150 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. records of. Bedford county, Pennsylvania, are associated with Licking Creek and Fort Ligonier. John Hamill and wife came from Ireland before the Revolution. They were the parents of the following sons : Robert, John, Hugh and Nathaniel, and all, with their father, were soldiers in that war. Hugh Hamill enlisted at Fairfield in August, 1776, and served until May, 1777, as a private in Capt. Samuel Miller's company, Eighth. Pennsylvania Regiment, commanded by Colonel McCoy. He participated in the battles which resulted in the surrender of General Burgoyne, and passed the winter at Valley Forge, and received an honorable discharge. Nathaniel Hamill was a private soldier in Capt. Henry Dodge's company. His service during the time of the war was in New York mostly, and he was mustered out. December 12, 1781. Robert Hamill enlisted in December, 1776, as a private, in Captain Pomroy's company, and served, off and on, two years of the war. He was born November 25, 1759, and was seventeen years old when he entered the army. In 1.785 with his parents he moved to Bedford county, where he remained .until some time in December, same year, when .he returned to Fort Ligonier on business for his father. John Hamill.received pay for his services in the Pennsylvania Militia from January 1781. Robert Hamill was born in 1732, and died in Pennsylvania, April 8, 1799. His wife, Jeannette, came with her sons, Hugh, Robert and Joseph, to Ohio in 18o6. Hugh and his mother first settled in Preble county, while Robert and Joseph came to Xenia in 1806. In 1810 Hugh and his mother came and settled in Xenia, the mother living until the year 1822, when she died .and was buried in Woodland cemetery, Xenia. WILLIAM OWENS, SR. William Owens, the founder of the fam ily in Greene county, was a settler in Virginia in colonial days. He was born in. 1741, and emigrated from Brunswick county, Virginia), with his family in 1811, settling in what is known as the Union neighborhood south of Xenia, where he continued to live until March 11, 1827, when the "Free Press," a paper published in Xenia. at that date, makes the announcement of his death,. at the age of eighty-six years, and from one of his friends the statement that his body, had been laid to rest in the orchard of Philip Davis. near what is known to-day (1900) as the Union church, two miles south. of Xenia. "He is spoken of as one. of the most exemplary saints that age afforded. He lived and died without a known enemy. Notwithstanding his extreme age and debility, he retained his rational powers to the last." He was seventy. years of age when he first came-to Greene county in 1811 with. the colony that left Virginia at that time. Although coming from different parts of Virginia they were related to each other; and consisted of Henry Hypes and, family, Samuel Wright (father of Thomas Coke Wright) and family. William Owens, Sr., and family.. Among the latter was William Owens, Jr., who was born in Brunswick county, Virginia, March 9, 1779, who previous to leaving Virginia was .a farmer. He had married Lucy Wright, who was born in the same county June 19, 1773; she was aunt to Thomas Coke Wright. Their children were ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 151 Samuel Thomas and George B. William Owens after coming to Greene county cleared up a farm of fifty acres, two and one-half miles south of Xenia. Here he remained until his death, which occurred in his eighty-fourth year, December 26, 1862, at the residence of his son, Capt. Samuel T. Owens, of Xenia, Ohio, and was buried at Woodland cemetery, Xenia. 'He was a typical pioneer, a man of high character, and a member of the M. E. church, in which faith he brought tip his sons. In politics he was in early life an old-line Whig, and later a Republican. Capt. Samuel T. Owens was born November 7, 1807, in Brunswick county, Virginia. He served , the public in Greene county fourteen years as county surveyor, and auditor four years. He was captain of Company C, Seventy-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the late Civil war, and was also a local preacher in the M. E. church. In 1828 he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Ledbetter. Fifteen children were born to them. He died in Xenia, January I, 1867. Rev. George B. Owens was born July 14, 1809, in Brunswick county, Virginia. He was a farmer and school teacher for many years, and later became a preacher in the M. E. church. He died November 28, 1862, at the home of his son Ira, near Xenia. He was buried in Woodland cemetery. GEORGE, WRIGHT SR., A SOLDIER OF THE REVOLUTION. George Wright, the .subject of this sketch, was born February 4, 756; and grew to manhood in Brunswick county, Virginia. He married Sophia, the daughter of William and Mary Owens, and emigrated to Ohio in 1815. He was an elder brother of Samuel Wright, father of Thomas Coke Wright. He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution from the state of Virginia. They were the parents: of twelve children, namely : Wesley, born October 10, 1785; Mary B., born February 27, 1787; Sarah. N., who was, wife. to Josiah Wright and later Henry Hypes, was born December 3, 1788; George C. Wright, who was a .soldier in the war of 1812, was born October 23, 1790; Sophia Wright, who married John Loyd, was born December 21, 1792 ; Elizabeth Ann was born January 13, 1794; Lewis. Wright, born February 11, 1796; William T., born April 9, 1798; Nancy L. D., born May 30,.1800; Samuel W., born December 14, 1802; Edward Owens, born June 1806; Richard W., born June 22, 1808. Lewis Wright was also a soldier in the war of 1812, under Capt. Berry Applewhite, of the Virginia troops. He was also a school teacher. Where the residence of Mr. Lester Arnold now is was the Wright Academy along about 1846. Some persons yet living in Xenia were his scholars. Another son,. Edward Owens Wright, was also teaching on the hillside near the residence of Homer Hudson, West Third street, Xenia. HENRY HYPES. Among the first settlers of the new city of Xenia was Henry Hypes, who was the son of Nicholas and Abigail Hypes. Nicholas Hypes was horn in Germany, March 8, 1728. Abigail, his wife,, was also, born in the same country March 22, 1740. Henry Hypes, the subject of this sketch, was born within five miles of the Natural Bridge, Rockbridge county, Virginia, on the 12th of 152 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. June, 1775. It was. in that state when eighteen years of age he was united in marriage with Miss Patience Reynolds. He was engaged in farming' in Virginia until 181i. He then came overland to the Ohio river, and there -took a flatboat, to Cincinnati. In settling in this county he purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres of government land, heavily timbered and unimproved. The first work he did was the clearing of a place and building a log house, in which he and his family lived for a few years. In 1823 his wife died, leaving a family of' six sons and two daughters, namely: Nancy, Joseph, Washington, Sarah, Benjamin, James Davidson, John Wesley and Francis Asbury. May 25, 1824, Mr . Hypes was united in marriage with Mrs. Sarah N. Wright, widow of Josiah. Wright. and daughter of George and Sophia Wright. Her father was a soldier of the Revolution, who came to Xenia in 1815 from Brunswick county, Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Hypes became the parents of four children, two still living, Susan Maria, widow of Tobias Drees, and Samuel Henry Hypes, who is engaged in the fire insurance and real estate business in Xenia.' Rev. William L. and Rev. Fletcher Hypes are dead. What was known as the Henry Hypes farm is now (1900) the most of it in the corporation of Xenia, bounded on the south by Shawnee creek, between what is now known as the Cincinnati pike on the west and West street on the east, running south to the north line of the land of Samuel McConnell. The old brick house which was erected in 1831 is still standing, also part of the old barn. Henry Hypes died at his; home in Xenia, October 1, 1854. His good wife, Sarah N., survived him until April 25, 1862, when she died at the age of seventy-three. Henry Hypes and his two helpmeets, Patience and Sarah N., are buried in our own beautiful Woodland, Xenia.. GEORGE W.. WRIGHT. Mr. Wright was born October 13, 1809, in Brunswick county, Virginia, and died at his home in Xenia; Ohio', October 4, 1873, aged sixty-four years. He was the son of Josiah and, Sarah Nelson Wright. Josiah Wright died in 1814 and was buried on his farm two miles south Of Xenia on the Bull-skin Road. His widow, May 25, 1824, was married to Henry Hypes. Mr. Wright came with his parents to Xenia. n 1811. When a young man he went to Dayton and learned the trade of a tailor, and in 1827 returned again to Xenia and -took up his' abode here permanently. In 1832 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Levey. They were blessed with a family of fourteen children, nine of whom at the time of his death were living, five boys and four girls. In 186o he united, with the First M. E. church of this city, under the pastorate of Rev. William I. Fee, and lived the life of an upright Christian to the last. He was mayor of the city of Xenia in 1863, and also filled the office of justice of the peace for Xenia township for several terms. Mr. Wright enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his neighbors through life, none more So. REV. DANIEL R. BREWINGTON Was born in Worcester county, Maryland, March 27, 1798, and died at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. Charles Marks, six miles east of Muncie, Indiana, at the age of ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 153 seventy-two years and six months. He came to Greene county, Ohio, in the year 1816 and removed to Indiana in 1838, where he died October 24, 1870. He was a man of firm integrity, social in his nature, a kind friend and a good neighbor, a member of the M. E. church and a regularly licensed exhorter in the same. His voice was ofttimes heard in most of the churches and school houses in the county in condemnation of vice. and immorality and in building up the cause of the Redeemer in the world. He was a good friend of the itinerant minister, his home being theirs. His funeral was attended by a large concourse of friends and relatives. Sermon by Rev. Moses Marks. "After life's long and fitful sleep he sleepeth well." FREDRICK BONNER, SR., Was born September 4, .1738, and died at his home two miles south of Xenia, Ohio, in 1830, at the age of eighty-eight years. We ofttimes speak of Wendell Philips, Joshua R. Giddings, Charles Sumner, Ben Wade and John Brown and others, who, in their day and place, had the courage to back up by their lives, if need be; in their outspoken convictions of the system. of human bondage which used to exist in our fair land, and we were proud of them and admired their courage and manliness in opposing and denouncing the great blot on our name as freemen. As a companion of these we would mention Fredrick Bonner, Sr., the subject of this sketch, who was a slave owner in a slave state. Witness the following, by Mr. Bonner : "To All Whom These Presents Shall Came: Know ye that by an act of the general assembly of Virginia, passed May 12, 1792, entitled an act to authorize the manumission of slaves, those persons who are disposed to emancipate their slaves are empowered so to do. And, whereas, Almighty God hath so ordered human events that liberty has become a general topic, I, Frederick Bonner, of Dinwiddee county, Virginia, being possessed of slaves, and from, clear conviction of the injustice and criminality of depressing my fellow creatures of their natural rights, do hereby emancipate and set free, from a state of slavery, the following (seven in number) who are in the prime of life. Declaring the same negroes entirely free from me, my heirs, to all intents and purposes, and entitled to all the privileges granted in the aforementioned act. I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 21st of January, 1798. FREDRICK BONNER, SR." We would add the following- from his son, Fredrick Bonner, Jr.: "In the year 1802 father sold his land in Dinwiddee county, Virginia, five hundred acres, for two thousand dolars, and bought two surveys of one thousand acres each in what was then the Northwestern territory, at a cast of two thousand dollars. Upon visiting it and finding it well situated he returned and began preparation for removing on it the following season. On Saturday, April r, 1803, we started and went as far as Petersburg, and remained until Monday. Two other families joined us, and our outfit was put into two covered wagons, including household goods, a. chest of carpenter's' tools and a turning lathe. To each of these wagons were attached four horses, with bells on the leaders. A one-horse wagon carried the provisions, and the females, 154 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. when they became tired of walking. In addition to these we had a canvass to sleep under at night. On Monday morning we resumed our long journey to the far west, pursuing a route through southern Virginia, which, in a few days, brought us within view of the mountains, first the peaks of the Blue Ridge, then the Allegheny and Cumberland. Crossing these in safety we reached Kentucky, passing along the Crab Orchard road. Arriving at Lexington we pushed on to Cincinnati (then a village of fifteen hundred), crossing the Ohio river at that place May 1o, 1803, and camped near the mouth of Deer creek, then some distance from the village. "Next morning we went up the river into the Little Miami valley, crossing the river a little above Cincinnati. Here we encountered our first serious difficulty. The water was high and running swiftly. Our four-horse wagon crossed without accident, but when the wagon containing the wife of a Mr. Day proceeded as far as the middle of the stream, or the swiftest part, one of the horses fell and could not rise. Mr. Day, in attempting to assist, was washed off down stream with the horses. Father went to his assistance and the water tripped him up and he went also struggling down the river, to the alarm of all. Fortunately he got out on the same side from which he entered. While Day was still struggling in the river near his horses they finally succeeded in fastening a chain to the end of the tongue, and hitching our horses to it, we drew it out. All this time Day's wife and child were in the wagon in imminent danger of being capsized into the river and washed away." Mr. Day and family located in the vicinity of this accident and we followed up the river to the present site of Milford, where we found a vacant cabin, which was rented for a few months. Into this we moved and remiained until we could make arrangements to go to our land in Greene county. In June father and some of the boys went to the land and selected a spot to build a cabin near Glady Run, a branch of the Little Miami, which was to accommodate us as our new home in the woods. He chose a building site in the southwest portion of the-land near the present residence of Erastus Bonner, two miles south of Xenia. He procured the services of some young men to build a log house, and then returned to Milford. The cabin of one room, with its puncheon floor and clapboard roof and ceiling being finished, the family and four of their Virginia neighbors, who came west with them, thirteen persons in all, moved into it in the fall of that year. The canvas tent was now cut up to form partitions in the cabin. Four of the children were married while the family lived in this house. Nancy Bonner was married in 1804 to Rev. John Sale, the first Methodist preacher in this section. David Bonner married a Miss Reynolds, of Urbana, Ohio, in 1805. Chapel H. &miner married a sister of Samuel Pelham, who married Martha Bonner. Samuel Pelham was the father of -William F. Pelham, who used to keep the grange warehouse. He was also editor of the first newspaper published in Xenia, "The Vehicle." James E. Galloway, of Xenia, has now in his' possession the files of that paper for the year 1815. Mr. Bonner and, his sons burned the first lime-kiln and built the first brick house in this county. It was occupied by the remaining members of the family as early as 1807, ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 155 but was not finished on the inside for some years later. It now forms part of the residence of Erastus Bonner and his family. Stith Bonner, another son, was married to Miss Maria Mercer, the daughter of Edward Mercer, a neighbor, in 1819. Eliza Bonner became the wife of Rev. John P. Taylor in 1820. He was a Methodist minister of some prominence and also a physician. They removed to Indiana some years ago, where they died. Mr. Fredrick Bonner, Sr., died in 183o, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife died in 1818 in the sixty-second year of her age. Of the six Children to whose marriages we have referred, one, Mrs. Pelham, died at the age of sixty-two years ; the remaining five lived to be from eighty to eighty-eight years of age. One child, a daughter, died when about eighteen years of age in Virginia before they left there. Fredrick Bonner, Jr., the youngest child and the only surviving member of the family in 1879, was born near Petersburg, Dinwiddie county, Virginia, November 11, 1796, and died March 26, 1880, aged eighty-four years, and was buried in the Bonner graveyard. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Mercer, the daughter of a neighbor, Edward Mercer, October 15, 1823. They had two children, Horace and Erastus. The former died in 1846 in the twenty-second year of his age. The latter is our well known florist, proprietor of Maple Grove greenhouse, so much admired by its many visitors. Mrs. Bonner died in 183o at the early age of twenty-seven years. EARLY TIMES AS REMEMBERED BY FREDRICK BONNER, JR. When the family moved into their new cabin home in 1803 they were in the midst of forest, unbroken for miles around, through which not even a winding pathway took its course. About two miles south of their home there was a cabin owned and occupied by a family by the name of Price. Two miles north of them, and about two hundred yards north of where the present Robert's Villa now stands, was the cabin of Remembrance Williams and his family. He was the father of John Williams, who was the father of Mrs. David Medsker, Mrs. Samuel Gano, Mrs. James McCarty, Mrs. William B. Fairchild and Mrs. McCann, who are well known in Xenia. From the Little Miami river on the west to a point where the Wilmington and Xenia pike crosses Caesar's creek on the east, there was not a habitation of any kind except their humble home. Near Old Town Run and about a mile and a half from Mr. R. Williams' cabin home, there was a similar structure occupied by Mr. Leonard Stump and family, which was the only cabin this side of Massies creek settlement. On the east side of Caesar's creek at the crossing of the 'Wilmington pike and about where the residence of Mr. Paris Peterson's house now stands, there was a little village called Caesarsville. Scattered along the creek for some distance perhaps there were a dozen cabins occupied by as many families. These inhabitants of Caesarsville, those mentioned above and perhaps a few others, not exceeding twenty or thirty in all, were the only families residing in Greene county east of the Little Miami river in 1803. The principal settlements were at that time on the west side of the river on congress lands. He was of the opinion that there was not a, family living at that time in that portion of the county now com- 156 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. prising Jefferson, Silver creek, Ross and the eastern portion of Cedarville and Caesarscreek townships, and that it was not settled at all until the Browders and Mendenhalls settled some time afterward in the vicinity of Jamestown, and soon after laid the first grounds for that village. There was not a public road at that time in the county, and one would travel for miles without seeing an acre of tillable land. Game of all kind's was abundant, and it was the principal subsistence of the scattered inhabitants. Deer were said by Mr. Bonner to be as numerous in Greene county then as hogs are now, and wild turkys and pheasants were to be seen in large numbers on every hand. The depths of the extensive forests were the hiding places of bears, panthers, catamounts and wild cats during the day and furnished them a vast territory over which to roam at night in search of prey. The narrow valley through which the Little Miami railroad extends from Xenia toward Cincinnati, was literally a den of wolves. These ferocious beasts would roam the surrounding country at night, necessitating strong enclosures as a protection for the live stock of the early settlers against the ravishings of the mighty thieves which often had to be driven from their ,determined attacks by the burning of torches, ringing of bells, blowing of horns and repeated banging of fire arms. Bands of Indians frequented the county in search of game in accordance with the right they had reserved in their treaty with Wayne. They had almost a perpetual camp for several years on the ridge a short distance west of where the residence of Mr. Washington Stark now stands. They were always peaceable, and gave' the settlers no cause for fear while they remained in this vicinity. Not very long after their arrival in this county David, the oldest son, accompanied by his little brother "Freddie," whom he kept with him almost constantly on all occasions, started the direction of the town, Xenia, of which they had heard, but had not yet seen. They plodded diligently along, cutting array the underbrush and making a clear pathway as they proceeded, and at last came to the banks of Shawnee, where that stream is now covered by a stone arched bridge at the crossing of the Cincinnati pike and the Dayton railroad. Here they stopped to rest and "Freddie" insisted that they go into the town, as he wanted to see the place; but when his brother explained to him that there no houses built yet, that nothing had been done but the surveying of the grounds, and staking off of some of the streets, and promised that he should return some time to see the town, he yielded the point, and they proceded homeward along the new-made pathway, which was the only road to Xenia for a long time. The first public road into Xenia from the south was the "Bullskin." now the Burlington pike. It extended from a village on the Ohio river called Bullskin, from which the road took its name, north to Urbana, Ohio. The records of the original survey of the road were lost, and when the road was again surveyed, and afterward made a pike, it was called by its present name. In the first organization of the county, it was thought best by some to make Caesarsville the county seat, but the present location was finally selected and in 1803 the ground was laid out preparatory to building the town of Xenia. The first house erected was a small log building on what is known on the town plat as le t No. 193; now ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 157 (1900) in the rear of the residence of Ru- doph Hustmire, on West Third street, and at that time owned by John Marshall, who Was the grandfather of William and James Marshall, who are at the present (1900) residents of Xenia. This cabin was razed April 27, 1804. The first school house was built in 1805. It was by no means a large house, and was built of small, round logs, without floor or ceiling. It was erected on Third street, a little west of the present residence of Mrs. Harvey. Cooper, and the .teacher was Benjamin Grover, a brother of Josiah, who was the successor to John Paul as clerk of courts. About seven years later the town could boast of "The Xenia Academy," in which the principal instructor was Professor Espy, afterward renowned as the great "storm king.", The academy building was a one-story brick structure that used to be on the southeast corner of Market and West streets.. Xenia improved:. very rapidly until 1812. Whether it was the severe earthquake shock felt so distinctly in this section and especially along the Mississippi valley in the winter of 1811 -12, and which Mr. Bonner said shook his father's house until the windows rattled, caused the check to the rapid growth of the town, he did not inform us. John Marshall, who, built the first house; John Paul, clerk of the first court held in the county, and the original proprietor of the town; Josiah Grover, the second clerk of the court and at the same time county auditor and recorder ; William A. Beatty, tavern keeper; James Collier, tavern keeper and sheriff of Greene county and coroner ; John Alexander, lawyer and wonderfully large man; James Towler, preacher and first post master of Xenia ; Henry, Barnes, carpenter ; John Stull, tailor ; Benjamin Grover, teacher of the first school in Xenia ; John Williams, blacksmith, a son of Remembrance Williams, and the father, of Mrs. David Medsker ; John Mitten, wheelwright and' chair maker ; old Mr. Wallace And Captain James Steele, tanners; Jonathan H. Wallace, hatter ; Dr. Andrew W. Davidson, the first physician; James Gowdy, the first merchant, and Samuel Gowdry, engaged in the same business; Robert Gowdy, tanner ; William Ellsberry, lawyer ; Abraham La Rue, carpenter; and James Bunton, carpenter and joiner, and a very fine workman, are remembered by Mr. Bonner as among the earliest inhabitants of Xenia. With the exception of James Gowdy, a bachelor, they were all young married men seeking their fortunes in a new country, or with families, large and small, striving to secure a heritage for their children. Of the first houses built in Xenia Mr. Bonner says. there are but two still (1879) standing upon their original foundations. They are both two-story log buildings. One was on the north side of Main street on the present site of H. H. Eavey's wholesale house, and was known as the Crumbaugh House, Mr. Bonner's father having it built for Rev. James Towler in 1805. The other one stood on the north side of West Second street, on the site now occupied by the two two-story buildings of David Hutchison. It was built by. Mr. James Bunton, carpenter and. joiner, in 1806. This house was known in later years as the McWhirk residence.. He sold the property some time afterward and re- 158 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. moved to what is now known as Silvercreek township, Greene county. Both houses were afterward weatherboarded. REV. WILEY CURTIS Died November 1st, 1869, in Crawford county, Illinois. He was born. in Greeneville county, Virginia, on the 6th of Febru.ary, 1793. About the first clay of November, 1805, his stepfather and family arrived at Mr. Frederick Bonner's after a tedious and toilsome journey of seven weeks. There were but four families living in Xenia, Rev. James Towler, William A. Beatty, James Collier and John Marshall. There was neither shop nor store in it. He served a tour of duty in the last war with Great Britain. He had two sons, one of whom -died in the service. He left this county in 1817, and. was a pioneer in Indiana and Illinois, and went through many hardships, privations and bodily afflictions in his removal farther west. He led a blameless and industrious life and was a devoted and zealous Christian. In August he lost the partner of his joys and sorrows, the mother of 'his twelve children, and his grief was inconsolable. He could neither eat nor sleep, and was seized with a chill, which was followed by lung fever. His last prayer was for death to relieve him from suffering and Sorrow. THE FIRST ASSOCIATE REFORMED CHURCH OF XENIA, NOW THE FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. On Sabbath, October 31, 1858, Rev. R. D. Harper, then pastor of said church, gave -.the following account of its early history : "The first church edifice was erected in 1811, situated on the southeast corner of what is known as the George Gordon land, north King street. It is now being used as a dwelling house. The second edifice was erected in .1817 upon the ground known as Millen's pork house, on East Church street. The third, now occupied by the First United Presbyterian church, on East Market street, was erected in 1847. The first notice of the Xenia congregation which is to be found, is found from the minutes of the Kentucky Presbytery, from 1798 down to 1817. It is the following: That at a meeting of this presbytery held in Cynthiana, Harrison county, Kentucky, September 28, 1808, a petition was presented from certain persons in Xenia, Ohio, desiring supplies of preaching from the presbytery. In accordance with this petition Rev. Abraham Craig was appointed to preach at Xenia on the first Sabbath of October, and first 'Sabbath of November, 1808, which appointment was filled as ordered. The same records show that Mr. Craig preached four Sabbaths in Xenia in 1809. In 1810 Mr. John Steele was appointed to preach four Sabbaths in Xenia previous to the next meeting of presbytery. At the next meeting of presbytery held in Millersburg, Kentucky, April 24, 1810. Mr. Steele was appointed to preach in Xenia and preside it the election and ordination of elders in this congregation. Thus it can be seen that the regular organization of this congregation took place some time during the year 1810. In 1811 Rev. Adam Rankin an Rev. Baldridge were appointed to preach in Xenia. In 1812 Rev. McCord and Rev. Wallace were appointed to preach in Xenia. In 1813 a petition was presented for the ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY -159 moderation of a call. This was the first. call for a pastor. It was made out for the Rev. James McCord but it was never presented. Rev. McCord connected himself with •the Presbyterian church and the call was re- turned to the congregation. During the year 1814 Revs. Rankin and Craig preached frequently in Xenia, and on the second Sabbath of August of that year dispensed the Lord's Supper, which is the first account on record of the observance of that holy ordinance in this congregation. The presbytery of Kentucky, at this date, 1814, consisted of Revs. Rankin, Porter, Risque, McCord, Craig, Rainey, Bishop, Carrithers, McFarland and Steele, all of whom have long since gone to the grave, and as we humbly trust to the reward of their faithful labors in Heaven. In 1815 and 1816 Revs. Risque, McFarland and Steele, were frequently appointed to preach in the vicinity of Xenia. In 1817 a call was made out by the congregation in Xenia for the Rev. John Steele, and by him accepted. He removed. to Xenia in 1817 and took charge of the congregation. Here he continued to labor until 1836, a period of nineteen years. The labors of this eminent and faithful servant were crowned with success. Mr. Steele resigned his charge in 1836 and in 1837 on the nth clay of January, this good and faithful minister of God was called home to his reward in Heaven. DIARY OF REV. JOHN STEELE. On the 11th of April, 1798, he set out for a point near Maysville, Kentucky. After crossing the Ohio river he lay out in the woods all night, and reached Chillicothe on the evening of the loth, preached at Chilli cothe from Romans 10 :4 ; also Romans 14:47. This was in all probability the first preaching to the Associate congregation of Chillicothe. On the 13th of May, he crossed the Little Miami in a canoe, making his horse swim by his side, and preached at the house of Mr. (afterward Gov.) Morrow.. On the 17th he preached at the house of Mr. Bickett. On the loth of May preached at the house of Mr. Shaw on Clear creek. On the 21st of May preached at the --house of Mr. McKnight near Bellbrook from Jer. 31 :33. On the evening of the 22nd of May he tarried at the house of Mr. James Galloway, Sr., near Old Chillicothe. Here we learn from his diary that about the 22nd of May, 1798, Mr. Steele made his first visit to this county, and preached the gospel in this wilderness. After the resignation of Mr.. Steele in 1836 the •congregation remained without a settled pastor for some two or three years. At the expiration of this period a call was made for Rev. James R. Bonner and by him accepted. Mr. Bonner continued his labors as pastor of the congregation for a period of about eight years. In October, 1848, Rev. R. D. Harper made his first visit to this congregation and the following year accepted a call that had been made, was ordained and installed as pastor. In 1870 he was succeeded by Dr. Wm. G. Moorehead who served until 1875, when Dr. Thomas H. Hanna was called, who in turn gave place in 188o to Rev. J. H: Wright. DAVID B. CLINE. David B. Cline was born near Buckles-town in Berkley county, Virginia, February 27, 1807, and remained there until 160 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. twenty years of age. Mr. Cline came to this state with his mother, three sisters, a married brother and his wife, and Miss Fannie Mortimer, a neighbor girl. The journey was made in one month to a day in a large wagon, and the party settled at Milford, now Cedarville, in this county, April 28, 1827. One beautiful Sabbath in May fol- lowing he attended public worship for the first time in this county, going to an old log church situated in the woods near Cedarville, where a Baptist congregation held divine services. He went in company with Christopher Fox, a resident of the town, and arriving at the church before the hour of service they went to a spring near by to get a drink, the )weather being dry and warm for that season of the year. From that point Mr. Cline had a good view of the arriving worshipers and their diversity of dress presented to him "just from old Virginia" a novel feature. One man came without coat or vest, boots or shoes, wore an immense straw hat and carried a large hymn. book under his arm. Another, a pair of heavy boots and a thick overcoat, huge cape and other clothing to correspond, walked up with an air of ease and comfort. While remarking the great difference in dress of the two, Mr. Cline noticed another man who was just tying his horse to a sappling near by, who Wore a pair of green leggings which extended just above his knees, and he asked his companion why these were warn when there was no mud, and Fox replied "Oh, he wears them. to hide* the holes in his pants." At this time Milford was composed of four log cabins and a small frame house which was owned and occupied by a. miller whose mill, a small concern, stood near by. Here the grinding was done by water power, but the bolting apparatus was run by hand, and each customer had to turn the machine to bolt his own grist while he gave the same toll taken at other mills where the work was all done by water power, thus apparently paying for the privilege of running the machine. Soon after his arrival at this place Mr. Cline was employed, as a farm hand by Mr.. John Reid for whom he labored for some time at seven dollars per month. Obtaining license from Judge Grover, then clerk of courts, he was married June 15, 1827, to Miss Fannie Mortimer, and not long afterward he removed with his wife to a farm near Grape Grove, and commenced farming for himself. After gathering his crop of corn the following year, 1828, he shelled what was then considered an immense load by hand, measured it, hitched. up a four-horse team, hauled it to Clifton and sold it to a miller there. This man was a German, and kept two half bushel measures, the larger of which he used to measure grain in when he bought it, the other when he sold it. As measured by the Dutchman his load did not hold out according to Mr. Cline's measurement, who, informing the miller that he himself had measured the grain with a scaled measure, and did not propose to be cheated in that way, succeeded in getting pay for the whole load, with the proceeds of which he went to a store near by and purchased two and one-half yards of Cassinet, made at Old Town, fora pair of pants, at a dollar per yard, fifty cents worth of 'coffee, and twenty-five cents worth of sugar at six and a fourth cents per pound., which consumed the amount received for his grain. And often on the way home he had to laugh ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 161 at the change in the bulk and weight of his load, which in coming to the mill, was equal to the strength of his four horse team. It was in the fall of this same year Mr.. Cline cast his first vote for President, Which vote he cast for Adams, as against Jackson, who was elected. - He made a visit to Xenia soon after, making some purchases of Moses Trader. and Samuel Newcomb. In the spring. of 1829 he removed to a small farm 'on Massies creek, near George Gordon, for whom he often worked. . From this place he removed to Xenia. in April, 1834, and did a great deal of work the first year grading- and otherwise improving the streets and also worked as a brick mason for Bazell Kiler. For six years he drove a hack to and from Cincinnati, and to Dayton and Springfield. In the fall of 1847 Mr. Cline commenced his long term as sexton of Woodland cemetery by assisting the surveyor in his work in laying it out. He took charge of the same in 1848 and continued there for many years: Amid all the excitement on account of the cholera in 1849 Mr. Cline was ever true to his trust, and while many sent to assist him failed for lack of courage, Mr. Cline was always at his post performing his duty as a brave man should. When the late Civil war, with all its sad features, was forced upon the people of the north, Mr. Cline, although southern born, took his place in the ranks as a defender of "the one country and the one flag" as a member of Company B, Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He lies in the cemetery that he did so much to make beautiful. Peace to his ashes. EDWARD WAMBLE, SOLDIER OF 1812, Died at his residence in Xenia, March 31, 1852, aged seventy-three years, and is buried in Woodland cemetery. He was a native of Virginia, came to Ohio in 1810 and settled near Xenia. In the last war of this country with England, when our frontier was invaded and the inhabitants exposed to British depredations and their savage allies, he entered the army, served one year faithfully and received an honorable discharge. He was for more than fifty years a member Of the M. E. church, and for a number of years was. the faithful sexton of what is now called the First M. E. church of Xenia. His conduct was consistent as a professing Christian. Peace to his ashes. He rests from his labors and his works do follow him. He was the father of Mahlon Womble, who was so well known in Xenia' as an. honest, hard-working man, respected by all who knew him. MICHAEL NUNNEMAKER Was born in the state of Maryland on the 3d day of August, 1790, where he spent his youth and early manhood. At the age of twenty-six years he left his home and emigrated, to Ohio, settling in Xenia in the year 1816. Here he spentfifty years of his life. He was for a number of .years bookkeeper' and principal salesman in the dry goods store of the late Col. John Hivling. In the early marriage records of the county is the following : "Married, October 28, 1821, Mr. Michael Nunnemaker to Miss Mary Hivling, by Rev. Thomas Winters.. She was the daughter of his employer, Col. John Hivling." They lived a happy married life for nearly half a century until his death, which occurred at. his home in Xenia February 27, 1866. The issue of this marriage was one daughter, Sarah A. For 162 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. many years he was one of the leading merchants of Xenia. Afterward and at the time of his death he was a banker in partnership with his son-in-law, the Hon. John B. Allen (deceased), who was born near Mt. Pleasant, Shenandoah county, Virginia, in 1816, and died at his home in Xenia December 1, 1893, in his seventy-eighth year. December 10, 1839, Rev. Joseph Hill spoke the words that united the lives of John B. Allen and Miss Sarah A. Nunne maker for life as man and wife. Mr. Allen had at first on coming to Xenia, in 1836, accepted a position as salesman in the store of Canby & Walton, who were then conducting a store in the east room of Merrick's Hotel. Mr. Walton's wife was a sister of Mr. Allen. At the death of Mr. Allen, as given above, he left beside his widow, two daughters, Mrs. Col. Coates Kinney and Miss Clara Allen. Mr. Nunnemaker was ever known as an enterprising, prudent and strictly honest business man. He was successful in the accumulation of wealth. Perhaps no one more fully observed the precept, "If riches increase, set not your heart on them." With an open hand and warm heart he was ever ready to assist the worthy poor. For more than thirty-three years he was a worthy and active member, of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Xenia. His last illness was of four months' duration. He and his faithful wire, Mary, and their honored son-in-law are buried in our beautiful Woodland cemetery. AARON HARLAN. Aaron Harlan, for many years a representative man of Greene county, Ohio, died in San Francisco, California, January 18, 1868, aged sixty-six years. Mr. Harlan was born in Warren county, September 8, 1802. He was admitted to the bar in 1825, and immediately removed to this county, which he was chosen to represent in .the state legislature in 1831, the people thus early appreciating his talents and worth of character. In 1838, 1839 and 1849 he was chosen to the state senate. He was a presidential elector, and also a member of the Ohio constitutional convention in 1850. In 1852 he was elected to congress from this district, where he, in the critical period previous to the war, served for several years, the approved, consistent, faithful and zealous champion of the struggling principles of Republicanism. On the breaking out of the war Mr. Harlan was nominated for congress by the Republican convention at Morrow, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the appointment of Hon. Thomas Corwin minister to Mexico. It was at this convention that Mr. Harlan made his memorable speech, in which, referring to the rebels, he urged to "whip them quick and whip them well," an expression which, placed as a motto on the Republican ticket, became famous throughout the state. Owing to his boldness and radicalism, and to the milkand-water and weak-kneed character of a large number of Republicans, he was defeated. As a citizen Mr. Harlan won the respect of all parties. As a lawyer his pre-eminence stood confessed. A graceful as well as. a forceable speaker, his words always had weight and influence rarely possessed. RUSSELL RICE, A SOLDIER OF THE WAR OF 1812. Mr. Rice was one of the oldest and most ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 163 esteemed citizens of Xenia. He died December 3, 1879, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. M. J. Sheley, in this city. He was a native of Connecticut and came to Ohio with his parents in 1811. They settled first in Dayton. He was not yet fourteen years old when he enlisted in the army in the war of 1812. He was noted for extraordinary expertness in playing the fife, as was also his brother Silas an expert with the drum. Both of them were mere boys and went out together and returned without a scratch. They served in the army as musicians two years upon the Canada frontier. At the close of the war he returned to Dayton, and in 1815 came to Xenia with his mother, his father having died in Dayton. July 10, 1819, he was married to Elizabeth Sanders. He soon afterward engaged in business in Xenia as a manufacturer of edged tools, in which business he continued until quite old. As a workman in that line it is said he had no superior. His shop once stood on the lot where now (1900) stands the Grand Hotel of Xenia. Mr. Rice was identified as an active member of the Whig party, and in his early manhood took an active part in politics. In later years he became and continued a stanch Republican. For many years the notes of his fife were kept step to by the tramp of the militia. During the time of the musters in the "good old times" long ago he organized and was captain of the first artillery company formed in Greene county, and in his old age was able to relate many interesting military and political events which formed a prominent part in the early history of this city and county. His strict integrity and active life won for him the highest respect and esteem which was evinced by the many aged friends who assembled to pay the last tribute of respect to his memory the day he was buried in our own beautiful Woodland, west of Xenia, where he had spent so many useful days of his life. His life-long friends and intimate associates, Brinton Baker, Aniel Rodgers, J. C. McMillen, Davis Fifer, John Moore and E. S. Nichols, were his pallbearers. He was for many years an esteemed member of the Reformed church of this city, and at the age of eighty-one years died as he had lived, a Christian, December 4, 1879. HON. JAMES J. WINANS. Mr. Winans was born in Maysville, Kentucky, June 7, 1818, and died at his residence in Xenia, Ohio, April 28 1879, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. His father was Dr. Matthias Winans. James was the second son of a family of ten children. His early years were spent at home with his parents, and in February, 1837, he went to Winchester, Kentucky, and became a clerk in the store of Simpson & Miller. He remained in Winchester about five years, and during this time, under the supervision of John R. Huston and Judge James Simpson, he studied law and was admitted to the bar by the Mt. Sterling circuit court and shortly afterward came to Jamestown, this county. In April or May, 1842, he removed to Noblesville, Indiana, where he engaged in the practice of law, but on account of the unhealthfulness of the locality he returned to Jamestown in February, 1843. He was. admitted to the bar in Indiana, Mr. Howard, afterward minister to Texas, being chairman of the examining committee. During the summer of 1843 he was admitted to the bar in Ohio at the supreme court in Clinton county, Judge George J. Smith being chair- 164 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. man of the examining committee. At this examination there were six applicants for admission, four of whom were rejected. After admission to the bar he began to practice law in Greene county, and on September 26, 1843, he was married to Caroline E. Morris, who with six children survive him. Soon afterward he formed a law partnership with William Ellsberry, with whom he continued until June, 1845, when he was appointed clerk of the court of common pleas of Greene county. He continued in this office until the fall of 1851, when he returned to and continued in the practice of law. In 1857 he was elected to the senate of Ohio from the district comprising the counties of Greene, Fayette and Clinton representatives of elected to the house of representatives from Greene county to fill a vacancy occasioned by the death of John M. Miller. In February, 1864, he was appointed judge of the court of common pleas for the third subdivision of the second district, composed of the counties of Clark, Greene, Warren and Madison, in place of Judge William White, who was appointed to a vacancy on the supreme bench. In the fall of 1864 he was elected without nomination and without opposition for the residue of the term, and in 1866 he was reelected for the full term of five years. In 1868 he was elected as a representative to congress from the seventh congressional district, comprising the counties of Greene, Clark, Madison and Franklin, resigning his office as judge.' At the expiration of his term: he declined a second nomination, although tendered him., and resumed the practice of law. In the campaign of 1872 he fell in with the Greeley or "Liberal" movement and ran against L. B. Gunkle for congress in the fourth district on the Liberal ticket and was defeated. Afterward he devoted his whole attention to the practice of law and continued within a few months of his death, when compelled to quit practicing on account of failing health. As a citizen, as a practitioner, as an officer, as a representative and in all his business relations Judge Winans was a man of sterling worth. As a judge he was universally popular, and as a congressional representative no man ever served his constituency more faithfully. He lies buried in our own beautiful Woodland cemetery. MAJOR DANIEL LEWIS Died at his residence in Xenia January 9, 1863. He was born near Salisbury, Rowan county, North Carolina, on the 7th day of May, 1797. His family emigrated first to Kentucky, and stopped awhile at Crab Orchard. In 1803 they arrived in this county, and settled near the present site of Bellbrook. His military title was gained in the militia, in which he rose from the rank of captain to that of brigadier general, which office he held until 1838. In 1836 he entered upon the ,duties of county commissioner and served until 1842. After William Coburn Robinson, sheriff, died in. the last mentioned year, Major Lewis was the next sheriff of Greene county, and served until 1846. In 1849 he was appointed postmaster for Xenia, and served until 1853. In 1854 he was again elected sheriff, and served four more years. In 1861 he was elected county treasurer, and was serving as such when he died. His father, Daniel Lewis, Sr., was a sin the in the war of 1812, and is buried in-the Old Associate, or Pioneer, graveyard at Bellbrook, Ohio. ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 165 ABRAHAM BLANN. Perhaps many of the old "boys" who were born in Xenia previous to 1840 still remember "Old Blann," the jolly, good natured colored man "auction bell ringer" and professional shoe black, and on "muster days" always brought up the rear carrying his bucket and tin cup to supply the thirsty soldiers of that day.. Almost every one knew him and never will forget the cross-eyed, eccentric, droll old negro, whose whims and oddities have excited so much hearty laughter, the delight of the small boy and loved by all. He died of smallpox in Xenia, Saturday, February 17, 1849. He was a native of Nottoway county, Virginia. His inhuman. "master" tore him away from his wife and seven children, sent him by sea to New Orleans and sold him to a sugar planter, in whose plantation he labored a number of years. While there, for some supposed offense he was tied up and received a punishment almost as severe as the "Russian knout," being whipped .at intervals nearly all day. This confined him to the hospital two months, and much attention was necessary to prevent mortification from ensuing. His cruel master had paid the debt of nature and it was Blann's consolation that "Dey dug a hole right out on the lebel, Cause he actually believe he were gone to de debel; Oh, goody ! Old master used to lite on me so, Now he got to tote his own firewood below," His next master ran a steamboat, trading at Mobile and Florida. On the last trip that Blann was with him he landed a quantity of freight and left Blann to watch it; he soon found himself surrounded by a band of hostile Seminoles. But among the merchandise there was some whiskey, with which he treated them liberally, and so amused them that they got in a fine humor and left the freight untouched. For this act his master gave him to a relative in Cincinnati that he might become a free man. He was for some years in the employ of Gov. Tom Corwin, coming from there to Xenia. WILLIAM BULL, SR., Was a native of Virginia, and came to Greene county, Ohio, and purchased land, on Massies creek in 1803. He was a soldier of the Revolution. He was the father of, six sons, namely : Asaph, John, James, Thomas, Richard and. William. He was also the father of two daughters, Ann and Mary. Mr. Hugh Andrew gives, in the "History of Greene County," a very interesting account of the marriage of James Bull to Ann, daughter of John Gowdy, Sr., of Sugarcreek township. This event occurred November. 8, 1804, Rev. Robert Armstrong .officiating.. This was marriage No. 25 as shown on the early records. William Bull's daughter, Ann, must have been married to Samuel Shaw previous to his coming to Ohio, as we find from the records that she was a widow with two children, namely, Amos Shaw and sister, Mary. Amos Shaw made his home with his uncle, James Bull, until his. twenty-first birthday. From the early records we also find that September I, 1803, she was married to John Marshall, the man who erected the first cabin in the now city of Xenia, April 27, 1804. And on the 4th day of September, 1804, was born the first child in what 166 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY, is now the city of Xenia, namely, Robert T. Marshall. THE FIRST M. E. CHURCH, XENIA. This church was organized by the Rev. Benjamin Lakin, June 23, 1813, and was one of the regular appointments on Union circuit, Miami district, with Benjamin Lakin and Solomon Langdon, pastors. The following board of trustees was appointed : Frederick Bonner, John Beall, Chapel Bonner, Richard Cornwell, John Stull, Samuel Pelham and James Towler, who at once resolved to make arrangements for building a church, holding divine service during the time in private houses. A committee was duly appointed to secure a suitable lot of ground and report terms at the next meeting of the board. According to appointment the board met, and the committee reported as follows : Lot No. 151 (being the ground on which this church now stands) could be purchased for thirty dollars of James Towler, one of the board of trustees. The report accepted lot secured, they proceeded at once to make preparation to build the church. A committee was appointed and authorized to secure forty thousand brick for said building. The next meeting of the board, we find recorded, was not until March 12, 1814, Rev. Samuel Parker, presiding elder, and Revs. Marcus Lindsey and Joseph Tatman, pastors. The preacher in charge found it necessary to appoint new trustees, two having resigned and one expelled for non-attendance at class-meeting. It was decided that the number be seven Nathaniel McClain (brother of Hon. John McClain) Was appointed to fill the vacancy. Towler and McClain were appointed to superintend the building of the church; the size to be thirty by forty feet, twelve feet from floor to top of wall; foundation of stone; roofed in workman-like manner; said' committee to have the work carried on as they felt justifiable from amount subscribed, and use the same to the best of their judgment. The work went slow. The next meeting recorded was May- 18, 1815, Rev. John Sale, presiding elder, Revs. Moses Crume and. Jacob Miller, pastors. According to previous notice trustees met. Two having resigned Henry Hypes and Dr. Joseph John-. son were appointed to fill the vacancy. Samuel Pelham was appointed to assist Towler in superintending and carrying on the building. August 28, 1816, Rev. Abbott Goddard, pastor, we find recorded trustees accepted the meeting house from builder, Mills Edwards, and find balance due him,. forty dollars and twenty-six cents. Trustees gave their due bill, to be paid in three, six and nine months. Resolved further that suit be brought against those who owe bal ance on subscription who do not pay in thirty days from date, and Henry Hypes is hereby authorized to carry said resolution into effect. We have no record of dedicatory services having been held. October 13, 1817, Moses Crume, presiding elder, Rev. John Sale and Rev. John Brooks, pastors. Edward Wamble was employed to take care of the church for one year, at a salary of ten ,dollars. He is authorized to call on each member for a contribution of six and one-fourth cents to buy candles for lighting the meeting house during divine service. In 1818, William Dixon and John Waterman, pastors ; in 1819, Truman Bishop and Stephen Harber, pastors; in 1820, James B. Finley, presiding elder, Revs. John Strange and W. M. P. Quin, ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 167 pastors. W. M. Faulkner offered his services to keep the church in order gratis during his continuance in Xenia. Truly this was a day of small things. Yet faithful men of God served the church. Great and powerful revivals followed year after year, and many were added to the church. In 1821 Revs. John Strange and W. T. Taylor, pastors; in 1822, J. Strange and John Brooke; in 1823, Arthur W. Elliot and J. Brooke; in 1824, Rev. John Collin, presiding elder, and A. W. Elliot and Burrous Westlake, pastors. At this period the congregation had become so large that the trustees found it necessary to enlarge the church by building an addition, fifty feet long and twenty-eight feet wide, taking out one end of the church, making. the addition in the form of a T. Here we find recorded : Trustees employed Reuben Hixon to keep the church for one year for ninety bushels of corn and six dollars and eighty-seven and a half cents in money. In 1825, Revs. Russell Bigelow and Burrous Westlake and Thomas Beacham, pastors; in 1826, Charles Waddle, John Sale and William B. Christy, pastors; in 1827, W. H. Raper, G. W. Maley and G. W. Walker, pastors ; in 1828, W. H. Raper, G. W. Maley and J. W. Clark, pastors ; in 1829, Augustus Eddy and Joshua Boucher, pastors ; in 1830, I. F. Wright, of precious memory, was presiding elder, Augustus Eddy and W. P. Taylor, pastors ; in 1831, Francis Wilson and Ebenezer Owen, pastors ; in 1832, Francis Wilson and Daniel D. Davidson, pastors. During this last year the tallow candle became a thing of the past. Trustees ordered that one and one-half gallons of sperm oil be purchased for the use of the church, and a committee be appointed for said purpose. We find also recorded, May 16, 1832: Trustees decided to build a belfry on the east end of the church, to be ten feet above the comb of the roof, eight feet in the clear, eight feet square, a dome and wooden ball of proportional size; the ball to be painted chrome yellow ; the roof of pine shingles painted brown; the body painted white; at a cost of one hundred and sixteen dollars. A bell was placed in this belfry That has called the people together for more than half a century. The old bell still rings, and may continue to ring for a century to come. In 1832 and 1833 James Law and Dr. Samuel Latta were pastors. During this year one of the most wonderful revivals of religion that we have on record occurred. It commenced before the holidays and continued until late in the spring. Between three and four hundred were converted and united with the church. People came a distance of twenty and thirty miles to attend the meetings. During this wonderful outpouring of the Spirit many believers received the blessing of sanctification. In 1834 and 1835 Alfred K. Lorain. Stephen Holland and Alexander Morrow were pastors. This year it was decided that the interest of the church demanded a change. As the congregation had become sufficiently strong to support a preacher, the conference granted the change, and in 1836 Rev. A. Brown was appointed stationed preacher, Rev. W. H. Raper, presiding elder ; in 1837, Rev. L. White, pastor, Rev. O. Spencer, presiding elder; in 1838, Solomon Howard, pastor ; in 1839, William Young, pastor; in 1840 and 1841, J. J. Hill, pastor, and Rev. James B. Finley, presiding elder. During the last two years there was a gracious outpouring of the Spirit upon the church, sinners were converted, believers sanctified and many added to the church of such as shall be saved. In 168 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. 1842 Rev. I. W. White was pastor ; in 1844, W. H. Tyffe, pastor, and the beloved W: H. Raper again presiding elder. During the second year of Brother Tyffe's pastorate the old church was taken down to give place to a new one. The congregation worshiped during this time in the Methodist Protestant church on Church street: In 1845 Rev. J. G. Dimmett was pastor; in 1846 and 1847, Rev. William Herr, pastor, Rev. George W. Walker, presiding elder. In December; soon after the arrival of Brother Herr, the new church was dedicated by Bishop Morris. Immediately following the dedication of the church was a great revival, and many united with the church, some of whom are efficient members at this time. In 1848 Rev. W. H. Raper has again been appointed as pastor, having served this church four different times during a period of twenty-one years. In 1849 Rev. Charles Elliot was pastor. This was a year of great affliction. That fearful scourge, cholera, prevailed. No' doubt many will remember that faithful servant of the church, Rev. Elliot, as he went from house to house caring for the sick and ,dying. He, too, above all 'others, was ever keeping the interest of the missionary cause before his congregation, and was most ardent in his prayers that the gospel might be preached in the city of Rome. His prayers are answered; his son-in-law, Rev. L. M. Vernon, is at this time a missionary in that city. In 185o, Augustus Eddy was pastor ; in 1851, Asbury Lowry ; in 1853, Rev. Cyrus Brooks; in 1855, Granville Moody ; Rev. William Simmons was presiding elder; in 1857, Charles Adams; in 1858; Moses Smith; in 186o, W. H. Sutherland; in 1862, W. I. Fee, pastor. These years were noted as a crisis in the history of the church. First a great revival and large ingathering; more than two hundred joined the church. Next the division of the congregation and the organization of Trinity church in 1864. The first pastor after the division was Rev. James L. Grover, followed by Rev. Thomas Collett, who rendered efficient service in remodeling the audience room and building the valuable addition of lecture rooms and class rooms in the rear of the church. In 1868 W. L. Hypes was pastor ; in 1871, J. F. Marley ; in 1874, M. A. Richards ; in 1877, Lucian Clark; in 188o, E. T. Wells ; in 1882, Rev. William Runyan, who was successful in raising funds to refrescoe, paint and carpet the entire church, leaving it for his successor in perfect order. In 1885, Dr. J. F. Marley, after an absence of eleven years, was returned, much to the gratification of old friends. In the seventy-three years past this church has been served by more than sixty Ministers, as pastors and presiding elders, the best talent in the conference, noble men of God, and eloquent. The annual conference has been entertained in this church four times : In 1836, Bishop Roberts presiding; in 1853; Bishop James presiding; in 1864, Bishop Baker presiding, and in 1877, Bishop Haven presiding. DEPOSITIONS OF SOME OLD PIONEERS. Among the many old cases at law that are yet found in our court records are many that bring to light history that has been forgotten. One case we will recall, a chancery case, or suit of ejectment, brought by Peter and Jesse Vandolah against Major John Stevenson. It had been a long time in court and June 15, 1818, notice had been given by Thomas R. Ross, attorney for ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 169. plaintiff, to Hon. John Alexander, for the defendant, and acknowledged by him, that on the Loth day of June, 1818, they would meet at Old Chillicothe, or Oldtown, at the house of Abner Reid (house still standing in 1900), and proceed to take depositions before the Master commissioner, Josiah Grover, to be used in the case before the supreme court, which was soon to meet. Court was called to order and they proceeded to take deposition of David Laughead and others. Ques. Mr. Laughead, how long have you been acquainted with Old Chillicothe, Greene county, Ohio, where you now are? Ans. On an expedition from Kentucky I was attached to "a troop of horse under the command of General Clarke and arrived at Old Chillicothe on the 5th day of August, 1780. Ques. Was this a place of notoriety at that time? Ans. Yes, I know it to be a strong Indian town by the name of Chillicothe, and it was generally said to be such in Kentucky before we left it. Ques. How long have you known John Jamison's entry and survey, which is said to have been made at the lower point of an island, opposite Old Chillicothe on the Little Miami river ? Ans. I knew the officers met at the falls of the Ohio in the year 1784 or 1785 and appointed Richard C. Anderson as their surveyor. In the year 1786 or 1787 I was informed that John Jamison had made his entry near Old Chillicothe on the Little Miami river. Ques. How long have you known the island in the Little Miami river opposite Old Chillicothe.? Ans. I knew it to be there from information as far back as the 7th day of August, 1780. Ques. Was it generally talked of as an island at Old Chillicothe at that time? Ans. I knew it to be an island from information gained at Old Chillicothe at that time. The way that I was informed that it was an island was on the 7th ,day of August, 1780, on the return of the troops from Mad river to Old Chillicothe; about fifty men were ordered out to cut down a lot of corn on the opposite side of the Little Miami and one of the men had a sore foot and his messmates took him across the river to the island, supposing he was across the river, and set him down; and the lame man had to get them to come back and take him across the other part of the river, which circumstance was generally spoken of by the troops on their return from Old Chillicothe. Ques.  How long is it since you first saw the island? Ans. I think it is about five years since I first went to examine the island. Ques. Was it generally spoken of as an island as early as the year 1780? Ans. Yes, by part of the army. Ques. Did the army burn the town on the 7th day of August, 1780? Ans. They set fire to it but we did not wait to see it all consumed. Ques. How long have you known George Gray's entry and survey No. 603? Ans. Fifteen or sixteen years this summer. Ques. Was that survey generally known in the neighborhood at that time? Ans. It was generally known at that time. 170 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. Ques. Was John Fowler's entry and survey generally known at that time? Ans. Yes. DEPOSITION OF JAMES GALLOWAY, SR. At the same time and place James Galloway, Sr., was sworn and saith : Ques. Mr. Galloway, how long have you known Old Chillicothe on the Little Miami river, where you now are? Ans. I have known it since the month of October or November, 1782.. It was at that time and continued to be a place of public notoriety in the Miami country. Ques. How long have you known an island in the Little Miami river opposite the said Chillicothe at the point which it is said John Jamison's entry was made? Ans. I have known it from November, 1782 ; it was at that time and continued to be generally known as an island in the neighborhood. Ques. How long have you known George Gray's entry ? Ans. Eighteen or twenty years, and it was generally known by those I conversed with. Ques. Were there any more islands in view with the island above mentioned from the place called Old Chillicothe where we now are? Ans. None as visible as that one; there is one small one below it, not more than one hundred, poles below it. Ques. Is there anything to obstruct the view between where you now sit and the island first mentioned and the last one mentioned more than the distance to each island where you sit? Ans. Nothing but the distance. Ques. What is the difference in the distance from where you now sit? Ans. About eight rods. Ques. Are you now sitting at the place called Old Chillicothe? Ans. I am now sitting within the bounds where the pickets were. Ques. Is the island which you have last. spoken of directly opposite the Old Chillicothe? Ans. It is not.  Ques. Which of the islands is the larger, and please describe the difference in their size? Ans. The island first spoken of is a great deal the larger, more than three times the size of the other. Ques. Is the ground you have described as the lower island encompassed by the .waters of the Little Miami when the Miami is at its common height? Ans. At the time of low water it is not, but at the time of high water it is, from about the latter part of June till the fall the water does not run around it in common, and that has been the situation ever since I knew the island, which has been twenty years. The island spoken of is about ten or twelve rods long and from two to three rods in breadth at its widest place. Ques. If you were directed by the supreme court to find a point directly opposite the Old Chillicothe what would be the point you would fix on ? Ans. I would fix it between west, and northwest. Ques. If you were directed to go to the lower point of an island directly opposite the Old Chillicothe would you go to the island first spoken of or to the island last spoken of ? ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 171 Ans. I would go to the upper one first spoken of about sixty rods below the mouth of Massies creek. Ques. Is there not a very large, extensive prairie between the Old Chillicothe where we now sit and both the islands before mentioned? Ans. Yes, and the distance to the upper island, the first spoken Of, is, I suppose, eighty rods, and the lower island, the last spoken of, I suppose to be one hundred and forty rods. JAMES GALLOWAY, JR.'S, DEPOSITION. The deposition of James Galloway, Jr., taken at the same time at the house of the Messrs. Reid at Chillicothe, who says : Some time in the winter of 1806, in a conversation with Joseph Vandolah respecting a survey of one hundred acres of land which himself and brothers, James and Peter, claimed near the Old Chillicothe town on the Little Miami river, said deponent informed said Joseph of that date and manner in which their said entry was. made, and of the surveys which it interfered with, and he thinks, but is not certain, showed him copies of the said entries and surveys. The said Vandolah appeared convinced that their claim to the four hundred acres aforesaid was such that they must lose the land, and talked of petitioning congress for leave to withdraw their entry and have it located elsewhere, requesting his aid in endeavoring to get their land secured to them and to make inquiry and do something for them, promising him a compensation if he could do anything to secure them their land, with their warrants that would be clear of dispute. On or about the 20th day of March, 1807, said deponent became acquainted with the law of the United States which authorized persons losing lands by interference with prior claims, although such claim.s might be patented, to withdraw the part of the claim so lost and enter the same elsewhere. Said deponent, upon asserting the proper method to proceed, did, on or about the 20th of March, 1807, withdraw the said Vandolah entry of four hundred acres aforesaid, and entered the same elsewhere. Some time afterward this deponent, meeting with James Vandolah, informed him of what he had done with his said claim, who expressed himself satisfied therewith, and desired said deponent to give him notice when he would be going into the neighborhood of where his land had been entered, by said deponent, and he would accompany him and see it and have it surveyed. Said deponent did accordingly send word to said Vandolah a short time before he set out on a tour to the woods but he ,did not attend. Some time after said deponent, returning from the woods, again met with said James Vandolah, who expressed some concern at his being disappointed. In going to see the land and upon inquiry finding that his land had not been surveyed, he wished again to have notice when it would be convenient for said deponent to survey it and he would accompany him. Notice was given him the second time by said deponent that at such a time he might attend and accompany said deponent on another tour, when the land might be surveyed, but said Vandolah did not attend. DEPOSITION OF GEN. BENJAMIN WHITEMAN. Benjamin Whiteman, sworn at the same time and place. 172 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. Ques. At what time did you become acquainted with the Old Chillicothe on the Little Miami river? Ans. In the month of October in the year 1790. Ques. Have you heard of the controversy existing between the complainants and defendant in this case and how long? Ans. I have heard of the controversy existing between the complainants and defendant five or six years and have understood that one question in that controversy depended on the entry of John. Jameson, but the point where that entry begins I have no knowledge only from hearsay. I have understood that it is on an island near Old Chillicothe, and my impression was that that island was formed by a tongue of land between the Little Miami and Massies creek, which is a little above Old Chillicothe. The reason of my impression was that, from viewing the situation of the Little Miami from a point near the place where James Galloway now lives and from the direction that the river runs and the appearance of the ground at that place, my conclusions, with others generally as far as I have heard it spoken of, were that it was an island. In the year 1792, I, together with the detachment of militia from Kentucky, encamped on this tongue of land, an,d it was spoken of as an island generally among us, and I always believed it to be an island until after I became a resident of the county, which was in the year 1799, and about one year after I settled in this county I had occasion to go to the falls of the Little Miami, and on traveling up between the Little Miami and Massies creek I found them to be separate streams, and as to the island below the mouth of Massies creek, at which I have since understood Jameson's entry commenced, I have no knowledge of nor ever heard of such an one until several years after I settled in this county. I first settled on Beaver creek about six miles from Old Chillicothe, in what is now the bounds of Greene county, and there was no settlement above Davis's mill on Beaver creek except three families on the. Little Miami, in the limits of what is now Greene county, and the settlement where I then lived on Beaver creek did not exceed six or eight families. Ques. If you had been directed to make an entry at the lower point of an island opposite Old Chillicothe on the Little Miami what point would you have made? Ans. I would have searched for an island lower down than the mouth of Massies creek if I could have found one, and my reasons for so doing would have been because I did not believe the mouth of Massies creek to be directly opposite the 01(1 Chillicothe. Ques. Do you believe the island where Jameson's entry is made directly opposite the Old Chillicothe? Ans. I think it is. Ques. By what rule would you ascertain one point to be opposite another point? Ans. Because it is neither above nor below, but immediately opposite. Ques. Do you say that the island in the Little Miami river at the lower point of which it is said John Jameson's entry is made is directly opposite Old Chillicothe because it is neither lower down the river nor higher up the river than the extremities of Old Chillicothe? Ans. Yes. Ques. Did you in the year 1792, when you, with the detachments of militia from Kentucky before spoken of, encamp on the ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 173 tongue of land before described as being formed by Massies creek and the Little Miami river, undertake to ascertain from actual examination whether that tongue of land was an island or not? Ans. I did not. Ques. Was it the first time you discovered that that tongue of land was not an island when you left home to go to the falls of the Little Miami before spoken of ? Ans. It was. Ques. How far is it from Old Chillicothe to the Little Miami river? Ans. I suppose the distance to be near half a mile. WILLIAM STEVENSON'S DEPOSITION. William Stevenson's deposition was taken at the same time and place. Ques. When did you become acquainted with an island in the Little Miami river, opposite Old Chillicothe, the lower end of which it is said John Jameson's entry is made? Ans. In the latter end of November or the beginning of December in the year 1801 we cut timber on both of the islands, the upper and lower one, as much as one horse could cleverly draw. They cut one tree on the upper island which took two men to lift the butt of it on a fork. James Stevenson looked for marked trees on the island to ascertain the corner, but found none. This island is opposite to Old Chillicothe, the other island may be two hundred yards below the upper island or may be more, and is below a direct line drawn from Old Chillicothe from the river. The upper island was larger than the lower one. Ques. Would a direct line, as you call it, from Old Chillicothe to the river strike the upper island? Ans. I think it would, because it lies directly opposite. JESSE VANDOLAH AND PETER VANDOLAH VS. DAVID LAUGHEAD. A. similar case as that against Major John Stevenson. DEPOSITION OF BENJAMIN WHITEMAN. Mr. Whiteman put on the stand, in answer to the questions, says : Ques. Have the beds of those rivers since the year 1790 changed their course from natural or artificial causes at any time since; if so, when and from what cause? Ans. I do not know that they have changed any at those points at which I then crossed. Ques. How far above the junction of these creeks did you cross? Ans. That I could not ascertain without measurement. Ques. Had you at different times or in different years been through this country by Old Chillicothe, above named, and how often, and what was the general report and belief as to the point of land formed by the junction of the Little Miami and Massies creek, whether it was called an island, and whether any other island was then known in that neighborhood or near that place and what place? Ans. I passed through that point of land three times in three different years, between the years 1790 and 1794, once under the command of Colonel Edwards, with about four hundred volunteers, and twice 174 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. on small scouts. As far as I heard it spoken of it was called an island, and it was frequently spoken of, and I believed it to be an island until after I came to reside in this county. Ques. At the time above alluded to did not you believe that Massies creek put out from the Miami and that the island above alluded to included at least three hundred acres ? Ans. I did not know of Massies creek, but the branch since called Massies creek I believed to be part of the Little Miami which formed that island. DEPOSITION OF JAMES COLLIER. Ques. How long have you resided in this county and how long have you known and been acquainted with the situation of Old Chillicothe on the Little Miami river? Ans. I of resided in what is now the county of Greene nineteen years, last November. I have known Old Chillicothe nineteen years this month or next. Ques. If you had been directed to make a location of land beginning at the lower point of an island opposite Old .Chillicothe on the Little Miami what point of land would you have 'selected for that beginning? Ans. Sometime after that I discovered a small island below the mouth of Massies creek. I do not recollect the size of the island at that time, but to the best of my recollections it was small. It has increased since and I would not believe it had been formed more than four or five years from the size of the saplings that were on it, which I think would not exceed two inches in diameter. The last time I noticed them they had grown to tolerably large trees; some of them were at least forty feet high, mostly sycamores. There are now a good. many willows, and when I first saw it I think there were none. I think the first time I saw the island it. did not exceed six rods in length at low water mark, with a small streak of bushes on it. I thought it looked more like a sand bar than an island. So at that time I would. have been compelled to take that island, knowing of no other opposite, or near Old Chillicothe, in making a selection. I never heard of an island there until I saw that one that' I have described, for J thought it too inconsiderable to attract notice. ABNER, READ, OF OLDTOWN. Abner Read died at his home near Old-town, -Greene county, December .27, 1858. He was born in Northbridge, Worcester county, Massachusetts, .September 1I, 1783. His father Was- a soldier of the Revolution and his mother was a daughter of Capt. John Brown, who served with distinction in the old French .war, was for many years a member of the general court of Massachusetts, and with nine sons fought in the Revolution. Mr.' Read came to Ohio first in 1815 and remained about a year in Cincinnati, where he was engaged with an elder brother, Ezra, now of Champaign county, and another brother, Amasa, now deceased-, and Thomas Watson in the clock business.. He then returned to his native state and in 1816 married Cynthia Adams, of Worcester county, Massachusetts, and- two weeks afterward moved with- his wife to this county,, arriving here in June of that year, being thirty-six clays on- the road. He and his brothers Ezra and Amasa first bought together the farm where he has ever since