Sandusky County, Ohio - Chapter 8: Civil Government. Organization of the County, 1909

Chapter 8: Civil Government. Organization of the County

First Township Elections and Names of V oters - Early Inhabitants at Close of War of 1812 - First County Election and Names of Electors - Oficers Elected - County Commissioners Meet and Organize - Extracts From Record of Their Proceedings - Townships of Thompson, Seneca, Portage, Townsend, Fort Seneca, Bailville, Clinton, Green Creek and Finley

Taxable Property in Years of 1820, 1822, 1823, 1824 and 1825 - First Annual Election and Names of Voters - Names of Taxpayers on Duplicate for Year 1822 by

Although the county was erected on the r2th day of February, 1820, the act creating the same did not take effect until April 1st. The act provided that on the first Monday of April, 1820, the legal voters of the county, and county attached thereto (Seneca) should assembie in their respective places of holding township elections, and elect countv and township offcers; and further provided that the temporary seat of justice should be fixed at Croghansville, until commissioners appointed by the general assembly, for that purpose, should fix the permanent seat of justice for the county. (Chase 2135.) Its entire population was then less than one thousand souls including the territory of Seneca County.

The first reference to local civil government, affecting Lower Sandusky, was the action of the county commissioners of Delaware County in annexing it to Radnor Township in that county, April 29, 1811, to "enjoy township privileges so far as is agreeable to law," but there was no local election held nor any other proceedings which can be found with reference to the matter.

Elections were held under the Lower Sandusky Township organization by Huron County, while this region was within the civil jurisdiction of that county. The first was _ held August 15, 1815, as before mentioned, and township officers were elected. We have no record of the names of the voters at this elec- tion, but at the next election, which was held October 10, 1815, the list of names of the voters has been preserved. The names are William Andrews, Thoda A. Rexford, Daniel McFarland, Asa Stoddard, Wiliam Ford, Israel Harrington, Elisha Harrington, Randall Jerome, Jeremiah Everett, Moses Nichols, Anthony Arndt, Joseph Done, Obediah Morton, Jonathan Jerome, Joel Thomas, Thomas D. Knapp, Peleg Cooley, Antoine Laurent, Isaac Lee, Joseph Mominne, Charles B. Fitch, John M. Clung, Henry Disbrow, James Whitaker (son of the captive), Nathaniel Camp, Samuel Avery, Peter Menare, Lewis de Leonard - twenty-eight in all. APPRAISEMENT OF HOMES IN 1816.

This was made by Charles B. Fitch and Daniel Hill and was as follows: There were only eight houses appraised: Morns A. Newman, one, $250; Moses Nichols, one, $100; Israel Harrington, one, $300; Aaron Forgerson, one, $200; Randall Jerome, three, $450; Thomas Brown, one, of $150. At the October election in 1816, thirty-three votes were cast; most of the voters lived in and about the lower rapids and some had homes there. The place was just beginning to assume something of a village appearance. We give the names of the voters at this election: Joseph Harris, William Andrews, T. A. Rexford, Obediah Norton, William Avery. Moses Nichols, Almeron Sands, Daniel McFarland, Samuel Avery,

There were but iew white inhabitants here at the time of the defense of Fort Stephenson, as is evidenced by a petition to Governor Meigs, December 21, 1813, as follows:

"May it please your excellency: The undersigned inhabitants and settlers on the plains of Lower Sandusky, on the reservation, beg leave to humbly represent their situation * * * * * Many of us have been severe sufferers since the commencement of the present war, = = = * * We ido mot, melther can we, attempt to claim any legal right to the ground or spot of earth on which we have each individually settled ; but the improvements which we have made and the buildings which we have erected we trust will not be taken from us. * * * * * Permission io build has been granted by General Gano to those who have erected cabins since his arrival. Morris A. Newman, Israel Harrington, George Bean, George Ermatington, R. E. Post, Asa Stoddard, R. Loomis, Jesse S. Skinner, William Leach Walter Brabrook, Louis Moshelle Wilham Hamilton, Lewis Geaneau, Patrick Cress."

It will be remembered that the land had not yet been opened to sale, but was owned by the Government. It was surveyed into four sections in June, 1807, by William Ewing, deputy surveyor. (See map in this chapter.) In the field notes of this survey there are some interesting notations, one of which we here give: "From the post at the center of the reserve run south between Sections 3 and 4, 5. ch. a small corn field belonging to Mr. Badger. His house stands about 10 ch. west of the livie; the river on the east of the line; 10 ch. out of the corn field.' fs old Indian town is also mentioned. This would place Badger' corn field along the ae bank of the river, between C roghan Street and Birchard Avenue, and his house in what is now Fort Stephenson Park. The house is noted in the map, as is also an Indian castle. Mr. Badger was a minister of the gospel and preached as a missionary to the Indians at Lower Sandusky. He was influential in preventing the Wyandots in this locality from joining Tecumseh, and in con- vineing them that they ought not to go to war against the Americans, Further reference to him may be found in the chapter on Church History.

When Sandusky Couuty was erected and when the first county election was held therein its territory comprised only two civil townships, namely: Sandusky and Croghan, the former embracing all the land west and the latter all east of the Sandusky River, lying within the boundaries shown by the map given in a previous chapter. As we have seen, the township of Lower Sandusky, when organized in 1815, embraced all this territory both east and west of the river. We have also seen that when Croghan was organized in 18ig it embraced all in the east side of the river. Just when or by what official action the township west of the river received the name Sandusky nunus the designation "Lower" does not appear ; but in the official proceedings recorded in the Journal of the Common Pleas Court and in that of the county commissioners, from the time of the organization of the county, the name is simply Sandusky, when mention is made of the township, on the west side. So it would seem, after the east was cut off from Lower Sandusky Township by forming Croghan, that the term lower was no longer used, with reference to the township, nor the village, until the whole two-mile square reserve was incorporated as the "Town ot Lower Sandusky" February 9, 1829 (27 OLL. 83).

Poll Book and result of nes frst election held in the townsh ip of Sandusky, in the county of Sandusky on the 3d day of April, 1820, for the purpose of choosing county officers - Israel Harrington, Jesse S. Olmsted and James Gallagher, judges; Jaques Hulburd and Joseph Chaffee. clerks. No. Name of Electors. No. Name of Electors. 1. Joseph Gale. 11. Elisha Risden, 2. Joseph Russell. t2. Asa B. Gavitt 3. Joseph Perry. 13. Seldin Champion. 4. James Manning. i4. Stephen Moore. 5. Michael Andrews. 15. Josiah Rumery. 6. Thomas P. Reynolds. 16. T. A. Rexford, 7. William Lewis. 17. Thomas Ferguson. 8. Lawrence Lindle. 18. Samuel Cochran. 9. Geo. Shannon. 19. Dayid Cochran. 10, Joshua Davis. 20. Tsrael Harrington.

And Representative Citizens

No. Name of Electors. No. Name of Electors. 21. Geo. F. Bostwick. 71. Warner Stripe. 22. Phineas Frary. 72. Olion Granger. 23. Robert Reynolds. 73. John Weaver.

James Gallagher

It is by us certified, that the number of electors at this election amounted to 118. IsRAEL HARRINGTON, JAMES GALLAGHER, JessE S. OLMSTED. Judges. Jaques HuLsurp, JosEPpH CHAFFEE, Clerks.

Sheriff

Asa B. Gavit had sixty-two votes. Jeremiah Everett had sixty-three votes. Morris Newman had seventy-five votes. Caleb Rice had forty-one votes.

Moses Nichols had sixty-five votes. Oliver Granger had fifteen votes. Samuel Cochran had seven votes. Jesse Olmsted had one vote. Thomas Webb had one vote. A. Gavit had one vote. Timothy S. Smith had one vote

Coroner

CORONER. Oliver Granger had seventy votes. Timothy S. Smith had thirty-two votes. Nicholas Whitinger had three votes. Daniel Brainard had two votes.

148 HISTORY No. Names of Voters. No. Names of Voters. 51. Joseph Jacan. 55. James Rior. 52. Samuel Baker. 56. Abijah Jacon. 53. John Cooley. 57. Morris A. Newman. 54. James Nugent. It is by us certified, that the number of electors at this election amounted to fifty-seven. THomas EMERSON, J. M. Nye RueEt Loomis, Judges of Election. Wiis E. Brown, Jesse H. NEwMAN, Clerk. We do hereby certify that for, SHERIFF. Willis E. Brown had forty-seven votes. Josiah Rumery had five votes. Nicholas Whitinger had four votes. Calvin Leezen had two votes. COM MISSIONERS. Morris A. Newman had fifty-seven votes. Thomas Webb had fifty-two votes. Charles B. Fitch had seventeen votes. Caleb Rice had four votes. Jeremiah Everett had eighteen votes. Asa B. Gavit had two votes. Moses Nichols had five votes. CORONER. Jonathan Jerome had fourteen votes. J. M. Nye had thirty-two votes. - Oliver Granger had four votes. Timothy Smith had one vote. THOMAS EMERSON, J. M. Nye, RueEL Loomis, Judges of Election. Wutis E. Brown, Clerk.

It will further appear from the original abstract on file, in the county clerk's office, duly certified, that Willis E. Brown was elected to the office of sheriff; Morris A. Newman, Jeremiah Everett, on April 4, 1820, were duly elected county commissioners, and that Oliver Granger was elected to the office of coroner.

It also appears from the original certificate of Jaques Hulburd, justice of the peace, on file, that Morris A. Newman, Moses Nichols and Jeremiah Everett, on April 4, 1820, were duly sworn according to law as such county commissioners.

Morris A. Newman, Jeremiah' Everett and Moses Nichols having been elected and qualified as county commissioners of Sandusky County, Ohio, held their first session at the house of Morris A. Newman in the town of Croghansville, the temporary seat of justice, on Saturday, April' 3, Av 195, 1820,

Ordered that this meeting be and is hereby adjourned until Monday, the 1oth instant, at 4 o'clock p. m., on said day at the house of Israel Harrington in Sandusky.

Met in pursuance to the above adjournment at. the house of Israel Harrington on Monday the 10th day of April, 1820, when Jesse H. Newman was qualified and took the oath of office required by law as clerk of the commissioners.

Be it remembered that this day, personally came Jaques Hulburd, county clerk pro tem, Willis E. Brown, sheriff, Nicholas Whitinger, treasurer for the county of Sandusky, and several gave bonds, conditioned for the faith-

Ordered that this meeting be and is hereby adjourned until Tuesday, the 25th day of April, 1820, at 1 o'clock, p. m., at the house of Morris A. Newman, Esq., in the town of Croghansville.

Commissioners met in pursuance to an adjournment at the house of Morris A. Newman, on Tuesday, the 25th day of April, in the year 1820, in the town of Croghansville.

Now ordered, that a township be detached from the township of Croghan, by the name of Thompson, bounded as follows: Beginning at the southeast corner of the Seneca reservation, thence north from the Seneca reservation to the present trailed road from Croghansville: to Strong's settlement, till it shall intersect the

Firelands, thence south with said line to the base line, thence west along the said line till a line run due north will strike the place of beginning. The qualified electors of the township of Thompson are ordered to meet on Saturday the 6th day of May next at the house of Joseph Parmenter, for the purpose of electing their township officers, at 10 o'clock, a. m., on said day, and then and there proceed to elect said officers as the law directs.

Ordered that a township be detached from the township of Sandusky by the name of Seneca, bounded as follows: to include all that of Seneca County not set off in Thompson Township.

It will be remembered that when Sandusky County was erected, that Seneca County was also erected at the same time, but its territory was attached to Sandusky County for judicial purposes.

On May 8, 1820, page 11 of this record, will be found the following order: Ordered that a township be detached from the township of Sandusky by the name of Portage, bounded as follows: Commencing at the mouth of the Muscallonge Creek, thence running south along the creek till it intersects the road going from Sandusky to Fort Meigs; thence with the road to the east line of Wood County; thence north with the said line to the lake; thence with the meanders of said lake till it shall intersect the east (west) line of Huron County; thence south along said line to the shores of Sandusky Bay; thence with the meanders of the Bay to the place of beginning, and to include Islands in the Bay belonging to Sandusky County.

ghansville to be known by the name of Townsend Township, bounded as follows, to wit: Beginning on the east bank of Green Creek at the division line between Sandusky and Seneca Counties ; from thence east with said line to the east line of the Seneca Reserve, thence north along said line until it shall intersect the present road leading from Croghansville to Strong's settlement; thence along said road to the Huron County line; thence north along said line to the Sandusky Bay; thence north along the said Bay shore to the mouth of Green Creek, and thence with the east bank of the main creek to the place of beginning.

Tavern Licenses Granted for the Year 1820 - Morris A. Newman, Croghansville, $15.00; Israel Harrington, Sandusky Township, $15.00; William Andrus, Sandusky Township, $15.00; Samuel Cochran, Sandusky Township, $6.00.

Township. Houses. Value. Horses. Cattle. SanguskViscee cankerasaiios 21: $3,535 18 48 Croghaniis.. sses eee eae 14 64 SP BOMPSOM eas iofers accor ek 23 83 S CneCa eri ne OnE 37 108 Portage seen soseacece => = 15 94 BLOWIISCHCE chistes ne 20 141

County Tax Levied For 1820

Commissioners met August 5, 1820. COUNTY TAX LEVIED FOR 1820. Ordered that there be a county tax levied on the taxable property of the county at the rate of 10 cents per head of each heat of neat cattle and 30 per each head of horses. Ordered that Josiah Rumery be appointed collector. to collect the county tax for the year 1820. Thereupon follows the record of the bond of Josiah Rumery as county collector in the

Nicholas Whitinger was appointed county treasurer. He settled his accounts with the county commissioners on December 5, 1821, as the following record shows:

NicholasmW biting er yuna es eine. 2a) Cees. aoe $10.34 This account was duly allowed by the commissioners and attested by Josiah Rumery, auditor. GREEN CREEK TOWNSHIP.

March 4, 1822. Ordered that- there be a township detached from the township of Townsend as follows, to include all of township Number 4 in Range 16 east, to be bounded by the United States Survey, and to be known by the name of Green Creek; and that they meet at the house of Samuel Baker on the first Monday in April next for the purpose of electing township officers.

March 6, 1822. Ordered that there be a township detached from Sandusky Township to be organized by the name of Ballville Township, and bounded as follows, to-wit: to include ° all of the six-mile square, according to the United States Survey designating the township as Number 4, with Range 15 east, and that an election be held at David Chambers for the election of officers on the first Monday in April, 1822.

March 6, 1822, the commissioners settled with Josiah Rumery as follows: Be it remembered that Josiah Rumery having formerly been appointed county collector for the year

Ordered that Josiah Rumery receive the sum of thirty-three dollars in full for his services as auditor up to the 6th of March 1822. Rumery was appointed auditor September 22, 1821, and thus it appears that his compensation as auditor was $30.00 for his services from September 22, 1821, to March 6, 1822, five and one half months.

Ordered that there be a township detached from the township of Eden and bounded as follows: Commencing at the place where the township line between two and three strikes the river on the east bank of Sandusky River, thence' east with said line to the northeast corner of township Number 2 in Range Number 15 east, thence south with the range line between Ranges 15 and 16 to the southeast corner of the aforesaid township; thence west on the township line, between Township 1 and 2 north, to the river aforesaid; thence southwardly with the meanders of the river to the place of beginning. Officers to be elected June 15, 1822.

Jaques Hulburd was allowed twenty-two dollars in full for his services as county auditor and predecessor of Rumery. His term commenced in February, 1821, appointed by the Legislature. In June, 1822, the auditor was instructed to hire the room of Nicholas Whitinger for an office for the county commissioners, so long as it could be obtained, and that a chest be made large enough to contain the official papers of the county commissioners.

The commissioners met for the purpose of receiving the resignation of Josiah Rumery as auditor, and to appoint another in his room. Ordered that said resignation be accepted and recorded and that Thomas L. Hawkins be appointed auditor in the room of Josiah Rumery, resigned. Green Creek, October 11, 1822.

To Morris A. Newman, Giles Thompson and Moses Nichols, County Commissioners of Sandusky County, Greeting. Gentlemen: You are hereby presented with my resignation of the auditor's office. I send with this the commisioner's book. All other papers will be given up on the receipt of the auditor next appointed which, I recollect, is the express direction of the law.

Jost1AwH RUMERY. November 2, 1822. Thomas L. Hawkins, Esq. Sir: You are hereby notified that you are appointed auditor in the room of Josiah Rumery resigned. Moses NIcHots, Gites THOMPSON, M. A. NEwman. December 2, 1822.

River Scene, Woodville Lime Plant, Woodville

December 3, 1820. Ordered that township Number 3 in Ranges 13, 14 and 15 be detached from Seneca Township, and to compose a township to be known and called by the name of Fort Seneca. Election was held at the house of James McCollister on the first Monday in January, 1821, for the election of township officers. Page 102.

Tax Duplicate For The Year 1822

Sandusky County, To Nicholas Whitinger Jr., for services rendered said county as county treasurer during the year the 3d ot March 1823, $8.97. Page 129. Nicholas Whitinger, County Treasurer.

On page 140 is found the county treasurer's report of receipts and payments for the year ending March 1, 1823, from which it appears that the total amount received was $293.02.

Tax Duplicate For 1823

FINLEY TOWNSHIP. July 30, 1823. Ordered, That there be detached from Eden Township and to be called and known by the name of Finley Township,

An exhibition of the receipts and expenditures of Sandusky County from che gth day of June, A. D., 1823, to the first day of June, A: D., 1824:

Tax Duplicate For The Year 1824

The townships of Clinton, Eden, Seneca, Fort Seneca and Thompson, during this year, belonged to Seneca County, which had now become organized, and will be hereinafter omitted.

First Annual October Election, 1820

The following are correct lists of the names of electors at the annual election October Io, 1820, by townships, taken from the original poll books.

Plat Of The U. S. Reservation At The Lower Rapids Of The Sandusky River

B to C. Some river bottom; balance 2d-rate upland. C to D. Part 2d-rate; balance 3d-rate upland thinly timbered. D to E. First-rate; ash, elm, maple, oak, bayswood, hickory, etc. Level. F to G. Generally first-rate. G to H. Part first-rate, part second-rate, and a part wet, marshy land. Oak, ash, etc. H to A. Good land; w. and b. oak, elm, ash, etc. Level. Interior Quarter-section Corners. Between Sections. 1 and 2. Jand first-rate; prairie on river bottom. 2 and 3. First-rate. Elm, ash, w. and b. oaks, hickory, maple and walnut. Interior Section Corner. + and 1. Part river bottom; balance second-rate upland.