Scioto County, Ohio - Chapter 1 (2 of 3 so headed), 1903 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 1

Abstracts ofthe Acts to Incorporate the Town 'of Portsmouth - The Council Journal-Ordinances of the Town and City - Society Events, 1872-1882 Residents of Portsmouth, 1819 to 1821, from John G. Peebles' Manuscript -

Acts Of Incorporation

The town plat of Portsmouth was made by Major Henry Massie in April, 1803. He was the original proprietor of the entire town site, that is, the land was patented to him by the Government; but he had purchased entries made by others, William Lawson, Nathaniel Willis, Jeremiah McClain and Gen. Thomas Parker, who had made entries of portions of the site of Portsmouth before Massie, but who had not carried their titles into patent before they sold out to Massie. It is said that the name of the town was given it by Massie at the request of Captain Josiah Shackford, who was on the ground when Massie made his purchase. He requested Massie to name it for Portsmouth, N. H., and-promised in case Massie did, he would help build up the town. Massie accepted his proposition and gave it the name. Massie had a great deal of difficulty to make his town go. It was a mere locality until .the lst of March. 1815. He aimed to sell the land in bulk, and the outlots adjoining at $10.00 per acre, and then complained that the sale was slow at that.

Dec. 29, 1814, the Legislature passed an act to incorporate the Town of Portsmouth in the-County of Scioto. The taking effect of this act was postponed until the Ist of March, 1815. It contained 14 Sections. Section 2, provided that the white male free-holders and house-keepers should meet on the second Monday of March, and choose nine persons as President, Recorder and Common Councilmen of the town. The nine elected were to choose among themselves a President, a Recorder and Treasurer, and three were to retire each year, and three to be elected each year. Section 3, gave the nine Councilmen corporate succession, and all of them were required to take an oath of Office. Section 5, provided that they should appoint an Assessor, a Town Marshal, and a Clerk of the Market, and such other officers as they might deem necessary, and they might fine persons refusing to accept offices. Section 6, gave the Council the right to lay a tax, but no tax on real property was to be over one per cent on its value. This provision unhappily has not survived until the present time. Section 7, gave the Council power to erect wharves to make laws and ordinances, but they were to pass no laws subjecting hogs, cattle or sheep, not belonging to the town, to be abused therein or sold for coming into the corporation. No person was to be -imprisoned over 24 hours. This liberal provision has not survived. Section 8, made the Town Marshal collector of the town taxes, and gave him authority to sell lands for non-payment. Section 10, provided that anyone aggrieved at the action of the Town Council could appear to the Court of Common Pleas, but no such appeal was ever heard of. Section 11, required an annual election to be held on the second "Monday in March each year between ten in the morning and four in the afternoon. Section 14, gave the use of the County jail to the corporation. This law was amended on January 238, 1823. Section 1 of the amendatory law gave the

President of Council the powers of a Justice of the Peace. Section 2 conferred the power to pass ordinances, etc., but excepted the country cattle, hogs and sheep from the jurisdiction of the town. Evidently the Legislature feared that the town authorities wanted to confiscate the cattle, hogs and sheep of the country people. Section 4 provided for an appeal from the decision of the members of the Council to the Court of Common Pleas. Section 5 required every able bodied male and house-holder or land-holder to work the roads two days, and authorized a tax on dogs and other property.

In March, 1888, the original act to incorporate the town was amended by an act of 23 Sections. Section 2 provided for the election of the Mayor on the second Monday of March, 1838, and prescribed his duties. His term was two years. Section 8 provided for the election of the Town Marshal for one year, and the Town Treasurer for two years. Section 5 provided for the President of the Town Council also a Recorder and Town Clerk. Section 8 provided for licensing taverns, coffee houses, and ferries across the Scioto and Ohio rivers. Section 9, provides for three wards and each ward was to elect three councilmen. Section 10 provided for authority for the town to borrow $100,000 at not over 7 per cent, and to borrow $10,000 without public vote. Section 11 required six weeks newspaper notice of improving the property of non-residents. Section 12 provided for lighting the town. Section 13 provided for vacancies in office. Section 14 provided for Common Schools. Section i5 provided for purchasing sites for a school house in each district. Section 16 provided for taxation, for school trustees and management. Section

19 provided fora Board of five School Examiners and Visitors. Section 22 provided for leasing school lots. Section 24 provided for fire companies. Section 25 authorized subscription to stock of Turnpike or Canal Companies. Section 26 provided for labor on the streets.

In i838, there was a public pamphlet of 79 pages, containing the foregoing, laws of the town ordinances at that time. John R. Turner was President of the Council and Joseph Riggs, Recorder. On May 4, 1838, three wards were established, and an ordinance June 19, 1838, provided for a street commissioner. The ordinance of September 21, 1838, provided for three school districts. :

The first Journal of the Common Council of the Town of Portsmouth, is found in an old book, not paged, but containing about 150 pages, not ruled, and yellow with age. It opens the 'Journal' with the proceedings of the President and Common Council of the Town of Portsmouth.

The first meeting was held at the Court House March 15, 1815. Thomas Waller, Nathan Glover, John Brown, David Gharky, Samuel B. Burt, William Huston, William Kendall, Nathan K. Clough and Josiah Shackford, nine in all were tthe first City Fathers. They organized by electing Thomas Waller, President, Nathan K. Clough, Recorder and David Gharky, Treasurer. They drew lots for terms, and Thomas Waller, Josiah Shackford and Nathan Glover drew the one year term. John Brown, William Huston and David Gharky drew the two year term. Samuel B. Burt, William Kendall and Nathan K. Clough were appointed a committee to draft rules. William Swords was elected Marshal. They adjourned until May 1, 1815. At that time, William Kendall and Samuel B. Burt were appointed a Committee to bring, in a bill on executions. David Gharky and Nathan Glover were appointed a committee to levy a corporation tax. Samuel B. Burt and Josiah Shackford were appointed a committee to bring in a bill to tax shows. They adjourned until the next day at the house of Henry Sheeley. On that date, they passed an ordinance in regard to streets, stud horses, indecent conduct of boatmen and others, to regulate the objects of taxation, creating the office of Supervisor, in regard to the duties of Marshal and regulating shows. The Council:met the third day and finished up their business in passing ordinances, regulating taxation, executions and removing nuisances. A bill was ordered brought in for draining non-residents' lots, and the Council then adjourned until the second Monday in June. Two orders were issued at this meeting. It was agreed that all orders should be signed by the President and Recorder. There was no meeting in June; but in July the Council met and resolved to build a school house. On July 8, at a meeting,

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N. K. Clough was allowed $2.00 for copying laws, and Henry Sheeley $2.50 for the use of his house, On the same date, William Kendall and William Huston were ordered to contract with Samuel B. Burt for a school house.

July 14, 1815, the Council met and resolved to manage the school and school lands; and at this time, Council also resolved to build a Market House.

July 28, 1815, at 9 o'cloeck in the morning the Council met at the house of Henry Sheeley, but adjourned until the 5th day of August at 2 P. M., without doing any business. Leases were ordered made of the school lots in order to raise money to build the school house. John Brown and Nathan K. Clough were appointed a committee to lease school lands. The contract was made with John Brown for the Market House.

On Monday, September 11, 1815, a committee was appointed to bring in a bill in regard to keeping dogs, also a bill respecting fires. The tax question seemed very important at that time, for on the 10th of November, 1815, the committee on the keeping of dogs, asked for more time and for another member of the committee, making three, which request was granted.

; December 29, 1815, John Young was elected in place of Nathan Glover, who had removed, and several bills were introduced, read and passed the next meeting.

January 5, 1816, an ordinance to prevent the keeping of dogs was passed also the ordinances in respect to the streets, to prevent making fires in the streets, in regard to issuing bills. The Council then adjourned until the 19th of January, 1816, to the house of John Brown. It does not appear what was done at this meeting. ~

February 16, 1816, it was resolved to push the building of the Market House. Josiah Shackford and John Young were appointed a committee to bring in a bill regulating the public well.

March 15, 1816, Thomas Waller, John R. Turner, William Lodwick, came in as the new Councilmen. Thomas Waller. was elected President; John Thornton, Supervisor; and Jacob Moore, Marshal. An ordinance was passed to drain the slough. This was Third street from Chillicothe to the west end of the street.

May 1, 1816, Council met at the house of John Brown, William Huston's seat was declared vacant because he failed to-attend, and Philip Moore was elected in his place. On the same date, Thomas Waller was appointed Town Surveyor, the first one. This was the. beginning of the office of City Civil Wngineer. A bill for the surveying of lumber was ordered to be brought in by a committee appointed for that purpose, also a bill to regulate Markets.

May 10, 1816, Ezra Osborn was allowed $4.00 for assessing the property in Portsmouth. An ordinance for the measuring of lumber was made a law, and the Town bought a plow and scraper. Usually a special committee was appointed to bring in each bill and all were introduced as reports. An ordinance was passed to prevent the improper use of water from the public wells, and aiso creating a Town Supervisor. John. Young was appointed Surveyor of lumber. Samuel Wilson was allowed $63.00 in balance for building the market house.

June 10, 1816, a bill regulating the Market was read and passed. This bill provided for a Clerk of the Market, and Jacob Moore was elected to that office. William Kendall was allowed $9.00 for printing the corporation bills. John R. Turner, William Kendall and N. K. Clough were appointed a commitee to report regulations as to wagoners putting their wagons on streets and alleys.

September 27, 1816, William Kendall and David Gharky were ordered to report a bill in regard to keeping hogs, and Jacob Moore was allowed $3.00 for his services as Clerk of the Market.

January 10, 1817, John Brown, Jr., was elected a member of the Council in place of Samuel B. Burt removed. The Committee on hogs asked for further time, the subject being very weighty.

March 10, 1817, at the corporation election, John Brown, Sr., David Gharky and Philip Moore were elected Councilmen for three years. David Gharky was elected Treasurer, Ezra Osborn Assessor, and John Noel (spelled Nowell) was elected Town Marshal, and John Brown Supervisor.

May 14, 1817, Nathan Wheeler was elected Councilman in place of John Brown, Sr., resigned. There were no records of any meeting between July 16, 1817 and April 1818. The Council evidently let the town take care of itself. $

In March, 1818, N. K. Clough, William Kendall and John Brown, Jr., were elected Councilmen by the other members of the Council. N. K. Clough was elected Recorder, and John Noel, Town Marshal. On the same date, a survey and plat of the town was ordered. N. K. Clough was allowed $4.00 for making out a duplicate of the town for 1817.

May 22, 1818, a bill was passed to prevent the spread of small pox. Drs. Thomas Waller and G. S. B. Hempstead were ordered to attend the house of David McCann and to prevent infection. There is no record of any further meetings until the 8th of March, 1819, when Thomas Waller, William Lodwick and John R. Turner were elected Councilmen for three years. Cornelius Mc- Coy was elected in place of John Brown removed. Jacob P. Noel was chosen in place of Philip Moore removed. Thomas Waller was elected President; John Noel, Marshal, and Hugh Cook was elected Supervisor, but declined. Nathan Wheeler was appointed in his place.

October 1, 1819, Jacob P. Noel, William Kendall and William Lodwick were appointed a committee to inspect the streets and alleys and to direct the Supervisors who were to work on the same. This was the first Committee on streets in the town of Portsmouth.

February 9, 1820, John R. Turner, William Lodwick and Jacob P. Noel were a committee to contract with some one to enclose the burial grounds.

March 14, 1820, Samuel Gunn was elected Councilman in place of William Kendall, resigned. On the same date, Jacob Clingman was elected Recorder, John Noel, Marshal, David Gharky was elected Treasurer and Jacob Clingman, Supervisor.

August 14, 1820, an ordinance to prevent fires, was passed. Cornelius McCoy asked to burn brick on lot No. 175. The request was referred to the committee.

March 12, 1821, a corporation election was held at the Court House. William Kendall, Samuel Gunn and N. K. Clough were elected Councilmen. John Noel was elected Marshal, and William Lodwick Supervisor. There is no record of any other meeting until March 11, 1822, when three Councilmen were elected and the following votes were cast, William Lodwick 44, Daniel Corwin 40, James B. Prescott 32. z

March 14, 1822, Thomas Waller retired from the Council. John R. Tur- ~ ner was elected President, Simon DeLong was elected Town Marshal, William Lodwick Supervisor, and John Hatch, Clerk of the Market.

March 15, 1822, a committee of Council reported that $502.00 in tieketa of corporation, were in circulation, and the Treasurer was accountable for $725.00, °

April 6, 1822, David Gharky, Treasurer, was removed by a unanimous vote of the Council for squandering the circulating medium of the Town, (Gorpor ation tickets.) Samuel Gunn was elected in his place,

April 24, 1822, the Council met at Willlam Lodwick's accounting room, An ordinance, to compel the citizens to keep fire buckets, was passed. Wil liam Lodwick was allowed to keep a wood yard under the bank in front of his store; and to bring the wood up on the first bank in case of high water, He was to pay one-half of one per cent on the wood sold, and there wae a tax of that amount levied on the property,

May 29, 1822, $50.00 was appropriated to fence the praveyard, and a Com mittee appointed to attend to it, David Gharky was then a member of the Council. $100.00 was appropriated to repair the Market House,

June 18, 1822, four pillars were added to the Market House, David Gharky entered his solemn protest against apending $50.00 to fence the grave yard, It seems he did this because the proposed tencing did not enclose the entire graveyard, but left some graves out, At the next meeting the bodies in these graves were ordered taken up and buried "in the enclosure,

Sept. 17, 1822, Nathan K, Clough and Daniel Corwin were appointed a Committee to wait on John H, Thornton, and purchase a Bull for the town,

Sept. 26, 1822, $68.00 was ordered paid John H, Thornton tor the Town Bull, less subseriptions. He was to keep it for $60.00 a year for hin services, No other meeting was recorded till January 8, 1823,

Jan. 8, 1828, a public meeting was called on Jan, 9, 1828. A GCommittee was appointed to protest against Henry Massie, selling the front of the Town,

March 14, 1828, Jacob Clingman was elected Councilman in place of N, K. Clough, resigned, John H. Thornton was elected Town Marshal, Dantel Corwin, Supervisor and Jacob Clingman, Reeorder, Samuel M, Tracy and Daniel Corwin were appointed a committee to write to Henry Masaie, Wdward King, lawyer from Chillicothe, was allowed an attorney fee in this case of the Corporation against Moore. This is the first record of any services performed _ by an Attorney for the Town of Portsmouth,

Mareh 21, 1828, Drs. Waller, Offnere and Hempstead were appointed a Committee to report on the slaughter houses in the Corporation, as atteeting the public health. A committee was also appointed to revise the rules and ore dinances, composed of Samuel M. Tracy, John Noel and Daniel Corwin,

May 5, 1828, William Carey was elected Councilman in place of James B. Prescott, removed trom town, $19.00 had been subseribed for the Town Bull, and $11.00 paid, Ordered that the subseription paper be sent around at 1 p.m. Adjourned until 4 p.m, when a number of ordinances were read,

May 12, 1828, Jacob Clingman resigned as Recorder and momber of the Council. Samuel M, Tracy was elected Recorder in his place, A. resolution was passed, stating that Henry Massie had only put locust stakes at lot corners, and that survey be made, and stone planted on Market atroet, Wirt Hast, Second Wast, West street, and irst West street, Kehoe and Corwin wore appointed a committee to cloan amd repair the publia well, The town waa dle vided into two wards, Wast and West, All below Market street wau the Waoat Ward, and all above was the Hast Ward. This was only for street purposes, Daniel Corwin was appointed Surveyor of the West Ward, and John Noel ot the Hast Ward.

May 19, 1828, Council went into a Committee of the whole to consider the purchase of fire ladders at $22.50. On the same date, a Committoe wan tre pointed to lease the school lots, William Lodwick was allowed $16.00 aa Sus

July 4, 1828, William Lodwick resigned as Councilman. Jacob Offnere was elected in his place. He refused to serve. Daniel Corwin also resigned. Elijah Glover and William Oldfield were elected in their places. Elijah Glover was elected Supervisor of the West Ward.

August 4, 1823, the committee on Markets was allowed $3.33. At this same time, Elijah Glover, James Lodwick and John Noel were appointed a street committee for 1823.

Sept. 12, 1823, John R. Turner resigned as President of the Council, and as a member. Jacob Clingman was elected President of the Council. At this time, Moses Gregory had two butcher stalls in the Market.

October 3, 1823, a committee was appointed to secure the front of the town, and to go to law about it. John Noel, William Oldfield and Elijah Glover were the Committee.

January 2, 1824, James Lodwick resigned as a member of the Council, and Wilson Gates was elected in his place. John Thornton agreed to keep the Town Bull until the 1st of May next for $17.00.

February 1, 1824, Murtaugh Kehoe resigned as a member of the Council, and Charles Rand was elected in his place. Alexander Caldwell was allowed $4.00 as Assessor for 1823.

March 8, 1824, a corporation election was held between the hours of 11 A. M. and 4 P. M. Samuel Gunn and Wilson Gates each thirteen votes, and Jacob Clingman, twelve; and they were all elected. ;

June 4, 1824, John H. Thornton was allowed $17.00 for keeping the Town Bull. Wilson Gates resigned as Councilman, and Jacob P. Noel was elected in his place.

June 11, 1824, John H. Thornton was elected Supervisor of the West Ward. The Council directed an ordinance prepared for the Health Board. Samuel M. Tracy, John Noel and Samuel Gunn were appointed to bring it in. This was the first move for a Board of Health in Portsmouth.

November 18, 1824, William Oldfield and Samuel Tracy were appointed a committee to print twenty-five copies of the ordinances. Charles Rand and John Noel was appointed a committee to sell the Town Bull. This is the last of the Town Bull. He was sold to Clinton Furnace.

March 14, 1825, the Corporation election was held. Ebenezer Corwin had 87 votes, William Oldfield 26, and Samuel G. Jones 21. All were elected.

June 3, 1825, John H. Thornton resigned as Town Marshal. Samuel G. Jones resigned as Councilman and was elected Marshal. John R. Turner was elected to Council in his place. Charles Rand resigned as Councilman, and G. 5S. B. Hempstead was elected in his place. This is Dr. Hempstead's first appearance in public office in the town of Portsmouth. Jacob Clingman resigned as President of the Council, and John R. Turner was elected in his place. G. S. B. Hempstead and Ebenezer Corwin were appointed a Committee to allow persons to work out the Corporation tax.

May 12, 1826, three members of the Council were elected by the others. William Peebles, Ebenezer Corwin and John Noel were elected a Committee on pavements. John Noel and Ebenezer Corwin were appointed a committee

June 22, 1826, G. S. B. Hempstead, John Noel and Samuel M. Tracy were appointed a committee to revise the laws and ordinances in the Corporation. Samuel M. Tracy was ordered to perpetuate testimony in regard to the claim of the land in front of the Town.

March 12, 1827, at the Corporation election, three Councilmen were elected by the following votes, Samuel Gunn 41, John McDonald 27 and James Lodwick 23.

March 19, 1827, Silas W. Cole, David Gharky and Havillah Gunn were elected Health Officers. No meeting was held from this date until July 26, 1827, when Zina Gunn was elected Health Officer in place of David Gharky, declined to serve.

July 26, 1827, Silas W. Cole was allowed $6.00 in payment for his service as Supervisor of the Hast Ward for 1827. G. S. B. Hempstead and John Mc- Donald were the Street Committee.

From this date until Dec. 14, 1827, no meeting was recorded. At that date, Kennedy Lodwick was elected Councilman in place of Ebenezer Corwin. James Lodwick was appointed to go to Louisville, Kentucky, to serve notice on Henry Massie to perpetuate testimony in regard to the front of the town. John R. Turner, Jacob P. Noel, G. S. B. Hempstead and Samuel M. Tracy were appointed a Committee to attend to perpetuating the testimony.

In March, 1828, no election was held, but on April 4, 1828, the Council elected Kennedy Lodwick, John R. Turner and William Oldfield to succeed themselves Nathaniel W. Andrews, Havillah Gunn,and Silas W. Cole were elected Health Officers. The Supervisors were ordered to ascertain the cost of reparing the public well, and to put in a pump.

April 18, 1828, the Committee on repairing of the public well, reported it would take $25.00 to $30.00 to repair it, and the Council resolved to ask the Commissioners to help; and a Committee was appointed to raise the subsubscriptions. John McDonald, Kennedy Lodwick and G. 5. B. Hempstead were the Committee. Simon De Long was allowed $76.27 for services as Town Marshal and Clerk of the Market in 1826 and 1827.

Feb. 6, 1829, William Oldfield and Kennedy Lodwick were appointed a Committee on the new Cemetery to report at next meeting. The old Commitee having done nothing was discharged.

March 9, 1829, at the Corporation election, John Noel, G. S. B. Hempstead and Samuel M. Tracy were elected Councilmen for three years. The Health Officers were Thomas Strong, Wilson Gates and Allen Farquhar. Samuel G. Jones was allowed $12.00 for Clerk of the Market, in 1829.

June 10, 1829, it was ordered that no tax be collected this year, because the Assessor had failed to make proper returns, put this order was reconsidered on July 3, 1829, and an ordinance passed as to objects of taxation.

July 19; 1829, a Committee of three on the front of the Town was appointed. Noel, Hempstead and Tracy were the Committee. John Noel and Dr. Hempstead were also appointed a Committee to lay out the burying ground.

July 22, 1829, Samuel M. Tracy and Washington Kinney were appointed a Committee to wait on Henry Massie as to the river front etc. They performed their duty, and reported he would sell his entire interest in the town of Portsmouth for $18,000 and $6,000 for his interest in the wharfage, $3,000 down and $3,000 in ten years, excepting that heretofore sold to William Lod- wick and another part to William Kendall, John RR. Turner and John Noel were appointed m Committees to see on what terma the interest of William Lod wick could be purchased from him, We offered to sell Wie interest for $2,000, Hin was Masele's addition to the Town plat of lots 189 and 289, and he offered lo lend $4,000 to pay Massie and to take the Town serip, $6,000 was borrowed

August 7, 1829, the Committee to close with Massie, John Rh. Turner, Samuel M, Tracy and Join Noel, reported that they had done so and had agreed lo pay bin $3,000, and had #iven him a note for the same amount due in ten years, and that Mase had made a deed to the President of the Common Coun elloof Portamouth, for the tract of Jand lying east of Second Wast street and wont of lands owned by Thomas Waller between Water street, now Mront street, and low water mark, except crom streets, Also another tract adjoining the firal one on the weet, running down the river, fifteen rode to Gharky's fleld and from low water mark, north to the top of the grade, for landing and grade, Ile also conveyed the lote from Water stcset to low water mark, excepting what he had sold to William Lodwick and William Kendall, The deed was left with William V, Peek, and the mortgage was to be executed to secure the purchase money, The aetion of the committee was approved by a resolution,

Nov, 28, 1420, Willlam Hall was elected Councilman in place of John Me« Donald, Tenry Massie made a deed to the Olity of the old graveyard, John Noel was appointed a Committee of one to clear the new graveyard,

April 14, 1880, the Health Officers were Levi ©, Barker, Ruloff Whitney, and Murtaugh Kehoe, John Peebles, Innpeetor of Whiskey, and Robert Monte womery of Tlowur, a

Mareh 7, 1881, Wilson Gates, Maran Owuborn and Silas W, Cole were elected GCoundimen, The Health Officers were tylam Rawson, Moses Gregory and James Salsbury, The Health Officers were allowed $1,00 a year, Samuel M, Tracy wie allowed $4#,00 for four yours service as Recorder from 1826 to 18380, Havillah Gunn wae appointed Assessor, John Noel was allowed $5.00 ama Ate reswor for 14380, Simon Delong had been Town Marshal since 1827, and was allowed $42.72 for hie wervice from that time to the present, The old grave. yard was' sold for $8,500 to John TT, Barr,

Mareh 12, 1882, Samuel M, Tracy, G, 8» B. Hempstead and William V, Peck were elected Gounciimen, The Health Offleers were John Musser, Oliver O, Thoroman and Richard Lloyd,

May 1, 1882, John Noel wan elected Assensor, On the same date, G. 8, I, Hlempetead was allowed $4,600 for services aa Supervisor of the last Ward for 1882, and William tall was allowed the mame amount for the Weat Ward,

July 6, 1882, Simon Delong waa Clerk of the Market, Marshal and Jadlor, Proparationa were made tor the Cholera, Cleantiness and temperance were enjoined, A free dispensary for Cholera pationta was provided for, Hugh Cook, Ailve W, Cole, Jacob Offere, Robert Wood, Thomas Strong and Bene Jamin dar were added to (he Board of Health, and the graveyard was ordered Hlaleed ok dn lobe,

Oot. 6b, 1488, the Grocers' Licenses were $8750 por annim, whieh melded liquovs, Peter Kinney, Richard Lieyd, Benjamin Meleher and Hugh Cook each find one, \ Noy, %, 1882, ® special Committee wan appointed on Cholera and a special Hoard of Hoalth Offleers, composed of Dra, Andrews, Marqubar, Pattillo and 1Lodwarn,

Mareh 1, 1488, grocery Heanse iaaued to Robert Montgomery, On the dame date, the Budget from March 1, 1882 to Reb, 28, 1888 wae $8,060.54. The Whartage made $888.00 and the grocery Heenses made $419.88 The duplicate of 1832 was $434.06%, of 1831, $226.17, of 1880, $30.95. The Councilmen were paid for their services. The largest expenditures were on the wharves about $1,600. The Public Well in front of the Court House was still maintained. On the same date, at the' Corporation election John Noel, Isaac Noel and Moses Gregory were elected Councilmen.

April 5, 1888, the Health Officers were, Samuel J. Huston, Ruloff Whitney and James Salsbury. John Noel, Silas W. Cole and Moses Gregory were the Committee on Claims to rule the Council. Charles W. Tracy was allowed $3.25 for one years service as Supervisor of the East Ward.

May 8, 1883, Samuel M. Tracy was allowed $36.00 for service as Recorder, and James C. Davis was allowed $3.25 for Supervisor of the West Ward for 1882. Hugh Cook was allowed $73.92 for Clerk of the Market and Town Marshal for 1832.

' Dec. 6, 1833, Thomas Lawson was issued a grocer's license. A Town meeting of Portsmouth was called in relation to the termination of the Ohio Canal. John Noel and G. S. B. Hempstead were appointed a Committee to attend the Legislature to secure legislation as to the termination. $50.00 was appropriated.

April 4, 1834, the Health Officers were Peter Kinney, Ruloff Whitney and Jacob Anderson. Ruloff Whitney declined to act and David Scott was elected, William Hall was elected Insvector of Whiskey. The Committee on Claims were John Noel, Havillah Gunn and Silas W. Cole. They were allowed $9.00 for their services in 1833. On the same date, Samuel M. Tracy resigned, as Recorder and Havillah Gunn was elected in his place. A fire engine was bought of G. Stevenson for $475.00.

April 8, 1835. the Committee on Claims was John Noel, C. A. M. Damarin and Conrad Overturf. The Health Officers were G. 8S. B. Hempstead, Jacob Anderson and Zina Gunn. The Councilmen were paid $388.00 for their year's services.

Town Ordinances

Among the old publications of city laws which have survived is a copy of the laws of Incorporation and Ordinances of the town-of Portsmouth. It was published in 1829 by the authority of the Council.

On May 12, 1828, an ordinance was passed authorizing the President of the Council to call extra or special meetings. Any member not attending was to be fined $1.00. Committees neglecting or refusing to report were to be dismissed,

On the same date, an ordinance was passed defining the duties of Town Marshal, He was to attend all meetings of the Council and be at the President's office during all trials, to collect all fines, etc., and to be fined not more than $20.00 and not less than $1.00 for any neglect of official duty.

It seems that in the dawn of Portsmouth, boatmen were a source of trouble to the town. An ordinance was passed, May 11, 1829, to prevent indecent conduct of Boatmen. Misconduct on their part was to be punished by a fine of $2.00 to $10.00. Any person, over ten years of age, divesting themselves of clothing to go in bathing, inside the Corporation, was to be fined from $1.00 to $10.00, On May 19, 1828, an ordinance was passed to prevent swine from running at large. Ducks, geese, game, or dung hill fowls were to be kept up trom April 1 to August 81. Evidently the townsmen believed in gardens and proposed to protect them.

On May 11, 1829, an ordinance was passed requiring a show license of $5.00 to $26.00. The fine for showing without license was $75.00, but theatrical performances by citizens of the town for their own amusement were to be free, On May 11, 1829, an ordinance was passed forbidding the keeping ofany female dog in the town, except by butchers. This was special legislation with a vengeance. The penalty was $5.00 every twenty-four hours if such animal was kept. Why the butchers were so privileged does not now appear.

August 18, 1824, an ordinance to create Health Officers was passed. There were three persons, and they were to inspect the streets and alleys once a week from April 1 to October 1, and as much oftener as they thought fit. Hach Health Officer was to be sworn and each person who was appointed such and refused, to serve was to pay $5,00 fine. Their duties were otherwise such as are now performed by the Sanitary Police. :

May 11, 1829, an ordinance was passed for the protection of the publie wells. The water from them was not to be used for washing clothes, or watering horses or cattle.

On the same date, an ordinance was passed regulating the Market in the town of Portsmouth, Wednesday and Saturday were Market days. Daylight to 10 a. m. were Market hours. The Clerk of the Market was to ring a bell at the opening and closing. Articles of marketing were not to be sold during market hours at any place in the town outside of market, under a penalty of $.50 to $2.00, Buyers of marketing, outside of market, during market hours, were to be fined $1.00 to $5.00. Hence, it was a greater offense to buy than to sell. The Clerk of the Market was to furnish measures and weights, and to use them in case of dispute. Butcher's stalls were rented at $8.00 per year, $6.00 for six months, or 50 cents per market day; and no one was allowed to sell fresh meat in the market except from a, butcher stall. An ordinance in relation to nuisances was passed May 11, 1829. Slaughter houses were forbidden in the town. Tan yards were required to observe certain regulations, and throwing refuse on the streets and alleys was forbidden. The streets and alleys were protected by an ordinance of May 11, 1829. Racing in the streets was forbidden. Driving faster than a walk or trot was forbidden. Allowing a team to run off was a fine of $1.00 to $10.00. Shooting at a mark or discharging firearms was an offense. Fires in the streets of any kind were forbidden. Brick or lime kilns were forbidden in the town and to ride or drive a horse on a pavement was a fine of 20e to $1.00. ~ The Fathers were ~ particular as to their eating and drinking. They had an Inspector of Domestic Spirits and of Flour. He was appointed by the Council and. sworn: The ordinance was passed May 18, 1829, and the Inspector was paid for by fees. The selling of liquors and flour without inspection was not penal.

An ordinance of May 18, 1829, created the office of Supervisor. There were to be two or more appointed by the Council annually. They were to be sworn and to be fined $5.00 each if they refused to serve. They were to be paid in April each year for the year past. They were to require all the men above 21 to work the streets. Lot owners were compelled to fill up or drain their lots. If they failed to do so, the Supervisors could have it done.

An ordinance of date May 18, 1829, created the office of Wood Measurer. He was paid by fees, but it was not obligatory on parties to call him.

On May 18, 1829, Council passed an ordinance designating the objects of taxation. All property and dogs were declared the objects of taxation, but all mills, all woolen and cotton manufactures and all manufactures of iron or glass were exempted from taxation. Horses and cattle were separately taxed. The property tax on land and mercantile capital was one-fourth of one percent. Horses were taxed at 15 cents each, cattle at 5 cents each, dogs at 25 cents each.

On May 18, 1829, the Council passed an ordinance in regard to pavements. Pavements on Front street were to be 12 feet wide. The other side walks were 10 feet wide. Alley sidewalks were 24% feet wide. Projecting steps and cellar doors in the pavement were regulated. Any one paving his own side could have one-fourth of the cost refunded by the city.

The foregoing comprised the publication of 1829. In the publication of the ordinances in 1838, the Committee on Claims demands attention. There were three in number elected by the Council. They met once a month. They audited all accounts, and had a general supervision of the city finances. They were to see to it that all claims due the City were collected. They prepared the budget each year. They allowed the per diems to Councilmen, and were paid $1.00 per day each for their services. A Coffee House ordinance was passed, May 4, 1838. It included groceries, and nearly all groceries at that time sold liquors. Twelve householders had to recommend the license. Notice of the application had to be published. A license cost $50.00, Coffee Houses could not open on Sundays and were required to keep order on other days and could not sell to minors.

On May 4, 1838, the names of the streets were changed by ordinance. Water street was changed to Front, Front street was changed to Second, Second to Third, Third to Fourth, and Fourth to Fifth, and so on till Ninth street. Hast street to Court, First East to Washington, Second East to Chillicothe, West Street was changed to Jefferson, First West to Madison, and Second West to Massie street. Scioto and Market streets remained unchanged. The alleys were also named but it is not worth while to mention them. The publieations of 1888 and 1844 contained the usual and necessary ordinances, and only peculiar features will be noticed.

There was an ordinance to prevent indecent conduct, passed July 14, 1888. An ordinance to establish a general system of wharfage was passeu July 21, 1888. Steamboats under 200 tons were to pay $2.00 for a landing, and those over, $3.00 per landing, except regular packets which might pay $1.00 per Janding. Canal boats paid 50 cents. Barges paid 50 cents, except boats loaded with firewood. Rafts paid 25 cents per 1,000 feet, and rafts of logs 12% cénts per log. An ordinance passed August 17, 1888, for preventing and extinguishing fires shows that there were two Volunteer Fire Companies in Portsmouth, the Fire Dispatch Engine and Neptune Hose Companies. There were two Fire Wardens in each ward, appointed by the Council yearly. Their duties were in the nature of Inspectors for the prevention of fires. The building of hearths and flues was regulated by this ordinance.

An ordinance of September 21, 1838, divided the town of Portsmouth into three school districts, according to the'three wards then in existence, in each of which a School Trustee was elected annually on the third Friday of September. The Markets were regulated by an ordinance of October 19, 1838. Markets were held Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from daylight till 9 a. m., from September to April and the remainder of the year on the same mornings, but closed at 8 a. m. Only white persons were allowed to rent Market stalls.

Cuffee was not yet recognized as a man and brother. The Market ordinance in other respects was like the original one first-passed and which this superseded. Dogs were forbidden in the Market.

August 17, 1838, was the date of a ferry ordinance. Ferries were required to be licensed by the Council, which fixed ferry rates, and the ferry was required to be kept in operation from daylight until dark. The license was to be annual. The rates were high, one horse vehicle 50 cents, two to four horses 75 cents, four or more horses $1.00. A riding or led horse was 25 cents and a foot passenger 10 cents. These rates were for crossing the Ohio river. The ferry rates for the Scioto were one-half of the foregoing.

On July 5, 1839, the Council passed a Savage Dog ordinance. Each person was allowed to keep one dog by paying a tax of $1.00. If he or she wanted to keep a second dog as company for the first, the cruel hearted Councilmen required an annual tax of $5.00, and to keep a female dog was $8.00.

The Marshal was charged with the collection of the tax and he found it a very important measure. The people of Portsmouth were never opposed to dogs, except 'theoretically. This dog ordinance was never enforced to any extent, and neither has any before or since.

The fathers were very much opposed to horse racing, at least within the limits of the town. On the 8rd of July, 1840, an ordinance was passed to prevent horse racing within the limits of the town of Portsmouth, and no race track or course could be established within the town or run upon any course within the town or in any part of the town. The penalty was a forfeiture $.25 to $1.00 for each offense.

On the 6th of May, 1841, Council passed an ordinance regulating taverns. The sale of liquors of any kind to minors was forbidden to any taverns and sales on Sunday. Games were also forbidden at the taverns, except athletic exercises. Keepers of Coffee Houses or taverns were forbidden to sell liquors to be drunk, which were sold in a less quantity than one quart.

On October 14, 1842, a new ordinance was passed as to ferries, and the rates of ferriage were changed, 5 cents for foot passengers, 13 cents for horse and rider. One horse conveyance 20 cents and up to four horses was 30 cents. More than four or more horses was 50 cents. The ferriage across the Scioto was 3 cents, for a person and 5 cents for a horse and rider. For led animals 5 cants each, 10 cents for one horse conveyance, 15 cents for two, four horses or more 25 cents.

By an ordinance passed March 15, 1844, horses and cattle and hogs were forbidden to run at large in the City of Portsmouth, and the Coffee House ordinance was repealed and re-enacted.

April 5, 1845, the rates for keeping Coffee Houses were, below Market street, $50.00, between Market and Madison $60.00, Madison and Jefferson $75.00, Jefferson and Court $100.00, between Court and Washington streets $75.00, between Washington and the east limits of the town, $50.00. All games and Sunday selling were forbidden, as well as selling to minors.

April 17, 1845, an ordinance was passed for the appointment of Town Guards and night watch. There was a Town Guard in each ward. He was sworn to support the Constitution of the United States and the State of Ohio and faithfully perform the duties of his office. The Town Guards were required to go through the town at night and notice whether the night watchmen performed their duties or not. They were Inspectors of the Police with Police powers.

On the ist of May, 1846, Council passed an ordinance licensing hackney coaches, wagons, carts, drays and vehicles. The hackney coaches, $3.00; drays or carts, $5.00 each; two or four horse wagon $2.00; every four wheeled vehicle $2.00. Licenses were issued on the first day of June for the year.

April 18, 1872, the Biggs House had a formal opening. There were eight hundred to a thousand persons present. A gold headed cane was presented to Mr. William Biggs. Mr. A. McFarland made the presentation. A Cincinnati band was present. After supper the dining room was cleared for danc-

May 1, 1872, Thomas Dugan gave a May party at Dugan's Grove, twelve miles north of Portsmouth. Miss Lida Adams, now Mrs. Thomas W. Kinney, was crowned Queen of May. They danced on a platform in the grove and had dinner in the barn. Currier's Band of Cincinnati, was present.

May 16, 1872, Colonel P. Kinney 'and wife gave a party to the young folks, It was an outdoor party and the time was spent in rolling ten pins and: walking in the moonlight. It was a beautiful moonlight night. Mrs. Col. P. Kinney and daughter, now Mrs. Theo. K. Funk, started to Europe. Also John G. Peebles, wife, two daughters and son Richard.

August 24, 1872, George Johnson and wife celebrated their silver wedding at Mt. Mullen. About 240 guests were invited. Supper was served under the trees at four o'clock p. m. After supper, the young folks danced till 9 p. m. The affair is a pleasant memory to every survivor.

December 26, 1874, There was a "Great Hop" at the Biggs House. The following ladies were mentioned: Miss Fanny Kinney of Cincinnati, Miss Nigh of Marietta, Miss Sallie Ireland of Ashland, Miss Minnie Campbell of Ironton, Miss Lillie Smith of Hillsboro, the Misses Nye of Chillicothe, Miss Frank Kirker of Ironton; Miss Allie Willard, Miss Alice Gilruth, Miss Jennie Cole, of Ironton, Mrs. Howard Dunlap of Emporia, Kansas, Misses Emma Johnson, Clara Waller, Genie Robinson, Mame Rhoads, Jennie McFarland, Kate Hull, Ada Dunlap, Emma Murray, Alice Burligh, Hattie Damarin, Emma Davis, Nan Bonsall, Jennie Tewksbury, Jennie Lodwick, Misses Yoakley, Rhoda Nicholls, Nan Musser, Martha Green, Anna Ross, Anna Ware, Jennie Gharky, Helen Owens, Mrs. Thomas Kinney, Mrs. A. C. Davis, Mrs. James W. Newman, Mrs. P. Prendergast, Miss Alice Bonsall.

April 17, 1882, The forty-fifth anniversary of the wedding of Aaron Clark and Eliza J. Orm was celebrated. It was called the "silk wedding."

Residents Of Portsmouth, 1819-1821

This was made out by the late John G. Peebles, about the year 1892, to accompany a map prepared by him, based on the plat prepared by Henry Massie, in June, 1807. When Henry Massie made his first plat in 1803, he calculated that the town would extend back as far north as Fifth street and as far east as Chillicothe street, but June, 1807, his hopes were blasted, and he vacated his former plat, from the rear of the lots fronting on the north side of Second street back to Fifth street and in thé place of which in-lots, made out-lots of about three acres each. At that time, there were practically but two streets in Portsmouth. Front street which was then called Water street and Back street now called Second. Where Third street now is was "a swail' and all back of that was woods, and east of Chillicothe was woods.

This article of Mr. Peebles should be used with reference to his map. Each building is marked with a black square and where there is a well it is marked with a black dot.

In-lot, No. 280, lies on the west side of Scioto street, between Front and Second streets. It had a blacksmith shop which was owned and operated by Richard McDougal, a brother of Mrs. Thomas Morgan.

In-lots, Nos. 281, 282, 2838 and 284, were owned by David Gharky. Lot 284 of these was used as his residence and was convenient to the ferry which he maintained across the Scioto at this point. His upper ferry was at the north end of Scioto street. The place of his lower ferry is now in the channel of the Scioto river where it meets the Ohio. There stood a big sycamore tree which was hollow and used by the boys for shelter in times of storm and cold weather.

In-lot, No. 279, on the southwest corner of Second and Scioto streets, was a two story log house built by Uriah Barber. It was the original house used by John Brown, Sr. It was used by Patrick Timmonds, who had a son, Andrew whose principal occupation was fishing and street promenading.

In-lot, No. 274, which adjoined 279 on the east, was occupied by John Brown, Jr., and used by him as a boarding house. He was married at that time but had no children though a number were born afterwards.

In-lot, No. 273, adjoining John Brown, Jr., was occupied by HElijah Glover who kept a boarding house. His wife was a sister of William and Samuel G. Jones, He had a family of eight children, seven boys and one girl. Mr. Glover at that time owned lot 188 on the southeast corner of Jefferson and Front streets, on which he was building a house for a hotel.

In-lot, No. 267, next east of 278, had a row of long one story buildings, occupied by Samuel Gunn, the cooper, of' whom there is a separate sketch in the book.

In-lot, No. 259, which was on the southeast corner of Massie and Front streets, had a two story brick house, occupied by a man by the name of Henry Core, son-in-law of Col. John McDonald, who kept a tavern. This tavern was sold to John Peebles, in April, 1819, and he kept a hotel there until the Glover building was finished on lot 188. Mr. Peebles moved to the building on lot 188 in 1820.

In-lot, No. 258, on the southwest corner of Massie and Front streets, had a small brick store house on the corner, which was occupied by William Dailey as a mercantile store. On the east part of the same lot was a two story log house which he used as a residence. His daughter Mary, married Samuel M. Tracy.

In-lot, No, 249, next east of 258, had a house on the east side, which was occupied by Doctor Thomas Hersey, who had a specialty in his practice. It was curing the itch and he made and sold an itch ointment.

In-lot, No. 248, next east of 249, was occupied by Henry Sheeley, a teamster, who hauled goods up and down the river bank on a sled. He was the step-father of Moses Gregory.

In-lot, No. 239, next east of 248, was used by Jacob Noel as a residence and hatter shop. His brother David Noel was one of his apprentices and so was Azel Glover. On the same lot was a small cabin in which Cornelius Mc- Coy kept a tailor shop. Jacob Leonard learned the trade under him.

In-lot, No. 238, was used by John Peebles for the manufacture of cut nails. The east side of this lot had a small frame house, in which Marcus Bosworth resided. He was a brickmaker and had a brickyard in out lot No. 4, as shown On the map. He was an uncle of Mark B. Wells, who was named for him. :

In-lot, No. 228, is on the southwest corner of Second and Jefferson streets. William Lodwick had a store on this corner with a ware house and stable. It was the largest house in the lower valley of the Scioto. He married Eliza, a daughter of Benjamin Wood. He had as clerks, his brother James Lodwick and William Wood and Robert Wood. his brother-in-law. He had a residence on the same lot, which also contained a frame house in which Samuel Tracy and Dr. G. S. B. Hempstead had their offices.

In-lot, No. 217, "Old Smoking Johnnie Smith' had a cabinet maker's shop here. On the east part of the lot, Peter Kehoe, father of Murtaugh, had a shoe maker shop, in which Thomas Burt, father of William, learned his trade.

In-lot, No. 183, had a brick house, the brick from which it was built was brought from Maysville. It was built by Jacob Clingman but occupied by Daniel Corwin as a residence. On the remainder of the lot, Corwin had a retail dry goods and grocery store He was married twice, his wives were sisters of James Hammitt He had a bakery back of his brick house, conducted by William Burt, to whom Robert Montgomery was an apprentice. On the rear of the lot was a soap and candle factory, conducted by a man by the name of Cairns. He was an old batchelor, intimate with Martin Funk, who called him the "Soap Biler."

In-lot, No. 188, was on the southeast corner of Jefferson and Front streets and had a house built and furnished by Elijah Glover for a hotel. John Peebles occupied it as such from 1820. He opened the Portsmouth Hotel there and conducted it until 1830.

TIn-lot, No. 174, had a small one story frame house, where David Knight Cady moved his school. The school had previously been conducted in Samuel Gunn's house on lot No. 267.

In-lot, No. 161, was east of 174 and had a large two story house owned by Joseph Waddle, in which was Kept a dry goods store. He had an adopted daughter, Anna Boline, who married Thomas McConnell.

In-lot, No. 160, had a two story frame house occupied by William Kendall in which he kept a dry goods and grocery store. In the second story was the Commercial Bank of Scioto, of which Thomas Waller was President and Jacob Clingman, was cashier. On the east side of the lot, was a one story frame house in which Charles Hopkins conducted the Portsmouth Gazette, and a man by the name of De Carteret established a book store and bindery.

In-lot, No. 145, is now occupied and covered by the present Biggs House. On the wesi side of this lot, John Thornton built a two story log house and the building extended to the rear end of the lot. In that he conducted a carding machine and fulling mill. He had Seymore Pixley as a Manager and John Lancaster and Southey Copes as helpers. Afterwards Seymore Pixley went to Wheelersburg and worked in the Young's factory. On this same in-lot 145, was a dry goods store. Opposite this same in-lot in the,center of Market street stood the court house, about a hundred feet south of it was a public well, thirty feet deep.

In-lot, No. 1, was on the southeast corner of Front and Market streets and is known as the McDowell corner. On this lot, John Smith had a small log house about where the Portsmouth National Bank stands. He was the father of Charles S, Luke P. N. and Joseph W. Smith. In 1820, he built a large three story brick house on the corner to be used as a hotel. He died before the house was completed. The house was completed by Abraham Hall and James Marsh. On this same lot was a small brick house built by Aaron Binney; for his son-in-law and was used as a residence.

In-lot, No. 32, east of Shackford's lot was owned by Johnson Lloyd, a hatter. He had his hat shop on the same lot and his shop and residence were both built of logs.

In-lot, No. 38, next east of in-lot No. 32, had a large two story house built by Dr. James B. Prescott, and used by Nathaniel Head as a hotel. The sign was a big tin ball. In the same lot Alexander Caldwell had a residence. The Prescott House was the most noted in the city, it had in front of it a large elm tree. Around it was the place for the militia to meet. In 1823, John Peebles removed from the Glover House to the Prescott House and kept it until 1830 as a hotel. In this hotel Dr. Richard Peebles lost his left eye, in 1827.

In-lot, No. 49, was on the southeast corner of Court and Front streets and had a two-story house built by the father of John and Samuel McConnell, in which John Hamilton kept a hotel and boarding house.

In-lot, No. 65, east of the first alley east of Court street was occupied by William Huston and he built his log cabin on this lot. His wife was a great weaver. His three daughters were married respectively to Uriah White, Jacob Anderson and Silas W. Cole. His sons were James Marcus, John, Samuel J., Uriah and Sidney.

In-lot, No. 96, on the southeast corner of Washington and Front streets was owned by Sanders Darby, he also owned No. 95 north of it. He had a two story log house on each. On the one fronting on Front street, he used to make boat poles and oars for keel boats, and on lot No. 95, now occupied by the Gilbert Grocery Co., he resided. He also owned lot No. 94, where Anderson's store now is.

In-lot, No. 144, which was on the southeast corner of Second and Front was occupied by Uriah White, who had a frame house. His wife was Mary Huston, to whom he was married July 8, 1808. He had four children, two sons and one daughter. One of his daughters married John Butt, a printer who worked in the Western Times office. His sons were Jefferson and Israel. He had a blacksmith shop on in-lot No. 67, on the north side of Second street between Court and Washington.

In-lot, No. 114, is the George O. Newman residence. Eli Kelsey lived here and had a wife and four children. His daughter Mary Jane married Richard C. Slaughter, a clerk for J. V. Robinson. His sons were Fitch, Edson and Eli B. Kelsey. ;

In-lot, No. 82, on Second street, now occupied by the Peebles and Hamilton Reading Room, was occupied by the Rev. Stephen Lindsley, pastor of the Presbyterian Church.

In-lot, No. 79, is the one on which is situated the building of C. P. Tracy, on the east side was a shop occupied by Levi J. McDowell as a wheel wright in which Samuel Huston learned his trade. On the west part of this lot Samuel J. McCloud and H. H. Parker had a wagon-maker's shop and paint shop. On part of lot No. 66, was Wilson Gates' residence. He married Elizabeth Kinney on November 30, 1820.

In-lot, No. 63, where stands the Daehler Furniture Co. hue a two story house built by Elijah MclInteer, first Cashier of the Commercial Bank. He died on the 21st of August, 1827, aged fifty-eight, and was buried in the Funk Cemetery. He was never married. This residence was also occupied by the family of Ruloff Whitney, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this book,

In-lot, No. 50, which is where John M. Stockham now conducts his business as feed store, lived Mrs. Tomlinson, the mother of Jacob, George W. and John Clingman and Mrs. Aaron Kinney.

In-lot, No. 34, next west was a small frame house in which James Abbott lived. He built where John Neill resides on the corner of Third and Market and sold it to Dr. G. 8. B. Hempstead in 1823. On part of this same lot was kept a school by James G. Hamlin, a brother of Hannibal G. Hamlin. He was the second. school teacher of Mr. John G. Peebles. He studied medicine with Dr. Hempstead and died in Gallipolis, on August 4, 1844.

In-lot, No. 31, is the Brodbeck property, now occupied by Storck & Hopkins. It was occupied by different persons. One Joseph Johnson, a barber and a dog trainer, held forth there. He usually performed with his dogs when court was in session for the pleasure of the judges. On the west half of this lot was a one story brick house, owned and occupied by Charles Rand. He was the finest skater in the town of Portsmuth and could write his name on the ice. He removed to Cincinnati, Ohio.

In-lot, No. 162, where Lynn's stable now stands, was a swamp, which had a large Elm growing in it, which is marked on Mr. Peebles' map. There was a pond where Dice's Carriage Factory now stands, it was used by all the neighbors for watering their stock and was alive with mussel shells.

In-lot, No. 176, had a shop used by James Lynn as a cabinet maker's shop. He was a brother-in-law of Elijah Glover, Sr., having married a sister of William and Samuel G. Jones. On this lot a school was kept by a man by the name of Brown. Mr. Peebles attended this school.

In-lot, No. 201, on the south side of Second street, west of Jefferson had a two story frame house built by Allen Moore and used as a residence. It was afterwards occupied by Mrs. Montgomery, who kept a boarding house. Her daughter Hettie married George Stevenson. The next occupant was Dr. -N. W. Andrews. James L. McVey was married to his daughter Emily there. Dr. Andrews. died in that house.

In-lot, No. 218, belonged to "Old Smoking Johnnie Smith' and was used as a stable and store house. His dwelling was on lot No. 217 in front.

In-lot, No. 227, on the southeast corner of Madison and Second streets, had a small brick house in which James Salsbury lived after his marriage to Nancy Kehoe.

In-lot, No. 230, on the southwest corner of Madison and Second streets, was a small frame house in which Ezekiel Blue lived and was associated with John Clough in the blacksmith business.

In-lot, No. 237, was a blacksmith's shop and residence occupied by John Clough. He had an apprentice by the name of Uriah Slack, and had the principal blacksmith shop in the town.

Adam and Jacob, and six daughters: Polly, Nancy, Betsy, Margaret, Susan and Sarah. They resided here until 1824. Nancy married Levi Barker; Betsy married Samuel! J. Huston. Margaret and Susan married Arthur C. Davis; Sarah married James G. Caldwell. In-lot, No. 257, on the southeast corner of Madison and Massie, was a cabin in which Nathan Wheeler, the Sheriff of the County lived. On the south part of the same lot was a cabin in which Peter Kehoe, father of Murtaugh Kehoe lived.

In-lot, No. 272, this was a lot which was given by Henry Massie to William Jones, for services in carrying the chain in laying out the town. Wil- liam Jones sold it in 1806, and at the time we are describing the town of Portsmouth, David Gharky and Edward Cranston had a carding machine, which was afterward sold to John and Dan Young and taken to Wheelersburg. Mr. Hdward Cranston was interested in it at Wheelersburg. The Youngs sold out their interest and built Franklin Furnace. Pixley married Major Smith's

In-lots, Nos. 269, 271, 276 and 277, on the north side of the street, lying four together, were occupied by John Waddle and Amaziah Davidson. On lot No. 269, they had a large butcher shop, where hogs were butchered and shipped to New Orleans. General Worthington, afterwards Governor, was a large operator in that business and spent several winters in Portsmouth, boarding at the Peebles Hotel. Lots No. 271, 276 and 277 were used to keep the hogs in until butchered. These lots are now in the Scioto river. In this slaughter house, James Davis, uncle of George Davis, cut and quartered the hogs. He received $1.25 a day, which was regarded as extra large compensation.

In-lot, No. 271, was owned by Captain Samuel Gunn, a cooper. He had a large cooper shop. Three of his sons were coopers: Zina, Enos and Bela and he employed three others, Perin Bachelor, Ezekiel Powers and a Scotchman by the name of Burns. He also had two apprentices: J. Smith Folsom and Elias DeLong, a son of the old Jailer. Mr. Gunn manufactured the entire cooperage of the lower end of the Scioto Valley.

In-lot, No. 236, had a story and a half house in which John Timmonds resided. He married a daughter of Martin Funk. He was a butcher and a teamster. He had four children, Martin, James, Maria and Samuel. Mr. Timmonds was an honest, hard working man, but not a financier. He died leaving his children helpless, with but one old white horse, with which at the suggestion of Mr. Peebles, his son, Martin made a small sled and put a barrel on it, in which he and his brother James conducted the water supply for a number of families, who had no wells. He charged for each barrel a "fip'" and with the receipts of the same, the family was raised honorably. At the death of her father, Martin Funk, Mrs. Timmonds' share of the estate made her comfortable for life. Martin Timmonds learned the trade of baking from James Lodwick and Robert Montgomery, and made a fortune.

In-lot, No. 226, on the northeast corner of Madison and Second streets, had a two story frame house built by Eben Abbott, a carpenter. He removed to Cincinnati, at the instance of William Lodwick, in 1824.

In-lot, No. 214, was occupied by a tannery, built by Aaron Kinney. It was situated where the Gas Works are now. Washington Kinney bought it of his father and paid for the lot and tannery out of his profits. Mr. Washington Kinney made quite a sum of money out of the business conducted on this lot.

In-lot, No. 191, on the northwest corner of Jefferson and Second streets, was a brick house occupied by George Tolston, a tailor, who married a daughter of George Hammitt.

In-lot, No. 186, on the northeast corner of Second and Jefferson streets, had a small brick house, in which Washington Kinney lived after his marriage to Mary Waller, on December 14, 1820. He lived there until- 1823, when he built on the same lot a one-story house as a residence and lived there until 1830, when he built the brick house on lot No. 172, in which he died. A sketch of Mr. Kinney will be found in the book.

In-lot, No. 177, was a frame house which was not entirely finished. In it resided the family of William Montgomery. He had a wife and four chil- aren, one son Robert and three daughters: Hester, Nancy and Maria. In 1819, Robert's principal accomplishment was fishing. He married Harriet Long in 1827. Hettie married George Stephenson. Nancy and Maria lived to be very old, and never married.

In-lot, No. 163, contained a small one story house, of which Dr. Hempstead was the first occupant. On the east half of the same lot, was a two story frame house, in which Jacob Clingman, Cashier of the Commercial Bank, lived. He had no children. He left Portsmouth under unpleasant circumstances.

In-lot, No. 147, on the northeast corner of Front and Second streets, Was given by Henry Massie to the town, and at the time covered by this narrative, was used as a,store house for a small six pound cannon, which was kept in a small frame house on this lot.

In-lot, No. 3, on the northeast corner of Second and Market, was given by the County to be used as a Jail, and was used as the Jail lot for fifteen years. Simon Delong was the Jailer. He was a very muscular man and a butcher by trade. He had a large family of children, three of whom were boys.

In-lot, No. 14, on this lot was a one story frame house, in which John Hatch, Sr., lived. He had three sons: Thomas, John and Calvin, and two daughters. On the east half of this lot was a two story brick house occupied by Nathan K. Clough, a lawyer.

In-lot, No. 30, had a small brick house which stood back some distance from the front, in which James Hammitt lived and had a silversmith and tin shop.

In-lot, No. 46, on the northeast corner of Court and Second streets, had a small frame house, owned and occupied by Dr. Jacob Offnere as a nail factory, but not used as such very long as the business did not pay. On the same lot were two other buildings, one was used as a blacksmith shop 'by Wesley Goodwin. In a two story log house on this corner John G. Peebles finished his education under the tuition of Eben Corwin.

In-lot, No. 51, on the west corner of this lot Eben Corwin lived. Also on this lot were two frame houses in one of which, William Shaw lived.

In-lot, No. 62, was occupied by a small frame house in which resided William Jones, the first school teacher of Portsmouth. He had three daughters: Emily, Patience and Mary. Emily married John Hatch. Patience married Dudley Day, and Mary married Daniel McIntire.

In-lot, No. 115, had a two story frame house, in which Benjamin Melcher resided. He did a large shoe business, had journeymen and apprentices, among the latter were John McConnell, Isaac Coriell, Richard and Thomas Lloyd. He was highly respected and well thought of, but was not successful in business.

Out-lot, No. 26, belonged to Mrs. Mary McConnell and she resided on it. On this lot was a swamp which furnished all the flag which the coopers needed in making tight barrels.

Out-lot, Na. 22, where the Sixth Street Church now stands, was used by John Brown as a horse mill. Peter Weaver, a noted colored man had a residence on this lot.

In front of Degear's cabin, was a large pond situated on the north side of Gallia street, east of Gay, and between Gay and the High School. There was a pottery on the opposite side of Gallia street, above the High School alley. It was earcal by a Mr. Dennis, who married a daughter of George Hammitt,

On the Waller tract of one hundred acres, extending-from the first alley crossing Third street, east of Gay, to Union street, and from Highth street to the Ohio river, there were two cabins, one was south of the Gallipolis Road and used by tenants of the tract.

George Offnere Tract. Of twenty-five acres, which is now the Glover Addition. There was a two story log house in which he resided. His daughter Sarah Jane married Eli Glover.

William Kendall Tract. Of eighty-four acres, as marked on the map. There was a small cabin on Gallia street, where a colored man by the name of Henry Brown lived.

Martin Funk Tract, - Of twenty-five acres, had a small cabin occupied by Jack Funk. He was a fifer in the war of 1812. He had but two tunes in his repertory: "Yankee Doodle" and 'Duncan Davy", but these two tunes gave him the position of Fife Major. After holding it awhile, he wanted to resign bis commission and was premitted to do so.

Waller Tract, - Of 100 acres, was mostly heavy timbered. It had a small creek on it which was called Waller's Gut, and was used by the boys as a swimming pond.

Out-lot, No. 49, which is now about the corner of Fourth and Market. There was a two story house, built and occupied by Greenleaf Dole, a son of Mrs. Nabby Dole. The Dr. Hempstead homestead was a part of this out-lot.

Out-lot, No. 14, was owned by John H. Thornton and James March. The north part of it was owned by Thornton and the south part by March. Mr. March was a brickmason, and he sold his part to John McDowell and Fryer. Afterwards it was sold by McDowell to Hugh Cook. 4

Out-lot, No. 4, was owned by Charles Rand, the north part, and the south part by Samuel Dole and Marcus Bosworth, which was used as a brickyard. This would be on Market street, about Sixth street.

Out-lots, Nos. 40 and 41, were owned by William Lodwick, and are now the yards of the B. & O. Railroad. There was an extensive swamp, and it was unoccupied for a long time, but was afterwards acquired by the Scioto & Hocking Valley Railroad.

Out-lot, No. 48, was owned by John H. Thornton. On the northeast part of this lot was built what was called Wheeler's Academy. It was sold to the Methodist Church, and was used as a house of worship until they built the Bigelow Church, on Second street, where Hibbs' Hardware store now stands.

The land marked "Old Grave Yard'' was used as such until 1829, when the town purchased ground for the beginning of Green Lawn, and the bodies were removed to the new cemetery.

The entire front of the town, except that portion in front of 203 and 216, to the river, belonged to Henry Massie. In front of 203 and 216, the river front belonged to William Lodwick, and he had made a grade and wharf as a public landing.

Diary Of John G. Peebles

March 4, - A flat boat loaded with missionaries for the Choctaw Nation arrived, among whom were the father and mother of Rev. Augustus Bridwell, who in the year 1842, became the Presbyterian preacher at Pine Grove Furnace. On the following morning, I found a pen knife and the river being high, Sandy dugouts came with the flood, and in my travels along the bank I espied Dennison Shaw in a small dugout. I proposed to give him my knife for the dugout, which he accepted. We both got into it and made our way up the river, to the front of our house, Pig Iron Corner, where we landed at the head of a log raft, above a flat boat. I stepped out on a log and it turned. I went into the river and Robert Montgomery, who was a fisherman, was coming along with his canoe. He grabbed me and gave both Shaw and myself a few spanks in the rear, and pushed my dugout into the stream, thus putting my boating career to an end, with the loss of pen knife and dugout.

May 27, - A sermon preached by Dan Young, at the house of Thomas B. King, of Kentucky, on the death of Benjamin Mead, of Virginia, who died April 19, 1821. Father of Armstead Mead of Greenup County, Kentucky.

June 9, - Heavy rain. Turkey Creek higher than ever known before, was fifteen feet in less than two hours, overflowing all the farms, destroying three mills belonging to John West and the dwelling house of Thomas Nichols.

June 30, - Hon. Jasper N. Clough, uncle of Mrs. Rev. E. Burr, D. D., died at Chillicothe, Ohio. He was one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, in the forty-second or forty-third year of his age.

July 27, - John S. Smith, father of Charles S., P. N., and Joseph W. Smith, died, aged forty-one years. He was buried by Aurora Lodge, No. 48.

August 10, - Ezekiel, son of Elijah Glover died, aged seventeen years. On the same evening, at her residence, two miles from town, Mrs. Elizabeth Funk, wife of Martin Funk and grandmother of Martin F. Timmonds.

July 22, - At the yard of Kendall and Herod, the steamboat 'Herald,' was launched, afterward named "Ohio," built under the directions of Captain Stephen Butler.

December 24, - The Steamboat "Belvidere" was launched at the yard of Kendall and Herod built under the direction of Captain Rogers, and owned by Lodwick & Company.

March 25, - The steamboat 'Belvidere'? made her first trip. Made the trip from Louisville in two days, with ninety tons freight, seventy cabin and one hundred and five deck passengers. She had the largest number of ladies and gentlemen passengers which ever arrived here on a boat bound eastward. She was built at Kendall's Mills, near the mouth of Brush Creek, she was commenced July and launched in December. She was built of clear locust timbers, and had an iron fastened cabin built at Cincinnati, by James and Eben Abbot.'

May 19, - General La Fayette arrived at Cincinnati, escorted by Governor Desha and a number of other citizens of Kentucky. On Friday 20th at 11 o'clock, a grand procession was formed and marched through the streets to the open plain in the rear of the town, where was erected a grand pavilion, decorated with flowers and evergreens. After the General was seated, and the crowd silenced, the ''Marseilles Hymn" was sung, by Mr. Samuel M. Lee.

June 23, - The steamboat ''Velocipede" sank on Buffalo Log, below the mouth of Scioto. No lives were lost in transferring the passengers to the shore. $1,000.00 which was in paper and silver, was thrown from the boat to the yawl, fell into the river, but was found afterwards by divers.

July 4, - The great work of the Ohio Canal was commenced, at the Licking Summit and the first shovel of clay was thrown by Governor De Witt Clinton, of New York, followed by Governor Morrow, of Ohio. Oration by Thomas Ewing. Two spades were handed by Judge Minor, the President of the Board and Commissioners, to Governors Clinton and Morrow, desiring them in the name of the Commissioners and the people of Ohio, to commence the work, which was done, and as soon as done, was received by a shout, that might be heard above the roar of the artillery.

July 5, - John Young was suspended for three years from the _ benefits and privileges of Masonry for unmasonic conduct. Aurora Lodge, Number 48. John D. Weaver, Secretary Pro tem. "

March 14, - A boat load of pork and lard belonging to John McCoy, of Chillicothe, Ohio, was sunk in the Scioto river, at the cut off, being insured by the Travelers Insurance Co., of New York. J. and W. Peebles, Commission Merchants, were authorized to pay 75 cents for each barrel of pork and 50 cents for each keg of lard. A large proportion of the same was delivered to them. The balance drifted down the river, and was lost or buried in the sand. Strange to tell, about fifty years afterwards, a barrel of this identical pork was found buried in the sand bar, some where near the mouth of the Scioto Mill Race, - but the contents were not merchantable.

August 28, - A man by the name of John Smith, stopped at our Hotel, and brought with him a horse. He was sick when he came, grew worse and died September 4, and was buried September 5. Aged thirty-five years. He came from Louisville. His horse was kept by us until its keeping and the expenses of his sickness amounted to the value of the horse, which was kept by my brother William. After keeping it for some time, he sold it to Henry Massie, for $100.00. The amount being one of the payments on lot No. 48, of said Massie.

October 19, - Advertisement of Moses Gregory, Sheriff, calling the people as collector to pay their taxes. The taxes were then collected by the Sheriff, there being no Treasurer.

December 2, - The steamboat 'Merchant' arrived here, having in tow, an elegant and commodious barge, fitted up as a safety barge, with a cabin the entire length of the barge, and to accomodate one hundred passengers. It was made as an experiment, and commanded by Captain Robert Wallace, father-inlaw of John Shillito of Cincinnati, Ohio. It was found that it was inexpedient and difficult to manage in storms and landings, and was abandoned the first trip down.

During the year 1826, Hall & Thomas and S. Nixon & Co., opened stores in Portsmouth, Ohio. The former in Allen Morris' old store house, Damarin's upper store room, and Nixon's in George Clark's store house, corner of Market and Front, where the Biggs House now stands.

July 4, 1827 - Had a public dinner, under the Old Elm Tree, furnished by William Peebles. Declaration) read by Edward Hamilton and address by Charles Oscar Tracy, in the Presbyterian Church.

December 6, 1848 - The steamboat 'Relief', Captain William F. Davidson, left here for Tomlinson's dam, four miles below Chillicothe. with sixty tons freight and several passengers. She left here at one o'clock P. M. The principal part of the freight was for Messrs. J. R. and C. Brown.

Personal Recollections Of The Late John G. Peebles, Written By Himself

In order that the life and history of the Peebles family of Portsmouth, Ohio, as to their origin and past history, may be better understoood, I have thought proper and it may prove advantageous to give an account of their rise and progress to the present, and in giving an account of this family from my earliest recollections of each and every member of same, in order to give character to same, I may deviate from a close and connected account of the ages, connections and daily lives of each, and connect with it a more particular account of their history after their arrival at Chillicothe, Ohio, together with such memorandums of various births, marriages and deaths, and also of many notices of important matters which occurred during the time which probably may be forgotten by some. and unknown by many of those who are now living here. Having a fond recollection of the past, and having in my possession documentary evidence of what I shall relate and not relying on my own memory exclusively for dates, facts, etc., I will try to give such an account as ought to be considered valuable without egotistical embellishments.

Commencing with the history of my parents and their offspring. - My father, John Peebles, son of William and Elizabeth Peebles, was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. November 20, 1769. My mother, Margaret Rodgers, daughter of Richard and Rachel Rodgers, was born in the same County, May 13, 1777. They were married in said County, by the Rev. Doctor Cooper, November 17, 1795. William Peebles, my grandfather, was wounded in the battle of Long Island or Flat Bush and died of the wound September 5, 1776. The increase of my father's family was as follows: William Peebles was born in Shippensburg, Cumberland County. Pa., on November 16, 1796. Rachel Rodgers Peebles, born same place July 18, 1798. Betsy Peebles, born same place, September 1, 1800. Fanny Denny Peebles, born same place, July 3, 1803 and died November 11, 1804, aged 11 months, 48 days, was buried in Middlespring Cemetery, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Jane Frisby Peebles, born same place, February 23, 1806. During the month of May, 1807, my father with his family started from Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, for what was called the far west (Ohio) and came as far as Brownsville, Pennsylvania, in wagons, (bringing with him his sister Jane McCracken,) where he purchased a small flat boat and put all his household goods and family in it and came as far as Pittsburg. Some of the family were sick, so he remained there until they were in a situation to travel. During his stay there, he became acquainted with a man by the name of Andrews, (father of the late Hon. Watt Andrews). A merchant from Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, who had his goods in a flat boat, and my father lashed his boat to Mr. Andrew's boat, and they came to Portsmouth, Ohio, in the forepart of June, 1807, where my father stopped and put his household goods and family in wagons and started for Chillicothe, Ohio, arriving there after three days hard travel.

My father was a cabinet maker by trade and he practised his trade for five years. While here, he bought land now occupied as a cemetery near Paint Creek. Here he built a distillery, which was not a success and later burned down. At this place my brother Richard Rodgers Peebles was born January 10, 1810. After this loss of the distillery, he removed to town and lived in a house on Paint street, across the alley from what was then known as the Fitch tavern, now Valley House. In this house my sister, Margaret Rodgers Peebles was born November 10, 1811. Not being satisfied, but of a restless disposition, he bought a small farm some five or six miles from Chillicothe, Ohio, on Lick Run, which was heavily timbered, it had a large quantity of walnut and cherry timber on it together with an uncertain supply of water in the creek. He built a saw mill and started off to manufacture furniture largely. Not being very successful in this business, he concluded to build another distillery, which was not successful and burned down.

Miss Jane McCracken, who came with my father from Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, was not long in Chillicothé, before she married Mr. John Me- Coy, a prominent merchant. Three of their' children: Mrs. Dr. Foulke, Mrs. Dr. Waddle and Judge Samuel F. McCoy are still in Chillicothe and William MeCoy and John L. McCoy are in Independence, Missouri.

At this place, I was born November 30, 18138. We did not live long on the farm and my father traded it to Daniel W. Hearn for the house situated on Second street and adjoining (east) the house now owned and occupied by Dr. William Waddle. In this house, my brother, Joseph Scott Peebles was born June 19, 1817. After living in this house for three or four years, he sold it to William Creighton, Sr., and moved into a house on said Second street, east of Paint street, about opposite to the old Bank and Masonic Lodge house, where he lived until he became restless again.

With the persuasion of Doctor McDowell, father of John McDowell, and a man by the name of Haines, who had considerable property in the town of Mount Carmel, Illinois, he was persuaded to pack his household goods to go to Mount Carmel. My mother was not favorably disposed towards the expedition. but concluded to leave Chillicothe and go to some place where there would not be so many attractive speculations offered. The Scioto river was then navigable for keel boats with a moderate stage of water. It was decided to put the household goods in a keel boat which was owned by a man by the name of Pangburn and piloted or steered by Caleb Armitage of Scioto County, Ohio. ;

On Friday morning, April 2, 1819, we left Chillicothe, Ohio, in the keelboat. Miss Jane Douglas, sister of William H. Douglas, a prominent merchant, came with us to Portsmouth. It was understood by my mother, that, if she were pleased with Portsmouth, they would go no farther. Mr. Francis Campbell and James Culbertson accompanied us as far as Kilgour's Mill. The - river was high and the boat went rapidly along. We stopped in the evening at Piketon, laid all night, and were visited by Mr. and Mrs. Fitch who were then living there. They brought a good warm supper to the boat for us. We started early the next morning and made a speedy run, being the first boat that ever passed through the "cut-off", and in passing through it, the steering

We landed at Gharky's lower ferry landing about three o'clock, Saturday afternoon. Shortly after our arrival, we all went up into town to a hotel on the corner of Front and Massie streets, kept by Henry Core. We had not been there long until my father had made an arrangement with Mr. Core to take the hotel on Monday morning. The house was a brick structure, two stories high, with two rooms below and two above, and had a good sized one and one half story house in the rear. The lower story was used as a dining room and kitchen and the upper part was used as a sleeping department. It was occupied by our family until Monday morning.

During the Sabbath, we children stayed in that department all day; and the time was spent principally in learning and saying the Shorter Catechism. Father and mother. attended Presbyterian Church in the Court House which was located in the middle of Market street about half way between Front and Back street (now Second street). My father having determined to stay here, presented his and mother's letters to the church. Stephen Lindsley was the pastor. On the next Sabbath, we children attended a Sabbath School which was kept in the middle room of a house owned and occupied by Samuel Gunn. The teachers were Samuel Gunn, James Abbott, Dr. Hersey-and Dr. Thos. Waller. Elijah Glover was keeping a Hotel on the same street, a short distance below ours. William Byers was a baker and we obtained our first supply of bread from him.

Our schoolmaster was David Knight Cady, and he kept his school for a short time in one of the rooms of the Gunn mansion and removed later to a small frame house on the lot above where C. McCoy afterwards built a brick house which he turned into a hotel. This school was kept in _ this house about one year, when he moved into what was called Wheeler's Academy, situated on Thornton's out lot on the extension of Market street. He kept there but a short time and quit keeping school. As there are some still living who went to school in that house under the tutorship of Mr. Cady, and others who will often hear the name of Wheeler's Academy mentioned, I will give a short description of the building taken from an advertisement in the Portsmouth Gazette, August 19, 1820, which says that "'the house is as well lighted and well calculated and finished for the convenience of scholars as any where, and large enough to accommodate 150 scholars at a time. It is handsomely situated on Market street, about thirty perches north of the Court House" (which then stood in the middle of Market street, half way between Front and Second street) "adjoining the open fields, embracing the free circulation of air, and retired from the noise and temptations incident to a town, caleulated to draw the attention of scholars from their studies; and free also from the dangers to which small scholars are exposed from being near the water of the Ohio river during the intermissions of school."

My father had business capacity but lacked in judgment and skill in selecting and managing outside investments. He was easily led into outside speculations which generally proved unsuccessful, but being of a mechanical turn he delighted in manufacturing enterprises and before he left Chillicothe, he bought from Isaac Cook, the machinery: of a nail factory, which had not proved to be a success in Chillicothe, but which he thought could be successfully operated in Portsmouth. He brought with him a man by the name of Thomas Tipton, to operate it. The iron to make the nails had to come from Pittsburg. :

The process of making nails then was all done by man power. The product was small and the expense of making them was large, compared with what it is now. 'lhe stock used to make them was Juniata Hoop Iron, the width of same was such, that when cut into nail shape it would make the various sizes from 3's to 10's. The Hoop Iron had to be heated and then pushed through a shear worked by hand and reversed so as to make head and point. They did not turn the plate as the feeders do now, but moved the hand that held the Hoop Iron just enough to make the bevel of the nail, haying a guide on each side so as to make the bevel and side alike. This was a slow process. The worst operation was to head them which was done in a spring vise operated by the tramp of the foot. The nail was held in the fingers of the nailer and dropped into the vise, having enough outside to make the head and the heading was done by a lick of hammer in the hands of a nailer. It was a drop, a move of the foot and a blow of the hammer, that made a nail; and from this process, the phrase of "hit the nail on the head" originated. The work of a man and machine was about 25 pounds a day and the price of them ranged from 50 to 75 cents per pound. This manufactory was started in a small house that stood just above where the old James Lodwick building stands, but the manufactory did not last long as it was not profitable. This was the first and the last nail factory of that kind in the Ohio Valley.

Portsmouth being the point where all the merchandise sold in the Scioto Valley as far as Columbus was landed, to be hauled or boated up to Chillicothe, Circleville and Columbus, my father was induced to open a commission house for storage, which business was more remunerative than any of his previous operations. There being at that time no warehouses for the storage of goods, we had to use stables and vacant houses for that purpose.

In the spring of 1819, I saw a steamboat, for the first time. The name of it was "Basil Wells,' named after a prominent man who lived in Steubenville, Ohio. The boat did not land or come to shore, but anchored out in the stream opposite the Elm Tree. The Captain was afraid of the natives. He came to our Hotel and was received so kindly that he invited our family to come on board and see the boat. None of them had ever seen a steamboat. My father engaged Mr. Gharky to bring his ferry flat around. The mouth of the Scioto was then at Alexandria, and the flat had to come around and go up to the boat. I was small and my feet had an unusual amount of dirt on them, so that the colored Steward, as soon as I set my feet on the boat, picked me up and set me back in the flat. I was deprived of seeing that boat.

We remained in the Core house until the fall of 1820, when we moved into a large frame house which was built during that year and owned by Elijah Glover. This house was situated on the corner of Front and First West Street (now Jefferson), in which house my sister Betsy, was married on the 11th day of April, 1821, to Dr. G. S. _B. Hempstead. Margaret Jane Hempstead (now Gaylord), was born in this house, January 22, 1822 and my sister Margaret Rodgers Peebles died in this house, September 27, 1822, and was buried in the graveyard, then situated where the Burgess Iron and Steel Works was afterwards located. Dr. Hempstead was absent from home at the time of the birth of his daughter, attending a course of lectures, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and shorty after his return, he moved into a one-story house on Back street (now Second street) owned by Jacob Clingman. The same house was afterward occupied by Mrs. Wertz. He removed in the spring of 1823, to the Daily House on Front Street, now occupied by Mr. Eberhardt, where on June 18, 1823, Samuel B. Hempstead was born.