Richland County, Ohio - Clear Creek Township., 1880

\ aemieg to June 4, 1816, Mifflin Township was eighteen miles long, from north to south, and six miles wide. At that date, twothirds of this territory, being the northern part, was organized into a township called Milton. This territory was again divided by a line through the center, east and west, October 15, 1818, and the north half called Clear Creek. Thus Clear Creek was formed out of the north half of Milton, at the date above mentioned, and was originally six miles square. Upon the formation of Ashland County in 1846, Clear Creek was again divided, four tiers of sections on the east being included in Ashland County, the other two tiers remaining in Richland. This last division reduced the township to its present dimensions - four by six miles. That part of it which remained in Richland was enlarged and called Butler. Clear Creek was surveyed and subdivided into sections in _ 1807, by Maxfield Ludlow, who, with James Hedges, surveyed a large part of the country in this vicinity. Ruggles Township lies immediately north of it, and Orange east. The southern part of the township is described by the surveyor as second rate; other parts, however, as fine farming land. It was originally covered with all the different species of hard , wood.

The center of this township forms the dividing ridge between the head-waters of the Mohican.and those of the Vermillion Rivers, the latter stream rising in a beautiful little lake that lies near the eastern center of the township, on Sections 13 and 14, called Savannah

Lake. The surveyor found this lake bearing northwest and southeast, and two Indian trails leading in the same general direction across the township - one bordering 'the lake on the south, and the other north of the lake, crossing the northeast corner of the township.

Clear Creek possesses more relics for the archeologist than any township in Ashland County. The nature of the soil in the valleys enabled the Mound-Builders to erect earthworks, the remains of some of which are yet visible. When Mr. John Bryte settled on Section 26, nearly half a century ago, he found an earthwork, in shape a square, very few of this shape being found in Ohio. The east and west sides were about three hundred feet, and the north and south sides two hundred feet long. At that time, the banks were about three feet high, and twenty feet wide at the base; large trees were growing upon them. There was a gateway upon the southwest side, leading to a fine spring. The plow has nearly obliterated the ancient work. Half a century ago, when Mr. Thomas Sprott settled on Section 35, he found a very old and curiously constructed mound. It stands in the midst of a ten-acre field, a large elevation of ancient glacial drift, | composed of rounded, well-worn bowlders, gravel, sand and light loam ; lifts its head about one hundred and twenty feet above the surrounding valleys. The country around differs from it in soil. The surface on the top, from north to south, is about one hundred and twentyfive feet long, and from east to west, about one hundred feet, and level, with the exception of two mounds about twenty-four feet apart,

Mr. Sprott came. Large trees were growing upon and around the mound, which must have been centuries old. For many years after he came, there was yet a small trench around the south of the mound. His curiosity being excited, he at one time dug down about five feet, and came upon a lot of stones curiously piled over a lot of human bones. - While removing these, he came upon about a peck of Indian red paint, which he removed and found a, large collection of bones in a tolerable state of preservation. He replaced the bones and filled up the grave. This was no doubt an Indian

The first permanent settlement in this township occurred in the spring of 1815; a year or more previous to this, however, several of those who afterward settled permanently came and entered their lands. The land office was then located at Canton, Ohio. The majority of them were from Western Pennsylvania, Washington and Westmoreland Counties; a few were from Virginia and a few from Eastern Ohio.

The names, date and place of settlement so far as ascertained are as follows: Rev. James Handy, 1815; entered three quarters of land on Section 11, where the townof Savannah was afterward located; John and Richard Freeborn, 1815, Section 10; John Aton, 1821, Section 26; Abel Bailey, 1818, Section 16; John Bailey, father of Abel, 1818, Section 14; John Bryte, 1819; David Burns, 1815, Section 23; James Burgan, 1826; James Chamberlain, 1823, Section 25; John Cook, 1822, Section 24 ; Thomas Cook, 1822, Section 3; John Cuppy, 1819, Section 15 ; Patrick Elliott, 1817, Section 12; Elias Ford, 1819, Section 22; Isaac Harrout, 1819, Section 16; Abraham Huffman, 1815, Section 31; John McWilliams, 1817, Section 26; Daniel Huffman, 1816; Jacob Mc- Lain, 1822, Section 11; John McMurray, 1819 ;

Of these early settlers, John Bryte afterward held several offices of trust in the township ; was its first Clerk, and was twice Director of the Ohio Lunatic Asylum. David Burns served in Capt. Martin's company of militia, on duty at the block-house at Beam's mill. James Haney was Justice of the Peace, and also, probably, the first clergyman in the township. The wife of Patrick Elliott was the first school teacher. It will be observed that the Rev. James Haney, the two Freeborns, John and Richard, David Burns and Abraham Huffman were the very first settlers, arriving in 1815. . The first three mentioned and William Shaw built a keel-boat in Washington County, Penn., where they resided, and, placing their families and household goods thereon, floated down the Ohio and up the Muskingum and its tributaries as far as they could, landing near the present site of Jeromeville, on Jerome Fork, and transporting their goods and families thence to their future homes in the township, through the woods, on pack animals.

The Messrs. Freeborn named the principal creek in the township "Clear Creek," from the beauty of its waters, and after this creek the, township was named. These Freeborns also planted the first apple-seeds, from which sprang some of the oldest orchards.

The, nearest mills in those early days were Shrimplin's, on Owl Creek, thirty or forty miles - south, and QOdell's, in Wayne County, about thirty miles distant. In 1822, Thomas Ford erected a " horse-mill," the first in the township. The first saw-mill was erected by Joseph Davis, on Clear Creek, about one and a half miles west of Savannah. It employed one saw, and ran about five months in a year. The first grist-mill run by water-power was erected in 1824, by John Hendricks. It was a primitive affair, but did a large business. It

For many years the first settlers, though religiously inclined, were not able to erect a church building, meetings being held in private houses. The house of Thomas Ford was a prominent place of public worship for many years; the pioneers - men, women and children - often traveling six or eight miles on foot to attend religious services; lighting their way through the woods with torches of hickory bark. A church was finally erected near Mr. Ford's house, in 1830. It was called " Ford's meetinghouse." It was a very good church, and would seat about four hundred people. The first meeting held in it was on the occasion of Thomas Ford's funeral. The sermon was ypreached by the Rev. Elmer Yocum. Rey. James Haney was the first minister, and for many years a prominent man, serving several terms in the Ohio Legislature. The first religious meeting was held in his house, near the present village of Savannah.

The first school in the township was taught by Mrs. Patrick Elliott in her own house, in the winter of 1817-18. Rev. Haney, William Shaw and John Hendricks were among her pupils. It was many years before any school building was erected, the first one being erected on the site of Savannah about 1818. Another was erected in 1820, in the southern part of the township, on the land of Abraham Huffman. The first teacher here was Robert Nelson, and his scholars were Abraham Huffman, Isaac Van Meter, 'Peter Vanostrand, Sr., Robert Ralston, Andrew Stevenson, Mrs. Treckle and David Mc- Kinney. One of the earliest schoolhouses was also erected near Ford's mill.

Savannah, the only town, was laid out in 1818, by John Haney, son of Rev. James Haney, on the latter's land. It was first called Vermillion, but more frequently went by the name of " Haneytown," after its founder. Its first settler was Joseph Fast, a carpentex2 The first schoolhouse was a log building, erected on the northeast corner of the town plat. Jacob McLain was the first brickmaker and hatter in the town and township; Garnett Whitelock, the first blacksmith. Some of its first settlers were John Downer, a cabinet-maker; Eliphalet Downer, hatter; William Bryan and Joseph Marshall, blacksmiths, and James Duff, weaver ; they all lived in log houses. In 1836 or 1837, the names of town and post office was changed | to Savannah; and from this time until 1840 the town was at the zenith of its prosperity ; there were three stores, two public houses, and | a supply of mechanics, all doing a fair busi- | ness. It was a leading stopping place between | the productive country south and the market on the lake, north. Several efforts were made between the years 1830 and 1840, to erect a new county, with Savannah as the county seat ; this failing, the town declined for several years. In 1858, an institution of learning called the "Savannah Male and Female Academy" was started, which seemed to put new life into the town.

There are several churches in the town: The Presbyterian, established in 1833, by Rev. Robert Lee; the Free Presbyterian, organized in 1851, by Rev. F. M. Finney; the United Presbyterian, organized in 1858, by Rey. J. Y. Ashenhurst; the Associate Reformed Congregation, organized in 1831, by Rev. James Johnson, and the Disciple, organized in 1830, by Elders David Bryte and Joseph Harvout.

Survey - Tue VILLAGE or GREENTOWN - ORGANIZATION - THE Man Green - ANnpDREW Craic - Henry McCart's Famity - Rev. Joun HeckeweLpeR - EArty Setrters - War or 1812 anp Brock Hovusrs - InpdIAN

Gen. James Hedges surveyed this township in 1807. No white man's cabin was then standing on its soil, unless it may be some stray French trader or renegade American had built a hut among the Indians at Greentown. Mr. Hedges ran his lines through the dense forest, marking out the little squares that spoke of the coming of the superior race.

In running the south and east boundary, he seems to have been much embarrassed over the variations of the compass. He re-surveyed, but could not determine the cause of the variation. He stumbled upon the Indian village in the forest, upon the wild and pretty Black Fork, and stuck a corner-post in one of their cornfields, while the red men looked on and wondered, but did not disturb the intruders who were thus audaciously measuring off their land. This was an old village ; there were old men and women here, but of another race ; a race doomed to follow the deer and buffalo into exile and oblivion. The number of Indian families residing in the village is not given, but must have been fifty or sixty. The village was situated on a rolling slope of land extending down to the Black Fork, and the graveyard and village together must have occupied four or five acres. Indian trails, much used, were found along the streams, tending northwest. The land was heavily timbered with hard wood, and is to-day good farming land.

The first organization of this township occurred August 7, 1812, it being then attached te Knox County. Madison Township then included all the territory afterward embraced in Richland County, and out of this Green was created, being first about thirty miles long from north to south, and a little less than twelve miles wide. In this condition it remained two years; meanwhile, Richland County was formed, which included Green and Madison Townships, and new boundaries were immediately established. Green was cut down August 9, 1814, to a territory twelve miles square, in the southeast corner of the county. The following year (1815), it was cut in two by a line running north and south through its center, the east half retaining the name of Green, being then six by twelve miles in extent. In this shape it remained until 1818, when it was divided by a line running east and west through the center, and thus reduced to its present dimensions - six miles square - Hanover being created from the southern half.

The name - Greentown - originated from the fact of the settlement of a Tory - Thomas Green - on the spot, where the Indians assisted in building the village. This man, if he may be considered a settler, was the first white settler in this part of the country. Hecame here

British and Indians at the massacre at Wyom- | ing, and for this crime, was afterward compelled to flee for his life and bury himself in the great forests of Ohio. He can hardly be | considered a settler in the proper sense of that word. He was a renegade, and did not come here with the intention of settling in a particular spot,and did not probably remain for any | length of time in one place. He was here years before any survey had been made; he could not and did not enter land; he did not, probably, want land, or a permanent home; he resided with the Indians, and probably hunted, fished and traded for a living. He might have planted corn and tilled the soil to a certain extent, but so did the Indians. His name, however, is perpetuated in the village, and, if deserving of any notice whatever, it belongs in the history of this township. He cannot be appears to have stopped on the Black Fork, at least long enough to establish a permanent village, and had influence enough among his dusky neighbors to give it his name. Green may have been the first white man in the county, but it is not likely, as Girty, McKee and other renegades were through here thirty or forty years before the surveyors came.

Mr. Norton, in his history of Knox County, makes Andrew Oraig the first settler in Green Township, and also in 'Ashland County. He gives this description of Craig: "He was, at a very early day, a sort of frontier character, fond of rough and tumble life, a stout, rugged man, bold and dare-devil in disposition, who took delight in hunting, wrestling and athletic sports ; a 'hail fellow, well met' with the Indians then inhabiting the country. He was from the bleak, broken mountainous region of Virginia, and as hardy a pine knot as ever that country produced. He was in this country when Ohio was in its territorial condition, and, when this wilderness was declared to be in the county of Fairfield, the sole denizen of this entire district tabernacled with a woman ina rough-log hut close by the little Indian field, about a half mile east of where Mount Vernon now exists, and at the point where Center Run empties into the Ko-ko-sing. There Andrew Craig lived when Mount Vernon was laid out, in 1805; there he was upon the organization of Knox County, its oldest inhabitant, and there he continued until 1809. Such a harum-scarum fellow could not rest easy when white men got thick around him, so he left and went to the Indian village - Greentown - and from there emigrated further out on the frontier, preferring red men for neighbors."

If the above is a true picture, even Andrew Craig cannot be called the first settler, or a settler at all, as he appeared to be one of those restless border spirits that do not come under the head of "settler." He did not propose to be hampered in his movements by civilization. The first settlement of the township, however, occurred in 1809, as others besides Andrew Craig came in at that time and remained. Henry McCart was in that neighborhood ; and Henry Newman says that one peculiarity of McCart was that he dressed his children, of whom he had half a dozen or more, girls and boys, all alike. The dress was buckskin throughout - buckskin pantaloons and long buckskin coat reaching nearly to the knee and confined at the waist with a belt. No one was able to tell his girls and boys apart, as they

The Moravian missionary, Heckewelder, passed through Greentown, with other white men, in 1808. He says: "In the year 1808, | while I was riding with a number of gentlemen through Greentown (an Indian town in the State of Ohio), I heard an Indian in his house, who, through a crevice, saw us passing, say in his language to his family : - 'See! What a number of people are coming along! What! and among all these not one Long Knife? All Yen-, gess!' Then probably observing me, he said to himself: 'No! one Quakel! (Quaker)." It is evident that Rev. John Heckewelder and probably other missionaries had been preaching to these Indians many years, for when Mr. James Copus came and settled near them in 1809, and preached to them occasionally, he found many among them who partially understood the English language, and it was evident from their actions and conversation that they were accustomed |. to the holding of religious meetings. James Cunntingham and Samuel Lewis were also here in 1809, and settled in the neighborhood of this village. In 1810, the following settlers were found in that vicinity, in addition to those already mentioned: George Crawford, David Davis, Frederick Zimmer, Jr., Phillip Zimmer, John Lambright, Peter Kinney, Edward Haley, John Davis, a widower, Allen Oliver, Charles and Bazel Tannehill, John Coulter, Melzer Coulter, Archibald Gardner, Calvin Hill, and their families. These did not all settle in Green ' Township, but a few of them did, and all settled so near each other, along the Black Fork and Rocky Fork, as to become neighbors. They were ' mostly of German descent,from Western Pennsylvania and Virginia. The war of 1812 stopped the emigration fora year or two, but in 1814-15 the following settlers had been added to those in Green: Trew Peter, William Brown, John Shehan, Ahira Hill, Asa Brown, Lewis, John and Adam Crossen, Stephen Vanscoyoe, Noah Custard, David Hill, Lewis Pierce, William Slater, John Murphy, Henry Naugh, John Pool, William Irvin, Moses Jones and Ebenezer Rice. Mr. Rice came in 1811, and settled on Section 29. From 1815 until 1824, the following additional names. appear as settlers in the township: James Byers, Section 23; Conrad Castor, Section 22; Jonathan Coulter, Samuel Graham, Section 17; Andrew Humphrey ; William Hunter, Section 26; William Taylor, Section 21 ; William Wallace, Section 24 ; John

White, Isaac Wolf, Section 25; and many others, whose names are not now recalled. Abraham Baughman and John Davis were among the earliest settlers in this township - perhaps the earliest. They were here when Peter Kinney arrived, in 1810; how long they had been here, or where they came from, does not appear. Baughman, who was a man of family, lived near Greentown, while Davis, who was a widower and kept "bachelor's hall," settled on Section 31. He had been a Revolutionary soldier, and some years subsequent to his settlement in the township, was found dead on the roadside, above Chillicothe, to which place he been to draw his pension. This township settled very rapidly after the war of 1812; Greentown being located on a sort of thoroughfare, over which a majority of emigrants, seeking homes in the West must pass. The consequence was that many who intended going further west and who halted in the settlement for a day or two, remained and became permanent.

When the war of 1812 began this was, of course; a frontier settlement, and having.a band of Indians in their very midst, the settlers felt a continual sense of insecurity. They knew not what moment their hitherto friendly red brothers might take a notion to massacre the entire settlement. British agents were in continual correspondence with them, and endeayoring to influence them to take up the hatchet, and put on the war paint. It was not strange, therefore, that when Martin Ruffner and the Zimmer family were murdered, the entire settlement were panic-stricken, and made all haste for the block-houses in the vicinity, and discussed seriously the matter of deserting the country entirely. There were men among them, however, who had cool heads and brave hearts, whose counsels prevailed. A few, however, left the country entirely, going back where they came from, to remain until after the war, and some never to return again to Ohio. About thirty persons from this settlement went to

Clinton, Knox County, among whom were Ebenezer Rice, Joseph Jones, Calvin Hill, Abraham Baughman, J. L. Hill, and their families. Peter Kinney, James Cunningham, 'Andrew Craig, David Davis, William Slater, John Wilson, Peter Zimmerman, Harvy Hill, Henry McCart and Henry Nail, with their families, fled to Lewis' block-house, on the Clear Fork. Most of these families made a temporary stay at the block-house, returning frequently during the fall months, to their cabins, to look after their stock, etc. The next day after the flight to Lewis' block-house, Harvy Hill and John Coulter, who aided the fugitives in driving along most of their cattle, returned, and by the aid of the Tannehills, Olivers, and some others, the reof of Thomas Coulter's cabin was taken off, a second story put on, and it became "Coulter's block-house.' This cabin was about sixteen by eighteen feet, and had been erected in 1810. It stood at the base of a bold bluff, on the bank of the Black Fork, halfa mile southeast of the village of Perrysville. As soon as pied by Thomas Coulter, Allen Oliver, Melzer Tannehill, Jeremiah Conine, George Crawford, and the families of these gentlemen. Thomas Coulter and Harvy Hill then volunteered to go to Wooster, through the forest, at that time a dangerous undertaking as was supposed, to secure soldiers to defend the settlement. They succeeded in obtaining a guard of eleven soldiers under command of Lieut. Wintringer, of the Tuscarawas militia of the army of Gen. Beall, then collecting at Wooster. The guard accompanied them home, and in the daytime scouted through the hills and valleys for Indian signs, and stood guard at the blockhouse at night. While a resident of the blockhouse, the wife of Jeremiah Conine died, and was buried in the cemetery at Perrysville. She was the second person interred in that ground ; Samuel Hill, who died the preceding June, being the first.

With the removal of the Greentown Indians by the Government. disappeared forever the red men as a tribe from this part of the country. Two of their trails, well marked and much used, passed through the township ; one from the direction of Mifflin, down the east side of the Black Fork to Greentown, where it was joined by another from the direction of Lucas ; then it passed near the track of the Pittsburgh Railroad, a little north of the present site of Loudonville, continuing down the valley through Holmes County toward the Lake Fork of the Mohican. The other trail kept down the south side of the Black Fork from Greentown to the Walhonding ; then to the forks of the Muskingum. 'These trails were evidently their great highways to the East, over which the war parties of the Wyandots and Delawares frequently passed on their marauding expeditions into the infant settlements of Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.

It is said that the scenery along the Black Fork and in the vicinity of this Indian village was of unrivaled beauty. The banks of the streams resembled a vast greenhouse, where choice flowers, flowering shrubs, and plants of every variety peculiar to this climate might be seen, growing in wild luxuriance, filling the air of all the country with sweet perfume. In May, when the trees were in full leaf, with an undergrowth of shrubbery, pea-vines, and sedgegrass, intertwined by wild grape-vines, and in the glades, black haw, red haw and plum-trees in abundance ; and all echoing with the merry songs of birds and chirp of squirrels leaping

As may be inferred, Green Township is rich in Indian relics, and archeological specimens. These have been gathered by the hundred, and are now safely deposited in the cabinets of curiosity seekers, or in possession of the inhabitants. The plow continues to turn up a few every year. Ancient earthworks also exist which receive attention in another chapter. | The soil was favorable for the erection of these works, being rolling and sandy in places, while streams and springs of water are abundant in every direction. The Black Fork enters the township from its western borders, flowing in a southeastern course until it reaches Loudonville in Hanover Township. Messrs. Coulter, Oliver, Rice and others, in an early day, constructed flat-boats, freighted them with pork, flour and whisky, and ran them to New Orleans. These boats would average about 15 feet in width, 50 feet in length, and would carry 40 or 50 tons. Clear Creek runs about a mile through the southwest corner; and Honey Creek originates in the Quaker Springs, near the southeast line of Vermillion Township. and pursues a southwardly course through Green, terminating in the Black Fork.

Where the village of Greentown stood, there is now, and has been for many years, a cultivated farm, and there is nothing special to mark this historic spot. A monument should be erected here while there are yet those living who can point out the location. It is about two and a half miles up the Black Fork from the town of Perrysville. John Shambaugh has for many years owned the farm upon which the village was located, but has recently sold it.

portation of any kind gave an outlet to produce. Corn was about the only marketable thing the farmer could raise. This would bring the money at the distilleries. These gradually went out of existence, as canals, and finally

Several mills have been erected, from time to time, in the township. The settlers first went to Mount Vernon for their grinding, and later, to the mill at Newville. The "Darling" mill, on Clear Fork, was erected probably as early as 1818 or 1820. The "Striuger" mill was erected in 1842, on the Black Fork, one mile below Perrysville - now owned by William Endslow. One of the early mills was erected by Isaac Meaner in the northeast corner of the township ; it is now operated by a Mr. Wolf. One of the early mills was also located on Honey Creek, three miles northeast. of Perrysville; it was erected by Jesse Vanzile - now owned by A. J. Royer. The mill now owned by William Ward, two and a half miles west of Perrysville, is located on a large spring. The first mill in this place was erected by William Clemmens. This was subsequently taken down and the present one erected by Nicholas Swearengéen.

Church matters have not been neglected, there being five churches in the town and township. Rev. John Heckewelder was probably the first preacher within its limits, visiting, as has been mentioned, the Greentown Indians as a missionary at a very early day. James Copus, who was killed by these Indians, was also one of thé earliest preachers. Outside of the town are two churches - one formerly a Methodist, located in the northeast corner, organized and the house erected about 1837. The society becoming feeble, the church was purchased by Christians of different denominations, and has since been used for general church purposes. The other is the Greentown Baptist Church - first a brick, erected in 1837, two and a half miles northeast of Perrysville; this was pulled down in 1879, and a frame erected at a cost of

Perrysville contains three churches at present. The Presbyterian was one of the earliest in the township, the organization dating back to 1818. No building was, however, erected until 1833. In 1865, a new frame was erected costing about $2,500.

The Baptist Church seceded from the old Greentown Baptist Church, organized and erected a frame church building in 1865, at a cost of $2,300. The Methodists for many years had a class in Perrysville, but no building until 1873, when they erected the present frame. Perrysville was laid out, according to the statement of Mr. Rice and other old settlers, in 1812, though the plat does not appear on the records until three years later. About the time it was laid out, the battle on Lake Erie was fought by Commodore Perry - hence the name of Perrysville. The proprietors were

Crawford. Its first settlers were the Hills, Coulters and Tannehills, the first coming from Vermont and the two latter from Pennsylvania. There are two ancient mounds near the town, and during last year while excavating for gravel (they are constructed principally of gravel), two skeletons were found in an indifferent state of preservation.

'The town contains, perhaps, three or four hundred people, and is situated on the Black Fork; and the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, on a sandy bottom among the hills. It contains three dry-goods stores, which, however, are not confined to dry goods alone; two grocery, one hardware, two drug and one boot and shoe store; two foundries, one hotel, many shops of different kinds, and the usual number of mechanics in the various trades.

Education has not been neglected. The first schoolhouse in the town was erected on Lot No. 36, and was hewed log. The next - a frame - was erected nearly on the site of the first. The third was erected in 1854, in Coulter's Addition - a frame about 24x30 feet. It is yet standing, but is used as a dwelling. The fourth house was also erected in Coulter's Addition. It is a two-story frame, and is yet in use for school purposes. The town is now divided into two districts, the Black' Fork being the dividing line.

In 1865, Prof. J. C. Sample started a select school in the Presbyterian Church. This school was a success, and in two or three years a stock. company was formed and erected the present academy, at a cost of $4,000. Prof. Sample is yet Principal, and has a houseful of students, many of them from a distance. Per- | rysville is a quiet, orderly, pleasant village.