Paint Township (part 7 of 14)

Sketches Of Early Settlers

March, 1810, locating on a piece of ground four or live miles south of Washington. -During the Indian trouhles of 1812, he engaged in the defense of his country, being chosen major. In 1814 he removed to Washington and two years later engaged in the mercantile business, continuing in the same till his death, which occurred in 1828. In 1814 he purchased seven lots in the town of Washington, for which he paid in cash |10,000. After his death the property did not realize $1,000 outside of the dower set aside for his widow. This instance is cited to illustrate the terrible depreciation of property during that period.

John Dewitt

Who was one of the first settlers, was born in Clark County, Kentucky. Accompanied by his uncle, Fredrick Bray, and his brothers, Henry and Gabriel, he left his native soil and came to this state, settling in Ross County ; this was in the year 1806. The party traveled the entire distance on foot ; all Kentuckians were great hunters and therefore good travelers. It is said that Henry Dewitt frequently walked seventy-five miles in a single day. Dewitt remained in Koss County two years and while there entered into the bonds of matrimony with Miss Polly Barker. Soon after the marriage the young couple removed to Fayette County, settling on land located four miles southeast of Washington. Jesse, the youngest son, is at present living on the original homestead. He purchased a small farm at first but added to the same and finally owned several thousand acres. This land was originally owned by Baron ISteuben, McKay, Duncan McArthur and others, and is situated in Wayne Township. In 1812 Mr. Dewitt volunteered to assist in defending the Americans against the British and their allies, the Indians, and was stationed at Upper Sandusky, where he remained until peace was declared. He was one of the first constables, was then elected justice of the peace and held the position for many years. He was considered one of the best hunters, hunting being a favorite pastime with him. When the first court was established in this county, the legal talent of Chillicothe were in the habit of leaving their homes on the day preceding the opening of court, travel to the house of Dewitt and remain over night ; there they were always accorded a warm reception. Governors McArthur, Allen and Thuriaaan, were frequent guests at his house. Ministers of all denominations made his house their headquarters,. meetings being held there. He was a member of the Baptist church, always voted the Democratic tioket, and enjoyed good health until a short time prior to his death. His union with Miss Barker was blessed with eleven children : Eveline, intermarried with William Orr (now dead); Jane, wife of James Allen, at present residing in Missouri; Anderson, living at Washington, C. H., in this county; Darlington, now a resident of Iowa ; Decatur, died at the age of 30 ; Kachel, married Wesley Prior, now living in Missouri ; Peter G., on part of the homestead ; John, occupies a portion of the homestead; Jesse, residing in the old house; Candice, intermarried

Jesse Rowe

Left his home in Louisa County, Virginia, at the age of forty, accompanied by his family of eight children - four boys and four girls - most of whom were married : he came to this state locating temporarily at Frankfort, in Ross County. In the year 1808 he removed to this county, settling on Wabash Creek, seven miles south of Washington, where he purchased about fifteen hundred acres of land which was divided amongst his children. It is said of him that he was a very stout, hale and hearty man, being blessed with good lungs and a loud voice. On one occasion several horses strayed from a pasture-field, and two of the boys were directed to go in search of them. When they were about three miles from the house the horses returned. The old gentleman proclaimed this information to the boys, and though nearly three miles distant they heard him and returned to the parental roof. He died in 1845. The following sketch of his life was contributed to the Western Christian Advocate, February 20, 1846, by John W. Keely, Esq.:

" Departed this life, at his residence in Fayette County, Ohio, September 15, 1845, Jesse Rowe, senior, in the ninety-first year of his age. He emigrated to Ohio in 1808, from Virginia, and for the last sixty-three years was an acceptable and zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His house was long a preaching place and a home for the wayfaring itinerant. The first Methodist class formed in the county was at his house.

sustaining the peculiar institutions of the chnrch. At his own expense he erected a very neat and comfortable meeting-house in his neighborhood, and directed in his will that it should be deeded to the Methodist Episcopal Church, by his executor, for the use of the society worshiping in it. At the same time he willed to the stewards of Washington Circuit, fifty dollars in trust to be invested in some safe way at six per cent interest to be applied as follows : Two dollars to be paid as cpiarterage, and one dollar as table expenses annually.

"This old and much loved veteran of the cross lived to see the fourth generation. He had nine children, forty-eight grand-children, sixty-three great grand children and one great great grand child. Many of these are following in his footsteps and imitating his example. 'Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.' "

Thomas Green

Was born in Hampshire County, Virginia, in the year 1784. In 1807 he was married to Margaret Jobe, and in the following year the young couple, accompanied by a man named Jury and his wife, removed to this state. They came in a four-horse wagon ; the country was scarcely traversable, and frequently were they obliged to cut their way through the almost impenetrable forests ; at other times they constructed rafts that they might cross the many streams. The party settled near Plillsboro, in Highland County, where they remained until 1810, at which time the Greens removed to this county, locating four miles southeast of Washington, on Buckskin. Green was a member of the jury that was empaneled by the tirst court ever held in the town of Washington. He hired a substitute to go out in the war of 1812, but volunteered as teamster and hauled supplies for the American arm3\ In 1816 he removed to Greene County, thence to Clarke ; in 1826 he returned to this county. He frequently hauled pork and produce to Zanesville and Cincinnati, exchanging them for family supplies; being usually accompanied by Phihp Moore. Green was captain of a home militia company for a number of years, and also justice of the peace of Paint Township. He at one time owned about fourteen hundred acres of land and was an extensive trader in cattle and hogs. His wife died in 1840 ; he in 1871, aged eighty-seven. His son, Hamilton, who was born in 1811, yet resides on the farm formerly owned by Adam Funk.

Colonel James Stewart

Perhaps none of the early settlers labored with more zeal in the interest of the new county, or enjoyed a greater influence than Colonel James Stewart. With his father he came from Maryland, his native state, in 1807. They purchased land in Eoss Connty - five hundred acres - in Marion Township, where George Fullerton now resides ; two hundred and fifty acres on the waters of Corapton's Creek, and two hundred and fifty acres adjoining the latter tract. They then returned to Maryland, and in 1809 came with the family and settled in Ross County, near Frankfort. In 1810 James came to this county and located on land adjoining Bloomingburg, where his son George now resides. In 1812 he was appointed colonel of a regiment which was made up of Fayette County men. They were ordered to the frontier and participated in several engagements. After the war he was appointed surveyor and was kept very bus}^ by purchasers of lands. His brother Eobert was the orio-iual director of the town of Washington, and upon his resignation the colonel was appointed to fill the vacancy.

Hugh Steward

Was born in 1805 and at the age of five he came to Bloomingburg to "carry chips" for his sister, who kept house for James. In a few years he went back to Ross County, but in 1828 settled in Bloomingburg, where he still resides.

Philip Moor

Was a native of Clark County, Kentucky, where he lived until 1811, when he removed with his family, consisting of his wife and nine children, to this state. The journey was made by teams, the Ohio being crossed on rafts at Maysville, and was of four weeks' duration. Adam Funk, who was a neighbor of Moor's before he left Kentucky, purchased for the latter a part of the Hoof survey, in Paint Township, containing three hundred acres, and paid nine hundred dollars for the same. The family took possession on the 1st of April, 1811, about one year after the first court had been

James Kirkpatrick

Left Virginia in the year 1810, accompanied by his wife and two chihU^en (one chikl was left behind), and William Young, his brother-in-law. While yet on the other side of the Ohio River, they fell in company with the Ray and Fifer families, who accompanied them as far as Madison County. The remaining members of the party came to Fayette, and on Christmas Eve of the same year arrived at the cabin of Solomon Soward, in Jefferson Township, where they remained during the winter. Upon arriving in this comity, they stopped at the cabin of Captain Joseph Parrett, and upon inquiring for Soward's cabin, were informed that it was located about two miles further on, on Paint Creek. No road but a bridle path led to the place, and they were compelled to leave the wagons behind them. The next morning they returned for the same, and found the goods (among which was a tin box containing eight hundred dollars) unmolested. Indians frequently came to Soward's, bringing deer hams, and exchanging them for corn meal. The Virginians woi-e exceedingly anxious to see the camp of the savages, and on the Sunday following their arrival, followed a squaw, who had been at the house, to the encampment, which was located on the high banlv of Paint Creek, on the Reuben Vesay farm. The redskins, about thirty in number, Avere peaceable, but did not appear well pleased with the visit, and left the neighborhood a few days after, and never returned. In 1811, Kirkpatrick and Jacob Dunkle purchased of Mr. Gatch, of Chillicothe, the Mosley survey in Jefferson Township, containing one thousand acres, a portion of which is now owned by his son Henry Kirk. He engaged in the war of 1812, served as county commissioner, and was one of Fayette's prominent citizens. He died January 1, 1840; his wife, April 16, 1863. The union was blessed with thirteen children, of whom five are living. For the sake of convenience the family name has been changed from Kirkpatrick to Kirk.

James Hays

A native of Virginia, came to Kentucky in an early day, where he was wedded to Letta Rankins. In the first days of this century, the family came to the mouth of Big Belly, Pickaway County, and presumably in 1805 to this county. They settled on a two hundred acre tract in Paint Township. The sight, is now owned by Charles Hays. Three of his sons were in the war of 1812. When the family first effected a settlement, there was no habitation between their humble cabin and Frankfort (then called Oldtown). Hays died in 1850. The family consisted of tw^elve children, of which Benjamin, the youngest, alone is now living. Mr. Hays was township trustee for a number of years.

George Creamer

Came to Fayette, in 1810, from Berkeley County, Virginia, in company with four sons, Michael, Joseph, David, and George. George and Michael had families. The others were married soon after their arrival; Joseph to Margaret Miller, and David to Elizabeth Smith. They settled in Jeiferson Township, on Sugar Creek, in which their posterit}^ now reside. At the surrender of Hull, Joseph, Michael, and David responded to the call for volunteers to aid in suppressing the anticipated invasion by the British. The Creamers have frequently held offices of publi6 trust. David was long surveyor, and also justice of the peace. George, sen., died about 1825; his son George in 1861, Michael in 1840, David in 1860, and Joseph in 1872. J. B. Creamer, son of George, jr., was married in April, 1833, and settled on his present place, about half a mile south of Jeffersonville. He was county commissioner from 1844 to 1850, and also served as justice of the peace and trustee, and was elected land appraiser in 1870. His son Andrew R. is the present state senator from this district. The late M. S. Creamer w^as a son of Wesley Creamer, and grandson of Michael Creamer. He represented Fayette in the legislature, but died before his term expired.

Philip Fent

Came to this county from Green County, Tennessee, about the year 1814, accompanied by his wife and five children. A native of Virginia, he married Catharine Parrett, also born in that state; thence removed to Tennessee, and at the breaking out of the revolutionary war enlisted in the American army, serving faithfully for a period of seven years. At the close of the war he received a military warrant for a tract of land situated in this county, and determined to settle thereon. Accordingly a party of about thirty people, consisting of the Fents, Parretts, and Fancheers, started for Ohio in four wagons, and at the expiration of three weeks, found themselves within the limits of Fayette County. Fent wan entitled to two hundred acres of land, and before leaving his native state, entrusted an uncle, who was a resident of Fayette, with the selection, etc., of his property. The latter procured the land, but lost it through bad management, in consequence of which his nephew was forced to look for a new tract. He settled in what is now known as Jeife'rson Township, on two hundred acres of land, now occupied by Eli Parrett, purchasing but fitty acres at first, and exchanging his wagon for the same. Fent's wife died about the year 1816, and he survived until 1835. His son James, born in 1801, resides at Jetlersonville ; a daughter in HHnois. The descendants are thrifty farmers of this county.

William Robinson, Sen

A native North Carolinian, removed to Virginia with his family in the closing years of the eighteenth century. In 1801 he came to Ohio with his sons, now grown to manhood, and settled in Greene County, about five miles southeast of Xenia, where they remained several j^ears, then removed to this county. Desiring to explore this locality before leaving, they went to Martin Mendenhall's, then the only person living in the vicinity of what is now known as Jamestown, who put them on an old trace leading to Chillicothe, which they followed until it struck Sugar Creek, near where Jetiersonville now stands. The party camped in a white oak grove, about one hundred yards from the Isaac Parrett farm. Their sleep was disturbed by the buzzing of bees overhead, and on the following morning they discovered a considerable amount of honey, on which they feasted to their heart's content. They decided to settle here ; William, sen,, on the present site of Jefifersonville, where Richard Fox now lives ;^ his son William on the " Wright farm," just across the creek from Jefi:'ersonville; Thomas and Abner removed to the land now owned by Louis JameS ; the other son, Nicholas, on Rattlesnake Creek. William, jr., was a teamster in the war of 1812; Thomas was captain of a company organized in this county. Grandfather Robinson died in 1840; his son William in 1874; the others moved to the West. Thomas settled at Fort

Wayne, Indiana; NiclK^as in Cohoes County, Illinois; Abner at Vincennes, Indiana. There was one daughter, who married Joseph Hosier, and lived in Greene County.

Adam Allen

Was a native of Pennsylvania, but ran away from home at the age of sixteen, and enlisted in the revolutionary war, where he remained till its close, when he went to Kentucky and engaged in running the Upper and Lower Blue Lick Salt Works. He was passionately fond of hunting, and found a paradise in this state, where game abounded. He was married, it is thought, while in Kentucky, to Miss Kyger. The couple came to near Springfield, Clarke County, Ohio, which at that time consisted of a few scattering cabins. During the war of 1812, he started to Fort Wa^-ne to join the American army. However, the war had closed before he arrived at his destination. He next came to this county with, his family, and "squatted" on the site of AUentown, now the junction of the D. & S. E. and C. M. & C. railroads. He retained his hunting propensities, killed much game, and provided venison for the family table and buckskin for the wearing apparel of the young men. Allen afterward removed to the immediate vicinity of the hamlet of AUentown, in which he resided till his death, which occurred in 1,851, at the age of ninety-four years. He was a patriotic citizen, and often predicted the war of the rebellion. He had eight children, four of whom survive: Elijah, William, and Ethan, who reside near the old home, and Adam, who resides in Madison County.

James Sanderson

A Kentuckian, removed to Ohio with his family in 1812, settling on the llite survey, No. 1,223, consisting of one thousand acres, in this county. Two of his sons, James and Aleck, were active participants of tlie war of 1812, at the close of which they returned to their home, and assisted in tilling the soil. One of the sons, Harvey, whose son now resides on the old homestead, assisted in cutting out the fil'st roads of this vicinity. The family followed an old Indian trace when removing from Kentucky. The elder Sandersons have long since gone to that country from whose bourne no traveler returns. Harvey, sen., died in 1876. His wife is still living at the advanced age of eighty-six.

Sketches Of Eakly Settlers Jacob A. Rankin

Was born in Ross County, Ohio, in the year 1800, and at the age of twelve or thirteen left the parental roof, because of the dissipation of his father, came to Bloomingburgh, in this county, and was employed by Judge Gillespie as a farm hand. His mother, who accompanied him, died soon after. His father came here also, and died in September, 1828. Eankin was a poor lad, but managed to save enough from his scanty earnings in the course of a few years, to enable him to rent a farm. He was married to Elizabeth Kerr, a daughter of Jacob Kerr. They removed to a farm south of Plymouth, in the David Persinger neighborhood. He was for mau}^ years a justice of the peace, and held other oflices of trust. In 1834, he settled on a portion of the land now owned by his son Smith, at Milledgeville, where he lived till February, 1876, when death called him to a country where pioneer struggles are unknown. His wife died in December, 1879.

Rafe Durham

Though not an early resident of this county, has lived in its immediate vicinity for more than sixty years. A native of Berkshire County, Virginia, he immigrated to this state with his family and aged father in 1816, locating at Kew Holland, in Pickaway County. He removed to his present place (survey No. 8119, Marion Township) in 1835-6. The vicinity was .then but thinly settled, every one living in peace and quietude. Property was considered safe, and locks and keys were comparatively unknown. He was well accpiainted with the participants in the great Funk fight, being a member of the rifle company' commanded by Captain James jMills, and pressed into service on that occasion. Prior to his departure from Virginia, he cnt'ered the bonds of matrimony with Elizabeth Elliott, with whom he lived happily for sixty-seven years. The pair were not separated from each other for more than ten days at any one time, until death parted them for the time being. She was aged eighty-seven at the time of her death (August, 1880), being several months cvlder than her husl;>and, who lives quietly in the old home, realizing that his days are numbered, and that he will soon be reunited to the companion of his youth.

Thomas Fullerton

Was a native of Greeucastle, Pennsylvania. At a suitable age he attended Yale College, in which he graduated with high honors. He then engaged in business in the city of Baltimore, and continued until the year 1812, when he failed. Together with others, who had been alike unfortunate, he conceived the idea of going to the northwest, and came to Fayette in 1814, settling near Bloomingburgh. Being a fine penman, he was visited by many of the pioneers, and requested to draw up various instruments for them. A fast friend of Batteal Harrison, he was often consulted by him on matters of importance. A few years later he began teaching school, continuing in this profession for upward of thirty years. A great many peaches were grown in this locality, peach brand}^ being the favorite beverage of the inhabitants. At one time, five distilleries in and about Bloomingburgh were engaged in the manufacture of this drink. Rye was taken to Chillicothe, and exchanged for whisky. Fullerton died many years ago. His son George S. is an old and respected citizen of Marion Township.

Henry Strope

July. 7, 1812, witnessed the departure of Henry Strope, a native of Pennsylvania, who, accompanied by his family, X'onsisting of his wife and nine children, crossed the Alleghanies in the " old-fashioned wagon," and arrived at Chillicothe on the 15th of September, remaining there until 1814, at which time tliey removed to this county, settling on a farm in the present limits of Marion Township, now owned by Burnett Mooney, consisting of twelve hundred acres, which was rented of Adam Turner. During the war of 1812 he drove cattle to Fort Meigs, for the use of the American army. He lived a quiet life, raised a large family, but accumulated little property, and died in 1848. His son, 'Squire Strope, has lived on the farm he now dwns sixty-five years, was the first justice of the peace of Marion Township, and still continues in that office.

General Batteal Harrison Sketches Of Early Settlers

was also Benjamin. Batteal's father was a soldier in the Revohi- tion, fought under Washington; was a descendant of the ilhistrious Benjamin Harrison, who led the army of Cromwell in his long and bloody struggle. When quite a child Batteal and his parents started for the' wilds of Kentucky. While waiting at his aunt's, in Wheeling, Avhere they were to take the boat, she prevailed upon his parents, on account of the great danger from Indians, to leave the boy with her until the family were located and the danger had subsided. Two years after they returned for him, but he had become so attached to her that he refused to leave her ; they even undertook to force him to accompany them, but she persuaded them to let him stay and they returned without him, and he remained with her until he was grown to be a man. Wishing to see his parents he started, first going to St. Clairsville, Ohio, then to Chillicothe, where, learning that his mother was dead, he abandoned the idea of going to Kentucky, recruited a company and entered the war of 1812, during which, in 1812 or 1813, he married Miss Elizabeth Scott, daughter of Dr. Joseph Scott, of ChillicotRe, and after the war, in 1815, removed to the north fork of Paint Creek and settled on a tract of land located by John A. Fulton on a warrant obtained by the services of his father in the revolutionary war, and which during his (Batteal's) services in 1812, he employed Fulton to enter on the best vacant land, and by reason of his failure to do so, he sued him for breach of contract and recovered heavy damages. This tract of land was situated in Madison Township, on the north fork of Paint Creek near the center of the township on the Columbus pike, now occupied in part by Sheffelbarker. There were one thousand and forty acres in this body. He also owned six hundred acres not far from it and other pieces amounting in the aggregate to about two thousand two hundred acres.

He was one of the most prominent men in the county ; served gloriously in the war of 1812 (which see), was elected one of the earliest associate justices of the court, at first a colonel, then commissioned a brigadier general of the home militia, and served several terms in the legislature, during which the following anecdote is related of him :

Harrison had one failing ; honest and upright in all things, he had a strong liking for whisky. While he was a member of the legislature, and during a session of the same. Judge Green, then of Chillicothe but now a resident of Columbus, and also a member of the legislative body, introduced a bill wliicli provided for the employment of a corps of men who were to make a geological survey of the state. Harrison opposed the measure, giving as his reasons that the general condition of the state and her inhabitants did not justify the commencement of the work at that time. *It was discovered by the friends of the bill that it could not be passed unless Harrison was induced to alter his opinion regarding it. Green proposed that five or six of them meet in his room on a certain evening, Harrison was to be invited and liquor was to be furnished in abundance. On the appointed evening all the parties, including Harrison, met at Judge Green's rooms. After the guests had imbibed pretty freely of the liquor, the possibility of passing the "geological survey bill" was discussed and Harrison was importuned to use his influence in its support. The latter when driven to the wall would say : have another round of Judge Green's good whisky." His request was complied with several times in quick succession. Finally all the occupants of the room became very drunk, Hamson being more sober than his companions. Again they requested him earnestly to come over to their side of the question, to which he replied : "Well, General Green, let's have a little more of your whisky and then I'll talk about the 'geological survey.' " The bottle was passed ; he took another drink and said : "Gentlemen, this is excellent whisky, and it is certainly very kind in General Green in supplying us with such a good article, but I will see you all eternally d - d before I will vote for that bill."

General Harrison lost his wife in 1851, he following in. 1857. Three sons and one daughter are still living. William lives in Washington, this county ; Benjamin, in Madison, Ohio, and David in Missouri. Their sister married Thomas Vance, still survives as his widow, and lives on a portion of the original tract owned by her father. John J., the youngest son, participated in the rebellion and died at Augusta, Georgia. Scott, captain of a regiment in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, died in S County, Missouri, October, 1878.

Old Settlers

The Aliens, Ananias and his sons, came from Pennsylvania, about 1809 or 1810, and settled near Bloomingburg, on what was then called the " New Purchase," which was so called because it was the first purchase on the east fork of Paint Creek. The Aliens all took part in the war of 1812.

The Coons also came from Virginia, and in about 1800 located near the site of the Harveys, putting up four or five little cabins for their accommodation.

William Morgan came also from the Old Dominion, in about 1808, and settled first in lioss County; then located adjoining Samuel M^^ers, on Duft''s Fork of Deer Creek.

Amstead Carder, from Virginia, settled on the Springfield road, south of Bloomingburg. He was a son of Sanford Carder, an old revolutionary soldier, who drew a pension for his services in the same.

Two bachelors, by the name of George Kyle and Alexander Riley, lived together in a cabin near Bloomingburg, but finally quarrelled and parted, because one accused the other of being intolerably filthy. Riley subsequently moved to Compton's Creek, but cut hay and fed cattle on his farm. He would go in the evening to. feed his cattle, crawl into the hay stack and remain till morning, feed again, and return home. These old bachelors came to the county some time previous to 1810.

John and Samuel Ilerrod, were sons-in-law of Sanford Corder; both came from Virginia, and in, about, 1808, setled on the west side of Madison Township.

James Thompson, son-in-law of James Hayes, came from Kentucky, and settled on a fork of the north fork of Paint Creek, which afterwards took his name.

Old Settleks

Mr. Wood moved from Pendleton County, Virginia, and being a man of intelligence was created one of the first justices of the peace of the county.

Mr. Kerr came from Pendleton County, Virginia, and first settled in Jefferson Township. He was a farmer, and the father of Col. S, F. Kerr, of Washington.

In 1810, or 1811, there was a large family of Aliens left Pennsylvania, and settled in this county. Many of their descendants are still living: Elijah lived near the old Myers place, on the Bloomingburg and Danville pike, about four miles from the former ; James and John lived near the present site of Bloomingburg. There were also George, David, and Ananias.

Prominent Physicians

Dr. Thomas McGara was a native of Pennsylvania, where his boyhood days were spent. In the fall of 1812 he left the land of his fathers', came to this connty and settled in Washington, engaging in the practice of medicine, being the tirst practicing physician in the county. His family consisted of a wife and two children, Joseph and Jane - the latter never married. Joseph married a lady named Smith, and engaged in the medical profession in Greenfield and Ross County. The elder McGara was a great favorite of the people ; was elected to the state legislature, serving his constituents faithfully for a period of six years. He died at the age of eightyeight, retaining his faculties to the last, having continued in his medical pursuits until one year prior to his death. He was an uncle of Judge Daniel McLean - his mother's brother. He was a very popular man, of a slow, deliberate disposition and somewhat singular in his habits.

Baldridge, who came here in about tlje year 1811. With his medical duties he combined those of a minister of the gospel. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church ; had a wife and one child.

Benjamin Hinton

The next physician of more than ordinary ability was Benjamin Hin^on, who came from Highland County in 1818. A few years after his settlement in this county he was united in marriage with Rachel Stimpson. He was an energetic and upright citizen and noted for his great kindness to patients. Mr. Hinton was a mem- ber of the legislature, and county treasurer (collector) for many years. In 1838 lie removed, to Peru, Indiana, where he died some years ago.

James Hinton

James llinton, a brother of Benjamin, was a member of the pioneer medical fraternity of this county. .Unlike his brother, who died in comparative poverty, he rapidly accumulated a fortune. He finally left for the west, settling in McLean County, Illinois, where he purchased a tract of land containing fourteen hundred acres. He is now seventy-seven years of age, but still continues in the practice of his chosen profession.

Habits And Customs Of The Pioneers Dress And Furniture

In these days of primitive simplicity tlie women were not afraid to work. They milked, cooked, spun, wove, and made garments for themselves and the other members of the household. The men raised their little crops, brought in meat, generally from the woods, ground the corn, fought the Indians, built the cabins, and protected the women.

Dress did not then require so much labor and trigonometry as it does now. Then six yards of linsey would envelop the natural form of the pioneer woman; now twenty-six scarce will suffice, besides other accessories, too nnmerons and intricate to mention. Then buckskin breeches, linsey hunting-shirt, coon-skin cap, and moccasins encased the stalwart form of the hunter ; now the perfumed fop, dressed in broadcloth, beaver, kid, and patent leather, is redolent with musk and night-blooming cereus. Tin cups were not aspired to except by the wealthy. The table consisted of a hewed slab, with four legs, and for chairs, a stool of the same material, with three legs. For bureaus and wardrobes (the}^ didn't know what a dressing-case meant), a hickory tree was girdled all around in two places, a line cut through from one to the other, and the bark taken off and sewed together, with a bottom and cover of the same material, which, when smoothed, made a very good article. We take a description of the hunting-shirt from Western Annals :

" This was a kind of loose frock, reaching half way down the thighs, with large sleeves, open before, and so wide as to lap over a foot or more when belted. The cape was large, and sometimes handsomely fringed with a raveled piece of cloth of a diiFerent color. The bosom of his dress served as a wallet, to hold a chunk of bread, calve's jerk, tow for wiping the barrel of his riile, or any thing necessary for the hunter or warrior. The belt, which was always tied behind, answered various purposes. In cold weather the mittens, and sometimes the bullet-bag, the tomahawk, and knife," were attached to it. The hnnting-shirt was generally made of linsey, sometimes of coarse linen, and frequently of deerskin, which latter was very disagreeable when wet.

" The thighs were protected by breeches and leggins, and the feet by moccasins, made generally out of a single piece of buckskin, with a gathering seam along the top of the foot, and another from the bottom of the heel as high as the ankle joint. Flaps were left on each side to fasten tightl}^ around the ankle and leg by means of deerskin thongs. In cold weather they were stufi'ed with dry leaves or hair, which kept the feet warm, but in wet weather the}' were useless, and it is said, ' only a decent way of going barefooted.' "

The means of defense consisted of cabins, block-houses, and stockades. A range of cabins built about six feet apart, joined together by logs on the outside, generall}' formed one side of the fort. On the exposed side the walls were from ten to twelve feet high, from which the roof sloped inward. But few of these cabins had a puncheon floor, mostly being earthen.

After the ancient custom of castles, the block-houses were built at each angle of the fort or stockade. They projected about two feet beyond the outer walls of the cabins. Their upper stories were nearly two feet every way larger than the lower, leaving an opening at the commencement of the second story, to prevent the enemy from making a lodgment under their walls, A large folding gate, made of thick slabs, nearest the spring, closed the fort. These rude structures were furnished with port-holes at proper heights and distances. It will be remembered that all of these were made without a nail, spike, or iron fastening of any description. -

Health

Owing to the defective covering of the feet, more than to any other circumstance, the greater number of our hunters and warriors were afliicted with the rheumatism in their limbs. Of this disease they were all apprehensive in cold or wet weather, and

'therefore always slept with their feet to the fire to prevent or cure it as well as they could. This practice unquestionably had a very salutary effect, and prevented many of them from becoming confirmed cripples in early life.

For a long time after the first settlement of this country the inhabitants in general married young. There was no distinction of rank and very little of fortune. On these accounts the first impression of love resulted in marriage, and a family establishment cost but little labor and nothing else.

In the first years of the settlement of this country a wedding engaged the attention of a whole neighborhood, and the frolic was anticipated by old and young with eager anticipation. This is not to be wondered at, when it is told that a wedding was almost the only gathering which was not accompanied with the labor of reaping, log rolling, building a cabin, or planning some scout or campaign.

In the morning of the wedding day the groom and attendants assembled at the house of his father for the purpose of reaching the mansion of his bride by noon, which was the usual time for celebrating the nuptials, which, for certain reasons, must take place before dinner.

Let the reader imagine an assemblage of people, without a store, tailor or mantua-maker within a hundred miles; and an assemblage of horses, without a blacksmith or saddler within an equal distance. The gentlemen, dressed in shoe-packs, moccasins, leather breeches, leggins, linsey hunting shirts, all home-made. The ladies dressed in linsey petticoats and linsey or linen bed-gowns, coarse shoes, stockings, handkerchiets, and buckskin gloves, if any. If there were any buckles, rings, buttons or rufiles, they were the relics of old times - family pieces from parents or grandparents. The horses were caparisoned with old saddles, old bridles or halters, and packsaddles, with a bag or blanket thrown over them : a rope or string as often constituted the girth as a piece of leather.

The march, in double file, was often interrupted by the narrowness and obstructions of our horse-paths, as they were called, for we had no roads ; and these difliculties were often increased, sometimes by the good and sometimes by the ill-will of neighbors, by falling trees and tj^ing grape vines across the way. Sometimes an ambuscade was formed by the wayside, and an unexpected discharge of several guns took place, so as to cover the wedding company with smoke. Let the reader imagine the scene which followed this discharge : the sndden spring of the horses, the shrieks of the girls, and the chivalric bustle of their partners to save them from falling. Sometimes, in spite of all that could be done to prevent it, some were thrown to the ground. If a wrist, elbow, or ankle happened to be sprained, it was tied with a handkerchief and little more was thought or said about it.

Another ceremony took place before the part}' reached the house of the bride, after the practice of making whisky began, which was at an early period : when the party were about one mile from the place of their destination, two young men would single out to run for the bottle; the worse the path, the more logs, brush and deep hollows the better, as these obstacles aiforded an opportunity for the greater display of intrepidity and horsemanship. The English fox chase in point of danger to the riders and their horses, is nothing to this race for the bottle. The start was announced by an Indian yell ; logs, brush, muddy hollows, hill and glen were speedily passed by the rival ponies. The bottle was always tilled for the occasion, so that there was no use forjudges ; for the first who reached the door was presented with the prize, with which he returned in triumph to the company. On approaching them, he announced his victory over his rival by a shrill whoop. At the head of the troop, he gave the bottle first to the groom and his attendants, and then to each pair in succession to the rear of the line, giving each a dram and then putting the bottle in the bosom of his huntingshirt, took his station in the compau}'.

The ceremony of the marriage preceded the dinner, which was a substantial backwoods feast of beef, pork, fowls, and sometimes venison and bear meat, roasted and boiled, with plenty of potatoes, cabbage and other vegetables. During the dinner the greatest hilarity always prevailed; although the table might be a large slab of timber, hewed out with a broad ax, supported b}' four sticks set in augur holes, and the furniture some old pewter dishes, the rest wooden bowls and trenches ; a few pewter spoons, much battered about the edges, were to be seen at some tables. The rest were made of horns. If knives were scarce, the deficiency was made up by scalping knives which were carried in sheaths suspended to the belt of the hunting shirt.

After dinner the dancing commenced and generally lasted until the next morning. The figures of the dances were three and four handed reels, or square sets, and jigs. The commencement was always a square four, which was followed by what was called jigging it off: that is, two of the four would single out for a jig and were followed by the remaining couple. The jigs were often accompanied by what was called cutting: that is, when either of the parties became tired of the dance, on intimation the place was supplied by some one of the company without any interruption of the dance. In this way a dance was often continued till the musician was heartily tired of his situation. Toward the latter part of the night, if any of the company, through weariness, attempted to conceal themselves for the purpose of sleeping, they were hunted up, - paraded on the floor, and the tiddler ordered to play "Hang on till to-morrow morning."

About nine or ten o'clock, a deputation of young ladies stole off the bride and put her to bed. In doing this it frequently happened that they had to ascpnd a ladder, instead of a pair of stairs, leading from the dining and ball room to the loft, the floor of which was made of clapboards lying loose and without nails. This ascent, one might tliink, would put the bride and her attendants to the blush ; but as the foot of the ladder was commonly behind the door, which was purposely opened for the occasion, and its rounds at the inner ends were well hung with hunting shirts, petticoats and other articles of clothing, the candles being on the opposite side of the house, the exit of the bride was noticed by but few. This done, a deputation of young men in like manner stole oft' the groom and placed him snugly by the side of his bride. The dance still continued, and if seats happened to be scarce, which was very often the case, every young man, when not engaged in the dance, was obliged to offer his lap as a seat for one of the girls, and the offer was sure to be accepted. In the midst of this hilarity the bride and groom were not forgotten. Pretty late in the night, some one would remind the company that the new couple must stand in need of some refreshment : "Black Betty," which was the name of the bottle, was called for, and sent up the ladder ; but some times " Black Betty " did not go alone, many times as much bread, beef and cabbage as would afford a good meal for half a dozen hungry men were sent along with her. The young couple were compelled to eat and drink, more or less, of whatever was offered them.

Pioneer Habits And Customs

It often happened that some neighbors, or relations, not being asked to the wedding took ofi'ense, and the mode of revenge adopted by them, on such occasions, was that of cutting off the manes, foretops, and tails of the horses of the wedding eompan}-.

Settling A Young Couple

A spot was selected on a piece of land, of one of the parents, for their habitation. A day was appointed shortly after their marriage, for commencing the work of building their cabin. The fatigue party consisted of choppers, whose business it was to fell the trees, and cut them off at proper lengths ; a man with a team for hauling them to the place, and arranging them, properly assorted, at the sides and ends of the building; a carpenter, if such he might be called, whose business it was to search the woods for a proper tree for making clapboards for the roof. The tree for this purpose must be straight grained, and from three to four feet in diameter. The boards were split four feet long, with a large frow, and as wide as the timber would allow. They were used without planing or shaving. Another division was employed in getting puncheons for the floor of the cabin ; this was done by splitting trees, about eighteen inches in diameter, and hewing the faces of them with a broad-ax. They were half the length of the floor, they were intended to make.

The materials for the cabin were mostly prepared on the flrst day, and sometimes the foundation laid in the evening. The second day was alloted for the raising.

Putting Up The House

In the morning of the next day, the neighbors collected for the raising. The first thing to be done was the election of four corner men, whose business it was to notch and place the logs. The rest of the company furnished them with the timbers. In the meantime, the boards and puncheons were collected for the floor and roof, so that by the time the cabin was a few rounds high, the sleepers and floors began to be laid. The door \yas made by sawing, or cutting, the logs in one side, so as to make an opening about three feet wide. This opening was secured by upright pieces of timber, about three inches thick, through w^hich holes were bored into the ends of the logs for the purpose of pinning them fast. A similar opening, but wider, was made at the end for the chimney. This was built of logs, and made large to admit of a back and jambs of stone. At the square, two end logs projected a foot or eighteen inches beyond the wall to receive the butting-poles, as they were called, against which the ends of the first row of clapboards was supported. The roof was formed by making the end logs shorter, until a single log formed the comb of the roof; on these logs the clapboards were placed, the ranges of them laping some distance over those next below them, and kept in their places by logs placed at proper distances upon them.

The roof, and sometimes the floor, were finished on the same day of the raising. A third day was commonly spent by a few carpenters in leveling ofi* the fioor, making a clapboard door, and a table. This last was made of a split slab, and supported by four round logs set in auger holes. A few three legged stools were made in the same manner. A few pins stuck in the logs, at the back of the house, supported some clapboards which served for shelves for the table furniture. A single fork, placed with its lower end in a hole in the floor, and the upper end fastened to a joist served for a bedstead, by placing a pole in the fork with one end through a crack between the logs of the wall. This front pole was crossed by a shorter one within the fork, with its outer end through another crack. From the front pole, through a crack between the logs of the end of the house, the boards were put on which formed the bottom of the bed. Sometimes other poles, were pinned to the fork a little above these, for the purpose of supporting the front and foot of the bed, while the walls were the supports of its back and head. A few pegs around the walls for a display of the coats of the women, and hunting shirts of the men, and two small forks, or buck's horns, to a joist for the rifle and shot pouch, completed the carpenters work.

In the mean time, masons were at work. With the heart pieces of the timber, of which the clapboards wpre made, they made billets for chucking up the cracks between the logs of the cabin and chimney ; a large bed of mortar was made for daubing up those cracks. A few stones formed the back and jambs of the chimney.

House Warming

The house-warming was a dance of a whole night's continuance, made up of the relations of the bride and groom, and their neighbors. On the day following the young couple took possession of their new mansion.

At house-raisings, log-rollings, and harvest parties, every one was expected to do his duty faithfully. A person who did not perform his share of the labor on these occasions, was designated by the epithet of "Lawrence," or some other title still more opprobrious; and when it came his turn to require the like aid from his neighbors, the idler soon felt his punishment in their refusal to attend his calls.

Military

Although there was no legal compulsion to the performance of military duty, yet every man of full age and size was expected to do his full share of public service. If he did not do so he was " hated .out as a coward." Even the want of any article of war equipment, such as ammunition, a sharp flint, a priming-wire, a scalping knife, or tomahawk, was thought highlj' disgraceful. A man who, without reasonable cause, failed to go on a scout or campaign, when it came his turn, met with an expression of indignation in the countenances of his neighbors, and epithets of dishonor were fastened upon him without mercy.

Debts, which make such an uproar in civilized life, were but little known among our forefathers, at the early settlement of this country. After the depreciation of the continental paper they had no money of any kind; everything purchased was paid for in produce or labor. A good cow and calf was often the price of a bushel of alum salt. If a contract was not punctually fulfilled, the credit of the delinquent was at an end.

Any petty theft was i^unished with all the infamy that could be heaped upon the offender. A man on a campaign stole from his comrade a cake out of the ashes, in which it was baking. He was immediately named "the bread rounds." This epithet of reproach was bandied about in this way: When he came in sight of a group of men, one of them would call, "Who goes there?" Another w^ould answer, " The bread rounds." If any one meant to be more serious about the matter, he would call out, "Who stole a cake out of the ashes? " Another replied by giving the name of the man in full. To this a third would give confirmation by exclaiming, " That is true, and no lie." This kind of " tongue lashing" he was doomed to bear for the rest of the campaign, as well as for years after his return home.

If a theft was detected in any of the frontier settlements, a summary mode of punishment was always resorted to. The first settlers had a kind of innate or hereditary detestation of the crime of theft in any shape or degree, and their maxim was that a " thief must be whipped." If the theft was of something of some value, a kind of jury of the neighborhood, after hearing the testimony, would condemn the culprit to Moses' law, that is, to forty stripes, save one. If the theft was of some small article, the offender was doomed to carry on his back a flag of the United States, which then consisted of thirteen stripes. In either; case, some able hands were selected to execute the sentence, so that the stripes were sure to be well laid on. This punishment was followed by a sentence of exile. He was then informed that he must decamp in so many days, and be seen there no more, on penalty of having his stripes doubled.

With all their rudeness, these people were given to hospitality, and freely divided their rough fare with a neighbor or stranger, and would have been offended at the offer of pay. In their settlements and forts they lived, they worked, they fought and feasted, or suffered together, in cordial harmony. . They were warm and constant in their friendships. On the other hand, they were re- vengeful in their resentments, and the point of honor sometimes led to personal combats. If one man called another a liar, he was considered as having given a challenge, which the person who received it must accept or be deemed a coward, and the charge was generally answered on the spot with a blow. If the injured person was decidedly unable to tight the aggressor, he might get a friend to do it for him. The same thing took place on a charge of cowardice, or any other dishonorable action. A battle must follow, and the person who made the charge must fight either the person against whom he made the charge, or any champion who chose to espouse his cause. Thus circumstanced, our people in early times were much more cautious of speaking evil of their neighbors than they are at present.

Sometimes pitched battles occurred, in which time, place, and seconds were appointed beforehand. A writer remembers having seen one of those pitched battles in his father's fort, when a bo3^ One of the young men knew very well beforehand that he should get the worst of the battle, and no doubt repented the engagement to fight, but there was no getting over it. The point of honor demanded the risk of battle. He got his whipping. They then shook hands, and were good friends afterward.

The mode of single combat in those days was dangerous in the extreme. Although no weapons were used, fists, teeth, and feet were emplo}^d at will, but above all, the detestable practice of gouging, by which eyes were sometimes put out, rendered this mode of fighting frightful indeed. It was not, however, so destructive as the stiletto of an Italian, the knife of a Spaniard, the small-sword of a Frenchman, or the pistol of the American or English duelist.

Instances of seduction and bastardy did not frequently happen in our early times. An instance of the former is remembered, in which the life of the man was put in jeopardy by the resentment of the family to which the girl belonged. Indeed, considering the chivalrous temper of our people, this crime could not then take place without great personal danger from the brothers or other relations of the victims of seduction, family honor being then estimated at a high rate.

Profane language was not more prevalent in early times than at present. There was no other vestige of the Christian religion than a faint observation of Sunday, and that merely as a day of rest for the aged, and a play day for the young.

Tattling

If a woman was given to tattling and slandering her neighbors, she was furnished, by common consent, with a kind of patentright to say whatever she pleased without being believed. Her tongue was then said to be harmless, or to be no scandal.

Began at the north part of survey number 1093 on Paint Creek, and followed its present boundary to the northwest corner of Jasper; thence south along the present western boundary of Jasper to the southwest corner of the same; thence east live miles to the northeast corner of Clinton County ; thence northwest to the north part of survey 899, to Sugar Creek; thence with its present boundary to the beginning, including, as will be seen, the principal part of the present territory of Jasper,

Green

Beginning at Henry Snyder's mill on Sugar Creek, thence up said cre6k with its meanderings to the line of Jeft'erson, northern part survey 899 ; thence southwest with said line to the northeast corner of Clinton County; thence south with the county line to the southwest corner of Fayette County ; thence east with county line to Lemuel Hand's. Thence to Alexander Beatty's survey 3713 ; thence north, bearing west to Samuel Edward's, northern part survey 660 ; thence to beginning, including about three-fourths of the present territory of Perry, all of Concord, and about a quarter of Jasper.

It appears that about 1818, Green was reduced in territory by the formation of Concord, whose boundaries we have no means of knowing until March 3, 1828, when its hues are given. Green at that time was limited on the north and west by a line beginning at the mouth of Hankin's Pun, on Sugar Creek, at the lower bend, eastern part survey 626, and running southwest to Samuel Stook-

"When Perry was first formed, it further reduced Green to its present limits, save that portion north of a line extending from near Buena Vista, to the mouth of Sugar Creek, thence up Sugar Creek to Hankin's liun, the western portion of which w^as subsequently - March 8, 1849^oined to Concord, and the eastern to Perry, thus leaving it in its present shape in 1849.

Wayne originally included on the west, all that territory not taken from Green in the formation of Perry, and with her other lines nearly as they are now, except on the southeast corner of Union at the mouth of Sugar, where we infer from the language used, the line followed the creek (Paint).

Madison originally included all the territory now embraced in Madison and Marion until June, 1840, when it was divided, and the southern portion called Marion, and the northern retained the original name.

This has preserved its original lines with the exception of a few slight changes near the old Snyder mill, on Sugar, and extending a little farther into Wayne so as to touch the corner of Bernard survey 739, And following the meanderings of Paint Creek above the Brannon farm.

Jasper

March' 5, 1845, William Rankin presented a petition to the commissioners for a new township to be taken from Jefferson and Concord, beginning in the northwest corner of li. Claborn's survey 889, and following the present boundaries of Jasper until it strikes the southwest corner of Jefferson on Sugar Creek; thence northeast following the present line of Jefferson and Union to Paint Creek ; thence up Paint Creek to the dividing line of the Trent and White siuweys, numbers respectively 942 and 1205 ; thence west to beginning, including, as will be seen, the southern point of Jefferson.

On the second day of December, 1845, by petition of Joseph J. Parrott, Jasper was reduced to her present limits, and electors assembled April 7th, at the house of John Andrews, to elect officers.

Concord

Friday, May 1, 1818. It appearing to the court that a new township has been set off by the commissioners, called Concord, it is ordered that there be one justice of the peace elected in this township, the electors to meet at the house of Edward Figgins, on the third Monday of the present month for this purpose.

The boundaries at this date are not given. In 1828, its bounds were defined as beginning on the east, at Hankins' Eun, (vid. seq.) and following the line of Green to the northeast corner of Clinton County ; thence northwest to Sugar Creek, and down Sugar to beginning. In 1848, the line was run between Concord and Green, beginning at Hankins' Run, thence south 36°, 26^ west, 3 miles and 120 poles, crossing said run to a stake one-half pole on northwest side of a pile of day, the remains of the chimney of John Draper's house ; thence south 63°, 4' west, 3 miles and 160 poles to a road near Jerry McFlay's house, crossing Rattlesnake at 40 poles, Lee's Creek at 2 miles and 52 poles ; thence continuing same course, south 3° 4', west 1 mile and 48 poles to line of Clinton and Fayette counties, which distance, 8 miles and 14 poles, is loell marked with a hand ax, loith three hacks on a side. March 3, 1849, this line was so altered as to run from the hanks of Sugar Creek where the lines of Concord and Green join, thence with said line to the state road running from Washington to Leeshurg ; thence north 85°, east to Perry Township line ; thence north with Perry and Green to Sugar Creek ; thence up the creek to beginning, which portion was added to Concord for the convenience of schools and working the roads.

In June, 1840, a petition, signed by the householders of Madison Township, praying for a division of the same, so as to form two separate townships, was presented to the county commissioners, in pursuance of which the board appointed Jacob Creamer, county surveyor, to ascertain whether there was territory sufficient to warrant a division, and if so, to run a line through the center of the same, so as to make an equal division. The surveyor, upon finding sufficient territory, proceeded to divide the township as per instructions. The board being satisfied that the interest of the citizens of the aforesaid township required a division, ordered the report of the surveyor to be placed on record, and said townships estabhshed as laid down in said plat.

The northern part of the division shall be known as the original township of Madison, and the southern part shall be known by the name of Marion. That the electors of Marion Township assemble, on July 18, 1840, at the house of John McArthur, on the Circleville road, to elect township officials, who shall continue in office until the next annual spring election.

Perry

On the 4th of June, 1844, a petition was presented to the commissioners by ]!^. Rush, as attorney, praying for a new township to be taken from Green and Wayne, which was refused on account of a remonstrance by L. V. Willard.

June 4th, 1845, a petition was presented by Robert Eyre, and the new township was granted, called Perry. Beginning at a point where the state road leading from Washington to Leesburg crosses Eattlesnake Creek; thence on a straight line to Samuel Brigg's mill (near the month of Sugar Creek); thence down Paint Creek to the Highland County line ; thence west with said line to Rattlesnake ; thence up said creek to beginning, thus including a part of Wayne aud Green. These limits, as will be observed, left out that portion north of the line extending from near Buena Vista to the mouth of Sugar.

June 14, 1845, a petition was presented signed by Wayman Stafford and a number of others, protesting against the decision of the commissioners in forming a new township, and finally an appeal bond was filed, in the sum of five hundred dollars, with James Larkins and Anderson Rowe securities, and notice given of an appeal to the court of common pleas. Subsequently a decision was rendered favorable to its organization, and that portion annexed north of the line from Buena Vista to Briggs' mill.

Present Boundaries

Beginning at the north part, survey number 1093, on Paint Creek; thence west, with the county line, to the Greene County line, northwest corner, survey number 5993 ; thence south, Avith said line, to east part, survey number 1079; thence east, bearing south, to northwest part, survey number 1253; thence east, crossing Rattlesnake Creek, to the northwest corner, survey number 1379 ; thence south to the southeast corner of survey number 1379; thence east to Sugar Creek; thence down said creek, to the Union Township line, in southwest part, survey number 5866; thence northeast, with said line, to Paint Creek, near crossing of Jeffcrsonville pike ; thence up Paint to beginning.

bearing north, to the county east part survey number 1079 ; thence south with said, to the line of Clinton County, west part of survey number 841 ; thence east five miles, with said line, crossing Rattlesnake; thence south, with said line, to Concord Township line, west part survey number 907 ; thence northeast, with said line, to Rattlesnake Creek ; thence northeast, with the road, to Sugar

Creek, southwest part survey number 8408; thence up said creek to the northeast corner, survey number 1411; thence west to southwest corner, survey number 1379; theuce north to the beginning.

county line, west part survey 907; thence south, with the county line, to west part survey 1039 ; thence northeast, with Green Township line, to the old Draper house, north part survey 5348 ; thence northeast, with said line, to south part survey 802 ; thence east to Perry Township line, survey 896 ; thence north to Sugar Creek, north part survey 896; thence along Sugar Creek to beginning.

Union

Beginning at south part of survey number 8357 ; thence southwest, through surveys 3702, 6377, 7850, 7052, 7053, and 6003, to Paint Creek, northeast part survey 3020; thence southwest, through survey 2069, to Sugar Creek ; thence down said creek to its mouth ;

Beginning at a point near the old Draper house, north part survey number 5348, near Rattlesnake Creek ; thence northeastwardly to the southern part survey number 802, near the Leesburg road ; thence east to the southern part survey number 896 ; thence south to the southern part of survey number 5431 ; thence southwest, crossing survey number 3434, to Eattlesnake Creek; thence, with the meanders of said creek, to the county Une, southern part survey number 1840; thence west, with county Une, to southern part survey number 1089; thence, with the line of Fayette and CHnton, to western survey number 1039 ; thence northeast, crossing surveys 2717, 3991, 5849, and 5880, to the beginning.

Beginning at Sugar Creek, northwest corner survey 896 ; thence east, with the meanders of said creek, to its mouth ; thence southeast, with the meanders of Paint Creek, to the county hne; thence west, with the county Hne, to Rattlesnake Creek; thence north, with liattlesnake, to western part survey number 3434; thence northeast, with the Green Township line, to the southern part survey number 5431 ; thence north, with said township line, to the beginning.

Wayne

Beginning at a point in the northern part of survey number 9074, near the C. & M. Y. R. R. ; thence southwesterly, along the line ot Union Township, to Paint Creek ; the ncedown Paint to the mouth of Sugar Creek ; thence down Paint to the count}^ line, survey 4132 ;

Marion

Beginning at the Pickaway County line, southeastern part survey number 470; thence west to center of survey 8190; thence south to survey number 8493, on the Federal road ; thence southeast, along said road, to the west part survey number 5537; thence southeast, with the Wayne Township line, to the county line, east part survey number 4132; thence north, with the county hne, to the beginning.

part survey number 471 ; thence west, with the county line, to the northern part survey number 6908; thence southeast to the Marion Township line, center of survey number 8190; thence east, with said line to the Pickaway County line, east part survey number 470; thence north, with said line, to place of beginning.

Paint

Beginning at the northeast corner of survey number 6908 ; thence west,with the county line, to Paint Creek, northwest part survey number 1093; thence south, down said creek, with the meanders thereof, to the Union Township line, west part survey number 6003 ; thence northeast, with said line, to Marion Township line, east part survey number 8357 ; thence north, with said line, to the corner of Madison Township, east part survey number 8190; thence north, bearing west, to beginning.

Mills And Milling

To the pioneer in the wilderness, remote from civihzation, with all its attendant mechanical appliances, the conversion of the product of the soil was one of the most serious difficulties to be met. While the forest supplied abundance of game, with which his larder could with but little exertion be kept well filled ; this, however, without the accompaniment of bread, was not in the highest degree palatable, especially when fatigued by the constant exertion which the pioneer was compelled to undergo, from morning till night, in clearing out the forests which surrounded him on all sides. To meet this want machines were constructed, though extremely rude and simple, yet fully accomplishing the purposes for which they were intended.

The Block And Pestle

A block of hard wood was selected, and by means of boring, hacking, and burning, a depression was made capable of holding sometimes nearly a peck of corn. To work in this, an instrument having a large end nearly the size of the depression in the block, and whose convexity corresponded roughly to its concavity, the upper part of which was shaven down to a diameter of one or two inches, so as to be grasped by the hand, Avas made.

To facilitate the operation of this, a hole was fixed in the ground, a rope, piece of bark, or grape vine attached to the upper end bent down and connected to the pestle so as to assist in lifting it up.

Lean, said to be the base-stone of tlie first mill in the county which we examined, we give the following description : Diameter twenty inches, thickness about five, and rudely cut in grooves with a hole in the center, into which a small shaft was introduced, having attached to it another stone working upon the lower, which was operated by a crank turned b}^ hand.

Corn-Crackers

The Yeargon horse-mill was put up a little later, and perhaps the second corn-cracker in this county, was put up in 1810, by Isaiah Pancoast, on Deer Creek, about a mile from Waterloo, close to the county line, between Fayette and Pickaway. It was made out of solid boulders with a hole drilled through. This primitive machine was subsequently converted into a mill for grinding wheat, then into a fulling mill, next into a woolen factory, and now is a flouring mill.

This unique structure consisted of an upright beam, or shaft, running on pivots at both ends; passing through this, below at right angles was another shaft, about twenty feet long, at the end of which was attached a team of horses, who walked in a circle as in our modern horse powers. At the top of the upright shaft was attached a large wheel, which communicated its motion by means of a rawhide belt to another wheel, which in turn worked in a cog-wheel attached to the stones.

These burrs, or stones, were made generally out of the native boulders with holes drilled through them, roughly dressed, and running upon each other which ground the corn very coarse, and left it with all the refuse materials accompaning it, which were removed by means of a sieve, made by taking the green hide of a deer, removing the hair, stretching it tightly over a hoop and piercing it full of holes. When the pioneers were educated to the luxury - if luxury it may be called - of loheat bread, mills for grinding and bolting this grain were invented.

Bolting was done by hand, or rather the apparatus, which was a cloth cylinder turned with a crank, Avhich it was expected the man or boy bringing the grist to operate.

Mills And Milling

Before these mills were erected bj the early settlers,, according to the county atla8,''Springfield, Clifton, and Chillicothe were localities to which they resorted for flour and'meal. Several neighbors would unite to make up a four-horse load, take along forage for the teams and provisions for themselves, and make the journey in seven to ten days, during which time their families lived on bacon, hominy, and potatoes, when they had them. Horse-mills were soon established at various points, and hand-mills were constructed, so that .most families were able to obtain bread by working for it. The hominy-block was an invention of the times ; it was made by burning a hole into the end of a block of wood. They pounded the corn in these mortars with a pestle, made by inserting an iron wedge in a suitable stick. When the corn was fine enough it was sieved, and the finer portion used for bread and for mush, and the coarser boiled as hominy. Corn-dodgers were in general use, and the children of that day, now grown old, can speedily recall the circumstances connected with their first meal of wheat bread. The mills of early days ground very slowly. The settler went to mill early, and remained late to get his sack of meal. The flour made in the horse-mills was like the brown, unbolted flour of the present. That it should be large in quantity was more to be desired than fine in quality. Thomas Moon, sr., erected the first flour and sawmill, and the first distillery in the county during the year 1810, upon a good site ten miles south of Washington. The mill is still running.

A third mill was built during the war of 1812, by Asa Davis, on Main Paint, two miles south of the county seat. Many years have passed since its removal.

An effort was made to establish a mill on Main Paint, ten miles northwest of town, by Solomon Salmon; but the dam being established on a bed of quicksand, continually broke away and prevented its success.

Still another water-mill was erected in Washington Court House by Jesse Millikan. The saw-mill was in operation in 1817, and a year later, 1818, he had a grist-mill running. Millikan died in 1836, and, about 1840, his son Curren Millikan applied steampower.

The granting of licenses for keeping tavern was in accordance with a territorial law passed by the first general assembly of the northwest territory, and approved December 6, 1800.

By this law no person Avas permitted to keep any tavern or public house of entertainment in any town, connty, or place within the limits of the territory, unless first recommended by twelve respectable freeholders of the county in which such house was to be kept. All persons, except tavern or inn keepers, were forbidden under severe penalties to sell any person alcoholic drinks in small quantities, and tavern keepers, under like severe penalties, were required not knowingly to suft'er any disorders, drunkenness, rioting, betting or gaming for money. They were also required to furnish good entertainment for man and beast, under penalty of five dollars for the first offense, and eight dollars for each succeeding offense.

After nearly four score years have passed away, and the primitive taverns and the primitive men have disappeared with the gliding years, the modern grumbler at some slight annoyance in a firstclass hotel of the present day, may wonder what was understood by "good entertainment" in those early times, when the entire family, landlord, landlady and children, judges and attorne^^s of the court, servants and travellers, cats and dogs, were all quartered for lodging into one sleeping room, and that, too, perhaps the dining and sitting room, parlor and kitchen. Under this law licenses were given by authority of what was in early days called a "court in course," according to an act of assembly, passed April 16, 1803, which made it the duty of the associate judges to hold a court for the transaction of county business on the next judicial day after the adjournment of the court of common pleas. This court acted in pretty much the same capacity as the present body of county commissioners.

we learn that these licenses were as late as 1852 granted by the court of common pleas. It is extremely doubtful, therefore, if a "court in course" was ever held in this county.

In the. beginning of the year 1817, on motion to the common pleas court, one William Vaughan was granted a license to keep tavern at his house in Madison Township, one year, on complying with the law. Tavern, in those early days, was a very comprehensive term, and must have been not much unlike Tam O'Shanter's stopping place : -

" When chapman billies leave the street And drouthy neibors neibors meet, As market days are wearin' late And folk begin to tak the gate ; While we sit bousing at the nappy And gettin' fou and unco happy, old cabin which is still standing, occupied at present by Parvin. Another was kept in the Vandeman corner by Johu Torbin, in 1810 or 1812 ; Norman Jones, 1811 and 1812 ; Evans and sons on Court and Fayette in about 1816.

December 18, 1817, John Evans and Nicholas Neely received licenses to keep tavern in Washington. In the following April, William Rankin was allowed the same privilege at his residence in Paint Township. Also Joseph Parrott and Matthew Gillespie in the same township, and in September, Sanford Corder, John Evans and Aaron Johnson started the same business in Union Township. Immediately following this, Aaron Johnson was arrested for gambling, but plead not guilty, which rather casts a damaging shadow upon the morality of these ancient institutions. Some department, however, must have been remunerative, for in October 11, 1819, we find John Oliver paying twelve dollars for the privilege of keeping tavern. But as travel increased and improvements advanced, these unique places of entertainment disappeared and have been superceded by the more commodious modern structures in which splendid table furniture takes the place of the substantial pioneer food.

Race Of John Edgington

An incident in which the noted Shawanoes chief, Captain John, in after years a qnasi resident of this county, took an active part; for this reason we consider it worthy of mention here :

About 1795, John and Asahel Edgington and another man started towards Brush Creek, on a hunting expedition. They had good success and bagged a fine lot of deer, bear, etc., hung them up out of the reach of wolves and returned for pack horses to take them in. Being in the winter and not apprehending danger from the Indians, they returned alone to the old hunting oamp, alighted from their horses and were preparing to strike a fire when they were tired upon by a party of savages ambushed not twenty j^ards away. Asahel fell dead, but John escaped. With horrid yells the Indians sprang from their place of concealment, the frightened horses broke loose and ran towards home, and John Edgington was alone on foot. With the activity of a buck he bounded ofl', with a band ot howling redskins at his heels to urge him forward. So close indeed was the contest, that the yielding grass scarce resumed its shape before the Indian's foot pressed it down again. The uplifted tomahawk seemed so near his head he thought he felt its edge. The hard breathing of his blood-thirsty pursuers sounding in his ears, stimulated him to almost superhuman exertions.

The race was long and doubtful ; every effort to capture and escape was made, but at last Edgington began to gain ground and after a long race he distanced them, made his escape and reached his home in safety. Captain John, who headed the Indians on this occasion, and who, after peace Was made, hunted in this county, was often heard to say that the white man who ran away "was smart fellow ; he run and I run, and he run and run. At last white man run clear off from me."

War Of 1812

A cursory view of Indian affairs prior to the war of 1812, will enable us the more clearly to understand the real cause of the war. Although the popular notion is that it grew out of the assumed right of search for British seamen on American vessels, it will be observed by the reading people that the British never wholly acknowledged the independence of the colonies. Therefore, by order of the British council, during her war with France, all our vessels, under penalty of liabiHty to capture, were obliged to call at a British port on their passage to or from France or her allies. Napoleon, in retaliation, decreed that all vessels that had submitted to this regulation should be liable to capture by his cruisers. This, in addition to the British impressment of our seamen, was an outrage not to be tolerated by an independent people. Prior to this - indeed, ever since the treaty of Greenville, the Indian agents - principally McKee - had been busy sowing the seeds of dissension among the Indians, which were finally to be nurtured into open hostility. The prime disturbing elements among the Indians were the Prophet and his illustrious brother Tecumseh, or more properly, Tecumthe, who claimed that the Indian title to their lands was never extinguished by the treaty of Greenville. He traveled from north to south, and east to west, "in his endeavors to unite all the Indian tribes to resist the incursion of the whites, in which he was encouraged by the British agents in this country. To strengthen his influence, the Prophet assumed the role of seer and oracle, and with bold effrontery pretended to receive communications from the Great Spirit; and having by some means ascertained the date of an eclipse of the moon, warned the Indians to rise and slay the whites; that the Great Spirit was angry at their delay, and on a certain night would hide his face from them. The event coming to pass as foretold, filled the superstitious minds of the Indians with perfect confidence in his supernatural powers and with dreadful apprehensions of the divine visitation unless they obeyed his commands.

Organizing The Army

Their crushing defeat by General Wayne still rankled in their bosoms, and cried aloud for vengeance. At the treaty of Fort Wayne, in 1809, the Indians ceded their lands along the Wabash. Tecumseh was absent, and the Prophet and his band were not invited, because they did not own the land. . On Tecnmseh's return, he threatened to kill the chiefs who had signed the treaty. This led to negotiations between this celebrated chief and General Harrison, which only increased their complications. The wily chief sought to stave off open hostility till he could bring all the tribes together, and strike a simultaneous blow in conjunction with the British, as soon as war was declared between England and the United States.

After his last stormy interview with General Harrison, Tecumseh departed for the south, leaving tJie Prophet in charge. That ambitious schemer rushed the Indians into open hostilities, by instigating murders and plundering, until the battle of Tippecanoe, which, although he had told them that the Great Spirit had vouchsafed to him certain victory, terminated disastrously to the savages.

This battle, fought against the express advice of Tecumseh, frustrated his plans for a confederation of all the tribes. The Prophet was in disgrace. Said a Winnebago chief to him : " You are a liar; for you told us that the whites were dead or crazy, when they were all in their senses, and fought like the devil! " He answered by saying there must have been some mistake in the compounding of his decoctiqn. He was reduced to a fac simile of ^sop's braying donkey in the lion's skin. It is related that Tecumseh upbraided him in the most severe terms, and on his offering palliating replies, seized him by the hair, shook him violently, and threatened to take his life.

On Tecnmseh's return, he insolently demanded ammunition at Fort Wayne, which being denied him, he said he would go to his British father, who would not deny him; remained standing thoughtfully a moment, then gave an appalling war-whoop and disappeared.

Meanwhile the affairs between the United States and Great Britain were rapidly approaching a crisis: April, 1812, an embargo was laid by congress on all the shipping in the ports of the United States. An act authorizing the president to detach one hundred thousand militia*for six months was passed, also for organizing a regular army. The same month a requisition was made by the president on Ohio for twelve hundred militia, in obedience to which Governor Meigs issued orders to the major generals of the middle and western divisions of the state for their respective quotas of men, to rendezvous at Dayton April 29th. With an ardor and love of country unsurpassed, many more than were v^^anted tendered their . services, and citizens of the first circles of society flocked in from Montgomery, Miami, Greene, Warren, Fayette, and surrounding counties, literally contending with each other who should go first. The oflicers elected for the three regiments formed were respectively :

On the 25th of May, 1812, they were formally put'under the command of General Hull, governor of the territory and superintendent of Indian afltairs. Speeches were made by Governor Meigs, Colonel Cass, and General Hull, and the fire of patriotism and military ardor burned brightly in every bosom, and all things looked auspicious.

June 1st the army marched up the Miami to Staunton, in Miami County, wdiere they halted until their baggage came up the river in boats; on the arrival of which they continued t^eir march to Urbana, about thirty miles east of Staunton, where, on the 8th, they were informed that they would be reviewed by the governor and some Indian chiefs. At this place Governor Meigs- and General Hull held a council with twelve chiefs of the Shawanoes, Wyandot and Mingo nations, to obtain leave to pass through their territory, which was readily granted, and every facility oflered to aid the progress of the army. It was the humane policy of the government, in diametrical contrast with the contemptible course of Great Britain, to exhort the Indians to neutrality, in order to avoid the horrors of the tomahawk and scalping knife.

On Saturday, September 22d, news reached Dayton that Hull had surrendered at Detroit, August 16th. This created intense excitement and consternation along the frontier counties, and steps were at once taken to organize the militia. There were over forty thousand dollars' worth of public stores at Piqua, and the Indians who had assembled there at the grand council were still hanging around. Hand-bills were distributed, calling upon all able bodied citizens to rendezvous with arms at Dayton, immediately, to march to the relief of the frontiers. On Sunday morning, before seven o'clock, a company of seventy men was raised and under marching orders for Piqua in a few hours, led by Captain James Steele. Before the morrow, seven other companies were raised from the surrounding country, with Captain Caldwell's troop of horse, and Johnston's rifle company from Warren Count}^, which latter, in company with Adams' battalion left on Monday. General Benjamin "Whiteman, of Greene County, marched with nearly a full brigade. By reference to the muster roll, on a subsequent page, in the absence of tangible data, we can see some of the names of those who most likely participated in this campaign. The governor gave General Munger command at Piqua, and had the stores removed to Dayton. The whole country was thoroughly aroused to a sense of the imminent danger that threatened the frontiers. Troops were rapidly pushed forward to resist the expected attack of the English and Indians, led by the infamous Proctor and Tecumseh in the main, whose scattering bands were infesting the isolated settlements. The excitement was intense. All men capable of bearing arms were scouting, or in the army; women and children were huddled together in block-houses. Something must be done with the friendly Indians around the agency at Piqua.

About the 20th of June, 1812, General Harrison held a council with the chiefs of the Delawares, Shawanoes, Wyandots and Senecas, informing them that a crisis had arrived which required all the tribes who had remained neutral, and who were willing to engage in the war, to take a decided stand either for or against the Americans ; that the president desired no false friends ; that the proposal of General Proctor to exchange the Kentucky militia (his prisoners) for the tribes in our friendship, indicated that he had received some intimation of their willingness to take up the tomahawk against the Americans ; and to give the United States proof of their disposition, they must either remove with their families into the interior, or the warriors must fight with him. To the latter condition the chiefs and warriors unanimously agreed, saying they had been awaiting an invitation to fight for the Americans.

Harrison exacted a promise from them to fight as white men, not slay women and children, old men, or defenseless prisoners; for by their conduct would the British power to restrain Indian ferocity be measured.

The general humorously told them that he had been informed that Proctor had promised to deliver him (Harrison) into the hands of Tecumseh, in case he captured him at Fort Meigs, to be treated as that warrior might think proper. " Kow," said he, " If I can capture Proctor, you shall have him for your prisoner, provided you will agree to treat him as a squaw, and put petticoats upon him ; for he who would kill a defenseless prisoner must be a coward."

The subject having been brought before the government, authority was given to enlist them, and the sequel proved that the Indians who fought under the American standard were uniformly distinguished for their orderly and humane conduct. Thus was the agency at Piqua relieved of a wearisome burden, and the indolent warriors utilized, who, by their military discipline, proved the contemptible perfidy and cowardice of Proctor.

It is impossible, in this work, to follow General Harrison, through all his campaigns, to Maiden, Sandwich, Fort Wayne, Detroit, Fort Meigs, until he practically closes the war by his glorious victory at the Thames, followed, July 22, 1814, by a treaty of peace, at Greenville, between the United States, Wj^andots, Delawares, Shawanoes, Senecas, on the one side, and the Miamis, Weas, and Eel Piver Indians, and tribes of Pottawatamies, Ottawas, and Kickapoos, by which all these tribes were to aid the Americans, in case of the continuance of war with England, which, fortunately, was also terminated by the treaty of Ghent, December 24, 1814. Treaties were subsequently made with all the surrounding tribes, except the Sacs, of Rock River, who, under the celebrated Black Hawk, refused to attend the treaty, and acknowledged themselves British subjects, and went to Canada for presents. Thus we observe the germ of the Black Hawk war, in 1832, which, being remote, created no serious perturbations in this country. So, likewise, with the Mexican war, though participated in by a few of our citizens.

In the year 1814, either in December or January, Major Samuel Myers, of this county, was employed by the army contractors to superintend the transportation of eight hundred hogs, from Urbana, Ohio, to Fort Wayne, Ind. These hogs were bought in Madison and Fayette Counties, the Funk family furnishing the larger portion. John Funk accompanied Major Myers. In the latter part of December, with a guard of twelve soldiers under Ensign Gilmore, a number of cattle and about forty pack-horses, and a few assistants, the party started from Urbana, through the thick forest, to Fort Wayne. Although Indians were plenty they passed on quietly, occasionally stopping to allow the hogs to feed on the abundance of acorns in the forest.

The St. Mary's River, and Shanes Prairie were covered with ice, upon which the hogs and party crossed. The day before reaching their destination, being bright and sUnshiuy, the pack-horses were allowed to crop the tall bear-grass that stuck up above the ice, while Myers, Funk and the soldiers remained, and the hands drove on the hogs. They had not proceeded far, yelling and liallooing at the hogs, until suddenly all was still. The major thinking something was wrong, mounted his horse and rode rapidly towards them. On approaching, he found them all huddled together, pale and trembling with fear. They informedhim, that while driving the hogs, they suddenly beheld about forty Indians, armed, equipped, and in their war paint, sitting on their horses in a line not over a hundred yards from the road, then moving off towards the party in the rear.

The major, after hearing this, put spurs to his horse and galloped back, and ordered the pack-horses and soldiers to come up immediately. The drivers insisted on leaving all the stock in the woods, and rushing to the fort fifteen miles away ; but were ordered to remain until attacked. They then drove on to a favorable place, halted, and threw out a guard of six soldiers, cooked supper, put out the tire, and moved away about three hundred yards, cut beechbrush, laid it on the snow, put their blankets upon it, increased the. number of guards, tied their horses close to their heads, and with their guns in their hands, bivouacked for the night, but not to sleep.

About ten o'clock, at night, a furious snow storm set in, which by midnight fell to the depth of ten inches. Major Myers knowing the Indians would not make an attack in such a storm ordered in the guards.

The sequel proved the truth of his predictions. The night passed undisturbed, and in the morning. Major Myers rode to the fort, then in command of Major Whistler, who sent out a detachment to guard the stock while on the road to the fort.

Prior to this, the celebrated chief, White Pigeon, had been confined a prisoner at the fort, and made his escape two days before the stock was expected to arrive. It was pretty certain that he knew that the stock was on the road. It was, therefore, at once supposed that the Indians led by him, with the intention of attacking the party and capturing the stock. It appears the Indians knowing the strong resistance that would be ottered, and anticipating a re-inforcement and pursuit from the fort, feared to make the attack.

Batteal Harrison At Fort Meigs

The following description of the sortie, from Fort Meigs, in which Batteal Harrison participated, under command of Captain Laugh am, is taken from Howe :