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512 - HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. CHAPTER XXI.* MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP-DESCRIPTION AND SETTLEMENT - HISTORICAL SCRAPS-CEMETERIES, CHURCHES SCHOOLS - VILLAGE OF NORTON " Once o'er all this favored land, Savage wilds and darkness spread, Shelter'd now by Thy kind hand, Cheerful dwellings rear their head. Where once frown'd the tangled wood, Fertile fields and meadows smile; Where the stake of torture stood, Rises now Thy churches' pile.' ABOUT Marlborough Township there clusters much that is historical and interesting. It takes its name from the fact that all the earliest settlers came from Marlborough Township, Ulster County, N. Y . It was erected into a separate township soon after the county was formed, as the following entry in the records of the Commissioners' Court will show: "A petition was this day, June 15, 1808, presented to the Commissioners of Delaware County; by Nathaniel Wyatt and others, praying for a new township, by the name and style of Marlborough, of the following boundaries: From the east of Range 18, of the United States military surveys, to the west side of Range 19, and from the south line of Township 6 to the Indian boundary line. Resolved by the Board of Commissioners that the said petition be granted. The same is therefore erected into a separate and distinct township, by the name and style of Marlborough, and bounded as follows: Beginning at the southeast corner of Township 6 and Range 18, of United States military surveys, then north on the east line of Range 18 to the Indian boundary line, thence westerly, with said Indian boundary line, to the west line of Range 19, thence south with the said west line of Range 19 to the south line of Township 6, thence east with the south line of Township 6, till it intersects the east line of Range 18 to the place of beginning." Although the proposed township was to cover a large area, it was some time before the requisite number of names could be obtained as required by law. A man by the name of Morgan, who had been working around and whose home was nowhere because it was everywhere, was the cane called upon to save the town- * Contributed by H. L. S. Vaile. ship, as his name would legalize the petition. Like a true patriot, he allowed his name to be enrolled among the petitioners. After some delay, it was granted, and the ambition of the good citizens of Marlborough fully satisfied. The township touched the Greenville treaty line on the north, and was therefore on the frontier. On the east, it was bounded by Marion County and the townships of Lincoln and Peru, now a part of Morrow County ; on the, south by what are now the townships of Brown and Delaware, in Delaware County, and on the west by what is now Radnor Township. It originally embraced within its limits a part of Waldo Township; in Marion County, Westfield Township, in Morrow County, and the township of Oxford and the northern half of Troy, in Delaware County. On March 6, 1815, on petition of John Shaw and other, the township of Oxford was organized from Marlborough. On the 23d of December, in the following year, the north half of what is now Troy Township was taken off, but not withstanding this, it remained a large township until 1848. On the 24th of February of that year, an act, erecting Morrow County, took from the northeastern portion of Marlborough a part of what is now Westfield of that county, and to compensate Marion County for the large amount of territory it had lost, the northern part of Marlborough now known as Waldo Township, in that county, was given to it. To-day Marlborough is but half a township, a mere shadow of its former magnitude. It is situated in the extreme northern part of Delaware County Range 19, Township 6, and is bounded on the north by Marion County on the east by Morrow County and Oxford Township, in Delaware County ; on the south, by Troy, and on the west by Radnor Township. The Olentangy, called in some localities the Blue Whetstone, rises in the southern part of Crawford County, and flowing in a southerly direction through Marion County enters Marlborough Township just east of Norton, and flows through from north to south, receiving near the southern limits of the township the waters of the eastern and largest tributary called
PAGE 513 - PICTURE OF JAMES W. MONEY PAGE 514 - BLANK HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. - 515 also the Whetstone, which branch has its source in the extreme northern part of Morrow County and flows in a southwesterly direction. The Delaware Indians were very much attached to this river and were greatly affected when compelled to leave it. Along the banks they had many camps, and from there the hunting parties would go forth in every direction, sometimes for many "moons," but always returning to their much-loved river. Upon a small stream, called Sharp's Run, which flows into the Olentangy, near the line of Troy and Marlborough, they had a sugar camp, and for a number of years after the body of the Indians had been removed to other localities, small bands would come to this run and make sugar. The geological formations of this township, which are objects of interest, are the great beds of shale and the concretions, a description of which appears in another part of this work. Near the river, the country is badly broken by the many small streams that flow into the Olentangy, and the banks of the river slope back some distance from the river bed, which is wide and the water shallow. These are the results of the peculiar geological formations, the action of the water together with the frost and ice gradually wearing away the shale and slate cliffs ; and, as this wear and tear has been steadily going on for centuries, the banks have receded until they are much farther apart than those of the Scioto, although the volume of water of the Olentangy is not as cleat as that of the former. Back from the river, both east and west, the land becomes more level, while here and there it is rolling. The rising ground is, in many localities. well wooded, as are also the valleys. The tillable land is well under cultivation, rich and bears abundant harvests. The soil is what is commonly designated as limestone land, while in some localities are met clay knobs. with here and there stratified beds of sand and gravel. As far as crops are concerned. there seam to be no specialties, the land being well adapted to the raising of a variety of grains, such as cord, wheat, oats, etc. Stock-growing receives prominent attention, and, in the cultivation of the farms fine orchards have become conspicuous, giving in return for their care an abundance of excellent fruit. Nathaniel Wyatt and Nathaniel Brundige, to whom belong the honor of being the first settlers in Marlborough Township, came originally from Marlborough Township, Ulster Co.; N. Y. Wyatt, being possessed of a roving disposition, emigrated to Virginia at an early date, and, settling down near William Brundige (father of Nathaniel), who had entered Virginia as early as 1796, married his daughter. When Wyatt first settled in Virginia, Nathaniel Brundige had not, as yet, left his home in New York, and it was not until 1798-99 that, through the influence of his father, who had returned to his old home on a visit, he determined to go to Virginia. It being impossible for him to accompany his father, the latter, with pen and ink, wrote out full instructions as to the route to be followed by his son, and started on his journey home. This paper, which served its purpose, was preserved by Nathaniel, and is now the property of his son John. Upon reaching the Old Dominion, Nathaniel settled down near Wyatt, where he remained until 1803. In that year, the the of emigration had set in toward Ohio, bearing upon its bosom the families of Nathaniel Wyatt and Nathaniel Brundige, who, having reached the site of the old Indian town of Piqua, Clark County, where the great Indian chieftain, Tecumseh, was born, settled there. They remained in this locality for about two years, when Wyatt, having traded his cabin home and land, near Piqua, for a tract of wild land a short distance south of the old Greenville Indian treaty line, leaving their families within cabins near Piqua, they set out for the purpose of locating it. At that time, a dense forest lined both banks of the Olentangy, and covered the hills and valleys for miles in every direction, and it was only after the greatest labor that they succeeded in cutting their way through the tangled underbrush, which seemed to rise up to meet and obstruct their progress. At last, tired and footsore, they reached the bank of the Olentangy, at what is now David Dix's Ford; and camped over night. The next morning they forded the river, and soon succeeded in reaching the spot where Wyatt's land was supposed to be located, which was about one mile north of what is now the town of Norton. This was in the spring of 1806. Immediately upon their arrival and as soon as the land was located, they put up a small log cabin, and, finding great numbers of sugar maples, began in a rude way the manufacture of sugar, using a small, iron camp kettle which they had brought with them. They remained here for a short time, when they both returned to Piqua, for the purpose of bringing their families up to the new home. Again there was the hurry and bustle the necessary preparations for a sudden emigration, of which there had been, for both families, no less than three heretofore. After some delay, both families started, with 516 - HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. many fears and forebodings, toward their new home. There was ample cause for anxiety, for it had been but a very few years since "Mad" Anthony Wayne had gained his great victory over the Indians at the battle of the Maumee, resulting in the treaty of Greenville with the bloodthirsty Shawanees, and warlike Wyandots, Senecas and Delawares. The thought that they were to settle right on the border, within two miles of the treaty line, and in easy striking distance of the Indians still smarting under their defeat, caused a feeling of anything but security. A new road had to be cut for the teams, and again the ax resounded in the primitive forests of the Olentangy, After great trouble, they reached the log cabin at the sugar camp, where both families resided until Brundige could buy some land and build a cabin for himself. He had been here but a very short time when he met Col. Kilbourn, who had begun to survey and lay out the town of Norton. Kilbourn told Brundige that he had a fine piece of land that he would sell for $400. Brundige paid the money, and Kilbourn immediately returned to Chillicothe, had the land entered in the name of Nathaniel Brundige, and cleared $200 on a piece of land that he had not located. This land is a part, of the farm now owned and occupied by John Brundige, and upon which Nathaniel immediately put up a log cabin, and moved his family into it. The remains of the log cabin can still be seen just northwest of the residence of his son. Wyatt, assisted by his wife and sons, succeeded by hard work in clearing quite a number of acres of land. The first clearing they planted in corn, but the crop was nearly destroyed by raccoons, which at that time were so numerous its to seriously interfere with the raisin: of grain. In 1811, Wyatt built the first brick house in Marlborough Township, the brick for which was made from clay on his firm. The structure was a massive affair, and, with its high walls and gabled roof. was an object of much curiosity to tilt; Indians. It was built for a tavern, and was the first hostelry in the township, and, in its prime, had a State reputation. It was situated on the old State road, and formed part of the celebrated Fort Morrow, the site of which, since the year 1848, has been in Marion County. Nathaniel Wyatt's son-in-law, John Millikin, was First Lieutenant under Capt. Drake, and his son William was Ensign under the same famous commander. He himself lent aid to the expedition which resulted at first so ridiculously, in fact, nearly all the soldiers of the war of 1812 that had to pass his home on their way to and from the seat of war, received aid and comfort from him. Gen. Harrison tarried for a short time under his roof, while many a wounded soldier found sweet repose around the hearthstone of the old red brick tavern. He died in 1829, and lies buried in the Wyatt Cemetery, which is situated on the farm first settled by him, just east of the house of his grandson. Jacob Foust. with a large family, came to what is now Ohio from Pennsylvania as early as 1799. Upon his arrival at the Ohio River, he found it so swollen by rains that he was forced to camp until it subsided. Crossing near Wheeling and plunging into the forest, he started in the direction of Zanesville, at which place he arrived after countless trials, and quartered his family in a blacksmith-shop. In a short time, he moved to Ross County, where he remained until the spring of 1807, when he came up to the forks of the Whetstone, and squatted on land belonging to the Campbell heirs. He immediately put up a cabin, and then set to work clearing his land, gaining material assistance from his four stalwart sons. The first season, they cleared some five or six acres and planted it with corn. Everything grew finely, and there promised to be a large yield, but the squirrels and raccoons which had gotten such a high appreciation of corn from the destruction of the crop of Nathaniel Wyatt, came down in great numbers and destroyed the entire growth. All his family are now dead. The following story illustrative of pioneer life was told by Foust to Judge Powell many years ago. Soon after he had settled and raised his cabin, his wife was taken with a severe attack of chills and fever, and from that cause, she became dyspeptic. They had an abundance of cornbread in the house, but this, she said, did not, agree with her. She told her husband that what she needed was some wheat bread. Foust knew there was no flour within fifty or sixty miles, but from devotion to his wife, he determined to overcome all obstacles, and get the desired article. He took a bag of wheat on his back, went to Zanesville to get it ground, and then brought it back to his wife. William Brundige, the father of Nathaniel Brundige, did not come to this locality until 1808, when, accompanied by his family, he came up the Whetstone to the settlement. He is best known as Elder Brundige, and was the first Baptist preacher in Marlborough HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. - 517 Township. In 1810, when the few pioneers met for the purpose of organizing a church society, the first proposition, after the action of organization had been taken, was a motion asking the Baptist Church in Liberty Township to release by letter Elder William Brundige, whom they desired should preach for them. Immediately upon the receipt of the letter, Brundige handed it in, and was appointed Pastor in charge. He remained in this capacity for many years, and preached at the cabins of the early settlers. Upon his decease, his place was filled by Benjamin Martin. John Brundige came to the settlement with his father, Elder Brundige, and a few years after his arrival, William Drake and his family having entered the settlement, the daughter, Phoebe be Drake, took captive the heart of John, and in a short time they were married, which was the first ceremony of the kind that took place in the township, and occurred about 1811. After Judge Drake had served his time on the bench, John Brundige was elected as his successor. He married twice. His second wife was a Miss Elizabeth Taylor. who did not survive him. Mrs. Dudley, the eldest daughter of Nathaniel Brundige, is at present alive, and is one of the oldest pioneer women in this township ; she came here with her falser in 1806. Her first husband was Elder Samuel Wyatt, who died in 1842. Her second husband was the Rev. David Dudley, who died in 1867. At precut. Mrs. Dudley spends part of her time with relatives in Richmond. and part with relatives in Waldo Township, Marion County. Capt. William Drake was from New York and came to Ohio in 1810, but unlike his friends from that section of the country, he came direct to Ohio, and did not take the roundabout way, settling first in Virginia. On his way to Ohio. and when near the mountains, as he had taken the southern route and had to pass the Alleghanies, he happened to meet Col. James Kilbourn, who, at that time, was on his way from Chillicothe to New York City. The Colonel, immediately upon an introduction. asked Capt. Drake to what point in Ohio he intended to direct his steps. The Captain replied that he was going to settle in or near a town called Norton, situated in close proximity to the Olentangy River, in the Scioto Valley. "Oh !" said Kilbourn-who had but just laid out, the town some two or three years previous, in which at that time, there was but one log cabin - "I congratulate you, sir, you are going to a perfect Eden. I am pleased that you have made such an excellent choice," and with a hearty grasp of the hand and a kind farewell, they parted. Drake, very much elated at the words of recommendation of Col. Kilbourn, pressed forward eagerly, and soon reached the Olentangy River, which he crossed, and passing through where the town of Delaware now stands, but which at that time contained but a few cabins, he hastened toward Norton. After going about seven or eight miles over hills and swamps, he suddenly came to an elevation somewhat greater than those he had crossed, beyond which he knew the "beautiful " little town of Norton was situated. After crossing the swamp which surrounded the base of the hill, and in the mire of which his team came very near being "stuck," he reached the summit and was rewarded by the sight of a little log cabin; on the side of which were stretched some half a dozen partially dried raccoon skins, and at the door appeared a man, brought out by Drake's frequent and forcible exclamations to his tired horses. "Where is the town of Norton'?" inquired Drake. "This is all the town of Norton I know anything about," said Reed, the owner and inhabitant of the cabin, as he pointed with pride at his home. "Well," said Drake, who loved and appreciated a joke too well to get angry, I must say that if this satisfies Kilbourn's ideas of Eden, I never want to hear his conception of hell," and passed on to where the cabins of Wyatt and Brundige were situated, where he remained for a short time, and then bought land across the river opposite Brundige's, where he lived several years. It was while residing in his cabin on this farm that he organized the militia company whose "defeat " has given him such notoriety throughout the country. After the war of 1812, Capt. Drake in the succeeding years held several public positions of trust and honor. He was for a number of years one of the Associate Judges of Delaware County. His eldest son, Reuben Drake, married Mary Brundige, who was born in New York on the 9th of August; 1794. He died thirty years ago, one mile south of the town of Wyandot. His wife is also dead. Uriah, another son of the captain's, was murdered by the Indians on his way home from Lower Sandusky (now Fremont), soon after the war of 1812. It is supposed he was murdered for a new fur cap which he had on. The body was found in the river between two logs which were used as a foot-bridge across the stream. William Reed came to this locality as early as 1807, and is said to have been the first settler in what is now the town of Norton, and 518 - HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. was the man who greeted Capt. Drake in such a cordial manner. He was born in Ireland, and was in the war of 1812. Capt. John Wilcox was a very old settler, and came to Marlborough before the war of 1812. He gained his title in the Revolutionary war, being present at the battles of Saratoga Springs and Stillwater. He was at the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne, and in the severe fighting that preceded that brilliant achievement of the continental arms. It was Capt. Wilcox, who, coming into Norton, soon after the news of Drake's defeat, and, seeing a pumpkin that some mischievous was had placed on a pole, mistook the same for the head of the infant son of Nathaniel Brundige, and spreading that report gave a additional wings to the flight of the women and children who were hurrying South. Faron Case, another pioneer, came to the settle went from the State of Connecticut. and after a wearisome and tedious journey, with the usual accident of wagon breaking down, etc., arrived in 1810, and began putting up a cabin and clearing the property now known as the Grady firm, situated on the pike road which runs from Delaware to Marion, through Norton. Thomas Brown came to Norton, and built a cabin near Reed's, in 1808. It was also a sort of tavern, but, being of such meager dimensions, it can hardly be dignified by that name. Brown was a blacksmith, the first in the township. James Trindle came to Marlborough Township in 1811, from the State of Virginia, He was engaged by Capt. Drake to haul provisions for his command, and was in the "defeat." It is said that he was the only man that stood his ground, and that if it had not been for the plunging of his horse, he would have killed Drake, by shooting him with his rifle, having fired at him under the supposition that he was the Indian chief. He married Anna Brundige, and by her had two daughters, Elizabeth and Sarah. The former married Joseph C. Cole, and the latter married Hugh Cole. John Brundige, son of Nathaniel Brundige, was born September 10, 1813, on the very day that Commodore Perry gained his great victory on Lake Erie. When be was a babe, his mother having gone a short, distance into the woods to do some clearing, he was left in a trough, and while the mother's back was turned an Indian squaw seized the child and started toward the river. The mother, seeing her with the child in her arms, gave chase, but she was unable to overtake the fleet child of the forest until she reached the bank of the river, when an old Indian took the child from the squaw and returned it to the mother with a gift of a quarter of venison, asking, in return, for some bread. The mother returned to the cabin and gave the bread, which they thanked her for, and then departed, having taken this strange course for the purpose of obtaining their object. John Brundige lives on the farm his father first settled upon, and the cabin in which he was born stands just northwest of his residence. Joseph and James Gillett came to this township in 1818 and 1819 respectively. They were brothers and emigrated together from Hartford County, Conn., but James remained one year in the State of Pennsylvania, while Joseph came direct to Marlborough township and settled on a piece of land one mile south of Norton-the farm lately occupied by his son Herold. He was an old Revolutionary soldier, and died in 1836. When James came, he settled just west of Norton, on the farm now owned and occupied by his son Harvey. As soon as their cabins had been built, they began to clear their lands, using oxen to pull out stumps and drag logs. Wolves were very numerous, and the few hogs and sheep had to be shut up every night to be kept from them. Herold was once attacked by them while returning from a fishing excursion, and had to take refuge in an old deserted log cabin, where he remained until morning. They generally succeeded in clearing seven acres a year, after they had one year's deadening. Harvey Gillett cleared, for William Hinton, twenty acres at $3 per acre. He alone cut all the timber under eighteen inches, piled the brush and cut the logs for rolling in the short space of thirty-three days. William Sharp was born, it is said, in Virginia, and from that State came to Ohio with his father, who settled at Marietta, in the beginning of the present century. A few years after, when Sharp had become of age, his father was very anxious that he should study medicine, and for that purpose he bought his son a large number of the medical works which were then authority, and, bringing them home; hoped to please his son but William, to show his disgust for the science and his love for the woods, immediately shouldered his rifle and started for the Indian country. In the course of several months, in the mean time subsisting on the game he shot in the forest, he found himself near Norton; this was about the year 1809. He remained here for two or three years, and there joining the army went north to Sandusky. After the war, about 1814, he married Sarah Boyd, an adopted daughter of John Duncan. HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. - 519 He now built a cabin for his wife, but, although attached to her, could not resist the temptation of going into the woods on a hunt, and often would, after stocking his cabin with provisions, go on a hunt and be gone for one, two and sometimes three weeks. He was reputed to be the greatest "bee-hunter " that was ever in Marlborough Township, and it was said that he knew the Indian language well. He allowed his roving disposition to control him for several years, but at last he bought sixty acres of land from Joseph Cole, and settled down to a life of domestic happiness. About this time, several relatives of his came to this part of the country and brought to him all the old medical books which his father had bought; he suddenly acquired a taste for the same, and began to read medicine. On entering the practice, it is said that he never would take pay for any service he might render. He has been dead for a number of years. Allen Reed came to this township from Ireland and settled on a piece of land near Norton. He was in the war of 1812 and is now dead. Ariel Strong came and settled on the Olentangy River soon after Foust had built his cabin, as early as 1808. James Livington and wife moved up and settled on the river soon after Strong, and was followed in 1810 by William Hanneman, who came from the State of Kentucky. Both were in the war of 1812. Isaac Bush, Silas Davis, Joseph Curran, all came into what was then Marlborough Township, prior to the war of 1812. They were practical, hard-working farmers, and contributed largely to the growth and improvement of the township. Joseph Cole, Levi and William Hinton, James Norris, Sr., and family, James Wilson, David Dick, James Duncan, Duval, Benjamin Martin came to Marlborough and located in what is now Troy Township, and are noticed in the early settlement of that township. The Duncklebarger brothers were also old settlers. They came from Philadelphia, Penn.. and settled just east of Norton in the year 1815. Their names were Peter and Fred, and they were the first communists in a small way in Delaware County, as they owned everything in common. They each had half of the cabin, half of the land, half of the stock, and shared half the products. When they first came to the township, they were both unmarried, but soon after Peter married, and this seemed to cause the first estrangement in the brothers' friendship. Fred still continued to board with his brother's family and everything at least appeared to rein as smoothly as of yore, until one winter's day the brothers, with their horses and sleigh, went to the mill at Delaware to have some corn ground; while returning, they, from some cause or other, quarreled and both got out, when Fred, taking up an ax, split the sleigh into halves, and each leading his horse and carrying his share of meal, started for home. Fred, soon after this, left his brother's home and built himself a cabin. It is told of Peter that, after being married a number of years and having several children, he determined to have them baptized, and upon his invitation a minister by the name of Hinkle came up from Columbus for the purpose of performing the ceremony. His arrival at the cabin created a great consternation among the children, and they all took to the wood. Upon Hinkle asking Peter how they could be caught and brought into the house, Peter said he didn't know, unless he let his hounds loose and caught them in that way. He was about to carry this plan into execution, when he was stopped by Hinkle. The brothers are both dead, and Peter's family is scattered. Ezekiel Van Horn, another old settler, who did much to improve the township, was a member of the first. grand jury. Quite a number came in during 1815 and 1816. Among them were Elisha Bishop, Adin Winsor, Joseph Bishop, Isaac Stratton, Henry Coldren, Elisha Williams, George Jefferies, Thomas Rogers and L. H. Hall. William Brundige was the first minister in the township, and preached in the cabins of the first settlers. Drs. Spaulding and Lamb, of Delaware, were the first physicians that entered the settlement in a professional capacity. The first birth was William, son of Nathaniel Brundige, and took place December 3, 1808, and the first death was Ruth Wyatt, daughter of Nathaniel Wyatt. The first marriage was that of John Brundige to Phoebe Drake, daughter of the Captain, and occurred in 1811. The first schoolteacher was Robert Louther. A man by the name of Cause, who was a son-in-law of Col. Kilbourn, and lived in Worthington, offered the first goods for sale in the township. He opened up in Norton and remain there until he had closed out his stock. Nathaniel Wyatt was the first Justice of the Peace, and the honesty and integrity with which he decided all his cases is well known even to she present day in this section of the country. Thomas Jefferies was the first Postmaster, and kept his office at Norton. The introduction of apple-trees into this township was brought about in rather a curious manner. 520 - HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. One day, Nathaniel Brundige and wife, having left the children alone in the cabin for a short time, an old Indian came to the cabin door, throwing the children at once into a state of great fear. The Indian, in his rude way, gave them to understand that he was a friend, and, putting his hand underneath his mantle, brought forth four apples and gave them to the children, telling them to save and plant the seeds. This was done, and from those seeds sprang up the first apple trees in Marlborough Township, a few of which can be seen at this day on the farm of Mrs. Mary Wyatt. The apples are known as fall pippins. The first road located through the township was the old State or military road. It ran along the west bank of the river, and cut the town of Norton east of where the present pike runs through. The old road was abandoned when the Columbus Sandusky pike road was given a charter, but can still be seen in many places where it is used as a lane by the farmers. The old road, although used by the military authorities, was, nevertheless, built by order of the County Commissioners, and, on leaving Norton, took a northerly direction, passing the cabin home of Nathaniel Brundige and winding around the knoll on which stood Fort Morrow, continued to Lower Sandusky. The first official record in Delaware County bears date June 15, 1808, and was the granting of a petition headed by Nathaniel Wyatt and others for opening this road. When the Columbus & Sandusky Pike Road Company obtained a charter, they ran the road a little west of the old military road, about where the present free pike road runs. The first bridge built in Marlborough Township spanned the Olentangy on the line which now separates the township from Marion County. The bridge was built by James Norris. After it had served its time, the present covered wooden structure occupying the same spot was built. This bridge was put up by a man named Sherman. The new wooden-covered bridge which spans the river at Kline's mill was built about the year 1874. The oldest mill erected in this township is the old saw-mill, which, to-day; stands just in the rear of Kline's grist-mill, formerly known as Cones woolen factory. This mill is situated on the Whetstone River, in the southeastern part of the township, and was built as early as 1820, by Robert Campbell, of Philadelphia. The mill is still in good order, and is said to be the best water saw-mill upon the river. About 1846, Luther Cone, brother to J. W. Cone, of Thompson Township, built the woolen-mill which stands just north of the saw-mill. This mill was run successfully for a number of years, and then purchased by Cline, who has recently remodeled it for the purposes of a grist-mill. The old Baptist Church situated in what is now Troy Township, was the first to organize in Marlborough. Its history will necessarily fall within the historical limits of Troy. The Lutheran Church is situated just across the Olentangy River, east about a, mile from Norton. The congregation used to worship in an old log schoolhouse, near where the present church now stands. Just when the organization took place cannot be ascertained, but the name of the first minister was Henry Cline, and it must have been at an early date. In the year 1852, from some cause a revolt occurred on the part of some of the members, the result being the or organization of the German Reform Church. The Lutherans immediately set to work and built a new frame church, which was dedicated by Prof. Loy in the year 1853, and the German Reform congregation, not to be outdone, put forth their energy and, in 1855, also succeeded in building for themselves a frame church adjoining the Lutherans. It was dedicated the same year by J. G. Ruhl, who took charge as their Pastor, while the first minister in the new Lutheran Church was a man by the name of Gast. The little cemetery in the same lot in which the two churches stand is used conjointly by both congregations. The first interment in it was a man by the name of Snarr, who was buried there in 1835 He was poor and a stranger. The Baptist Church is situated in the village of Norton. The society was an offshoot from the Old Marlborough Baptist Church. The present building is a substantial frame structure, and was erected in 1859 and cost $1,200. It was dedicated in 1860 by James Harvey, who used to preach at Delaware. The following are the names of the ministers since it foundation: James Harvey, Thomas Jenkins, Mr Weiter, C. King. Thomas Deal, Thomas Griffith The Methodist Episcopal Church is a frame structure situated in the village of Norton, and was build in 1855, and dedicated by the Rev. Pilcher There was an organization in existence some two years previous to this date, originated by the Rev Plumer, and the class used to worship in school houses and other convenient places. The church cost $1,200. The pulpit has been supplied of hat years quite frequently by students from the uni- HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. - 521 versity at Delaware. The present Pastor is the Rev. Jonathan Look. The Wyatt Cemetery is the historical burying-place of this vicinity. It is situated across the line in Marion County, being located in that part of Marlborough set off to that county in 1848, and the white marble slabs mark the resting-place of the earliest settlers of Marlborough Township. Here he the Wyatts, Drakes, Brundiges, and others whose names are familiar to the reader. The cemetery is pleasantly situated on a knoll near where the old fort once stood, and in sight of the military road. The occasion of the first burial in this cemetery cannot be ascertained, as a number of the soldiers of 1812 found their last resting-place amidst the evergreens that adorned its surface. Among the number was Capt. Flynn, who, after serving at different parts of the border, had been assigned to Fort Stephenson, then commanded by Col. Croghan. Soon after the repulse of the British and Indians by the brave defenders of that fort, the Captain received his discharge and accompanied by Maj. Daniels, who had also fought nobly, started in a hired conveyance to join their families in Chillicothe. While on their way and when near the present town of Marion, they were fired upon by the Indians and Capt. Flynn was killed and Maj. Daniels badly wounded. The teamster succeeded in reaching Fort Morrow, and there in the Wyatt Cemetery, the Captain was buried. Maj. Daniels ultimately recovered and carried the news of Capt. Flynn's death to his family. Two soldiers, while on their way home from Lower Sandusky, were also fired upon and both killed by the Indians. When the bodies were found, the heart of one had been cut out and laid upon his breast. They were both scalped and otherwise horribly mutilated. Their bodies were taken to this cemetery and interred. Three soldiers of the war of 1812 died at the cabin of Nathaniel Brundige and were interred in the cemetery. A Capt. Yarnold. who was in Perry's victory on Lake Erie is also buried in this cemetery. The first school was opened by Robert Louther in a small log house east of the Olentangy River from Norton. Within the walls of this rude structure, the children of the pioneers gained their knowledge of reading. writing and arithmetic which was limited, as the advantages were meager. Many an old citizen of these primitive times well remembers the trials he had to undergo in getting a little "learning," of the long tramps through the deep snow and through dark woods, where lurked the panther and bear. All these hardships come before the vision with peculiar brightness as the contrast with the present condition of things is appreciated. To-day the township is dotted with schoolhouses located in convenient places, and the farmer boy can easily gain the information that his father worked so hard and tramped so far to attain. The following are the school statistics of the township: Money on hand September 1, 1878 .....................$ 503 22 Total amount of money received in year end- ing September 1, 1879 ....................................1,592 09 Total expenditures during year ............................1,000 32 Number of districts or subdistricts ...................... 5 Whole number of schoolhouses ........................... 5 Value of school property ... ................................$3,000 00 Number of teachers employed during year- gents,4; ladies 6-total ..................................... 10 Average wages of teachers per month- Gents..... $29 00 Ladies....... 25 00 Average number of weeks of session ................. 29 Number of pupils enrolled within the year- boys 112 ; girls, 108- total ............................. 220 Average daily attendance-boys, 68 ; girls, 58...... 126 By these statistics it will be seen that although Marlborough is only half a township in area, it will compare favorably with its sister townships in educational matters. Several of the old pioneers that came and settled in this township had been in the war of the Revolution. Capt. Wilcox bas been mentioned previously as having rained his title in that struggle. The Wyatts, Brundiges, Coles, Reeds, Drakes, Trindle, Hannaman, Dix, Sharp, Hinton, Foust and White, are some of the names of those that participated in the 1812 war. The same heroic spirit that actuated the fathers in the old wars was to, be seen, in a striking manner, in their sons, when the call for troops was made in the great rebellion. The Twenty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, seems to have drawn more than any other from this township, although the following regiments contained men from this locality; The Ninety-sixth Regiment, Fourth Regiment., One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment, Eighty- second Regiment, Twentieth Regiment, Forty-eighth Regiment, Thirty-second Regiment, Sixty-sixth Regiment, Fifth Regiment, United States Army, and the President's Light Guards. Hugh . Worline. One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment, died in Danville Prison; G. Worline, One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment, died in hospital. J. Weiser, Company D, Eighty- second Regiment, was taken prisoner at Gettysburg; exchanged in 1864, wounded at Atlanta, 522 - HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. and died on reaching home. D. Helford, Company B, Forty-eighth Regiment, died in hospital at Memphis A. G. Taylor, Company G, Twenty-sixth Regiment, and V. B. Thompson, Company C, Twenty-sixth Regiment, were both captured at Chickamauga, and were starved to death in Andersonville Prison. A. Sales, Company B, Forty-eighth Regiment, was killed at Shiloh. Henry Houseworth, Company C, Twenty-sixth Regiment, missing at Chickamauga Company. O. Lyman, Company A, Eighteenth Regiment, United States Infantry, captured at Chickamauga, starved to death at Andersonville. Of the two forts or block-Houses in Delaware County, for the protection of the settlers, the one near Norton, called Fort Morrow, was by far the largest and most interesting. It stood near the Greenville treaty line, in the midst of the forest, which was unbroken for miles in every direction save by, now and then, a small clearing, upon which stood the lone cabin of a settler. The old military road wound round the knoll upon which the fort was built, and continued on its way north to Sandusky The fort consisted of two block-houses situated at a short distance from each other, in direction northeast by southwest. Between the two was the brick tavern of Nathaniel Wyatt. The whole was surrounded by a palisade of strong oaken timbers substantially set into the ground and then sharpened on the top. One of the block-houses was built by the citizens of round logs. The first story was run up to a height of about eight feet, and the second was made to project over that of the first about four feet. The floor of this projection had small openings or port-holes ; thus enabled those inside to better defend against a close attack or attempt to set the structure on fire by the besieging party. The upper story contained embrasures so arranged that rifles could be discharged in any direction. The door was composed of three-inch plank, double barred across and upright. To test it, a volley was fired into it-at short range. In the story below slept the children, and above the grown people stood sentry. The other was built by the Government, and did not differ materially from that built by the citizens, except that the logs were hewn and the structure more compactly built From this fort sallied forth that gallant command, who, with banners and bandannas streaming in the wind, went to the relief of Lower Sandusky, under Drake. Not a vestige of the fort remains, but there are several old `settlers remaining who still remember its formidable appearance, and the great red letters, "Fort Morrow," painted on one of the logs in the southwest corner. This is the only village in Marlborough Township, and is a very small place, celebrated chiefly for its antiquity. It is situated just south of the boundary line between Marion and Delaware Counties, the line running just along the northern portion of the town. The following is a transcript taken from the books in the Auditor of State's office. The record is in Book C. The exact date of its platting cannot be ascertained ; when the plat was recorded, the date of recording the same was never put down, but the record just before bears date 1806, and the one after it 1807, so it is safe to conclude that it must have been recorded in 1806 or 1807. The following is the record: "We, the subscribers, proprietors of the town of Norton, do certify that this is a true plat of the lots and public ways laid out of and established in said town. The in-lots are numbered in red, and the out-lots in black. The in-lot marked A is given for a space whereon to erect public buildings, either for the State, County or Town, and the in-lot marked B, is given for the use of the first religious society which shall be formed in said town, for their meeting-house, and for a green walk around said meeting-house. In-lot 46 is given for the use and benefit of a school in said town, and in-lot No. 49 for the use and benefit of said religions society forever. Said town all south of Spice street is in Range 19, Township 6, Section 2, of the Congress Military District, and the balance a part in Range 19, Township 7, Section 3, and a part, in Range 19, Township 7, Section 4, in Franklin County. Signed: JAMES KILBOURN, SAMUEL H. SMITH, For himself, and as agent for WILLIAM C. SCHENCK, JOHN CUMMINGS, JOHN BARNETT. When first laid out in 1806 or 1807, there was not a settler in the town, at which time it was within the limits of Franklin County, Delaware County not having been organized until two years afterward. The old military road as originally laid out passed directly through the town, and formed the main street. The Marion pike cuts the town diagonally through the center. The town was laid out in rectangular form, and consisted of ninety-four lots. The first man to put up his cabin in the town of Norton was William Reed. The first church in the town was the Baptist Church, and the first roods sold in the town was by Case; at this town was established the first post office, and in later years the first edifice that could be called a store. To-day, Norton consists of a few frame and one or two brick houses, two churches, one or two stores, blacksmith-shop, a HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. - 523 schoolhouse and town house. This last, in which public meetings are held, and in which the township records are kept, is situated just east of the more central portion of the town, near the Olentangy River. The building is a frame structure, and formerly was occupied by the United Brethren as a meeting-house, but this organization dying soon after the church was built, it was sold to the township. The town of Norton at an early data had a State reputation. It is older than Delaware and its situation being so close to the Indian boundary line and contiguous to Fort Morrow gave it a wide reputation. (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) |