Sugarcreek Township

Sugarcreek Township

Tlie west line of Sugarcreek was the same as now, seven miles long, the northwestern corner of the township being at the northwestern corner of the tenth section in the western line of the county ; from this jioint tlie line extended south, along the western line of the county: seven miles, to the southwest corner of the same ; thence, east, crossing the Little Miami River, and the same course continued four miles east of the river \-ery nearly to the southeast corner of wliat is now Spring-Valley township; thence north ten miles, to a point due east from the point of beginning. This point, tile nnrtheastern corner of Sugarcreek township, was about two miles south, by a little west from the present city of Xenia. The township included what is now Sugarcreek, nearly all of Spring-\\illey, and the southwest part c.f what is now Xenia township.

In compiling and separating the old papers of the county, the four books, in which were tlie names of the first to settle in the four original townships were found, signed bv the enumerator of each of the f<iur townshi])s. James Collier took the names of those living at the time in Sugarcreek township, who were free white male inhabitants, v.ver the age of twenty-one. He comirer.ced the work August 3, 1803, and com- P'leted it .\ugust 10. 1803, reporting a total of 71. W'c will copy from his little book the names (if tlnise nf the aforesaid dale who were living in Sugarcreek township: Seth Anderson, Samuel Anderson, Alexander Armstrong, Robert Buckles, \\'illiam Buckles. James Buckles, Ejihram Bnwen, James Barrett, Sr.. James I>arrett, Jr., Samuel Brewster, Alexander Barnes, James Barnes, James Bruce, James Cunningham, James Clancey, James Collier, David Curry, Rev. Joshua^Carman, Joseph Campbell, John Ennis. Thompson Ennis, Samuel Ennis, Jeremiah Ennis, Isaac Gerard, John Gowdy, Thomas Hale, John Hale, Joseph Hale, Jacob Horner, Benjamin Horner. John Heaton, Jacob Hosier, John Irwin, Joseph James. John Knight, Capt. X'athan Lamme. Samuel Martindale. Ezekiel ^lartin, Samuel Alarlin. Isaac Martin, Miller. Roliert Marshall, John ^Marshall, John Mc- Knight, John McLean, Willis Xorthcutt, Joseph Robinson, Joseph Robinson, Jr., Edward Robinson, William Snodgrass, Sr., William Snodgrass, Jr.. James Snodgrass, Sr., James Snodgrass, Jr.. Robert Snodgrass, James Snowden, Jacob Snowden, Cyrus Sackett, Daniel Thomas, Abraham Thomas, \Mlliam Tanner, James Tanner, Abraham V'anEaton, John \'ance. Sr., John X'ance, Jr., Joseph C. Vance, Joseph \'ance, John Wilson, Sr,, John Wilson, Jr., Daniel Wilson, George Wilson and .\ndrew Cicnvdy.

Ceasarscreek township began at the ni:;rtheast corner of Sugarcreek. running thence Udrth to the Little Miami. It ran about half a mile west of the present city of Xenia, and intersected the Little Miami river west of Oldtown, at the mouth of Massies creek ; thence it extended east to the east line of the county. On the east and south it was bounded by the county lines. This township was about four times as large as Sugarcreek, extending north from the southern boundary about fifteen miles, and inchuled all of the .southeastern part of the county. The population of Ceasarscreek township at the time of its organization, ]\Iay 10, 1803, of the free white males, over the age of twenty-one, as taken by Joseph Price, first assessor of said townshii), was iifty-eight, old enoug'h to vote, and following are the names : James Bonner. Isaac Bonner. Jacob Bone, Samuel Bone, John Bellington. Josiah Elam, John A. Hoop, Stephenes Hoggert. Josiah Hunt, James Lijwrv. Joseph Lambert. Samuel Lee, John

Kobixso.Vs History Of Greene Couxty

Mad Ri\er township was Xo. 3, and its population at the time of organization was 156 of free white males over the age of twenty-one, taken by John Daugherety, of Springfield, first enumerator. Springfield liad been designated by the associate judges as the place in the afore.said township for holding electi(,ns, and at the house of Griffith Foose. This was the third tnwnsliip organized ; its southern boundary line was the south boundary of the loth range of the town.ship in what is now Clark county. This line extended east and west, and is two miles north, passing through the city of Springfield. Clark county, along which the national road passes. It was the largest township in the county; its width from east to west was the same as that of the county, and it extended to the northern limits of the state.

Robixsows History Of Greene Couxtv

Bea\ercreek was tiie next largest township, and the population of same as ascertained by Peter Popenoe. assessor of said township. May 10. 1 803. of all the free white male inhabitants over the age of twenty-one years,- was one hundred and fifty-four. It c(impriseil the remaining part of the county III it included in the three townships named; that is, all north of Sugarcreek and Ceasarscreek. and all south of ]Mad River township. The village -'of Springiield was in Beavercreek township, and the old fore?? trees that \vere then growing on the site of Xenia were in Ceasarscreek township.

Robixso.Vs History Of Greene Couxty

The above mentioned townships, which, as we have seen, occupied much more territory than is now comprised by Greene comity, were organized l)y tlie associate judges of the court of common pleas, and was the last act of the aforesaid judges in organizing townships for the county.

The total numlier of \-oters in Greene county when first organized : Sugarcreek township, 71; Ceasarscreek township, 58: Mad River, 156; Beavercreek, 154; total vote of the ccnnity. 4,39.

a century, much of historic interest is brought to light, and from them we find that John Paul, the founder of Xenia, Ohio, was a resident of what is now ( igoo) known as Trebines Station, in fact, had settled there in the year 1800. and had been the first to harness the waters of the Little Miami at that point, liaving Iniilt a sawmill, run by water power, and that station was then known as "Pauls ]\Iill." Tradition says while living at that jilace be had learned that the permanent seat of justice was to be located at the forks of Shawnee creek. PIj therefore hied away to Cincinnati and purchased the land on which the now city of Xenia is built. Subsequent events would indicate that such was the case.

August 2, 1803, was the day set for the first meeting of the ccurt of common pleas for Greene county. On the second day of this term (jcneral Joseph C. Vance was apjxiinted director, with power (according to tlie law that had been enacted for such purposes) to purchase the land for the use of said county, and proceed to lay oflf said land into lots, streets and alleys under such regulations as the C'lurt may prescribe. See laws of Ohio, page 309, \'ol. i. Sec. 4, of said act.

From tliis we would infer that previous to the meeting of this first court of common pleas the commissioners had 1)een appointed, and had located the permanent seat of justice, had settled all claims of competing towns, such as Ceasarsville. Pinkney and other places which tradition says wanted to be the county town of Greene county, and had decided in favor of the forks of Shawnee creek, tiirec miles fmm the mouth of where said creek emptied into the Little Miami ri\er.

Robixso.Vs History Of Greexe Couxty

\Micn the question is askecl, wlien was the present city of Xenia laid out? we knowthat at this first meeting of the court much liad l)cen clnne in that direction, and early in tlic fall of 1803 the work was finished.

James Galloway, Sr., was appointed treasurer of said county tlie next day after ^Ir. \'ance, winch was August 4. 1S03. At the Decemijer term of the court, 1803, he received $49.25 for his services. He, it is said, furnished his own chain men in making the survey, made a plat of the ti:\\n, and sold some lots. He had also ])urchased tlie land of Colonel John I'aul. And to the new made treasurer of Cirecne county Mr. \'ance is firmly Ijound as director of the new county seat of Greene county.

Inasmuch as tliis first Ixnid (the original of which is in the hands of the writer), the first bond given by any c)fticer in Cireene county, is of historic interest we will give entire the following true copy: Auditors office, Greene county, Aug. 4, 1803.

Know all by these presents that we, Joseph C. Vance. David Huston and Joseph Wilson, of Greene county, are respectfully held and firmly bnund unto the treasurer of said county and state of Ohio, or his successors in office, in the penal sum of fifteen hundred dullars as witness our hands and seals, etc.

The condition of the above mentioned obligation is such that if the above mentioned Joseph C. \'ance shall well, truly and faithfully discharge all and singular the duties, etc., of director for the purchasing of land, laying off and selling lots, at the seat of justice, for the aforesaid county of Greene, as established by the commissioners appointed bv the general assembly of the state of Ohio for that purpose, agreeable to an act in such cases made and provided, the obligation is V(;id and of none effect, otherwise it willstand in full force and \irtue.

As we have said, the first court was held in the house of Owen Davis, which was five and one-half miles west of the present city of Xenia, on what is now known as the Harbine farm, in Ikavercreek township.

The June term, 1804, was the last term of court held in the old log house down on Beaver. The present site of Xenia having been selected as the permanent seat of justice, Mr. \\'illiam A. Bealty, from Kentucky, was busy in front of our present court hcr,'>e cutting the logs to erect the first tavern in the new county seat. He had also rented the west room up stairs to the county for a court room, and it was a race between him atid Rev. James Towler which would be the first to finish their two-story log- cabins. Mr. Frederick Boner was building for 'Mr. Towler, on the lot now covered by H. H. Eavey's wholesale house. The tavern of Mr. Beatty was on the site now covered by the Leaman block, opposite the present court house. The evidence is in favor of ^Ir. Beattv as to who won the race, as his Ijuilding was finished and opened for business October i, 1804. The house was a hewedlog. double structure, two stories high, its length was from east to west, and width frt'ni north to south, and its west end was about fortv-five feet east of the southeast

The place that had been selected for tlie permanent connty seat of Greene connty was at tliis time covered by a dense growth of forest trees, as some one beautifully expressed it, "The whole country around the present city of Xenia Avas one unbroken forest, beneath whose sylvan shades the timid deer lay down to rest ; among whose branches tlie playful squirrel sported in freedom, the songs of birds made the forests redolent with music and was altogether a scene of natural lieauty and harmonv presenting itself to the senses - delightful and enchanting. But as if nature could not blend in such harmony, the charm is broken, the spell dispelled by the dismal howl of the \yo\i, i,r the blood-curdling wlioop of the red men. "^lid such surroundings our forefathers hewed a home for themselves and made it possible fi.;r us to have tlie beautiful homes we have to-day."

Down in what is now known as Clermont county, on its southern border near the Ohii) river, was a little town by the name of Bullskin, named for a small creek of the same name. From that place running north was a trail passing through Xew Burlington, thence what is now (1900) known as Detrcjit street. Xenia, and terminating at Urbana, Ohio. Starting west was another trail througli Franklinton, near the present city of Columljus. thence west over what is now known as Main street, Xenia, intersecting the Bullskin trail at the northwest corner of the public square, thence in the same direction t(j what is known as \\'est street. Xenia. thence south from that point througli Wavnesville. Lebanon and on to Cincinnati.

On the farm of Paris Peterson, four miles southeast of Xenia, had been commenced what was known as the town of Ceasarsville, by one Thomas Corneal, as early as the year 1800. A court house had been built, a public well also near by, and scattered here and tliere were cjuite a number of log cabins. In the early marriages of Greene county many parties were made one in tliat building, which had been erected for the court house by William I. Stewart, Esq. And it is also a fact that Ceasarsville was the one place of voting for Ceasarscreek township from May 10. 1803, until the organization of Xenia township .\ugust 20, 1805, when, as the record says, the first election for Xenia township shall be held in the house of \\'illiam A. Beatty, of Xenia.

Tlie compiler of this has in his iwssession the original tally sheet of elections held in Ceasarscreek township from the first di- \iding tlie county into townships, which was done ]\Iay 10, 1803. and from thr.t time until the organization of Xenia township the few pioneers then living at what is nowknown as Xenia voted at the house of William I. Stewart at Ceasarsville, going out the trail now known as the Wilmington pike.

In making arrangements lo remo\e from the old Court house some very valuable old papers have been found, which help to tell some of the stories of the past. Among them one which tells the names of the commissioners that had been appointed Iw the legislature to locate the permanent county seat of Greene county. They were Ichabod B. Helsey, Balden Apsby and \\'illiam Mc- Clelland. The same commissioners acted as such for ^Montgomery county.

Robixsox'S History Of Greexe Couxty

to show the aiithorit)- for every move that was taken to i rganize the county of Greene "in the beginning." And now we come to the time wlicn tlie permanent county seat liad been cliosen. an<l will proceed to tell how the said county seat came to be called "Xenia,"' and by whom named.

A few months ago the compiler of this sketch had the pleasure of meeting at Springfield. Ohio, Mrs. Maria Stone, youngest daughter of General Benjamin W'hiteman. Although in her ninety-third year, her mind was as clear as a perfect sounding bell when it came to talking of the long ago. It was with pleasure that we sat and listened as she gave her rccollectinns of tiie christening or gi\ing a name to the new seat of justice for the county of Greene, as she said she had heard her father tell time and again.

She rememhereil to have heard him speak of the time that he and his father-inlaw. Owen Davis, antl his good wife, Laticia Davis, had receixed an invitation from Joseph C. Vance, John I'aul. William A. Beatty and others, to meet witli them at the "cross-roads" (where Main street now intersects Detroit), and assist in giving a wAwt for the new seat of justice that had been selected and laid out by Joseph C. Vance. Of course, the invitation was accepted, and the (ieneral and his family were present that day with other pioneers who had been also invited, and there was somewhat of a crowd. Many names were proposed : ami.ing" them were the names of ^^'ashington, Wayne and Greenville. And it is also said that at this time there was a stranger, a scholarly-looking man, who stepped forward and said : "Gentlemen, allow me to suggest a name for your county town. In view of the kind and hospitable manner in which I have been treated whilst a stranger to most of you, allow me to suggest the name of "Xenia," taken from the Greek, and signifying hospitality.

Th.e name was accepted and placed among the names that were about to be balloted for. Several ballots were taken, and at last a tie between Xenia and another name which she could not recall. Out of compliment to Owen Davis, ilrs. Stone's grandfather, and who was also the owner of the building where the first courts of Greene county were held, and also the first miller in Beavercreek township, and a few years after the first miller in Miami township, near the present town of Clifton, Mrs. Davis was allowed to cast a vote, wliich vote was in favor of Xenia. And it is said that the stranger, as he started to ride away, after hearing the ballot was decided in favor of the name he had given, said, "Gentlemen, I thank you for deciding in favor of Xenia." That stranger was the Rev. Robert Armstrong, who one year later became the pastor of the Massiescreek and Sugarcreek associate congregations of Greene county.

The objec't of this sketch is facts and not tradition. In this version w-e have ample proof of the statements made of its correctness. James E. Galloway, yet living (May, 1900), says he retnembers to have heard his father, Major James Galloway, Jr., speak time and again of the circumstance as above related. In the records of the court held December term, 1803, we find that Rev. Robert Armstrong took out license to solemnize a marriage. That was about one year previous to his coming to settle permanently in this county, and while here he was called on for the purpose of joining a happy couple, and before doing so had to have a license.

Robixsox'S History Of Greexe Covxty

Ill the Cincinnati Commercial, underdate of April, 1854, also comes the following from ^liami Uni\ersity, signed "AI.." whiclT gives the same story with some slight changes. This writer claimed to have been a son of one of the early settlers of Xenia :

"The place contained a few houses, yet 't aspired to the dignity of a town, and commissioners, or whosoe\-ers business it was, had assembled at the tavern to decide on a name: many names were proposed, some whiskey drank, and the afternoon spent, hut on no name could the}' agree ; the evening came and went, and yet they were undecided. In the meantime a stranger had put up at the tavern, and his manner and dress bespoke one of education : they agreed that to him should be left the name for the village. The stranger was informed of their decision, and consenting to the arrangement promised them a name in the morning. Breakfast being over, the name was re- C|uested. He gave them "Xenia,' saying it was a Greek word meaning 'hospitality,' and that he gave it in consideration of his hospitable reception while a stranger in their midst.''

By an act of the general assembly of the state of Ohio, passed February 14, 1804, the ofifice of county commissioner was created as it stands to-day. Tlie first commissioner under this act was elected on the first Monday in April, 1804. They held their first court for the transaction of the business of the county in the following June, and at that meeting the following record was made : "At the liouse of Peter Borders, in Beavercreek township, June. 1S04. Jacob Smith, James Snowden and John Sterrett, Gents., produced certificates of their being duly elected commissioners for the countv of

Greene, and then there was a court held by the board of commissioners for said county, and John Paul was appointed clerk of said board of commissioners, and said commissioners cast lots for rank; Jacob Smith drew for three years, John Sterrett for two years and James Snowden for one year."

August 20, 1805, James Collier, John Sterrett and James ^IcCiiy and others presented a petition to the board of commissioners, at that time in session, for the above purpose, and was so ordered as follows :

It is considered by the board of commissioners that there shall be one township organized out of parts of Ceasarscreek and Beavercreek townships.

All that part of Beavercreek township east of the Little Aliami and above the mouth of Massies creek, thence with Beavercreek to\\nship, t(i the east corner of Sugarcreek township, thence with the Sugarcreek line to the mouth of Anderson's fork, thence up the main fork of Ceasarscreek with the meandcrings thereof to the east line of said county; thence north with said line to the northeast corner, thence west to the Miami, thence down the river to the beginning, whicli shall be called and known by the name of Xenia township. The first election shall be held at the house of William A. Beatty in Xenia. Previous to this the elections ha\-e been held at the house of William I. Stewart, Ceasarscreek township, at Ceasarsville, near the present residence of Mr. Pad Peterson.

Robixsox'S History Of Greene Couxty Robixsox'S History Of Greene Couxtv

At the time Xenia township was organized the following were then in office in Greene county: John Paul was clerk of courts and county recorder: William JNIaxwell was slieriff : James Galloway, Sr., was treasurer of the county : and the county commissioners were Jacob Smith, James Snowden and John McClain: the county surveyor was James Galloway, Jr. ; and the associate judges were Benjamin \\'hiteman and James Barrett, Sr. James Galloway, Sr., acted as treasurer of Greene county from the time of his appointment in 1H03 until the middle of June, 18 19, when he ga\-e way to Ryan Gowdy. Jolm Hi\-ling never was treasurer, neither was James Popenoe, hut were simi)ly tax collectors. They were both sheriffs at the time they were said to have been treasurers of the county, and as such were collectors of taxes.

Bath township was organized March 3, 1807. being taken from the territory of Eeavercreek, its sf)Uth line originally, as now, running east and west along the north boun- of the fifth of sections in the seventh range of townships. This line is one miie south of the village of Byron, extending from the west line of the county eas.t to the Little ^liami ri\er. The township included all the territory west of the Little Miami ri\er beween this line and what was then the south line of Champaign county. Bath township therefore extended two miles south of the present village of Osborn, and it included nearly all of what is now Mad Ri\-er and Green townshijis in Clark county, also the northwest corner of Madison townslnji in the same county.

The first election in this township was at the house of Andrew Reed, April 29, 1807, for the purpose of electing two justices of the ]jeace, which resulted in Andrew Reed being selected for the western portion of the township and Thomas Fream for the eastern portion, but both had quarters at what is now the village of Yellow Springs.

Mr. David Sleeth had been appointed to take tlie enumeration of all the free white males over the age of twenty-one years, and the following are the names of those he found in the new township of Bath : Jame.-- Andrew. Hugh Andrew, William Anderson, John Anderson. John .\dams, Darrow .\ims, Zachariah Archer, Samuel Aldridge, John Blue. Sr., John Blue. Robert Blue. David Blue, John Black, George Brown, Samuel Brown, Robert Bell, John Burgess. Samuel Butler. Enoch Bots, Richard Bennett. Jacob Beall, John Badlcy. James Beck. Oding Barton, Thomas Barnes, John Buffanbarger, Joshua Bozarth, John Barton, Thomas Barton, George Botkins, Adam Chambers, James Chambers, Joseph Carpenter. Christopher Carpenter. John Carpenter. Isaac Cruzan, Job Clemens. Jolm Casad. Sr., John Casad, Jr., Aaron Casad, Jacob Casad, Sr..