Paint Township

Paint Township

Paint township occupies a southern position in the western tier of townships in Madison county, being bounded on the north by Union township, on the east by Union and Range townships, on the south by Stokes township and on the west by Clarke county. While the territory enclosed within the boundaries of the present Paint township began to be settled as early as 1S04, it was the last township but one to be erected. From the commissioners' records we quote the following, under date of June 7, 1S53:

"A petition was presented to the commissioners, asking for a new township, to be called Paint township, to be composed of parts of the townships of Stokes and Union. Beginning at the county line near Peter Slaughter's, thence running an easterly direction to the line of Range township ; thence a northerly direction to the line of Range township ; thence a northerly direction with the original township line to the corner of Stokes and Union townships: thence northeast so as to include Baskersville's, and to continue in that direction far enough to include Robert Reed, or some point so as to get enough territory ; thence a northwesterly direction to the line of Clark and Madison counties at some point north of William T. Jones'; thence a southern direction with the county line to the beginning. Therefore, it is hereby ordered by the commissioners of Madison county, that the foregoing described territory, or as near as may be deemed proper, be, and is, established a township, which shall be known by the name of Paint ; and be it further ordered that Henry Alder, surveyor of the county of Madison, and John T. Maxey proceed to survey and establish the lines and boundaries of said township, erecting proper monuments at the several corners thereof. Ordered by the commissioners that the legal voters within the territory heretofore described meet at the residence of James Phifer, on Saturday, the 25th day of June, 1S53, and there and then proceed, as provided by statute in such cases, to elect all necessary officers for said township."

Again, on June 6, 1855, we find the following among the commissioners' records: "A number of citizens of Union township presented a petition that the line dividing the townships of Union and Paint be so changed that they may be included within the boundaries of Paint township, to wit : Beginning at the angle in said line between the residence of Washington Withrow and H. Langham; thence north so as to include John Ham, Sr.. John C. Jones and Job Coberly, Sr., in Paint township; thence near a straight course to the junction of the Midway and London turnpike road and the old Xenia road, that being the Paint township line, or near that place where Paint township lines strikes the old Xenia road." This petition was granted, and Nelson Baker appointed to survey the line.

Surface, Soil And Streams

The surface of the township is generally level and in its original state contained large and extensive prairies and oak openings, the western, southern and central portions possessing but little timber. Bordering along Walnut run, in the northern part, and along the eastern side of the township, the surface is more undulating, with here and there portions that approach a slightly hilly condition, the most of which was originally heavily timbered. The principal species of the trees of the forests were white, black and red oak. hickory, walnut, elm and maple. In the oak openings, burr oak prevailed. The township is well watered by Walnut run and Paint creek and their tributaries. Walnut run enters the township from Union township and flows almost due east through the northeastern portion of the county into Union and oil into Oak Run township, where it empties into Deer creek. Paint creek consists of two forks, the West and East fork, the former of which finds its source in Clark county, enters Paint tpwnship near its northwest corner, takes a southeast course, and unites wnth the East fork in the south central portion of the township, then flows into Stokes township. The East fork rises in the extreme northern part of the township, flows southeast to about the center of the township, then turns to the southwest to join with the West fork, as described above. The soil of this township is exceedingly rich and fertile, the oak openings and prairies possessing a deep black, loamy soil, while the more undulating portions of the north and eastern parts of the township are a mixture of clay and loam. Underneath these is a stratum of blue clay, mixed with limestone, and through these one reaches a bed of gravel, the structure and composition being favorable to the retention of moisture and protection from long-continued droughts. It is a very strong and productive soil, well adapted to the raising of grass and grains.

The Pioneers And Early Settlers

Prom the best available sources it appears that the first pioneer of Paint township was Andrew Sifrit, who was born near Winchester, Virginia, in 1750. When a young man he enlisted in the army and served for eight long years with the American forces during their struggle for independence. As a reward for these services, he afterward received a warrant for two hundred acres of land. He married Susan Shrock, by whom he had nine children. She died and he later married, for his second wife, Hannah Morrills, also a native of Virginia, by whom he had twelve children. Thus he was the father of twenty-one children. In 1803 he, with his family, emigrated to Ross county, where he remained for one year and then, in 1804, pushed on to Madison county, settling in Paint township, on land later owned by John Paulin, on what is known as Sifrit run. He, it is believed, was the first white settler in Paint township as it is now known, but at that date it was in Darby township, in Franklin county. Here he and his family erected a double log cabin and commenced to make a farm and home. They had willing hands and hearts and knew how to use them, and from year to year their comforts and conveniences increased, neighbors began to appear, and everything began to put on a more comfortable and pleasing aspect. Mr. Sifrit died at the advanced age of ninetyeight years.

Peter P. Helpenstine, a native of Virginia, received a grant for a large amount of land for his services as a major during the Revolutionary War. He started for Ohio, in October, 1805, and, arriving at Chillicothe, he became acquainted with Col. Elias Langham, who was going up into the "Barrens" to lay some warrants. David Watson had accompanied Mr. Helpenstine from Virginia, and now they associated themselves with Colonel Langham and came with him up to Madison to locate and lay and survey their laud. About February 14, they finished their work and returned to Chillicothe, where they remained until September, 1806. They returned to Virginia and at once made preparations to return to their new lands. Mr. Helpenstine and family, Jonathan Minshall and family and Walter Watson and family, with their connections, to the number of thirty-nine persons, with six or seven wagons, started for their new homes in the wilds of Ohio. This caravan arrived at Chillicothe by the last of October, 1806. There they left their families, while Mr. Watson, with his family, located on a place which his son David had previously rented for him. Mr. Helpenstine proceeded to his land and, with the assistance of David Watson and others, erected a cabin, in his new and permanent home, and here he remained through life, being, it is believed, the second settler in Paint township.

David Watson was born in Maryland, October 17, 17S3, and, with bis father, Walter Watson, and bis family, became settlers in Ohio in 1800. In 1807, with Mr. Helpenstine and family, David Watson came to Paint township and here was married to Mary Helpenstine, for whom he formed a special attachment when she was but ten years of age, while residing in Virginia.

George Blougher, of German descent, came with, or about the same time as, Robert Hume, in 1804. He worked one year for him, clearing his land, for which service Mr. Hume deeded him one hundred acres of land, upon which he settled and remained throughout life. About 1S10-12, a Mr. Harpole settled on the Hume land and became owner of quite a large amount of land; but little is known of him.

James Withrow, born in Pennsylvania, emigrated to Madison county in 1807 and settled on Walnut run, in Paint township, and, in the following year, removed his family to his new home in the wilderness. Here he took up two hundred and fifty acres of land. He had but three neighbors, David Watson, Jonathan Minshall and Peter P. Helpenstine. Mr. Withrow was a man of wide experiences and of great influence. He served as a major in the militia for several years. He built a saw-mill on Walnut run about 1815. which was the first mill in this vicinity and one of the first in the county. The power for this mill was furnished by the stream. It remained in operation for ten or twelve years. He was a man of great firmness of character. All his life he was an active member of the Presbyterian church. They had a family of seven children : Ann married Abraham Phifer, and died about 1873; Margaret died unmarried; David married Mary Harvey, and settled in the township, where he died without issue; Isabel married John Stroup, by whom she had five children; Robert married Ann Carr; Washington married Catharine Truman and settled on the home place; Samuel married Charlotte Rankin.

John Phifer, a native of Virginia, came to Madison county about 1810, and located on Paint creek, also on the Buffenberger lands. He was a blacksmith by trade, which business he followed, along with farming, throughout life. He raised a family of three sons and four daughters. George Phifer, his son. who married Tabitha Dean, was also a blacksmith by trade and followed it for several years. Soon after marrying, he moved to London, where he became a prominent and successful business man. Abraham Phifer, another son of John, and a brother of George, married Ann Withrow and settled near his father. He devoted his life to farming, at which he made a great success. John, the third son, died when very young. The daughters were Dolly, Clara, Betsey and Nancy. All married, had families, and became prosperous and good citizens.

Peter Buffenberger, a native of Virginia, came to this county when a young man and, about 1810, located on Paint creek, in this township, and entered largely into the stock business. About 1816 he fenced in a large tract of these prairies. He married, at the advanced age of seventy-five years, Angeline Hutson, by whom he had two children, Eugene and May. Mr. Buffenberger died a few years after his marriage, leaving his family four thousand two hundred acres of fine land, besides seven hundred acres which he had previously deeded in fee simple to his wife.

About 1810 George Linson. a native of Virginia, settled on Paint creek, just below the Buffenberger tract of land. He had married in Virginia, and came here in very limited circumstances. He entered upon the stock business, was very successful and made money rapidly, becoming the owner of over two thousand acres of excellent land.

George Chappell, who was a resident of this township until his death, settled near Walnut run about 1810. He was a native of Virginia. He married Margaret Green and

Rev. William Sutton, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, it is believed, was born in Virginia, but became a settler of Paint township about 1810, locating on the Hume land. He married Hannah Coberly. I-Ie resided here but a few years, when, as a Methodist minister, he had to adopt an itinerant life; but the greater part of his life was spent in the service of the ministry within Madison county. Lewis Higgins, a native of Virginia, settled on the Hume tract about 1811. Reuben Gregg, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Chillicothe in 1810, and to Madison county in 1811, locating in Paint township, about half a mile below where the village of Newport is now situated. He married Phoebe Harpole, and remained a resident here until his death. Thomas Coberly, also a native of Virginia, emigrated to Ohio and, about 1810, purchased one hundred acres of land in Paint township, upon which he located and where he resided until his death. James Chapman was born in Frederick county, Virginia, in 1801. In 181G he became a settler of Paint township, and later married Ann Chapman, likewise a native of Virginia, by whom he had nine children.

Early Schools

The first schools in Paint township is thought to have been held in a cabin on Jonathan Minshall's land, Samuel Harvey being the first teacher, or one of the first. This school, like all other pioneer schools, was supported by subscription, the teacher receiving about fifteen dollars a month for his services. The first school house was of the pioneer type - round logs, puncheon floor, slab seats and greased-paper windows. The first public school house wars erected on the ground now embraced in the cemetery. This was a hewed-log house, and was then considered quite neat and comfortable. This house was succeeded by a frame one, erected on the same ground about 1847. It was used for school purposes until about 1872, when it gave way to a brick building, expected at the cost of about fifteen hundi'ed dollars.

Source changes here: from History of Madison County Ohio, by Chester E. Bryan, published 1915; 2,297 words in this source stream.

Paint Township

Paint township occupies a southern position' in the western tier of townships in Madison county, being bounded on the north by Union township, on the east by Union and Range townships, on the south by Stokes township and on the west by Clarke county. While the territory enclosed within the boundaries of the present Paint township began to, be settled as early as 1804, it was the last township but one to be erected. From the commissioners' records.we quote the following, under date of June 7, 1853:

"A petition was presented to the commissioners, asking for a new township, to be called Paint township, to be composed of parts of the townships of Stokes and Union. Beginning at the county line near Peter Slaughter's, thence running an easterly direction to the line of Range township;: thence a northerly direction to the line of Range township; thence a northerly direction with the. original township line to the corner of Stokes and Union townships; .thence northeast so as to include Baskersville's, and to continue in that direction far enough to include Robert Reed, or some point so as to get enough territory; thence a northwesterly direction to the line of Clark and Madison counties at some point north of William T. Jones'; thence a southern direction with the county line to the beginning. Therefore, it is hereby ordered by the commissioners of Madison county, that the foregoing described territory, or aS near as may be deemed proper, be, and is, established a township, which shall be known by the name of Paint; and be it further ordered that Henry Alder, surveyor of the county of Madison, and John T. Maxey proceed to survey and establish the lines and boundaries of said township, erecting proper monuments at the several corners thereof. Ordered by the commissioners that the legal voters within the territory heretofore described meet at the residence of James Phifer, on Saturday, the 25th day of June, 1853, and there and then proceed, as provided by statute in such cases, to elect all necessary officers for said township."

Again, on June 6, 1855, we find the following among the commissioners' records: "A number of citizens of Union township presented a petition that the line dividing the townships of Union and Paint be so changed that they may be included within the boundaries of Paint township, to wit: Beginning at the angle in said line between the residence of Washington Withrow and H. Langham; thence north so as to include John Ham, Sr., John C. Jones and Job Coberly, Sr., in Paint township; thence near a straight course to the junction of the Midway and London turnpike road and the old Xenia road, that being the Paint township line, or near that place where Paint township lines strikes the old Xenia road." 'This petition was granted, and Nelson Baker appointed to survey the line.

Surface, Soil And Streams

The surface of the township is generally level and in its original state contained large and extensive prairies and oak openings, the western, southern and central portions possessing but little timber. Bordering along Walnut run, in the northern part, and along the eastern side of the township, the surface is more undulating, with here and there portions that approach a slightly hilly condition, the most of which was originally heavily timbered. The principal species of the trees of the forests were white, black and red oak, hickory, walnut, elm and maple. In the oak openings, burr oak prevailed. The township is well watered by Walnut run and Paint creek and their tributaries. Walnut run enters the township from Union township and flows almost due east through the northeastern portion of the county into Union and on into Oak Run township, where it empties into Deer creek. Paint creek consists of two forks, the 'West and East fork, the former of which finds its source in Clark county, enters Paint township near its northwest corner, takes a southeast course, and unites with the East fork in the south central portion of the township, then flows into Stokes township. The East fork rises in the extreme northern part of the township, flows southeast to »bout the center of the township, then turns to the southwest to join with the West fork, as described above. The soil of this township is exceedingly rich and fertile, the oak openings and prairies possessing a deep black, loamy soil, while the more undulating portions of the north and eastern parts of the township are a mixture of clay and loam. Underneath these is a stratum of blue clay, mixed with limestone, and through these one reaches a bed of gravel, the structure and composition being favorable to the retention of moisture and protection from long-continued droughts. It is a very strong and productive soil, well " adapted to the raising of grass and grains.

From the best available sources it appears that the first pioneer of Paint township was Andrew Sifrit, who was born near Winchester, Virginia, in 1750. When a young man he enlisted in the army and served for eight long years with the American forces 'during their struggle for independence. As a reward for these services, he afterward received a warrant for two hundred acres of land. He married Susan Shrock, by whom he had nine children. She died and he later married, for his second wife, Hannah Morrills, also a native of Virginia, by whom he had twelve children. Thus he was the father of twenty-one children. In 1803 he, with his family, emigrated to Ross county, where he remained for one year and then, in 1804, pushed on to Madison county, settling in Paint township, on land later owned by John Paulin, on what is known as Sifrit run. He, it is believed, was the first white settler in Paint township as it is now known, but at that date it was in Darby township, in Franklin county. Here he and his family erected a double log cabin and commenced to make a farm and home. They had willing hands and hearts and knew how to use them, and from year to year their comforts and conveniences increased, neighbors began to appear, and everything began to put on a more comfortable and pleasing aspect. Mr. Sifrit died at the advanced age of ninetyeight years.

Peter P. Helpenstine, a native of Virginia, received a grant for a large amount of land for his services as a major during the Revolutionary War. He started for Ohio, in October, 1805, and, arriving: at Chillicothe, he became acquainted with Col. Elias Langham, who was going up into the "Barrens" to lay some warrants. David Watson had accompanied Mr. Helpenstine from Virginia, and now they associated themselves with Colonel Langham and came with him up to Madison to locate and lay and survey their land. About February 14, they finished their work and returned to Chillicothe, where they remained until September, 1806. They returned to Virginia and at once made preparations to return to their new lands. Mr. Helpenstine and family, Jonathan Minshall and family and Walter Watson and family, with their connections, to the number of thirty-nine persons, with six or seven wagons, started for their new homes in the wilds of Ohio. 'This caravan arrived at Chillicothe by the last of October, 1806. There they left their families, while Mr. Watson, with his family, located on a place which his son David had previously rented for him. Mr. Helpenstine proceeded to his land and, with the assistance of David Watson and others, erected a cabin, in his new and permanent home, and here he remained through life. being, it is believed, the second

David Watson was born in Maryland, October 17, 1783, and, with his father, Walter Watson, and his family, became settlers in Ohio in 1806. In 1807, with Mr. Helpenstine -and amily, David Watson came to Paint township and here was married to Mary Helpenstine, for whom he formed a special attachment when she was but ten years of -age, while residing in Virginia.

George Blougher, of German descent, came with, or about the same time as, Robert Hume, in 1804. He worked one year for him, clearing his land, for which service Mr. Hume deeded him one hundred acres of land, upon which he settled and remained throughout life. About 1810-12, a Mr. Harpole settled on the Hume land and became -owner of quite a large amount of land; but little is known of him.

. James Withrow, born in Pennsylvania, emigrated to Madison county in 1807 and -settled on Walnut run, in Paint township, and, in the following year, removed his .family to his new home in the wilderness. Here he: took up two hundred and fifty acres of land. He had but three neighbors, David Watson, Jonathan Minshall.and Peter P. Helpenstine. Mr. Withrow was a man of wide experiences and of great influence. He - served as a major in the militia for several years. He built a saw-mill on Walnut run about 1815, which was the first mill in this vicinity and one of the first in the county. The power for this mill was furnished by the stream. It remained in operation for ten or twelve years. He was a man of great firmness of character. All his life he was an 'active member of the Presbyterian' church. They had a family of seven children: Ann married Abraham Phifer, and died about 1873; Margaret died unmarried; David married Mary Harvey, and settled in the township, where he died without issue; Isabel married 'John Stroup, by whom she had five children; Robert married Ann Carr; Washington 'married Catharine Truman' gue Settled on the home gue Samuel married Charlotte Rankin.

John Phifer, a native of Virginia, came to Madison county about 1810, and located on Paint creek, also on the Buffenberger lands. He was a blacksmith by trade, which 'business he followed, along with farming, throughout life. He raised a family of three 'sons and four daughters. George Phifer, his son. who married Tabitha Dean, was also a blacksmith by trade and followed it for several years. Soon after marrying, he moved 'to London, where he became a prominent and successful business man. Abraham Phifer, another son of John, and a brother of George, married Ann Withrow and settled near his father. He devoted his life to farming, at which he made a great success. John, the third son, died when very young. The daughters were Dolly, Clara, Betsey and Nancy. All married, had 'families, and became prosperous and good citizens.

"Peter Buffenberger, a native of Virginia, came to this county when a young man and, about 1810, located on 'Paint creek, in this township, and entered largely into the stock business. About 1816 he fenced in a large tract of these prairies. He married, at the advanced age of seventy-five years, Angeline Hutson, by whom he had two children, Eugene and May. Mr. Buffenberger died a few years after his marriage, leaving his family four thousand two hundred acres of fine land, besides seven hundred acres which he had previously deeded in fee simple to his wife.

About 1810 George Linson, a native of Virginia, settled on Paint creek, just below the Buffenberger tract of land. He had married in Virginia, and came here in very limited circumstances. He entered upon the stock business, was very successful and made money rapidly, becoming the owner of over two thousand acres of excellent land.

George Chappell, who was a resident c? this township until his death, settled near 'Walnut run about 1810. He was a native of Virginia. He married Margaret Green and had four sons and two daughters. He served in the office of justice of the peace for several years. Rev. William Sutton, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, it is believed, was born in Virginia, but became a settler of Paint township about 1810, locating on the Hume land. He married Hannah Coberly. He resided here but a few years, when, as a Methodist minister, he had to adopt an itinerant life; but the greater part of his life was spent in the service of the ministry within Madiso. county. Lewis Higgins, a native of Virginia, settled on the Hume tract about 1811. Reuben Gregg, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Chillicothe in 1810, and to Madison county in 1811, locating in Paint township, about half a mile below where the village.of Newport is now situated. He married Phoebe Harpole, and remained a resident here until his death. 'Thomas Coberly, also a native of Virginia, emigrated to Ohio and, about 1810,- purchased one hundred acres of land in Paint township, upon which he located and where he resided until his death: James Chapman was born in Frederick county, Virginia, in 1801. In 1816 he became a settler of Paint township, and later married Ann Chapman, likewise a native of Ve pani Aas whom he. had 'nine children.

Early Schools

The first schools in Paint. township is thought to have been held in a. cabin. on Jonathan Minshall's land, Samuel Harvey being the first teacher, or one of the first. This school, .like. all other pioneer. schools, was supported by subscription, the teacher receiving about fifteen dollars.a month for his services. The first schoolhouse was, of the pioneer type - round logs, puncheon floor, slab. seats and .greased-paper windows: The first. public school house was erected on the ground now embraced-in the cemetery. 'This was a hewed-log house, and was then considered quite neat and: comfortable. : This house was succeeded by a frame one, erected.on the same ground: .about 1847,- It was used for. school purposes until about 1872, when it gave way to a. brick building, erected at the cost. of about fifteen hundred dollars.