640 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
CHESTER TOWNSHIP.
BY A. H. HARLAN, NEW BURLINGTON, OHIO.
GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE.
THE rocks composing the foundation of our superstructure are of the Hudson period, Lower Silurian age, and paleozoic era of the world's formation. These rocks are of the class limestone, and were formed from a "calcareous organic sediment" at the bottom of the sea. In other words, they were com posed of the lime-like substance of the shells of the molluscs, or sea-living an imals of that period, and from an argillaceous or clayey matter carried into the sea by the ever advancing and retreating waves upon the land. To use the words of J. S. Newberry, Esq., the chief geologist of the Ohio survey: "It the advance inland of the sea line, the first deposit from the sea would be what may be termed an unbroken sheet of sea beach, which would cover the rocky sub-structure of all portions of the continent brought beneath the ocean. Over this coarser material would be deposited a sheet of finer mechanical sediment, principally clay, laid down just in the rear of the advancing beach; and, finally, over all, a sheet of greater or less thickness of calcareous material, destined to form limestone when consolidated, the legitimate and only deposit made from the water of the open sea." These rocks in time, or as centuries followed centuries, and the ever and unceasing changes of nature went on, became covered with drift, first of blue clay, then followed by alluvium, from which in time sprang forth vegetation, and when found by the settler of the eighteenth century, was covered by an unbroken forest. Looking upon this scene with an eye for the beautiful and mysterious, an admiration and reverence for the Power that wrought these mysteries, one cannot but see that the conclusions had been drawn and the result known ages before the completion of this great sub-structure. No mistakes were made, but, on the other hand these laws, when once set going, continued on and on in an unceasing performance of their duties until the end had been reached and made ready for the coming master-stroke of this great architect, man.
If we could but follow man from his first appearance upon earth on the high table-lands of Central Asia, up through the long ages of his wandering in a darkened and benighted condition, until the closing years of the eighteenth century of the Christian Era, when we find him planted upon the shores o the New World; if we could have passed with him through all his battles for civil and religious freedom, and witnessed his many attempts at establishing a government shorn of all prejudices and superstitions; or if to-day we cool look back upon him (in all these ages) with a supernatural vision, we coot but re-admire the mysterious workings of the Prime Architect and Builder o all this. But space forbids, and we can only refer to him as he emerges fror his baptism of blood in that century, and find him again established wit, civil and religious liberties as his chief corner-stones; but at what a sacrifice
LOCATION.
The township of which I write is located in the extreme northwestern corner of Clinton County, and is bounded on the east by Liberty and Union and on the south by Adams, each and all sister townships of Chester. On the
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west it is bounded by Wayne and Massie, of Warren, and on the north b; Spring Valley and Caesar Creek Townships, of Greene. From east to west, its width is four and eighty-seven hundredths miles from north to south its length is six and thirty-one hundredths miles, ani it contains within its boundaries thirty and seventy-three hundredths square miles. Its altitude above low Water* at the suspension bridge, on the Ohio River, at Cincinnati, is about four hundred and fifty feet; above the sea level about nine hundred feet. The declination is from northeast to west and south Before the organization of Clinton County, about one-fourth of the lands now embraced in our township belonged to Warren, and prior to that to Hamilton County. At the establishing of Clinton County in 1810, it was one of the three townships into which the county was subdivided, viz., Chester, Richland and Vernon, and was by far the largest in both area and population of the three The boundary lines of that day are, however, in great part but tradition of to day, so that just where the lines were that separated Chester from her sister townships the writer of this cannot fully determine. Enough for the purpose to say, however, that they included all of Liberty, a part of Wilson, then on a line south so as to include Wilmington, and to a point where a line drawn west would include the northern half of Adams. It then followed the line of Warren to Greene, and the latter to the place of beginning.
It remained in this form until the year 1813, when Union was established from Chester, Richland and Vernon; hence the name. In 1817, Liberty, and the now west part of Wilson, were taken, to be followed in May, 1849, by the southern part of Chester, going to form the northern part of Adams; since then no further change in the territory has been made.
Of the larger streams or water-courses of the county, none extend for any distance nee within our corporate limits. The waters of Dutch Creek coming in below the center of our line on the east, flow but a few miles southwest, then join with those of Todd's Fork, just without our borders. Anderson's Fork, in its long, zigzag wanderings across the plains of Richland, Wilson and Liberty, to enter our borders on the east, stops but briefly to have the soil of Chester, and then glides into Greene, re-entering inside the lines, however, in time to flow southwest across our northwest corner, and unite with the waters of Caesar Creek as they enter northwest and flow southeast. Then these two journey on for a short distance only, when they by a southwest departure, disappear into Warren. But the tributaries of these streams are sufficient and proportionate to the drainage necessary for the lands, the principal ones of which are Buck Run, Turkey Run, Trace Branch, Jonah's Run and Layton's Run. These, with the exception of the latter, are tributaries of Caesar Creek, the former of which rises in Liberty Township on the lands of Allen Hiatt and flow westerly through the former into the latter, entering Caesar Creek at the point where it departs into Warren. The directions of the three remaining tributaries of this stream are from east to southwest, with, however, one exception, and that the latter, which has a northwest by west course until after passing out of the township, when it, assumes more of a northwest course. Layton's gun is a tributary of Dutch Creek, and rises on lands now owned by Newton McMillan and the heirs of Job Jeffries, flows southeast, and enters the lands of Emma Buckley.
As I said in the beginning, the lands of Chester were covered with a dense growth of forest trees, the following in part being the species to which they belonged, Oak, beech, cottonwood, black walnut, hickory, buckeye, butternut, ash, sassafras, gum, thorn, ironwood, honey locust, hornbeam, maple and poplar; and while these species of the flora of our land were not confined to any one section of it, yet some grew more numerous than others, and the ex-
644 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
ceptions I shall note are the oak, maple, beech, hickory, poplar and sycamore, Of these, the former grew in all its majesty and beauty in the neighborhood of Oakland, the maple over all the territory, the beech likewise, as well as the hickory, while upon the water-courses we find the sycamore, and on the hill. Bides and adjoining, the poplar.
The surface of our township can be divided into two classes, viz., the northern half undulating, but not so as to seriously interfere with its cultivation or allow of lands that cannot in some manner be utilized. The southern half has, properly speaking, more of a level cast, and in the early days was somewhat retarded in its settlement and cultivation. The soils of the town. ship are well adapted to all kinds of small grain, and, in fact, to the various kinds of agricultural pursuits. The principal crops are corn, wheat, oats, flax, hay, and Irish potatoes, while in some localities rye and barley are raised every year; they are not, however, considered in these statements as belonging to our crops. The breeding and raising of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs are also engaged in quite extensively, and many fine animals of each brood are to bs found in our township.
The lands in Chester, as indeed all those in the county, are of a class known as "the Virginia Military Lands," and were surveyed, entered and patented for and by the soldiers of the Continental establishment of Virginia, in the war for independence, or their heirs-at-law. Virginia had in that war two classes into which her troops were divided. First. the Continental, or, under the National Government; second, State troops, or militia. Virginia, as you are already informed in this volume, claimed under three separate charters from the crown of England, bearing date April 10, 1606, May 23, 1609, and March 12, 1611, all the lands then known as the " Territory North west of the River Ohio," which, on March 1, 1784, she conveyed to the National Government, through her Delegates in Congress, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, Samuel Hardy and Arthur Lee, reserving, however, so much as would become necessary to discharge a debt then existing against her, and going to her soldiers who had enlisted under certain acts passed by her, and by which they were entitled to lands for their services. To this the National Govern ment consented, and by so doing brought into history the lands referred to. The territory set apart consisted of a tract of land of 6,570 square miles, or 4,204,800 acres, situated between the Scioto and Little Miami Rivers, with a frontage on the Ohio River covering that distance. It then extended north until the head-waters of all south-running streams were reached; hence, Clinton County is one of the counties embraced therein.
In Chester there are eleven complete and eighteen fractional surveys, covering 20,123 acres; and, while it is not my intention to go into a full and de tailed history of the original settlement of each survey, I propose to occupy considerable space in that direction, for I am frank to acknowledge that the searching out of these early, and in fact, earliest settlers, has been to me a source of peculiar compensation; and I am fully persuaded by the hearty co-operation I have everywhere met with throughout the length and breadth of our township that the plan will be met with general satisfaction by all. These patents, then, open the history of our township, in the earliest days of the present century, and, as my pen takes up the thread that will weave into history the lives and life-work of those noble heroes and heroines who cut from out their primeval covering the fine farms that now bask in the sunlight and thrift of the prosperity everywhere manifested within our borders, I cannot but feel that to other hands should this task have been given-hands far more efficient, mind with far larger capacities and talents than mine own. Realizing then, as I do the great labor before me, and that where weeks have been employed, months
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should have been consumed in the work, I reluctantly accept the trust, and enter upon it with the intention of giving, as far as I go, a true narrative of the events surrounding the settlement of our township.
WARP AND WOOF.
James Robertson was a soldier in the war for our independence, a Lieutenant for three years in tho Continental establishment of Virginia. By the laws of his State, 2,666 2/3 acres of land were his. He did not return, but his fife went out, as did thousands of others in the grand struggle wherein, upon the one side was engaged a monarchy with all that the name implies, and on the other a people whose chiefest desires were civil and religious freedom, equal and exact liberties. Philip Barbour was his heir-at-law. Albert Gallatin in time became the assignee of Barbour, and on the 18th day of October, 2787, entered Survey No. 57 , "situated on the lower side of Caesar Creek," and containing 766 2/3 acres of land. A patent did not follow until the 3d day of April, 1804, two years after the Territory had been made a State, seventeen after the entry had been made, and five years after it had passed from the hands of Gallatin and been settled upon.
James Jenkins was a native of Redstone, Fayette Co., Penn., and was during the Revolutionary war a most bitter and uncompromising Tory. He left Pennsylvania soon after peace was declared, for the reason probably that peace to the country was but the beginning of war to him-in other words the return turn of his neighbors to their homes after months of privation and suffering (battling for their country), surrounded him with anything but a social and friendly atmosphere. His destination was Tennessee, which he reached, and where he died.
Twelve years after Gallatin entered Survey 571, or in the year 1799, Aaron, a son of James Jenkins, came from Tennessee and purchased the entire tract of land. He was accompanied by his wife and a part of his family. He erected thereon a bowed-log house, of the double pattern so common in those days. His family consisted of five children, three sons and two daughters, namely, Aaron, James, Baldwin, Lydia and ---. He died in 1807. To his sons Baldwin and James, he gave all of the survey, excepting fifty acres off a southeast corner, which he gave to his daughter Lydia. To his son Aaron gave lands he had purchased near where the village of Port William is today. No record is given of his last child. The survey was situated partly in Greene and partly in Clinton, and while the settlement of this man then as now was wholly without the province of Clinton County, the children arriving at manhood and womanhood, with one exception, became settlers in Chester Township.
Charles Scott was a Brigadier General, and, under warrant 815, entered 11,666 2/3 acres of land in the "Territory Northwest of the Ohio River." On the 5th day of September, 1800, he entered Survey No. 3,916, consisting of 800 acres and adjoining Gallatin on the east. The patent followed July 18, 1801, in the name of Nathaniel Massie, and was signed by Thomas Jefferson as President of the United States.
George A. Mann and his wife Elizabeth were of German descent, though natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in 1727, the latter in 1746. In 17-, they emigrated to Rockingham County, Va., where they remained some years, and from there they went to Nicholas County, Ky. They had eight children - John, Peter, Jacob, Henry, George, Elizabeth, Charles and David. While yet in Kentucky, George Mann purchased of his son-in-law, Adam Shillinger, 200 acres of a 400-acre tract of land he owned in 3,916, situated on the waters of South Fork (now Anderson's Fork). The consideration was $4
646 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
per acre, and the purchase was made for his youngest two children, Charles and Davit!. The. others had married, and were settled in Kentucky. Early in the month of March, 1801. Charles and David Mann, the former twenty and the latter eighteen years of ago; left their father's house in Nicholas County, Ky., for the "Territory Northwest of the Ohio," and for the further purpose of finding and settling upon the lands last mentioned. The understanding had between the father and sons was that he in company with the mother, his son-in-law, Schillinger, and his family, would follow in the fall of that year, or, the spring of 1802. The boys were upon horseback, and carried with then, such articles as were of the utmost importance, and at the same time of the most convenience to carry, such as axes, a few cooking utensils, some provisions, but above all the constant companion of the early settlers, their guns. At about noon of a day in the latter part of that month, they landed at their destination and immediately sot to work to prepare some kind of a shelter. They felled some mulberry trees, which they split into slabs, and with these slabs erected a rude structure somewhat similar in pattern to an Indian wigwam. Into this they carried their effects, and in it they spent their first night on the "farm." The morning must have been to them a dreary one indeed, for a snow lay deep on the ground Without doubt, as they looked out upon it and the scene before them, they longed for the pleasant fireside of the father and the warm meal there being prepared by the loved and loving mother. Few boys of this day would care to undergo such hardships; but the day came and went, to be followed in turn by others, until the time arrived when the crop for the coming year must go in the ground. The boys had labored hard; and why not? They were working for a home. The cabin was already up, land had been partly cleared, and ground was as rapidly as possible being prepared for the planting, when a morning came to them that caused them to feel that the. last straw had been applied. They awoke to find that during the darkness of night their horses had either strayed or were stolen. A decision was soon reached Charles would go on the hunt for the missing animals; David would remain behind and await his return. Hastily bidding each other farewell, they separated, the former on the trail of the horses, the latter to his daily toil. The day went by; a week followed, and months rolled away before these two boys again met. David planted that season three acres of corn, going to a settler named Price, near where Paintersville now stands, for his seed Spring passed, summer had ended, his crop ripened and was garnered, and yet no word from Charles, nor the loved ones at home But he must remain where he was. His nearest neighbors were Aaron Jenkins, Peter Price (where he got his seed corn), and a settler where Waynesville now stands. The latter had a corn-cracker that turned by hand, which he had brought with him from Virginia the year before. An incident occurred during the summer that I will mention here: One day, when the corn was in tine condition for roasting, six Indians came down the creek (Anderson's Fork), and went into the corn patch. Husking off an arm load of ears apiece, they carried them down to the banks of the creek, where they started a fire and had a feast. David was a spectator to the scene, and, while he did not like to see the fruits of his labor going to fill the bellies of a half-dozen dirty, lazy savages, he did not say so to them, but allowed them to eat and depart when they felt ready. In the fall, David would shell a grist of corn, put it in a linen bag (brought from home), then on his shoulder, gun in hand, would trudge through the woods to the settler with his corn-cracker, and, when done, borne again the same way, a distance, going and returning, of nearly twenty miles.
Charles followed the horses day after day, until he reached the river, opposite Maysville, at which point he learned that animals answering his descrip-
CHESTER TOWNSHIP. - 647
tion had swam the river at that place and had gone in the direction of Nicholas County. He crossed the river and followed on until his father's house was reached, when he there found the objects of his search. On his return home, all thoughts of waiting until spring were abandoned, and preparations were at once begun for an immediate removal to the new home. September found them on the way, and October safely landed in this State. Here they remained; here the boys grew to manhood; here, under the sturdy strokes of these brave men grew one of the finest farms in the settlement: and here, on the 4th day of May, 1821, at the age of ninety-five years, George Mann passed to his rest, to be followed, at the age of eighty-four, in January, 1839, by Elizabeth, the wife and mother. Thus passed from earth to eternity two of those noble souls who were so largely instrumental in preparing the way for succeeding generations. And now, while, as in the case of the Jenkins family, their settlement was without the county, yet their lands extended over, and all but one of the family became residents of Clinton. Charles Mann married Lydia, daughter of Aaron Jenkins, and settled in the stone house on the place now owned by Volcah Weaver. He was a member of the first jury that ever sat in a State case in Clinton, it being the State of Ohio against Cornelius Quick. Horse-stealing was the charge upon which he was found guilty, and the sentence of the court was "That he be whipped on Ida naked back fifty stripes, on Saturday, October 27, at 2 o'clock P. M."* was the father of several children, and died December 24, 1865, aged eighty-three years eight months and twenty-three days. His wife, Lydia, died April 5, 1838, aged fifty-two years. David Mann married Rachel Irvin; they had several children, but one of whom came into the township; he died June 1856, aged seventy-two years five months and nine days; his wife, Rachel, died August 7, 1878, aged seventy-three years four months and twelve days. o of the sons remaining in Kentucky afterward came out, Henry and Jacob. former purchased the fifty acres owned by Lydia Jenkins Mann, and set upon it, where his son John now lives. This was in the year 1809. Jacob came and settled upon a part of this place, but soon after purchased land in what is now Washington Township, near Cuba, and remained there. The George Mann now living in that township is his son. Henry died February 4, ,1858, aged nearly seventy-nine years; his wife, Rachel, died March 25, 1862, aged seventy-six years eight months and twenty-eight days. John, now an old man, occupies his father's homestead, and ere many years he, too, will be called to his rest.
THE LUCAS FAMILY.
The members of this family originally came from New Jersey, where they were among the earliest settlers of that colony, receiving with others land is from the crown. The elder Lucas of those I shall mention removed, grants New Jersey in the eighteenth century, and settled in Kentucky. Thomas Lucas a son of his, had six children, all sons, viz., Thomas, Abraham, Ebenezer, John, Caleb and Francis. He left Kentucky in a very early day, and came to Fort Washington, now Cincinnati, probably in 1785.(t) where he remained some years. While here, his son John enlisted under Gen. Harmar, in his campaign against the Indians, in which it was supposed he lost his life, as he never returned from that ill-fated expedition. Caleb, another son, accompanied Gen. Wayne as far as Greensville, Darke Co., Ohio, in his expedition against the Indians, in the capacity of a teamster. The family then came to Columbia, and from there to Lebanon, where the parents died. In 1802, Caleb Lucas purchased of Abijah O'Neal, a and speculator at Lebanon;
* See Chapter on Courts.
(t) As Fort Washington wad not erected until 1789, the next year after Cincinnati was settled, probably it was not earlier than l789- P.A. D.
648 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
150 acres of land in 3,918 adjoining on the south the lands of George Mann, and wholly in Clinton County (then Warren). He came here the same year, settled and built upon it a hewed-log house, the consideration being fully explained by the following, now in the possession of the family:
Received, August 6, 1804, of Caleb Lucas, at the hands of Samuel Martin, the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, it being one-half of the price of one hundred and fifty acre. of land, which the said Lucas purchased of me, the said lands being the property of Col. Massie, the other half payable in twelve months from this date, said lands lying on Anderson's Fork, adjoining Aaron Jenkins.
Witness: JOHN HAINES. Signed: ABIJAH O'NEAL
FOR
SITUAH RICHARDS. NATHANIEL MASSIE.
He began at once to clear his land. Before coming here he had, however, married, about the year 1797, Mary Price, who was born in Rockingham County, Va., February 8, 1782; he, October 26, 1776. Nine children were born to them, as follows: Thomas, October 13, 1799; Sarah, March 29, 1802; Catharine, December 10, 1804; Elizabeth, February 7,1807; Mary, March 18, 1809; Rachel, April 13, 1811; Frederick, February 22, 1814; Caleb, February 1, 1817; and Ebenezer, October, 1819. He, soon after settling here, sold to his brother Ebenezer fifty acres off the east side of his place, part of lands now owned by Levi D. Shambaugh. At the time of his settlement here, the Indians were quite numerous, though not troublesome. Among the many who at that time were frequent visitors to this settlement was Roundhead, a chief of the Wyandots, and, being an excellent marksman, never failed to call upon Mr. Lucas for a test of skill in the use of the rifle at a mark. He was always made welcome by Mr. L., and many times their shots were placed side by side at a distance of 100 paces. His neighbors at this time were George Mann, Aaron Jenkins, his brother Ebenezer, and a few others. The nearest mill was the corn-cracker referred to, at the place where, as I said, Waynesville now stands. The nearest trading-place was Lebanon, and that through an almost unbroken forest.
But the peace and prosperity of these settlers was not long to continue, at least not for many years. In 1811, war again broke out over the frontier and these brave men had to look the danger squarely in the face and prepare for it. In 1812, Caleb Lucas was elected Captain and I feel that the following will not be out of place at this time:
In the name and by the authority of the State of Ohio, Return Jonathan Meigs, Governor and Commaner-in-Chief of said State.
To CALEB LUCAS, Esq., GREETING
It being certified to me that you are duly elected Captain of the 'Fourth Company, Sixth Battalion, Third Brigade, First Division of the Militia of this State
NOW KNOW YOU, That by virtue of the power vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of said State; and reposing special trust and confidence in your courage, intogrity, fidelity and good conduct, I do, by these presents , commission you as Captain of said Company, hereby authorizing and requiring of you to discharge all and singular the duties and services appertaining to your said office, agreeably to law, and such instructions as you shall from time to time receive from your superior officers.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the great seal of the State of Ohio to be affixed, at Chillicothe, Ohio, the third day of July, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and twelve, and in the thirty-sixth year of the independence of the United States of America.
By His Excellency's command.
JOHN MCLEAN, Secretary of State,
RETURN J. MEIGS, Governor.
On the back of this was:
September 12, 1817. This is to certify that the within named Captain, Caleb Lucas has resigned the within commission, in consequence of his having served five years.
DAVID DAVID HUGHES, Adjutant.
SAMUEL COX, Major.
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Among the many old papers now iu the possession of his son, Ebenezer who yet resides on the old place and until but a few years ago, in the old house, and who married a daughter of David and grand-daughter of George Mann), I copy the following:
October 8, 1804, then received of Caleb Lucas 44 cents for his county tax.
PETER PAPENOE, Collector.
This 22d day of September, 1807, received of Caleb Lucas 1 dollar and 33 cents, it being in full for the present year for county and State tax. GEORGE HAWORTH, Collector.
Received of Caleb Lucas, for his State and county tax, 1 dollar and 34 cents, this 18th day of October, 1809, by me. JONATHAN HARLAN, Collector.
Lebanon, Ohio, May 15, 1810. Received of Mr. Caleb Lucas cash in full for the Western Star to this date.
CRANE & MCLEAN, Publishers.
Mr. Lucas passed his life on this farm, lived to see his children grown to manhood and womanhood, grandchildren around his knees, and died April 1851, aged seventy-four years six months and four days. His wife followed him September 1, 1863, aged eighty-one years six months and twenty-two days. Ebenezer Lucas (as I said, his youngest son) has many articles of interest to the historian and antiquarian of to-day, among them a corner cupboard of whose age no person now living can tell, a kitchen table brought to Ohio by Jonathan Garwood prior to the settlement of Caleb Lucas here in 1802, a volume of Watt's hymns and psalms in verse, printed in 1720, or 162 years ago, a large iron pot or kettle, once the property of James Jenkins, and taken by him from Pennsylvania to Tennessee, and brought to Ohio by his son, Aaron Jenkins, in 1799. Its age can only be conjectured. A volume of the Analectic Magazine, by Thomas, Philadelphia, A. D., 1812, the Political Magazine, London, England, three numbers, April, May and June, 1781, the property of James Jenkins, Sr., and finally, a copy of Volume I of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Horatio Gates was a soldier in the Continental establishment of Virginia -a Major General with whose record every reader of American history is familiar. As to the number of acres to which he was entitled my informant does not say.* This much I do know, that twelve surveys in Clinton bear his name, of which five are in Chester Township. On the 5th day of March, 1793, 1,000 acres were surveyed for Gen. Gates, in virtue of part of Warrant 804, and became Survey 2,230. Patent followed September 17, 1798, in the name of James Murray, physician, and signed by George Washington, as President of the United States of America
Layton Jay was born in Newberry District (County), S. C., as was also his wife, Elizabeth, who was a daughter of John Mills. They were members of Bush River Monthly Meeting of Friends, and were married according to the discipline of that church abtmt the year 1796. Ten children were born to them, of whom all but three were born before coming to Ohio: Patience, born 16th day, 4th month, 1794; Charlotte, 13th, 7th, 1795; William, 30th, 8th, 1796; John, 29th, 4th, 1798; James; 27th, 7th, 1800; Abigail, 29th, 6th, 18112; David, 14th, 8th, 1804; Mary, 8th, 3d, 1806; Elijah, 13th, 7th, 1807; Anna, 3d, 4th, 1810. The exact date of their coming to Ohio is not known, yet it was not later than 1804 that they left South Carolina, and came by the way of Tennessee and Kentucky, crossing the Ohio at Cincinnati on a flat-boat, the horses tied to it and swimming behind. They landed near the present site of Waynesville, and the family remained there in camp for some time, or until the husband and father could find a place of settlement. He finally took
* Fifteen thousand acres by right of his rank as Major General.
650 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
a lease on the lands of James hurray, or on land now owned by Thomas Long. stretch. His coming here was contemporary with the arrival of Robert Eachus, Jacob Haines, Isaac Perkins, Mahlon Haworth and a few others, who settled in that neighborhood at the same time. The people of Chester Township of to-day can form but a faint conception of the condition of things then. We who now live here, surrounded with the many comforts and conveniences of life, know little regarding the mode of living in those early days. Their cabins were of unhewn logs, the bottom ones placed directly upon the ground. with poles and clapboards overhead, and contained but one room. The floor was made of puncheons, or logs split and then hewn, so that the flat or upper most side presented a tolerable flat surface, but which made a very substantial floor. The roof was of clapboards, held in their places by large poles laid lengthwise. The chimneys were of sticks and mud, or clay. The fire-place was generally of large dimensions, often as wide as seven feet, and capable of taking in large sticks of wood, and up whose chimneys on cold wintry nights a roaring fire went, and around whose hearths the family gathered, and where the evening meal was prepared by loved hands.
At this time, but little land had been prepared for cultivation, and in its garb of nature presented a field of long and heavy toil to the pioneer. But these men were equal to the task. It seemed that their mode of living pre. pared them for the great labor that of necessity devolved Upon them, and their bodies were free from the many ills that beset men of our day. It is true their lives were ones of constant privation and great labor, but withal it was to them in many instances a happy one, filled with a fullness of great and pure love for their families and friends, and a charity and friendship for each and all, and above all sound bodies and healthy offspring. There was no time for play, no time for idleness, from morning until night; from early dawn of the second until the close of the seventh day in each week, it was work. No one was idle, from the father to the child. There was timber to fell, rails to split, fences to build, ground to clear off, chips and brush to pile and burn, flax to break and spin, wool to card and weave, cows to. milk and meals to prepare; in fact, there was room for all to work, and all did work.
For untold ages it has been the custom of man to lavish his praises upon those who, by mighty deeds of valor, on field of battle, send their names ringing down the flight of time; but not a word, not a praise for these real heroes, does man bestow, who, without a desire to create a name in history for themselves, bore the battles of toil and privation that those who followed in after years might reap the benefits. To these men and their failhful wives should the honors be awarded
The Indians were very numerous, as were the bears, wolves, deer and wild turkeys. The former at that day were not troublesome nor did they give the settler any fears. "I well remember them coming to my father's cabin," said the venerable John Jay to the writer," and sitting or standing around my father's shoe bench until late bedtime. Jim Logan, a chief, and one of the number, could talk English some. I very well remember the rings suspended from their noses and ears, and vividly the night when Jim took an awl from my fathers bench, and, taking me by my ear, pretended he was going to pierce it. I screamed loudly, when he threw down the awl and pretended to feel very bad about it. Every night we could see the light from their camp-fires. I also recollect one evening when my father, one of my brothers and myself were out in the little clearing pulling turnips, we heard the Indians' dogs coming through the wood, making a loud noise with their barking. My father said they were pursuing a bear, and for us to remain where we were until he could go to the house, get his gun and return, which
CHESTER TOWNSHIP. - 653
be soon did. We then followed after the dogs and soon came up with them, and also with the hear, who had safely as he thought, ensconced himself in the top of a tree. My father waited some time for the Indians to come up, when, fearing it would then he too dark to see. shot aril killed it. The Indians soon after came up, and hastily removing the skin they cut the hear in twain, gave my father half. and returned in a merry humor to their camp. The first mill I ever went to was the will of Robert Eachus, upon Todd's Fork, find I well recollect the circumstance attending it. Robert was of a cross or surly disposition. and was especially cousidered so by boys or those not acquainted with his manners. Riding up to the mill floor, I called to him and asked him if he could grind my gist of corn. His reply came quick and very crusty, 'No.' Without remaining; to ask another question, I turned my horse about and rode home. where my father met me, and, hearing my story, took me off, got on himself. rode to the mill and left it until such a time as he could grind it The nearest trading place was where Waynesville now stands, and that a very small affair indeed. It was kept by David Halloway in a log cabin, and was the first and only one there at the time I speak of. His counter and his only shelf were puncheons, while his stock consisted of knives, forks, spoons, knitting-needles, weavers' reels, awl blades. sewing thread, needles, powder, tobacco, whisky and a few other articles daily called for by the settlers.
"We remained here until 1809, when my father with the family moved up on Stillwater, in Darke County, where, in 1814, he died with milk sickness. My mother then returned to Chester Township with her children to her father's, John Mills, who then resided on Turkey Run. The children who were old enough went from home to live." Mr. Jay ever after remained in the township, and his further history will yet appear in these pages.
Isaac Webb was for seven years a soldier in the war for American independence. and at its close received from his grateful country a warrant for 2,666 2/3 acres of land. One thousand of this he entered as a part of Warrant No. 2,446, " on the upper side of Caesar Creek," and was numbered Survey 583, bearing date October 17, 1792.
James and Sarah Spray were natives of Chester County, Penn., and were members of the Society of Friends. They were married according to the discipline of that church about the year 1752 or 1753. Eight children were the fruits of this Union, namely:
Jesse, 23d day, l2th month, 1754; Samuel, 23d, 5th, 1758; Abner, 20th, 2d, 1761. Hannah, 18th, 2d, 1763; James, 4th, 1st, 1765; Mordecai, 3d, 2d, 1767. Thomas, 26th 12th, 1768; and William, 17th, 12th, 1771. There lived also in Chester County at that day John and Dinah Wilson, and they too were married as members of Friends' Church. They had nine children, as follows: Mary, 12th month, 15th day, 1760; Jehu, lst, lst, 1763; Seth, 12th, 7th, 1764; Phebe, 2d, 15th, 1769; Esther, 2d, 9th, 1771; Sarah, 5th, 9th, 1773; Christopher, 8th, 15th, 1775; Hannah, 7th, 28th, 1778; and John, 8th, 28th, 1782. These families were neighbors, and about the year 1788 Samuel Spray was was united in marriage to Mary, the eldest child of John and Dinah Wilson, the former at the age of thirty-one, the latter, twenty-eight years. They left soon after for Union County, S. C., where on the 15th of February, 1790, their first child was born to them. They remained here until the year 1805, with their five children, born as follows: John, 15th day, 2d month, 1790; James, 17th, 8th. 1793; Samuel, 30th, 4th, 1796; Mary, 30th, 8th, 1798; and Dinah, 3d, 10th, 1804, they started on their journey through Tenneesee and Kentucky for Ohio, coming by the way of Cincinnati, and stopping at the great central point, Waynesville, where they remained until, having purchased, in the year 1806, of Isaac Webb, of Bourbon County, Ky., for a
654 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
consideration of £1,000, current funds of that State, the 1,000 acres referred to, he removed his family that year, and settled upon it. This survey is now partly in Clinton, but at the time of purchase was wholly within the province of Warren County. History does not say in what year John and Dinah Wil. son left Pennsylvania and settled in South Carolina, but it does record them as living there.
James Hawkins was born in Loudoun County, Va., January 23, 1756. He left there when a young man, and settled in Union County, S. C., and about the year 1792, married Sarah, a daughter of John and Dinah Wilson, and sister of the wife of Samuel Spray. On the 14th of March, 1795, Ruth, their first child, was born, and followed by Dinah, 22d, 11th, 17'95, and Jehu, 30th, 10th, 1796. In 1806, he too took up the line of emigration, and lauded here in the same year. He purchased of Samuel Spray 144 acres off the northeast corner of his tract of land, the consideration being $4 an acre, and erected thereon a log house and began the clearing of his land. On 1st day, 4th 1808, a son, Benjamin, was added to the family. On the 1st, 6th, 1810, James, and 23d, 5th, 1813, Amos, the latter of whom now owns and lives on the old place. John lives in Indianapolis; tho rest have long since died.
We have now arrived at a time in our history when the emigration into and the settlement of our lands began in earnest. Daily from 1806, the tide of immigration flowed on unceasingly. From the hills of Pennsylvania and Virginia, the barren lands of the Carolinas, the dark grounds of Tennessee and Kentucky, and from the East, or New York, they came. But the principal part of the immigrants who came in 1806 were Carolinians, not native born, but who had gone there from Pennsylvania and Virginia.
John Anderson, a Captain, entered on the 15th day of May, 1793, 1,000 acres under Survey No: 570, out of 4,666 2/3 he was entitled to under warrant 2,367. A patent followed in his name January 9, 1804. This survey was due east of 583, separated only by the waters of Caesar Creek. In 1806, Elijah O'Neal had become the owner, and held it on the market for sale.
Henry Millhouse was born in the parish of Timahoe, county of Kildare, Ireland, 1st of 5th month, 1736, O. S. At what date he came to America and settled in Union County, S. C., no record is left to tell; neither do the records say that be was married before or after his coming to America. Again, as to whom his wife was, where she was born, or when they were married, the records are as silent as the graves where for years they have lain. The records do make mention of her death, 11th of 8th month, 1803, and her burial on the Tiger River, in that State, at the age of sixty-four years; and further, the records say, " She was a loving, and affectionate wife, a tender mother over her children, endeavoring to bring them up in the fear of the Lord, sobriety and plainness; was in the station of an Elder for several years before her death; a careful attender of meetings for worship and discipline." Henry and Rebecca Millhouse had in all six children-Mary, 5th month, 2d, 1763; Rebecca, 11th month, 8th, 1767; Sarah, 3d month, 25th, 1770; Ann, let month, 24th, 1772. The dates of the births of Robert and Dinah are not given.
David and Clement Whitson each lived out a life of usefulness, and died many years ago, in Union County, S. C. The record barely mentions the fact of their existence, and the elder of the family I now mention was their son. Solomon Whitson was born in Union County, S. C., the 2d of 4th month, 1741, and his wife, Phebe, 25th of 5th month, 1745. They were married according to the discipline of the Friends' Church, at Cane Creek Monthly Meeting, about the year 1765. Eleven children were born to them, three of whom only will I mention-David, the second child, born 8th month, 3d, 1760' Jordan, the sixth, 3d month, 3d, 1777; and John, the tenth, 24th of 6th month,
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1787. Four of the others died in childhood. and the remaining four never left that State. About the year 1800, David Whitson married Mary, the eldest daughter of Henry and Rebecca Millhouse. About the year 1791, Robert Millhouse married Sarah Compton. Rebecca Millhouse, in 1793, married Amos Compton, a brother to Sarah the wife of Robert Millhouse and of these Comptons there are no earlier records. Dinah Millhouse, in 1796 or 1797, married Stephen Compton, a brother to Amos and Sarah, who had already married into this family. Ann Millhouse, about the same year, married Amos Hawkins, a brother to James Hawkins, and Sarah Millhouse, in 1793, had married Mordecai, a son of James and Sarah Spray.
In 1806, Henry Millhouse, with his son Robert and his family, consisting of wife and seven children, his sons-in-law and their wives and families, in all twenty children, started by way of North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky, for the land beyond the Ohio River, he then an old man, upon whose aged head seventy winters had left their marks of time. Leaving for the last time, as he then well knew, the grave of his wife, the mother of his children, taking up the path through the wilderness to the new land in the far Northwest, compare him, if you will, to another old patriarch whose journey was a similar one. They landed at Waynesville.
John Furnas was born in Newberry District, S. C., and was a member of Bush River Monthly Meeting of Friends. He married, about the year 1790, Esther, a daughter of John and Dinah Wilson. They had but one child, Christopher, born 18th of 10th month. 1791. On the 13th of 9th month, 1795, wife died and was buried in the Friends' Burying-Ground on Bush River. About the year 1797, he married Ruth, a daughter of Isaac and Charity Cook, who was born 25th of 8th month, 1776. She bore him in all four children - Isaac, 6th of 12th month, 1798; Mary, l0th of 12th month, 1800; Joseph, 24th of 9th month, 1802; and Robert, the latter in Ohio, 3d of 6th month, 1805. In 1805, he came to Ohio, possibly with the Millhouses, and settled temporarily near Waynesville. Among those contemporary with Furnas, from Newberry Distract, were George Arnold, Thomas Lewis and Robert Kelley. The survey, No. 570, as I before remarked, was then upon the market, and these people purchased the entire tract of land on or about the 3d of 12th month, 1806. Beginning on the northwest, Robert Kelley purchased 120 acres; then John Furnas, 154 acres; Thomas Lewis, 155 acres; all these lands running from Caesar Creek southeast. Adjoining these three tracts of land on the southeast, George Arnold took 238 acres, which completed two-thirds of it. Henry Millhouse purchased the balance, or about 333 acres, extending to Blair's Survey, No. 569. The consideration in each case was $2 per acre.
George Arnold was a son of John and Lina Arnold, of Newberry District, the eldest of a family of eight children, and born probably as early as 1760. There are no records. He married, about the year 1783, Rachel, a sister of John Mills. But one child, a son, was born to them, namely, Jesse, born 15th 9th month, 1785, and consequently at the time of emigration, a man grown. Of Thomas Lewis and his family there are no records left, and the family has long since left here for the West. Of Robert Kelley, the same can be said, and but few people of this day about here have any knowledge of them at all. On the 3d of 6th month, 1806, John Furnas purchased his lands, and settled the same year where Samuel Lemar now lives and owns. He erected thereon the story-and-a-half part of the Squire's present residence, and began life in the new State. There was no road then in this section, his location being influenced by the spring near by. He was also a blacksmith, and erected his shop a little northwest of his house, now west of the road Here, for many years, the sound of his anvil could be heard, and the smoke seen issuing from
656 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
the sooty stick-and-clay chimney. But full sixty years have passed and gone since this fire went out to him forever. On the 21st of 9th month, 1822, his second wife died, at the age of forty-six years. His third wife was Rebecca Millhouse Compton, with whom he lived until the 9th of 3d month, 1830. when he died and was " gathered to his fathers."
On the lands purchased by Henry Millhouse he settled his children, as follows: Amos Hawkins, on the southwest corner, or upon the farm where his son Henry lived out a long life, and died but a few years ago; David Whitson, adjoining Hawkins on the north. or upon the farm now owned by Milton Keys; Mordecai Spray, east of Hawkins; Robert, where William Icenhour lives, and himself between there and Mordecai Spray. Amos and Stephen Compton settled in Warren County.
James Craine was a Captain in the Continental Establishment of Virginia, and under Warrant 2,089 was entitled to 4,000 acres of land. On the 8th of March, 1793, Survey 1,994 was made, and a patent followed May 22, 1800, in the name of Daniel Muse. This survey lies in the southwest corner of Cheater and the northwest corner of Adams; but at the time of settlement, prior to 1810, was in Highland and Warren, and at the organization of Clinton in that year, was wholly in Chester Township. Daniel Muse was a resident of Northumberland County, Va. He entered into a contract with one Thomas Carneal, whereby the latter was to have one-half of the survey if he would place it on the market and effect a sale. He did so, and took for his services the eastern half.
Preserved Dakin came from New York State in 1806, and purchased, it is said, for the colony he represented 2,000 acres, or the eastern half of survey No. 1,994. He took 1,000 acres for himself and four children by a former wife. He then sub-divided his tract as follows: To William, the eldest son, 200 acres where James. Mussetter now owns and resides; to James, 200 acres off the southwest corner of his tract, or where the Dakin corner now is; to Elias, 200 acres where Elias D. Harlan now owns and lives; to Lydia, 200 acres where Harrison Mullen owns, and to himself 200 acres where Mr. Collins owns. At his death, this farm went to his second wife and her children.
Among others composing the Dakin colony, and all from the State of New York, was Joshua Nickerson, Sr., who came at the same time with the Dakins, and purchased land in the same tract, though on Todd's Fork, it being a part, if not all, of the farm now owned by Evan H. Hadley, a grandson-in-law of Nickerson. He had when reaching here but little else than a good wagon and two good horses. These he sold, and invested the proceeds in this land. He then purchased a pair of yearling steers, broke them to work, and they in time became a yoke of number one oxen, which supplied him with motive power until he became able to again own a team of horses. He was the father (among others) of two sons-Clark and Artemas, the former born May 5,1792; the latter February 27, 1796.
Elijah and Mary Sabin were born and reared in the State of New York, the former in 1753, the latter in 1756. Several children were born to these people, but the records are gone, and the present generation is not in possession of any facts that would add to their history. They were a part of the Dakin colony, but as to their place of settlement I cannot say.
William, Enoch and Charles Haynes were also members of the colony spoken of, and came here in 1806. William, about the year 1800, married Marsha,* a daughter of Elijah and Mary Sabin, by whom he had four children Harriet, William, James and Archibald, all of whom were born in the State of New York, the latter in July, 1808. In 1804, they came to Ohio, and settled
* Marcia?
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on lands in the eastern half of 1,994, in what is now Chester Township, on 200 acres of land purchased by the Dakin colony two years before. The same year, his brothers, Enoch and Charles Haynes, settled on 100 acres, and fifty acres respectively on the same side of the eastern half of said survey. Jesse and David Hughes purchased 212 acres, and twelve acres in the same line of lands about the same time. The price paid in each case for these lands was $2.50 an acre.
THE HARLAN FAMILY.
Enoch Harlan was a native of Chester County, Penn., a member of the fourth generation of the name in this country, and was born the 27th of December, 1745. He was the son of Ezekiel and Mary, both of whom were born in Ireland, the former 16th of July, 1679. The grandson of George and Eliza, the former born in England January 11, 1850, the latter in Ireland, and the great grandson of James, born in England prior to 1625. The grandparents, George and Eliza, were of the William Penn stock of Friends (commonly called Quakers), though the Harlans before him were members of the Church of England. In 1687, George Harlan and his family and his brother Michael emigrated to America, and settled near Christian Hundred, on the Delaware River, in the present State of Delaware, and in the "verge" of Center Monthly Meeting of Friends. They some few years after crossed the Delaware and settled in Chester County, Penn. Enoch was the youngest in a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, viz.: Mary, born 26th, 6th, 1722; William, 15th, 5th, 1724; Jonathan, 15th, 7th, 1726;. James, 29th 9th 1730; Sarah, 23d, 9th, 1732; Stephen, 12th, 3d,1740; Enoch, 27th, 12th; 1745. He married, according to the discipline of Friends, about the year 1768, Edith Carter (a sister of Nathaniel and George Carter, who were many years well known among the early Friends as prominent ministers of that church). History does not record the date of his emigration, but at an early day he took his family and settled in Guilford County, N.C., and in the verge of Springfield Monthly Meeting. Eleven children were born to Enoch and Edith Harlan, eight sons and three daughters, namely: Nathan, born 29th, 1st, 1770; William, 6th, 10th, 1771; Nancy, 19th, 10th, 1773; Nathaniel, 9th, 10th, 17'75; Jonathan, 7th, 9th 1777; David, 2d, 1st, 1780; Solomon, 13th, 2d, 1782; Hannah, 20th, 3d, 1784; Enoch, 26th, 12th, 1786; John Carter, 5th, 9th, 1790; Rebecca, 3d, 8th, 1792. Here he died 18th, 10th, 1794, at the age of forty-nine years. After his death, the widow and her children continued to reside in that State; but the great center of attraction soon became the " Territory Northwest," or the then new State of Ohio. Her boys had grown to manhood, and more lands were necessary. While yet residents of that State; Nathan had married Sarah Hunt; William married Charity Kimbrough; Nancy married Nathan Mendenhall; Nathaniel had gone to Kentucky, where he had settled, and married Elizabeth Berry; David married Susan Brummel. The rest of the children were yet at home.
In 1803, Nathan and William Harlun left that State on horseback on a prospecting tour, coming to Maysville, Ky., and, crossing the river, entered "new State." They traveled northward, through what is now the county of Brown, into Highland (the latter county at that time included nearly all of Clinton), and stopped near Hillsboro for a short time. They left there and passed through the present county of Clinton, and as far west as the Great Miami River, when they turned back and went home as they came, via Hillsboro. The next year (1804), William came with his family to this State, and settled near Hillsboro, where he remained until the early fall of 1806, when he left family and returned with his four-horse team and wagon to Guilford County, N. C., for the purpose of removing his widowed mother and her chil-
658 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
dren (yet at home), namely, Hannah, Enoch, John and Rebecca, to this State, which ho accomplished the same fall. In the meantime, Nathan had removed from that State and settled on lands purchased of the Dakin colony, in Survey 1,994-lands now owned by John P. Denny's heirs, but for many years the farm of Joseph Coates.
In the spring of 1807, William removed his family and his mother's family, and settled on 200 acres of land they had purchased of James and Lydia Dakin Birdsall.
The same year, Elizabeth Harvey, a sister of Edith Harlan, came out from North Carolina with her sons, Eli, Isaac, Caleb and Joshua, and settled in Survey 2,372 (now in Adams). Soon after, Jacob Hale, her son-in-law, Nathan Mendenhall, son-in-law of Edith Harlan, Eli Maden, Nathaniel Carter, George Carter, Jonathan Harlan and David Harlan left North Carolina and came to Ohio. Of these, Eli Maden married Hannah, a daughter of Edith Harlan, and (in 1810) having purchased of Isaac Harvey 100 acres of land for a consideration of $300, moved to and settled upon it. This upon lands now owned by George and John Maden (in Adams).
Jacob Hale purchased lands with the Harveys, and settled where Schoolhouse No. 1 stands (in Adams Township). His son, Armonia Hale, still owns the land. Jonathan Harlan married Hannah Morrison, and settled in Survey 1,994, on lands purchased of his brother, Nathan Harlan. David Harlan purchased lands and settled in 2, 371. The farm is now owned by John and George Maden. Large families descended from these pioneers, and are to-day scattered throughout the United States, and what Chester County, Penn., was at one day, and Guilford County, N. C., was at a later one, Clinton is to-day, the birthplace of a large number of the Harlan family. John C. Harlan, in 1816, married Lydia, a daughter of Jacob Hale, and settled in Chester Township. Enoch married Betsy Harvey, and removed to Warren County. Rebecca, the youngest, married 18th, 12th, 1818, Abram Hampton, and many years ago emigrated to Iowa.
William and Deborah McMillan were residents of York County, Penn., the former a native of Scotland, the latter from Wales. They were the par ents of eight children, namely: Thomas, William, Henry, Samuel, David and Jonathan (twins), Mary and Lydia. These children grew to manhood and womanhood in that State, and married there. Jonathan married Ann Hussey; David married Hannah Hussey; Mary married Joseph Baxter; Lydia married William Jay. Jonathan McMillan came to Ohio first about 1805, accompanied by David, his brother. They settled in this township, on 206 acres of land now owned by Newton McMillan, in Survey No. 2,266. The next year Jonathan returned to Pennsylvania, and brought out his father, accompanied by his two sisters and their families. They came by wagon to Pittsburgh, and from there to Cincinnati in a flat-boat. David settled where Thomas McMillan now owns, and Jonathan remained on the 206 acres. Joseph Baxter settled on sixty-two and a half acres of land in 2,232, being the east half of lands lately owned by Jonathan Rockhill. Lydia removed to Miami County. Some years after, Thomas, William and Henry came out and settled in 2,232, with the exception of Henry, who settled in Preble County. Thomas, where John Hawkins now owns and resides. William settled on sixty acres, where Duane B. Smith now owns and resides.
William and Enoch Wickersham came from Centre County, Penn., in 1806, and settled on 300 acres of land in 2,232. The former married, after coming to Ohio, Rachel Mills; the latter, Margaret, daughter of John Stout, in 1808.
Job Jeffries was a son of William and Hannah Darlington Jeffries. His wife, Elizabeth, a daughter of Andrew and Ellen Elliott Nicholson, natives
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of Bucks County. Penn. Jeffries came to Ohio about 1806 or 1807, and purchased 205 acres of land in 2,266 of James Murray,* a physician living in Ann Arundel County. Md. The consideration was $410. He put up the log house now standing near the substantial two-story frame that graces the lands Surrounding, and returned for his family. He carne all the way in a wagon, and arrived here in 1808. His piece of laud adjoined the McMillans. who were his neighbors on the north. They were the parents of three children-Hannah, born in 1809, and yet living. and Joab and Job, twins, born in 1811, both of whom are deceased.
THE BIRDSALL FAMILY.
Three brothers, the ancestors of the Birdsalls. who were among the pioneers of Clinton County, came from Wales with William Penn and settled on Long Island. One became an officer in the Revolution and went South. The second went to Canada during the same war, and some of his descendants afterward settled in the State of New York, and were the ancestors of James Birdsall (a son-in-law of Preserved Dakin) and Daniel Birdsall, who came to Ohio in 1806 and settled in (what is now) Chester Township. James first settled south of Preserved Dakin, but sold in 1807, to William and Edith Harlan. In 1807, he burnt brick and built the first brick house in what is now Clinton County. This is the house known for many years as the Hazard house, just east of Oakland. James Birdsall was an active man in the early settlement of the county, and bought and sold many tracts of land. He left the county prior to 1836, and settled on what is now Walnut Hill (Cincinnati), and is since deceased.
Daniel Birdsall settled and built just west of the village of Oakland, where Archibald Haynes owned and lived for many years. He left there prior to 1836 and settled in Lebanon, Ohio, and died in 1839. These settlements were in Survey 2,230.
Robert Reese, a North Carolinian, purchased of James Murray 211 acres of land in 2,266, and settled upon it in 1804. These lands were west of those owned by Job Jeffries, south of lands owned by Jonathan McMillan, and all in the same survey. He was a very early settler, and the present citizens of the township know nothing of him or his descendants. Survey No. 777 was made for William Moosley, a Major, June 27, 1796, under Warrant No. 105. It was patented June 6, 1798, in the name of William Mocher. This survey was settled in the same year by Carolinians mostly.
Caleb Easterling and his wife Martha were from Union District, S. C. They were members of the Society of Friends, and belonged to Cane Creek Monthly Meeting. In 1811, they came to Ohio and purchased of Abijah O'Neal fifty acres of land, in the extreme northwest corner of 777: They were the parents of five children-Enoch, Mary, Thomas, Martha and Caleb. Harry Bray was from the same place, and settled here the same year. He was born 29th, 8th, 1755; his wife, Kezia, 19th, 3d, 1761. They were married in the year 1778, he at the age of twenty-two, she seventeen years. A family of eight children was born to them, all in South Carolina. He purchased 130 acres adjoining Caleb Easterling on the east, in the same survey. He sold in a few years to Jonathan Garwood, a New Jerseyman. Tradition says Bray went to Indiana with his family prior to 1816.
John Mills, Sr., of whom mention has been made in these pages, as a brother to Rachel, wife of George Arnold, and father of the wife of Layton Jay, came here the same year and settled on lands south of Easterliug and Bray. He was a native of Newberry District, S. C., and a member of Bush
Dr. Murray was a son-in-law of Gen. Horatio Gates.
660 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
River. Monthly Meeting of Friends. He purchased 100 acres of land. His son, John Mills, Jr., ninety acres.
Daniel Nicholson, if I am rightly informed, was an Eastern man-a New Yorker. He came here about 1811 and purchased lands now owned by Montgomery Nunion, on the lands owned at this time by Anselm Antram and others. Richard Batton settled on seventy acres. Henry Fletcher, in a very early day, purchased a large body of land seventy the eastern half of Survey 777, and built the brick house now on the lands of Manly Oglesbee. His lands embraced a part of those now owned by John Buckley, John H. Hurley. Isaiah Ellis, Israel Hollingsworth and Manly Oglesbee. Nathan Haines, a Virginian, pur chased about the year 1816 all the lands of Survey 569 in the township. He settled on a large body of land in Warren just across the line.
Joseph Mills, about the year 1811, purchased .130 acres of land in 770. He was a native of Ireland, and by trade a weaver. This was where the widow of William Bailey, Jr., now lives. William Bailey, Sr., came here about the same time from Virginia, and settled where his widow now resides. His wife was a daughter of Joseph Mills. Frank Bailey, a brother of William, purchased ninety-four acres of land where Robert Stewart and Susan Arnold now own. James Brown settled on fifty-one acres, where the old fulling and carding mill stood, on Trace Branch. William Gaddis on 131 acres, where Nathan Tucker owns and lives. Thomas Gaddis on lands now owned by Elihu Underwood. These men were Pennsylvanians.
Moses Collett, Sr., was a native of Maryland, and was born prior to 1730 and died in 1783. He was the father of Daniel Collett, Sr., who was born February 10, 1752, in that State, twenty miles west of Baltimore. Daniel was the youngest child, and remained at home until 1172, when, at the age of twenty years, he left Maryland and settled in Jefferson County, Va., on the road leading from Charlestown to Harper's Ferry. He married about the year 1780, Mary, a daughter of Joshua Haines, who died December 11, 1754, and by her he had eight sons and a daughter, born as follows: Joshua, November 20, 1781; Moses, March 28, 1783; Moses, March 6, 1784; Isaac, August 28, 1785; Jonathan, April 25, 1787; Aaron, January 21, 1789; Mercy, September 19, 1790; Benjamin, June 11, 1793, and Daniel, October 1, 1795. Daniel Collett resided there forty years, and was for many years a Justice of the Peace in that State, appointed, as they were in those days in Virginia, for life or during good behavior. It was not until after his appointment that he learned to write, his instructor being --- Hibben, the father of Thomas and William Hibben, who, many years ago, were among the leading merchants of Wilmington, Ohio. He held his courts monthly, and it is said that more dignity and decorum attended a Justice's Court in Virginia in those days than are to be seen in the higher courts, of Ohio at this day. On one occasion, the Judge of the courts of Jefferson assessed a fine upon each of the Justices of that county for the neglect to provide and erect suitable steps to the jail at Charlestown. Justice Collett paid his fine, and then took the contract for the erection of the stone steps that now grace the front of that historic edifice. His son, Jonathan Collett, hauled the stone and also a part of the lumber and timber used in the construction of the United States arsenal at Harper's Ferry.
Daniel Muse, the patentee of Survey 1,994, had two children, Daniel and Ann. The latter married James Smith, and died after giving birth to a son, who was called James Muse Smith. Daniel Muse, Sr., died, and at his death the lands mentioned went by will to Daniel Muse, Jr., and James Muse Smith. On the 10th day of February, A. D. 1800, Daniel Muse, Jr., sold his undivided one-half to James Smith, Sr., the consideration being $1 per acre.
Daniel Collett remained in Jefferson County until 1812, or until sixty
CHESTER TOWNSHIP. - 661
years of age when he sold out his lauds and came to Ohio and settled temporarily in Warren County. In the early part of 1814. he returned to Virginia and purchased of James Smith, Sr., the undivided one-half of Survey 1,994, the consideration being $5,895, current funds of the United States, the actual number of acres at the sale being 2.358. While Mr. Collett was in Northumberland County, Va.. effecting this purchase, the British passed up the Chesapeake to attack Fortress Monroe. Mr. Collett returned and the same year set upon his purchase.
Andrew McKay was a native of Scotland. History, however, makes no of him other than that he was a member of the Society of Friends, and father, that prior to 1766. he married Jane Ridgeway and had settled in Frederick County, Va. Five children were born to them, viz., Moses, Enos, Jacob, Margaret and Patience. Of these, Moses, born September 17, 1766, at the age of twenty-seven years, or in 1793, married, according to the discipline of the Friends, Abigail Shinn, a daughter of George and Rachel (Wright) Shinn, born May 3, 1776, "late" of Stafford County, Va. The fact of their marriage in this form is sufficient evidence to warrant the conclusion that she, too, was a member of the Friends. The children born to this union were: Rachel, lst month, 19th, 1794; Robert, 12th, 17, 1795; Sarah, 11th, 11th, 1797; George, 3rd, 11th, 1800; Francis, 1st, 9th, 1802; Margaret, 1st, 16th, 1804; Jonas, 9th, 9th, 1806, Virginia, 8th 22d, 1808 Maria 5th 23d, 1811 Jonas T. 5th, 10th, 1813; Levi D., 2d, 29th, 1816; Jacob F., 6th, 3d, 1819; Mary E., 7th, 27th 1822. About the year 1814, accompanied by his wife and children, he emigrated by way of Pittsburgh, and thence by flat-boat to Cincinnati, stopping a short time at Lebanon. He then came to Waynesville, and soon after purchased a large tract of land east of the Little Miami River and but a short distance west of Caesar's Creek, in what is now Massie Township, Warren County.
Survey 3,908 was made August 15, 1800, for Robert Pollard, in virtue of part of Warrant No. 4,494, for 6,222 acres due Moore Fountleroy, Major, and contained 4,222 acres of land. It was patented September 29, 1802, in the name of George Pickett.
Jesse McKay was a grandson of Andrew McKay, but whether a son of Enos or Jacob the records do not say. He came to Ohio in a very early day, and settled in Chillicothe, Ross County. He was a man of considerable wealth and dealt largely in land. On the 4th day of October, 1816, he purchased of George Pickett the 4,222 acres, as embraced in Survey 3,908, lying partly in Greene County, and the townships of Chester and Liberty, in Clinton, the consideration being $18,000. This also included 1,000 acres wholly in Greene and a part of Pollard and Pickett 2,234. On the 29th day of August, 1818, Jesse MoKay sold to Moses McKay (his first cousin) 1,460 acres of the lands in 3,908 the consideration being $8,090.
Survey No. 2,280 was made February 12, 1794, for 1,000 acres, in favor of W. H. Sargeant, in virtue of Warrants No. 394, for 100 acres, issued to Nathan Hughes (soldier); 2,691, for 100 acres, issued to Benjamin Head (soldier); 2,699, for 100 acres, issued to George Frey (soldier); 2,692, for 100 acres, issued to William Sexton (soldier); 2,693, for 200 acres, issued to Thomas Coleman (Sergeant); 2,690, for 100 acres, to Thomas Lloyd (soldier); 2,694, William Landwick (Corporal), 100 acres; 2,696, for 100 acres, Robert Armstead (soldier) and patented to Richard Sergeant July 1, 1846. The 1,000 acres embraced in this survey was purchased by Moses Collett, May 27, 1806, for $133.33 1/3, of Nathaniel Massie, and forty years after, in 1846, a dispute arose as to title, and was settled in United States Chancery Court in
662 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
favor of McKay's heirs, they paying the costs of the suit and retaining the lands.
Moses McKay never settled on these lands, 8,908 and 2,280, but gave them to his children. Rachel, his eldest child, married before coming to Ohio, in 1814, Nathan Haines, and came afterward to this State with her husband and settled on a large body of land in Survey 507 (Biddle), in Warren County, which extended into Chester Township. Their place of settlement is now owned by their son Noah Haines; the land in Chester by another son, Amos Haines. Robert never came to Ohio but remained in Frederick County, Va., where his descendants remain "to this day." Sarah, in April, 1828, married Jonathan, a son of Daniel Collett, Sr., and settled with her husband on lands given him by his father in Survey 1,994. George married, in March, 1823, Mary Ferguson, of Frederick County, Va., and settled on 428 acres given him by his father (Moses McKay), in Survey 8,908, now owned in part by his sons George, Samuel and two of his daughters. Francis, October 2, 1880, married Mary, s daughter of Moses and Rebecca Haines Collett, and grand-daughter of Daniel and Mary Haines Collett, and settled on 500 acres of land. in 1832, given him by his father, in Survey 3,908. Margaret married Henry Goode, a physician, in 1824, and settled on 157 Bores in 3,908, and 147 in 2,280, the place of residence being in the latter. Virginia, in 1826, married Daniel, a son of Daniel and Mary Haines Collett, and settled with her husband on lands given him in Survey 1,994 by his father. She received as her share of her father's estate 350 acres in Survey No. 2,280 , lands now owned by her son, Daniel M. Collett. Maria married, in 1830, Daniel Haines Collect, a Son of Moses and Rebecca Haines Collett, and grandson of Daniel and Mary Haines Collett, and settled on 350 acres give n her by her father in Survey 2,280. Jonas T. McKay married Matilda Furguson, in 1833, and settled and remained in Warren County. Levi D. MoKay married, in 1836, Mary A., a daughter of William Gaddis, and received 150 acres in Survey 2,280. Sarah, who married Jonathan Collett, received 150 acres in 2,280, lands now owned by John S. Lemar and Thomas B. Conklin, and Jacob F. McKay, who married in Virginia, in 1854, Lucy Spangler, 400 acres in 3,908, lands now owned by Joel Compton, Moses C. and Jonathan McKay. Jacob moved to and settled in Iowa, never settling on his lands in this township. Mary E. married Bond Hackney and settled on 100 acres in 1,557. Moses McKay, Sr., died January 28, 1818, at the age of sixty-two years, and was buried near Mt. Holly, in Warren County, Ohio; his wife died July 28, 1828, at the age of fifty-two years, and was buried at the same place. The deaths of the sons and daughters of Moses and Abigail Shinn McKay occurred as follows: Jones died November 17, 1810, in infancy; Rachel Haines, April 1, 1850, aged fifty-six ease; George, June 10, 1850, aged fifty years; Virginia Collett, January 15, 1827, aged nineteen years.
John Buckley, in a conversation with the writer regarding the early history of the township, said: "I was born in Dutchess County, in the State of New York, April 16, 1807. In 1810, my parents, accompanied by my grand father and grandmother on my mother's, side, and two of their children, then grown, together with myself, then nine years old, and my four brothers and sisters, started for Ohio in wagons, landing in Clinton County in the lath part of December of that year. We stopped in the street of Oakland (them but three houses), and my father inquired for an empty cabin. He was told that Thomas Luddington had one, and my father went to see him, about two miles southeast of that village, we remaining with the wagons. He returned with the privilege of occupying it until spring. The cabin was a round pole affair and stood exactly where Sharon Meeting-House does to-day. Luddington owned at that time about 100 acres in that neighborhood. We remained
CHESTER TOWNSHIP. - 663
there until the spring of 1817, when my father purchased of Jonathan Warton, in Survey 777, 130 acres of land. These lands were originally settled by Henry Bray. The consideration was 8800. Caleb Easterling (where Milton Mills now owns and resides) was our nearest neighbor. Our first visitors after we came to the State were Jonah Farquhar and his wife, who came to see us in a pole sled, or `jumper,' and brought us; among other necessaries, a sack of dried beans. They were indeed made welcome, and the little articles they ht were treats indeed, for we had about consumed everything of an edible character that we started with. The first school I attended after coming here was on lands now owned by the heirs of Moses N. Collett. Old man McKibben owned the place. The schoolmaster (for he was indeed the master) was an old Yankee by the name of Wilcox, a regular `down-caster.' It was a subscription school and the price per head was $2 `a quarter.' He would 'board round' among the parents, and was at my father's a part of the time. When we came to the State, in 1816, James Brown had a carding and fulling mill of on Trace Branch. He afterward joined a saw-mill to it. John Kennedy was last man that ran the carding and fulling mill, and left the township in 1828. Brown was for several years a Justice of the Peace. My father was a cooper by trade, having served his time in Bridgeport, Conn. In time, I became one, also, and in the early days made many barrels for Clark Nickerson, who filled them with lard and pork and then hauled them by wagon to Cincinnati, and sent them by flat-boat to New Orleans. The road now leading from Clarksville (then not exceeding a dozen houses) to where it intersected the Ballskin road, near the now village of New Burlington, had but just been cut o out of the woods, and was yet filled with green stumps and logs, and the road (if such it might be called) wound in and out around".them. The Bullskin road, laid out in 1807, was but little, if any, better than the former, and in the wet season these roads were in many places almost (if not) impassable, and the occurrence was not infrequent when a teamster's loaded wagon would stick fast in the mud and remain until a neighbor would come to his relief. We of the East could tell a South Carolinian when we saw him in nearly every instance. He rode his near horse and discarded check lines. I have seen them thus equipped go to meeting, and, in a few instances, to burials. Again, the Eastern teamster carried his whip in his right hand, but suspended over his left arm. The South Carolinian shouldered his. But I suppose we did many things that caused him to smile, even as his actions afforded pleasure for us. At this time (1816), there were but seven dwelling-houses from Dakin's corner to Xenia, that is a distance of fifteen miles, and they were as follows: Judge Dakin, at the corner; William Dakin, where James Mussetter lives; Henry Fletcher, where Manly Oglesby owns; John Kenworthy, where Henry Spray lives; Thomas Lewis, George Arnold, John Furnas, and a settler north of Cmsar's Creek, near where Elijah Spar lives."
Mr. Buckley has spent the largest part of his life in Chester Township; has voted in it at every election since 1828; has never been absent from the township three months at any one time, nor lived out of sight of the settlement of his father in 1817. Mr. Buckley is now an old man upon whose head seventy-five winters have left their marks of time. He will soon have completed his life-work, and when that day shall have arrived it will find him ready and the township will have lost one of its most upright and honorable citizens.
THE TOWNSHIP.
As I have before remarked in, these pages, Chester was one of three into which the county was as subdivided at its organization, in 1810. From that date until 1829, and from 1845 to 1884, all records thereof are gone-destroyed-
664 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
which does not speak. well, surely, for those who were annually elected and given in trust for the people the records of our corporation. In 1829, the township had reached the nineteenth year of its existence as a part of our great commonwealth, the State of Ohio; therefore, if I may so speak, its childhood history will forever remain untold, so far as any record will show, and I can only begin at a time when it was verging into early manhood. It we look at the matter seriously, as indeed we should, a great loss bas been sustained, by our people in the destruction of these (now) valuable records. Beginning, then, with the township after it had reached very nearly twenty-one years of age, the first record bears date March 29, 1829, and was an adjourned meeting of the Trustees. The next was a record of the spring election of 1829, and reads as follows:
"At an election held at the house of James Dakin, Esq., in Chester Township, on the 6th day of April, A. D. 1829, at which Samuel Haynes, Elias Dakin and Joseph Conger were Judges, and Morgan L, Van Tress and Isaac Collett, Clerks, there were received 133 votes. The number indorsed for the sale of county jail was 127, and six electors did not vote on the question; and further, the officers elected at this election are as follows, to wit: Township Trustees, Henry Harvey, Joseph Conger and Jacob Peterson; Treasurer, Clayton Rockhill; Clerk, Beebe Treusdell; Coustable, Zebulon Dakin; Overseen of Poor, Thomas Craig, William Ogborn; Fence Viewers, Thomas Craig, John Ellis; Supervisors of Road Districts-1, John Abernathy; 2, George Buckley; 8, William Ogborn; 4, Jonah Farquhar; 5, Jesse Arnold; 6, Samuel Hollingsworth; 7, Jonathan Mauker; 8, Hiram Dakin; 9, Simeon Hadley; 10, Bent Rookhill; 11, John McIntire; 12, George Herbert."
The following is a list of township officers from 1828 to 1846, inclusive:
1828-Trustees, Elias Dakin, John D. Headley, Jacob Peterson; Tress carer, Clayton Rockhill.
1829-Trustees, Henry Harvey, Joseph Conger, Jacob Peterson; Tress. carer, Clayton Rockhill; Clerk, Beebe Treusdell,
1830 - Trustees, Isaac Collett, Henry Harvey, Joseph Conger; Treasurer, Clayton Rockhill; Clerk, James Dakin.
1831-Trustees, loom Collett, Joseph Conger, William Hadley; Treasurer, Clayton Rockhill; Clerk, James Dakin.
1832--Trustees, James Dakin, Isaac Collett, Joseph Conger; Treasurer, Clayton Rockhill; Clerk, Eli Vance.
1833-Trustees, Moses Reese, Jerry Kimbrough, Caleb Lucas, Sr.; Treasurer, William Dakin; Clerk, Frederick Lucas.
1834--Trustees, John Chapman, Jerry Kimbrough, Perry Dakiu; Treasurer, Eli Wall; Clerk, Eli Vance.
1835-Trustees, David Walker, Perry Dakin, Jerry Kimbrough; Treasurer, Eli Wall; Clerk, M. L. Van Tress.
1836--Trustees, Perry Dakin, David Walker, ---; Treasurer, James R. Moon; Clerk, Samuel Lemar.
1837-Trustees, Jonathan Collett, Jonah Farquhar, Perry Dakin; Treasurer, James R Moon; Clerk, Anthony E. J. Harker.
1838--Trustees, Hiram Yeo, Henry Harvey, Allen Linton; Treasurer, James R. Moon; Clerk, Cheney Pyle.
1839-Trustees, Jerry Kimbrough, Benjamin Howland, F. Jones; Treas-urer, James R. Moon; Clerk, Cheney Pyle.
1840--Trustees, Isaac Collett, John Harrison, Perry Dakin; Treasurer, James R. Moon; Clerk, Cheney Pyle.
1841-Trustees, John Harrison, John Hadley, Perry Dakin; Treasurer, Benjamin Rookhill; Clerk, C. Pyle.
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1842--Trustees, John Harrison, James R. Moon, John Hadley; Treasurer, Benjamin Rockhill; Clerk, Daniel M. Collett.
1843--Trustees, James R. Moon, John Hadley, Jchn Spray; Treasurer, Samuel Rockhill; Clerk, D. M. Collett.
1844-Trustees, John Hadley, John Spray, Isaac Collett; Treasurer, Samuel Rockhill; Clerk, D. M. Collett.
1845--Trustees, Samuel Lemar, Thomas Brelsford, Isaac Collett; Tressurer, Samuel Rockhill; Clerk, D. M. Collett,
1846-Trustees, Samuel Lemar, T. Brelsford, James R. Moon; Treasurer, <James R. Moon; Clerk, D. M. Collett.
During these years, the elections were held at such places as the Trustees could provide, and, in a majority of instances, in private houses, as the following list will show: From 1829 to 1834, inclusive, at the residence of James Dakin (for many, years known as the Dakin Corner); from 1835 to 1839, inclusive, at the tavern of John McIntire (where M. W. Shidaker owns); from 1839 to 1842, inclusive, at the residence of William T. Elmore, or where Manly Oglesbee owns, being the old Hurley farm; in 1842, at the schoolhouse on the farm of Isaac Collett, in Survey 2,280 and from 1843 to 1846, inclusive, at the "Township House."
At a meeting of the Trustees held at the residence of James Dakin, on Saturday, the 18th day of April, 1829, a tax of three-eighths of one mill was levied for township purposes, and the roads of the township were redistricted. At an extra session of the Trustees, in June, 1829, the schools were redistricted ":agreeably to the provisions of a law passed February 10, 1829." This was but four years after " a general law establishing a school system and levying a for its support," was passed, and I cannot refrain from adding to this article, at this time, the list of householders, as they follow by districts, in this record, even though it be at the expense of casting out something else farther on; for it expresses, in so many words, the heads of families in our township at that time, and calls up to the older portions of our citizens a list of those who have long since gone to "the undiscovered country, from whose bourn no traveler returns,"
District No. 1: Beginning where the Waynesville road crosses the east line of the township; thence to the oil-mill, including it; thence to John Harvey, excluding him; thence to Preserved Dakin, including him; thence to William Dakin, including him; thence to Wright Haynes, excluding him; thence to Rachel Reese, including her; thence to Job Jeffries, including him; thence east to the township line; and thence to the place of beginning. Householders--Henry Dakin, Joseph Haynes, Gideon Edwards, Moses Reese, Isaac Carpenter, Preserved Dakin, Davis Cleaver, James Dakin, Job Jeffries, Jonathan Mauker, John Wall, Joseph B. Gorham, John Greene, John Rockhill, Elias Dakin, Akin Dakin, Barnabas Howland, Richard Richard Van Tress, Beebe Treusdell, John Hempsted, Peter Walker, Phoebe Fallis, Lydia Fallis, Robert Cather, Isabel Adsit, Benjamin Howland, Hiram Dakin, William Connet, William Dakin, William Van Tress, Rachel Reese, Michael Pepper, Perry Dakin, William Garrison, Joseph Connet, Jacob Carpenter.
District No. 2: Beginning at the northeast corner of District 1; thence to Wright Haynes, excluding him; thence to Jonah Farquhar, excluding him; to Aaron Collett, including him; thence to Robert Marshall, excluding him; thence to Daniel Huffman, excluding him; thence to Samuel Hollingsworth, including him; thence to Josiah McMillan, including him; thence to Ezekiel Kirk, including him; thence with line to beginning. Householders Mason, Jane McMillan, Archibald Van Tress, Thomas Kirk, Gideon an, Ezekiel Underwood, Amos Davis, Sarah McMillan, Samuel Cox,
666 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Thomas Cox, Isaac Collett, Ezekiel McCormack. Jacob Taylor, Josso Taylor, Cheney Pyle, Aaron Collett, William Huffman, Jesse Lunday. Ezra Quinby, Solomon Huffman, Israel Hollingsworth, Samuel Hollingsworth. Asaph Hollingsworth, Jarvis Hollingsworth, Calob Pyle, David McMillan, Joshua McMillan, Timothy Kirk, Mahlon Kirk, Enoch Wickersham, John Morris, Josiah Kirk.
District No. 3, householders: George McKay, Boston Stingley, Jacob Stingley, Jacob Peterson, Edward Powers, George Herbart, Daniel Hufflman, Jr., Hoses Garwood, Goorge Copsey, Thomas Steele, Robert Marshall, John Irvin, Absalom Robertson.
District No. 4, householders: Jesse Arnold, Jehu Hawkins, Robert Mill house, Henry Millhouse, Burgess Morgan, Joseph Furnas, Robert Furnas, Thomas Cook, William Arnold, Mercy Barnes, Henry Mann, Joseph Michner, Caleb Lucas, Sr., John Grant, Charles Gage. Allen Linton, John Arnold, Thomas Livingston, Mahlon Gaskill, Henry Goods, Michael Icenhour. Thomas Graham, David Brinker, Asa Whicker.
District No. 5, and householders: Jonah Farquhar, Thomas Goodrich, Henry Fletcher, William Edwards, John, Mark, Elijah, Hiram and Enoeb Mills, John D. Hendley, Joshua Yeo, Thomas Gilpin, James Nichols, George Buckley, Daniel Nicholson, Caleb Easterling, Mordecai Spray, Isaac Cox, Thomas Lewis, David Jay, Isaac Paxton, Henry Hawkins, David Whitson, Samuel Compton, Samuel Millhouse.
Householders in District No. 6: Benjamin Hawes, Samuel Haynes, Wright Haynes, Lewis Dakin, Benjamin Rockhill, Joel Conger, Banks Disbro, Clay ton Rockhill, John Craw, John Lewis, Lewis Lewis, John McIntire, Abel Ingersoll, Ethan Griffith, Charles Haynes, John Kennedy, William Ogborn, Am brose Jones, Lewis Kenny, Content Hill, Elsaudo Whitby, Joseph Mills, Arzd Gage, John Ellis, William Bailey, Thomas and James Craig, James and Enoch Haynes, William, Thomas and Jonathan Gaddis, Joseph Conger, Samuel Campbell, David and Daniel Ashby, Henry Leman, William Beaks, David and William Stoops.
District No. 7-note from the records: "The householders of this district will be found in Fractional District No. 4."
District No. 8, householders: John Newlin, Eli Newlin, Ezekiel Hornada, Eli Harvey, William Harvey, Jesse Burgess, William Harvey, Mary Harvey, John Pyle, Elias Fisher, David Nickerson, John C. Harlan, Elizabeth Harlan, William Harlan, Sr., Nathan Harlan, Jonathan Harlan, Enoch Harlan, Jr., Martin Ryan, Hannah Hornada, Elias Fisher, William Sabin, John Hadley, Caleb Harvey, Jesse Harvey, Eli Hadley, Jerre Kimbrough, Hiram Crew, David K. Harlan, Jesse Lewis.
District No. 9 contains the names of some of the earliest pioneers---Eli Maden, Jacob Hale, Joshua Nickerson, Artemas Nickerson, Caleb Harvey, Solomon Maden, John Moore, John Harvey and Joshua Harvey.
Fractional District No. 1: Thomas Kimbrough, Nathaniel Carter, Samuel Andrew, et al.
Fractional No. 2: Among others, Josiah Farquhar, Timothy Beech, David Harlan, Sr., Solomon Harlan, Jonathan Fallis, et al.
Fractional No. 3: The names of James Hawkins, John and Samuel Spray Jesse Spray and Jesse Sanders appear.
The following is a list of Justices of the Peace for this township from its organization as complete only as the records will show:
1810-George Arnold. Robert Eachus, William Haynes, Preserved Dakin; Jacob Hale, 1815; Joseph Conger, 1818; Henry Fletcher,1818; Joshua Yeo,1822
* Dakin succeeded Eachus, who was appointed county Recorder same year.
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to 1834; Elias Dakin, 1828: Benjamin Howland, 1828; Isaac Collett. 1830; Moses Reese 1834; Benjamin Howland. 1831. Isaac Collett, 1834; David Douglas.1834; Moses Reeso, 1834; Solomon Harlan, 1835; Allen Linton, 1835; Mahlon Farquhar, 1836: James Dakin, 1836; Isaac Collett, 1836; John Grant, 1839; James Dakin, 1842; Adolphus Pindle, 1842; Hiram Yeo, 1842; Benjamin Howland, 1845; James Dakin, 1845; Abijah Johnson. 1849; Thomas Brelsford, 1849; James Howland, 1851; Daniel Collett, 1852; and Samuel Lemur. from 1842 to1877. Commissions were signed by Thomas Corwin, 1842; Mordecai Bartley. 1845; Seabury Ford, 1850; Reuben Wood, 1853; Salmon P. Chasd, 1856; Salmon P. Chase. 1859; David Tod, 1862; John Brough, 1865; R. B. Hayes, 1868; R. B. Hayes, 1871; William Allen, 1874.
It was while the elections were held at the residence of William Elmore that the campaign of 1840 " went off," and at Elmore's place were held some of the largest meetings that ever gathered in the township. But the people, wearied of throwing open their houses and yards to the public on election days, the women more especially, and the time came when they saw that it was neceessary to provide a suitable place for assembling twice a year to exercise their rights of citizenship.
At the spring election of 1842, hold at the schoolhouse on the farm of Isaac Collett, it was left for the people to say whether the Trustees should or should not provide a house and lot for township purposes, and the decision there rendered was that they should do so. One acre of land was purchased of Benjamin Hayes for a consideration of $25, and "at a special meeting of the Trustees held for the purpose of letting out a job for the building of a house for the purpose of holding elections, a full board was present. Upon examination of several bills presented to the Trustees, it was decided that John Arnold, Sr., shall have the building thereof, which the said John Arnold, Sr., purposes to build for $147." The bid having been accepted, an article of agreement follows, and the next record thereafter reads as follows: "October l2 , A. D. 1842.-The above described building has been finished and accepted by the Trustees. C. Pyle, Clerk." Since that year all elections have been held therein. This building is situated on the New Burlington and Dakin Corner Turnpike, about three miles south of the former, and necessitates the citizens of that village going there to vote.
The township contains two villages. The oldest,
OAKLAND.
Oakland is situated on the road leading from Wilmington to Waynesville, in the southeast corner of the township, in "Gates 2,230," and is undoubtedly one of the oldest in the county. The original village plat, laid out by James Birdsall, was designed for the county seat, and contained upward of fifty acres. John Leonard says in his recollections: " The points on the route that were then well known, and which we had to pass on our way from Cincinnati to our home (1805) on the creek (Todd's Fork) were Waynesville and Oakland."
As I said, it was thought, at the organization of the county, in 1810, that it would be the county seat, and especially so by the owner and projector. But Wilmington became the possessor of the prize. It grew very slowly after this fact became known, and, in 1810, but few houses had been erected therein, or more properly speaking, along the road, among them Daniel Hindman, on the present Campbell place; James Carpenter, in the brick house yet standing just east of the village, and erected in 1507 by James Birdsall, the first brick house erected in the county. Daniel Birdsall lived where Archibald Haynes did for many years. The village derived its name from the many giant trees of oak that stood thickly on the grounds in that locality.
668 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
In February, 1838, William Birdsall (a first cousin of James and David) came to this township, accompanied by his wife and seven children. He pur. chased two of the farms formerly owned by James Birdsall, and settled in the brick house before mentioned. He laid out the present village of Oakland, on the west side of the original town plat. The village is and has been for years a post office town, and in its best days contained, among other industries, two stores. Though not recognized by the census department in 1870,* yet upward of forty souls reside therein.
NEW BURLINGTON.
New Burlington, the second village of the township, is situated in the northwest corner of both Clinton County and Chester Township, with a portion of its northern part extending into Greene County. It is located in Gal, latin 570, and, at the death of the original purchaser, Aaron Jenkins, the land upon which the village stands descended to his son Baldwin, by will. About 1820, he (Baldwin) sold 100 acres of his lands to Edward Powers, and the latter built the same year a log house, where the brick house, now occupied by John Kay, Jr., stands.
James Jay was a native of Newberry District, South Carolina, and a mom. ber of Bush River Monthly Meeting of Friends. He married while yet in that State, and at a very early day, Jemima, a daughter of John Mills, Sr., and sister to the wife of his brother, Layton Jay. They had, among other children born to them, a son, Alexander, who had arrived at manhood and married before leaving that State. They came to Ohio and settled upon the lands of George Arnold, in Survey 571, Arnold's wife being an aunt to James Jay's wife. Arnold erected a house for James, just west of his, or between the dwelling of Peter De Haven and the spring. Alex. settled north of the road leading by the house. The latter remained here some years and then emigrated to Indiana, where his wife died in a few years. He then returned with his children to Buck Run, and shortly purchased of Edward Powers the ,100 acres last mentioned. The " Bullskin" road, as laid out in 1807, passed through these lands from south to north, and the road leading to Mt. Holly and the Jenkins Mill from east to west.
In 1829, Jay erected in the northwest quarter of his lands (as subdivided by these roads), a story- and-a-half frame dwelling, and when done occupied it. In 1831, Griswold B. Hawes rented it of Jay, converted part of it into a busi ness room and occupied it the same year as a dwelling and store. In the spring of 1833, Jacob Peirson, Sr., Jacob Peirson, Jr., John Grant and John Men ford, these doing business in Mt. Holly under the firm name of Peirson, Grant & Co., came here, purchased the stock of Hawes and opened a branch under the management of John Grant. They also purchased of Jay the lot last mentioned and Lot No. 1 in the northeast "square." The former had a frontage on the "Bullskin" of thirty feet and was twenty feet deep. The latter contained fifty-nine square rods. The consideration was $100, including the house.
The same year (1833), John Grant erected on the latter the substantial two-story dwelling and store building yet standing. Mr. Grant had, before coming here, or in 1830, married Eliza, a daughter of Charles and Lydia Jenkins Mann. The same year (1833), Jay erected the two-story frame, now owned and occupied by John Oglesbee. Joel Conger, the same year, erected a hewed-log house, on the lot now owned by William Huffman; William Ogborn a log house where George Miller lives; William Hurley, a one-story frame where Dr. Creighton owns and lives; Jordan Whitson, where Samuel Weaver
* Nor In 1880.
CHESTER TOWNSHIP. - 669
owns, occupied by tenant. Arza Gage had a log cabin on the lot now owned by the Widow Stanley.
In this year. Jay married Miss Margaret Irvin (who yet survives him), and moved into his new house; in the salve fall Mr. Grant occupied his.
And now, as the history of our village opens, it is in order to mention one who had more to do with it in the forty years of its existence than any twelve men who have lived in it.
James Grant, the father of John Grant. was born in Philadelphia in December, 1767. His wife Elizabeth was a daughter of John and Nancy Young. They were married about the year 1710, and remained in Pennsylvania until three children were born to them, viz., Nancy. February 23, 1792; Susan, October 3, 1793: Tillah, June 15. 1795.. They then removed to Frederick County, Va. (and were neighbors to Moses McKay), near Winchester, where they continued to reside for many years. While here, fear more children were added to the family-Elizabeth, May 26, 1798; William, September 3, 1800; John, August 29, 1803, and Charity. October 26, 1806. About the year 1807, he left Frederick County and settled in St. Clairsville, Belmont Co., Ohio, where he remained some years. removing from there to Lebanon, and thence to Wayne Township, in Warren, and settled on lands owned by Moses McKay.
The year 1834 was a prosperous one to the new village. More lots were sold and more settlers came in. Ezra Smith came from Mt. Holly, purchased Lot No. 2, northeast square, and erected thereon a one-story frame dwelling and shoeshop. Samuel Weaver, a native of Hampshire County, Va., came here the same year, purchased Lot No. 3 in northeast square; the consideration was $25. the amount of land one-half acre. He was a tailor 'by trade; had come to Greene County in 1831; married a daughter of Joel Ellis. He erected led thn same year the house now owned and occupied by James Haydock, and used it for dwelling and shop. The same year, Aaron Hendley purchased Lot No. 4, in the same square, the upper (northern) half extending into Greene County. William Hendley, accompanied by his son, John M., and their families came here the same year. The latter purchased all of the lands north of Lot No. 4, to the line north of lot now belonging to Lewis Smith; the former, all of the lands belonging to Jay north of the village plat, namely 51 1/2 acres. In the lands of John M. Hendley there were about four acres, upon which he immediately erected a tannery, that being his trade. Aaron Hendley was a lawyer. In 1833, the first school was opened in the village, and that in the log house then but recently occupied by Arza Gage. Sarah Hollingsworth was the instructor. Isel Ellis purchased of Jay, February. 13, 1834, for a consideration of $30, Lot No. 2; in northwest square, and in a few years thereafter erected the substantial two-story frame building now standing on that lot. In the year 1834, Mr. Grant was doing a large business, and among the many names to be found upon an examination of his store ledger of that year, we will make mention of the following, of whom not one is living to-day: Charles Mann, Asa Fisher, Henry Mann, Sr., Bellfield Jenkins, William Hurley, David Gaskill, Francis McKay, William Ogborn, James Smith, Solomon Whitson, James Grant, David Mann, John Sanders, Aaron Collett, James Jenkins, John Arnold, Frederick Lucas, Joel Ellis, Samuel Spray, Benjamin Hawes, Burgess Morgan, Alex. Jay, Aaron Jenkins, Zebulou Dakin, William Arnold, Jordan Whitson, Jacob Ellis, Jacob Peterson, John Spray, Robert Kelley, Joseph Michner, Daniel H. Collett, Allen Linton, John Wilson, Isaiah Qainby, James Hawkins, Sr., Solomon Van Meter, Arza Gage, Henry Fletcher, Stephen Buckley, George Arnold.
The next year, James Jenkins erected the two-story frame now owned by Mary Jane Jessup (being Lot No. 2, southwest square). John Harrison, a na-
670 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
tive of England, came here in 1886, and embarked in general merchandising in the building last mentioned. Miller & Bouvey had a store in the same building, but had sold and gone to Bucyrus. Harrison remained here until 1838, when he sold the stock to Harrison, McKay & Co., he being the senior partner. In 1835, James Smith, a resident of Mt. Holly, married Elizabeth Caine, of that village, and came and settled here. He was by trade a black, smith. He spent his life here and died in 1876, at the age of sixty-five years, He was for many years a partner with Grant, in the manufacture of carriages, wagons, buggies and general blacksmithing. His widow and a large family of children and grandchildren survive him. Among others of the early settlers I find the names of Francis Moffett, a blacksmith, James Haydock, from New Jersey, in 1838, and a tanner, W. B. Hamilton, from Maryland, a harness maker and saddler. The post office was established in 1839, under the admin istration of Martin Van Buren, and John Grant was appointed Postmaster. David Hollingsworth, who had for some time been engaged with Grant as s clerk, was Deputy. William Burr, a young man, and a nephew of Grant's, was the mail-rider, and the route was from Burlington to Xenia.
The fall of 1840 will always be remembered, and will go down into history as one of the most intensely exciting of any in our country's history, at least up to that time, it being the national campaign of Harrison and Van Buren. Party feeling ran high; the people abandoned their labors, trades and professions, and gave themselves wholly to the contest; no place in our county, then, as now, could excel this village and the neighborhood around it in a campaign if the people were but, aroused, and more so then because the fighting chances in the township were nearer equal. Among the Whigs of the neighborhood, John Grant and Bellfieid Jenkins were the leaders. Many others were equally zealous in the cause, but Grant and Jenkins furnished the forcible arguments. On the other hand, among the Democrats, Frederick Lucas, Samuel Lemar and Aaron Hendley held like positions. The village store and the post office especially would naturally be the headquarters. Grant had both, and here they met, and here the excitement ofttimes grew intense. Grant being Postmaster, had access to the papers coming to the office; and more than this, being a fine reader (as the writer personally knows), he never lacked for a crowd. Not content with reading, Grant would comment and also raad and comment from the papers of the other side. The latter was the most bitter to the Democrats of all, and, while it furnished fan for the Whigs, the former grew black with rage. The result was a secret caucus, which but three of the followers of Van Buren were invited to attend, namely: Frederick Lucas, Aaron Hendley and Samuel Lemar (the latter. my informant). A letter was seat to Washington, and on a return of it Grant was ex-Postmaster. The office was given to John M. Hendley, a Democrat, who soon tired of its duties, and, Harrison coming in as President, he asked to be relieved. It was then offered to Grant by both parties, but he declined and it passed into the hands of Dr. Sprague. This was in 1841, and the latter, a native of New York State, was a physician and a Demo.^,rat of the old school. In 1835, Jay erected the building now occupied by F. W. Moffett as a blacksmith shop, an moved to it the same year. He then leased for five years the building just vacated to Joseph Michner, who opened in it the first tavern in the village. This was on the 2d day of May, 1835.
Passing hastily over the time that has intervened from then until now, l will conclude this by saying that the village to-day contains seventy dwelling houses, two dry goods stores, three groceries, one saw-mill. two churches, one school, one undertaking establishment, one wagon shop, three blacksmith shops, two physicians, one carpenter shop. Population, nearly four hundred
CHESTER TOWNSHIP. - 671
CHURCHES AND BURIAL GROUNDS.
Springfield Monthly Meeting. -The fact that this meeting-house and burial grounds were for over forty years within the boundary lines of our township and more, the fact that many, yea! very many of our early settlers were carried here and laid away forever, and that ahnost within the entire pariod I shall embrace in these pages, shall be my excuse (if any needed) for including them here. In 1809, in a log schoolhouse, on the lands then owned by Isaac Harvey, was held the first indulged meeting of Friends in the township. In 1812, ground was donated at the same place for the erection thereon of a meeting-house, also for burial purposes, and upon which a house was erected the same year. The first person buried here was Lydia, wife of Isaac Harvey, who died 1st, 2d, A. D. 1813, aged forty-six years eight months and twenty-five days. But years have passed and gone since then, and one by one these dear people were carried here by loved hands and loving hearts and laid away "in their quiet sloop" until all were gone. Passing among the silent marble to-day - each pointing to the grave beneath--one reads inscribed thereon names that shall ever remain green in the memory of those who knew them in life. Among others these:
Lydia Harvey, died 2d mo., 1st, 1813, aged forty-six years eight months and twenty-five days.
Agatha Harvey, died 6th mo., 18th, 1828.
Isaac Harvey, died 9th mo., 5th, 1834, aged seventy years four months and twenty-seven days.
William Harvey, died 12th mo., 5th, 1857, aged eighty-eight years seven months and twenty days.
Mary Harvey, died 9th mo., 11th, 1863, aged ninety-five years six months and two days.
Elias Fisher, born 5th, mo., 10th, 1768, died 12th mo., 22d, 1845.
Hannah Fisher, born 3d mo., 19th, 1776, died 7th mo., 6th, 1842.
Preserved Dakin died July 27, 1835, aged eighty-four years.
Joshua Nickerson, died 10th me., 12th, 1834, aged seventy-eight years ten months and twenty days.
Abigail Nickerson, died 5th mo., 4th, 1854, aged eighty-eight years ten months and five days.
Eli Maden, died 12th mo., 22d, 1871, aged ninety-two years seven months and nine days.
Hannah (Harlan) Maden, died 10th mo., 2d, 1843, aged fifty-nine years six months and three days.
William Harlan, died 5th mo., 3d, 1845, aged seventy-four years six months and twenty-three days.
Charity (Kimbrough) Harlan, died 5th mo., 3d, 1854, aged Seventy-seven years four months and twenty-five days.
Enoch Harlan, died 7th mo., 26th, 1866, aged eighty years five months.
Elizabeth (Harvey) Harlan, died 5th mo., 9th, 1875, aged eighty-nine years two months and twenty-two days.
Solomon Harlan, died 10th mo., 2d, 1869, aged 'eighty-seven years eight months and twenty days.
Elizabeth (Berry) Harlan, wife of Nathaniel Carter Harlan, died 2d mo., aged about ninety years.
John C. Harlan, died 3d mo., 24th, 1876, aged eighty-five years ten months and fifteen days.
Lydia (Hale) Harlan, died 8th mo., 18th, 1875, aged seventy-six years months and twenty days.
Mount Pisgah Situated in Survey 3,908. -This was a church of the Epis-
672 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
copal Methodists organized in 1830, and the house was built upon the lands of Francis McKay. The leading members at its organization and afterward were Aaron Collett, Spencer Robinson, Thomas C. Steele, Henry Goode, Dudley Robinson, Absalom Robinson, Francis McKay and in all probability other, could their names be called to mind. The meetings were held here until about the year 1845, when they were discontinued, and tho organization was allowed to go down. The first funeral sermon preached here was in July, 1830 (and that over the wife of Aaron Collett), by George Maley, a minister of that church long since deceased. After its discontinuance, members who desired united with the church at New Burlington. There is yet, as in that day, a burial-place attached, but very few graves are to be found, the principal one being that of Francis McKay, who died March 26, 1871.
In 1833, the Methodist Episcopal Church at New Burlington was organ. ized, though no building was erected in that year. The congregation assem. bled atprivate houses, and a few times at the storeroom of John Grant, Among the prominent members, then and afterward, were John Grant, Enoch Pilcher, James Smith, William Heudley, John M. Headley, William Hurley and Delany Hurley. In 1835, a frame church building was erected, which was replaced in 1874 by the present building, erected under the pastorate of Henry Stokes.
Chester. Meeting-House.-Indulged meetings were held by the Friends of that neighborhood, in a very early day, in a schoolhouse upon the lands of Thomas McMillan, Sr. About 1828 grounds were donated, and the present meeting-house erected and burial grounds attached.
Joseph Baxter and Mary (McMillan) Baxter, his wife, died and were buried here in 1829 and 1830, the first in the new burial grounds.
The following are among those of the early settlers buried there:
David McKillan, died 20th of 12th month, 1844, aged seventy-two years nine months and eighteen days.
Hannah (Hussey) McMillan, his wife, died 18th of 9th month, 1849, aged seventy-one years five months and eleven days.
Eli McMillan, Sr., died 9th of 7th month, 1870, aged seventy years nine months and sixteen days.
Lydia (Hussey) McMillan, July 7, 1842, aged thirty-seven years three months and one day.
Enoch Wickersham, died 8th of 11th month, 1862; aged eighty-four years 'two months and twenty-six days.
Margaret (Mills) Wickersham, died 22d of 7th month, 1870, aged ninety years.
"The Jenkins Graveyard." -This is unquestionably the oldest graveyard in the township, if not in the county.* Is situated three-quarters of a mile east of New Burlington, to the left of the pike leading from that village to Lumberton. About one-third of it lies to the north of Greene and Clinton County's line, in the territory of the former, the two-thirds south, or within the limits of the latter. It is upon lands in Survey 571, entered by Albert Gallatin in 1787, and purchased by Aaron Jenkins in 1799. The first body buried there was that of the latter -Aaron Jenkins-in the year 1807, now seventy-five years ago. The lands were set apart by him in his lifetime for that purpose, and have since borne his name. It belongs to nosed nor church, but is kept up by the townships of Spring Valley, in Greene, and Chester, in Clinton. Among those who assembled here at the burial of Jenkins, and who have long since followed him, were George A. Mann, Adam Sbillinger, Caleb Lucas, Ebenezer Lucas, James Hawkins, Samuel Spray, together with the
* The burial ground at Centre dates from M.
CHESTER TOWNSHIP. - 673
wives of some of these, and the family of the deceased. Many years have passed and gone since then; many have come, lived out the average age of man and then, too, gone the way of all the world. Men of to-day who are tottering under the weight of many winters were then but boys of tender years, and soon they too shall be remembered only with the silent throng.
The following is an incomplete list of some of the first and second pioneers buried here:
George A. Mann, died May 4, 1821, aged ninety-five years.
Elizabeth Mann, died January 17, 1830, aged eighty-four years.
Caleb Lucas, died April 26, 1851, aged seventy-four years six months and four days.
Mary (Price) Lucas, died September 1, 1863, aged eighty-one years six months and twenty-two days.
Henry Mann, died February 4, 1858, aged seven-eight years ten months. Rachel A., wife of Henry Mann, died March 15, 1862, aged seventy-six years eight mouths and twenty-eight days.
Charles Mann, died December 24, 1865, aged eighty-three years eight months and twenty-three days.
Lydia (Jenkins) Mann, died April 5, 1838, aged fifty-two years.
David Mann, died July 29, 1856, aged seventy-two years five months and nine days.
Rachel Mann, his wife, died August 7, 1873, aged seventy-eight years months and twelve days.
Michael Icenhour, died May 16, 1850, aged eighty years eight months eighteen days.
Isabella Icenhour, died April 7, 1852, aged seventy-three years eight months and three days.
John Craft, died March 29, 1856,aged seventy-six years seven months.
John Arnold, died January 23, 1876, aged seventy-seven years.
Rachel (Lucas) Arnold, died October 18, 1846, aged thirty-five years six months and five days.
Burgess Morgan, born August 9, 1746, died July 9, 1851, aged one hundred and ten years eleven months and eleven days.*
Elizabeth Morgan, died September 15, 1861, aged one hundred years.
John Grant, died September 30, 1875, aged seventy-two years one month and one day.
Eliza Grant, died September 3, 1859, aged fifty years nine months and eleven days.
Jonah's Run Meeting -House is situated in survey No. 770, on the pike leading from Harveysburg, in Warren County, to Wilmington. The church belongs to the Free-Will Baptists, and was organized in 1838. Mercy Collett, a daughter of Daniel and Mary Haines Collett, gave twenty-six acres of land to her executor, in trust for the endowment of the same, so long as the organization was kept up, and when that ceased the proceeds to go to the American Baptist Foreign Missions.
The burial grounds attached are covered by the same endowment, and were set apart for that purpose at the same time. Mercy Collett died December 22, 1839, and was the first laid away in these grounds, at the age of nearly fifty years.
The following are among those now laid away in that quiet spot, and were among the township's first and second pioneers:
William Gaddis, died July 23, 1844, aged seventy-two years.
Elizabeth Gaddis, died September 15, 1854, aged seventy-five years.
* There is certainly some mistake in this.-P. A. D.
674 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Jonathan Collett, died October 10, 1865, aged seventy-eight years.
Sarah McKay Collett, died October 22, 1852, aged fifty-four years.
Daniel Collett. Jr., died Septomber 20, 1862, aged sixty-seven years.
William Bailey, died June 16, 1869, aged eighty-seven years.
Peter Dick, died December 12, 1847, aged sixty-five years.
John Moore, died November :3, 1863, aged seventy years.
Margaret Craig Moore, died October 18, 1858, aged sixty-seven years.
William Whetsell, died July 23, 1868, aged eighty-five years.
Susannah Whetsell, died October 9, 1864, aged seventy-three years.
Mary Craig Ellis, died March 1, 1877, aged eighty-three years.
Elizabeth Rankin, died January 17, 1865, aged seventy years.
William Harlan, died December 23, 1876, aged sixty-five years.
Elizabeth Mooro Harlan, died August 10, 1866, aged fifty-one years.
Caesar Creek Monthly Meeting, -The early settlers of Chester Township were by a large majority members of the church of Friends, or Quakers. The customs of their fathers and grandfathers were rigidly enforced and complied with, and none more so than the necessary provision of erecting at once a suit able building in which to meet and worship God. As early as 1807, the set tlers along Caesar Creek erected the " old log house," yet standing on their grounds, and on which the Caesar Creek Monthly Meeting-House now stands, in Warren County. The meetings held there in those days were " indulged," and among those known to its earliest organization were Henry Millhouse, Sr., Robert Millhouse, Sr., John 1% Furnas, David Whitson, Joel and William San. ders, Amos Hawkins, Sr., Mordecai Spray. "At Miami Quarterly Meeting, held the 12th of 5th month, 1810, the committee appointed to attend Centre and Caesar Creek Preparative Meetings produced the following report: We, the committee appointed on the proposition of Centre Monthly Meeting, baying attended Centre and Caesar Creek Preparative Meetings, after a free conference on the subject of our appointment, agree to report as our sense that we apprehend it may be useful to concur with the proposition, and that Centre Monthly Meeting continue to be held at Centre, at the usual time in each month, and that another monthly meeting be established at Caesar Creek, to be held the last seventh day in each month, to be called Caesar Creek Monthly Meeting,' which, claiming the attention of this meeting, is united with. Joseph Cloud, Joel Wright, John Stubbs, Thomas Horner, are appointed to attend at the opening thereof, on the last seventh day of the present month, and their preparative meeting to be held on the fifth day preceding."
Pursuant to the foregoing minute, Friends assembled at the time appointed, and when the aforementioned attended, and a monthly meeting was opened, the minutes and proceedings of which are as follows: "At Caesar Creek Monthly Meeting, held the 26th of 5th month, 1810, Robert Furnas was appointed Clerk this year. The meeting then concluded."
This is the history of Caesar Creek Monthly Meeting of Friends. Time. on its relentless wings, has flown on, and seventy-two years have gone since then, and with them all those who assembled there on that occasion. In 1849, the present frame building was erected, and meeting are held there on the first and fifth clays of each week. If we turn to the graveyard hard by and examine the silent marble, we find these names:
John Furnas, died 9th of 3d month, 1830, aged sixty-four years seven months and four days.
Samuel Spray, died 20th of 3d month, 1830. aged seventy-seven years eleven months and twenty-seven days.
Mary Spray, died 18th of 6th mouth, 1843, aged eighty-two years and six months.
CHESTER TOWNSHIP. - 675
Charity Cook, died 13th of 11th month, 1823, aged seventy-six years and eleven months.
James Hawkins. died 24th of 11th month, 1840, aged eighty-four roars and ten months.
Sarah Wilson Hawkins, died 20th of 3d month. 1871, aged ninety seven years ton mouths and seven days.
Amos Hawkins, died 13th of 10th month, 1844, aged seventy-two years seven mouths and twelve days.
Ann Millhouse Hawkins, died 4th of 2d mouth, 1855, aged eighty-three years two mouths and eight days.
Henry Millhouse, Sr.. died 22d of 5th month, 1821, aged eighty-five
Robert Furnas, Sr., died 16th of 2d month, 1863, aged ninety years seven months and nineteen days.
The Wesleyan Methodist. In 1844, the great question then agitating the people politically had grown to mammoth proportions, and the public feeling one of intensity and vehemence. In fact, it grew so bitter and protracted that it became the prevailing topic, and none knew where or when, to a certainty, the end would come. For years, like the black cloud of a midsummer day, it had mattered in the distance, with its deep voice of thunder. the occasional flash of lightning foretelling the coming storm, The Congress of our land was locked in the desperate struggle; State Legislatures had grasped and had undertaken the solving of the mighty problem; the churches, schools, and the families of our land, were and had been engaged in long and fierce debates the subject. The question of which I speak was the election of Polk, and the desire and demand on the part of the Southern States for additional slave territory. Already had the blighting curse extended throughout the length and breadth of fourteen States, and yet the demand was for more. Two millions and a half of human souls were then crying aloud for freedom (and had been for over half a century), i n a country whose chief corner-stone was grounded on civil and religious liberty. So malignant did it finally become that a split occurred at New Burlington. in the Methodist Episcopal Church, the anti-slavery members going off by themselves, and, on the --day of -- -, 1844, the latter purchased of John Compton Fractional Lot No. 2 of Lot No. 1, southwest square of that village, the consideration being $100. They erected thereon, by subscription of money and labor, a frame church edifice, yet standing. The church was organized under the discipline and doctrine of the American Wesleyans, and its adherents were denominated "Woolly-Heads" by their late brethren in the church. The following are the names of the prominent movers in the new church: John Grant, Elizabeth Grant, Peter Harrison and wife, John Harrison and wife, Delaney C. Hurley and wife. Walter B. Hamilton and wife, and probably others, could their names be called. They received several adherents, and prospered for a number of years. But the war, and the liberation of those human souls from bondage, closed the prime object of these people, and they afterward identified themselves with the Episcopal Church. In 1870, the building was sold, and became the property of the Orthodox Friends, who hold therein semi-weekly meetings.
MILLS.
The streams in the township in days gone by furnished the motive power for saw-mills, grist-mills, fulling and carding mills, which have, in every instance, long since gone into decay upon their banks. In a journey through the township to-day, one cannot help noticing their ruins, and what excites the interest o£ the people of our time is to know where the water came from by which they were made to perform their labor and furnish to the early settlers
676 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
the necessaries of life. But these little mills and their dams (if such the latter might be called) were built in the most homely manner, and fashioned to do the most work for the least outlay of expense. The machinery was in each case very simple in construction, brief in its details, and required but little skilled labor to build, or, when built, to keep in repair. Neither did owners of these little mills depend upon them, in every instance, for their chief sup, port, but, on the contrary, made them a secondary matter, and operated them at night, wet days, or in the winter season of the year, while at other times they cleared their lands or tended their growing crops. They are gone, the cause in some cases being an insufficiency of water, but in a majority of cases they served their purpose to their owners and gave way to the mills of modern times.
In those days„ the fall and winter rains (when the country was new, and in its primeval form) did not run off all the ground, as in the torrents of to. day, but remained upon the land; nor did the constant action of the sun's rays then, as now, produce rapid evaporation.. The beds of these forest trees were filled with fallen leaves and limbs, until the free passage of the water was held back, and, in many cases, wholly prevented from flowing at all. It then spread itself over the low places, and thus formed pools, ponds and miniature lakes, which slowly trickled out and down to the mills, where it furnished sufficient power to run them, if necessary, a great part of the year. But the flight of time went on; the lands were cleared out and, under the warm rays of the summer sun, evaporation followed, and these fountains succumbed to their magic influence. Following in the line of advancing civilization came the open, and then the blind, or tile, drain; and to-day, where stood the heavy timber and these lakes of water, the eye is gladdened by fine farms and fields of waving grain.
Among the first of these in the township was a mill erected by Robert Millhouse, at the mouth of Buck Run, but operated by the waters of Caesar Creek. When built, it was a saw-mill only. In after years, a corn stone was placed therein, and corn grists were ground there. George Arnold erected upon his lands, and upon the banks of Buck Run (or just above the bridge, on the "Dakin Corner pike "), a saw-mill that remained in use for very many years. Lower down on the ran, the Millhouses erected a carding and fulling mill, which remained there until 1828, when it was torn down and removed to the lands of David Jay, Sr., where it was made into a schoolhouse, under the supervision of the Caesar Creek Monthly Meeting of Friends.
On Trace Branch, west of the township house, in a very early day, there was in operation a carding and furling mill. James Brown owned it in 1816, and it is presumed that he built it. In after years, a saw-mill was connected with it. It has long since gone into disuse. Another enterprise that flourished to a considerable extent in the early settlement of the township was the distill ing of whisky and brandy in little copper stills. They have been so long gone into decay, however, that it is difficult to locate them with any degree of certainty.
ROADS.
It will be a difficult matter for me, in the absence of exact data, to settle upon the earliest road traversing our corporate limits. I am of the opinion, however, from what information I can get, that the first one to be laid out for that purpose was the one from Waynesville to Wilmington. Tradition says, in a very early day the road from Waynesville to Wilmington passed north of where Harveysburg now is, north of the McIntyre Tavern to Oakland, thence by way of Centre to Wilmington; that it was a perfectly straight line, blazed by an Indian, who received for so doing one gallon of whisky. But let this be
CHESTER TOWNSHIP. - 677
true or not, I have already referred in these pages to the remarks of John Leonard, where he says, "The points on the route that were then well known, and which we had to pass on our way "-in 1805--" from Cincinnati to our intended home on the creek "--Todd's Fork-" were Waynesville and Oakland." Th's road, then, was there in 1805, and John Leonard passed over it. It also connected two points then well known to the emigrant, viz., Oakland and Waynesville.
These facts lead me to conclude that it was there in 1802, and possibly earlier yet than that. The Bullskin, that started at the Ohio River, and traversed the State due north, was laid out in 1807, and extended to the lakes. Than came the "east and west," or the "Jenkins Mill " road, that extended from Port William (now) to Mt. Holly, on the Little Miami, crossing the Bull skin in the village of New Burlington. Another started from the old State road, at the village of Clarksville, and intersected the Bullskin just south of where the latter village stands to-day. They were in those days but pathways through the woods-were filled with stumps, logs, tree-tops and sloughs, around and through which the teamster had to pilot his heavily laden wagon. Today, after over fifty years have passed, what a change? The roads of that day are gone, and in their places we see the fine graveled and macadamized highways.
The time when this spirit took hold of the people has not been long since. The writer of this is yet a young man, but he can very well remember when there was nothing but toll pikes in Clinton County. In the winter season, to got off of a toll road was to get into trouble, and not only that, but lots of it. When spring came, the difficulties were multiplied, and on many of these roads travel was almost totally suspended, unless they accomplished the journey upon horseback; and this calls to my mind the "green leggins" so common in those days, a few of which the writer of this can remember having seen; and to go off on a journey without them in the early months of the year was something not to be thought of for a moment, for they were as much of a necessity, almost, as the horse.
Following in the wake of these awful roads came the plank road, of which kind but one was constructed in the township, and that upon the Wilmington & Harveysburg road, in the year 1852. It was made of sawed oak plank; one and one-half inches in thickness, eight or ten feet in length, laid down on the ground. It was never a success, for the plank would spring, or rise up at the ends, and, in wet weather, become very slippery. It was the source of several accidents, and was not favorably received by any one. In a few years, gravel was placed upon the planks, and in time they were buried out of sight. In some places, however, at this late day, ends of these planks can yet be seen, but they will soon disappear forever.
About 1867, a spirit of enterprise took a deep hold upon the people, not only in this section, but it became universal throughout the State, and continued until every road, almost, became a graveled highway. So far did this enterprise extend with us that every road now leading from our village is passable at all seasons of the year, for every kind of vehicle, and, in the summer season, are the resorts for pleasure riding by the people of our neighboring county towns.
Accompanying these highways came the many fine bridges, of both wood and iron, that are found suspended over the streams throughout the length and breadth of our corporation.
RAILROADS.
In the fall of 1871, it was proposed by certain capitalists of the East to build a railroad that was to extend from the Ohio River at Huntington (where
678 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
it was to connect with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad) to Dayton. It was further proposed, upon the part of the said corporation, by Col. Trimble, its President, that if the people along the line of said road would raise $800,000, the company would complete and equip the same. The first meeting in the township in the interest of this enterprise was held at the Methodist Episcopal Church in this village, on the evening of November 21, 1871, at which time Peter Harrison was called to the chair, and H. G. Cartwright made Secretary.
Col. Trimble, the President of the road, being present, addressed the meeting at length, after which a committee of twelve was appointed to solicit stock and secure the right of way.
On the evening of the 23d of November, the committee met at the store of John Grant, and organized by electing Samuel Lemar permanent Chairman, and A. H, Harlan, permanent Secretary. On motion of John Grant, the papers submitted by Allen Linton, and setting forth the conditions upon which the people of Chester Township would subscribe stock, was adopted. to wit:
" We whose names are hereunto subscribed do severally agree with and promise to the Southern Ohio Railway to take and pay for the number of shares of the stock of said company set opposite our names, of the value of $50 each, payable in installments on the total sum subscribed by each of us, as may hereinafter be required by the Board of Directors of said road; Provided-first, That the aforementioned road will pass from Hillsboro to Dayton via Wilmington, Clinton Co., Ohio, crossing Caesar Creek in said county near the village of New Burlington, Ind.; that enough stock be taken to complete said road in accordance with the proposition of C. P. Huntington, President of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company; and provided further, that the amount subscribed by us be expended on the line between Wilmington and Dayton."
Forty-two shares, or $2,100, were reported subscribed at this meeting. These meetings were held weekly, and, as I remember them, were always well attended, and many times very enthusiastic. Speeches were made at every meeting, and, when they seemed to drag, some one present would increase his subscription. This spirit sometimes ran so high that subscribers would double their stock. I copy the minutes of December 5, 1871:
"Meeting called to order by Secretary--the Chairman not present. On motion of John Grant, Allen Bingamon was asked to preside. Members present: John Grant, Jesse Spray, Jr., Henry Hurley and George Mann. There not being a quorum present of the committee, the evening was spent in speeches. On motion of John Grant, duly seconded, George Mann and Henry Hurley were asked to address the committee, which the parties agreed to, provided Mr. Grant would make the first one. The latter gentleman, being then called, arose and delivered a very neat little speech, setting forth the many inducements that were calling out the support of the people in this railroad enterprise. He was followed by George Mann, who arose only to excuse himself, and to insist upon Mr. Hurley addressing the committee. Mr. Hurley then addressed the meeting at considerable length, showing plainly the benefits to be derived from public improvements."
To conclude these minutes, I copy but one other, and that the last held by the committee, on the evening of the 26th of December, 1871:
"Committee met at store of John Grant, Samuel Lemar in the chair. The meeting was called to order, and the minutes of the previous meeting read and adopted. The meeting was largely attended, owing to an appointment made at a former meeting by James Swindler, Esq., to be present and address the committee on the railroad question. The speaker failed to come to time. Not much was done at this meeting, but, by hard work and perseverance, it was not altogether a failure, and the receipts of the evening were one share."
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Among the largest subscribers of stock to that enterprise I have only room for the following: Samuel Lemar, twenty-two shares; G. E. & N. B. Stingley, ten shares; G. E. Stingley, ten shares; N. B. Stingley, ton shares; John Grant, twelve shares: Jesse Spray. Jr.. twelve shares: Henry Spray, ton ,hares; Solomon Huffman, 8r., ten shares: George Mills. ten shares; Levi D. Shambaugh, nine shares; William Hurley, nine shares; Jacob S. Pr Peterson, six shares; Jesse W. Jessup, six shares; Abram Peterson. six shares; Jonathan McKay. six shares; Archibald Peterson, six shares; John S. Lemar, five shares; Ebenezer Lucas, tive shares; George W. McKay, five shares; Robert F. McKay, five shares; Daniel H. McKay, five shares; M. C. McKay, five shares; John Lemar, five shares.
The whole amount subscribed by the people of this township was over $20,000. The road was located, 10 per cent of the stock paid in, but the enterprise failed and the money was returned.
The next railroad to strike our township wits the Waynesville, Port William & Jeffersonville Narrow Gauge Railway. This road filed its certificate of incorporation December 9, 1875, with a capital stock of $200,000, to build a narrow-gauge railroad from Waynesville, in Warren County, to Jeffersonville, in Fayette County, Ohio. This road, as first surveyed, passed through our township, along the waters of Buck Run. It was never located on that line, but was afterward surveyed higher up in the township, and run just south of the village of New Burlington. It was located here and work begun in the spring of 1877. The people, while they did not subscribe so liberally as in the former enterprise, did their share, and some $10,000 and the right of way were given in the road's interest. Before the road bad progressed very far, its name was changed to Columbus, Washington & Cincinnati Railway. It was opened for travel and traffic from the Little Miami Railway to Allentown Junction, on the Dayton & South-Eastern Railway, nine miles west of Washington Court House, in Fayette County, in the fall of 1878. It remained in this form until the winter of 1881-82, when it was purchased by Cincinnati capitalists and changed to a standard gauge.
When John Grant located here, in 1833, there was not a railroad in the State. The Mad River & Lake Erie had been incorporated in January, 1832, but no work done on it, The Little Miami was incorporated March 11, 1836, to run from Springfield, in Clark County, to Cincinnati, via Xenia, Ohio. The construction began in 1837, but the progress was slow. It was opened for travel and traffic to Milford in December, 1842; to Xenia, in August, 1845; and to Springfield a year later. Railroads, like free turnpikes, were only to come with the next generation. Buying large stocks of goods in Philadelphia, they were shipped by water to Cincinnati; again, with those purchased in the latter place, they were either hauled direct by wagons to the store, or shipped by canal to Franklin, Ohio, and then hauled out by wagon. The following will, no doubt, prove of interest to the people of this day:
"Shipped by Samuel Findley on board the good canal-boat Pennsylvania (whereof is Master for this voyage George Kinder), now lying at the port of Cincinnati, and bound for Franklin, Ohio, the following articles, marked and numbered as below, which are to be delivered without delay, in like good or. der, at the port of Franklin, unto M. W. Earhart, or his assignees, to wit: Seven boxes dry goods, two boxes of shoes, nine trunks, eight boxes dry goods, six bales of dry goods, one case of hats, one case of saws, one box axes, one. half-barrel madder. Dated at Cincinnati, Ohio, October 4, 1838." On the reverse side of this bill of lading is the following: " Franklin, Ohio, October 10, 1838. Received freight on the within 8,206 pounds merchandise, at 21 cents per hundred, $17.23. Signed, M. W. Earhart." These goods were yet
680 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
eighteen miles from their destination, and had to be hauled that distance by wagon. The distance they had been hauled by water was probably two-thirds of the whole, which would make it about $:1 cents per hundred from Cincinnati. What a change has taken place in that time--forty-four years. Now, to say nothing of the difference of time, the rate from Cincinnati to this village, by rail direct, per hundred in car-load lots, is but a fraction over 13 cents.
Grant did not live to see a railroad running to this village. Had he lived it would have been a happy event to him, for he was a man who desired to see public improvements, and gave his money in their aid when it was against his interests financially. And now, while speaking of Mr. Grant in this character, we cannot refrain from relating an episode in that busy life of his. From a very early day, he was one of the strong advocates of anti-slavery, and was prompt to identify himself with that great Abolition party when it was organized in this section of the country. His sympathies with the colored people were very great, and his voice constantly raised in their behalf, and not only that, but his purse was ever ready, to render them financial help, as well as his home, which was always open to shelter those seeking freedom in flight. On a pleasant day in the summer of 1844, Mr, Grant, in company with Allen Linton and Amos Compton, Sr., was seated in front of his store in this village, enjoying the cool shadows of the early morning, when they were approached by a black man-a stranger to each of them. He handed to Mr. Grant a letter, which, upon examination, proved to be his credentials, duly signed by "Friend" Levi Coffin, of Cincinnati. The substance of the letter was this: The colored man had but recently been released from slavery in Kentucky by his master. His wife. the property(?) of another master, was yet in slavery. He had offered her to her husband at a specified price, and had given him a chance to raise the money. This was his mission. . He had come to redeem his wife from human bondage. Mr. Grant read the letter carefully, and satisfied himself that the case was not only true, but that it was one calling for his sympathy in dollars and cents-a duty he was not disposed to evade, nor allow his friends to do so, as the sequel will show.
He then explained the contents fully to Mr. Linton and Mr. Compton, and remarked that he intended to give $5, and that they must each of them do the same. They very promptly agreed to do it, and the money was promptly handed over to Mr. Grant, who sat looking at the paper for some moments, then said: "I am going to give $5 more; you are each able to do likewise." They hesitated, and finally consented. Mr. Grant was not yet done. These men, like him, were strong anti-slavery men, and were amply able to use their money generously to that end. The present was one worthy of their fullest support. Mr. Grant again spoke, and said: "I am going to give another $5; you must each do the same." Mr. Compton expostulated, saying he had not so much money with him; but Mr. G. quietly informed him that he would loan him all the money he chose to give. Mr. Linton, too, begged to be excused, but Grant would not consent to anything but the money, and they gracefully gave in. When they had talked a few minutes longer, Grant took from his pocket a sum of money, saying: "Gentleman, I am going to give this man $20; you are each able to do likewise, and must do it." Ofttimes has the writer of this heard Mr. Grant relate this little circumstance, and laugh heartily as he told how these men were fairly caught. Had he proposed the full amount in the start, they would never have given their consent to any such proposition, but, by bringing them up gradually, they arrived at the point he had agreed upon to himself at the beginning. The conversation was long and earnest. The colored man all the while standing by, the very picture of anxious expectancy,
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the whole making a picture well worthy of the painter's brush; but in the end they each agreed. and Mr. Grant paid over to the worthy black the sum of $60, and he fairly danced with great joy. while tears of gratitude streamed down his swarthy cheeks. Long years have come and gone since then; the last soul has long been free: one by one these men passed to the presence of their Maker, until all are -one, but the great deed will live on and on forever, and should surround the memory of these noble men with a halo of light for generations yet to come.
I would like to continue these pages. There are many, very many, matters I would like to put. on record---matters of interest and of value to the reader of coming generations. but I must forbear. for I ram already far in advance of the space allotted to me, and must rapidly draw them to a close.
Just how these hastily-gathered and hastily written pages will be received by the reader I cannot of course tell, but desire now, while yet the opportunity is mine, to bespeak for them all the charity you can bestow, for I am frank enough to acknowledge that they are not what I most desire. In other words, they are not up to that standard of excellence so necessary in a work of this kind, and can only regret now, as I shall ever after, that the work was not given to some no sar more competent than myself. And now, before closing, I desire to take up one other subject and I am done. Our history at the period I shall now mention is to a great extent identical with that of every other township in the eighty-eight counties comprising our commonwealth-the State of Ohio. I refer, of course, to the opening of the great struggle between the North and South in the early days of 1861.
It is not my. intention here to discuss the causes that brought about those years of carnage and suffering; the reader of to-day who was old enough to understand them then needs no explanation here; the reader who was not, or has since come upon the stage of life, I can but refer to the many reliable histories of "the war," and the causes that precipitated it upon the people in that year, and from which a far better knowledge can be gathered than I could possibly give. Entering then at once upon the subject matter intended for this volume: It found the patriotic sons of Chester ready ere the smoke of the opening conflict had cleared from around the walls of grim " Old Sumter." Our young men, and not only they, but the middle-aged also, were offering their services to their endangered country and insulted flag. From the workshops, counters of trade, the plows, mills, and indeed from every occupation in our corporate limits they came and pronounced themselves ready. The regiments of Ohio in which our township was represented were the First, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirty-first, Thirty-ninth, Fortieth, Forty-fourth, Sixty-first, Seventy-fourth, Seventy-ninth, Eightieth, Eighty-fourth, Eighty-eighth, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth, One Hundred and Forty-ninth and One Hundred and Eightieth Infantry; Eighth Cavalry, Fourth United States Cavalry; Second Heavy Artillery, and the Ohio and Mississippi Gunboat Service, in all, twenty different organizations of the service. If we follow them to the " front," we find them participating in by far the largest number of the most hotly contested engagements of the war.
John Blair entered the service of his country April 17, 1861, in Company D, First Regiment Infantry. He was the first to enlist from the township, and in less than sixty hours from date of enlistment was en route with his regiment to the defense of the National Capital. He took part in the first battle of Bull Run; returned to this State and was mustered out with regiment at expiration of service, i. e., three months; re-enlisted in same regiment for three years; left the State November 5, 1861, for Louisville, Ky. ; was with the regiment up to and including the first day's fight at Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., in
682 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTS.
1862, where he received a severe wound in the leg; discharged by reason thereof soon after, and returned home. Enlisted in August, 1863, in Company H, Second Regiment Heavy Artillery; promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant March 1, 1864; mustered out and discharged with his regiment at the close of the war; draws a pension.
Hiram McKay, a son of Duffy and Mary A. Gaddis McKay, entered Company B, Twelfth Infantry, as a private, in the three-months' service under Capt. Robert B. Harlan, in April, 1861. At the re-organization of the regiment for three years' service, he re-enlisted in the same capacity. The regiment left the State under the command of Col. John B. Lowe, July 6, 1861, for Western Virginia, 937 strong. He took part with it in all marches and engagements, among the latter, Carnifex Ferry, Scary Creek, in 1861; Bull Run, South Mountain and Antietam, in 1862; Fayette Court House, in 1863; and Cloyd Mountain and Lynchburg, in 1864. Was promoted to Second Lieutenant November 9, 1861; to First Lieutenant June 18, 1862, and to Captain November 21, same year; was mustered out with regiment at the end of its service, at Camp Chase, Ohio, July 11, 1864. On 7th day of October, same year, be received a commission as Lieutenant Colonel, and was assigned to the One Hundred and Eightieth Infantry. "It left the State for Nashville, Tenn.. on 15th same month, under command of Lieut. Col. McKay. * * * * * * The regiment was then taken to Newborn, N. C., where it joined a force under Gen. J. D. Cox, to open railway communication with Goldsboro and Gen. Sherman's army. At Kinston, N. C., the division to which the regiment was attached was engaged on the 8th, 9th and 10th of March with the rebel forces under Gene. Bragg and Hoke, resulting in the discomfiture of the enemy and capture of Kinston. Lieut. Col. McKay was mortally wounded on the 10th, and died on the 13th inst." (Reid's Ohio in the War). His body was brought home, and interred at Jonah's Run Burying-Ground, in this township.
Addison Fay, William Markwell, Benjamin Seavers were also members of Company B, Twelfth Infantry, and served with the regiment three years in the Eastern army, participating with it in its campaigns and engagements against the would be destroyers of our country and flag. They were honorably discharged with it at the close of its service, July, 64.
Charles Thompson (familiarly known as "Old Jersey") responded to the call for "seventy-five thousand," and entered, in April, 1861, Company B, Twelfth Infantry. Was severely wounded in the leg at Antietam Creek, Md., in September, 1862; discharged by reason thereof in same year; enlisted in Company E, Eighty-eighth Infantry, under Capt. Parker, in July, 1863; served with his regiment guarding prisoners at Camp Chase until mustered out in July, 1865. He is now well advanced in years, a bachelor, and is and has been a pensioner and an inmate of the home for disabled volunteer soldiers at Dayton, Ohio.
John Northup entered Company B, Twelfth Infantry, in 1861; served to and was killed at the battle of ---, Va., in --- -, 1862.
Cornelius Cotterall entered Company B, Twelfth Infantry, at its organization, in April, 1861, and its re-organization in July of same year. Took part with his regiment in all its fortunes and misfortunes until taken prisoner at the battle of---, Va., and lodged in Libby and Belle Isle until 1865, when he was exchanged, honorably discharged and sent home. Has since died from exposure and disease contracted in the service.
Morgan Wood enlisted in Company B, Twelfth Infantry, in the three months' service in April, 1861; re-enlisted at its re-organization for three years. He was a faithful soldier, and served his country honorably; was taken prisoner at Gauley Bridge, Va., in 1861; since then has not been heard from.
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John N. Rood was a private in Company I, Thirty-first Infantry,
Ira Van Tress and Christian Smith entered the service as privates in Company C, Thirty-fourth Infantry. The history of that gallant regiment is but theirs, and need not here be told.
James Hartman, James Whetsell and Bazil Leech enlisted at Harveysburg, Warren Co., in August, 1861, under Thomas M. Harlan, who became their Second Lieutenant at the organization of Company F, Thirty-fifth Infantry, at Hamilton, Ohio. The regiment left the State September 26, 1861, for Kentucky, 812 strong, and took part in the various marches and skirmishes with the Army of the Cumberland, under Gen. Buell, barely missing the battle of Shiloh in April, 1862. At the battle of Chickamauga, on the 19th of September, 1863, the regiment was on the extreme left, where they fought for several hours almost hand to hand with the rebels under Longstreet. On the 20th, the fighting was the same, and night found them still holding the rebels at bay, while the main army fell back on Chattanooga. Following this, came Mission Ridge, Ringgold, Dalton, Resaca, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw and Peach Tree Creek. They were mustered out at Chattanooga, Tenn., in August, 1864.
Edward Disbro, William Hurley, Robert D. Wall, Henry S. Reese, Solon Carroll, George H. La Fetra, Edward Shepherd and Alfred Van Tress entered their country's service in July, 1861, as privates in Company H, Thirty-ninth Infantry, under Capt. Adam Koogle. The regiment left the State Sunday, August 18, 1861, for St. Louis, Mo., via Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. It remained in Missouri until after the fall of New Madrid in 1862, when it passed into Tennessee, taking part in many engagements and marches, among the former being the battles of Corinth, Iuka, Parker's Cross Roads. On the 26th of December, 1862, it reached Prospect, Tenn., where 534 of its members reenlisted as veterans and came home on thirty days' furlough. Returning to the front, it marched and skirmished in the Southwest until May, 1864, when it moved to and took part in the battles around Atlanta, Ga., going there by the way of Ship and Snake Creak Gaps, to Resaca; from thence on its history is the same as that of every other regiment that belonged to Sherman's army, It took part in the march to the sea and the grand review at Washington, and returned home in July, 1865.
Hiram Hurley enlisted in Company H, Thirty-ninth Infantry, for three years, in August, 1861; left the State with his regiment in the same month; promoted to Corporal April 29, 1863; came home on sick furlough and died in 1864; buried at Sharon Burial-Grounds.
Warren Shidaker enlisted in Company H, Thirty-ninth Infantry, in Jan. nary, 1863, while the regiment was at home on veteran furlough: returned with it to its duties in February of that year, and took an active and honorable part in the defense of his country. He met his death as a soldier at Decatur, Ala., July 22, 1864, while charging the rebels.
Francis F. Rockhill enlisted in Company H, Thirty-ninth Infantry, in August, 186.1; discharged for disability March 20, 1862; returned home and died in the same year; buried at Jonah's Run Meeting-House, in Chester Township.
Absalom Wall enlisted in Company B, Fortieth Infantry, as a private, on the 18th day of September, 1861, at Camp Chase, Ohio; died in October following, at the same place, never having left the State. His body was sent home and buried at Sharon.
Richard B. Carr enlisted in Company B, Fortieth Infantry, September 18, 1861; left the State with the regiment on the 11th of December, 1861, for Kentucky, where it was brigaded under Col. Garfield, then moving up Sandy
684 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
River. On the 10th of January, 1862, it experienced its first engagement, at Middle Creek, Ky. Carr remained with his regiment until 1863, when he died and was buried at Tullahoma, Tenn.
Quincy Austin enlisted in August, 1861, in Company B, Fortieth Infantry, under Capt. James M. Haworth; was killed in front of Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., July 24, 1864; buried at National Cemetery, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Elias D. Harlan, born in April, 1837; entered the service as a private in Company B, Fortieth Infantry, September 18, 1861; took part in every march, skirmish and general engagement in which that gallant regiment participated from the first at Middle Creek, Ky. (against Humphrey Marshall), under the leadership of our now lamented President, Garfield, to be followed by Franklin, Triune, Shelbyville, Wartrace, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Moccasin Point, Lookout Mountain and Dalton; was mustered out with his company at Pilot Knob, Ga., October 7, 1864, by reason of expiration of service.
Joshua Wood enlisted in Company B, Fortieth Infantry, in September, 1861; served three years and was discharged with the company at Pilot Knob, Ga., October 7, 1864.
Joseph Daniels and George W. Daniels entered Company B, Fortieth Infantry, as privates, in September, 1861; served three years each, and were discharged with the company at the expiration of its term of service, at Pilot Knob, Ga., October 7, 1864.
Porter and Turner Van Tress entered Company B, Fortieth Regiment of Infantry, as privates, September 1, 1861; took part with it in the battles of Middle Creek, Franklin, Wartrace, Triune, Shelbyville, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Moccasin Point, Lookout Mountain and Dalton; were mustered out with the company at Pilot Knob, Ga., October 7, 1864.
James Nickerson entered Company B, Fortieth Infantry, in September, 1861; promoted to Orderly Sergeant, and then Lieutenant in the United Staten Army; mustered out at. the close of the war.
James R. Littler enlisted as a private in Company -, Forty-fourth Infantry, in the fall of 1861, at Springfield, Ohio; left the State with his regiment October 14, '1861, for Western Virginia, under Col. S. A. Gilbert. Two weeks later, he took part with his regiment in the fight at Gauley Bridge. He also took part in all the marches and engagements of his regiment in that State and Kentucky, until, on the 5th of January, 1864, when the regiment reenlisted and became the Eighth Cavalry. On the 26th of April, 1864, he left Ohio for Western Virginia, where, on January 11, 1865, Little, with 575 others belonging to the Eighth Cavalry and Thirty-fourth Ohio Infantry, were captured at Philippi, Vu., taken to Richmond, and lodged in Libby Prison. His daily experience there .was but that of the thousands of other brave men who were then and had been confined therein. All the misery and suffering of prison life were endured until the 15th of February following, when they left for Annapolis, Md., and from there to Columbus. Ohio, where they were paroled and mustered out the same your.
Charles E. Harrison was born in 1844; enlisted in Company B, Seventy-fourth Infantry, for a full term of three years, February 24, 1862; left the State with his regiment April 20, 1862. He remained with his company until December 3. 1862, when he was mustered out with one other from his company, by order of Maj. Gen. Rosecrans, under a general order from the War Department, allowing two men from each company of infantry to enlist in the United States Cavalry service; was enlisted and mustered into Company M, Fourth Cavalry, on the 11th day of December following, for a full term of three years. As a member of this branch of the service, he took a part in many severe and hotly contested engagements, his discharge being indorsed
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on the back as follows: "This soldier has participated in the following. engagements: Stone River, Middleton, Snow Hill, Franklin, Shelbyville, and Nashville. Tenn., Chickamauga, Dallas. Noonday Creek, Lovejoy Station. Jonesboro, Rome and Columbus, Ga.. Selma, Ala., Okolona, Miss., and Kenesaw Mountain: also other skirmishes in which the regiment was engaged." He was mustered out at San Antonio. Tex., December 4, 1865.
Joseph Blair was born in January, 1844; enlisted at the age of eighteen in Company B, Seventy-fourth Infantry, for a full term of three years, at Xenia, Ohio, February 24, 1862. William Brown and George W. Huffman enlisted at the same time and place, and in the same company and regiment. They left the State with it April 20. 1862, and arrived at Nashville, Tenn., on the 24th of the same month. They marched and skirmished with the regiment until December 29, 1862, when they entered the battle of Stone River, and remained through the 29th, 30th and 31st of that month, and January 1, 2 and 3, 1863, the battle including, that of Murfreesboro.
While in this engagement they participated with "the gallant Seventy-fourth" in its heroic charge over Stone River full against the rebels under Breckinridge, on the 2d of January. Then followed in quick succession Hoover's Gap, Dug Gap, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, where, on January 4, 1864, they re-enlisted as veterans, and came home with the regiment on veteran furlough; left Ohio, March 17, with the regiment on its return to the front; started on the Atlanta campaign May 7, and " for over one hundred days the regiment was under an almost continuous fire from rebel musketry and artillery," at Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw, Chattahoochie River, Peach Tree Creek, and in front of Atlanta. They were with the regiment at Jonesboro, Ga., September, 1864, and took part with it in its three separate charges against the enemy. At Averysboro and Bentonville March 22, 1865. took part in the last engagement fought by the army of Gen. Sherman in the war. Then came Goldsboro, Raleigh, Richmond, Washington City, Camp Dennison and home July 10, 1865.
G. Marion Colvin enlisted for three years in Company B, Seventy-fourth Infantry, February 24, 1862, at Xenia, Ohio; went South with his regiment April 20, 1862, and remained with it until after the battles of Stone River and Murfreesboro, when he was discharged February 24, 1863, by reason of physical disability. Returning home, he entered Company B, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Ohio National Guards as First Lieutenant. He was called with his command May 2, 1864, for 100 days, by a proclamation from President Lincoln, entered Maryland the same month, and was stationed at Fort McHenry for a few weeks. Leaving here, it crossed to the eastern shore, and while there was assigned to the command of Maj. Gen. Low Wallace, and participated in the battle and defeat at Monocacy Junction July 9, 1864; mustered out with regiment September 9, 1864.
William H. Hanlan was born December 31, 1838, in Chester Township, Clinton County, Ohio; entered the service of his country as a private in Company I, Seventy-ninth Infantry, August 22, 1862, at Camp Dennison, Ohio.
"The regiment was organized under the call of 1862, in the military district composed of the counties of Warren, Clinton and Hamilton. Of the regiment Clinton furnished four companies."
They were mustered into service September 1, 1862, and left the State on the 3d of the same month for Kentucky, 859 strong, under command of Col. H. G. Kennett. It remained along the river until it was ordered to Louisville, Ky., assigned to the brigade of W. T. Ward, and, early in the month of October, 1862, left there for Frankfort, which it occupied after a little fight, and
686 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
remained there until November 1, engaged in breaking up detachments of John Morgan's guerrillas. In December, 1863, it reached Gallatin, Tenn., where it remained until February `34, 1864, guarding railroads, supplies, and breaking up the bands of guerrillas that infested the country along the Cumberland and Stone Rivers. On the 24th of February, the regiment was assigned to the Eleventh Army Corps, then in Lookout Valley. On the 2d of May, 1864, the effective force of the command numbered 600 men, when it became a part of the First Brigade, Third Division, Twentieth Army Corps, Gen. Joe Hooker commanding. From this date the real history of this gallant regiment began. On the 13th and 14th of May, 1864, it participated in the fight at Resaca, followed by Dalton, Dallas, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw, Mission Ridge, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Savannah, Bentonville, Averysboro, the march through Virginia, the grand review and muster out at Washington, Camp Dennison; discharged and paid off, and home in June, 1865.
Allen Bingamon enlisted in Company C, Seventy-ninth Infantry, in July, 1862, under I. B. Allen. He served with the regiment during the three years of its gallant service in defense of a country and flag; mustered out with his regiment June 9, 1865, sit Washington, D. C.
Elam Fletcher enlisted in Company C, Seventy-ninth Infantry, in July. 1862; served three years, and was discharged with regiment at close of the war.
William Liggett, a member of Company C, Seventy-ninth Infantry for three years; mustered out with regiment.
Barkley Dakin enlisted and served three years in Company C, Seventy-ninth Infantry.
Uriah S. Jackson enlisted in. Company C, Seventy-ninth Infantry at its organization in July, 1862; served faithfully in the capacity of private soldier until in July, 1864, when, while seeking shelter from a storm in a barn containing fixed ammunition, the building was struck by lightning. He was not killed, but has ever since been a living wreck of his former self; was discharged and sent home; draws a pension of $18 a month, with an additional $50 every three years.
Mahlon Russell enlisted in July, 1.862, in Company C, Seventy-ninth Infantry; served his country gallantly three years; mustered out with regiment at the close of the war.
James W. Collett enlisted at the organization of the Seventy-ninth Infantry in Company D, July, 1862; served in the capacity of a private soldier faithfully until December 24, 1862, when he died and was buried at Gallatin, Teen.
Peter DeLong was born in Canada, of English parents; ran off from home and came to Ohio in 1860. His father was a Captain of Canadian militia. In August, 1862, DeLong entered Company D, Seventy-ninth Infantry, as a private, and served his foster country faithfully and honorably until his death, which occurred at Gallatin, Tenn., in December, 1862; buried in the National Cemetery at that place.
Theodore Moore enlisted in August, 1862, in Company I, Seventy-ninth Infantry; detailed about the 2d of May, 1864, and became one of the gallant band of pioneers and poutoniers that prepared the roads and water-crossings for Sherman on his march to the sea; mustered out with regiment at the close of the war.
Thomas Moore enlisted at the age of eighteen, in February, 1864, as a recruit in Company D, Seventy-ninth Infantry; joined the regiment at Chattanooga; died in April following, of measles; buried at National Cemetery, Chattanooga, Tenn.
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Theodore Ellis enlisted in Company C, Seventy-ninth Infantry, at the organization of the regiment in July, 1862; mustered out at the close of the war.
William Miller enlisted in Company B, Fortieth Infantry, in August, 1861; served his flag faithfully; was mortally wounded at Kenesdw Mountain July 25, 1864; died in hospital the same month.
S. L. Mulford enlisted in Company B, Seventy-fourth Infantry, February 24, 1862; took an active and honorable part in all the marches and engagements of his regiment; was wounded in the leg at Atlanta, Ga., July 4, 1364; mustered out with regiment at the close of the war.
Chalkley Reese enlisted at Camp Chase, Ohio, in April, 1862, for a full term of three years, in Company -, Sixty-first Infantry. The regiment entered Western Virginia on the 27th of May, same year; took part in its first engagement, at Freeman's Ford, on the Rappahannock, with the rebels, under Gen. Longstreet; at Sulphur Springs, Va., August 23 and 24, 1862; Waterloo Bridge, 25th; second battle of Bull Run, Fairfax Court House, September 2, 1862; on the 2d, 3d, 4th and 5th of May, 1863, was engaged with his regiment at Chancellorsville. On the let day of July, 1863, the Sixty-first Infantry opened the battle of Gettysburg, Penn., as skirmishers, and in the general engagement that followed took its place on Cemetery Hill, and remained there throughout that memorable battle.
Joshua Holland enlisted in Company B, Seventy-fourth Infantry, February 24, 1862, at Xenia, Ohio, for a full term of three years; left the State with his regiment April 20, 1862. He remained with his company and performed his duties faithfully up to and including the battle of Jonesboro, Ga., September 1, 1864, when he had the misfortune to lose by a single shot the first two fingers of his right hand, and receive a severe wound in his right shoulder. He was mustered out by reason thereof, and returned homy some months in advance of his regiment.
John W. Haydock, J. Wesley Smith, Henry Miller and A. W. Reeves, enlisted in June, 1862, at Camp Chase, Ohio, in Company K, Eighty-fourth Infantry, under Capt. Gregory, to serve three months. On the 11th day of June, the regiment left Ohio for Cumberland, Md., where they served out their term of service, and returned and were mustered out at Columbus in August, 1862. J. Wesley Smith afterward enlisted in Company H, Second Heavy Artillery, in August, 1863; was promoted to Orderly Sergeant, and from that to Second Lieutenant of Company I, same regiment, September 26, 1864; mustered out with his regiment, and discharged at Columbus, Ohio, August 29, 1865. Henry Miller again enlisted in Company H, Second Heavy Artillery, in August, 1862, for three years; served to the end of the war and was discharged with his regiment at Camp Chase, August 29, 1865. A. W. Reeves again enlisted in his country's service, the last time in Company D, Eighty-eighth Infantry, August 12, 1863, at Camp Chase, Ohio; served until July 3, 1865, as a guard of prisoners at that place, and was mustered out with his regiment at the close of the war.
Robert Reeves, James Mershon, William Lister enlisted October, 1862, at Camp Chase, Ohio, in Company D, Eighty-eighth Infantry, under Capt. Parker. They were discharged with the regiment (which was guarding prisoners) July 3, 1865, at the close of the war.
William Ellsberry and Peter Brown enlisted in August, 1863, in Company D, Eighty-eighth Infantry, at Camp Chase, Ohio, under Capt. Parker; discharged July 3, 1865.
Enos Finch enlisted in his country's service and died a martyr to the cause of freedom. His regiment and company are not known to the writer.
688 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Levi Disbro, John Disbro, Isaiah Kirk also served the country in its hour of need.
Henry H. Hollingsworth entered the service in June, 1863, in the Ohio and Mississippi Gunboat service, on board the "Exchange," under Capt. Gibson. He served two years on patrol service below Memphis, or on the " Lower Mississippi." Thomas and Henry Williams were also members of the same service, though not of the same crew, and gave two years' faithful duty on the Lower Mississippi; mustered out at the close of the war.
John H. Colvin, David Kearns, James Johnson, Allen W. Fletcher, Richard L. Harrison, William H. Harrison and Henry G. Cartwright enlisted in Company H, Second Heavy Artillery, in August, 18663, at Camp Chase, Ohio, under Capt. John H. Herbert; left the State same month for Kentucky and Tennessee. Discharged with regiment at close of the war. Mustered out and paid at Camp Chase, Ohio.
Thomas C. Haydock and Charles E. Mulford enlisted at Xenia, Ohio, the former on the 28th day and the latter on the 7th day of December, 1863, for three years, in Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Infantry, Austin McDowell, Captain; stationed on Johnson's Island, Sandusky Bay, Ohio (as guards of prisoners), with their regiment; mustered out 13th and discharged and paid off the 17th of July, 1865, at Camp Chase, Ohio.
Clarence Wall, Amos Farquhar, James F. Hamilton, Isaac H. Hurley, Creighton Hurley, Howard Haynes, Edward Williams, Dakin Vanderburg, James Linton, Levi Peirson, Jonathan Rockbill, William H. Mann, Marion Van Tress, James Morgan, Monroe Haynes, Philip Anderson, James Reese, Elwood Reese, Charles Harlan, Calvin Whinery, William Wooley, Henry Reese, Cyrenus Rockhill, were members of the Fifty-fifth Battalion, Ohio National Guards of Clinton County. The battalion was called into service, organized and mustered into and consolidated with the Twenty-seventh Ohio National Guards, on the 8th of May, 1864, under the number of the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Regiment Ohio National Guards. The regiment left the State on the 11th of the same month for Baltimore, Md.. and remained until the 29th of May, when it proceeded to the eastern shore of Maryland, and from there distributed to several points on detached service. About the 4th of July, the regiment was consolidated and ordered to Monocacy Junction, where, on the evening of the 8th, it took a position on the extreme right of Gen. Lewis Wallace's army (to which it was attached), or at the stone bridge on the Baltimore & Frederick pike, where, in the engagement that followed the next day-9th of July-the regiment held its own ground until, compelled by the retreat of the left wing of the army, it took part in the disaster that followed Clarence, who had faithfully and honorably borne his share of the fight, fell to rise no more. His body was sent home and laid away to rest in Sharon Graveyard. The regiment returned to Ohio and was mustered out at Camp Chase, Ohio, August 24, 1864.
One hundred and ten of the patriotic band are here recorded, but I feel satisfied that I have not secured the names of all. Would that it had been possible; but it is not. For in the twenty years that have come and gone since then, the world has rolled on and on in its unceasing journey. Time, too, the great leveler of mankind; has not been idle, but has wrought many changes, and, as we look back to-day through that long vista of years, they are easily discernible. These men, then in the early years of manhood, and in the first flush of ambition-men to whom the killing frosts of after years had not yet come, and for whom naught but flowers had bloomed, or sunshine marked their pathway-were first to hear the dread sound calling the people to " arms," and quickly obeyed the call.
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Four years came and were gone. The war was over. Peace, the glad harbinger of joy, had been proclaimed, but at what a cost! The people then realized what the sacrifice had been; what it had cost to restore the flag again to its place among the nations of the earth, and they rose up as one body and as one soul, and welcomed with tears of joy the returning heroes. Then, bowing themselves to the earth, they wept for the heroic dead
The following is a list of those who, while yet the smoke of contending armies arose and darkened the orb of day, gave their lives that their country might live:
Absalom Wall, died at Camp Chase, Ohio, October, 1861.
James W. Collett, died at Gallatin, Tenn., December 24, 1862.
Richard B. Carr, died at Tullahoma, Tenn., 1863.
William Miller, wounded at Kenesaw Mountain July 25, 1864; died in hospital same month.
Warren Shidaker, killed in action at Decatur, Ga.
Peter De Long, died in hospital at Gallatin, Tenn., in March, 1863.
Thomas Moore, died at Chattanooga, Tenn., April, 1864; buried in National Cemetery.
Quincy Austin, killed in action in front of Kenesaw Mountain July 27, 1864.
Hiram McKay, mortally wounded at Kingston, Ga., March 10, 1865; died on 13th inst.
John Northup, killed in action. Morgan Wood, killed in action.
If the question was asked, where are the men to-day that returned to this township at the close of the war? it could not be answered. They are too widely scattered, and until the final roll-call, will remain unknown.
The Oakland Academy was taught in the winter of 1849-50 by I. S. Morris in a log house, which stood on the farm now owned by James Campbell, of Oakland, then the property of Dr. Brook. It was weather-boarded on the outside, and in the interior had a row of seats on each side and a blackboard at the east end. It was the first and only academy ever established in Chester Township. The following were the attendants as recollected by Jesse H. Kirk, now of Liberty Township: Ladies-Martha M. Dakin, Rebecca Van Tress, Elizabeth Morris, Rebecca Morris, Lydia Vandeberg, Carrie Brook, Lydia Hollingsworth, Hannah Birdsall, Jane Snowden, Marcia Hynes, Sarah Carroll, Martha Morris. Gentlemen-Jacob Allen, Isaac Allen, Robert Snowden, Frank Whipple, Solon Carroll, Joseph Carroll, Elisha Davis, Charles Oren, Henry Snowden, Watson Bean, Benjamin Haynes, Benjamin Franklin Constant, James Dakin, Henry Brook, Edward Birdsall, Jesse H. Kirk.