Jefferson Township (part 6 of 15)

David Laughead, who was the father of David M. Laughead, who was the father of David and Joseph K. Laughead. whom many of the old citizens of Xenia remember, was with General Clarke in this campaign. David Laughead was born in 1757, emigrated from Penns}-l\-ania to Kentucky some time previous to 1780 and was at the time he was with Clarke's army twentythree years old. In answer to the question, "How long have you been acquainted with Old Chillicothe. or Old Town ?" answered : "On an expedition from Kentucky I was attached to a troop of horse under the command of General Clarke, and we crossed the Ohio river at the mouth of the Licking river on the morning of August 2, 1780, and arrived here at Old Chillicothe on the afternoon of August 5." Lie tells us that previous to leaving Kentucky on this expedition they had heard of Old Chillicothe on the Little Miami river, of its notorieiv as a strong Indian town: had heard it spoken of by his neighbors at his old home in Kentucky. He also says that on their approac'i the Indians l1ed. and that night Clarke's army camped on that portion of land that is between what is now called Massies creek and tlie Little Alianii. A fact is l,ri/iigiit to light in these depositions that ]3erha])s never has been known. Many of Clarke's men after their rctiu-n to Kentncky often spoke of their old camping groimd of that night as a beautiful island comprising al)out three hundred acres of land. Mr. Lau.ghead says what impressed it upon his miind was the fact that on their return from Old Piijua. where thc}- had been successful in destroying alsu that town, they camped ua the north side of the Little Miami near -Old Town, and they had left standing a portion of corn fur their use on returning. A detail of rifty men was made to cross o\er and finish the work, and one of the men thus detailed had a sore foot and his messmates took liim over and set him down. After a while he called to them to come and lake him over the other branch of the river, which circumstance .Mr. Laughead rememl;ered. General Whiteman also stated that he was of the same opinion until he had become a resident of Greene county, which was in the vear 1799. when he first settled in Beavercreek township. In the year 1800 he says he had occasion to go to the falls of the Little Miami, and coming up the valley when near Old Town he saw that the stream of water no-w called Massies creek was not .a branch of the Little Miami but a separate stream of water.

Town

hi September. ijSj. General Clarke -again invaded Old Town. He marched wit'; celerity from the mouth of the Licking- ri\-er at the head of one thousand men. but the Indians </btained information of his approach and fled, leaving the town to- its fate.

James Galloway, Sr., father of the late Major Galloway, was in that expedition, it is a singular fact that James Galloway. Sr., who was born May i, 1750, and was at the time of this invasion thirty-two years of age, should fifteen years later (1797) come to this, the Miami country, and settle, just across the Little Miami river from Old Chillicothe or Old Town. Xo doubt but the remembrance of that part of the Xcjrthwest Territory ever after the aforesaid event haunted him and he disposed of his proj)- erty in Kentucky and removed to the land that for fifteen years had been in his day dreams. And Greene comity was the gainer by his coming. He was the efficient treasurer of the county from the organization of the county in 1803 until the middle of June, 1819. He was the custodian of the new county's funds, the miainstay and pillar of the church of his choice, a good man, hating that which was wrong, encouraging all that which was good. He was one of the pioneers of the county that was called to meet at Old Town to tell what he knew of the early history of the aforesaid place. Li answer to the question by the attorney, "Mr. Galloway, how long have you known Old Chillicothe on the Little Miami river, where you are now?" his. answer was, '"I have known it since the month of October or November, 1782. It was at that time and has continued to be a place of public notoriety in the ]Miami country." Question: "Are vou now sitting at the place called Old Chillicothe?" Answer: "I am now sitting within the bounds of where the pickets were." Question: "Is there not a very large and extensive prairie between the Old Chillicothe where we now sit and the river?"

Answer: "Yes." Tliat short answer of Mr. Galloway's settles beyond cavil the statement that the beautiful valley on the south side of Glassies creek as it is to-day so it was in 1782. a prairie, the Indian's cornfield.

In tile summer of 1786 Col. Benjamin Logan crossed the Ohio river at Limestone, now Maysville, with four hundred men or more. Along with this expedition were Daniel Boone, Simon Kenton, Colonel Trotter, officers in this expedition. The result of this expedition was the Imrning of eight of their towns, also the destruction of much corn. Twenty warriors were aisoi killed, including a prcaninent chief of the nation, and alxait seventy-five prisoners were taken.

While ihey were encamped on a creek near the site of Jacob Brown's sawmill, Greene county, a negro servant of one of the officers deserted and warned the Indians of approaching danger. The negro's name was "Caesar," from wihic'h the creek was naniied. The trail on which they marched went between the house where Henry Conklin now lives and his bam.

When they arri\ed at Old Town they fmmd l)ut one Indian, an old chief named Mulutha. He had dressed himself in the gayest Indian costume, wearing a cocked hat and carrying a tobacco pouch in one hand and a calumet in the cither. He boldlv appr< ached the men and proposed to smoke the pipe <: f peace w ith them. Some of them received him in a friendly manner and shook hands with him, but on approaching ]\Ic- Garey, whose rashness and folly caused the defeat at the "Blue Licks,'' the latter drew his tomahawk and clo\ed the skull of the Old man, swearing that he would kill every Indian he fotmd and would tomahawk any w hite man who shoiuld presume to censure him for doing so.

Gexeral Harmar At Old Towx Ix 1 79O

In 1790, General Harmar. at the head of fourteen hundred and fifty-three men, at^ rived at this place early in October. While he was sitting on his horse on a knoll reviewing his troops a stamjiede occurred among pack horses and bullocks, which caused a great uproar and confusion and an imimense deal of hard swearing.

Harmar advanced on the French trading jxjst, now" Fort Wayne, sending on detachments to fight battles, and after losing one hundred and thirt\- men, returned, having effected nothing.

On arriving" at Old Town on the return an order was issued that the men should cease firing off their guns. One of the Kentucky militia disobeyed the order. He was stripped antl tied to a wheel of a cannon carriage and ordered to l)e flogged. Tlie late General Benjamin Whiteman, who was present, says that the Kentuckians formed a senti-circle roitnd the cannon, leveled their guns and put a stop to the punishment. Harmar ordered the regulars to face them with fixed bayonets, and the dnminier to proceed, and to finish the flogging. Tliis was the last expedition to invade this noted village.

Looking Backward

\\'e will conclude our sketches with some scenes froan pioneer life. A change has come over the spirit of the scene. The council fires of the red men liave gone out. Their rude cabins have been reduced to ashes, the pale face has triumphed and is in possession of the CDuntry. Scattered alx)ut are round lug" cabins with mud and stick chimneys. The adjoining cornfields abound in deadened trees. These primitive tenements were inhabited by pioneers, brave, enterprising and thrifty.

Amusements Of The Pioneers

Wlieii young men were together the\- amused thaiiselves by ainning foot races, wrestling, over and under jumping witii or without' a pole and various other feats of strength and agility. Their habits invigorated their systems, expanded their lungs, increased their muscular power and fitted them for bodily endurance. BcKlily strength and activity were highly appreciated. The man who coukl figlit severely, endure^ a great deal of punishment and come off victorious was a man of note and had much influence among his admn-ers.

Every able-bodied nian between the ages of eighteen and forty-fi\e years was a soldier. There was a strictly enforced militia system, with company and battalion, and regimental musters, with conrt martials. courts of inquiry and courts of appeal. All the men bearing anus in those days in the count v formed one regiment.

The Old-Time Muster At Old Town

Xow we have a regimental muster at Old Town. A hardy, rough-l(X'>king set of men they are, comlnon dress, blue linsey hunting shirt, secured with a leather belt and buckle, buckskin pants antl tow linen shirt and wool hats. These mien have been marching and counter marching, wheeling by platoons, sections and coniii>anies, handling, shouldering' and presenting their firelocks and fixing and charging bayonets in a pickwickian sense. Xow the muster is o'er and the men are dismissecL They are employing themselves in various ways; soune of them are shooting at a mark, others are engaged in a wrestling match for a pint of wfliiskey.

Observe that fine looking man. six feet two inches high. He is as well formed as Apollo, conibining strength and acti\ity in great perfection. He is fair skinned, blue eved. with light auburn hair and sanguine temperament. That is the noted fistic champion. Ben Kizer. He is one of a family of twelve children, all boys. His brothers are stout, resolute men, but he is the stoutest of all. Xotice his firm step, confident look and manly bearing. He is as full of fight as a game cock. He engages in a fight just as eagerly as a hungry man eats his dinner. E\-er\- man he whips adds one more sprig to his pugilistic laurels. He estimates success as highly as a prize formerly won in Olvmpic games. He has had so many fights and come off \-ictorious that it is a hard miatter to find a customer. He has been known to pretend at a mere nothing, and knock down a man whoi would not fight, merely to keep his hand in practice. He was like ^Itkc Fink, a boatman, who lamented while floating do'wn the Ohio that he had not had a tight in a munth, and it seemed like an eternity to him, and that if he did not ha\e one scx;n he would have to be "kivered" np in salt to keep him from spoiling.

Kizer has heard of one Aaron Beall, a powerful man, a foemnn worthy of his fists, and has made up jiis mind to whip him at the first chance; and that is his principal business at Old Town to-day. Beall is of a hardy race, a long Ixxlied man, six feet high, straight as an Indian, round shouldered, with large limbs and muscles like w hi]) cord, weight two hundred and fifteen or two hundred and twenty pounds. His muscles are so indurated and his flesh so firm that ccanparatively he is insensible to pain. He has florid comple.xion, sanguine tanperament, built for ponderous strength more than activitt, with finnness and unflinching coml)ati\-eness. When about to engage in a fig'ht he is calm and deliberate, with a smile on his countenance. Init notice those pale lips and gleaming eyes. That smile is more ominoiis than blustering wrath. The two champions are standing some ten yards apart. Kizer begins with a banter that he could outrun Beall. Tbe latter did not itm himiself. but he had a brother that could run. In those days it was a common boast for one to say tliat he had the fastest horse, the best rifle, the ugliest dog and the prettiest sister. The bantering in the [iresent case was ended by Kizer asserting that he could whip Beall. Tliereujxin they ran at each other and came in collision. In the shock Beall went down beneath the gallant "Ben." Xnw there is tremendous excitement, a wild uproar amor'ig the n'en and a tv.niultuous rush is made for the combatants, a ring is formed around them, the spirit of combativeness is poAverfully excited ; htmting shirts are throwni ufi\ and the shirt sleeves of many brawny arms hastily rolled up. Kizer appears to* have the most friends. The)- cheer him boisterously : "HuiTah, Ben, that's rigbt, give it to him, whip him till his hide wor.'t hold shucks! Gouge him!" Col. James Collier was sitting on his horse outside of the circle. Sherifit Maxwell rushed into the ring tO' part them, when he received a blow on the head from the butt of a loaded whip which made the blood spurt. He ran stooping across the arena, butted the ring and fed under Mr. Collier's horse, his heatl bleetling profusely. It was never known to a certainty who struck that blow, but there were good reasons for supposing that Amos Durnugh, who built the first jail in Xenia, was the man. In the meantime sullen sounds, thump, thump, thimip, could be distinctly heard alx;ve the din and confusion. Tbese were made by Beall's fists playing like a trip-hammer against Kizer's sides. At length some of his frier.ds stopped to examine more closely. Sure enough Kizer was not fighting any ; they tore him away ; he was exhausted and speechless. He was laid upon one o-f the temporary tables that haid been used for selling refreshments, and eflforts made to re.susitate him. which were after a quantity of blood had been discharged from his mouth and throat. In the meantime the combativeness of Beall had been excited to the highest pitch, his bl(3od thoroughly heated, his great jx>wer of wrath awful. He demanded in a loud voice: "Hns this man no friends oil the ground?" He was responded l<.> liy one of the Kizer family, who commenced a coj^nflict with him with resolution and vigor, but was soon l)r(istratecl l)y tlie iiuinciljle Beaver creek champion. Kizer was nearly killed; liad to be taken home in a wagon, and kept his bed a long time, siv it was reported. This was the most noted fight of the kind that ever came off in this county, and was talked of for years afterward. It ended tiie fighting career ni both men. Kizer after this fig'ht quit the practice. And no one would light r.eall.

The account of this fight was obtained by Thomas C. Wright from Col. Jaimes Collier and Judge Jacol) Haines, who were present. Mr. Wright does not give the date of the abo\-e mentioned hght. for the reason, l)erhaps, that it was so long after it occurred that the parties who- tnid him could not reniember the exact time. Recently, hoavever, among the old records O'f the county has been found the indictment, found Ijy the grand jur\-, and which makes that notorious fight worse than it has been pictured out.

"May 27, A. D. 1806, personally came before me William Taylor, Benjtunin \\"hiteman and William ^lorgan and made the following cath, to wit: Taylor testifies that he saw Aaron Beall and Benjamin Kizer violently assault and beat each other by fighting. Whiteman testified that he saw the said Aaroo Beall vio.lently assault and beat \\'illiam Kizer. William ^lorgan testified that he saw the said Aaron Beall after he had assaulted and beaten \\'illiam Kizer rush through the crowd and pull the ab(.n'e named Benjamin Kizer off a table or bench and violently assault and beat hhn again. Sworn to befc:re me. John Smith, J. P."

but al.soi in the original papers of the grand jury which met iour mionths later, September, A. D. 1806, appear four indictments against Aaron Beall for fighting on that day.

Three miles north of Xenia, the county seat of Greene county, Ohio, was the old Indian town of Chillicothe on the Little Miami. Of its history much lias been written and much has been lost of its early history. It was one oi the most noted towns, historically si>eaking, in the state; made soi by the many scenes of suft'ering by torture of the white race at the hands of savages; the birthplace of the noted chief of the Shawnee tribe of Indians, Tecumseh; the temporary l/rison of those grand old pioneers from Kentucky, Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton and many others less known in history, who were captured and carried there as prisoners. We read of their suft'erings at the hands of their captors, of their courage and escapes and their heroism in behalf of this beautiful land that we call ours, and we ofttimes forget what it cost to reclaim it from a wilderness and the labo'r it took to make it blo«n and blossom as a rose, as we see it toi-day.

It is said to^ have had a populatioai of eleven hundred Indians. About three hundred of these were fighting men. The village was about a quarter of a mile long, the huts being set out irregularly. The location of most of the huts was on the little eminence now! co'vered b}' the school house, frame house, barn and orchard on the left side of the road as we now gO' from Xenia to Old Town'. The comhioaiest Indians had their huts along the creek Ijank. The couni84 cil liouse was near where the school house now (1900) stands. It was a long, narrow building, roughly made and hardly water proof. When Girty and the renegade Scotcliman, Dixon, came to live with Chief Blackfish. they helped tu ci instruct a better ccnmcil house. Remains of the council house, such as rotten timbers, stood until 1840.

The Shawnee Indian'S

Amoaig all the Indians, with but few exceptions, there were no Indians th;'.t caused as much trouble to the whites as those of the Shawnees. The main village of the Sha'wnees was at Cliillicothe on the Scioto ; their second village was our well kncnvn Old Cliillicothe. War parties were constantly passing froiu one village to the other, and though the distance was near one hundred miles, the Indians were all such good walkers and runners that they traveled the trail with incredible rapidity.

The Allies Of The Shawnees

The Shawnees were assisted by tlie ]^Iiamis. the Wyandots and the Delawares. Thus any army attacking would ha\e large numibers to contend with. When General Harmar with his army invaded Ohio. Chiet Blackfish. with his three hundred, was aided by the INIiamis and by the combined forces Hannar was defeated. Blackfish's band was present and ti-nk part in St. Clair's defeat. These two victories gave the Indians great courage and they became very insolent. The renegade, Simon Girty, and the Scotch devil, Dixon, diil all in their power to excite ihe hostility of the Old Cliillicothe Indians. When Old Chillicothe on the Scioto was destroyed and the corn burnt, w'hat few of the natives that were left made their way to Old Chillicothe ou the Little ]\Iiajni river, which became a regular rendezvous for villains,, both white and reil. In order to save the frontier from utter destruction. General Clarke was dispatched from Fort \\"ashingtoni with a large body of men. He reached our Old Chillicothe at daybreak, posted his one cannon on the hill northwest of Old Town, and while the cannon knocked over the huts his men charged the natives. Old Chillicothe was entirely destroyed, the lodges burned, the C( rn cut down and most o^f the Indians killed. Seme say that Blackfish, the chief, fell in this fight, but this is a mistake.

Blackfish. Chief Of The Shawnees

In all histories of the predatory excursions of the Shawnees to Kentucky stands somewhat prominent the name and exploits of Blackfish, a noted chief of that tribe. The position that this chief held among the once powerful Shawnees has caused the cpiestion of the time and place of his death to' be discussed tO' some extent by western analysts.

The fact tliat Old Town was the residence of Blackfish gives this question a local interest. Several writers have asserted that he was killed in 1779 while resisting the attack of Colonel Bowman and a coinpany of Kentuckians upon Old Town, the first incursion of the settlers south of the Ohio upon the Shawnee towns in this region to punish the Indians for their murders and robberies in Kentuckv. Blackfish was not

Tlie evidence uiion which Mr. Collier founded his statement he conceived to be such as to! place the truth of it lieyond dis- \mXti. in June. 1788, a party of Shawnee Indians under the command of Blacktish nvrde a marauding expedition to' Kentucky, and at the headwaters of Paint Lick creek, then in Madison county, they made an att;uck upoui the house of a man named Joseph Stinson. It was Sabbath morning and Stinson"s 1)(>_\-. will* li\'ed ivou\ home, had returned about sunrise. W'lhen near the house he gave a shont to^ arouse the family that they might let him in, and as his sister opened the door for that purixjse the Indians rushed in after the boy and shot at Stinson and his wife, who were in bed, mortally wounding the latter and severely wounding the former in the thigh. Stinsoai jumped from the bed, grappled the leader of the party anil threw him, but his wound had so wieakened him) that the Indian turned on him. At this instant the boy grasped his father's gun, which frightened the party, some se\en or eig'ht in number, and they fled for the door, assisted in their exit by Polly, Stinson's daughter, who violently pushed the last ones upon those ahead and sent them pell mell out of the caliin and barred the entrance.

Polly then turned and with a butcher knife stal>bed the Indian who was killing her father. At the first blow the Indian raised 'his arm and knocked her across the roomi, but she gathered again and gave him a stal.) that proved fatal. This Indian was Blackhsh himself. In the fright of the n:hment, Jane, another daughter ol Stinson, about fourteen years of age, jumped throug*h the window and was caijtured by those on the outside. She remained a prisoner among the Indians until 1797, when her liberation was affected at Detroit, and she returned to her friends in Kentucky.

The testimony on which Mr. Collier made this statement was this: In 1796 he was in Kentucky in the region where this outrage took place, and previous to- his visit Charles, a son of Capt. Israel Hart, had returned from his captivity among the Indians. He, together with a negro boy, bad been captured in 1787, and Charles said he wias adopted by Blackfisli as his son, who told him that his white father. Captain Hart, was killed. Charles told ]\Ir. Collier that he acc( ini)anied Blackfish in 1788 and was in the camp when Jane Stinson was brought in. jane immediately recognized him but he said he denied knoiwing her, and was violently grieved at the death of his adopted father. Jane told bim that his own father was living, a fact he did not fully believe until alxxit the time of his return to Kentucky in. 1796.

Mr. Collier the same year, but pre\io'US to his visit to Kentucky, while down on the iVuglaize searc^hing for horses, saw the negro laoy who had been captured at the same time as Charles Plart. ^Ir. Collier says he had a long talk with him, and he stated substantially in regard to Blackfish's death as was stated, by Charles Hart afterward.

The next year, 1797, while Air. Collier was (.11 the Little Miami in this county Jim Blue Jacket called upon him, and in the course of the conversation which took place between them! Jim told him that he was in the expedition to Kentucky in 1788, and \vas one oif those whi>m, Polly Stinson so viclenth' thrust cmt of the door, and he reaffirmed wliat Charles Hart and the negro buy had stated, that it was Blackfish who had led the party and who was killed by Polly Stinson. This fact was not known in Kentucky until the return of Charles Hart, a period of some eig-'ht years, and was always suppressed by the Indians, for the reason, as ]^Ir. Collier supposed, that it was a deep disgrace among the Indians to be killed by a woman. There is another fact which we will notice. It has been asserted that Blackfish was the father of Tecumseh. ^Ir. Collier says that in 1812 he met in the army Stephen Riddle, a very intelligent man, who was taken prisoaier by the Indians at the destruction of his father's (Riddle's) station in Kentucky. He told him that he was almost the constant companion of Tecumseh while a prisoner and was then informed that Tecumseh's father was killed at the battle of Point Pleasant, at which time Tecumseh was about two years did. Air. Collier said that Mr. Riddle would have been apt to have obtained correct infonnatiou upi'u the subject.

Tecumseh, the great Shawnee and Alianii chief, v^as born, according to Benjamin Kelley. Tecurnseh's adopted brother, who was five years in Blackfish's family, near Xenia on Mr. Sexton's lot near a spring. ]\Ir. Thomas Hind, who makes the statement that Tecumseh was born on the Sexton farm, states as proof that in the year 182 1 he met the Rev. Ben Kelley, then a Baptist minister, and who was taken prisc:ner the same time as Boone, and had it from his own lips that Kelley was five years in Blackfish's family. It is said of Tecumseh that at the battle of Tippecanoe he had

The Rexeg.Xde White .Mex

Of the renegade white nien who lived at Old Town it is known that Simon Girty anil Dixon died miserable deaths. They certainly deserved them. Kenton and Boone, both C'f whoan had been captains at Old Chilliccthe, li\-ed to be \-ery old men, honored by all. They are reckoned among the patriots of the countn,-. Simon Kenton's name appears on many of the records of Greene county, Ohio. When the county was first organized. r^Iay 10, 1803, he was then a resident of what was then called ^^lad River township, Greene county, now a part of Logan county, wliere he died at the ripe old age of eig"hty-one years. His remains were afterward taken up and removed to, Oakdale cemetery, Urbana, Ohio. Simon Kenton, had alsoi two brothers, who- were with him on the headwaters of Mad river, \\'illiam and Thomas Kenton. We have nt'W in Xenia a descendant of the old hero. Simon Kentin, descended from his brother, Thoanas Kenton - Air. John A. Xorth. Mr. Xcrth's grandfather, now deceased, wa.s l>ersonariy acquainted \\ith his honored old uncle, Simon Kenton, and learned the relationship from his own lips.

The old Indian trail between the two Chillicc'thes was trod by thousands crt natives. It is said to have passed west of the Old Chilliccthe and traversed the plain to Alpha. Here it crossed the hills bordering the river and stretched away in almost a bee line for the Chillicothe on the Scioto. War parties coaning up the trail would give a w'hoop when about a mile from the village

Tlie fulknving is taken from the American Museum, or Repository, published in Philadelphia, October. 1797, and that part of his adventure whicli applies to Greene comity. Ohio, was written l>y Boone:

"January i, 1778, I went with thirty men to the 'blue lick" on the Licking river to n:ake salt for the different garrisons. February 7, hunting by myself to procure meat for tlie company, I met a party of one hundred and two Indians and two Frenchmen marching against , Bconsborough. They pursueil and took me, and that day I capitulated for my men, knowing they could not escape, 'iliey were twenty-se\en in number, three having gone with salt. The Indians according to the capitulation used us generous!}-. They carried us to the Old Chilliccthe on the Little ]\liami river. On the iSth of February we arri\ed there, after an uncomfortable journey in very severe weather. On the lOth of March I and ten of my men were conducted to Detroit. On the 30th we arrived there, and were treated by Go\-ern('r Hamilton, the British con\- mander of the post, with great humanity. The Lulians had such a fondness for me that they refused one hundred pounds sterling offered them by the governor if they would leave me with the others, on purpose that he might send me home on my parole. Several English gentlemen there, sensible of m.y ad\-erse life and fortune, and touched with sympathy, generously offered to supply my wants, which I declined with many thanks, adding that I never expected it wcnild he in my p^wer to recompense such unmerited generosity. Tlie Lidians left my men in captivity with the British at Detroit. On the loth of April they brought me toward Old Chillicothe, where we arrived on the 2-,th day of the same month. This was a long and fatiguing march tliroug"h an exceeding fertile country, remarkable for fine springs and streams of water. At Old Chilliccthe 1 spent my time as comfortably as 1 could expect: was adopted, according to their custom, intO' a family, where I became a son, and had a goixl share in the affection of my new parents, brothers, sisters and frieu'ds. I was exceedingly familiar and friendly with them, always appearing as cheerful and satisfied as possible, and they put great confidence in me. I often we'.it limiting with them, and frequently gained their applause for my activity at oiu" shooting matches. I was careful not tO' exceed many of them in sliooting, for no people are more envious than they in this sport. 1 could o-bsl-rve in their countenances and gestures the greatest expression of joy when they exceeded me, and when the reverse happened, of en\'\'. The Shawnee king took great notice of me and treated me with profound respect and entire friendship, often trusting me to hunt at my liberty. I frequently returned with the spoils of the woods, and as oiten presented soane of what I had taken to him, expressi\-e of duty to my scT\-ereign. My food and lodging was in commion with them; not so good, indeed, as I could desire, but necessity made everything acceptable.

"T now began to meditate an escape, but carefully avoided suspicion. Until the 3d da\" of June I continued at Old Chillicothe and was tl;en taken to the salt springs on the Scioto and kept there for ten days makiiiS' salt. During this time I had hunted wiili tiieni and found for a great extent alxne this river to exceed tlie soil of Kentucky and remarkably well watered. On my retin-n to Old Chillicothe four hundred and tifty of the choicest Indian warriors were ready to march against Boonsborough, l>ainted and armed in a fearful manner. This alarmed me and I determined to escape. On the i6th of June, before sunrise, 1 went off secretly, and reached Boonsborough oil the 20th day, a journe\- of one hundred and sixty miles, during which 1 only had one meal. I found our fortress in a bad state, but we immediately repaired our flanks, gates and posterns and formed a double bastoon, which we completetl in ten days. One of my fellow prisoners, escaping after me, brought advice that on account oif my flight the Indians had put off their expedition for three weeks.

"In July, 1779. during my absence, Colonel Bowman, with one hundred and sixt\- men, went against the Shawnees of Old Chillicothe. He arrived undiscovered, a l);ittle ensued, which lasted until, ten in the morning, when Colonel Bowman retreated thirty miles. The Indians collected all their strength and pursued him, when another engagement ensued for two hours, not to Colonel Bowman's advantage. Colonel Harrod proposed to mount a number of horses and Ijreak the enemy's line, w'hich at this time fought with remarkable fury. This desperate measure had a happy eft'ect and the savages fled on all sides. In these twif b.'itllcs we had nine men killed and one wouniled ; enemy's loss uncertain, only two scalps taken. The hostile disposition of the savages caused General Clarke, the commandant at the falls of the Ohio, to march with his regiment, and the armed force of the coimtry, against Piqua, the principal town of the ShaAvnees, on a branch of the Great Miami, which he iinished with great success, took seventeen scalps and binnied the town to ashes, with the loss of seventeen men."

In C(jnnection with what Cijlnuel Boone says in regard to this expedition it is of local interest to add the recollection of David Laughead, who at that time, 1780, was a soldier in the ranks under General Clarke, and was one of the band of Kentuckians who participated in that campaign. This David Laughead was the father oi David j\I. Laughead, who was the father of David and Joseph Laughead, wiioni many yet li\- ing in Xenia remember. He died January 29, 1824, at the age of sixty-seven years, and is buried in the old ]\Iassies Creek churchyard (Stevenson's). He says in answer to the question, "When did you tirsl see Old Chillicothe on the Little Miami river?" "I was attached to a troop of horses on an expedition from Kentucky under General Clarke. W'e crossed the Ohio river at the mouth of the Licking river August 2, 1780, and arrived at Old Chillicothe on the 5rh day of August, 1780. Previous to lea\-ing Kentucky the}- had heard of Old Chillicothe on the Little ]\lianii river, of its notoriety as a strong Indian tinvn. He had often heard it spoken of liy his neighbors and by his comrades in arms in Kentucky. And w'hat impressed it more lastingly upi.Mi his miixl was an incident that occurred on this expedition. The night after their arrival at Old Chillicothe. the Indians ha\-ing fled, they camped on that portion of land between the Little ^liami and what is now known as Massies creek. Aiul after their return fn ni Old ricjua, where thev had been successful in tlcstrtying their town and defeating the Indians, they camped on tlie nurth bank of the Little Miami on the 7th day of August, 1780. About fift_\- men were detailed to cross the ri\-er and cut down a lot of corn that they had left standing fcr their dwn use on returning. One of the men of this detail had a sore font and his comrades took him) across the ri\-er and' set him down, and shurtly afterward the lame man had t(j get them to come back and take him across the t/ther part of the river, which circunistance was alsoi remembered, and after their return to' Kentucky they were wont to speak of their old camping groimd near the Old Chillicothe as an island of about three hundred acres. General W'hiteman also, -who had been up in this section oif the ccmntry as early as 1790, likewise says that he though.t it was an island and did not find oiit his mistake until after he had Ijecome a resident of this county, when, he says, about the year 1800. he was passing up between the two streams. Massies creek and the Little }vliami, and disco-vered that what is now called Rlassies creek was not a part oif the Little Miami but a separate stream. These facts of history, which are oi local interest in the life of our subject, David Laughead, were gathered from the old rec(;rds of Greene coimty, depositions being taken of the olv.l pi(.ueers in a case of ejectment where the parties in the case were Peter and Jesse Vandolah vs. ]\IajoT John Stevenson. David Laughead and others. The point in dispute was the location oi the beginning Oif John Jamison's survey. It is a fact in the history cA C'ur county that the first town in Greene county of which we have any knowledge (though inhabited by sawages and had a populatinn of ele\en liundred ) should be near the place where the first entry of land should be made by Johni Jamison, on the 1st day of Augaist, 1787, on part of military warrant Xol 192, and surveyed for him by Nathaniel Massie on the 20th day of XoA'ember, 1794, the number of the siu'vey being 387. The starting point of this survey was on the lower end of a small island in the middle of the Little Miami river opposite the Old Chillicothe, about two hundred rods telow where Glassies creek empties into the Little Miami ; original amoimt, twelve Inmdred acres. That island can be seen there tohday (1900), although the water does not surround the island, yet the old channel is still to be seen, and from the directions given in this case Jamisoai's survey can be located. The island is about three rods wide and one hundred and fifty rods long.

Later a family by the name of Vandolah entered four hundred acres of the same tract. The father soon after making his entry became uneasy as to his claim being gvRid. He discovered certain marks that soane one had been there before, and meeting Major James Galloway one day he told him of his suspicions and asked Mr. Gallowav's advice as what to do under the circumstances. ;Mr. Galloway told him that he had recentiv discovered a law that any one making an entry where some one had previously entered that the latter party could have his claim transferred to some other jilace. Mr. Vandolah thereupon' authorized 'Ml-. Galloway to do so with his enti-y. In the meantime it appears the elder Vandolah knowing the uncertainty of life made a will, willing to his two sons, Peter and Jesse, the aforesaid four hundred acres. Li course of time Major Galloway made the asked for entry of the \'a.aidolah claim, three and one-half miles northeast, and they immediately removed to their land. Some years after the father died and it appears had failed in life to take his boys into his confidence as to his business relations. They remembered the claim where they first had lived, and the fatlier had failed to destroy the will which he had made, and from these facts grew the trouble and the number of suits of ejectments that followed.

Simox Kextox

About the year 1777 Ci^li-nel Bowman sent Simo!i Kenton and two L-ther men. Montgomery and Clarke, on a scouting expeditioai to the old Shawanoes town (now Old Town) on the Miami. Stealthily ap- ])ro>aching the town at night, they observed a number of horses in an inclosure. These at the time were inestimable prizes, and forgetting their mission, they each mounted a horse, and, to cripple all pursuit, tied the others together, and started toward the Ohio. Tlie Indians soon discovered their loss, and started in hot pursuit, and though at a distance, still followed the trail. When Kenton and his ])arty arrived at the banks of the Ohio, they found it so rough that their liorses would not venture in. A council was held, and in view of the great distance between them and their pursuers, it was resolved to remain until sunset, and await the probal)Ie abatement of the wind. On the contrary, bowever, the gale increased, and by night the river was absolutely impassable.

Jn the morning while Kenton was standing sariK distance from his comrades, he observed three Indians and a white man approaching him on horseback. His rifle was at once to his eye, and. aiming at the Ijreast of the foremost Indian he pulled the trigger ; but the gun missed fire. Kenton made good use of his legs, but was soon caught, bound, and brought back. The Indians were very angry at the loss of their horses, and nianifested their displeasure in no gentle way, by seizing Kenton by the hair, and shaking him "till his teeth rattled;" scourging him over the head with their ramrods, at every blowhissing through their teeth, "Steel Indian boss, hey!" At this juncture ]\[ontgomery came bravely to his assistance, when two savages emptied their rifles into his breast, and he fell on the six)t, and in a moment his blcwdy scalp was shaken in the captive's face, with threats of a similar fate. In the meantime Clarke, unobserved liy the Indians, who were giving Kenton their sole attention, slipped away and escaped.

Kenton \\'as tbnnvn upon his back, lus face to the sun, his neck fastened to a saj)- ling bv a halter, his arms stretched to their full extent and pinned to the groun<l by stakes, his legs forced apart and secured in the same way. A stick was placed across his l:reast and each end fastened to tlie ground, so that he could not mi>ve his body. This was done, too, in the most accomplished style of savage cruelty - kicks, cuffs and Ldows, accompanied with imprecations of "a tief," "a boss steal," "a rascal." "a squaw," etc., prefixed always with "danm." In this uncomfortable condition Kenton remained all day and the next night. In the morning, the Indians having collected their scattered horses, selected one of the wildest and most vicious colts, placed Kenton upon it. tied his hands behind him. and his feel under its l)elly. and started him ahead of them, through the thick woods and brambles, on their return. At night they halted and untying their priscMier. wlio was now bkxxly and scarred from tlie scratclies of the bnisli and branil)les, placed liim in the same uncomife-Ttable position as the night Ijefore.

"Again tlie horse was Ijruught : "T'was l)nt a day he liad been caug^it ; And snorting, with erected mane. -And struggling fiercely, but in vain. In the full foam of wrath and dread, To me the desert b<)rn was led; They bound me on, that menial throng, Tben loosed hinT, with a sudden lash - A\\a\! Away! And on we dash."

The following day they reached the Indian \illage of Chillicothe - now Old Town, in this county - on the Little Miami. In the meantime a courier had preceded them and informetl the village of their arrival, every memiber of which came running tO' look at the illustriou.s captive. One of the chiefs, Blackiish. with a stout hickory in his hand approached Kenton and accosted him thus: "\'ou have been stealing our horses, have you?" "Yes," was Kenton's bold reph'. '"Did Colonel B(X>ne tell yoai to steal our horses?" "No" answered Kenton "I did it of my own accord." BlackHsh then applic-.l the hickory so vig^orously over the bare head and shoiilders of the captive as to catise the rapid flow of blood accompanied with the acutest pain. The whole motley crew, consisting of nearly two hundren mien, women and children, now surrounded him, yelling, hooting and screaming like the stygian offspring of the hadean gitaixl, stopping often to beat and kick him. and calling loitdly for his immediate execution at the stake, that their .savage eyes tright behold the pleasing , spectacle. A stake was dri\en in the ground and Kenton was tirmly lashed to it with rawhide thongs. Piece by piece the demoniac hags.strippefl his clothing off, and danced, yelling fiendishly around till midnight, when he was released to run the gauntlet next morning. Nearly three hundred savages of all ages and of both sexes were assembled for the occasion. Stretching away in two parallel lines about six feet apart the Indians stood, armed with axes, clubs, hickorys and all .scrts of weapons. Between these lines the unfortunate victim, naked and already bleeding, was compelled to run, with the glimmering prospect of safety in the council house. With his arms above his head he swiftly flies d(/wn' the line, receiving at each step, kicks, blows, stripes and wounds, until, at the lower extremity, he ol)ser\-es two warriors with knives to take his life. Breaking through the lines, he rushes for the council house, pursued by the howling redskins. Just as he had reached the town, and the council house was within his reach, he was confronted by an Indian with his blanket around him. walking leisurelv out of the sa.me. Flinging of? his covering he sprang upon Kenton who, exhaiisted. and wounded, could but feebly resist, and was soon surrc/imded Ij}- the enraged crowd, wlio kicked and scourged him until he was nearly dead. When he had partially recovered, they bnxight him fciul and water and as soon as he was aljle they took him tO' the council house to- decide upon his fate. The warriors disposed themseh-es in a circle, with an old chief in the center. [Many speeches were made, some for burning, and some for merc^-, but Kenton soon learned fn m the ferocious glances cast upi;n him that his fate was sealed. After the tleliberations and speeches, the old chief passed the war ciulj to the nearest warrior, and with a knife and a stick prepared to register the votes. Those who were in favor of death struck the ground violently with the club, these to the contrary passed it on: a notch was cut en one side fur death, and on the opposite side for mercy. It was scon decided in favor cf death at which one prolonged shout arose.

The next question was, when and where should the executiim take place. Some were in fa\-er of immediate action, and some desired ti. make it a "solemn national sacrifice." It was finally decided, however, that the place should be \\'aughcotomoco (now Zanesville, Logan county).

On the way to this place Kenton determined to make an effort to escape, knowing his fate could be no worse. At a favorable C'pportunity he rushed intO' the woods with such desperate swiftness that had he not stumbled upc<n a party of redskins on horseback he would have escaped. All hope now left him. and he felt deserted by God and man. At Piqua he was miockingly tied to a stake. At \\"aughcotom<5co he ran the gauntlet again and was severely hurt.

\\'hile sitting in gloom among his enemies in the council house, the door \\as opened and Girty, with his prisoners and scalps, appeared. The anxious gaze of Kenton was met b_\' scowls of savage hatred. Previous to this it is relatetl that Kenton, after his attempted escape, had been given up to the boys and women, who rolled him in the mud and water until he was nearly suffecated. then he was taken out and hisface painted black signifying his fate. In this condition Girty. who had formerly been his besom companion, difl not recognize him. until in conversation he revealed his name; when the hardened' wretch, who had murdered men, women and children, threv.' himself in his anns, and with tears in his eyes promised to use every effort to sa\e his life. He immediately called a council, and earnestly pleaded fc-r the life of his friend. Speeches for and against were made and the scale hung doubtful, until the fiery eloquence of Girty prexailed, and Kenton was saved.

He remained with his liljerator for some time, until the return of a disapix)inted war party, which took possession of him again, and despite the appeals of Girty, condemned him to the stake and compelled him again to run the gauntlet. Girty came to him and told hinn he must die. A halter was then placed around his neck and he was led tO'ward the place of execution. On the road they passed an Indian sitting and smoking on a log, directing his wife in her eft'i:rts in chopping, who en sight of Kenton seized the a.x and struck him a severe blow. He was sharply rebuked by the Indian guards for trying to destroy their material for torture.

On their journey they stopped at the \illage of the humane Logan, who immediatelv sent runners to Sandusky (his intended place of execution), to intercede for his life, but on their return Logan informed him that he must go instantly to Sandusky. Thus was the ptxir soul harrowed with hope and fear. On his arrival an Indian agent named Druyer, at the instigation of Logan, purchased him from the Indians, and in a speech pursuaded them to let him go to Detroit, where he remained until the following June, when he. with others escaped fr( m the British. In this perilous adventure, he was forced to nin the gauntlet eight time, tied to the stake three times, beaten and kicked, and struck with an ax, rolled

Andrew Galloway

My father, James (ialloway, Sr., emigrated fnjim Hoairhcni cmmt)-, Kentucky, in company with two otlier families. .\dam McPherson and James M. Galloway (blacksniiith), early in the spring, March 20, 1798, and settled on the west side of the Little Miami river, five miles north of where Xenia now is, having formed an accjuaintance with Coloaiel Richard .Andersun in the army of the United States, during tlie Re\- oluticinary war, wlio^ was appointed by the state of \"irginia surveyor general of the niihtary land in this state lying l>etween the Scioto and Little Miami river, and who had established Lc;iin"s\ille. Kentucky, and appointed a number of deputies to locate and survey lands in his district. My brother. James Galloway, being well versed in the science of sun-eying, wished to engage in the business as a regular deputy under Colonel Anderson. L; the year 1802 or 1803 m_\ father and brother James went to see Colonel Anderson at Louisville and on their way called for several days on my uncle. Samuel Galknvay, who. lived on McConnell's nm. r.ear where IVIr. Armstrong preached, and was about to dispense the Lord's Suyjper. The}- Ijecame acquainted, and united w-ith hini in communion of the Lord's Supper, after which they went on foi Louis\-!lle. and my lirother, through the influence of my father and uncle, George Pomeroy, .succeeded in getting the appointment he sought.

two' with my uncle, Samuel Galloavay, and w^aited on the ministry of Mr. Armstrong, and invited and insisted on him to come to Ohio and preach in our neighborhood; George Galloway was urgent in this request, he agreed if they and the people wished it he would come. After their return they consulted w-ith all the people around, for they were few in numbers, but were anxious for preaching and delegated n-iy brother James for himi to' go to Kentucky.

lie went, and shortly afterward wrote to George Galloway to meet him in Dayton to pilot him to our settlement, there Ixing iKi roads but the one General Wayne had made from Cincinnati to> Hamilton, and a "trace" to where Dayton now is. His request was fulfilled. Mr. Armstrong came and ]n-eached at my father's home to the following families: Mathew Ouinn, Alexander Forl:)es, William Junkin, Elias Bromagen. Widow- Creswell, who united with his congregation ii-ii Kentucky and came toi Ohio in 1 80 1, Alexander McCoy and sons, James and Jobn Ste\enson, Thomas and John Tawnsley, brothers. George Galloway and James Galloway (blacksmith) and afterward soon, Joseph Kyle, Sr., and his two sons. Joseph and Samuel, Colonel James Moirrow. David Laughead, Sr.. and his family, William and Robert Kendall and perhaps a few others. He also' preached at Sugarcreek. in t!ie House of James Clency, whoi resided where Bellbrook is iiow- situated, to a number of families, of wlioan the follow-ing are recollected : John and Joseph McKnight, Joseph C. Vance, father of Governor Vance, and his brother John, Captain Nathan Lairimle and family, William Tanner, James and Jacob Snowden, three Snodgrass families, James, William and Robert.

Abraham \'an Eaton and perhaps a few others ; ncaie named were members of the ass<.)ciate church, but were members of the Assticiate Reform and Presljyterian cliurches. and were glad to hear Mr. Annstn.ng preach.

At Dayton, at the time of Mr. Armstrong's first coming, he was insisted upon by .Mr. James Lowry, who Hved some four miles west of where the town of Enon is now situated, to preach in his house, in a neighhorhocid west oif Mad ri\-er, and was pilt_.ted to Mr. Lowry's b}- James McCoy, Ge</rge Galloway and my father. During his stay among us a number solicited him to come and take the oversight of themi as their pastor. This he did not refuse or pnniise to do. but stated that he was dissatisfied with Kentucky on account of slavery. He said that s]a\-e holders were buying large tracts of land in branches oi his congregation, that there w as no chance nor probability of increasing. He said if he could get his congregation, or part of them to come to Ohio, he would agree to come, if called. The people took his statements as enciuragement and forthwith agreed to petitic n tii the presbytery for the moderation of a call. My brother James presented the petition to the presbytery as a delegate fn ni tlie congregation. They granted the j;et;tii n. and oppointed Rev. Andrew Fulton to moderate in the call. A sbort time after this appointmjent he preached in my fatlier's barn, and baptized my sister Ann and brcther .Anthony, it I>eing the first baptism ever administered in Greene county by the Associate church, and took place about the 1st ( f Septeml>er, 1804. The call was made cut in due form and John McKnight cf Sugarcreek and my father were appointed commissioners by the people to meet witli

In the same month ^h: Armstrong went to Tennessee and was married to iliss Xancy Andrew and in October left Tennessee with his wife and her brother Hugh Andrew, who all arrived safely at my father's house and lived in his family all winter and spring, until he got a cabin built and a stone chimney in it. for he was afraid of a wooden cue. Mr. Hugh Andrew in later }"ears gives an account of that event as follows : "Air. Armstrong had l)een niarried to my sister Xancy two years. Previous 10 his coming to Xenia he and his wife set out on horseback to visit her father's people, who lived near Nashville, Tennessee. In October they again started for their old home in Kentucky and their new homie in Ohio, it being arrangeil to take Airs. Armstrong's young brother Hugh with them, then a lad of some ten years of age. A small saddle was placed on the horse behind Air. Armstrong, on which young Hugh roda to Kentucky. On their arrival at Air. Armstrong's home in Kentucky they were met by \\'illiam Gowdy - an uncle of Alexander Gowdy, yet (1899) living in Xenia, who lived at that time near what is now know n as Alpha, who had teen sent with a fourhorse team to bring Air. Armstrong's household goo<ls and' books.

Air. Armstrong and wife made the journey I 11 horseback, while yomig Hugh was assigned to the wagon. On their arrival at the end of their joan'ney they stopped at Air. Galloway's, as has been stated. On the arrival of the wagon, }-oung Hugh, not exactly likiiij;: the looks of tilings, asked and obtained leave to return with Mr. Go^wdxt(^ liis residence. Mr. GowxW was a youngmarried man at this time, anrl his father Hved near."

My father entered and paid in the land office at Cincinnati, fractional section No. 29. t<nvn 4, range 7, between the Great and Little .Miami rivers, containing f,.ur hundred and sixty-oiie acres, and sold to Air. Armstrong three lumdred and one acres for the sum of six hundred and twenty dollars, and deeded the same to him in 1812, which can be seen in the rec(jrder's office, (ireene county, in Ix»k C, volume 3, page 70, executed !)>- tieorge Galloway Esquire. Mr. Arirjstrong lived on said section to the year 1813, whcii/ he sold and deeded to Samuel Goe for the suiit of two lumdred and ninety dollars, and h<mght again on Clark's run forty-eight and three-fourths acres of land from John Hunter, of Ross count}-, for wliich he paid one hundred and seventy dollars, and tv\a hundred acres from James Galloway, Jr., for which he paid three hundred dollars. The deeds of these tracts of land can Ise seen on record, book C, page 377, and lx>ok C, page 417. This sale and purchase left Mr. Anmstrong sixteen hundred and thirty dollars, no trifling sum in those days, and taking in his personal property and proceeds of his farm he might be considered a rich man. On this farm he li\ed until his death, which occurred October 14, 1 82 1.

It is true that his congregation in Kentucky sent a delegation to Ohio of sixteen or eighteen to view the lands in the neiglilx>rhoi(xl wdiere Mr. Armstrong ^\-as to settle, and were well pleased with it and reported accordingly. In the spring and fall of 1804 and 1805 all, or nearly all, of his congregation followed him to Ohio and settled under his ministrv.

The first church edifice of the Associate congregati.j-n of Massiescreek \\-as built 011 three acres of land donated by James Stevenson for church and cemetery. It was built of round hicko^ry^ logs with the bark peeled ofif, thirty feet square, covered with clapboards, the spaces between the logs being filled with clay. It was without t gallery or loft of any kind, and the floor was O'f earth. In it were neither stoves nor chimney, and tliere was but one door in the center oi one end of the house. There was an aisle running through the center. The pulpit was composed of clapboards on a wooden structure, with a window on each side. It was seated with two rows of puncheons split from, poplar, the upper side smoothed off, and in each end as an upright; from two to three slabs were pinned and formed quite a comfortable back. This edifice was on the north side of Massiescreek, about three miles from where it emptied into the Litle iliami river. Men and women would ride or walk twelve or fifteen miles to this church and sit and listen to two sermons without seeing fire in the coldest weather.

About the year 1812 or 1813 the second church at Massiescreek was built, of hewed logs, one hundred and fifty feet distant from> the first one. At this date the cmmtry had improved and several mills had been built. It was about fifty feet wide, was floored and ceiled over head with one-half-inch poplar boards. In it were placed four pews, the balance o-f the seats being those that had been in the first church. This church becaauie too small for the congregation, and one side was taken out and its width increased about twel\-e feet. This buildin<^ was used until the stone one was built and . occupied by Rev. James P. Smart, alxmt two miles north from the first site. The old site is now used as a cenijeterv ; in it are the remains of Air. Armstrong and a large majority of tlie congregation. Out of Massiescreek, Sugarcreek and Xenia congregations of the Associate church, and Xenia Ass(x:iate Reformed congregation has sprung the nucleus of all the congregations in the United Presbyterian church in the west.

Mr. Armstrong became dissatisfied with his location west of the Miami, on accoimt of its frequent floods, that cut him off from his house wi worship and disappointed his congregation. He was a great walker and frecpiently walked from his home to Sugarcreek, a distance of thirteen miles, to preach toi that branch of his charge, and to Massiescreek, a distance of four miles. At the crossing of the Miami he had a pair of stilts some two feet high, upon which he would mcimt, and with great care and circumspection cross the ri\-er, but wonid at times get a ducking.

Rev. Robert Armstrong

The name of Robert Armstrong will long be held in honorable remembrance in that branch of the church to which he belonged. If talents devoted tO' the service of relig-ion and a life of more than common usefulness constitutes a claiml to it lx)th con- S}>ire to place him in the front rank of those who have planted, watered and extended the Secession church in western America.

Mr. Armstrong was a native of Scotland, and but little is knoiwn of his parentage. His mother was a widow at the time of his cc:aninig to America, and he was an only child. He is supposed tO' have been ab<;ut fifty-fi\-e years old at the time of his death. He received a classical education at the University of Edinburg and studied theol(_:g}- at Whitburn under the Re\-. Archibald Bruce, professor at that time uniler the General Associate Synod, the certificate ef his ordination to the ministry is dated I5tli of June, 1797. He had' been licensed to preach some time m the winter preceding by the presbytery of Kelso. He was one of till se students who make their professional life by dint of their own resc-airces, and the ardor and enterprise of character which it implies were prominent parts of his. His parents n(j't possessing much worldly affluence were unable to' help him-. He taught a country school or acted as a pri\ate tutor in the families of gentlemen, and by that means, made himself master of very extensive acquirements, both as a scholar and divine. He was licen.sed and' ordained with a view to his coining to Amierica, the cause of which was as follows : Four members of the church having settled in the same neighborhood in the vicinity o'f Lexington, Kentuclc\-, namely: James Bain. Adam Goodlett. Thomas Roibinson and James Pringle, took council together in a prayer meeting, on the best means for obtaining a dispensation of the Gospel aniicng thenu This was in the }'ear 1796, at which time the above named branch of the church in America was small. The Presbyteiy of New York and Pennsyl\-ania was the only church court, except sessions in the cnmnrv. Ami tliere was but one number of it settled west of the Allegheny mountains, viz. : the Re\-. Mathew Hen<lersc;n, in the vicinity of Pittsburg. It was certain that it would lie a long timie bef<vre this small fountain in the east woidd rise high enough to e.xtend its waters so far west. The Ijrethren iherefore resolved to apply to the sjniad of Scotland for assistance. From prudential n-^otives, Svnod in complying with the ])etition ( in which ihev asked for but one) aiJiJMJnted two ministers to go to the country, Mr. Armstrong and the worthy Andrew Fultcm (who also about fdur N-ears since rested from his labors). "Vou might lie startled,"' says a memliei- ni' synod in a letter to, a friend in this country, some years afterward, "at the idea of two ministers coming at once, but we thought, as the synod defrayed all e.xpenses, if any disappointment as to success sliould fcilli>w. we, not you, would jjear the Ijlame. It was a \'enture in a nohle cause, and kind jirnxidence has crowned it with success." At the time of receiving the petition and synods mtiking choice of persons for the mission, Mr. Annstnnig had not yet left the ranks of the students, wdiich would imply that they thought him partictdarly qualified to undertake the appointment. In an address to the brethren in Kentucky accompanying the mission, they say: "Had you witnessed, dear brethren, rmr an.xious solicitude to ha,ve vou provided with able and faithful laborers, had }'Ou beheld our entire unanimity, and had you heard the e.Kpressions of our unfeigned joy, when the twiii brethren appninted toi vou modestly sig'- nified their acquiescence in our choice, you would assuredly gather that you are very d'ear to the church here, and that these two servants of Christ are called by their Master to preach the Goispel to you." And in no instance has the discrimination and confidence of that svnod, in the appointment of foreigi^ missionaries, l>een more happily exercised or better placed, as the subsequent character and conduct o'f these twO' ministers evinced, and in few" instances, we are willing to believe, has such extensive liberality been mpre gratefully received. At their appointment they were commissioned ]:)y the synod to constitute themselves on their arrival, intoi a court, by the name of Associate Presbv'tery of Kentucky. They arrived in the suirjmer o^f 1798. anil after casting the net in new waters, in which they were not unsuccessful, mi the 2(Sth day of Xo\-ember, following, constituted the court. At this presbytery Mr. Armstrong received a unanimous call toi act as pastor toi the united congregation of the Dales Fork, Millars Run and Cane Run, and was installed in the charge April 23, 1799, and continued his labors in- it until the fall of the year 1804. This year the three congregationiS, with very fewi exceptions, emigrated to^ the state Oif Obio', on account of slavery in Kentucky. If Mr. Armstrong was not the projector of it he took an early interest. A few years observation of its horrors gave experimental fo'rce toi an opiniom, wbich he doubtless admitted before in theory, namely : That slaver}' is unfavorable to religioin. Its effects in America seem' to warrant the belief that it is incompatible with the existence of the churches of the reformation. They settled together in Greene county in the confident expectation' of his being resettled ampng them as soon as it could be done in an orderl\- way. They were organized under the name oif the united congregation of INfassiescreek and Sugarcreek, and on the 2nd day of Septeml;er, the same year, he was ordered by the ])resbytery to rejoin his charge. Here he labored se\'enteen years and the handful of corn in the earth appeared with prosperous fruits. His charge was shortly afterward divided and another minister called to preside o'\'er one-half of it, from which time

Roblxsox'S History Of Greexe Couxty

Andrew Fulton and his congregation a few years before his death also moved to the free state Oif Indiana. Air. Armstrong was a man of ver)- low stature, but had naturally a stro-ng constitution. During the early part of his ministr)- liis labors were severe, antl lie had often to dispense the Supper three and four times a year withiut assistance. He had upwards of one hundred miles to go to tiie presbvterv and lietween six hundred and se\-en hundred to the synod. Ijoth of which he attended punctually witli few exceptions.

In compliance with calls toi supply vacancies and organize cliurclies lie had often to go joiirneys from fift_\- to two hundred miles through the wilderness, which afforded no other comf(;rts of hospitality than that which his saddieljag and the rorjt of a tree furnished. In the pulpit he had an air of authority which impressed his audience with a feeling of respect and confidence in his judgment, while his talents, though udt of the hriliiaiU kind, were abm-e what usual! v fall to the lot of men. 'i'he Rev. Pringle, of Perth, Scotland, speaking of the two missionaries in a letter to a friend in this ccxnitry said: "Some are jjerhaps endowed with miore talents, but their qualifications are of the solid, pemmnent and useful kind; thotigh they don't flash so much at Ih-st, they improve on acquaintance." Air. Armstrong had an aversion to controversy, both in pulpit and out of it, and it was his practice to refute error as an error of the heart, whicii jDersons might l>e under the influence. of whatever their profession. And he frequently guarded his peoiile against supposing themselves religious, because they coidd condenni nuich in the practice or principles of others. "Beware," was his admonition, "lest tliese very people rise in judgmient against you at last." So strong was his a\-ersion to railing at others that even the memorable tempest of religious fanaticism wliich in 180J burst forth in Kentucky with sucii fur}-, threatening to extend its sweep over the wIkjIc country and tn carry Ijeforc it the firmest pillars of the church, did not th'aw from him in his puljMt exercises a ccndenniatcry epithet. The means he emphned to counteract its influence were indirect. He took up those points of the word assailed by the delusion ai^d these Ijest calculated to ciiunteract its temper and enforced them. That faith is the product of mere human power, was the fundamental err< r of the "new lights." His people will remcmi;er the earnestness with which he insisted, at the time, three days successively on the te.xt, "Do ye now believe?" The clearness and force -with which lie opened up the nature, origin and effects of faith, as he posed tlie consciences witli an answer to the interrogatory. He was a firm friend to the principles of the Reformation, and fully approved of the principles of the society to wliicli he belonged, on the subject of separation of corrupt churches. In his adherence tn these principles he was firm Imt not obstinate. On terms of comnmmion. (|uestions about church order, or other prints, when his Bible did n('t clearly decide, he was not rigid.

In i)ri\ate life he was a social, cheerful and instructive companion. He was selfdenied, humble and patient, not from a disposition naturally unambitious, meek and ]ilacid. but from a sense of dutv and the piwer of the gospel over his mind.

In conversation he was particniaiiv loml oi anecclotes whicli contained some useful moral, and of these he had a large fund. From a conviction that religion often suffers both r.eglect and scandal from men's imprudence in the management of their worldly concerns he frequently took occasion in his familiar iniercourse to ileal nuich in maxims of good sense respecting these. It was known tO' a few that he \A-as rather partial' to the civil institutions of his native land, hut he never meddled with politics. \\'hen the news of General Hull's surrender was received, which was on a Sab]>ath day in the interval iSetween discourses, he immediately convened the congregation, and after a short admonitory address adapted to the occasion, dismissed them to make preparations for marching the next day, and went part of the day's ride with tliem. From the day of his arrival among his people in Kentucky till the last period of his ministry ill this place, his congregation continued to increase and flourish under his care, until the last year of his life peace, harmony and mutual good will prevailed between him and his flock. At that period, however, and in an evil hoar, when men slept, an enemy sowed tares, which sprung up' and had like to- have choked the wheat. This began by an alarm of fire, and some mischief was done and threatened to be done about the house. An old ca1>in was burned, and attempts made to set the barn on fire, suspicion arose, and the cpiestion was asked, who could do the mischief? The family suspected some persons in the neighborhood and others suspected some person in or about the house. No one kn'ew and mutual jealousies and criminations arose, and the brand of discord and contention kindled into a flame, and in this state of things and under very uneasy feelings, he began to sus" jiect that his usefulness in the congregation was at an end; that his labors would be no longer accepta1>le. This impression gained strength and on occasion O'f a congregational meeting he sent in his resignation. The congregation were unwilling to part widi him, Imt lie continued firm in his resolution, and the presbytery granted the prayer of his petition. He brought no charge against the congregation.

Shortly before his decease he went to 15Iack Rock, Indiana, with a view to the removal of his family to that place, but when he returned, which was on the 27th day of Septemjber, he took sick that night, and 011 the Sabbath following sent for Rev. Thomas Beveridge, whoi visited him on Monday in conilpany with ^Ir. Bain. He looked forward to dying without fear. When speaking of his family he was o\-ercome by his feelings ; he felt for them whose only object had been to^ make him happy. He had no unbelief respecting themi, but could commit them to Him who is the judge of the widow and the fatherless. He had always \-alued the Gospel, but more now than ever from the support it gave himi in his trving hour. To Mr. Adamis, a young minister, he said on his death-bed re\-iew oi the doctrines he had embraced and taught, he found nothing to fault ; they were the ground of his hopes for eternity. For vears he had noi doubt of his interest in the atoning blood of Christ, and his faith did not fail him now, and on Sabbath niorning, 14th of October, 1821, between the hours of twelve and one o'clock, he died. After his decease on the backs of letters or stray slips of paper, it is said, were found notes of the ground work of some of his best efforts.

William Cooley S Recollections

The first settler in the nortliern central part of the county of \vhc<m we have an\" record or well authenticated account was James Galloway, Sr., who emigrated to tlrs place from Bourbon county, Kentucky, early in the spring of 1798, now very nearly eig"hty-three years since. About twenty years previous, towit, November 23, i//^. he married Miss Rebecca Junkin. in Cumberland county. Pennsylvania. How long he sojourned in Kentucky we ha\e not been able to determine. Mr. Galloway possessed many of the traits of Daniel Bc»one. He was in the service of tlie United States eighteen months during the Revolutionar}- war. in the capacity of hunter, to procure game for the army. He was engaged in several conflicts with the Indians, and on one occasion was brought face to face with Simon Girty. who, perceiving that Galloway was unarmed, accosted himi thus: "Now. Gallowav. d - n you, I have got you," and instantly tired. Galloway received a dangerous wound, and' was supposed by Girty lo have been killed. He, howexer, wheeled his horse and made for camp, a mile distant, which he reacheil in safety, but in a fainting condition. The ball passed through his shoulder and lodged some place near the back of the neck. After carrying this bullet manv years, it was extracted, some say by a cobbler, others by Dr. Joshua ]\Iartin. However this mav have been it was a source of considerable annoyance, and the woinid was effected very much by the state of the weather, and served as a baromieter. On occasions, when something important was to be done, retpiiring fine weather, young Hugh would be dispatched to Mr. Galloway to learn the condition of the barometer.

Mr. Galloway's family on coming to this county consisted of himself, wife, his sons, James, Samuel, William, Andrew, and one daughter. Rebecca. His family was afterward enlarged l>y a son and daughter, Anthi ny and Ann. James Galloway (blacksmith) and Adam McPherson acompanied ^Ir. (ialloway from Kentucky and settled ni dift'erent neighjjorhoods. The same year Thomas Townsley settled near the falls of [Massies creek. These were the first settlers of this portion of Greene county, so far as we ha\e been able to discover.

How Mr. Galloway succeeded in erecting his first cabin we are left to conjecture, as his boys were mere children, the eldest being a lad of sixteen : but as necessity is the mother of invention, we can have no doubt, therefore, but Mr. Galloway scxju had a place of hal)itation for himself and family. The matter of subsistence was a serious (piestion for a man of so large a family, as he wc'uld not lie able to bring any considerable amount of provisions, in his journey through an unbroken wilderness, and it must necessarily have 'been se\'eral months before he could derive any benefits from the fruits of the soil. Fortimately game was abundant, and Mr. Galloway, with his unerring miusket was able tO' sui>i>ly his family with all the delicacies of the season; yet there was not the means for the enjovment Oif that luxurious living of the present day.

In the year 1799 or 1800 George Galloway, Esq., located on the fann now owned by Andrew Holland, lying on the Yellow Springs pike, imniiediately north and west of the river. The tract located by James Galloway, consisting of one hundred and si.\ty-one acres, lay still farther north toward Yellow Springs. .Subsequentlv Mr.

Nobixsoxs History Of Greene Couxty

Galloway sold to Rev. Ro-ljert Armstrongthree iniiKlred and one acres, which is now mainly conTprised ni the farms oiwned bv James H. Dickey, John H. and Henry B. Jaccby. About this time, or at all events prior to ii^03, Matthew (Juinn settled on the farm now occupied by Mr. Mathias Routzong. Others coming in from time tO' time, the country gradually became settled. Mills were a necessity. Owen Davis had built one on lleaxer creek in i "yQ, wdiich was patronized by the inhal)itants for forty miles around. Whisky, though perhaps not so essential a-- bread, was nevertheless used to a considerable extent as a medicine as well as a beverage. The country was new, chills and fe\er ])reva'led, and the system needed bracing. At all e\'ents supply and demand to a considerable extent regul.ated trade. To supply this seeming necessity, ]\lr. Galloway erected a distillery on the small stream that crosses the Yellow Springs jjike near the old stone htxise previously described. \\ hat was its capacity we know not. but presume it was sufiicient to meet the wants of the neiglibnrho<wl in the surrounding conimunit}'. Although we hav; been assured that the early settlers in this communit)- generally partcwDk of their whisky in moderation, and never to excess, yet at this time, and for many years afterward, it was the custom on all occasions tO' jiass around the bottle.

That there was at this period mpre of a community of interest and social equality among the people than at the present day, does m t admit of a doubt. Log-rollings, raisings, wood-choppings, etc., brought the people frequently together from many miles around. There were nO' drones in the comluunity, antl on these occasions things wen.t lively. At a raising the hands would divide, putting their best men on the corners to do the notching, and then a strife arose as to who would be first to get their log in place. And thus they would continue till the square part of the building was couipleted ; and then beveled logs thrown up at the ends, and poles thrown across lengthwise, at inter\-als of from three tO' four feet, completed the loft part of the structure. For a co'vering, clapboards, of an inch in thickness and about six in breadth, and in length corresponding with the distances between the poles, were placed up and down in such a manner as to make a close roof. The weight poles are then placed in position, and the rooif is complete.

Abotit the Ijeginning of the century Mr. SoilomiCMi McCuUy settled on the north 'jf the ri\-er. on the Fairfield pike, at present occupied by Owen Swadner. Further on Arthur Forbes, on the farm occupied by Robert A. Mitchell ; John James and David Andersoai on what used toi be called the Kershner farm, situated on the Yellow- Springs and Dayton pike: Ezekiel Hopping, on the tract now owned by William Confer and George Taylor, still further north. We cannot give the exact dates of the settlement of these parties, 1>ut they were at an early day. James Andrew settled on the fanu in-i|mediate!y west of Mr. Armstrong, and no)w occupied by \V. Coole}-. His eldest (laughter, Nancy, w-as the w-ife of Mr. Arnistroug. His family consisted of Jane, William. James, Rebecca, John. Hugh, George, Ebenezer and Elizabeth. Mr. Andrew was a liandicraftsman, as well as farmer. He made spinning wheels, little and big. He also stocked plows \\-ith wooden moldboards. If we go back to the davs of our grandn-iothers, we shall find abundant material for reflection. E\-erv article of cloth- ing U-r tlie bcdy or the house was made at home. Toil. toil, incessant toil, fnHii one year's end to another, to procure the simplest comforts of life. Xow. w« get a liat or a coat, and dun't kncnv how it was made or whence it came. We have time to read, to think, to meditate how to make life enjo)-able. Let us Ije thankful, and when dis posed to murmur at our hard lot, think of our grandfathers and grandmothers.

^Ir. Andrew, having served his generation, fell asleep in the year 1822, aged seventy-two years. Of his ten children, but two remain, Mr. Hugh Andrew of Xenia, and Ebenezer Andrew, of Sugarcreek township. James, Hugh and George carried on farming operations quite successfully for miany years on the old homestead and lands adjoining, each owning fine farms of two or three hundred acres. Two of James' sons, AX'illiam and Harvey, are in the ministry r>f the United Presbyterian church: H. ]\I.. living in Xenia; and Samuel, George's son, near Frost's Station. Others are scattered through the west, and not a single one living within five miles of the eld homestead. Such radical changes dc-es time make, that the place that knows us now will soon know us no miore forever.

Mr. Andrew, ef whom we formerly spcke, for years continued his occupation of wheelwright and stocking plows. Mr. George Junkins had established a blacksmiith shop near the Fairfiekl pike, south of R. A. Mitchell's jjresent residence. A culprit had stolen a set of plow irons of John Ellis (grandfather of Samiuel Ellis, who li\es near the railroad crossing en the Clifton pike), and taken them to Junkins' shop to Ije relayed. The irons were taken thence to Mr. Andrews to be stocked with wooden mold-boards, etc. The irons w ere stamped, and it was the design of the thief to have the marks obliterated in order to avoid detection ; but in this he failed, which fact led to his arrest and pimishment. At this time there was a sugar tree on the public square, Xenia, which served as a whipping post. His sentence was to receive eight lashes on his bare back. This occurred on the 8th of Octoiljer, 1808, and is said to have been the last public whipping for a crime in Greene coimty.

The lands west of the Little Miami river were congress lands, and were disposed of very differently from' those on the other side of the river, and in the following manner : "James Madison, president of the United States of America. To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting: Kncv ye, that James Andrew, of Greene county, having deposited in the treasurv a certificate I if the register of the land office, at Cincinnati, whereby it apiiears that he has made full payment for the northeast quarter of section 35, of township, number 4. in range number 7, of the land lying between the Great Miami river and the \'irginia Reservation, etc., etc. Dated Washington, Februarj^ 12, 1810. Signed by Janres ]^Iadison, president of the United States, and R. Sntith, secretary of State." A similar patent was issued for the southeast quarter cf section 36, to the same, in the year 18 16. TOiey were printed and written on parchment, and are uni(|ue in appearance.

In 1802 or 1803 James Galloway, Sr., and James fialloway. Jr.. started to Louisville, to see Colonel .\nderson in regard to the appointment of a surveyor, and on their way stopped several days with Samuel Gal- 1< way. then living on ^IcConnell's Run, in Kentuckv. where Robert Armstrong preached. While tliere they hecanie acquainted with him, and joined in tlie communion of the Lord's Supper, after which resuming their journey, tiiey reached Louisville, and throug-h the influence of his father and his uncle, George Pomro\-, James Galloway Jr., received the appointment. On their return they again tarried with Sanuicl (jailoway, and meeting Mr. .\rmstrong, they urgently invited him to come to Ohio and preach ; to which he agreed, on condition that it was the desire of the peo])le there. When they reached home, thev consulted the jjeople, and the desire being unaninn Us. James Galloway, Jr., was sent to Kentucky to bring him here. Writing to his brother George to meet hini in Davton and pilot himi to the settlements, he started, in company with .Mr. Ai-mstrong, and traveled along the road cut by General Wayne from Cincinnati, arrived here in safety and soon began his labors preaching at the house of James Galloway, Sr., to the following families : Matthew Ouinn, Alexander l-"(irl>es, William Jenkins. Elias Bromagen, Widoiw Criswell (who had united with his church in Kentucky and came to Ohio in 1801), Alexander McCoy and sons, John and James Stevenson, Thomas and John Townsley, George and James Galloway, and. perhaps a few others. He also preached at Sugarcreek, at the honse of James Clancy, on the present site of Bellbrock. .Vmong his congregation were John and Joseph C. McKnight, Josqih \'ance ( father of Governor \'ance) and his brother. Captain Lanil). Williami Tanner, the Snodgrasses, two Sncwdens, Van Eaton and several others. A few of these were members of the Associate Refcmied and Presbyterian churches, but all were glad tO' listen to ^Ir. Anustrcng. During his stav here he was urgently solicited toi remain as permanent pastor. This he neither agreed nor refused to do, but stated that he was dissatisfied with Kentucky on account of sla\-ery. He also stated that if he cotild persuade his congregation to emigrate with him, he would come, provided he recei\-ed a call. .\ petition was straightway presented to the -Vssociate Presbytery of Kentucky, by James Galloiway, Jr., which was granted, and Rev. Andrewt Fulton was appointed moderator in the call. Shortly after his ap{ji)intmjent he preached in James Galloway's barn, and baptized his son Anthony and daughter Ann, the first baptism by this church in the coa.uit}-, date September i, 1804.

In August, 1803. Colonel James Morri>w, with (piite a number of others, members of Mr. Annstrong's congregation in Kentucky, came to this county to locate land. They miade their camp and passed the Sabbath near a spring on the edge of the prairie at Old ToAvn. There seems tO' have been a mutual feeling O'f discontent on the part oif ]\lr. Armstrong and his people, in reference to the workings of the slave system. The encroachments and domineering spirit of slavery and slaveholders were alread)- being felt. Ohio', the first born oi the ordinance of 1787, was a free state. The movement of the people here, seconded bv the people there, mutually cjutributed to the accomplishment of the same end. Colonel Morrow- and his associates succeeded in locating lands in the fertile region of i\Iassie"s creek and Sugar creek, and, with others, mpved to them in the spring of i8o|. The call for M'r. Armstrong was made in -due fi nui, and John McKnight. of Sugarcreek, and James Galloiway, Sr., were appointed ci 'umiissicners by the congregation to lay it before the presbytery of Kentucky, and urge its acceptance. Tlie call was presented and accepted, and Air. Armstrong in-umediatel}' set about making preparations for his new field of labor. He had been nKirried two years pre\iously to Miss Nancy Andrew. He and his wife set out on horseback to visit her father's people, who >'\ed near Xasiu ille. Tennessee. In October thev again started for their old home in Kentucky and their new. one in Ohio. It was arranged to take Mrs. Armstrong's brother Hugh, with them, then a lad of some ten years of age. A small saddle was made and placed on the horse, behind Mr. Armstrong, on which young Hugh rode to Kentucky. On their arrival at Mr. Amistrong's hom|e in Kentucky, they were met by William Gowdy. w'ho lived near Alpha, who had l:)een delegated with a four-horse team to bring Mr. Armstrong's household goods, books, etc, Mr. Annstrong and his Vvife made the journey on horseback, whde ycvim'g Hugh was assigned to the wagon with Gowdy. We may as well state right here, that the yoimg Hugh spoken of is the same Hugh we have with us, and who is perhaps with a single exceptioir the oldest citizen of the county, and to whom we are indelited for infonnation that otherwise would be inaccessible. Mr. Armstrong ami wife reached their destination several days in advance of the wagon. Thev stopped at Mr. James Galloway, Sr.'s. and were liis guests through the winter. On the arrival of the wagon, young Hugh, not exactly liking the looks of things, asked and obtained leave to return with Mr. Gowdy to his residence. Mr. Gowdy was a young miarried man nt this time, while his father's family lived near. In his father's familv were two daughters. Xancy and Ann. To the latter a yoimg man by the name of James Bull had been for some time paying his respects, and the happy couple were alxmt to unite their destinies in the bonds of matrimlony. Great preparations were made foi" the important event. Says Air. Andrew, everybody was there, fron^ Den to Beersheba, and he supposes that there were at least one hundred guests. Mr. Armstrong performed the ceremnny, which is supposed to have been the first marriage in the county. .\s the result oi this m|arriage we have Mr. William and John Bull; Mrs. Susanna, wife of Mr. James TurnbuU ; Mrs. Alargaret, wife of James Hopping, Esq. : James Law, Robert Scott, Amos and Rankin Bull. The oldest is alx>ut seventy-two years of age, while the )Oungest is fifty-two. Re\'. James Law Bull is a L'nited Presbyterian minister in the west. The rest, except John, are, and always have been, citizens of the cotmty. All early in life made a public profession of religion and united with the Associate Presbyterian congregation of Massiescreek, and all are now members of the L'nited Presbyterian church except John, who passed from! earth in 1834.

Mr. Bull was a c]uiet and good citizen, a member oi the Presbyterian church, and in the \anguard of refonn in his da\' and generation. As early as 1820 he resolved to discontinue the use of whisky in his harvest field. In this he was joined by his neighbor, George Townsley, Esq. This put them ti> some incon\enience, as men would come and go again as soon as they found they were not to get any whisky. Har\'esting in that day was a slow process, as the grain was all cut with a hand-sickle. One-half acre, reaped and bonnd, was a day's work, though seme experts put up an acre. Afterward cradles came into use. and now c\-erylx)dy knuiws how grain is cur. Mr. Bull was torn in 1776, and died in 1872, lacking- only f<iur years of being a centenarian. His wife dieil in 1836.

In the spring of 1805, Mr. Armstrong. iiaving c<;m])leted his log cal>in, with stone chinniey, <in the tract of land purcha.sed oi Mr. Galloway (as before stated), located in his new honiie. His duties were manifold and anhuxis. In addition to his regular laboTS as pastor of a congregation, in preparing two- sermcjns for each Sal>l>ath, necessarily much time would have to be devoted t(v secular matters. A new fann was to be opened up and improved ; family visitation and catechistical instructions must not ]>e neglected: meetings (if presbytery and synod nnist be attended, although often several hundred miles away - long and tedious journeys to be made on horselrack. All this wo^1ld seem' to require a pretty acti\e life. With all his manifuld labors, we ha\e never heard that there was any com- ]>laint oi dereliction in duty, but. on the contrary, that his semiions were well prepared and forcibly delivered, and that his congregations, possessing" more than ordinary intelligence, were edified and instructed. Mr. Armstrong had two< places of preaching, one on Massie's creek and tiie other on Caesar's creek. Massies creek, the nearest place of preaching, was some three or four niiles from his residence, which he usually walked. But as the river was between his home and place of preaching, high water sometimes presented an obstacle not so easily overcome. But in- this, as in other mtitters, he was enabled to' devise an expedient which answered every purpose, except in extremely high water. He ha<l a pair of stilts on which he used to cross, it is said, with great circumspection. His other pilace oi preaching was some twelve niiles distant. As time passed his worldly circumstances improved. His farm was being opened up. Stock was accumulating around him. In his inexperience in farming operations, he frequently foimd the knowledge and services of his old friend and patron, James Gailloway, Sr., of great \alue. As they were neighbors. Mr. Galloway was frequently consulted. On one occasion he had a horse bitten by a rattlesnake, which Mr. Galloway readily cured by the application oif a weed that is said tO' exist where snakes abound.

In the year 1805 another of those grand weddingSi appeared at the house of Squire George Galloway. The parties were James Stephenson and Anna Gallo^w-ay, half-sister to the Squire. Tilie guests were nnmerons, soi much so that accommodations could not be foimd within, and a large log heap was built without. Mr. Stephenson was the ]>arty who donated the ground for the church and cemetery. He. with his brother John, had settled in the Stephenson neigh Ixirhood as early as the year 1797, the year preceding the settling of the Galloways.

January 6, 1806. James Galloway. Jr., or Major GalloA\ay as you please, and Martha Townsley were married by Rev. Joshua Carman. In 1809 the Major built a fine brick residence a short distance west O'f the Fairfield pike, on the fann at present o-wned by Mr. Joseph Collins. Man}- will no douiat remember seeing this brick Iniilding standing out in the field as they passed along the pike. In the followiing year James Gallow-av, Sr., luiilt the stone house (which is still stai-iding) on the Yellow Springs pike, but its use is perverted toi that oif a stal)le.