Randolph County, Indiana - Chapter 1: The Genesis of the County, 1914

Chapter 1: The Genesis of the County

All things must have a beginning. To trace the beginnings of the original inhabitants the limits Of Randolph county is of course impossible. The first people of which we have a trace left nothing but a few mounds and embankments by which we might know them.

That Randolph county was inhabited by these people known as the "Mound Builders" goes without question. Traces of their work and art are found in various parts of the county. Their mounds, or look-outs, are still fairly well preserved; their "fort," the only one in this portion of Indiana, is still partially preserved. It is to be regretted that much of it has been destroyed, we know nothing of these people except that they lived and built a few crude mounds and forts. We are but little interested in their welfare, because they have left nothing by which the world is wiser or better. No nation, as well as individual, can hope to have future generations interested in its life unless it has left something by which humanity has been made better.

From whence the mound builders came, or whither they went is only a matter of conjecture. They attained some degree of skill but certainly had no very high degree of civilization.

Their successor or the Indian dates back to the time of tradition and yet the Indians had no tradition of the mound builders, so great was their antiquity.

The first inhabitants of Randolph county, so far as the knowledge of the Indian goes, were the Miami Indians. The Miamis were a fierce war-like tribe that inhabited practically all the Northwest Territory as well as other portions of the middle west. The Iroquois, on the east, were also a fierce war-like tribe and overcame the Miamis about tWo hundred years ago. The Miamis, however, with the support of the other Indians and the French, succeeded in driving the Iroquois back into New York and again claiming the control of the middle west. That the Miamis laid claim to the land in this county is clearly shown by a speech made on the 22nd of July in council at Greenville, Ohio, by Little Turtle the head chiet ot the Miamis, and in his address to General Wayne, he said :

"I wish to inform you where your younger brothers, the Miamis lived, also the Potawatamies of St. Joseph together with the Wabash Indians. You have pointed out to us the boundary line of the Indians and the United States, but now I take the liberty to inform you that that line cuts off from the Indians a large portion of country which has been enjoyed by my fore-fathers time immemorial without molestation or dispute. The print of my ancestors' houses are everywhere to be seen in this portion. It is well known by all of my brothers present, that my fore-fathers kindled the first fire at Detroit; from thence he extended his line to the head water of the Scioto ; from thence to its mouth ; from thence, down the Ohio to the mouth of the Wabash; and from thence to Chicago, on Lake Michigan; at this place, I first saw my older brothers, the Shawnees."

Later on, 1809, an additional treaty was made with the Miamis at Ft. Wayne by which we gained the Twelve Mile Purchase. This purchase is a strip of land twelve miles wide, the western bovindary of which is parallel to the boundary Hne established by the treaty of Greenville.

There is no history of Randolph county connected directly with any Indians as the county itself had very few Indians ever dwelling within its borders. The few who were here were of the roving type, traveling from one camp to another. The only Indian's name identified with the county is the word "Mississinewa."

The territory of which we are now a part was first organized in 1721 as Illinois county. The first government was attempted in 1779 when Col. John Todd, who bore the commission of county lieutenant of the county of Illinois, visited the old settlement of Vincennes and Kaskaskia for the purpose of organizing, among the inhabitants of these places, forms of temporary government, according to the provisions of the Acts of the General Assembly of Virginia of the previous October. But little headway was made with this organization. Indiana territory was organized, as such, by an Act of Congress May 7, 1800. By this act we received the name of "Indiana." Just why this territory should be called Indiana is not known. The word no doubt is a memorial to the Indians, who received their name from Columbus, when he thought he had discovered the East Indias. It perhaps was applied directly to this territory because a company of Englishmen, whose purpose it was to exploit this territory, named their company the "Indiana Company."

Had Thomas Jefferson's plan been adopted for the new territory, the northern part of this county would have been in the state of Metropotam'ia and the southern part would have been in the state of Saratoga, as the line dividing these ,two suggested states passed through Randolph county.

Settlers began to come in the county as early as 1814. Many of the easterners, especially of Virginia, .had emigrated to the Carolinas and there being dissatisfied with local conditions, especially slavery, had come on into the then unsettled valley of the Mississippi. Among these settlers were the Wrights and the \\'^ays, who started their homes along White river in and around Winchester. The Parkers, Thomases and Wilcutts came farther north and' settled first in Wayne county, and then moved on over what is now the southern boundary of Randolph county. These people being Quakers and religiously opposed to slavery had left the Carolinas because of that institution, and came into the middle west to establish homes free from its pernicious influences.

By 1818 enough settlers were in the northern part of Wayne county to justify the organization of a new county, complete account of which is given under the chapter of "Organization," in this volume.

The church became an early factor of the community for these people were indeed God-fearing, and were not of the rough and wild type to be found in many of the frontier settlements. The traveling minister, be his denomination what it may, found always a welcome into any of the homes where he might wish to stop. Settlers eager and anxious to hear the doctrines of their church discussed or to hear proclaimed from the lips of a good man, any doctrines that would lead to the betterment of society.

The peddler with his stock of goods upon his back was also a welcome visitor to the pioneer home. He not only provided the family with temporary needs, physically, but was the disseminator of news and gossip from one farm home to another.

The tavern soon became a necessity and many a farm home became the stopping place of the traveler. Some such homes bore splendid reputations and were always eagerly sought by the wayfarer. Regular taverns were kept in some of the settlements. The first to be built in Winchester was in 18 19 by a Mr. McCooI. Paul W. Way was also another early hotel keeper.

ant he might be of the law. He was no doubt Hmited in the finer arts of legal practice, but he had, and exercised, great authority. At first it might seem that he was an extremist, but it must be remembered that he had drastic laws to enforce. For example, horse stealing, upon second offense, was punishable by death, and a fine of $i.oo was assessed for each ofifense for "blaspheming in the name of God, Jesus Christ or the Holy Ghost." Any one who "Marked a hog, shoat or pig other ^than his own, or changed the mark of a hog, shoat or pig, other than his own, should be fined in any sum not to exceed $10.00 and should have upon his or her bare back lashes not to exceed thirty- three."

It will be seen that travel was extremely difficult, as our rivers were not large enough to be navigable and paths had to be blazed through the unbroken forests. But man is a social being and the paths soon became trails and the trails became public highways. These usually led from one town to another, from one church or another or from the neighborhood mill. Indeed, the early mill became, what in later days, would be called a "social center." The railroads eventually came, and the problem of transportation was solved.

Many towns were "laid out" and their proprietors hoped to make a metropolis of them. Among the towns organized with bright hopes, but which never got beyond the dreams of the proprietors were, Randolph, in Wayne township, Castle, Mt. Holly, Allensville, Flemingsburg, Springborough, Rockingham, Steubenville, Royston, Newburg and Newtown. Others thrived for a few years but local conditions and locations conspired to defeat their becoming a metropolis. Others such as Deerfield, Windsor, Huntsville, Arba, and New Pittsburg were trading points of importance but were "killed by railroads missing them."

In the development of the county, in every institution or enterprise, it has been and will always continue to be the "survival of the fittest." The old must give way to the new; the problem of yesterday is solved today and becomes a memory tomorrow.

First Things

The first boy in the country was Jesse Parker, son of Thomas Parker above, eight years old. He lived long at Bethel, Wayne county, Indiana, a jovial, hearty old man, honestly earning his living by the constant "rap, rap, rap of his well worn hammer." (Died near Lynn, fall of 1881.)

The first girls were Celia and Sarah Parker, daughters of Thomas and Anna Parker above. Sarah was burned to death when a girl; Celia was married to Benjamin Arnold, and resides at Arba.

The first county formed in what is now Indiana, was Knox county, created in 1790, under Governor St. Clair, with Vincennes as the county seat, and including all Indiana and Michigan, the settlers along the Ohio, a fort and garrison at Fort Wayne, and one at Detroit.

The first settlement in Indiana was at Vincennes, by the French (perhaps) in 1702. A post was established by Sieur Juchereau and Missionary Meret at that date.

When General Gage, a British officer, demanded of the French settlers at Vincennes that they should leave their homes and their lands, the French protested that they had held them by charter from the French King for seventy years, and that to drive them away now would be unjust and cruel, and they were allowed to remain.

The first county east of the "Old Boundary" (Wayne's), agreed on in 1795, was Dearborn, erected by Indiana Territory in 1803, settled in 1796, before any surveys had been made except the "gore" between the Ohio line and the "Old Boundary" line, which was surveyed in 1800, three years before, and embracing the whole region west of the Ohio line and east of Wayne's boundary.

Wayne county was organized in 18 10, embracing all the territory east of the "New Boundary," and north of the southern boundary of the county.

Randolph county was organized in 1818, at first extending westward only to the west boundary of the Twelve Mile Purchase. It was first settled in 18 14.

The first capital of the state of Indiana was Corydon, in Harrison county, in the southern part of the state, almost exactly south of Indianapolis.

The first marriage license was issued by Charles Conway, clerk, to Jacob Wright and Sally Wright, February 2, 1819. They were married by John Gibson, a Methodist Episcopal minister.

The first licensed store was opened by William Connor, November, 18 18, on sections 10, 18, 14, two or three miles northwest of (Old) Snow Hill, in Washington township. (Jesse Connor, son of John Connor, and nephew of this William Connor says that he was born in that first store, and that the place was where Lynn now is, and not as above stated. Mr. Jesse Connor was born, however, not before 183 1, thirteen years after this store was licensed. This William Connor was a bachelor, and unsettled in residence , a;id business. )

The first house in Winchester was built in the spring of 1819. It was a round log-cabin, one story, "scutched down" with clapboard roof and stick and clay chimney. It stood on inlot No. 9, north front, and was owned and occupied for many years by Martin Comer.

The first white child born in White River township is thought to be Fanny (Diggs) Hill, daughter of William Diggs, Jr., [Old Billy Diggs], wife of Matthew Hill, of Jericho; she was born September 11, 1817.

Lydia (Wright) Jones, sister of Solomon Wright, who lived near the mouth of Cabin creek, was born October 5, 1817, three weeks after the arrival of her parents from Clinton county, Ohio.

The first officers elected were Wm. Edwards, John Wright, associate judges; Charles Conway, clerk, and recorder; David Wright, sheriff; Solomon Wright, coroner; Eli Overman, Benjamin Cox, John James, commissioners.

The first attorney admitted to practice law in Randolph county circuit court was James Rariden, who was also appointed first prosecuting attorney.

The first judgment rendered by the court was in the same .case. The judgment was for the plaintiff, and the amount $135.00. Time of rende-ring judgment, April, 1820.

The first settler on White river was WilHam Diggs, Jr., who came during the summer of 1816, with Paul, Henry H., William and Robert Way. He married during the winter of 1816 or 1817, and settled, perhaps, February, 181 7.

The first settler in West River may have been William Blount. He first entered land, and may have been the first settler. His entry is dated April 10, 1815. It was afterward the Zimmerman (Retz) farm, on West river.

The first settler in Ward township is not now known. James Strain entered a section of land in 1816, but he is said never to have lived on the land. Fifteen entries were made in 1817, the first being Daniel Richardson, May 21, 1817, southwest quarter of 12, 21, 14, on Mississinewa river, northeast of John Keys.

The first settler in Stoney Creek may have been Isaac Branson. "Aunt Patsy" Branson said that she came with her husband to Stoney Creek township in 1819. She was perhaps mistaken. He entered his land November 28, 1822. Yet, he may have resided in the county some years, and he entered land in that township, November 28, 1822.

However, David Vestal made the first entry, October 31, 1822, four weeks before Isaac Branson did his. Yet Mr. Branson is said to have come in February, 1819, and "Aunt Patsy" thought they were first, and perhaps they were.

The first settler in Monroe township was perhaps John Rody. At least he entered the first land, April 10, 1833, one mile south of Morristown.

The first resident of Jackson township is thought to have been Philip Storms. He lived at a very early day at the Allensville crossing of the Mississinewa, and still before that in the southern part of the township. He was poor and not able to purchase land, and once or twice had land entered from under him, which provoked him, as well it might, since that was justly enough reckoned a very serious breach of "squatter unwritten law." He resided in the region in 1830.

The first railroad through the county was the Indianapolis & Bellefontaine railroad, completed in 1852-3. This road was afterwards called the "Bee Line" and is now a part of the New York Central Lines.

The first wagon-shop, so far as now known, was owned by Thomas Butterworth, before 1840, who lived two and a half miles southeast of Winchester.

The first blacksmith shop may have been John Way's at Winchester, (not known). James Frazier, father of Francis Frazier, the bellmaker, was a bellmaker and blacksmith. He came in 1817, (in the spring). Jere Smith's father came in August, 1817, and he was a blacksmith and worked at his trade.

The first orchard is thought to have been set out by Henry H. Way, near Sampletown, about 1817 or 181 8. Some of the trees are still standing, two to two and a half feet through, and in a bearing condition.

The first binder was owned by Wm. Wright in Stoney Creek township. This machine was a "Buckeye Wire Binder" sold by George Robbins of Farmland. It was necessary to watch the machine as it was in danger of being destroyed.

One of the oldest brick dwellings in the county now stands on the Brickley farm, one mile southwest of Dunkirk meeting-house. The bricks were burnt on the farm for the purpose.

The first penitentiary sentence was rendered in the August term, 1824, against David Banta, for hog stealing. The prisoner escaped into Ohio and was never captured, and so the sentence remains not carried out to this day.

The first water-mill in Greens fork township may have been Jessup's on Greenville creek. It was built as early as 1820, and perhaps earlier.

The first mill on White river was probably Sample's Mill, west of Winchester, or Jeremiah Cox's mill near Jericho. Cox's mill was built in 1825, five or six miles east of Winchester. No mill is found at either place now.

The first carding machine in Winchester is supposed to have been built by Moorman Way, Esq. It was run by ox-power, and was built about 1832.

The first two-story hewed log cabin in Winchester was built in the fall of 1819, on Inlot No. i, west front, by James McCool, a blind man. It was good and substantial, and was occupied by him as a hotel in 1819.

The first cook stove brought to Randolph county was by Edward Edger, of Deerfield, about 1838 or 1839. It cost $50.00 in silver at 10 per cent, premium, equal to $55.00 in currency, besides the cost of hauling it from Cincinnati.

Another cook stove was brought to the county at the same time for Mrs. Kinnear, south of Deerfield. It was just like Mr. Edger's and cost the same amount.

The first entry in Randolph county was by Jeremiah Mottatt, fn Wayne township, northwest of Harrisville, December i, 18 12, northwest quarter section 18, town 20, range 15. He never occupied the tract.

The first entry in Jackson township was by John Abercrombie, October 16, 1816, southwest quarter section 7, town 21, range 15. Jackson township was not settled till long afterwards.

The first entry in Stoney Creek was by David Vestal, October 31, 1822, southwest quarter section 8, town 19, range 12. Two more entries were made the same day by John Connor, and five more in the month of November following, or 880 in all in less than a month.

The first entry in Nettle Creek was by John Burroughs, October 21, 1822, southwest quarter section 15, town 18, range 12. Within less than a month, 760 acres were entered in that township.

The first entries in Green township were made by John Michael and Martin Boots, August 18, 1832, northwest quarter section 8, town 21, range 12, and northeast quarter section 9, town 21, range 12.

The first tan-yard was probably set up by Hugh Botkins southeast of Huntsville. Mr. Botkins came very early. The first one may have been at Sampletown.

The first burying ground was probably at Arba. Arba, Lynn, Cherry Grove, Jericho, White River and Dunkirk meetings were all established shortly after the settlement of the county, Arba being almost certainly the first.

The first drain-tile made in the county, as also in the state, were manufactured by hand by John K. Martin in a machine made by himself in 1856. He made 200 rods and burned them in a brick-kiln in his father's yard.

The first teacher's institute was held at Winchester under the direction of Prof.. E. P. Cole, principal of Randolph County Seminary, about 1850.

The first session of the Union Literary Institute commenced June 15, 1846, with Rev. Ebenezer Tucker as principal, in a two-story hewed log house, upon ground cleared from the heavy green woods for the purpose. A huge tree-trunk, four feet through, lay for years not twenty feet from the door, that had just been felled "in the green," and the boarding house erected the next year had several green stunips under the floor.

The first hotel in the county may have been kept by Joseph Gass, between Economy and Winchester. At least it was there in the spring of 181 7, when the "Way Company" came through from Caroline to White River.

The first assessor (lister) was George Bowles, appointed February, ,1819. He made his report in May and was allowed $10 for assessing the county.

The first murder in the eastern part of the state was done in Wayne county, in 1816. A man by the name of Criss killed his son-in-law, Mr. Chambers. He was tried, convicted, and hung at Salisbury, then the county seat of Wayne county.

The first post offices in the various townships were probably as follows: White River (and in the county), Winchester, Ward, Deerfield; Greens fork, Spartanburg; Washington, Bloomingsport ; Franklin, Ridgeville; Wayne (old) Randolph; Stoney Creek, Windsor; West River, Trenton; Huntsville, Nettle Creek, Losantville; Jackson, New Lisbon; Green, Fairview; Monroe, Farmland. / .