Liberty Township

Liberty Township

LIBERTY township was among the last organized and the last in the county to be settled. It was organized in 1827, out of the east half of Monroe. It is generally level or gently rolling, and was originally covered with a dense growth of hard wood timber. Being away from the principal water courses and roads by which the emigrants traveled, probably caused it to be overlooked by the earlier settlers.

The soil is clay, but generally fertile and produces good crops of everything grown in any part of the county. It is watered by the tributaries of the Raccoon and North fork.

It was a most excellent hunting ground in an early day, and remained so longer than other townships around it, from the fact that the settlements around it drove the game into its dense forests for safety and better range. Wolves, deer, wild turkeys, wild hogs, and other game were in great abundance.

A mound forty feet in diameter at the base and five feet high, situated half a mile north of Brook's Four Corners, seems to be the only visible evidence that the Mound Builders occupied this territory.

It is claimed that Rena Knight was the first settler in this township in 1821, and built the first cabin. This is probably a mistake. Mr. George Emerson says that his father, Stephen Emerson, with his family, came from Ware township, New Hampshire, settling within the present limits of St Albans township, in the fall of 1815, that they remained here three years, and in October, 1818, moved into the present limits of Liberty, making them the first settlers in this township. Mr. Emerson and family were alone in this township nearly three years before any others ventured into it, then Rena Knight came (1821,) and erected the second cabin, and was soon followed by Mr. Sawyer, who became the third settler. George E. Emerson, the son, was the first white child born within the township limits.

In 1827, when the township was organized, but few settlers, in cabins scattered over the township, were within its limits. John Clark and Caleb Brooks were the first justices of the peace; Stephen Emerson, Jesse Payne and John Sawyer, trustees; Joseph Sawyer, treasurer, and William McCamy, clerk. In addition to these officers the following named gentlemen were residents of the township at this time: William Payne, Benjamin

B. Knight, Joseph Riger, A. Longwell, Joseph P. Brooks, Abraham Mouser, Solomon Brooks, Jasper Emerson, David Brooks, David Martin, John G. Brooks, Joseph Watkins, Joseph Kelso, Samuel Wheeler and William C. Adams. These all settled here within a few years preceding the organization of the township.

It is divided into nine school districts, the central district containing a town house, where elections are held and township business transacted.

There seems to be a ridge passing across this township from northwest to southeast, covering its central portion, and dividing the waters of North fork and Raccoon fork of Licking. The headwaters of the former are in the northern part of the township, the outlet of the large swamp on the farm of J. P. Decrow, forming a part of Lake fork, a tributary of the North fork, and which joins that stream in Washington township. Another small tributary of the Lake fork rises in the vicinity of Brook's corners.

The main stream in the southern part is Lobdel's run, a tributary of the Raccoon, which passes, with numerous tributaries, across the southwestern part of the township, through the village of Concord. The headwaters of Brushy fork are in the southeastern part of this township, in the vicinity of New Way.

The Ohio Central railroad passes across its southwestern corner on its way from Granville to Johnstown and Hartford, but there is no station witr.in the limits of the township, and with this exception it is not troubled with railroads or telegraphs, and contains no important highways.

There are two small villages within its limits - Concord and New Way. The former contains twelve or fifteen houses, and is located on Lobdel's run, and the latter, a cross-road's place of half a dozen or more houses, is located in the eastern part of the township.

There are five churches at present in this town ship, the first religious organization being effected by the Baptists in the village of Concord in 1832. It is called the "Regular Baptist church of Liberty township," to distinguish it from the P>ee Will Baptist, this society also having an active existence in this town. The Regular Baptist church was organized in a school-house by Revs. Owen Owens and David Adams. The original members of this organization were# David Adams, Isaac Holmes, Elias Willison, Clarrisa Baker, Emily Stackwell, and Martha Manser.

The present church edifice was erected in 1843 or 1844, the people generally subscribing for that purpose. The two ministers above mentioned

The children of both the Methodist and Fret will Baptist churches attend this school, as well i others, and it is well sustained. The Free W; Baptist church, located in Concord, was organized in 1842, by Elders G. W. Baker, J. D. Heath Oscar Baker, and others. The members of th: first organization were, Stephen Emerson, the firs settler of the township; T. Blake, C. Knapp. L Robbins, Mary Blake, Mary Robbins, At.il Knapp, S. Safford, J. Safford and E. Foster. Trs following have been pastors in this church: U W. Baker, G. Evens, O. E, Baker, Asa Pierce, K F. Higgins, Mr. Whittaker, O. J. Moon, A H Whittaker, and H. W. Vaughn. This church b comparatively strong in numbers, the membershn being about sixty-five, and is in a healthy condition The children attend the Union Sabbath-schooL

The third permanent church organization in th township was that of the Universalist, in 1845 This church had quite a number of organization in the northern and western part of the county about that time. Soon after organization this corr gregation erected a church edifice at New Way. which has since been known as the "New Wa f church. Caleb Brooks, Eli Stockwell, A. Durfo, Lewis Ingelsbe, S. H. Smith, H. C. Woodworth William Aram, Christian Edelblute, Jacob Lane, David Brooks, B. L. Crochet, A. J. Critchet. Albert Geer, David Stratton, Ira Stratton, N. h Woodworth, S. G. Decrow, D. M. Brooks, John Carris, Joel Martin, Samuel McDaniel, Henry Rhoney, John Harter, Asa Ward, and D. John son were the original members of this organic tion. The church, erected by subscription, oca about six hundred dollars. Prior to the organic tion preaching had been enjoyed several years, the principal preacher being Rev. T. C. Eaton. It was probably through his influence mainly that the organization was effected. Mr. Eaton was succeeded in 1844 by Rev. Mr. Jolly. From 184610 1850 Rev. S. Gifford had charge of this congrtga tion, and he was followed by Revs. Johnson, Eifr met and Samuel Binns, who severally occupied the pulpit until 1857. In 1858 Rev. B. W. YVoodbery, of Granville, took charge and has continued his minfeterial labors up to the present time. This is quite a large active congregation for a country church, numbering sixty-four communicants.

The Sunday-school was organized in 1858, and now has a membership of sixty or seventy. The superintendents have been A. S. Jamison, S. R. Sanger and others.

The church located near the line of McKean township, known as "Liberty chapel," was organized in 1866, by the consolidation of the Methodist Episcopal and Wesleyan Methodist churches. Messrs. John Barrick, John Rusler, G. R. Gosnell and others were prominent in organizing this church; and S. S. Wyeth, Edwin Runnels, D. G. Wyeth, G. K. Wyeth and some others were members of the first organization.

What is known as the "Liberty Sabbath -school" was organized in this church in 1867, about the time the building was finished, and' has been well sustained since that time. There are probably one hundred pupils or more in attendance at this school. William Barrick is superintendent

In i860 the Methodist Episcopal church of Concord was erected, and dedicated in November of that year by Rev. Uriah Heath. The building is a very substantial one, costing about one thousand three hundred dollars. The Methodists were probably the first religious society to organize in the township, but it is difficult here, as everywhere, to get at the particulars of their early history, as no records were kept for many years.