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300 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. below the new bridge, and thence passed over the hills, which were hard to ascend. With an eye to the custom which might be secured by constructing a better road, James Kain employed a rce of men to cut out the present Chillicothe road, and made a crossing near his tavern. Travel was soon diverted from the old road, and the principal thoroughfare was established by Kain's foresight on a line which was ever afterwards kept. Greater accommodations being demanded, Kain, in 1802, built a new house or additions to his old one, and r many years it was a most noted hostelry, at which were entertained all the distinguished travelers who came that way. In 1806, Aaron Burr was there lodged, much to the chagrin of some patriots of the Revolutionary war, who rmed themselves into a company commanded by George W. Stall (John McKnight fifer, and Samuel Howell drummer), and parading along the street before the house played the " Rogues' March." It is said that Burr appeared at the door and looked on with silent contempt, and with a manner that suggested beyond a doubt that he would not be trifled with, whereupon the company marched a little distance away from the tavern, and, after indulging in some expressions not at all complimentary to Burr, quietly dispersed. Daniel Everhart afterwards kept a tavern here. In 1816, John Kain built a large frame hotel on the northwest corner of Main and Third Streets, which he kept until his death, in 1846. Since that period it has been kept by his son, J. W. Kain. It was at this house the rebel Gen. Morgan made his headquarters on the night of July 13, 1863, and with his officers examined the United States mails which had been captured on the raid. Mr. Kain entertained more than a hundred people that night, and was rewarded by having all his wearing apparel and horses stolen. Morgan breakfasted at half-past three in the morning, and soon after left. This house is now one of the oldest taverns in the county. The present " Atchley House" was changed from a residence r hotel purposes a number of years ago by John Atchley. It stands near the site of the old Kain tavern. Thomas Cade, John T. Ross, and Job Stockton were rmer tavern-keepers in Williamsburgh in buildings which have long since passed away. An account of the first post-office is based on tradition, as the knowledge concerning it is not a matter of record. It is said that John Lytle first discharged the functions of a postmaster, distributing what little mail there was received from his residence. Then came Nicholas Sinks, who was followed by Benjamin Ellis. William Waters was subsequently appointed, and held the office until 1831, when Job Stockton succeeded him, serving until 1839. That year Daniel Kain became the postmaster, and subsequently the following : 1843, Samuel G. Peterson ; 1847, George W. McMillen ; 1851, John H. Sharp ; 1857, J. McMillen ; 1863, A. S. Walker; 1869, J. E. Offutt ; 1871, Francis A. Warden; 1873, Alexander Beall, who yet holds the office. On the 1st of July, 1874, Williamsburgh was designated as a postal money-order office. The mail supply is daily by railroad. Previoualy for many years the stages brought the mails, and a large amount of matter has always here been distributed. THE PRESS AND THE PROFESSIONS. The first paper in the county was published at Williams- burgh. On Friday, Jan. 15, 1813, Thomas S. Foote and Robert Tweed as proprietors, the former as editor, and Charles D. McMannam as typo, issued the first number of the Political Censor, a weekly paper, devoted to the current news of the day. The sheet was small, measuring only 9 1/2 by 15 1/2 inches. The publication offrce was on lot No. 40. In 1814, David Morris began the publication of The Western American, the publication office being on the lot at present occupied by Volney Stockton. This was the second paper in the county. The subsequent history of the press is given in a general chapter. Dr. Levi Rogers is credited with having been the first physician in the village, but the exact time when he came cannot be determined. His first cabin stood on the lot now occupied by the Masonic Hall, and was made of round poles with doors so low that one had to stoop when entering. The roof consisted of clapboards fastened down with poles ; the floor was simply mother earth trodden down hard ; and wnat light the cabin had was admitted through an oiled sheet of paper. Dr. Rogers was not only a good practitioner but a learned man, and was greatly esteemed by his neighbors. He was the father of the veteran, Dr. J. G. Rogers, of New Richmond, whose medical skill was called into requisition when Gen. Grant was born. Dr. Rogers removed some time about 1812, and about the same time a Dr. Unleavy came here to practice. In 1815, Dr. Ralph Sharp established himself at Williamsburgh, but in 1819 moved to Milrd, at which place he remained only two years, when he returned to Williams- burgh, where he died in 1830. His practice was very large, often extending miles into the country, and his visits were as frequently made at night as in daytime. On several occasions he was pursued by wolves and barely escaped with his life. Once the wolves were so close that they sprang at him, leaving the print of their teeth on his riding-boots. In 1824, Dr. Erastus Sharp, Sr., at that time a youth of se7enteen, came to live with his uncle Ralph, and Was educated r the profession by him, beginning the practice of medicine in 1828, At the death of Ralph Sharp he was associated with him, and thereafter continued the practice alone, remaining until his death in 1867. His son, Dr, Erastus C., then assumed his practice, and is yet located in the village as a physician. Dr. Leavitt Thaxter Pease was a physician at Williams- burgh from February, 1835, until May 24, 1874, when death ended his useful career. He was one of the most successful physicians in the county, and was especially noted for his skill in surgery. Three of his students became eminent in the profession, viz., Dr. Enos Fee, of Georgetown ; Dr. G. O. Butler ; and Dr. Felix Leeds, who fell a victim to the cholera in 1847. Dr. Andrew F. McCall, after leaving Batavia, was located in the village a few years, when he removed to the southern part of the township, on the Bethel road, where he lived until his death. In 1843, Dr. Delos Chauncy Sharp, a son of Dr. Ralph Sharp, established himself as a practitioner in Williamsburgh, and yet continues. WILLIAMSBURGH TOWNSHIP - 301 Dr. Isaac Redrow has been here the past twelve years, and Dr. Heny Brown the past year. As dentists, Drs. W. C. Homan, J. H. Doyle, and S. S. Walker are at Williamsburgh. Thomas S. Foote was among the first, if not the first, resident attorneys at Williamsburgh ; and among the last to 1 cave on the removal of the county-seat were David Mortis and 0. T. Fishback, all moving to Batavia. For many years the village bad no attorney, but in later days B. Britton has practiced law in the township, his home being east of the village. Jonathan Johnson, although not a regular attorney at that period, transacted the law business before Mr. Britton's settlement. The attorneys at the village at present are Charles W. Rishworth, William Britton, and Corwin Smith, all of them but recently admitted. A further account of attorneys who have been at Williams- burgh may be found in a general chapter of this book. CLERMONT SOCIAL LODGE, No. 29, F. AND A. M. Among the results of the " Second War for Independence" the student of the early histoy of Clermont County should consider the social effects of the common interest and unity of purpose by which that struggle was attended. The first pioneers, under the influence of the dreaded savage, had the keen incentive of personal safety and mutual need to prompt instant reply to every call of distress. As that danger ceased with the sullen retreat of the Indian, sorrowing, before the march of the white man's prosperity, a time came when untamed self-reliance and hardy resentment to wholesome restraint did not sufficiently value the amenities of humanizing arts. The war of 1812, as a strife coming from the forefathers, called upon a new generation to learn the tactics of combinations, and taught the scattered founders of the new-born States to admire that direction of their individual rces into a mass which. brought victory and liberty. In no place did a brighter devotion to the public welfare glow than in the old county-seat. Again and again companies went to the front, until it seemed that the post of duty was rather to provide in the field of toil at home than to stand ward in the field of battle abroad. In unity they found strength, through strength they obtained peace, and after that came plenty. The occasion was now ripe r the introduction of the disciplined benevolence of Freemasonry. A tradition, of easy belief; relates that the subject was much discussed and encouraged by those desiring membership, and that many informal meetings were held by the casual strange brethren and those few that were resident. The first authentic record states that in Williamsburgh, on the first day of June, 1815, on the production of the dispensation of Henry Brush, Grand Master of the State of Ohio, Edwin Matthews, Master of Nova Caesaria Lodge, No, 2, by special commission of the Grand Master, did install the following brethren as offrcers of Clermont Social Lodge, No. 27 : Amos Haines, W. M. ; Wm. Waters, S, W. ; Obadiah Smith, J. W. ; George Ely, S. D. ; Robert Haines, J. D. ; Jacob Huber, Sec. ; and Thomas S. Foote, Treas. * Prepared by Byron Williams. Amos Haines, the first Master, and holding the office r three terms, was a member of a Quaker family that removed from Frederick Co., Va., and settled in New Richmond. He was a surveyor and dealer in lands, and died in 1820. Robert Haines, his brother, though but twenty-five years old at this time, had raised and commanded a company that marched to the relief of Fort Meigs, and for that service his widow now draws a pension. He was one of the associate judges of the county. George Ely was an extensive dealer n lands, and subseqnently founded Batavia. Thomas S. Foote, the second Master, held the office two terms. He was a lawyer, surveyor, prosecuting attorney, editor, and a man of much note. William Waters, the third Master, held the offrce for eight terms. He was a keen, bright, and upright man. He had a fair education, and was one of the early merchants of Williamsburgh, and died in 1835. Obadiah Smith, a shoemaker, was an ancestral relative of the family of the Hon. L. B. Leeds. Jacob Huber was the mill-owner, a farmer, and transacted much business. The lodge received its charter on Jan. 4, 1816, its number having been changed to 29. This time-stained and much-prized document, owing to the loss, destruction, and rfeiture of those which preceded it, is perhaps within ten or twelve numbers of being the oldest of its kind in the entire old Northwest Territory. The charter bears the names of Amos Haines, Thomas S. Foote, N. Sinks, J. Huber, Daniel Kain, George Ely, and Robert Haines. Thus was Masonry introduced into a region where it has prospered exceedingly. The lodges bounding the jurisdiction of Clermont Social were Nova Caesaria, No. 2, at Cincinnati ; No. 26, at Lebanon ; No. 13, at Dayton ; No. 27, at Springfield ; No. 30, at Columbus ; and No. 6, at Chillicothe. As a kind parent divides a rich inheritance among a numerous posterity, so has Clermont Social given of this domain until her rmer jurisdiction is now shared by thirty-seven sister lodges, From the beginning, the gavel was constantly calling to labor, and in the latter half of 1815 the following persons entered the lodge on the left of the Senior Warden : Mills Stevenson, Nicholas Sinks (the first tanner in Williamsburgh), Robert Brinton (a storekeeper), Thomas L. Morris, Job Stockton (a cabinet-maker, and the pioneer ancestor of that, family), Ralph Sharp (a physician), Fergus Moorhead (a wheelwright), George J, T-autwine (a store- and tavern-keeper in Bethel), Daniel Kain (a major, farmer, and magistrate), Finnan White, and Robert Tweed. In 1816, Benjamin Ellis (a merchant, and partner with William Waters), George S. Bryan (a clerk in the county offices, and the fourth Master of the lodge r one term), Ephraim McAdams (the ancestor of a numerous posterity), Mahlon Smith, John Earhart (tax-collector); Levi Pigman, of Neville ; Gideon Minor, Hiram Bennett, Benjamin Tingley, Wm. White, Col. Thomas Kain, and Wm. W. Clark. In 1817, John Hankins, John Rollins, Joseph Peden, Jonathan S. Denham, William S. Miller, Sylvanus Everts. In 1818, David Duckwall, of Batavia ; Henry Higgins, Houten Clarke (of Bethel, and father of the Hon. R. W. Clarke), Israel Foster (father of Bishop R. S. Foster). 302 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. In 1819, Abram Miley, of Amelia ; Samuel Dearborn, John M. Brown, of Batavia ; John M. Tucker (a storekeeper in Williamsburgh), John Kain (a brother of Maj. Daniel and Col. Thomas Kain), John G. Rogers, George Mitchell, Joshua Clark, Abraham Connery, Conrad Harsh, of Owensville; William McAdams, Elias Fisher, John Schnee, Samuel B. Kyle, Samuel Perin, of Perin's Mills; Samuel Bennett, Joseph Stockton, and Edward Sinks (who was elected fifth Master of the lodge in 1821, and served four terms, after which he removed to Bethel, but returning, was Master again in 1858). In 1820, Isaac South, John A. Smith, and Edward Salt, all three of Bethel; James McClelland, of Goshen ; Thomas Glisson, Daniel Hankins, John Jamieson, Archibald I. Higgins, Michael Roseberry, Hon. Jonathan D. Morris, and Andrew J. Patten (who was the tenth Master, and served seven terms). In 1821, William A. Camron (editor of the Farmers' Friend), James Kain, Jonas Taliafaro, and Henry Hankins. In 1822, Eleazer Williams and the Hon. Judge Owen T. Fishback, who was the sixth Master; and in 1824, John O'Hara, who is still living near Bethel. The old Revolutionary hero, Capt. Hugh Maloy, was admitted by diploma in 1825. From this date until 1845 the work was lighter, but regular. During that period fifty- seven applicants received their degrees. There were, however, many withdrawals to unite with the younger lodges that were forming near, especially at Bethel, Milford, and Batavia. In 1824 an unsuccessful attempt was made to move the lodge to New Richmond. In the twelve years succeeding 1845 over one hundred candidates passed through its doors. Financial embarrassment then seemed to have paralyzed its strength until the great civil war called it to labor more actively than ever. From its constitution to the present the lodge has conferred more than one thousand degrees. Nicholas Sinks, the •seventh Master, served as such nine terms, He was a most worthy man, as, indeed, were they all. Heny D. Gorbitt, the eighth Master, served two terms. Jonathan Johnson, the ninth Master, served five terms. John Peterson, Jr., the eleventh, Eliakim Zimmerman, the twelfth, and H, C. Kain, the fourteenth Master, each served two terms ; and Mortimer A. Bryan, the thirteenth Master, three terms, The last three are still living. John Williams, the fifteenth Master, served seven consecutive terms, during and succeeding the civil war. His mature thought, ready sympathy, Ind kindly dignity peculiarly fitted him r the place in those troubled times. At the commencement of his administration the fortunes of the lodge had reached their lowest ebb. He :eft it at the greatest prosperity it had yet attained, to a worthy successor, Samuel G. Peterson, who served seven years. Captain Edward S. Sinks, the seventeenth Master, and a most gallant gentleman, died about one month after his second election. The eighteenth Master, Byron Williams, is now serving his fourth term. The records of the lodge are entire from the first meeting to the present time, and having been well kept, they contain many interesting means of identifying past events. The social customs of a by-gone age are not without a witness in their pages. The questions growing out of convivialities peculiar to that age are nowhere more plainly set rth than in the motions to restrict, define, and at last to suppress, that appear in the records of the first five or six years. John Jamieson, of Batavia, was initiated Friday evening, April 28, 1820, and is now the only link that joins that day with this. On the records of that night two resolutions appear. The first not being strong enough a second was made to declare that the lodge would dispense with spirituous liquors, which is doubtless one of the first temperance votes recorded in the county. Considering the age and its habits, it is no wonder that they kept a demijohn that was often empty. They frequently met at eight A.M., at one P.M., and six P.M. of the same day. The time they gave to the work seems very strange now, but tradition affirms that they were all " bright." The lodge held its meetings from the beginning in the southeast room of the upper story of the old stone courthouse until, in 1818, arrangements were made with the school trustees to put a second story on the contemplated brick school-house on lot No. 265. This was put into effect the following year, and on St. John's day, Dec. 27, 1819, the new hall was dedicated by a procession, with an oration by the Rev. William Burk, at the court-house, and a sumptuous dinner at Brother John Kain's tavern. The hall was roomy, well furnished, warmed by a large fireplace, and, for that day, first class. Here the lodge held its meetings for thirty-five years. In 1854 the lot on the southeast corner of Main and Second Streets was secured, and in 1855 the three-story brick building was completed. On June 23, 1855, the new hall was dedicated, R. W. Clarke presiding as Deputy Grand Master. The craft then repaired to the Methodist Episcopal church, where an oration was delivered by the Rev. William G. Morrow, after which the out-door dinner at John Atchley's hotel was interrupted by a furious storm. But the more furious financial storm of 1857 found the lodge in debt, and swept their property to a forced sale, that, at the depreciated values, left them homeless, with large liabilities unanswered. In this condition they sought shelter in the old Presbyterian church. In 1860 the lodge rented the hall in the new building r its meetings, and gathering courage, met its obligations, and finally, in 1870, purchased the third-story room and approaches, where it now resides in peace and harmony. The Worshipful Masters, Senior Wardens, and Secretaries, in the order named, from 1815 to 1880 have been as follows : 1815.—Amos Haines, William Waters, Jacob Huber. Amos Haines, Thomas S. Foote, Jacob Huber. 1816.—Amos Haines, Thomas S. Foote, Jacob Huber. Thomas S. Foote, Ralph Sharp, George S. Bryan. 1847.—Thomas S. Foote, Ratph Sharp, Daniel Kale. William Waters, Jacob Huber, John Earhart. 1818.—William Waters, George S. Bryan, George J. Trautwine. 1819.—William Waters, George S. Bryan, George J. Trautwine. George S. Bryan, John Earhart, John M. Tacker. 1820:—William Waters, George,). Trautwine, John M. Tucker. William Waters, John Earhart, Edward Sinks. WILLIAMSBURGH TOWNSHIP - 303 1821.—William Waters, George S. Bryan, Edward Sinks. Edward Sinks, John Earhart, John M. Tacker. 1822.—Edward Sinks, John Earhart. John M. Tacker. 1823.—Edward Sinks, Owen T. Fishbaek, Robert Tweed. 1824.—Edward sinks, Owen T. Fishback, James Kain. 1825.—Owen T. Fishback, Edward Sinks, Andrew J. Patten. 1826.—William Waters, Jonathan Johnson, Andrew J. Patten. 1827-28.—Nicholas Sinks, Jr., Jonathan Johnson, Andrew J. Patten. 1829.—Nicholas Sinks, Jr., William Waters, Andrew J, Patten. 1830.—Jonathan Johnson, Nicholas Sinks, Andrew J. Patten. 1831-32.—Henry D. Gorbit, Jonathan Johnson, Andrew J. Patten. 1833-34.—Nicholas Sinks, Jonathan Johnson, Andrew J. Patten. 1835.—Nicholas Sinks, Jonathan Johnson, Daniel Kain. 1838.—Jonathan Johnson, Nicholas Sinks, Daniel Kahn. 1837-39.—Nicholas Sinks, Jonathan Johnson, Daniel Rain, 1840-41.—Jonathan Johnson, Andrew J. Patten, Daniel Rain. 1842.—Andrew J. Patten, John A. McAdams, Daniel Rain. 1843.—Andrew J. Patten, Jonathan Johnson, Nicholas Sinks. 1844.—Andrew J. Patten, James S. B. Frazier, Nicholas Sinks. 1845.—Andrew J. Patten, James S. B. Frazier, Loais Goldman. 1846.—Jonathan Johnson, Peter M. Snell, V. Royce. 1847.--Andrew J. Patten, John Peterson, W. H. Frazier. 1848.—John Peterson, Jr., Mortimer A. Bryan, A. Day. 1849.--Jonathan Johnson, Andrew J. Patton, Firman Boalware. 1850.—Andrew J. Patten, Henry C. Kain, Ed. C. Hartman. 1851.—John Peterson, Jr., Henry C. Kahn, Absalom Day. 1852.—Eliakim Zimmerman, W. H. Frazier, H. B. Hoes. 1853.—Mortimer A. Bryan, H. B. Hoes, Ezekiel Slade. 1854.—Mortimer A. Bryan, H. B. Hoes, W. D. Thomas. 1855.—Mortimer A. Bryan, Henry C. Kain, Absalom Day. 1856.—henry C. Rain, Samuel G. Peterson, H. B. Hoes. 1857.—Henry C. Rain, Samuel G. Peterson, John H. Sharp. 1858.—Edward Sinks, Samuel G. Peterson, John H. Sharp. 1859.—Eliakim Zimmerman, Samuel G. Peterson, John H. Sharp. 1860-61.—John Williams, John Q. Hutchinson, John H. Sharp. 1862.—John Williams, Mortimer A. Bryan, Samuel G. Peterson. 1863.—John Williams, George A. McNutt, Mortimer A. Bryan. 1864.—John Williams, Samuel G. Peterson, Byton Williams. 1865.—John Williams, George A. McNutt, H. S. Reynolds. 1866.—John Williams, Samuel G. Peterson, H. S Reynolds. 1867.—Samuel G. Peterson, Henry C. Rain, William S. Atchley. 1868.—Samuel G. Peterson, Henry C. Kain, Samuel N. Ferguson. 1869.—Samuel G. Peterson, Byron Williams, Samuel N. Ferguson. 1870.— Samuel G. Peterson, William S. Atchley, Frank A. Warden. 1871.—Samuel G. Peterson, Edward S. Sinks, William S. Atchley. 1872.—Edward S. Sinks, William Tribble, William S. Atchley. 1873.—Edward S. Sinks, Byron Williams, William S. Atchley. 1874.—Byron Williams, William Tribble, Charles H. Boulware, 1875-76.—Samuel G. Peterson, Byron Williams, Charles H. Boulware. 1877.—Byron Williams, Charles E. Beall, Charles H. Boulware. 1878-79.—Byron Williams, Charles II. Boulware, William Tribble. ANGOLA LODGE, No. 231, I. O. O. F. This lodge was instituted March 27, 1854, with J. H, Sharp, S. D. McMillan, B. F. Penn, W. G. Patton, and E. Slade as charter members. At the first meeting David S. Smith, Thompson Smith, Hiram P. Simonton, Norman McMillan, F. M. McAdams, Otis Dudley, and James Waits were initiated as members, and W. G. Patton was elected Noble Grand, and J. H. Sharp, Vice-Grand. For the past eleven years W. R. Moorhead has been the permanent secretary of Angola Lodge, and in 1879 the trustees were C. Vanosdol, W. H. Hull, N. R. Schooley, David McClung, and Otis Dudley. The lodge has had an aggregate membership of 124 persons belonging, and the present number of members are 34. It is free from debt, and holds its meetings in a fine hall in the Beall Block. Appended is a list of the Noble Grands for each term since the lodge was instituted : 1855, B. F. Penn, S. D. McMillan ; 1856, E. Slade, Otis Dudley ; 1857, D. McClung, H. J. Walker ; 1858, S. Gravis, C. H. Thomas; 1859, S. N. Ferguson, J. I. Peterson ; 1860, A. S. Walker, William Feeney ; 1861, William West, Thompson Smith ; 1862, F. McAdams, J. S. Slade ; 1863, Otis Dudley, D. McClung ; 1864, S. N. Ferguson, S. D. McMillan ; 1865, D. McClung, A. Clark ; 1866, F. M. McAdams, A. P. Frazier ; 1867, Frank White, W. R. Moorhead ; 1868, H. J. Walker, 0. E. Walker ; 1869, W. H. White, T. G. Smith ; 1870, A. P. Frazier, T. D. Still ; 1871, G. M. Whittaker, G. L. McAdams ; 1872, G. N. De Witt, John Thompson ; 1873, J. B. Reed, T. K. Ellis ; 1874, S. D, McMillan, W. D. Courts ; 1875, M, C. Boulware, J. H. Ellis ; 1876, Charles Rose. C. Vanosdol ; 1877, L. G. Danbury, C. Vanosdol ; 1878, E. W. Smith, C. H. Thomas; 1879, J. B. Reed, C. H. Thomas. At Williamsburgh have been L number of secret temperance organizations, which have been extinct so long that no authentic account of them can here be given. The interest the people ofsi the village and vicinity have taken in temperance is shown in the following pages. WILLIAMSBURGH TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS. The township can justly claim the honor of being the first to take an advanced position in the cause of temperance. As early as Feb. 17, 1830, a dozen men, and about the same number of women, rmed themselves into a society " from a sense of' duty and philanthropy," associating themselves r the purpose " of casting the weight of our influence into the scale of temperance ; and, as far as possible, put a stop to the wide-spreading evil of intemperance, which has been ruining so many of our citizens r years past." They pledged themselves not to traffic in liquor, nor to use it, except r medicinal purposes ; and adopted a strict constitution r the government of the society. Thomas E. Poage was elected the first President ; Daniel Kain, Vice-President ; Robert B. Dobbins, Secretary ; and John Foster, Treasurer. The society flourished, not without opposition, but as it started out with the best citizens as members, it soon had enrolled several hundred men ant women of the village and the surrounding country, who labored zealously for the then not very popular principles of total abstinence until a short time before the Washingtonian movement swept the country. Ready to co-operate in every good work, a large meeting was held at the brick school-house, Dec. 18, 1841, to form an auxiliay Washington society, Forty-nine persons pledged themselves in membership at this meeting, and soon the number was swelled to upwards of 3(10, comprising, as before, the leading citizens of the township. The society did a noble work, until the Sons of Temperance and kindred orders claimed the support of the people. Soon after its formation every bar in the township was closed until 1853, when hquor was sold at a wayside tavern on the Chillicothe road, east of the village. Thither some of the young men resorted for the ardent, causing the anxious temperance mothers much trouble, and finally their solicitude induced them to inaugurate a crusade against this citadel of bodily ruin. They met as a praying band, and procuring a wagon proceeded to the inn of the offender of the 304 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. moral sentiments of Williamsburgh, which they besieged so effectually that he soon capitulated in rm as follows: “ I _______, do hereby pledge myself, my word and honor, that I will neither buy, sell, nor give away spirituous liqaors of any kind to friend or foe while I live. So help me God." The liquor was emptied upon the highway, and the little band of praying mothers returned in triumph with their new convert, who was seated upon the empty cask and expressed contrition r what he had done ; while the first temperance crusaders devoutly thanked the Lord for their victory, the rain meantime pouring down in torrent. Half a dozen years elapsed before this fine moral sentiment was again violated. In defiance of the wishes of the best people, John Bools opened a brewery and a small saloon in the western part of the village, which threatened to despoil the quiet of many a home. He listened to neither entreaty or persuasion to stop the traffic, nor would he engage to sell his business to the temperance people. Becoming boldly defiant of the popular will, he phed his trade to the ruin of many promising young men. In this strait the women of the township resolved to vindicate the right by executing the law according to their own construction. Accordingly, on the 17th of November, 1859, about 40 women, armed with axes and hatchets, walked into Bools' brewery and emptied out the contents of the casks, demolished the apparatus used in brewing, and created havoc generally in the establishment. This spoilation resulted in a case at law which has been widely quoted, and which is noted at some length in our book.* A judgment of $400 was obtained against five of the ladies, and although Bools has continued his brewery in the township his business has become comparatively insignificant. The temperance sentiment has been assailed and overtly defied again and again, its advocates have had trials and tribulations without number, but it prevails to-day, and Williamsburgh is yet the banner temperance township of Clermont County. EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS. The history of the early schools of the township is not a matter of record and the names of most of the early teachers have passed out of recollection, some of the most prominent ones only being recalled. Leonard Raper is remembered as a worthy and beloved instructor ofsi the pioneer youth, and in the village Peter Patterson, William Tingley, Ed. F. Armstrong, Andrew J. Patten, John Wright, and a man named Thomas rendered good service as teachers. The later schools were taught in a large log building, which stood on the site of the Masonic Hall until 1817, when the old brick school-house, which stood in William S. McLean's cherry orchard, was ready r occupancy. The movement to erect this house, which was put up by voluntary subscriptions, was instituted as early as 1814, but three years elapsed before the project was consummated. It was an excellent house for those times, for many years the best in the county. The upper story constituted the Masonic Hall until the present one was provided, and the expense of building that part of the house was borne by the Order. * See chapter on Courts. Under the old school law a number of districts were rmed, and in each one a comfortable but rather rude house provided, but no statistics of value appear bere 1845. That year's report was as follows : No. 1 maintained nine months' school per year, six being taught by two males; and the remaining three by a female. The amount paid r teaching was $166. The district had enrolled as children of school age 102 males and 105 females, from whom an average attendance of 58 pupils was secured. No. 2 had 14 boys and 13 girls enrolled as pupils for a term of three months, and had employed a male teacher, who received for his services $47. No, 3 maintained school four and a half months, paying the teacher—a male—$60 ; 42 boys and 32 girls were enrolled as pupils, and the average attendance was 41. No. 4 supported two terms of school that year, both taught by male teachers,-the aggregate number of months being seven and a half. There were of school age 52 male and 44 female children, and the amount paid r their instruction was $127. No. 5 also had two terms of school,— six months in all, -and paid its male teacher $102 ; 48 male and 38 female pupils were enrolled, and the attendance averaged 38. No. 6 maintained no rchool that year. No. 7.—No report. No. 8 had five and a half months of school, taught by two teachers at an expense of $86. The average attendance was 23, and the entire enrollment 48 pupils, No. 9 was a fractional district, which reported an enrollment of 18 male and 15 female pupils, and an average attendance of 20. A school of six months' duration was taught at a cost of $84. Under the acts of 1852-53 a meeting of the several clerks of the sub-districts was held May 28, 1853, for the purpose of organizing the board of education. The members present were G. P. Riley, Philip Chatterton, E. Slade, William Dennis, Elijah Dennis, R, R. McClung, Moses Beckwith, and Thomas Colvin. Philip Chatterton was appointed chairman, and B. N. Stockton, clerk officio. It was voted that the sum of $600 be raised for school purposes, and that a contingent fund of $150 be provided. The full assent of the board was given, October, 1856, to district No. 1 to be a separate district, providing that the persons living outside of the corporation of the village of Williamsburgh in said district would agree to be taxed to build a school-house in the village, and that the school funds on hand should be expended under the old organization. In 1879 seven sub-districts (outside of the village) were reported in the township, in each of which schools had been maintained twenty-six weeks. The teachers were paid $1729.66, and the contingent expenses amounted to $299.15 more. The average salary of male teachers was $41 per month ; that of females, $34. Of the pupils, 320 pursued the common branches ; 22 studied algebra; 3 philosophy ; 1 geometry ; and 1 trigonometry. Most of the districts contain good houses, and the general character of the schools has been greatly elevated since the system Came in rce, WILLIAMSBURGH TOWNSHIP - 305 WILLIAMSBURGH UNION SCHOOL. The schools in the village were early organized under the Akron law. A meeting r the purpose of adopting the provisions of the law was held Aug. 28,1850, when of 26 votes cast, 15 favored the change provided by the law. Sept. 14,1850, Benjamin Boulware, D. S. Smith, S. S. Leffingwell, E. Sinks, L. T. Pease, and R. R. McClung were chosen directors. The board was duly organized by electing E. Sink president, and S. S. Leffingwell clerk. Rev. Spofford, Otis Dudley, Sr., and L. D. Salt were appointed the first examining committee. Since that period the following have served the board as presidents and secretaries : Presidents.-1851, E. Sinks ; 1852-54, Otis Dudley ; 1855-56, P. M. Snell ; 1857-58,'S. Gravis ; 1859, S. S. Leffingwell ; 1860-61, L, T. Pease; 1862, M. A. Bryan ; 1863-69, David McClung ; 1870, M. D. Sharp ; 1871-72, Otis Dudley, Jr. ; 1873-74, John Atchley ; 1875-76, William Peterson ; 1877-78, A. Clark ; 1879, William M. Fryman. Secretaries.-1851, S. S. Leffingwell ; 1852-54, M. A. Bryan ; 1855-56, S. Gravis ; 1857-58, E. Sinks ; 1859, Otis Dudley, Jr. ; 1860, S. Gravis ; 1861-62, A. V. Boulware ; 1863-68, A. Beall ; 1869, Otis Dudley ; 1870-72, A. Beall ; 1873-74, F. A. Worden ; 1875-76, Byron Williams ; 1877-78, S. D. McMillen; 1878, Byron Williams ; 1879, Homer McLean. The Union school first held its sessions in the old brick school-house, but in the early part of 1859 measures were taken to erect a new edifice. On the 9th of March, 1859, the voters of the district decided by 40 majority to have the wall built of brick, upon a foundation of stone which had been laid by George H. Peterson. The plans r the building were adopted Feb. 22,1858, and S. Gravis, L T. Pease, and E. Sinks selected as a building committee. The plans for the building provided that it be 45 feet wide and 83 feet long, and 28 feet in height, to be divided into two stories. On top ofsi the building is a cupola 10 feet square and 20 feet high. The brick-work of the house was done by H. Lewis ; the carpenter-work, by H. Ferguson ; and the plaster-work, by H. W. Lewis. The house was completed in the fall of 1860, and was at that time the finest school edifice in the connty. It has a commanding location near the site formerly occupied by the old courthouse. On the 10th of December, 1860, the schools were transferred to the new house, and the teachers were E. T. Ware, Miss H. M. Dudley, and Miss 0. C. Bryan. The exercises were begun with religious services in each room, conducted by the Revs. M. P. Zink, S. Gazley, and T. Cortelyon, in presence of parents, guardians, and the board of education. Mr. Ware was principal of the school until 1863, when George Chichester took charge r two years. Then came Byron Williams, principal r two years, followed in 1868 by F. M. Robinson. He remained two years, and in 1870 came D. W. Brewer, and a year later L. D. Scott ; in 1872, G. F. Meade ; from 1873 to 1877, C. M. Riggs ; and 1878, Byron Wilhams. The latter is still principal, and is assisted by Anna Jenkins, Jennie Lytle, Lida Harris, and John Moorhead, who has charge of the colored school. The schools are maintained at P. yearly expense of nearly $2000 r thirty-two weeks. As primary scholars there were enrolled, boys, 83 ; girls, 60 ; giving an average attendance of 79. In the high school there were enrolled, boys, 22 , girls, 32 ; and the attendance was 34, most of whom pursued the ordinary higher English branches. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WILLIAMSBURGH. * The records of this church are lost and mutilated to such an extent as to afford little aid in giving its history. In the earliest day religious services were held according to season, either in natnre's leafy temples or at some convenient settler's house. In the year 1808 the Rev. Dr. Hoge organized the first Presbyterian Church, which held its meetings in the court-house r more than twenty years, under the care of Rev. R. B. Dobbins. Among its original members were Archibald McLean, Ephraim McAdams and wife, Robert Townsley, Mrs. Nicholas Sinks, Mrs. Dorcas Lytle, Mrs. Sarah Smith, and Mrs. Eleanor Kain. On June 6, 1820, Gen. William Lytle, in consideration of one dollar, conveyed to the trustees of this church and their successors in office a certain tract of land adjoining the town, for the purpose of burying the dead therein. On the 15th day of January, 1829: the church purchased of Gen. Lytle for twenty dollars two fractional lots on the northeast corner of Front and Gay Streets, and erected thereon, the following year, a brick building about rty feet square, the distinguishing features of which were its steep roof and the two-storied windows, externally, and the broad, three-sided gallery of the interior, with a high narrow pulpit, from which the preacher could with equal ease beam with gladness upon the righteous who sat at the foot of the sanctuary, or glance indignation at the godless who affected the galleries. In 1845, under the pastorate of the Rev. Ludwell G. Gaines, the present commodious brick edifice was erected on the same lots. After this the old building fell into disrepute. The yawning abyss between the galleries was bridged over with a floor which converted the building into two rooms. These were used r a time as school-rooms, under the supervision of Rev. Mr. Gaines, Miss Lizzie Spofford, and Rev. Mr. Wiseman. Afterwards it was a place of resort for public meetings, During the period of their misfortnnes the Masons found a home in its upper story, The Sons and Daughters of Temperance held their meetings in the same place for several years. After its abandonment by the societies it was r a time occupied by a band of jolly youths known as the K. R. T.'s (Knights of Round Table), whose innocent diversions frequently caused sober sides to ache with laughter. The old building is a thing of the past, having been removed in 1864. Amid the recollections of many whose years are now stretching towards the shady vale of life, there are few memories more pleasant than those which recall the scenes that were enacted beneath the stately sycamores that adorned the church-yard lawn. Father Dobbins continued in charge of the church until 1833. He was an eccentric man, strong in his affections • By Byron Williams. 306 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. and positive in his hatreds. He was succeeded r a few months by the Rev. Robert Rankin. The pulpit heretore had been frequently occupied by his brother, the Rev. John Rankin, a noted abolitionist. In the fall of 1833 the Rev. Sayers Gazley succeeded to the charge of the church. He was from New England, a man of much learning and the author of several books, among them an extensive Biblical Commentary. He was a man of many striking peculiarities, among them a strange abhorrence r whistling (which mischievous boys were not slow to practice upon) and an utter intolerance r the Free-soil views of Rev. John Rankin. He was an uncle on the maternal side to the distinguished Professor David Swing. In 1841 the Rev. Ludwell G. Gaines was called to the pastorate. He was a man of liberal education, and to his clerical calling added the duties of a teacher, giving special attention to academic studies and the fitting of young men r college and the professions, In 1849 he was succeeded by the Rev, Luke Ainsworth Spofford, a characteristic New Englander and the father of a noted family, among whom are Ainsworth Spofford, Librarian of Congress ; Judge Spofford, noted in Kellogg-Spofford United States Senatorial contest, from Louisiana ; and Mrs. Lizzie Spofford Ware, now residing in Clermont County. The Rev. John Wiseman was in charge of the church from 1853 to 1857. He was born and educated in Scotland, and was a man of great force of character, and, like Mr. Gaines, was a schoolmaster. Then the Rev. Thomas F. Cortelyon was pastor until 1862. Rev. Charles French was then minister r a few months. He was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Chestnut until 1865, when the Rev. R. B. Herron was in charge from 1866 until 1870, after which came the Revs. B. F. De Witt and John Mills r short periods each. Until 1873 the pulpit was supplied by students from Lane Seminary. Rev. John B. Smith commenced his services with the church in December, 1873, and continued until July, 1877, when he resigned to accept the presidency of the Ohio Farmers' College. In 1876 the church received a legacy of $2000, in trust, from one of its members, II J. Walker. Rev. S. M, Crissman became pastor of the church in October, 1877, and so continues to the present. The church consists of 125 members, and after passing through many vicissitudes, is in a fairly prosperous condition. The Sundayschool has about 150 pupils, with George B. Beacham for superintendent. The present officers of the church are Elders A. S. Walker, Israel Foster, Thomas Moorhead, and John A. Junkin ; Deacons Israel Foster and James Hageman. THE WILLIAMSBURGH METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The early history of this body is somewhat obscure, but among the members were the Kain, Foster, Peterson, and other families, whose descendants are yet prominent members of the church. The first meetings were held in the courthouse, but about 1825 a frame house of worship w. as erected in the northern part of the village, which since 1845 has been used for other purposes, and is at present the residence of James McAdams. The first action relative to the present edifice was taken in March, 1839, when Jesse E. Dozier, Nicholas Sinks, and George Peterson were appointed to select a site r the new house. Lot No. 213 was chosen, but the church building was not erected until 1845, and was consecrated the following year. It is a substantial brick building, and among those who were . active in building it are given the names of John and George Peterson, L. T. Pease, Nicholas Sinks, S. S. Leffingwell, L. D. Salt, Jonathan Johnson, and W. L. Kain. The house is valued at $4000 and the parsonage in the village at $600. In the main the church at Williamsburgh has been prosperous, and its present membership approximates 300. These form classes, which are led by G. A. McNutt, 0, Dudley, William L. Kain, S. G. Peterson, James Ashton, E. B. Holmes, and W. A. Kain. The latter is also the superintendent of the excellent Sunday-school maintained by the church, numbering at present 186 scholars. The church hss ever occupied an emphatic and decided position on the question of temperance, and in 1853 passed the following resolution : "Resolved, That as conscientioas men and Christians, we feel called upon to use our best efforts in the cause of temperance ; therefore, we will not vote for any candidate for either branch of the Legislature who is unwilling to use his influence to procare the Maine Liquor Law, or one similar in force thereto." Since that period it has not suffered this important work to be divorced from its other duties, and has always been radical en questions of rerm. Until 1838, the church, in common with others in the northern part of the county, belonged to Miami and Milford Circnits, and had their ministerial service. From 1838 until September, 1851, it belonged to Batavia Circuit, and the names of the ministers appear in a history of that church, but since the latter date Williamsburgh has been a separate charge, with or without other appointments. The ministers have been as follows : 1851, L. P. Miller ; 1852, B. P. Wheat ; 1853, A. Murphy, John Smith ; 1854, A. Murphy, Levi Thomas ; 1855, W. E. Hines, James H. Middleton ; 1856, W. E. Hines, E. P. James; 1857-58, E. C. Merrick, James Kendall ; 1859, M. P. Zink, N. Green ; 1860, M. P. Zink, S. G. Griffith ; 1861, W. E. Hines, S. G. Griffith ; 1862, W. E. Hines, N. Green ; 1863, David Kemper, W. H. Reed ; 1864, David Kemper, Henry M. Keck ; 1865, Wm. Runyan, Edward Birkett ; 1866, Wm. Runyan, James Armstrong ; 1867, R. K. Deem ; 1868-69, Charles Kalbfus ; 1870-72, F. G. Mitchell ; 1873-75, Henry Miller ; 1876-77, N. W. Darlington ; 1877-79, W. M. Boyer. CLOVER CHAPEL OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. On the 29th of August, 1804, William Winters and Peter Light executed a deed r a lot for church purposes at Clover to Amos Smith, Joshua Lambert, Wm. Smith, Moses Rumsey, Ephraim Duke, Samuel Nelson, Samuel Nutt, Augustus Clark, and Thomas Lemon as trustees. These began a hewed log house in the course of a few years, which was never wholly finished, yet preaching was held there several years ; and ever since 1804 Methodist preaching has been maintained with more or less regularity in the Clover neighborhood. The next place of preaching was in. the school-house, but about 1840 the present Clover chapel WILLIAMSBURGH TOWNSHIP - 307 was erected. This is at present controlled by trustees Henry Moyer, John McNutt, David Long, Wm. Bricker, Lycurgus Holmes, George W. Moyer, Wm. Colthar, Joseph K, Ely, and Joseph G, Sherman. In addition to the first board of trnstees, there were among the early members Benjamin Pool, Elizabeth Winters, Susan Smith, and others whose names cannot be recollected. Amos Smith was the first class-leader, and other leaders were John Smith, E. B. Holmes, Lycurgus Holmes, William Colthar, etc. Clover is at present a part of Bethel Circuit, and previously belonged to the Moscow and White Oak Circuits. THE CONCORD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. At this point the first church organization was effected about 1819, which had among its members Robert Vanosdol, the Raper, the Ely, the Jenkins, the Bunton, and other families, who met statedly for worship at Jonas Burnett's and in the school-house. In 1839 the present church bnilding was erected, the trustees at that time being John Leeds, Samuel Raper, James Bunton, Samuel Cordrey, Thomas Jenkins, Thomas Foster, John Burnett, Robert Vanosdol, and Joseph Raper, all now deceased except John Burnett. The present trustees are J. P. Widmeyer, E. M. Reed, William Raper, Wesley Burnett, T. Parker, F. 0. Richards, and William Trout. The first class-leader was John Leeds; next in order were Samuel Raper, Joseph Raper, Thomas Jenkins, Andrew Thompson, F. 0. Richards, Wesley Burnett, William Raper, George Jenkins, Benjamin Wilson, and Joseph Widmeyer. The members at present belong to Bantam Circuit, but rmerly had their connection with Laurel and other circuits, to which the reader is referred r the names of ministers. In addition to the foregoing religious bodies, the Baptists maintained an organization in Williamsburgh before 1810, whrch was auxiliary to the Baptist Church at Bethel, which at a later day absorbed whatever interests remained. Among the members were the Brinker, Roos, Hutchinson, and other families, the number belonging never being very large. Northeast from Williamsburgh the colored Baptists had an organization, whose existence was not maintained beyond a few years. The building which served as a house of worship has been transformed into a dwelling, and now worship is elsewhere held by the colored people of Williamsburgh. MILITARY NOTES.* Among the early settlers there were several soldiers of the Revolution. Of these we have the names of Capt, (more properly major) Hugh Maloy, Fife-Maj. John McKnight, Ramoth Bunton, Dory Mallott, Adam Snider, James Chambers, James Waits, Charles Waits, Absalom Smith, and Adam Bricker. In former times a liberty-pole was an indispensable part of all celebrations of the Fourth of July, and in this place it was the undisputed prerogative of the above-named heroes to cut the pole. On one of these occasions, about fifty years ago, Fife-Maj. McKnight, a brisk, bustling little man, seized * Byron Williams. the axe and attempted to strike the first blow, whereupon Maj. Maloy struck him with his cane, nearly felling him to the ground, saying that he would allow no little whistler to go ahead of him in these matters. So Maj. Maloy maintained his dignity and got the first stroke. But there was much argument on the spot and afterwards among the old Seventy-Sixers, who immediately divided and joined the issue ; one side maintaining that McKnight was properly punished r disrespectful conduct to his old commander, while the other party loudly affirmed and stoutly defended the principle that now and here all men are free and equal, and possessed ofsi certain inalienable rights, among which are life, the pursuit of happiness, and the privilege of cutting liberty-poles when and wheresoever they pleased. However burlesque the affair now seems, the parties were very serious. But it may never recur, for that little band and all their comrades in that mighty struggle, together with their haughty foe,—the red-coat Briton, the hireling Hessian, the allied savage, the prowling Tory,-- the wearer of Continental blue, with the gay and friendly chivalry of France, all, all have gone their way to lonely death. In the second war for independence the militia of Williamsburgh turned out almost to the man. Col. Thomas Kain and his brother, Maj. Daniel Kain, answered, and an entire company, under the command of Capt. Jacob Boerstler, marched through swamp and wildwood to meet a wilder foe in the savage allies of British warfare, and every page of their history records a noble heroism. Capt. Boerstler lived on lot 269, where John Park now lives, and when his company left, his wife, with a presentiment that he would never return, with tottering steps left a sickbed to watch him from a window as be marched away looking so brave and grand. He fell mortally wounded at the battle of Brownstown, and was carried from the field by Lieut. Thomas Foster, who has already been mentioned. The brilliant and successful bravery of the militia in the war of 1812, together with a lively recollection of imminent danger so happily averted, and a secret apprehension of further trouble, kindled and supported an intensely martial spirit throughout the Northwest. This spirit found relief and gloried in frequent musterings. Williamsburgh was the field for the musterings of all accessible points round about, even for years after the removal of the county-seat. For company drill, Front Street and the adjacent river-bank was considered the proper place, but when everybody came from far and near, the parade was made in the open field between the public square and Yellow Hill. With confidence inspired by the prodigious progress of the great Northwest the reason r these things passed away. The prevailing politics of the community did not accord with the promoters of the Mexican war, and as a consequence there were but few volunteers r that service. We can only write in this connection the names of Thomas 0. West, Robert Stills, John Grant, and Charles Peterson, the latter being accidentally killed while in Mexico. The scenes in Williamsburgh during the great civil war were such as history will record of the whole wide Northland: " There were hurryings to and fro, there were gath- 308 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. ering tears; there was trembling distress and checks all pale and choking sighs ; there was mounting in hot haste, and mustering squadrons swiftly joined in ranks of war ; and there was grief for the unreturning brave, for there was none but had some friend or brother there." Few soldiers saw harder service than Capt. Edward Sinks' company, in the 59th Ohio. Capt. Feeney's company had the honor to belong to that regiment, the 27th Ohio, which broke the victorious rebel charges and saved the Union army that important field, the second battle of Corinth. Capt. Townsley's company, in the 89th Ohio, suffered severely by capture and starvation. J. Q. Park went out a beardless drummer-boy, and returned a brevetted captain in Sheridan's cavalry, the reward r gallantry on more than half a hundred fields. No drafted soldiers went from Williamsburgh. On the afternoon of the 13th of July, 1863, and during the following night, the rebel cavalry, 2000 strong, under command of Gen. John Morgan, fled through our streets, bivouacking in the village and adjacent fields, and for a time our village stars and stripes were trailed in the dust. Food was imperatively demanded ; their jaded horses were exchanged r every fresh one to be found. Stores were pillaged and a fine bridge burned, but further than this let it be said, to the honor of the American name, that no barbarism disgraced their presence. On the following day the Union forces, 9000 strong, swept after them to victory and capture. Our town has seen no prouder hour than when its flag was again unfurled. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. JOHN WILLIAMS. Among the Puritans who came to New England in the seventeenth century was Matthew Williams, a native of Wales. He transmitted in an unusual measure his rugged strength, hardy nature, and independent spirit to a numerous and worthy posterity, He lived to be one hundred and three years old, and founded an American family that from first to last, in all its branches, so far as can be known, have been Baptists, or inclined to that faith, haters of ceremonies, and uncompromising advocates of freedom and the great doctrines of perfect religious liberty and the equal rights of all men. His son Thomas lacked but one year of reaching the same age as his father. The next in line was Timothy, who also lived nearly a century, He and his wife, Hester, reared nine children, the eldest of whom was Jonas, born 26th of December, 1751. He married Eleanor Ward, of the noted Ward family, and reared six sons. They moved to the frontier of that day on the Susquehanna. Here, in old Northumberland County, on the 23d of May, 1776, their oldest son, Zebina, was born, and on the 19th of June, 1778, Robert was born. Just at this time the fearful events burst upon that happy valley that terminated in the massacre of Wyoming. When Robert was but three days old a horseman sped by bere the earliest dawn crying, " Fly ! Fly ! The Indians are coming !" The father was strong and active, but badly crippled in his feet, which made him despair of reaching the fort, and caused him to seek safety in what proved to be the best way. Sweeping the food in the cupboard into a sack and wrapping it in the bedding, where the mother was clasping the babe, he carried her and the boy Zebina to his canoe, and pushed out into the river. While yet in sight the flames rose from his home. Thus, hiding in the bushy banks by day and fleeing by night, they escaped. On the retreat of the savage foe he returned to find his stock driven away or killed, his house and mill laid waste, and himself penniless. Other members of the family were soldiers in the Revolution, sharing perils no greater, but which scattered them beyond knowledge. He drifted with the tide of civilization and finally settled in Fayetle Co., Ind., where he gave his name to the principal branch of the Whitewater, and died in his ninety-fifth year. Of his sons, James and Isaac died in early manhood, the latter leaving one daughter. The others were each the head of large and much-respected families, and r a time lived in this county. Robert settled in Louisa Co,, Iowa, and died there in 1851. Jonas Williams, Jr., settled in Wayne Co., Ind,, and died in his ninety-third year. Charles Williams settled in Fayette Co., Ind, Charles was in Gen. Van Rensselaer's unfortunate attack on Queenstown, in 1812. Being in that part of the command that was massacred after the surrender, he was of those who attempted to swim the Niagara River, and was one of the three who accomplished that surprising feat. Zebina Williams married Mary Cooley, a daughter of Col. John Cooley, an officer of the Revolutionary army, who was a descendant of one of three brothers who came over from Scotland in the armies during the French wars and afterwards settled in Connecticut. She was born in Lower Salem, N. Y., 29th of September, 1781, Their eldest child was born in Genoa, Cayuga Co., N. Y., on the 24th of August, 1800, and named for his grandfather, John Cooley Williams, although he himself invariably used but the first name. In the spring of 1810, Zebina Williams and John Perin, with their families, floated down the Alleghany and Ohio Rivers on a raft made by their own hands. On arriving at Columbia, Zebina found himself on the wharf with his wife and five children, his chest of carpenter's tools, strong arms, a clean conscience, a brave purpose, and twelve and a half cents in money. He soon found employment in superintending the erection of mills and barns, in which he was considered quite skillful. As this called him from home, the elder son took his place in the management of home affairs. This early training developed a character for promptness in performance of duty that is as rare as it was admirable. In 1814 the family moved into Clermont County, and settled on the East Fork, a short distance below the mouth of Stonelick. Here the boys toiled in clearing up the farm." In 1815, Zebina Williams and Samuel Perin built a dam and mill at Perintown in partnership, which was terminated by Perin purchasing the entire interest. In September and October, 1827, Zebina framed and built the cupola of the present court-house, for which he received LEAVITT THAXTER PEASE Photo. by Reynolds Br Kline, Batavia, Ohio. LEAVITT THAXTER PEASE was born April 20, 1809, in Edgartown, Island of Martha's Vineyard, Mass. He was the youngest son of Capt. Martin and Deborah Butler Pease, both natives of Massachusetts, and of Scotch and Welsh descent. Capt. Pease, father of the subject of this sketch, went on board of an American privateer in 1776, when eleven years of age; was captured by the British, and taken to New York; afterwards commanded a whaling and merchant ship for many years; was in France seven months during the Revolution of 1793; witnessed the execution of Louis the Sixteenth, and brought some of the nobility in disguise to the United States. He also represented Duke's County in the Massachusetts Legislature;; moved to Ohio in 1814, and settled in Amelia, Clermont Co. Dr. Pease read medicine with Dr. William Thompson, of Bethel, and began practice with him during the cholera epidemic of 1832. On the 8th day of May, 1834, he was united in marriage to Nancy Ann Fee, who survives him, youngest (laughter of Thomas Fee, one of the early settlers of Washington township. In February, 1835, he removed to Williamsburgh, continuing an extensive and laborious practice to the time of his death, a period of over forty years. Four children were the result of his marriage, two of whom died in childhood; of the remaining ones, M. G. Pease was married, in 1858, to Fanny Louisa Keeler, of Delaware Co.,, Ohio, and has two children,—Charles Leavitt and Georgiana. The daughter, Meredith Ardelia, was married, in 1865, to Charles H. Thomas, of Warren Co., Ohio by whom he had children as follows : Anna Louise, Laura M., Nellie, Clara, Ida May, and Georgia Fee. Dr. Pease was a graduate of the Ohio Medical College; his attainments in his profession were varied and extensive. A man of broad views and keen discernment, he took extended outlooks; was always emphatic in his opinions, and bold in their advocacy. He was for several -years president of the County Medical Society, and for a series of years was its delegate in the Ohio State Medical Society; was also its delegate to the American Medical Association. As a successful practitioner, he enjoyed throughout the county the reputation of standing among the first of the profession, of which he was an ornament. He was a firm believer in Christianity ; united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1844, and remained a consistent member to the time of his death. In politics he was an anti-slavery Whig, an early advocate of human freedom and the rights of man, and lived to see slavery abolished and the Union restored. Always of a feeble and delicate constitution, the labor performed and hardships endured seriously affected his health, and during the latter years of his life he suffered much physical pain. He died May 24, 1874, of heart disease, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. WILLIAMSBURGH TOWNSHIP - 309 twenty-seven dollars. About this time the family moved to the northern part of Stonelick township, on a farm that is now owned by his son Charles. He died in 1845, of an acute fever, and his wife in 1852, He is remembered as a very excellent man, of fine appearance, good judgment, and pure thoughts. His election as justice of the peace for twelve years, and county commissioner, when his political opinions were opposed by large and bitter majorities, shows the high esteem with which he was regarded by his neighbors. Before he had reached his twentieth birthday John Williams was employed by Isaiah Vail to take charge of the crew of a flat-boat and valuable cargo of produce and " trade down the river." The expedition was unrtunate because of a sickly season. He returned with the proceeds, but was an invalid r more than a year. One of his companions, Meek Houston, never recovered. Houston was a young man of fine ability, and scholarly in his tastes. Some unpublished stanzas, given to his younger friend and still in existence, show him to be worthy of remembrance. He appears to have had much influence over his young captain, and to have encouraged in him a taste for higher literature that never after failed. In his twenty-second and again in his twenty-third year he was employed by Samuel Perin as supercargo for large amounts of produce sent down the Mississippi in flat-boats. In 1824, in company with his brothers Ambrose and Ezra, he went on a venture of their own. After this he again took charge of Perin's flat-boats on the Ohio and Mississippi, and actively participated in the laborious and hazardons river hfe of those days. In these voyages he handled sums of money that r the times appeared prodigious with a prudence and fidelity that were never reproached. The only money considered safe in that trade was specie, which was secured in a trunk that was sedulously watched, and upon which he slept. In the midst of these busy scenes, by his own diligence, he attained a fair English education, became a good penman, a very correct speller, an exact accountant, and cultivated a course of historical and general reading. The only issue of his first marriage was Mrs. Sahna Ferris, now living at Linwood, Ohio. In 1830 he was elected a justice of the peace for Stonehck township, and so continued for three years. On the 14th of November, 1830, he was united in marriage to Rachel, the eldest of the ten children of John Glancy. She was born on the 6th of January, 1813. Her mother's name was Elizabeth, the youngest of the ten children of Thomas Shields and Elizabeth Clark, and was born in Maryland on the 12th of November, 1794. During the following spring this family came to Ohio, and later to Clermont County, of which they were among the earliest settlers. John Glancy's father, Jesse, was born in 1756, and his father came from Ireland. Jesse Glancy was a soldier of the Revolution, after which he married Rachel Copeland, a Quakeress, who belonged to an English family that suffered confiscation of considerable wealth for adherence to King George. They had five children,—William, born in 1784; John, in 1786; Elizabeth, who married Judge John Pollock ; and Mary and Joseph, who died unmarried. In 1804, Jesse Glancy with his family emigrated from York Co., Pa., in good style in two large wagons, and arrived in Williamsburgh in December of the same year. He at once bought eleven hundred acres of land of Gen. Lytle in what is now Stonelick township, and which his posterity still own. He was a large, robust man, unusually active and strong, which served him in good stead in a desperate fight with a bear, which he killed with the aid of his dog and knife only, as is narrated in the history of Stonelick township. He died in 1831. His son John, after living on the home-farm seventy years, died on the 29th of December, 1874. The other son, William, lived till the 7th of May, 1878. The personal appearance of John Williams was prepossessing. In his youth his hair was black, his eyes a hght-blue or gray, and beaming with benevolence and intelligence. He was quite six feet in height, and weighed about two hundred. In those times the military spirit ran high, and a man with such a physique, with a spirit adorned with chivalric courtesy, would of necessity attract the attention and regard of his comrades. While but a boy he was chosen captain of a company, and by regular promotion obtained the title of colonel in the cavalry regiment of the district of which this county was a part. In the athletic sports that characterized the musterings of that regiment he had no rival. One feat was to stand erect under a cord that was held steady by two assistants, so that it just touched the top of his head, and then, stepping backward one full pace, to jump over the cord without touching, and with no help but his agility. Yet with such strength and activity, to his honor be it said, he never used these fine powers in a single instance to mar or injure his fellows. On the 25th of September, 1832, his daughter Louisa was born. She was educated at College Hill, Ohio. and in 1865 was married to the Hon. L. W. Bishop, of Batavia, Ohio, concerning whom more appears elsewhere. In his thirty-third year he resigned his commission in the militia, and gave his attention for the rest of his life to a business that was alike useful and profitable,—improving and dealing in real estate. He was employed in teaching several years, and was almost continuously a director of local schools, but he ever after refused to contest r political positions. The 4th of November, 1836, was the birthday of his son Leander, who died on the 29th of March, 1842. In 1837 he joined the Milford Lodge of the Masonic fraternity. At Goshen and Williamsburgh he was—by election, frequently unanimous—" oft honored wi' supreme command." He presided' over the order with a grace, dignity, and accuracy seldom equaled or excelled. It is the testimony of his brethren that he never inculcated a maxim or gave a precept that he did not himself honestly try to observe and practice. In 1840 he became a member of the Baptist Church, in which he continued till his death. In his faith there was nothing narrow. His whole life was moral and upright. Even when on the river his conversation was never dis- graced by profanity. - Near East Liberty, on the 22d of April, 1843, his son 310 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. Byron was born, who received a collegiate education at the Ohio Wesleyan University, since which he has been a diligent student of classical reading, besides being engaged in manufacturing interests in Williamsburgh. Byron took an active part in forwarding the Cincinnati and Eastern Railroad enterprise. He was one of the incorporators of that company, and was the author of many arguments in its favor that found ready publication, and was a hberal subscriber to its stock. He has been employed five years as principal of the Wilhamsburgh schools, and is at present Master of Clermont Social Lodge, No. 29, F. and A. M. He has been an active member of the board of education of Williamsburgh, and of the board of councilmen. He has inherited a fair share of his father's public spirit, and possesses abilities fitting him r a high position in life. In 1866 he married Kate Park, second daughter of John Park and Elizabeth Wright, whose ancestors on both sides came from Virginia. She was born on the 15th of September, 1846. Their daughter Ella was born on the 21st of December, 1867, and their son Dion was born on the 15th of December, 1869. In 1846, John Williams moved to Goshen, Ohio, and in 1847 he erected the fine brick firm-house, one mile northeast of that town on the pike, at the junction of the Blanchester road. Here his daughter Luella was born, Oct. 18, 1851, and died Feb. 17, 1853,and here he became identified with the affairs of that locality, and lived as became a man of his means until 1859, when he removed to Williamsburgh township. In 1862-63 he completed the substantial residence on the northwest corner of Front and Gay Streets, in Williamsburgh, where he ended his days, and where his widow and son's family now reside. During the civil war he was generally called upon to preside over the meetings of the citizens. He was chairman of the township relief committee, to which he contributed most liberally. He also presided over the deliberations for clearing the township of the draft, towarde which he gave more than any other in the township. He was charitable in feeling and act, but he did not sound it abroad. The predominant trait of his character was benevolence. A close observer, who knew him well, says, " I always considered him the best liver I ever knew. By that I mean that he enjoyed life and the good things that belong to it, such as home and friendships, and plenty to make both agreeable, without envy or bitterness towards any one, but with a satisfaction that was glad a' d pleasing." He possessed a good memory and a fund of anecdotes that made him an entertaining companion. While quick in repartee, he was always careful to avoid painful reflections. He was scrupulously exact in all his dealings with his fellows. As a creditor he was always lenient, though asking no favors for himself. One thing he always spoke of with gratitude,—that be was never asked for a dollar he owed that he was not able at once to pay. Thus with honor, love, and friends he was cheerfully passing into a beautifnl old age, with form erect and step still elastic, when the end came. His daughter Louisa and family, with the home inmates, had spent several delightful hours with him on the afternoon of March 21, 1876. In a few minutes after her departure, while seated in his easy- chair, just as the sun set, an attack of neuralgia of the heart rever stilled its throbbings. He was buried with the gone-before of his family in the Stonelick township cemetery, where a monument like his character—firm and enduring—bears this epitaph : "Esteemed for integrity, beloved for generous friendship, and endeared to all by his constant charity, he lived long as a useful citizen, a loving husband, a tender father, and at last met sudden death with Christian faith." ABBIE C. McKEEVER. Of the many stars that Clermont County has added to the political, theological, educational, and poetical firmaments of the country none have shown with greater brilliancy in the latter than Abbie C. McKeever, the acknowledged successor of Phoebe Carey. She was born near Withamsville, Clermont Co., Ohio, Dec. 12, 1852, and is the elder of a family of two children,—one daughter and a son. Her ancestors on the paternal side were Scotch-Irish, who settled in Virginia in the early part of the eighteenth century, and have been noted ever since r their integrity, indnstry, and hospitality. In 1833, Paul McKeever, her grandfather, settled near Withamsville, No family in the county has risen higher in the agricultural scale than his. To this their broad acres, the manner in which they are tilled, the fine stock found grazing in their pastures, and the neat and tasteful buildings are hving witnesses, On the maternal side they are the historical Temple family, a portion of which came from England in 1634, and settled near Bath, in Maine, of which she is a direct descendant. Probably no family in the United States, certainly none in England, has produced so many prominent men and women. The proposition that the mother moulds the mind of the child is certainly exemplified in her. She is the daughter of John D. McKeever and Clarinda (Temple) McKeever, and granddaughter, on the maternal side, of Nathaniel and Mary (Bradbury) Temple. In early youth she gave evidence of poetical ability, writing at the age of thirteen " Little Willie," a poem of merit, which was published in the county papers at thnt time. From 1865 till 1876 she contributed many poems to the county papers, which were well received by the public. In 1876 she attended the National Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio, where she established an enviable reputation as a writer of prose and poetry. In 1877, " Hidden Wings," an epic poem of great beauty and strength, appeared in one of the prominent magazines, and placed her among its leading poets. Soon after " An Old Maid," "Drift Away," and " Runaway Ted" were pubhshed in the leading magazines and papers of the country. She has also written a great many lyrical poems, which have been set to music and have appeared in many of the songbooks now published. She is author in manuscript of " Hidden Wings and Other Poems," which will be published during the coming year by a large house in the West. Her rich imagery, simplicity of style, chaste language, and knowledge of rural life has given her poems an attrac- WILLIAMSBURGH TOWNSHIP - 311 tiveness not excelled by those of Phoebe or Alice Carey. Not content with her achievements in poesy, she turned her attention to fiction in 1879. The following is a partial list of serials, which were published in the Modern Argo, National Monthly, Fireside Companion, Star Journal, Neu, York Weekly, and Ohio Home and Trade Journal, viz., Pennies and Dimes," "Cast Out," " Uncrowned King," and " The Teacher's Trial," together with a number of sketches, and are now among their published contributions. In this department of literature her knowledge of human nature, power of delineating character, facility of expression in good language, large sympathy, and ideality make her a success. In person she is of medium size, with fair complexion, brown .hair and eyes, which sparkle with native genius, and a semi-aquiline nose, with thin nostrils and lips, makes her personal appearance prepossessing. In addition to her preliminary education in the district school of her father's neighborhood and the Williamsburgh Academy, she attended the famous "Parker's Academy," at. Clermontville, the most thorough training institution in the West for mental discipline. Her brother William's genius inclines as much to music as hers does to poetry, and his musical powers are wonderful, For three years past she has been a regular contributor to the Fireside Companion, published in New York by George Munro, and for the Saturday Journal, of Beadle & Adams, of New York, as well as the Public School Journal and Saturday Herald of Indianapolis, and Lebanon Gazette. Many of her best writings have graced the columns of the Cincinnati press, and attracted most favorable attention and criticism. , Her sweet songs, written for Professor W. H. Burgett, the noted music composer, have greatly added to her celebrity as a poetess. One of the grandest of her lyrics, which has won her a golden reputation in the literary world, was " Drift Away," which we give: "Drift away, oh clouds of amber, Crimson-lined, in billowy mass; Drift away in silent footsteps; I shall watch you as you pass. 1 shall watch you—yes, and love you— For the beauty that you gave,— Beauty dying in the twilight, Like the lilies on his grave. " Drift away to unknown heavens, Crimson clouds along the west, But remember that yoa're bearing In your downy amber breast Hopes that whisper softly to him Of a love that never dies,— Love that tires of waiting lonely Ere the call to other skies. " Drift away, oh clouds of sunset, Purple with the later light ; See! the stars are all about you,— Diamond eyes of early night. Drift away; but while you're passing Bear this message up to him, That the earthly skies that fold me Soon shall part and let me in." Another beautiful gem of hers which added to the many laurels she gathered at the hands of our brightest critics, and gave her a distinguished name in America's galaxy of poetic writers, is " Only" : " Onty a golden token, Tied with ribbon blue; Only a promise broken, Darling, by you. "Only a life made dark All the weary way ; Only an aching heart Throbbing to-day. "Only a happy dream 1n the early light ; Only a bitter stream Flowing by night. " Only a touching prayer For the strength that lies Far from the world and care, Far beyond the skies." In her "Drift Away" a very delicate fancy is expressed, in which there breathes the subtle prescience of the wider life to which her womanhood would be given. Her poems are full of exquisite beauty, and indicate rich natural power, and stimulated as she is by careful culture, her rank will be high among our poets. No writer of little tender songs in Ohio has given us lines that in pathos are more delicate, imaginative, and responsive than Miss Abbie McKeever, of Clermont. Full of tender feeling, her writings are graceful and laden with perfume and melody. Her rhymed pictures are true to nature and the heart, are very fine and spiritual, indicative of the delicate power of the woman. Characterized by fine taste and high sentiment, she strikes chords of lyric power that beat in sweet unison with the longings of the heart, and absorb something of the sunshiny beauty of her own fair State, and give it out in song. Touched with the sacred fire, her verses breathe poetic sensibility, and her rhythmic outpourings have sunk deep into the hearts and affections of the people. Miss McKeever is a woman of genius, and we do not pay her a compliment, but do her justice. A striking instance of genius in the poet is the intense compression of his style ; and in her writings there is no laborious detail, nothing of the agony of inefficient art. She has ordained thought to be an expression, and this is the imperial altitude of genius. Hence her pictures are drawn with few strokes, and her book of poems and prose works, yet to be published, will be warmly received by the public, and add much to American literature. LEWIS McKEVER. The name of McKever for the past quarter of a century in Clermont County has been associated with farming, stock-raising, and stock- and grain-trading to a large extent, and the four brothers of this family were not only well and favorably known in this county, but also on 'Change and among the business men of Cincinnati and Southern Ohio generally. Owning broad acres of splendid lands, with handsome residences, and trading in real estate, horses, hogs, and grain, their dealings were very extensive, and characterized by that sense of honor and propriety for which they are noted, and which, with their ability and cool judgment, formed the basis of the success that has attended their career. About the year 1833, Paul McKever emigrated from Virginia, where he was born, with his wife, 312 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. whose maiden name was Nancy Duckwall, and located at Batavia, stopping with his wife's brother, Daniel Duckwall, who had settled there eighteen years bere, and who was the father of the four Duckwall brothers,-Moses H., Ezekiel D., George W., and John W., now living near the county-seat. To Paul and Nancy (Duck wall) McKever were born ten children, to wit, four sons—Lewis, John D., Isaac, Emanuel—and six daughters,--Virginia, married to James T. Nash ; Amanda, married to George Smith ; Martha, married to John McNutt ; Lucy, married to John Hutchins ; Cynthia, married to John C. Curry ; and Rachel, married to William Hall. Paul McKever was a man of strong common sense and good judgment, while his wife, with the noted characteristics of her (Duckwall) family, was a noble help-mate to him in the battle of life, and from such a worthy couple sprang children of iron wills and resolute purpose. Lewis McKever was born Oct. 4, 1820, in Virginia, and was married Nov. 28, 1853, near Parkersburg, Montgomery Co., Ind., by Rev. Cornelius Swank, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to Emily Nicholas, daughter of Charles and Ruth Nicholas. Mr. McKever died Sept. 2, 1877, in the fifty-seventh year of his age ; his widow, born July 16, 1840, still survives him and resides on the estate. The children born to Lewis and Emily (Nicholas) McKever are Charles P., born Sept. 4, 1855 ; James E., born Feb. 18, 1856 : William E., born Oct. 9, 1857 ; and Erastus C., born June 18, 1861. Of these, Charles P. McKever was married to Jannie Creager, Dec. 29, 1878, and James E. McKever was married Sept. 4, 1879, to Annie Stewart. His splendid farm, occupied now by his widow and children, lies on the waters of the East Fork of the Little Miami River, one and three-fourths miles from the old and enterprising town of Wilhamsburgh, and is situated in Jones' original survey, one thousand acres, entry No. 948. This beautiful farm comprises some two hundred and seventy-seven acres, and, like the adjoining lands of the brothers of the deceased, is among the best and choicest in the county, rich in fertility, and adapted to all productions. Mr. McKever in 1871 erected a spacious and commodious residence, and this mansion-house, with fine surroundings, attracts the eye of the passer-by, and denotes the taste of its rmer owner and of his excellent wife, who, as his life companion, presided over it with true dignity and courtesy. Mr, McKever was a dutiful son, a confiding brother, a loving husband, a kind father, and a business man, like his brothers, of unimpeachable integrity. A good citizen and a respected neighbor, he was alive to all public enterprises, and in him the poor and distressed found succor in their adversity. He and his three brothers lived in perfect harmony, and their extensive business relations were never marred by discord. Their unity of feeling and thought became a matter of public notoriety, and the word of either was held in as good repute as his written bond. There are but few families in the county in which such concord prevails as in that of Lewis McKever. His sons, Charles P., James E., William E., and Erastus C., with their famihes, all reside at the homestead and conduct the farm and the general business in the most filial manner and with great success. O. H. HARDEN. Orlando Hopkins Harden, of Williamsburgh township, was born March 24, 1832, and was the son of John and May (Dole) Harden. His parents had the following children : Elliott S. (deceased), Alice (married first to Van Rose Cox, and second time to John Dickinson, of Iowa), Algernon, Milton V., Orlando Hopkins, John M., George W., Joseph H., Mary E. (died aged eight years). About the beginning of the century John Harden, father of the subject of this sketch, came with his father, Peter Harden, from New Jersey and settled near Maywood Station, and were among the first settlers in that vicinity. John Harden died in 1840, and his wife, Mary (Dole) Harden, in March, 1857. She was the daughter of Joseph Dole, one of the first and most respected pioneers, also an emigrant from New Jersey. O. H. Harden was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools of this county, among the best in the State, He was married Nov. 8, 1857, by Rev. James Armstrong, to Miss Eliza Jane Duckwall, daughter of John Duckwall, and granddaughter of Rev. Lewis Duckwall, an early settler and emigrant from Virginia. The fruits of this union are the following children : Irene G., Myrtie K., Vellie A., Livingston, and Wray. About 1854, Mr. Harden received the first three degrees of Masonry in Clermont Social Lodge, F. and A. M., No. 29, of which he is still a member, and subsequently the capitular degrees of Mark, Past, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason in Batavia Chapter, No. 112, to which he yet belongs, In 1870 he was elected land-appraiser of Williamsburgh township; in 1877 he was chosen magistrate, and re-elected in spring of 1880, in which capacity he is still acting. He has also filled other township offrces, and has been some twelve years a member of the township school board. He was one of the incorporators of the Cincinnati and Eastern Railway, and has been one of its directors from its organization. In it he is a large stockholder, and was largely instrumental in soliciting stock and securing the road. Mr. Harden is one of the principal farmers in his township, and his residence is 'two miles south of Williamsburgh, on the East Fork of Little Miami River. TATE TATE is one of the border townships, Brown County being its eastern boundary ; on the south are Franklin and Washington townships ; on the west Monroe and Batavia ; and on the north is Williamsburgh. Tate was erected from the latter township in 1805, and embraces at present 28,961 acres of land,—an area larger than any other township in the county. The general surface is table-land, but slightly broken along the streams, except in the northwestern part of the township, where are some abrupt hills along the water-courses. The surface was originally heavily timbered with dense forests of white-oak, maple, beech, and poplar, the former being the most prevalent wood. Much of the forest growth has been removed, and more than two-thirds of the land has been brought under cultivation. The soil is variable and somewhat light in some localities, but is usually fertile enough to produce the staple crops, and appears to be well adapted for fruit and tobacco culture, to which considerable attention has been directed of late. Tate is well watered by numerous springs which form small streams, most of them tributary to the East Fork of the Little Miami, which washes part of the northern soil of the township. The principal streams are Clover and Poplar Creeks, and Town, Sugar-Tree, and Ulrey's Runs, all having a general northerly course. On some of them were rmerly good mill-sites, but as the country was cleared up the volume of water became too small to render them longer profitable; along them are also fertile little meadows; which rendered them attractive in the eyes of the early settlers, and here, in most cases, the TATE PIONEERS began to rear their humble dwellings and hew out small garden-patches. It is difficult to determine, from the meagre and contradictory accounts available, who was the first settler of Tate ; but it is probable that the beginning of the work of transforming the rest wilds into what should be its present fruitful condition was at and around Bethel, and we here give short sketches of the pioneers of that and other localities of the township. At Bethel Obed Denham purchased a tract of land, 1500 acres in extent, on which he settled on the year 1797. He was a native of Virginia, but came here directly from Kentucky. He was a man of strong convictions, and disliking slavery, came to the then newly-consecrated territory of freedom with his family and kin, and having considerable means, was one of the prominent figures of the early history of the county. His home was just beyond the northwest limits of Bethel, where he died in 1817 ; his wife, Mary, deceased the following year, at the age of sixty- six years. They had sons named Timothy, who died in the township ; Johns, who was a mill-owner ; James, who lived a mile northwest of the village, but moved to Illinois many years ago ; Obed E., who lived north of the village until his death, Of his daughters, Charity married Jeremiah Beck, and Sarah, Davis Crane. Rev. John Denham, a brother of Obed, lived on the same survey (No. 2373), in the eastern part. He was a Baptist preacher and a very old man when he came here, dying not many years after. His histoy, consequently, is poorly recollected. One of his sons was also called James, and from the fact of his being a very tall man was usually called " Long Jim." Rebecca, a daughter of Rev. John Denham, became the wife of Levi Beck. At one time the Denhams were very numerous in Tate, but by death and removal the number of the descendants has become very few, and the name now seldom occurs. Jeremiah Beck came from Kentucky about the same time as the Denhams, and lived east of Bethel. He was also an aged man at the time of his settlement, and was the father of John Beck, who was killed by the Indians in Kentucky ; of Jeremiah, Samuel, Levi, and Stephen Beck ; of Hannah Beck, the wife of Stephen Frazee ; Ruth, the wife of William Goble ; and Sarah, the wife of Kelley Burke. The oldest son, Jeremiah, was widely known as 'Squire Beek. He was married to Charity Denham, and lived on the present McMurchy farm, south of Bethel. He had sons,-John, who died on the homestead ; Calvin, who still resides in that neighborhood ; Hiram, who lived north of Bethel ; and Dr. Oliver, who died in Iowa. His daughters became the wives of Richard Pemberton and Headley. Samuel Beck, the second son, lived one mile west of Bethel, until his removal to Indiana. He was the father of Dr. Morris Beck, of Samuel, Joseph, Dianah, Ruth, and Emily Beck. Levi, the third son, was a weaver by trade, but afterwards engaged in carpentry. He was the husband of Rebecca Denham, and lived at Bethel until 1808, when he settled on the New Richmond road, two miles from the village. Of his sons, John D. has deceased; and William S. and Jeremiah M. yet live south of Bethel. Stephen, the fourth son, married Hannah West, and many years ago removed to Iowa. His place of settlement was west of Bethel. The Crane brothers—Davis, Luther, and Sears—and their sister Sarah came from New Jersey before 1800, and settled on the present Grange farm. Davis served in the war of 1812, and after his return married Sarah Denham. He sold the old farm to Rev. Timothy Edwards, and cleared out another just west of Bethel, where he died in 1872, at the age of eighty-four years, and his son, George W., now occupies the homestead. Other sons were Barton and Lafayette, deceased or removed. Scars Crane, after living in the township a number of years, moved to - 313 - 314 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. Illinois; and Luther Crane lived on Poplar Creek until his death, when his family moved to the same State, Sarah Crane became the wife of James Denham. Abner Crane, a half-brother of the above, came to Tate at a later day, and settled on Poplar Creek, where he died. He had sons named Benjamin, Oliver, and John, the latter yet residing in the township ; a daughter married Samuel Sims, but both have deceased. Kelley Burke was married to Sarah Beck, Aug. 22, 1794, in Mason Co., Ky., and three years later immigrated to Bethel, settling near the old cemetery, in what was at that time a fine sugar-bush. He was in his day a prominent business man, and died Oct. 16, 1830. Mrs. Burke survived until Nov. 25, 1869, when she departed this life, in her ninety-fourth year, seventy-three of which she was a devoted member of the Baptist Church, and was one of the original members at Bethel, where her husband was one of the first deacons. Of their twelve children, eleven grew to mature years, namely : John, married Katie Bennett in 1815, and lived two miles north of the village ; James M., married Catherine Edwards, and died Oct. 21, 1834; Kelley D., married Emily Hill, and died Nov. 19, 1848 ; Elam, died 1839 ; Hubert D,, moved to Brown County, where he died ; Dr. Hillas Burke, died May 24, 1848 ; Margaret became the wile of Judge David Hillas, of Indiana ; Abi, of John Hillas, of California ; Hannah, the second wife of Randolph Sinks, and yet lives at Bethel ; and Sarah, of J. C. Harmon, of Georgetown. Capt. Orville Burke is a grandson of Kelley Burke, and is at present an attorney at Bethel. For meritorious service as a volunteer in the Rebellion he was promoted to a captaincy, and at the close of the war became a captain in the regular army, first of infantry and later of cavalry, his last commission being issued by President Grant. Under the order reducing the army, in 1871, he received an honorable muster-out. Houton Clarke, a native of Yorkshire, England, but subsequently a resident of Kentucky, came to Tate bere 1800, and two years later opened the first licensed tavern in Bethel, For many years he was a justice of the peace, and in his time a prominent man. He died in 1834, Of his family of seven children, Reader Wright* was the most prominent, Smith G. died at Bethel, and Joseph M. resides at Jefferson, Mo. The daughters married: Frances, Dr. S. Y Thornton ; Eleanor H., Randolph Sinks ; Sarah A,, Charles H. Hunt ; and Minerva, Dr. D. M. Frazer, all well-known men in the county. Moses Warden, a saddler by trade and a Methodist local preacher, was one of the earliest itizens of Bethel, near which place he died in 1859. He had sons named Anderson, Salathiel, Frank, and William ; also several daughters. He was the son-in-law of Samuel Nelson, one of the earliest settlers in the northern part of Tate, on the farm now owned by Wm. Iden. Nelson also occasionally preached, but never took a circuit. He removed to Illinois about 1830. No family in Tate was better or more favorably known than the Morris brothers. Their father was the Rev, Isaac Morris, a Baptist minister, who was one of the early settlers at Columbia, Ohio. He had nine sons and three • See sketch elsewhere. daughters : namely, John, Thomas, Benjamin, David, Daniel, Isaac, James, Joseph, Houton, Mary, Hannah, and Hester. The three first named became citizens of Tate, and David a physician of note in Warren County. John Morris was born at Reading, Pa., April 14, 1767. In 1800 he came from Columbia to a farm two miles south of Bethel, on which he lived until his death, Oct. 5, 1855. In 1807 he was appointed associate judge, and was generally called Judge Morris. He had three sons and three daughters, who married : Ann, Robert Tweed ; Mary, Edward Frazier ; and Eunice, Dr. Enoch Ellsberry. Of his sons, David was the editor of the second paper published in the county, and his life was spent chiefly in Williams- burgh and Batavia as an editor or an attorney. The second son, John K., was born at Columbia, Ohio, Dec. 4, 1792, and his boyhood days were chiefly spent on his father's farm in Tate. After 'he had attained manhood he became a merchant, and in 1825 was sent to the Legislature. In 1828 he united with the Bethel Baptist Church, and r more than forty years was a minister in that denomination. He died Aug. 27, 1871, greatly esteemed. The third son of Judge Morris, Thomas, died Sept. 21, 1822, aged twenty-three years. Benjamin Morris did not take up his residence in Tate so early, coming in 1804. He was an attorney by profession, but was never very active in practice. He died Sept. 22, 1861, aged seventy-five years and eleven months. Thomas Morris, the most illustrious of the three brothers, became a resident of Tate the same year (1804), moving here from Williamsburgh, to which place he went from Columbia in 1800. There he was married in 1796 to Rachel Davis, being at that time in the twenty-first year of his age. His life and services are detailed elsewhere in this book. Senator Morris died on his farm near Bantam, Dec. 7, 1844, and Rachel, his wife, Jan. 16, 1852. They both quietly repose in the old cemetery at Bethel. They had five sons and six daughters, as follows : Jonathan D., born at Columbia in 1798, and died at Connersville, Ind., in 1875, who was a member of Congress from 1847 to 1851 ; Thomas J , a long-time postmaster and justice of the peace at Bethel ; Rev. Benjamin F., a distinguished Presbyterian clergyman ; Isaac, lawyer and ex-Congressman, at Quincy, Ill. ; Lucien B., died in 1862, aged twenty-three years ; Lydia, married to Daniel Hankins, merchant at Williamsburgh, and died in 1823; Julia, married to the venerable John G. Rogers, of New Richmond, and died in 1828 ; Amanda, married to Charles White, and died at Georgetown, in 1834; Sidney, married to Dr. W. B. Chipley, of Missouri ; Rachel, married to Lawyer J. T. Crapsey, of Cincinnati ; and Viola, married to C. A. Warren, of Quincy, Ill., and died in 1842. But few of the immediate descendants of Thomas Morris now reside in Tate. Benjamin Frazee came from Kentucky about 1800, and settled first in the village, but afterwards moved to the Little Indian Creek settlement, where he died at an advanced age. He had sons named Stephen, Jacob, John, and Abel, and two daughters. One was the Widow Musgrove, who came to the county with her father, bringing two sons, James R. (at that time two years of age, and who has since resided in the township, being now one of the oldest citizens) and TATE TOWNSHIP - 315 Joshua, who removed to Illinois. The other daughter of Frazee married William South. Aaron Osborne moved to Tate from Pennsylvania in 1799, settling just inside the village of Bethel. He moved to Indiana, where he died in 1874, at the age of ninety-six years. In the war of 1812 he served in Capt. Brady's company. Of his three sons and five daughters, Nathan died in Indiana; David still resides at Bethel, where he was born in 1807, and where, since 1827, he has followed the undertakerls trade, interring in that period more than 4000 persons ; Frazee was killed by lightning in Illinois in 1852. The daughters married William Wind, John Hillis, William Tompkins, George W. Elrod, and T, L. Tinsley. Barzilla Osborne, a brother of Aaron, was a laborer in the village. In his family occurred the first birth in Bethel, —Mary,--who received from Obed Denham a gift of a town lot, which is now owned by J. A. Perrine. Osborne moved to the West at an early day, In the family of the Rev. Moses Hutchins, who was among the early pioneers of Tate as the Baptist minister, occurred the birth of the first male child in Bethel. He received the name of James, and his village lot is at present the property of Chris. Zngg. Michael Ellsbery, a native of North Carolina, came to Tate in 1805, settling two miles southwest of Bethel, to which place he moved in 1815, and where he died about twenty years ago. He reared a family of eight children,—five sons and three daughters, as follows : John, yet living in the village ; Dr. William, for more than rty years a physician at Bethel ; Dr. Andrew M., yet living at Georgetown ; and Franklin, died at Xenia. One of the daughters, Sarah, became the wife of William Fee, of Monroe township. Dr, Enoch Ellsberry, a brother of Michael, came to Tate the same time, but moved to Brown County, where he died. They had two sisters, one of whom, Nancy, married George West, of Williamsburgh, and Polly, William Young, of Kentucky. The same year Jacob Boul ware, a native of Pennsylvania, settled near Bethel, where he died in 1833. His sons, named John, James, Jacob, William, Benjamin, Abram, Joseph, Hiram, Andrew, and Firman, lived in Tate and Williamsburgh, but at present none survive. although many descendants remain. John Boulware met his death accidentally by the falling of a tree, and was interred in a grave which he himself had dug a few days before for a person in the eastern part of the township, whose friends decided not to bury at Bethel, thus leaving the grave unoccupied. In 1800, James South, from New Jersey, settled on the Felicity road, a mile south of Bethel, where he died some time about 1840. He had sons, --William, who died on the homestead ; Benjamin, who was a tanner, and returned to New Jersey ; Isaac, who was a hatter at Bethel until his death ; David removed to the West ; John was killed by a falling tree ; Elijah, a brickmaker, removed to the West; James, the youngest son, died in Franklin township ; Keziah married Hutchings Allen ; Hannah, Nelson R. Bell; Charlotte, John Quinlan ; and Polly, Jesse Frazier. On the farm now occupied by his grandson, Henry, Henry Willis settled before 1800, coming from Kentucky. He was a handy worker in wood, and made many of the wooden mould-boards used by the early settlers. His son Jacob was a tanner and shoemaker at Bethel ; Thomas died on the homestead ; John was a carpenter, and died at Williamsburgh ; Dean removed to Indiana ; and his daughters married George West, John Davis, Thomas Bredwell, Mathew Laughlin, and Lemanda Parks. Henry Willis died about 1830. About the same year Levi Hunt settled in this neighborhood, his youngest son, Charles, was born in 1800, in a deserted Indian camp, which the family occupied until better accommodations could be provided, This son removed to Illinois. Thomas, another son, was a gunsmith of good reputation two and a half miles from Bethel ; George was a farmer in the same locality ; and the daughters married Moses Bradbuy and Wm. Crouch. The latter was of Holland descent, but lived in Virginia until 1795, when he went to Cincinnati. A few years later he moved to Miami, and about 1800 to Tate, settling on Poplar Creek. Here be died in 1849, at the age of seventy-two years. William Crouch had five sons and four daugh. tern, namely : Wilson B. and Thomas D., who died at Georgetown, and Charles, yet living at that place ; George M., who married a daughter of Samuel Raper, and yet lives in the southern part of Tate ; Orlando II. died in 1851. The daughters were married,—Martha to Isaac Vanosdol, of Tate ; Rachel to David Hannah, of New Richmond ; Lydia to Isaac Frazier, of Tate ; and Olive to Rev. Wright Riley, who moved to Illinois. One mile north from Bethel John and William Brown settled about the beginning of the present century. Wm. was a single man, and a millwright by trade ; John, although married, never had a family. Both were very worthy citizens, and their place was one of the familiar landmarks in pioneer times. In the same neighborhood the Reed family were among the first settlers. Yelventon Bredwell, a native of Virginia, moved to Tate from Kentucky in 1806, settling on the old Augusta road, more than a mile from Bethel, where he died in 1814. Of a large family, a son, John, removed to Illinois ; William, a shoemaker by trade, yet lives near Bethel, in his eighty-first year ; Thomas, living on the homestead ; Collins removed to Illinois ; and Hawkins died in the township. The daughters married,—Elizabeth, Thomas Hunt; Sarah, Robert Vanosdol (yet living, eighty-eight years old) ; Polly, Jacob Willis ; Levica, Brazier Higbee ; and Fanny, John Bricker. Oakey Vanosdol, who served in the Revolutionary war and was r several years on the pension-list in Tate, came from New Jersey in 1804 and settled on Poplar Creek. His sons were Oakey and Robert (who served in the war of 1812), James, Isaac, and Wright, and their descendants are quite numerous in Tate and Williamsburgh. In the same neighborhood, the same year, settled Levi Tingley, also a Revolutionary soldier. In 1806 he commenced a small tanning business, and carried it on until his death, in 1832. His sons were Jacob and Benjamin. The former died at sea. The latter served in the war of 1812, 316 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. and for many years lived near Bantam, where he carried on a tannery. In 1836 he moved to Indiana. John Riley, a Baptist preacher, moved to Tate from Kentucky in 1806, and after a number of years moved to Illinois, where he died. Zachariah Riley, a wheelwright at Bethel, came the same time. He died in March, 1877, aged eighty-one years. William and Garrard Riley came to Tate at a later date, and moved to Indiana many years ago. The sisters of the above married,-Elizabeth, Abraham Connery, and Mary, Oakey Vanosdol, both early settlers. Another early settler from New Jersey was George Swing. He secured a fine tract of land on the Ohio turnpike, west of Bethel, and lived on the farm now owned by M. J. Swing until his death, when he was interred in the Swing cemetey, on part of the homestead. He had sons named Samuel, who lived in Tate until his death, when his family removed to the West ; Lawrence, who married the daughter of David Light, and died in Tate on the farm yet owned by the family (he was the father of Judge George L. Swing, of Batavia) ; Michael, who married a daughter of Philip Gatch and moved to Miami township, where he became the father of Judge Philip B. Swing ; Wesley, who married Nancy Crane, and living on the homestead until his death, reared five children, among them George W. and M. J., of Bethel. George Swing had one daughter, Mary, who married Zachariah Riley, but both have deceased. Thomas West, from Virginia, came to Tate soon after 1801, and bought a large tract southwest of Bethel, which he divided among his children, and died there an old man. Of his sons, George died in Williamsburgh, John in Tate; Hugh lived near Bantam, William on the homestead, and James died in Pierce township. He was in the war of 1812, and was included among the men surrendered by Gen. Hull, but effected his escape and reached the American lines after much hardship. The daughters of Thomas West married Samuel Bennett and Stephen Burke. In this part of the township Richard Pemberton was a pioneer and reared sons Lewis, George, and William, and five daughters, all yet living. In the southern part of Tate, Robert Carr, a Virginian, settled in 1808, and died there in. 1836, at the age of sixty- six years. He had sons named Thomas, John, Hiram, and Alexander,. and daughters who married Michael Gray, of Franklin ; Jared Brush, of the same township ; Wm. South, of Tate ; T. W. Page, and A. N. Page. Thomas Davis came from North Carolina to this part of Tate in 1800, or soon after, and a.ter his death his family removed to the West. Joshua Davis came several years later, and lived on the present Wm, lIaise farm until his removal to Indiana. John Hill, a native of Ireland, immigrated to Kentucky at an early day, but some time about 1800 removed to that part of Brown County which is called the New Hope neighborhood. One of his sons, James, has lived in Tate since 1823, and is now in his eighty-fourth year ; and one of the daughters, Sarah, became the wife of Dr. Wm. Thompson, of Bethel. On the 23d of June, 1771, John Boggess was born in Burton Co., Va. In 1802 he removed to Tate, settling in what is known as the Pin-Hook neighborhood, where he died in 1840. He was a surveyor, and held many public trusts. Of his family, Samuel died in 1832 and John in 1869 ; Jane married George Hunt, of Tate ; Elizabeth, Wm. Frazier, of the same section ; and Ann, David Altman, of Tate, and is the only surviving member of the family, but many descendants remain. Wilhelm Altman, of Westmoreland Co., Pa., came to Tate in 1815, and died near Mount Olive in 1850. Mrs. Altman (Barbara Ann Swope) died about five years later. Of their children, George P. removed to Indiana ; Daniel yet resides in Tate, near Wigginsville ; Michael died in Washington township ; John at Felicity ; Joseph at Nicholsville ; Dr. Nicholas S. near Mount Olive ; William removed to Indiana. The daughters married,-Christiana, John Gray ; Eva, Dr. Alvin Corley; Polly, Lewis Morgan ; Sarah, John Gibbs ; and Barbara Ann, Ira Dillman. Near the Altman place, on the farm now owned by his son Stephen, Jared Parrish settled about 1800, and also had a family of thirteen members, sons named (besides Stephen) Benjamin, Jared, Samuel, William, and John, the latter four dying in Tate. The daughters were named Kittie, Nancy, Miranda, Matilda, Susanna, Polly, and Rachel. The Wharton filthily, in the adjoining township of Washington, also had thirteen members, making this in some respects a peculiar neighborhood. Wm. Frazier removed from Kentucky to Tate soon after 1800, and settled near John Boggess, in the Wigginsville neighborhood, where some of the descendants yet live. He had sons named Edward, who was a saddler at Bethel, but after being elected sheriff moved to Batavia ; John was a trader on the river, but died on the homestead, where, also, Wiliiam and Jesse deceased ; James was a trader on the Ohio, but finally lived at Williamsburgh ; Isaac and Thompson removed to the West. Polly became the wife of James Hill, of Wigginsville ; Nellie of Merrick McLain ; Sarah of Garrard Riley ; and Ann of John Kennedy. In 1788, James Callon left his native State, Pennsylvania, to become a citizen of Kentucky. In 1808 he came to Franklin township, and two years later to his final settlement in the southern part of Tate, where he departed this life in 1857, at the age of eighty-nine years. He was with Mad Anthony in his campaign, serving as a spy, and was one of the hundred men sent out to divert the attention of the Indians, who followed this small detachment five miles, killing but eight men. Callon was an associate of Kenton, and often accompanied him in his forays against the Indians, always being brave and intrepid. Of his family of five sons and five daughters, William and Robert removed to Indiana ; James and John died in Tate ; and Samuel, the youngest, yet lives in the township ; Rachel married Robert Carr ; Keziah, Christ. Zimmerman ; and Jemima, Morgan Ford. Robert Wells came from Kentucky in 1807, and settled in the southern part of Tate, dying on the farm now owned by William Wells more than rty years ago, at the age of eighty-four years. He had served in the war for American independence. He reared a large family, all the members TATE TOWNSHIP - 317 having deceased. The sons were Aaron, Solomon, Isaac, Nathan, and Jesse, who removed to Indiana; John died in Williamsburgh, and Robert and Eli on the homestead. One of the daughters, Anna, became the wife of James Callon. Mordecai Winters, a native of Virginia, after living a few years at Lexington, Ky., settled in the southern part of Williamsburgh before 1800, but shortly afterwards located in the southern part of Tate, where he died at the residence of his son William, who secured a tract of 800 acres of land here. The latter died in 1862, and the place is now occupied by his son Wesley, who has lived here nearly seventy-five years. Other sons of William Winters were John, Robert, Washington, and William, all deceased. The daughters married Garland Anderson, Rev. Henry Wharton, Henry Harvey, and William Black. James Winters, a brother of William, lived on Clover Creek, where he reared a large family. Near 1800, Jacob H. Stultz, from Pottsville, Pa., settled in the southern part of Tate, where he died about 1828. His wife was a native of Virginia, and survived him until 1848, dying at the age of ninety-one years. They had sons,—Henry removed to Brown County, where he died at the age of eighty-four ; Adam, killed at Fort Meigs, in the war of 1812 ; John, also in the American army in 1812 and at Lundy's Lane, settled near his father, and at his decease left two children ; Jacob died on attaining manhood ; George died in Indiana at the age of sixty-three years, Two of his sons, Levi and Henry F., yet live in Tate, and two died in the army in the late war. In the extreme southwest of Tate the settlements were made not very early. The most prominent settlers there were members of the Salt family,—John and Edward,— whose history is given in Franklin township. George J, Trautwine, a native of Virginia, came with his grandfather, Col. Higgins, of Higginsport, to Ohio in 1811, and in 1813 settled at Bethel, where he engaged in merchandising. He died June 5, 1832, leaving an only child, Laura, who became the wife of Col. Joseph A. Perrine, of Bethel. He had brothers, Nimrod and Hannibal Trautwine, who were also pioneers, and their sister Mary became the wife of John K. Morris. George Halse, a native of Devonshire, England, emigrated to America in 1818, landing at Philadelphia after a voyage of nearly three months. In 1819 he came to Neville, and the following year to Tate, to the farm now owned by their son, William. He was a carpenter by trade, and helped finish the first brick buildings in Felicity and, devoting his earnings to the purchase of land, became a large real-estate owner. He divided his land among his son William, his grandson, George W, Halse, and his three daughters, Mrs. Aaron Kennedy, Mrs. William S. Beck, and Mrs. J. M. Beck. He died in 1865, in his eighty-oneifth year, greatly respected r his many good qualities. Jesse Justice, of New Jersey, who had rendered good service in the Revolution, purchased a tract of 700 acres of land in the western part of Tate, on which he settled in 1806. He lived here until his death, in 1826, leaving a family of five children settled around him. The eldest son, John, lived on the present William Thomas place until his removal to the South ; the second son, Sabil, married Ruhama Blackman, and lived on the farm now occupied by his widow until April 23, 1873, when he deceased : Samuel, the third son, lived and died at Bethel, where he was a merchant. The youngest son, Robert, lived on the homestead until his death, a few years ago. Other members of the Justice family were Jesse and Catherine. A number of the younger members of the Justice family yet reside in Tate. James Blackman, the father of Ruhama Justice, was a brother of Mrs. John Collins. He came to the " Jersey Settlement" in 1816, but five years later removed to Cincinnati. The " Jersey Settlement" was founded by the Rev. John Collins. As is elsewhere related,* he purchased a large tract of land on the East Fork, in the northwest corner of the present township of Tate, but part of which is now in Batavia, on which he settled in 1803, In the spring of that year the families of Collins, Cornelius McCullom. Isaac Higbee, and Edward Doughty started from New Jersey in large wagons, crossing the mountains, and at Pittsburgh bought a large boat, in which they descended the Ohio, while the teams were sent overland in charge of the hired men,-Robert Doughty, Peter and Joseph Frambes. and Lucas Lake. After a tedious journey the boat landed at Columbia in June, and they came up by Newtown and the Witham settlement on a blazed path of a road to their new lands, then an unbroken rest of magnificence and beauty. There they found a cabin without a floor some hunters had built, and in it they camped for a few days until they erected their own cabins on their lands running from the mouth of Clover Creek down the East Fork nearly four miles. Mr. Collins got the lower division, including the bend of the river making the grand, historic "Horse-shoe." Here he resided the greater part of his life, dying at Maysville, Ky., in 1845. Of the sons of John Collins, David, Learner, and Richard, the latter was the most noted, and erected the large mansion which now stands on the Collins place in Batavia. There were also daughters named Elizabeth, Alice, and Electa, the latter being the only surviving member of the family, living in Tate as Mrs. Col. William Thomas, who was sheriff of the county from 1833 to 1837. In the course of the next ten years a dozen or more families came from New Jersey and settled south of the Collins farm, chiefly in Monroe, and r many years the " New Jersey Settlement" was one of the most wrdely known in the county, nearly all of its members being characterized r their thrift and general intelligence On the farm settled by one of them (Thomas Page) occurred an event which had much to do with the destiny of the nation,-the marriage of the parents of Gen. U. S. Grant. In the &I! of 1818, John Simpson moved from Montgomery Co., Pa., and settled on the Page place which he had purchased the year bere), moving into a brick house, part of which was erected in 1807 and fully completed in 1811, and which yet stands in a good condition. Mr. Simpson was a man of intelligence, and bore an excellent reputation among his neighbors. He died Jan. 20, See sketch of Rev. John Collins. 318 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. 1837, in his seventieth year. His family consisted of Mary, who married James Griffith, Jan. 29, 1813, in Pennsylvania, and moved to Bethel in 1817, where he carried on his trade, blacksmithing, until his death. He was the father of John S., Thomas, William L., R. McK., 0. P., L. W., and A. R. Griffith, and of daughters who married George B. Johnson and T. Q. Ashburn, of Batavia. The second daughter of John Simpson, Hannah, married Jesse R. Grant, June 24, 1821, at the Simpson homestead in Tate, the Rev. Moses Edwards, a Baptist minister, performing the ceremony. The fruits of this union were Hiram Ulysses (later called Ulysses Simpson'''), born April 27, 1822, Samuel Simpson, Orville L., Rachel C. (died single), Virginia Payne (Mrs. A. L. Corbin), and Mary Frances (Mrs. M. J. Cramer). Jesse R. Grant died at Covington, Ky., but Mrs. Grant still lives with her daughter, Mrs. Corbin, at Jersey City, N. J. The fourth daughter of John Simpson, Ann, married James Ross, also a Pennsylvanian, who came to Clermont County in 1818, and who lived at Bethel until his death in 1849. Their children were Helen, Orlando H., and Marcellus. The former married W. T. Burke (now of Portsmouth, Ohio), and at the breaking out, of the war, in 1861, U. S. Grant, Orlando H. Ross, and W. T. Burke were all serving as clerks in Grant & Co.'s leather-store, at Galena, Ill. ; and Ross, after holding many positions in the army, was assigned to a position in the Treasuy Department, which he still holds. The only son of John Simpson is Samuel Simpson, who married Elizabeth Griffith, and yet lives near Bantam, in Tate, nearly eighty-four years of age, He reared two sons, Robert B., living in Cincinnati, and John, a captain in the United States army, in New York. Of his five daughters, Harriet E. is single ; the others married William Elrod, George S. Gatch, Benj. Winans, and Walter E. Burroughs. About 1800 a fine tract of land on the west of Ulrey's Run was slightly improved by Daniel Teegarden, who sold out to Andrew Pinkham, a sea-captain from Nantucket, Mass., who came to Clermont during the war of 1812. Captain Pinkham purchased 400 acres of land, and in 1824 erected thereon a spacious brick residence, which has been a conspicuous landmark ever since. He died in 1840, having reared a family of four sons, namely : Alexander, who became a naval officer, and while in command of the ship-yard at Portsmouth died about 1842 ; Reuben was a lieutenant in the navy, and died on board a frigate near Valparaiso, S. A. Dr. Thomas, the third son, is a well- known physician, living on the homestead at Bantam ; and William, the youngest son, lives near Loveland, in Miami township. Soon after the settlement of Captain Pinkham, Timothy and Richard Folger, also from Nantucket, located in this neighborhood. The former was an old man when he came to the county, and the latter removed to Cincinnati after a few years. Many other settlers found homes in the western part of Tate, about this period, whose names appear in the appended list of property-holders ; and the names of others appear in the different church histories and society sketches. * See a sketch in this book of the life of Gen. Grant. PROPERTY-HOLDERS IN 1826. In the following carefully-prepared list may be found the names of those who paid taxes on real and personal property in the township in 1826. Prefixed to the names of those who paid no personal taxes are asterisks, to indicate that they were probably non-residents at that period. In many instances persons thus marked found homes in Tate soon after that date : Altman, William, No. 761; Henry Mosz, original proprietor. Altman, Samuel, No. 762; John Burton, original proprietor. Anthony, William. Anthony, James. Allen, Hutchings. Abraham, George. *Abraham, John, No. 1762; James Inoes, orig. prop. Beck, Levi, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. Beck, Stephen, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. Bredwell, John. Barr, William. Bennett, Samuel. Brinton, Samuel, No. 926; Richard C. Waters, orig. prop. Brown, John, Beck, Samuel, No. 2373 ; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. Beck, Charity, No. 2373 ; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. Burke, Kelley, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. Bredwell, Thomas, No.2952; Ambrose Dudley, orig. prop. Blackman, James, No. 926; Richard C. Waters, orig. prop. Boulware, Jacob. Beebe, Josiah. Beebe, Samuel. Bredwell, Hawkins. Brewer, Peter. Blair, John. Blair, Robert, No. 926 ; Richard C. Waters, orig. prop. Burke, James, No. 2373; Jolru Breckenridge, orig. prop. Burke, John, Boggess, Samuel, No. 762 ; Henry Moss, original proprietor. Blackwood, James, No. 928; Thomas Parsons, orig. prop. Barton, Edwards, Jr. Breslen, James. Barton, Benjamin, No. 926; Rich. C. Waters, orig. prop. Boggess, John, No. 3206; Wm. Sewell, orig. prop. Ballenger, James. *Brown, Wm., No, 2373; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. *Blair, Alexander, No. 926; Rich. C. Waters, orig. prop, *Bohne, Charles L., No. 946, Baylor Hill, orig. prop. *Breslen, Archibald, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, orig. pr, Coffman, John, No, 1826; Jas. Innes, original proprietor. Collins, John, No. 581 ; Philip Clayton, original proprietor. Cornwell, William, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, orig. pr. Cornwell, Daniel. Crane, Davis, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. Crane, Luther, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. Carr, Robert, No. 3551; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop. Curlis, Asher. Crouch, William, No. 2952; Ambrose Dudley, orig. prop. Callan, James, No. 762; Henry Moss, original proprietor. Cornwell, David, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. Cordre, Jesse. Cordre, Sylvanus. Conover, JohU, No. 928 ; Thomas Pierson, original proprietor. Cook, Robert F., No. 928; Thos. Pierson, original proprietor. Carter, John S., No. 926; Richard C. Waters, orig. prop. Chapman, Benj. Carter, Henry, No. 3513; It. C. Anderson, orig. prop. Cordrey, Samuel, Clarke, Houton, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. *Carter, Joseph, No. 2938; Geo. F. Strap, orig. prop. *Carter, Thomas, No. 3551 ; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop. *Crane, Abner, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. *Conn, Rebecca, No. 928; Thos Pierson, original proprietor. *Coffman, Abraham, No. 1726 ; James Innes, orig. prop. *Chapman, Naaman, No. 366; James Knox, orig. prop. *Chapman, Zachariah, No. 3513; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop. Davis, Joshua. Denham, James, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. Dailey, Benjamin, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, orig. pr. Dorrell, Redman. Donnelly, Wright. Dale, Alexander, No. 3778 ; Beverly Roy, orig. prop. Daugherty, Joseph, No. 762; Henry Moss, orig. prop. Davis, Paine, No. 4460 ; Beverly Roy, original proprietor. Davis, Nathan. Denham, Obed E., No. 964; Nathaniel Gest, orig. prop. Delap, James. Delap, Samuel. Davis, Thomas, No. 2951 ; Mathew Rea, orig. prop. TATE TOWNSHIP - 319 Davis, Philip, No. 761; John Benton, originat proprietor. Donnelly, Thomas, No. 761; John Benton, original proprietor. Drummond, John, No. 926; Rich. C. Waters, orig. prop. David, John. Denham, Daniel, No. 4458 ; Wm. Lytle, original proprietor. Davis, James, No. 3513; Rich. C. Waters, original proprietor. Denham, John, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. Deal, James. •Davis, John H., No. 2938 ; Geo. F. strop, original proprietor. •Davis, Joshua, No. 2951 ; Mathew Rhea, orig. prop. •Denham, William, No. 2373; J. Breckenridge, orig. prop. Ellsberry, Michael. Everhart, John. Edwards, Timothy, No. 2373; J. Breckenridge, orig. prop. Edwards, Thomas, No. 1239 ; Oliver Towles, orig. prop. Edwards, Moses, No. 2373 ; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. Edwards, Caleb, No. 3513 ; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop, Elrod, Robert, No. 964; Nath. Gest, original proprietor. Elrod, Thomas. Elrod, John, No. 964; Nath. Gest, original proprietor. Edwards, Lewis, No. 1239 ; Oliver Towles, orig. prop. Elrod, William, No. 964; Nath. Gest, original proprietor. Elrod, Philip, No. 964; Nath. Gest, original proprietor. Fuller, Samuel. Frazier, Jesse. Frazee, Jacob, No. 762; Henry Moss, original proprietor. Frambes, Joseph, No. 4458; Wm, Lytle, original proprietor, Frazier, William, No. 1239; Oliver Towles, orig. prop. Fountain, John. Frazier, Innocent, No. 3206 ; Wm. Sewell, original proprietor. Frazee, Abel, No. 964; Nath. Gest, original proprietor. Foster, Israel. *Frazee, Stephen, No, 3206 ; Wm. Sewell, original proprietor. Gray, Christian, No. 366; James Knox, originat proprietor. Gaskins, Thomas, No. 3513; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop, Gibbs, Hugh, No. 762; Henry Moss, original proprietor. Griffith, James, No. 926 ; R, C, Waters, original proprietor. Grapevine, Hutson, No. 2373; J. Breckenridge, orig. prop, Gravitt, John C. Gosnay, William, No. 964; Nath. Gest, original proprietor. Hopkins, A. V. Hunt, Levi, No. 2988; George F, Strop, original proprietor. Halfhill, John. Hulings, 1saac, No. 939; Beverly Roy, original proprietor. Hant, Thomas, No. 2951; Mathew Ray, orig. prop. Hammett, John, No. 581 ; Philip Clayton, original proprietor. Henderson, James. Hunt, George. Hutchings, Moses. liaise, George, No. 3551; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop. Hutchings, John. Homan, David Harris, Archibald. Higbee, Brazier. Henderson, David. Hedger, Zachariah. Huntington, Silas, No. 2952; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop. Huntington, Silas, Jr. Huntington, Nancy. Hill, Isaiah. Higbee, Elias, No. 9375; Miley King, original proprietor. Higbee, Amasa, No. 5882; John Mountjoy, orig. prop. Hewitt, Joseph, No. 964; Nath. Gest, original proprietor, *Harris, Jordan, No. 2951 ; Mathew Rhea, orig, prop. *Harris, Archibald, No. 2952; Ambrose Dudley, orig. prop. *Henderson, Charles, No. 1289; Oliver Towles, orig. prop. *Higbee, Isaac, Jr., No. 8904; George C. Light, orig. prop. *Hill, Margaret, No, 2373; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. *Harvey, John, No. 3551; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop. *Hyland, Wm., No. 3551; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop. *Higginbotham, James, No. 3551 ; R. C. Anderson, original proprietor. *Harvey, Henry, No. 3551; R, C. Anderson, orig, prop. Iler, Henry. Iler, Margaret, No. 928; R, C. Waters, original proprietor. Jenkins, Joseph. Jastice, Jesse, Sr, Justice, Jesse, Jr,, No. 926; R. C. Waters, orig. prop. Justice, Saville, No. 926; R. C. Waters, orig. prop. Justice, John. Joslyn, Ezekiel, No. 3513; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop. Kindle, John. Kellum, William. Kellam, James, No. 581; Philip Clayton, orig. prop. Kennedy, Dennis, No. 8551; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop. *Kain, Thomas, No, 3513; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop. *Kirby, Timothy, No. 2938; George F. Strop, orig. prop. Logan, Benjamin, No. 3551; R. C. Anderson, orig, prop. Leeds, Peter T. Lytle, William, No, 2938; George F. Strop, orig. prop. Leeds, Robert, Sr., No. 928; Thomas Pierson, orig. prop. Leeds, Josiah. Leeds, Robert, Jr. *Light, George C., No. 3551; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop. Morris, John, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. Morris, John K., No. 2373 ; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. McCullom, Cornelius, No. 581 ; William Parsons, orig. prop. McCullom, Hugh. Morse, Nehemiah, No. 2436 ; Thomas Overton, orig. prop. Merrill, Richard. Mead, George, No. 1239; Oliver Towles, orig. prop. McHilsey, Joseph. Morse, Nehemiah, Jr, McAffe, James. McLain, Joseph. Musgrove, James, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, original proprietor. Morgan, Dozer. Morris, Thomas, No. 2373 ; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. Meeker, Jonas, No, 3551 ; R. C. Anderson, orig, prop. McIntosh, James, No. 926; R. C. Waters, original proprietor. Miller, Aaron. *McChesney, Joseph, No. 3551; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop. *McLain, Peter, No. 3206; Wm. Sewell, original proprietor. •bleary, Robert, No. 2938; Geo. F. Strop, orig. prop. *Marsh, Thomas L., No. 1199; L Butler, orig. prop. *McDougal, Samuel, No. 3551; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop. *Malott, —, No. 3778; Beverly Roy, orig. prop. Newberry, William. Newberry, Daniel, Newberry, Elias. Nelson, Samuel, Sr., No. 2949; Wm. Lytle, orig. prop. Nelson, Samuel, Jr. Noble, Esther. *Nicholas, George, No, 561 ; Henry Whiting, orig, prop. Owens, Thomas, No. 366; James Knox, original proprietor. Osborne, Nathan. Osborne, Aaron, No. 3551; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop, Ogden, Simeon, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. Ogden, Swain, Prather, Thomas. Niche'', James, No. 8778; Beverly Roy, orig. prop. Porter, John. Patterson, Mary. Parrish, Benjamin. Parrish, Jared, No. 781; John Burton, original proprietor. Pinkham, Andrew, No. 928; Thomas Pierson, orig, prop. Poe, Edward. Poe, Jesse, No. 3513; R. C. Anderson, original proprietor. Parrish, Stephen, No. 761 ; John Burton, original proprietor. *Patterson, John, No. 761 ; John Burton, original proprietor. •Penn, Benj., No. 2955 . John Hawkins, orig. prop. •Peterson, Robert, No. 572 , Peter Casey, orig. prop Ross, Reuben, No. 572; Peter Casey, orig. prop. Reed, John. Riggs, Zachariah. Riley, John, No. 4458 ; William Lytle, original proprietor. Rader, George, No. 762; Henry Moss, original proprietor. Riley, Zachariah, No. 1239 ; Oliver Towles, original prop. Reed, Christiana. *Reed, Catherine, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, original prop. *Robinson, William, No 2373; John Breckenridge, original proprietor. *Rogers, Levi E., No. 2373 ; John Breckenridge, original prop. *Rutherford, Thomas, No. 768: William Richardson, original proprietor. Sargent, Aaron, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, original prop. South, James, No. 2371. John Breckenridge, originar prop. Shaw, Elijah. Stultz, Henry, No. 2373, John Breckenridge, origrnal prop. South, William, No. 3551 . R. C. Anderson, original prop Swing, Laurence, No 964. Nath. Gest, original proprietor Swing, George, No. 4460: Beverly Roy, original proprietor Simpkins, John. Simpson, John, No. 926: R. C. Waters, original proprietor. Strickland, Michael, No. 926 R. C. Waters, original prop. Sprague, William. Strickland, Paul, No. 926; R. C. Waters, original proprietor. Sweet, Stephen. Swope, George, No. 761 : John Burton, original proprietor. Shotwell, James, N. 926. R. C. Waters, origiaal proprietor. String, Thomas, No. 581 . Philip Clayton, original proprietor. Smith, Enos. Smith, John. Sims, Samuel. Smith, William, No. 572; Peter Casey, original proprietor. Sims, George. Stultz, George, No. 572 ; Peter Casey, original proprietor. Salt, John, Swing, Wesley, No. 926. R. C Waters, original proprietor. Swing, Samuel, No. 1239 Oliver Towles, original proprietor. Sanders, Isaac. South, Isaac, No. 3551. R. C. Anderson, original prop. *South, Elijah, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, original prop 320 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. *Stoltz, Jacob H. *Swing, Michael, No. 926; R. C. Waters, original proprietor. *Strickland, Daniel, No. 926; R. C. Waters, original prop. *Schell, John H., No. 1239; Oliver Towles, original prop. *Smith, Esther, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, original prop. *Stout, Oliver H., No. 2954; John Clay, original proprietor. Truitt, Samuel, No. 366; James Knox, original prop. Thornloy, Reaben, No, 4458; William Lytle, original prop. Trees, Peter, No. 1726; James 1nnis, original proprietor. Taylor, John. Traatwine, George J., No. 2373; John Breckenridge, original proprietor. Tingley, Jonathan, No. 2952; Ambrose Dudley, orig. prop. Test, James. Test, Joseph. Tarr, Samuel, No. 762; Henry Moss, original proprietor. Thomas, Edward. Thompson, David, No. 1239 ; Oliver Towles, original prop. Test, Sarah, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, orig, prop. Tilton, William. Taylor, Henry. Thompson, William. *Tinton, Theophilus, No. 3551; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop. *Thompson, Samuel, No. 3551; It. C. Anderson, orig. prop. *Tingley, Benj., No. 2373; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. *Tweed, Robert, No, 3513; John Breckenridge, original prop. *Temple, Benjamin, No. 964; Nath. Gest, original prop. *Towles, Oliver, No.1239 ; Oliver Towles, original proprietor. *Taylor, Jumes, No. 5297; John Green, original proprietor. Ulrey, George, No. 572; Peter Casey, original proprietor. *Ulrey, Jacob, No. 928; Thomas Pierson, original proprietor. Vanosdol, (Jokey, Sr., No. 2373; John Breckenridge, originat proprietor. Vanosdol, Gilkey, Jr. Watson, Abraham. Wilson, Isauc. Winters, Robert. West, James. West, Thomas, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, original prop. Walker, William. Watson, Simpson. Wells, Nathan, No. 3551 ; R. C. Anderson, original prop. Wells, Rael. Wells, Aaron, No, 3551; R. C. Anderson, original prop. Willis, Thomas, No. 2938; Geo. 'F. Strop, original prop. Willis, Jacob, No. 3551; R. C. Anderson, original prop. Wells, Eli. Wells, Nelson. Wells, Solomon, No. 3513; R. C. Anderson, orig. proprietor. Wells, Jesse, No. 3551; R. C. Anderson, orig. proprietor. Watson, Isaac, No. 1726; James Innis, original proprietor. Walker, Nicholas, Jr., No. 2938; George F. Strop, orig. prop. Willis, John, No. 2938; George F. Strop, orig. proprietor. West, George. Webster, Burman. Ware, Samuel. West, John. West, William, No. 964; Nath. Gest, original proprietor. Wood, Samuel. Winters, Elijah. West, William, Jr. Wallace, Nicholas. Williams, William. *Williams, Amos, No. 3513; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop. *Williams, Silas, No. 926; R. C. Waters, original proprietor. *Williams,, Obadiah, No. 939; Beverly Roy, orig. prop. *Watson, John, No. 926; R. C. Waters, original proprietor. *Watkins, Joseph, No. 564; Robert Dandridge, orig. prop. *Wilson, Samuel, No. 926; R. C. Waters, original proprietor. *White, William, No. 581; Philip Clayton, original proprietor. *Walker, Moses, No. 2373; John Breckenridge, orig. prop. The same year (1826) the owners of village lots Bethel on survey No. 2373) were as follows: Abrams, George. Allen, Thomas E. Bell, Nelson R. Boulware, Jacob. Beck, Charity. Crane, Davis. Clarke, Hoaton. Cook, Sarah. Chalfant, Robert. Cornwell, Joel G. Dowdney, William. Denham, James. Denham, William. Denham, John. Edwards, Isaac. Ellsberry, Michael. Frazier, Edward. Foster and Peterson. Gibson, John. Hopkins, A. V. Half hill, John. Hill, Margaret. Light, David. Morris, John K. Merrill, John S. McCoy, James. Morris, Thomas. Morris, John. Masgrove, James. Noble, Esther. Noble, Sally. Ogden, Simeon. Pemberton, Richard. Rogers, Ann. South, Isaac. Strickland, Hope. Stewart, Thomas. Sargent, Aaron. Test, Joseph. Tice, John R. Truutwine, G. J. Wayland, William. Warden, Moses. The village lots were valued at $14,375, and paid a tax of $93.44. The taxes r all purposes in the township were only $650.39. The 336 head of horses were reputed worth $13,440, and the 594 cattle $4752. The capital invested in merchandising was $3040, and was controlled by I. Foster & Co., John Salt, and George J, Trautwine. CIVIL ORGANIZATION. The records from the organization of the township in 1805 until 1812 have been mislaid or destroyed. On the 6th of April, 1812, the officers elected were the following : Trustees, Alexander Blair, Jeremiah Beck, Jr., and William Brown ; Clerk, John Boggess; Treasurer, Houton Clarke ; Lister, Samuel Beck ; Appraiser, Kelly Burke ; Constables, Samuel Beck, Jacob Frazee, and John Blair ; Overseers of the Poor, Obed Denham and James South ; Fence-Viewers, John Brown and Isaac C. Reed. Since this meeting the following have been the principal officers of the township : TRUSTEES. 1813-14.-Alexander Blair, Jeremiah Beek, William Brown. 1815.-John Morris, George J. Trautwine, Levi Rodgers. 1816.-John Morris, Benjamin Morris, Levi Beck. 1817.-John K. Morrie, John Stewart, Levi Beck. 1818.-Benjamin Morris, Thomas West, Levi Beck. 1819.-John K. Morris, William Denham, Levi Bock. 1820.-John K. Morris, A. V. Hopkins, John A. Smith. 1821-22.-Solomon Wells, Abram Conrey, Levi Beck. 1823.-Thomas West, Isaac South, Edward Frazier. 1824.-H. V. Hopkins, Isaac South, Davis Crane. 1825.-Alexander Blair, Isaac South, Edward Frazier. 1826.-Wm. Thompson, Isaac South, Robert Blair. 1827.-Wm, Thompson, John R. Tice, James Griffith. 1828.-Wm. Thompson, John R. Tice, Aaron Sargent. 1829.-Wm. Thompson, Davis Crane, Aaron Sargent. 1830.-John S. Canter, Davis Crane, Aaron Sargent. 1831-32.-John Quinlan, James Musgrove, Aaron Sargent. 1833.-George R. Noble, James Musgrove, John Willie. 1834.-George R. Noble, Edward Salt, Benjamin Quinlan. 1835.-Wm. Frazier, James Musgrove, John Ellsberry. 1836.-Wm. Frazier, Daniel Altman, John Ellsberry. 1837.-John R. Tice, Daniel Altman, Garrard Riley. 1838,--Thomas Sheldon, Daniel Altman, James Musgrove. 1839.-John R. Morris, Daniel Altman, George Ulrey. 1840.-John R. Morris, Arius Peppers, George Ulrey. 1841.-Paul McKeever, Isaac Vanosdol, George Ulrey. 1842.-Benjamin Boggess, Samuel Simpson, Temple C. Sargent. 1843.-John S. Carter, Samuel Simpson, Isaac Vanosdol. 1844.-James Musgrove, Samuel Simpson, Isaac Vanosdol. 1845.-E. B. Thompson, Sumuel Simpson, Wm. Beck. 1846.-George W. Swing, E. B. Thompson, George Ulrey. 1847.-James Musgrove, C. S. Beck, John McMurchy. 1848.-James Musgrove, C. S. Beck, J. A. Perrine. 1849.-James Musgrove, George W. Swing, John MoMurchy. 1850.-James Griffith, George W. Swing, J. A. Perrine. 1851-54.-James Griffith, Benjamin Jenkins, J. A. Perrine. 1855.-James Griffith, Thomas Elrod, G. W. Swing. 1856.-W. C. Slade, Thomas Elrod, G. W, Crane. 1857.-W. C. Slade, S. W. Eder, G. W. Crane. 1858.-W. P. Thornton, S. W. Eder, C. S. Beck. TATE TOWNSHIP - 321 1859.-J. A. Perrine, S. W. Eder, G. W. Crane. 1869.-M. Clark, S. W. Ulrey, L. O. Potts. 1861-62.-W. W. Smith, S. W. Ulrey, B. F. Hitch. 1863.-W. W. Smith, S. W. Ullery, W. R. Thompson. 1864.-S. W. Eder, L. 0. Potts, A. J. McGohan. 1865-67.-S. W. Eder, S. W. Ulrey, A. J. McGohan. 1868.-S. W. Eder, S. W. Ulrey, J. A. Perrine. 1869.-N. B. Morris, Isaac Vanosdol, J. A. Perrine. 1870.-N. B. Morris, H. G. Somermier, L. S. Frazier. 1871.-N. B. Morris, John Ellsberry, Samuel Callon. 1872.-N. B. Morris, John Ellsberry, W. W. Smith. 1873.-N. B. Morris, John Ellsberry, J. C. Riley. 1874.-L. S. Frazier, John Ellsberry, J. C. Riley. 1875-77.-L. S. Frazier, A. R. Scott, J. C. Riley. 1878.-L. S. Frazier, W. A. Lockwood, J. C. Riley. 1879.-G. W. Elrod, W, A. Lockwood, J. A. Perrino. CLERKS. 1813-24, John Boggess; 1825-26, John K. Morris; 1827, Samuel Medary ; 1828, Nelson Beall; 1829, John h. Morris; 1839, G. J. Trautwine; 1831-33, Jacob Metzgar; 1834, James Ross; 1835-36, Jacob Metzgar; 1837, G. W. Condit; 1838, Samael Martin; 1839, Jacob Metzgar; 1840, Philip Drum; 1841, John W. Carter ; 1842, Philip Drum; 1843, T. J. Morris; 1844, J. F. Richards; 1845-50, Philip Drum ; 1851-58, T. J. Morris; 1859, D. M. Frazier; 1860-63, T. J. Morris; 1864, Charles Green; 1865-73, T. J. Morris; 1874-78, J. N. Altman; 1879, R. M. Griffith. TREASURERS. 1813-14, Houton Clarke; 1815, George J. Trautwine; 1816, Houton Clarke; 1817, George J. Trautwine; 1818-19, John Morris; 1820, A. V. Hopkins; 1821, John Morris; 1822, Houton Clarke; 1823, George J. Trautwine; 1824-28, John Morris; 1829, Elam Yoang; 1830-32, John Morris; 1833-40, John Quinlan; 1841, Samuel Swing; 1842-58, John Qainlan; 1859-60, Wm. Canter ; 1861, N. A. Hitch ; 1862, Thomas Elrod; 1863-66, George T. Salt; 1867, A. C. Salt; 1868-70, G. T. Salt; 1871-72, Joseph Ctare; 1873, J. S. Musgrove; 1874-79, Joseph Clare. ASSESSORS. Solomon Wells, William South, Richard Faulkner, and William Dowdney, linters. 1841-43, Thomas J. Morris; 1844-52, Richard Pemberton ; 1853-54, Benjamin I. Tice; 1855, M. T. Burke; 1856-57, Alexander Carr; 1858, Benjamin I. Tice; 1859-62, S. L. Warden; 1863, John Smith; 1864-66, H. S. Conroy; 1867-68, Josiah Harris; 186970, Joseph Doughty. Since that period the assessors have been John L. Fisher, William McChesney, C. W. Swing, S. W. Eder, W. F. Landon, Archibald McNair, H. S. Conrey, and A. E. McKibben. EXTRACTS FROM RECORDS. " STATE OF OHIO, } CLERMONT COUNTY. } "To any Constable of Tate Township, Greeting "You are hereby commanded to warn Thomas Moore to Depart forthwith out of Tate Township aforesaid, who is, from correct information, as we believe, likely to be chargeable to said Township. "Given under our hands and seals this 19th day of April, 1841. " ̊OBED DENHAM, " JAMES SOUTH, "Overseers of the Poor." Similar notices were served in the following half-a-dozen years upon Sarah Smith, Deborah Gibbs, Benjamin Holton, Sarah Mahan, Elizabeth Mahan, Eleanor Pagan, Charles Moore and Nancy, his wife, Lydia Wilhams, Sarah Noble and her children. It was probably a settled policy not to allow those incapable of supporting themselves to obtain a habitation in the township, for the poor-fund many years in the early history of Tate was a mere pittance, amounting in 41 1832 to only $65. In later periods, however, the action of the township towards dependent persons has been characterized by charity and liberality. THE PUBLIC THOROUGHFARES. Mention is made of the early roads in a chapter relating to the proceedings of the county commissioners, to which the reader is referred. The old State road, at present known as the Ohio turnpike, which passes through the township from east to west, has from the first been the principal thoroughfare, its importance being shared only by the Williamsburgh road, which intersects it, in its southerly course, at the village of Bethel, through which it is known as Main Street. The latter road was located in 1801, and the part from Bethel to Fehcity became a free turnpike in 1870. With a course almost parallel with the Ohio turnpike is the Cincinnati and Portsmouth Railroad, whose road-bed has been graded through the township, and which will, no doubt, soon be completed to permit the running of trains. Its completion will give the people of this part of' the county easy communication to Cincinnati. A station will be provided at Bethel and another at Bantam. Considerable interest has been manifested in the improvement of the highways of Tate, a large amount of work being annually bestowed upon the roads. In 1815 the township was divided into ten districts for highway purposes, as follows: No. 1.-Beginning at Thomas E. Allen's, on Clover Creek ; thence on a direct line to include Ephraim East-bridge, Ensign Mitchel, and Aaron Leonard. No. 2.-Beginning at Thomas E. ; thence including John Davis on Poplar and Thomas Ogden on Bullskin Creeks. No. 3.-Beginning at John Davis' ; thence including Oakey Vanosdol, Sr., and Oakey Vanosdol, Jr., William Crouch, and all the Wells'. No. 4.-Beginning at William Crouch's ; thence, including James Davis, Silas Huntington, and John Boggess, south to the township line. No. 5.-Beginning at John Boggess' ; thence to Levi Beck's, Michael Ellsberry's, and James Noble's to Sugar-Tree Run, and up that stream to the township-line. No. 6.-Beginning at Bethel, on the Twelve-Mile road; thence, to include John West, James Noble, Michael Ells-berry, Levi Beck, in a direct line to the place of beginning. No. 7.-Beginning at the Sixth District at Bethel ; thence to John West and James Noble, and down Sugar-Tree Run to its mouth ; thence to the northwest corner of the township, including David Harper and James Denham. No. 8.-Beginning at Thomas E. Allen's ; thence in a direct line to the Spring Branch ; thence to Oakey Vanosdol's ; thence to William Crouch, James David, Silas Huntington, etc, ; thence north to the township-line and to the place of beginning. No. 9.-Beginning where the State road crosses SugarTree-Run ; thence to include William Simonds' ; thence to include David White, James B. Wood, and Joseph Conn ; thence, with the township-line, southward to the head of Sugar-Tree Run ; thence down said run to the place of beginning. 322 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. No. 10.—Beginning with the Ninth District, and running with the same to Joseph Conn's ; thence northward and eastward with the township-lines until a due-north line from the mouth of Sugar-Tree Run ; thence, with said line, to the place of beginning, John Morris, Thomas West, Garland Anderson, Solomon Wells, Richard Lemaster, George Swing, Joseph Henderson, John Drnmmond, William Simonds, and Isaac Colthar were the supervisors for the above districts. In 1879 the township had eleven road districts, ten outside of the corporation of Bethel, which had as supervisors James Mace, W. H. Brown, J. G. Compton, Lee filer, William Swick, A. Simkins, J, L. Fisher, Jacob Wallace, D. M. Bredwell, and G. W, Trissler. TATE CEMETERIES. The principal cemeteries of Tate are at Bethel. In the old burying-ground, set apart in the dedication of the village, are the graves of some of the earliest dead in the township. There, also, repose the remains of many honored citizens who passed from this life at a later day. In that humble lot is the grave of Senator Thomas Morris, whose earthly career was closed in December, 1844. It is marked by a plain marble shaft about 10 feet high, on which is engraven an inverted torch, as if still lighting the way for the oppressed and enslaved whose eyes are turned towards freedom and larger liberty. In the southern part of Bethel is the new cemetery, purchased and controlled by the village and township authorities. It is a fine piece of ground, and is yearly growing handsomer. In various parts of the township, in connection with the different churches, are also burying-grounds, some of them in indifferent condition, showing a lack of respect r the dead. MANUFACTURING INTERESTS. The manufacturing interests of the township are not numerous nor greatly diversified. In general, only the ordinary industries have been carried on. Probably the first machinery operated in Tate was Houton Clarke's horse- mill, at Bethel. A sweep-power was first employed, but as business increased a tread-power was substituted. At one period of its history Abram Conrey was in charge of this mill, which is described at another place in this book. Obed and John Denham had the first water-power mills,-saw and grist,—about 1804, on the Poplar Creek, at a place which was afterwards called Macedonia. From the Den- hams the mills passed into the hands of Kelly Burke, and were afterwards operated by other members of the family,— Joseph H. Fisher, David Osborne, etc. The water-power failing, Garrard Riley supplied steam-power, and while belonging to him the mills burned down. At one time there were two distilleries at this point, in one of which a small tannery was afterwards carried on by Benjamin Denham. Half a mile below Timothy Sprague had saw- and gristmills, a fulling-mill, and, r a short time, machinery for extracting oil from the castor bean ; and still lower down Capt. Davis put up saw- and grist-mills, which were afterwards known as Deal's mills. On Poplar Creek, above the State road, the Clarke family and others had mills, but all these industries on this stream have passed away. The mills on Clover Creek, known as Riley's, John Thompson's, and Temple Sargent's, have shared a similar fate ; and Haine's tub-mill, on Ulrey's Run, has been discontinued so long that its existence is scarcely remembered. The old Higbie or Snider mill, on the East Fork, is the only waterpower mill in the township which has been kept in operation. In various points of Tate steam saw-mills have been erected to manufacture the lumber which the immediate forests afforded, and in some localities they have been operated a number of years. The mill in the Salt neighborhood, owned by Wilse & Salt, belonged to this class, and at Wigginsville is a saw-mill which has been operated almost continuously for the past twenty-seven years, owned at present by Conrey & Fisher. At Bethel John M. Goodwin erected a steam saw-mill in 1852, and added a grist-mill two years later. In the fall of 1858 they were destroyed by fire, at a loss of $9000. Work was immediately begun on the present mills, which were built the same season. The grist-mill is 40 by 50 feet, 3 stories high, and is supplied with 3 runs of stone, giving it a good grinding capacity. Attached is a good lumber-mill, 36 by 100 feet, in which the manufacture of lumber and builders' material is carried on extensively. These mills have been :owned by the present proprietor, John M. Goodwin, and others, as partners, since they were first built in 1852, and are an important industry. William Denham began operating carding-machinery in the village, near the Methodist church, about 1815, but sold out his interests to John S. Carter, who also carried on the manufacture of linseed oil when carding was out of season. The business of carding has been carried on in the village the past thirty years or more by Charles Davis, using a tread-power. He had previously operated carding- machinery by water-power on Poplar Creek, After 'William Denham quit the carding business, he began the manufacture of chairs in a shop which stood near David Osborne's, and in which a number of men were employed eight or ten years. Combs were manufactured at Bethel about 1825, by William Dowdney, the fuher of Mayor Dowdney, of Batavia. Isaac South first began .making hats in Bethel, having from three to five men employed. In 1827, John Quinlan took up the business in the same building—the one now used by W. L. Swing r a grocery-and carried it on about twenty years. Several small tanneries were carried on north of the village by Daniel Lindsey and James Musgrove. At Bethel Jacob Willis was the first tanner, beginning on a small scale in the present yard. He was followed, in 1827, by James Musgrove, who sold out to Eli Collins, and continued to operate a tannery of 40 vats in the rear of the present Allen House, which was discontinued more than twenty years ago. Collins took in Jesse R. Grant as a partner about 1845, and that firm carried on the tanning business at Bethel until about 1856, In the mean time their business had been much extended, the products of other tanneries were secured and new tanneries established, TATE TOWNSHIP - 323 and a leather- and finding-store opened at Galena, Ill., to which leather from this section of the country was shipped. In this store of Grant & Collins' Capt. Ulysses S. Grant was a clerk at the commencement of the civil war in 1861. To better serve the interests of their business, the firm left Bethel for Covington, Ky., and the old tannery has since had various owners. It is at present operated by Thomas Clarke. South of the village is a small tnnnery operated by Thomas Dent, an Englishman, who served his apprenticeship with Grant & Collins. In the spring of 1831, John Thornton and his seven sons located at Bethel, and soon after engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages, not only r the surrounding country, but for the Southern trade, which soon amounted to $12,000 per year. The firms of C. Thornton & Co. and Thornton Bros. became widely and favorably known, and in 1850 a large factory was erected to accommodate their business, which increased yearly, and gave employment to many men. At the breaking out of the Rebellion the works were operated on government wagons, which were produced at the rate of a wagon per day. Ambulances and other vehicles r the United States service were also bnilt. In 1863 the shops were sold to Joseph Clare, and the Thorntons moved to Brown County, where they engaged in the manufactnre of lumber. Clare occupied the building for the manufacture of saddle-trees, which was perhaps the most important industry ever carried on in Bethel. The trade was brought to the village in 1847 by Jehu S. Tice, who carried on a small shop in the eastern part of the village, where he had a number of apprentices, among them Samuel Eder, Theodore Hill, and Joseph Carter, and made his trees by hand. After Joseph Clare became interested in this branch of business, machinery and steam-power were employed, and the manufacture proportionately extended ; and in the early years of the war the capacity was still further increased, in order to supply the demands made upon the works by the government, which necessitated the production of 250 trees per day and the employment of more than 50 men. In the conduct of the saddle-tree bnsiness, Mr. Clare has been associated with the Thornton Bros., Samuel Eder, Perkins, Hughes, and others, but since 1877 has carried on the works alone, the business having declined so much that but few men are now employed, and the building will soon be converted into a chair-factory by Clare & Frazier, who will employ 30 persons. Since 1865, James Boulware has carried on a factory for the manufacture of all kinds of Spanish saddle-trees, and at present employs from four to six men. The manufacture of wooden stirrups has been carried on to a considerable extent in Bethel by John Q. Tice, Albert Griffrth, M. W. Fagaley, and others, but at present little of that work is done. The manufacture of plows, wagons, cradles, and general work has been carried on at Bethel by H, G. Somermier since 1861, employment being given to from four to seven men ; and at Pin Hook, two miles from Bethel, the Boggess Bros. have long been engaged in carrying on a general plow-, wagon-, and repair-shop, in which several men are employed and steam-power is used. HAMLETS AND VILLAGES. BANTAM. Bantam is a small but pleasant village on the Ohio turnpike, in the northwestern part of the township, four miles from Bethel. The place was never regularly laid out, and the village has only grown up as a cluster of houses and a few shops around a store, which was opened here many years ago by Benjamin Ely, and who was appointed postmaster of an office established in 1837. It was at this time that the name of Bantam was applied to the place, at the suggestion of Dr. Pinkham, and the office and village have borne it ever since. In 1869, Mr. Ely was succeeded by the present postmaster, George W. Hays. The offrce is supphed with a daily mail. Benjamin Ely was here engaged in merchandising about forty years, and had r a time as a neighbor in trade F. C. Smith. The present merchants are G. W. Hays and B. F. Hitch & Son. Below the village William Slade opened a tavern about 1848, which was a prominent landmark in those days. Jeremiah Abbott and others followed him as landlords. The place is at present kept by Fred. Rapp. On the turnpike above the village of Bantam John Shotwell had an old-time tavern, which has given place to a farm-house. At Bantam carriage-making on an extensive scale was rmerly carried on by Levi White, who engaged in this business in 1845. At one time more than a dozen men were employed, but lately the business has been allowed to decline, although some work is yet here done by Mr. White. There are also several other mechanic-shops in the place. The Bantam, or District No. 10, school-house is a fine two-stoy brick house, erected at a cost of $2800, and was first occupied in the fall of 1878. It contains two schools. The fine Presbyterian church at Bantam was erected in 1865. Dr. Thomas M. Pinkham was the first physician at Bantam. He followed his profession there from 1828 until 1877, when he retired. Since that time Dr. John Richardson has been the practitioner ; and Dr. Ernest Bragdon lives there, retired from active practice. Other physicians at this place have been Drs. A. C. and John Moore, and Drs. Collins, Hopkins, Marsh, and Kellum, all for short periods. Marcellus H. Leeds rmerly resided here as an attorney-at-law. WIGGINSVILLE is a small hamlet on tha Felicity turnpike, about two miles south from Bethel. The name was applied to this locality in jest about rty years ago, from a nickname given to Benjamin South, a hatter (called by his associates Ben Wiggins), who had a small shop there. Other mechanic trades have been carried on at this point ever since, there being at present a few shops. A store was opened many years ago by Edward Frazier, and subsequently were in trade McLain & Frazier, Whittaker & Talley, Samuel Hayrd, William T. Warden, and the present J. M. Milner, who is also the postmaster of the Wigginsville post-office, established in the summer of 1879. A little more than half a mile northwest from Wigginsville is a locality called PIN HOOK, where are the carriage- 324 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO. works of the Boggess Brothers. Here stores have been kept by Jacob Frazier, David Barber, John R. Altman, J. R. II. Simmons, and David Boggess, bnt at present no one is in trade. In the southwestern corner of Tate is a small hamlet called SALTAIR, so named from the Salt family, which owns much real property in this part of the township. The post-office was established in 1878, with William Page as postmaster, who yet continues, and is also the proprietor of the store. The first to engage in the sale of goods here was John Ely, some time about 1859. On the Brown County line is a small hamlet (chiefly in Brown County) locally called POE TOWN, after the Poe family, which settled there at an early day. The post-office bears the name of MAPLE, and was established Aug. 5, 1848, with John Hendrixon as postmaster. In 1853 he was succeeded by James Trissler, who in turn gave place, two years later, to William N. Connover. From 1873 till 1875 the office was in charge ofsi Mrs. Sarah Connover, and in 1877, D. B. Joslyn took charge of the mails. The hamlet has stores, the usual mechanic-shops, and several churches, elsewhere noted. BETHEL. This is the largest village in the township, next to the oldest in the county, and ranks among the most important business places in Clermont. Its location on the Ohio turnpike, twelve miles from Batavia, north of the centre of Tate, for beauty and healthfulness is not surpassed in this part of Ohio, Within the village bounds are many springs, which furnish an abundance of water for domestic use and manufacturing purposes. In this respect Bethel enjoys unusual advantages. The village is located on John Breckenridge's survey, No. 2373, which was entered by Gen. William Lytle, March 28, 1794, Not long after 1500 acres of the choicest land of this survey were purchased by Obed Denham, of Kentucky, who in 1798 here platted a village, which he called Plainfield, but which for years was scarcely known by another name than Denhamstown. On the 26th of April, 1802, the plat of the village was duly recorded with the name of Bethel, which title in legal instruments the place has ever since borne, although Denhamstown (never the proper name) long after attached to the village. The deed for the village specifies that Obed Denham, of the county of Clermont, and territory northwest of the Ohio River, has laid out the village of Bethel, on the waters of Cloverlick Creek, " Beginning at the southwest corner of said town, at a beech-tree and a black-walnut stake, running thence north two hundred and forty-nine poles to a stake; thence east one hundred and thirteen poles to a stake; thence south two hundred and forty-nine poles to a stake; thence west one hundred and thirteen poles to the place of beginning, containing one hundred and seventy-five acres and one hundred and thirty-seven poles, including streets and alleys; also, the several donations which I give for the ase of the public, and which are as follows, to wit: Two in-lots in said town of Bethel, Nos. 120 and 147, which are to be added to the long sqaare north of said lots, which contains one acre of ground (when added contains two acres), making a square for the purpose of building a court-house and jail, and no other purpose. I also give one in-lot No. 122, for the ase of an English school, to be kept in the bounds of said town; I also give two in-lots Nos. 80 and 108, for the use of the regular Baptist Church, who do not hold slaves nor commune at the Lordls table with those that do practice such tyranny over their fellow-creatures, for to build a house for the worship of Almighty God and to bury the dead, and no other use; I also give one in-lot No. 257 to the first-born in the town, Mary Osborne, her heirs and assigns forever." There were also reserved from sale five springs, with a few rods of ground around each, one near the square, one near Kelly Burke's house, one near Barzilla Osborne's, etc. The in-lots were laid out of uniform size, four to a block, and numbered from 1 to 178. Forty-eight out-lots, each containing 5 acres, were laid off in the east of the above lots at the saute time. Some of the out-lots were subdivided by the Tice family ; and additions to Bethel have been made, April 10, 1875, by Mrs. Margaret C. Sargent,-36 lots, lying between the Felicity and Augusta roads,--and Oct. 12, 1877, by James McMurchy, 12 lots east of the projected railroad. The streets of the village intersect each other at right angles, and their direction is almost with the points of the compass. Those running east and west are Plane (which is the principal business street), Water, Cherry, Ball, Osborne and Circus. The intersecting streets are West, Ash, Main, Union, Charity, and East. The proprietor of Bethel was also the first to settle there. Obed Denham was a native of Virginia, but immigrated to this place from Kentucky in 1797, on account of his abhorrence of the institution of slavery. At first the family camped under a large beech-tree near the tannery spring, but soon after permanently located on Town Run, a little west of the limits of the village. He offered liberal inducements to settlers, and a number of families soon followed him from Kentucky and the East, among them being the Becks, Burkes, Osbornes, Clarkes, Frazees, and Morrises, so that, at that early period, Bethel bade fair to prove a rmidable rival of Williamsburgh, notwithstanding the latter had just been selected as the county-seat. Most of those were rather a superior class of people, but there were also living in the village at this time a few families not so highly favored in mental ability, and who unfortunately believed in the presence and power of evil spirits and witches. Of this latter class are remembered the Evans and Hildebrand families, the rmer residing on the lot at Present occupied by Dr. McLain, the latter on the Dr. William Ellsberry lot. It appears the Hildebrand family especially imagined itself under the influence of witches, the older daughters, who were young women grown, giving unmistakable evidence that they were possessed by some evil spirits. On the approach of night they would scream, and at times become perfectly frantic from fright of the hideous objects which they professed to see, and which maintained such a spell over them that they were unfitted r their duties. Various devices were resorted to in order to exorcise these spirits. A large bag of linsey-woolsey was made and held by a member of the family, while the other members went through some ceremony, at the conclusion of which it was supposed the witch had been rced to take refuge in the bag, which was quickly closed, and after being firmly tied was carefully laid on the porch of the 'house, where it was cut into a thousand pieces with a sharp axe. The fragments were then gathered together and burned ; and one would surely suppose that if the witch had perchance escaped death while the bag which confined it was cut into fine -