who have served the charge. The congregation now meet for worship once a month, at what is

It was the custom of the early settlers to inter the dead on their own land, in what became family burying -grounds. Of these there are a number which dot the farms of Washington, some of which became public graveyards, as was the case of the one at Sardinia. This graveyard had its origin in the family burying- ground of Amos Pettijohn, who, prior to 1829, deeded two acres of land, including or adjoining the family yard, to the Presbyterian Church, with the view of a church being erected thereon and a public place of burial formed. It is beautifully located on the summit of a hill, and many neat marble slabs and columns mark the tombs of loved ones. Many of the pioneers were here interred. John B. Mahan, of whom reference is made elsewhere in this work, is buried in this yard, upon whose tombstone is the following inscription: "In memory of John B. Mahan, died December 15, 1844,

In the eastern part of the township is located what is known as the Biehn Graveyard. One-half acre of ground was donated by Henry Biehn, February 24, 1852, to the Trustees of the Evangelical Protestant Church, to be used for a public graveyard. Interments were made in it as early as 1840. It has been used exclusively by the Germans.

The Mt. Carmel Graveyard, located at the old site of that church, has aa history similar to the church, so long as it stood there. The ground was given for a graveyard and for church purposes by Andrew Nevin, a zealous Methodist. It was quite extensively used until the church was removed, but of late years there have been but few interments made here, and the grounds have been allowed to grow up briars and weeds.

Of the first schools of Washington Township but little can be given to the reader, from the fact that there was no record made of them, and from the few survivors who were of school age during the first and second decade of the present century, not much can be obtained. We learn from Mrs. McFadden, widow of the late Joseph McFadden, and daughter of the late David Graham, one of Y/ashington's pioneers, that probably the first school was taught on the Amos Pettijohn land, adjoining Sardinia, by Jack Pettijohn, a son; the latter was a cripple, and could do no farm work; he was badly crippled - could not walk, and had little use of his hands and arms, hence was placed in charge of the children of the pioneers, to whose literary training he was to give his attention. This temple of learning consisted of a shed, open at one end, between two cribs, such as was designed for the threshing apartment. The teacher was known by the scholars as " Lame Jack," and his lameness, too, at times afforded for them some merriment, inasmuch as it was very difficult for him to use the rod, he being compelled to have the pupil under punishment directly at his side, and even then it required great exertion to accomplish the end. The location of this school was not far from the site of the cemetery at Sardinia. School was not long continued at this place, for soon the neighborhood built a schoolhouse just west of where Sardinia now is, on the present land of Squire Bare. The Pettijohn School was probably as early as 1812, and the house referred to built about the year 1815. John Moore was the first teacher at this house, and for nineteen consecutive years was the only master the youth of that vicinity knew.

It was generally understood that Mr. Moore, as soon as corn-husking was over with, was to enter the schoolroom, and there remain until sugar-making began, when school was discontinued until the following fall. The children for miles around attended the Moore School, and almost the entire neighborhood was educated under his instruction. Mr. Moore had previously taught several schools on Red Oak and Straight Creeks.

In the Wardlow neighborhood there was built a schoolhouse which stood a little south of the East Branch of White Oak, about the year 1812. The first master in this house was Thomas Clark. About the year 1820, in the Vance neighborhood, school was taught by Patrick Montgomery. Maj. Vance, now living in the same vicinity, was one of his pupds.

In 1825, the township was divided into four school districts, but, as a description of them all is not of record, we will refrain from giving any. On the 1st of December, 1828, the boundary lines of the township were changed, which made a redistricting of the township into school districts necessary. This occurred in the spring of 1829, when the following described districts were made: No. 1, including a part of the Fourth Schpol District of Eagle

Township, beginning so far east of the northeast corner of Washington Township that a line running south and parallel with the east line of the township will include John Hurst, Orange Hamilton, Widow McFadden and John Bice, out of Eagle Township; then on to the southeast corner of Washington Township; thence with the south line of the township so far that a line running north will include the house lately occupied by Samuel Willaims; thence in such a direction to James Bell's mill as to include Michael Huff and Ezra Wheeler; thence north to the Highland County line; thence with said line east to the beginning. List of householders: John Hurst, Widow McFadden,

District No. 2 - Beginning at the northeast corner of No. 1, thence west with the Highland County line so far that a south line will strike the head of Vansandt's Run; thence down said run to the East Fork; thence down the East Fork to the mouth of Middle Run; thence up Middle Run to Kenton's improvement; thence to Slab Camp Run, at the place where the road leading from John Moore's to Straight Creek crosses said run; thence easterly to the west line of District No. 1 so as to include William Grant and Mark Day; thence with the line of District No. 1 to the beginning. List of householders: John Hindman, Thomas Purcell, William Hindman, Samuel Pangburn, John Pangburn, P. R. Kincaid, Matthew Kincaid, Amos Pettijohn, Peter Williams, Joseph Line, Mark Day, William Grant, Robert D. Lilly, Abraham Pettijohn, John Moore, David Graham, James Wardlow, James Bell, James Kennedy and Levi Estel. *

District No. 3 - Beginning at the southeast corner of District No. 2, thence with the line of said district westerly to Middle Run at Kenton's improvement; thence up Middle Run to Richard Pettijohn's so as to include Benjamin Cornell; thence south to the township line; thence east with the township line to the southwest corner of District No. 1; thence with the east line of said district to the beginning. List of householders: Peter Shinkle, James Rilea,

District No. 4 - Beginning at the Highland County line at the northwest corner of District No. 2; thence west to the North Fork of White Oak; thence down the same to its junction with the East Fork; thence up the East Fork to the mouth of Vansandt's Run; thence up said run and with the line of District No. 2 to the beginning. List of householders: George Wright, Joseph Calvin, Isabel Wardlow, Philander Wardlow, James Wardlow, William Vance, John Vance, John Anderson, John J. Gregory and George Oldum.

District No. 5 - Beginning at the mouth of Middle Run, thence up said run to Richard Petti john's; thence south to the township line; thence west with the township line to the southwest corner of the township; thence with the township line to White Oak Creek, at the mouth of Blackwood's Run; thence up White Oak and the East Fork to the beginning. List of householders: Nancy Dey, Patrick Vance, Samuel Wardlow, Edward Day, Jackson

The School Directors for the above district, when formed, so far as is of record, are the following: District No. 1, Andrew Nevin, Sr., Edward Pettijohn and George Mick; District No. 2, D. Lilley, John Pangburn and John Moore.

January 15, 1831, at a meeting of the Trustees of Washington Township and the township of White Oak, in Highland County, District No. 4 was changed, a portion of it being added to White Oak Township, in the county named, for the convenience of the scholars thereof.

March 25, 1834, District No. 2 was divided, and District No. 6 formed therefrom. It was designated as follows: Beginning at the mouth of Middle

Run, thence up said run to Kenton's improvement; thence to Slap Camp Run, at the place where the road leading from John Moore's to Straight Creek crosses said run; thence easterly to the west line of District No. 1 so as to include James Kennedy; thence with the line of District No. 1 to James Bell's (now Bingamon's) mill; thence down the center of the East Fork of White Oak to the beginning.

The number of white youth enrolled in the six districts in 1860 was as follows: District No. 1, 68; District No. 2, 69; District No. 3, 137; District No. 4, 51; District No. 5, 52; District No. 6, 108; total, 485. During that year, there were three colored children enrolled in District No. 1, and two in District No. 3. Grand total, 490.

Between the years 1860 and 1870, another district was formed, and the enrollment for the seven districts in 1870 was as follows: District No. 1, 40;

During the next decade, two more districts were formed, and the enrollment in 1880 was as follows: District No. 1, 41 white and 3 colored; District No. 2, 65 white and 1 colored; District No. 3, 77; District No. 4, 70; District No. 5, 45; District No. 6, 53; District No. 7, 45; District No. 8, 67; District No. 9, 41 white and 4 colored; total, 509.

The annual report of the County Auditor on schools makes the following exhibit of the schools of W ashington Township for the year ending August 31, 1881: Of the nine houses now in the nine school districts of the township, one was erected during the year at a cost of $1,500. Ten teachers were employed; average wages per month, $35.35; average term of school, twentyfour weeks; total enrollment within the year, 459, of which number 101 were studying the alphabet, 201 reading, 322 spelling, 226 writing, 247 arithmetic, 126 geography, 49 English grammar, 29 oral lessons and 1 composition. To-

In this article on schools, we have not noted all of the changes in the boundary lines of the districts since the formation of the first four, but only those of earlier years.

The following were the members of the Board of Education in 1880 and 1881: Lewis Allmann, Gideon Kirk, O. B. Moore, Peter Ballein, Josiah Mc-

The first mill built in Washington Township was the Wardlow Grist-Mill, later known as the Levi Estel Mill. It stood on White Oak Creek, about two miles west of Sardinia, on land now owned by John Wright, and was erected by John Wardlow, and, after a few years, was sold to Levi Estel. As nearly as can be ascertained, the mill was erected about the year 1812 or 1813. It is said that it was never of much force, and did not stand many years.

Some years later, John Kibler, an enterprising man, erected a mill on the East Branch of White Oak, in the extreme northeastern part of the township, and there laid out a town. Mr. Kibler was a very popular and active man, and, had he lived, the town at the mill would very likely have been the Sardinia of to-day, but his death, occurring in 1 829, put a stop to the growth of the place. This mill is now owned by John Sands, and, until the winter of 1881-82, was in operation, but at that time the dam was washed away, and the grinding has since been discontinued.

One mile east of Sardinia, on the same stream, some time after the Kibler Mill was built, a saw and grist mill was erected by James Bell, which was in operation until about the year 1847.

In 1831 or 1832, John B. Mahan and John Dunham built a saw-mill at the mouth of Slab Camp. This they ran some years as a saw-mill, when a grist-mill was added. The dam, however, washed out in a few years, and the mills were suffered to go down. Later, a steam saw-mill was built on this site by Calvin ftilea, who afterward added a grist-mill, when the machinery was removed to Brownstown, and is now in the mill at that place.

Another saw-mill stood on the old Vinson Calvin land, built by Joseph McFadden, but there not being sufficient water in the stream to run it successfully, it was soon abandoned.

The villages of the township are Sardinia and Brownstown. The former, the larger of the two, is a thriving little place of about three hundred inhabitants, pleasantly situated on the East Branch of White Oak Creek, and is one of the few railroad towns of Brown County, the Cincinnati & Eastern passing through it, and it being the terminus of the Hillsboro Ac Sardinia Railroad. The village was laid out by William B. Lilley and Josiah Moore, March 30, 1833, at which date the surveying was done by Jeptha Beasley, then County Surveyor. The original number of lots was sixteen. Additions were made by the same men August 12, 3836, and May 23, 1837. The first houses erected in the place were by Dr. I. M. Beck and Josiah Moore. Both were built on Main street, opposite to each other, and are yet standing. The frame of Mr. Moore's house was the first up, but the house of Dr. Beck was the first completed. The first merchant in the vicinity was Dr. Robert D. Lilley, who sold goods in 1828, and, in 1832 or 1833, sold his stock of goods to William B. Lilley and Josiah Moore, proprietors of the village, who carried on a store for some years, and then quit the business. In the latter part of 1833, a store was opened by George Salt, who was the merchant for about a year. Messrs. Cowan & Masters then opened a store in a little log building where all their predecessors had held forth. But finally this firm erected a two-story frame house, adjoining the house of Dr. Beck. The first tavern was kept by John B. Mahan, opened about the year 1835. The village smith was Willis Gilliland. His was the first hammer to rebound from the heavy anvil and break the quiet of the peaceful village. His shop was built in 1 837, and stood on Winchester street, where now is the livery stable of Nathan Dunn. Among the early industries of the village may be mentioned the turning establishment and cabinet shop of Josiah Moore, who began the business as early as 1835. He patented a bed, and made a great deal of furniture, and supplied Hillsboro and other places of that region with articles of his manufacture. About the same time, Bobert J. Huggins carried on quite an extensive wagon-making shop. Not far from the year 1847. a factory for the manufacture of wind-mills was started at Sardinia. It was an extensive affair, and the proprietors employed five or six workmen, and had as many traveling salesmen. Soon after Sardinia was laid out, a carding- machine and oil-mill was put in operation by John L. Pangburn, who was the proprietor until his death, which occurred in 1837. The mill then passed through several hands, and, in three or four years, was abandoned. Another of the early industries of the village was the tannery carried on by Franz Feike, who began business in 1836 or 1837, and continued operations until about 1856, when he removed to Missouri and the yard went down.

There was a post office at this point prior to the laying- out of the village, called " Lilley" Post Office, so styled after the first Postmaster, Dr. Bobert D. Lilley. It was established in 1828 or 1829. Since Mr. Lilley ceased acting in that capacity, the Postmasters have been as follows: William Lilley, who served from 1832 until about the year 1837; Josiah Moore, Moses B. Biggs, Huston Bare, Thomas Davis, William Campbell and Stephen Feike. The latter is the present incumbent. After the town was laid out, the name of the office was changed to Sardinia.

The Campbell Bros.' Carriage Manufactory. - On the west side of Main street, near Broadway, is located the establishment above named. In 1855, A. F. Campbell, Sr., came to Sardinia and engaged in general blacksmithing. At his death, in 1863, a son, W. G. Campbell, carried on the work, and about the close of the war, he began the manufacture of wagons, and had a general repairing shop, situated on Graham street, employing from three to five hands. In 1870, his brothers, John and A. F. Campbell, became partners, and the three have since carried on the business. They commenced the manufacture of car riages and buggies, in addition to the other work, in 1874, and the following year built the two-story frame shop, in which the present business is done.

Cross Bros.' Establishment. - In 1861, the firm of Anderson, Huggins, Cross & Co. commenced the manufacture of plows and farm wagons. They erected a large two-story house on Graham and Winchester streets, and worked a force of about six men. In about a year, the firm changed to Anderson & Cross, and in 1868 it became Anderson, Cross & Cross. Since 1870, it has been under the present management, with Cross Bros, as proprietors. They commenced manufacturing buggies in 1872, and quit in 1880, and are now selling ready-made work, dealing in agricultural implements and hardware.

In the spring of 1881, a mill, for the sawing and working of wood, was built by Messrs. H. Beck and Edward Huggins, and has since been leased and is now carried on by G. A. Canoly and James Ervin.

Sardinia Lodge. No. 683, I. O. O. F. - Was instituted in Moore's Hall, where it still meets, July 23, 1879, by Grand Master E. K. Wilcox, of Cleveland. The charter members were Peter Bauline, John T. Wilson, Martin Wilson, O, P. Kennedy, M. B. Ketterman. E. P. Keller, John Duncan and O. B. Moore. The lodge has now a membership of twenty-five. Present offi-

Sardinia has for years been noted for the musical talent of its people, in which branch they have excelled the people of neighboring towns. This fact is said to be due to the efforts in that direction of the late John Moore, who for many years taught music in the village, and who, with his descendants, were concerned in every concert, band and choir of their time. There is at this writing a good brass band in the village.

The physicians of Sardinia have been Peter Williams, who settled in this vicinity about the year 1824; Robert D. Lilley, who came in February, 1828, and remained until November, 1832; Dr. I. M. Beck, now engaged in active practice, where for more than half a century ho has administered to ailing humanity, having located where the town now is in J uly, 1829, and since remained, excepting a period of five years; Dr. John McTlhaney, who located at this place in 1836, and remained one year; Dr. Newkirk, who practiced from 1843 until 1845, and Dr. J. B. McClain, now a practitioner of the place, who came in 1866.

The village has ever been a temperance place. When it was laid out, it was with this understanding, and, while it has not ever boon without saloons, they have been few in its history as compared with other places much less in population. The temperance movement was introduced in this vicinity by Rev. Robert Dobbins, and inaugurated in the year 1830. Dr. Isaac M. Beck was one of its warmest supporters in that early day, and has to this day cooled none in his ardor in the support of the cause. Ho, it is thought, was the first lay temperance lecturer in Southwestern Ohio. He delivered a lecture on this subject in this vicinity August 1, 1830. and repeated the same in the same vi - cinity in August, 1880, just fifty years afterward.

Brownstown, situated in the southern part of the township, on Brown's Run, is a small village of about fifty inhabitants. It was laid out by Roily Dunn, August 26, 1848; number of lots, twenty-one. The post office was established here June 5, 1876, with J. G. Tracy, Postmaster, and there has been no change since. In September, 1881, E. A. & B. A. Thompson erected a steam saw-mill at this point, and in several months added a grist-mill, which is also operated by steam power.

On the 17th day of May, 1856, a severe storm passed through & portion of Washington Township, doing serious injury along its path. The first place any material injury was done was on the farm of Mr. J. H. Dunn. There were immense trees twisted off and torn up by the roots, fence rails and branches of timber were carried in every direction, and some dozen sheep, which were so unlucky as to be in its course, were killed; passing from here through the woodland of Mr. Ira Tracey, it laid waste everything before it, until reaching his barn, which was a very large frame building, the roof of which was nearly entirely carried away, shivering the rafters and sheeting into fragments, part of the roof being carried to the distance of from twenty to thirty rods from the barn. The roof of a brick building adjoining his dwelling was entirely blown off; also, the roof of his dwelling was very materially damaged. But Mr. Tracey sustained the greatest injury in the loss of his orchard, which was almost entirely destroyed, the trees being torn up by the roots, or broken off near the ground, a part of which was carried to the distance of from eighty to ninety poles. Mr. Tracey's loss was in the neighborhood of 1500 or $600. Benjamin Wardlow was very considerably damaged, his dwelling house was carried off to the first story; also his orchard, together with the orchard of James 'Wardlow, was much damaged. Where the storm passed through the timber, it was nearly all either torn up by the roots or twisted off near the ground, the width being from fifteen to twenty rods.