Hamilton City (part 3 of 12)

Lot 103 comprises the entire strip of ground on the east side of Third Street from High to Basin, extending back to Smith Street, - 72 square poles. This property was sold by John Brown to John Sutherland, June 18, 1800, for $30.

Lots 111 and 112, with Beckett's block and Dr. Falconer's residence on their front, extend back to the Hydraulic, and together have a front of 200 feet on High Street. Ludlow sold both these lots to Eleanor Moore, May, 1804, for $62 - $42 for 111, and $20 for Lot 112. Ludlow obtained possession of the lots again, and his heirs sold to John Woods, March, 1832, all of Lot 112, Falconer's and Beckett's Hall in part, and 54 feet of the south, High Street end, of Lot 111 for $500. April 17, 1835, Woods bought of James S. Green 66 feet more of the south half of Lot 111 for $675; he thus had the entire front from the corner of Second to Falconer's Alley for $1,175.

Starting from the Hamilton House corner, Lot 110, and going west, we find that Ludlow sold 50 feet of the east end of the lot (Hamilton House) to James McBride July 24, 1812, for $157, and at the same time the west 50 feet to Thomas C. Kelsey for $126. The next lot on High (109), was sold by Ludlow's administrators; the east half to Kelsey, March 1, 1813, for $150, and the west half to Samuel Morrison for $159.50. Subsequently, April 1, 1835, Dr. Hittel bought the west half of James Young for $2,000.

The Sutherland Corner, Lot 107, fronting 200 on High, extending from the west line of Lot 109 to Front Street, and 100 on Front Street, was sold by Ludlow to John Sutherland in 1803, deed made March 1, 1818, for $30. The lot next north on Front Street (108) fronting 100 on Front, and running 200 deep on Stable, was also

Lot 173, the residence of Dr. Howells, stands on the south-west corner of Front and Buckeye - 200 feet on Buckeye by 100 on Front. Lots 174 and 173, extending the entire front on Front Street between Heaton and Buckeye, were sold by Ludlow to Benjamin F. Randolph October 2, 1795, for $40. March 10, 1845, Samuel Snively sold Lot 173 to Joseph Howells for $600. On March 14, 1845, Dr. H. C. Howells bought 50 by 100 feet off of the east end (on Buckeye Street) of the lot, paying $100. August 15,1848, the doctor bought an additional 50 feet next west of his first purchase, paying $350. He now owned half the lot. On September 14, 1849, he bought the remaining 100 feet front on Buckeye, on which his residence stands, paying $2,000. So the lot that cost Joseph Howells $600 in 1845 had cost Dr. Howells, including buildings, $2,450.

The Straub House lot, No. 1493, 873x874 feet, was sold by Sutherland & Brown to James Mills, June 19, 1809, for $16. The stable lot, same size, in the rear, was sold at the same time by Sutherland & Brown to Thomas McCullough, for $10.50.

Lot 1540 extends from the west line of the Straub lot to the corner of Main and Front, and is 825 feet deep. John Sutherland sold this lot to Kelsey & Smith, April 16, 1818, for $49.

The entire block, extending from Odd Fellows Hall to the river, and south on Front and Water to the alley, was sold by John Sutherland to John Hall, June 5, 1813, for $1,200.

The four lots, 1523, 1528, 1538, and 1538, extending on Second Street, east side, from Boudinot to Main, were sold by Sutherland & Brown to Robert and John Taylor, June 19, 1809, for $66.40.

Beeler's drug store stands on the south-east corner of lot 1539, and fronts 185 feet on Main. Lot 1532 lies behind it, is of the same size, and extends on Front to the John Brown Alley.

Sutherland & Brown sold the Beeler lot to Samuel Dick for $28.50, January 15, 1810, and the other lot to Samuel Alston, June 19, 1809, for $23.25.

Doctor Miller's drug store stands on the north-east corner of Lot 1542. This lot fronts 185 feet on Main by 853 on Front. Sutherland & Brown sold this lot to Samuel Scott for $21, June 19, 1809, and on January 17, 1814, Isaac Falconer became the purchaser, for $100.

On June 19, 1809, Sutherland & Brown sold Samuel Dick nine lots for $10. One of these lots was 1545, on the south side of Main, extending from the corner of Second to the alley, going east; another was Lot 1552, where Doctor Scobey's residence stands; two others, 1544 and 1547, behind it, make a front of 165 feet on the north-east corner of Main and Second.

Lots 1562 and 1563 extend on Ross Street, south side, between Front and Second. Mrs. Matthias lives on part of 1562, and P. C. Conkling, Mr. Beck, and Daniel Shaffer on Lot 1563. Sutherland & Brown sold Lot 1562 to Ethan Stone, June 19, 1809, for $55, and William Corry sold lot 1563 to John Reily, July 16, 1813, for $400.

The school-house lot opposite (Lots 1553 and 1558) were sold by the Presbyterian Church to directors of school district No. 2, St. Clair Township, August 9, 1851, for $500.

Lot 1559, north-west corner of Front and Ross, occupied in part by Daniel Galloway, was sold by Sutherland & Brown to John Reily, June 19, 1809, for $50.

John Wingate

arms ended, and remained here through our infancy as a town, although afterwards going away to other places. He was born in the State of New York in the year 1774, and in his youth learned the trade of stonemason. Soon after the date of St. Clair's defeat, Mr. Wingate came to the Western country with the army commanded by General Wayne. He was a sergeant in Van Rensselaer's cavyalry, in the battle of Fallen Timbers, when Wayne gained a complete victory over the savages. He behaved with bravery on this occasion, and his deeds were long remembered by his associates in arms. His brother was slain by his side in that action. After the disbandment of the army, Mr. Wingate came to Fort Hamilton, where he settled, marrying Miss Mary Dillon, who was the daughter of one of the earliest pioneers. She died in a few years, leaving him with two children. Soon after coming here he opened a store on Front Street, in a log building, situated on the west side of the street, on the lot now occupied by St. Mary's Catholic Church. In 1806 he gave up business, and the store was rented to the Hough Brothers, of whom the survivor, Joseph Hough, was long an ornament of Hamilton. In October, 1807, he was elected sheriff of the county, serving for two years, and being preceded and followed by Mr. William McClellan. On the 24th of May, 1809, Mr. Wingate was married to Mrs. Emma Torrence, widow of John Torrence, then lately deceased. She was a lady of great worth, and highly esteemed for her. many amiable and excellent traits of character., She was a daughter of Captain Robert Benham, and sister of Joseph S. Benham, the distinguished lawyer. Mr. Wingate was elected about 1810 a brigadier general of the Ohio militia, and in the year 1813 again went out to the war, serving six months in that capacity.

After his marriage with Mrs. Torrence, in 1809, he kept an inn for the accommodation of travelers, on the corner of Dayton and Water Streets, the stand that had been previously occupied by John Torrence. In 1816 he removed to Cincinnati, where for some years he kept the old Cincinnati Hotel, on Front Street, between Sycamore and Broadway, and after a time removed to Big Bone Lick, Kentucky, where he kept a house of entertainment for several years, finally removing further West. He returned during the last weeks of 1851, and took up his abode with John Burke, Jr., near Symmes's Corner, whose father, when an unprotected boy, had found a friend and benefactor in him.

His death occurred only a few weeks later, on the 14th of April, 1851, when he had attained the age of seventy-seven years. His funeral was largely attended. It was held in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Hamilton, the discourse being pronounced by the Rey. Arthur W. Elliott, and the body being interred in Mr. Elliott's own lot, in Greenwood Cemetery. After the service at the church had closed, a funeral procession was formed, car was preceded by martial music ; then pees company of artillery with a brass field-piece, oe e command of Captain Nathaniel Reeder; Major illiam P. Young, bearing the national flag, appropriately trimmed; the mayors of Hamilton and Rossville; the clergy and pall-bearers. The body was followed by the friends of the deceased, the soldiers, and a large train of citizens. As the procession entered the cemetery grounds, the artillery commenced firing minute guns, which, with the tolling of the bells in 'town, continued until the service at the grave was concluded. The whole formed a combination at once solemn and impressive.

Post-Office And Public Mails

In 1804 a post-office was established at Hamilton, and on the second day of August in that year John Reily was appointed postmaster, by Gideon Granger, then Postmaster-general. There was at that time only one mail route established through the interior of the Miami country. It was carried on horseback, once a week, leaving Cincinnati, and passing by Hamilton, Franklin, Dayton, and as far north as Stanton; thence to Urbana, Yellow Springs, and Lebanon, back to Cincinnati. In a year or two afterwards the route was reversed, so as to go out by the way of Lebanon and return by Hamilton. At that time all the people living north and west of Hamilton had to come to this post-office for their letters.

John Reily held the office of postmaster from the time of his appointment, in 1804, until July, 1832, when he resigned, and James B. Thomas was appointed in his room.

James Lowes was appointed postmaster and entered on the duties of the office on the first day of April, 1851. He resigned on the thirty-first day of January, 1853, and on the next day James K. Thomas, son of the former postmaster, who had been appointed, took possession of the office.

On the eighth day of August, 1853, L. M. Furrow, who had been appointed postmaster in the stead of James K. Thomas, removed, took possession of the post-office, and entered upon the discharge of the duties of the office.

On the twenty-sixth day of April, 1855, the postoffice in Rossville was discontinued, and the business transferred to the post-office in Hamilton.

Old Advertisements

In the Western Spy and Hamilton Gazette, '' published weekly at Cincinnati, Northwestern Territory, by Carpenter & Findlay," are several interesting and curious advertisements. Among the list of letters remaining in the post-office at Cincinnati, the only post-office in the Territory, we find the following: 'Charles Brown, care of Samuel Dick; James Carter, care of Paul Hueston; James Cole, Big Miami; Patrick Graham, Gregory's Creek; Abraham Lakes, Deerfield; David Lee, Big Miami; James McClelland, near Hamilton; John Cleves Symmes; Thomas Alston, and Peter Atherton, below the Big Miami; David Hendrix, near Hamilton; Jerome Holt, Dayton; King Dearmond; Daniel Doty, Big Prairie; Zina Doty; James McCloskey, care of Samuel Dick; Reverend Richard McNemair; Joseph McMahan, near Hamilton; Azarias Thorn, near Hamilton; John Torrence, Hamilton; James White, schoolmaster; James Watson, near Hamilton; Anthony Williams, Deerfield.

Last Norice. - We have every reason to return our warmest acknowledgment to those who have give birth to and support our interest in trade, yet the delinquencies are numerous, which renders it inconvenient. to visit their several dwellings. We therefore request those (in friendship) to call at the places of contracting, viz.: here or at Dayton, and settle up their accounts as per contract. Such characters as may fail in so doing before the 10th of August next will be

As soon as it was known that this would become the capital of the county a paper was circulated for subscriptions to build a county jail. Benjamin F. Randolph and Celadon Symmes were the agents of the county in collecting the money, which was not all got together for ten years. The building, which was of stone, was begun in 1805 and finished in 1806. It cost $1,600, a little more than the subscriptions. The paper circulated reads thus:

Subscription List

Be it known by these presents, that we, the subscribers, do each and severally and separately firmly bind and obligate ourselves or heirs and assigns, to the county of Butler,in the State of Ohio, for the different sums annexed to each and ever 4 hame in the particular articles herein described; viz., mone y; stone, brick, linte, lumber, mechanical work, labor, hauling, etc., ete., etc., - to be appropriated to the only use of said county to erect publick buildings, and such other purposes as the commonwealth of said county may deem necessary.

The same sums subscribed shall be recoverable at law by the trustees appointed for that and other publick purposes in said county, providing that the seat of justice of said county be appointed and established in the town of Hamilton, in said county of Butler - otherwise to be void and of no effect. In witness whereof we, the subscribers, have severally and separately set our names with the sums annexed thereto, this eighteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and three. The sums subscribed are to be considered in dollars.

Total Hamilton In 1803

The appearance of Hamilton in 1803, when Mr. Reily moved here, was then far different from what it is at present. The fort had been dismantled and abandoned but a few years previously.

Hydraulic Street to the site of the United Presbyterian Church, and from the river as far east as the ground on which the Universalist Church is built. The ground east of the fort extending as far as Second Street, including the public square and High Street, had been occupied as a burying-ground for the garrison, and numerous rude graye-stoneg and graves were dotted over the surface. A natural terrace, eight or ten feet high, ran along the west side of Front Street, separating the upper from the lower plane. When this bank was excavated in grading High Street, several skeletons were taken up entire, and many human bones disinterred, which were all removed and buried. Many. more, doubtless, lie in this space. As late as 1812 a paling inclosing a single grave stood in the middle of High Street opposite the Hamilton Hotel, but was removed that year.

The inhabitants of Hamilton, when Mr. Reily came here, were few in number, and composed chiefly of soldiers and other persons who had been attached to Wayne's army, and had remained here when that army was disbanded at the close of the campaign. These persons lacking energy and enterprise, spoiled for pioneer work by military camp life, and in many cases dissipated and immoral, were not the class of citizens best calculated to promote the rapid improvement of the place.

Few houses had been erected. A two-story frame house stood in the center of High Street, not far from the present bridge. It was the old house erected by General Wilkinson for the accommodation of the officers of his army. In this house William McClellan kept a tavern. Above it, extending from near the river to the east line of the pickets, was a row of stables, built of round hickory logs with the bark peeled off, which were orig- 'inally used for the horses of the officers and the cavalry, and afterward as stables for the tavern. The artificers' shops stood further to the north, near where the hydraulic race now is. The magazine stood in the south angle of the garrison, and some other dilapidated buildings were in and around the locality of the fort. There was a well of excellent water, which is still in use, a few feet west of the dwelling of\John W. Sohn, over which there was then a large wheel for drawing water.

John Torrence kept a tavern at the corner of Dayton and Water Streets, in the house now owned and formerly occupied by Henry 8. Earhart. Mr. Torrence died in 1807, but his widow continued the business - even. for years after she became the wife of John Wingate. She was the daughter of Captain Robert Benham, whose adventures are frequently mentioned in the early history of the county, and a sister of Joseph S. Benham, formerly a prominent lawyer of Hamilton. On the lot opposite, on the north side of the street, was a log-house, which was built by Darius C. Orcutt, and then occupied as a boarding-house by Mrs. Griffin, a sister of Abner Enoch.

side of Front Street, between Dayton and Hydraulic Streets, and carried on an extensive trade with the Indians. It is now torn down. In the upper part of the town were several cabins, in which lived James Heaton, | Isaac Wiles, George Harlan, William Herbert, and George Snyder. é

John Wingate commenced a store in a log-house where St. Mary's Catholic Church now stands, where he failed +n 1806. Thomas and Joseph Hough continued the business; and, after the death of the former, it was successfully occupied by Hough & Blair, and Kelsey & Smith, for the same. purpose. Nearly opposite, on the south side of the street, lived Thomas McCullough and Dr. Jacob Lewis. In the south part of the town resided John Greene, Azarias Thorn, Barney McCarron, Benjamin Davis, Ludlow Pierson, and perhaps others not now recollected.

On the west bank of the Miami River was a solitary log-house, occupied by Archibald Talbert, who kept a tavern and the ferry. The town of Rossville was not then in existence. It was surveyed and laid out by

Early Days Of The Town

When Mr. McBride first settled himself in Hamilton in the year 1807, the inhabitants were few in number, and the improvements principally confined to the margin of the river. William McClellan, who served eight years as sheriff of Butler County, then kept a tavern in the old garrison house, which had been erected for the accommodation of the officers of the army, which has already been .described. It was taken down in 1813. John Torrence kept a tavern on the corner of Dayton and Water Streets. William Murray kept a tavern on the opposite corner in a house on lot No. 145.

"Isaac Stanley also kept a tavern in an old log house in the upper part of the town, which stood on lot No. 162, on Front Street. He was a justice of the peace as well as a tavern keeper, and kept his office in the barroom (the only room in the house, except a little log hut standing back, occupied as a kitchen). Here he dispensed justice and whisky. for several years.

Messrs. Joseph Hough and Thomas Blair had a store near the south-west corner of the public square. It was kept in an old log house standing on the lot now owned by the Catholic Church. John Reily, the clerk of the court, kept his office in a log house in the lower part of the town, as mentioned in a previous chapter. Azarias ees er i ae 9, in the lower part of the town. 2 wie 5 pias os House was owned and occupied

Widow Davis lived in a very old log house which stood on the corner of the alley and Front Street. Barney McCarron lived in a cabin in the south part of the town.

'Doctor Daniel Millikin, the only physician in the place, lived in a house on the bank of the river, above Major Murray's Tavern. In the same neighborhood also lived James Heaton, Isaac Wiles, George Snyder, William Herbert, and George Harlan, with, perhaps, some others.

William Corry, the only lawyer in the place, kept his office in the same building with the clerk of the court. Several other lawyers, however, regularly attended the courts at Hamilton. At that time, nearly all that part of Hamilton lying east of Front Street was an impenetrable thicket, covered with small, scrubby oaks, blackjacks, vines, and hazel bushes. True, paths and roads were in some places cut through them, to admit a free passage, but, aside from these, underbrush was so thick that it was only in some places a person could make his way through them, or see a rabbit at the distance of a few paces. This was then the case from Sutherland's Corner to the Hamilton Hotel, and eastwardly to where the canal now is, and southwardly as far as the town lots extend.

At that time it was common to meet with Indians in the streets of Hamilton almost every day, who came to trade their furs and peltries with the storekeepers. In 1808 a band of seventy or eighty Indians encamped in the lower part of Rossville, and remained more than a week. When they got liquor they frequently became intoxicated, and were then very troublesome. One night, took a seat on the bank of the river, concealed from their view, and remained a considerable time, watching the squaws taking the drunken Indians across the river, at the ford opposite the lower part of the town, to their camp, on the other side of the river. Two squaws would take hold of an Indian, one on each side, and conduct him across the stream, singing a slow, monotonous song as they waded through the water.

The improvements in Rossville were then still fewer than in Hamilton. There was a log house near where the west end of the bridge now is, occupied as a tavern and ferry-house. It was kept by Colonel James Mills, afterwards by John Hall, and years afterward by Lewis P. Sayre. Michael Delorac kept a tavern and ferry. The tavern was kept in a house in what was then the upper part of Rossville.

Some years afterward Isaac Falconer built a house on the corner of Main and Front Streets, where he kept a tavern many years. These, with two or three log houses in the lower part, GComprehended the extent of improvement. Brushwood, elder bushes, and high weeds occu- pied the remaining part of the town. In those days it was customary at court time, and on election and other public days, for great numbers of the people from the country to come to town, business or no business, and to devote their time to drinking and noisy revelry. There were no temperance societies in those days. Every man who had any pretensions to gentility must be hail-fellow well met with every one - must at least call for his halfpint of whisky, which, in the taverns, was then measured out to customers in small half-pint and gill green bottles, like vinegar cruets.

The upper part of the town of Hamilton, north of Dayton Street, was a beautiful natural prairie, unimproved and uninclosed, except a few straggling cabins near the bank of the river, pastured by the town cows and sheep. The race-course was on this common, Though now fallen into disrepute, horse-racing was, in those times, a favorite amusement, and an affair of allengrossing interest. Every business or pursuit was neglected during its continuance. On public days - indeed, on almost every Saturday - the streets and commons in the upper part of the town were conyerted into racepaths. The race-course comprehended the common from Second to Fourth Streets. At Second Street, a short distance north of where the Roman Catholie Church is now built, was erected a scaffold, elevated a little above the heads of the people, where stood the judges of the race.

On grand occasions the plain within the course and near it was occupied with temporary booths, erected with forks and covered with boughs, just cut and brought from the woods.

Here every thing was said, done, sold, eaten, and drank. Here was Black York, with his fiddle and his votaries, making the dust fly with a four-handed, or otherwise four-footed reel, and every fifteen or twenty minutes was a rush to some part or other to witness a fisticuff.

Amongst the bustling crowd of jockeys were assembled all grades and classes of people, from the highest to the lowest. Justices of the peace and other civil officers of the county were there. Even judges of the court mingled with the crowd, and sometimes presided at those contests of speed between the ponies of the neighborhood. But publi¢ opinion has undergone a change. It now attaches odium to what in former times were regarded as only venial errors.

Balls and dancing parties were frequent. Though the inhabitants of the town were few in number on these occasions, the youth and beauty of the county would assemble, and many a long Winter night did they amuse themselves 'on the light, fantastic toe," measuring time to the sweet strains of Vanzant's fiddle, until broad daylight would warn them that it was time to retire. These balls were generally held at Wingate's or Murray's tayern. Sometimes there were social dancing parties at the widow Davis's, but in times of sleighing they were always held at Mother Broadbury's, two miles from Hamilton, on the Cincinnati road, where Wilkeson Beaty formerly lived, in Section 35.

Population

The residents in Hamilton in 1810, according to the census, were 210, and those in Rossville, 84. The follow- 'ing list, therefore, must embrace all who were here in 1807, when Dr. Daniel Millikin and Samuel Millikin came to Hamilton.

John Reily was clerk of the courts, and agent for the proprietors of the town of Rossville ; John Sutherland was a storekeeper, as were Joseph Hough and Thomas Blair ; William Murray kept a hotel, and so did John Torrence and John Wingate; William McClellan kept a public house; Lawrence Cavanaugh was a man of some means ; William Hubbert was a proprietor of the town of Rossville ; Isaac Stanley kept a hotel; John Greer was an associate judge, and James Heaton was the county surveyor. The other names from this side of the river were George Snider, Anderson Spencer, Thomas Spencer, Oliver Stephens, Captain Azarias Thorn, Daniel Hill, Paul Bannell, William Riddle, Isaac Wiles, Gardner Vaughn, George Harlan, Mrs. Davis, Barnabas McCarron, Mr. Hagan, and Hugh Wilson.

In Rossville, there were Michael Delorac, father of Alexander Delorac; John Aston, Robert Taylor, Jonn Taylor, John Hall, Isaac Moss, James Ross, Archibald Talbert, the ferryman; Moses Connor, Leonard Garver, Samuel Spivey, and Samuel Ayres. This gives twelve names for Rossville, and twenty-eight for Hamilton, which, at the usual rate of computation, would give for the population of Rossville sixty persons, and for Hamilton, one hundred and forty.

The first marriage in Butler County, after its erection, was by Celadon Symmes, and the fortunate parties were Jacob Sample and Jane Hueston. This was on the 8th of September, 1803. Marriages had undoubtedly taken place before this, but they were under the jurisdiction of Hamilton County, and are there recorded, if anywhere.

Mr. Birch came to Hamilton in 1810 or 1811. He first occupied the south room of the house now owned by Mrs. R. Tapscott, and which was built in 1810 by J : y Joseph Hough, deceased. Subsequently, and before the brewery was built, Mr. Birch resided in a small house built by himself on the west side of the road leading to C cinnati, and some two hundred yards north of ise The old brewery was built about 1813 or 1814.

Taxation

It appears from the earliest tax duplicate that in 1804 fifty-eight lots were taxed in Hamilton. Benjamin F Randolph had eighteen; Jc ei ' ai p ; ad = ae John Reily, one; Sutherland &

The '' duplicate" for 1805 consists of about twelve pages of folio paper without rules, lines, or printed heads. While the paper is yellow from age, the ink is as clear and black as though it was fresh only yesterday from the ink-stand. On the back of the duplicate, in the bold handwriting of John Reily, is this indorsement: '** A Duplicate of Taxes on Land for the year 1805, amounting to dollars, 871.64.2."

The duplicate was divided into two parts: the first part containing the registry of non-resident land owners, and the second part the registry of those who were in possession. Of land owners the duplicate shows nonresidents 64, owning 27,727 acres. Residents 310, owning 87,398 acres. Total 374, owning 117,125 acres. Among the largest non-resident land owners were 'Elias Boudinot, after whom Boudinot Street, First Ward, is named, who held 1,994 acres in sections 15, 14, 20, 21, and 25, in Lemon Township; Elijah Brush, 1,065, in sections 8, 9, 16, and 17, Lemon Township; John N. Cummins, 1,240 acres in Fairfield; William H. Harrison, afterward President of the United States, 640 acres, all of section 33, Union Township; Henry Ray, 1,895 acres in St. Clair Township; Benjamin Scudder, who held 640 acres in sections 27 and 33 in Liberty Township, which is still owned in great part by his heirs; John Cleves Symmes, 640 acres in Fairfield Township; Jonathan Dayton, 2,130 acres in Liberty and Fairfield.

Of resident land owners, David Beatty held 885 acres in Fairfield and Hanover; Daniel Doty, 295 in Lemon; Samuel Dickey, of Prairie, 400 acres; and Samuel Dickey, of Elk Creek, 370 acres; Ralph W. Hunt, of Lemon, held 2,600 acres in Lemon; Matthew Hueston, father-in law of Robert Harper, held 1,543 acres in Fairfield; Thomas Kyle held section 28, Lemon Township ; Solomon Line held 934 acres in Fairfield; Enos Potter held 640 acres in sections 23 and 27, Lemon; Celadon Symmes held 4,631 acres in F airfield; and Joel Willlams held 2,505 acres in St. Clair and Ross. Land at that time was divided for taxation into three grades. What was called first quality was taxed $1 per 100 acres; second quality, 75 cents per 100 acres ; third ae versely: acres. There was of first qualy, alt acres; second quality, 78,709 acres; and third quality, 16,502 acres; total, the total taxes assessed on this ] enormous sum of $871.64.2.

Th 1 ame nes nore : = sag tax on the duplicate was assessed against ohn Keily, who held a few : : KS v3 . few lots in He VW q burg,-Cincinnati, and Deerfi ld Hamil = sack embraced eerfield. His lots in Hamilton smbraced one acre of eror a) ae ground, and are ate and seven mills! The largest resident tax payer was Celadon Symmes, $21.67.9; after him, Joel Williams, $18.64; then Samuel Dick, $18.07, on 3,703 acres in what is now Ross; next, John N. Cummins, $15.81.

Corporation And Town Council

The town of Hamilton was incorporated by an act of the Legislature, passed in January, 1810, in pursuance of which law a president and three trustees were elected by the citizens, who proceeded to organize themselves and pass ordinances for the government and regulation of the town for four succeeding years. A considerable number of the citizens were opposed to the corporate regulations, and some irregularity occurring in their proceedings, no election was held in the year 1815, in consequence of which the corporation became forfeited and so remained until the year 1827, when the town was again incorporated, together with Rossville, under the name of "The towns of Hamilton and Rossville." The powers and duties of the corporation were vested in six trustees, to be elected by the citizens, who should hold their office and recorder. The towns were divided into two districts or wards, Hamilton forming one and Rossville the other, the citizens to meet ,in their respective wards and each elect their trustees. The corporation were vested with power to levy a tax of not more than one-eighth of one per cent on the amount of the grand levy of the State. In May, 1827, the citizens met at their respective places of holding elections, those of Hamilton electing Doctor Loammi Rigdon and others, and the citizens of Rossville, Israel Gregg and others, as trustees, who afterwards met and appointed Israel Gregg president and Loammi Rigdon recorder. Under this corporation and manner of organization the towns continued to prosper, under a well regulated police, for four years. In January, 1830, the Legislature passed a law authorizing the corporation to grant licenses to grocers and retailers of spirituous liquors. In the course of time, jealousies springing up between the two towns, on the petition of the citizens of Rossville, the connection between them was dissolved by the Legislature, in February, 1831, and each erected into a separate corporation. In accordance with this amendatory law the citizens of Hamilton elected James O'Connor, John Woods, John C. Dunlavy, Jesse Corwin, _John M. Millikin, and Henry 8. Earhart, trustees, who organized themselyes by appointing James O'Connor president and John M. Millikin, recorder, who continued to exercise the duties of their office for the two succeeding years.

In February, 1833, the charter of the town of Hamton was modified by an act of the Legislature, by which the government of the town was vested in a mayor and six trustees, to be elected by the citizens for the term of three years.

tax of one-fourth of one per cent for corporation purposes. The citizens met in May, 1833, and elected James McBride mayor and John Woods and others trustees, who organized themselves and appointed John Woods recorder. This board drew up and passed an entire new code of laws for the regulation and government of the town, and commenced grading and improying the streets. On the 14th of February, 1835, the Legislature authorized the corporation to draw water from the basin, for the purpose of extinguishing fires, on which privilege being granted, the corporation, in 1836, laid pipes from the basin down Basin Street as far as Front Street, with pipes leading from them to fill two cisterns, constructed in the public square.

On the 7th of March, 1835, the Legislature passed a law, further modifying and amending the act of incorporation. By this law the name of the corporation was changed to that of 'The town of Hamilton." They were authorized to levy a tax of one-half of one per cent on the grand levy of the State, for supplying the town with water and improving the streets. The act authorized them to borrow money, not exceeding fifteen hundred dollars; to appoint a wharfmaster; gave them the use of the county jail, and provided for filling the office of mayor, in case of vacancy.

The corporate powers of the town of Hamilton were vested in a mayor and six trustees. The mayor presided at the meetings of the board and was the judicial officer to carry into effect the ordinances passed by the board, and had all the powers vested in a justice of the peace, either in civil or criminal matters, throughout the town. In criminal cases the marshal might serve process in any part of Butler County. The corporation had power to appoint a recorder, a treasurer, marshal, wharfmaster, supervisor of streets and highways, inspector and measurer of wood, tanner's bark, lumber, and other articles of domestic growth, and regulate their duties. The corporation was vested with power to make ordinances and by-laws for establishing and regulating the market, organize fire companies, and provide for the extinguishment of fire; to regulate the streets, alleys, and highways, and generally to make such ordinances and regulations for the safety, health, cleanliness, and convenience of the citizens, as was usual in like corporations.

Growth Of The Town

The population of Hamilton, as shown by census in 1810, was 242, and of Rossville 84. At the next decennial census, in 1820, it was all included under the name of Hamilton, and the population numbered 660 souls. In 1830, at the next census, the population of Hamilton had increased to 1,072, and Rossville again appeared with 629 inhabitants. There were 9 colored persons in Hamilton in 1810; in 1820, 33, and in 1830, 80. No colored persons were in Rossville at either date.

advertises a new huckster-shop, in which cider, green and dried apples, whisky, beer, tar, and other accommodations, if called for, could be had. Boots and shoes were made. The advertiser was James T. Morton, corner of Front Street and the Diamond. Elihu Line had lost a large ram, and Paul Sanders had had a boy, named Briton Wright, an apprentice at the pottery business, run away from him. He was aged seventeen years, stout made, dark skin and complexion, about five feet high, 'much given to lying, and a little light-fingered."_ Whoever would take him up and return him would have six cents reward and no thanks. Those indebted to the late firm of Kelsey & Smith were invited to"come forward and settle up. Absalom Goodnough, at his new shop, on Front Street, sold boots and shoes. R. Birch, at the Hamilton brewery, refused to pay a due-bill of sixty-one dollars and fifty cents, payable in barley. William Murray needed a hostler. Michael Delorac, ''being far advanced in age and unable to traverse the streets and by-roads of Hamilton in search of passengers and freight, but wishing to make an honest and honorable livelihood" by his calling, gave notice that his ferry was in complete repair, the flats new, and that good entertainment for man and horse could there be procured. Preliminary articles of peace had just been brought over from Ghent.

The oldest resident of Hamilton, at this date, is Mrs. Ksther Kennedy. Her husband was a noted builder in his day, and came here to put up a house on the west side of the river, on the Seven-Mile Pike, near the corporation limits, known as the Rhea house. This was in 1812. While doing this, he boarded with William Murray, father of the late William Murray, who kept a tavern, Soon after this they built the house now standing on High Street, one door west of Fye's grocery. At this time, all business was done near the river, and chiefly on Front Street. The Sutherland corner, now occupied by Rothenbush & Ratliff and Dr. S. H. Millikin, was building, and was plastered by Mr, Kennedy. Going up the street, there were no buildings until the present house of LL. D. Campbell was-reached. John Reily had put up a part of the house three years before, and it was used as his dwelling and office. From that to Third Street was a pasture field, fenced in, in which Mr. Reily pastured his horses and cattle. The third and last house from the river was that built by Mr. Kennedy for his own use. The woods had been cut down, and a clearing made from this site to the river. On the west side of Third Street was a clearing running down to the burying-ground of the town, near the Fourth Ward Park, while on the other side the forest commenced and extended eastward.

On Fye's corner stood a large, magnificent elm, beneath whose spreading branches divine service was held on Sunday. Half-way down the river, on the west side, jail, while justice was dealt out in the room Shoe Preaching was held in this building on the Lord s-day. Part of the palisades of the fort were still standing, near the river. There was no bridge there then. The stream must be crossed by ferries.

At the time of the war of 1812 Mr. Kennedy was engaged in building the Hamilton House; that, for many years, was the great resort for travelers. He was drafted into the service for six months, but secured a substitute, and finished the building. For nearly two years after their house had been completed, Mrs. Kennedy carried water from Mr. Reily's well. There was then no resident lawyer except David K. Este, afterwards of Cincinnati. Mr. Kennedy died in 1830.

In 1813 Isaac Paxton, a veteran of Wayne's wars, set up a shop in Hamilton as a silversmith. In 1814 Pierson Sayre settled on Lot 120, on Front Street, between Dayton and Stable Streets.

Suicide Of Jacob Foreman

In 1814 there came to Hamilton from Canada a fine, handsome man of about fifty years of age, who was a shoemaker. He engaged board at the house of Major Murray, and soon went to work. His name was Jacob Foreman. He talked little, and no one knew any thing of his past history. -He seemed brooding over past troubles. In the month of June, 1815, Mr. Murray haying engaged a farmer named Oliver to bring him a load of wood from where the gas works now are, but which was then covered by the original forest, requested Foreman to go out there and help load the wagon, which he willingly did. When it was loaded, Oliver started back, imagining the shoemaker was walking in the rear. When the wood was unloaded, however, he was not on

Mr. Murray had noticed that he appeared low spirited, and feared that some accident had happened to him. Waiting a reasonable time, they then began a search, and continued it until late that night. The next morning, Sunday, it was again begun, and was joined in by every man and boy in the village. Placing a man on each rod of ground, they started near where the railroad track now is, and moved forward until they reached the ground just below the infirmary hill. Here Foreman was found, hidden in the top of an old oak, blown down in a recent tempest. He was alive and uninjured, but said he had tried at various times during the night to hang himself with a grape vine, failing in which he went to sleep. He went home with Mr. Murray, washed and shaved himself, and dressed himself in his best clothes, and at supper time seemed to be in better spirits than for weeks past. After a night's rest he was up early the next morning, when he ate a hearty breakfast. Shortly after this meal, however, he went up stairs, and, standing on the landing, deliberately cut his throat from ear to ear, almost severing his head from his shoulders. In this con- dition he walked down stairs, tried to open the door leading into the dining-room, but failed, and fell in a moment, after trying the latch, dead upon the floor. The noise attracted the attention of the inmates of the house, who opened the door, and were horrified to find the corpse.

There was an immense assembly at the funeral, as the story had been noised abroad through the country. The interment was made in the Syctmore Grove. Shortly after the burial the body was exhumed by the physicians, the flesh removed, the bones boiled, bleached, and articulated, and the skeleton of the first suicide in Hamilton hung for many years in the residence of one of Hamilton's early physicians.

Independence Day In 1814

The Fourth of July, 1814, was celebrated at Hamilton. About one o'clock the Declaration of Independence was read, and an oration delivered at the court-house, after which a procession was formed and marched to Wayne's Spring, about a third of a mile below town, to partake of a dinner, to be provided for the Occasion. James Heaton, William Murray, and David Latham were the committee of arrangements. Friends in the country were cordially invited to attend.

Murray'S Recollections

When William Murray was a boy, or from 1810 to 1820, the business of the town was done along the river bank, between the two ferries, one of which crossed the river at the foot of what is now known as Dayton Street, and the other at that point where the old bridge was situated. This ground is now covered with shops. A large market-house also stood on High Street. Rossville contained but a very few houses.

The first printing-office was opened and the first paper printed in 1814 in the old building then standing on the south-west corner of Dayton and Water Streets. This paper was the Miami Intelligencer.

This house of Mr. Murray stood on the lot opposite Snider's paper-mill, and the lot is noW used by that mill. It was destroyed by fire in 1839. Colonel Campbell's present residence was built by John Reed in 1808. Mr. Reed was at that time boarding with Mr. Murray's father. The Sutherland corner, now occupied by Rothenbush & Ratliff, was built in 1810-11. The court-house was commenced in the year 1813, and completed in 1815.

was our first school-house. This building was put up in 1817. There was a little log cabin, standing near where the United Presbyterian Church now stands, which was taught by a Presbyterian preacher. The village of Hamilton never attained to the dignity of a town until the Miami Canal was dug. Soon after this was cut through, in 1826, the place began to grow, and became much healthier. Before, it was no uncommon thing for every body to be sick with chills and fever, so that often there were not enough well to take care of the sick.

Edward Murphy

In the year 1800, when about twenty years old, Edward Murphy came to Hamilton, then a village containing but a few rudely constructed buildings of wood, and commenced work at blacksmithing. At this time there were but two sntith shops in the place, the one owned by Samuel Dorcus, the other by Mr. Wiles. After peace was declared in 1815, he engaged in blacksmithing in Hamilton, where for fifty years he followed his vocation. Prominent among those with whom he was early associated in the business relations of early life were Isaac Watson and Jeremiah Mansur. Other names with whom he was associated were John Reily, John Sutherland, Joseph Hough, Thomas Blair, John Pierson, Ludlow Pierson, Anderson Spencer, Sheriff McClellan, Michael Delorac, and James Mill, who built the first brick house in Hamilton.

The Bighams

The Bigham family was an important and influential one in this county at a very early period. The father of the family, William Bigham, was born in Williamsburg, Virginia, November 1, 1752, and was married to Mary Reed in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1779. He made two trips to the West; first, in 1795; and again in 1801, purchasing, in the first expedition, land in Cincinnati and near to it, and also in Hamilton. He came West to reside in 1809, when he brought to Cincinnati his wife, four sons - David, George R., James, and William; and two daughters, Mary and Judith. One daughter was married in Pennsylvania, and two near Cincinnati. In the Spring of 1810 he settled on a large tract of land on the Miami River above the town, where he died on the 4th of September, 1815. He was a member and an efficient ruling elder of the Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, and was considered the father of that-denomination in this place. By his will he gave a considerable sum to the Presbyterians to aid in erecting a house of worship, which, two years after his death, was done.

David Bigham, his son, was born in Pennsylvania, April 8, 1788, and came out here with his father on his second visit. He intended to study for the ministry, but was prevented by a cancer, which, however, was subsequently cured. He was twice married. His first union was to Miss Beardsley, of Westchester, and his second to Mrs. Susan Cummins, daughter of John Ludlow, by He was a man of high moral and intellectual character, and was ruling elder of the Presbyterian Church for thirty-one years, having been elected in 1815, at the time of the death of his father. His home was the resort of the first men of the country. His house was noted for its hospitality, and it was ever open for his friends. He kept up his studies, and his knowledge of Latin and Greek rendered his society useful and much sought after by the clergy and others. He built a residence and a woolen factory, which he conducted till his death, February 17, 1847. The city of Hamilton afterwards bought a large tract of the old homestead, and it is now used as Greenwood Cemetery.

George R. Bigham, his brother, resided with his father, inheriting the homestead and 4 portion of his father's land, where he remained until the year 1834, then removing to a house previously erected in Hamilton. In June, 1822, he accepted the appointment of county surveyor, to succeed James Heaton, who had been appointed in 1803. These duties he filled until October, 1836, when he was succeeded by Ludwick Best. He was remarkable for the minute accuracy of his surveys, and spent much time, after his office had expired, in practice. He was one of those employed to make the first survey of the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad. In 1838 he entered into partnership with William

_ Wilson, but after eight or nine years the firm failed for a large amount. The debts were paid in full, but it took Mr. Bigham's entire fortune to do it. In October, 1852, he was taken ill, and died on the 14th of that month. He had all his life long been a Presbyterian, being one of the members who organized the first Presbyterian Church, and at the time of his death was the last survivor of those who aided in its formation, and who still lived here. He was twice married; first, to Margaret Gormley, and second, to Margaret Cook. The daughter of the first marriage, Margaret, married Dr. A. B. Nixon, now of California.

Of George R. Bigham's brothers and sisters, Mary married Robert Taylor, of Rossville, and soon after died; Judith married David Dick; James was married, first, to Catherine Scobey, and, second, Martha Dick; and William married Martha C. Ross. He was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church, being the third from the same family.

Education

No record has been preserved of the earliest teacher in Hamilton, nor of the school over which he presided. The town had lasted fifteen years before any pedagogue now remembered came upon the scene. Mr. Ritchie, whose first name has not been preserved, came here about the year 1810, and taught upon Front Street, in the Third Ward, upon lot No. 174. He afterwards removed to a log house, upon the site of St. Mary's

In 1812 the Rev. Matthew G. Wallace, who had been preaching oceasionally in Hamilton, came i ae place to live, and organized a Presbyterian Church. - He also opened a school for instruction in the usual English branches and the classics, in the old court-house. A drawing of the building hangs in the present court-house. The next school was on Second Street, on a part of lot No. 188, where the Benninghofen residence now is. Here, about the year 1815, Benjamin B. Pardee gave instruction. Very nearly at the same time there was a school in Rossville, near the river, half-way between the present suspension and railroad bridges. It was conducted by Mr. Elder, and was attended by pupils from both sides of the river.

At about the same time Alexander Proudfit, who had been classically educated, came to study medicine with Doctor Daniel Millikin, and at the same time to teach. Doctor Millikin built him a school-house on the north side of Heaton Street, between Second and Third Streets, on lot No. 203. It was of hewed logs. Doctor Millikin's own children attended, and in course of time many from other families.

In 1818 the Hamilton Literary Society erected, at the south-west corner of Third and Dayton Streets, the first story of a brick building, twenty-two by thirty-six feet, the Masonic fraternity afterwards adding a story for the use of its order. Here taught the Rev. James McMechan and Henry Baker. Joseph Blackleach followed them, remaining for two years, and having seventy or eighty pupils. He died in 1819 or 1820, while on a visit to Oxford. After him came Hugh B. Hawthorne.

In 1819 Ellen A. MceMechan, daughter of Rev. James MecMechan, who was then dead, opened a school on the north-east corner of Third and Buckeye Streets, lot No. 181, teaching there for one year. Removing from this location, she continued her school on Ludlow Street, near the north-west corner of Third, where she taught for seven years. She had about seventy pupils, of whom Mrs. L. D. Campbell and Mrs. John M. Millikin, and perhaps others, are still alive. She had been thoroughly trained, and to have been in her school was regarded as being itself a compliment. She charged three dollars for each term of five months, teaching five and a half days each week. There were other teachers who did not ask as much. :

Benjamin F. Raleigh taught from 1825 to 1830. He was township clerk of Fairfield Township for several years, and was township superintendent of common schools. 'This is the first notice we find of the common school system. He was a large, powerful man, and administered the government of the school with vigor.

Greer, another school teacher, whose place was on lot No. 72, was also a believer in the strong mode of teaching. 'From the center of the room where he sat he would reach and remind his scholars with a hickory rod ten feet in length."

The most important school for the instruction of young ladies ever here was originated by John Woods in 1852. He drew up articles of assocration for the foundation of a seminary, designed to give a more thorough education than was then possible, to be entitled the Hamilton and Rossville Female Academy. Subscriptions to the amount of two thousand five hundred dollars were soon obtained, and the stockholders met and elected John Woods, the Rev. Doctor David MacDill, the Rev. Augustus Pomeroy, James McBride, and Caleb DeCamp, directors of the association. Lot No. 247 was purchased, on Water Street, and a school-house erected, being the one now occupied as a city building, and in which the fire recently occurred. This was finished in the year 1834, and on the 7th of March, 1835, a bill was passed by the Legislature incorporating the academy. The bill was drafted by William Bebb, afterwards governor of the State.

Miss Maria Drummond was the first teacher. On the 8th of October, 1835, Miss Georgetta Haven took charge of the school at a salary of four hundred dollars a year,

Miss Amelia Looker and Miss Eliza Huffman were employed as assistants at salaries of four hundred and three hundred dollars respectively. The academy soon became very prosperous, and in the Summer of 1836 there were one hundred and twenty-seven pupils upon the daily roll.

At the close of Miss Haven's administration, which lasted several years, the academy was conducted by Doctor Giles, Mr. Batchelder, Mr. Marchant, Mr. Furman, and others. But the common schools had now gone into operation, and they interfered with the success of the academy. In 1856 it was closed, and the building and site sold. The directors had an idea that the location of the building interfered with it, and determined to try a new location, but, although twenty-six years have since elapsed, they have not found it. The school had worthily fulfilled its mission, and from its halls many of our best ladies received their instruction.

Another institution which had considerable celebrity in its day was the Rossville Presbyterian Academy, then under the direction of the Rey. Thomas E. Thonfas. An advertisement of his in 1848 reads:

This Institution, established a year since, under the direction of Oxford Presbytery, may now be regarded as upon a permanent basis. The experiment of the past year has proved entirely successful; more than fifty pupils having been in attendance during that period. The Institution is founded upon the principle of connecting careful religious training with intellectual education. The Bible is studied systematically, and recited daily, by every scholar. Our design is both to prepare young men for College, and to afford a good academical education for those who desire nothing more.

The course of study will embrace Rhetorical Readings, Geography, Grammar, Rhetoric, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Ancient and Modern History, particularly that of the United States, the Constitution and Government of the United States; Natural History, including Anatomy, Physiology, etc.; the Latin and Greek Languages; Old and New Testament History, the Epistles and Prophecies, Biblical Antiquities, and an abridgment of Horne's Introduction to the study of the Scriptures, together with stated exercises in Declamation and Composition. ;

The common school system was inaugurated in 1825, but met with much opposition. From the time it went into effect down to 1851 the schools of what are now the Second, Third, and Fourth Wards were under the control of the school authorities of Fairfield Township, and those of the First Ward were under the directors of St. Clair Township. The Second and Third Wards were then School District No. 1, and the Third Ward was District No. 10. It appears from the records that sharp bargains were made with the teachers whenever practicable, and they were frequently engaged by the day.

The first school-building for the use of common schools was erected not far from 1837. In_ this Mr. Bebb took great interest. He suggested the plan, advanced a large portion of the money needed, and devoted much time to the completion of the work. This is now a part of the Third Ward School, on Dayton Street.

April 19, 1851, an election was held in which the electors voted for or against the adoption of the act of February 21, 1849, providing that cities and towns may be formed into one district, to be governed by a board of six directors and three examiners. It was adopted, and the officers chosen soon after took their position. Two of the directors, John W. Erwin and John W. Sohn, are still living in Hamilton. The examiners, Isaac Robertson, Doctor Cyrus Falconer, and William Huber, all are alive, and in the active practice of their professions. June 21, 1851, the first tax was levied by the board, being one and one-fourth mills on the dollar. June 30th, the township funds were transferred to John W. Sohn, treasurer. In 1852 the schools were classified. In 1853 Mr. J. W. Legg, of Piqua, was engaged, at a salary of fifty dollars per month. In 1854, after the union of Rossville and Hamilton, Alexander Bartlett was appointed superintendent of schools, at a salary of eighty dollars per month. The ladies employed as teachers, who this year received twenty-five dollars per month, petitioned for an advance, but it was not granted.

- It had been a condition of the union of the two towns that a school-house should be erected in the First Ward, and on the 29th of May, 1856, the board of education adopted a resolution requesting the city council to advance sufficient money to build the house. On the 14th of August the council passed an ordinance appropriating eleven thousand dollars in aid of the work. The building was put up, but its cost far exceeded this amount. In June of this year the pupils were classified. In 1857 the office of superintendent of schools was separated from the duties of principal of the high school, and G. E. Howe was chosen superintendent, at a salary of one thousand a year, and on January 12, 1858, S. A. Norton was placed in charge of the high school, at a salary of eight hundred dollars per year. This was the time at which the First Ward school-house was completed, the force of teachers having in the meantime been increased from eight, employed in 1854, to seventeen.

In 1861 the schools were under the superintendency of John R. Chamberlin, now of Cincinnati. Doctor W. W. Caldwell became a member of the board of education in 1859, and was president in 1861. In 1862 he was elected treasurer of the board, holding that office until 1875, making a total of sixteen years' service. The German-English department was organized in 1851, the first . teacher being Matthew Pfreftin. The superintendent continued to hear lessons, as a part of his duty, until 1870. Mr. Chamberlin was succeeded by Mr. H. T. Wheeler, and he by John A. Shank, John Edwards, and E. Bishop, the latter retiring in 1871. Little is c about their labors. . site oe school was organized in September, 1858, and was taught in a dilapidated old shanty, situated on the site now occupied by the eolored church. In 1867 a building was finally erected, at a cost of two thousand ees the public schools passed under the management of Mr. Alston Ellis, and he was succeeded by Mr. L. D. Brown, the present superintendent, March 1, 1879.

In 1873 it was resolved to build a school-house in the Fourth Ward. A lot had been purchased three years before, at a cost of four thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight dollars. The plans and specifications of the building were prepared and approved in June, 1873, and the contract was awarded in July. The house was first occupied in September, 1874, and had ten commodious, well ventilated school-rooms, each having a seating capacity for fifty-six pupils, and a large room for general exercises on the third floor. The building is very thoroughly put up, and every thing was done in the best manner. When completed and the bills brought in a very severe criticism was indulged in, on account of the cost, which was much beyond what had been expected. The following are the details:

There are now in Hamilton five school-buildings, one for each of the first four wards, and one for the colored schools. The Fifth Ward, being lately organized, has no school-house. School is taught 200 days in the year, 2,008 children being enrolled, with a supposed number of a thousand children in the private and parochial schools. There were 5,058 children of school age, showing that two thousand do not attend school where. The valuation of school property in the district is $5,600,525, on which the tax levied is five mills on the dollar. The school property is valued at $125,000. Thirty-six teachers are employed, 13 of whom are in the German-English department, and one in music. The average pay of teachers per year was $540. "There were OL teachers in the public schools. On the whole, the

Bank Of Hamilton

On the 19th of December, 1817, the Legislature of the State of Ohio passed a law incorporating the Bank of Hamilton, with a capital of three hundred thousand dollars.

In the Spring of 1818 books for the subscription of stock opened, and an amount sufficient to authorize the bank to go into operation being subscribed, an election for directors was held. On the 11th of July, 1818, the board of directors elected met for the first time, and appointed John Reily president and William Blair cashier of the bank. Bank notes having been engraved and prepared for circulation, the directors met on the 30th of July, made their first discounts, and the bank went into operation. The bank was kept north of the Public Square, immediately opposite the court-house, in the front room of Dr. Jacob Hittel's brick house, then owned by William Blair.

The capital stock paid into the bank was $33,062.68, on which they continued to discount and do a small but respectable business for several years. In the Fall of the year 1818, the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States required all payments due the United States to be made in gold or silver or bills of the Bank of the United States, in consequence of which the banks of the State of Ohio, and the banks in the West generally, suspended specie payments about the Ist of November. The Bank of Hamilton suspended specie payments on the 9th of November, 1818.

In May, 1819, the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Cincinnati, by an agreement with the treasury department, became a depository of the public moneys, on which they resumed specie payments. Under these circumstances application was made to the Bank of Hamil- ~~ ton on the 27th of May, 1819, by their agent, Nicholas Longworth, for a loan of $10,000 in specie, in order to enable them to sustain themselves and carry out their agreement with the treasury department. This, it was represented, they were abundantly able to do, as they were to haye a permanent deposit from the government of $100,000 which, it was stated, exceeded the amount of their paper in circulation, consequently they could only be pressed for a short period, the specie to be returned at any time, on a moment's warning, and not to be affected by any amount of the notes of the Bank of Hamilton which they might have in hand at the time. It was also proposed to make the notes of the Bank of Hamilton receivable in the Jand office, if desired, on terms that would be mutually satisfactory, and on the general resumption of specie payments they proposed to reciprocate the accommodation in any way that might be most advantageous for the Bank of Hamilton. The proposition was acceded to by the directors of the Bank of Hamilton, and the sum of $10,000 in silver paid over to the Farmers' and Mechanics Bank on the 15th of June, 1819. A few weeks afterwards the Farmers' and

Mechanics' Bank suspended specie payments and closed their doors. A correspondence was commenced with the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank on the subject of the loan, which they were unable to return or secure. Finally, in May, 1820, a deed was made by the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank to the Bank of Hamilton, for their banking house and lot, being the three-fourth parts of lot No. 103, on Main Street, between Front and Columbia Streets, in the city of Cincinnati, which was accepted in full for the loan of $10,000, including interest.

The property was taken possession of by the Bank of Hamilton and rented to John & Gurden B. Gilmore for a broker's office and residence. In December, 1824, a writ of ejectment, issued from the Circuit Court of the United States for the district of Ohio, in favor of the heirs of Israel Ludlow, deceased, was served on the tenant of the Bank of Hamilton for the recovery of the house conveyed to him by the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank on the ground that the lot had been illegally sold by the administrators of Israel Ludlow after his death. At the January term of the Circuit Court in 1827 a judgment was rendered in favor of the heirs of Ludlow against the Bank of Hamilton, which the Bank of Hamilton took up on a writ of error to the Supreme Court of the United States at Washington. When the cause came on for hearing at Washington the judgment of the court below was affirmed, which rendered the title of the Bank of Hamilton void.

The property conveyed by the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank being thus lost to the Bank of Hamilton, and the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank unable to make good their warranty, the whole appeared in a manner lost. However, on examination, it was found that the property had been conveyed to the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank by John McIntyre, by deed of general warranty dated the 31st of May, 1815. John McIntyre lived in Madison, Indiana, and was perfectly solvent. The agent of the bank accordingly called on him on the 29th of October, 1829, when John McIntyre agreed to pay to the Bank of Hamilton the sum of $2,000, which was accepted, and Mr. McIntyre released from his warranty on the payment of the money, and the agreement was afterwards complied with.

The bank was crippled severely, and its transactions were virtually wound up. From 1824 till 1835 the stockholders did nothing more than to elect directors to keep the bank alive. In the latter year $50,000 additional shares were subscribed, and it again went into operation. After a few years, however, the pressure of the. times compelled them to close, and they finally shut their doors on the 9th of February, 1842, when an assignment was made.

Store Dealings

The following is a bill of goods sold by John Sutherland, probably not far from 1810. The luxuries were appreciated and indulged in even at that early day

William Alyear To John Sutherland

Whisky was worth at the above figures 25 cents per quart in our currency; tobacco, forty cents per pound ; playing cards, seventy-five cents per pack; hair ribbon, sixty cents; white flannel, $1.20; Irish linen, $5.75 ; good prices for a pioneer to pay with corn selling at ten cents the bushel.

Joshua Delaplane

Joshua Delaplane is one of the oldest and best known citizens of Butler County. He has been a resident since June, 1819, and his course since that time has commanded the respect and confidence of the community. His parents were Daniel and Catherine Delaplane, natives of Maryland, in which State Joshua was born, in Frederick County, on the 24th of June, 1807. His father served in the war of 1812, and afterwards moved out to this region. The boy followed farming until he was twenty-one years of age, when he learned the cabinet and undertaking trade, and followed that business for forty-five years. Part of the time he was in partnership with other persons, and their furniture was sent down to the Ohio River, and thence by boat to all its various tributaries, taking months to a journey. He has been married three times, all of his wives being dead. His children are Nancy Jane, Catherine D., Frederick, Mary, Georgie, and Rebecca. Of these, Frederick, Mary, and Rebecca are dead. A short time since he celebrated his seventy-fifth birthday.

The Presbyterian Church

About the year 1805 a small society of Presbyterians in Hamilton and the vicinity formed themselves into a congregation, and had preaching occasionally by the Rey. Matthew Green Wallace, who then lived on a farm on the north line of Hamilton County, about eight miles from the town of Hamilton. He had preached occasionally from 1801. For several years afterwards he came to Hamilton, generally every other Sabbath, and preached in an old frame building then occupied as a court room, one of the remnants of the fort. In the year 1810 he remoyed to the town of Hamilton to reside, and continued to preach to the people half of his time, that is, every Sabbath, until the year 1821, when a misunderstanding occurred between him and some of the influential members of his congregation, and he was superseded by the Rey. Francis Monfort, who then became the pas-

Mr. Wallace was a man who had received a liberal education, but was rather indolent in his studies in after life. His manner of preaching was not of the first order of eloquence, nor was his discourse always arranged in the most systematic order. ;

But when he addressed the throne of grace in prayer few men were more able and impressive. He had a natural vein of wit and satire, which at times he was in the habit of indulging too freely in conversation, and which frequently made him enemies, when it might otherwise have been avoided. He died in 18538.

In the year 1817 the Presbyterian congregation belonging to the General Assembly and the Associate Reformed congregation of Hamilton united in the erection of a building for a place of public worship. According to the agreement between them, each of the congregations were to have the privilege of occupying the house half of the time. For the purpose of carrying this agreement into effect, they purchased from David K. Este the south half of inlot No. 108, at the west end of where the Basin afterwards was constructed, and which is now covered with warehouses and stores, for the price of one hundred and fifty dollars. On this, in the year 1818, they erected a brick building for a church, fifty feet long by forty feet wide, which cost three thousand and ninety-eight dollars and eighty-eight and a half cents. The prices of material were at that time very high, and the work was not conducted with the most rigid regard to economy, so that the building cost a much larger sum than it ought to have done. The interior of the building, however, was never entirely completed. On the location and construction of the Hamilton Basin in 1828, the congregations deeming the site of their building not a suitable place of public worship, sold out the lot and building for the sum of six hundred dollars to Silas Smith, who converted the building into a store and commission warehouse. Part of the wall is still standing, and forms a part of Jacob's Hall, on Third Street, between Basin and High.

A deed of conveyance not having been executed by Mr. Este to the congregations, one was made by him directly to Silas Smith. The deed bears date the 22d of May, 1828. The two congregations divided the proceeds of the sale between them, intending each to purchase a lot and. build for themselves. -

On the 21st of January, 1829, John Reily made a deed of conveyance to James Boal, George R. Bigham, James B. Thomas and Caleb DeCamp, trustees of the First Congregation of Hamilton and Rossville, of inlot No. 22, in the south part of Hamilton, for the use of the Church.

On this lot the congregation erected a brick building for a church, fifty feet long by forty-two feet wide, and eighteen feet in height to the eaves of the roof. The entrance was on Front Street, by two doors in the west end of the building. The pulpit was on the west, between the two doors, and the interior was divided into seventy-two pews and two aisles, capable of seating comfortably five hundred persons. The cost of erecting this church was about one thousand six hundred dollars.

In January, 1837, the Presbyterian congregation sold this lot and building to the German Lutheran congregation for the sum of seven hundred dollars, and purchased from the Bank of the United States inlot No. 253, on the west side of the Public Square, in Hamilton, for the sum of five hundred dollars, as appears by a deed dated the 21st of April, 1835, made to George R. Bigham.

They also purchased twenty feet from the north side of lot No. 254, adjoining from Charles K. Smith, for the sum of three hundred dollars, as appears by a deed made by Charles K. Smith to George R. Bigham on the 23d of March, 1835, for the use of the ' First Presbyterian Church, of Hamilton." But when the fifth house of worship was erected in 1854, Mr. Smith conveyed the lot in fee simple.

The Presbyterian Church was afterwards incorporated by an act passed by the Legislature of the State of Ohio. The deed for lot No. 253 having been made to George R. Bigham in his individual capacity, on the first day of July, 1843, he made a deed to James Fisher, William Bigham, William Hunter, L. Cooper, and Lazarus Mc- Neil, trustees of the Church, for the use of the congregation.

In the year 1833 the congregation erected a church on the ground which they had purchased. The building was of brick, sixty-six feet long by forty-two feet wide, with a basement story under the whole, divided into a school-room and apartments for other purposes. The part doors on the east facing the Public Square on Front Street. The pulpit was on the west end of the building opposite the doors, and the body of the church was divided into two aisles running east and west from the two doors the whole length of the building. It had sixty pews, capable of seating comfortably four hundred and fifty persons.

There was also a gallery on the east end of the church capable of seating one hundred and fifty persons more. The interior arrangement of the church was neat and convenient. It had a plain roof without cupola or steeple, and standing back from the street, with other buildings crowded around it, was not seen to advantage; none of it being exposed to view but the end next to Front Street. The whole cost of erecting and completing the church was about five thousand dollars.

The Rev. Francis Monfort, who came to Hamilton and became the pastor of the Presbyterian Church in November, 1821, continued to officiate thus until the year 1831, when a schism occurring in the Church, in part originating from the doctrines of the New School and

Old School parties, which then began to agitate the Church, Mr. Monfort adhered to' the Old School. He was ejected from the charge of the congregation. However, a portion of the congregation still adhered to him. They built a new brick church on lot No. 58, in Rossville, where Mr. Monfort continued to officiate as their pastor until the year 1837, when he relinquished his charge and removed to Mount Carmel, in the State of Indiana.

On Thursday, the second day of February, 1832, ''The First Presbyterian Church of Hamilton and Rossville" was organized by order of the Cincinnati Presbytery, the Rev. Andrew S. Morrison and Rev. John Thompson acting on the committee of presbytery. The Church was then composed of thirty-five persons, thirteen males and twenty-two females. Hugh Wilson, David Bigham, and Thomas Mitchell were elected elders.

On the 4th of June, 1832, after a sermon preached by the Rev. Henry Little, the Church unanimously invited the Rev. Augustus Pomeroy, who belonged to the New School party, to preach in the congregation as a stated supply for one year; the invitation was accepted, and. Mr. Pomeroy entered on his duties on the 24th of June, 1832. On the 24th of November following, Cornelius W. Hall was chosen an additional elder. On the Ist of March, 1833, James Boal, George R. Bigham, James Bigham, and Hugh B. Wilson were elected deacons. On the 12th of the same month the Rey. Mr. Pomeroy received a call to be pastor of the Church. He accepted the invitation, and was installed on the 21st of the same month.

Mr. Pomeroy continued pastor of the Church until the year 1836, when his pastoral relations were dissolved. He was succeeded in June in the same year by the Rev. Mr. Jones, an Episcopalian, who acted as a supply to the congregation for a few months only. He removed in September, 1836.

The Church remained destitute until some time in the year 1837, when the Rev. Charles Packard, an adherent to the New School, was invited as a stated supply. He discharged the duties of pastor for two years, until the Ist of May, 1839, when he gave in his resignation.

On the 19th of July, 1840, the Rev. Thomas Ebenezer Thomas was called to the pastorship of the Church. He accepted the call and forthwith entered upon the duties of his office. Henry J. Curtis, William Cook, and William Wilson were elected elders to supply the vacancies occasioned by the removal of two of the former session. They were afterwards duly ordained by the pastor. At the time Mr. Thomas took charge of the Church at Hamilton he was reputed to belong to the New School party. He afterwards acted as a mediator between the two parties, and latterly attached himself' to the Old School Presbytery. He was a violent abolitionist. He cqntinued the pastor of the Church. The congregation paid Mr. Thomas for his labors about $500 per annum, which was raised by subscription from the members of the Church. The number of members in connection with the Church in 1842 was 102.

On the 5th of February, 1847, a meeting of the membership of both Presbyterian Churches was held. A plan of union was adopted, and the two Churches hereafter worshiped together. Mr. Thomas continued as stated supply until the last of October, 1849, a period of ten years and a half. He was succeeded by the Rev. George Darling for three years, and the Rey. Charles Sturdevant two years and a half. During his stay it was resolved in April, 1854, to rebuild, and during the progress of the work they held their meetings generally in Beckett's Hall.

The Rey. Levi Christian was called in April, 1855; but after arrangements had been made for his installation declined, and went to Philadelphia. Hugh Ustic was called in April, 1857, but died the next Fall.

In January, 1858, the Rev. Mr. MacMillan was invited to labor here, and remained until 1864, laboring with much success. After him the pastors have been C. B. Martin, E. J. Hamilton, Nathaniel West, S. McC. Anderson, and E. W. Abbey.

In the beginning the affairs of the Church were managed by trustees. In 1822 these were G. R. Bigham, - James Wilson, and Jonathan Barret. At the division, James Boal, G. R. Bigham, James Thomas, and Caleb DeCamp were trustees in the new Church; but in March, 1832, James Boal, G. R. Bigham, James Wilson, and Hugh B. Wilson were elected deacons in this branch. The old branch had no deacons until December, 1840, when 8. E. Giffen and James Garver were elected.

After the union the Church elected William Hunter, Abraham Hueston, Robert Kennedy, Jacob L. Garver, 8. E. Giffen, and James R. Garrison. In 1854 John R. Lewis and John Keen were elected. Afterwards there were chosen Jacob Shaffer, P. ©. Conklin, David J. T. Smyers, Samuel Shaffer, Alpheus Stewart, James T. Imlay, Jacob Miller.

The Chureh has had nineteen pastors, as pastor or stated supply, nineteen deacons, and thirty-two regularly installed elders. In 1876 the rolls contained 1,479 names, but it is probable a number of persons are omitted, and there are some omitted from the official roll.

Methodist Church

The Methodist Episcopal Church in this county did not have as early an origin as some others. Services were held at the Spring Meeting-house in Liberty Township and at Oxford long before they were held here. Hamilton existed for fifteen years before any Church organization at all was attempted. Among these the Methodists were third in order. There were very few ordained ministers to labor in the field.

The minutes of the Ohio Conference give as the bounds of the Miami District in 1818, Cincinnati, Mad River, Xenia, Scioto, and Deer Creek. Solomon Layden was presiding elder. The appointments were Cincinnati, Little Miami, Lawrenceburg, White Water, and Oxford.

The Rev. Samuel West was appointed to travel on the Miami Circuit in the Fall of the year 1818, continuing for one year. When he came to that circuit there was no Methodist preaching in Hamilton, nor was there any organized society of that denomination in the place.

But as he traveled around the circuit he passed through Hamilton occasionally, and having been previously acquainted with Thomas Sinnard, who then lived in Hamilton, Mr. Sinnard invited Mr. West to make an appointment and preach in that town, which he did in the brick house then standing on lot No. 140, at the intersection of Third and Dayton Streets, and continued to preach regularly as he passed around his circuit. Towards the close of the year Mr. West formed a society consisting of the following persons: Thomas Sinnard and his wife, Aaron Jewell and his wife, Mrs. John Caldwell, and Miss Lydia Jones - six in number. These were all at the time he formed the society. At the close of Mr. West's year on the circuit, in the Fall of the year 1819, Hamilton and Rossville were made a station, and Mr. West appointed to it. During that year he preached in the brick school-house above mentioned, and in Delorac's warehouse in Rossville, and occasionally at Schooley's.

It was in that same year that the first Methodist meeting-house was built. It was commenced about six months after Mr. West began his stated labors, and was finished under his superintendence before the year closed, and left ready for his successor to enter with a society of over sixty members. Jacob Rickart was the carpenter and Samuel Messick the bricklayer.

This building was erected on the east half of inlot No. 58, on Ludlow Street, between Second and Third Streets. It was of brick, forty-two feet long by thirtytwo feet wide, and cost about thirteen hundred dollars. The land was a gift from John Woods, although the deed stands in the name of John McCleary and wife. Its date is February 11, 1820, and it was made to Samuel Messick, John Blackall, John Moorehead, George J. White, Aaron Jewell; Jacob Rickart, and James O'Conner, trustees.

Among the first members of the Church were John Blackall and wife, later Hannah Clark, from Albany, New York; Eli Green and wife, Thomas Sinnard and wife, Samuel Wing and wife, Aaron Jewell and wife and mother, Daniel Thompson, Elizabeth Caldwell, John Messick, Julia Van Hook, Susan Stephens, Catherine Mansfield, Joseph Hough and Jane his wife, Fanny Vandegriff, Charles Beeler, formerly of the Presbyterian Church, and Helen his wife, colored; Mary Leach, William Leach, John Leach, Jacob Rickart, Samuel Messick, John W. Moorehead, George J. White, James O'Conner and wife, Daniel Thompson and wife, David Clark and wife, Charity Lynch, Rev. Dr. Lynch, Mrs. John Woods, Mr. Lynch and a sister, George P. Bell and wife, Mrs. J. Watkins, Jacob Gangus, Mary Hough, afterwards Mrs. John M. Millikin; Robert Smith and wife, I. Seebring, and John Thomas and wife. These had been gathered in up to the year 1821; in that year the Church had 65 members.

In the month of March, 1833, a report was made to the society saying that a gentleman had offered to convey them another lot of land, west of the old one, on condition that a parsonage should be erected, but i the society was about to build a new house of worship, they saw difficulties in the way. The gift, however, bigest os cepted, and efforts were made to erect a suitable church, in order to accommodate the increased number of people. A subscription paper was put into circulation, and funds were raised sufficient to erect the building. The old meeting-house was to be turned into a parsonage. This scheme met with the approbation of the gentleman referred to, John Woods, and was accordingly carried into execution. The deed was made out to Jacob Rickart, Aaron Jewel, Daniel Thompson, Thomas Sinnard, George P. Bell, Jacob Elerick, Joseph F. Randolph, Thomas Berry, and John Rinehart, and was dated February 12, 1833.

The second building, which was begun in the year 1833, a neat, substantial structure, was of brick, sixty feet long by forty-five feet wide, with a gallery, and was capable of seating from seven to eight hundred persons. Its cost was about $4,800.

The old building was occupied as a carpenter shop by Peter Myers until the 5th of March, 1839, when both the new and the old church were burned. The shop was filled with shavings as dry as powder, and when Mr. Myers arrived there in the morning he lighted a match to make a fire in the stove. Some of the fire fell among the shayings, and in less-than a minute the whole was in flames. He took up a board and tried to knock out the fire, but without success, as each effort he made only served to scatter the flames, so that he could hardly get out without being himself burned. The alarm was given, but as there was no engine in town no effective resistance could be offered, and the members and citizens stood helplessly by, and saw the edifice which had cost them so much labor and toil burnt to the ground. There were two ministers on the ground, the preacher in charge, the Rev. David Reed, and the Rev. James B. Finley, who was staying at Mr. Reed's house. Mr. Finley was not disposed to see the fire gain so easy a conquest, and accordingly began throwing on water from a bucket, but soon desisted."

This calamity was most sensibly felt. The Methodists had been before the publie with subscriptions for building two houses, and besides this had lost some of their best members by removal, others shortly after following. Among these were Aaron J ewell, Thomas Berry, Daniel Thompson, and David Clark, known as Jersey Clark, a great fisherman, who was alw dressed in his fisher's coat.

In October, leave was asked and obtained of the commissioners to hold public services in the court-house. Services were also held in the old Presbyterian Church in Rossville, which stood on the lot where the First Ward High School now is.

Subscriptions were taken up by the Rev. A. W. Elliott, George P. Bell, Eli Green, J. P. Moore, George W. McAdams, D. Davison, P. F. Cheesman, Thomas Sinnard, H. Watson, the Rev. William Anderson, J. W. Davis, Philip Berry, John Rinehart, and others, and by a vigorous effort the house was raised and partly finished, so as to occupy the upper room for Church purposes, leaving the basement and gallery unfinished, in the Summer of 1840. The debt of the Church at that time was between six and seven thousand dollars. In addition to what the building would naturally have cost, there was the expense of rebuilding one of the walls, which had been blown down by a gale of wind while the building was -in process of erection. After this was paid the Church went on with its repairs, alterations, and improvements, until it was nearly finished. In June, 1868, the trustees resolved to remodel the walls inside, and six thousand dollars were obtained to begin the work. W. I. Fee, W. A. L. Kirk, G. M. Flenner, and S. K. Lighter, were appointed a committee to supervise the work.

At that time the house was lower than at present. The front doors, three in number, were on a level with the water table, which was five feet above ground, with a platform running across the whole front of the building, on a level with the audience-room, which was ascended by board steps from the ground. Under this platform was a door entering the basement, besides doors entering from each side into a hall, dividing the basement into two parts, the south part for the use of the Sundayschool, and the north part intended for class-rooms. These steps and platforms had somewhat decayed, and had to be replaced by others or an entrance obtained some other way.

It is a brick building, forty feet long by fifty-five feet wide, with a basement story of stone. The entrance is by doors on the north side into a vestibule. The pulpit and altar are on the south end. Three aisles run the whole length of the building, and the residue is divided into a number of pews, having a gallery on the north end. The whole is capable of seating comfortably one thousand persons.

The building has a plain roof, without steeple or cupola, but the whole edifice is in good taste and presents a handsome appearance. The whole cost was $7,339.77.

In the early history of church going in this neighborhood, instrumental music was not favored, and the sexes sat apart in church. The Methodists then dressed with exceeding plainness. When Mr. Goddard was in Hamilton he thought that a singing-school would kill any revival. It was said that when a revival of religion commenced, the devil was sure.to come along with a singing master under his arm and drop him down where he would do the most harm. When Dr. Latta was in charge he encouraged the formation of a choir, which made considerable progress, but this innovation could not be endured by the Rev. David Reed, his successor. Shortly after his pastorate began, he took his stand in the pulpit and gave out the hymn. 'The leader soon had a tune selected, and the choir were turning over the leaves in their note-books to find the page. Noticing this, the pastor inquired what those people were turning over the leaves of their books for; it put him in mind of a hen scratching in the leaves to make a-nest. This rather stunned the leader, while the ladies began to look for the shortest way down from the gallery. It is needless to say that the pastor had the leading of the singing to do himself for a while, and the congregation had the opportunity of learning the tune called Pisgah, that being a favorite with him.

Several of the older members seeing that opposition was useless, would sit during the singing with their elbows on the seat before them, with their fingers in their ears to stop the sound. On one occasion, at a Sundayschool celebration, the committee had reported among the hymns to be used America, ''My Country, 'T is of Thee," but some objected from conscientious scruples, and the whole work of the committee was laid aside.

The days of this feeling, however, have passed away, and as much attention is now paid to music there as in any Church in this city. Among those who were prominent in the singing in years gone by were Samuel Jones, Stephen KE. Giffen, and John 8. Wiles. The latter taught by the patent notes. The books used included the Old Measure Harmonist, the Sharon, the Harp, Cythera, the Standard, the Musical Leaves, Western Lyre, and others.

The Sunday-school began operations about the time the first church was built, in 1820. The Rev. Dr. Miley, who was learning the saddler's trade with Mr. King, in the year 1828, when he was fourteen years of age, attended that school, under the Rev. Dr. Baughman. He did not recollect the name of the superintendent. Among the workers in the school the doctor named Mrs. Green, Jane Blackall, now Mrs. McAdams, John W. Messick, and Thomas Berry. In the Autumn of 1834 Thomas Berry was superintendent. The names of the superintendents can only be given from memory, without regularity: B. F. Raleigh, Daniel Thompson, John S. Wiles, Lawrence Smith, John Osborn, Joseph Curtis, Philip Berry, J. W. Davis, Professor Starr, Thomas Fitton, G. M. Flenner, 8. M. Griffis, James Fitton, David Gary, John McLean.

The parsonage was built in 1859, and the roof of the church was put on at the same time. It was erected by a building committee consisting of J. Curtis, Joseph Lashhorn, and J. K. Davis. S. R. Lighter was the architect. The reported cost of the whole work was two thousand four hundred and seventy-nine dollars and eighty cents. The parsonage now stands on the church lot.

The Theater

Theatrical performances began in Hamilton in the year 1821, with the Blanchard family. No particulars have been preserved of their playing. In 1822 a Thespian company was organized here, consisting of home talent, and giving occasional performances. We give a couple of their programmes:

Theatrical

Hamilton Thespian Society, the celebrated Tragedy of George Barnwell, in five acts, by George Lillo, Esq., after which will be performed a Comic Opera, in two acts, written by Coleman, Jr., author of the "Iron Chest," "Mountaineers," etc., called '"'Love Laughs at Locksmiths."'

On Tuesday evening, 8th of April, 1823, will be presented and performed by the Hamilton Thespian Society, a celebrated Comedy, in two acts, written by James Kinney, Esq., author of " Matrimony," "Ella Rosenburgh," ete., called