Linton Township (part 1 of 2)

Linton Township

LINTON township lies in the southeastern corner of Coshocton county. It is indebted for its name to James Miskimen, one of the foremost settlers of the township, and, at the time of its organization, in 1812, a county commissioner^ He named it, it is said, in honor of the township in Virginia from which he emigrated. It is the largest township in the county, being five mileswide, north and soutli, and seven and one-half long, east and west, including township 4 of range- 5, and the western half of township 4 of range 4 - the eastern half of this latter township forming a part of Wheeling township, Guernsey county.

The surface, away from the valleys that skirt the streams, is hilly. The opinion was rife among the pioneers in the bottom lands that the hills would never be settled, so ill adapted did they seem for purposes of cultivation ; and it was not until about 1840 that the land was all entered. The summits of many of the hills had been madebare by Indian fires, but the sides were covered with a thick growth of 'timber. Beneath this thepea vine grew in rich profusion, and it aflforded. an excellent pasture for the cattle turned loose upon the hills to browse upon it.

Wills creek is the principal stream. It enters the township near the center of its eastern line,, from Guernsey county, and passes out in the extreme southwestern corner. The distance by a direct course from its point of entrance into the township to its exit from the same is less than eight miles, but its tortuous meanderings make the actual length of the stream between these two points about twenty miles. By reason of these numerous windings the bottom lands in the township are rendered much more extensive than they would be were the creek more direct in its course. The valley varies in width from a quarter of a mile to a mile. Two well-marked' terraces are observable in most places along the valley, the lower one generally narrow, the upper rising abruptly thirty or forty feet, then stretching away to a considerable distance. White Eyescreek enters the township from Muskingum coun- . ty, flows in a northwesterly direction about twO' miles, and empties into Wills creek. It should not be confounded with another White Eyescreek, which is a northern tributary of the Tuscarawas river.

where the limestone formation outcrops, it is quite fertile. There was one locality that was not timbered when the first settlers appeared in the township. This was the level stretch of country lying west of the village of Plainfield, being about a mile square in area. It was covered only with tall prairie grass, but shortly after a thick growth of scrub oak, or black jack, as it was commonly called, sprang up and kept possession of the soil till uprooted by the mattock and plow.

The remains of the prehistoric dwellers in Linton township are not very numerous. There are, however, several low fortifications and a few small mounds along the valley of Wills creek. One of these fortifications is situated on the plains, about half a mile southwest from Plainfield, at the cross roads. It consists of four embankments, enclosing a square figure containing several acres. At each corner of the square is an entrance. The embanktnent originally was perhaps six feet above the surrounding level, but it has since been almost obliterated by the plow. Another circular embankment, enclosing about an acre, was found on the farm belonging to V. J. Powelson, in section 22, several miles farther down the creek. The outlines are now so slight as to be scarcely discernable.

Near Plainfield, about 1840, Mr. J. D. Workman opened a small earthen mound on his place. He found nothing except several storie relics. Another, about two miles below, was excavated some ten years later by Wesley Patrick. It contained a few bones belonging to the human skeleton, including the skull, jaw bone "and thigh. These were of an unusually large size and indicated the skeleton to be fully seven feet in length.

No Indian village is ku own to have been located in the township, but encampments for hunting purposes were frequently made along the banks of Wills creek and its numerous small tributaries by these denizens of the forests. Game abounded, and, for a half dozen years after the arrival of the advance guard of civilization, it was hunted and killed in this vicinity by both pioneers and Indians. The relations between them were generally of a peaceful nature. Several times ripples arose on the placid sea of friendship and betokened a storm, but they were happily averted. The Indians were a shiftless class. They would beg or thieve, or resort to any device to obtain what they wanted from the whites. They would often bring wild game to the cabins of the settlers and wish to exchange it for corn or something else. Requests of this kind were usually complied with, but the cleanly housewife would throw the game to the dogs.

Thomas Phillips relates that it was the custom of his father, George Phillips, to turn his horses out in the open woods in the evening to pasture, and that the Indians would drive them away to a considerable distance during the night and hide them; then the next morning they would appear at Phillips' cabin and, learning of the lost horses, oiTer to find them for a dollar. The little game was successfully played several times until Phillips suspected and accused them of it. He was hunting one day and had brought down a fine deer; this he hung on a sapling and started in pursuit of another deer, in his haste leaving his hat behind. When he returned both deer and hat were gone. Some time afterward he recognized a silver buckle belonging to the lost hat in the' possession of the innkeeper at Cambridge. Questioning him about it, Phillips learned that it had been obtained from an Indian called Doughty, who had sold the buckle and kept the hat, but not daring or caring to wear it abroad had used it to sleep In.

James Miskimen once had a little difficulty with this sairie Doughty, who was a noted Indian character, shortly after he (Miskimen) settled in this township. Miskimen was a great trader, and would often barter trinkets, whisky, etc., with the Indians for hides and furs, disposing of these at Zanesville. He and Tom Addy were conveying a load in a canoe down Wills creek, on their way to Zanesville. Doughty espied them and wanted to ride down the creek a distance with them. They stopped and took him in the boat. Having some whisky aboard. Doughty soon discovered it, and wanted some. He soon drank enough to make him ugly and boisterous. His conduct became disagreeable and they landed him. Enraged at this, he threatened to shoot them, as they shoved off the boat, but fortunately his gun was empty, it having been discharged a short time before by Miskimen, in shooting a turkey.

Doughty began to load his gun, and the men, now some distance away, seeing that he was in earnest, pulled for the shore again with the intention of depriving him of the weapon. Miskimen rowed while Addy covered the savage with his rifle, determined to shoot first, if shooting became necessary. They reached the bank in the nick of time. Miskimen, who was a powerfully-built man, sprang ashore and knocked the inebriated Doughty to the ground just as he was in the act of shooting. In his anger he seized Doughty's gun and threw it out into the stream, where it probably /Still lies, several miles below Plainfield. Leaving the Indian senseless on the ground, the two men proceeded on their way. About ten days after, Miskimen was waited upon at his cabin by twelve Indians, who demanded that he replace Doughty's gun, and threatened to kill him if he refused. Miskimen at first rejected the demand, but at the solicitation of his wife finally agreed to settle the matter. He procured an old gun that had been offered for sale at the Fuller settlement, and delivered it to the Indian council, thus closing the " deadly breach of war." Doughty did not accompany his red brethf en when they gathered up their tents in 1812, and stole away to the broad West, but frequented the old haunts and hunting grounds for several years after. It was his deligh*-, when a little intoxicated, to visit the cabins of the settlers and seek to frighten the women and children by recounting blood curdling tales of savage cruelty. He attended log-rollings, cabin-raisings and various gatherings of this kind, but would never work, preferring the more congenial employment of drinking whisky and vagabondizing. He was finally murdered by a white man in Muskingum county, near Zanesville.

The northeastern part of Linton township, what is known as the north bend of Wills creek, was the first portion occupied by settlers. Here, as early as 1806, settled the Miskimens, McCunes, Addys and Joneses. In 1800, James Miskimen, then a young man, journeyed to Ohio for the purpose of selecting a site in the vast wilderness for a future home. He first visited a relative, named Young, who held a position in the land ofiice at Chillicothe. While there, an old hunter who was well acquainted with the wilds of Ohio, recommended to him the north bend of Wills creek. Miskimen traveled afoot up the Muskingum and Wills creek valleys, saw the location and was pleased with it. Not having the means with which to enter land, he returned to his father's plantations in Virginia, on the banks of the Potomafc, and there, in conjunction with his brother, worked his father's distillery for five years. By this means he accumulated the sum of $700, and in the spring of 1805, again set out for Ohio. He spent his first summer here in raising a crop of corn on Evans' prairie, in Oxford township; returning to Virginia that same fall, he was married to Catherine Portmess, and returned at once to their future home. He first entered the northeast quarter of section 7 ; subsequently, the southeast quarter of the same section, the northwest quarter of section 8, the east half of section 19 and other lands, becoming an extensive land owner in this township. He was a man of great force, possessed shrewd business qualities, and was strongly identified with the agricultural development of his township and county. His brothers, John and William, followed him to this township several years later.

John McGune was born in South Carolina. He served, during the war of the revolution, as captain in General Sumter's army. His property was destroyed hy the tories during the war, and at its close he moved to Zanes Island, Pennsylvania. Prom that place, in 1801, he emigrated to Oxford township, and there purchased a large tract of land; but meeting with reverses he was obliged to dispose of his property. In 1806, he moved to Linton township, entering the southeast quarter of section 4, and the southwest half of section 3, both of range 4. He was twice married and raised a family of nine children. His death ocurred in 1811.

William Addy, on Christmas day of the year 1806, entered the southwest quarter of section 4, range 4; He was from near Harper's Perry, Virginia, and brought with him five sons and four daughters. Malechi and Enoch Jones, two brothers, came about the same time from Virginia. They married two of the Addy girls and lived on their father-in-law's place.

on Bacon run, the northeast quarter of section 2. Edward Wiggins, hailing from Brook county, Virginia, in 1807, entered the northwest quarter of section 11. The same year Esaias and Charles Baker, brothers, came into the township, the former entering the northeast quarter of section 10, the latter the southwest quarter of section 1. They had emigrated, from Virginia, with Isaac and Henry Evans, to the plains in Oxford township, as early as 1801. Bezin Baker, a nephew to Charles and Esaias, entered the^southeast quarter of section 6, range 4, about 1808. He was born near Little York, Pennsylvania. He came into the county as early as 1802, and remained until his death, in 1842. His father's family had removed from Pennsylvania to Harrison county, and Bezin, just as he had fairly attained his majority, passed on out west and hired out with John Fulton, living near Coshocton, until he had earned enough to buy his farm in Linton township. His wife was in Harrison county, and she and two children were removed by death, he afterwards marrying Mary Addy, daughter of WiUiam Addy. Other early settlers in this vicinity were Basil Baker, a cousin to Esaias, who entered the southeast quarter of section 10; Andrew Eerier, the northwest quarter of section 5, range 4; Martin Higer, the northwest quarter of section 5, range 4, and John Loos, the southeast quarter of section 1.

. Farther down the creek William Jeffries, from the Keystone State, was among the first to locate. He entered the northwest quarter of section 23, about 1806. John and David Arbuckle were also extensive land owners in this region nearly as early. They remained only a few years, removing to Knox county. Bichard Williams became a citizen of the township in 1808. He was from Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He had traveled through the Scioto and Miami valleys in search of a suitable place to 'locate, but the settlers of those valleys appeared sickly to him ; coming up the Muskingum valley he noted the healthy appearance of the settlers and decided to "pitch his tent" here. He stopped on the Walhonding river a few months and, while there, learned that William Jeffers, an old acquaintance of his, had settled on Wills creek. That brought him to Linton township. His first entry was the southwest quarter of section 18, adjoining Jeffers' place. Conrad Powelson, a Virginian, came into the county in 1808. He lived in Franklin township three years, then moved to this township, entering the southeast quarter of section 18 and the southwest quarter of section 19. He died May 31, 1841. Two years later William Mc- Cleary, from Fredericktown, Maryland, became a resident in this neighborhood. He located eighty acres in section 23. William B. Clark came from Washington county, Maryland, during" the war of 1812, to Franklin township. A recruitihg officer coming along, he enlisted in the army. At the close of the war he returned to Linton township, entering the northwest quarter of section 19.

Bichard Fowler became identified with Coshocton county about the year 1805. His former residence was in Brook county, Virginia. He moved from Virginia because of what he deemed its tyrannous laws, oppressive to poor men. He was a carpenter by trade, and stopped a short time at Zanesville ; but finding no employment there, he came on to Coshocton. Here he was engaged by Charles Williams to roof a house. After the job was completed, he moved to the country and leased a piece of land in what is now Lafayette township, from Alexander Elson, also from Brook county, Virginia. He married Elson's daughter, Jane, February 5, 1807. He^ served during the war of 1812, as first lieutenant of a company raised in this county. At its close, he removed to Linton township, and settled on Bacon run, becoming an influential citizen. He introduced the first sheep into this township. Wolves were still numerous at the time, and the greatest watchfulness was necessary in order to keep the sheep from the fangs of these old-time enemies. His house was a place of public entertainment from 1830 to 1850. "Fowler's Stand" was widely and popularly known.

Mr. Fowler was an eye-witness to a township election in Coshocton, about 1805. Its modus operandi, as narrated by him, was as, follows: The voters, perhaps fifteen in number, congregated, by special invitation, at the tavern of Charles Williams, who was the magnate of the village. The free drinks were then generously passed around, and liberal potations were indulged in by all. When the proper degree of hilarity was reached, Williams made nominations for the various offices, and the assembled sons of liberty, with loud acclaim, expressed assent to those nominations. Fowler, on expressing to Williams his surprise at this kind of election, received the reply that it was goood enough for them.

Francis and John Smith, from Pennsylvania, were early settlers on Bacon run ; likewise John Wells and Daniel Dean, both of Virginia. On what was called Irish run, just below Bacon run, William and Alexander Love, great-uncles to Joseph Love, settled in 1810 and 1812, respectively. They were from Ireland William and Benjamin Williams also lived here in early times. Robert Piatt entered the township in 1816, and settled in this vicinity. He had emigrated from Ireland to Newark, New Jersey, in 1809. Edmund Duling emigrated from Hampshire county, Virginia, in 1815, and entered the southeast quarter of section 3, range 6. The McClains are noticed in Lafayette township. ^

The only military land in the township is the 4,000-acre section, forming the southeast corner of the township. It was surveyed into forty lots of 100 acres each, and many of these were bought up by non-residents of the county, with an eye to speculation. Amos Stackhouse was the only revolutionary soldier known to have entered a lot in this section. He settled upon lot 14. John Lawrence was one of the earliest settlers on this section. John Phillips entered lot 18 as early as 1810; his brother George followed him soon after and settled on lot 15. They were originally from Virginia, but had lived a while in Kentuclqy before they came here. George had been employed by Gumber & Beatty, of Cambridge, in building the first mill in that place. He was a skilled hunter and an unerring marksman, and spent much time in the forests. The products of the chase, such as hides and venison, he would take to Zanesville. Amos Devoir and a Mr. Hyatt were also occupants in this vicinity at an early day.

Joseph Heslip, one of the few pioneers that still survive the ravages of time, was the most extensive resident land owner in this section and one of its widest known and most respected settlers. His life, both preceding and following his connection with Linton township, had been uneventful. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in March, 1793. His father, John Heslip, was the proprietor of an extensive shoe establishment in that city. A life on the ocean wave was the dream of Joseph's early boyhood, realized when he was ten years old, for at that age he became a sailor boy aboard a merchantman. He remained on the sea till he was eighteen, in spite of his opposition. In 1803, while at Liverpool, he was impressed into the English service, hurried to Plymouth and shipped aboard a man-of-war, bound for Spain. As an English sailor he participated in the siege of Cadiz, Spain. While there, he contrived to get his case before the American consul, and was soon after released. In 1811, he abandoned the sea and made a trip with his father to Linton township, for the purpose of examining 1,300 acres of land here, which his father had purchased two years previously with the hope that Joseph would settle here. They returned to Baltimore the same fall, and Joseph served as a militia man in the war that ensued. In the fall of 1814, he again came to Linton township, this time permanently. Early in 1815, he married Eleanor Walgamot, of Holmes county, and in midwinter, moved into a dreary doorless and windowless cabin, in the midst of the solitudes of the forest. He had not been here a great while when his father, wishing to mitigate the hardships of his pioneer career, sent him a carriage. The vehicle arrived safely at Cambridge, but stopped there, as no road had yet been made from that place westward. In those days of stern trial, difficulties were met only to be overcome. A road was cut from Cambridge to Heslip's place for the express purpose of bringing the carriage through Once atits destination, Mr. Heslip had the exquisite pleasure of taking his wife out in the carriage for a drive - through the cornfields, as there were yet no roads.

About 1815, Mr. Heslip indulged in a little speculation. He bought about 6,000 pounds of pork at two cents per pound; dressed it and boated it to Cambridge in a large canoe. He employed teamsters going east for goods to carry it to Baltimore, paying them $2 per hundred. Their rates for bringing goods from Baltimore

He was one of the earliest justices of his township. While serving in this capacity he tried a case once with rather unusual surroundings. Wills creek was not yet bridged, and the only means of crossing was by canoe. On the day set for the trial the stream was greatly swollen, and the witnesses were on the other side and could not be prevailed on to cross. The 'squire determined the case should go on, and proceeded with it then and there ; he on one side of the stream, the witnesses on the other, a roaring flood between.

Thomas Johnson, one of the earliest settlers of the township, was among the most prominent men of the county in his day. He was born in the parish of Glentubert, Monaghan county, Ireland, on the 16th of March, 1783. Early in youth he manifested a great desire to go to America, and urged his father to emigrate. He, being a very quiet, unobtrusive man, with quite a family of young children, could not think of bringing them to the wilds of America. Thomas remained with his father till he was twenty-four years of age and had brothers grown up. He then told his father he was determined to go to the new world, and urged his suit with so much ardor that his parents could no longer withhold their consent. He left Ireland in 1806, and landed in New York with but one sovereign in his pocket. He there met with Joseph T. Baldwin, of Newark, New Jersey, who ofTered to employ him. He remained with Mr. Baldwin for three years. In 1808 he married Sarah Parker. About this time his parents, his three brothers, Kichard, William and Robert, and his only sister, Margaret, joined him in Newark. Thomas then determined that Newark was not the place for his father's family to settle, and in 1809 they came to Coshocton county, and located in Linton township. Thomas bought from Esaias Baker the northeast quarter of section 10, where now stands the village of Plainfield. Richard settled on the southwest quarter of the same section. Robert entered the northeast quarter of section 17, and William the northwest quarter of section 15, adjoining.

Thomas and Richard both served in the war of 1812, the latter dying a year or two after his return. Thomas was perhaps the first justice of the peace in the townshp. His first docket, still preserved, in the possession of his son, J. R. Johnson, bears date April 7, 1814. The first entry,, of that date, records a suit brought by John Lawrence against Jacob Mapal, to recover ten dollars. The entry shows that bail was given by the defendant for the full amount and the costs. In 1818, he was commissioned associate judge of Coshocton county, a postion which he held till the tim.e of his death. He was probably the first foreigner naturalized in Coschocton county, his certificate being dated December 16, 1814. Mr, Johnson possessed business qualifications of a high order. His name is connected with many enterprises of his township and county, both public and private. He died August 20, 1840,. after a protracted sickness. His widow survived him almost twenty-two years, dying at the old homestead, March 29,. 1862. His father also survived him eighteen days, dying September 7,1840,. in the eighty-first year of his age.

Five residents of the township had served in the revolutionary war, namely, John McCune,. William Williams, Fought Shafler, Amos Stackhouse and Israel Buker. The following carried arms in the war of 1812: Richard Fowler, William R. Clark, Laken Wells, 'Francis Smith,. Richard Johnson, Thomas Johnson, John Glenn,. James Laurie, James R. Williams, William Hudson, Robert Piatt, John Portmess, George Magness, Duga Patterson, Robert Harbison, Sr., Rezin Baker, James McCune, Basil Baker, Samuel Banks, Eli O. H. Shyhock, Peter Rambo, Abraham Marlatt. There may have been others whose names can not now be ascertained. R. W, McClain and Robert Harbison were soldiers in the Mexican war.

Dr. Thomas Heslip was among the first physicians. Drs. Collins, Hawkins and Heslip Williams also practiced the healing art here quite early.

The first windmill in use was made by John Vernon and owned first by Basil Baker, afterward by Edward Wiggins. It was a rude aflfair, having w6oden cogs. Before the introduction of

the process of cleaning wheat was very laborious and was often performed in Linton township after this fashion, the necessary instruments being a sheet and a half-bushel measure. The sheet would be tied to a stake at one end, and held at the other by a person whose office it was to maneuver the sheet in such a way as to produce an artificial wind storm strong enough to blow away the chaff while the wheat was being slowly poured from the measure upon the floor. This operation performed several times would usually make the wheat sufficiently clean.

A few rods below the entrance of Wills creek into Linton township, is a place called Limestone Falls. Before the Linton dam was built, there was a miniature cascade here, the water falling two or three feet, but since the building of the mill at Linton, two miles below, the falls are concealed from sight. These are the only falls in the course of the creek in the township. It is extremely sluggish in its movements and, as a navigable stream, played an important part in the history of Linton township at a time when all its inhabitants were back-woodsmen. The limited commercial relations of the pioneers with the outside world were maintained mainly through its instrumentality. Whatever products could be spared by the settlers were borne to other localities upon its bosom. In early times trading keel boats, thirty or forty feet in length, would ascend the creek from Zanesville loaded with crockery and, in fact, all kinds of wares. These the traders would dispose of to the settlers along the creek, stopping at the different farm houses along the route and announcing their arrival by a blast from a tin trumpet. Taking in exchange for their goods chickens, eggs, or almost any commodity, they were able to compete successfully with the few little country stores then in operation, for these would generally demand the ready cash for their staples, and money was a rare article in those days.

A great amount of lumber used to be rafted from the banks of Wills creek. It found a ready market in Zanesville and could be taken there during high waters, at comparatively trifling expense. The lumber was lashed together into rafts of about twenty-five logs each. Two days were usually required to reach Zanesville. White oak and poplar were the varieties generally shipped ; occasionally walnut or cherry. Seventy-five rafts a year would be a moderate estimate of the extent of this industry.

When the mills along the creek were put into operation, much of the flour made was exported by flat-boats to various points below. Thomas Johnson was extensively engaged in boating flour and whisky to a southern market. His flat-boats touched nearly every point of importance in the Mississippi valley, a ten ton boat of whisky being poled up the Tennessee river once as far as Florence, Alabama. Perhaps the largest boat constructed for the purpose, was one 100 feet long and eighteen feet wide. It was built by J. V. Heslip, and partially loaded with 500 barrels of flour at Linton mills. At Zanesville its cargo was completed, and from thence conveyed safely to New Orleans.

Wills creek is fordable in several places ordinarily, but it is impassible during high waters. Before the county was sufficiently developed to build bridges, some means of transportation for tavelers afoot, and for teams as well, sometimes, became necessary. This led to the establishment of ferries. Benjamin Wiggins kept the first ferry-boat in the township. It was near old Plainfield, about 1812. Peter Rambo was ferryman there at a later period. Joseph Heslip performed this office for a while on the site of Linton mills.

The first attempt at bridge building in Linton township terminated disastrously. The project was to spann Wills creek, at old Plainfield, with a wooden bridge. It was begun auspiciously, and partially erected with great labor on the part of the settlers in the vicinity, when it was swept away during a freshet. The next attempt was more successful, resulting in the construction of a bridge at Jacobsport in 1834, mainly through the efforts of Thomas Johnson. Owing to the high banks and mud bottoms there was a difiiculty in crossing Wills creek at his mills, and the commissioners being tmwilling or unable to assist in bridging the stream, he petitioned the legislature, in 1834, to authorize him to build a bridge and collect toll. He was assisted to some extent by the subscriptions of his neighbors. By the contribution of a certain amount he would grant a right to the free use of the bridge. Some twenty years later the bridge was given by Johnson's son to the county commissioners, they agreeing to keep it in repair. The second bridge was built at Linton, in 1847, by Joseph and John V. Heslip, the county commissioners contributing seventyfive dollars for the purpose. The bridge about a mile farther up the creek was built in 1870, and the one on the Otsego road, several years ago.

When the first settlers came into the township, the nearest mill was at ^anesville, twenty miles or more away, and accessible only by a winding trail. In 1809, Andrew Ferier built, a little mill on the present site of Plainfield, about fifty rods above where Parker's mill now stands, but it was soon after swept away by a freshet and never rebuilt. Milling was again thrown twenty miles away and the inconvenience seriously felt ; consequently, when John Loos, in 1816, proposed erecting a mill on Bacon run, the neighbors turned out en masse, and, by their voluntary labor, made a race for the mill some eighty rods long, and for many years kept the same in repair. A saw-mill was operated in conjunction with the grist-mill. Years afterward it was converted into a carding mill, which was conducted first by Samuel Shaffer, afterwards by Stephen Ives; it has long since been abandoned.

Thomas Johnson and Jacob Waggoner, about 1824, built a large mill, of four run of buhrs, where Parker's mill now stands. It was the first mill of any note and did a flourishing business. In 1829 Johnson assumed sole control and owned it till his death. Since then it has been owned successively by John M. Johnson, Joseph Johnson, Isaiah Rinaman, Samuel Sibley, Alonzo Sibley, William Heskett and Parker Brothers. The present owners, the Parkers, run a saw-mill and a planing-mill in connection with it. The Linton mills were built, in 1847, by J. V. Heslip. In 1870, a steam saw and planing-mill was built in Plainfield by Wolfe & Williams. In 1878, a gristrmill was added. It is now operated by William Wolfe.

The manufacture of whisky was one of the main industries of pioneer times. Alexander and William Love inaugurated its manufacture in Linton township. Their still-hoiise, of modest size, was located on Irish run, near the western line of section 9. The process of distillation was begun here about 1812. The Loves subsequently sold out to Andrew Ferguson, who removed the still to Bacon run, where Mrs. J. B. Fowler now lives. Thomas Johnson erected a large distillery, subsequently, on his homestead, and for many years manufactured spirits on a large scale. In 1816, at the laying out of Plainfield, he removed it there, and about 1825 back to its original place. Besides these, John Heslip's was the only distillery in the township. It was erected shortly after Linton was laid out and run for a few years only.

The manufacture of salt was another industry in the early times that must not be overlooked. In the southwestern part of the township,*William McCleeary and Jud^e Fulton were engaged in it for many years. The wells had to be sunk several hundred feet before the water impregnated with salt was reached. In spring time it would rise to the top of the well, but at other seasons pumping was necessary. About sixty gallons of water must usually be evaporated to produce a bushel of salt. One hundred and fifty bushels were made per week at the two wells. Some was brought to Coshocton, but it was used largely by the farming community in this part of the county. Jacob Waggoner also manufactured a little at Plainfield. The boring of his well here, discovered a vein of coal, seven feet in thickness, forty-seven feet below the surface.

Linton township's first tannery was started in 1818, in the village of Plainfield, by Benjamin Chambers, from New York. The bark for this tannery was prepared by crushing it beneath a ponderous stone wheel seven or eight feet in diameter, an axle passing through the center of the wheel acting as a pivot, and was turned around one extremity by a horse hitched to the other. The bark was constantly stirred in the track of the wheel as it made its little circuit.

Thomas Johnson built the next tannery in East Plainfield, about 1838; after his death it was run by his son Joseph awhile, and then discontinued. George Latham started one about twenty years ago, in the same village. Lewis Carhartt afterwards owned it, and in October, 1879, Mrs. Elizabeth Sibley purchased it ; her son William Sibley, now has charge of it. Henry Franks owns and runs a little tannery situated about two miles west of Plainfield.

The first building erected for educational purposes was a rude log-cabin. It was built, prob- -ably, in the year 1809, by the united labor of the surrounding settlers, on the southeast quarter of .section 1, near its southern line, on property then owned by a teuton, named Dumm. After several terms had been taught, Dumm resolved to appropriate the building to his own use. The citizens thereabouts became indignant at this, and remonstrated, but in vain. Seeking legal .advice they learned that Dumm possessed the right of property. The lawyer, unprofessionally of course, advised them to steal the building. Acting on this suggestion, one night a willing band of workers silently conveyed it, log by log, across the road to Thomas Johnson's land, where it stood for years, the only school-house in the township. Children were sent to school here from as far up Bacon's run as Eichard Fowler's, and equally as far from other directions. They had to walk through narrow bridle paths to reach it, many of them in constant fear of wild animals, that still lodged in the woods. Walter 'Truat is said to be the first teacher. He could spell a little, but his literary attainments were not sufficient to enable him to read, and he was not retained long. Israel H. Baker, Alpha Baker, Thomas Fitch, Benjamin Norman, Francis Carroll and a -Mr. Thompson, were among the -earliest teachers of this school. The building was used as a church and voting place. Militia musters were also held here.

A school was taught in a log cabin on McCune's place, about 1821, by a Mr. McConnell, a well educated young man of dyspeptic tendencies, from the East, who came West to recuperate. He assumed the pedagogue's role to replenish his slender purse. He was succeeded by a Mr. Williams, a crusty, crabbed fellow, who taught three months only. Eli Shrihock also taught here. He was an easy-going, good-natured kind of a man, brother-in-law to James Miskimen. When liis children had become old enough to need instruction, Mr. Miskimen built a school-house on his place. In the military section, about 1825, .Joseph Heslip, John Lawrence and George Phillips built a school-cabin. It stood about a halt mile east of the present village of Linton. Messrs. 31air and Hunt were among the first teachers.

Hunt did not believe in intellectual straining, for every little while he would tell the pupils to "rest their eyes." Another early school-house stood close to the road in the western part of section 20, near Mrs. Heslip Williams' residence. Mr. Hunt and Caleb Baker swayed the ferule here primarily.

Linton township contains five churches; the Methodist Episcopal, two Methodist Protestants, the Presbyterian and the Catholic. The Methodist Episcopal is the oldest. In 1812, Eev. John Mitchell organized a class near where Plainfield now is. The first members included Thomas Johnson, Robert Johnson, William Johnson, Hester McClaJn, her son James; Eichard Williams and wife, Esaias Baker, Charles Baker, Sr., William Jeffers, Conrad Powelson and Frank Smith. The school-house on Johnson's farm served as the meeting-house for many years. About 1830, the " radical split," as it was commonly called, occurred. This rupture was produced originally by the question of lay delegation, and led to the formation of the Methodist Protestant church. Nearly the entire congregation of Plainfield " seceded," leaving only seven or eight members in the old organization. These were Thomas Johnson and wife, Robert Johnson and wife,. William Johnson and wife and Susan Baker (her husband, Charles Baker, Sr., being among the seceders). This feeble ' remnant, however, was determined and active, as the erection of a house of worship a few years later will testify. It was a large log building and stood across the creek from Jacobsport, on land donated by Thomas Johnson, who was the prime and niain mover. The present church building, located in Plainfield, was erected about 1860. In 1876, it was somewhat enlarged and greatly improved. The present membership includes about 160 names. A flourishing Sunday-school has been connected with the church for fifty years. It is superintended by C. F. Sangster.

At the time of the separation of the Methodist Protestant from the Methodist Episcopal church, there was some difference of opinion as to the proper place for holding meetings, but Bacon run was finally agreed upon. The first meetings were held in a school-house at that time on Mrs. Brels- ford's place. Several years later a log meetinghouse, called Pleasant Bethel church, was erected in the same locality. Rev. Cornelius Springer was the minister who introduced Protestant Methodism in this community. Among the seceders were Edmund Duling, Gabriel Evans, John and Francis Smith, Esaias Baker, William G. Dean, Jarris Gardner, John Dean, Jacob Waggoner, John K.Williams, Richard Williams, Rebecca Piatt and William R. Clark. In the list is included the names of several of the original members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

A few years later a society of the same denomination was formed in Jacobsport. Eezin Baker, Jacob Waggoner, John Loos, Sr., and Harry Linder were among its first members. Services were first held in Robert Piatt's cabinet shop, afterward in the school-house. About 1842, the Jacobsport and Pleasant Bethel churches consolidated, and in 1847 the present church edifice in East Plainfield was erected.

Another society had been formed about 1831, in the Powelson school-house, t^hrough the instrumentality of Conrad Powelson. Soon after a building was raised on John R. Williams' place. It was known as the Covenant church. It finally fused with the Plainfield church. The present pastor is John Murphy, who serves a congregation in Plainfield of nearly 200 members.

The Methodist Protestant church at Linton was organized about 1857, in the brick schoolhouse, which now forms a part of John Heslip's hotel, by Revs. Robinson and Samuel Lancaster. Isaac Thompson, George Welker, C. T. Gaumer, John Miskimen, Aaron Ransopher, James Dean and William Lawrence were among the men "who gave it being. Services were held in the hrick school-house, and the school-house which succeeded it, until 1870. Then the present commodious frame, with its sky-pointing steeple, was -erected. About a hundred members worship here. This and the Plainfield church belong to the same circuit. The children in this vicinity have congregated every summer Sabbath for many years in the church to receive religious instruction.

road. The first sermon was preached August 15, 1833, by Rev. James B. Morrow, of the Richland Presbytery. The next day the church was organized with a membership of fifteen, and Alexander Matthews, Sr., and Alexander Matthews, Jr., were ordained elders. The original members were as follows: Alexander Matthews, Sr., and Hannah, his wife; Alexander Matthews, Jr., Prudence, his wife, and daughters, Sarah, Maria and Amy; Margaret Potter, Maria Roberts, Lydia Ann Butler, Thomas B. and Mary Barton, John and Jane Glenn, and Martha McCune. The first ten were received on certificate, the last five on examination. The earliest meetings were held in the school-house at Plainfield. The first communion was celebrated June 8, 1834.

In 1847, an old wagonmaker's shop, on the site of the present church, was purchased and converted into a house of worship. Services were held in it till the present church was built, in 1867. It was dedicated, free of debt, in June of that year. Its cost was $1,800. The church was supplied for nearly nineteen years by Revs. N. Conkhn, N. Cobb, J. Matthews, D. Washburn, S. Hanna, William Lumsden and Robert Robe. Rev. R. W. Marquis was the first settled pastor, from 1852 to 1859. Then followed Rev. J. B. Akey (supply); Rev. John Moore, D. D., two years; George W. Fisher, seven years; James B. Stevenson, one year; J. J. Gridley (supply); W. B. Scarborough, eight years, and A. B. Wilson, the present pastor. The present session consists of A. Shaffer, John L. Glenn, Jr., Robert Dougherty and Joseph Love. The membership is seventy-two Rev. Marquis, its first pastor, is buried in the church cemetery. Mr. John Gundy, residing at Snow Hill, Maryland, but owning land in the vicinity of this church, left it a legacy of $1,000, in 1874.

The Saint Mary's Catholic church, located in the western part of the township. Was organized during or near the year 1840, by Father Gallaher, Quite a number of persons holding allegiance to this church had moved into this neighborhood previously. Among them were the following, who assisted in estabhshing the church here: Michael Hiser, Adam Mortine, David and John Wendel, Martin Henricks, Jacob Cline, Jacob

Shearer, John H. Baker, and David Bordenkircher. The organization was effected and first services held at the residence of David Bordenkircher. A log church was erected very soon afterwards, which continued to be the house of worship, till .1867, when the neat little frame where they now hold service was built. The earliest ministers came principally from Zanesville, to administer to their spiritual welfare. They were Fathers Gallaher, William Burgess and William Diters. Father Bender, who succeeded, was from Newark. Since the organization of the Catholic church at Coshocton, the pastors of it have supplied this charge. The membership amounts to about sixty.

About the year 1858, a society of the United Brethren persuasion was organized about a half mile northeast from the Catholic church. John Michael, William Suites and John Stough were its main supporters. It was feeble in point of numbers from the start, and became still more so by the subsequent removal of some of its members from this vicinity. It ceased to exist in 1867. The frame meeting-house, erected in 1859, still stands in moumental memory of its prior existence.

The first village laid out in the township was called Plainfield. It was located about a mile south of the present village of Plainfield, on the west bank of Wills creek, and platted October 10, 1816. Thomas Johnson, as executor of the estate of Richard Johnson, and Edward Wiggins were the joint proprietors, part of the village platted lying on Wiggin's land, the northwest quarter of section 17, and part on Richard Johnson's, the southwest quarter of section 10. The road dividing the two sections was dubbed Coshocton street, and twelve lots were laid off from each section facing this street. The road running north from, this along the creek was called Water street, and nine lots belonging to Johnson's land fronted on it. The first house was built by Thomas Johnson for a tavern, in 1816. It was a two-story, loghewed building, and is still standing. Plainfield was then on the road between Zanesville and Philadelphia ; the road was traveled a great deal. Mr. Johnson kept a small stock of goods at his tavern stand, and the following year (1817) a store, owned by Dwight Hutchinson, of Cambridge, was opened and managed by Joseph White, also of Cambridge. It was removed the next year and Mr. Luccock became the village storekeeper. The same year Benjamin Chambers started his tannery, as mentioned elsewhere in this chapter, and Mr. Johnson brought his distillery here. In 1817, John Vernon built a frame house in the village, the first of the kind built in the township. He was a carpenter and cabinetmaker by trade, and emigrated from New York. He died of consumption a few years later. Thomas Johnson became the first postmaster in the township here, his appointment dating November 27, 1819. The postoffice was afterward removed to East Plainfield. The little village, for some reason, was not a success. At no time did it contain many more than half a dozen houses. It was named, doubtless, from the plains surrounding it. Jacobsport was laid out in August, 1836, by Jacob Waggoner and named after him. He was the owner at that time of the northwest quarter of section 6, range 4. All the land lay east of Wills creek except a small piece in a bend of that stream. Deeming it a fine location for a village he laid it out into lots. At the time, there was a single log hut on this ground, one which had been occupied by Andrew Ferier when his mill was in operation. Thomas Piatt erected the first dwelling house, a comfortable frame building. Butler & Shook owned the first store, opened about 1839. Several years previous to this Thomas Johnson had opened a store on his land adjoining Jacobsport, and in 1840 had a number of lots laid off contiguous to Jacobsport. Several years later his son John M. Johnson'increased the number of lots and recorded the plat, calling the village East Plainfield. Though forming but one village, in reality each part retained its original name. Jacobsport was entirely hemmed in by the creek and East Plainfield and consequently had little chance to extend its limits. East Plainfield on the contrary had a whole quarter section before it and grew slowly but surely. In March, 1878, the whole was incorporated as one village under the name of Plainfield. Its first officers, elected April, 1878, were as follows: 'J. A. Mayhugh, mayor; David Duling, clerk; John Famil-

FRANCIS McGUIRE, Je., Lafayette township, farmer; postoffice, Coshocton; was born April 2, 1842, in this township; son of Francis McGuire, a native of this township. He was raised on the farm adjoining the home where he now lives. Mr. McGuire has always taken great pride in dealing in the finest blooded stock possible to be obtained, and without doubt has the finest flock of sheep in this part of the State, having selected strains of blood from the finest of Lee Archer's noted sheep of Washington county, Pennsylvania. He has always taken an active interest in the agricultural development of the county, and at the present time is one of the Directors of the Agricultural Society of this county. He was married, March 29, 1871, to Miss Susan J. Russell, daughter of John N. Russell, of this township. They have two children, Cora E. and Fannie G.

The village is compactly built and lies in the lower bottom land, close to the creek. It is concealed from view in almost every direction by the terrace which rises abruptly behind it. Its present population is three hundred. As a business center it is not excelled in the county away from Coshocton. If contains three stores, two mills, one drug store, two hotels, one saloon, one jeweler shop, two shoe shops, three blacksmith shops, two harness shops, one tin store, one wagon shop, one tannery, one tailor shop, two churches, and three physicians.

During the summer of 1879. the township built a fine two-story hall, about thirty-six by fifty feet in size. Several township offices and a festival room occupy the lower floor ; the upper story is used as an audience hall.

The village of Linton, comprising 115 inhabitants, is situated in the southeastern part of the township on Wills creek, at the base of a steep range of hills. It was laid out in 1849, by J. V. Heslip, the land which formed it being mostly in timber at that time. The first building was erected by Mr. Heslip, in 1847, and was used as a boarding house for the workmen employed by him in constructing a mill-dam. A saw-mill, grist-mill, distillery and tavern were built within a few years, all by Mr. Heslip. A great amount of business was "done in the mills formerly, but they have lost much of their activity. The village contains' two stores and the usual complement of shops. Joseph Heslip was the first postmaster, in 1847.

Bacon postoffice, situated on Bacon run, was estabhshed about 1858, with John H, Sicher as postmaster. A country store was started here several years after by William Fowler, and has been in operation most of the time since.

Maysville, situated in the southwestern corner of the township, was laid out in 1837, by Alexander Ballentine. It never prospered, and for years has flickered between Hfe and death. It possibly numbers a half dozen houses, one of which is used as a blacksmith shop.

The population of the toWnship in 1880 was 1,918, an increase of 318 in ten years. .The early settlers were principally from the States of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, with a fair sprinkling from the Emerald Isle. The hills in ' the western part of the township were settled almost exclusively by German and French emigrants. Descendants of most of the pioneer families still reside on the farms which their grandfathers wrestled from primitive wilderness, a fact which speaks well of the agricultural and social qualities of the township.

Source changes here: from History of Coshocton County, Ohio;, by Hill, Norman Newell, Jr., [from Old Catalog] Comp, published 1881; 8,564 words in this source stream.

Linton Township

LINTON township lies in the southeastern corner of Coshocton county. It is indebted for its name to James Miskimen, one of the foremost settlers of the township, and, at the time of its organization, in 1812, a county commissioner. He named it, it is said, in honor of the township in Virginia from which he emigrated. It is the largest township in the county, being five miles wide, north and south, and seven and one-half long, east and west, including township 4 of range -5, and the western half of township 4 of range 4 - the eastern half of this latter township forming a part of Wheeling township, Guernsey county.

The surface, away from the valleys that skirt the streams, is hilly. The opinion was rife among the pioneers in the bottom lands that the hills would never be settled, so ill adapted did they seem for purposes of cultivation ; and it was not until about 1840 that the land was all entered. The summits of many of the hills had been made bare by Indian fires, but the sides were covered with a thick growth of timber. Beneath this thepea vine grew in rich profusion, and it afforded an excellent pasture for the cattle turned loose upon the hills to browse upon it.

Wills creek is the principal stream. It enters the township near the center of its eastern line, from Guernsey county, and passes out in the extreme southwestern corner. The distance by a direct course from its point of entrance into the township to its exit from the same is less than eight miles, but its tortuous meanderings make the actual length of the stream between those two points about twenty miles. By reason of these numerous windings the bottom lands in the township are rendered much more extensive than they would be were the creek more direct in its course. The valley varies in width from a quarter of a mile to a mile. Two well-marked terraces are observable in most places along the valley, the lower one generally narrow, the upper rising abruptly thirty or forty feet, then stretching away to a considerable distance. White Eyes creek enters the townshiji from Muskingum county, flows in a northwesterly direction about twa - miles, and empties into Wills creek. It should not be co)ifounded with another White Eyes creek, which is a northern tributary of the Tuscarawas river.

The soil is generally good. In the village it is a rich, sandy loam, becoming in some jilaces almost a pure sand. Among the hills, in places- where the limestone formation outcrops, it is quite fertile. There was one locality that was not timbered when the first settlers appeared in the township. This was the level stretch of country lying west of the village of Plainfield, being about a mile square in area. It was covered only with tall prairie gnvss, but shortly after a thick growth of scrub oak, or black jack, as it was commonly called, sprang up and kept possession of the soil till uprooted by the mattock and plow.

The remains of the prehistoric dwellers in Linton township are not very numerous. There are, however, several low fortifications and a few small mounds along the valley of Wills creek. One of these fortifications is situated on the plains, about half a mile southwest from Plainfield, at the cross roads. It consists of four embankments, enclosing a square figure containing several acres. At each corner of the square is an entrance. The embankment originally was perhaps six feet above the surrounding level, but it has since been almost obliterated bj' the plow. Another circular embankment, enclosing about an acre, was found on the farm belonging to V. J. Powelson, in section 22, several miles farther down the creek. The outlines are now so slight as to be scarcely discernable.

Near Plainileld, about 1840, Mr. J. D. Workman opened a small earthen mound on his ])lace. He found nothing except several stone relics. Another, about two miles below, was excavated some ten years later by Wesley Patrick. It contained a few bones belonging to the human skeleton, including the skull, jaw bone and thigh. These were of an unusually large size and indicated the skeleton to be fully seven feet in length.

No Indian village is known to have been located in the township, but encampments for hunting purposes were frequently made along the banks of Wills creek and its numerous small tributaries by these denizens of the forests. Game abounded, and, for a half dozen years after the arrival of the advance guard of civilization, it was hunted and killed in this vicinity by both pioneers and Indians. The relations between them were generally of a peaceful nature. Several times ripples arose on the placid sea of friendship and betokened a storm, but they were happily averted. The Indians were a shiftless class. They would beg or thieve, or resort to any device to obtain what they wanted from the whites. They would often bring wild game to the cabins of the settlers and wish to exchange it for corn or something else. Eequests of this kind were usually complied with, but the cleanly housewife would throw the game to the dogs.

Thomas rhillii)s relates that it was the custom of his father, George Philli])s, to turn his horses out in the open woods in the evening to pasture, and that the Indians would drive them away to a considerable distance during the night and hide them; then the next morning they would appear at Phillips' cabin and, learning of the lost hor.ses, otler to find them for a dollar. The little game was successfully played several times until Phillips suspected and accused them of it. He was hunting one day and had brought down a fine deer; this he hung on a sai:)ling and started in pursuit of another deer, in his haste leaving his hat behind. When he returned both deer and hat were gone. Some time afterward he recognized a silver buckle belonging to the lost hat in the possession of the innkeeper at Cambridge. Questioning him about it, Phillips learned that it had been obUiined from an Indian called Doughty, who had sold the buckle and kept the hat, but not daring or caring to wear it abroad had used it to sleep in.

James Miskimen once had a little difficulty with this same Doughty, who was a noted Indian character, shortly after he (Miskimen) settled in this township Miskimen was a great trader, and would often barter trinkets, whisky,etc., with the Indians for hides and furs, disposing of these at Zanesville. He and Tom Addy were conveying a load in 3, canoe down Wills creek, on their way to Zanesville. Doughty espied them and wanted to ride down the creek a distance with them. They stopped and took him in the boat. Having some whisky aboard. Doughty soon discovered it, and wanted some. He soon drank enough to make him uglj* and boisterous. His conduct became disagreeable and they landed him. Enraged at this, he threatened to shoot them, as they shoved off the boat, but fortunately his gun was empty, it having been discharged a short time before by Miskimen, in shooting a turkey.

Doughty began to load his gun, and the men, now some distance away, seeing that he was in earnest, pulled for the shore again with the intention of dejiriving him of the weapon. Miskimen rowed while Addy covered the savage with his rifle, determined to shoot first, if shoo ting became necessary. They reached the bank in the nick of time. Miskimen, who was a powerfully-built man, sprang ashore and knocked the inebriated Douglity to the ground just as lie was in the act of .shooting. In liis anger he seized Doughty's gun and threw it out into the stream, where it probably still lies, several miles below Plainfield. Leaving the Indian senseless on the ground, the two men proceeded on their way. About ten days after, Miskimen was waited upon at his cabin by twelve Indians, who demanded that he rejilace Doughty's gun, and threatened to kill him if he refused. Miskimen at first rejected the demand, but at the solicitation of his wife finally agreed to settle the matter. He procured an old gun that had been offered for sale at the Fuller settlement, and delivered it to the Indian council, thus closing the " deadly breach of war." Doughty did not accompany his red brethren when they gathered up their tents in 1812, and stole away to the broad West, but frequented the old haunts and hunting grounds for several years after. It was his deligh*, when a little intoxicated, to visit tlie cabins of the settlers and seek to frighten the women and children by recounting blood curdling tales of savage cruelty. He attended log-rollings, cabin-raisings and various gatherings of this kind, but would never work, preferring the more congenial employment of drinking whisky and vagabondizing. He was finally murdered by a white man in Muskingum county, near Zanesville.

The northeastern part of Linton township, what is known as the north bend of Wills creek, wa.s the first portion occupied by settlers. Here, as early as 180G, settled the Miskimens, McCunes, Addys and Joneses. In 1800, James Miskimen, then a young man, journeyed to Ohio for the purpose of selecting a site in the vast wilderness for a future home. He first visited a relative, named Young, who held a position in the land office at Chillicothe. While there, an old hunter who was well acquainted with the wilds of Ohio, recommended to him the north bend of Wills creek. Miskimen traveled afoot up the Muskingum and Wills creek valleys, .saw tlie location and was pleased with it. Not having the means with which to enter land, he returned to his father's j)lantations in Virginia, on the banks of the Potomac, and there, in conjunction with his brother, worked his father's distillery for five years. By this means he accumulated the sum of $700, and in the s]>ring of 1805, again set out for Ohio. He spent liis first summer here in raising a crop of corn on Evans' prairie, in Oxford township; returning to Virginia that same fall, he was married to Catherine Portmess, and returned at once to their future home. He first entered the northeast quarter of section 7 ; subsequently, the southeast quarter of the same section, the northwest quarter of section 8, the east half of section 19 and other lands, becoming an extensive land owner in this township. He was a man of great force, possessed shrewd business qualities, and was stro»gly identified with the agricultural development of his township and county. His brothers, John and William, followed him to this township several years later.

John McCune was born in South Carolina. He served, during the war of the revolution, as captain in General Sumter's army. His property was destroyed by the tories during the war, and at its close he moved to Zanes Island, Pennsylvania. From that place, in 1801, he emigrated to Oxford township, and there purchased a large tract of Land; but meeting with reverses he was obliged to dispose of his property. In 180C, he moved to Linton township, entering the southeast quarter of section 4, and the southwest half of section 3, both of range 4. He was twice married and raised a family of nine children. His death oeurred in 1811.

William Addy, on Christmas day of the year 1806, entfyed the southwest quarter of section 4, range 4. He was from near Harjier's Ferry, Virginia, and brought with him five sons and four daughters. Malechi and Enoch Jones, two brothers, came about the same time from Virginia. They married two of the Addy girls and lived on their father-in-law's place.

on Bacon run, the northeast quarter of section 2. Edward Wiggins, hailing from Brook county, Virginia, in 1807, entered the northwest quarter of section 11. The same year Esaias and Charles Baker, brothers, came into the township, the former entering the northeast quarter of section 10, the latter the southwest quarter of section 1. They had emigrated from Virginia, with Isaac and Henry Evans, to the plains in Oxford township, as early as 1801. Rezin Baker, a nephew to Cliarles and Esaias, entered the^southeast quarter of section 5, range 4, about 1808. He was born near Little York, Pennsylvania. He came into the county as early as 1802, and remained until his death, in 1842. His father's family had removed from Pennsylvania to Harrison county, and Rezin, just as he had fairly attained his majority, passed on out west and hired out with John Fulton, living near Coshocton, until he had earned enough to buy his farm in Linton township. His wife was in Harrison county, and she and two children were removed by death, he afterwards marrying Miry Addy, daughter of AVilliani Addy. Other early settlers in this vicinity were Basil Baker, a cousin to Esaias, who entered the southeast quarter of section 10; Andrew Ferier, the northwest quarter of section 5, range 4; Martin Higer, the northwest quarter of section 5, range 4, and John Loos, tlie southeast quarter of section 1.

Farther down the creek William Jeflries, from the Keystone State, was among the first to locate. He entered the northwest quarter of section 23, about 1806. John and David Arbuckle were also extensive land owners in this region nearly as early. ITiey remained only a few years, removing to Knox county. Richard Williams became a citizen of the township in ISOS. He was from Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He had traveled through the Scioto and Miami valleys in search of a suitable place to locate, hu^ the settlers of those valleys appeared sickly to him ; coming up the Muskingum valley ho noted the healthy appear.mce of the .settlers and decided to "pitch hi.s tent" here. He stopped on the Walhonding river a few months and, while there, learned that William Jefters,.an old acquaintance of his, had settled on Wills creek. That brought him to Linton township. His first entry was tlie southwest quarter of section IS, adjoining Jcfters' place. Conrad Powelson, a Virginian, came into the county in 1808. He lived in Franklin township three years, then moved to this township, entering the southeast quarter of section 18 and the southwest quarter of section 19. He died May .31, 1841. Two years later William Mc- Cleary, from Frcdcricktown, IMaryland, became a resident in Ihis neighborhood. He located eighty acres in section 23. William K. Clark came from Washington county, IMaryland, during the war of 1812, to Franklin township. A recruiting officer coming along, he enlisted in the army. At the close of the war he returned to Linton township, entering the northwest quarter of section 19.

Richard Fowler became identified with Co- .shocton county about the year 1805. His former residence was in Brook county. Virginia. He moved from Virginia because of what he deemed its tyrannous laws, oppressive to poor men. He was a carpenter by trade, and stojiped a short time at Zanesville; but finding no employment there, he came on to Coshocton. Here he was engaged by Charles Williams to roof a house. After the job was completed, he moved to the country and leased a piece of land in what is now Lafayette township, from Alexander Elson, also from Brook county, Virginia. He married Elson's daughter, Jane, February 5, 1807. He served during the war of 1812, as first lieutenant of a company raised in. this county. At its close, he removed to Linton township, and settled on Bacon run, becoming an influential citizen. He introduced the first sheep into this township. Wolves were still numerous at the time, and the greatest w-atchfulness was necessary in order to keep the sheep from the fangs of these old-time enemies. His house was a place of public entertainment from 1830 to 1850. " Fowler's Stand " was widely and popularly known.

Mr. Fowler was an eye-witness to a township election in Coshocton, about 1805. Its vvkIus r/pi'raniU, as narrated by him, was as follows: The voters, perhaps fifteen in number, congregated, by special invitation, at the tavern of Charles Williams, who was tlie magnate of the village. The free drinks were then generously passed around, and liberal potations were indulged in by all. When the proper degree of hilarity was reached, Williams made nominations for the various offices, and the assembled sons of liberty, with loud acclaim, expressed assent to those nominations. Fowler, on expressing to Williams his surprise at this kind of election, received the reply that it was goood enough for them.

Francis and John Smith, from "Pennsylvania, were early settlers on Bacon run; likewise John Wells and Daniel Dean, both of Virginia. On what was called Irish run, just below Bacon run, William and Alexander Love, great-uncles to Joseph Love, settled in 1810 and 1812, respectively. They were from Ireland William and Benjamin Williams also lived here in early times. Kobert Piatt entered the township in 1816, and settled in this vicinity. He had emigrated from Ireland to Newark, New Jersey, in 1809. Edmund Duling emigrated from Hampshire county, Virginia, in 1815, and entered the southeast quarter of section 3, range 5. The McClains are noticed in Lafayette township.

The only military land in the township is the 4,000-acre section, forming the southeast corner of the township. It was surveyed into forty lots of 100 acres each, and many of these were bought up by non-residents of the county, with an eye to speculation. Amos Stackhouse was the only revolutionary soldier known to have entered a lot in this section. He settled upon lot 14. John Lxwrence was one of the earliest settlers on this section. John Phillips entered lot 18 as early as 1810; his brother George followed him soon after and settled on lot 15. They were originally from Virginia, but had lived a while in Kentucky before they came here. George had been employed by Gumber & Bcatty, of Cambridge, in building the first mill in that place. He was a skilled hunter and an unerring marksman, and spent much time in the forests. The products of the chase, such as hides and venison, he would take to Zanesville. Amos Devoir and a Mr. Hyatt were also occujiants in this vicinity at an early day.

Joseph He.slip, one of the few jiioneers that still survive the ravages of time, was the most extensive resident land owner in this section and one of its widest known and most respected settlers. His life, both preceding and following his connection with Linton township, had been uneventful. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in March, 1793. His father, John Heslip, was the proprietor of an extensive shoe establishment in that city. A life on the ocean wave was the dream of Joseph's early boyhood, realized when lie was ten years old, for at that age he became a sailor boy aboard a merchantman. He remained on the sea till he was eighteen, in spite of his father's opposition. In 1808, while at Liverpool, he was impressed into the English service, hurried to Plymouth and shipped aboard a man-of-war, bound for Spain. As an English sailor he participated in- the siege of Cadiz, Spain. While there, he contrived to get his case before the American consul, and was soon after released. In 1811, he abandoned the sea and made a trip with his father to Linton township, for the purpose of examining 1,300 acres of land here, which his father had purchased two years previously with the hope that Joseph would settle here. They returned to Baltimore the same fall, and Joseph served as a militia man in the war that ensued. In the fall of 1814, he again came to Linton township, this time pernnnently. Early in 1815, he married Eleanor Walgamot, of Holmes county, and in midwinter, moved into a dreary doorless and windowless cabin, in the midst of the solitudes of the forest. He had not been here a great while when his father, wishing to mitigate the hardships of his pioneer career, sent him a carriage. The vehicle arrived safely at Cambridge, but stopped there, as no road had yet been made from that place westward. In those days of stern trial, difficulties were met ofcly to be overcome. A road was cut from Cambridge to Heslip's place for the express purpose of bringing the carriage through Once atits destination, Mr. Heslip had the exquisite pleasure of taking his wife out in tlie carriage for a drive - through tlie cornfields, as there were yet no roads.

About 1815, Mr. Heslip indulged in a little speculation. He bought about G.OOO pounds of pork at two cents per pound ; dressed it and boated it to Cambridge in a large canoe. He employed teamsters going east for goods to carry it to Baltimore, paying them $2 per hundred. Their rates for bringing goods from Baltimore

He was one of the earliest justices of his township. While serving in this capacity he tried a case once with rather unusual surroundings. Wills creek was not yet bridged, and the only means of crossing was by canoe. On the day set for the trial the stream was greatly swollen, and the witnesses were on the other side and could not be prevailed on to cross. The 'squire determined the case should go on, and proceeded with it then and there; he on one side of the stream, the witnesses on ihe other, a roaring flood between.

Thomas Johnson, one of the earliest settlers of the township. Was among the most prominent men of the county in his day. He was born in the parish of Glentubert, Monaghan county, Ireland, on the 16th of March, 1783. Early in youth he manifested a great desire to go to America, and urged his father to emigrate. He, being a very quiet, unobtrusive man, with quite a family of young children, could not think of bringing them to the wilds of America. Thomas remained with his father till he was twenty-four years of age and had brothers grown up. He then told his father he was determined to go to the new world, and urged his suit with so much ardor that his parents could no longer withhold their consent. He left Ireland in 180G, and landed in New York with but one sovereign in his pocket. He there met with Joseph T. Baldwin, of Newark, New Jersey, who offered to employ him. He remained with Mr. Baldwin for three years. In 1803 he married Sarah Parker. About this time his parents, his three brothers, Eichard, William and Robert, and his only sister, Margaret, joined him in Newark. Thomas then determined that Newark was not the place for his father's family to settle, and in 1809 they came to Coshocton county, and located in Linton township. Thomas bouglit from Esaias Baker the northeast quarter of section 10, wlierc now stands the village of Plainlield. Richard settled on the southwest quarter of the same section. Robert entered the northeast X[uarter of section 17, and William the northwest quarter of section 15, adjoining.

Thomas and Richard both served in the war of 1S12, the latter dying a year or two after his return. Thomas was perhaps the first justice of the peace in the townshp. His first docket, still preserved, in the possession of his son, J. R. Johnson, bears date April 7, 1814. The first entry, of that date, records a suit brought by John Lawrence against Jacob Mapal, to recover ten dollars. The entry shows that bail was given by the defendant for the full amount and the costs. In 1818, he was commissioned associate judge of Coshocton county, a postion which he held till the time of his death. He was probably the first foreigner naturalized in Coschocton county, his certificate being dated December 16, 1814. Mr. Johnson possessed business qualifications of a high order. His name is connected with many enterprises of his township and county, both public and private. He died August 20, 1840, after a protracted sickness. His widow survived him almost twenty-two years, dying at the old homestead, March 29, 1862. His father also survived him eighteen days, dying September 7, 1840. in the eighty-lirst year of his age.

Five residents of the <ownship had served in . the revolutionary war, namely, John McCune, William Williams, Fought Shaffer, Amos Stackhouse and Israel Buker. The following carried arms in the war of 1812: Richard Fowler, William R. Clurk, Laken Wells, Francis Smith, Richard Johnson, Thomas Johnson, John Glenn, James Laurie, James R. Williams, William Hudson, Robert Piatt, John Portmess, George Magness, Duga Patterson, Robert Harbison, Sr., Rezin Baker, James McCune, Basil Baker, Samuel Banks, Eli O. H. Shyhock, Peter Rambo, Abraham Marlatt. There may have bceu others whose names can not now be ascertained. R. W. McCliin and Robert Harbison were soldiers in the Mexican war.

Dr. Thomas Heslip was among the first phy- .sicians. Drs. Collins, Hawkins and Heslip Williams also practiced the healing art here quite early.

The first windmill in use was made by John Vernon and owned first by Basil Baker, afterward by Edward Wiggins. . It was a rude affair, having wooden cogs. Before the introduction of windmills the process of cleaning wheat was verylaborious and was often performed in Linton township after this fashion, the necessary instruments being a s^heet and a half-bushel measure. The sheet would be tied to a stake at one end, and lield at the other b_y a person whose office it was to maneuver the sheet in such a way as to produce an artificial wind storm strong enough to blow away the chafi' while the wheat was being slowly poured from the niea.sure upon the floor. This oiieration performed several times would usually make the wheat sufficiently clean.

A few rods below the entrance of Wills creek into Linton township, is a place called Limestone Falls. Before the Linton dam was built, there was a miniature cascade here, the water falling two or three feet but since the building of the mill at Linton, two miles below, the falls are concealed from sight. These are the only falLs in the course of the creek in the township. It is extremely sluggish in its movements and, as a navigable stream, played an important part in the Iiistory of Linton township at a time when all its inhaliitants were back-woodsmen. - The limited commercial relations of the pioneers with the outside world were maintained mainly tiirough its instrumentality. Whatever products could be spared by the settlers were borne to other localities upon its bosom. In early times trading keel boats, thirty or forty feet in length, would ascend the creek from Zanesville loaded with crockery and, in fact, all kinds of wares. These the traders would dispose of to the settlers along the creek, stopping at the different farm houses along the route and announcing their arrival by a blast from a tin trumpet. Taking in exchange for their goods chicken^, eggs, or almost any commodity, they were able to compete successfully with the few little country stores then in operation, for these would generally demand the ready cash for their staples, and money was a rare article in those days.

A great amount of lumber used to be rafted from the banks of creek. It found a ready market in Zanesville and could be taken there during high waters, at comparatively trifling expense. The lumber was lashed together into rafts -of about twenty-five logs each. Two days were iLSually required to reach Zanesville. White oak and poplar were the varieties generally shipped; occasionally walnut or cherry. Seventy-five rafts a year would be a moderate estimate of the extent of this industry.

When the mills along the creek were put into ojieration. nnich of the flour made was exported 1 by flat-boats to various points below. Thomas Johnson was extensively engaged in boating flour and whisky to a southern market. His flat-boats touched nearly every point of importance in the Mississippi valley, a ten ton boat of whisky being poled np the Tennessee river once as far as Florence, Alabama. I'erhaps the largest boat constructed for the purpose, was one 100 feet long and eighteen feet wide. It was built by J. V. Heslip, and partially loaded with .500 barrels of flour at Linton mills. At Zanesville its cargo was completed, and from thence conveyed safely to New Orleans.

Wills creek is fordablc in several jilaces ordinarily, but it is impassible during high waters. Before the county was sufficiently develojjed to build bridges, some means of transportation for tavelers afoot, and for teams as well, sometimes, became necessar)'. This led to the establishment of ferries. Benjamin Wiggins kept the first ferry-boat in the township. It was near old Plainfield, about 1812. Peter Rambo was ferryman there at a later period. Joseph Heslip performed this office for a while on the site of Linton mills.

The first attempt at bridge building in Linton townshiji terminated disastrously. The project was to spann Wills creek, at old Plainfield, with a wooden bridge. It was begun auspiciously, and partially erected with great labor on the part of the settlers in the vicinity, when it was swept away during a freshet. The next attempt was more successful, resulting in the construction of a bridge at Jacobsport in 1S34, mainly through the efforts of Thoma.« Johnson. Owing to the high banks and mud bottoms there was a diflSculty in crossing Wills creek at his mills, and the commissioners being unwilling or unable to iissist in bridging the stream, he petitioned the legislature, in lS34,to authorize him to build a bridge and collect toll. He was assisted to some extent by the subscriptions of his neighbors. By the contribution of a certain amount he would grant a right to the free use of the bridge. Some twenty years later the bridge was given by Johnson's son to the county commissioners, they agreeing to keep it in rejjair. The second bridge was built at Linton, in 1847, by Joseph and John V. Heslip, the county commissioners contributing seventytive dollars for the purpose. The bridge about a mile farther up the creek was built in 1870, and the one on the Otsego road, several years ago.

When the first settlers came into the township, the nearest mill was at Zanesville, twenty miles or more away, and accessible only by a winding trail. In ISOO, Andrew Ferier built a little mill on tlie present site of Plainfield, about fifty rods above where Parker's mill now stands, but it was soon after swept away by a freshet and never rebuilt. Milling was again thrown twenty miles away and the inconvenience seriously felt ; consequently, when John Loos, in 1816, proposed erecting a mill on Bacon run, the neighbors turned out en imissf, and, by their voluntary labor, made a race for the mill some eighty rods long, and for many years kept the same in repair. A/ saw-mill was operated in conjunction with the grist-mill. Years afterward it was converted into a carding mill, which was conducted first by Samuel Shafl'er, afterwards by Stephen Ives; it has long since been abandoned.

Thomas Johnson and Jacob Waggoner, about 1824, built a large mill, of four run of buhrs, where Parker's mill now stands. It was the first mill of any note and did a flourishing business In 1829 Johnson assumed sole control and owned it till his death. Since then it has been owned successively by John M. Johnson, Joseph Johnson, Isaiah Rinaman, Samuel Sibley, Alonzo Sibley, William Heskctt and Parker Brothers. The present owners, the Parkers, run a saw-mill and a planing-mill in connection with it. The Linton mills were built, in 1847, by J. V. Heslip. In 1870, a steam saw and planing-mill was built in Plainfield by Wolfe it Williams. In 1878, a grist-mill was added. It is now operatetl by William Wolfe.

The manufacture of whisky was one of the main industries of pioneer times. Alexander and William Love inaugurated its manufacture in Linton township. Their still-house, of modest size, was located on Irish run, near the western line of section 9. Tlie process of distillation was begun here .about 1812. The Loves subsequently sold out to Andrew Ferguson, who removed the still to Bacon run, where Mrs. J. B. Fowler now lives. Thomas Johnson erected a large distiller}', subsequently, on his homestead, and for many years manufactured spirits on a Iqrge scale. In 1816, at the laying out of Plainfield, he removed it there, and about 1825 back to its original place. Besides these, John Heslip's w.is the only distillery in the township. It was erected shortly after Linton was laid out and run for a few years only.

The manufacture of salt was another industry in the early times that must not be overlooked. In the southwestern part of the township, William McCleeary and Judge Fulton were engaged in it for many years. The wells had to be sunk several hundred feet before the water impregnated with salt was reached. In spring time it would rise to the top of the well, but at other seasons pumping was necessary. About sixty gallons of water must usually be evaporated to produce a bushel of salt. One hundred and fifty bushels were made per week at the two wells. Some was brought to Coshocton, but it was used largely by the farming community in this part of the county. J.acob W;iggoner also manufactured a little at Plainfield. The boring of his well here, discovered a vein of coal, seven feet in thickness, forty-seven feet below the surface.

Linton township's first tannery was started in 1818, in the village of Plainfield, by Benjamin Chambers, from New York. The bark for this tannery was prepared by crushing it beneath a ponderous stone wheel seven or eight feet in diameter, an axle passing through the center of the wheel acting as a pivot, and wts turned around one extremity by a horse hitched to the other. The bark was constantly stirred in the track of the wheel as it made its little circuit.

Thomas Johnson built the next tannery in East Plainfield, about 1838; after his death it was run by his son Joseph awhile, and then discontinued. George Latham started one about twenty years ago, in the same village. Lewis Carhartt afterwards owned it, and in October, 1879, Mrs. Elizabeth Sibley purchased it; her son William Sibley, now has charge of it. Henry Franks owns and runs a little tannery situated about two miles west of Plainfield.

The first building erected for educational purposes was a rude log-cabin. It was built, probably, in the year 1809, by the united labor of the surrounding settlers, on the southeast quarter of section 1, near its southern line, on property then owned 'by a teuton, named Dumm. After several terms had been taught, Dunim resolved to appropriate the building to his own use. The citizens thereabouts became indignant at this, and remonstrated, but in vain. Seeking legal advice they learned that Dumm possessed the right of property. The lawyer, unprofessionally of course, advised them to steal the building. Acting on this suggestion, one night a willing band of workers silently conveyed it, log by log, across the road to Thomas Johnson's land, where it stood for years, the only school-house in the township. Children were sent to school here from as far up Bacon's run as Richard Fowler's, and equally as far from other directions. They had to walk through narrow bridlepaths to reach it, many of them in constant fear of wild animals, that still lodged in the woods. Walter Truat is said to be the first teacher. He could spell a little, but his literary attainments were not sufficient to enable him to read, and he was not retained long. Israel H. Baker, Alpha Buker, Thomas Fitch, Benjamin Norman, Francis Carroll and a Mr. Thompson, were among the earliest teachers of this school. The building was used as a church and voting place. Jlilitia musters were also held here.

A school was taught in a log cabin on JlcCune's place, about 1821, by a Mr. McConnell, a well educated young man of dyspeptic tendencies, from the East* who came West to recuperate. He assumed the pedagogue's role to rejilenish his slender purse. He was succeeded by a Mr. Williams, a crusty, crabbed fellow, who taught three months only. Eli Shrihock also tjxught here. He was an easy-going, good-natured kind of a man, brother-in-law to James Miskimcn. When his children had become old enough to need instruction, Mr. Miskimen built a school-house on his place. In the military section, about 1825, Joseph Heslip, John Lawrence and George Phillips built a school-cabin. It stood about a half mile east of the present village of Linton. Messrs. Blair and Hunt were among the first teachers.

Hunt did not believe in intellectual straining, for every little while he would tell the pupils to "rest their eyes." Another early school-house stood close to the road in the western part of section 20, near Mr.s. Heslip Williams' residence. Mr. Hunt and Caleb Baker swayed the ferule here primarily.

Linton township contains five churches; the Methodist Episcopal, two Methodist Protestants, the Presbyterian and the Catholic. The Methodist Episcopal is the oldest. , In 1812, Rev. John Mitchell organized a class near where Plainfield now is. The first members included Thomas Johnson, Robert Johnson, William Johnson, Hester McClain, her son James; Richard Williams and wife, Esaias Baker, Charles Baker, Sr., William Jefters, Conrad Powelson and Frank Smith. The school-house on Johnson's farm served as the meeting-house for many years. About 1830, the "radical split,". as it was commonly called, occurred. This rupture was produced originally by the question of lay delegation, and led to the formation of the Methodist Protestant church. Nearly the entire congregation of Plainfield " seceded," leaving only seven or eight members in the old organization. These were Thomas Johnson and wife, Robert Johnson and wife, William Johnson and wife and Susan Baker (her husband, Charles Baker, Sr., being among the seceders). This feeble renmant, however, was determined and active, as the erection of a house of worship a few years later will testify.- It was a large log building and stood across the creek from Jacobsport, on land donated by Thomas Johnson, who was the prime and main mover. The present church building, located in Plainfield, was erected about 1860. In 1875, it was somewhat enlarged and greatly improved. The present membership includes about 150 narties. A flourishing Sunday-school has been connected with the church for fifty years. It is superintended by C. F. Sangster.

At the time of the separation of the Methodist Protestant from the Methodist Episcopal church, there was some difference of opinion as to the proper place for holding meetings, but Bacon run was finally agreed upon. The first meetings were held in a school-house at that time on Mrs. Brels- ford's place. Several years later a log meetinghouse, called Pleasant Bethel church, was erected in the same locality. Rev. Cornelius Springer was the minister who introduced Protestant Methodism in Ihis community. Among the se- -ceders were Edmund Duling, Gabriel Evans, John and Francis Smith, Esaias Baker, William G.Dean, Jarris Gardner, John Dean, Jacob Waggoner, John R.Williams, Richard Williams, Rebecca Piatt and William R. Clark. In the list is included the names of several of the original members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

A few years later a society of the same denomination was formed in Jacobsport. Rezin Baker, Jacob Waggoner, John Loos, Sr.,and Harry Linder were among its first members. Services were first held in Robert Piatt's cabinet shop, afterward in the school-house. About 1842, the Jacobsport and Pleasant Bethel churches consolidated, and in 1847 the present church edifice in East Plainfield was erected.

Another society had been formed about 1831, in the Powelson school-house, through the instrumentality of Conrad Powelson. Soon after a building was raised on John R. Williams' place. It was known as the Covenant church. It finally fused with the Plainfield church. The present pastor is John jNIurphy, who serves a congregation in Plainfield of nearly 200 members.

The Methodist Protestant church at Linton was organized about 1857, in the brick schoolhouse, which now forms a part of John Heslip's hotel, by Revs. Robinson and Samuel Lancaster. Isajic Thompson, George Welker, C. T. Gaumer, John IMiskimen, Aaron Ransopher, James Dean and William Lawrence were among the men who gave it being. Services were held in the brick school-house, and the school-house which succeeded it, until 1870. Then the present commodious frame, witli its sky-pointing steeple, was erected. About a hundred members worship here. This and the P]ainfi«>ld church belong to the same circuit. The children in this vicinity have congregated every summer Sabbath for many years in the church to receive religious instruction.

road. The first sermon was preached August 15. 18.33, by Rev. James B. Morrow, of the Richland Presbytery. The next day the church was organized with a membership of fifteen, and Alexander Matthews, Sr., and Alexander Matthews, Jr., were ordflined elders. The original members were as follows: Alexander Matthews, Sr, and Hannah, his wife ; Alexander Matthews, Jr., Prudence, his wife, and daughters, Sarah, Maria and Amy; Margaret Potter, Maria Roberts, Lydia Ann Butler, Thomas B. and JIary Barton, John and Jane Glenn, and Martha McCune. The first ten were received on certificate, the last five on examination. The earliest meetings were held in the school-house at Plainfield. The first communion was celebrated June 8, 1834.

In 1847, an old wagonmaker's shop, on the site of the present church, was purchased and converted into a house of worship. Services were held in it till the present church was built, in 1867. It was dedicated, free of debt, in June of that year. Its cost was .|1,800. The church was supplied for nearly nineteen years by Revs. N. Conklin, N. Cobb, J. Matthews, D. Washburn, S. Hanna, William Lumsden and Robert Robe. Rev. R. W. Marquis was the first settled pastor, from 1852 to 1859. Then followed Rev. J. B. Akey (supply); Rev. John Sloore, D. D., two years; George W. Fisher, seven years; James B. Stevenson, one year; J. J. Gridley (supply); W. B. Scarborough, eightTyears, and A. B. Wilson, the present pastor. The present session consists of A. Shaffer, John L. Glenn, Jr., Robert Dougherty and Joseph Love. The membership is seventy-two Rev. Marquis, its first pastor, is buried in the church cemetery. Mr. John Gundy, residing at Snow Hill, Maryland, but owning land in the vicinity of this church, left it a legacy of $1,000. in 1874.

The Saint Mary's Catholic church, located in the western part of the township, was organized during or near the year 1840, by Father Gallaher, Quite a number of persons holding allegiance to this church had moved into this neighborhood previously. Among them were the following, who assisted in establishing the church here: Michael Hiser, Adam Mortine, David and John Wendel, Martin Henricks, Jacob Cline, Jacob

Shearer, John H. Baker, and David Bordenkircher. The organization was effected and first services held at the residence of David Bordenkircher. A log church was erected very soon afterwards, which continued to be the house of worship, till 1867, when the neati» little frame where they now hold service was built. The earliest ministers came principally from Zanesville, to administer to their spiritual welfare. Thoy were Fathers Gallahcr, William Burgess and William Diters. Father Bender, who succeeded, was from Newark. Since the organization of the Catholic church at Coshocton, the pastors of it have supplied this charge. The membership amounts to about sixty.

About the year 185S, a society of the United Brethren persuasion was organized about a half mile northeast from the Catholic church. John Michael, William Snites and John Stough were its main supporters. It was feeble in point of numbers from the. start, and became still more so by the subsequent removal of some of its members from this vicinitj'. It ceased to exist in 1867. The frame meeting-house, erected in 1859, still stands in moumental memory of its prior existence.