BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF EARLY SETTLERS - 242 JOHN POPEJOY Was one of the first residents of Washington; came in 1811, purchased a lot and erected a log cabin thereon. Shortly after his arrival he was elected justice of the peace. He was considered rather eccentric ; made his legal decisions in accordance with his own ideas of justice, regardless of the laws or testimony bearing on the case. He kept no docket, but made a memorandum of all legal transactions ou a piece of paper which was placed in a crevice in his cabin. He was a native of Virginia, and died in 1816 or 1817. Ile had two sons, John and Edward. Both were extensive dealers in stock. Edward subsequently removed to the far west; John died in this county. JACOB JAMISON Came to this county several years before its organization. Several years after his arrival he purchased laud situated about two miles southwest of the village of Washington, at which place he resided until his death. Iie was a good citizen, a kind neighbor, but unfortunately had an ungovernable temper. Shortly after locating in the county, while living in its northeastern part, he got into a serious difficulty with a neighbor, and was thrice stabbed in the breast with a dirk in the hands of his antagonist. The wound inflicted was a severe one and it was at first supposed that it was mortal, but after being confined to his couch two months he recovered. Ilse was elected successively to the offices of justice of the peace, collector, commissioner and associate judge, serving faithfully and satisfactorily. SAMUEL WADDLE, Judge Daniel McLean's step-father, was a Kentuckian by birth ; removing to Ross County, Ohio, from whence he came to Fayette, in SKETCHES OF EARLY SETTLERS - 243 March, 1810, locating on a piece of ground four or five miles south of Washington. During the Indian troubles of 1812, he engaged in the defense of his country, being chosen major. In 1814 he removed to Washington and two years later engaged in the mercantile business, continuing in the same till his death, which occurred in 1828. In 1814 he purchased seven lots in the town of Washington, for which he paid in cash $10,000. After his death the property did not realize $1,000 outside of the dower set aside for his widow. This instance is cited to illustrate the terrible depreciation of property during that period. JOHN DEWITT, Who was one of the first settlers, was born in Clark County, Kentucky. Accompanied by his uncle, Fredrick Bray, and his brothers, Henry and Gabriel, he left his native soil and came to this state, settling in Ross County ; this was in the year 1806. The party traveled the entire distance on foot ; all Kentuckians were great hunters and therefore good travelers. It is said that Henry Dewitt frequently walked seventy-five miles in a single day. Dewitt remained in Ross County two years and while there entered into the bonds of matrimony with Miss Polly Barker. Soon after the marriage the young couple removed to Fayette County, settling on land located four miles southeast of Washington. Jesse, the youngest son, is at present living on the original homestead. Ile purchased a small farm at first but added to the same and finally owned several thousand acres. This land was originally owned by Baron Steuben, McKay, Duncan McArthur and others, and is situated in Wayne Township. In 1812 Mr. Dewitt volunteered to assist in defending the Americans against the British and their allies, the Indians, and was stationed at Upper Sandusky, where he remained until peace was declared. He was one of the first constables, was then elected justice of the peace and held the position for many years. Ile was considered one of the best hunters, hunting being a favorite pastime with him. When the first court was established in this county, the legal talent of Chillicothe were in the habit of leaving their homes on the day preceding the opening of court, travel to the house of Dewitt and remain over night; there they were always accorded a warm reception. Governors McArthur, Allen and Thurman, were frequent guests at his house. Ministers 244 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. of all denominations made his house their headquarters, meetings being held there. He was a member of the Baptist church, always voted the Democratic ticket, and enjoyed good health until a short time prior to his death. His union with Miss Barker was blessed with eleven children : Eveline, intermarried with William Orr (now dead); Jane, wife of James Allen, at present residing in Missouri; Anderson, living at Washington, C. H., in this county; Darlington, now a resident of Iowa ; Decatur, died at the age of 30; Rachel, married Wesley Prior, now living in Missouri ; Peter G., on part of the homestead ; John, occupies a portion of the homestead; Jesse, residing in the old house; Candice, intermarried with Dr. Goldsberry, of Washington, this county; one child died in infancy. JESSE ROWE Left his home in Louisa County, Virginia, at the age of forty, accompanied by his family of eight children—four boys and four girls—most of whom were married: he came to this state locating temporarily at Frankfort, in Ross County. In the year 1808 he removed to this county, settling on Wabash Creek, seven miles south of Washington, where he purchased about fifteen hundred acres of land which was divided amongst his children. It is said of him that he was a very stout, hale and hearty man, being blessed with good lungs and a loud voice. On one occasion several horses strayed from a pasturefield, and two of the boys were directed to go in search of then. When they were about three miles from the house the horses returned. The old gentleman proclaimed this information to the boys, and though nearly three miles distant they heard him and returned to the parental roof. He died in 1845. The following sketch of his life was contributed to the Western Christian Advocate, February 20, 1846, by John W. Keely, Esq.: " Departed this life, at his residence in Fayette County, Ohio, September 15, 1845, Jesse Rowe, senior, in the ninety-first year of his age. He emigrated to Ohio in 1808, from Virginia, and for the last sixty-three years was an acceptable and zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His house was long, a preaching place and a home for the wayfaring itinerant. The first Methodist class formed in the county was at his house. " He gave evidence of his love for religion and the church of his choice, by his untiring efforts in promoting the cause of Christ, and SKETCHES OF EARLY SETTLERS - 245 sustaining the peculiar institutions of the church. At his own expense he erected a very neat and comfortable meeting-house in his neighborhood, and directed in his will that it should be deeded to the Methodist Episcopal Church, by his executor, for the use of the society worshiping in it. At the same time he willed to the stewards of Washington Circuit, fifty dollars in trust to be invested in some safe way at six per cent interest to be applied as follows : Two dollars to be paid as quarterage, and one dollar as table expenses annually. "This old and much loved veteran of the cross lived to see the fourth generation. He had nine children, forty-eight grandchildren, sixty-three great grand children and one great great grand child. Many of these are following in his footsteps and imitating his example. 'Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.' " THOMAS GREEN Was born in Hampshire County, Virginia, in the year 1784. In 1807 he was married to Margaret Jobe, and in the following year the young couple, accompanied by a man named Jury and his wife, removed to this state. They came in a four-horse wagon ; the country was scarcely traversable, and frequently were they obliged to cut their way through the almost impenetrable forests; at other times they constructed rafts that they might cross the many streams. The party settled near Hillsboro, in Highland County, where they remained until 1810, at which time the Greens removed to this county, locating four miles southeast of Washington, on Buckskin. Green was a member of the jury that was empaneled by the first court ever held in the town of Washington. He hired a substitute to go out in the war of 1812, but volunteered as teamster and hauled supplies for the American army. In 1816 he removed to Greene County, thence to Clarke; in 1826 he returned to this county. He frequently hauled pork and produce to Zanesville and Cincinnati, exchanging them for family supplies; being usually accompanied by Philip Moore. Green was captain of a home militia company for a number of years, and also justice of the peace of Paint Township. He at one time owned about fourteen hundred acres of land and was an extensive trader in cattle and hogs. His wife died in 1840 ; he in 1871, aged eighty-seven. His son, Hamilton, who was born in 1811, yet resides on the farm formerly owned by Adam Funk. 246 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. COLONEL JAMES STEWART. Perhaps none of the early settlers labored with more zeal in the interest of the new county, or enjoyed a greater influence than Colonel James Stewart. With his father he came from Maryland, his native state, in 1807. They purchased land in Ross County—five hundred acres—in Marion Township, where George Fullerton now resides ; two hundred and fifty acres on the waters of Compton's Creek, and two hundred and fifty acres adjoining the latter tract. They then returned to Maryland, and in 1800 came with the family and settled in Ross County, near Frankfort. In 1810 James came to this county and located on land adjoining Bloomingburg, where his son George now resides. In 1812 he was appointed colonel of a regiment which was made up of Fayette County men. They were ordered to the frontier and participated in several engagements. After the war lie was appointed surveyor and was kept very busy by purchasers of lands. His brother Robert was the original director of the town of Washington, and upon his resignation the colonel was appointed to fill the vacancy. HUGH STEWARD Was born in 1805 and at the age of five he came to Bloomingburg to "carry chips" for his sister, who kept house for James. In a few years he went back to Ross County, but in 1828 settled in Bloomingburg, where he still resides. PHILIP MOOR Was a native of Clark County, Kentucky, where he lived until 1811, when he removed with his family, consisting of his wife and nine children, to this state. The journey was made by teams, the Ohio being crossed on rafts at Maysville, and was of four weeks' duration. Adam Funk, who was a neighbor of Moor's before he left Kentucky, purchased for the latter a part of the Hoof survey, in Paint Township, containing three hundred acres, and paid nine hundred dollars for the same. The family took possession on the 1st of April, 1811, about one year after the first court bad been held in the same cabin they now occupied, then owned by Devault. SKETCHES OF EARLY SETTLERS - 247 JAMES KIRKPATRICK Left Virginia in the year 1810, accompanied by his wife and two children (one child was left behind), and William Young, his brother-in-law. While yet on the other side of the Ohio River, they fell in company with the Ray and Fifer families, who accompanied them as far as Madison County. The remaining members of the party came to Fayette, and on Christmas Eve of the same year arrived at the cabin of Solomon Soward, in Jefferson Township, where they remained during the winter. Upon arriving in this county, they stopped at the cabin of Captain Joseph Parrett, and upon inquiring for Soward's cabin, were informed that it was located about two miles further on, on Paint Creek. No road but a bridle path led to the place, and they were compelled to leave the wagons behind them. The next morning they returned for the same, and found the goods (among which was a tin box containing eight hundred dollars) unmolested. Indians frequently came to Soward's, bringing deer barns, and exchanging them for corn meal. The Virginians were exceedingly anxious to see the camp of the savages, and on the Sunday following their arrival, followed a squaw, who had been at the house, to the encampment, which was located on the high bank of Paint Creek, on the Reuben Vesay farm. The redskins, about thirty in number, were peaceable, but did not appear well pleased with the visit, and left the neighborhood a few days after, and never returned. In 1811, Kirkpatrick and Jacob Dunkle purchased of Mr. Gatch, of Chillicothe, the Mosley survey in Jefferson Township, containing one thousand acres, a portion of which is now owned by his son Henry Kirk. He engaged in the war of 1812, served as county commissioner, and was one of Fayette's prominent citizens. He died January 1, 1840; his wife, April 16, 1863. The union was blessed with thirteen children, of whom five are living. For the sake of convenience the family name has been changed from Kirkpatrick to Kirk. JAMES HAYS, A native of Virginia, came to Kentucky in an early day, where he was wedded to Letta Rankins. In the first days of this century, the family came to the mouth of Big Belly, Pickaway County, and 248 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. presumably in 1805 to this county. They settled on a two hundred acre tract in Paint Township. The sight is now owned by Charles Hays. Three of his sons were in the war of 1812. When the family first effected a settlement, there was no habitation between their humble cabin and Frankfort (then called Oldtown). Hays died in 1850. The family consisted of twelve children, of which Benjamin, the youngest, alone is now living. Mr. Hays was township trustee for a number of years. GEORGE CREAMER Came to Fayette, in 1810, from Berkeley County, Virginia, in company with four sons, Michael, Joseph, David, and George. George and Michael had families. The others were married soon after their arrival; Joseph to Margaret Miller, and David to Elizabeth Smith. They settled in Jefferson Township, on Sugar Creek, in which their posterity now reside. At the surrender of Hull, Joseph, Michael, and David responded to the call for volunteers to aid in suppressing the anticipated invasion by the British. The Creamers have frequently held offices of public trust. David was long surveyor, and also justice of the peace. George, sen., died about 1825; his son George in 1861, Michael in 1840, David in 1860, and Joseph in 1872. J. B. Creamer, son of George, jr., was married in April, 1833, and settled on his present place, about. half a mile south of Jeffersonville. He was county commissioner from 1844 to 1850, and also served as justice of the peace and trustee, and was elected land appraiser in 1870. His son Andrew R. is the present state senator from this district. The late M. S. Creamer was a son of Wesley Creamer, and grandson of Michael Creamer. He represented Fayette in the legislature, but died before his term expired. PHILIP FENT Came to this county from Green County, Tennessee, about the year 1814, accompanied by his wife and five children. A native of Virginia, he married Catharine Parrett, also born in that state; thence removed to Tennessee, and at the breaking out of the revolutionary war enlisted in the American army, serving faithfully for a period of seven years. At the close of the war he received a military warrant for a tract of land situated in this county, and determined to SKETCHES OF EARLY SETTLERS - 249 settle thereon. Accordingly a party of about thirty people, consisting of the Fents, Parretts, and Fancheers, started for Ohio in four wagons, and at the expiration of three weeks, found themselves within the limits of Fayette County. Fent was entitled to two hundred acres of land, and before leaving his native state, entrusted an uncle, who was a resident of Fayette, with the selection, etc., of his property. The latter procured the land, but lost. it through bad management, in consequence of which his nephew was forced to look for a new tract. He settled in what is now known as Jefferson Township, on two hundred acres of land, now occupied by Eli Parrett, purchasing but fifty acres at first, and exchanging his wagon for the same. Fent's wife died about the year 1816, and he survived until 1835. His son James, born in 1801, resides at Jeffersonville; a daughter in Illinois. The descendants are thrifty farmers of this county. WILLIAM ROBINSON, SEN., A native North Carolinian, removed to Virginia with his family in the closing years of the eighteenth century. In 1801 he came to Ohio with his sons, now grown to manhood, and settled in Greene County, about five miles southeast of Xenia, where they remained several years, then removed to this county. Desiring to explore this locality before leaving, they went to Martin Mendenhall's, then the only person living iii the vicinity of what is now known as Jamestown, who put them on an old trace leading to Chillicothe, which they followed until it struck Sugar Creek, near where Jeffersonville now stands. The party camped in a white oak grove, about one hundred yards from the Isaac Parrett farm. Their sleep was disturbed by the buzzing of bees overhead, and on the following morning they discovered a considerable amount of honey, on which they feasted to their heart's content. They decided to settle here; William, sen., on the present site of Jeffersonville, where Richard Fox now lives ; his son William on the " Wright farm," just across the creek from .Jeffersonville; Thomas and Abner removed to the land now owned by Louis James; the other son, Nicholas, on Rattlesnake Creek. William, jr., was a teamster in the war of 1812 ; Thomas was captain of a company organized in this county. Grandfather Robinson died in 1840; his son William in 1874; the others moved to the West. Thomas settled at Fort 250 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. Wayne, Indiana; Nicholas in Cohoes County, Illinois; Abner at Vincennes, Indiana. There was one daughter, who married Joseph Hosier, and lived in Greene County. ADAM ALLEN, Was a native of Pennsylvania, but ran away from home at the age of sixteen, and enlisted in the revolutionary war, where he remained till its close, when he went to Kentucky and engaged in running the Upper and Lower Blue Lick Salt Works. He was passionately fond of hunting, and found a paradise in this state, where game abounded. Ile was married, it is thought, while in Kentucky, to Miss Kyger. The couple came to near Springfield, Clarke County, Ohio, which at that time consisted of a few scattering cabins. During the war of 1812, he started to Fort Wayne to join the American army. However, the war had closed before he arrived at his destination. He next came to this county with his family, and "squatted" on the site of Allentown, now the junction of the P. & S. E. and C. M. & C. railroads. Ile retained his hunting propensities, killed much game, and provided venison for the family table and buckskin for the wearing apparel of the young men. Allen afterward removed to the immediate vicinity of the hamlet of Allentown, in which he resided till his death, which occurred in 1851, at the age of ninety-four years. He was a patriotic citizen, and often predicted the war of the rebellion. He had eight children, four of whom survive: Elijah, William, and Ethan, who reside near the old home, and Adam, who resides in Madison County. JAMES SANDERSON, A Kentuckian, removed to Ohio with his family in 1812, settling on the Hite survey, No. 1,223, consisting of one thousand acres, in this county. Two of his sons, James and Aleck, were active participants of the war of 1812, at the close of which they returned to their home, and assisted in tilling the soil. One of the sons, Harvey, whose son now resides on the old homestead, assisted in cutting out the first roads of this vicinity. The family followed an old Indian trace when removing from Kentucky. The elder Sandersons have long since gone to that country from whose bourne no traveler returns. Harvey, sen., died in 1876. His wife is still living at the advanced age of eighty-six. SKETCHES OF EARLY SETTLERS - 251 JACOB A. RANKIN Was born in Ross County, Ohio, in the year 1800, and at the age of twelve or thirteen left the parental roof, because of the dissipation of his father, came to Bloomingburgh, in this county, and was employed by Judge Gillespie as a farm hand. His mother, who accompanied him, (lied soon after. His father came here also, and died in September, 1828. Rankin was a poor lad, but managed to save enough from his scanty earnings in the course of a few years, to enable him to rent a farm. He was married to Elizabeth Kerr, a daughter of Jacob Kerr. They removed to a farm south of Plymouth, in the David Persinger neighborhood. He was for many years a justice of the peace, and held other offices of trust. In 1834, he settled on a portion of the land now owned by his son Smith, at Milledgeville, where he lived till February, 1876, when death called him to a country where pioneer struggles are unknown. His wife died in December, 1879. RAFE DURHAM, Though not an early resident of this county, has lived in its immediate vicinity for more than sixty years. A native of Berkshire County, Virginia, he immigrated to this state with his family and aged father in 1816, locating at New Holland, in Pickaway County. He removed to his present place (survey No. 8119, Marion Township) in 1835-6. The vicinity was then but thinly settled, every one living in peace and quietude. Property was considered safe, and locks and keys were comparatively unknown. He was well acquainted with the participants in the great Funk fight, being a member of the rifle company commanded by Captain James Mills, and pressed into service on that occasion. Prior to his departure from Virginia, he entered the bonds of matrimony with Elizabeth Elliott, with whom he lived happily for sixty-seven years. The pair were not separated from each other for more than ten days at any one time, until death parted them for the time being. She was aged eighty-seven at the time of her death (August, 1880), being several months older than her husband, who lives quietly in the old home, realizing that his days are numbered, and that he will soon be reunited to the companion of his youth. 252 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. THOMAS FULLERTON Was a native of Greencastle, Pennsylvania. At a suitable age he attended Yale College, in which he graduated with high honors. He then engaged in business in the city of Baltimore, and continued until the year 1812, when he failed. Together with others, who had been alike unfortunate, he conceived the idea of going to the northwest, and came to Fayette in 1814, settling near Bloomingburgh. Being a fine penman, he was visited by many of the pioneers, and requested to draw up various instruments for them. A fast friend of Batter Harrison, he was often consulted by him on matters of importance. A few years later he began teaching school, continuing in this profession for upward of thirty years. A great many peaches were grown in this locality, peach brandy being the favorite beverage of the inhabitants. At one time, five distilleries in and about Bloomingburgh were engaged in the manufacture of' this drink. Rye was taken to Chillicothe, and exchanged for whisky. Fullerton died many years ago. His son George S. is an old and respected citizen of Marion Township. HENRY STROPE. July 7, 1812, witnessed the departure of Henry Strope, a native of Pennsylvania, who, accompanied by his family, consisting of his wife and nine children, crossed the Alleghanies in the "old-fashioned wagon," and arrived at Chillicothe on the 15th of September, remaining there until 1814, at which time they removed to this county, settling on a farm in the present limits of Marion Town-ship, now owned by Burnett Mooney, consisting of twelve hundred acres, which was rented of Adam Turner. During the war of' 1812 he drove cattle to Fort Meigs, for the use of the American army. He lived a quiet life, raised a large family, but accumulated little property, and died in 1848. His son, 'Squire Strope, has lived on the farm he now owns sixty-five years, was the first justice of the peace of Marion Township, and still continues in that office. GENERAL BATTEAL HARRISON Was born in Warfield, Virginia, in 1780. His father's name was Benjamin, a cousin to the father of W. H. Harrison, whose name SKETCHES OF EARLY SETTLERS - 253 was also Benjamin. Batteal's father was a soldier in the Revolution, fought under Washington ; was a descendant of the illustrious Benjamin Harrison, who led the army of Cromwell in his long and bloody struggle. When quite a child Batteal and his parents started for the wilds of Kentucky. While waiting at his aunt's, in Wheeling, where they were to take the boat, she prevailed upon his parents, on account of the great danger from Indians, to leave the boy with her until the family were located and the danger had subsided. Two years after they returned for him, but he had become so attached to her that he refused to leave her ; they even undertook to force him to accompany them, but she persuaded them to let him stay and they returned without him, and he remained with her until he was grown to be a man. Wishing to see his parents he started, first going to St. Clairsville, Ohio, then to Chillicothe, where, learning that his mother was dead, he abandoned the idea of going to Kentucky, recruited a company and entered the war of 1812, during which, in 1812 or 1813, he married Miss Elizabeth Scott, daughter of Dr. Joseph Scott, of Chillicothe, and after the war, in 1815, removed to the north fork of Paint Creek and settled on a tract of land located by John A. Fulton on a warrant obtained by the services of his father in the revolutionary war, and which during his (Batteal's) services in 1812, he employed Fulton to enter on the best vacant land, and by reason of his failure to do so, he sued him for breach of contract and recovered heavy damages. This tract of land was situated in Madison Township, on the north fork of Paint Creek near the center of the township on the Columbus pike, now occupied in part by Sheffelbarker. There were one thousand and forty acres in this body. He also owned six hundred acres not far from it and other pieces amounting in the aggregate to about two thousand two hundred acres. He was one of the most prominent men in the county ; served gloriously in the war of 1812 (which see), was elected one of the earliest associate justices of the court, at first a colonel, then commissioned a brigadier general of the home militia, and served several terms in the legislature, during which the following anecdote is related of him : Harrison had one failing ; honest and upright in all things, he had a strong liking for whisky. While he was a member of the legislature, and during a session of the same, Judge Green, then of Chillicothe but now a resident of Columbus, and also a member of 254 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. the legislative body, introduced a bill which provided for the employment of a corps of men who were to make a geological survey of the state. Harrison opposed the measure, giving as his reasons that the general condition of the state and her inhabitants did not justify the commencement of the work at that time. It was discovered by the friends of the bill that it could not be passed unless Harrison was induced to alter his opinion regarding it. Green proposed that five or six of them meet in his room on a certain evening, Harrison was to be invited and liquor was to be furnished in abundance. On the appointed evening all the parties, including Harrison, met at Judge Green's rooms. After the guests had imbibed pretty freely of the liquor, the possibility of passing the "geological survey bill" was discussed and Harrison was importuned to use his influence in its support. The latter when driven to the wall would say : "Let's have another round of Judge Green's good whisky." His request was complied with several times in quick succession. Finally all the occupants of the room became very drunk, Harrison being more sober than his companions. Again they requested him earnestly to come over to their side of the question, to which he replied : "Well, General Green, let's have a little more of your whisky and then I'll talk about the 'geological survey.'" The bottle was passed; he took another drink and said : "Gentlemen, this is excellent whisky, and it is certainly very kind in General Green in supplying us with such a good article, but I will see you all eternally d—d before I will vote for that bill." General Harrison lost his wife in 1851, he following in 1857. Three sons and one daughter are still living. William lives in Washington, this county ; Benjamin, in Madison, Ohio, and David in Missouri. Their sister married Thomas Vance, still survives as his widow, and lives on a portion of the original tract owned by her father. John J., the youngest son, participated in the rebellion and died at Augusta, Georgia. Scott, captain of a regiment in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, died in S ____ County, Missouri, October, 1878.