Rich Hill Township

Rich Hill Township

e "A gentle hill, Green, and of mild declivity. But a most living landscape ; and the wave Of woods and corn fields, and the abodes of men, Scattered at intervals."

Rich Hill township is located in the eastern part of the county. It is bounded on the north by Union township, and the military base line; on the east, by Guernsey County, Ohio; on the south by Meigs township, and on the west by Salt Creek township. It is a full Congressional township, and contains thirty-six sections, each a mile square.

Topography

Although named Rich Hill, this township can not be called hilly, as compared with some other townships of the county. There is very little land that could not be cultivated, if cleared.

Buffalo, and Williams Fork, of Salt Creek, drain the western portion, while McKee's and May's Forks, of Wills Creek, drain the eastern portion of the township. Water is abundant, and, although strongly impregnated with lime, it is good.

No minerals of any consequence. except coal, are found. A fewcoal seams have been opened, but the deposit has not been sufficiently developed to determine its e&tent and quality.~

Lead

That irrepressible ''lead mine," in its peregrinations through the country, has not failed to visit Rich Hill township, but, unfortunately its exact location cannot, at present, be pointed out by the ''oldest inhabitant."'

Timber

The kinds of timber prevailing in this section are, oak, in its different varieties ; walnut, _Poplane butternut, hickory, chestnut, maple, in its different varieties; gum, elm, beech, buckeye,

During the spring of 1807, a band of Shawnee Indians numbering about thirty warriors, was encamped on Salt Creek bottoms, near the house of Abraham Warne. The white settlers had cleared land and planted corn, and were apprehensive that the Indian ponies might destroy the growing crops. They therefore waited upon the chief, informed him of their dependence upon their crops for the support of their families, and their fears in relation thereto, and ended by asking him to remove his camp. Hereplied that he would consult with the hunters when they came in. The result was, that they ''folded their tents like Arabs, and as silently stole away ;" leaving the pale faces in full possession of their former homes.

The Old Fort

On a point of land between the two branches of Williams Fork of Salt Creek, and just about the center of the northeast quarter of section five, owned by T. W. Moore, is situated one of those curious structures - the land marks of that mysterious people called mound-builders. It is a military earth work of the defensive class. Its form is nearly circular, being an irregular polygon of twelve sides, the faces varying in length from ten to twenty yards. The diameter of the figure is seventy yards, and the circumference, two hundred andtwenty. The ditch has originally been about five feet deep, and the excavated earth, thrown inward, must have raised the parapet eight or ten feet above the bottom of the moat, forming an effective barrier to an approaching foe. The works are at present overgrown with forest trees.

A German by the name of Lawrence, with his step-son, Leonard Stitchler, located on the school section sixteen, in 1805. They are thought to be the first settlers in Rich Hill township.

In 1806, Lewis Pierce, with his three sons, Llewellyn, Jonathan, and Andrew, came from Pennsylvania with Abraham Warne, John Moore, William Robison, and John and Neal McNaughton. They landed at Dufican's Falls, May 12, . 1806, and proceeding up Salt Creek, located on sections nineteen, twenty, and twenty-nine, of the present Rich Hill township - being town thirteen, of range eleven. About thesame time, William Herron settled on the southwest quarter of section eighteen.

Adam Shaner, William Ivers, and aman named Crow, located on section sixteen, in 1807, and Michael Hammond and Abraham Pollock, settled on section one.

a revolutionary soldier, and came from Vermont. Caleb Monroe and Cleason Brady came in 1811, and Thomas Brady and Thomas Elliott, in 1812. The Spillmans, Dixons, Crawfords, Givens, Sims, Aulds, Forsyths, Gregorys, Fosters, and St. Clairs, were also early settlers.

The first road surveyed through any part of the township, was the Zanesville and Marietta road, which passes through the southwest corner of the same. The next was the Salt Creek and Guernsey road, from Chandlersville to Cambridge. Thomas Brady says this road was surveyed in 1810.

The first birth in the township was that of John Moore, in March, 1807. The next was Pierce Warne, in August, 1807, who is. still living within sight of the place where he was born, and is the oldest native resident of the township. The oldest resident is Mrs. Sarah Gregory, widow of Noble Gregory, who came to Rich Hiltin 1813. She is now in her ninety-fourth year, and says she ''never took a dose of medicine in her life, and is still able to work."

The first death was that of a little girl named Elizabeth McNaughton ; the second, an old lady by the same name; the third,a man named Martin. All buried on McNaughton's land, in 1812.

The first public cemetery was established on the southwest quarter of section nine, on land leased of John Reynolds, in 1814. This location being found unsuitable, on account of being too. wet, the cemetery was removed to a lot located on the line between sections nine and sixteen,. now known as the ''Methodist Graveyard."

Here lie buried many of the sturdy old pioneers, with their faithful companions beside them. No ''storied urn, or animated bust,' but a simple sandstone slab records:

"Their name, their years, spelt by the unlettered muse, The place of fame and elegy supply ; And many a holy text around she strews, That teach the rustic moralist to die." -

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At the present time there are four stores in the township,viz.: Two at Rix's Mills, (which see) one at Freeland P. O., by E. G. Warne, and one on section twenty-three, by E. Hickman.

The first gristmill was built by Neal McNaughton, in 1818. It was built on the northeast quarter of section twenty-nine, on the east branch of Salt Creek, and contained. but one run of buhrs. Mr. McNaughton owned it twenty-one years, and then sold it to Thomas Randolph, who sold it to Jesse Hayden. While in possession of Mr. Hayden, it was burned down, and never rebuilt.

James Calhoun built a gristmill at Rix's Mills, about 1837. It contained three run of buhrs and did a good business. It is still running, and is owned by Mr. John Smith.

Dr. Daniel 'Bliss'was the first to practice in Rich Hill, but he resided in Salt Creek township. It is not now known who was the first resident physician.

''A petition was presented to the Commissioners from a number of the inhabitants of Salt Creek township, praying that they would incorporate the thirteenth surveyed township, in the eleventh range, to be erected into a township, called and known as Rich Hill township, to which is added the twelfth surveyed township, and that part of the eleventh surveyed township, in said range, which lies in Muskingum county.

No record was kept of the first election, and it cannot now be gathered from the memory of the ''oldest inhabitant."" All agree, however, that the election was held at the house of Daniel Monroe, on section sixteen.

Israel Robinson, a Justice of the Peace, lived in Rich Hill when it formed a part of Salt Creek township,and when Rich Hill was set apart he was retained Justice for the new township. Esquires Sims and McVey were also early dispensers of justice to the inhabitants of the new organization.

Board of Education - Frederick Herron, Samuel Pollock, S. U. Elliott, George Moore, Lansing Acheson, Lee Warne, Henry Ledman, John White, and E. G. Warne.

Rixville is situated in the center of the northern tier of sections in the township. It was laid out by William Reynolds, in 1854, and contains one church, (United Presbyterian); one gristmill, (John Smith, proprietor); two stores, (R. A. Cockins, and J. N. Barnett); one physician, (W. D. McCreary); two blacksmiths, (A. Young and G. R. McGrath); one saddler, (W. K. Ramsey); one tailor, (C. C. Hillman); one milliner, (Mrs. Young).

The first postoffice was established at John Randall's, and called '' Rich Hill Postoftice."' In 1846, it was moyed to. Rix's Mills, John Moore, postmaster. The postoflices of Rich Hill appear to have been of the peripatetic order, changing location with the complexion of the administration.

An office was established at Thomas Shepherd's, then moved to Morgan Morgan's; again to Watt Henderson's; then to John Pierce's; vacated in 1861, and re-established February 17. 1874, at E. G. Warne's store; now known as 'Freeland Postofficée."'

R. A. Cocking was appointed postmaster at Rix's Mills, in' April, 1878, and is the present incumbent. The mail is supplied from Zanesville, via Chandlersville, tri-weekly.

Rich Hill M. E. Chapel. - The tirst church built in Rich Hill, was called Monroe's Meeting House. A class was formed at the house of Daniel Monroe, in 1812, and was composed. as follows:

Daniel Monroe, and his wife, Mary, Philemon Johnson, and his wife, Philomela, John Reynolds, and his wife, Mary, William Herron. and daughter, Jane, Robert Monroe, and Jane Hammond. Daniel Monroe was leader for fifteen years. The first quarterly meeting was held in his barn. Rev. James Finley, Bishop Morris. and Dr. Durbin, when 'to (ae and to fame unknown," all preached here.

In the year 1813, a log meeting house, 20x26, was built on John Reynolds' land, near the present residence of James Sims. This was known as '' Monroe's Meeting House," and served asa house of worship until 1836, when a frame, 36x50, was built, on the southeast quarter of section nine, on land bought of Frederick R. Winrod. The building cost one thousand two hundred dollars, and stood until 1861, when a new frame was built on the same: foundation, costing one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars, and was dedicated by Rev. Hiram Miller, in 1862.

at private houses. From 1824 to 1849, the church at Flat Run, Guernsey county, was the place of meeting. At the latter date, a new church was built on section ,in Rich Hill township, Muskingum county; and is still used as a meeting house.

The first Deacons were Levi Culver and Henry Ross. In December, 1822, Elder Rees was called to the care of the church, and continued in charge until 1832, when Elder McGowen became pastor. He remained until 1836, and was succeeded by Elder Sperry, who officiated until 1846. Elder Peter Ogan was pastor about thirteen years; Elder M. Brown, one year; Elder Harper, one year. In April, 1862, Elder J. Brown became pastor, and was succeeded by Elder John Pritchard, the present pastor, in 1864. 1878 to 1879.

feixville United Presbyterian Church. - About the year 1825, Rev. David Proudfit, organized a United Presbyterian, then known as Associate Reformed Society, in the northwestern portion of Rich Hill, called the Salt Creek Associate Reformed Church, which met at first, for worship, in private 'dwellings. Amongst the original members were: Francis Moorehead, and wife, Samuel Crawford, and wife, Barnet Vandever, and wife,

In 1850, a frame building, 50x50, (its predecessor having been destroyed by fire), was erected on the southwest quarter of section nine, at a cost of one thousand six hundred dollars, making a membership of two hundred and thirtyfive, with the pastor, Rev. John Comin, D. D., preaching alternately, at Rixville, and Salt Creek churches.

Rev. D. Proudfit was the first pastor, and was followed by Rev. Johnson Welsh, who remained but a short time, and was succeeded by Rev. B. Waddle, in 1836. In 1850, Rev. John Comin took charge of the congregation, and still ministers acceptably to their spiritual wants.

Rich Hill Baptist Church. - This society was in existence in 1833, but at present little can be learned in reference to it. The meeting house stood on the creek bottom, on the east side of section twenty-nine, but no traces remain.

hich Hill Reformed Presbyterian Church, - In the year 1836, a church stood on section thirty, with the title, Rich Hill Reformed Presbyterian Church. The pastor was Rev. Robert Wallace. The ruling Elders were, John Auld and Charles Starrett. It, at one time, attained a membership of one hundred and thirty, but is not now in existence.

Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church. - A committee, appointed by the Presbytery, consisting of Rev's. Williafa Wallace, Samuel Wilson and Elder William Cooper, organized Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church, August 24th, 1839.

Robert Henderson and his wife, Jane, Robert Spratt and his wife. Sarah, Henry White and his wife, Mary, Robert Lyons and John Lyons, constituted the original members,

The first church building, a trame, 26x36, was erected in 1841, on the southwest quarter of section twenty-seven, and is now used for a parsonage.

The first pastor was Rev. William Wallace, next, Rev's. William Reed, John Arthur and Robert McCullough. Here occurred a vacancy, during which Rev. William Aiken acted as a supply. Rev. John Kelly was next installed as pastor, followed by Rev's. John Arthur, C. C. B. Duncan, Wm. J. McConkey, Samuel Mahaffey and Charles L. Work, the present pastor.

Agriculture

he farming is above the medium grade, consequently profitable. Corn and wheat were formerly the staple products, but the distance to market induced the farmers to turn their attention to woolgrowing, as the product of the farm can, in that shape, be more easily disposed of. A few cattle and horses are raised for market, but wool is the article of export.

The first attempt to improve the breed of cattle, in Rich Hill, may be credited to Abraham Wells, who, in about 1836, procured a few short horns from John Draper, of Morgan county. The first successful improver of stock, however, was Jas.Herron. In the year 1856 he bought some thoroughbred short-horn Durhams from Jas. Mc- Cune, of Blue Rock township, Muskingum county, andin 1876 he bought three head in Athens county, O. In 1876, Mr. Daniel Tom introduced a pair of fine Devonshires from Guernsey county.