Mohican Township (part 3 of 8)

Mr. Young raised a family of twelve children, and never employed a physician. He was never defendant in a law suit, and never sued but one man. He never had a quarrel with any man. Born under a monarchy, in the reign of George III., he lived to see the origin, progress, and decline of the great American Union. He so arranged his worldly matters that, although he had been the largest landholder in Orange Township, his estate was all equitably and satisfactorily divided among his numerous descendants.

Jacob Young, an old citizen of this township, died on the third instant, at the advanced age of eighty-qine years and three months. He was born in Hardy County, Virginia, the 1st day of January, 1773. He emigrated to Ohio in 1804, and to this county in 1814. He lived with his companion (who still survives him) sixtyeight years. He was the father of twelve children, and when he died had one hundred and seventeen grandchildren, one hundred and seventy-si.x great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. Father Young was a pious, devoted man, and, like a ripe shock of corn, has been gathered into the garner above.

Trustees, David Biddinger, Henry Worts, and Thomas Culbert- Bon - Clerk, J. Deal - Treasurer, Jacob Smurr - .Assessor, Emanuel Finger - Constables, Daniel Summers and Henry Ricketts.

Chapter Xviii

Surveyed in 1807, and settled in the spring of 1809. While it remained in Richland County, Mifflin was a full township; but when Ashland was erected, it was divided - less than one-half the territory and population falling within the boundaries of the new county. The western limit is for the most part the center of the Black Fork.

The surface is generally broken and hilly; but the soil yields a rich reward to its tillers. The township is abundantly watered by the Black Fork, which runs along its western margin, and by other streams originating in numerous springs.

those remaining in either portion of the old township. From the best information derived from the early settlers, it is supposed that the organization occurred in about 1814. Prior to that date its territory had been embraced in Madison Township.

"Upon the tax duplicate of Madison Township, for the year 1811, is found the names of 'James Copus, 4 cattle, 40 cents;' 'Phillip Zeamore, [Sej^mour,] 1 horse, 30 cents;' and 'Frederick Zeamore, [Seymour,] 2 horses and 2 cattle, 80 cents;' as returned to the commissioners of our county."

Circumstances occurred in this township during the last war with Great Britain, which invest its history with more than ordinary interest. Effort has been made to obtain the true history of these events; but statements from difierent persons of equal candor and intelligence are found in conflict. Mr. Home, in his Historical Collections of Ohio, adopts, with evident hesitation, one of three versions of the Copus tragedy, each differing in some essential particulars, which he accompanies with the following note of explanation: -

"We have three different accounts of this affair: one from Wyat Hutchinson, of Guernse^^, then a lieutenant in the Guernsey militia; one from Henry Vail, who "was with some of the wounded men the night following; and the last from a gentleman living in Mansfield at the time. Each differs in some essential particulars. Much experience has taught us that it is almost impossible to get perfectly accurate verbal narrations of events that have taken place years since, and which live only in memory."

ing the true history of the matter have been more ample than those of Mr. Home, and although some discrepancies in his authorities also occur, he does not feel warranted in making the attempt to reconcile such discrepancies by modifications of the narrations as furnished him. Many facts throwing light upon these transactions will be found among the reminiscences of the pioneers of Green and other townships. Subjoined is the statement of Wesley Copus, who, at the date of the murder of his father, was a boy of nine years of age : -

James Copus immigrated to Mifflin Township, from Green County, Pennsylvania, in the spring of 1809. His family consisted of his wife and seven children, namely, Henry, Nancy, Sarah, James, Wesley, Nelson, and Anna. Mr. Copus was murdered in September, 1812, by a band of Indians. His widowsubsequently became the wife of John Yail ; is again a widow, and continues to reside in Mifflin Township. She is in the eightyeighth year of her age. James and Wesley Copus are the only male survivors of the family now residing in Ashland County, the former occupying the old homestead, the scene of his father's murder.

Some time in the month of August, 1812, a party of soldiers were stationed at the block-house, at Beam's Mill, for the purpose of protecting the settlements within their jurisdiction. After the arrival of the officer and his soldiers at the block-house, the officer was informed that an Indian village, called Greentown, stood about nine miles distant, on the banks of the Black Fort; and fearing that Tecumseh might influence them to take up arras against the government, and murder the defenseless settlers, conceived the idea of removing them and putting them under the eye of the government. Accordingly, at the head of a party of soldiers he made his way through the wilderness to the cabin of James Copus, which was located about two miles and a half north of the village of Greentown.

The officer (whose name is not now remembered) called upon Mr. Copus personally, and informed him of the object of his mission, lie stated that as a war now existed between Great Britain and the United States, and as the Indian tribes generally were rising up against the whites, he deemed it most prudent to secure those inhabiting the village.

Mr. Copus and the officer entered into a long conversation respecting the justness of his mission. Mr. Copus had on two or three occasions preached to these people, and enjoyed their full confidence ; and since he had been with them, a period of nearly

The officer told Mr. Copus that his mission was not one of blood; but that he merely intended to persuade them to throw themselves under the protection of the United States government; and that he only wanted him (Mr. Copus) to use his influence in a peaceable manner to press the importance of a peaceable surrender to the government, and their rights, lives, and property should be protected.

With this understanding, Mr. Copus consented to accompany the officer to the village. Accordingly, taking his little son Wesley, then about nine years of age, they and the officer and his soldiers left the cabin and proceeded to the village, where a council was held and the agreement made, in which it was stated that their village should be protected during their absence, or until they were permitted to return.

Accordingly their property was invoiced, and the Indians placed themselves under the protection of the officer and his soldiers, and commenced their line of march for some place in the western part of the State. They were first brought to the place where Mansfield now stands, and there placed under guard.

After the Indians had been gone some distance from their village, the soldiers left behind to guard their goods until they could be conveyed away, set fire to the village and burned it to the ground. On casting their eyes behind them, the banished villagers saw, to their horror and astonishment, the smoke of their ruined wigwams, the sight of which aroused in them a spirit of vengeance.

In a few days after the burning of Greentown, a bound boy belonging to Martin RufTner, who resided near the present town of Petersburg on the Black Fork of Mohican, discovered a party of five Indians in the woods, who interrogated him concerning the Seymour family, and then left him. The boy hastened home with this intelligence to his master, whereupon Ruffner took down his rifle and proceeded in search of them.

Martin Ruffner was a bold and fearless backwoodsman, and an uncompromising enemy to the Indians, having had several of his friends and relatives murdered by them. Ruffner followed after the Indians and arrived at the cabin of Mr. Seymour as soon as the Indians. lie rightly concluded that the savages were on no friendly mission; he detected in their countenances tokens of bloody hostility, and he expressed his fears to the family. After a short consultation between Ruffner and Philip, it was agreed that the latter should start off immediately, and with all possible speed, in search of aid to take the Indians prisoners.

Shortly after Philip had left the cabin in search of aid, the Indians commenced the attack. Ruffner made a desperate resistance. He clubbed his rifle, and broke the stock to pieces in defending himself and the Seymour family.

Kate begged the savages to spare her life, bat all to no purpose. They first constrained her to deliver up her father's money, and then buried the tomahawk in her brains.

Some time after nightfall of the same evening in which Philip had left the cabin for aid, he returned to the cabin in company with James Copus and a Mr. Lambright. This little party halted a short distance from the cabin, when it was agreed that Mr. Copus should creep slyly to the cabin and ascertain the condition of affairs therein ; as they had judged that all was not right on discovering no light in the cabin. Accordingly Mr. Copus stole slyly up to the cabin, and looking in at the back window found all dark and silent within, and he rightly concluded that the whole family were murdered. He then groped his way round to the front door, and on endeavoring to open it found it offered a slight resistance. The door, however, was partially open, and on endeavoring to open it still further, so as to introduce his hand to feel if the floor was saturated with blood, which he found was the case, a slight resistance was offered. Mr. Copus, after finding blood upon the floor, felt confident that the whole family were murdered, and supposing that the Indians were yet in the house awaiting the return of young Seymour, did not think it prudent to enter. He communicated his discovery to the young man, who became insane with rage, and would have bounded to the cabin in one leap, if possible, had he not been prevented by his companions, who forcibly retained him.

After a short consultation, it was agreed that the party should return to Mr. Copus's cabin, and take his family, and proceed with all possible haste to the cabins of Mr. Hill and Mr. Lambright, and taking their families, convey them all to the block-house for safety, where a reinforcement could be obtained to march in pursuit of the murderers.

The party then started back through the dark woods, and after coming to the cabin of Mr. Hill, situated where the village of Lucas now stands, it was agreed to proceed no farther till morning.

Morning dawned, and as the first beams of daylight broke in upon the forest, the little party set out for the block-house, where they arrived in safety with the sad intelligence of the murder of the Seymour family.

A company of soldiers immediately volunteered to accompany Mr. Copus and the young man back to the cabin, where they found the family all murdered. The old gentleman, lady, and daughter, lay in the house, and the heroic Ruffner in the yard. They were all tomahawked and scalped. Ruffner had two rifle balls through him, and was otherwise dreadfully mangled. Upon inspection it was found that he had fought desperately.

Miss Seymour, as stated, was the last one which suffered death ; according to the confession of Kanotchy, as he advanced upon her with his tomahawk, she raised up her arm to defend lierself, and the blow taking effect upon her arm nearly severed it; the savage

The party then buried the dead and returned to the block-house; and conmiunicuted the affair, after having pursued the Indians without any success.

The news of the murder spread like wildfire all over the country, and aroused the fears of the settlers, causing some to leave the country entirely, while others flocked to tlie different blockbouses.

Mr. Copus and his family remained at the block-house some few days after this affair; but hearing of no further depredations, and supposing that quiet had been restored, and the Indians had all left the country, he concluded to return to his cabin and again commence his farming operations.

But before starting back, he prevailed upon a party of some eight or nine soldiers to accompany him. Besides, one of the oflQcers of the block-house promised him to call at his house that same evening, as he intended starting that morning with a party of soldiers in search of marauding Indians. With this consideration, he and his family and the small party of soldiers left the block-house and returned to the cabin, where he found everything as he had left it.

The spot where the cabin stood was at this time wildly romantic, and even now presents a picturesque appearance. The cabin stood at the foot of a high bluff and on the west side. The side of the bluff next the cabin was somewhat precipitous and rocky, and at its foot, and a short distance (three or four rods) from the cabin door, there gushes forth from the hill one of the best springs of water in the State. The barn stood a short distance to the left of the spring, a new cut-out road ran parallel with the base of the hill. In fact, this locality was just such a one as was calculated to inspire the soldiers with fun and frolic, and, indeed, they seemed to enjoy themselves most agreeably, as they spent the day in various kinds of sporting exercises.

The day was drawing to a close and the gloomy shades of night were settling down upon the forest. Anxious eyes were turned np the road in expectation of seeing the officer and his party of soldiers. Night came, but the officer was not yet to l)e seen. Nine, ten, eleven o'clock, and yet no signs of the officer and his party.

As the shades of night drew near, the feelings of Mr. Copus became strangely agitated, and he communicated his apprehensions to the soldiers, who only smiled at his fears. Mr. Coj)us was no coward ; he had often faced danger; but on this evening he was under the influence of some unaccountable feelings.

It was a sultry September evening, and the soldiers proposed to spend the night in the barn. To this proposition Mr. Copus objected, alleging that there was impending danger. "Men," said he, "I feci a strange presentiment this evening, and I would rather see you all in the cabin." But the soldiers persisted in their proposition, and ]\[r. Copus reluctantly consented, with the provision that they would return to the cabin before daylight in the morning, which they agreed to, and immediately left for the barn.

Before daylight in the morning, the soldiers returned to the cabin, whereupon Mr. Copus, who was yet in bed, again communicated his fears to them, stating that during the night he had slept but little, as his dogs had kept up a constant barking; that such a continuous barking was unusual, and that it was his solemn opinion that a fearful storm awaited his cabin. Again the soldiers made light of ]\[r. Copus's apprehensions, telling him that they were all imaginary, and that the Indians had left the country. But Mr. Copus protested that before daylight would fairly dawn upon his cabin it would be attacked.

Daylight had just began to make its appearance, when the soldiers proposed to go out to the spring to wash themselves, when Mr. Copus again remonstrated, telling them not to act so incautiously, and unnecessarily expose themselves till after daylight. But this warning was all in vain - they persisted in going. " Well," said Mr. Copus, "if I cannot influence you to remain in the cabin till day has fully dawned, I hope you will at least take your rifles with you to the spring." They promised, but did not comply with this request. As soon as they had closed the door after them, they set their rifles against the cabin wall and proceeded to the spring without them, and while in the act of washing themselves, the mingled yells of forty- five painted savages broke in upon the ears of tlie terrified soldiers; who, on hearing these yells, and seeing the cabin surrounded by the -savages, attempted to make their escape.

Two of the soldiers were caught, in running about eighty yards, and murdered on the spot; a third being fleet, distanced his pursuers, who, finding it impossible to overtake him, fired upon him; one ball passed through his bowels, and another through his foot. He ran about half a mile; when he was found, about eight weeks afterward, his body resting against a tree, with his handkerchief stuffed in his bowels.

The fourth man, Mr. George Dye, from Leatherwood, Guernsey County, wheeled, and, like a chafed lion, he rushed through the infuriated savages and escaped into the house, with one ball through his thigh. The names of the two who were caught and scalped were George Shipley and John Fedrick; and tlie name of the one who was found dead in the woods was ^fr. Warnock.

As soon as the attack was made upon the soldiers at tiie spring, the firing commenced upon the cabin. Mr. Copus, on hearing the alarm, sprung from his bed, and, seizing his rifle, partially opened the door, just as Dye entered, wlicn he, Mr. Copus, received a fatal wound. A rifle ball passed through the center of his bosom, and, staggering backward, he fell across the table, exclaiming, "Sol- diers, I ara a dead man, but do not be disconraged; fight like men, and save yourselves and my family." He said no more; his affrighted wife and daughter helped him upon his bed, from which but a moment before he had arisen in health, but upon which he was now carried a dying man. He breathed his last about one hour afterward.

Whether Mr. Gopus discharged his rifle or not cannot now be positively stated ; but it is thought he did, as a few moments afterward, an Indian was seen lying in a dying condition in the yard, immediately before the door, a ball having passed through his bowels, which were seen protruding through the abdomen; and it is thought that Mr. Copus and the Indian both fired at the same instant, and in tliat instant both received a mortal wound.

Several balls had penetrated the door, and the soldiers seeing it tore up the plank floor and placed the planks against it. The firing now was incessant. Volley after volley was poured in upon the cabin, and at every volley more than forty horrible yells greeted the ears of the terrified inmates. But the fire was returned with unerring precision, and the impertinent savages kept themselves at a respectable distance from the cabin after the first fire.

Finding it impossible to effect an entrance, the Indians retreated to the side of the bluff, already described, where for some time they continued to pour their leaden messengers of death upon the cabin roof; one or two balls took effect through the roof. Miss Copus was shot in the thigh, and George Lanntz had his arm broken, in removing a piece of chunking to fire through.

Mr. Launtz had watched the Indian for some time who fired upon him and broke his arm. He was secreted behind a stump on the brow of the hill, and from this position, which was a commanding one, he kept up a constant firing as fast as he could load and shoot. At length, the fellow's pate came peering in full view; Launtz was ready with his broken arm, and, discharging his rifle, the stalwart savage bounded into the air, and tumbling from rock to rock, he was precipitated to the bottom of the hill, where he lay full six feet long, taking his last rest.

The savage who was wounded in the bowels at the commencement of the attack had crawled toward the fence, and, although moaning and dying, he attempted several times to elevate his rifle in order to discharge it upon the cabin; but his strength failed him, as death was fast closing his mortal career. A soldier seeing him attempting to shoot while dying, sent a friendly messenger to ease him of all his cares and anxieties. He was shot through the head.

The battle lasted from daylight till about ten o'clock a.m., when the savages, finding that they could not succeed in their undertaking, raised the retreating yell, and gathering up their dead and wounded - nine in number - retreated from the cabin, firing upon a flock of eheep, which, during that eventful morning, had huddled together upon the brow of the hill, looking down in strange be- wilderraent npon this scene of bloodshed. The poor affrighted animals tumbled down that hill one after the other, until they lay in one heap at the bottom.

After the Indians had left the hill, it was proposed that one of the inmates of the cabin should escape through the roof of the building, and with all possible haste make for the block-house for help. Accordingly one of the number left for this purpose. The rest were to remain inside the cabin till he returned. It was thought that the Indians had only gone off a short distance, and would again return, if not before, after nightfall.

About one o'clock, a soldier on looking up the road, in the direction of the Black Fork, discovered, as he thought, the same party of Indians stealthily advancing upon the cabin under cover of woods and bushes.

The inmates now gave themselves up for lost, but determined to sell their lives at the dearest possible rate. Death stared each one in the face, and excited in the bosoms of that handful of heroes a spirit of unfaltering courage. "Boys," cried the intrepid Dye, though smarting under the horrible wound he had received in his thigh, "each one of you charge home with unerring precision upon these skulking devils."

"Hold, hold I" cried a voice just as they were about to give the advancing party a greeting salute, which would, in all possibility, have left one-half dozen dead in their tracks - "hold! this is a party of white soldiers I"

And so it was. The same party too, who had promised to encamp at Mr. Copns's on the preceding evening, but from some unknown cause had failed so to do. Great was the joy of the terrified inmates on beholding this unexpected deliverance. The soldiers, not knowing that anything had happened, had concluded to steal upon the cabin under disguise in order to frighten the soldiers, whom they knew to be there; but they had well-nigh carried the joke too far. But if the inmates of the cabin were overjoyed in beholding a party of friends, the officer and his party were no little astonished on beholding the work of death and destruction around them. Three whites lay murdered, and three wounded, while the cabin was perfectly bullet-riddled.

During the night the Indians lay concealed behind the cornfield, each having made himself a little fire where he roasted his corn. It was by noticing these fire-places after the battle, that the soldiers were enabled to tell how many savages were engaged in the contest.

Some time in the afternoon preceding the morning of the attack, a httle girl of Mr. Copus had perceived an Indian leap behind a small brush-heap, which somewhat frightened her; but strange to say, she never mentioned the circumstance to any one till after the attack.

During the battle tlie utmost good order prevailed, and, considering numbers - six or seven against forty-Gve - this battle stands, perhaps, uni)ara]lclcd in the history of modern times.

The cabin and the barn are torn down ; but that spring is yet pouring forth its jet of pure cold water, marking the spot as one ever memorable in the annals of Ohio.

Captain Pipe, a Delaware chief, resided near the road to Mansfield, one mile south of Jeromeville. He was the chief of the Jeromcville Indians. lie had a beautiful daughter; she refused the hand of a young warrior, whereupon he poisoned himself with the may-apjile. Captain- Pipe was a great warrior, and the implacable foe of the whites; he was in St. Clair's defeat, lie and ins tribe left Jeromeville some short time before the Seymour murder aud Copus battle.

The town of Petersburg (now Mifflin) was laid out- June 2S, 1816, by William B James, Peter Deardorf, and Samuel Lewis. The census return of 1830 showed a population in the town of 35. This was the only instance in which the census of the town was taken separately from the township. It never had a corporate existence.

The town now contains two churches, (one Lutheran and one Union,) two physicians, two taverns, one drygoods store, three boot and shoe shops, one cabinet shop, two blacksmith shops, and one grocery.

There was a Presbyterian Church organized under the name of "Mifflin," in the summer of 1851, and Petersburg agreed upon as the place of public worship. Immediately after its organization, Rev. W. T. Adams became its stated supply for a year or two, and Rev. James Rowland succeeding him, acted in the same capacity for one year. This church, small at the time it was organized, became less, and has

This "Union Church" was organized in March, 1851 - John Lemon, Luke Selby, and Jonas Bolyeat, trustees. The Baptists, Presbyterians, and Methodists have generally occupied the church building, although it has been open to all denominations. The Baptists and Albrights used the house at stated intervals during the last year.

The Evangelical Lutherans - whose church building was destroyed by fire on the night of the 18th of February, 1SG3 - are the most numerous religious denomination in the vicinity of Petersburg. The expenses of the church have been mainly sustained through the munificence of Messrs. Culler. Rev. Mr. Ruth is the present pastor of the church.

Successive Justices Of The Peace David Hraden

David Braden, an emigrant from Washington County, Pennsyl- Tania, removed to Mifflin Townsliip in the fall of 1815, and died the year following, at the age of 52. His son, Solomon Bradeu, now resides in Green Township.

Leonard Croninger

Leonard Croninger, originally from Northnmherland County, Pennsylvania, removed from Trumbull County, Ohio, to Mifflin Township, in April, 1815, and died in December, 1833, at the age of 52. I3enjamin Croninger, son of the deceased, now occupying the old homestead, is the oldest survivor of the settlers in the north part of the township.

Michael Culler

Michael Culler, in 1816, purchased of Philip Seymour, Jr., the farm upon which the tragedy described in the preceding pages was enacted. The cabin which was the scene of the strife was occupied by Mr. Culler about a year. The bodies of the slain are deposited within a few rods of his present residence. He had visited the country in 1815, but commenced his residence in 1816.

Daniel Harlan, Sen

Daniel Harlan, Sen., an emigrant from Virginia, removed to Mifflin Township, with his family, in April, 1815. Died in 1824, at the age of 53.

Samuel Harlan, of Vermillion Township, and Daniel Harlan, Jr., of Green Township, and the wife of Solomon Braden, also of Green Township, are the only surviving children of the late Daniel Harlan, Sen., now residing in Ashland County.

Benjamin Henshey

Benjamin Henshey emigrated from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in October, 1825, and settled upon the southwest quarter of section 31, Montgomery Township; being land that he had purchased the year previous. A year or two subsequent he purchased, of Andrew Newman, the mill property on the Black Fork, in Mifflin Township, which he subsequently sold to its present owners, the Messrs. Stayman.

Thomas Selby

Thomas Selby settled in Mohican Township, in April, 1813. Since April, 1855, he has resided in Mifflin Township. Many incidents connected with the early experience of Mr. Selby, in Mohican Township, would be of much public interest; but his absence in the West, during most of the time this work has been in preparation, has placed it beyond the power of the writer to obtain his valuable contribution.

Jacob Staman

Jacob Staman emigrated with his family, from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Mifflin Township, in October, 1825. Of his sons, Benjamin and Jacob are the only two who composed his family at the time he settled in the country, who now reside in the county.

A portion of the farm upon which Benjamin Staman now resides was owned by Martin Ruffner, when the latter, with others, was murdered by the Indians in 1812. The stream which propels Mr, Staman's saw-mill is known as "Ruffner's Run."

Johnny Appleseed had a nursery on the Rnfifner quarter section, which is not enumerated among those mentioned in the proper place. Apple trees of a gnarled appearance, and bearing marks of age, were scattered among those of the natural forest, and remained there until the land was cleared about twelve years since.

Chapter Xix

Tlie system of appraisement in 1826 did not, it is true, approximate as near the actual value as that now established; but it must also be remembered that the area of the township has been diminished onethird.

Extracts From The Official Record

EXTRACTS FROM THE OFFICIAL RECORD. Organization of Millon Townshij). Now it came to pass when men began to multiply on this side the river westward toward the lake, even the great Lake Erie, and the inhabitants of Milton Township became numerous and strong, that they said one to another. Go to, let us separate ourselves from Mifflin Township, to which they aforetime had been attached; for why should we be oppressed by our brethren, and costs multiplied on us in carrying us before strangers? Let us select a goodly number from among our brethren that shall bear rule over us. And they prayed the court at Mansfield, and their request was granted. Milton was organized, and became a free and independent township. This happened in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen.

Election Of April T, 1862

ELECTION OF APRIL T, 1862. Trustees, John Nelson, James Wharton, and Elisha Barton - Clerk, Henry Piper - Treasurer, Scott Nelson - Assessor, Abner Mercer - Constables, Charles McCready and Wm. Ohl.

Successive Justices Of The Peace Of Milton

1828. Jos. Arnold, re-elected. 1828. Isaac Charles, elected. 1831. Isaac Charles, re-elected. 1831. Thomas Smith, elected. 1834. William Taggart, elected. 1834. Thos. Smith, re-elected. 183Y. James Andrews, elected. 1837. Thos. Smith, re-elected. 1840. Jas. Andrews, re-elected. 1840. Thos. Smith, re-elected. 1843. Jas. Andrews, re-elected. 1843. Thos. Smith, re-elected. 1846. Amos Hilborn, elected.

James Andrews

James Andrews immigrated to the eastern division of the territory of the United States, within the limits of what is now Columbiana County, about the year 1800. In 1816 he purchased and removed to the farm upon which he now resides. Mr. Andrews served in the war of 1812, as captain in a company of the 2d Regiment, 2d Brigade, Ohio Militia, and subsequently as brigade inspector. He served twenty-seven years as justice of the peace of Milton Township,

Abraham Doty

Abraham Doty removed from Virginia to Milton Township, in October, 1816. He died on the 28th of February, 1843. Of his sons, two are residents of tlie county, namely, John Doty, of Orange, and Joseph Doty, Esq., of Mifflin.

William Lockiiart Alexander Reed

Alexander Reed immigrated to Milton Township, in 1814. He was the original purchaser of the land adjacent to the old Hopewell Church. The body of his wife, who died November Hth, 1820, was the eleventh that was interred in the old Hopewell charchyard. In 1821 Mr. Reed sold to Joseph Marklay his farm above mentioned, containing eiplity acres, of which thirty were cleared, for 550 gallons of whisky. lie was also the owner, at different times, of town lots in Uniontown, (now Ashland,) among which are some of the most valuable of any now in the town, which he sold at from $12 to $14 per lot - payment mostly "in trade." Mr. Reed was an emigrant from Pennsylvania.

John Woodburn Additional Pioneers

In addition to the above, Peter Brubaker, Joseph Bechtel, Joseph Charles, John Clay, John Hazlett, Henry Keever, John Neal, and Michael Smeltzer, were among the early settlers of Milton Township.

Chapter Xx

Tuis township, when organized in 1826, and until the erection of Ashland County, twenty years later, belonged to the County of Huron. It probably derived its name from Almon Ruggles, who settled in that county in 1808, and who, in 1815, laid out the town of Norwalk.

Ruggles Township, as well as the whole of the original territory of Huron County, was within the "Fire Land" district. These fire lands embraced a tract of country containing seven hundred and eighty- one [781] squ<are miles, or nearly five hundred thousand [500,000] acres, in the western part of the Western Reserve. The name originated from the circumstance that the State of Connecticut had made a grant of these lands in 1792, as a donation to certain sufferers by fire, occasioned by the invading English during the revolutionary war, particularly at New London, Fairfield, and Norwalk. This tract was surveyed into townships of about ^ve mUes square each; and these townships are then subdivided into four equal quarters. No. 1 being the southeast, No. 2 the northeast, No. 3 the northwest, and No. 4 the southwest. And for individual convenience, these are again subdivided, by private surveys, into lots of from fifty to five hundred acres each, to suit individual purchasers. The surveys were made in 1808. In 1820 there existed in Huron County a township named Bethel, with which it is supposed the territory of Ruggles was associated for civil purposes. Whether this township of Bethel embraced the present townships of Greenwich, Fitchville, or New London, or all of them, cannot be clearly ascertained by the writer of this.

In addition to those causes which have operated, during the last several years, to diminish population in other townships of the county, is the fact that there existed, at the time of the opening of the Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati Railroad, a flourishing town known as "Ruggles Corners." The con-

Btruction of the railroad caused the business and popuhition to rapidly decline, until it is now without a single business or mechanical establishment. The post-office, which was formerly here, is now removed to the center of the township.

Source changes here: from History of Ashland County, Ohio, by H. S. Knapp, published 1863; 37,888 words in this source stream.

Election Of April, 1858 Election Of April, 1861

Clerk , J. A. Strayer - Trustees , George Bender, David Ely, and -John Garn - Treasurer , John Garst - Assessor , Joseph Heichel - Constables , J. S. Wetherbee and John Heichel.

Justices Of The Peace For Mohican

1 grist mill running three pairs of burrs, 1 saw and lath mill running two saws, (which mills are chiefly propelled by water,) 1 tannery, 1 dry goods store, 1 tailor shop, 3 boot and shoe shops, 2 blacksmith shops, 1 tin shop, 2 groceries, 1 cabinet shop.

Churches In Jeromeyille Presbyterian

Jeromeville, designated by the name of Rehoboth until April 14, 1830, was recognized as a congregation, under the care of Presbytery, in the year 1817, and enjoyed in that year, and for several succeeding years, one-third of the ministerial labors, as stated supply, of the Rev. William Matthews. There is a record of his having been permitted by Presbytery to discontinue his labors in that congregation, August 23, 1820. In addition to occasional supplies, granted by Presbytery to Jeromeville, Rev. Robert Lee acted as stated supply for some time - perhaps more than one year between the years 1821 and 1829. April 14, 1829, a call from Jeromeville was made to Presbytery for one-third of the ministerial labors of Rev. R. Brown, which was granted, and his installation in this church attended to September 10, 1829. Mr. Brown discontinued his ministerial labors in this church, by consent of Presbytery, in the year 1832.

Between the years 1832 and 1846, Revs. Robert Fulton, Samuel Fulton, and Sanders Diefendorf (I depend for this statement upon recollection) acted successively as stated supply to the church of Jerome* ville. In 1846, Rev. W. W. Colmery became its pastor for one-half his time, and continued to be so until in the year 1854. Since that time to the present, I am unable to state, definitely, whether it has had any but occasional supplies granted by Presbytery.

Methodist Episcopal

The first Methodist Episcopal Church building (as was also that of the Old School Presbyterian) was of logs, and erected in 1820. Regular preaching had been, during the six years previous, held at private houses. Among the original members of the society were, Robert F. Capels and wife, Edmund Ingmand and wife, Mrs. Warner, her two daughters and son, Samuel E. Warner, John Naylor and wife. Among the first regular circuit preachers in this part of the country were, Revs. Curtis Goddard, Lemuel Lane, Shadrach Ruark, and Abner Goff. The present Board of Trustees are Samuel Naylor, John Cory, Martin Lutz, Elijah Yocum, and Edmund Ingmund, (the latter also being circuit steward.) Class-Leaders: John Cory, Martin Lutz, and Samuel Naylor. The present membership amounts to seventy. The building will seat about four hundred and fifty persons.

Lutheran

This church was organized in 1850, and the church building erected the same year. The pastor was Rev. George Leiter - Elders: Henry Horn and James

There are, at present, sixty-five members. Rev. A. Helwig, the present pastor, commenced his labors in 1861. Officers of the church in 1862: - Elders: David Weygandt and Daniel Ellenbarger - Beacons: John Huffman, William Welty, Henry Hildebrand, and John Ludwig - Trustees: David Weygandt and John Fry.

Disciple

This church was organized in Jeromeville in 1854 - the organization having been transferred from the south line of Perry Township, in that year. At the date of its organization, the church was under the pastoral charge of Rev. Henry Dixon. The officers of the church at that time were John Wilson and John Hootman, elders; and Hugh Funk and Henry Everly, deacons.

The Rev. A. Rumfield and the Rev. Richard Winbigler, are the present pastors; and the church officers are, Jonathan L. Hootman, John Wilson, and Jacob Lee, elders; and Hugh Funk, Henry Bower, and Milleson Ebert, deacons.

This town was laid out July 2, 1833, by Simeon Beall and Henry Sherrodden. It is situated in the southwest corner of Mohican Township. Population in 1860, one hundred and eighty-five. Although small, it has no vacant houses, and is among the busiest towns of its dimensions in the county - a hive of industry and thrift. Almost every mechanical interest has one or more representatives here.

The town contains 2 church buildings, 1 schoolhouse, 1 physician, 3 dry goods stores, 1 tavern, 1 grist-mill, (propelled by steam and water,) 1 steam saw-mill, (2 saws,) 1 water saw-mill, (2 saws,) 1 woollen manufactory, (water power, and under present management in a very flourishing condition,) 2 wagon manufactories - part of the labor of one being performed by water power, 1 tannery, 1 blacksmith shop, 1 grocery, 3 shoe shops, 1 saddle and harness manufactory, 2 cabinet shops, 1 paint shop, 1 tailor shop, 1 gunsmith shop, and 1 cooper shop.

The first sale of lots was made in the summer of 1833. Three additions to the town have since been made - one by Simeon Beall, and two by Bobert W. Smith.

The water power of the village is the main source of its prosperity. The three principal springs emerge from the summit of the hill, on the west side of the town, and from their head to the bed of the creek, a distance of about three hundred yards, the fall exceeds one hundred feet, turning three wheels of a combined diameter of sixty-two feet.

Churches In Mohicanyille

This church was organized at Mohicanville in the year 1828, under the charge of Rev. Elmer Yocum. Among the original members were Nathan and Mary Dally, Charles Dally, Elizabeth Smith, and Mrs. Sheets. The society was formed at the house of Henry Sherradden. Until 1844, the meetings were held at private houses, and at the school-house in the village. At the date mentioned, the present house was erected - a building capable of seating about four hundred persons.

The church was organized with seven members. It now embraces about fifty-two members. The present clergymen are, Rev. William M. Spafford and Rev. Matthew L. Starr. The officers of the church are, William Moore, circuit steward; George Botdorf, John Metcalf, William Moore, and Vincent Dally, trustees; and Nicholas Wireman and Viiicent Dally, class-leaders.

German Reformed

This church was organized in 1859 - Rev. J. J. Excell, pastor; George Bender and Daniel Biddinger, elders; Z. T. Faullins and Zebulon Metcalf, deacons; and Daniel Dillier, clerk. The church building (which will seat about four hundred persons) was dedicated on the 6th of June, 1859. Present number of members, fifty.

George W. Basford John Cooper

John Cooper immigrated to Clearcreek Township in the fall of 1822, and purchased of John Haney forty acres of land, lying west of the farm now owned by John Bryte. In 1828, he sold this place and removed to section 28, Mohican Township.

Nathan Dally

Nathan Dally emigrated from Washington County, Pennsylvania, and removed temporarily to a cabin, which stood upon the farm now owned by George Botdorf, on the 17th day of February, 1817. His family then consisted of his wife and ten children. He had, the previous year, purchased of John Lawrence (who resided about two miles southwest of Wooster) the southeast quarter of section 32, (being the land upon a part of which is now the town of Mohicanville.) In the spring of the year of his arrival with his family, he entered the southwest quarter of section 32, Mohican Township. Upon neither of the quarter sections described was there any improvement. His nearest neighbor on the north was William Metcalf, one mile distant; on the east, Alexander Finley, distant three miles; on the south, Jabez Smith, distant one-fourth mile; and on the west, Isaac Downey, about six miles distant.

The quarter purchased of Lawrence subsequently reverted to him, and after several transfers, Simeon Bell and Henry Sherradden became its owners, and the original proprietors of the town of Mohicanville.

in the township, erected a house on the margin of the "Fall's Spring," nearly opposite the present residence of his son, Vincent Dally. This cabin house was standing until within about twelve years since.

Thomas Eagle

Thomas Eagle arrived in the township of Mohican on the 2d day of May, 1809, having succeeded the family of Alexander Finley a few weeks. His family then consisted of his wife and daughter Amelia. He first opened a small farm on the land now owned and occupied by Henry Treace. In the early part of the war, he, together with several of his neighbors, removed their families to the fort, at Wooster, as security against attacks by Indians.

Mr. Eagle was well acquainted with Baptiste Jerome, who often related to Mr. Eagle circumstances connected with the Indian war against General Anthony Wayne - among other "yarns," one running to the effect that himself and a party of eight Indians came upon a reconnoitering party near the Maumee River, led by Wayne, and that he, (Jerome,) and the Indians leveled and discharged their rifles at "Mad Anthony" without any effect. Several years after the war of 1812, Jerome lost his Indian wife and daughter, and subsequently married a white woman, and removed to the mouth of Huron River, where he soon after died, it is said, in a drunken revel.

Fork, Mr. Eagle left Wooster in charge of a company of men for the defense of his neighbors, who had remained in Mohican Township, having received information that they were threatened by an attack from the Indians. Some hours after arriving at the fort, on James Collyer's place, the Indians appeared and made some hostile demonstrations; but it is supposed came to the conclusion that Eagle's force was too formidable and too well secured, and they retired toward Jeromeville, on their route killing all the hogs that came in their way.

Mr. Eagle says that he piloted Bell's army from Wooster to Jeromeville, and from thence several miles west. He is now about eighty-one years of age, and in feeble health.

William Ewing

William Ewing immigrated to Mohican Township in the fall of 1814, from Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and removed to the farm which had previously been entered for him by his father, John Ewing - which farm is situated about two miles southeast of Jeromeville, and is now occupied by the family of the late Michael Heickle. His immediate neighbor was John Bryan.

Odell's mill, in Wayne County, was the most convenient place for obtaining supplies of flour. The first year of his residence in the township, wheat sold at $1.50 per bushel; but about the time he had sufficient land under cultivation to enable him to raise a surplus, the price fell to 25 cents per bushel. Salt was obtained at Wooster for $4 per bushel. Some years later the neighborhood obtained their supplies of salt at Portland, on the lake, at $4 per barrel. It was regarded as a favorable exchange when a barrel of salt could be obtained for a barrel of flour.

Mr. Ewing's acquaintance with this Indian commenced soon after he settled in the country. He represents Buckwheat as a man of good sense, benevolent disposition, and remarkable for his fondness of white children. He was never married. The sins of his race were visited upon his unoffending head, at an early age, in his death at the hands of one whose brother had years previously been murdered by Indians in a distant part of the State.

Alexander Finley

Alexander Finley removed from the place now occupied by the town of Mt. Vernon, Knox County, to the farm in Mohican Township, upon which Tylertown (Lake Fort Post-office) is now situated, April 17, 1809. His family then consisted of his wife and the following named children: James, Benjamin, John, and Hannah.

At the time Mr. Finley settled in Mohican Township, himself and family were the only white inhabitants within the limits of the territory that now constitutes the County of Asldand.

At this date, also, there was only one family within the town of Wooster. The name of the head of this family was Benjamin Miller. William and Joseph Larwill, whose names are honorably connected with the history and development of Wayne County, were then young men, and boarders in the family of Mr. Miller. This family were the nearest neighbors of

Mr. Finley at the time of his settlement in Mohican Township. Within a few weeks, however, other persons, namely, William and Thomas Eagle, Benjamin Bunn, and John Shinnebarger, all having families, settled in the neighborhood. The year following, (1810,) Amos Norris, Vachel Metcalf, William Biyan, Thomas Newman, and James Slater, with their several families, removed to the township.

The Indians in the neighborhood at this time were an intermixture of several tribes - the Mohicans, Delawares, Wyandottes, Shawnees, Chickasaws, and one or two who claimed to be of the Cherokee tribe. They were friendly and harmless, until the war of 1812 commenced, when the main body of them disappeared, and most of them, it is supposed, became attached to the British service.

The first year or two after Mr. Finley came to the country, he obtained his supplies of flour and corn meal from Shrimplin's mill, below Mt. Vernon. This journey to the mill was performed in canoes or pirogues, down the Lake Fork and Mohican, and up Owl Creek, and occupied about three days for the trip. These vessels would carry from twenty to fifty bushels of corn meal.

The forests at this period were destitute of underbrush or small timber, but were covered with sedgegrass, pea-vines, and weeds, which afforded excellent pasture from early spring until about August. The sedge-grass, when cut in July, or earlier, afforded very nutritious and palatable food for horses and cattle during the winter. Very little iron was used in those days. The wooden "mould board" plow and wooden and brush harrows were generally in use twelve or fifteen years after Mr. Finley came to the

Ladies and gentlemen, when they clothed their feet at all, dressed them in moccasins. Mr. John Finley well remembers the first pair of boots he ever saw - they being a coarse article, purchased by his father, of John Fox, in 1820 or 1821 - price, eight dollars. Leather, therefore, was not in use until many years after the settlement of the country.

The clothing of the men was buckskin and flax linen. The women were clothed in a fabric made of raw cotton and flax linen. Handkerchiefs, headdresses, and aprons were made, by the thrifty housewives, of raw cotton. The price of calico (being from fifty to seventy-five cents per yard) placed it without the means of any but very few to purchase. An excellent and industrious girl, as late as 1822 or 1823, toiled faithfully six weeks for six yards of calico, which, in those primitive days, before the era of hoops, was deemed sufficient for a dress. The lady who appeared in the first calico dress, attracted, it may be supposed, considerable attention in "the settlement," and was regarded as much of an aristocrat.

The first buggy, with elliptic springs, (being an open one,) within the recollection of Mr. John Finley, amazed the good people who attended the Lake Fork Presbyterian Church, on a Sunday, about the year 1835. After intermission, the novel vehicle attracted general attention, and when the owner, in answer to a question, gave the name of "buggy," as the one that properly described his carriage, his interrogator concluded that he was disposed to "poke fun" at him, and this opinion was generally adopted by the indignant crowd. Two-horse lumber wagons were introduced about twenty years after the first settlement of the township.

Prom the date of the arrival of Mr. Finley, until four or five years after the close of the war, there was a good demand and good prices for all the productions of the farm. Wheat was, however, little grown. The staples of the farm consisted mainly of corn, hogs, and cattle.

Joshua R. Glenn

Joshua R. Glenn, and wife removed from Maryland to Mohican Township in 1818. Three years subsequent he purchased, at the public land sales held at Wooster, the quarter in section 17 of the Indian Reservation, which he improved, and upon which he died September 21, 1855, at the age of sixty-one years.

Maj. John Glenn, Jun., brother of Joshua R., is now a resident of Mohican Township, and immigrated at the same time with his father's family. His father (John Glenn, Sen., who died February 16, 1852, at the age of eighty-four years) had purchased 175 acres in sections 9 and 10. Upon this land Maj. Glenn yet resides. Himself and sister (Miss Elizabeth Glenn) are the only survivors of his father's family.

Thomas Green

Thomas Green, originally from Berkley County, Virginia, came to Mohican Township in 1813 - "forted," with his family, during a part of that year, at Jeromeville. After leaving the fort, he settled in Orange Township. At this time the only two families in that township were those of Amos Norris and Yachel Metcalf. The farm upon which he settled was north of Orange, and is now owned by Valentine and David Heifner.

About 1817 Mr. Green removed to Jackson Township, and after residing there several years removed to Licking County, near the residence of several brothers, and where he died in the spring of 1841.

Richard Hargrave

Richard Hargrave emigrated from Pennsylvania, and commenced his residence in Jeromeville on the 22d of August, 1818. He purchased of Mr. Deardoff, one of the original proprietors of the town, in 1820, one-half of his interest in Jeromeville. He was the second merchant in the place - his predecessors in trade not being very successful, and having abandoned business when he opened his store.

My father settled in Perry Township, October 10, 1826. The appearance of the country at the time of our settlement was quite different from what it is at present. The major part of the village of Jeromeville was covered with fallen timber and hazel bush. The improvements on the farms then settled were small, being log cabins surrounded by a few acres of partly cleared land. The roads were new and unimproved, and many of them little more than bridle-paths. The prices of produce in 1828-29 were, as I recollect dis- tinctly : wheat 25 cents, (my father was offered 100 bushels for $25, and would not buy at that;) pork $1.50 per cwt.; corn 18 cents; salt $5.00 per barrel; coffee 50 cents per pound; tea 50 cents per quarter; butter 6 cents; eggs 0; iron 121 cents per pound. The usual and best market place was Portland, (now Sandusky City.) Twenty to thirty bushels wheat, a big load for two and four horses, ten days of travel if the roads were good, two weeks if not good. Massillon became a market town. The opening of the Ohio Canal run the price of wheat up at once to forty cents, then to fifty, and then our farmers at that time were satisfied, and expressed the wish that the price would continue at that as they then could make money. Our nearest grist-mill was an old concern known as Goudy's Mill, southeast of Hayesville, with one run of stone, old niggerhead. or boulder stone at that. Another was Smith's Mill, below Mohicanville, where the Chandler Mill now stands, and of the same sort. In the winter, when those small streams were frozen, we went to the Clearfork to Manner's Mill, now owned by T. Calhoun. Sometimes we had to go to Owl Creek, in Knox County.

Old Mr. Hargrave, I believe, was the first postmaster at Jeromeville, and held the office for twentyfive years. The mode of travel was on foot or horseback if the roads would permit.

Luke Ingmand

Luke Ingmand removed from Fairfield County, Ohio, to the southwest quarter of section 11, Mohican Township, in September, 1816. His family consisted of his wife and two children, the present Judge Edmund Ingmand, and Mrs. Mary, wife of Joshua Carr, now residing in Wood County, Ohio. Mr. Ingmand is now (December, 1861) nearly eighty-nine years of age, and an inmate of the family of his son.

Edmund Ingmand

Edmund Ingmand, when in his eleventh year, removed with his father to Mohican Township. This, as before remarked, was in the year 1816. Until about 1818 the 280 acres upon which he now resides was a part of the four sections (7, 8, 17, and 18) which formed the "Indian Reservation." During that year the Federal government purchased the Indian title, and in 1821 the lands were offered in tracts of quarter sections at the Wooster land office, pursuant to public notice; but as the quarter embraced in this tract was regarded as too wet for tillage no purchasers appeared. This land is now regarded as equal in fertility to any in the township. The original purchase, which constitutes his present farm, was entered by Edward Arnold in 1821 or 1822, but a short time after it had been offered by the government. Judge Ingmand became the owner of it in 1834, and the additions since made amount altogether to 280 acres.

Were situated upon the Reservation above mentioned. The village and burying-ground were upon the land on which Rev. Elijah Yocum has for many years resided - his house having been built (by the person of whom he purchased) over the graves of the Indians. The first proprietor, fancying the ground as a good building site, excavated a place for his cellar, and removed the exhumed bones to a swamp in the neighborhood. Subsequently, in excavating a millrace some fifty rods from this place, a human skeleton was found in a position which rendered it certain that the body had been buried with its face downward, thus showing that it was, as has been alleged, the custom of many Indians to bury their dead in that position.

The Council House was upon an elevated and beautiful spot, about one-fourth of a mile distant from the village. The ground is now embraced in the farm of Judge Ingmand, and is about a quarter of a mile southeast of his house. All their buildings, including their council house, were burned about the time the Indians removed from the country in 1815, whether by themselves or the whites is not generally known.

There were the remains of no less than five ancient fortifications in Mohican Township; the embankments very regular and very distinctly defined, until cultivation has nearly destroyed their original features. Three are near Jeromeville, and two near the junction of the Muddy and Jerome Forks. They embrace areas averaging about one and a half acres. A mound near the old Indian village, bearing unmistakable evidence, after excavation, of its being a work of art, and upon which trees, the growth of centuries, were standing, was also in existence. The antiquarian might be compensated for researches in Mohican Township.

The weather during these years was memorable on account of the cold and frosts. During the winter of 1816 corn was planted about the middle of May, during a snow storm, and men gathered their wheat harvest with overcoats upon their backs, to protect them from the rigors of the weather! On the morning of the 1st of June, 1817, a frost visited Ohio that destroyed utterly all the fruit, and denuded the fruit and forest trees of their leaves. It is remarkable, however, that the grain in the ground escaped the general desolation, a circumstance that is accounted for by the fact that crops were very backward.

The following chronological memoranda of events of interest that have occurred in past years, furnished by Judge Ingmand, will be found of general and local interest : -

November 13th, 1833. Lights were seen falling on the early morning of this day, (three or four hours before daybreak,) having the appearance of showers of stars.

June 21, 1834. A terrific storm passed over Jeromeville and a district of country west, which appeared to have its most violent force between the latter place and the vicinity of the farm upon which the County Infirmary is now situated, prostrating in its pathway forest trees and fences, unroofing buildings, removing them from their foundations, etc.

1835. The summer remarkably wet, bottom lands much overflown, and too wet for tillage. Hay crop badly damaged, and cattle died the following winter in consequence of eating it. A comet appeared during the fall of the same year. November 11, a severe

1845. May 7 and 25, frosts appeared, which again destroyed the wheat crop of this year, being the second loss which occurred from this cause since the settlement of the country. Summer very dry; fall favorable. Grub worm appeared in multitudes, destroying meadows and corn crops.

1854. The last four days of April brought snow storms - the 29th the snow fell without intermission. There were ten consecutive weeks of drought during this summer.

1854-55. During the winter of these years snow covered the ground thirteen consecutive weeks. May 8, (1855,) another snow storm. The month of May was unusually dry, but the June of this year will be long remembered for its remarkable floods, occurring from the 10th to the 17th of the month.

1855. December 24, snow commenced falling, and from this date until the middle of March following, the sleighing continued good. This winter was doubtless the most severe in its rigor of any known since the settlement of the country, killing multitudes of fruit and forest trees. The snow lingered upon the earth until about the middle of April.

In the early settlement of the country there was no law providing for common schools - no tax levied or other funds provided for the payment of teachers. Hence all buildings for the use of common schools consisted of some old evacuated dwelling; or, if built for that express purpose, had to be done by voluntary contribution of citizens immediately interested. And in order to give the reader some idea of the houses in which the "young idea was taught how to shoot," it may not be amiss to give a description of them. We say " them," because there was the utmost uniformity, not only in the outward appearance, but also in the inward structure and school furniture.

And here it may not be amiss to inform our youthful readers of some of the peculiarities of a log cabin. Well, it is a house built of round logs, the size being suited to the peculiar wants or notions of the builder. When raised to a sufficient height to prepare for the roof, (which, in dwelling-houses, was usually about twelve feet,) a log was laid across each end of the building, projecting on each side of the house about eighteen inches; these logs being about three feet longer than those below, and were intended to support logs laid on them, called "butting poles," against which the first row of clap-boards were made to rest. The building is now ready for "cobbing off," as it was called ; which is done by putting a log on each side, perpendicularly with the main building; then a log on each end, and on them again one on each side, bat far enough from the outside of the building to form a sufficient slope for the roof, and on which the boards used for a covering were laid; then another log on each end, these being necessarily about four feet shorter than those immediately below them, and on these end logs another pair of side logs, laid still farther in toward the middle of the building, and ranging with those below them, and so on until it is finished off with a single log on the top and middle of the building. Now it is ready for covering, which is done with boards split out of large oak trees, about four feet long, from eight to twelve inches wide, and about one and a half inches thick. These are laid on without nailing, but confined to their places by small logs laid on each course of boards.

a thick mortar was put, which was called "daubing;" this was sometimes done inside and out. The inside finish was in all respects as rough as the outside appearance. If the owner wished to be a little nice, he would take an axe and hew off the logs on the inside, after the building was put up. The floors were laid with timbers called " puncheon," which were usually from eight to ten feet long, split out of large oak trees, made as broad as the logs would admit, and about four inches thick. The door was also made of these same " puncheons," and hung on wooden hinges, and fastened with a wooden latch.

To those familiar with the days of log cabins, the phrase so often used, "the latch string is out," is clearly understood. This latch or fastening was made of wood, and in order to enable those from without to enter the dwelling, a small string was attached to the latch, (which was always on the inside,) and passed through the door to the outside, and hence, to prevent the entrance of any person, the inmates would pull in the latch string, so that when it was not seen on the outside of the door, it was evidence that no one could be admitted. One window was usually all that was considered necessary in a log cabin. This was made by cutting out one log, some two feet in length, and then closing up by putting in small sticks, in the form of sash, and pasting greased paper over them to cause it to admit the light more readily.

As stoves were almost unknown in those days, a fireplace was used instead thereof. These were made by cutting out a hole in one end of the building, in some cases large enough to pass a two-horse wagon through the cavity. On the outside of the house, and con- nected with this, the chimney was built of wood and mortar, sometimes lined on the inside with stone and mortar, immediately adjoining the fireplace. In front of the fireplace was a large space left in the floor, called the hearth, which was usually covered with flat stone, and hence the old phrase hearth-stone."

As the wants of the people of that day were few, and easily satisfied, the log cabin usually contained but one room, which served as kitchen, dining-room, bed-room, sitting-room, and parlor.

Well, as before remarked, the school-house was built in real log cabin style - the principal difference between it and a dwelling-house was, that in the school-house the window was made by cutting out one log on each side, nearly the whole length of the building, and then closing up the aperture by pasting greased paper over it. Seats were made out of split timber, with legs in them so long that none except long-legged men could touch the floor with their feet. One object at least was attained by this arrangement of the seats, viz., the pupils were so far elevated above the floor as to be unable to make any noise with their feet; but whatever good was attained by this was counteracted by the far greater evil of causing the scholars to sit in this unpleasant posture during school hours.

The early settlers were under the necessity of erecting some kind of fortifications in which to protect themselves and families from the wily Indian, especially during the war of 1812. These buildings, sometimes called forts, but more properly called block-houses, were located in the most convenient part of the neighborhood, to which all might flee for safety in case of danger. They were usually built on a commanding eminence, so that the approach of an enemy might be seen at a great distance. During the war of 1812, some three or four of these structures were erected in Mohican Township - one near the town plat of Jeromeville, a few rods north of the present grist mill; one near the Mohican Creek, about four miles south of Jeromeville, on land now owned by Henry Treace; and one about a mile farther down the creek, near the residence of Stephen Taylor. These houses were built after the fashion of log cabins, in most respects. The logs were fitted closely together with small holes between them, called port-holes, through which the inmates could fire upon their enemies in case of an attack. The entrance to the building was an only door, which was made of strong timbers and securely barred on the inside.

There was one peculiarity about these buildings, the wisdom of which will suggest itself to every thinking mind. It is this : the lower part of the building, to the height of about seven or eight feet, was composed of shorter logs than that above; hence a projection was formed, which would enable the occupants to shoot down on their enemies on all sides of the building, in case they should attempt to set it on fire, and also prevent them from climbing up the outside thereof. To these houses all the neighborhood would run for safety whenever the alarm was given, and not unfrequently they would have to remain there for several days and nights, with but little to eat or drink. Sometimes some trivial circumstance would cause an alarm, and the whole neighborhood would gather into the block-house, and, after remaining there perhaps a day and night, the mistake would be fou id out, and all would return to their homes again.

William Newbrough

William Newbrough and wife, in March, 1819, removed to the northeast quarter of section 28, Mohican Township, having purchased his land of Martin Longstrath. Upon this farm he yet resides.

Thomas Newman

This gentleman is, (June, 1861,) beyond doubt, the oldest citizen now living within Ashland County. He was born in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, England, about 1758, which would make him now one hundred and three years of age. Mr. Newman is also at this time among the oldest of the pioneers. He entered the land upon which he now resides - being the northwest quarter of section 23, township 21, (Mohican,) in the year 1810. About two years afterward he received his patent, which bears date July 1, 1812, and is signed by James Madison, President, and Edward Tiffin, (the first Governor of Ohio,) Commissioner of the General Land Office. This document, which has been well preserved, is probably among the oldest of its kind in the possession of the original purchaser, which now exists in the county.

Richard Rhamey, Sen

Richard Rhainey, Sen., immigrated to Jeromeville from Pennsylvania in 1813, his family then consisting of his wife and three children. Richard Rhamey, Jr., who was born in the old block-house in Jeromeville, in September, 1815, is the only surviving member of the family now residing in Ashland County.

John Shinabarger

John Shinabarger emigrated from Virginia, in 1802, to Pennsylvania, from thence to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, in 1805, and in 1810 from the last-named place to Mohican Township, and entered the southwest quarter of section 23, in said township. This quarter he partly cleared, and erected thereon a saw-mill, and resided upon the place until the time of his death, which occurred January 29th, 1838, aged seventyfour years. When he removed to Mohican 'Township, his wife and seven children constituted * his family, the only survivor of whom, residing in Ashland County, is James S. Shinabarger, of Perry Township, and to whom we are indebted for what follows.

Upon a part of the above land, in Mohican Township, was a prairie, which appeared originally to have been a crust of vegetable matter overlying a sheet of water. As it was evidently land of great fertility, if the water under it could be withdrawn, efforts were made thoroughly to drain it. Ditches were made, in some places, to the depth of six feet, and considerable quantities of cedar trees, some of them twelve and eighteen inches in diameter, were found imbedded in the earth. What length of time they had occupied the position in which they were found is, of course, unknown, but they appeared as free from any evidence of decay as they would have shown on the day they perished. What is remarkable is that no cedars were ever found, by the early settlers, growing in that vicinity. The inference is that a cedar swamp once covered the ground, and a tornado may have violently uprooted them, thus breaking the crust and burying them beneath the surface. Swamp flag and wild grass, very little decayed, were also found at a depth of from five to six feet. Skeletons of buffalo and elk were also discovered, some of them of immense size. The head and horns of one elk found partly imbedded were of such dimensions that, placing the points of the horns upon the ground, two men on each side supporting them in an unright position, William Eagle, a man whose height was nearly six feet, would pass under them erect.

Major Tyler

New York, from which town he took his departure a few weeks after its having been burned by the British. He entered the south half of the northwest quarter of section 26.

Richard Winbigler

Richard Winbigler immigrated to Mohican Township from Maryland, in the fall of 1818. The members of his family at this time consisted of his wife and four children, namely, Mary Ann, Henry, Elizabeth, and William. The only survivor of these, at this time, is Henry Winbigler, Esq., who resides upon the land originally entered by his father, which land is the west half of the northeast quarter of section 9, Mohican Township.

Nicholas Wireman

Nicholas Wireman immigrated to the place now known as Mohicanville, but then as Bell's Mills, on the 15th of January, 1833, and rented of Harvey Bell his carding and fulling establishment, which occupied the site of the present woolen manufactory of Samuel Huff.

When Mr. Wireman became a resident of the place, in 1833, the following named persons embraced all the heads of families who were then inhabitants, viz.: Simeon, Harvey, and Samuel Bell, Henry Sherradden, and John Shaffer. Of those named, Mr. Wireman is now the only surviving resident, the others being deceased or having removed from the village.

Chapter Xv

Surveyed in 1807, by Jonathan Cox. The township was organized on the 14th of September, 1814. The organization embraced also the territory now known as Jackson.

Election Of April, 1825 Election Of April, 1862

As appears by the poll-book, there were eightyeight votes cast at the October election of 1827. The names of the electors are appended. Those to whose names are affixed the asterisk (*) are deceased ; and those with the dagger (f) have removed.

This town was laid out April 15, 1835, by Michael D. Row. The original proprietor of the village was then unmarried, and resided with his father, Michael Row, in the house about forty rods east of the town, now owned by Haynes Jones. At the time the plat was 1 recorded, there was not an inhabitant within the limits of what now forms the town. The first public sale of lots occurred in May, 1835. Jacob Carr purchased the first lot for thirty-four dollars - being the same now owned by Garrett Dorland, and used by him as his residence. The second lot was sold to David Dorland for twenty-one dollars - being the lot recently occupied by C. C. Coulter as a grocery store. Catharine Long purchased the lot now owned by Mrs. Winter, as a residence, for eighteen dollars.

The population of Rowsburg, in 1860, was two hundred. This is the only instance that it was taken distinct from the township. There are in the town, 1 physician, 2 dry goods stores, 1 tavern, 1 millinery shop, 2 shoe shops, 2 blacksmith shops, 2 wagonmakers shops, 2 tailor shops, 1 tannery, 1 stove and tin shop, 1 cabinet shop, 1 weaker shop, 1 harness shop, and 2 groceries.

Some Presbyterian families settled in this region (then Wayne County, Ohio) shortly after the close of the war of 1812. For 6ome time they were supplied with- occasional preaching by traveling ministers. About 1820 the church was organized, and was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Richland, which at that period embraced the territory now covered by the three Presbyteries of Richland, Wooster, Coshocton, and part of Marion. It was known for several years as the Muddy Fork Church, so called from the branch of the Mohican of that name, near to which the house of worship stood. About 1831, by request of the congregation, its name was changed to that of

Mount Hope. David Cunningham, Sr., his son-inlaw, James Fulton, and William Hamilton were the first ruling elders. These all lived within the bounds of the church, until their death, which occurred about ten or twelve years since. In 1833, David Cunningham, Jr., and the late Hugh Bay were ordained as ruling elders. In 1837, the late John Livingston and Thomas Hayes were added to the session. A few years after, William Buchanan, now deceased, and Isaac Cahill, were called to the same office. The present incumbents are, Thomas G. Hayes, Isaac Cahill, Thomas Cunningham, son of David Cunningham, Sr., and one of the first elders, and J. M. Livingston, son of the late John Livingston.

The first pastor was the Rev. William Matthews, who, for several years, was pastor of the old Hopewell Church, near Ashland, Ohio. He was succeeded by the late Rev. Robert Lee, whose labors, for a short period, were divided between the Muddy Fork Church, as it was then called, and the old Hopewell Church. He again was succeeded, in 1829, by the Rev. Richard, now Rev. Dr. Brown, of Wellsville, Ohio. This church, together with those of Congress and Jeromeville, constituted his pastoral charge. He was released from his charge in the fall of 1832. The church remained without a pastor from that period until the 1st of January, 1834, when the Rev. Thomas Beer took charge of the congregation. His connection with the church was dissolved in the summer of 1857. The present pastor is the Rev. T. B. Van Emmon.

From 1834 till 1844 the congregation continued to increase in numbers, but shortly after began to decline, by immigration to the West, its present membership being a little above forty.

The first house of worship was a small log building, erected in 1826. In the fall of 1836 a new frame building was put up on the same site, which was destroyed by fire on the night of the 6th of March, 1841. The present house of worship was erected in the course of the subsequent summer.

The Rev. Doctor H. B. Cunningham, late editor of The Southern Presbyterian, Charleston, South Carolina, Rev. William S. Livingston, of East Liberty, Alleghany County, Pennsylvania, Rev. David Cunningham, of Bridgewater, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Rev. A. A. Dinsmore, late of West. Theolog. Sem., Alleghany City, Pa., and the Rev. Robert Beer, of Beloit, Wisconsin, were all, in their youth, members of this church - three of them being sons of ruling elders, and the other one a son of a former pastor.

Methodist Episcopal Church

There is one in the township - at Rowsburg. The society was organized in 1822, with twelve or fifteen members. Preaching was for more than thirty yeare held at the house of John Heilman. The present church building at Rowsburg was erected in 1854. Its dimensions are 38 by 50 feet, and will seat upwards of four hundred persons. The circuit preacher, since 1860, is Rev. Mr. Warden. The Trustees are: Hugh Carr, Garrett Dorland, Henry Buck, David Dorland, Haynes Jones, Isaac McHose, and' Thomas Clodfelter - Stewards: David Dorland and William Patterson - Class-Leaders: Henry Buck and Isaac McHose. This year (1863) there are thirty-two members.

English Evangelical Lutheran Church

This church was organized in January, 1842, by Rev. W. J. Sloan and Rev. A. H. Myers, by the installation of Jacob Onstott and Samuel Gruver, elders; and William Humes and Levi Snyder, deacons; who were unanimously elected by the congregation. The church edifice, which is 30 by 45 feet, was erected in 1842, at a cost of $1200.

The church has been served during this period by Rev. E. Eastman, Rev. W. A. G. Emerson, Rev. Richard Emerson, Rev. Jacob G. Beckley, and W. J. Gilbraith, the present pastor. The present officers are - Elders: Solomon Hazel and David Weiber - Deacons: Emanuel Kaufman and J ames Patterson. The present membership amounts to eighty-nine.

There are two churches of this denomination in Perry Township - one in Lafayette (Immanuel's) and the other (Zion's) in Moore's neighborhood, near the west line of the township.

The officers of the church at Lafayette are, Henry Zimmerman, George W alkey , and J acob Bauhl, trustees; and Jacob Bauhl, class-leader. The church building is 35 by 40 feet, and will seat four hundred and fifty persons. There are fifty-two members in 1863.

The officers of Zion's Church are, Jacob Moore, Daniel Moore, and George Moore, trustees; Adam Eichelbarger, class-leader. There are fifty-nine members in 1863.

United Brethren

There are three congregations of this denomination in Perry Township - one in Rowsburg, one in Lafayette, and one on the farm of David Swartz, near the south line of the township, known by the name of the United Brethren Bethel.

The Rev. Mr. Crubaugh and Rev. Mr. Dillon were the pastors for 1861 and 1862. Rev. Obadiah Jennings, of Perry Township, and Rev. Mr. Strock, of Jeromeville, are local preachers, occasionally supplying the pulpits of these churches.

The officers of the United Brethren Bethel Church are, Obadiah Jennings and Robert Nelson, trustees; Isaac Webster, class-leader; and Rev. Mr. Shock, steward. The building is 32 by 40 feet, and will seat three hundred people.

John Allison

John Allison, an emigrant from Pennsylvania. He settled in Congress Township, Wayne County, in January, 1820. That township had been but recently organized. Under the laws then in force it required fifteen legal voters to accomplish an organization. There were about that number in the township at that time, being one family to 21 square miles.

There was not a church or school-house in the township. There was preaching occasionally at private houses by Presbyterian and Methodist clergymen.

There was no demand for produce except by newly arrived immigrants. To them wheat sold at 50 cents; oats about 124 cents; com 25 cents; salt $12 and $15 per barrel. A small grist-mill on Killbuck Creek, constructed of beech poles, covered with split boards called clap-boards, was built previous to 1820 by John Naftsinger. The bolting was done chiefly by hand. In the dry part of the season, in the fall especially, a considerable portion of the corn used in families was reduced to meal by the tedious process of pulverizing on tin graters, and prepared for table use as the fancy and taste of the "gude wife" would dictate. I once went to Perry Township and purchased three bushels of wheat, packed it on horseback to a horse mill in Orange Township, built by Robert Crawford on the farm now owned by Albert Tilton. The mill being thronged, I succeeded, by staying over night, in having part of my grist ground. On the following morning I packed my flour and grain on horses to Andrew Moore's, on Killbuck, where I boarded. Such were the difficulties encountered in getting grinding done at this period.

There was an abundance of ginseng-root in the forests. There were many who made it a business to gather it in the spring of the year. It was worth twenty-five cents per pound, and as it was one of the few productions of the country that commanded cash, large quantities were annually gathered. Michael Row, Sr., under the impression that the current rates . paid by merchants in the country were much below

Deer, raccoon, and wild turkey were plenty. Domestic linen and woolen goods composed the principal material for male and female dresses. The men were often dressed in buckskin pantaloons. In such attire the early settlers and their families enjoyed as much true happiness and independence as " Cesar with a senate at his heels."

The farm I assisted in improving was once the dwelling-place of part of a tribe of Indians, (said to be of the Senecas.) Their wigwams were numerous, built with small poles, front partly open, and covered with black ash or white elm bark, peeled from three to five feet long. Small troughs were made of the ash or elm bark to save or catch sugar water, as numbers were to be seen about large sugar trees that had been notched a number of years previous, the notches being covered with a new formation of wood amounting in thickness to two or three inches. Many trinkets or jewelry were found on cultivating the land. In the fall of 1822 there were nine Indian men and three squaws came in and encamped near the same ground for the purpose of hunting and trapping. They had about sixteen head of horses, and each man a rifle. They had a number of white visitors, each person carrying them some vegetables, such as turnips, cabbage, pumpkins, etc. Their cooks, for the sake of variety , boiled all their vegetables together in the same kettle. They remained in camp about nine days, and quitted the country with the good wishes

I taught school, where Tylertown now stands, six months during the year 1828. The school was sustained by subscription, one dollar and fifty cents per scholar. I was married in the fall of 1824, and removed to the place where I now reside, in Perry Township, the same fall. I commenced in the woods on the east half of the northeast quarter of section 17, being a part of the same quarter entered by John Carr in 1814, which I had purchased in 1822 for one dollar per acre. I have since added by purchase sixtyfive acres, a part at two dollars and sixty-two cents, a part at twenty dollars, and a part at forty dollars per acre. Our land was heavily timbered, white and black oak, hickory, soft maple, white and black ash. The underbrush was chiefly hickory, a good size for hoop-poles, but there was no call for them until about 1832. There was no foreign market then. Dogwood, white oak, and sassafras composed the balance of the grubs.

Day wages were about fifty cents in trade in harvest} fifty cents or a bushel of wheat for reaping; little cradling done in harvest. Grain was thrashed Soostly with horses, though some was done with the flail. Flax was raised for the lint. Eveiy housewife and maiden could spin flax or wool, and nearly onehalf of them could weave. The price of spinning was a shilling a dozen, or by the week seventy-five cents, and twelve and a half cents for weaving linen, such as was worn for shirts; weaving of coarser fabrics, less. Muslin shirts were not worn. Female apparel consisted chiefly of home-made linen, linsey, or flannel - each endeavoring to excel in quality as well as variety. When muslin was first used among laboring men it cost twenty-five cents to thirty-eight cents per yard.

There were two churches in the township in 1824 : one Presbyterian, called Mount Hope, near the northeast comer of the township; the other a Lutheran, on the south side of the township. The size of each was about thirty by thirty-five feet, and both were built of hewn logs. The members were few and much scattered. The Methodists had three places of worship in private houses : at Mr. Carr's, Mr. Smalley's, and Mr. Heilman's. There were three school-houses, built of logs, one story high, clap-hoard roof, lighted by greased paper in place of glass; seats of slab or puncheon benches; tables for writing made of the same material as the seats, resting on pins driven into the log walls. House heated by fires in chimneys, which occupied one end of the building, before stoves were in use. The teacher's salary was paid by those sending to school, or by subscription, from one dollar and twenty-five cents to one dollar and fifty cents per scholar, thus depriving many youths of the means of education by that system.

Janes Allison

James Allison emigrated from Jefferson County, Ohio, to Perry Township during March, 1818. His wife and six children, namely, John, Alexander, Mary,

Ann, Jane, and Catherine, constituted his family at that date. Of the sons and daughters mentioned, Alexander is the only survivor in Perry. Mrs. Jane, wife of Daniel Ellenbarger, and Miss Catherine Allison, reside in Mohican Township.

Mr. Allison died May 2d, 1839, at the age of sixtyfour years. His wife had died in April of the previous year at the age of sixty-two years. Mr. Allison and wife died upon the place he originally purchased of David Smith, being fifty acres in section 2.

Alexander Allison was an eye-witness of this event, which is mentioned in another place. It was on the premises of Mr. Allison's uncle, John Pittinger, whose land was in process of being cleared. Messrs. Campbell and Pittinger were sitting upon the ground near a tree, engaged in conversation, when an oak tree, which had been several hours burning at its base, commenced falling in the direction of where the men were stationed. Mr. Allison, who was near, but outside the range of the falling tree, happened to discover the danger, and instantly notified the men. Mr. Pittinger escaped by Beeking refuge behind a tree near which they were sitting; but Mr. Campbell, being less active, was struck, while in the act of rising, upon the back by a heavy limb, crushing the bones and producing instant death.

Henry Buffamyer

Henry Buffamyer immigrated to Perry Township in May, 1826, and purchased of Joseph Carr the half section of land, parts of which are now owned by David and Matthew Bufiamyer. He died on the last day of March, 1849, aged eighty-six years. His. widow is at this time (January 23d, 1862) residing with her son David, and although she has attained the age of eighty-one years, her health and faculties are but slightly impaired.

John Carr

During the following year he removed his family from Tuscarawas County, and in March, 1811, commenced his improvement on the part of the land above described.

In the spring of 1814 he sold his land to John £wing, and purchased two quarters in Montgomery, and two quarters in Perry Township, a part of one of which latter purchase is now owned by John Allison. He removed to the land in Montgomery. Township now occupied by Samuel Horn, Mrs. Horn, Mr. Harlan, and Mr. Weidler. His house was erected upon the place now occupied by Mrs. Horn, where he remained till his death, which occurred April 1, 1836, in the sixty-fifth year of his age.

. Mr. Carr's whole life, from the age of seventeen, was passed among the pioneers, and in the wilderness of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Boy though he was at the age above mentioned, he removed to Washington County, Pennsylvania.

During Wayne's campaign against the hostile Indian tribes he acted as spy. Shortly after the close of the war he married in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and removed with his wife to what was the then Northeastern Territory, living first in what be- came afterward Jefferson, and then in the country of which Tuscarawas County now forms a part. From the latter county he* removed, as above stated, to a quarter of the land he had previously entered in Mohican Township.

When he removed to Mohican his family consisted of his wife and eleven children, namely, Thomas, Nicholas, Nancy, Hugh, Joshua, Benjamin, John, Margaret, Susan, Samuel, and Aaron.

Hugh Carr (son of John, whose name is included among the children above mentioned) removed to the land in Perry Township, which he improved and has since occupied.

In the fall or early part of the winter of 1812 the family of William Biyan, residing on the Jerome Fork, about a mile and a half below Jeromeville, were one afternoon surprised by the appearance of a couple of Indians. As the friendly Indians of the neighborhood had all been removed, their presence occasioned suspicion. They asked for food, and while it was being prepared a girl was dispatched to the fort to give the alarm. Thomas Carr and the Frenchman, Jerome, immediately armed themselves and started in pursuit, but before they reached Mr. Biyan's house the Indians had taken their leave and pursuit was abandoned. On the same night these Indians visited the house of John Collyer, as described in the narrative of Thomas Newman. It was afterward learned that they visited Goshen, Tuscarawas County, for the purpose of inducing some of their relatives to return

Mr. John Carr received a letter from Captain Mc- Connell stating that he had obtained information from his captives that an extensive conspiracy had been formed among the Indians in the Huron country, to murder the inhabitants about JeromeviUe and vicinity, and to burn their dwellings. The Indian who had communicated this intelligence was a former friend of Mr. Carr, and made the disclosure to Captain McConnell in order that he might advise Mr. Carr of his danger. The name of this Indian was Phillip Ignatius. The result of the battle at Fort Stephenson and on the peninsula, probably destroyed this and many other bloody schemes of the Indians.

Soon after the surrender of Hull at Detroit, in the fall of 1812, and on the day following the first massacre on the Black Fork, a party of unarmed soldiers from Hull's army, passing on their way eastward, gave information to the neighbors, (who had assembled at Jerome's place for the purpose of devising measures of safety,) that as they were opposite a point in the forest about a mile and a quarter west of Jerome's, they heard the voice of a man a few rods from their trail engaged in very earnest prayer, and uttering loud cries for mercy. The loud and vehement language of the man led them to conclude that he was a captive in the hands of savage Indians, and that he was making his last prayer. Their story created quite a panic, in the midst of which George (brother of Adam) Poe, who was traveling on horseback from Wooster to Mansfield, appeared among them. Hav- ing listened to the statement of the soldiers, he immediately returned on his way to Wooster to procure assistance from Bell's army, then quartered there.

Being a man of unusual weight, and urging his horse forward with great speed, the animal (although a splendid one) gave out when he reached Killbuck. Here procuring a fresh horse of Nathan Warner, he completed his journey to Wooster. Gen. Bell immediately sent a detachment of sixty soldiers, under Captain Nicholas Murray, to the relief of the inhabitants. Night overtook them at the Killbuck, where they were met by the fugitive families of John Carr, Christopher Trickle, Matthew Williams, Robert Newell, and Ezra Warner. Three other families, namely, Daniel Carter's, Jacob Fry's, and Benjamin Cuppy's, passed the night in the neighborhood of what is now New Pittsburg, and early on the following morning joined the other families and military force in Killbuck. Under the protection offered by Captain Murray, all the families, except Mr. Carter's, (which continued their journey to Tuscarawas,) returned to Jerome's Place, where a fort was immediately erected.

These Indians, Mr. Carr states, with the exception of one family, (Qua-qui-ow-wlia, which removed to Canada immediately after the declaration of war,) were all friendly to the whites. The order of the government to Gen. Bell for their removal was issued at their own request.

American government, was arrested by Gen. Bell and confined in the Wooster jail. Robert Newell and John Carr visited Gen. Bell, and, on a representation of the facts, procured Jerome's release. While he was incarcerated at Wooster, the Indians at Jerometown were removed to Urbanna, and Mr. Carr is of opinion that the wife and daughter of Jerome voluntarily joined the Indians at the time of their removal.

Arthur Campbell, Sb

Arthur Campbell, Sr., emigrated from Washington County, Pennsylvania, to Perry Township, in May, 1815. He entered the half section, a part of whioh is now owned by his son, Arthur Campbell, Jr., and other parts of which are owned by Jacob Brady, Thomas Osborn, Garrett Dorland, and Haynes Jones. His family, at the time of liis removal, consisted of his wife and five children, namely, Mary Ann, Charles, Arthur, Margaret, and Daniel.

According to the recollection of Arthur Campbell, Jr., the heads of families in Perry Township, when his father selected it as his home, were Cornelius Dorland, Henry and John Pittinger, John Raver, David and Daniel Williams, Henry Worst, Thomas Johnson, and Benjamin Emmons.

In 1815 or 1816, (about twenty years before Rowsburg was laid out,) an effort was made by John Raver to establish a town on the Wooster Road between the present site of Rowsburg and the Muddy Fork.

Beyond the naming of the village, which was called Elizabethtown, and the offering of some lots at a- public sale, no progress was made in building up the proposed town, and the scheme was abandoned.