CONCORD TOWNSHIP. The organization and original boundaries of this township, have all been fully discussed in the county history under the title of "Townships." It is bounded on the north, east and south, by Jasper, Union, Perry, and Green Townships, respectively ; and on the west by Clinton County. The division from Union Township is formed by Sugar Creek, which flows southeastwardly and empties into Paint Creek. Rattlesnake Creek enters the eastern part of survey No. 907, thence flows southeastwardly, entering Green Township in the center of survey No. 5,348, thus dividing Concord into two almost equal parts. Lee's Creek, (which undoubtedly derives its name from Peter Lee, an assistant surveyor, who accompanied Nathaniel Massie during the year 1793-4-5, on his exploring expedition) crosses the southwest corner. Hankin's Run, which has its source on the " Van Pelt" farm, south of Staunton, flows northward, empties into Sugar Creek, and is named in honor of one Hankins, who occupied a small cabin, on the site of the present residence of Edward Rowe. Under what circumstances this township was named is not now ascertainable, though it is generally understood' that its inhabitants fully deserved the title. EARLY SETTLEMENTS. It is not now known who were the first settlers within the present limits of what is now known as Concord Township ; hence we will of necessity be guided by the data obtained from the most reliable sources. One of the most prominent pioneers was John Wright, who immigrated to the Scioto Valley, in 1798, and settled on the waters of Paint, with his father's family. He lived here until 1807, when he was married, and in 1808 removed with his bride to Fayette, locating in this township on Sugar Creek; a portion of the old farm being now occupied by his son, Anthony Wayne Wright. He was 737 738 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. in the war of 1812, being commanded by Captain Kilgore and General William H. Harrison, under a draft for the forty day service ; then went out during the general call for volunteers, serving under General McArthur and Colonel William Clark. The maiden name of his wife was Ann Cook, and by her he' had seven children : Anthony W., Amos, Allen L., Susan, Isabel, Margaret, and Rachel, of whom Anthony and Isabel alone survive. Our subject was a farmer by occupation, having cleared and improved his land from a dense forest. He was elected trustee, and enjoyed the love of all who knew him. Peter Marks was born in Pennsylvania, where he was married to Mary Legore; the union being blessed by four children, three daughters and one son; the latter, Joseph, was born in the year 1800, and still resides in this township. In 1806, the family, left their native soil, came to this state and settled near Oldtown now Frankfort—in Ross County, where they remained till 1815, when he bought a tract of land, containing two hundred and forty acres, located in this township, near the present village of Jasper, and a portion of which is now occupied by Mathew Marks. The tract had originally been awarded to an officer for his services in the revolutionary war, and he was charged with the same on the books in the land office. He, however, selected another tract near Columbus and thus received two grants. A number of years later it was discovered that Mr. Marks' title was void, and he was compelled to purchase the land a second time. In 1828, Joseph Marks erected a small cabin on the Washington and Staunton road, removed therein, and has resided there to this day. There was no habitation between his cabin and Buena Vista, and but two or three on the road running to Washington ; the country consisting of dense forest and underbrush. He became a voter in 1821, voted thrice for Jackson ; has voted at every presidental election, and missed but few minor elections. Though in his eighty-first year, he still enjoys good health. At or perhaps prior to the arrival of John Wright, the family of George Moore came from Kentucky, and located on Sugar Creek, about one and one-half miles southeast of the Wright settlement. The names of two of the sons are now remembered : Ezekial, who participated in the war of 1812, and Thomas, who died of milk-sickness. The surviving members removed to Indiana, in 1820 or 1822. CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 739 A short time prior to the organization of the county, Thomas Gilbert settled on the present Ingle farm, but remaining a few years only, afterwards removed to the west. Thomas Foster occupied what is now known as the Elias Priddy farm, but becoming dissatisfied, returned to Kentucky, his native state. In the fall of 1808 David Wright, a brother of John, erected a small cabin on a little knoll, situated on- the farm now owned by Jasper Wright. Among other settlers were : Daniel Carmaine, who came prior to 1812, and was considered a hard working pioneer, and raised a large family; James Maddox, who located on Sugar Creek; Leonard Bush, sr., Berryman Allen and Eli West. CHURCHES. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. A majority of the pioneers of this township were identified with the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal Church; consequently that denomination is largely represented in the present population. Meetings were held in the various cabins, but prior to 1830, there was no regularly organized church society. The date of the formation, by whom, and the number of original members, is not ascertainable ; however, we have been informed that the old log church was erected in the interim between 1830 and 1832 ; the society removing from the school house where meetings had been held before the completion of the new building. The name of the first preacher, also has been forgotten. Henry Turner is mentioned as an early circuit rider. He came from Hillsboro and held a meeting on the same day, notwithstanding the fact that they were no pikes nor bridges. In order to be present at his many appointments, he was compelled to travel twenty-eight days in each month, and thus had but little time for recreation. Such heroic devotion to the Master's cause is highly commendable. Another early preacher was Ebenezer Webster; John Collins and William Simmons were among the first elders. In 1850 or 1851, the present building, a neat and substantial one 740 - TORY OP FAYETTE COUNTY. story frame, was erected on the site occupied by the old. The church has increased in membership, and may be said to be in a good condition. PROTESTANT METHODIST CHURCH. The Pleasant Valley Protestant Methodist Church, was organized in the school house, on the farm of William Waddle, survey number 7,332, on Snow Hill Pike, by Rev. P. F. Johnson of Sabina, with the following original members : Henry and Lucy Luttrell, Eli Plummer, Bird Webb, Jacob Allen, Sarah Allen, Samuel Allen, a local preacher, Harriet Allen, Deborah Morris, Joseph Stevenson, Susanna Stevenson, and Mr. and Mrs. William Tainer. They joined the Sabina Circuit, and held meetings regularly. A neat one story frame structure was erected, and still serves its purpose. Friends of the organization subscribed work and material, hence the exact cost is unknown. The church is now associated with the Washington Circuit, and it has a membership of sixty-two, aside from a number recently converted, who will soon be admitted. Preaching by the minister every third Sunday, though meetings are held every Sabbath ; Jason Hinkle, present pastor. A Sunday-school was organized soon after the church, and is still continued ; superintendent, Walter Morris. SCHOOLS. It is noted in the history of every settlement that her pioneers were subjected to many days of ceaseless toil; indeed, every member of the family, if able, assisted in the tiresome task of clearing and breaking the ground The settlers of Concord Township were no exception to the general rule, and the youth of that day enjoyed but few educational advantages; simply becaused home duties required the undivided attention of all. In the course of a few years matters began to assume a more encouraging aspect; the soil be came fertile from careful tilling, and pioneer hardships were decreasing. The parent looked to the interest of his loved ones, realizing that steps must be taken to educate them in the ordinary branches at least. CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 741 The families residing in the various neighborhoods opened subscription schools as soon as practicable, erected a rude log cabin, and engaged the services of one who had more or less "book larnin" and paid him a small amount as a salary; his chief support being obtained by "boarding around." From the limited data at our command, we have endeavored to trace some of the earliest schools of the township. Levi Rowe is authority for the statement that "the first school house stood on the banks of Sugar Creek ;" the first teacher was William Sweet, who was succeeded by J. D. Moon. Four or five families living east and west of the Randolph survey, erected a small cabin in the center of said survey, in 1824 or 1825, which was used for educational purposes. Of other cabins, built for school purposes, in the various parts of the township, we have no knowledge. As the country became more settled, an increased interest was manifested in this cause, which has continued unabated, and today Concord boasts of seven handsome brick buildings, properly equipped, and in charge of ladies and gentlemen of rare merit and ability. INCIDENTS. Of the wife of John Wright, it is said that she was a woman of enterprise, industry, and business habits. During the war of 1812, her husband being a soldier in that campaign, she, with the help of a small boy, cultivated and gathered nine acres of corn, amounting to four hundred bushels; the boy ploughed while she hoed. According to a pioneer superstition, in order to raise flax successfully it was necessary to sow the seed on Good Friday. In the year above mentioned, Mr. Wright had the ground broken and ready for seeding on the day preceding. During the night snow fell to the depth of six inches. The lady was very much troubled upon making this discovery, but, nothing daunted, dressed herself warmly, and proceeded to seed the ground through the snow. The result was satisfactory, and the old lady often boasted of the wonderful crop she raised by sowing the flaxseed on Good Friday. Mrs. Moore, of whom mention has been made, desiring to visit Kentucky, her native state, engaged a horse of John Wright, for the use of which she was to have the animal shod, and bring the 742 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. owner a quart of apple seeds. The contract was carried out to the letter, and from the seed was planted the first orchard in southern Fayette. Some of the trees are still standing, and bear fruit. Jeremiah Dunn was the first person who died in the neighborhood. In the absence of a graveyard and coffin, it was decided to wrap the remains in a blanket and bury them in an old Indian burying ground, on the east bank of Paint Creek. Caleb Wright, who came to Fayette County in about 1807, was a single man, and when the war of 1812 was declared by congress, he volunteered as an Indian spy. He continued in that critical and dangerous capacity, traversing hills, plains, valleys and swamps, for one year; feeding on wild meat, hiding in the black swamps, and continually encountering the most imminent perils to which his peculiar occupation exposed him. T. H. Maddox, son of James Maddox, an old settler, is said to have been the first blacksmith in the township. He was a class-leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a licensed preacher in the United Brethren Church. O. H. Wright was the first millwright and carpenter. William Thompson was the first justice of the peace. The name of John B. Rowe, who lived in the immediate vicinity of the present village of Staunton, is remembered in connection with prowess in hunting. He was never known to say that he had killed Indians, but had seen them "get down from fences," " lie down at the root of a tree," or some such expression, indicating that he might have hurt them. In an early day, the wild condition of the country afforded ample opportunities for the trapping and killing of game. MILLS. The first mill for the grinding of grain, sawing of lumber, and distilling of whisky, was built on Sugar Creek by Adam Taylor. The lands were low and wet, and fever and ague was prevalent, which was cured by frequent draughts of whisky. The old "still " was a favorite trysting place of the old settlers. Taylor afterwards became involved, and abandoning the premises removed to the CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 743 west. The mill was never operated after his departure, and has long since been washed down the waters of Sugar Creek. Prior to its erection, the pioneers carried their grain to " horse mills " at Washington and Sabina. These towns are still visited by those who wish their grain converted into flour; but instead of the slow gait of the horse, the mill-stones are now propelled by mammoth steam engines, then utterly unknown. STAUNTON. This, the only village in Concord, is situated in the northwestern part of the township, within one mile of Sugar Creek, and in close proximity to Hankin's Run. The village was laid out in 1848, as will be seen by the following extract from an agreement recorded in the " County Plat Book : " Whereas it is mutually agreed by and between the undersigned,. that there shall be a town laid out and established in Concord Township, Fayette County, and State of Ohio, at the place where the village of Staunton is now situate, so as to include said village; and inasmuch as the undersigned are all interested, each one owning a part of the premises upon which it is intended to locate said town, and will be mutually benefited thereby, and in order to the proper accomplishment of said purpose, have entered into and signed an agreement in writing, in substance as follows: STAUNTON, FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO, September 5, 1849. We, the undersigned, citizens of the above place and vicinity, do hereby agree to sign and properly execute such instrument, as may be drawn up by a competent attorney-at-law, providing for the establishment of a town at the above place, and to appoint three commissioners for the purpose of carrying the matter into effect. They are instructed to run two rows of lots and one street on each side of the State road, and as many cross streets and alleys as they may deem necessary; the principal streets to run east and west, parallel with said State road. The commissioners are further instructed to pay due regard to the buildings now up; to take into consideration the advantage and disadvantage of each individual concerned, etc. 744 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. Following are the names of the subscribers: Willis Rowe, John Stuckey, James Holbrook, William Craig, Stroder Evans, P. F. Johnson, David M. Terry, Jonathan Burgess, David Pollock, William Long, James N. Flanegan, Charles Van Pelt, William Heller, Jesse Rowe, Jacob Jamison (provided a street runs through his lot, the commissioners are to value his lot, and he is to be paid for it if he wishes to sell it), Thomas J. Craig, Thomas McCorcle, D. S. Craig. On the 19th of September, in the same year, Daniel McLean, Micajah Draper, and John S. Burnett, were appointed commissioners, and received from the owners, Jesse Rowe, jr., Jacob Jamison, David Pollock, Stroder Evans, Jonathan Burgess, and William Craig, the land embraced in the proposed village. The original survey was made November 25, 1849, by john L: Burnett. Other territory has since been added. It appears that a small settlement existed prior to the above-mentioned survey, as it will be seen by a perusal of the above that "a town should be located at the place where the village of Staunton is now situate." Our historian is informed that many houses had previously been erected, the object of the surveying being due to a desire of the residents to have streets and alleys. Thomas J. Craig came to the locality from Greenfield, in 1842, and opened the first general country store. As early as 1835, a blacksmith shop was erected by Michael Marks, who presided at the anvil for a number of years, and then disposed of his workshop to Caleb Wright. Several years after Craig's arrival, the second store was opened by John Webster, who soon sold out to Long & Pollock, they in turn disposing of the stock to Ellison Johnson, who was succeeded by Charles Van Pelt. Among the early residents of the village are mentioned the names of Caleb Wright, T. J. Craig, and Robert Haney, who occupied the three first houses, all of log; John Craig, a shoemaker; John Webster, William Craig, associated in business with T. J. Craig; James Holbrook, David Pollock, and Ellison Johnson, carpenter and builder. The village has made slow progress, presumably because it is located at a considerable distance from any railroad, and thus can not control the patronage of the farming community. Repeatedly have efforts been made for the construction of railroads through CONCORD TOWNSHIP - 745 the town and township, and should the contemplated Columbus and Maysville Railroad be built via Washington, Staunton will be an important station on the line. The population exceeds one hundred, the business interests being represented as follows: Groceries, notions, etc., William Long, Henry Limes, T. J. Craig; blacksmithing, K. B. Cole and William Dimon; wagon-making, John Rustler; boot and shoe making, William Bay, James Holbrook ; physician, McAfee.