200 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. WILLIAM COOLEY'S RECOLLECTIONS. The first settler in the northern central part of the county of whom we have any record or well authenticated account was James Galloway, Sr., who emigrated to this place from Bourbon county, Kentucky, early in the spring of 1798, now very nearly eighty-three years since. About twenty years previous, towit, November 23, 1778, he married Miss Rebecca Junkin, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. How long he sojourned in Kentucky we have not been able to determine. Mr. Galloway possessed many of the traits of Daniel Boone. He was in the service of the United States eighteen months during the Revolutionary war, in the capacity of hunter, to procure game for the army. He was engaged in several conflicts with the Indians, and on one occasion was brought face to face with Simon Girty, who, perceiving that Galloway was unarmed, accosted him thus: "Now, Galloway, d—n you, I have got you," and instantly fired. Galloway received a dangerous wound, and was supposed by Girty to have been killed. He, however, wheeled his horse and made for camp, a mile distant, which he reached in safety, but in a fainting condition. The ball passed through his shoulder and lodged some place near the back of the neck. After carrying this bullet many years, it was extracted, some say by a cobbler, others by Dr. Joshua Martin. However this may have been, it was a source of considerable annoyance, and the wound was effected very much by the state of the weather, and served as a barometer. On occasions, when something important was to be done, requiring fine weather, young Hugh would be dispatched to Mr. Galloway to learn the condition of the barometer. Mr. Galloway's family on coming to this county consisted of himself, wife, his sons, James, Samuel, William, Andrew, and one daughter, Rebecca. His family was afterward enlarged by a son and daughter, Anthony and Ann. James Galloway (blacksmith) and Adam McPherson accompanied Mr. Galloway from Kentucky and settled. in different neighborhoods. The same year Thomas Townsley settled near the falls of Massies creek. These were the first settlers of this portion of Greene county, so far as we have been able to discover. How Mr. Galloway succeeded in erecting his first cabin we are left to conjecture, as his boys were mere children, the eldest being a lad of sixteen; but as necessity is the mother of invention, we can have no doubt, therefore, but Mr. Galloway soon had a place of habitation for himself and family. The matter of subsistence was a serious question for a man of so large a family, as he would not be able to bring any considerable amount of provisions in his journey through an unbroken wilderness, and it must necessarily have been several months before he could derive any benefits from the fruits of the soil. Fortunately game was abundant, and Mr. Galloway, with his unerring musket was able to supply his family with all the delicacies of the season; yet there was not the means for the enjoyment of that luxurious living of the present day. In the year 1799 or 1800 George Galloway, Esq., located on the farm now owned by Andrew Holland, lying on the Yellow Springs pike, immediately north and west of the river. The tract located by James Galloway, consisting of one hundred and sixty-one acres, lay still farther north to-Ward Yellow Springs. Subsequently Mr. ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 201 Galloway sold to Rev. Robert Armstrong three hundred and one acres, which is now mainly comprised in the farms owned by James H. Dickey, John H. and Henry B. Jacoby. About this time, or at all events prior to 1803, Matthew Quinn settled on the farm now occupied by Mr. Mathias Routzong. Others coming in from time to time, the country gradually became settled. Mills were a necessity. Owen Davis had built-one on Beaver creek in 1799, which was patronized by the inhabitants for forty miles around. Whisky, though perhaps not so essential as bread, was nevertheless used to a considerable extent as a medicine as well as a beverage. The country was new, chills, and fever prevailed, and the system needed bracing. At all events supply and demand to a considerable extent regulated trade. To supply this seeming necessity, Mr. Galloway erected a distillery on the small stream that crosses the Yellow Springs pike near the old stone house previously described. What was its capacity we know not, but presume it was sufficient to meet the wants of the neighborhood in the surrounding community. Although we have been assured that the early settlers in this community generally partook of their whisky in moderation, and never to excess, yet at this time, and for many years afterward, it was the custom on all occasions to pass around the bottle. That there was at this period more of a. community of interest and social equality among the people than at the present day, does not admit of a doubt. Log-rollings, raisings, wood-choppings, etc., brought the people frequently together from many miles. around. There were no drones in the community, and on these occasions things went lively. At a raising the hands would di vide, putting their best men on the corners to do the notching, and then a strife arose as to who would be first to get their log in place. And thus they would continue till the square part of the building was. completed; and then beveled logs thrown up at the ends, and poles thrown across lengthwise, at intervals of from three to four feet, completed the loft part of the structure. For a covering, clapboards, of an inch in thickness and about six in breadth, and in length Corresponding with the distances between the poles, were placed up and down in such a manner as to make a close roof. The weight poles are then placed in position, and the roof is complete. About the beginning of the century Mr. Solomon McCully settled on the north of the river, on the Fairfield pike, at present occupied by Owen Swadner. Further on Arthur Forbes, on the farm occupied by Robert A. Mitchell; John James and David Anderson on what used to be called the Kershner farm, situated on the Yellow Springs and Dayton pike; Ezekiel Hopping, on the tract now owned by William Confer and George Taylor, still further north. We cannot give the exact dates of the settlement of these parties, but they were at an early day. James Andrew settled on the farm immediately west of Mr. Armstrong, and now occupied by W. Cooley. His eldest daughter, Nancy, was the wife of Mr. Arm, strong. His family consisted of Jane, William, James, Rebecca, John, Hugh., George, Ebenezer and Elizabeth. Mr. Andrew was a handicraftsman, as well as farmer. He made spinning wheels, little and big. He also stocked plows with wooden moldboards.. If we go back to the days of our grandmothers, we shall find abundant material for reflection. Every article of cloth- 202 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. ing for the body or the house was made at home. Toil, toil, incessant toil, from one year's end to another, to procure the simplest comforts of life. Now, we get a hat or a coat, and don't know how it was made or whence it came. We have time to read, to think, to meditate how to make life enjoyable. Let us be thankful, and when disposed to murmur at our hard lot, think of our grandfathers and grandmothers. Mr. Andrew, having served his generation, fell asleep in the year 1822, aged seventy-two years. Of his ten children, but two remain, Mr. Hugh Andrew of Xenia, and Ebenezer Andrew, of Sugarcreek township. James, Hugh and George carried on farming operations quite successfully for many years on the old homestead and lands adjoining, each: owning fine farms of two or three hundred acres. Two of James' sons, William and Harvey, are in. the ministry of the United Presbyterian church; H. M., living in Xenia; and Samuel, George's son, near Frost's Station. Others are scattered. through the west, and not a. single one living within five miles of the old homestead. Such radical changes does time make, that the place that knows us now will soon know us no more forever. Mr. Andrew, of whom we formerly spoke, for years continued his occupation of wheelwright and stocking plows. Mr. George Junkins had established a blacksmith shop near the Fairfield pike, south of R. A. Mitchell's present residence. A culprit had stolen a set of plow irons of. John Ellis (grandfather of Samuel Ellis, who lives near the railroad crossing- on the Clifton pike), and taken them to Junkins' shop to be relayed. The irons were taken thence to Mr. Andrews to be stocked with wooden mold-boards, etc. The irons were stamped, and it was the design of the thief to have the marks obliterated in order to avoid detection; but in this he failed, which fact led to his arrest and punishment. At this time there was a sugar tree on the public square, Xenia, which was as a whipping post. His sentence as to receive eight lashes on his bare back. This occurred on the 8th of October, 1808, and is said to have been the last public whipping for a crime in Greene county. The lands west of the Little Miami river were congress lands, and were disposed of very differently from those on the other side of the river, and in the following manner: "James Madison, president of the United States of America. To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting: Know ye, that James Andrew, of Greene county, having deposited. in the treasury a certificate of the register of the land office, at Cincinnati, whereby it appears that he has made full payment for the northeast quarter of section 35, of township, number 4, in range number 7, of the land lying between the Great Miami river and the Virginia Reservation, etc., etc. Dated Washington., February 12, 1810. Signed by James Madison, president of the United States, and R. Smith, secretary of State." A similar patent was issued for the southeast quarter of section 36, to the same, in the year 1816. They were printed Sand written on parchment, and are unique in appearance. In 1802 or 1803 James Galloway, Sr., and James Galloway, Jr., started to Louisville, to see Colonel Anderson in regard to the appointment of a surveyor, and on their way stopped several days with. Samuel Gall leway, then living on McConnell's Run, in Kentucky, where Robert Armstrong ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 203 preached. While there they became acquainted with him, and joined in the communion of the Lord's Supper, after which resuming their journey, they reached Louisville, and through the influence of his father and his uncle, George Pomroy, James Galloway Jr., received the appointment. On their return they again tarried with Samuel Galloway, and meeting Mr. Armstrong, they urgently invited him to come to Ohio and preach ; to which he agreed, on condition that it was the desire of the people there. When they reached home, they consulted the people, and the desire being unanimous, James Galloway, Jr., was sent to Kentucky to bring him here. Writing to his brother George to meet him in Dayton and pilot him) to the settlements, he started, in, company with Mr. Armstrong, and traveled along the road cut by General Wayne from Cincinnati, arrived here in safety and soon began his labors preaching at the house of James Galloway, Sr., to the following families: Matthew Quinn, Alexander Forbes, William Jenkins, Elias Bromagen, Widow Criswell (who had united with his church in Kentucky and came to Ohio in 1801), Alexander McCoy and sons, John and James Stevenson, Thomas and John Townsley, George and James Galloway, and perhaps a few, others. He also preached at Sugarcreek, at the house of James Clancy, on the present site of Bellbrook. Among his congregation were John and Joseph C. McKnight, Joseph, Vance (father of Governor Vance) and his brother, Captain Lamb, William) Tanner, the Snodgrasses, two Snowdens, Van Eaton and several others. A few of these were members of the Associate Reformed and Presbyterian churches, but all were glad to listen to Mr. Armstrong. During his stay here he was urgently solicited to remain as permanent pastor. This he neither agreed nor refused to do, but stated that he was dissatisfied with Kentucky on account of slavery. He also stated that if he could persuade his congregation to emigrate with him, he would' come, provided he received a call. A petition was .straightway presented to the Associate Presbytery of Kentucky, by James Galloway, Jr., which was granted, and Rev. Andrew Fulton was appointed moderator in the call. Shortly after his appointment he preached in James Galloway's barn, and baptized his son Anthony and daughter Ann, the first baptism by this church in the county, date September 1, 1804. In August, 1803, Colonel James Morrow, with quite a number of others, members of Mr. Armstrong's congregation in Kentucky, came to this county to locate land. They made their camp and passed the Sabbath near a spring on the edge of the prairie at Old Town.. There seems to have been a mutual feeling of discontent on the part of Mr. Armstrong and his people, in reference to the workings of the slave system. The encroachments and domineering spirit of slavery and slaveholders were already being felt. Ohio, the first born of the ordinance of 1787, was a free state. The movement of the people here, seconded by the people there, mutually contributed to the accomplishment of the same end. Colonel Morrow and his associates succeeded in locating lands in the fertile region of Massie's creek and Sugar creek, and, with others, moved to them: in the spring of 1804. The call for Mr. Armstrong was made in due form,, and John McKnight, of Sugarcreek, and James Galloway, Sr., were appointed commissioners by the congregation 204 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. to lay it before the presbytery of Kentucky, and urge its acceptance. The call was presented and accepted, and Mr. Armstrong immediately set about making preparations for his new field of labor. He had been married two years previously to Miss Nancy Andrew. He and his wife set out on horse- back to visit her father's people, who lived near Nashville, Tennessee. In October they again started for their old home in Kentucky and their new one in Ohio. It was arranged to take Mrs. Armstrong's brother Hugh, with them, then a lad of some ten Years of age. A small saddle was made and placed on the horse, behind Mr. Armstrong, on which young Hugh rode to Kentucky. On their arrival at Mr. Armstrong's home in Kentucky, they were met by William Gowdy, who lived near Alpha, who had been delegated with a four-horse team to bring Mr. Armstrong's household goods, books, etc, Mr. Armstrong and his wife made the journey on horseback, while young Hugh was assigned to the wagon with Gowdy. We may as well state right here, that the young Hugh spoken of is the same Hugh we have with us, and who is perhaps with a single exception the oldest citizen of the county, and to whom we are indebted for information that otherwise would be inaccessible. Mr. Armstrong and wife reached their destination several days in advance of the wagon. They stopped at Mr. James Galloway, Sr.'s, and were his guests through the winter. On the arrival of the wagon, young Hugh, not exactly liking the looks of things, asked and obtained leave to return with Mr. Gowdy to his residence. Mr. Gowdy was a young married man at this time, while his father's: family lived near. In his father's family were two daughters, Nancy and Ann. To the latter a young man by the name of James Bull had been for some time paying his respects, and the happy couple were about to unite their destinies in the bonds of matrimony. Great preparations were made for the important event. Says Mr. Andrew, everybody was there, from Den to Beersheba, and he supposes that there were at least one hundred guests. Mr. Armstrong performed the ceremony, which is supposed to have been the first marriage in the county. As the result of this marriage we have Mr. William and John Bull; Mrs. Susanna, wife of Mr. James Turnbull; Mrs. Margaret, wife of James Hopping, Esq.; James Law, Robert Scott, Amos and Rankin Bull. The oldest is about seventy-two years of age, while the youngest is fifty-two.. Rev. James Law Bull is a United Presbyterian minister in the west. The rest, except John, are, and always have been, citizens of the county. All early in life made a public profession, of religion and united with the Associate Presbyterian congregation of Massiescreek, and all are now members of the United Presbyterian church except John, who passed from) earth in 1834. Mr. Bull was a quiet and good citizen, a member of the Presbyterian church, and in the vanguard of reform in his day and generation. As early as 1820 he resolved to discontinue the use of whisky in his harvest field. In this he was joined by his neighbor, George Townsley, Esq. This put them to some inconvenience, as men would come and go again as soon as they found they were not to get any whisky. Harvesting in that day was a slow process, as the grain was all cut with a hand-sickle. One-half acre, reaped' and bound, was a day's work, though some experts put up an ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 205 acre. Afterward cradles came into use, and now everybody knows how grain is cut. Mr. Bull was born in 1776, and died in 1872, lacking only four years of being a centenarian. His wife died in 1836. In the spring of 1805, Mr. Armstrong, having completed his log cabin, with stone chimney, on the tract of land purchased of Mr. Galloway (as before stated), located in his new, home. His duties were manifold and arduous. In addition to his regular labors as pastor of a congregation, in preparing two sermons for each Sabbath, necessarily much time would have to be devoted to secular matters. A new farm was to be opened up and improved; family visitation and catechistical instructions must not be neglected; meetings of presbytery and synod must be attended, although often several hundred miles away—long and tedious journeys to be made on horseback. All this would seem to require a pretty active life. With all his manifold labors, we have never heard that there was any complaint of dereliction in duty, but, on the contrary, that his sermons were well prepared and forcibly delivered, and that his congregations, possessing more than, ordinary intelligence, were edified and instructed. Mr. Armstrong had two places of preaching, one on Massie's creek and the other on Caesar's creek. Massies creek, the nearest plate of preaching, was some three or four miles from his residence, which he usually walked. But as the river was between his home and place of preaching, high water sometimes presented an obstacle not so easily overcome. But in this, as in other matters, he was enabled to devise an expedient which answered every purpose, except in extremely high water. He had a pair of stilts on which he used to cross, it is said, with great circumspection. His other place of preaching was some twelve miles distant. As time passed his worldly circumstances improved. His farm was being opened up. Stock was accumulating around him. In his inexperience in farming operations, he frequently found the knowledge and services of his old friend and patron, James Galloway, Sr., of great value. As they were neighbors, Mr. Galloway was frequently consulted. On one occasion he had at horse bitten by a rattlesnake, which Mr. Galloway readily cured by the application of a weed that is said' to exist where snakes abound. In the year 1805 another of those grand' Weddings appeared at the house of Squire George Galloway. The parties were James Stephenson and Anna Galloway, half-sister to the Squire. The guests were numerous, so much so that accommodations could not be found within, and a large log heap was built without. Mr. Stephenson was the party who donated' the ground for the church and cemetery. He, with his brother John', had settled in the Stephenson neighborhood as early as the year 1797, the year preceding the settling of the Gallo-ways. January 6, 1806, James Galloway, Jr., or Major Galloway as you please, and Martha Townsley were married by Rev. Joshua Carman. In 1809 the Major built a fine brick residence a short distance west of the Fairfield pike, on the farm at present owned by Mr. Joseph Collins. Many will no doubt remember seeing this brick building standing out in the field as they passed along the pike. In the following year James Galloway, Sr., built the stone house (which is still standing) on the Yellow Springs pike, but its use is perverted to that of a stable. 206 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. In the chimney of this building there was a date-stone marked 1810. This stone has been removed and inserted in the rear end of the Galloway building in Xenia, in their late improvement. On the 27th of June, 1812, a terrible tornado passed over this section of country, extending several miles in length and about half a mile in width, leaving scarcely a tree or shrub in its track. A portion of the Major's brick mansion was blown down and the balance of the building left in a very unsafe condition till rebuilt and repaired. In 1813, probably, George Galloway (usually designated Pennsylvania George) and' Rebecca Galloway, oldest daughter of James Galloway, Sr., were married. Miss Galloway had had a former suitor, which she rejected, who was no -less a personage than the distinguished Tecumseh. He had been a frequent visitor in the family and took a wonderful liking to the white girl and, according to the Indian custom, wasances to the father, who referred the case to the daughter. The un;unted chief .appealed to the girl herself, cifering her fifty broaches of silver. She told him she didn't want to be a wild woman and work likeBradfutesn women. He told her she need not work. Notwithstanding the rejection of his suit, he ever after remained friendly with the family, though he was sometimes found to be rather, a tough customer. On one occasion, when at the shop of blacksmith James 'Galloway, and being under the influence of whisky, he proved to be rather annoying, when Galloway took him, much to the disgust of the chieftain, and tied him to a tree till he got more sober and quiet. In the yedateamistonev. Armstrong sold his first purchase to. Samuel Goe, and bought lands on the other side of the river, in order to avoid the difficulties so often experienced by high waters. About the same time a new congregation was organized in Xenia, and Mr. Armstrong having been released from the Sugarcreek branch of his congregation, the two united in a call for the Rev. Francis Pringle, Jr., who was settled in the united charge of Xenia and Sugarcreek. This left Mr. Armstrong in charge of the Massiescreek congregation alone, and perhaps no pastor in the entire county has, ,at any time, presided over a more intelligent Congregation in the history of the county. Several of its members were at different times called to fulfill important positions of honor and public trust. Col. James Morrow served several years as county commissioner and as member of the lower house of the legislature. Joseph Kyle also served several terms in the legislature. Judge Samuel Kyle was an associate judge for thirty-five consecutive years. Robert Moody was one whose cool and clear judgment was surpassed by few ; David Jackson, was a man of intellectual power ; Thomas Raugh had a clear and penetrating mind; and the same can be said of the McCoys, Laugheads, McHattons, Anderson, Greggs, Browns, Bradftites Collins, Kings, Turnbulls, Deans, Gibsons, Andrews, Junkins, Bulls, Galloways and Struthers. THE OLD CABIN AND PIONEER CHURCH. The main portion of the house occupied by Mr. Andrew Holland, with two enormous stone chimneys, was built in the year 1800 by George Galloway, Esq. It was built with logs and weather-boarded. In this Mr. Armstrong ministered through the winter of 1804 and 1805. Subsequently "a church was built on a ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 207 lot of three acres donated by Mr. James Stevenson for church and cemetery purposes." (For description of same see Andrew Galloway's sketch.) Thus these good old seceders continued to worship till about the year 1812 or 1813, when they built a larger, nobler and more comfortable house of hewed logs a short distance from the first. In the building of this house the labor was divided up among the .members of the congregation. Mr. Armstrong was to furnish a gallon of whisky and Squire, George Galloway was to haul the logs, which had to be done with oxen. For some reason the squire couldn't manage the oxen very well, and employed a wicked gentile to take his place, who attributed the Squire's want of success to the fact that he didn't swear. However this may have been in regard to the driving of oxen, profane swearing became a violation of law— human and divine—and the Squire, from a double sense of duty, faithfully inflicted its penalties on its perpetrators. On one occasion a violator of this law was fined fifty cents, and gave a dollar in payment of his fine; but-the Squire being unable to make change, the perpetrator let off with another oath. "There," said the Squire, "that makes the change." Through the above contributions we have been enabled to give the names of many settlers from 1800 to 1805. We shall start from this period with the name of John Todd, who emigrated from Virginia in 1780, first to Nashville, Tennessee, then frond Nashville to Xenia in 1805, followed in September, 1806, by his son-in-law, Henry Philips, wife, and Rebecca, daughter of Mr. Todd. Mr. Todd and family lived in a hewed-log house, on Main street a little east of the old Towler cabin, in which Philips and others succeeding him kept a tavern as' late as 1820. In June, 1807, Dr. Andrew W. Davisson and Rebecca Todd were married by William' McFarland, justice of the peace. Dr. Davisson was the first physician in Xenia. He also built the first brick house in Xenia, in 1811, on Main street; near the site of B. Knox's saddler shop; and in 1814 the first stone house was built by him on Main street. Doctor and Mrs. Davisson were members of the old seceder congregation. under Francis Pringle in 1811. She died in Chicago in 1870, at the age of eighty. THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE. During the initial steps toward educational advancement in this county the facilities for literary attainments were not so varied as are thrown around the youth of to-day. Following our cicerone along a blazed path through the woods to the old log school house; rapping, a voice from the far interior says, "Come in ;" we pull the latch string, enter; and, at the request of the "master," settle down upon a puncheon bench, the cynosure of all eyes. The first thing we observe is that nearly the whole end of the house is occupied by a fireplace, within whose capacious depths the crackling blaze sends forth light, heat and cheerfulness. Our gaze being attracted to the outside, we look, not through French plate, but a hole made by sawing out a log and replacing it with paper greased with lard. Our attention is recalled by a shrill voice, "Master, mayn't I git a drink ?" The urchin goes to the bucket sitting on a bench near the door, takes the tin from the accustomed peg, dips it full, drinks a few sips, holding it over the bucket meanwhile, pours the balance back, looks around awhile, goes back 208 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. to his seat, and, with his dog's-eared book close to his face, is soon lost in study. We observe the benches are made out of flat rails and puncheons, with wooden pins in them for legs; backs, they have none. The "master" has a table, made by driving pins in the wall and placing hewed puncheons on top of them. Under each window a similar contrivance accommodates the scholars. While examining these unique writing-desks we are again startled by a sharp cry; apparently in agony, of, "Master, please mayn't I go out ?" Consent is given, and the boy hurriedly moves toward the door, pausing to take down a crooked stick and carry it out the door with him. Our curiosity is excited, and while the master's back is turned we ask a big, white-headed boy near us what it is for, who, opening his mouth wide and staring at us in blank amazement, says, "No other boy don't darst go out while that stick is gone." As incentives to close application to study, we observe a rule, of about a pound in weight, and a formidable-looking beechen rod, whose acquaintance every boy in school has long ago formed. Dilworth's Arithmetic, Webster's Spelling-book and the Testament were the text-books. It seemed to be an expressly settled fact that during a recitation ,a boy could get up a better spirit of inspiration by stenatorian competition with his fellows; and in the spelling class the boy could spell the loudest should' stand head. It was interesting to see the boys at the end of the bench, standing on tip-toe' with every muscle in a quiver, waiting for the master to say "noon," in order to get out first and raise the biggest yell. PIONEER HABITS OF LIFE IN THE WEST. The history of the Manners and customs of our forefathers will appear like a collection of "tales of olden times." It is a homely narrative, yet valuable on account of its being real history. "Then the women did the offices of the household; milked' the cows, cooked the mess, prepared the flax, spun, wove and made the garments of linen or linsey ; the men hunted, and brought in the meat; they planted, ploughed and gathered in the corn; grinding it into meal at the hand-mill or pounding it into hominy in the mortar was. occasionally the work of either or the joint labor of both. "The men exposed themselves alone to danger; they fought the Indians, they cleared the land, they reared' the but or built the fort, in which the women were placed for safety. Much use vas made of skins of deer for dress, while the buffalo and bear skins were consigned to the floor for beds and covering. There might incidentally be a few articles brought to the country for sale in a private way but there was no store for supply. Wooden vessels either turned or coopered, were in common use as table furniture. "A tin cup was an article of delicate luxury, almost as rare as an iron fork. Every hunter carried. his knife; it was no less the implement of a warrior; not infrequently the rest of the family was left with but one or two for the use of all. A like workmanship composed the table and the stool; a slab hewed with the axe, and sticks of a similar manufacture, set in for legs, supported both. When the bed vas, by chance or refinement, elevated above the floor and given a fixed place, it was, often laid on slabs placed across poles, supported on forks set in the earthen floor; or where the floor was puncheon the bedstead was ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 209 hewed pieces pinned on upright posts or let into them by auger holes. Other utensils and furniture were of a corresponding description applicable to the time. “The food was of the most wholesome and nutritive kind. The richest milk, the finest butter and best meat that ever delighted man's. palate were here eaten with a relish which health and labor only know. Those were shared by friend and stranger in every cabin with profuse hospitality. `'Hats were made of the native fur, and the buffalo wool employed in the composition of cloth, as was also the bark of the wild nettle. "There was some paper money. in the country, which had not depreciated one-half or even a fourth as Much as it had at the seat of government. If there was any gold or silver, its circulation was suppressed. The price of a beaver hat was five hundred dollars. "The hunting shirt was usually worn. This was a kind of loose frock reaching half way down the thighs, with large sleeves, open before, and so wide as to lap over a foot or more when belted. The cape was large and sometimes handsomely fringed with a raveled piece of cloth of a different color from that of the 'hunting shirt itself. The bosom of his dress served as a wallet to hold a. chunk of bread, cakes,_ jerk, tow for wiping the barrel of the rifle, or any other necessary for the hunter or warrior. The belt which was always tied behind answered several purposes besides that of holding the dress together. In cold weather the mittens and sometimes the bullet-bag, occupied the front part of it. To the right side was suspended the tomahawk, a.n.d to the left the scalping knife in its leathern sheath. "The hunting shirt was generally made of linsey, sometimes of coarse linen, and a few of dressed deer skins. These last were very cold and' uncomfortable in wet weather. The shirt and jacket were of the common fashion. A pair of drawers, or breeches, and leggins, were the dress of the thighs and legs ; a pair of moccasins answered for the feet much better than shoes. These were made of dressed deer skin. They were mostly made of a single piece, with a gathering seam along the top of the foot and another from the bottom of the heel, without gathers, as high .as the ankle joint or a little higher. Flaps were left on each side to reach some distance up the legs. These were nicely adapted to the ankle and lower part of the leg by thongs of deer skin, so that no dust, gravel or snow could get within the moccasin. "The moccasins in ordinary use cost but a few hours' labor to make them. This was done by an instrument denominated a 'moccasin awl, which was made of the back spring of an old, clasp knife. This awl, with its buck-horn handle, was an appendage of every shot pouch strap, together with a roll of buckskin for mending the moccasins. This was the labor of almost every evening. They were sewed together and patched with deer skin thongs, or whangs, as they were commonly called. "In cold weather the moccasins were well stuffed with deer's hair or dry leaves, so as to keep the feet comfortably warm; but in wet weather it was usually said that wearing them was "a decent way of going barefooted ;" and such was the fact, owing to the spongy texture of the leather of which they were made. "Owing to this defective covering of the feet, more than to any other circumstance, 210 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. the greater number of our hunters and warriors were afflicted with the rheumatism in their limbs. Of this disease they were all apprehensive in cold' or wet weather, and therefore always slept with their feet to the fire, to prevent or cure it as well as they could. The practice unquestionably had a very salutary effect, and prevented many of them from becoming confirmed cripples in early life. THE HOME OF THE PIONEER. "The fort consisted of cabins, blockhouses and stockades. A range of cabins commonly formed one side at least of the fort. Divisions, or partitions of logs, separated the cabins from each other. The walls on the outside were ten or twelve feet high the slope of the roof being turned wholly inward. A very few of these cabins had puncheon floors, the greater part were earthen. "The block-houses were built at the angles of the fort. They projected about two feet beyond the outer walls of the cabins and stockades. Their upper stories were about eighteen inches every way larger in dimension than the under one, leaving an opening at the commencement of the second story to prevent the enemy from making a lodgement under their walls. In some forts instead of block-houses the angles of the fort were finished with bastions. A large folding gate, made of thick slabs, nearest the spring, closed the fort. The stockade, bastions; cabins and block-house walls were furnished with port-holes at proper heights and distances. The whole of the outside was made completely bullet proof. It may be truly said that necessity is the mother of invention, for the whole of this work was made without the aid of a single nail or spike of iron, and for this reason, such things were not to be had. In some places, less exposed, a single 'blockhouse, with a cabin or two, constituted the whole fort. "For a long time after the first settlement of this country the inhabitants in general married young. There was no distinction of rank, and very little of fortune. On these accounts the first impression of love resulted in marriage; and a family. establishment cost but a little labor and nothing else. In the first year of the settlement of this country a wedding engaged the attention of a whole neighborhood, and -the frolic was anticipated by old and young with eager expectation.. This is not to be, wondered at when it is told that a wedding was almost the only gathering which was not accompanied with the labor of reaping, log-rolling, building a cabin or planning some scout or campaign. "In the morning of the wedding-day the grooni and' his attendants assembled at the house of his father, for the purpose of reaching the mansion of his bride by noon, which was the usual time for celebrating the nuptials, which for certain must take place before dinner. Let the reader imagine an assemblage of people, without a store, tailor or mantua maker within a hundred miles; and an assemblage of horses, without a blacksmith or saddler within an equal distance. The gentlemen dressed in shoe-packs, moccasins, leather breeches, leggings, limey hunting-shirts. and all home made. The ladies dressed in linsey petticoats and linsey or linen bed gowns, coarse shoes, stockings, handkerchiefs and buckskin gloves, if any. If there were any buckles, rings, buttons or ruffles they were the relics ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 211 of old times, family pieces from parents or grandparents. The horses were caparisoned with old saddles, old bridles, or halters, and pack-saddles, with a bag or blanket thrown over them; a rope or string as often constituted the girth as a piece of leather.   "The march, in double file was often interrupted by the narrowness' and obstrucamitions of our horse-paths as they were called, for we had no roads; and these difficulties were often increased, sometimes by the good and sometimes by the ill will of neighbors by falling trees and tying grape vines across the way. Sometimes an ambuscade was formed by the wayside, and. an .unexpected discharge of several guns took place, so as to cover the wedding company with smoke. Let the reader imagine the .scene which followed this discharge: the .sudden spring of the horses, the shrieks of, the girls and the chivalric bustle of their partners to save them from falling. Sometimes in spite of all that could be done to prevent it, some were thrown to the ground. If a wrist, elbow or ankle happened to be sprained it was tied with a handkerchief and little more was thought or said about it. "Another ceremony commonly took place before the party reached the house of the bride, after the practice of making whisky began, which was at an early period. When the party were about a mile from the place of the destination two young men would single out to run for the bottle. The worse the path, the more logs, brush and deep hollows, the better, as these obstacles afforded an opportunity for the greater display of intrepidity and horsemanship. The English fox chase, in point of danger to the riders and their horses, is nothing to this race for the bottle. The start Was announced by an Indian yell ; logs, brush, muddy hollows, hill and glen were speedily passed by the rival ponies. The bottle was always filled for the occasion, so that there was no use for judges ; for the first who reached the door was presented with the prize,' with which he returned in triumph to the company. "On approaching them he announced, his victory over his rival by a: shrill whoop. At the head of the troop he gave the bottle to the groom and his attendants, and then to each pair in succession to the rear of the line, giving each a: dram, and then putting the bottle in the bosom of his hunting-shirt, took his station in the company. "The ceremony of the marriage preceded the dinner, which was a substantial backwoods feast of beef, pork, fowls, and sometimes venison and bear meat, roasted and boiled, with plenty of potatoes, cabbage and other vegetables. During the dinner the greatest hilarity always prevailed, although the table might be a large Slab of timber, hewed out with a broadaxe, supported by four sticks set in auger holes, and the furniture some old pewter dishes and plates, the rest wooden bowls and trenchers ; a few pewter spoons, much battered about the edges, were to be seen at some tables. The rest were made of horns. If knives were scarce the deficiency was made up by the scalping knives which were carried in sheaths suspended to the belt of the hunting-shirt. "After dinner the dancing commenced, and generally lasted till the next morning. The figure's of the dances were three and four-handed reels, or square sets, and jigs. The commencement was always a square four, which was: followed by what is called jigging it off ; that is, two of, the four would single out for a. jig; and were followed by 212 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. the remaining couple. The jigs were often accompanied with what was called cutting out; that is, when either of the parties became tired of the dance, on intimation, the place was supplied by some one of the company, without any interruption of the dance. In this way a dance was often continued till the musician was heartily tired of his situation. Toward the latter part of the night, if any of the company, through weariness, attempted to conceal themselves, for the purpose of sleeping, they were hunted up, paraded on the floor and the fiddler ordered to play "Hang on till tomorrow morning." THE STEALING OF THE BRIDE. "About nine or ten o'clock a deputation of the young ladies stole off the bride and put her to bed. In doing this, it frequently happened that they had to ascend a ladder instead of a pair of stairs, leading from the dining and ball room to the loft, the floor of which was made of clapboards, lying loose and without nails. This ascent, one Might think, would put the bride and her attendants to blush, but as the foot of the ladder was commonly behind the door, which was purposely opened for the occasion, and its rounds at the inner ends were well hung with hunting shirts, petticoats and other articles of clothing, the candles being on the opposite side of the house, the exit of the bride was noticed but by few. THE STEALING OF THE GROOM. "This done, a deputation of young men in like manner stole off the groom, and placed him snugly by the side of his bride. The dance still continued, and if seats happened to be scarce, which was often the case, every young man, when not engaged in' the dance, was obliged to offer his lap (tas seat for one of the girls, and. the offer was sure to be accepted. "In the midst of this hilarity the bride and groom were not forgotten. Pretty late in the night some one would remind the company that the new couple must stand in need of some refreshment; black betty, which was the name 'of the bottle, was called for, and sent up the ladder, but sometimes black betty did not go alone. I have many times seen as much bread, beef, pork and cabbage sent along with her, as would afford a good meal for half a dozen hungry Men. The young couple were compelled' to eat and drink, more or less, of whatever was offered them. It often happened' that some neighbors or relatives, not being asked to the wedding, took offense, and the mode of revenge adopted' by them on such occasions was that of cutting off the manes, foretops and tails of the horses of the wedding company. SETTLING THEM IN LIFE. "I will proceed to state the usual manner of settling. a young couple in the world.. A spot was selected on a piece of land of one of the parents for their habitation. A day was appointed, shortly after their marriage, for commencing the work of building their cabin. The fatigue party consisted of choppers, whose business it was to fell the trees and cut them off at proper lengths ; a. man with a team for hauling them to the place and arranging them, properly assorted, at the sides. and ends of the building; a carpenter, if such he might be called, whose business it was to search the woods. for a proper tree for making clapboards for the ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 213 roof. The tree for this purpose might be straight grained and from three to four feet in diameter. The boards were split four feet long, with a large frow, and as wide as the timber would allow. They were used without planing or shaving. Another division was employed in getting puncheons for the floor of the cabin; this was done by splitting trees about eighteen inches in diameter and hewing the faces of them with a broadaxe. They were half the. length of the floor they were intended to make. THE BUILDING OF THE CABIN. "The materials for the cabin were mostly prepared on the first day, and sometimes the foundation laid in the evening. The second day was allotted for the raising. The first thing to be done was the election of four corner men, whose business it was to notch and place the logs. The rest of the company furnished them with the timbers. In the meantime the boards and puncheons were collecting for the floor and roof, so that by the time the cabin was a few rounds high the sleepers and floor began to be laid. The door was made by sawing or cutting the logs in one side, so as to make an opening about three feet wide. This opening was secured by upright pieces of timber, about three inches thick, through which holes were bored into the ends of the logs, for the purpose of pinning them fast. A similar opening, but wider, was made at the end for the chimney. This was built of logs, and made large to admit of a back and jambs of stone. At the square, two end logs projected a foot or eighteen inches beyond the wall, to receive the bunting poles, as they were called, against which the ends of the first row of clapboards were supported. The roof was formed by making the end logs shorter until a single log formed the comb of the roof ; on these logs the clapboards were placed, the ranges of them lapping some distance over those next below them, and kept in their places by logs placed at proper distances upon them. "The roof, and sometimes the floor, were finished on the same day of the raising. A third day was commonly spent by a few carpenters in leveling off the floor, making a clapboard door and a table. This last was made of a split slab and supported by four round logs set in auger holes. Some three legged stools were made in the same manner. Some pins stuck in the logs at the back of the house supported some clapboards, which served for shelves for the table furniture. A single fork, placed with its -lower end in a hole in the floor and the upper end fastened to a joist, served for a bedstead, by placing a pole in the fork with one end through a crack between the logs of the wall. This front pole was crossed by a shorter one within the fork, with its outer end through another crack. From the front pole, through a crack between the logs of the end of the house, the boards were put on which formed the bottom of the bed. Sometimes other poles were pinned to the fork a little distance above these, for the purpose of supporting the front and foot of the bed, while the walls were the supports of its back and head. A few pegs around the wall for the display of the coats of the women and hunting shirts of the men, and two small forks or buckhorns to a joist for the rifle and shotpouch, completed the carpenter work. "In the meantime masons were at work. With the hard pieces of timber of which 214 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. the clapboards were made, they made billets for chunking up the cracks between the logs of the cabin and chimney—a large bed of mortar was made for daubing up those cracks; a few stones formed the back and jambs of the' chimney. "The cabin being finished, the ceremony of house-warming took place, before the young people were permitted, to move into it. The house-warming was a dance of a whole night's continuance made up of the relations of the bride and groom, and their neighbors. On the day following the young couple took possession of their new mansion. "At house raisings, log rollings and harvest parties every one was expected to do his duty faithfully. A person who did not perform a share of labor on these occasions was designated by the epithet of 'Lawrence,' or some other title still more opprobrious; and when it came his turn to require the like aid from his neighbors, the idler soon felt his punishment in their refusal to attend to his calls. "Although there was no legal compulsion to the performance of military duty, yet every man of full age and size was examipected to do his full share of public service. If he did not do so he was 'hated out as a coward.' Even the want of any article of war equipments, such as ammunition, a sharp flint, a priming wire, a scalping knife or a tomahawk, was thought highly disgraceful. A man who without a reasonable cause failed to go on a scout or a campaign when it came to his turn, met with an expression of indignation in the countenances of all his neighbors, and epithets of dishonor were fastened upon him without mercy. "Debts, which make such an uproar in civilized life, were but little known among our forefathers at the early settlement of this country. After the depreciation of the continental paper they had no money of any kind; everything purchased was paid for in produce or labor. A good cow and calf was often the price of a bushel of alum salt. If the contract was not punctually fulfilled the credit of the delinquent was at an end. "Any petty theft \vas punished with all the infamy that could be heaped on the offender. A man on a campaign stole from his comrade a cake out of the ashes, in which it was baking; he was immediately named 'The bread rounds.' This epithet of reproach was bandied about in this way : When he came in sight of a group of men, one of them would call 'Who comes there?' Another would answer, 'The bread rounds.' If any one meant to be more serious about the matter he would call out, 'Who stole the cake out of the ashes?' Anamiother replied, by giving the name of the man in full; to this a third would give confirmation by exclaiming, 'That is true and no lie.' This kind of 'tongue-lashing' he was doomed to bear for the rest of the campaign, as well as for years after his return home. "If a theft was detected in any of the frontier settlements a summary mode of punishment was always resorted to. The first settlers, as 'far as I knew of them, had a kind of innate or hereditary detestation of the crime of theft, in any shape or degree, and their maxim was that 'a thief must be whipped.' If the theft was something of value, a kind of jury of the neighborhood, after hearing the testimony, would condemn the culprit to Moses' Law, that is, to forty stripes, save ope. If the theft ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 215 was of some small article, the offender was doomed to carry on his back the flag of the United States, which then consisted of thirteen stripes. In either case, some able hands were selected to execute the -sentence, so that the stripes were sure to be well laid on. This punishment was followed by a sentence of exile. He was then informed that he must decamp in so many days, and be seen no more on penalty of having the number of his stripes doubled. "If a woman was given to tattling and slandering her neighbors, she was furnished by common consent with a kind of patent right to say whatever she pleased without being believed. Her tongue was then said to be harmless or to be no scandal. "With all their rudeness these people were given to hospitality, and freely divided their rough fare with a neighbor or stranger, and would have been offended at the offer of pay. In their settlements and forts they lived, they worked, they fought and feasted, or suffered together in cordial harmony. They were warm and constant in their friendships. On the other hand they were revengeful in their resentments ; the point of honor, sometimes led to Personal combats. If one man called another a liar, he was considered as having given a challenge which the person who received it must accept or be deemed a coward; the charge was generally answered, on the spot with .a blow. If the injured person was decidedly unable to fight the aggressor, he must get a friend to do it for him. The same thing took place on a charge of cowardice, or any other dishonorable action, a battle must follow, and the person who made the charge must fight either the; person against whom he made the charge, or any champion who chose to espouse his cause. Thus circumstanced, our people in early times were much more cautious of speaking evil of their neighbors than they are at present. "Sometimes pitched battles occurred, in which time, place and seconds were appointed beforehand. I remember having seen one of those pitched battles in my father's fort, when a boy. One of the young men knew very well beforehand that he should get the worst of the battle, and no doubt repented the engagement to fight, but there was no getting over it. The point of honor demanded the risk of battle. He got his whipping; then they shook hands and were good friends afterward. The mode of single combats in those days was dangerous in the extreme; although no weapons were used, fists, teeth and feet were employed at will ; but above all, the detestable practice of gouging, by which eyes were sometimes put out, rendered this mode of fighting frightful, indeed; it was not, however, so destructive as the stiletto of an Italian, the knife of a Spaniard, the small sword of a Frenchman, or the pistol of an American or English duelist. THE KEY TO CIVILIZATION. "The ministry of the gospel has contributed, no doubt, immensely to the happy change which has been effected in the state of our western society. At an early period of our settlements, three Presbyterian clergymen commenced their clerical labors in our infant settlements. They were pious, patient, laborious men, who collected their people into regular congregations, and did all for them that their circumstances would allow, It was no disparagement to them that their first churches were the shady 216 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. groves, and their first pulpits a kind of tent, constructed of a few rough slabs, covered with clapboards. 'He who dwelleth not exclusively in temples made with hands,' was propitious to their devotions. From the outset they prudently resolved to create a ministry in the country, and accordingly established little grammar schools at their own houses or in their immediate neighborhoods. The course of education which they gave their pupils was indeed, not extensive but the piety of those who entered into the ministry more than made up the deficiency." RECOLLECTIONS OF SYLVESTER STRONG. In the year 1807 I was two years old and came to Jamestown with my grandfather. We lived on the old Maysville and Urbana road, one-half mile from the present site of Jamestown. On the south side of us, at Bowersville, lived a gentleman by the name of Hussey. His descendants are now living in that neighborhood. Harkness Turner settled One. mile from the town on General Posey's survey. Martin Mendenhall was proprietor of Jamestown; he owned the south side of the town, having one hundred and fifty acres of land. The north side of the town was owned by Thomas Browder, who came from old Jamestown, Virginia, which was the first white settlement in the United States. Jamestown, Ohio, was named after this town. John. Campbell .came in the same year, and settled where Tod. Sheley now resides. Two miles north of Jamestown, the same fall, Isaiah Sutton settled. North of him. settled "Granddaddy" Paullin. "All of the Paullins of Ross township are descendants and live on the land he settled. These men were our neighbors, and when a house was raised people would come for miles around to help. John Sheley and family were neighbors and friends of Washington ; they came here from Virginia in 1807 and settled on land one-half mile below town. The Sheley family living here now are his descendants. Mr. Sheley and wife lived to be near one -hundred years old. Noah Strong, my grandfather, hauled the logs to build the first house that was built in Xenia. Some of the logs were 'buckeye wood, and were hauled by old Buck and Brandy, the yoke of oxen brought from Vermont. The house was afterward used as a tavern and kept by Major William A. Beatty. The first person buried here was my little brother, Bushrod, who lies in the present Jamestown cemetery. The second person buried was a colored woman brought from Virginia by Thomas Browder. Iii 1814, on the 14th and 15th days of March, my grandfather and grandmother died of the "cold plague," which was then prevailing in the neighborhood. Within ten days, Uriah Paullin, Harkness Turner, Mr. Hussey and the Baptist minister's wife all died of the same dread disease. Reuben Strong was the first justice in Caesarscreek township. I think Peter Price was the first in this township. The town of Jamestown was surveyed in 1815, by Thomas P. Moorman and Mr. Thomas, the Clinton county surveyor. The first house raised was the present Parker Hotel property, which was used as a tavern by Thomas Watson. The next house was built by Dr. Matthias Winans, who used it as a store. He was the first physician of the town, and was the father of the late Judge James A. Winans, of Xenia. The next tavern keeper was Zina Adams, the father of the Adams boys ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 217 now living here. The first Fourth of July celebration was held at this tavern in 1830. Seven old soldiers of the Revolutionary war were present. Among them was a -man named Allen, a relative of Ethan Allen of Revolutionary fame. His descendants now live at Allentown, Fayette county. Others present were Robert Snodgrass, Asa Reeves and Samuel Webb; the last named was present at the surrender of Cornwallis and saw that general hand his sword to General Washington. The names of the other three I do not recollect. We got two mails a week; they were brought by a post boy, who carried the mails from Xenia to Washington. When he got within a mile of town he would blow his horn, which brought the people together. A tan yard was started by John Miller and William Sterritt in 181o. In 1812, on the 8th of January, the battle of Lunday's Lane was fought in Canada over two hundred miles away. When the battle was fought old Martin Mendenhall, who was lying on the ground, heard the cannon roar of the battle. He was a great hunter and killed more deer and found more wild honey than any other man. In 1812-1813 and 1814 the Shawnees, a friendly tribe of Indians, camped around here. I often visited their camp and traded corn dodgers for venison ham. We baked our bread in an oven on the coals. An old chief named Chieske, who was too old to be a warrior, lived with us and from him. I learned to talk Indian. The first meeting house was built at the forks of the road, two and one-half miles south of town. It was a Baptist church. The first pastor was William Sutton. The first hatter in town was Culies. The first tailor was Ephram Munthaw, a German. JAMES SNODGRASS, A SOLDIER OF 1812. Silvercreek lost an estimable old citizen in the death of James Snodgrass. He was aged eighty-seven years, seventy-nine of which were spent in Greene county. He served' as a soldier in the war of 1812. He knew Springfield, Ohio, when three log houses .comprised what is now one of the most flourishing cities in Ohio. He served five years in the army in the war of 1812, was mustered out of the service at Green Bay, Wisconsin, from which place he walked to his home in this place in 1819. He served under Captain Taylor, as he was wont to call him, who was the great soldier president, Zachary Taylor.. He was in what is now known as the great city of Chicago when there was but one log tavern there and the garrison of the United States army, and was offered an acre of land anywhere he wished to select it for doing the work of erecting a house and for every house lie would build. But he was anxious to get home, where he had not been for years. He died in May, 1882, and is buried at Jamestown, Ohio. INTERVIEW WITH JOHN MILLS IN 1879, By John. Cisco. John Mills was born in Mason, now Fleming county, Kentucky, in 1794. In April of the year 1796 his father, Jacob Mills, in company with John Wilson and his three sons, Daniel, George and Amos, emigrated to what was then the Northwestern Territory, settling in what is now the southwest corner of Greene, the north of Warren, and the southeast corner of Montgomery counties. Mr. John Wilson 218 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY having purchased a half section of land in Greene county, his sons, George, and Amos, a quarter section each in the same, while Daniel had as quarter section in Montgomery, and Mr. Mills had a, quarter section in Warren county, all adjoining. Upon surveying Mr. Mills was given all the surplus land in his section making his purchase two hundred acres. instead of one hundred and sixty. This party of sturdy pioneers Came first to their purchase by themselves to set things in shape for living, leaving their families behind in old Kentucky. They did some little clearing, but not much, as the land was densely timbered and stubborn to yield to cultivation, planting some corn, beans, pumpkins, etc., built a small cabin on the lands of John Wilson, which was the first one built by civilized men: in Greene county. 'They then returned for their families, crossing the Ohio river with them at Fort Washington, now Cincinnati, and moved out over the road made by General Anthony Wayne the year before (1795), when he was in command of the soldiers of this section, engaged in the last Indian war that ever occurred here. Their families and effects were conveyed in one wagon drawn by an ox team, and on arrival all five families moved into one little cabin, while other houses were built by the joint labor of the men. The Wilsons were the first settlers of Greene county, and Jacob Mills the first this side of Lebanon, Warren county. At or near Lebanon, Ichabod Corwin, father of Torn Corwin, "The old man eloquent," had settled the year before. The part of the county where the Wilsons had settled was called the "Wilson settlement" for many years. And John Wilson was one of the sturdy men of sense who had framed Ohio's first constitution. The Wilsons and Jacob Mills took hold of the difficulties that confronted them with strong hands; and brave hearts. They were upon ground and near good water, but in the heart of a dense forest, where giant timber resisted their effort to an extent almost beyond endurance, and they must have failed to conquer had they been compelled to depend on the soil alone for subsistence, so long was it before they made clearings enough to sustain them, but the country thereabouts was full of game of all kinds, such as deer, wild turkeys, etc., that could be killed at their very doors, thus furnishing them their meat, and that of most nourishing character. And so they were enabled to clear up and establish humble yet comfortable homes, where now are beautiful farms under perfect cultivation. In the following spring John Vance, father of Joseph C. Vance, to whom Mr. Mills went to school, settled where Bellbrook now is, and shortly afterward Owen Davis, General Benjamin Whitman and Colonel Maxwell and John Paul settled on Beaver creek, where Harbine's Station now is, and where Owen Davis built the first mill ever built in Greene County, near the site of the present one. Shortly after this another settlement was made a short distance above Owen. Davis' mill, on Little Beaver creek, by John Webb and John Kiser; John Webb being the grandfather of Mr. Mills. In 1805 Owen Davis .sold his mill to Jacob Smith and moved to where Clifton now is and built the first mill there on the site east of the present one. In those days the mills only ran two or three days in the week, as there was not grain enough raised in the country to supply them, notwithstanding men came forty or fifty miles to the Clifton mills. Mr. Davis often started up and ground ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 219. grists on the Sabbath day for those who came a long distance. At one time his religious neighbors protested and threatened Mr. Davis with prosecution, at which he told them that if they took any steps in that direction or made any more such threats he would not grind another grain for them. This settled the question; there was nothing more said. The absence of meal or flour from their homes was a more potent influence than their compunctions of conscience. In 1809 Mr. Mills moved his family from Warren to Greene county, again settling in the woods, near the present site of Clifton. John Mills was at that time about fifteen years of age. Here the father and his three sons, Jacob, Daniel and Thomas, again went to work and cleared a farm, en. during the hardships and exposure attendant on such a life with patience and cheerfulness. They were often in company with the Indians who inhabited the county or came here on hunting excursions. Wolves, deer and other wild animals were plentiful in the vicinity, but neighbors scarce. Jacob Mills was elected major of a militia regiment while he lived in Warren county, it being the first ever organized in the state. He Was elected justice of the peace in Miami township, and served in that capacity for nine years, during which time he married more people than any justice in this part of the state. He lived to be eighty years of age and died in 1850. His wife, Mary Mills, survived him nine years, being eighty-nine years of age when she passed away. In the fall of 1809 young John Mills came for the first time to Xenia to attend singing school taught by David Wilson, Daniel Wilson's oldest son, held in the court house, then bright and new, replaced by one which was torn down this year ( Iw0). The young ladies in attendance were mostly attired in homespun dresses, but part of them. wore calico, which cost more per yard than summer silks do now. There were at that time not more than twenty-five or thirty houses in Xenia!, all log but one frame dwelling and the court house, which was brick. In front of where used to be the Second National Bank there was a pond, in which the geese and ducks were swimming and the hogs wallowing. Opposite the court house Major Beatty was keeping tavern in a hewed-log house. Up Main street, where Trinity church now stands, Mr. Henry Barnes, grandfather of the Barnes boys now living in Xenia, had built him a log house in the woods. At a later period of the year Mr. Mills was in Xenia and saw a man selling cider in front of the court house for twelve and one-half cents per quart. He had a fire built on one side of a stump then standing in the street. As the cider was so cold that no one could drink it, he would draw a quart and put a round, hot iron in it, which he kept heated for the purpose, so as to make the cider palatable. The first court held in Greene county was in a log cabin occupied by Peter Borders for a tavern, situated near where Harbine's Station now is. The court was composed of Francis Dunlavey, president; William Maxwell, Benjamin Whiteman and James Barrett, associate judges.. At the meeting of this court Peter Borders obtained license to keep tavern, as it was then called, but it 'meant to sell whiskey, which he did in the same room where the court was held. Thus the first court room was the first whiskey saloon in Greene county. History says this term of court was in session three days, the records showing that about 220 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. all the business .transacted was the licensing of Peter Borders, Archibald Lowry and Griffith Foose to keep tavern, Peter Borders paying four dollars for the privilege. Mr. Mills remembers that the court and the whiskey got mixed up and that there was a general melee, in which all hands took part in the old fashioned way. This may explain Why there were but three days' session, a point in which history is silent. There were but two sessions of the court held at Peter Borders'. Afterward Xenia was made the county seat, having to contend for it with a little town called Pinkney, that had sprung up near the present site of Treibine's Mills with the hope of being made the county seat. There is not one timber left upon another of this once pretentious little town. Mr. Mills saw it when there were some three or four buildings standing, though they were then roofless, windowless and of course tenantless, the lonely and decaying monument of disappointed ambition. Mr. Mills was not in Xenia from 1810 until 1812, at which time there were some soldiers stationed here. He describes the town as having grown wonderfully during that time; frame houses had gone up, and nice stores started, among which was the store of James and Samuel Gowdy and everywhere money was plenty. "It was such a time as we had during our late war ; but, Oh, look out for the hard times that followed," said Mr. Mills. Men talk about hard times now, but they don't know anything about it. Then the very highest price for labor was from fifty to seventy-five cents per day, and could not be obtained at that by a great many, while everything you bought was from ten to twenty times higher than now. The material of the shirt in which Mr. Mills was married cost one dollar per yard and was not so fine as the one which he had on when we talked with him, the material of which cost him but nine cents per yard. Salt having to be hauled from) Cincinnati, three or four barrels making as much as four horses could pull over the new roads, was four dollars per barrel, calico from sixty-two cents to one dollar per yard, coffee fifty cents per pound, tea three dollars per pound, and sugar thirty-two cents per pound. Mr. Mills was married in Clifton, in 1816, to Mrs. Elizabeth Stevenson, the daughter of William Stevenson, a Kentuckian, who was a cousin to the father of Colonel Robert Stevenson., Mr. Mills remained about his father's farm, working and doing what became necessary until 182o, when he moved to some land he had bought in Fayette county, just over the line from Greene. He first went there with two or three mien to assist in building a cabin and getting things ready for his family. They went into the woods, two miles from any habitation and camped out, doing their own cooking and washing until the cabin was completed. In February, that year, he took 'his family, consisting of his wife and three children, to their new home. They moved on sleds, the snow. being about two feet deep. The next day after their arrival, while at dinner, a large flock of wild turkeys walked. up to their door and Mr. Mills took down his gun and killed a very large gobbler. The woods around the cabin abounded with game of all kinds. An occasional bear made its way into the vicinity, and wolves could be heard howling at all hours of the night in the winter season, and now and then a human-like scream of a panther wailing dismally through 'the forests. Wolves sometimes approached within a hundred yards of the cabin after lambs ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 221 in daylight. Mr. Mills lived on this farm fifty-five years. During this time he and his wife reared a family of nine children to be married, the youngest child being the wife of T. J. Lucas. They had twelve children, three of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Mills died, in 1875 at the age of eighty-one years. After her death Mr. Mills sold the farm and moved near Jamestown, Ohio, making his home with his son-in-law, Mr. A. W. Bryan. PAYTON MOORMAN Died in Xenia, Ohio, March 5, 1861, aged eighty years. Buried in Woodland cemetery, Xenia, Ohio. Few persons perhaps are so peculiarly constituted as not to ,relish pleasing anecdotes of those good old persons who have preceded us. In order to interest and amuse those of a later date, we would refer them to a couple of very eccentric individuals, who in the early history of Greene county were somewhat famous on account of their eccentricity. One of these gentlemen we will be pleased to introduce to our readers is the venerable Payton Moorman, of whom perhaps it will be recollected by some now living that he died in the city of Xenia. A great many funny anecdotes have from time to time been related of him. He had an old ox cart, "once upon a time," with a box bed of his own manufacture, which he called his buggy. He would attach his oxen to his buggy, and he and his good old lady (who was just as eccentric as himself) would mount in and ride to church, or to a neighbor's house to pay a friendly visit. On one occasion they had been out on a friendly call, or visit, and were returning home when a "ghost" arose immediately before the, oxen in the road. They became terribly frightened and in spite of all that Payton (who was walking) could do the oxen ran away with "Becca," his good wife, in the buggy, sweeping fences and everything that came in the way. Becca barely escaped with her life. The "ghost" which caused the stampede was some mischievous fellow wrapped in a sheet. Suffice to say the "buggy" bed was somewhat defaced by the ,intervention of fence rails, and brush. On one occasion Mr. Moorman was out paying a visit with "Bally," his old mare, and by some means altogether unperceived by the old gentleman some evil Minded fellow had, while he was preparing to start, succeeded in adjusting a brick bat under the saddle. The old man mounted to go, but he had no tine for the interchange of compliments, "Bally" starting off like a locomotive, rearing and pitching, the old gentleman "whoa, whoa, at every bound." On another occasion still, some fellow came (it being nightfall) and attached "Bally's" tail to a log of the stable. The next 'morning when the old gentleman gave "Bally" her breakfast in the trough she refused to approach it, whereupon the ,old gentleman became angered at the poor old mare and fell to whipping her, remarking "Bally, I will make thee walk up to the trough and eat thy corn," and gave the old mare several licks before he discovered his mistake. WILLIAM SANDERS. William Sanders was born in North Carolina, and married Elizabeth Lynders. They came to Greene county, Ohio, in 1801, and located first in Sugarcreek township, where they resided about two years, 222 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. when Ebenezer Thomas offered to trade a farm of sixty acres, situated in sight of the present town of Jamestown, for a horse. The exchange was made, and in 1803 he removed to the said farm, where he lived the remainder of his life, dying July 3, 1864, at the ripe old age of eighty-five years, and is buried in the Baptist church yard southwest of Jamestown.. His youngest son, Moses, is still (1899) a resident of Silver Creek township, residing on part of the old farm, with many acres ,more added to it. Some one writing for "The Torchlight" November 26, 1873, giving pen pictures of some of the old pioneers of Silvercreek, relates the following of Uncle Billy Sanders "Mr. Sanders once purchased a clock (a wall sweeper) from Thomas Bryan, a .clock peddler, and remarked at the time that he did not know much about clocks, but that `Betty,' his wife, knew all about clocks. The clock was carried into the house and laid upon its pack prior to putting it up, and while remaining in that position 'Betty' came around and accosted her husband with 'Billy, Billy, is it going?' Mr. Bryan put the clock up, which, being done, he next directed that in order to facilitate the running of the clock an apamiplication of tar be Made to the machinery thereof. Accordingly 'Billy' ordered his :son, Jack, to take some tar and get up into the loft and pour it down into the clock ; he ,did so and of course it ran. "The old gentleman was fond of imitating the conduct of others. He had on a certain occasion dined with one of his neighbors, and fried beans were served. Billy thought that this was the most delicious mess he ever ate. On day he had a log rolling, and 'he told 'Betty' that she must have fried beans for dinner. Accordingly when dinner time came `Betty' served up the beans, but they were so hard that he could not masticate them.; whereupon the old gentleman exclaimed, 'Betty, your beans are not done,' to which she responded, `the more I fried them the harder they got.' She had fried the beans without previously boiling them. "The old gentleman was perhaps one of the most eccentric men of his time. His custom made him more so. He wore very plain clothes consisting of the old fashioned round-about and, pantaloons the latter extending downward to a point about midway between the knee and ankle, and 'his feet clad with shoes. Some few people in Greene county may still remember Uncle Billy Sanders. Peace to his ashes." EDWARD WARREN, A SOLDIER OF THE REVOLUTION. His name appears first as a, resident of Greene county, Ohio; in the enumeration that was taken of Silver Creek township for the year 1813. On the 26th day of October, 1820, personally appeared in open court (it being a court of record) Edward Warren, aged seventy-one years being duly sworn, doth on his oath declare, "I served as a private soldier in the company commanded by Captain John Holladay, in the First Regiment of foot from the state of Pennsylvania, commanded by Colonel James Chambers in the service of the United States, and I am the same Edward Warren, that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 18th of March, 1848, ,late a private in the army of the Revolution, and inscribed on the pension roll of the Ohio agency, at the rate of eight ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY - 223 dollars per month, to commence on the 5th of October, 1819." He was at the time of making this application seventy-one years .old, and was a cripple in the left hand by reason Of a wound received by a ball in the battle of White Plains, ,in the state of New York. He also says that he is debilitated in body by reason of old age, not able to work, in consequence of the wound in his left hand and' old age. His wife,' Susanna, -died, and he had two children living with him at this time, one son, Samuel, who was sixteen years of age, and his daughter, Lydia, aged nine years. His son, Samuel, was sickly and not able to do much. work. Mr. Warren says that he served sixteen Months in the Revolutionary war, and was discharged in consequence of the wound in his left hand as above stated. JOHN GORDON. John Gordon was born near Salem, Virginia, on the 15th day of February, 1802, and (lied in Ross township, Greene county, Ohio, on the 15th. of February, 1880, and was buried in the .cemetery east of Grapegrove, Ross township. His father, Richard Gordon, was born in Buckingham county, Virginia, December 12, 1774, two years before the declaration of independence was declared. His grandfather, Giles Gordon, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and participated in one of the hardest fought battles of that war in Virginia. About the close of the war, his wife (John's grandmother) stated that in her back yard where she was standing she heard the booming of the cannon, when the battle was raging at the same time, knowing that her husband was at that time engaged in that deadly combat. After the battle was over and his grandfather came home, he related that it was dreadful, the dead and dying were everywhere, and had they been gathered and scattered over a ten-acre field he could have walked over them without touching the ground. His grandfather moved to Rockingham county, Virginia, when John's father was about ten years old, and was overseer for his brother Robert for some time. From there he moved to Campbell county, where they resided until John's father was twenty-one years ,old. John's father, Richard, was a resident when Salem, Virginia, was laid out as a town, and built the first house in the place. He was married to Miss Anna Garst, near Salem, January 15, 1801. John was born two miles from this place on Harrison creek, his Mother not yet seventeen years old when he was born; his brothers, James and William, were also born there. In the fall of 1805 John's father removed to Highland county, Ohio, crossed the river where Maysville, Kentucky, is now located and settled on White Oak creek, ten miles from Hillsboro, where he resided for two, years., and there his brother Andrew was born in the fall of 1806. In the fall of 1807 John's father sold his land in Highland county, Ohio, and started back to old Virginia, and after a long and tiresome journey they reached the home of John's grandfather in Botetourt county. There again John's father settled on Mason's creek, not far from. Salem, John's birthplace, where they continued to reside for about nine years, or up to 1816: October 7, 1816, his father, after trying hard to make a living, became discouraged at the result of trying to raise his family on rented land, and at the above date again 224 - ROBINSON'S HISTORY OF GREENS COUNTY. started back to Ohio, and after a long and tiresome journey, arrived at the mouth of Licking river, crossed over and again became a "Yuckeye, from there toy Hamilton and Dayton, and from there to a place two miles west of Springfield, Ohio where they arrived at the house of Creston Frantz, an uncle of John's mother, on the 12th of November, 1816. At this time there were twelve of the family, John and his wife and ten children, John being the eldest and in his fifteenth year. They rented a, house of Daniel Frantz for a year, and while living in this temporary home his father heard of a farm four miles from Springfield which after a good deal of traveling he secured, and January 10, 1817, commenced work on the same. Snow fell that winter fourteen inches deep. He continued' to work, and in the fall of that year had erected a house of hewn logs two stories high, twenty-one by twenty-six feet, with one door and one window. John continued to live here with his father until about the year 1822, he then being twenty-one years old, he began to think of doing for himself. He had been having pretty good times socially and had' been "smitten" with the charms of a. pretty young lases, the youngest daughter of Jacob Wagoner, living in the neighborhood. She at the time was the "belle" of that vicinity, and as both families were well pleased, so was Mary, and John continued to pay his respects to her for about two years, and finally, April 1, 1824, they were married. They went to housekeeping pn his father's farm, where he continued for two years, when an opportunity vas offered and he became the owner of forty acres of his own. He immediately went to work and put up his cabin and moved into it soon afterwards. He added to it twenty acres mp're, so lie had a farm of sixty acres, but in the winter of 1833 lie began to think he must have more land. His brother Andrew was married and located in Ross township, Greene county, Ohio. In February, 1833, he went down to see his brother Andrew, and they went out to see a tract of land which was for sale, and each purchased one hundred and' eighty-three acres. He then went back home, sold his sixty acres to his father and commenced work on his purchase in Greene county. In the month of October, having a't that time five children, lie removed to his farm, where he continued to live until his death. Mr. Gordon said that the first time he saw Springfield was in the fall of 1816, there being at that time but three brick buildings, small in size, in the place. It was then in Champaign county, Urbana being the county seat. In the fall of 1817 Clark county was organized, taken from the adjoining counties of Greene, Champaign and Madison, and Springfield became the county seat of Clark county. Saul Hinkle, a Methodist preacher, was the first clerk of the courts' 'of Clark county, and held the office as long as lie lived. LANCELOT JUNKIN Was born in Kentucky on the 11th day of January, 1806, and was seventy-seven years old at the time of his death. He took part in educating a great number of citizens in this county, and he should not be allowed to puss away without some notice. His grandparents and uncles were of the colony that left Kentucky on account of slavery, and settled in this county, thus estab-