Wills Township

Washington

This enterprising village is near the center of the county, and is situated upon the National Pike, about eight miles east of Cambridge. Its nearest railroad station is Morgan Junction, distant about four miles, but a new road noticed elsewhere, it is hoped, will brigliten the future and give to this place the prestige it once enjoyed as one of the leading towns of the couutj'. It has a population of about six hundred, and is among the most wealtliy towns of the county. It has many fine and substantial private residences, a town hall and benevolent societies. It has a good brick school building, two stories in height, giving employment to four teachers. The officers of the town are S. B.Clemens, Mayor; Alfred Skinner, Jr., Marshal; D. E. Patterson, Treasurer; James Mason, Clerk.

A Lost Town

The first town ever laid out in what is now Guernsey County was located on the Zane Trace, five miles east of Washington, on the northwest half of section 19, township 2, range 1. The proprietor, Joseph Smith, called the town Frankford, but the records of Muskingum County, to which the lands at that time belonged, show that the plat of a town called Frankby or Frankley was received for record September 13, 1805; this makes the place twenty-three days older than Washington. Who Josepli Smith was, where he came from, or when he settled lliere, is not known. There being no record of the patent, it can not now be told whether he entered the tract, but he evidently had some expectations that his town would have a future, for lot No. 5 was reserved for a court house. No. 13 for a gaol, and "north spring on lot 29 for the free use of the public, and all the commons on the south side of the same." But Smith's expectations were never realized. The liberal terms offered did not form much attraction for settlers. The first cabin erected became a tavern, and whiskej' was so cheap that the advantages of a free spring were not duly appreciated, and there was so much unoccupied land that even the cows paid little regard to the commons, and wandered at will. Smith, however, got what he never intended, the name, as the place was always known as Smithtown. But that was about all there was in it, for as late as 1807 a traveler b^' the name of Cummings, who kept a journal, says therein : '-August 8. The stage being only to go fifteen miles, I left Cambridge on foot; the first five miles were excellent road, over a long, but not very higli, range of liills, without a house, to I??3 merstown - twelve cabins, four being taverns, and one blacksmith shop. Four and one-half miles further no inhabitants; the road is still good, but is leading over several high, short and steep ridges, which generally run from north to south. Then passing a cabin and farm, in half a mile I came to Frankford or Smithtown, where I breakfasted. This is a small village or hamlet of eight or ten houses and cabins, some of which, as well as several in the neighborhood, arc inhabited by families from Teekskill, N. Y."

March 5, 1807, Smith and wife conveyed lot No. 20 to John D. Seiman; and again in 1815 conveyed to Henry Gilbert, of Belmont County, lots 34 and 60, the consideration being 127.50. February 2, 1819, they conveyed to William Vicrs lots 41 and 56, the consideration being 141.50.

In 1809 or 1810 Andrew Moore, of New Castle, Del., became a resident of the town and the proprietor of tlic tavern, which became somewhat noted as a [ilace of entertainment for travelers, and it was to this |)lace that Gen. Robert B. Moore, in 1819, having married a daughter of Jacob Gomber, took his bride to her new home, a large company of young friends from Cambridge accompanying them on horseback. Mrs. Colonel Bushficld was the only member of those two prominent and well remembered families now surviving when this was written by William M. Farrar.

April 4, 1810, Andrew Moore gave to Charles Hammond and Samuel Spriggs a mortgage "on my house, stable and lots in the town of Frankford." June 17, 1814, Smith and wife, in consideration of $2,000, conveyed to Jacob Gomber a quarter-section, upon which the town was laid out, and also lots 49, 35, 16 and south half of lots 29, 12 and 4.

and 19, to Joseph S. Kugler, who, after having secured title to the remaining town lots, filed an application to have the town vacated, and at the October term, 1846, obtained an order to that effect; and thereupon the original town of Guernsey County ceased to exist. Its once noted hostelry, that fed and rested many a traveler, has disappeared; its streets and alleys have been converted into cow pasture, and its court house and gaol sites appro)jriated to the growing of corn and potatoes.

Lore City Presbyterian Church

Lore City is midway between Washington and Senecaville. With the growing population that gathered at that point, a demand came for the preaching of the Gospel, and for the building of a hoiise of worship. A beautiful little church was erected by the liberality of the people in the neighboring congregations, and an organization was effected June 6, 1884, with forty-seven members. These came, for the most part, by dismissals from the churches of Washington and Senecaville. The Elders at the organization were: Hugh Brown, J.

This church has been connected with the pastoral charge of Washington and Senecaville, and enjoyed the pastoral labors of Revs. Newton Donaldson, C. R. McCracken and H. H. McMasters,

Washington Presbyterian Church

The town of Washington was laid out in 1805. The early settlers were of Scotch-Irish descent, and not only a religious people, but of Presbyterian stock. At first the village hotel afforded a meeting-place where religious services could be held, and traveling ministers were secured as often as possible to oflficiate. The first house of worship was erected in 1812, and was a small log house built by the people. It stood outside of the village, near the old graveyard. To this small and inconvenient house an addition was built ten years afterward to accommodate the growing congregation. In 1827 a new house of brick was built in the town, which, being almost destroyed by a wind storm in 1834, was re-bmit and enlarged, and served the congregation until 1860. The present excellent house was finished and dedicated in 1861, and for some years was one of the best church edifices in this or the adjoining counties.

The church was organized in 1811, under tiie name of Leathcrwood, which was changed to Washington in 1822. The organization was effected through the labors of the Rev. John Boyd, who preached to the people in this place about one year. Supplies were sent by the Presbytery for some time after this, and in 1815 Rev. James Smith was called to the joint pastorate of Leatherwood and Seuecaville, and was ordained and installed in August of the same year. His ministry continued four years, when his death occurred, April 19, 1819. After his death the church was without the stated means of grace for eighteen months. Then Rev. Thomas B. Clark came, and after supplying the church six months was called and installed, in 1821, over the united charges of Leatherwood, Senecavillc and Little Buffalo. During his ministry the name of the church was changed to Washington. His labors ceased here in April, 1831, and he removed to Logan County. After two years of occasional supply Rev. Joseph Reed became the stated supply, and remained four years. The next pastor was Rev. David Polk, who was installed in April, 1837, and remained only one year. Rev. Samuel Hair next became pastor, in 1838, and remained four years. His ministry was greatly blessed, and in one revival eighty persons professed religion.

Rev. John E. Alexander became pastor of Washington Church in 1842, and after a successful ministry of eleven years was dismissed, in 1853, on account of bronchial affection. He then took charge of the Miller Academy, a Presbyterian institution established in Washington in 1849, and held the position of Principal ten years, when, on account of the Civil War then raging, the students were scattered and the academy was finally closed. It was during his ministry, in 1850, that a Free Presbyterian Church was organized, which drew off many valuable members. After slavery was abolished, that church was disbanded and its members returned to the Presbyterian Church.

In 1854 Rev. William M. Ferguson became pastor of Washington and Senecavillc. After serving the united churches about eight years, he gave his entire time to the church of Washington, ilis ministry closed here in June, 1874, that he might accept the position of Chaplain of the Ohio State Prison in Columbus. His was the longest pastorate the church ever enjoyed, and during that time its highest state of prosperity was reached. He was a bold and earnest preacher of the Gospel, and his ministry was greatly blessed in the salvation of men. During his ministry new cliurclies were built both in Washington .ind Senecavillc.

In December, 1874, Rev. A. G. Eagleson, pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church of Wheeling, came before the church on their invitation and held a communion. During the winter he preached again in a series of meetings, after which he received and accepted a call to become their pastor. His installation took place June 15, 1875, and the relation was dissolved November 12, 1871). A part of this time he supplied the church of Scnccaville. After his resignation the church had only irregular supplies for a considerable length of time.

Rev. Newton Donaldson, then a student in the Western Theological Seminary, came as a candidate before the ciiurch in the fall of 1882. A call was soon made for his services, which was accepted, and at the close of the seminary year he entered regularly upon his labors. He was ordained and installed June 1, 1883. One year previous to this the church of Lore City was organized at Campbell's Station, on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, composed mainly of members from Washington and Senecavillc. Rev. Mr. Donaldson took charge of the three churclies of Washington, Lore City and Senecavillc. He was greatly prospered in this field of labor, and spent nearlj' five years in very earnest work. His dismissal took place November 1, 1887, and he removed to Bellcvue Church, in the Presbytery of Alleghany.

In 1888 Rev. C. R. McCracken was called to the service of this church, and faithfully discharged his duties until 1892, when he was succeeded by Rev. H. H. McMasters, whose terra of service began in April of that year. Rev. Mr. McMasters has served the church elticicntly and faithfully.

Historical

This cLui-cli lias experienced many great revivals of religion, tlie most notable of which were in 1839, under the ministry of Kcv. Samuel Hair; in 1858, and again in 1868, under the ministry of Rev. William M. Ferguson; and in 1885, during the ministry of Rev. Newton Donaldson. At these times large accessions were made to the membership, and a great impetus given to the cause of religion.

William Scott was the first Justice of the Peace, and also the first Township Clerk. lie afterwards was a State Senator. There has never been a postofflee or town in this township. Some get their mail in Antrim, others at Birmingham or West Chester in this county, and some even go to Freeport, Harrison County. Tiie first settler here was Levi Williams, father of John Williams, who is now the oldest man living born in this countv. Robert Carnes was the second and James Anderson the third settler.

In 1815 and 1816 quite a number of families came, and when the townsliip was organized eighteen votes were (lollcd. Thomas Ilanna received seventeen votes at the first election for Representative to the Legislature.

There are two sawmills and two gristmills here, also a United Brethren and a Protestant Methodist Church. The first religious society organized here was under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the house of Moses Hindes in 1816.

Levi Williams, in 1796, located where Washington now stands, and did the first clearing in Wills Township. In 1800 he moved to what is now AVashington Township. He was a great hunter, and was First Lieutenant in the Indian War under Wayne, and also under General Harrison, in 1812. His son John was born here, March 8, 1806. It appears that besides Graham and Williams, a John Mahoney is also claimed to have been the first settler in the county. It is probable that these three arrived at or about the same time.

Source changes here: from History of Guernsey County, Ohio, by Sarchet, Cyrus P. B. (Cyrus Parkinson Beatty), published 1911; 2,747 words in this source stream.

Wills Township

Wills township is located just east of the central portion of Guernsey county and, when first organized April 23, 1810, was one of the original subdivisions of the county. As now constituted, after having undergone many changes in form, it contains about thirty-nine sections of land in one of the best portions of the county. The National pike runs through this township from east to west, with villages, named Washington and Elizabethtown, upon its course, hence it has not been altogether unobserved and for the last four score and more years has been the passage way of thousands going over the "Pike" headed for the "far, illimitable, ever-changing West." There are numerous streams coursing through its domain, affording an abundance of pure water. It is of such shape that it is bounded by six townships. Of the schools, churches, etc., the general chapters of this work will go into detail.

At an accounting in 1876, there were the following persons aged seventysix years and over residing within Wills township. The list includes many of the more prominent early settlers : William Campbell, Mrs. W. Campbell, Lemon Ferguson, Mrs. L. Ferguson, P. Blazer, William Englehart, Mrs. W. Englehart, George Chance and wife, Thomas Boyd and wife, William Richards and wife, William Garey, Robert Weaver, Edward Hall and wife, Robert Perry, Moses Frame and wife, John McCurdy, James Gattrell. Mrs. James Gattrell, John La Rue. Elijah Lowry, Joseph Williams, Mrs. W. D. Frame. William McElhaney, and wife, William Norris and wife, Mrs. I. Parlett, William McElhaney and wife. William Norris and wife, Mrs. I. Parlett, Mrs. L. Waddel, Mrs. Clary. Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Forsvthe. John Webster, John Doyle, Matthew Doyle, Mrs. J. La Rue, Mrs. Jenkins, Mrs. Flemming, Mrs. Arch Shipley, Mrs. Totten, Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Ransom, Mrs. John Craig, Mrs. J. Dorsey, John Kendall, Christopher Sutton, C. McDowell, Albert Vorhes, Thomas Stillions and wife, Lewis Ransom, Joseph King, Roland Swan, I. Montgomery, Mrs. Denoon, Mrs. McBurney, Robert Dunn, Jacob Heiner, G. Hixenbaugh and wife, Mrs. E. Carlisle, Mrs. Connor, Mrs. Jordon, Mrs. Barton, Mrs. Williams. Mrs. Moss, John Bonnell. Mrs. A. Vorhes, Hezekiah Clements, Mrs. Harkness, George Razor, M. Bumgardner. Mrs. Donahoo.

Woolen Factory

Respectfully inform the people of Guernsey and adjoining counties, that their machinery is now in full operation - that they are prepared to manufacture, either on shares, or for pay by the yard, the following kinds of goods : will also be done by them, in the best manner, at 4c per pound, for all grades below half-blood merino or Saxony, for the higher grades 5c will be charged.

Their carding machines are in excellent order, those therefore, who favor them with their custom in this line, may confidently expect good rolls, provided their wool is well cleansed from gum and other filth.

Wool, and other approved country produce will be taken in payment in either of the above branches of business, or in exchange for goods of their manufacture.

Matthew Doyle was a native of Ireland, born in 1765, and emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1790. He married and left Pennsylvania in 1814, moving to Wills township, this county, and there entered a quarter section of land. He lived on this land until his death, in 1835. His wife died in 1847.

John Frame and wife, both born in 1772, settled in Wills township in 1810, thus being among the first pioneers. He was born in Pennsylvania and his wife in Ireland. When they arrived in Wills township they found a desolate region, but lived to see a goodly settlement spring up around them. He died in 1863, she having passed from earth's shining circle in 1848. They had seven children.

George Cook was born in Ireland in 1778, came to Pennsylvania and married there when a young man. After a few years there they moved to Ohio, settling in Wills township, this enmity, where he died in 1836 and she in [867. They reared nine children.

Elijah Lowry was a native of Maryland, horn in [802, came to Ohio when a young man with his parents and settled in Richland township, Guernsey county. He married Mary Kichey. who was horn in 1810. and soon after their marriage they moved to Wills township, where Mrs. Lowry died in 1868. They had five children.

Col. William Cochran was horn in Hickory, Pennsylvania, in 1793, and in 1707 the family moved to their new home in Wills township, this county. There the son William lived until married and in 1818 moved to a place two miles south of Middlehourne. In 1863 he moved to that hamlet. He died in 1878, having been twice married.

John La Rue, a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, born in i;8oi, accompanied his parents to Richland township, Guernsey county, in 1808 and there the parents spent the remainder of their days. John married Rebecca Ballard, born in Guernsey county in 181 r, and they selected a home in Wills township, where he died in 1877. They reared ten out of the twelve children born to them.

Thomas Law was born in Wheeling, West Virginia. January 18. 1793. and, with bis parents, came to Wayne township, Noble county, Ohio. His marriage took place in 1822. He died on a farm near his father's in 1834. after which Mrs. Law moved to Wills township. Thev had six children, five of whom grew to maturity.

Rev. John Rea, D. D., was born in Ireland in 1773, went to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he married and in 1794 settled in what is now Harrison county, Ohio, where he died in 1856, his wife passing away a year prior. They had ten children, including a son Francis, born in 1808. who graduated from Miami College and practiced medicine. He settled in the village of Washington, Wills township, and reared a family.

John Baird. a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1789. remained with his parents after their removal to Wills township, this county. In 1815 he married Jane Frame and settled on a farm in W ills township, upon which they resided sixty years. He died in 1875 and she in 1874. They were blessed by twelve children. This family were devoted United Presbyterians in their religious faith.

William Beveard, born in Ireland in 1756, came to Maryland, married, and in 18 10 settled in Oxford township, this county. They had a son William in Wills township, with whom they spent their last days. Both died in 1856.

James L. Smith born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1807, married and settled in Cambridge, this county. He drove stage from Cambridge to Washington seven years, then returned to his native state. In 1846 he began to keep hotel at Washington, Guernsey county, and kept it more than a quarter of a century.

Archibald Wilkin, born in 1823, was left an orphan at an early age, remained in Pennsylvania until 1842, when he settled in Wills township, married Mercy Miller and located on a farm. They reared a good sized family.

John Cunningham, a native of Guernsey county, born in 1814, married Martha Todd in 1841 when she was but sixteen years of age. They located in Wills township, where he died in 1872. They reared a family of ten intelligent, useful children.

Richard J. Clark, born in Maryland in 18 18, accompanied his parents to Cambridge in 1826. There he married Anna M. Beymer in 1843 and they moved to Washington, Wills township, where he embarked in the merchandising business. They reared five children.

Elizabethtown, on the National pike, platted by Jacob Weller on March 7, 1832. This never grew to be a place of much note and is a mere hamlet today, with a few scattering houses.

Washington is the place around which clusters many a fond memory of historic days along the pike, when it was the great thoroughfare for travelers going westward. It was platted by George and Henry Beymer, September 28, 1805, at a time when this county was yet a part of old Muskingum county, and a year before Cambridge was platted. It is the second town plat in Guernsey county. It is near the west line of the township and twelve miles from Cambridge. It was started for the purpose of making it the countyseat town and a good fight was put up by its proprietors to secure the prize.

This is an incorporated place and has a city hall on Main street. While there is no regular organized fire department, the village is comparatively secure from fires by the protection afforded by the hand pumping apparatus and the villagers' volunteer company. The place is nicely illuminated by means of natural gas, piped in from a gas well about a mile and a half out, located on the farms of H. C. Beetner and J. J. Griffith. This company is styled the Central Guernsey Company, all the stockholders being residents of Washington township and vicinity. The gas well has been in operation since the spring of 19 10 and the gas is soon to be piped to Lore City.

The present population of Washington is carefully estimated at four hundred and fifty. There has been a postoffice here from an early date and it is now located in the store of John H. Taylor, the present postmaster. No rural routes are as yet established from Washington. Mail comes by stage, daily. The postmasters have included the following: Mrs. Harriet McKisson, D. E. Patterson, .Mrs. Mary A. Craig. J. F. St. Clair, W. O. Moore and John H. Taylor.

An account of Washington in early times was written in a collection of historic sketches by a local writer in 1882 which reads as follows and throws much light on the pioneer village of this county :

"The pike runs through the village from east to west and the structures on either hand are the most ordinary, rude cabins, the only notable exceptions being the residences of the Lawrences and Doctor Rea, which loom up in strange contrast with their surroundings. The residence of the late William Lawrence is beyond question greatly superior to any ever constructed in this county. In the rear of Mr. Lawrence's mansion and a few rods to the left is the neat little cemetery where the early fathers of the hamlet sleep. On the pike, some four hundred rods east of town, are the county fair grounds In the village are two large dry goods stores kept by ladies, a large and handsome shoe store known as Lawrence's, a first-class implement house and hardware store, of which Roland S. Frame is proprietor, several hotels and churches, and the usual number of business places of various kinds which are found in a town of this size. There are, however, no industrial establishments.

The town was originally named Beymerstown, and its founder changed its name when the town was incorporated. It is in the center of the county. On the present site of the Ark stood a tavern, which was kept first by Mr. Frazey, then by John Murphy, Mrs. McCreary and her son James, and afterwards by E. D. Withers. This property was then sold, the east lot to Joshua Martin and the west lot to John Lawrence. Martin demolished the old rickety buildings standing on the lot he bought, erecting in their stead a large brick building, now known as the "Ark." Mr. Lawrence used the old tavern building for various purposes for some years, and sold the premises to the Old- School Presbyterians, and they erected a fine church thereon. Just west of the old tavern was the tan-yard of Jacob Saltsgaver. On a portion of this tan-yard now stands the mansion of Doctor Rea, who settled in the place in 1852. Andrew McCleary, a carpenter, came early and lived in a two-story hewed log house, which stood where James McDowell's shop later stood. He was sexton of the old Associate Reform church for many years. West of McCleary's was the old tavern square, and on the east corner a blacksmith's shop, occupied by William Haines. Next to his shop was a great gate for wagons to drive through to the back of the yard. On the lot west of this stood the old tavern, the first part of which was erected by Henry Beymer. in early times. It was later kept by John A. Roe, and during his administration an animal show tent was spread in the rear of the tavern. Afterwards the tavern was run by John and David Miskimmons, and then Frazey took it.

At the east end of the town is what is known as Robb's addition, on which lived David Robb. He moved to Zanesville, and his landed estate on the south side of the National road was then sold to John Barton, and all on the north side to Alexander Frew and son-in-law, William Anderson. Mr. Withrow was a blacksmith who came to the place in 1842 and after about twenty years his wife and eldest daughter were instantly killed by lightning. William Englehart came here before 1812 and is still (1882) here, aged ninety years. He is the oldest person in the village, and is a Presbyterian in religion, a Democrat in politics and by trade a carpenter. At first, he was a clerk in the only dry goods store here, kept by Thomas Hanna. 'Squire Peter Omstot. the owner and occupant of the two lots west of Mr. Barton, was an honest Dutchman, who was almost the first justice of the peace and postmaster here, and held both offices for thirty years. Fie used to make wooden plows. His office was located about where the "Ark" was later built. 'Squire Omstot caused the expulsion of the famous "Leatherwood God" from this county. He closed his earthly career at his favorite amusement. The old gentleman had just finished singing "Auld Lang Syne." accompanied by R. J. Clark on the clarionet, in the store of the late John Craig, when he took off his spectacles, put them in his pocket, and, turning to go, fell dead on the floor.

There was, however, an older village than all of these named and one that had the distinction of being the pioneer place of Guernsey. This was known as Frankfort. This plat was made in 1804, when this was still Guernsey county. It was located on lands later owned by John Doyle. It had been the property of the McNutts and the Moores. The town was laid out by Joseph Smith, and grew until it had a population of about two hundred souls. It had two stores, a mill and a distillery. At that date there were but about thirty families in this county. When Washington, Cambridge and the National road were established. Frankfort began to decline and finally was abandoned. The last old tavern was torn down about 1867 and in the foundation stones were found several gold sovereigns of the time of Queen Anne.

Village Of Derwent

Derwent postoffice, which was established about 1898, is a fourth-class office, and was first kept in the railroad depot. The only two having served as postmasters are, first, M. L. Spaid and the present postmaster, J. L. Davis. An attempt was made in 1909 to rob this office, but the thieves failed to secure anything of value. Four mails go and come from Derwent daily now.

The Imperial coal mine has been in operation since about 1892, but it is supposed that the coal supply at that particular place will hold out but about two vears longer. The Puritan mine, farther down, has been running two years and, being comparatively new, will doubtless last many years yet.

There is but one church at Derwent. the Methodist Episcopal. The business of the village is carried on by the following persons: A planing mill by C. J. Spaid; two general stores, Secrest & Turner and C. J. Spaid; a grocery and lunch-room, by J. L. Davis; stock dealer. Justice Laughlin.

Baltimore and other cities, but of late years but little is raised. It was hard on the soil and was not considered as profitable as in the sixties and seventies, hence was abandoned as a farm crop, save in few instances where it is still cultivated for smoking tobacco.

The township was also famous for its sheep at one date. As high as twenty-five thousand were kept in 1880, but now not more than fifteen hundred can be found in the township.