York Township

York Township

The first court of Belmont County, which was held at Pultney (the first county seat), appointed a commission, consisting of Michael Moore, John Dillie and Ephraim Bates to act as supervisors of York township, and this commission ordered the first election to be held in 1802.

The court had in the meantime defined the boundaries of York, which have been elsewhere described, and appointed Samuel Dillie as constable, and the first township election was held in the home of James Smith.

York township has been the scene of some of the bloodiest conflicts in Indian warfare. Before the occupation by the whites, a cruel massacre of the Indians at the mouth of the Captina was one of the causes of the disastrous war of Governor Dunmore in 1774.

The Battle Of Captina

"One mile below the mouth of Captina, on the Virginia shore, was Baker's fort, so named after IMartin Baker, from whose lips the author obtained this narrative.

"One morning in iMay, 1794, four men were sent over, according to the custom, to the Ohio side to reconnoiter. They were Adam Miller, John Daniels, Isaac JMcGowan and John Shoptaw. Miller and Daniels took up stream and the other two down. The upper scouts were soon attacked by Indians and Miller was killed. Daniels ran up Captina about three miles, but, being weak from the loss of blood issuing from a wound in his arm, was taken prisoner and carried into captivity and subsequently released at the treaty of Greenville.

"The lower scouts having discovered signs of the enemy, Shoptaw swam across the Ohio and escaped, but INIcGowan going up toward the canoe was shot by the Indians in ambush. Upon this he ran down to the bank, and sprang into the water, pursued by the enemy, who overtook and scalped him.

"The firing being heard at the fort, they heat up for volunteers. There were about 50 men in the fort. There being much reluctance among them to volunteer, my sister exclaimed that she wouldn't be a coward. This aroused the pride of my brother, John Baker, who before had determined not to go. He joined the others, 14 in number, including Capt. Abraham Enochs,

"They soon crossed the river, and went up Caplina in single file, a distance of a mile and a half, following the Indian trail. The enemy had come back on their trail, and were in amhush on tlie hillside awaiting their approach.

"When sufficiently near, they fired upon our people, hut, being on an elevated position, their i)alls passed harmlessly over the latter. The whites then irccd. Some of the Indians came behind, and shot Captain Enochs and Mr. Hoffman. Our people soon retreated, and the Indians pursued hut a short dstance. On their retreat my brother was shot in the hip. Determined to sell his life as dearly as possible, he drew off to one side and secreted himself in a hollow, with a rock at his back offering no chance for the enemy to approach but in front. Shortly after two guns were heard in quick succession. Doubtless one of them was fired by my brother and from the signs afterward it was supposed he had killed the Indian.

"The next day the men turned out and visited the spot. Enochs, Hoffman and John Taker were found dead and scalped. Enoch's bowels were torn out and his eyes and those of I loffman screwed out with a wiping stick.

"The dead were wra]:>ped in white hickory hark and brought over to the Virginia shore and buried in their bark coffins. There were about 30 Indians engaged in this action and seven skeletons of their slain were found long after, secreted in the crevices of rocks."

McDonald in his Ifiographical sketch of Governor McArthur, who was in the action, says that after the death of Captain Enochs, McArthur, although the youngest man in the company. was unanimously called upon to direct a retreat.

The wounded who were al)le to walk were placed in front, while McArthur with his Spartan hand covered their retreat. The moment an Indian showed himself in pursuit he was fired upon and generally, it is believed, with effect. The Indians were so severely handled that they gave up the pursuit.

the most severe conflict he ever witnessed, and, although he had the advantage of the ground and the first fire, he lost the most of his men, half of them having been either killed or wounded.

The First Squatters

Soon after the battle of Captina, squatters began to pour in and build rude cabins. These settlers were unstable and removed farther into the interior as the country opened up. It was only those who purchased tracts of land that were stable and industrious. Many of the squatters were indolent and careless. Among the first permanent settlers we might mention the Brices, the Hoffmans and Lemleys, in 1801. The DeLongs and Okeys in 1802. Mc- Vey, Bakers, Doteys, Swaneys, Bristers, Collins and Aldredge in 1803. Brewer, Minse, Davis, Rouble and Gates, in 1804. Stackhouser, Neff singer, Cree, Browns, Thomas, Hoffman, Gilkesons, in 1805. Waller, Baker, Way, Vanschoup, Mills, Stokey, in 1806; and Shepherd, Moore, Gray, Powell, Dillon, McKnight, Green, and Woods in 1815.

An Indian Village

In early days, an Indian village was located in section 32; some miles back of the river. On the banks of the Captina and on the settlement of the Brysons an unusual number of grape vines were discovered, and the soil was beaten hard in places, as if formerly the homes and streets of an Indian village. Skeletons, Indian arrows in great numbers, Indian pipes and engravings on rocks were found in abundance. General Washington in his trip down the Ohio in 1 770 makes mention of this village as a trading post.

Another Indian Massacre. ' And Representative Citizens

"One morning they noticed a young Indian dodging along not far from the fort among the trees. He had been sent by a body of Indians who had ambushed about three miles below, on the banks of the Ohio River, to decoy the soldiers from the fort. As soon as he was discovered, Lieutenant McArthur and his men started out to catch him.

"They followed him as he ran down the river about three miles to where the Indians had secreted themselves, when 15 of the redskins fired into their company, killing six of their number instantly. So unexpected was the attack that the remaining six, completely bewildered, turned and retreated, McArthur behind.

"As he turned his head, to take in the situation, his foot caught in a grape vine, and he was sent sprawling on his face just as the Indians fired a volley of bullets after him, and the limbs and leaves dropped all around him. He regained his feet and started at full speed following the course of his men. He was closely pursued by the savages, but he being \-ery swift of foot, they soon gave up the chase, and he reached the block-house in safety.

The Early Mills And Distilleries

The first grist mill was erected as early as 1804 upon Cat's Run by George Gates. In 1822 Judge Dillon built an improved mill about five miles above the mouth of the Captina and in connection with the grist mills he operated a sawmill. These were probably the first mills operated in the township. This mill is today known as the Potts' Mills, with a capacity of 50 barrels per day, and is reported as the onl}^ water mill in the county. The mill-race, through which flows the water for the operation of the mill, passes through a hill tunnel, 300 feet in length.

a distillery was erected on section 15 by a Mr. Shepler, and a number were erected at a later period, but in 1880 all the distilleries in the county were abandoned except one conducted by John Ramser in York township, which is still in operation.

The earliest record we have of township officials in York is in 1808, and is as follows : Clerk, Ed. Bryson; treasurer, Joseph Martin; trustees, - Uriah Martin, Abel Brown and Ed. Bryson; constable, William Atkinson; fence viewers, - John Brown and James Barrett; lister, Uriah Martin.

The township officers in 1902 are: Trustees, - David Mclntire, Williayi Johnson and George Gillespie; clerk, George Boner; treasurer, H. J. Zink ; assessor, Everett Balieu ; justices of the peace, - A. A. Caldwell and John Eggerman.

Some Influential Citizens

Some of the influential men of York township of modern times are the Disques, Swifts, Days, Ramseys, Craigs, Brices, Warrens, Trimbles, Carles and Givens.

Powhatan

Is the leading village in the township, and is located on the Ohio River at the mouth of the Captina. The village was surveyed by Dr. DeHaas in 1849. Thirty years previous, however, the first building was erected by a grandson of Archibald Woods, one of the pioneer settlers. The building was used for a store.

d'wenty years ago, the village was quite a shi])|)ing point for grain and produce, and contained a population of 300. In 1890 the village was incorporated and in 1902 it had a population of about 600.

Town Officials The Flour Mills

The Powhatan Mills as heretofore referred to was the first brick building constructed in the town by the Roger Rrothers. It has since passed through various hands and been remodeled until it is today owned and operated by Ferdinand Dorsey, with a capacity of 100 barrels daily, and employs four men.

The Schools

'I'here is no record of the first schools established, but the first log structure especially constructed for school purposes was erected at a very early day on section 16.

In Powhatan the school building is of brick with four rooms and an attendance of about 150. The superintendent is Flenry Rriggs ; assistant superintendent. Miss Mary Cox; assistant. Charity Myers; primary department, Eula Fish. The School Roard consists of R. L. Rowman, president; S. S. Reamer, treasurer; Lou Ruble, clerk; and James Richison and John K. Goodhue.

There is mention made of another school building erected in 1836-37 near Powhatan Point and it is said to have been a small frame structure.

The Churches

The Methodist Episcopal Church. - The first church of this denomination at Powhatan was started early in the Civil War under the pastorate of Rev. David Trueman. The society was weak and for a time met in the Presbyterian Church. In 1862 Rev. Josiah Dillon was appointed pastor in charge and during his pastorate the church continued to worship in the Presbyterian Church. The next pastor was Rev. Mr. Gregg, during whose administration a neat brick church was erected and the society worshiped in their own building.

In the construction of the new church, Mrs. McMurry who still resides at Powhatan and Mrs. Raer solicited funds to the amount pf $1,000, and Joseph Green supplemented that amount with a personal contribution of $800. Mr. Green was an active and influential supporter of the church, and Sunday-school superintendent for many years. The present pastor is Rev. Lee LePage, and the Sundayschool superintendent is John Eggerman. The Sunday-school has a membership of about 100.

The Pozvhatan Presbyterian Church was organized in 1850. The pastor in 1901 and 1092 was Rev. W. A. Williams, formerly of Franklin College. It is at present without a pastor and we were unable to obtain a list of the officials.

Free Masons

Moriah Lodge, No. 105, F. & A. M., was organized at Jacobsliurg October 20, 1840, and is consequently one of the oldest Masonic lodges in the county. The date of the charter was 1842. The charter officers were: John A. Weyer, W. M. ; John W. Calvert, S. W; and Isaac S. Hoopes, J. W.

And Representative Citizens The Ferries

Of Powhatan are owned and operated by E. R. Potts, and are constantly in operation when navigation will admit of it. Mr. Potts is likewise the postmaster at Captina.

Source changes here: from 1903 Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, by Hon. a. T. Mckelvey, published 1903; 1,834 words in this source stream.

The First Election

The first court of Belmont County, which was held at Pultney (the first county seat), appointed a commission, consisting of Michael Moore, John Dillie and Ephraim Bates to act as supervisors of York township, and this commission ordered the first election to be held in 1802.

The court had in the meantime defined the boundaries of York, which have been elsewhere described, and appointed Samuel Dillie as constable, and the first township election was held in the home of James Smith.

York township has been the scene of some of the bloodiest conflicts in Indian warfare. Before the occupation by the whites, a cruel massacre of the Indians at the mouth of the Captina was one of the causes of the disastrous war of Governor Dunmore in 1774.

The Battle Of Captina

"One mile below the mouth of Captina, on the Virginia shore, was Baker's fort, so named after Martin Baker, from whose lips the author obtained this narrative.

sent over, according to the custom, to the Ohio side to reconnoiter. They were Adam Miller, John Daniels, Isaac McGowan and John Shoptaw. Miller and Daniels took up stream and the other two down. The upper scouts were soon attacked by Indians and Miller was killed. Daniels ran up Captina about three miles, but, being weak from the loss of blood issuing from a wound in his arm, was taken prisoner and carried into captivity and subsequently released at the treaty of Greenville. . - "The lower scouts having discovered signs of the enemy, Shoptaw swam across the Ohio and escaped, but McGowan going up toward the canoe was shot by the Indians in ambush. Upon this he ran down to the bank, and sprang into the water, pursued by the enemy, who overtook and scalped him.

"The firing being heard at the fort, they beat up for volunteers. There were about 50 men in the fort. There being much reluctance among them to volunteer, my sister exclaimed that she wouldn't be a coward. This aroused the pride of my brother, John Baker, who before had determined not to go. He joined the others, 14 in number, including Capt. Abraham

"They soon crossed the river, and went up Captina in single file, a distance of a mile and a half, following the Indian trail. The enemy had come back on their trail, and were in ambush on the hillside awaiting their approach.

balls passed harmlessly over the latter. The whites then treed. Some of the Indians came behind, and shot Captain Enochs and Mr. Hoffman. Our people soon retreated, and the Indians pursued but a short dstance. On their retreat my brother was shot in the hip. Determined to sell his life as dearly as possible, he drew off to one side and secreted himself in a hollow, with a rock at his back offering no chance for the enemy to approach but in front. Shortly after two guns were heafd in quick succession. Doubtless one of them was fired by my brother and írom the signs afterward ~ it was supposed he had killed the Indian. "The next day the men turned out and visited the spot. Enochs, Hoffman and John Baker were found dead and scalped. Enoch's bowels were torn out and his eyes and those of Hoffman screwed out with a wiping stick. . "The dead were wrapped in white hickory bark and brought over to the Virginia shore and buried in their bark coffins. There were about 30 Indians engaged in this action and

McDonald in his biographical sketch of Governor McArthur, who was in the action, says that after the death of Captain Enochs, McArthur, although the youngest man in the company, was unanimously called upon to direct a retreat. _ The wounded who were able to walk were placed in front, while McArthur with his Spartan band covered their retreat. The moment an Indian showed himself in pursuit he was fired upon and generally, it is believed, with effect. The Indians were so severely handled that they gave up the pursuit.

the most severe conflict he ever witnessed, and, although he had the advantage of the ground and the first fire, he lost the most of his men, half of them having been either killed or . wounded.

The First Squatters

was only those who purchased tracts of land that were stable and industrious. Many of the squatters were indolent and careless. Among the first permanent settlers we might mention the Brices, the Hoffmans and Lemleys, in 1801. The DeLongs and Okeys in 1802. Mc- Vey, Bakers, Doteys, Swaneys, Bristers, Collins and Aldredge in 1803. Brewer, Minse, Davis, Rouble and Gates, in 1804. Stackhouser, Neffsinger, Cree, Browns, Thomas, Hoffman, Gilkesons, in 1805. Waller, Baker, Way, Vanschoup, Mills, Stokey, in 1806; and Shep-. herd, Moore, Gray, Powell,.Dillon, McKnight, Green, and Woods in 1815.

An Indian Village

In early days, an Indian village was located in section 32, some miles back of the river. On the banks of the Captina and on the settlement of the Brysons an unusual number of grape vines were discovered, and the soil was beaten hard in places, as if formerly the homes and streets of an Indian village. Skeletons, Indian arrows in great numbers, Indian pipes and engravings on "rocks were found in abundance. General Washington in his trip down the Ohio in 1770 makes mention of this village as a trading post.

Another Indian M Pa And Representative Citizens

"One morning they noticed a young Indian dodging along not far from the fort among the trees. He had been sent by a body of Indians who had ambushed about three miles below, on the banks of the Ohio River, to decoy the soldiers from the fort. As soon as he was discovered, Lieutenant McArthur and his men started out to catch him.

"They followed him as he ran down the river about three miles to where the Indians had secreted themselves, when 13 of the redskins hred into their company, killing six of their number instantly. So unexpected was the attack that the remaining six, completely bewildered, turned and retreated, McArthur behind.

"As he turned his head, to take in the situation, his foot caught in a grape vine, and he was sent sprawling on his face just as the Indians fired a volley of bullets after him, and the limbs and leaves dropped all around him. He regained his feet and started at full speed following the course of his men. He was closely pursued by the savages, but he being very swift of foot, they soon gave up the chase, and he reached the block-house in safety.

The Early Mills And Distilleries

The first grist mill was erected as early as 1804 upon Cat's Run by George Gates. In 1822 Judge Dillon built an improved mill about five miles above the mouth of the Captina and in connection with the grist mills he operated a sawmill. These were probably the first mills operated in the township. This mill is today known as the Potts' Mills, with a capacity of 50 barrels per day, and is reported as the only water mill in the county. The mill-race, through which flows the water for the operation of the mill, passes through a hill tunnel, 300 feet in length.

a distillery was erected on section I5 by a Mr. Shepler, and a number were erected at a later period, but in 1880 all the distilleries in the county were abandoned except one conducted by John Ramser in York township, which is still in operation.

The township officers in 1902 are: Trustees, - - David McIntire, William Johnson and George Gillespie; clerk, George Boner; treasurer, H. J. Zink; assessor, Everett Balieu; justices of the peace - A. A. Caldwell and John Eggerman.

Some Influential Citizens

Some of the influential men of York township of modern times are the Disques, Swifts, Days, Ramseys, Craigs, Brices, Warrens, Trimbles, Carles and Givens.

Powhatan

Is the leading village in the township, and is located on the Ohio River at the mouth of the Captina. The village was 'surveyed by Dr. DeHaas in 1849. Thirty years previous, however, the first building was erected by a grandson of Archibald Woods, one of the pioneer settlers. The building was used for a store.

Centennial History

Twenty years ago, the village was quite a shipping point for grain and produce, and contained a population of 300. In 1890 the village was incorporated and in 1902 it had a population of about 600.

Town Officials The Flour Mills

The Powhatan Mills as heretofore referred to was the first brick building constructed in the town by the Boger Brothers. It has since passed through various hands and been remodeled until it is today owned and operated by Ferdinand Dorsey, with a capacity of 100 barrels daily, and employs four men.

The Schools

There is no record of the first schools established, but the first log structure especially constructed ' for school purposes was erected at a very early day on section 16.

In Powhatan the school building is of brick with four rooms and an attendance of about 150. The superintendent is Henry Briggs; assistant superintendent, Miss Mary Cox; assistant, Charity Myers; primary department, Eula Fish. The School Board consists of R. L. Bowman, president; S. S. Reamer, treasurer; Lou Ruble, clerk; and James Richison and John K. Goodhue.

There is mention made of another school building erected in 1836-37 near Powhatan Point and it is said to have been a small frame structure.

The Churches

The Methodist Episcopal Church. - The first church of this denomination at Powhatan was started early in the Civil War under the pastorate of Rev. David Trueman. The society was weak and for a time met in the Presbyterian Church. In 1862 Rev. Josiah Dillon was appointed pastor in charge and during his pastorate the church continued to worship in the Presbyterian Church. The next pastor was Rev. Mr. Gregg, during whose administration a neat brick church was erected and the society worshiped in their.own building.

In the construction of the'new church, Mrs. McMurry who still resides at Powhatan and Mrs. Baer solicited funds to the amount of $1,000, and Joseph Green supplemented that amount with a personal contribution of $800. Mr. Green was an active and influential supporter of the church, and Sunday-school superintendent for many years. The present pastor is Rev. Lee LePage, and the Sundayschool superintendent is John Eggerman. The Sunday-school has a membership of about 100.

The Powhatan Presbyterian Church was organized in 1850. The pastor in 1901 and 1092 was Rev, W. A. Williams, formerly of Franklin College. It is at present without a pastor and we were unable to obtain a list of the officials.

Free Masons

Moriah Lodge, No. 105, F. & A. M., was organized at Jacobsburg October 20, 1840, and 1s consequently one of the oldest Masonic lodges in the county. The date of the charter was 1842. The charter officers were: John A. Weyer, W. M.; John W. Calvert, S. W; and Isaac S. Hoopes, J. W.

And Representative Citizens The Ferries

Of Powhatan are owned and operated by E. R. Potts, and are constantly in operation when navigation will admit of it. Mr. Potts is likewise the postmaster at Captina.