Fayette County, Ohio - Admission of Ohio Into the Union - Political History Early Laws of Ohio, 1881 (part 2 of 8)

Scioto, and Mad Kiver vadeys. lu Lord Duiimore's war, the Sliawauues took aii active part, under the great and noble chief, Cornstalk. After his defeat hy General Lewis, he sued for peace, and ever after was the firm friend of the whites, and by them Avas cme'ly murdered, even while under their prWection on a mission of [leace. It appears that about 1770 the Shawanoes made their headquarter.; at Old Chillicothe (now Oldtown, on the Little Miami, in this county). It was here that Captain Bullitt visited them, in 1773. It was hero that Simon Kenton ran the gauntlet, in 1776. (Vid. Xenia Township.) It was here that Daniel Boone was taken, with twenty-seven others, in 1778. (See, also, Xenia Townshi}>.) Having now narrowed the horizon of our observations to that portion of territory circumscribed by the Ijoundaries of Greene County, we shall proceed more specifically to narrate the events that transpired within her borders.

In the autumn of 1779, a number of keel-boats were ascending the Ohio, commanded by Major Kogers. When they had advanced as far as the Licking, they observed a few Indians flpon a sand-bar, while a canoe, with three savages, was in the act of putting oft" from the Kentucky shore, evidently to bring them over. Instantly making his boats fast to the Kentucky shore, and cautiously lan'ding his men, ke sought to attack them unawares, but was discovered, furiously attacked, and his whole force almost totally destroyed, only two or three escaping to convey the doleful tidings to the settlements. As their capital, Chillicothe (now OldtoAvn), was within reach of retaliation, an expedition, in 1779, under Colonel Bowman, with Colonel Benjamin Logan second* in command, was littcd out against the Shawanoes, to strike a blow at Chillicothe. They left Harrodsburg in July, and took their preliminary measures so well, that they arrived within a mile of Chillicothe without giving the slightest alarm to the enemy.

Here the detachment halted at an early hour in the night, and, as usual, sent out spies to examine the condition of the village. Before midnight they returned with the intelligence that the enemy remained unapprised of their presence in the vicinity, and were resting in a state of unmilitary security. Upon the receipt of this, the army was instantly put in motion. It was determined that Logan, with one half the connnand, sliould march around the town on the left, while Bowman, with tlic remaining forces, was to make a corresponding movement (Hi the right. Both should gro[)e their way through the woods with profound silence until tliey met on the opposite sides, when the attack was to commence. Logan having completed his part of the* maneuver, stationed his men behind trees, logs, and stones, and awaited in silence and extreme anxiety the preconcerted signal of attack. Hour after hour stole away, and Bowman did not appear. At length the rays of the sun began to peep over the hills and shoot across the valley. Logan, still expecting the arrival of his colonel, more securely secreted his men in the high grass and awaited the signal. No orders arrived.

In the meantime, while changing positions through the grass they chanced to alarm a dog which was prowling around the village. He instantly set up a vociferous baying, spasmodically advancing toward the men who had attracted his attention. Presently a solitary Lidian left his cabin, advanced cautiously toward the dog, frequently halting and raising upon his tiptoes, and furtively gazing around him.

Logan's party lay close, scarcely breathing, anxiously hoping to take him alive without giving the alarm. But at that instant a gun was fired in an opposite quarter of the town, as was afterwards ascertained, by one of Bowman's men, and the Indian, giving one shrill whoop, ran swiftly back to the council house. Believing this to be the signal for attack, and concealment now being impossible, Logan's party sprang from the grass and rushed upon the village. As they advanced they perceived a motley crowd of all ages,«and both sexes, yelling, leaping and running toward the council house, where they collected in full force, determined upon a stubborn resistance. Logan instantly threw his men into the cabins, deserted by the Indians, and rapidly advancing from hut to hut, at last established himself within rifle-shot of the Indian stronghold.

IsTow listening impatiently for soun\is of the conflict which should have taken place on the other side in co-operation with him, his anxious ears detected no sound. All was silent in that quarter. The Indians having recovered from their temporary panic, pourea in a heavy and deadly fire upon the cabins that protected his men. His position grew each moment more critical. He had pushed his detachment so close to the redoubt that advance or retreat Was* equally dangerous. The enemy outnumbered him, and indications soon revealed a disposition to turn both his flanks and cut ofl:* his retreat. Under these circumstances, ignorant of the movements of his commander, and cut oft" from all communication with him, he resolved upon the bold and judicious plan of forming a movable l)rcastwork of the materials furnished by the cabins, and undej

Had this bold plan been consummated, with the co-operation of Bowman, the victory would no doubt have been complete, and many subsequent outrages have been averted. But in its very initiation a messenger arrived from Bowman with orders to retreat. Astonished at such an order, when honor and safety required an ofi'ensive movement, Logan hastily asked if " Bowman had been overpowered by the enemy?" "!No." "Had he ever beheld an enemy ?" " No." " What then was the cause of this extraordinary abandonment of a design so prosperously begun?" He did not know. The colonel had ordered a retreat ! Logan was reluctantly compelled to obey.

"With militia, in the face of an enemy superior in force, a retreat is almost certain to terminate in a demoralized rout, and this was no exception. As soon as the order was made known, a most tumultuous scene began, JSTot being sustained by that mutual confidence - offspring of discipline - wdiich buoys up regular soldiers under all circumstances, they no longer acted in concert. Each man selected the time, manner, and route of his individual retreat. Here a solitary Kentuckian would start up from behind a stump and scud aw^ay through the grass, dodging and turning to avoid the balls that whistled around him. There a do?en men would run from a cabin and scatter in every direction, each anxious to save himself, and none having leisure to attend to his neighbor. The Indians, astonished at seeing men fleeing apparently from themselves, sallied out, pursued and cut them up as a sportsman would a flock of geese. They soon joined Bowman's party, who, from some unaccountable panic in their commander, or fault in themselves, had not stirred from the spot where Logan had left them the night before. All was confusion. Some cursed their colonel ; some reproached other oflicers ; one shouted one thing ; one bellowed another ; but all seemed to agree that they ought to make the best of their way home without a moment's delay. By great * exertions on the part of Logan, ably assisted by Harrod, Bulger, and Major Bedinger, of the Bhie Licks, some degree of order was restored, and a tolerably respectable retreat commenced. The Lidians, however, soon surrounded them on all sides, and kept up a hot fire, which soon grew fatal. Colonel Bowman appeared totally demented, aud sat upon his horse like a pillar of stone, neither giving ai7 order or taking any measures to repel the enemy. The sound of the rifle sliots had, however, restored the men to their senses, and they readily formed in a large hollow square, took to the trees and returned the fire with great spirit. The enemy were quickly repelled, and the troops resumed their march.

But scarcely had they advanced half a mile when the Indians reappeared, and again opened fire on the front, rear, and hoth flanks. Again a square was formed, and the savages repelled ; but they had not fairly resumed their march when the same galling fire was again poured in upon them, from every tree, bush, and stone capable of concealing an Indian. Matters began to look serious. The enemy were evidently endeavoring to detain tliem until fresh Indians should arrive, cut ofi" their retreat, and take them all prisoners. The troops began to waver, and a' panic was rapidly spreading from colonel to privates. At this crisis, Logan, Harrod, and Bedinger, selected the boldest and best mounted men, and dashing into the bushes on horseback scoured the woods in every direction, forcing the Indians from their coverts, and cutting them down as they ran from tree to tree. This decisive step completely dispersed the enemy, and the weary and dispirited troops - continued their retreat unmolested, with the loss of nine killed and several wounded. The Indians in this action were led by Blackfish, the adopted father of Daniel Boone while he ^Y^s their captive.

The Indians, in retaliation for this, resolved upon the invasion of Kentucky. In 1780, aided by their English allies, who supplied them with men and artillery, they formed an army at Old Chillicothe, and under the command of Colonel Byrd marched for the settlements of Kentucky. Ruddles' Station was attacked,* and the garrison murdered. Colonel Byrd, being unable to restrain his savage allies, refused to go further unless all prisoners were delivered to him; which being promised, he led them along the valvey of the Licking five miles further, to Martin's Fort, where, despite their solemn promise, the same atrocities were committed, and, he, to his credit, refused to go any further. The Indians loaded their victims with the plunder of their own dwellings, and started for their towns, and as the unfortunate prisoner sunk under the weight the tomahawk was buried in his brains.

After the outrages committed by Colonel Byrd and his Indians, it was determined to punish them by carrying the war into their own stronghold, which was then Old Chillicothe, on the Little Miami, in this county. We can give no better account than from Bradford's notes :

" On the 2d of August, 1780, General Clarke took up the line of march from where Cincinnati now stands for the Indian towns. The line of march was as follows : The first division, commanded by Clarke, took the front position; the center was occupied by artillery, military stores, and baggage ; the second, commanded by Colonel Logan, was placed in the rear. The men were ordered to march in four lines, at about forty yards distant from each other, and a line of flankers on each side, about the same distance from the right and left line. There was also a front and rear guard, who kept only in sight of the main army. In order to prevent confusion, in case of an attack of the enemy during the march, a general order was issued, that in the event of an attack in front, the front was to stand fast, and the two right lines wheel to the right, and the two left lines to the left hand, and thus form a complete line, while the artillery was to advance to the center of the line. In case of an attack upon either of the flanks, or side lines, these were to stand fast, and likewise the artillery, while the opposite lines wheeled and formed on the two extremes of those lines. In the event of an attack upon the rear, similar order was to be observed a's in an attack in front. In this manner the army moved on without encountering anything worthy of notice.

"About 2 o'clock on the afternoon of the 6th of August, they arrived at the village. They found the town not only abandoned, but most of the houses burned down, and burning, having been set on fire that morning. The army encamped on the ground that night, and on the following day cut down several hundred (probably two hundred) acres of corn (and every tree which bore any kind of fruit was destroyed), and about 4 o'clock in the evening took up their line of march for the Piqua towns, which were about twelve miles from Chillicothe (in Clarke County).

" They had not marched more than a mile from Chillicothe, before there, came on a very heavy rain, with thunder and lightning, accompanied by considerable wind. Without tents, or any other shelter from the rain, which fell in torrents, the men were as wet as though they had been plunged into the river; nor had they power to keep their guns dry. It was nearly dark before the rain ceased, when they were ordered to encamp in a hollow square, with the baggage and horses in the center, and as soon as fires could be made, dry their clothes, etc. They were ordered to examine their guns, and see that they were in good condition ; to discharge them in the following manner : One company was to fire, and time given to re-load, when a company at the most remote part of the camp from that which liad hred, was to discharge theirs, and so on, aUernately, nntil all the guns were fired.

"On the morning of the 8th, the army marched by sunrise, and having a level, open way, arrived in sight of Piqua, on the west side of Mad Eiver, alDout 2 p. m. The Indian road from Chillicothe to Piqua, which the army followed, crossed' Mad River about a quarter of a mile below the town, and as soon as the advanced guard crossed into a prairie of high weeds, they were attacked by the Indians, who had been concealed there, awaiting their approach.

" The ground on which this attack was made, as well as the manner in which it was done, left no doubt but that a general engagement was intended. Colonel Logan was therefore ordered, with about four hundred men, to file oft" to the right and march up the river on the east side, and continue to the upper end of the town, so as to prevent the Indians from escaping in that direction, while the remainder of the men, under Colonels Flynn, Lloyed, and Harrod, were ordered to cross the river and encompass the town on the west side, while General Clarke, with the troops under Colonel Slaughter, and such a« were attached to the artillery, marched directly toward the town.

" The prairie in which the Indians who commenced the attack were concealed, was only about two hundred yards across to the timbered land, and the division of the army destined to encompass the town on the west side, found it necessary to cross the prairie to avoid the fire of a concealed enemy. The Indians evinced great military skill and judgment, and to prevent the western division from executing the duties assigned them, they made a powerful eftbrt to turn their left wing. This was discovered by Lloyed and Flynn, who, to prevent being outflanked, extended the line of battle west, more than a mile from the town, which continued, warmly contested on both sides, until about 5 o'clock, when the Indians disappeared, everywhere unperccived, except a few in the town. " The field-piece, which had been entirely useless before, was now brought to bear upon the houses, when a few well-directed shots dislodged the Indians which were in them. From a French prisoner among them. General Clarke learned that the savages did not expect the army to reach their tow^n so soon ; and that it was their intention, had it not rained, to attack the whites with the knife and tomahawk the previous night. The firing of the guns also deterred them. It seems that the alarm was universal, and every village was deserted. Occasionally, it is said, a solitary Indian wonld crawl through the grass within shooting distance, deliver liiR fire, and sink out of sight. The town was stretched along the banks of the river for a long distance, and in order to surround it on the east, Logan was compelled to march over three miles. In the meantime the Indians concentrated their whole force on the troops under General Clarke, and Logan never saw an Indian; hence, the great loss to the whites, arid severity of the battle, which led to the remark of Grirty, who drew off his three hundred Mingo warriors, saying it was folly to fight madmen. And true ; the Kentuckians fought with desperation, well knowing that if they were defeated none would escape ; and the Indians, elated with success and thirsting for blood, would fall upon the defenseless settlements of Kentucky, and murder their wives, their daughters, mothers, and children. The next day was spent in cutting down the growing corn, destroying the cabins and food, and collecting horses. On the 10th, the army began their homeward march, remaining in Chillicothe over night, and destroying a field of corn that had been left standing for their horses on their return.

"It is supposed that about five hundred acres of corn were destroyed on this expedition, besides every other vegetable, and food of any kind, to afford nourishment to the foe. Killing a few Indians only served to exasperate them, but destroying their sustenance struck at their vitals, and compelled them to hunt for support, and thus the settlements were left in repose."

This state of immunity from Indian outrage lasted but two years. In Angust, 1782, there was a grand council held at Chillicothe (now Oldtown), composed of the Wyandots, Shawanoes, Mingoes, Tawas, Potto watomies, Delawares, and numerous other tribes. In their deliberations they were aided by those two fiends in human shape, Girty and McKee. The Revolutionary War was virtually over, and these disgraceful traitors and renegades feared the avenging arm of Virginia, and had thus sought, for their own safety, to instigate the Indians to murder the settlers of the surrounding country.

In pursuance of their plans, two armies, one of six hundred, the other of three hundred and fifty, prepared to march to their assigned stations. Toward the last of August, the army of redskins who were destined for Kentucky, marched toward Bryant's Station, placing themselves in ambush. But in their eagerness for blood, they foiled their own scheme by prematurely firing upon a few stragglers around the fort.

The Indians were repulsed by tlie garrison ; and receiving reinforcements from Lexington, Ilarrodsbnrg, and Boonesborongli, pursuit was immediately commenced, and at the Lower Blue Licks they first caught sight of the foe. From the signs on the trail, the practiced eye of Boone detected evidences of a large force of Indians, and these, he concluded, were in ambush on the opposite bank, and he advised a separation of the forces, and extreme caution. But the impetuous McGary, exclaiming, " Let all who are not cowards follow me," spurred his horse into the river, and was followed by all into the ambush, and the terrible result of his rashness was the slaughter-pen of the Blue Licks.

An soon as Gen. G. R. Clarke heard of the disaster at Blue Licks, he determined to chastise the Indians, and, if possible, destroy them. To this end, he called for one thousand men, to be raised from Kentucky, making their headquarters at Cincinnati, where he was to meet them, at the head of a part of an Illinois regiment, of which he then had command, bringing with Ixjm one brass fieldpiece.

" The exultant savages had returned to Old Chillicothe, and had divided their spoil and their captives. Colonel Boone was immediately sent for to take part in this expedition. Clarke's army crossed the Ohio, and marching very rapidly up the banks of the Little Miami, arrived within two miles of Chillicothe before they were observed. Here they discovered a solitary straggler, who instantly fled to the village, yelling like a demon at every jump. The troops pressed on with all possible speed, but upon entering the town found it deserted. So precipitate had been their retreat, however, that the enemy left the fires burning, pots boiling, and meat roasting on sticks. This was a treat to the almost famished Kentuckians, who, after full indulgence, proceeded to destroy the town, corn, and everything tending to support the savage foe. It is said that on the approach of the army, men, women, and children fled to the forest, leaving everything behind them. Five towns, during this expedition, were left in ashes, and the work of destruction was complete. This campaign so thoroughly crushed the Indians, that no more organized raids were made against the surrounding settlei^ents, and the termination of the Revolutionary War left them to their own resources."

Numerous expeditions took place from this till the general outbreak in May, 1790. The militia, under General Ilarmer, attack the Miami villages. Colonel Hardin is dcf^jated October 19th, and again on the 22d. May 15, 1791, St. Clair organizes liis army at ' Fort Washington, September 17th begins his marcli, and on November 4th is defeated.

From 1780 to 1791, the armies of Clarke, Harmer, and St. Clair had marched through this section of the country. Here was the favorite home of the Indians; their corn-fields, their stronghold, their capital. Here were their councils held, their war dances performed. From here they radiated on their missions of murder and" rapine. Here was the hot-bed of Indian hostility. The triumphs over Harmer and St. Clair incited the savages to renewed barbarities. The frontiers were in continual apprehension of danger. They would retire at night, expecting to awake in flames, by the lurid glare of which the savages would be seen, waving the wreaking tomahawk, bathed in the blood of their wives and their children. General Wayne meets and conquers the Indians, after a severe battle, August 20, 1794. This decisive battle virtually ended the Indian trouble in the northwestern frontiers, and prepared the way for settlement.

Eleven years prior to this battle of General Wayne, Washington, seeing the difficulties that would necessarily grow out of individua. settlements in the Indian country, on the 7th day of September, 1783, in a letter to James Duane, a member of congress, urged the necessity of making the settlements more compact, and prohibiting individual purchase of the Indians, even punishing all such purchases, not made by congress or the state legislatures, as felonies. To this end, congress did, on the 18th day of April, 1783, urge the necessity of a cession of the western lands, and on the 13th day of September following, stated the terms upon which it would receive a deed from Virginia, to which she acceded, as we have seen, on the 20th of December of the same year ; and on the 1st day of March, 1784, the deed was made, and signed by Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Hardy, Arthur Lee, and James Monroe, delegates in congress from Virginia.

It was not deemed advisable to await the settlement of all questions of cession before taking steps to conciliate the Indians and extinguish their title. On the 22d of September all purchases of, or settlements upon, Indian lands were forbidden bf congress, and on the 15th of October the commissioners to treat with the Iiulians were instructed -

States; and to negotiate for all the land east of the line proposed by Washington, namely: from the month of the Great Miami to Mad River (Dayton) ; thence to Fort IMiami, on the Maumee ; and thence down the Manmee to the lake, etc."

It is believed the first treaty with the Indians extingnishing their title to the lands comprising the present territory of onr connty, was held at Fort Mcintosh, January 21, 1785, at which the United States were represented by George R. Clarke, Richard Butler, and Arthur Lee, and the chiefs of the Wyandots, Delawares, Chippewas, and Ottawa Indians.

The conditions of this treaty were, that three chiefs, one from the Wyandots, and two from the Delaware nations, should be delivered to the commissioners, to be held until all prisoners then in possession of the nations represented should be given up. The boundary line between the United States and the said Indians, was to begin at the river Cuyahoga, and run up that river to the portage between that and the Tuscarawas branch of the Muskingum; then down the said branch to the forks at the crossing place above Fort Lawrence ; thence westwardly to the portage of the Big Miami which runs into the Ohio, at the month of which branch (Laramie's Creek) the fort stood, (Fort Laramie) which was taken by the French in 1752; then along the said portage to the Great Miami or Ome (INIaumee) river; and down the southeast side of the same to its mouth ; thence along the south shore of Lake Erie to the mouth of the Cuyahoga, where it began.

At the treaty of Fort Harmer, January 9, 1789, between Arthur St. Clair, Governor of the N'orthwest Territory, and the Wyandots, Delawares, Ottawas, and others, the treaty of Fort Mcintosh was confirmed; and in consideration of peace then granted, and the presents they then received, as well as a quantity of goods amounting to $6,000, which were delivered to them, they released and quit claimed, and ceded to the United States all the land east, south, and west of the lines above described.

Subsequently, by the treaty of Greenville, August 8, 1795, the boundary lines of the two former treaties were confirmed, so far as from the mouth of the Cuyahoga to the crossing place above Fort Lawrence. "ThenCe," says this treaty, "westwardly to a fork of that branch of the Great Miami River running into the Ohio, at or near which stood Laramie's store." (Laramie's store, or Pickawillany, was at the mouth of Laramie Creek, in Miami County, but Fort Laramie was sixteen miles up the creek, in Shelby County, evidently the spot mentioned.) Instead of running up tlie Maumee, - wliich was formerly called the Miami of the Lake, - and along the southern shore of Lake Erie to the place of beginning, the Greenville treaty line runs to Fort Eecovery, thence south in a direct line to the Ohio, intersectiiag it opposite the mouth of the Kentucky river. (See preceding pages.)

By this last treaty all other treaties were confirmed and ratified ; and all the territory northwest of the river Ohio, east and south of the above boundary lines, was ceded and relinquished forever by the Indians, " And these lands, or any part of them, shall never hereafter be made a cause or pretense, on jthe part of the said tribes, or any of them, of war or injury to the United States, or any other people thereof.

" In consideration of the peace now established, and of the cessions and relinquishment of lands made in the preceding article by the said tribes of Indians, and to manifest the liberality of the United States, as the great means of rendering this peace strong and perpetual, the United States now deliver to the said Indian tribes a quantity of goods to the value of twenty thousand dollars, the receipt whereof they do hereby acknowledge ; and henceforward, every year, forever, the United States will deliver, at some convenient place northward of the river Ohio, like useful goods, suited to the circumstances of the Indians, of the value of nine thousand five hundred dollars; reckoning that value at the firsi cost of the goods" in the city or place in the United States where they shall be procured. The tribes to which these goods are to be annually delivered, and the proportions in which they are to be delivered, are the following:

" To prevent any misunderstanding about the Indian lands relinquished by the United States, in the fourth article, it is now explicitly declared that the meaning of that relinquishment is this : The Indian tribes who have a right to these lands are quietly to enjoy them, hunting, planting and dwelling thereon, so long as they please, without any molestation from the United States. But when those tribes, or any of them, shall be disposed to sell their lands, or any part of them, they are to be sold only to the United States ; and until such sale, the United States will protect all the said Indian tribes in the quiet enjoyment of their lands against all citizens of the United States; and against all other white persons who intrude upon the same. 'And the said Indians again acknowledge themselves to be under the protection of the United States, and no other power whatever.

" All injuries shall be referred to law, not privately avenged ; and all hostile plans known to either, shall be revealed to the other party.

This great and abiding peace" document was signed by the various nations named in the fourth article, and dated August 3d, 1795. It was laid before the Senate, December 9th, and ratilied December 22d. So closed the old Indian wars of the West.

Thus have we endeavored to trace the history of our county, from the original grant of King James I, April 10, 1606, to Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Sommers, Richard Ilackluit, and Edward Maria Wingiield, " adventurers of and for our city of London," with various additions. May 23, 1609, and March, 1611, (vide sup.) to its cession to the United States by Virginia, March 1,1784; and on till its final conveyance by the Indians, under the treaties above mentioned, which freed it from savage depredation, prepared it for individual purchase and settlement, and cleared the way for the advancing tide of immigration, which was rapidly moving along the banks of every stream emptying into that great artery of the northwest, the Ohio River, appropriately called by the French " La Belle Rivier."

During the consummation of these various treaties, ranging from the year 1785 to 1795, a portion of the country began to be surveyed, (vide ante pages,) whieli was followed by purchase and actual occupation. A company, composed of officers and soldiers of the Revolution, was formed in Boston, March, 1786, with Gen.

Rufus Putnam as agent, wlio, in the spring of 1788, with fortyseven others from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, erected a stockade, and formed a permanent settlement known as Marietta. In the winter of 1786, a Mr. Stites, of Redstone, visited congress, then at IS'ew York, with a view to settling a tract of country between the two Miamis. John Cleves Symmes, then a member from Hew Jersey, becoming interested in the scheme, and with an eye to speculation, determined to make a personal investigation ; the result of which was the purchase of one million acres between the Miamis, in his name. Soon after, he sold to Mathias Denman, and others, that portion which now forms the site of Cincinnati, and in the fall of 1789 several families from New Yoi-k, ]S'ew Jersey, and Redstone, descended the Ohio River in flat-boats, as far as the mouth of the Little Miami. As the Indians manifested hostile intentions, forty soldiers, under Lieutenant Kersey, joined them as an escort and guard. They erected at first a single block house ; soon adding to it, however, three others. Subsequently a stockade fort was built on a spot now included within the town of Columbia. In June, 1789, Major Doughty, with one hundred and forty regulars, put up four block houses opposite the mouth of the Licking, on the purchase by Denham of Symmes, and about the same time built Fort Washington. Soon after, General Harmer arrived with three hundred more troops, and occupied the fort. Assured now of protection, Israel Ludlow, Denham, and Patterson, began the erection of cabins along the river, and within range of the fort. During the following winter Ludlow surveyed and laid out the town of Losantiville. (A quadroon production of the Latin os, Greek anti, and French ville, and L unknown.) When General St. Clair came there to reside as Governor of the Northwest Territory, he changed the name to Cincinnati.

In 1787 the reserved lands of Virginia were examined, and entries made. In the following year congress protested the validity of these claims, which, however, was withdrawn in 1790. In this year Nathanial Massie entered into an agreement with certain persons to survey these lands, and lay them open for individual purchase ; establishing a town above Maysville, called Manchester, from which they made surveying expeditions during the years from 1791 to 1796.

Symmes having oi-iginally contracted for two million acres of land, and under this contract having disposed of portions of it to settlers along the Little Miami, and vicinity of the present site ot

Dayton, his failure to pay for but two liundred and forty-eight thousand five hundred and forty acres threw these purchasers to the mercy of the federal rulers, until preemption rights were secured to them by the act of 1799.

A few da3's after "Wayne's treaty, St. Clair, Wilkinson, Jonathan Dayton, and Israel Ludlow, purchased the seventh and eighth ranges of Symmes, between Mad River and the Little Miami. On the 21st of September, 1795, Daniel C. Cooper undertook to mark out and survey a road on these lands, which was completed by John Dunlap, October 4th, the same year. November 4th, Israel Ludlow laid off Dayton, and the lots were disposed of by raffle.

As the Indians receded, the bold and adventurous pioneers followed closely in their wake. Radiating from their stronghold, they assembled in groups, and put out their little patches of corn ; and shooting out in diiferent directions, the little settlements spread toward all points of the compass, until in passing through the dense forest, the lonely cabin was frequently to be met with, and the smoke might be seen curling up through the closely intertwining branches of the patriarchal oaks. ,

Organization And Boundary

July 27, 1788, Washington County was formed under the territorial government, and included all that part of Ohio east of a line drawn from Cleveland, up the Cuyahoga, down the Tuscarawas ; thence west to the road from tlie Shawanoes town on the Scioto to Sandusky; thence south to and down the Scioto to its mouth.

January 2, 1790, Hamilton was organizecl, embracing the territory between the two Miamis, as far north from the Ohio as the "standing stone forks" of the Big Miami. June 22, 1798, it was changed so as to include all that part of Indiana lying between the Greenville treaty line, and the western line of Ohio, and all that part of Ohio west of the Little Miami, to the lower Shawanoes towns on the Scioto, and extending north to the southern line of Wayne.

The county of Wayne originally began at the Cuyahoga, ran up that river and down the Tuscarawas to the portage above Ft. Lawrence; thence west to the east line of Hamilton; ^thence west, northerl}^ to the portage of the Miami and St. Marys; thence west, northerly, to the poi'tage of the Wabash and Maumee, where Ft. Wayne now is, extending to the southern point of Lake Michigan; thence along its western shore to the northwest part; thence north to the territorial boundary in Lake Superior, and with the said boundary through lakes Huron, Sinclair, and Erie, to the place of beginning.

point it extended west into the western part of what is now Highland County, about ten miles southwest from HilLsboro; thence r^prtli to the southern boundary line of Wayne County, described above; thence east on said line, to a point on the present southern^ boundary line of Wayne County, almost due south from Wooster, and a very little east of the eighty-second meridiian west longitude; thence south to the place of beginning. The eighty-second meridian west from Greenwich is perhaps not more than a mile west of the original eastern line of Ross County.

It will be observed that the original east line of Hamilton was the Little Miami. Yet in the description of Wayne we find the words : "thence by a west line to the eastern boundary of Hamilton " (" which is a due north line from the lower Shawanoes towns on the Scioto"). Also, that a portion of Hamilton, beginning at the mouth of Eagle Creek, was attached to Adams.

Highland County originally began at the twenty mile tree, due north from the mouth of Elk Creek, on the Ohio; ran east twelve miles ; then northeastwardly to the eighteen mile tree from the Scioto, at the intersection of Ross, Clermont, and Adams lines ; "thence to the mouth of the rocky fork of Paint Creek; thence up main Paint to the south line of Franklin County (now Pickaway) ; thence with said line west to the east line of Greene County;,^ thence with said line south to the southeast corner of the same; thence with the south line west, to the northeast corner of Clermont (certainly Warren) ; and from the beginning west to the north fork of White Oak Creek; thence north to the line of Warren County ; thence with said line east to corner of Clermont and Warren." (This description is vague.)

Fayette was formed January 19, 1810, - took effect March 1st, - from Ross and Highland. Beginning at the southwest corner of Pickaway, running north " with the line of said county to the corner of Madison ; thence west with said line to the line of Greene County ; thence south with Greene County to the southeast corner thereof; thence east five miles; thence south to the line of Highland County; thence east with said line to Paint Creek; thence in a straight line to place of beginning." All the lower portion was taken from Highland, and the upper from Ross.

The Pioneer

The pioneers were limited in learning, but instructed in their experiences, stern in their virtues, sturdy in their independence, marked in their individuality, frank in their intercourse, hospitable in their homes, fearless in danger.

Hospitality was a leading feature of the pioneer. The sick and needy were as well cared for as they have been since. Faith, Hope and Charity were organized. Indeed, these Christian graces did exist at that, early day, and were made manifest in the good deeds of the people towards one another, but the process of combination came at a later period. There was a community of social feeling, and nothing like aristocracy or assumed superiority on account of the possession of a few more acres or higher birth showed itself. IS'othing of caste to mar the free intercourse of all on the common platform of equality. It can not be disguised, however, that there were persons who gained precedence on account of superior intelligence, and who were looked upon as a kind of oracle in the management of the social, moral and financial affairs of the community in which they resided.

The social intercourse among the young people was of the most pleasing nature. Though they met " on the level and parted on the square," there were some of the young men more than others cavaliers, and some of the ladies aspired to reign as belles of society', yet there was no feeling of envy or jealousy ever engendered. Modern balls and parties had not been introduced : indeed the time was all too nearly occupied, both in the field and in the house, to indulge in amusements.

There Avas meeting on Sunday, and the young people would always attend, either walking or going on horseback. The young man would take his sweetheart up behind him on his horse, and all parties would enjoy this mode of travel exceedingly. Younggentlemen w^ere then called boys, and the young ladies were called girls.

The means of transportation within the reach of the pioneer were most simple and laborious. The ox-wagon, or possibly four horses, when able to have them, conveyed the effects, while the long journey from Virginia, Pennsylvania, or Kentucky, was performed on foot; sleeping by the camp-fire or the wagon at night; depending on the rifle oftimes for food; burying themselves in a dense forest; cleaving by slow and laborious degrees a little spot for a rude log cabin; surrounded by wild beasts and still wilder Indians. Emerging from his cabin with his ax on his shoulder, the sturdy woodsman might be seen. With keen eye he surveys the forest round about in search of lurking danger, then -

" Loud sounds the ax, redoubling strokes on strokes ; On all sides round the forest hurls her oaks ; Headlong, deep-echoing groan the thickets brown. Then rustling, crackling, crashing thunder down,"

The trunks were trimmed, the brush piled, and with the help of neighbors the log-rolling took place ; and night was turned into day when the surrounding forests were lit up by the leaping blaze of the huge brush heap and the piles of logs.

Biographical Sketches Of Early Settlers John Popejoy

Was one of the first residents of Washington; came in 1811, purchased a lot and erected a log cabin thereon. Shortly after his arrival he was elected justice of the peace. He was considered rather eccentric ; made his legal decisions in accordance with his own ideas of justice, regardless of the laws or testimony hearing on the case. He kept no docket, but made a memorandum of all legal transactions on a piece of paper which was placed in a crevice in his cabin. He was a native of Virginia, and died in 1816 or 1817. He had two sons, John and Edward. Both were extensive dealers in stock. Edward subsequently removed to the far west; John died in this county.

Jacob Jamison '

Came to this county several years before its organization. Several years after his arrival he purchased land situated about two miles southwest of the village of Washington, at which place he resided until his death. He was a good citizen, a kind neighbor, but unfortunately had an ungovernable temper. Shortly after locating in the county, while living in its northeastern part, begot into a serious difliculty with a neighbor, and was thrice stabbed in the breast with a dirk in the hands of his antagonist. The wound inflicted was a severe one and it was at first supposed that it was mortal, but after being confined to his couch two months he recovered. He was elected successively to the oflices of justice of the peace, collector, commissioner and associate judge, serving faithfully and satisfactorily.

Sketches Of Early Settlers

March, 1810, locating on a piece of ground four or live miles south of Washington. -During the Indian trouhles of 1812, he engaged in the defense of his country, being chosen major. In 1814 he removed to Washington and two years later engaged in the mercantile business, continuing in the same till his death, which occurred in 1828. In 1814 he purchased seven lots in the town of Washington, for which he paid in cash |10,000. After his death the property did not realize $1,000 outside of the dower set aside for his widow. This instance is cited to illustrate the terrible depreciation of property during that period.

John Dewitt

Who was one of the first settlers, was born in Clark County, Kentucky. Accompanied by his uncle, Fredrick Bray, and his brothers, Henry and Gabriel, he left his native soil and came to this state, settling in Ross County ; this was in the year 1806. The party traveled the entire distance on foot ; all Kentuckians were great hunters and therefore good travelers. It is said that Henry Dewitt frequently walked seventy-five miles in a single day. Dewitt remained in Koss County two years and while there entered into the bonds of matrimony with Miss Polly Barker. Soon after the marriage the young couple removed to Fayette County, settling on land located four miles southeast of Washington. Jesse, the youngest son, is at present living on the original homestead. He purchased a small farm at first but added to the same and finally owned several thousand acres. This land was originally owned by Baron ISteuben, McKay, Duncan McArthur and others, and is situated in Wayne Township. In 1812 Mr. Dewitt volunteered to assist in defending the Americans against the British and their allies, the Indians, and was stationed at Upper Sandusky, where he remained until peace was declared. He was one of the first constables, was then elected justice of the peace and held the position for many years. He was considered one of the best hunters, hunting being a favorite pastime with him. When the first court was established in this county, the legal talent of Chillicothe were in the habit of leaving their homes on the day preceding the opening of court, travel to the house of Dewitt and remain over night ; there they were always accorded a warm reception. Governors McArthur, Allen and Thuriaaan, were frequent guests at his house. Ministers of all denominations made his house their headquarters,. meetings being held there. He was a member of the Baptist church, always voted the Democratic tioket, and enjoyed good health until a short time prior to his death. His union with Miss Barker was blessed with eleven children : Eveline, intermarried with William Orr (now dead); Jane, wife of James Allen, at present residing in Missouri; Anderson, living at Washington, C. H., in this county; Darlington, now a resident of Iowa ; Decatur, died at the age of 30 ; Kachel, married Wesley Prior, now living in Missouri ; Peter G., on part of the homestead ; John, occupies a portion of the homestead; Jesse, residing in the old house; Candice, intermarried

Jesse Rowe

Left his home in Louisa County, Virginia, at the age of forty, accompanied by his family of eight children - four boys and four girls - most of whom were married : he came to this state locating temporarily at Frankfort, in Ross County. In the year 1808 he removed to this county, settling on Wabash Creek, seven miles south of Washington, where he purchased about fifteen hundred acres of land which was divided amongst his children. It is said of him that he was a very stout, hale and hearty man, being blessed with good lungs and a loud voice. On one occasion several horses strayed from a pasture-field, and two of the boys were directed to go in search of them. When they were about three miles from the house the horses returned. The old gentleman proclaimed this information to the boys, and though nearly three miles distant they heard him and returned to the parental roof. He died in 1845. The following sketch of his life was contributed to the Western Christian Advocate, February 20, 1846, by John W. Keely, Esq.:

" Departed this life, at his residence in Fayette County, Ohio, September 15, 1845, Jesse Rowe, senior, in the ninety-first year of his age. He emigrated to Ohio in 1808, from Virginia, and for the last sixty-three years was an acceptable and zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His house was long a preaching place and a home for the wayfaring itinerant. The first Methodist class formed in the county was at his house.

sustaining the peculiar institutions of the chnrch. At his own expense he erected a very neat and comfortable meeting-house in his neighborhood, and directed in his will that it should be deeded to the Methodist Episcopal Church, by his executor, for the use of the society worshiping in it. At the same time he willed to the stewards of Washington Circuit, fifty dollars in trust to be invested in some safe way at six per cent interest to be applied as follows : Two dollars to be paid as cpiarterage, and one dollar as table expenses annually.

"This old and much loved veteran of the cross lived to see the fourth generation. He had nine children, forty-eight grand-children, sixty-three great grand children and one great great grand child. Many of these are following in his footsteps and imitating his example. 'Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.' "

Thomas Green

Was born in Hampshire County, Virginia, in the year 1784. In 1807 he was married to Margaret Jobe, and in the following year the young couple, accompanied by a man named Jury and his wife, removed to this state. They came in a four-horse wagon ; the country was scarcely traversable, and frequently were they obliged to cut their way through the almost impenetrable forests ; at other times they constructed rafts that they might cross the many streams. The party settled near Plillsboro, in Highland County, where they remained until 1810, at which time the Greens removed to this county, locating four miles southeast of Washington, on Buckskin. Green was a member of the jury that was empaneled by the tirst court ever held in the town of Washington. He hired a substitute to go out in the war of 1812, but volunteered as teamster and hauled supplies for the American arm3\ In 1816 he removed to Greene County, thence to Clarke ; in 1826 he returned to this county. He frequently hauled pork and produce to Zanesville and Cincinnati, exchanging them for family supplies; being usually accompanied by Phihp Moore. Green was captain of a home militia company for a number of years, and also justice of the peace of Paint Township. He at one time owned about fourteen hundred acres of land and was an extensive trader in cattle and hogs. His wife died in 1840 ; he in 1871, aged eighty-seven. His son, Hamilton, who was born in 1811, yet resides on the farm formerly owned by Adam Funk.

Colonel James Stewart

Perhaps none of the early settlers labored with more zeal in the interest of the new county, or enjoyed a greater influence than Colonel James Stewart. With his father he came from Maryland, his native state, in 1807. They purchased land in Eoss Connty - five hundred acres - in Marion Township, where George Fullerton now resides ; two hundred and fifty acres on the waters of Corapton's Creek, and two hundred and fifty acres adjoining the latter tract. They then returned to Maryland, and in 1809 came with the family and settled in Ross County, near Frankfort. In 1810 James came to this county and located on land adjoining Bloomingburg, where his son George now resides. In 1812 he was appointed colonel of a regiment which was made up of Fayette County men. They were ordered to the frontier and participated in several engagements. After the war he was appointed surveyor and was kept very bus}^ by purchasers of lands. His brother Eobert was the orio-iual director of the town of Washington, and upon his resignation the colonel was appointed to fill the vacancy.

Hugh Steward

Was born in 1805 and at the age of five he came to Bloomingburg to "carry chips" for his sister, who kept house for James. In a few years he went back to Ross County, but in 1828 settled in Bloomingburg, where he still resides.

Philip Moor

Was a native of Clark County, Kentucky, where he lived until 1811, when he removed with his family, consisting of his wife and nine children, to this state. The journey was made by teams, the Ohio being crossed on rafts at Maysville, and was of four weeks' duration. Adam Funk, who was a neighbor of Moor's before he left Kentucky, purchased for the latter a part of the Hoof survey, in Paint Township, containing three hundred acres, and paid nine hundred dollars for the same. The family took possession on the 1st of April, 1811, about one year after the first court had been

James Kirkpatrick

Left Virginia in the year 1810, accompanied by his wife and two chihU^en (one chikl was left behind), and William Young, his brother-in-law. While yet on the other side of the Ohio River, they fell in company with the Ray and Fifer families, who accompanied them as far as Madison County. The remaining members of the party came to Fayette, and on Christmas Eve of the same year arrived at the cabin of Solomon Soward, in Jefferson Township, where they remained during the winter. Upon arriving in this comity, they stopped at the cabin of Captain Joseph Parrett, and upon inquiring for Soward's cabin, were informed that it was located about two miles further on, on Paint Creek. No road but a bridle path led to the place, and they were compelled to leave the wagons behind them. The next morning they returned for the same, and found the goods (among which was a tin box containing eight hundred dollars) unmolested. Indians frequently came to Soward's, bringing deer hams, and exchanging them for corn meal. The Virginians woi-e exceedingly anxious to see the camp of the savages, and on the Sunday following their arrival, followed a squaw, who had been at the house, to the encampment, which was located on the high banlv of Paint Creek, on the Reuben Vesay farm. The redskins, about thirty in number, Avere peaceable, but did not appear well pleased with the visit, and left the neighborhood a few days after, and never returned. In 1811, Kirkpatrick and Jacob Dunkle purchased of Mr. Gatch, of Chillicothe, the Mosley survey in Jefferson Township, containing one thousand acres, a portion of which is now owned by his son Henry Kirk. He engaged in the war of 1812, served as county commissioner, and was one of Fayette's prominent citizens. He died January 1, 1840; his wife, April 16, 1863. The union was blessed with thirteen children, of whom five are living. For the sake of convenience the family name has been changed from Kirkpatrick to Kirk.

James Hays

A native of Virginia, came to Kentucky in an early day, where he was wedded to Letta Rankins. In the first days of this century, the family came to the mouth of Big Belly, Pickaway County, and presumably in 1805 to this county. They settled on a two hundred acre tract in Paint Township. The sight, is now owned by Charles Hays. Three of his sons were in the war of 1812. When the family first effected a settlement, there was no habitation between their humble cabin and Frankfort (then called Oldtown). Hays died in 1850. The family consisted of tw^elve children, of which Benjamin, the youngest, alone is now living. Mr. Hays was township trustee for a number of years.

George Creamer

Came to Fayette, in 1810, from Berkeley County, Virginia, in company with four sons, Michael, Joseph, David, and George. George and Michael had families. The others were married soon after their arrival; Joseph to Margaret Miller, and David to Elizabeth Smith. They settled in Jeiferson Township, on Sugar Creek, in which their posterit}^ now reside. At the surrender of Hull, Joseph, Michael, and David responded to the call for volunteers to aid in suppressing the anticipated invasion by the British. The Creamers have frequently held offices of publi6 trust. David was long surveyor, and also justice of the peace. George, sen., died about 1825; his son George in 1861, Michael in 1840, David in 1860, and Joseph in 1872. J. B. Creamer, son of George, jr., was married in April, 1833, and settled on his present place, about half a mile south of Jeffersonville. He was county commissioner from 1844 to 1850, and also served as justice of the peace and trustee, and was elected land appraiser in 1870. His son Andrew R. is the present state senator from this district. The late M. S. Creamer w^as a son of Wesley Creamer, and grandson of Michael Creamer. He represented Fayette in the legislature, but died before his term expired.

Philip Fent

Came to this county from Green County, Tennessee, about the year 1814, accompanied by his wife and five children. A native of Virginia, he married Catharine Parrett, also born in that state; thence removed to Tennessee, and at the breaking out of the revolutionary war enlisted in the American army, serving faithfully for a period of seven years. At the close of the war he received a military warrant for a tract of land situated in this county, and determined to settle thereon. Accordingly a party of about thirty people, consisting of the Fents, Parretts, and Fancheers, started for Ohio in four wagons, and at the expiration of three weeks, found themselves within the limits of Fayette County. Fent wan entitled to two hundred acres of land, and before leaving his native state, entrusted an uncle, who was a resident of Fayette, with the selection, etc., of his property. The latter procured the land, but lost it through bad management, in consequence of which his nephew was forced to look for a new tract. He settled in what is now known as Jeife'rson Township, on two hundred acres of land, now occupied by Eli Parrett, purchasing but fitty acres at first, and exchanging his wagon for the same. Fent's wife died about the year 1816, and he survived until 1835. His son James, born in 1801, resides at Jetlersonville ; a daughter in HHnois. The descendants are thrifty farmers of this county.

William Robinson, Sen

A native North Carolinian, removed to Virginia with his family in the closing years of the eighteenth century. In 1801 he came to Ohio with his sons, now grown to manhood, and settled in Greene County, about five miles southeast of Xenia, where they remained several j^ears, then removed to this county. Desiring to explore this locality before leaving, they went to Martin Mendenhall's, then the only person living in the vicinity of what is now known as Jamestown, who put them on an old trace leading to Chillicothe, which they followed until it struck Sugar Creek, near where Jetiersonville now stands. The party camped in a white oak grove, about one hundred yards from the Isaac Parrett farm. Their sleep was disturbed by the buzzing of bees overhead, and on the following morning they discovered a considerable amount of honey, on which they feasted to their heart's content. They decided to settle here ; William, sen,, on the present site of Jefifersonville, where Richard Fox now lives ;^ his son William on the " Wright farm," just across the creek from Jefi:'ersonville; Thomas and Abner removed to the land now owned by Louis JameS ; the other son, Nicholas, on Rattlesnake Creek. William, jr., was a teamster in the war of 1812; Thomas was captain of a company organized in this county. Grandfather Robinson died in 1840; his son William in 1874; the others moved to the West. Thomas settled at Fort

Wayne, Indiana; NiclK^as in Cohoes County, Illinois; Abner at Vincennes, Indiana. There was one daughter, who married Joseph Hosier, and lived in Greene County.

Adam Allen

Was a native of Pennsylvania, but ran away from home at the age of sixteen, and enlisted in the revolutionary war, where he remained till its close, when he went to Kentucky and engaged in running the Upper and Lower Blue Lick Salt Works. He was passionately fond of hunting, and found a paradise in this state, where game abounded. He was married, it is thought, while in Kentucky, to Miss Kyger. The couple came to near Springfield, Clarke County, Ohio, which at that time consisted of a few scattering cabins. During the war of 1812, he started to Fort Wa^-ne to join the American army. However, the war had closed before he arrived at his destination. He next came to this county with, his family, and "squatted" on the site of AUentown, now the junction of the D. & S. E. and C. M. & C. railroads. He retained his hunting propensities, killed much game, and provided venison for the family table and buckskin for the wearing apparel of the young men. Allen afterward removed to the immediate vicinity of the hamlet of AUentown, in which he resided till his death, which occurred in 1,851, at the age of ninety-four years. He was a patriotic citizen, and often predicted the war of the rebellion. He had eight children, four of whom survive: Elijah, William, and Ethan, who reside near the old home, and Adam, who resides in Madison County.

James Sanderson

A Kentuckian, removed to Ohio with his family in 1812, settling on the llite survey, No. 1,223, consisting of one thousand acres, in this county. Two of his sons, James and Aleck, were active participants of tlie war of 1812, at the close of which they returned to their home, and assisted in tilling the soil. One of the sons, Harvey, whose son now resides on the old homestead, assisted in cutting out the fil'st roads of this vicinity. The family followed an old Indian trace when removing from Kentucky. The elder Sandersons have long since gone to that country from whose bourne no traveler returns. Harvey, sen., died in 1876. His wife is still living at the advanced age of eighty-six.

Sketches Of Eakly Settlers Jacob A. Rankin

Was born in Ross County, Ohio, in the year 1800, and at the age of twelve or thirteen left the parental roof, because of the dissipation of his father, came to Bloomingburgh, in this county, and was employed by Judge Gillespie as a farm hand. His mother, who accompanied him, died soon after. His father came here also, and died in September, 1828. Eankin was a poor lad, but managed to save enough from his scanty earnings in the course of a few years, to enable him to rent a farm. He was married to Elizabeth Kerr, a daughter of Jacob Kerr. They removed to a farm south of Plymouth, in the David Persinger neighborhood. He was for mau}^ years a justice of the peace, and held other oflices of trust. In 1834, he settled on a portion of the land now owned by his son Smith, at Milledgeville, where he lived till February, 1876, when death called him to a country where pioneer struggles are unknown. His wife died in December, 1879.

Rafe Durham

Though not an early resident of this county, has lived in its immediate vicinity for more than sixty years. A native of Berkshire County, Virginia, he immigrated to this state with his family and aged father in 1816, locating at Kew Holland, in Pickaway County. He removed to his present place (survey No. 8119, Marion Township) in 1835-6. The vicinity was .then but thinly settled, every one living in peace and quietude. Property was considered safe, and locks and keys were comparatively unknown. He was well accpiainted with the participants in the great Funk fight, being a member of the rifle company' commanded by Captain James jMills, and pressed into service on that occasion. Prior to his departure from Virginia, he cnt'ered the bonds of matrimony with Elizabeth Elliott, with whom he lived happily for sixty-seven years. The pair were not separated from each other for more than ten days at any one time, until death parted them for the time being. She was aged eighty-seven at the time of her death (August, 1880), being several months cvlder than her husl;>and, who lives quietly in the old home, realizing that his days are numbered, and that he will soon be reunited to the companion of his youth.

Thomas Fullerton

Was a native of Greeucastle, Pennsylvania. At a suitable age he attended Yale College, in which he graduated with high honors. He then engaged in business in the city of Baltimore, and continued until the year 1812, when he failed. Together with others, who had been alike unfortunate, he conceived the idea of going to the northwest, and came to Fayette in 1814, settling near Bloomingburgh. Being a fine penman, he was visited by many of the pioneers, and requested to draw up various instruments for them. A fast friend of Batteal Harrison, he was often consulted by him on matters of importance. A few years later he began teaching school, continuing in this profession for upward of thirty years. A great many peaches were grown in this locality, peach brand}^ being the favorite beverage of the inhabitants. At one time, five distilleries in and about Bloomingburgh were engaged in the manufacture of this drink. Rye was taken to Chillicothe, and exchanged for whisky. Fullerton died many years ago. His son George S. is an old and respected citizen of Marion Township.

Henry Strope

July. 7, 1812, witnessed the departure of Henry Strope, a native of Pennsylvania, who, accompanied by his family, X'onsisting of his wife and nine children, crossed the Alleghanies in the " old-fashioned wagon," and arrived at Chillicothe on the 15th of September, remaining there until 1814, at which time tliey removed to this county, settling on a farm in the present limits of Marion Township, now owned by Burnett Mooney, consisting of twelve hundred acres, which was rented of Adam Turner. During the war of 1812 he drove cattle to Fort Meigs, for the use of the American army. He lived a quiet life, raised a large family, but accumulated little property, and died in 1848. His son, 'Squire Strope, has lived on the farm he now dwns sixty-five years, was the first justice of the peace of Marion Township, and still continues in that office.

General Batteal Harrison

was also Benjamin. Batteal's father was a soldier in the Revohi- tion, fought under Washington; was a descendant of the ilhistrious Benjamin Harrison, who led the army of Cromwell in his long and bloody struggle. When quite a child Batteal and his parents started for the' wilds of Kentucky. While waiting at his aunt's, in Wheeling, Avhere they were to take the boat, she prevailed upon his parents, on account of the great danger from Indians, to leave the boy with her until the family were located and the danger had subsided. Two years after they returned for him, but he had become so attached to her that he refused to leave her ; they even undertook to force him to accompany them, but she persuaded them to let him stay and they returned without him, and he remained with her until he was grown to be a man. Wishing to see his parents he started, first going to St. Clairsville, Ohio, then to Chillicothe, where, learning that his mother was dead, he abandoned the idea of going to Kentucky, recruited a company and entered the war of 1812, during which, in 1812 or 1813, he married Miss Elizabeth Scott, daughter of Dr. Joseph Scott, of ChillicotRe, and after the war, in 1815, removed to the north fork of Paint Creek and settled on a tract of land located by John A. Fulton on a warrant obtained by the services of his father in the revolutionary war, and which during his (Batteal's) services in 1812, he employed Fulton to enter on the best vacant land, and by reason of his failure to do so, he sued him for breach of contract and recovered heavy damages. This tract of land was situated in Madison Township, on the north fork of Paint Creek near the center of the township on the Columbus pike, now occupied in part by Sheffelbarker. There were one thousand and forty acres in this body. He also owned six hundred acres not far from it and other pieces amounting in the aggregate to about two thousand two hundred acres.

He was one of the most prominent men in the county ; served gloriously in the war of 1812 (which see), was elected one of the earliest associate justices of the court, at first a colonel, then commissioned a brigadier general of the home militia, and served several terms in the legislature, during which the following anecdote is related of him :

Harrison had one failing ; honest and upright in all things, he had a strong liking for whisky. While he was a member of the legislature, and during a session of the same. Judge Green, then of Chillicothe but now a resident of Columbus, and also a member of the legislative body, introduced a bill wliicli provided for the employment of a corps of men who were to make a geological survey of the state. Harrison opposed the measure, giving as his reasons that the general condition of the state and her inhabitants did not justify the commencement of the work at that time. *It was discovered by the friends of the bill that it could not be passed unless Harrison was induced to alter his opinion regarding it. Green proposed that five or six of them meet in his room on a certain evening, Harrison was to be invited and liquor was to be furnished in abundance. On the appointed evening all the parties, including Harrison, met at Judge Green's rooms. After the guests had imbibed pretty freely of the liquor, the possibility of passing the "geological survey bill" was discussed and Harrison was importuned to use his influence in its support. The latter when driven to the wall would say : have another round of Judge Green's good whisky." His request was complied with several times in quick succession. Finally all the occupants of the room became very drunk, Hamson being more sober than his companions. Again they requested him earnestly to come over to their side of the question, to which he replied : "Well, General Green, let's have a little more of your whisky and then I'll talk about the 'geological survey.' " The bottle was passed ; he took another drink and said : "Gentlemen, this is excellent whisky, and it is certainly very kind in General Green in supplying us with such a good article, but I will see you all eternally d - d before I will vote for that bill."

General Harrison lost his wife in 1851, he following in. 1857. Three sons and one daughter are still living. William lives in Washington, this county ; Benjamin, in Madison, Ohio, and David in Missouri. Their sister married Thomas Vance, still survives as his widow, and lives on a portion of the original tract owned by her father. John J., the youngest son, participated in the rebellion and died at Augusta, Georgia. Scott, captain of a regiment in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, died in S County, Missouri, October, 1878.

Old Settlers

The Aliens, Ananias and his sons, came from Pennsylvania, about 1809 or 1810, and settled near Bloomingburg, on what was then called the " New Purchase," which was so called because it was the first purchase on the east fork of Paint Creek. The Aliens all took part in the war of 1812.

The Coons also came from Virginia, and in about 1800 located near the site of the Harveys, putting up four or five little cabins for their accommodation.

William Morgan came also from the Old Dominion, in about 1808, and settled first in lioss County; then located adjoining Samuel M^^ers, on Duft''s Fork of Deer Creek.

Amstead Carder, from Virginia, settled on the Springfield road, south of Bloomingburg. He was a son of Sanford Carder, an old revolutionary soldier, who drew a pension for his services in the same.

Two bachelors, by the name of George Kyle and Alexander Riley, lived together in a cabin near Bloomingburg, but finally quarrelled and parted, because one accused the other of being intolerably filthy. Riley subsequently moved to Compton's Creek, but cut hay and fed cattle on his farm. He would go in the evening to. feed his cattle, crawl into the hay stack and remain till morning, feed again, and return home. These old bachelors came to the county some time previous to 1810.

John and Samuel Ilerrod, were sons-in-law of Sanford Corder; both came from Virginia, and in, about, 1808, setled on the west side of Madison Township.

James Thompson, son-in-law of James Hayes, came from Kentucky, and settled on a fork of the north fork of Paint Creek, which afterwards took his name.

Old Settleks

Mr. Wood moved from Pendleton County, Virginia, and being a man of intelligence was created one of the first justices of the peace of the county.

Mr. Kerr came from Pendleton County, Virginia, and first settled in Jefferson Township. He was a farmer, and the father of Col. S, F. Kerr, of Washington.

In 1810, or 1811, there was a large family of Aliens left Pennsylvania, and settled in this county. Many of their descendants are still living: Elijah lived near the old Myers place, on the Bloomingburg and Danville pike, about four miles from the former ; James and John lived near the present site of Bloomingburg. There were also George, David, and Ananias.

Prominent Physicians

Dr. Thomas McGara was a native of Pennsylvania, where his boyhood days were spent. In the fall of 1812 he left the land of his fathers', came to this connty and settled in Washington, engaging in the practice of medicine, being the tirst practicing physician in the county. His family consisted of a wife and two children, Joseph and Jane - the latter never married. Joseph married a lady named Smith, and engaged in the medical profession in Greenfield and Ross County. The elder McGara was a great favorite of the people ; was elected to the state legislature, serving his constituents faithfully for a period of six years. He died at the age of eightyeight, retaining his faculties to the last, having continued in his medical pursuits until one year prior to his death. He was an uncle of Judge Daniel McLean - his mother's brother. He was a very popular man, of a slow, deliberate disposition and somewhat singular in his habits.

Baldridge, who came here in about tlje year 1811. With his medical duties he combined those of a minister of the gospel. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church ; had a wife and one child.

Benjamin Hinton

The next physician of more than ordinary ability was Benjamin Hin^on, who came from Highland County in 1818. A few years after his settlement in this county he was united in marriage with Rachel Stimpson. He was an energetic and upright citizen and noted for his great kindness to patients. Mr. Hinton was a mem- ber of the legislature, and county treasurer (collector) for many years. In 1838 lie removed, to Peru, Indiana, where he died some years ago.

James Hinton

James llinton, a brother of Benjamin, was a member of the pioneer medical fraternity of this county. .Unlike his brother, who died in comparative poverty, he rapidly accumulated a fortune. He finally left for the west, settling in McLean County, Illinois, where he purchased a tract of land containing fourteen hundred acres. He is now seventy-seven years of age, but still continues in the practice of his chosen profession.

Habits And Customs Of The Pioneers Dress And Furniture

In these days of primitive simplicity tlie women were not afraid to work. They milked, cooked, spun, wove, and made garments for themselves and the other members of the household. The men raised their little crops, brought in meat, generally from the woods, ground the corn, fought the Indians, built the cabins, and protected the women.

Dress did not then require so much labor and trigonometry as it does now. Then six yards of linsey would envelop the natural form of the pioneer woman; now twenty-six scarce will suffice, besides other accessories, too nnmerons and intricate to mention. Then buckskin breeches, linsey hunting-shirt, coon-skin cap, and moccasins encased the stalwart form of the hunter ; now the perfumed fop, dressed in broadcloth, beaver, kid, and patent leather, is redolent with musk and night-blooming cereus. Tin cups were not aspired to except by the wealthy. The table consisted of a hewed slab, with four legs, and for chairs, a stool of the same material, with three legs. For bureaus and wardrobes (the}^ didn't know what a dressing-case meant), a hickory tree was girdled all around in two places, a line cut through from one to the other, and the bark taken off and sewed together, with a bottom and cover of the same material, which, when smoothed, made a very good article. We take a description of the hunting-shirt from Western Annals :

" This was a kind of loose frock, reaching half way down the thighs, with large sleeves, open before, and so wide as to lap over a foot or more when belted. The cape was large, and sometimes handsomely fringed with a raveled piece of cloth of a diiFerent color. The bosom of his dress served as a wallet, to hold a chunk of bread, calve's jerk, tow for wiping the barrel of his riile, or any thing necessary for the hunter or warrior. The belt, which was always tied behind, answered various purposes. In cold weather the mittens, and sometimes the bullet-bag, the tomahawk, and knife," were attached to it. The hnnting-shirt was generally made of linsey, sometimes of coarse linen, and frequently of deerskin, which latter was very disagreeable when wet.

" The thighs were protected by breeches and leggins, and the feet by moccasins, made generally out of a single piece of buckskin, with a gathering seam along the top of the foot, and another from the bottom of the heel as high as the ankle joint. Flaps were left on each side to fasten tightl}^ around the ankle and leg by means of deerskin thongs. In cold weather they were stufi'ed with dry leaves or hair, which kept the feet warm, but in wet weather the}' were useless, and it is said, ' only a decent way of going barefooted.' "

The means of defense consisted of cabins, block-houses, and stockades. A range of cabins built about six feet apart, joined together by logs on the outside, generall}' formed one side of the fort. On the exposed side the walls were from ten to twelve feet high, from which the roof sloped inward. But few of these cabins had a puncheon floor, mostly being earthen.

After the ancient custom of castles, the block-houses were built at each angle of the fort or stockade. They projected about two feet beyond the outer walls of the cabins. Their upper stories were nearly two feet every way larger than the lower, leaving an opening at the commencement of the second story, to prevent the enemy from making a lodgment under their walls, A large folding gate, made of thick slabs, nearest the spring, closed the fort. These rude structures were furnished with port-holes at proper heights and distances. It will be remembered that all of these were made without a nail, spike, or iron fastening of any description. -

Health

Owing to the defective covering of the feet, more than to any other circumstance, the greater number of our hunters and warriors were afliicted with the rheumatism in their limbs. Of this disease they were all apprehensive in cold or wet weather, and

'therefore always slept with their feet to the fire to prevent or cure it as well as they could. This practice unquestionably had a very salutary effect, and prevented many of them from becoming confirmed cripples in early life.

For a long time after the first settlement of this country the inhabitants in general married young. There was no distinction of rank and very little of fortune. On these accounts the first impression of love resulted in marriage, and a family establishment cost but little labor and nothing else.

In the first years of the settlement of this country a wedding engaged the attention of a whole neighborhood, and the frolic was anticipated by old and young with eager anticipation. This is not to be wondered at, when it is told that a wedding was almost the only gathering which was not accompanied with the labor of reaping, log rolling, building a cabin, or planning some scout or campaign.

In the morning of the wedding day the groom and attendants assembled at the house of his father for the purpose of reaching the mansion of his bride by noon, which was the usual time for celebrating the nuptials, which, for certain reasons, must take place before dinner.

Let the reader imagine an assemblage of people, without a store, tailor or mantua-maker within a hundred miles; and an assemblage of horses, without a blacksmith or saddler within an equal distance. The gentlemen, dressed in shoe-packs, moccasins, leather breeches, leggins, linsey hunting shirts, all home-made. The ladies dressed in linsey petticoats and linsey or linen bed-gowns, coarse shoes, stockings, handkerchiets, and buckskin gloves, if any. If there were any buckles, rings, buttons or rufiles, they were the relics of old times - family pieces from parents or grandparents. The horses were caparisoned with old saddles, old bridles or halters, and packsaddles, with a bag or blanket thrown over them : a rope or string as often constituted the girth as a piece of leather.

The march, in double file, was often interrupted by the narrowness and obstructions of our horse-paths, as they were called, for we had no roads ; and these difliculties were often increased, sometimes by the good and sometimes by the ill-will of neighbors, by falling trees and tj^ing grape vines across the way. Sometimes an ambuscade was formed by the wayside, and an unexpected discharge of several guns took place, so as to cover the wedding company with smoke. Let the reader imagine the scene which followed this discharge : the sndden spring of the horses, the shrieks of the girls, and the chivalric bustle of their partners to save them from falling. Sometimes, in spite of all that could be done to prevent it, some were thrown to the ground. If a wrist, elbow, or ankle happened to be sprained, it was tied with a handkerchief and little more was thought or said about it.

Another ceremony took place before the part}' reached the house of the bride, after the practice of making whisky began, which was at an early period : when the party were about one mile from the place of their destination, two young men would single out to run for the bottle; the worse the path, the more logs, brush and deep hollows the better, as these obstacles aiforded an opportunity for the greater display of intrepidity and horsemanship. The English fox chase in point of danger to the riders and their horses, is nothing to this race for the bottle. The start was announced by an Indian yell ; logs, brush, muddy hollows, hill and glen were speedily passed by the rival ponies. The bottle was always tilled for the occasion, so that there was no use forjudges ; for the first who reached the door was presented with the prize, with which he returned in triumph to the company. On approaching them, he announced his victory over his rival by a shrill whoop. At the head of the troop, he gave the bottle first to the groom and his attendants, and then to each pair in succession to the rear of the line, giving each a dram and then putting the bottle in the bosom of his huntingshirt, took his station in the compau}'.

The ceremony of the marriage preceded the dinner, which was a substantial backwoods feast of beef, pork, fowls, and sometimes venison and bear meat, roasted and boiled, with plenty of potatoes, cabbage and other vegetables. During the dinner the greatest hilarity always prevailed; although the table might be a large slab of timber, hewed out with a broad ax, supported b}' four sticks set in augur holes, and the furniture some old pewter dishes, the rest wooden bowls and trenches ; a few pewter spoons, much battered about the edges, were to be seen at some tables. The rest were made of horns. If knives were scarce, the deficiency was made up by scalping knives which were carried in sheaths suspended to the belt of the hunting shirt.

After dinner the dancing commenced and generally lasted until the next morning. The figures of the dances were three and four handed reels, or square sets, and jigs. The commencement was always a square four, which was followed by what was called jigging it off: that is, two of the four would single out for a jig and were followed by the remaining couple. The jigs were often accompanied by what was called cutting: that is, when either of the parties became tired of the dance, on intimation the place was supplied by some one of the company without any interruption of the dance. In this way a dance was often continued till the musician was heartily tired of his situation. Toward the latter part of the night, if any of the company, through weariness, attempted to conceal themselves for the purpose of sleeping, they were hunted up, - paraded on the floor, and the tiddler ordered to play "Hang on till to-morrow morning."

About nine or ten o'clock, a deputation of young ladies stole off the bride and put her to bed. In doing this it frequently happened that they had to ascpnd a ladder, instead of a pair of stairs, leading from the dining and ball room to the loft, the floor of which was made of clapboards lying loose and without nails. This ascent, one might tliink, would put the bride and her attendants to the blush ; but as the foot of the ladder was commonly behind the door, which was purposely opened for the occasion, and its rounds at the inner ends were well hung with hunting shirts, petticoats and other articles of clothing, the candles being on the opposite side of the house, the exit of the bride was noticed by but few. This done, a deputation of young men in like manner stole oft' the groom and placed him snugly by the side of his bride. The dance still continued, and if seats happened to be scarce, which was very often the case, every young man, when not engaged in the dance, was obliged to offer his lap as a seat for one of the girls, and the offer was sure to be accepted. In the midst of this hilarity the bride and groom were not forgotten. Pretty late in the night, some one would remind the company that the new couple must stand in need of some refreshment : "Black Betty," which was the name of the bottle, was called for, and sent up the ladder ; but some times " Black Betty " did not go alone, many times as much bread, beef and cabbage as would afford a good meal for half a dozen hungry men were sent along with her. The young couple were compelled to eat and drink, more or less, of whatever was offered them.

Pioneer Habits And Customs

It often happened that some neighbors, or relations, not being asked to the wedding took ofi'ense, and the mode of revenge adopted by them, on such occasions, was that of cutting off the manes, foretops, and tails of the horses of the wedding eompan}-.

Settling A Young Couple

A spot was selected on a piece of land, of one of the parents, for their habitation. A day was appointed shortly after their marriage, for commencing the work of building their cabin. The fatigue party consisted of choppers, whose business it was to fell the trees, and cut them off at proper lengths ; a man with a team for hauling them to the place, and arranging them, properly assorted, at the sides and ends of the building; a carpenter, if such he might be called, whose business it was to search the woods for a proper tree for making clapboards for the roof. The tree for this purpose must be straight grained, and from three to four feet in diameter. The boards were split four feet long, with a large frow, and as wide as the timber would allow. They were used without planing or shaving. Another division was employed in getting puncheons for the floor of the cabin ; this was done by splitting trees, about eighteen inches in diameter, and hewing the faces of them with a broad-ax. They were half the length of the floor, they were intended to make.

The materials for the cabin were mostly prepared on the flrst day, and sometimes the foundation laid in the evening. The second day was alloted for the raising.

Putting Up The House

In the morning of the next day, the neighbors collected for the raising. The first thing to be done was the election of four corner men, whose business it was to notch and place the logs. The rest of the company furnished them with the timbers. In the meantime, the boards and puncheons were collected for the floor and roof, so that by the time the cabin was a few rounds high, the sleepers and floors began to be laid. The door \yas made by sawing, or cutting, the logs in one side, so as to make an opening about three feet wide. This opening was secured by upright pieces of timber, about three inches thick, through w^hich holes were bored into the ends of the logs for the purpose of pinning them fast. A similar opening, but wider, was made at the end for the chimney. This was built of logs, and made large to admit of a back and jambs of stone. At the square, two end logs projected a foot or eighteen inches beyond the wall to receive the butting-poles, as they were called, against which the ends of the first row of clapboards was supported. The roof was formed by making the end logs shorter, until a single log formed the comb of the roof; on these logs the clapboards were placed, the ranges of them laping some distance over those next below them, and kept in their places by logs placed at proper distances upon them.

The roof, and sometimes the floor, were finished on the same day of the raising. A third day was commonly spent by a few carpenters in leveling ofi* the fioor, making a clapboard door, and a table. This last was made of a split slab, and supported by four round logs set in auger holes. A few three legged stools were made in the same manner. A few pins stuck in the logs, at the back of the house, supported some clapboards which served for shelves for the table furniture. A single fork, placed with its lower end in a hole in the floor, and the upper end fastened to a joist served for a bedstead, by placing a pole in the fork with one end through a crack between the logs of the wall. This front pole was crossed by a shorter one within the fork, with its outer end through another crack. From the front pole, through a crack between the logs of the end of the house, the boards were put on which formed the bottom of the bed. Sometimes other poles, were pinned to the fork a little above these, for the purpose of supporting the front and foot of the bed, while the walls were the supports of its back and head. A few pegs around the walls for a display of the coats of the women, and hunting shirts of the men, and two small forks, or buck's horns, to a joist for the rifle and shot pouch, completed the carpenters work.

In the mean time, masons were at work. With the heart pieces of the timber, of which the clapboards wpre made, they made billets for chucking up the cracks between the logs of the cabin and chimney ; a large bed of mortar was made for daubing up those cracks. A few stones formed the back and jambs of the chimney.

House Warming

The house-warming was a dance of a whole night's continuance, made up of the relations of the bride and groom, and their neighbors. On the day following the young couple took possession of their new mansion.

At house-raisings, log-rollings, and harvest parties, every one was expected to do his duty faithfully. A person who did not perform his share of the labor on these occasions, was designated by the epithet of "Lawrence," or some other title still more opprobrious; and when it came his turn to require the like aid from his neighbors, the idler soon felt his punishment in their refusal to attend his calls.

Military

Although there was no legal compulsion to the performance of military duty, yet every man of full age and size was expected to do his full share of public service. If he did not do so he was " hated .out as a coward." Even the want of any article of war equipment, such as ammunition, a sharp flint, a priming-wire, a scalping knife, or tomahawk, was thought highlj' disgraceful. A man who, without reasonable cause, failed to go on a scout or campaign, when it came his turn, met with an expression of indignation in the countenances of his neighbors, and epithets of dishonor were fastened upon him without mercy.

Debts, which make such an uproar in civilized life, were but little known among our forefathers, at the early settlement of this country. After the depreciation of the continental paper they had no money of any kind; everything purchased was paid for in produce or labor. A good cow and calf was often the price of a bushel of alum salt. If a contract was not punctually fulfilled, the credit of the delinquent was at an end.

Any petty theft was i^unished with all the infamy that could be heaped upon the offender. A man on a campaign stole from his comrade a cake out of the ashes, in which it was baking. He was immediately named "the bread rounds." This epithet of reproach was bandied about in this way: When he came in sight of a group of men, one of them would call, "Who goes there?" Another w^ould answer, " The bread rounds." If any one meant to be more serious about the matter, he would call out, "Who stole a cake out of the ashes? " Another replied by giving the name of the man in full. To this a third would give confirmation by exclaiming, " That is true, and no lie." This kind of " tongue lashing" he was doomed to bear for the rest of the campaign, as well as for years after his return home.

If a theft was detected in any of the frontier settlements, a summary mode of punishment was always resorted to. The first settlers had a kind of innate or hereditary detestation of the crime of theft in any shape or degree, and their maxim was that a " thief must be whipped." If the theft was of something of some value, a kind of jury of the neighborhood, after hearing the testimony, would condemn the culprit to Moses' law, that is, to forty stripes, save one. If the theft was of some small article, the offender was doomed to carry on his back a flag of the United States, which then consisted of thirteen stripes. In either; case, some able hands were selected to execute the sentence, so that the stripes were sure to be well laid on. This punishment was followed by a sentence of exile. He was then informed that he must decamp in so many days, and be seen there no more, on penalty of having his stripes doubled.