Hamilton City (part 1 of 12)

Hamilton City

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 Carry, 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, when a number of them were intoxicated, Mr. McBride 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 llossville 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 D- Sayre. Michael Delorae kept a tavern and terry, the tavern was kept iu a house in what was then the "IT't part of Rossville.

Seme years afterward Isaac Falconer built a house on the coruer of Mailt and Front Streets, where he kept a tavern many years. These, with two or three log houses m die lower part, comprehended the extent of improve- '--eiit. Brushwood, elder hushes, and high weeds occupied the remaining part of the town. Tn those days it was customary at court time, and '>n 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 j and sheep. The race-course was on this common, j 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 neg- °. . . - j lec-ted during its continuance. On public days - indeed,

Ou 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 j votaries, making the dust fly with a four-handed, or l otherwise four-footed reel, and every fifteen or twenty j minutes was a rush to some part or other to witness a j 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 coutests of speed betweeu the ponies of the neighborhood. But public 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 iu number ou these occasions, the youth and beauty of the county would assemble, and many a king A inter night did they amuse themselves "on the light, fantastic toe." measuring time to the sweet strains of Vunzunt's fiddle, until broad daylight would warn thorn that it was time to retire. These halls were generally he'd at Wingate's or Murray's tavern. Sometimes there were social dancing parties at the widow Davis's, but in times of sleighing they were always held at Mother Broudbury'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 iu Rossviile, 84. The following list, therefore, must embrace all who were here in 1807, when Dr. Daniel Millikin aud Samuel Millikin came to Hamilton.

John Roily was clerk of the courts, and agent for the proprietors of the town of Rossviile ; 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 Rossviile ; 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 Asarias Thorn, Daniel Hill, Paul Bunnell, William Riddle, Isaac Wiles, Gardner Vaughn, George Harlan, Mrs. Davis, Barnabas McCarron, Mr. Hagan, and Hugh Wilson.

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

The first marriage in Butler County, after its erection, was by Celadon Symuies, and the fortunate parties were Jacob Sample and Jane Huestou. This was on the 8th of September, 1803. Marriages bad 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 bv Mrs. R. lapscott, and which was built in 1810 by 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 Cincinnati, and some two hundred yards north of the pond. The old brewery was built about 1813 or 1814.

Taxation

It. appears from the earliest tax duplicate that in 1804 fifty- tight lots were taxed su Hamilton. Benjamin F. Randolph had eighteen; John Roily, one; Sutherland A Brown, five; John Sutherland, six; John Torrence, twelve; Azarins Timm, two; Isaac Wiles, thirteen; and

John Wingate, one. The lots of the last named four persons were taxed for two years, the total amount being forty cents and a half. This would be at the rate of three-quarters of a cent a lot per year.

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 Reilv, is this indorsement: "A Duplicate of Taxes on Land for the year 1805, amounting to dollars, 871.04.2."

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 117,12-5 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 13, 14, 20, 21, and 25, in Lemon Township; Elijah Brush, 1,065, in sections 3, 9, 16, and 17, Lemon Township; John IV. 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 Sc udder, who held 640 acres in sections 27 and 33 in Liberty Township, which is still owned iu great part by his heirs ; John Cleves Symmes, 640 acres in Fairfield Township; Jonathan Dayton, 2,130 acres in Liberty aud 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 ('reek, 370 acres; Ralph W. Hunt, of Lemon, held 2,600 acres in Lemon; Matthew Huestou, 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 aud 27, Lemon ; Celadon Symmes held 4,631 acres in Fairfield ; and Joel Williams 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 81 per 100 % acres; secoud quality, 75 cents per 100 acres; third quaiity, 50 cents per 100 acres. There was of first quality, 21,914 acres; second quality, 78,709 acres; aud third quality, 16,502 acres; total, 117,125 acres; and the total taxes assessed on this land amounted to the enormous sum of $871.64.2.

The smallest, tax on the duplicate was assessed against John Reilv, who held -a few lots in Hamilton, Williamsburg, Cincinnati, and Deerfield. His lots in Hamilton embraced one acre of ground, and are now occupied iu part by Colonel Campbell as a residence, and the entire tax on all of Mr. Reily's property for 1805 was two cents ami seven mills ! The largest resident tax paver was Celadon 8yimn.es, S21.67.9; after him, Joel Williams, ?L8.S4; then Samuel Dick, $18.07, on 3,703 acres in what is now Doss; next, John N. Cummins, $15.81.

Corporation And Town Council

The town of Hamilton was incorporated by au 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 f»r 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 two years, and appoint out of their OAvn body a president 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 tlieir 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 tire citizens of Rossville, Israel Gregg and others, as trustees, who afterwards met and appointed Israel Gregg president and Loammi Rigdon recorder. lender 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 spi; ituous 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, aud 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 S. Earhart, trustees, who organized themselves 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.

tu February, 1833. the charter of the town of Hamton was modified by an act of the Legislature, hv which the government of the town was vested in a mayor aud 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, aud elected James McBride mayor and John Woods and others trustees, who organized themselves and appointed John Woods recorder. This hoard drew up and passed an entire new code of laws for the regulation and government of the town, and commenced grading aud improving the streets. Ou 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 1830, 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 wliarfmaster ; gave them the use of the county jail, arid 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 heard 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. Ia 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 hark, lumber, and other articles of domestic growth, and regulate tlieir 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 iu like corporations.

The population of Hamilton, as shown by census in 1810, was 242, and of Rossville 84. At the next decennial census, iu 1820, it was all included under the name of Hamilton, and the population numbered 600 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. Ho colored persons were in Rossville at either date. The Miami Intelligencer, No. 31, of February 23, 1815, advertises a new huckster-shop, in which cider, green and dried apples, whisky, beer, tar, and other accommodations, if called fir, could be had. Boots and shoes were made. The advertiser was James T. Morton, corner of Front Street and the Diamond. Eliiui 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. lie was aged seventeen years, stout made, dark skin and complexion, about five feet high, j "much given to lying, and a little light-fingered." Who- \ ever 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. K. 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 Delorae, "being far advanced iu 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 iu complete repair, the flats new, aud 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. Esther 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 1A12. 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 Eye's grocery. At this time, all business was done near the river, and chiefly on Front Street. The Sutherland corner, now occupied by i Jlolhenbush A Ratliff and Dr. S. 11. Millikiu. was build- ! ing, and was plastered by Mr. Kennedy. Going up the j street, there were no buildings until the present house of ; L. 1). Campbell was reached. John Reily had put up a | part of the house three years before, and it was used as j 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 I river was that built by Mr. Kennedy for his own use. | The woods had been cut down, aud a clearing made from j this site to the river. On the west side of Third Street I was a clearing running dowu to the hurying-ground of ! the town, near the Fourth Ward Park, an bile on the [ other side the forest commenced and extended eastward.

On Fye's corner stood a large, magnificent elm, beneath nvIk.sc spreading branches divine service was held on Sunday. Halt-way down the river, on the west side, was the old jail. The lower part of this was used as a jail, while justice nvos dealt out in the room above. 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 Avar of 1812 Mr. Kennedy Nvas engaged in building the Hamilton House ; that, for many years, was tire great resort for travelers. He was drafted into the service for six months, but secured a substitute, and finished the building. For nearly tNvo years after tlieir house had been completed, Mrs. Kennedy carried Nvater 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 181 1 Pierson Sayre settled on Lot 120, on Front Street, betNveen 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 hoard 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 having engaged a farmer named Oliver to bring him a load of wood from where the gas works uonv are, but which nvos then covered by the original forest, requested Foreman to go out there and help load the Nvagon, which he willingly did. When it was loaded, Oliver started back, imagining the shoemaker Nvas Nvalking in the rear. When the Nvood nmis unloaded, however, he was not on hand to render assistance, nor did he come in soon after. 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 Nvas again begun, and Nvas 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, aud moved forward until they reached the ground just below the infirmary hill. Here Foreman was found, hidden iu the top of an old oak, blown- down in a recent tempest. He Nvas alive and uuinjured, but said he bad tried at various times during the night to hang himself with a grape vine, failing in which he weut to sleep.

He Nvent home with Mr. Murray, washed aud shaved himself, and dressed himself iu his best clothes, ami at supper time seemed to be in better spirits than for Nveoks past. After a night's rest he was up early the next morning, when he ate a hearty breakfast. Shortly after this meal, however, ho weut up stairs, and, standing ou the lauding, deliberately cut bis throat from ear to ear, dition he walked down stall's, 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 beeu noised abroad through the country. The interment was made in the Sycamore Grove. Shortly after the burial the body was exhumed by the physicians, the fresh removed, the hones 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 oue 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 j partake of a dinner, to lie provided for the occasion, i James Heaton, William Murray, and David Latham were the committee of arrangements. Friends in the country were cordially invited to attend.

When William Murray was a boy. or from 1310 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.

The first printing-office was opened and the firs: paper printed in 1314 in the old building then standing on the south-west corner of Dayton and Water Streets. This paper was the Miami IaieUigencer.

It was destroyed by fire in 1839. Colonel Campbell's present residence was built bv John Reed in 1808. Mr. j lb ;ed was at that time boarding with Mr. Murray's father, j The Sutherland corner, now occupied by Rothenbush & j Ratliff, was built in 1810-11. The court-house was com- j ineticed 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 unci! the Miami Canal was dug. Soon after this was cut through, in 182C>, the place begau to grow, and became much healthier. Refore, 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

lu the year 1800. when about twenty years old, Edward Murphy came to Hamilton, then a village containing but a fewr rudely constructed buildiugs of wood, and commenced work at blacksmithing. At this time there were hut two smith shop.s 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 Roily, 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 Rich Ams

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 agaiu 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 iii 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 .">, 1788, and came out here with his father on Vs second visit. He intended to study for the ministry, but was prevented by a cancer, which, however, was sul scquentlv cured. He was twice married, llis first union was* to Miss Beardsley, of Westchester, and his second to Mrs. Susan Cummins, daughter of John Ludlow, by whom he had six children. He was a man of high moral and intellectual character, and was ruliug 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. lie 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. BigLam, his brother, resided with his father, inheriting the homestead and a 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, iu 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 lung been a Presbyterian, being one of the members who organized the first Presbyterian Church, and at che 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 Gormlcy. 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 Rossviile, 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 lusted fifteen years before any pedagogue now remembered came upon the scene. Mr. Ritchie, whose first name lias 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

Church. There he continued teaching for several years, and being a bachelor, kept his own. house. One morning the pupils came at the usual hour, and found him dead. He was a rigid disciplinarian, and did not spare the rod. A school was carried on for some time after his death by another teacher, hut the name is forgotten.

In 1812 the Rev. Matthew G. Wallace, who had been preaching occasionally iu Hamilton, came to the 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 Rossviile, 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 Proudfifc, 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 storv for the use of its order. Here taught the Rev. James McMechan and Henry Baker. Joseph Blackleac-h 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. McMech .n, daughter of Rev. Janies McMechan, 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. I). Campbell and Mrs. John M. Millikin, and perhaps others, are still alive. She had been thorough! c 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.

The Rev. Francis Moufort taught between the years 1820 and 1822, in a frame house on the corner of Third and High Streets, lot No. 103, being the one now occupied by Hughes Brothers. He gave instruction in the

Hamilton

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 Ls the first notice we find of the common school system. He was a large, powerful mau, 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 teachin "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 1832. He drew up articles of association for the foundation of a seminary, designed to give a more thorough education than was then possible, to he entitled the Hamilton aud Roseville 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, ou 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, but this was afterwards increased to five hundred dollars. Miss Amelia Looker and Miss Eliza Huffman were employed as assistants at salaries of four hundred aud 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, tiro academy was conducted by Doctor Giles, Mr. Batchelder, Air. Maichnnt, Mr. Furman, and others. But the common schools bad now gone into operation, and they interfered with the success of the academy. Iu 1 853 it was closed, aud the building and site sold. The directors had an idea that the location of -he 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.

Ou the 19th of December, 1817, the Legislature of i 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 Link to go into operation being subscribed, an election for directors was held. Ou the 11th of -July, 1818, the board' of directors elected met for the first time, and appointed John Keily president and William Blair cashier of the bank. Bank notes having l>een 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 $33,002.68, ou 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 1st of Novem- | ber. 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 depart- 1 meat, became a depository of the public moneys, on which they resumed specie payments. Under these, cir- j cumstances application was made to the Bank of Kamil- i ton on the 27th of May, 1819, by their agent, Nicholas j Longworth, for a loan of $10,000 in specie, in order to j enable them to sustain themselves and carry out their agreement with the treasury department. - This, it was j represented, they were abundantly able to do, as they j were to have a permanent deposit from the govern- j ment of $100,000 which, it was stated, exceeded the j amount of their paper in circulation, consequently they could only be pressed for a short period, the specie to be returned at any time, ou 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 land office, if desired, on terms that would be mutually satisfactory, and on the general resumption of specie payments they proposed to j reciprocate the accommodation in any way that might bo i most advantageous for the Bank of Hamilton. Tiie j proposition was acceded to by the directors of flic Bank of | Hamilton, and the sum of $10,000 in silver paid over j to the Farmers' and Mechanics Bunk ou the loth of June, 1819. A few weeks afterwards the Farmers* and I

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 ihe 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, couveved 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 hearin g 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 Inst 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 hank accordingly called ou 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, aud 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, t he pressure ofthc 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 hill of goods sold by John Sutherland, probably not far from 1810. The luxuries were, appreciated aud 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 Del Api, Axe

Joshua Delaplane is one of the oldest and best known j citizens of Butler County. He has been a resident since j June, 1819, and bis course since that time has commanded j the respect and confidence of the community. His par- j euts were Daniel and Catherine Delaplane, natives of Maryland, in which State Joshua was horn, in Frederick County, on the 24th of June, 1S07. 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 lie learned the cabinet and undertaking trade, and followed that business for forty-five years. Fart 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 lias been married three times, J all cf his wives being dead. His children are Nancy j Jane, Catherine D., Frederick, Mary, Georgie, and Re- j becca. Of these, Frederick, Mary, and Rebecca are | dead. A short time since he celebrated his seventy-fifth birthday.

The Pkesbytekiax 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 Rev. ! Matthew Green Wallace, who tlieu lived on a farm on ! the north lino of Hamilton County, about eight miles j from the town of Hamilton. He had preached occasion- j all v from 1801. For several years afterwards lie came j to Hamilton, generally every other .Sabbath, and p readied in an old frame building then occupied as a court room, oue of the remnants of the fort. In the year 1810 lie removed to the town of Hamilton to reside, and continued to preach to the people half of his time, that is, j every Sabbath, until the year 1M21, when a misunderstanding occurred between him and some of the influential members of bis congregation, and lie was superseded by the Rev. Francis Moufort, who then became the pastor of the congregation. Mr. Wallace had also preached at Seven-Mile and Dick's Creek.

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 1853.

In the year 1817 the Presbyterian congregation belonging to the General Assembly and the Associate Reformed congregation of Flamilton 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. 103, 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-c-ight 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 tliau it ought to have done. The inferior 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 die 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 noc having been executed by Mr. Este to die 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 DoCamp, trustees of the First Congregation of Hamilton and Rossvilie, of inlot No. 22, in the south part of Hamilton, for the use of the Church.

Ou this lot the congregation erected a brick building for a church, fifty feet long by forty-two feet wide, and eighteen feet iu height to the eaves of t he roof. The entrance was on Front Street, bv two doors in the west i end of the building. The pulpit was on the west, be- \ tween the two doors, and the interior was divided into j seventy-two pews and two aisles, capable of seating com- ! fortably 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 j the 21st of April, 1835, made to George R. Bigliam.

They also purchased twenty feet from the north side of lot No. 251. adjoining from Charles K. Smith, for the sum of three hundred dollars, as appears by a deed j made by Charles K. Smith to George R. Bigham on the j 23d of March, 1835, for the use of the "First Presby- j terian Church, of Hamilton." But when the fifth house i of worship was erected in 1854, Mr. Smith conveyed the i lot in fee simple. I

The Presbyterian Church was afterwards incorporated j by an act passed by the Legislature of the State of Ohio. \ The deed -for lot No. 253 having been made to George j R. Bigham in his individual capacity, on the first day of j 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 above occupied as the church had entrances by two 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 cliuich was divided into two aisles running east and west from the two doors the whole length of the building. It bad 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. Hie interior arrangement of the church was neat and convenient. It had a plaiu roof without cupola or steeple, ami standing back from the street, with other buildings j crowded around it, was not seen to advantage; none of j it 1 icing exposed to view but the end next to Front < Street. The whole cost of erecting and completing the I church was about five thousand dollars.

Tim ltev. Francis Monfort, who came to Hamilton j and became the pastor of the. Presbyterian Church in No- i veml>er, 1821, continued to officiate thus until the year j b'Gl, when a schism occurring in the Church, in part j originating from the doctrines of the New School and j

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 Ross-' ville, where Mr. Monfort continued to officiate as their pastor uutil 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 Wils on, David Bigliam. 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 unties on the 24th of June, 1832. On the 24th of November folk .-wing, Cornelius W. Hall was chosen an additional elder. Ou the 1st 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 Rev. Mr. Pomeroy received a call to be pastor of the Church. He accented 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 New1 School, was invited as a stated supplv. He discharged the duties of pastor for two years, until the 1st of May, 1839, when he gave in his resignation.

Ou 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 supplv 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. lie afterwards acted as a mediator between tlie two parties, and latterly attached himself to the Old School Presbytery. He was a violent, abolitionist. He continued the pastor of the Church. The congregation paid Mr. Thomas for his labors about 8500 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 j supply until the last of October, 1849, a period of ten i years and a half. lie was succeeded by the Rev. George i Darling for three years, and the Rev. Charles Sturde- ! vaut two years and a half. During his stay it was re- 1 solved in April, 1854, to rebuild, and during the prog- j ress of the work they held their meetings generally in ! Beckett's Hall.

The Rev. Levi Christian was called in April, 1855; \ but after arrangements had been made for Ins 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 in- ; vited to labor here, and remained until 1864, laboring with much success. After him the pastors have been i C. B. Martin, E. J. Hamilton, Nathaniel West, 8. McC. Anderson, and E. W. Abbey.

lb the beginning the affairs of the Church were managed by trustees. In 1822 these were G. R. Bigham, j James "Wilson, and Jonathan Barret. At the division, ; James Boal, G. R. Bigham, James Thomas, and Caleb | DeCarnp were trustees in the new Church; but in March, j

Hugh B. Wilson were elected deacons in this branch. The old branch had no deacons untii December, 1840, when S. E. Giffen and James Garver were elected.

S. E. Giffen, and James R. Garrison. In 1854 John R. Lewis and John Keen were elected. Afterwards j there were chosen Jacob Shaffer, P. C. Conklin, David J. T. Smyers, Samuel Shaffer, Aipheus Stewart, James

The Church has had nineteen pastors, as pastor or stated supply, uiuetcen deacons, and thirty-two regularly I installed elders. In 1876 the rolls contained 1,471) 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 wore 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 1813, Cincinnati, Mad Liver, Xenia, Scioto, and Deer Creek. Solomon Laydeu was presiding elder. The appointments were Cincinnati, Little Miami, Lawreuceburg, White Water, and < Word.

I he lh v. Samuel West was appointed to travel on !ho Miami Circuit in the Full of the year 1.818, eontinuu.g tor one year. When he came to that circuit there "as in, 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 Siunard. 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 Xo. 140, at the intersection of Third and Dayton Streets, and continued to preach regularly as he passed around Ills circuit. Towards the close of the year Mr. West formed a society consisting of the following persons : Thomas Siunard and his wife. Aaron Jewell and his wife, Mrs. John Caldwell, and -Miss Lydia Jones - six in number. These wero all at the time he. formed the society. At the close. of Mr. West's year on the circuit, iu the Fall of the year 1819, Hamilton and Roseville 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 Schooler'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 bis 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. Xo. 58, on Ludlowr 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 AleCkary and wife. Its date is February 11, 1820, and it was nn\de to Samuel Messick, John Blackail, John Moorehcad, George J. j Wiiite, Aaron Jewell, Jacob Rickart, and James O'Conj ner, trustees.

I Xew York ; Eli Green ami wife, Thomas Sinnard and | wife, Samuel Wing and wife, Aaron Jewell and wife I 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; Alary Leach, William Leach, Johu Leach, Jacob Rickart, Samuel A fossick , John AY. Moore head, George J. White, James O'Conner and wife, Daniel Thompson and wife, David Clark and wife, Charity Lynch, Rev. Dr. Lynch, Airs. John Woods, Air. Lynch and a sister, George P. Boil and wife, Airs. J. Watkins. Jacob Gaugus, Alary Hough, afterwards All's. John AI. AliUikin ; Holier' Smith and s wife, I. Seebring, and John Thomas and wife. These had been gathered in up to the year 1821; in that year the Church had G5 members.

Rev. A. W. Elliott and Father Wetlierby were also here as superannuated preachers, and Daniel Thompson and. Mr. Van Hagen as local preachers.

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 as the society was about to build a new house of worship, they saw difficulties in the way. The gift, however, was accepted, 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 Elckart, 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 vear 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 84,800.

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. Mvers arrived there in the morning he lighted a match to make a fire in the stove. Some of the fire fell among the shavings, and in less than a minute the whole was in James. 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 withoutbeing 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 staving at Mr. Reed's house. Air. Finley was not disposed to sec 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 public 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 Jewell, Thomas Berry, Daniel Thompson, and David Clark, known as Jersey Clark, t' great fisherman, who was always on baud, and generalh dressed iu his fisher's coat.

In October, leave was asked and obtained of the commissioners to hold public services in the court-house, j Services were also held in the old Presbyterian Church j 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, If. 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, 1808, 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. 31. Flenuer, and S. Iv. 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, Avere on a level with the Avater table, which aaus fi ve feet above ground, Avith a platform running across the Avhole front of the building, on a level with' the audience-room, Avhich Avas ascended by hoard steps from the ground. Under this platform A\as a door entering the basement, besides doors entering from each side into a hall, dividing the basement into two pares, 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, Avith 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 Avhole length of the building, and the residue is divided into a number of peAvs, having a gallery on the north end. The Avhole is capable of seating comfortably one thousand persons.

The building has a plain roof, Avithout steeple or cupola, but the Avhole edifice is in good taste and presents a handsome appearance. The Avhole cost Avas $7,839.77.

In the .early history of church going in this neighborhood, instrumental music Avas not favored, aud the sexes sat apart in church. The Methodists then dressed Avith exceeding plainness. When Mr. Goddard Avas in Hamilton he thought that a singing-school Avould kill any revival. It was said that Avhen a revival of religion commenced, the devil was sure to come along Avith a singing master under his arm and drop him doAvn Avhere he Avould do the most harm. Wlieu I)r. Latta Avas in charge he encouraged the formation of a choir, Avhich made 'considerable progress, but this innovation could not be endured by the Rev. David Reed, his successor. Shortly after Ills pastorate began, he took his stand in the pulpit and gave out the hymn. The leader soon had a tune selected, aud the choir Avere turning over the leaves in their note-books to find the page. Noticing this, the pastor inquired Avhat those people Avere turning over the leaA'es 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, Avhile the ladies began to look for the I shortest Avay down from the gallery. It is needless to say that the pastor had the leading of the singing to do himself for a while, aud the congregation had the opportunity of learning the tune called Pisgah, that being a favorite Avith him.

Several of the older members seeing that opposition was useless, would sit during the singing Avith their elbows on the seat before them, Avith their fingers in thenears 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, iind the whole Avork of the committee Avas laid aside.

The days of this feeling, howeA'er, have passed awnv, and as much attention is ijoav paid to music there as in any Church in this city. Among those Avho Avere prominent in the singing in years gone by were Samuel Jones, Stephen E. GiHeu,and JohnS. Wiles. The latter taught by the patent notes. The books used iucludcd the Old Measure Harmonist, the Sharon, the Harp. Cythcra, the Standard, the Musical Leaves, Western Lyre, and others.

The Sunday-school began operations about the time the first church was built, in 18*20. The lu v. Dr. Milov, who was learning the saddler's trade witlv/ Mr. King, | in the year 1828, when he was fourteen years of age, attended that school, under the Rev. I)r. Baughman. Ido did not recollect the name of the superintendent. Among the workers in the school the doctor named Airs. Green, Jane Blaekall, 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 he 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, S. 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. Iv. 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: 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

Theatrical

On Tuesday evening, 8th of April, 1S23, 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 l-tosen burgh," etc., called

In the year 1822 Edwin Forrest, who had been an ! amateur performer iu theatricals in Philadelphia, and who was very young, accepted an engagement with the j manager of a company which was to piav iu Pittsburg !

and Cincinnati. It was his first trip as a professional, and he reaped little money from it, for the company broke up at Cincinnati, and the members were left to shift for themselves the best way they could. Mr. Forrest conceived the idea that Hamilton, twenty-three miles distant, would afford him shelter for a few days, and, having hired an old horse and a tumble-down wagon, he set out from that city with Mrs. and Miss Riddle, well-known performers, seated in the rude conveyance, while he walked on foot. When he arrived in this place he found that there was a Thespian Society existing here, and with it he arranged for a first appearance. The theater was a barn situated where the Catholic Church now" is, on Dayton Street, the upper part being fitted up for a theater. William Murray, who died lately, was the doorkeeper, and took the money. The members of the company were Charles K. Smith, John M. Millikin, William B. Van Hook, Stephen Millikin, Lorenzo Latham, and others. Before the Riddles came here all the female parts were represented by boys, following the usage of the Shakespearean drama.

The opening night came, and with it the best people of the town, who were found at early candle-light, crowding the little candle-lit barn. At least 300 people were present, and Forrest received a regular ovation. The receipts on the opening night were, perhaps, fifty dollars, his portion of this sum being highly satisfactory to the "star," who little dreamed that in later years one thousand dollars a night would be his terms.

During his stay iu Hamilton the theater was crowded nightly, and such plays as "Raising the Wind" and " Miss in her 'Teens" constituted the programmes

It need not be said that all theater-loving people were pleased. A local critic contributed his views of the performance to the Miami Intelligencer:

"On Thursday evening last, the 30th of July, in the character of ' Richard,' Mr. Forrest certainly acquitted i himself v.ith the greatest degree of credit, as the applause manifested by a crowded house, from the moment ho appeared on the stage until the close of the selected scenes from that tragedy, and the frequeut and unanimous bursts of admiration throughout, evinced that his unrivaled performance had made a deep impression ou the minds of the auditory. Iu the preceding afterpiece, as well as the comedy, ou Saturday evening, he did well. His imitations of the most celebrated actors of the present century were inimitable. In fine, for the general manner of his performance, lie merits tiio greatest praise, though it is thought lie excels in personating the tragedian.

"The celebrated tragedy of 1 Douglass,' in which Mr. Forrest performs the principal aud most difficult part, is announced for next Tuesday evening. Those who may have hail the pleasure of seeing him in the character of 'Richard/ will know how to appreciate the present opportunity of witnessing the display of Mr. Forrest's tal- ! ents. It being the last night, it is presumed the liberality of the citizens will induce them to bestow an ample share of substantial applause on this deserving actor, to remunerate him and his companions for their trouble and expense.

" The other gentlemen, undoubtedly, deserve much praise. Mrs. and Miss Riddle's performances require no comment - their merits are well known - they appear desirous to please on .all occasions."

Theater Last Night Of Performance

Mr. Forrest ever afterwards retained kindly recollections of this place, although lie was unable to pay all bis indebtedness. lie owed Dir. Cooper, with whom he boarded, a small sum, and gave his due bill for the amount. It was afterwards paid, and the paper was found among those preserved by him until his death. In Algor's "Life of Forrest," a facsimile of this due bill can he seen.

From Hamilton, according to Mr. Murray, the party went to Dayton, Franklin, Lebanon, and one or two other towns near by, but found business so dull that at Lebanon Forrest pawned his stage dresses for money to forward the ladies of the company to Newport, and the rest walked to the Kentucky village. On their way they h>uud a stream to cross, and being peuuiless, the men swam to the other side. Too proud to beg, they stole corn :uid roasted it. Forrest afterwards said that the " corn was as hard as Pharaoh's heart." On reaching Newport, the company played " Douglass," and " Miss in her Teens/' to a seven-dollar house. The little band Kept together for several months thereafter, with but poor success, and at last Forrest, who had been refused an engagement bv Sol. Smith (whose brothers and sisters lived in Hamilton at the time), then organizing a dramatic company, joined a circus as leaper and vaulter, in which he had always been proficient. Iu the circus-ring Smith found the boy actor (for when Forrest played in the Thespian Hall, as related above, he was but eighteen years old), and coaxed him back into his legitimate profession. His onward and upward career since those days is a matter of history, and out of place in these recollections of incidents in the early days of our city.

Grand Exhibition Of Living Animals

The citizens of Hamilton, Rossville, and their vicinities, are respectfully informed that a grand collection of living animals, viz. : A full grown African Lion, African Leopard, Brazilian Cougar, Shetland Pony, with its rider. Ichneumon, and several other animals, will be exhibited at the Hamilton Hotel, on Thursday and Friday, the 10th and 11th inst. Admittance 25 cents; children under 12 years, half price. Good music on the ancient Jewish Cymbal and other instruments.

The theatrical company still seemed to exist in 1828. A bill of theirs said that the " Hamilton Thespian Association " would perform in the room above the Hamilton Coffee House, November 15, " Coleman's much admired comedy, 'Love Laughs at Locksmiths,' and the laughable afterpiece of 'Dick, the Apprentice.'"

The city fathers were disposed the next year to discourage any dramatic performances; they passed an ordinance to prohibit stage playing within the towns of Hamilton and Rossville. It read:

"Be it ordained by the trustees and citizens of Hamilton and Rossville, that if any person who is not a resident of the towns of Hamilton and Rossville, shall pul>- licly act or be concerned iu publicly acting or exhibiting any stage, play, or scene, or any play or scene usually acted in theaters, such person shall forfeit and pay therefor a sum not, exceeding ten dollars, nor less than five dollars, to he collected in the same manner as fines tor offenses against ' an ordinance to prevent certain misdemeanors within the towns of Hamilton and Rossville/ Provided that the president of the board of trustees of the corporation may grant a license to any person to act, or exhibit any stage, play or plays, upon his paying to the treasurer of the corporation a sum not less than two dollars, nor more than five dollars, for each time of acting or exhibiting the same, to be fixed at the discretion of the president. James O'Conner, President

Exited Presbyterian Ehekck

Amongst the respectable early settlers in the vicinity of Hamilton were many who belougod to the Associate Reformed Church. For many years after their settlement in the country they had no opportunity of hearing preaching, except occasionally, and that hut rarely, when a clergyman of their denomination might be traveling through the country. Amongst those who visited the country about that period were the Rev. Adam Rankin, of Kentucky ; the Rev. R. H. Bishop, then of Lexington, Kentucky, afterwards president of the Miami University, who then belonged to that denomination ; the Rev. David Risk, and some others who occasionally visited the country and preached to the members of that Church*.

In the year 1814 the Rev. Alexander Porter, with a number of the members of his Church, emigrated from South Carolina, and settled in the south-west corner of Preble County, Ohio, where they formed the congregation and built the church of Hopewell. After this period Mr. Porter occasionally visited and preached at Hamilton, sometimes in the building then occupied as a courthouse, and sometimes, when the weather was pleasant, in a grove of woods near the intersection of Second and Dayton Streets.

In the year 1815, or a short time previous, a Church of the Associate Reformed denomination was regularly organized at Hamilton, and in the year 1817 the Rev. David Maedili was settled over the congregation, then consisting of about twenty-seven members, and regularly ordained as their pastor, in which capacity he continued to officiate until 1848. Until the year 1889 he preached two-thirds of his time at Hamilton, ihe other one-third of his time to the. congregation of Concord, on Seven- Mile Creek.

The number of members belonging to the Church at Hamilton, in 1844, was about eighty-four. They paid them pastor a salary of from four hundred and fifty dollars, or ranging between that sum and rive hundred dollars, per year, not beiug every year exactly the same, which was raised by subscription from the members.

In tl re year 1-8-8, when the Associate Reformed congregation, in connection with the Presbyterian congregation sold their house and lot at the west end of the Hamilton Basin, as previously related, the Associate Reformed congregation purchased iulot Xu. 81 , near the bank of the Miami River, on the corner of Basin and Water Streets, in Hamilton, for the sum of one hundred dollars, on which they erected a brick church in the same year, though the building was not ready for occupancy uutil the Spring of 1829. The house was erected by Samuel Gray, then of Rossville, and was forty-eight feet long by forty-four feet wide, and sixteen feet high from the foundation to the cornice. On the west end of the church next the river was a cupola, executed iu a neat style, corresponding with the dimensions of the building, in which was luing a fine-toned hell.

The interior of the church was finished in a plain but. neat manner. The pulpit was on the west end of the building, which had two doors, and one each side of the pulpit, entering -from Water Street, on the we>t.

j ing, corresponding with the doors on the west, with two j aisles, or passages, running the whole length of the build- 1 ing, from the western to the eastern doors. The interior was divided into fifty-six pews, in which five hundred persons may be comfortably seated. The- building was erected with strict regard to economy, costing only one thousand and fifty dollars, exclusive of the pews and some further expense in finishing the interior of the building.

The building presented a very good appearance, espe- | einlly from the west side of the river. The principal ob- | jection was that it was not high enough for elegauce.

In course of time a new building was required, and ! another was consequently erected in 1852. It cost six I thousand six hundred dollars, and an additional lot cost | four hundred dollars. The committee put under contract I several other improvements, such as paving the gutters ! aud sidewalks, and a large irou gate, with posts and j steps of Daytou stone, at a cost of four hundred and eleven dollars, making the entire cost of the building, lots and improvements, seven thousand four hundred and eleven dollars.

The following have been the eiders of the Associate ! Reformed Church and the United Presbyterian since its ! beginning, so far as can now be told :

The members at the organization, or soon after; were | William Caldwell, Mary Caldwell, James Brown, Robert j Gray and wife, Nathan Caldwell, John Caldwell, Grizelle ] Caldwell, John Latia and wife, Samuel Gray aud wife,

1 William Taylor and wife, Robert Little and wife, Robert j Tweedy aud wife, John McCracken and wife, John Beckett aud wife, Joseph MvMaken and wife, .lames Scott and wife. Robert Scott aud wife, Win. Robertson and wife, John Nelson and wife, James Bell and wife, James Lester and wife, John Smiley and wife, John Hall and wife, Robert Hall, Hannah Hall, Mrs. Milllkin, Mrs. Andrew. Mrs. Ewing, Nancy Sutherland, James Ramsey and wife, Robert Lytle and wife, Margaret Blair, Ana Douglass, Sarah ---Blackburn , Rachel Lintner, John Bain and wife. Huu- | nah McBride, Nancy King, Elizabeth Lane, Matthew Wintou, Mary Gray, Alexander Young aud wife.

On the retiring of Dr. MacDill, he was succeeded by the Rev. William Davidson, who remained here uutil February, 1874. when lie resigned his charge, dying i July 21, 1875. The Church bad been most fortunate in ! these two pastors, who had preached the Word here for : fifty-seven years- in succession, aud it had grown strong I and useful. During bis term as a pastor, the Church, then the Associate Reformed, became known as. the United Presbyterian. The Associate Reformed Church, with half a dozen other smaller sects, was an offshoot of Scotch Presbyterianism, and the United Presbyterian Church was the union of these various forms of North British Calvinism under one fold. This happened on the 26th ; of May, 1858.

The ±tev. Alexander W. Ciokey was the next pastor. He was a son of Doctor Joseph Ciokey, moderator of | -the General Assembly of 1860. He was boru in 1842, in Jefferson County, Ohio, and was graduated at 'Wittenberg College in 1864, studying theology at Xenia. He was stated supply at Indianapolis in 1867 and 1868, j and pastor at Aiedo, Illinois, from I860 to 1872. He j came here iu 1874 and stayed till 1876.

His successor was the Rev. John W. Bain, an able i and eloquent cliviuc. He was born near South Hanover, i Indiana, in 1833, and entered Hanover College in 1850. After a time he went South, traveled and taught two 1 years, and spent one year at Davidson College, North i Carolina. He returned North, and graduated at West- j minster College, Pennsylvania, in 1858. From that I place he went co Xenia, Ohio, where he studied theology, j His first charge was in Cannonsbnrg, Pennsylvania. He j gave his service? for some time to the Christian Com mis- i sion, then engaged in raising money for the soldiers, and I in the Winter of I860 and 1864 spent a while with the 1 commission in the field on the Rapidan. He was then 1 three years at a mission station in Chicago, and came to j Hamilton ir. 1877. In this new field he was well thought j of. His discourses were well reasoned and well ex- j pressed, and he had the faculty of language. The ! Church throve under his charge. He left here in March, 1882, to become the pastor of the Alexander Presbyterian | Church, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He was succeeded by the Rev. Elihu C. Simpson, j who was born August 6, 1849, at Morning Sun, Preble i County, and lately has been pastor of a Church iu Rich- j mond, Indiana.

Henry S. Earhakt

Henry S. Earhart, <!the oldest inhabitant," and a man i whose kindly nature will be remembered long after he ! shall have passed away, is one of the four residents of the county, now living, who were horn in the North- 1 west Territory. This happened three miles east of j I ranklin, Warren County, on Clear Creek, on the ' Cth of February, 1800. He was the sou of Martin Earhart and Catherine Site, who were among the first x-tt!. rs that came to ( fine. His grandfather Earhart was j all through the Revolutionary War. Henry S. Earhart | tfrst came to Hamilton on a visit, about 1815, but did not rt's*de in the county until the year 1822, when, in conjunc- j with Ids uncle, John L. C. Sehcuck, of Franklin, the i hading merchant of this section at that time, he estate | h-dird a store at Jaeksonhurg. After remaining there a j »o;v years, he came to this city, and has been here j steadily ever since. On his first arrival, he was in partnership with George W. Tapscott for a number of j'ears, finally, however, discontinuing business. Possessed from youth with a love of the mathematics, he next took up civil engineering, and projected the hydraulic works and the Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Dayton Railroad. He was married on the lOt'u of- March, 1823, iu Franklin, to Elizabeth Tapscott, daughter of James Tapscott and Mary Hendrickson. They came from New Jersey in 1814 or 1815, and are now both dead, as is 3Lrs. Earhart. She was born in Allentown, Monmouth County, New Jersey, September 15, 1796. Mr. and 51 rs. .Earhart had five children, of whom the two oldest are dead. John S. was killed in the army, and Martin W. by accident. James T. lives in Kentucky, George T in Hamilton, where lie is the general ticket agent for the railroad, and Sarah S. is also at home. John was a captain in the army, and George was also a volunteer. He rose from orderly sergeant to lieutenant, and attributes the loss of his health to the exposure he endured. Henry S. Earhart has now been for many years one of the leading men of the town. He was a councilman for six years, at about the beginning of the city organization, and has been civil engineer to the city and identified with all its improvements.

Among the early teachers was Mr. B. F. Raleigh. He was a native of New York Stare, but came West before 1830, and located iu Hamilton. Hl married Miss Maria Holmes, and resided here until 18-33, then removing to Highland County. He died in Wilmington, Ohio, in 1866. Many are still living in Hamilton who remember him as their preceptor. He left a wife and four worthy and intelligent sons to mouru his loss.

Mr. Raleigh was a man of culture and had tlie control of our best educational interests in Hamilton for a period of years, and was also county surveyor from 1842 to 1849. His remains were brought to the old home, and interred in Greenwood Cemetery, November 6, 1866.

Captain William Robison, once county commissioner, was horn in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, where lie was married, and soon after removed to Rockbridge County, Virginia, where James, their oldest child, was born, in 1795. In 1805 Mr. Robison, with his family, came to this county, bought a farm, and settled ou it, near Collinsville. At the beginning of the wav in 1812 lie raised a company of riflemen, who called themsmves the Bald Hornets, and went out with Colonel John Mills. At the siege of Fort Me'gs Captain Robison, for his heroism and faithful discharge of his duty, was promoted to the office of brigade inspector. He was county commissioner in 1809 and afterwards. lie was commonly kuowu in this neighborhood as Major Robison, but it is not now known from w hat lie derived this tide. Ho was a big, jovial man, everywhere well liked, lie was the father of ten children, four hoys and six giris, nine of whom grew up to be men and women, and three

Mrs. Margery (Hudson) McMeehan, for many years a resident of Hamilton, was born May 22, 1730, near Banbridge, County Down, Ireland. Her parents, John and Ellon (Park) Hudson, were members of the society of Friends, a belief she also imbibed and adhered to until her marriage, in Dublin, April 17, 1800, with a minister of the Presbyterian Church, the Rev. James McMeehan, of No wry, a gentleman of culture and standing. Such a step being in direct opposition to Quaker regulations, severed her connection with the sect.

Besides ministerial duties, accident had placed Mr. McMeehan for a few weeks at the head of a large educational institution, during the temporary absence of the principal. This vocation accorded so well with his taste that he resolved to adopt it, and after his return to In e wry he established such a school and conducted it successfully, achieving distinction as au educator. Th rough the persuasions of a brother, who had come to the new world, Mr. McMeehan was induced to emigrate with' his family in 1817, landing in Baltimore October 6th of that year. Coming West as soon as practicable in those days of difficult and hazardous traveling, they arrived in Hamilton after a wearisome journey of six weeks, frequently consuming an entire day in gaining three miles. The discomforts of early AVestern life to one entirely unaccustomed to it, and the marked difference of climate, proved unfavorable to the husband and father, who survived the change but two years. Left a "stranger in a strange land," the sole guide of a .young family in the "straight and narrow way." Mrs. McMeehan devoted herself to her great charge with a fidelity and energy that were characteristic. The children were Eleanor A., afterwards married to Charles K. Smith; William; Jane, who became the wife of Jesse Corwin, and James, who lived with their mother at Hamilton, and John, a merchant of Eastport, Mississippi. Sara, the youngest, died during the passage to America.

Agreeable in conversation, with a retentive memory, Mrs. McMcehan's reminiscences of her early life were many and interesting. When the rebellion of 1798 occurred in Ireland, she was eighteen years of age, and a participant in many of its perils. The relation of one ordeal to which heiself and friends were subjected will bear repetition. A young sister being in failing health, a change of air and scone was advised. Mrs. Hudson, hiking her daughters, Margery and the invalid, left her home and went to that of a relative, in another part of Ireland, Air. Ephraim B >ake, of Boakefield, near Ballitore, a wealthy Quaker, who lived up to the principles et the sect to which lie belonged, and took no part in the tumult that was agitating Ireland. He permitted he king's troops, during marches, to quarter on his es-

| tate of Boakefield, and this, with his .difference in j religious views, was a ground sufficient to render him most obnoxious to the insurgents. Shortly after the ladies arrived at what they hoped would prove a haven of rest, the house was surrounded by an armed force of masked men, who peremptorily demanded admittance, which was refused as decidedly. They succeeded, however, in effecting au opening and immediately commenced firing into the hall and stairway. Not less than sixty shots went tearing through this beautiful home, the inmates barely escaping with their lives. The subject of this sketch was forced to make her exit down the fitted stairway, which she did almost miraculously only a few i moments before it was entirely demolished.

On another occasion, when the strife was carried into her own home, the sister already mentioned, a zealous young Protestant, was an object of dislike and vengeance,

I one'of the gang singling her out for a murderous assault. Mrs. McMechan's mother was a woman of great uerve and self-possession, and seeing her daughter's peril, seized the nearest available weapon and dealt the invader | a blow which rendered him helpless and gave freedom I to his intended victim, a circumstance of which she was j not slow to take advantage. She ran up the stairs and ! into the nearest apartment, followed quickly by another rebel, who, finding the window open and the room apparently unoccupied, abandoned the idea of killing Miss Hudson, thinking she bad already lost her life by a suicidal leap. Driven almost to madness, by an ex- . tremity so appalling, the young girl bad speedily found a hiding-place on the framework at the top of a bed, such as were in use in those days, a feat she could never have accomplished with her mind in its tranquil state, and was resting securely on this novel elevation when her assailant entered. This lady, after her marriage, lived in America, and was the mother of the late Dr. John McMeehan , who practiced medicine for many years in Butler County. More than sixty years after these events, Mrs. McMeehan .vas doomed to witness the horrors of another rebellion, being over eighty years old when the civil war in her adopted country took place.

Shortly after the family located in Hamilton Mrs. McMeehan became a member of the Associate Reformed Church, of which the Rev. David MacDill was pastor, and was throughout her life a consistent Christian, enduring with fortitude and patience the feebleness incident to age, and waiting uncomplainingly and with entire submission for the divine summons. Her life ended peacefully, in Hamilton, the sixth day of January, 1869, in the eighty-ninth year of her age.