Clay Township

Clay Township

This township was organized June 7, 1826, and was cut off from the north and east parts of Wayne township. The original boundary was as follows: Beginning at the northwest corner of section 17, in township 1, and range 21; thence east with the line of Massie's original surveys to the northwest corner of William Lawson's survey; thence south with Lawson's line to

Ohio; thence up said river to the southwest corner of fraction 12; thence north with Porter township line to the southwest corner of section 13, in township 2 and range 21; thence east one mile; thence north one mile; thence west with the section line to the Scioto river; thence down said river, with the meanders thereof, to the place of beginning. The boundary was changed June 7, 1832, so as to include all of section 13, township 2, range 21, which formerly constituted a part of Harrison. There have been seventeen additions to the city of Portsmouth taken from the territory of Clay township, and the boundary line between Portsmouth and Clay at present is approximately as follows: Beginning at the northwest corner of section 17, township 1, range 21; thence east with the section line to the southwest corner of the Wilson addition; thence north and east with the lines of said addition to the Chillicothe turnpike; thence north with said turnpike to Kinney's Lane; thence with Kinney's lane to the northeast corner of the German Catholic Cemetery in the section line between sections 8 and 9 of township 1, range 21; thence south with said section line to the southwest corner of section 9; thence east with south line of said section to the northeast corner of William F. Lawson's 15.80 acre tract near Lawson's run; thence southerly following the east line of Mary A. Young's farm and the meanders of said run by straight lines to the north side of the Portsmouth and Haverhill turnpike; thence west along the north line of said turnpike to Vinton Street; thence crossing to the south side of said turnpike; thence east with the south side of said turnpike to the west line of the Peebles' farm; thence south with said west line of said farm to what was formerly known as Queen's Run; thence with the meanders of said run to where it joins with Lawson's Run; thence with Lawson's Run to its mouth.

The township lies just north of Wayne and the eastern two thirds borders on the Ohio. The Scioto bounds it on the west. Valley and Jefferson border it on the north and Harrison and Porter lie on the east of it. It is eleventh in size and contains 17,585 acres. The population by the census of 1900 was 1,764 and its rank is fourth. It takes first place among the townships in the valuation of its real estate; second place in the valuation of its personal property; and first in the grand total of valuation of property of all kinds. The valuation of property as taken from the Auditor's duplicate for the year 1901 is as follows: real estate, $555,620; personal property, $225,294; total of real and personal. $780,914. In pursuance of the call for an election for the choosing of officers, the voters of the township assembled at Clough's Mill, June 23, 1826, and elected the following officers: Trustees, Gabriel Feurt, Asa A. Andrews and Enoch Lawson; Clerk, Turner M. Mastin; Treasurer, Dennis Smith; Justice of the Peace, Jacob Noel; Constable, Jonathan Cutler. The present officers are: Trustees, Peter Somer, John Hogan and Philip Emmert; Clerk, Albert C. Feurt; Assessor, George McDaniel; Constable, William Alberson; Justices of the Peace, Thomas C. Lantz and William Harper. The township is divided into two precincts for voting purposes. The voting place in Precinct A is at the school house in Sub-district No. 3 near the residence of Philip Bobst. Precinct B is at New Boston and a building was erected here in 1896 at a cost of $174.50, for voting purposes and township use.

From the location of this township, bordering as it does on the Scioto and Ohio rivers, it possesses much good farming lands. The Scioto bottoms extend entirely along its western side and are from one half to two miles wide. Each year the Ohio floods inundate much of this territory and a deposit of rich sediment is left upon its surface, renewing its fertility annually. Nothing but corn is grown in these lowlands and they are admirably adapted to this product. No richer corn land could be found in the state. Back from the rivers, the land is hilly, yet it affords some excellent upland farms. The original timber has almost disappeared, and a scant second growth has taken its place. On the south hill sides peach and apple orchards are planted and much small fruit is raised, such as strawberries, raspberries, grapes, etc.

The mineral wealth of the township is mostly in its shale which is used in the manufacture of paving brick. The Portsmouth Paving Brick Company has a mine about two and a half miles north of Portsmouth and a new mine is being opened about two miles east of Portsmouth by the Peebles Paving Brick Company. At New Boston this stratum of shale is about 150 feet thick and the supply is unlimited. It increases in thickness going west and underlies the whole township. Above this there is some little fire-clay but not in paying quantities. A very thin layer of coal can be traced along the face of the Ohio river hills but it is not of any value. About one mile north of Portsmouth on the farm of W. R. Kinney, there is a bank of red sand of very fine quality for moulding purposes. Much of this is shipped to Waverly and Columbus and there is an almost inexhaustible quanity of it. The township is well watered by small tributaries of the Ohio and Scioto rivers. Munn's Run and Long Run have their sources in the northeastern part of the township. The former flows to the southeast and empties in the Ohio just above New Boston, and forms a narrow but productive valley which is inhabited principally by Germans and their descendants. The same may be said of Long Run which flows to the northeast and leaves the township west of the northeast corner. Lawson's Run takes its rise in the river hills and courses down just east of Portsmouth and forms a part of the boundary between the corporation of Portsmouth and Clay township.

As soon as the township was organized provisions were made at once for schools. The township was sub-divided into four sub-districts aud were numbered serially from 1 to 4, commencing on the north along the Scioto and following down the valley, thence up the Ohio. No. 1 school building is located on the George Davis farm. No. 2, on the farm of M. J. Noel. No. 3, on the Hannah Briggs farm, and No. 4, on the Jacob Offnere farm east of Portsmouth. The first three are on the Portsmouth and Columbus turnpike. No. 4, was commonly known as the "Red School House." In 1855, a new district was added and numbered 5. The same year new houses were erected in Districts Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 5. The first three cost $500 each, and the cost of the building in the newly constituted district was $350. In 1855 the township appropriated $100 to purchase bookcases for each sub-district and each school had a collection of from 20 to 30 volumes. A new school house was built in subdistrict No. 5, in 1875, at a cost of $459.95. Sub-district No. 6, wes established from a portion of the territory in sub-district No. 4. A building was erected at a cost of $525. In 1881, a new building was put up in sub-district No. 4, cost, $737. A new school house was built in sub-district No. 3, in 1885, at a cost of $700. In 1887, a new building was erected in sub-district No. 2. The Board of Education established sub-district No. 7, in 1892, from sub-districts Nos.

3 and 4, and erected a house at a cost of $660. A new building was furnished for sub-district No. 1, in 1889, cost $645. Sub-district No. 8, or what was known as the Lawson Heights district was set apart in 1893 and was formerly parts of sub-districts 4 and 7. A new school house was constructed, costing $753. The growth of this suburb of Portsmouth made it necessary in 1897 to rent a building for school purposes and three teachers were employed and the schools were graded into three departments. Another building was rented in 1899. The schools were transferred to and became a part of the Portsmouth school system, April 19, 1901. The rapid growth of New Boston made it necessary to establish a school there in 1895. A room was rented for school purposes. On May 9, 1896, a new building was ordered for New Boston and the "Red School House" was ordered moved to Earlytown. A new sub-district. No. 9, was instituted for Earlytown in 1897 and New Boston became No. 4. The build- ing at New Boston is a frame structure and was built strong enough to support a second story. Three teachers were employed here for a year or two, and rooms were rented for school use. At present there are two schools. A second room was rented in Earlytown in 1898, to accomodate the increased number of school youths, and two teachers were employed. The Earlytown schools or sub-divtrict No. 9, were transferred to Portsmouth with the Lawson Heights schools, April 19, 1901. The teachers in the schools of the township are among the best best in the county. A uniform salary of $42 per month is paid in all subdistricts, and the term of school lasts from eight to nine months. Pupils passing the Boxwell examinations are sent to the Portsmouth High School.

was platted February 17, 1891, by James Skelton, A. T. Holcomb and M. Stanton. The plat contains thirty-seven acres of the John Rhodes farm. There are 191 lots, numbered from 1 to 191.

The Yorktown Addition was platted September 24, 1898, by Levi D. and Alice M. York. It is a part of Section 11, Township 1, Range 21. The plat contains 384 lots, numbered serially from 192 to 575. The whole plat contains 71 acres.

The Stewartville Addition was platted October 23, 1900, by M. T. Stewart. It is part of Section 2, township 1, range 21. The plat contains seven acres sub-divided into 41 lots, numbered serially from 576 to 616.

This constitutes New Boston, a suburb of Portsmouth and is connected with it by the Portsmouth Electric line, by the Norfolk and Western, and Baltimore and Ohio S.-W. railroads.

The Peebles Paving Brick Company was incorporated in 1902 with a capital stock of $50,000, all of which is paid up. This Company has erected a paving brick plant on the Peebles farm about one mile west of New Boston on the Norfolk and Western, and Baltimore and Ohio S-W. railroads. The plant was completed and put in operation in June, 1902, with a capacity of 60,000 paving brick per day. The officers of the corporation are: John Peebles, President and Treasurer: Samuel Reed, Secretary; and Adam Buch, Vice-president. The capital stock will shortly be increased to $75,000.

located here, were built in 1898-9 by the Burgess Steel and Iron Company, organized and incorporated under the laws of Ohio in 1872, with a capital stock of $150,000 which has been steadily increased up to the present time. The incorporators were: John R. Williams, Charles Burgess, B. F. Perregrin. M. H Ball, Fred Thompson, W. E. Williams and T. B. Ball. The mill as first operated stood at the juncture of Third and Madison streets, and had a capacity of but 3,500 tons the first year. The capacity was gradually increased up to 1898, when its annual output reached 50,000 tons per annum. On June 7, of this year, the plant was destroyed by fire. The officers of the Company at this time were: Levi D. York, President and General Manager; J. E. Jones, Vice President; B. F. Vincent, Secretary and Treasurer. A movement to re-build was immediately set on foot. By agreement the site of Yorktown was purchased and platted by Levi D. York and these lots were subscribed for and drawn by lot by private parties, who thus indirectly donated, collectively, about $30,000 to the construction of a new Burgess plant. This new plant was erected in 1898-9, and was at once put in operation. About three acres are covered by the buildings which are constructed wholly of steel and iron. While owned and managed by this Company the plant consisted of a department of four open hearth basic furnaces of 30 tons capacity each. In this department the iron is melted and cast into ingots. The next is the blooming department, which consists of two four hole soaking-pit furnaces, a 28 inch bloomer, a large pair of hydraulic shears, a large plate mill, a small plate mill, an 18 inch mill, a bar mill and a guide mill, all run by a large 24x36 engine. In this department the ingots are heated and bloomed or rolled out into 6x6 and 8x8 blooms, 4x4 billets, 2x15 slabs, and sheet bars, which afterward go to the shears and plate mills. The next is the finishing department, where the product of the blooming department is converted into any desirable shape or size. An- other adjunct to the plant is the Machine Shops, where almost any conceivable piece of machinery can be manufactured. Another department is the gas producing plant, which consists of twelve gas producers, nine of which supply heat to the furnaces and three to the soaking-pits. The power plant consists of twenty-two 100 horse power boilers, two 250 horse power engines and a 200 horse power dynamo.

Company, incorporated under the laws of Ohio, the same year with W. L Glessner, President; N. E. Whittaker, Vice President; and B. F. Vincent. Secretary- Henry Thomas is General Manager.

The mill is now being overhauled and refitted and when completed will have a capacity of 300 tons of steel per day. The first carload of its production since being remodeled, was shipped to the Cleveland Rolling Mills, June

The Union Church was built by the United Baptist Organization under the supervision of Rev. Benjamin Porter, in 1896. This organization occupied the building until 1900, when it was sold to the First and Second Presbyterian Churches of Portsmouth.

was built under the leadership of Rev. Thomas Peden in 1897. The Sunday School averages about 50. There is no regular church organization but those who hold meetings call themselves Baptists. Rev. Benjamin Porter and J. B. Carter conduct the meetings.

is located on Long Run and was organized in 1877 by Rev. Pillsbury. A neat church edifice was erected in 1880 at a cost of about $800. The church flourished for a number of years when the membership reached 100, but now there are about 25 active members. The pastor is Rev. Comer Hughes.

also on Long Run and no great distance from^the Rice M. E. Church, was built in 1872 at a cost of about $800. For a time the church was prosperous with a large and active membership, but at present the membership numbbrs only fifteen and services are held every two weeks. Rev. William Widener, is the pastor.

is locally known as the "Five Mile" Church as it is about five miles from Portsmouth. It was organized in 1859 and a brick edifice was built. Among the first members were A. B. Cole and wife, J. M. Salladay and wife M. W. Thompson and wife, John Thomas and Miss Mary Noel. Its first pastor was a Rev. Loft. There are now about fifty members and the Sunday School averages 50. Rev. Morgan was the last pastor.

This township, being one of the earliest settled, contains some very old burial grounds in which have been interred some of the first settlers of the county. They are mostly located on the elevated knobs and ridges where they are free, from water and floods. While there are many private burial grounds, there has been but one public or 'township cemetery established. This is known as the Ormes Valley Cemetery and it was surveyed and platted October 20, 1896, into 128 lots, 17 feet square, and 8 strips, 17 by 16.19 feet wide and containing in all two acres.

Source changes here: from History of Scioto County, Ohio, Together with a Pioneer Record of Southern Ohio, by Nelson W. Evans A.m, published 1903; 2,812 words in this source stream.

Clay Township

This township was organized June 7, 1826, and was cut off from the north and east parts of Wayne township. The original boundary was as follows: Beginning at the northwest corner of section 17, in township 1, and range 21; thénce east with the line of Massie's original surveys to the northwest corner of William Lawson's survey; thence south with Lawson's line to the run called Lawson's Run; thence with the meanders of said run to the Ohio; thence up said river to the southwest corner of fraction 12; thence north with Porter township line to the southwest corner of section 13, in township 2 and range 21; thence east one mile; thence north one mile; thence west with the section line to the Scioto river; thence down said river, with the meanders thereof, to the place of beginning. The boundary was changed June 7, 1832, so as to include all of section 13, township 2, range 21, which formerly constituted a part of Harrison. There have been seventeen additions to the city of Portsmouth taken from the territory of Clay township, and the boundary line between Portsmouth and Clay at present is approximately as follows: Beginning at the northwest corner of section 17, township 1, range 21; thence east with the section line to the southwest corner of the Wilson addition; thence north and east with the lines of said addition to the Chillicothe turnpike; thence north with said turnpike to Kinney's Lane; thence with Kinney's lane to the northeast corner of the German Catholic Cemetery in the section line between sections 8 and 9 of township 1, range 21; thence south with said section line to the southwest corner of section 9; thence east with south line of said section to the northeast corner of William F. Lawson's 15.80 acre tract near Lawson's run; thence southerly following the east line of Mary A. Young's farm and the meanders of said run by straight lines to the north side of the Portsmouth and Haverhill turnpike; thence west along the north line of said turnpike to Vinton Street; thence crossing to the south side cf said turnpike; thence east with the south side of said turnpike to the west line of the Peebles' farm; thence south with said west line of said farm to what was formerly known as Queen's Run; thence with the meanders of said run to where it joins with Lawson's Run; thence with Lawson's Run to its mouth.

The township lies just north of Wayne and the eastern two thirds borders on the Ohio. The Scioto bounds it on the west. Valley and Jefferson border it on the north and Harrison and Porter lie on the east of it. It is eleventh in size and contains 17,585 acres. The population by the census of 1900 was 1,764 and its rank is fourth. It takes first place among the townships in the valuation of its real estate; second place in the valuation of its personal property; and first in the grand total of valuation of property of all kinds. The valuation of property as taken from the Auditor's duplicate for the year 1901 is as follows: real estate, $555,620; personal property, $225,294; total of real and personal, $780,914. In pursuance of the call for an election for the choosing of officers, the voters of the township assembled at Clough's Mill, June 28, 1826, and elected the following officers: Trustees, Gabriel Feurt, Asa A, Andrews and Enoch Lawson; Clerk, Turner M. Mastin; Treasurer, Dennis Smith; Justice of the Peace, Jacob Noel; Constable, Jonathan Cutler. The present officers are: Trustees, Peter Somer, John Hogan and Philip Emmert;: Clerk, Albert C. Feurt; Assessor, George McDaniel; Constable, William Alberson; Justices of the Peace, Thomas C. Lantz and William Harper. The township is divided into two precincts for voting purposes. The voting place in Precinct A is at the school house in Sub-district No. 3 near the residence of Philip Bobst. Precinct B is at New Boston and a building was erected here in 1896 at a cost of $174.50, for voting purposes and township use.

From the location of this township, bordering as it does on the Scioto and Ohio rivers, it possesses much good farming lands. The Scioto bottoms extend entirely along its western side and are from one half to two miles wide. Each year the Ohio floods inundate much of this territory and a deposit of rich sediment is left upon its surface, renewing its fertility annually. Nothing but corn is grown in these lowlands and they are admirably adapted to this product. No richer corn land could be found in the state. Back from the rivers, the land is hilly, yet it affords some excellent upland farms. The original timber has almost disappeared, and a scant second growth has taken its place. On the south hill sides peach and apple orchards are planted and much small fruit is raised, such as strawberries, raspberries, grapes, etc.

The mineral wealth of the township is mostly in its shale which is used in the manufacture of paving brick. The Portsmouth Paving Brick Company has a mine about two and a half miles north of Portsmouth and a new mine is being opened about two miles east of Portsmouth by the Peebles Paving Brick Company. At New Boston this stratum of shale is about 150 feet thick and the supply is unlimited. It increases in thickness going west and underlies the whole township. Above this there is some little fire-clay but not in paying quantities. A very thin layer of coal can be traced along the face of the Ohio river hills but it is not of any value. About one mile north of Portsmouth on the farm of W. R. Kinney, there is a bank of red sand of very fine quality for moulding purposes. Much of this is shipped to Waverly and Columbus and there is an almost inexhaustible quanity of it. The township is well watered by small tributaries of the Ohio and Scioto rivers. Munn's Run and Long Run have their sources in the northeastern part of the township. The former flows to the southeast and empties in the Ohio just above New Boston, and forms a narrow but productive valley which is inhabited principally by Germans and their descendants. The same may be said of Long Run which flows to the northeast and leaves the township west of the northeast corner. Lawson's Run takes its rise in the river hills and courses down just east of Portsmouth and forms a part of the boundary between the corporation of Portsmouth and Clay township.

As soon as the township was organized provisions were made at once for schools. The township was sub-divided into four sub-districts and were numbered serially from 1 to 4, commencing on the north along the Scioto and following down the valley, thence up the Ohio. No. 1 school building is located on the George Davis farm. No. 2, on the farm of M. J. Noel. No. 3, on the Hannah Briggs farm, and No. 4, on the Jacob Offnere farm east of Portsmouth. The first three are on the Portsmouth and Columbus turnpike. No. 4, was commonly known as the "Red School House." In 1855, a new district was added and numbered 5. The same year new houses were erected in Districts Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 5. The first three cost $500 each, and the cost of the building in the newly constituted district was $350. In 1855 the township appropriated $100 to purchase bookcases for each sub-district and each school had a collection of from 20 to 30 volumes. A new school house was built in subdistrict No. 5, in 1875, at a cost of $459.95. Sub-district No. 6, wes established from a portion of the territory in sub-district No. 4. A building was erected at a cost of $525. In 1881, a new building was put up in sub-district No. 4, cost, $737. A new school house 'was built in sub-district No. 3, in 1885, at a cost of $700. In 1887, a new building was erected in sub-district No. 2. The Board of Education established sub-district No. 7, in 1892, from sub-districts Nos, 3 and 4, and erected a house at a cost of $660. A new building was furnished for sub-district No. 1, in 1889, cost $645. Sub-district No. 8, or what was known as the Lawson Heights district was set apart in 1893 and was formerly parts of sub-districts 4 and 7. A new school house was constructed, costing $753. The erowth of this suburb of Portsmouth made it necessary in 1897 to rent a building for school purposes' and three teachers were employed and the schools were graded into three departments. Another building was rented in 1899. The schools were transferred to and became a part of the Portsmouth school system, April 19, 1901. The rapid growth of New Boston made it necessary to establish a school there in 1895. A room was rented for school purposes. On May 9, 1896, a new building was ordered for New Boston and the "Red School House" !was ordered moved to Earlytown. A new sub-district, No. 9, was instituted for Earlytown in 1897 and New Boston became No. 4, The build- were rented for school use. At present there are two schools. A second room was rented in Earlytown in 1898, to accomodate the increased number of school trict No. 9, were transferred to Portsmouth with the Lawson Heights schools, April 19, 1901. The teachers in the schools of the township are among the best best in the county. A uniform salary of $42 per month is paid in all subdistricts, and the term of school lasts from eight to nine months. Pupils passing the Boxwell examinations are sent to the Portsmouth High School.

was platted February 17, 1891, by James Skelton, A. T. Holcomb and M. Stanton. The plat contains thirty-seven acres of the John Rhodes farm. There are 191 lots, numbered from 1 to 191.

The Yorktown Addition was platted September 24, 1898, by Levi D. and Alice M. York. It is a part of Section 11, Township 1, Range 21. The plat contains 384 lots, numbered serially from 192 to 575. The whole plat contains 71 acres. :

The Stewartville Addition was platted October 23, 1900, by M. T. Stewart. It is part of Section 2, township 1, range 21. The plat contains seven acres sub-divided into 41 lots, numbered serially from 576 to 616.

This constitutes New Boston, a suburb of Portsmouth and is connected with it by the Portsmouth Electric line, by the Norfolk and Western, and Baltimore and Ohio §8.-W. railroads.

The Peebles Paving Brick Company was incorporated in 1902 with a capital stock of $50,000, all of which is paid up. This Company has erected a paying brick plant on the Peebles farm about one mile west of New Boston on the Norfolk and Western, and Baltimore and Ohio S-W. railroads. The plant was completed and put in operation in June, 1902, with a capacity of 60,000 paving brick per day. The officers of the corporation are: John Peebles, President and ''reasurer; Samuel Reed, Secretary; and Adam Buch, Vice-president. The capital stock will shortly be increased to $75,000.

located here, were built in 1898-9 by the Burgess Steel and Iron Company, organized and incorporated under the laws of Ohio in 1872, with a capital stock of $150,000 which has been steadily increased up to the present time. The incorporators were: John R. Williams, Charles Burgess, B. F. Perregrin, M. H. Ball, Fred Thompson, W. E. Williams and T. B. Ball. The mill as first operated stood at the juncture of Third and Madison streets, and had a capacity of but 3,500 tons the first year. The capacity was gradually increased up to 1898, when its annual output reached 50,000 tons per annum. On June 7, of this year, the plant was destroyed by fire. The officers of the Company at this time were: Levi D. York, President and General Manager; J. E. Jones, Vice President; B. F. Vincent, Secretary and Treasurer. A movement to re-build was immediately set on foot. By agreement the site of Yorktown was purchased and platted by Levi D. York and these lots were subscribed for and drawn by lot by private parties, who thus indirectly donated, collectively, about $30,000 to the construction of a new Burgess plant. This new plant was erected in 1898-9, and was at once put in operation. About three acres are covered by the buildings which are constructed wholly of steel and iron. While owned and managed by this Company the plant consisted of a department of four open hearth basic furnaces of 30 tons capacity each. In this department the iron is melted and cast into ingots. The next is the blooming department, which consists of two four hole soaking-pit furnaces, a 28 inch bloomer, a large pair of hydraulic shears, a large plate mill, a small plate mill, an 18 inch mill, a bar mill and a guide mill, all run by a large 24x36 engine. In this department the ingots are heated and bloomed or rolled out into 6x6 and 8x8 blooms, 4x4 billets, 2x15 slabs, and sheet bars, which afterward go to the shears and plate mills. The next is the finishing department, where the product of the blooming department is converted into any desirable shape or size, An- other adjunct to the plant is the Machine Shops, where almost any conceivable piece of machinery can be manufactured. Another department is the gas producing plant, which consists of twelve gas producers, nine of which supply heat to the furnaces and three to the soaking-pits. The power plant consists of twenty-two 100 horse power boilers, two 250 horse power engines and a 200 horse power dynamo.

In 1900, the plant was sold to the Crucible Steel Company of America, and was closed down. In 1902, it was purchased by the Portsmouth Steel Company, incorporated under the laws of Ohio, the same year with W. L Glessner, President; No BE. Whittaker, Vice President; and B., F. Vincent, Secretary. Henry Thomas is General Manager.

The mill is now being overhauled and refitted and when completed will have a capacity of 300 tons of steel per day. The first carload of its produea sy being remodeled, was shipped to the Cleveland Rolling Mills, June

The Union Church was built by the United Baptist Organization under the supervision of Rey. Benjamin Porter, in 1896, This organization occupied the building until 1900, when it was sold to the First and Second Presbyterian Churches of Portsmouth, was built under the leadership of Rey. Thomas Peden in 1897, The Sunday School averages about 60, There is no regular church organization but those who hold meetings call themselves Baptists, Rev, Benjamin Porter and J. B, Carter conduct the meetings.

is located on Long Run and was organised in S77 by Rev. Pillsbury. A neat chureh edifice was erected in 1880 at a cost of about $800, The church tlourished for a number of years when the membership reached 100, but now there are about 25 active members. The pastor is Rev, Comer Hughes, also on Long Run and no great distance from the Rice M, BE, Church, was built in 1872 at a cost of about $800. For a time the church was prosperous with a large and active membership, but at present the membership numbbrs only fifteen and services are held every two weeks, Rev, William Widener, is the pastor, is locally known as the "Five Mile' Church as it is about five miles from Portsmouth, It was organised in 1859 and a brick edifice was built, Among the first members were A, B, Cole and wile, J. M. Salladay and wite, M, W, Thompson and wite, John Thomas and Miss Mary Noel. Its first pastor was a Rev, Loft, There are now about fifty members and the Sunday School averages 50, Rey, Morgan was the last pastor,

This township, being one of the earliest settled, contains some very old burial grounds in which have been interred some of the first settlers of the county, They are mostly located on the elevated knobs and ridges where they are free from water and floods, While there are many private burial grounds, there has been but one public or township cemetery established, This is known as the Ormes Valley Cemetery and it was surveyed and platted Qctober 20, 1896, into 128 lots, 17 feet square, and 8 strips, 1 by 1619 feet wide and con» taining in all two acres,

The Feurt Cemetery is back of the Valley Church, efght miles north of Portsmouth, Other Cemeteries in this Township are: the Catholic, near Micklethwaite's on the Boulevard and the Long Run Cemeteries.