Washington Township

Washington Township

The history of this township, though not extensive, is replete with interest, and dates back almost as far as any other in the county, and, fortunately, can be verified in the details here given, by persons yet living, particularly the venerable Mrs. Elizabeth Boggs, from whom many interesting incidents have been obtained, and who.came here, with her husband, in 1805.

The first settler was Isaac Prior, who came with his family, trom Pennsylvania, and settled on the Wheeling road, tive miles from Zanesville, A. D. 1801; the land is now owned by A. C. Howard. He made the first clearing, and planted the first corn in the township. He built the first hewed log house, and kept the first tavern, or hotel - these terms had the same meaning.

John Dickson came soon after and built his cabin and cleared three acres, near ''Three-mile Spring ;" he, also, kept a place of entertainment.

John Slack, from Loudon county, Virginia; came in 1806, and built a hewed log house - which he roofed with shingles - about five miles from Zanesville, on land now owned by James Galloway. He, with his sons, Jacob and George, opened a road from his house to the Wheeling road, on the route now. used as the Adamsville

Moses Boggs, from Delaware, came in 1805, and purchased land from Noah Zane, in the eastern part of the township. He had a family of six children - three boys and three girls. He was a County Commissioner from 1840 to 1843.

During this year, came, also, Joseph Evans and tamily, George Crain and family ; Joseph Vernon, wife, and twelve children ; John Echelberger, Jacob Livingood, and Elijah Hart. The latter two were from Pennsylvania. John Walters came soon after, probably early in 1806, during which year General Robert McConnell, from Pennsylv ania, came and settled on the land now owned by William Fox. It is said that tavern stand formerly kept by Job Dickson, and kept tavern there until his death, June 21, 1816, and the property was rented to George Huff. George Swank, from Loudon county, Virginia, came in 1811, and located on the farm now owned by his sons. He is remembered as a very

The following are believed to have come here before 1816, but the time cannot now be fixed: Isaac Beatty, J. W. Spry, William McConnell, Spencer Lehew, John Price, George Jay, William Keatly, Albert Cole, and Samuel Cassel ; and the Suttons and Batemans probably came before 1820.

The first road was opened by Jacob Slack, from what is known as Conrad's place to the old Wheeling road, intersecting the latter a short distance east of the late James Moore's farm. This wasin the summer of 1806, and, in 1813, the Adamsville road was surveyed, and located on this tract; it was the first county road in the township.

The Baltimore and Ohio R. R. passes across the township at its lower third, from one side to the other, and gives the benefit of that important road to the township, for all purposes. The "C. & M. V." traverses the western border-of the township, crossing the ''B. & O.," at Zanesville, and diverging from it at section five, in this township, having run parallel with that road from Zanesville to this point, thus giving the township the benefits of competing lines to this point.

Gilbert Station, located on the C. & M. V. R,. R., six miles from Zanesville, on the property of O. C. Shirtz, derives its name from Gilbert Beatty. In 1872, Mr. Shirtz built a storehouse, and started a postoffice, at this place. In 1875, he opened a general store, and built a large building for a flouring mill, and grain house; this, however, has not been completed. Mr. Shirtz is the first and only postmaster. In 1879, he built a blacksmith shop. These enterprises constitute all there is, beside the railroad business, at Gilbert Station.

A petition having been presented, from a number of the inhabitants of Zanesville township, north of the military line, praying that a township may be struck off from the said Zanes- the same necessary for the convenience of the inhabitants and township officers, whereupon, the Commissioners order a new township to be struck off, according to the following boundaries, to wit: Beginning at the southwest corner of township one, in range six, on the military line, thence running west with said military line, to the southwest corner of Beeford's farm, on the Wheeling road, thence north, with the west boundary line of Beeford's farm, until it strikes Joseph Sheets' land, thence west aiid north with the west boundary of said Sheets' land, to lands belonging to John Lehue's estate, thence west and north with the west boundary of Lehue's land, on the line . between JLehue's land and Jettrey Price, with said line northerly to Mill Run, thence down Mill Run to the Muskingum river, thence up the river till it strikes the east and west line, through the centre of township two, in range seven, thence east with said line between Jackson and Copeland's land, and on with said line until it strikes the range line between ranges six and seven, at the northeast corner of the fourth quarter, of the second township, in the seventh range, thence south with the range line, between range six and seven, to the place of beginning, which shall constitute a new township, to be called Washington township ; also, ordered that the Auditor advertise for an election, to be held at the house of Mathias Colshier, on the twenty-second day of June, instant, to elect a sufficient number of township officers, in, and for saidtownship of Washington. [See Commissioners Journal of this date, pages 87 and 88. |

The first election held in Washington township, was at the house of Mathias Colshier, on the 22d day of June, 1822, for township offigers. Joseph Evans, Anthony H. Woodruff, and George W. Jackson, were Judges, and John Howell, and Wm. Evans were Clerks.

The first claim against the township was in favor of Samuel Barstow, for burying John Mc- Casky, December 28th, 1822; the amount received was $12.18.

The boundaries of Washington township are as follows: On the north by Madison township, south by Wayne township and a part of the city of Zanesville; east by Salem and Perry townships, and west by the Muskingum river and Zanesville,

Topographically. - The variety of landscape is remarkable. The surface is-generally undulating, with large areas of bottom lands of rich sandy loam, very productive and well adapted to garden products. The uplands are dotted with wood and field, and the entire township: is well watered. Mill Creek, Coal Run, Blunt's Run and a number of smaller, nameless streams, penetrate the western portion of the township, and flow into the Muskingum river. And the eastern portion is watered by Little Salt Creek and its tributaries. Many of the pioneer cabins are still to be seen, in marked contrast with the pleasant homes of later times.

Early Taverns

The first tavern, kept in what is now Washington township, was by Isaac Pryor, who came from Pennsylvania in 1801, and located on the Wheeling road, five miles from Zanesville. He was a great hunter, and kept his table well supplied with all kinds of game.

William Manahan built a brick house fora hotel in 1832. It was located about four miles from Zanesville. It is now occupied by Samuel Smith, but not as a public house.

The days of taverns, as they used to be, have drawn to a close, and the name is seldom heard. The humblest effort at accommodation of the traveler, is dignified with the title of hotel.

built by Isaac Pryor, on the farm now owned by A. C. Howard, and the second, by John Slack, who came from Loudon county, Virginia, in 1806. The latter was on land now owned by James Galloway, on section twelve.

The first mill was a saw mill, built by William McConnell, in 1810. Fhe second was by Wm. Beatty. The latter was run by ox power, (a tread mill). Place unknown.

The First Coal Mined

The first coal mined in Muskingum county, was in Washington township, on Mud Run, by John Bates, in 1811. He hauled coal to Zanesville and sold it by the bushel, one or more. In 1814, John Spears opened a bank and dug what he wanted for his own use. j

The First And Subsequent Schools

The first school house was the conventional log building, with puncheon floor, slab seats and desks, and a fire place in imitation of the crater of a burning mountain. It was built in 1816, on land near were Bowers' and Vernon's farms corner, and on the former. The first teacher was Ellen Spinner. Samuel Cassel taught school in a similar temple on the Walton place, about the same time.

March, 1826, the Trustees divided the township into five school districts. District No. 1, contained twenty-four house-holders ; No. 2, contained thirty-one house-holders ; No. 3, twentyfour house-holders; No. 4, eighteen householders; No. 5, thirty-five house-holders. So that from the above recital, one school district has been added, and éach has a school house and school. '

Wesley Chapel M. E. Church

This organization first appears on the minutes of this circuit, January tst, 1816. The first class, however, was organized about 1808. The early meetings were held in' private houses and in groves. The homes of John Bowers, Joseph Bowers, Isaac Beatty and John Vernon, were among the places of meeting. The society continued to worship in this migratory manner until 1823, when a hewed log building was erected for this purpose, and dedicated in the fall of that year. The building was built by the male members, who plied their own skill and teams, and raised the building. A few nails and a small quantity of glass added, and they had a meeting house free from debt. It was located on the farm owned by John Bowers, Sr., near the Perry township line, and was sometimes called ''Bowers' Church." It was used as a place of worship until 1846, when anew house was erected on George Border's farm, in Perry township. This building cost about one thousand and sixty dollars. It is a frame structure, 4ox58 feet.

The first Sabbath-school was organized by Joseph Church, in the summer of 1833, and was only continued about three months, when it was given up until 1851, when it was again organized by the Rev. D. P. Mitchell, with J. W. Spry as superintendent. The school still continues, and is in a prosperous condition.

The Village Of Jackson

The village of Jackson was surveyed into lots, and recorded October 20, 1830; the site ison the land owned by Spencer Lehue, four miles east of Zanesville, on the National Pike. It is a quiet village, without a store, tavern, or postoffice, and seems chiefly to serve as a monument of the engineering of Charles Roberts, who surveyed and platted it. If any one desires to avoid the bustle of life, and to enjoy the felicity of _perfect quietness, where only the neighbor's gossip is likely to interrupt his philosophic, or other meditation, commend him to Jackson. This state of things has been maintained for the last half century, and it is likely to continue, so make a note of it for the benefit of tourists : for sur ely they will rejoice to find a place that has neither been written up, nor sketched; here is a virgin field for them.

Pleasant Grove M. E. Church

The church was organized at the brick school house (on John Orr's farm), in 1842. A class was formed at that time,consisting of John Wall, Amanda Wall, James Walwork, Margaret Walwork, Lucretia Brown, Patsy Shiflet, Lloyd Bishop, Mrs. Bishop, James Smith, Margaret Smith, and Nellie Hart. Stephen Schafer was class leader. The meetings were held in the

A Sabbath-school was organized soon after the class, and numbered thirty scholars enrolled. The superintendents have been, Stephen Schafer, James Smith, John Wall, Robert Bailey, Turner Wolf, Washington Reed, and James Wall, the present incumbent. The present enrollment is hfty.

| CeEr1TrrIcATE. - John Wall certifies thisi to be the best account of the church and Sunday school that can be produced at this age of the world. ] the Washington Township Baptist Church, was composed .of a membership drawn from the church in Salem township. In 1842, a petition was presented to the Salem church, asking leave to organize a church in the township in which the petitioners lived, which was Washington, The petition was signed by the following persons: Samuel Barstow, A. H. Woodruff, Sr., Robert Combs, Amy Presgrave, James Miller, W. H. Barstow, A. rie oodruff, Jr., Elga Combs, Mary Leach, Mary Cobb, Harriet Bate-

The petition was granted, and the new association thus formed built and consecrated a church in 1843, Rev. William Sedgwick being their pastor. He was assisted at this time by Rev. R. H. Sedgwick. The first clerk was George Presgrave. Soonafter the church was organized, a Sabbath School was organized, with Samuel Barstow as Superintendent; the school has been kept up and became an important adjunct of the church.

Washington Chapel

The Methodist Episcopal Church having this name, is located on the farm of Thompson Hague, one and one-half miles north of Coaldale. This society met in the Woodruff, or Barstow school house, until the erection of their present church edifice in 1848. Two of the class leaders following the formation of the society, were Isaac Franks and William Catlin. The various pas-

Wyrick, D. P. Mitchell, Robert Boyd, I. N. Macabee, Hamilton, Henry Snyder, Hustom; -Hare, N. C. Worthington, Evans, Hugh Edwards, McCormick, Hattield, Knowles, Webster, J]. Q. A. Miller, Phillips, Anderson, Knight, Raider, and Hoover, the present incumbent.

The tollowing named have been some of the more prominent members: Job Morgan, Jacob Walters, William McCashland, Albert Jones, Joel Jones, Robert Jones, Jonathan Malox, and Joseph H. Bowers. The present church is aneat frame building, 28x40. It was built by contributions of both material and labor, so that its cost can not be ascertained. When the church it had a membership of twenty or twenty-five. At the present time, there are not more than fifteen members. As high as ninetyone members have been connected at one time with the society since its organization.

Previous to 1877, a flourishing Sunday School was connected with the church. Since that date, The average attendance: of scholars, used to be about sixty. The Superintendents have been, Isaac Franks, Robert Jones, Peter Huffman, Josiah Keys and William McCashland.

St. John'S Lutheran Church

This society first worshiped in a log house, situated on land leased of David Shick, in 1863, and who, in reality, donated the use of the land for thirteen years, receiving the least compensation known inlaw, the sum of one dollar, thus reserving his title to thg site. This was on the farm of Jesse Romine, Jr., one mile north of Jackson. The old church was torn down in 1876 and the present frame edifice erected, at a cost of $650.00, of which $400.00 was assumed by Samuel Shick.

The present church was dedicated by Rev. Reck. The regular pastors have been Rev's. George Linsibaugh, William M. Gilbreath, Logan Gilbreath, John Bocker, George Shrieves.

St. John's Union Sunday School was organized prior to the formation of the church, in 1863, in the same cabin in which St. John's Lutheran Church worshiped. And it followed the fortune of the church, being, as all Sunday Schools truly are, a teeder to the church. The school is prosperous ; the number of scholars enrolled is forty. The Superintendents have been Samuel Shick, James McGee, David Shick, A. Martin, Mrs. Maggie Shick, Miss Katie Boggs and John Mitzlett.

The perils of war are never courted, no matter how bravely men may talk. Yet no danger ever deterred the pioneer settlers of Washington from taking down their '' fire-locks,"' when the enemy appeared near their borders. Indeed, many a time they had gone in quest of the red skins, who trespassed on the rights of their neighbors. And up to the close of the war of 1812, our pioneers were often under arms, and many of them | laid their lives on the altar. of sacrifice for their country. It is therefore to be regretted that a complete list of those who thus struggled for the liberties we enjoy cannot now be given. The following persons are known to have been of that honored number :

We are indebted to Elizabeth Boggs, relict of Capt. Robert Boggs, for this list of names. Mrs. Boggs was a hale lady of eighty-two in 1880 - doing her own work, and sometimes walked to Zanesville and back, a distance of ten miles, and did not complain.

The patriot spirit descended from sire to son, and accordingly, when the war of the rebellion became a horrid fact, and the cry, to arms! rang out o'er the land, it was heard in Washington township, and everywhere they responded, '"*heream I, send me!" They marched to the field at their country's call. For the sake of the tiresides made desolate, and to emulate 'the example of the surviving heroes, we would like to present their names, but have to content ourselves with the Regimental Rosters, which do not specifically locate the home of the soldiers ; and. we do not wish to offer even a complement that may be doubted. .

In the above section, Nos. 4, 5, and 6, were seen near Coal Dale, and the rest of the section at Rocky Point. In the slate over the upper coal, fine chonetes and other fossils, changed to pyrite, are found at Matthew's coal bank, in the north part of this township.

The following geological section was taken near the line between the corporate limits of Zanesville and Washington Township. The upper part, containing the Alexander coal-seam, was taken on the land of D. Hart:

The coal has a good reputation for household use, and is extensively used along the line of the National road. ee Report, 1873, volume 1, pp. 329-330-1 ; E. B. Andrews, Assistant Geologist. ]

Coal number six, only, is mined here, as number five yields a coal of too poor quality to be marketable. Near this locality, a cannel coal, probably coal number four, is seen in the bed of the creek, and is eighteen inches thick. 'The two beds, six and five, are seen on the property of Moses Robinson, and on that of Messrs. Fisher and Mangold, near the Adamsville road. They are each three and one-half feet thick, but the upper one alone is now worked. Number five was formerly mined by stripping, on Mr. Robinson's property, near the school house.

The coal above the parting is very pure, and makes an excellent coke, very compact, and handsome. Two coking ovens were in use at the time of examination, and two more were being built. Below the parting, the coal is very poor, and often it is two-thirds pyrites. Streaks of pyrites occur occasionally in the coal above, but are very thin, and not extensive. Mr. Matthews_ ships about sixteen hundred tons per

Mr. Menefee claims that the bed is entirely free from pyrites, and that neither streaks nor nodules have ever been seen. The entry has been driven only forty feet, and has hardly reached sound coal, so it would be injudicious to speak positively in this connection. The coal i is quite pure, shows little tendency to break up on exposure, and exhibits no incrustation of copperas on the outcrop. Fifteen feet below the coal is a bed of iron ore three feet thick, containing about eighteen inches of what has been pronounced an A specimen was procured for analysis, but, unfortunately, has been mislaid. At the time this locality was visited, Mr. Menefee was negotiating for the sale of this bed to a Zanesville firm, at a royalty of thirty cents per ton. The deposit is evidently extensive, as it was traced from this point east, and north, through the township to the opening in coal number six, belonging to Mr. White, on the Adams-. ville road. he horizon is one at which ore is. found at numerous localities throughout the coal field in the State, and the deposit here merits. careful attention.

ship. Though identifying this bed with coal number five, of the State section, I doubt the propriety of so doing, especially as there is no associated rock by wich to prove its identity. It would seem more probable that it is an intercalated bed, if one may judge from its sudden origin, and expansion. It is absent over a greater

Ohio. They keep constantly on hand a good supply of foreign and domestic piece goods, from which they can suit the most critical, and furnish the most indigent with custom-made clothing. They are generous in prices, and genteel in their way of dealing. One particular feature that demands the patronage of all, is that they can fit as neatly and artistically as can be done in the large cities, and always in the latest styles. They solicit the patronage of all, and feel sure that when once received they will retain it, and customers will not go elsewhere for either goods or well made and well fitting garments.

Coal number three, though here only twentytwo inches thick, becomes thirty inches at another point about a mile east from Mr. Menefee's, where it is worked. It is highly esteemed by some, as it makes a cheerful fire. A layer of bituminous coal, three inches thick, is found at the bottom.

The limestones are all blueish. The gray limestone is apt to be shaly, is less tough, and more granular than those below. It has been used successfully as a flux. The middle limestone is cherty, with the flint irregularly distributed through it. Near Mr. Matthews' coal by fie flint. The ore, so well rarked 3 in Madison, Jackson, Licking, and Muskingum, is absent here, or rather is only traceable by means of a few scattered nodules accompanying the chert. The ore resting upon the.gray limestone is Of no value, being imbedded i in sandstone. The sandstones along the river, between numbers six and four are-compact, and would doubtles be excellent for building purposes.

Coal number seven, was seen at only one point. It is seventy-five feet above number six, and is not more than nine inches thick. South of the Central Ohio Railroad it is mined extensively, and is four to five feet thick.

Source changes here: from Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio; Embracing an Authentic and Comprehensive Account of the Chief Events in the History of the County and a Record of the Lives of Many of the Most Worthy Families and Individuals, published 1892; 3,187 words in this source stream.

Washington Township

THE first actual settler here of whom we have any definite knowledge, while a great hunter, belonged more to the pioneer class. His name was Isaac Prior, the ancestor of Alexander Prior, now residing in Licking township, and whose biography in this volume presents a more extended sketch of this first settler of Washington township. Through data obtained in the Prior family, we learn that Isaac Prior was a native of Pennsylvania, and that he settled with his family in 1799 on land since owned by A. C. Howard. Tradition tells us that he provided the meat for his family largely by his skill as a hunter, and that he sold deer and wild turkeys to the very first settlers of Zanesville. This humble log cabin and small clearing was the first in the township, and the fertile soil of the township first yielded to his cultivation a crop of corn.

Isaac Prior was not a reckless Indian hunter, but was a church member, and took with him to the wilds of Muskingum, a letter of dismissal from his church as a member in honorable standing. After he had somewhat established himself, he built a hewed- log house, and his hospitable roof so frecpiently sheltered the wayfaring hunter and land seeker and other adventurers, that it came to be looked upon as a tavern which was the first in the township. It seemed to have been the custom for many of the first pioneers to keep open house, their latch string was always out, and no man who sought shelter with them was ever turned from their door. Likewise, Job Dickson, who came soon after Isaac Prior, entertained travelers at Threemile spring, as soon as he had built his cabin and cleared three acres of laud. The settlers now began to come in more rapidly and were mostly from Pennsylvania and Virginia, with a few from Delaware, from which last named state Moses Boggs came in 1805, and made his settlement in the eastern part of the township on land purchased of Noah Zane. He possessed some business ability, for he was county commissioner from 1840 to 1843. Jacob Livingood came in 1805, from Pennsylvania, accompanied by Elija Hart from the same state.

Joseph Evans and George Crane, Joseph Vernon with his wife and regular pioneer family of twelve children, came in 1805. In 1806 Gen. Robert McConnell, of Pennsylvania, settled on land afterward owned by William Fox. He was afterward the founder of McConnelsville. In 1806 Joseph Slack also came in and settled on land afterward owned by James Galloway. He built a log house roofed with shingles, which was the first to boast such a luxury. About this time came John Walters. In 1808 Jacob Gaumer a revolutionary soldier from Reading, Penn., settled in this township. His son-in-law, Jacob Sturtz, the ancestor of the Sturtz family in this county, from Somerset county, Penn. , settled the same year on the farm now owned by Mr. Lovett. Jacob Sturtz was a soldier in the war of 1812, and served in Capt. Robert McConnell's company of riflemen. He was in several fights with the Indians. In 1810 Job Dickson sold out his tavern to John Speers who had recently come to the township. George Swasek came from Virginia in 1811. John Robertson settled in the township in 1812. By 1816 Samuel Cassel, John Price, George Jay, William Keatley, Albert Cole, Isaac Beatty, Spencer Lehue and William McConnell had arrived.

In 1820 John Wall came from Pennsylvania, and the Suttons and Batemans came shortly before. Then came L McLain and John McCashland. In 1822 a Virginian, Jonah Hague, came with a pioneer family of fifteen children. A man by the name of Bates had a tavern on Mill run in 1804. The first marriage was solemnized between John Mercer and Elizabeth Vernon, in 1807. The first death was Eliza Hart, who died in 1807. There were no more deaths for ten years, when Jane Slack died in 1817. The first birth was Rebecca Vernon, daughter of Joseph Vernon.

In 1810 William McConnell built a sawmill, the first in the township. Some time after this a mill run by ox power was built by William Beatty. In 1811 John Bates mined the first coal in Muskingum county, on Mud run, this township, which he sold in Zanesville. Jacob Slack opened the first road, assisted by his brother George. It is what is now known as the Adamsville road, and was from his house to Wheeling road. In 1813 the Adamsville road was surveyed, which was the first county road. The first man to drive a team over this road was Jacob Slack. In 1819 George Jury built the first distillery and Albert Cole the first tannery. In 1814 a coal bank was opened by John Speers for his own use.

The first school teacher in the township was Ellen Spinner, in an old-time schoolhouse built in 181(3. Samuel Cassel was the second teacher. John Price had the first blacksmith shop in 1820, and this same year Henry Conrad opened a store. In December, 1822, Samuel Barstow made the first claim against the township for $12. 18, for burying John McCasky. In 1830 the village of Jackson, on the National pike, four miles east of Zanesville, was surveyed into lots. The record was made October 20, same year. The land was formally owned by Spencer Lehue. This village has attained no considerable growth, and is simply a quiet residence hamlet with no business enterprises worthy of notice.

From the County Commissioners Journal of Wednesday June 5, 1822, we extract the following: "The commissioners met agreeable to adjournment, present, all three, as heretofore. A petition having been presented from a number of inhabitants of Zanesville township, north of the military line, thence running west with said military line to the southwest corner of Buford's farm, on the Wheeling road, thence north with the west bound ary line of the Buford farm, until it strikes Joseph Shut's land, thence west and north with the west boundary of said Shut's land, to land belonging to John Lolme's estate, thence west, and north with the west boundary of Lehue's land, on the line be tween Lehue's land and Jeffrey Price, with said line northerly to Mill run, thence down Mill run to the Muskingum river, thence up the river till it strikes the east and west line, through the centre of township 2, in range 7, thence east with said line between Jackson and Copeland's land, and on with said line until it strikes the range line between ranges six and seven, at the northeast corner of the fourth quarter of the second township in the seventh range, thence south with the range line, between ranges six and seven, to the place of beginning, which shall constitute a new township, to be called Washington township; also, ordered that the auditor advertise for an election, to be held at the house of Mathias Colspier, on the 22 day of June inst.,to elect a sufficient number of township officers in and for said township of Washington. On June 27, 1822, the first election was held for township officers. John Howell and William Evans were clerks. The officers elected were, for treasurer, William Culbertson; trustees, James Huff, Robert McConnell and Moses Boggs; overseers of the poor were Robert Boggs and Robert Culbertson; for clerk, Samuel Orr Jr. ; road supervisors, Nicholas Closser, Anthony Woodruff and John Harris; fence viewers, Mathias Colspier and Nicholas Closser; justices of the peace, George W. Jackson and Moses Boggs; constables, Anthony H. Woodruff, Leonard Lull and George Slack. The first infirmary director elected was Robert Slack, in 1875.

As early as the year 1800 there was a Muskingum and Hockhocking circuit, which, in 1802, was changed to the Little Kanawha and Muskingum. Jesse Stoneman rode this circuit, but it was Robert Manly who organized the first Methodist church in the valley. Just how far up it is impossible to say. James Quina traveled this circuit in 1804-5. While the records of the early Methodist itinerants are very incomplete, we find that some stanch seekers after truth met in private homes in our township, and listened to the word of God. The first class was organized about 1808, holding their meetings, among other places, at the homes of John Vernon, Joseph Bowers, John Bowers and Isaac Beatty. Feeling the need of a permanent place of worship, these zealous Methodists, in 1823, erected a hewed-log building, which was dedicated in the fall of that year. It was built by the pioneers themselves, without outside assistance. It was situated on a farm owned by John Bowers Sr. In 1840 a frame structure, costing over $1,000, was erected in Perry township, on George Borders' farm. Among the early preachers were Presiding elder Jacob Young, William Knox, John Water man, Thomas Carr, John Tires, Samuel Glaze, T. A. Morris, Charles Elliott, James Gilutli, Samuel Broclsmier, Jacob Hooper, Archibald McElroy, Leroy Swaineatedt, M. M. Henkle, B. Westlake,

Thomas Beecher, E. H. Taylor, Ezra Brown, Z. H. Coston, Michael Ellis, C. Springer, J. Caliban, Joseph Carper and W. B. Crislee. During the summer of 1833 the first Sunday-school was organized by Joseph Church. Rev. D. P. Mitchell and J. W. Spry revived the old Sunday school in 1851, the old one having existed but three months.

Methodism was well established in Washington township, when a class was formed in a schoolhouse on John Orr's farm in 1842. It consisted of John Wall, Amanda Wall, James Walwork, Margaret Walwork, Lucretia Brown, Patsy Shiflet, Lloyd Bishop, Mrs. Bishop, James Smith, Margaret Smith and Nellie Hart. The class-leader was Stephen Schafer. After three months the class moved to William Brown's tobacco barn. Some time afterward, the new meeting house being finished in 1843, the meetings were held there. The class leaders have been Stephen Schafer, James Smith, John Wall, James B. Smith, James Mc- Jurkiu, Jonathan Collins, Turner Wolf and John Gray. A Sunday-school was early organized, which was well attended.

The Baptist church was formed from the Baptist church in Salem township. Many of the Washington township members, finding it inconvenient to attend church in Salem township in 1842, petitioned the Baptist church in Salem township for permission to organize a church in this township. The petition granted, and a new association formed, the next year built and dedicateda church, under the pastorage of Rev. William Sedgwick. They soon organized a Sunday school, which proved a great aid to the church. As the signers to the petition to the Salem church may be considered the founders of a new church, we give their names as follows: William H. Barstow, A. H.

Prior to 1848 a company of Methodists used to meet in the Woodruff schoolhouse. In 1848 they built a church on the farm of Thompson Hague, a shoit distance north of Coaldale. The first two class leaders were Isaac Franks and William Catlin. Among the prominent members of t his church at its organization, we find the names of Job Morgan, Jacob Walters, William McCashland, Albert Jones, Joel Jones, Robert Jones, Jonathan Malox and Joseph H. Bowers. Among the early pastors were Revs. Wyrick, D. P. Mitchell, Robert Boyd, I. N. Macabee and Henry Snyder. Twenty years ago this church had a very flourishing Sundayschool, which was well conducted.

In the early sixties the Lutherans organized a Sunday-school in a log cabin on the land owned by David Shick, which flourished. Among its superintendents were Samuel Shick, James McGee, David Shick, A. Martin, Mrs. Maggie Shick, Miss Kate Boggs and John Mitzlett. This was called the St. John's Union Sunday-school. In 1803, springing from this Sunday-school, came the St. John's Lutheran church, worshiping in the same log cabin. A frame church was built in 1876, Samuel Shick subscribing $400. Among the prominent members in an early day were Samuel Shick, John Hetzel, Allan Dunn, James McGee and Elizabeth Hetzel. Among their pastors have been Revs. George Sinsibaugh, William M. Gilbraith, Logan Gilbraith, John Bocker and George Shrieves. Land on which the original log church stood was donated by David Shick in 1863 for thirteen years, the transaction being made legal by the receipt on his part of $1.

RICH HILL was organized in 1815 under the following order of the county commissioners: "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. Ordered by the commissioners that the township be erected, March 18, 1815." Abraham Warne was one of the first trustees. Israel Robinson, a justice of the peace under the Salt Creek organization was retained in office in Rich Hill. It is said that John Reynolds gave the new township its name because, as he said, it was "so rich and hilly."

Rich Hill is essentially an agricultural district, and all kinds of crops grow abundantly. The chief article of export is wool, but latterly quite a good many horses and cattle have been raised for market. The first mold-board plow used in the township was introduced by Abraham Warne, who also set out the first orchard. The plow was of the kind known as "Wood's patent." A Mr. Mayers brought in the first threshing-machine at a date that can not now be recalled. D. Irwin brought the first Merino sheep into Rich Hill from Pennsylvania. About 1836 Abraham Wells brought in a few short-horn cattle from Morgan county. In 1856 James Herron bought some thoroughbred short-horn Durhams of James McCune, of Blue Rock township. Later he bought some more in Athens county, Ohio. Daniel Tom introduced a fine pair of Devonshires from Guernsey county in 1876.

It is thought that the first settlers in Rich Hill were one Lawrence, a German, and his stepson, Leonard Sticliler, who located on school section 16 in 1805. Lewis Pierce and his sons, Llewellyn, Jonathan anil Andrew, and Abraham Warne, John Moore, William Robinson and John and Neal Mc- Naughton, came from Pennsylvania in 1 806, and located in sections 19, 20 and 29. William Herron took up his residence on the southwest quarter of section 18 about the same time. During the next year, on section 16, located Daniel Monroe, John Jones, John Reynolds, Adam Shaner, William Ivers, and one Crow, and, on section 1, Michael Hammond and Abraham Pollock. Philemon Johnson, a Revolutionary soldier from Vermont, Israel Robinson and Hezekiah Hyatt came in 1808 and 1809. In 1811 came Caleb Monroe and C. Brady; in 1812, Thomas Elliott and Thomas Brady. Among other early comers were the St. Clairs, Fosters, Gregorys, Forsyths, Aulds, Sims, Givens, Crawfords, Spillmans and Dixons. The first who died in the township was Elizabeth McNaughton, a little girl. The second was one of the same name, but an old lady. A man named Martin was the third. All were buried in 1812, on the Mc- Naughton's land. The first public cemetery, now known as the "Methodist graveyard," was opened two years later. The marriage of James Dixon and Ann Herron was the first in the township. Caleb Monroe's and Deemy Hyatt's was the next one. The first birth was that of John Moore, in March, 1807. In August following Pierce Warne was born. The Zanesville and Marietta road was the first surveyed through any part of the township. The road from Chandlersville to Cambridge, put through, it is said, in 1810, was the second. Leonard Stichler built the first log cabin in 1805; Andrew Howell the first frame house in 1819; Neal McNaughton the first stone house in 1827; James Calhoun the first brick house in 1828. John Jordan taught the first school in 1814 or 1815, in a little log house near the site of the Pierce Warne residence. Dr. Daniel Bliss, of Salt Creek township, was the first medical practitioner here. Neal McNaughton built the first gristmill in 1818, on the east branch of Salt creek, on the northeast quarter of section 29, and after owning it twentyone years sold it to Thomas Randolph, who in turn transferred it to Jesse Hayden, in whose ownership it was burned. Abraham Warne built the first sawmill in 1824. In 1837 James Cal- houn built, the John Smith gristmill at Rix's Mills. The Rich Hill postoffice, the first in the township, was established at John Randall's, and removed in 1846 to Rix's Mills. Another office was established at Thomas Sheppard's, and removed successively to Morgan Morgan's, to Watt Henderson's and to John Pierce's. It was vacated in 1861 and reestablished as Freeland postoffice in 1874.

The only trade center in the township is Rix's Mills (sometimes called Rixville) which is an inland post hamlet in the northeast corner of township, sixteen miles east of Zanesville, and six miles from New Concord, the nearest bank. Sprat.t, a small station on the Bellaire, Zanesville & Cincinnati railroad, four and one-half miles distant, is the nearest shipping point.

"Monroe's Meeting house" was the familiar name of the first church built in this township in 1813, by a Methodist class formed at Daniel Monroe's in 1812. In 1836 it was replaced by a frame structure, costing $1,200, on the southeast corner of section 9, on land purchased of F. R. Winrod. In 1861, at a cost of $1,250 a new frame was built on the old foundation, and was dedicated in 1862 by Rev. Hiram Miller. Goshen Baptist church was organized October 18, 1822, by Elders Debait and Rees. Early meetings were held at houses. From 1824 to 1849 the church worshiped in a building over the line in Guernsey county, until a building was erected in this township. Rixville United Presbyterian church was organized in 1825, by Rev. David Proudfit. The first church building was burned, and in 1850 a goodly frame structure was erected on the southwest quarter of section 9, at a cost of $1,600. Rich Hill Baptist church was organized in 1833. No traces remain of its meetinghouse, which stood on the east side of section 29, on the creek bottom. Rich Hill Reformed Presbyterian church was formerly a flourishing organization. As late as 1836 its house was standing on section 30. Mount Zion Presbyterian church was organized August 4, 1839. Its first church building was erected in 1841, on the southeast quarter of section 27, and later became a parsonage. The present house of worship was built near the old structure in 1864, at a cost of $1,800. Buffalo and Williams' forks and South creek and McKee's, May's forks of Wills' creek drain this township. There are no minerals of consequence except coal. During the spring of 1807, a band of Shawnee Indians, numbering about thirty warriors, encamped on the Salt creek bottoms, near Abraham Warne's, and after a consultation with the whites, retired without molesting them or theirs.