Stewart, Ohio

When he came to the township in 1835, it was largely Democratic and controlled b}' prejudice and superstition. It was supposed that a negro had no soul, and no rights a white man was bound to respect. An Abolitionist was considered much beneath a horse-thief and counterfeiter. The Democratic idea was, that Abolitionists carried negroes to Canada, and received a compensation from the Canadian Go^- ernment, and that, should a war arise between the two countries, these negroes would improA^e the occasion to murder the people of Ohio and other States ; and further, if slaver}' should be abolished, our country would be completely ruined and society much demoralized, if not destroyed. Hence the intense feeling against the Aliolitionists. The matter was carried into the pulpit, and many churches divided. Mr. Roe resohed not to support any minister who sanctioned slavery. He was thoroughly Antislaver}', and entered heartily into the underground railway business. In the spring of

Passage source: History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the Original Boundaries) ; Its Past and Present, Containing a Condensed Comprehensive History of Ohio, Including an Outline History of the Northwest, a Complete History of Richland County ... Miscellaneous Matter, Map of the County, Biographies and Histories of ... the Most Prominent Families, &c., &c., published 1880.

The first saw-mill was built in 1817, by Condon & Welch, on the northwest quarter of Section 1, and the first grist-mill by Ex-Governor Mordecai Bartley, on the same section, where Spring Mill now is. This mill has l)eeu burned down, and destroyed or removed, and rebuilt several times. About the same time, the Purdy mill, before mentioned, was built, and also one on the head-waters of Clear Fork. Xear this last was also built a saw-mill and several stills for the manufacture of spirits. These mflls gave to the place the name of Millsl)orougli. It is pictui-esquely situated among the hills, and started with fair promise for a future tovyn. It has the honor attached to age, being the first town in the township. It was laid out on part of the northeast and northwest quarters of Section 28, by John S. Marshall, Deputy County Surveyor, October 29, 1831. The mills wore built in 1818, b}' John Garretson, who came from New York. Before the establishment of these mills, settlers went as far as Mount Vernon, in Knox Count}', to do their milling. Uncle Jesse Edgerton, as he was called, occasionally hitched four horses to his large Penn- S3-lvania wagon - "schooner" - and taking his own and his neighbors' grists, hauled them to Mount Yernon. In addition to his mills, Garretson also built a house in which he kept hotel for some time. This stand was afterward kept by John Martin. The place at one time - about 1830-35 - boasted of two dry-goods stores, kept by John Evans and John Williams. The earl}' settlers in this part of the township were James Woods, John Garretson, Samuel and David Mitchell. Joseph and Lewis Day, John Milligan and Samuel Estel. Estel was a veteran of the war of 1812, and established a tanyard in 1818 on Section 23. John Stewart did most of the surve3'ing in this township. The railroads assisted in the death of Millsborough. It has been dead many 3'ears ; even the sound of the mills has ceased.

Passage source: History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the Original Boundaries) ; Its Past and Present, Containing a Condensed Comprehensive History of Ohio, Including an Outline History of the Northwest, a Complete History of Richland County ... Miscellaneous Matter, Map of the County, Biographies and Histories of ... the Most Prominent Families, &c., &c., published 1880.

The next attempt to build a town in the township was in the woods, on the trail leading from Mansfield to Bucyrus, about eight miles from the former. It was called Newcastle ; however, Ontario and Newcastle were both laid out in the same month, Decemljer. 1834. and on the same section, 21. Newcastle was laid out by Frederick Cassell and Adam Webl)er, the name of the former suggesting the name of the place. It was surveyed by John Stewart. Adam Weliber kept tavern there for some time, but the place never grew up to their expectations. No business is done, and the place has fallen into decay. Its present population is about forty. Even the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, which ivan its first passenger cars through it in 1864, failed to bring it renewed life. A church was built there in 1838, b}^ the Lutherans. Its founders and first members were Frederick Cassell, John Stough, John Sheffler, Adam Webber and William T. Daniels. This church, partaking of the general character of the place, has fallen into decay. It has not been occupied for many years. The whole village seems to have gone to sleep, its people living quietly, dreaming away their lives, apparentl}' unconscious of the great moving world around them.

Passage source: History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the Original Boundaries) ; Its Past and Present, Containing a Condensed Comprehensive History of Ohio, Including an Outline History of the Northwest, a Complete History of Richland County ... Miscellaneous Matter, Map of the County, Biographies and Histories of ... the Most Prominent Families, &c., &c., published 1880.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Springfield Township - it names this place 5 more 5 times.