Jennings Township

Jennings Township

TENNINGS is one of the original five townships ^ into which the^couaty was divided by the Commissioners February 9, 1819, when its boundaries were described as follows: "Beginning at the southwest corner of Section 16, Township 13, Range 13; thence north to the northwest corner of Section 21, Township 14, Range 13; thence east along the line dividing Sections 21 and 16 to the boundary line; thence south .along said boundary to the southeast corner of fractional Section 18; thence west to the place of beginning." In addition to its present territory the towuship then included more than onethird of the present township of Liberty, and more than one section of Harmony Township of Union County. This it lost on the formation of Union County in 1821.

The township is in the form of a parallelopipedon and has for its northern boundary Waterloo Township, its eastern boundary Union County, its southern boundary Jackson Township, and its western boundary Connersville and Jackson Townships. It contains eighteen sections or 11,520 acres of land, the surface of which is rolling and of excellent productive quality. The streams of the township are Simpson Creek, Mud Run, Village and a branch of Eli's Creek - all small. It is well piked and the northern portiou is crossed by the C, H. & I. R. R.

Land Entries Early Settlement And Pioneer Biography

It will be noticed that the earliest purchases made were in 1811 and 1812, the lands lying in the northern half of the township, excepting one in Section 3, south of Alquina. While this is true the first settlement effected was on land not entered until 1814. Thomas Simpson, Sr., wJio is credited with being the first to settle within the present limits of the subdivision, was a native of Maryland, born in 1778. He subsequently settled in North Carolina, where he was married to Sarah Mabry or Marberry, and in after years removed to the vicinity of Clinch River, in Tennessee. About the year 1805 or 1806, having in view the purchase of land in the Territory of Indiana, he removed to the vicinity of Harrison, Ohio, and was there awaiting the further preparation of lands for market. Here he lived several years, and when one Vantrees, a Government Surveyor, was making up the party for the survey of the " Twelve-Mile Purchase," Simpson joined them to act as hunter for the party. He accompanied them and remained until the survey was completed (which was in progress in 1808 -09), traveling and hunting over the country from Michigan to the Ohio River. On the approach of winter tho party built a log-cabin by a spring on the northeast quarter of Section 23 (Township 14, Range 13), which they occupied during the survey of that region of the country.

wagon, moved his family, consisting of wife and six children, to the cabin, and on that site passed the remaining years of his life, dying February 5, 1848, in the seventy-sixth year of his age.

To Thomas Simpson, Sr., a son, still residing in sight of the spot where the old cabin stood, around which cluster so many recollections of frontier life, the writer is indebted for the above data, and much other contained in this volume. Mr. Simpson was born in Tennessee in the year 1800 and is consequently past four score years, yet is well preserved physically and retains a clear memory. In 1826 he married Joanna S. White, who too has been spared to spend the evening of their lives together.

In the vicinity of the cabin, probably three-quarters of a mile south of the spring in that early day, was a camping- ground for the Indians which they frequently occupied and many were their visits to the Simpson dwelling, where they were always fed, which kindness they remembered and no depredations were committed in the neighborhood. Just north of the creek, which by the way was known by the Indians as Brush or Brushy Creek, and subsequently designated by the pioneers as Simpsons' Creek, in honor of the first settler, was the place of burial of the Indians, and on the arrival of the Simpsons was still used.

Probably the major portion of the early settlers of Jennings were emigrants from the South, yet some of them were natives of the North and East but had emigrated thither in the earlier history of that section.

John and Stephen Oldham, brothers, John Keeney, James Smith, and Samuel Hill, all men of families, immigrated to the Simpson neighborhood from Tennessee about 1810 or 1811. Smith and Oldham were ministers of the Regular Baptist Church. These with later settlers came from the neighborhood in Tennessee in which the Simpsons had resided and communication had been carried on between them and others by which means they and others were induced to come.

Jacob Darter and family settled just west of Alquina in 1813. He and wife Catharine emigrated from Vii-ginia to Campbell County, Tenn., in 1811, where one winter was passed and in 1812 they removed to the old Adam Eli place on East Fork, in what is now Union County, where the husband rented ground and raised one crop, then came to what is now Fayette County. They are believed to have been the first family that settled in that vicinity. That same season Joseph Vanmeter, who lived on the William Louderback place and John Manley, who lived on the Joseph Rutherford place, came to the neighborhood; the former emigrating from Ohio. About this time Isaac and James Jones settled in that vicinity and it

"Adam Pigman was born August 18, 1789, in Greene County, Penn. At one year of age, he was taken by his parents to Bracken County, Ky. , living some time in Fort Augusta, Bracken Station. At the age of four years his parents moved to Jessamine County, where he grew up to manhood, spending most of the time working at the carpenter's trade. When a boy, he often saw those old pioneers of Kentucky, Boone and Kenton, and was a nephew to James Harrod, who built the first cabin on the historic 'dark and bloody ground.' In June, 1812, he enlisted in the army under Capt. Dowden, Col. Togue's regiment serving as Fourth Sergeant of his company, and in August his regiment marched for the seat of war. He was in the relief sent to Fort Wayne, which place they entered without firing a gun; then marched to the support of Gen. Winchester, in Ohio, following the defeated British and Indians under Proctor down the Maumee River for several days and nights. He was then detailed to help build Fort Amanda, on the Auglaize River, and was afterward in the relief sent to Gen. Winchester, then at Frenchtown, on the River Raisin, but was too late to participate in that bloody engagement which clothed Kentucky and Ohio in mourning. His command then marched to and helped build Fort Meigs, where, after considerable skirmishing, and enduring many hardships, known only to frontier life, in all of which he considered death preferable to dishonor, he was mustered out, and returned with a number of comrades to the home of his boyhood, where he again entered the service, this time as Lieutenant of his company.

1813, and entered a quarter- section of land in what is now Fayette County, and in the summer of the nest year, in company with the Huff family, started again for the far West, traveling through the wilderness on foot, driving stock for his board. They arrived at their destination, now Rigor's Mill, in September,

1814, and the first morning of his arrival ho shot nineteen wild turkeys. His first work in the now country was to build a house for Huff, hewing the timber, including the studding, braces' and rafters. It was the first frame house built within the limits of Union County, and the present residence of R. T. Maize. After the completion of the job, he went to Brookvillo - then composed of a few small cabins - and worked as journey carpenter with Tom Coldscott, and through this means obtained the money to pay for his land. He was married, November 4, 1815, to Mary, daughter of Adam Eli, from whom Eli's

Creek derived its name. December 14, 1815, he and his wife moved on land in Fayette County, and on the night of their arrival snow fell to the depth of two feet and six inches, and lay on the gi'ound until the next spring; yet notwithstanding this and the many privations incident to new settlers, by the middle of May they had cleared in the greenwood sis acres, and planted it in corn, and by the nest spring they had cleared twelve acres more, part of which they planted in fruit trees, being the first planted in the Village Creek Valley. For nine years they lived here, sometimes suffering greatly for the comforts of life, but always cheerful, submitting to any privation or labor that fell to their lot.

" Fields were to be cleared in the green timber, roads to be cut through the trackless forest; schoolhouses were to be built; a means of defense was to be kept organized, in all of which he contributed his full share of means and time, serving as Captain of a company of Territorial Militia for several years. In March, 1824, they moved to their present residence, to be near to and care for their aged parents. They had twelve children, ten of whom have already gone over the dark river, leaving them but two in their old age - Luranah, th& eldest, and Eli, who is a power of strength to them in their declining years. Adam Pigman, now eighty six years old, in early life resolved to abstain from the use of whisky, coffee and tobacco, and has strictly adhered to that resolution from that year to the present time.

Mr. Pigman and wife celebrated, November 4, 1875, the sixtieth anniversary of their marriage. They died, the former, September 17, and the latter September 23, 1876, aged eighty-seven and eighty years respectively."

Many of those entering land settled upon it at about the time of purchase, or in some cases a little later, and were engaged for years in improving the same, while a few never settled their possessions, but bought for others or for speculation.

Aaron and Jonathan Haugham, from Kentucky, after a residence of some years, removed further West. The Nobles, Lewis, Daniel and Joseph, from Tennessee, were early settlers, but subsequently left the county.

In 1814 James Newland, from Bracken County, Ky., settled in the township. He had, in 1812, emigrated from the State of Pennsylvania. Reserved in the war of 1812-15.

er to Adam Pigman, spoken of above. The Stoddards and Kobinsons were from Ohio, and related. They resided on the land they entered for a j)eriod, then removed further West, to the Wabash country.

Geoi-ge, the father of John C. Death, in whose name the land was entered, came from Ohio here, and subsequently removed to Montgomery County, this State.

Abraham Lyons, who died at Lyons' Station in 1880, at the advanced age of eighty years, was a native of Virginia, and with his parents removed to Kentucky, and in 1808 settled in Indiana Territory, and about the year 1815 located in the vicinity of Alquina. He was the father of ten children.

The Rosses, from North Carolina, were pioneers in the vicinity of Alquina. The Rutherfords were from the State of Pennsylvania, and settled in Section 4, on a tract of 170 acres, for which, in 1830, Joseph paid $800. It was one of the first farms opened up in the township.

Samuel Riggs, with his parents, settled early in Washington County, Ohio, coming from the State of Maryland. In 1811 Samuel walked from Washington County to this section of the country, selected and entered his land, and in 1819, with family, moved upon it and there passed his life.

James Worster, a native of Pennsylvania, moved early in life to Bracken County, Ky., with parents. In 1814, with family, James emigrated to what lately became Jennings Township. He had previously served in the war of 1812. Subsequently his father, Robert, settled in the township, and was among the early school teachers of the county. He is said to have preached the first Methodist sermon west of the Alleghenies.

Amos Miliner settled in the township in 1819. He was a Revolutiouary soldier, and in an early day emigrated from Pennsylvania to Bracken County, Ky. He died in 1851, in the ninety-second year of his age.

William Lair, a soldier of the war of 1812, and son of a Revolutionary soldier, a native of Virginia, though reared in Harrison County, Ky., some time subsequent to the last war with England immigrated to what is now this township, where he entered land upon which he lived and died. Several sons and descendants are now residents of this county.

David Sutton, a native of Pennsylvania, in about 1816 settled in the township on land where now resides his son A. B. David entered a large body of

In 1819 William Walker, a Virginian, settled in the township. He had previously lived for a time in the vicinity of Chillicothe, Ohio. He served in the war of 1812.

The widow Garland Stanley, of North Carolina stock, with several childi-en immigrated from Campbell County, Ky. , in 1822 to Union County, this State, and in 1824 settled in this township.

In 1833 John Jacob Scholl settled in the township. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and the father of Jacob, Solomon and .George Scholl, of this township. Michael Petro, a Virginian, though from Ohio here, located in the township in 1816.

The origin of this little village seems lost to the few pioneers yet living in its vicinity. Fifty years ago it was a village of almost its present size. From tradition it is learned that one Green Larimore gave the name to the place. He was one of the early merchants there, and made some pretensions to perform cures by the laying on of hands, and other similar means. The village occupies ground in the northwestern and northeastern parts of Sections 2 and 3 respectively, located on the road leading from Connersville to Dunlapsville, a little east of the center of the township. The original proprietor of this ground was Joseph Vanmeter, and the date of entry, 1813.

The records show that a south addition to the village was laid ofi" November 2, 1838, by Joseph D. Ross and Isaac Darter, and that the north part was laid off December 27, 1841, by Jacob Reed; surveyed by William Dickey.

Among the early merchants of the village were Samuel N. Harlan, licensed in May, 1830; H. G. Larimore, licensed in January, 1831 (which was renewed for several years); Moses Lyons, licensed in 1836; Joseph D. Ross, licensed in 1837 (in January, 1839, Joseph D. Ross was Postmaster at this point, and the store was in the hands of Joseph D. & Samuel K. Ross, who were successors to Moses Lyons, the latter having built the store house); David Maze succeeded Ross, and in several years sold to John H. Eyestone. In September, 1839, license was granted to S. & T. Jackson to vend merchandise. Subsequent firms were Eyestone & Newland, H. H. & Thomas Jackson, and Maze & Jackson.

A Mr. Mallery, John Cashner, Joseph Graham, Jacob Davis, Joseph Pullen, John Sims and Aaron Goulding have been among the earlier blacksmiths of the village.

Not far from 1841 George P. Lyons, Samuel Branum, William Freely and a fourth party erected a steam power saw-mill, which was operated a number of years. Having changed hands several times was finally destroyed by lire when owned by Price & Bros. It was rebuilt and a planing-mill attached for the manufacture of sash and doors. In recent years it was removed to another location.

The census of 1880 gave Alquina a population of 125. It has now a postoffice, two stores, two blacksmith shops, one shoe shop, a schoolhouse and one church.

Eaklt Schools

Among the early schools can be mentioned the one known as the Jones or Darter schoolhouse, situated about half-way between those farms, and located, perhaps, a mile southwest of Alquina. About the year 1826 or 1827 school was taught here by Baylis Jones. Another schoolhouse of about this period, known as the Eyestone school, stood probably one mile east of the present Mount Garrison meetinghouse, or two miles east of south of Alquina, on the Asbury Hanson farm. Green Larimore, Mr. Linn, Matthew R. Hull, Washington Curnutt and Thomas O' Brine were early teachers in this locality; also John P. Brown. Daddy Wooster is thought, too, to have taught one of the early schools in the southern part of Jennings Township. A little later school was kept in the vicinity of Alquina by Squire Harrison, of Connersville, and by a Mr. Barnard. These were all subscription schools, and the buildings constructed of logs. Gradually the schools received part public money, and finally came improvement in the buildings, and the regular school districts supported entirely by public money.

Churches And Geave-Yards

On a beautiful kaoll in the northeastern part of the township, along Simpson's Creek, is situated what is known as the Simpson graveyard. It is on the farm and in sight of the spring where the cabin was built in the fall of 1808 which sheltered the surveying party, and soon became the home of Thomas Simpson, Sr., whose remains there rest, and whose name it honors. The first death, so far as is known, that occurred in the eastern part of the county, was that of a widow woman by name of McDade, who died probably before the war of 1812, or thereabouts, and her remains were here interred. There is no inscribed stone that marks the grave. The oldest grave marked is that of "Jesse, son of Thomas and Sarah Simpson, died March 27, 1816, aged two years, ten months and seventeen days." Another early interment here was that of Elizabeth Sutton in 1822. Thomas Simpson, Sr., and wife, Sarah, dying in 1848 and 1865, respectively, and other members of the family, and a number of others are here buried.

In July, 1814, not far from this place of burial, was chosen by Bros. Litteral and McLaughlin (a committee appointed for such) the site of the first meeting-house of the New Bethel Regular Baptist Church. They paid for one acre of ground here purchased of Thomas Simpson, Sr. , 12, upon which was erected a log meeting-house 26x20 feet.

Elder Stephen Oldham, Rebecca Oldham, John Keny, Polly Keny, Thomas Simpson (deacon), Sarah Simpson, Rebecca Conner, Katharine Williams, Charles and Jane. McLaughlin, James and Sarah Connaway, John Keny, Sr., Jonathan Keny, Polly Keny, William and Ann Oldham, and Susan White, had, January 15, 1814, made application for a church society, and on the fourth Friday of February adopted Articles of Faith, and were on the following day constituted a Gospel Baptist Church by the name of New Bethel, by the Presbytery, Lazarus Whitehead, from Elkhorn Church, and James Smith.

Until his death, in 1834, Elder Oldham served this people from the beginning. Subsequent pastors have been Elders William Sparks, George Harlan, Daniel Conner, Thomas Lyons and others. Elders Reed and Parker are the present pastors.

In 1821 steps were taken to select another site for a church building, and in 1822 Elder Oldham gave to the society one acre of ground where llie present building stands; and upon it was erected a second log meeting-house, under the superintendency of Matthias Dawson, Aaron and Jonathan Haugham. In 1860 the present neat frame structure was erected on the site of the second building, at a cost of over $1,500.

Alongside of this building is another neat frame structure, erected in 1853 by St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, which was organized about 1851, with the following membership: Jacob, Solomon Henry, Jacob, Sr., Daniel, Benjamin, Abraham John, Sr., John and William Scholl, Jacob and Charles Riebsomer, Isaac Brown, William Roth, Christian Isenhoser, Margaret, Nancy, Elizabeth, Sarah Elizabeth, Jane and Elizabeth Scholl, Mary A. Titterington, Hester Scholl, Mrs. William Rady, Rebecca and Sarah Rubsamer, Mrs. Brown, Anna M. Roth, Satrona Isenhoser, Elizabeth Heinbach, John and Samuel Smallwood, Daniel Gise, Thomas Huston, Robert Scarlet, Michael Brown, David Scholl, Sarah Heinbach, Margaret Smallwood, Mary Huston, Amanda A. Smallwood, Mary and Eve Brown, Matilda Gi^e, and Hester Huston.

The church building was dedicated October 16, 1853, by Rev. Riser, of Dayton, O. Regular services and Sabbath-school are held by this society through out the year. Present pastor is Rev. J. A. West. Society is in good condition, with a membership of seventy-live. The Sabbath-school numbers 120 scholars.

In the rear of these buildings is a buryingground, a portion of which comprised a part of the ground given by Elder Oldham wheu the church was built. The grounds are in possession of the Trustees of the two churches. Among the aged buried here are the following: Samuel Wilson, aged eighty years ; Rachel, his wife, sixty -two years; Christian Brown, sixty-five years; Eve, his wife, sixty-six years; John Scholl, seventy-seven years; Sally, his wife, sixtythree years; Jacob Sholl, Sr., ninety-six years; Mary M., his wife, sixty-five years; Elder Stephen Oldham, fifty-nine years; Joseph Baldwin, seventy-six years; his wife, Sarah, seventy-two years; Nathan Roysdon, sixty-four years; William Roysdon, sixty-seven years; James Connaway, eighty -one years; Sarah, his wife, ninety-one years; Samuel Riggs, eighty-eight years; Elizabeth, his wife, seventy-nine years.

The Methodist Episcopal Churches at Alquina and Mt. Garrison are at least sixty years old, and most likely were the outgrowth of classes formed prior to 1820. In 1828 or 1829 both were appointments on Whitewater Circuit, and to which they belonged for some years thereafter. As early as 1829 or thereabouts, " Veatch's meeting-house on Mt. Garrison " is referred to. The house as originally built was about half its present size, and was constructed of logs, and is now the northern part of the present structure weather-boarded, the south half being built of frame to the old log building a number of years later. The building is at present about 36x5 J: feet. Among the early members were some of the Veatches, the Woosters, Eyestones and Miliners. The father of James Wooster was a Methodist minister, and at the son's house services were often held.

The first house of worship for the Alquina congregation was ft log structure about 24x34: feet, and stood on the hill probably 100 yards east of the present schoolhouse. It occupied such position in 1839, but when built we cannot state. This building was used until the present one constructed of frame was completed. The dedication of the latter took place August 8, 1858 - sermon by Rev. John W. Locke, then Presiding Elder of the district. Among the early members were the Darters, the Joneses and the Mills.

At Mt. Garrison is a very old graveyard, where within ^the shadow of the old church sleep many to whom she looked for support in by-gone years. The ground for burial purposes was deeded by James

Veatch, and that upon which the church stands was donated by John and Samuel Huflf. The earliest grave marked by a tombstone, whose inscription is legible, is that of Susannah, daughter of James and Mary Veatch, died July 9, 1819, aged one year and four days. Among the aged buried here are: Robert Wooster, died in December, 1830, aged one hundred and one years; Mary, his wife, in 1832, seventy-five years; James Wooster, sixty-six years; Nancy, his wife, eighty-six years; Amos Miliner, a Revolutionary soldier, ninety-one years; Jesse Pigmau, eighty-sevea years; Adam Ely, seventy-three years; James Veatch, eighty-five years; Elisha Crandel, seventy-nine years; Margaret, his wife, sixtyeight years; James Bolton, seventy-two years; Jane, his wife, seventy-nine years; Adam Pigman, eighty - six years; Mary, his wife, seventy nine years.

On Village Creek in Section 34 is located another burying-ground, where other pioneers rest, among them Hugh Bell, aged eighty-five years; William Lair, eighty six years; Samuel Bell, seventy-five years; Sarah, his wife, seventy-two years; Robert Shields, seventy-seven years; Margaret Shields, eighty-three years; Mary, wife of Philip Loudenback, eighty years. The oldest grave marked by a legible tombstone is that of John Lair, Sr., died October 7, 1821. The following epitaph is taken from a tombstone in one of the family burying-grounds of the township:

Mills And Distilleries

Among those who operated distilleries in the early period of the township's history were John Harlan, James Riggs, William Walker, Hige Hubbell and Michael Petro. Then quite extensive peach crops were raised and good peach brandy made. Copper stills at that period were found on nearly every spring or branch. The father of Job Stout distilled some later.

The first and only grist-mill of the township was erected on Simpson's Creek some time prior to 1826, by Henry Cashner, who also run in connection with it a saw-mill and distillery. It subsequently passed into the hands of Peter Fiant, and later was owned by Lewis Monger, and for quite a number of years did considerable business, but finally fell into disuse. The old frame is still standing.

Half-Century Citizens

county fifty years and upward: Joseph R. Darter, Abraham Sutton, Abraham Lyons and wife, Nathan Stanley, James R. Darter, Greenbmy Hanson, Jarvey

Source changes here: from History of Fayette County, Indiana : Her People, Industries and Institutions, by Barrows, Frederic Irving, published 1917; 393 words in this source stream.

Jennings Township

The desire for education in the early days of Jennings township marie itself manifest in the erection of a school house about a mile southwest of Alquina. During the period from 1826 to 1830 Baylis Jones was one of the teachers, .\nother school that was in existence about the same time was what was kncjw n as the I'A-estone school and stood about a mile east of the church at Mt. Garrison. 1"he early teachers at this place include Green Larimore. Matthew R. Hull, Washington Curnutt, Thomas ()T^>rien and John P. Brown. Robert Wooster, fine of the first preachers in the C(iunty. was also one oi the first teachers in this townshij). He was a teacher of more than average ability and a man who tlevoted his life to the advancement of education and religion.

In the periiid between 1832 and i<S4o a school was conducted in the vicinity of Alquina by S(|uire Harrison and subsequently by a man named Barnard. These schools were all run by subscription and continued in

For more than seventy years there were four school houses in the township, but at the present time there is only one district school outside of Alquina, the one located just south of Lyonsville. There has been a high school at Alquina for many years, and on December 6, 1916, the school was granted a commission. There are now four teachers at Alquina, two of whom devote all of their time to high school work, the high school teachers bemg Earl Lines and Edith Haines, both graduates of Indiana University: and the grade teachers, Ruth Kline and Mazie Moore. Three hacks are in use to haul the children from the various parts of the township. The teacher at Lyonsville is Catherine Gettinger.' Some idea of the difference that the years Iiave wrought is shown when it is stated that in 1880 there were ninety-six pupils crowded in the same room in which only twenty-three sat in the winter of IQ16-17. Emery A. Scholl, the present superintendent of the Lutheran Sunday school at Lyonsville, was a pupil of the school in 1880 and has a vivid remembrance of the crowded room, three pupils in a seat, and the teacher, C. W. Carpenter, ])arading up and down the aisles with a large hickory gad in hand. At least twenty-five of the number were grown.