Washington Township

Washington Township

The foregoing history is prepared from such materials as were at command, and from necessity is brief, and in some instances, especially in regard to the early pioneers, from want of reliable data, is perhaps incomplete. But it has been the endeavor to use such matters and facts only as might be safely relied on as authentic, and in the main it is hoped and believed that they may be found substantially . correct.

Bt 8Amue1. Harris

In collecting facts concerning the early settlement and history of Washington Township at this time, difficulties at first sight unlooked for arose from several causes, Hie most important of which is the neglect of the early settlers to keep any record upon which a correct narration of facts can be based. Another cause is to be found in the fact that many of the early settlers moved to other localities in order to escape from the hills and swamps of which the township originally largely consisted, until but few remain from whom the information required can bo obtained. But by great patience and investigation this narration has been obtained and is respectfully submitted.

Topography

This township is located in the eastern part of the county, being the third from the top in the eastern tier of townships. It has for its boundaries on the north Wayne and Massie Townships; on the east, Clinton County; on the south, Harlan and Salem Townships, and, on the west, Salem and Turtle Creek Townships, the Little Miami River forming its western boundary.

Todd's Fork enters the township on the east, and, running in a southwest direction, empties into the Little Miami River at Morrow. The lands along * this stream are broken into abrupt, hills about 100 feet high, indented, at short intervals, with ravines extending in most places but little beyond the tops of the hills.

The most considerable tributary of Todd's Fork on the southeast side is Penquite's Run, and on the northwest side are Scaffold Lick Run and Emily's Run. These all empty into Todd's Fork.

The Little East Fork running from the east empties into Todd's Fork about one-half mile west of the Clinton County line and forms the terminus of a large area of bottom lands along Todd's Fork in Clinton County. But a small portion of these bottom lands lie along the stream in Washington Township, amounting in all to about 150 acres below and 100 acres above the mouth of East Fork.

A little south of the center of the township, near the College Township road, are the highest lands in the township, on which is a swamp called Sweet Gum Swamp. The water from this swamp moves slowly northward about two miles, where it meets another small sluggish stream, and, from the junction to its mouth, bears the name Flat Fork. After it receives the waters of the north branch of Flat Fork, it becomes a more rapid stream, and, rushing down the hills, empties into Caesar's Creek;

Tbe western portion of the township, along the Little Miami River, is drained by Pigeon's Run, Kidy's Run and Olive Branch on the northwest, and by Bloody Run, Hungry Hollow Run and their tributaries in the southwest

The bottom lands along the Miami River are of small area, and are estimated as being about as follows: At Freeport and below, to Mathers, 125 acres; at Mathers, below the ford of the river, 30 acres; at Fort Ancient, 100 acres, and, at Hammel, opposite Millgrove, 100 acres

From the foot of the bottoms at Fort Ancient to the mouth of Stony Run, about one mile below, the hills on either side crowd close to the river and form what is called the " Narrows." #

The hills along the Miami are steep, wild and rugged, pierced with numerous ravines, and in the highest parts reach an elevation of 250 feet

In the northeastern quarter of the township is a table hill about one and one-half miles in diameter and about sixty feet high, called " The Knobs." It has a deep red clay soil, rich, friable, and easily cultivated, surrounded by a flat black swamp of equal depth of soil. From the base of this hill flow some fifteen or twenty living springs of pure, clear, cold water, from which it takes the name of * 4 Spring Hill."

Thus you have the principal topographical features of the township as it existed originally, provided you can picture to yourself the level portions covered with a dense growth of timber and a denser growth of underbrush, with a covering of leaves aDd decayed matter on the ground sufficient to retain the moisture during the whole of the year.

Ancient Works

A very prominent and interesting feature of this township is the old fort at Fort Ancient, of which a full account and description is given in the history proper of Warren County.

There are other works of unknown origin besides the above. Among these are two mounds near the northeast angle of the fort, three others south of the fort, near the village of Hammel, one three miles southeast of the fort, near Theodore Couden's, one about four miles east on a hill near the county line, .and a circular fort or breastwork about sixty feet in diameter about four miles northeast of the old fort, on the farm of J ames Harris on Spring Hill. Extending eastward into Clinton County are quite a number of mounds and circular works, showing conclusively that this region has, at some time in the remote past, been densely populated by an energetic and warlike race, who were, from the appearance of skeletons found, of gigantic stature. Trees of largest growth cover these works as thickly as any portion of the surrounding country.

Wild Animals Game

It is an undisputed fact that panthers were among the wild animals that infested the forests of this district in early times. One of these was killed near Smalley's settlement in this township; another was seen by Capt, Titus, and their terrifying screams were frequently heard resounding through the forest. Wild cats were also sometimes killed; bears were common, deers were in abundance, and wolves, foxes, coons, opossums, minks, porcupines and squirrels were in profusion. Of the feathered tribe, pheasants were common, wild turkeys and quails abounded, ducks were plenty along the streams and in the swamps; and the streams were tilled with the finest kinds of fish.

Timber

The forest trees were of immense growth in some parts, and consisted chiefly of red, white, black, burr and pin oak; blue, white and black or swamp ash; yellow and white poplar, black walnut and white Walnut or butternut; wild cherry, black, white and shellbark hickory and honey locust. These were the most valuable species for building purposes. Sufficient sugar-trees existed to supply the settlers with sugar and sirup. There were also beech trees of large growth, maple, sweet and yellow gum, gigantic sycamores, linden, mulberry, hackberry, sassafras, white or slippery elm and red or upland elm. The largest of the oak, ash and hickory trees grew on and around Spring Hill. Of the smaller trees or undergrowth, there were the dogwood, boxwood, red and sugar haw, water beech, willow, red bud, crab-apple, wild plum, papaw, spice, prickly ash and hazel These grew in great profusion and formed a perfect network of foliage through which it was very difficult, if not impossible, to travel. The buckeye (Ohioensis) was plenty along the streams.

No regular settlement of Indians was located in this township, but Todd's Fork was a resort for hunting bands of the Delawares, Shawnees and Mi amis. Spring Hill was an old camping-ground, and the territory comprising Washington Township was a favorite hunting-ground for all the above tribes. They were a continual annoyance to the settlers - sponging, begging and stealing - and their treacherous dispositions kept the pioneers in a continual state of uneasiness and alarm. After the war of 1812, numbers of them continued to visit the Quaker settlements in Clinton County and their old haunts at Spring Hill and Smalley's. But Smalley's knowledge of their treachery, gained by sad experience, caused him to keep himself and family as much as possible out of their company. One of the Miami chiefs, Lewis Daugherty, continued to visit this township as late as 1830. .

Many incidents and anecdotes, showing the character and uncouth habits of the Indians, might be told, but they are too obscure and of too doubtful authenticity to have a place in this narrative.

Earlt Settlements

The first settlement, or rather, the first cabin as a nucleus, around which the pioneers began to locate, was built by William Smalley and his brother, Benjamin Smalley, in 1797, on the southeast bank of Todd's Fork, where Charles E. Hadley now lives, one mile west of Clarksville. A double cabin was erected. The cabins were in the verge of extensive bottom lands, the Little East Fork on the south and extending up Todd's Fork many miles. These cabins were about fifty rods west of the Clinton County line (though Warren County, till 1810, extended east to Wilmington).

The two brothers hacked a road from somewhere near Columbia, and brought their familes and few household necessaries they were possessed of to the cabins, arriving in the fore part of the day. They unpacked their goods, placed them in the huts, and returned to Columbia for the remainder of their

That night eight Indians came to their cabin to stay all night; their request was granted, and it was so arranged to let them as far as possible occupy one of the cabins. One of the men, a stalwart fellow, took his position in the part occupied by the . Mrs. Smalleys, laid on the earthen floor, his motions being very restless and suspicious. Mrs. William Smalley kept herself awake by rocking a rude cradle all night while lying on her bed Late in the night, the Indian got up, stirred the lire, lit his pipe, took a long and leisurely smoke, lay down and slept quietly the remainder of the night. In the morning, they all departed If there is any truth in the old adage that it is an omen of good luck to have visitors the first day on moving to a new house, it was surely verified in this case. Their nearest neighbor was James Miranda, about nine miles distant direct, at the mouth of Todd's Fork.

In 1801, John Barkley built a hut about three- fourths of a mile south of Smalley; the place is now designated by a thicket and a bunch of tansey, but the location not being desirable, he, in 1802, built a hewed-log house where John B. McCray's house now stands. The house was raised with the help of eleven men - -James Miranda, William Smalley, Benjamin Smalley, Archie Henderson (a half brother), Owen Todd, Aaron Sewell, John Sewell - the three latter having settled some five miles east in what is now Clinton County, are remembered as being of the number.

At just what time Nebo Gaunt settled on the Little Miami is not known, but he built the first mill in the township (at the site of Freeport) in 1802. He was an ingenious man, and could work as millwright, carpenter, wagon* maker, blacksmith, etc., with facility. He afterward built a two-story frame house, and made nearly all the nails used in its construction.

Samuel Pidgeon and Marmaduke Mills settled in 1805, the former where his grandson, Samuel Pidgeon, now lives, and the latter on the hill near the present road to Harveysburg. George Hidey settled prior to that time on what is known as the Hidey farm, where his descendants still reside.

William Trotter settled about 1798 or 1799 on what is now the College Township road, where Aaron Ertle now lives. His relatives claim his settlement in 1796 or 1797, but this is evidently incorrect He was a soldier of the Revolution. Ezra Robertson, his brother-in-law, settled in Turtle Creek Township in 1799, and removed to this township shortly after, and settled on the opposite side of Stony Run, near where Allen Shawhan now lives; the spot is designated by a lombardy poplar. He also Was a soldier of the Revolution, and both were from Maryland.

A. W. Trotter, of Indiana, writes concerning his grandfather, in a letter dated August 3, 1881, to H. H. Robertson, Fort Ancient, as follows: "William

Trotter* was born in Maryland in 1769, and his wife in New Jersey in 1771. When he moved to that settlement, a man named Dutton, at Millgrove, was his nearest neighbor. After this - I don't know how long - Andrew Brandstater and Joseph Robertson moved into the settlement. The nearest mill was Stubbs', about eight miles below, on the Miami, which was very convenient. There were plenty of Indians when he settled in Ohio and for years afterward. They frequently came for different articles of food, always bringing some article of their own manufacture in exchange. Uncle Andy Trotter says the first thing he ever wore on his feet was a pair of moccasins made by an old squaw. His post office was for years at Lebanon. The deer he killed would amount to hundreds; he also killed scores of bears, the most of which were killed in the hickory flats, but bears were killed in all parts of the county and in adjoining counties."

Andrew Guttery purchased land at the point opposite Millgrove in 1808, and had a settlement made on the lands, but it is not now known who first settled on it. He was a soldier of the war of 1812 ; he built a flat-boat at Millgrove, took a load down the Mississippi and died in the State of Mississippi.

These appear to be the earliest settlements made in the township by men who came to stay. Although only these few are mentioned as settlers, we will remark that at the same time the country was filling up by backwoodsmen, adventurers, leasers, squatters and hunters, who settled for the time being at any desirable spot, stayed as long as they were satisfied with the location and then went to another place as their fancy or interest suggested. To give an idea of their numbers I will give one instance. On a tract of land on Todd's Fork, purchased by James Harris and others, in 1809, containing 1,000 acres, seventeen families were located; none of their descendants now remain among us to tell whence they came or where they went, but they mostly turned their faces westward.

In 1805, John Adamson settled on the College Township road, near and opposite Lewellyn Williams, in the angle where Fort Ancient & Clarksville pike diverges southeast from the old road. Arba Alexander soon after owned and settled at the same place. Timothy Titus settled in 1806, on the north side of the Chillieothe road, where James Melov now owns, in a half -faced camp. As soon as he got matters a little regulated, he set up a blacksmith shop. This was the first shop of the kind in the township, except Nebo Gaunt's. It is supposed William McCray settled in the vicinity the same year. Jacob Garre tson, father-in-law of Timothy Titus, settled north of Union Church about the same time. James Yillars settled in 1807, where Eli Kirk now lives, and erected a distillery, but removed to Clinton County in 1813. In 1806, William Smalley built a mill near his house on the creek, of sufficient capacity for the neighborhood ; he had also a small distillery, which was kept in operation but a few years. A man named Hogerman was the millwright, who put the works in the mill Smalley also built a brick house in 1811, James Abbott doing the carpenter work.

This wtis the first brick house in the township, and is now occupied, with some alterations, by Charles E. Hadley. Some seven or eight houses were erected at the cross-roads, which gave it the appearance of a country village, but all have disappeared except the brick. Benjamin Smalley removed east to about the present county line, and set up a blacksmith -shop. One Shockley was the smith, and many anecdotes are told of his rude mechanism.

In 1803 or 1804, several persons came to the Trotter settlement - Thomas Diakin, from Virginia to Kentucky, thence to this settlement; Andrew Brandstater, Thomas Woodsides, Sylvanus Clark and John Souard, a tailor, being of the number.

Ude Carter came in 1804; Dixon Smoot about the same time. South of Trotter's about a mile, some families settled on Lick Bun, but in what year is not known, but probably from 1804 to 1807, Simon Shoemaker, Jacob Littleton, Henry Stites, Henry Hollingsworth being named among them. John Bowser and Samuel Bowser were distillers. John Cox settled near the mouth of Stony Run on the Miami; in attempting to swim the river at the foot of the Narrows, he was drowned.

The settlement at Mather's Mill, on the Miami, on the Lebanon & Wilmington road, was earlier than 1807, David Van Schoyckand Lewis Rees being there before that time. Lewis .Rees built the mill in 1807, when it was disposed of to Richard Mather, who settled there the same year. George Zentmire settled the same year some distance below the mill, and built the dam for Mather. His cabin was by a spring below the mill. In addition to the mill,

History Of Warren Oounty

Richard Mather set up a store and smith shop; he brought with him Jacob Ashmead and Richard Taylor as millers. Jacob Horn, blacksmith; Jacob Longstreth, storekeeper; Samuel Cou.den, an Irishman; John Frazee and others came the same season. George Zentmire was a Virginian of German descent, spoke the German language fluently and was a Revolutionary soldier.

In 1806, David Farris removed from Virginia with a large family, on packhorses, and settled first on the Little East Fork, near the fort in Tribbey's bottom, and, in 1808, purchased 400 acres, mostly in Warren County, and settled on the Bull Skin road. He was a chair-maker and furnished the settlers with chairs, some of which are still in use or kept as relics of early and honest workmanship. Prior to this, or about the same time, George McManis settled one mile south of Farris, and James Garrison and Jeremiah Brackney farther south on the same road at the farms now occupied by John Cleaver and Thomas McCray. George Shin also settled at about the same time near by. on the Goshen pike. William Nickerson came from North Carolina to Kentucky, thence to Ohio, and, in 1809, settled on Todd's Fork, about three miles below Smalleys. In 1814, he and a daughter, aged fourteen, died of the cold plague; both were buried in the same grave. Thomas Emily settled prior to 1810, near where there is now a graveyard on Emily's Run. Elisha Cast settled about the same time on Todd's Fork, below Smalley's, south of the Chilli - cothe road, now the Penquite farm; he was from North Carolina. About 1812, the settlers began to encroach on the swamps, there being roads leading* through them, making their settlement more convenient. There were some four or five families who squatted at Springhill - Hester and Solomon Reel only being remembered.

James Wilkerson, who was a Revolutionary soldier, was bora in Virginia November 29, 1758, and there married Sarah Moore. He moved to Kentucky from Virginia, and, in 1805, came to Ohio; he settled on the College Township road (which was laid out in 1804) in a field now owned by Jesse Urton; he brought a family of nine children, three sons and six daughters. About 1809 or 1810, he gave his farm to his daughters and purchased land on ' k The Knobs," on the west brow of the hill, on the Lebanon & Wilmington road. He built a distillery at the foot of the hill, which was operated for many years, making mostly peach and apple brandy. This gave place, in 1 860, to a steam saw-mill, built by his son John and grandson James H. His three sons, William, John and James, located on lands near his distillery about the time of his settlement there. In a religious meeting, held in Flat Fork Schoolhouse, about 1827, the aged father, James Wilkerson, arose and said he could no longer con - scienciously carry on a distillery. He died December 4, 1834, his wife dying July 17, 1841; his son William had a distillery near where George H. Wilkerson now lives, but it was discontinued in 1820. John erected a distillery for making apple brandy near the present residence of William Reynolds, in 1841. which was continued but a few years. John died January 24, 1868, his wife, Elizabeth (Farris) Wilkerson, dying in July, 1870. One daughter, Mrs. Perry G. Mills, and a grandson, Horace B., and his sister Melissa, wife of Bayless N. Settlemire, are all that remain in the township.

About 1812, James Farris settled on the Clarksville road, the place now being owned by Dr. Z. T. Garland. John and William White settled on the same road farther southeast, in 1815.

John Barkley, Jr., built a cabin in the spring of 1816 near where WTilliam Villars now lives. The farm now occupied by Paul Williams was bought, about 1812, by John Hadley, of North Carolina, and leased. Afterward, about 1825, Thomas Daugherty owned it; afterward Israel Dennison, and still later, Samuel Williams, father of the present occupant

It will not be improper to state in this place that the Flat Fork at this farm was formerly spanned by a rude bridge more than twenty rods long, with puncheon floor. Some years after, it was replaced by another, 135 feet in length, by Samuel Louden and John L. Williams, at the expense of the county. At present, a bridge of twenty-feet span answers all purposes and the land is cultivated up to it, where water once stood two or three feet or more in depth. This will suffice for the Springhill settlement

We will now return to the Mather settlement on the river, then return eastward along the Wilmington road. The Mather family have removed to various parts, one son, Joseph, living on the Wilmington road, in Clinton County. George Zentmire purchased a farm on the river below Freeport, where he died May 20, 1836; his wife, Elizabeth Dunn, died February 18, 1854. Their family, four sons and four daughters, are scattered, one son, Rev. Samuel Zentmire, living at Morrow. The river at this time was amply stocked with fish; brush drags were made to be used as seines, and great quantities were obtained. Fifteen or more deer in one herd was a common sight Many of the oldest inhabitants assert with great earnestness, that a fight with Indians on the Zentmire farm, and also a short distance above Freeport, took place some time previous to the first settlement, but no direct evidence of such events can be obtained. On the hill east of the river. Joel Drake settled, in 1815, where John Wilkerson now lives; he was from Southampton County, Ya, and was a soldier of th« Revolution, taking part at Yorktown and witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis; he and his brother, Jordan Drake, left Virginia in 1807, and encountered a terrible tornado after crossing the Ohio. They arrived at Anderson's Fork (they supposed at the time), in Clinton County, now Snowhill; but milk sickness prevailing, they disposed of their property and removed to Warren County and settled on the head of Olive Branch in 1815, Jordan Drake settling near by where Samuel Craig now lives. Jordan Drake raised a large family, his daughter in law. Mrs. John W. Drake, and his grandson, Henry M. Drake, remaining in this township. Joel Drake was an active and influential member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; his death occurred in 1841.

About the same time, 1815, Jonathan Friar, William Friar and Thomas Friar settled in the vicinity, and, not long after, Asa Burge, John Hall, Adam Barnes and McFall; and farther east, in 1814, William Chenoweth settled where Amos Warwick now lives. On the opposite side of the road John Weeks settled, in 1818, on part of Chenoweth's land, now owned by the heirs of William Wilson and George H. Thomas.

Who first settled where David Farris now lives, I am not informed; he is the 6on of David Farris, who settled in 1808 in the eastern part of the township, and moved to the present site in 1828, opening a large farm; he is now in his eighty- third year, hale and hearty.

David Robertson settled prior to Farris on the farm now occupied by his son, Ezra Robertson. Henry and Jonathan Sherwood moved to the township in 1833; Samuel French settled in 1820, and built a stone house, in 1832, since owned by Nathan Clark, now by John Van Horn. William Murray, from Maryland, settled on the west side of the Miami in 1815, where Michael Maher now resides; he moved to this township in 1832, where Alexander Harlan now lives. Himself and George Rankins, on the 26th of December, cut and carried the logs, built a house and moved in the next day; he was foreman at the carding-mill while it was in operation at Freeport; shoemaker, farmer and soldier in the war of 1812; two of his sons reside on farms on the hills east of Freeport

Thomas Kephart was born in Loudoun County, his wife, Mary Skinner, was bom September 4. 1788; i 5. 1808. came to Ohio in 1812, and settled on Todd's line of the township; he was a farmer and miller, an< ran the Stubbs' mill, at Millgrove; he retired to his May 10, 1861; his wife died January 16, 1873.

Richard Riley settled south of the creek in this from North Carolina; they packed their goods on or the horse and carrying the baby. For some years the ^ and lambs. Mr. Riley was born December 5. 1792, his wife, now the widow of Capi James Humphreys, : The McCray family, from Virginia, settled in the were seven brothers - Hugh, Daniel, Christy, Joseph, William, the latter coming s6me years previous. 1 points southeast of the creek and were industrious anc James Humphreys was bora on the Delaware Ri to Centerville in 1815. and, in the same year, to tt where Charles Urton now lives: he was a farmer anc prior to 1826. he went to New Orleans with Capt. T dence of the people and held various minor offices Salem Rifle Guards, a volunteer company, for several 9. 1879, in the eighty-seventh year of his age.

Thomas Urton, a Revolutionary soldier, came Va., in 1818, to where Thomas McCray now lives on t William Penquite, of Culpeper County, Va., s< road in 1818, and improved the farm where John Clea Robert Cree was bora in Greene County, Penn. Ohio in 1811 and married Eleanor Barkley November 2 Ephraim Castello now owns, set up a blacksmith shop flat-boating, wagoning and smithing. In 1828, he ren road, where James Stanfield now lives. His wife di< and he married Ann Mitchell; he was enterprising and John Grey settled where Lydia Morrow now lives, William Morrow, bora in Vermont in 1794, came in 1816; married Susan Nickerson in 1819, and settle near where Miles Hadley now lives; he moved to the J< Church in 1829, and died in 1861; he was a soldier o participated in the battle of Plattsburg. After comi teaching school for some years, afterward farming a His wife, Lydia (Williams) Morrow, resides on the Timothy Titus, spoken of previously as an early se tripe to New Orleans with flat-boats, and died in Mis fever in 1826; he served two campaigns in the war of 1 Justice of the Peace from the organization of the townf William Guttery moved to Turtle Creek Township in 1814 or 1815. and settled where his son Benjamin n Samuel Bowman, from Kentucky, served in the wt in 1816, married Mary Skinner September 1, 1817, i seventy - three. His widow lives on the homestead on t her eighty-ninth year.

The settling of the swampy space along the College Township road, which extends from Robert Cree's to Fort Ancient, is next in order, going westward.

In 1804, Smalley's and Trotter's were the only dwellings in this locality. Charles D. Hampton, M. D; , appears to have been the first west of Crees', but at what date he came is not known. He was from Pennsylvania, and, probably, settled in 1814, near where E. T. M. Williams now lives, but afterward settled on the road where Alfred Van Doren resides; he moved to Clarksville in 1819, and was its first physician; he with his family and some others left, in 1825, and joined the Shakers at Union Village.

John L. Williams, of Bucks County, Penn., settled on the Hampton place in 1822; the lands are now occupied by his sons, E. T. M. and Lewellyn.

James Morrow, a native of Vermont, came to New Jersey, and thence to Ohio, in 1818. and settled on this road, but went to Clarksville a few years after.

John Vandoren, of New Jersey, moved to Cincinnati in 1814, and settled where William Vandoren now lives, in 1818; he was a carpenter by trade, and kept a tavern; he died December 4, 1826.

In the midst of the swamp, in 1818, Zachariah and James Ward, from Loudoun County, Va., settled, the former on the road, the latter where Amos Dunn resides; they were coopers, and, the land being heavily timbered with fine oaks, they were enabled, by patience and perseverance, to clear the land, which is now of more than average quality. Several of their descendants are in the vicinity.

Thomas Dunn, of Virginia, of German descent, born June 11, 1772, came to Portsmouth in 1803, and settled east of Fort Ancient in 1812; he was a wheelwright and f firmer and had five sons and seven daughters. .

There were other old settlers in the vicinity, of whom little can be learned. Among them are Daniel Williams, James Frazee, Mr. Miller and others.

Jeremiah Mills, a son of a Revolutionary soldier of the same name, was a native of Essex County, Va. ; he served three months in the Revolution and also aided in suppressing the whisky insurrection in Pennsylvania; he married Abigail Bryant, and, in 1802, came to Cincinnati; in 1810, he moved to Dayton, and, during the war of 1812, wagoned supplies to the army. He afterward engaged as a pioneer in clearing land and making brick, and, in 1818, moved to Washington Township, where he settled on land at the head of Stony Run; he erected a distillery below Trotter's, which was operated but for a few years; he died December 11, 1860; his son, Jere Mills, Esq., of Freeport, is the only one of his four daughters and one son that remain in the township.

Daniel Swallow, of Dutch and English descent, from Bucks County, Penn., came to Butler County, in 1813, and to Washington Township in 1815; ha settled on the head of Lick Run, one-third of a mile east of William H. Strout's farm. He planted the first, and probably the only, nursery ever planted in the township, and did much to improve the quality of the fruit in this locality; he moved to Montgomery County, 111., in 1832.

William B. Strout, of English descent, came from Portland, Me., to Cincinnati, in 1816, and thence to this township; he studied medicine with Charles D. Hampton about 1822, and married a daughter of Daniel Swallow; he was a practical farmer and a good physician until his death, in April, 1871.

The Flat Fork swamps north and west of Springhill remained a solitude until about 1840, when the Harrises, John Hadley and John Wilkerson opened up their lands, and, in 1844, Lukens, Hatten, the Warwicks, William Thompson and others made improvements, and now this section will compare favorably with any other part of the township.

respected citizens of the township, whom it would gi Some moved to other parts or retired from active life iam H. Hamilton, for nine years County Commissior who held the same office eighteen years - the former non, the latter of Waynesville. Both were Townshi while here.

Hunting was a favorite pastime with the early s< had regularly organized bear and deer hunts. The c day the hunt was to take place, and of the different g tlement would meet. The hunters would form a circ center, driving the game before them by making s horns, shouts, etc. At a preconcerted signal, a genei a brisk firing began, which usually resulted in more 1

Another favorite pastime was the squirrel hunt, upon, a meeting was called, Captains elected, Judg count, and the men divided into two companies. A about a month ahead, on which they would meet to intervening time, each man would hunt as much, and possible. The hunters usually staked a bushel of con prowess, and, when the scalps were counted, the w grain wagered. The squirrel scalps included both ea one; ha'~ks and owls each counted two, and others bi

Another favorite and successful mode of killing t which were moist or boggy places and sometimes sp saline qualities. To these places game of all kinds w< the salty banks, and the hunter, lying in ambush, < pleasure.

The social games of the pioneers were such as profit. Among these were the log-rollings, for which 1 two sections, and each tried to excel the other in the rolled from the land. The last one of these held in on the farm of the writer, at Springhill. For this t ready cut into lengths of from twelve to sixteen fee and young, worked faithfully and cheerfully, though uncomfortable. Not finishing the clearing on the firs men returned the next day and completed the work, tain a grateful remembrance of the kindness of his n<

In pioneer days, there being no inclosed fields raising crops, the domestic animals were allowed to i on the mast of the forest and fattened rapidly. Wher around, the settlers, with employed help, would hunt in the woods, drag or haul them home, and there scab for winter use.

An account is given us of two children, aged five i lost at different times, about 1808 or 1809. Both v settlements and making an organized search. One of Bums; the other was a child of Nebo Gaunt's.

Many of the emigrants from Virginia had full when the writer was quite a small boy, he listened tc operations of witches at Wizzard Clip until his hair to them for protection. A respectable old settler wa* his fun-loving neighbors as to believe that his premises were haunted, and even requested Capt. James Harris, of Clinton County, to call out the militia for his protection from the evil spirits. The Captain volunteered his personal services, but declined to call out a military guard.

In the early settlements there were but few regularly educated physicians, and the settlers relied, to a great extent, on those versed in the medical properties of roots and herbs. Bleeding was thought to be efficacious in almost every case, and quite a number who were not physicians or surgeons were initiated into the art of phlebotomy.

Sketch Of William Smalley

On account of the eventful career of W m. Smalley, and the fact that he was the first settler of Washington Township and played a prominent part in the history of its settlement, we give him this extended notice.

Opinions differ as to the date and place of his birth, but the most probable account obtained by much research, is, that he was bom in New Jersey about the year 1759 or 1760, and lived with his father's family in that State until 1764, when they moved to Western Pennsylvania, where a number of families had settled near Fort Pitt (now Pittsburgh). When the time came for planting and cultivating the crops, in the sixteenth year of his age, he and the aged men, women and boys of the fort were placed as pickets to notify the settlers working in the fields of any approaching danger from the Indians, who were then very hostile. Despite their watchfulness, the savages crept between the fort and the laborers, and, in the excitement that followed, young Smalley and others were captured by the Delaware Indians. He was made to witness the most horrible and revolting scenes; he saw his father cruelly tomahawked by an Indian, and most of the prisoners taken ruthlessly butchered. He, with a few others, was retained and carried into captivity. They were taken to the Indian town on the Maumee River, and there confined in a hut built for the purpose on the outskirts of the village. They were afterward taken into the town and forced to " run the gauntlet," through which young Smalley passed alive. His ears were bored, cut and otherwise lacerated until they hung in strips as marks of cruelty which he carried to his grave, being well remembered by many of the old citizens now living. He remained with the Indians five years, in that time learning to speak their langnage with great fluency. After the unfortunate battle of the Indians with Col. Crawford, in which the whites were routed and many taken captives, he witnessed the burning of Col. Crawford and the torture and death of others. At this time, the Indians were unable to dispose of their furs and other articles of trade, on account of their violation of their treaty with the French, and, being anxious to renew their intercourse with the whites, they deputed Smalley (who spoke English and French, as well as Indian) to visit the French post and negotiate terms of peace, promising him his liberty if he succeeded. He undertook the mission, in which he was successful, and immediately thereafter returned to his people in Pennsylvania, where he soon afterward married Prudence Hoel. While with the Indians, he saw several prisoners burned, and, on one occasion, saw an infant snatched from its mother's breast and thrown into the flames.

Soon after his marriage, he removed with the surviving members of his father's family to Columbia, near Fort Washington (now Cincinnati), Ohio. During part of the time prior to the treaty of Greenville, probably about 1788, Smalley was engaged by Gen. Lytle as a hunter and guide to his surveying party, at 75 cents per day. He was also in Harmar's campaign and St Clair's defeat, in the latter engagement discharging his rifle thirty-five times, twentyone of which, it is said, took effect When CjL Truman and Maj. Lynch were commissioned by the Government to make peace wit employed as their guide and interpreter. While their way to the Indian country, they met three agreed to camp for the night, the day then being making profession of friendships. The party ha Smalley's. In the night, the treacherous savages e cers, but made no effort to injure Smalley. The ti Smalley forced to dry their scalps before the fire. Smalley, with the three Indians, commenced their where, upon their arrival, Smalley was put on a them a speech and explain his absence from them, and seven months' captivity, I19 was enabled, with 1 friend, to escape from his second captivity. Ho lumbia, where he remained but a short time. A gaged with Gen. Wayne as guide and interpreter ii Indians. Smalley's knowledge of the paths, roads i his thorough acquaintance with Indian manners 1 calculated to act in this capacity. He remained w treaty of Greenville, when the soldiers were discha his home and devoted his remaining years to a life lands on Todd's Fork of the Little Miami River, U the stream, in a survey patented to William Lytle, can McArthur; he and his brother built a double a considerable tract of the finest land in that local i saw-mill and grist-mill about 1805 or 1806; he i At this time the country was sparsely settled, th( James Miranda, who lived at the mouth of Todd's village of Morrow is now situated.

Mr. Smalley was the father of ten children - si Benjamin, Freeman, a Baptist minister, Jot James. Jesse, Martha and Prudence; all married in for a time, on their father's land, which lies in Wa Rachel married William Nelson and died in. 1824 terred in the graveyard near the depot at Clarksvi] at the sam9 place one mouth later. William di Mary married Zara Stearnes, and moved West; Pi ried Jonas Stump, and now lives near Harveysburg The brothers all moved West in or before the ye? father, married the widow of Thomas Kelsey, movei in Vermillion County. 111. , where he died, in 1840, possessed of a comfortable estate.

Washington Township was organized in 1818, a part of Salem Township. A part of the territoi at its organization was afterward taken off the Township, and a part from the south to form Harli regular square, containing, in 1881, 21,030.73 acres

The first election was held at William Trotter' road, about one and a half miles east of the Little I June, 1818, and resulted in the election of the folk ther, Joseph Robertson and William Penquite, Trus Ezra Robertson and William Trotter, Overseers of th and Nathaniel Moss, Constables; William McCray £

Viewers. Nathaniel Moss took the oath of office on the day of his election, and the other officers on the 4th of July following, at which time James Wilkerson gave his bond of $500 as Treasurer, with E. Robertson surety. At this meeting, it was resolved to hold the next election at John A. Vandoren's. William Wilkerson gave his additional bond of $200, with William Trotter as his surety.

July 4, 1818, summons granted to William Wilkerson, Constable, to notify Henry Reel and Hester, his wife, to depart the township of Washington, by order of the Overseers. Returned duly served.

December 6, 1818, James Wilkerson came forward with his commission as Justice of the Peace, signed by Thomas Worthington, Governor of Ohio, on which was a statement from the Clerk of the Court that he had taken the oath according to law on the 6th of November, 1818.

At the second election, held at John A. Vandoren' s, April 5, 1819, the following officers were elected, viz. : John Barkley, Joseph Robertson and Nathaniel Moss, Trustees; C. D. Hampton, Clerk; John Barkley, Treasurer; Elisha Cast and William Wilkerson, Constables; Daniel Thompson and James Farris, Viewers; John A. Vandoren and Robert Cree, Overseers of the Poor; William Wilkerson, Lister, and seven Road Supervisors. Township expenses for the year, $17.75.

1820 - Trustees, Daniel Swallow, William Penquite and Ezra Robertson; James Penquite, Clerk; William Wilkerson and John A. Vandoren, Constables; Seers Crane and William T. Jones, Overseers; John Barkley, Treasurer; John A. Vandoren, Lister; Solomon Veach and Dennis Slawter, Viewers.

This year a township tax was levied. On each head of horses, 12 £ cents, and each head of cattle, 6J cents, and John A. Vandoren appointed to collect die same. Expenses for the year, $25.75; outstanding debt at the time, $38.- 78 amount of tax collected for the year, $39. 31^.

1821 - Trustees; Richard Mather, William Penquite and Daniel Swallow; James Penquite, Clerk; John Barkley, Treasurer; William Wilkerson and Robert Cree, Constables, and William Wilkerson, Lister. Jurymen for grand jury, Richard Mather, Christy McCray and Jeremiah Mills. For petit jury, William Trotter, Elisha Cast, John Barkley, Jr.

An appropriation of $57.56^ was made in 1820 for road purposes, which was disposed of as follows: Ezra Robertson, 6 per cent for collecting, $3.45£; J. T. Robertson expended in causewaying and repairing causeways, $27.11; William Penquite, expended on Montgomery road, $27.

1822 - Trustees, Richard Mather, William Penquite, John Barkley; James Penquite, Clerk; Robert Cree, Lister; William Wilkerson and Robert Cree, Constables; Joel Lewis, Michael Q. Bowen, Grand Jurymen; Daniel Clark, John T. Robertson, Petit Jurymen. Tax on horses, 12J cents, and cattle 6J cents, for poor fund.

1825 - Trustees, John Barkley, Richard Mathe Treasurer and Constables, as last year; John Hoi quite. Richard Mather, Paul Vandervort, Grand George St. Miers, Petit Jurors. This year a tax wt cattle, 5 cents; one-fourth of 1 per cent on the val

1826 - Trustees, Samuel Bowman, John T. R son; Thomas Jones, Clerk; James' Wilkerson, T Samuel Bowman was elected Justice to fill the vacan of Timothy Titus.

1830 - Trustees, Richard Mather, John T. R< Clerk and Treasurer, same as last year; William October 16. Expenses of the township for the year in March, $29.72.

1833 - Trustees, Paul Vandervort, William IV Clerk and Treasurer, as last year. At an election h John Wilkerson and Achilles Dicks each received 23, John Wilkerson was elected.