150 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY reside in Athens. His work, therefore, could not have been so effective as it otherwise would have been. Mr. Doig, in the fall of '51, was taken ill, and remained so during the entire year. This, together with the death of his partner, induced him to resign, after having held a last communion with his people. Rev. Samuel Patton was the next pastor. He was ordained and installed December, 1853. His relations with the people are said to have been pleasant, although he was not here long enough for his labors to be deeply impressed on the minds of the people, or to gain a lasting place in their memories and hearts. Two causes may have led to his early removal. He married in the congregation, and possibly imagined that what is true of a prophet is also true of his wife. He had preached at Detroit before settling at Cadiz, and the people there desiring his return, he accepted their call, and was released July 12th, 1854. His pastorate lasted only a little over six months. He labored but a short time in Detroit, when the Master called him home to an early reward. For about two years the congregation depended on supplies, and but few records were kept to show either its spiritual or financial condition. Mr. J. S. McCready was ordained and installed as pastor, August 7th, 1856. He soon gained a deep hold on the affections of his people. He was kind and unobstrusive in his manners, courteous in his bearing, yet firm as a rock in his convictions. His preaching largely partook of these characteristics, and was of a kind to set forth the truth in both its attractiveness and strength. He had early imbibed an abhorrence of oppression, and showed by his conduct the sincerity of his faith. The religious instruction of the colored children of Cadiz had been neglected. He organized, and during his ministry superintended, their Sabbath School. The Universalists had for some years gained a foot-hold in Cadiz. In 1857 Mr. McCready was challenged to discuss the question by an able debater named Emmet, who had often been engaged in discussions of this kind. The debate began Tuesday morning, and closed Friday evening. A writer who was familiar with the debate, says: "The truth was not only vindicated, but rendered triumphant. The Universalists were repelled, routed, and overcome." They have not had a single sermon in Cadiz since. Meantime, the two churches, whose separate history we have been tracing, were growing more closely together. Unkind words and acts had been hidden away under the sacred mantle of charity. It was even hinted that the churches were already one—one in worship and in heart, and so nearly one in faith that but few were able to tell the difference between them. There were over-cautious ones who deprecated union, over-timid ones who deplored it. God's time had come. The two streams were to flow in one, and to be so commingled that the separate source of either could not be traced. The Associate Synod was meeting in Pittsburgh, and the Associate Reformed in Allegheny City, on the 26th of May, 1858. The vote on union had carried in the Union Synod. Great EARLY CHURCHES OF CADIZ - 151 anxiety was felt about the result in the Seceder Synod. It was also carried there. The union was complete. A few discontented spirits still sought to maintain the Associate Church, but they had not the force of head or heart of a Marshall or a Clarkson, and no recruits could now come from over the water. Their numbers, small at first, are now less than 1,200. The United Presbyterian Church, pledged to maintain the truth and forbear in love, continued to bear forward the history of the illustrious ones whose bans had been proclaimed. This cause in Cadiz found itself now with two congregations, two, houses of worship, and one pastor, Rev. Forsythe having resigned. A basis of union between the two congregations was agreed upon. Each congregation was to choose three of its members, who were to constitute the Board of Trustees. The church was to be called the "First United Presbyterian Congregation of Cadiz." The trustees of the Associate congregation were to transfer all their property to the new Board. The United Church was to occupy the brick house, and the pews in it were to be forever free. Each congregation was to have an equal number of elders. The United Congregation was to meet on the last Saturday of March to ask for the moderation of a call. These conditions were signed by Andrew Jamison and John McFadden, on the part of the Union Church, February 20th, 1859, and by Martin Wilson and John Carnahan, on the part of the Seceder Church, February 26, 1859. In accordance with these propositions, the Seceder church building was sold to Eliza Hatcher for $1,400, an the congregation worshipped in the old Union Church. The elders of the Seceder Church were Alexander Haverfield, William Miller, John Carnahan, Daniel Mitchell, and Thomas Jamison —five. Those of the Union Church were Joshua Hamilton, Robert Davidson, and Charles Warfel—three. Andrew Jamison and James C. Love were elected to make the number equal. Mr. Love was installed, but Mr. Jamison declined to serve. Rev. McCready demitted his charge April 19th, 1859. On the 3d of the following May a call was unanimously made for his services by the First U. P. Congregation of Cadiz. This call was accepted on the 14th of the following June. The congregation seemed now to enter on a career, of unbounded prosperity. But already the dark shadow of civil war was beginning to fall on our country. The aggressions of the slave power were felt. This church had always, in the branches from which it came, denounced slavery. But now, alas! its extension became largely a political issue. On this subject our church gave no uncertain sound. Rev. McCready had not waited to be an abolitionist until slavery was overthrown. He was not one of those braves who stab the dead Percy. He was a patriot; and was willing to seal with his blood the testimony of his lips. He entered the Union army, August 14th, 1862, as Captain of Company H, 126th O. V. I. Two months later he wrote to his congregation: 'Your pulpit was not silent in regard to those sins which have convulsed the land. Nor did it give an uncertain, non-committal sound, 152 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY taking its cue from the dictation of party politics. It was ‘known and read of all men' Seven years ago, when thousands of statesmen and divines who are now with it, were against it, it preached what it preaches today, and what all the pulpits are coming rapidly to preach. It had not to be impelled by divine judgments. To these truths, which I have preached to you, dear brethren, if I fall in this struggle, I am a martyr. But for their influence, I had not been here. My home was as dear, my life as sweet, my congregation as near to me as others are to them. As for official promotion, I was stepping down. As for money, I am probably losing. Besides, what is money, compared with life and home comforts ? "But you and I had raised up a standard for God's truth. We stood up for its divinity. We had talked—the time came to act. God demanded sacrifice in its behalf. The clergy of the South had shown how much they were willing to dare for this error—this great self-evident lie—this blot upon civilization—this outrage upon all religion, and all virtue. God put the question to us: Were we willing to do and dare as much for truth, for liberty, for country ? What could I reply ? I may fall! your beloved sons and brothers may fall! Be it so. Our testimony in behalf of God's truth is not lost. You will reap the benefit of it in future years." As such letters from the absent soldier pastor were read, feeling in the congregation ran high, and some refused to hear them at all. Others, who had sons and brothers and husbands with him, were indignant zit this, and for a time the peace of the congregation was much disturbed. C. L. Vallandingham was nominated for Governor of Ohio in 1863, by the Democratic party. He was at the time banished for disloyalty, and was stopping at the Clifton House, in Canada. The following resolutions were passed by the Session: Resolved, That it is utterly inconsistent with the principles or the United Presbyterian Church to vote for C. L. Vallandingham for Governor of Ohio. Resolved, That we consider that voting for that candidate involves a great moral question, and that no member of the United Presbyterian Church can vote for him without ignoring his principles on slavery and countenancing and encouraging disloyalty. These resolutions were read on the 27th of September. Rev. McCready obtained leave of absence and came home soon after. He moderated the Session, and dispensed the Supper Oct. 17th, 1863. It would have been strange if he, fresh from the field of battle, where his brave boys then were (save those who had fallen), could have been silent. He was not wont to conceal his convictions of the truth. Thirteen families and a large number of adherents withdrew from the church. A few of these never formed any ecclesiastical connection, but most of them were received into the communion of the Presbyterian church of Cadiz. It was my privilege to meet Mr. McCready after his return from the army. EARLY CHURCHES OF CADIZ - 153 He talked of the field at home but spoke no words of bitterness. Doubtless he would have suffered more had it not been a time when such mighty emotions were swaying the hearts of men. In the army, Captain McCready was the same in modesty, candor, firmness, bravery, and courtesy, that he was at home. His company, brave as any in the army, united with him in daily prayers to the God of battles. On the 6th day of May, 1864, Mr. McCready was wounded in the left arm during one of the terrible battles of the Wilderness. He was carried from the field, taken to Washington, and finally died in Baltimore, at the house of Mr. Carson, Sept. 7th. His end was peace. The church was draped in mourning. All classes wept for him. Even those who had spoken harshly, now spoke with broken utterance. But no sincerer mourners gathered about his bier than the colored men whose constant friend he had been. He, of all the ministers who served this church, is the only one who died while its pastor. On the night of the 31st of December, 1864, your present pastor arrived in Cadiz to fill, by arrangement, the appointment of Rev. Mr. McKenzie. Another brother had been secured to preach, but generously refused when he heard that I was present. But as he was paid the regular per diem for listening to me, I did not feel that he was greatly injured. The appearance of the house was not in the least prepossessing. The arched ceiling had been painted blue, and an occasional board ha% partly broken loose from its fastenings and threatened to drop, like the famous sword of Damocles. The pulpit had come down from its original height, but was still reached by a flight of stairs—about eight in number. An ill-fitting window was directly at the back of the little pulpit-box, and an occasional blast of wind from the north reminded me that there was a broken pane in it. The day was unpleasant and the congregation small. A slight survey of the audience convinced me that there were many earnest and intelligent men and women among them. I preached twice afterwards, and in the early spring was elected pastor. The entire congregation united in the call. My regular labors began the third Sabbath of May, 1865. I was ordained and installed June 23d, 1865, by the Presbytery of Wheeling. Rev. Campbell preached the sermon from 2d Cor. v., 20. The congregation was at the time somewhat discouraged. Withdrawals had been frequent. The salary promised was $800. It was, after six years, generously raised to $1,200. It was still the custom to preach two sermons on Sabbath, with a half hour's interval. Changes, however, had been made. The word "male" had disappeared from the record of our proceedings, and the singing was led by a choir, most of whom were ladies. The excuse for this was that the .young men of the congregation had generally gone to the army. The Sabbath School was re-organized, and Charles Warfel elected Superintendent. The Session consisted of Joshua Hamilton, Daniel Mitchell, Alexander Haverfield, John 154 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY Carnahan, and Charles Warfel. Robert Paxton and Alexander Campbell were ordained and installed May 11th, 1866; J. D. Osburn and Samuel Kyle, May 22d, 1868, at which time Ebenezer McKitrick was installed. T. C. Grove and James Megaw were ordained and installed Nov. 8th, 1871 The propriety of erecting a new church had been considered for some time. The first meeting was held in 1867. The proposition was discussed at some length, and with considerable warmth, and was voted down by an overwhelming majority. Subsequent meetings were held, at which it was argued that the church was needing repairs; that in a few years a new one must be built; that the present one could not be made comfortable; that it was located at such a distance from the main street that it would not be possible to keep a good pavement to it; that money was plenty, and the congregation abundantly able to build. It was argued on the other hand that the old church could be repaired at a very slight cost; that although money was plenty, building materials were high; and that the present location was eligible, affording ample hitching room for the horses. The advocates of the new church constantly gained in number, until finally in the fall of 1868, a committee to solicit subscriptions was appointed. The congregation subscribed liberally. About $7,000 was raised, and there was nearly $2,000 in the treasury remaining from the sale of the Associate church. It was finally determined to build on a lot adjoining the church property on Steubenville street. This lot was purchased and additional subscriptions taken. Many of the congregation, however, had talked about the present location. But Mrs. McNutt still occupied rooms in the old hotel located on it, and was, in her infirmity of mind and body, unwilling to remove. She died about this time (January, 1869). A meeting of the congregation was called. The matter was left in the hands of a committee, and $4,000 additional was subscribed on condition that the new church be located on the McNutt lot. This lot was purchased for $3,200. The congregation had now six lots, and the jest was made that they were going into the real estate business. The transaction, however, was carefully managed. The old church property was sold for $2,500, and the lot first purchased, at an advance of $100. The old buildings were also sold, and work on the new church commenced. As it progressed, changes were made in the original plan. The ladies had joined in the work and raised a considerable sum with which to carpet and cushion the house. The children also helped. The people had a mind to the work. Comfortable stalls were erected for the horses. The basement of the church was occupied in the spring of 1870. As the work neared completion, a proposal was made to sell the pews and stalls. To this there was earnest opposition. An effort was made to raise the balance, but failed. The pews were then appraised. The lowest valued at $10 and the highest at $100. The total appraised value was $2,700. The pews were all sold, and also the stalls. The building committee consisted of John C. Jamison, Walter Craig, EARLY CHURCHES OF CADIZ - 155 W. L. Hamilton, Andrew Jamison, William Hamilton, Sr., and David Cunningham. Their work was done to the entire satisfaction of the congregation, and was a standing evidence of fine business management. The Ladies' Mite Society contributed $2,000. The church was dedicated on Thursday, Nov. 24th, 1870 (Thanksgiving Day). The congregation has suffered heavily from removals. Joshua Hamilton, one of the oldest members of Session, removed to Springfield. His loss was deeply felt, as also the removal of the younger members, Alexander Campbell and Samuel Kyle. Death, too, has greatly thinned our roll. Dr. Wilson, a man who had been eminently useful in the church, who had been a power in its meetings for prayer, was gathered home January 10th, 1872, aged 87 years. Our hearts were again made ad by the sudden death, from typhoid fever, of Elder C. Warfel, whose name had often appeared on our records. He was at the time a ruling elder and trustee, and had long and efficiently superintended the Sabbath School. He died February 2, 1871. His remains were taken to the church, which was thronged with the congregation and friends, among wham were many colored people, to whom he had been a constant friend. Alexander Haverfield was, after a few months' illness, released from earthly labors January 24th, 1875. His death made a breach in the Session which could not be easily filled. He had 1png been a devoted friend to the congregation, and was a man of large religious information. On the 11th of August, 1876, Daniel Mitchell died. He was one of the oldest members of the Session, and a man of irreproachable character. He, was conscientiously regular in the observance of religious ordinances. Of the history of our church in Cadiz no one need be ashamed, while alt her true children may rejoice in it. I have neither sought to magnify the virtues nor palliate the faults of our fathers. One loved pastor fell in the great struggle for the life of our country and the freedom of a race. From her communion there went forth as heralds of the Gospel such men as Hans W. Lee, Thomas B. Hanna, and John B. Clark, who, though early called from earth, held places second to none in the churches, and in the affections of the people. A daughter of one of the early and earnest men of this church is pointing the sisters in Egypt to the Lamb of Calvary. 156 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY CHAPTER XII. THE EARLY CHURCHES OF CADIZ.—Continued. While the Associate Reformed congregation was doubtless the first regularly organized religious society in Cadiz, it is probable the citizens were first ministered to by the Presbyterian minister at Beech Spring—Rev. John Rea. He is said to have preached his first sermon in Cadiz in 1804, standing under the shade of a large forest tree, which stood on the site of the present court-house. At this time, it is thought, there were but two buildings in the village, namely, Garret Glazener's blacksmith shop, and a log dwelling-house. THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The first mention of Cadiz, as a separate congregation on the records of the Presbytery of Ohio, appears under date of Wednesday, June 11th, 1816. The Presbytery having met at Raccoon, in Washington county, Pa., applications for supplies were made from Cadiz and Freeport. Mr. Joseph Stevenson was appointed to preach at Cadiz on the second Sabbath of July, and Elisha.Macurdy one Sabbath at his discretion. Rev. John Rea was appointed to supply at Freeport on the first Sabbath of July. The Presbytery met again at the same place on October 15th, 1816, and applications for supplies were again received from Cadiz and from Freeport. On the following day, " Mr. [John] Munson, a licentiate from Presbytery of Hartford [Ohio], was granted leave to itinerate, and ordered to supply Cadiz the fourth Sabbath of October, and Freeport, the first Sabbath of January." Rev. Moses Allen was directed to preach at Cadiz on the second Sabbath of December, and John Rea, one Sabbath at discretion. Rev. Joseph Anderson was likewise appointed to preach EARLY CHURCHES OF CADIZ - 157 at Freeport on the third Sabbath of November; and Andrew Gwinn, at Cadiz, on the second Sabbath of November. From this time on, supplies seem to have been sent as frequently as Presbytery could furnish them, until the installation of a regular minister. The following account of this church is taken from an historical sermon delivered by Dr. W. P. Shrom at Cadiz, on August 21st, 1884: If the records to which we have had access are correct, there was but one white family living within the limits of what is now Harrison county previous to the year 1799. This was the family of Mr.. Daniel Peterson, and his place of residence was at the forks of Short creek. During the year 1799, Mr. Alexander Henderson and his family moved into this vicinity from Washington county, Pennsylvania. In the following year immigration set in, chiefly from western Pennsylvania, and the ancestors of a large portion of the present inhabitants made this region their home—the names of Craig, Jamison, McFadden, and others being almost as familiar then as now. The immigration was evidently very rapid, for in 1820 the population of the county is given at 14,345, and in 1830 at 20,920, while the population as given in the census of 1880 is only 20,455, being less than that given in 1830 by 465. The county was organized in 1813 from portions being struck off from Tuscarawas and Jefferson counties. the town of Cadiz was laid out in 1803 or 1804, by Messrs. Biggs and Beatty. The present ground was then covered by a heavy forest, and inhabited by the Indian and such wild animals as abounded in this region. The town was laid out at this precise point because of its being the junction of two roads—the one from Pittsburg via Steubenville, and the other from Washington, Pennsylvania, via Wellsburg, leading to Zanesville. Before the building of the National Pike, this was the chief thoroughfare through the State from east to west. Very early in the history of the settlement of this county, attention was given to the organization and building of churches. The first church built in this region was what is still familiarly known as Beech Spring Church, one mile west of the eastern boundary line of this county. Its first building was a small log structure which was destroyed by fire. This was succeeded by a larger one, holding 1,000 people, and was the center to which all Presbyterians tended from a wide range of country. It was at one period the largest Presbyterian church in this State, numbering upwards of 400 members. The Rev. John Rea became pastor of this church in 1804, at which time what is now Cadiz, was regarded as in the central portion of his parish. His first sermon in this immediate vicinity was preached in 1805 in a private house. As was then the custom, he continued to preach at different points in his large parish, and this region became one of these preaching points. The services were generally held on Sabbath afternoons or even- 158 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY ings in private houses or in the log school-house, as was most convenient. This continued until the spring of 1817, when, under the direction of the Presbytery of Ohio, with Mr. Rea as chairman of the committee, the Presbyterian Church of Cadiz was organized. In his historic sketches, Mr. Rea says: "I first saw the ground on which Cadiz is now located, in 1804, when the place now occupied by the court-house and other public buildings, was a forest of oak, walnut, and sugar trees." Mr. Rea continued to preach after the organization of the church, as stated supply until 1820. The history of the church from its organization is a little more difficult to trace, from the fact that the early records of the church have been lost. The earliest sessional record we have been able' to find is June 18, 1831—so that fourteen years of the most valuable records are wanting. The church was organized under Ohio Presbytery, and was for a time under its care. Then in 1819 the Presbytery of Steubenville was struck off by order of the synod of Pittsburg, and this church then belonged to that Presbytery until 1839, when the Presbytery of St. Clairsville was organized, under whose care the church is at this time. In Steubenville records of 1820, Cadiz church appears with several others—the last on the list as "vacant, not able." The same record occurs in 1821, with the addition that Obediah Jennings, of Steubenville First Church, was appointed to preach at Cadiz. At a meeting of the Presbytery, held April 16, 1822, at Two Ridges, Matthew McCoy appeared before Presbytery, and presented a call for the pastoral services of Mr. Donald McIntosh, and was granted permission to prosecute the call before the Presbytery of Ohio, of which he was then a licentiate. The call was accepted, and Mr. McIntosh was ordained and installed pastor of this church, October 17th, 1822, Rev. Obediah Jennings preaching the sermon, and Rev. John Rea delivering the charge (whether to people or pastor is not stated). Rev. Donald McIntosh was the first pastor that served this church. He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, but came to this country early in life, and graduated in his collegiate course at Jefferson College, in the year 1817, and was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Ohio. He continued to serve the church as pastor until 1826, when the pastoral relation was dissolved on account of ill-health. Mr. McIntosh then returned to the State of New York, and from there he went to Florida, in 1828, where he died in 1830. Thus early in life the first pastor passed away to his eternal rest and reward. The second pastor was the Rev. John McArthur. He was born March 25, 1803, in Argyle, Washington county, N. Y. He removed to Ohio in 1819, took the degree of A. B. at Jefferson College in September, 1825, and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Hartford, October 3, 1827, then in session at New Lisbon, and was ordained and installed pastor of the united charge of the Ridge and Cadiz churches—in the EARLY CHURCHES OF CADIZ - 159 former Nov. 19, and in the latter Nov. 20, 1828, and continued until October 3d, 1837, when his relation was dissolved by the Presbytery of Steubenville. Mr. McArthur then removed • to Miami University, and entered upon the duties of a Professorship in the Greek language, to which he had been elected, and for twelve years he taught in this university, and preached to a small congregation until his death, which occurred in 1849. The third pastor was Rev. James Kerr. He was born Dec. 23, 1805, in the county of Wigton, Scotland. He emigrated to America in 1832. He finished his education at the University of Glasgow, was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Baltimore, April 27, 1836, and was ordained as an evangelist by the Presbytery of Winchester, April 22d, 1837, and labored in Hampshire county, Virginia, until July 15th, 1838, and being invited he visited the Church of Cadiz as a candidate, and in due time received a call and was installed pastor, May 6th, 1839, by the Presbytery of St. Clairsville, and remained sixteen years the incumbent of said office until his death, which occurred April 19, 1855. The fourth pastor was the Rev. William M. Grimes, who was born at Crabapple, Belmont county, Ohio, September 15th, 1821. He took the degree of A. B. at Franklin College in September, 1844, was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of St. Clairsville on the 18th day of April, 1850, and was ordained and installed pastor by the same Presbytery in the Church of Concord, November 20th, and in the Church of Beallsville—the one-half of his time in each place—and remained in this field of labor about six years. A call from -the Church of Cadiz, Ohio, was presented in the Presbytery of St. Clairsville for the ministerial labor of the Rev. William Grimes, and after considerable discussion, the pastoral relation between Mr. Grimes and the Churches of Concord and Beallsville was dissolved on June 17th, 1856, with a view of his accepting the call from Cadiz, and he was installed pastor of this church in October, 1856, by the Presbytery of St.. Clairsville. A call from the First Church of Steubenville, Ohio, was presented before the Presbytery. of St. Clairsville for the Ministerial labors of the Rev. William M. Grimes, and the pastoral relation between the Rev. William M. Grimes and the First Church of Cadiz was dissolved on January 25th, 1876, after a pastorate of over nineteen years. Very much might in truth and justice be said about each of these pastoral relations, but especially the last. Its unusually happy relations of pastor and people—the unusual results—all would be sufficient reason for continued remark. But we deem it best to leave this for future occasion, your own familiarity with this portion of the pastoral history making this the less necessary. The fifth pastor was the Rev. Robert Dickson,. called September 18, 1876. Mr. Dickson was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1818, and was educated at Belfast Royal College. The first nine years of his ministry were spent in Ireland. He came to the United States in 1850, and continued his ministry in Pennsylvania and Ohio. He served a term dur- 160 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY ing the war, as Chaplain of the 100th Pennsylvania Regiment. He was called from the Second Presbyterian Church of New Albany, to take the pastoral charge of the church in Cadiz, and continued at this place until 1881, when he was called to Clifton, Ohio. The church was without a regular pastor for about two years following. Your recent pastor is the sixth in order. The installment took place on the 14th day of June, 1883. What the results will be remain to be seen. There have been since the organization of the church thirty elders elected, of whom ten are now living, and constitute the present session. The first were Matthew McCoy, John Hanna, and William Ramsay, who seemed to have been elected at the time of organizing the church. [Among other early elders were Robert McCullough, John Megaw, and Peter Barger]. Most of these have been men who have left a good record, and whose influence is seen and felt to this day in the church and in the community. I have not been able to secure either the names or the number of those who composed the church at the time of its organization, except three elders already named. But previous to the pastorate of Mr. Kerr, there had been 323 identified with the church. During his pastorate, 279 were added. During the pastorate of Dr. William M. Grimes 664 were added. During the pastorate of Dr. Dickson, 146. Since the dissolution of his pastorate, 52 have been added, making a total membership of 1,464, of whom far the larger part have passed from the church militant to the church triumphant, and we trust uniting with the former pastors in praising God in the upper sanctuary-464 remain, while many are scattered to every quarter and some are holding places of responsibility and trust in other churches. Two at least are preaching the Gospel to other churches. The ground on which the present church building stands was purchased from Daniel Kilgore for a consideration of $150. There have been two church buildings on the ground. The first was built about 1831 or 1832. It was a large building for the time, with galleries on three sides, and was built at a cost of about $5,000 or $6,000. The money was raised for building by subscription, and paid partly in money and partly in labor. The brick work was done by John Pepper, and the wood work by Mr. Robinson. Before the erection of this building the services were held in the Court House and in private houses, and also in tile Associate Reformed Church. With the building of the present church you are all too familiar to need any word from me. It was dedicated May 25th, 1871, the sermon being preached by Dr. S. J. Wilson, of Allegheny Seminary, the house costing about $40,000. The method of ministerial support in those early times was quite liberal, as compared with tire cost of living. Subscriptions were sometimes made partly in money and partly in produce. EARLY CHURCHES OF CADIZ - 161 At its organization in 1820, the church had to receive support from the committee, of Domestic Missions, which then composed the present board of Home Missions. It has not in the past been forgetful of and. will not in the future forget its debt of gratitude to this agency of the church, for helping new and growing churches in the days of their infancy and necessary financial weakness. The church has had two seasons of special revival, —one in 1840 under the ministry of Rev. James Kerr, when many were awakened and converted, and another beginning in 1865 and continuing for two years, during which time 120 persons united with the church. This was under the ministry of Dr. Grimes. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH* was established in Harrison county as early as the year 1801. The first Methodist emigrants settled on the south branch of Short creek, and consisted of Joseph Holmes, Samuel Humes, William Walraven, Isaac Buskirk, and others. Soon after, Thomas Dickerson came from Redstone, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and cleared some land and built a cabin near the settlement.. Through his labors and influence .a Class was formed, prayer meetings were established, and the people instructed in religion. Following the. labors and progress of this good man; came the itinerant minister—Asa Shinn—and the first M. E. church of the county was erected and named "Dickerson.." In the year 1802, the first seed was planted by Henry Johnson, who penetrated the forest to that place, and gathered to him after awhile a Methodist class. As early as 1814, there were societies organized at Rankin, Deersville, Bethel, Morris West's, two miles northeast of Cadiz, and at Cadiz. In the years 1807-8, Rev. James B. Finley traveled through this region and organized a number of classes in the western part of the county. He preached with such power as to impress himself and his message upon the minds of the people, so that neither were ever forgotten. Rev. Finley has given us in a 'book of his life, an account. of his work during these years and a description of his circuit as it had been formed by the Rev. James Watt. It was called "Wills. Creek Circuit," and was not less, than seventy-five miles in extent. "Beginning at Zanesville and running east, it embraced all the settlements on the .Wheeling road, on to Salt Creek and Buffalo fork of Wills .creek, thence down to Cambridge and Leatherwood, on Stillwater, including all the. settlements on its various branches to the mouth, thence up the Tuscarawas through New Philadelphia, thence up Sandy View to Canton, and on to Carter's,. thence up Sandy to Sugar * This sketch was prepared by Mr. William M. McConnell. 11 162 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY creek and down said creek to the mouth, thence down the Tuscarawas to William Butts, thence down to the mouth of White Woman, thence after crossing the river, and including all the settlements of the Wapatomica, down to Zanesville, the place of beginning." About this time the societies and the classes in the territory of Harrison county were placed in West Wheeling Circuit. This circuit was composed of three counties, Harrison, Belmont, and Jefferson, and belonged to the Baltimore Conference. While in the Baltimore Conference, Thornton Fleming was presiding elder, and R. R. Roberts preacher in charge. At a conference held in 1808, the West Wheeling Circuit was transferred to the Western Conference, with James Quinn, presiding elder; Jacob Young, preacher in charge; and James Wilson, James Watts, and Thomas Church, assistants. Together with these brethren were others, named, Revs. Michael Ellis, Caleb Humphrey, and Archibald McElroy, the latter at that time a vigorous local preacher, and afterwards a regular itinerant for years. The early history of the church scarcely furnishes a more singular character than that of McElroy. He was without advantages in his youth, and of very limited education. But endowed with good sense, great natural and moral courage, and withal an honest man, he enjoyed the confidence of all who knew him. Possessed of stout frame, manly bearing, And open, and frank countenance, and being absolutely "fearless in pursuit 'of the right, he won the respect of all, even those of the baser sort." At a time when the traffic in intoxicating liquors was some part of almost every man's business, and when scarcely a man was to be found, either in the pulpit or out of it, to open his mouth upon the subject, McElroy came forward with lance and trumpet—an unpolished lance, but a trumpet with no uncertain sound—and made war with the beast. He delivered hundreds of temperance lectures, the most electrifying ever heard in the State of .Ohio. Without any temperance organizations, or news. papers to support him, with many of the clergy opposed to him, and very few to encourage him, alone in those pioneer times, he lifted up his standard. As a preacher he was earnest, enthusiastic, and successful. It is said that at one of his quarterly meetings the church could not hold the congregation, and they resorted to a grove in the neighborhood. The master of a dancing school in the place and some of his pupils went to the church late, and finding it vacated, danced awhile, when the master said: "Now let us go to the church and get converted." When they reached the ground the preacher, Rev. Swayze, was closing his sermon EARLY CHURCHES OF CADIZ - 163 with a thrilling exhortation. The master listened for a few minutes, and fell to the ground crying aloud for mercy. McElroy was on hand, and when he saw the dancing master down, he improvised an altar and cried: "All hands to, here's a bull in the net, here's a man who taught the people to serve the devil by rule, and I pray God to break his fiddle, convert his soul, and turn his heart to sing his praise." Rev. J. B. Finley says in his Autobiography that this occurred at St. Clairsville, but Alfred Brownson insists that it took place at Cadiz. In those years, when churches were very small, and when the settlers lived in cabins, and many of them in rude huts, the people sought the groves,. and camp meetings were of wonderful interest and success to the new and restless church. We have accounts of these meetings being held within the bounds of West Wheeling Circuit as early as 1808.: In that year there was one held at St. Clairsville, under the management of James Quinn and Isaac Young, at which, with very little ministerial assistance, more than one hundred were added to the church. A camp meeting was held near Cadiz in 1812, which was attended by many of the leading preachers of the Conference. Bishop Asbury. came from a meeting at Uniontown, Pennsylvania, to attend the meeting at Cadiz. Jacob Gruber, then presiding elder of' the Ohio District of the Baltimore Conference, accompanied him. Rev. William Lambden,. who was probably in charge of West Wheeling Circuit, was present, with. the able support of such men as Rev. J. B. Finley, Rev. Michael Ellis, and Rev. Archibald McElroy. The order at the meetings was generally good; but a-slight interruption occurred on Saturday night. On that occasion. Bishop Asbury took the stand at midnight, and after saying some kind things, told the rabble that the Methodists were not all sanctified, and if they perssted in disobeying the rules of the meeting they would find, that out. The Bishop preached during the meeting. The ministrations were all able, and much good was done. Just when the Methodists of Cadiz commenced their worship is not known. As early as 1806 or 1807, a few families met together from time to time, going from house to house with prayer and religious services. More frequently, than at any other place, these services were held at Brother James Simpson's, the father of the renowned Bishop Simpson. The services continued until about 1815, when the society was organized, and a Board of Trustees chosen for the purpose of erecting a house of worship. This Board. consisted of Matthew Simpson, the Bishop's uncle, William Tipton, Joseph Tingley, and Thomas Inskeep. On April 20, 164 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY 1816, they purchased the lot at the south corner of Spring and Buffalo streets, and erected thereon a small church. In this church the Methodists of Cadiz worshipped without pride or ostentation, and without preserving much history, for twenty years. In this building, which is still standing, although now much dilapidated and used for a tenement house, the renowned Bishop Simpson preached many of his most powerful sermons. In fact, he was at this time sent as an associate pastor to the church, and made his home there.. Being of very progressive views, he suggested to the church the advantages of having a Sabbath School. The older and wiser brethren shook their heads and said it would not do to bring the children into the church with their dirty faces on Sabbath, that they had hard work enough to keep the house clean and in order as it was. The young preacher finally succeeded in the organization of a Sabbath School in the house, upon the condition that he would give the house an extra sweeping after Sabbath School. This is reputed to be the first Methodist Sabbath School established, and the only one existing in the entire county for many years. Before the removal of Mr. Simpson, measures were introduced with a view to the incorporation of the Society, and to replace the old church with a more commodious and better structure. In December, 1835, the Legislature of Ohio passed an act of incorporation, and Matthew Simpson, Edward Tipton, William Tingley, Robert McKee, James Poulson, Phillip Trine, John Davis, George White, and Elijah Laizure are named in the act as trustees. The Matthew Simpson named at the head of the list was an uncle to the Matthew who afterward became Bishop Simpson. When this church was incorporated, Cadiz was the chief appoint. ment of the then. St. Clairsville Circuit. The other appointments were Dickerson's, New Athens, Stiers, Uniontown, Eaton's, Wesley Chapel, Bates', Neff's, Weige's, Crozier's, Mt. Glenn or Cross Road, Scott's, Bridgeport, Martin's Ferry, Crose's, and Harrisville; two preachers on the circuit. The first record of names of preachers is Rev. I. C. Taylor, pastor in charge when the second church was built, and James Drummond, his colleague, the latter having been received on trial at the conference the spring previous. Cadiz remained on this circuit until 1866, when it became a regular station. The lot upon which the second church was built, and upon which now stands the third commodious structure, was deeded to the congregation by William Tingley and wife. Mr. Tingley was permitted to EARLY CHURCHES OF CADIZ - 165 live many years afterward, and was one of the church's most ready and willing workers. Among other names as members appear Edmond Tipton and wife, Robert McKee and wife, Michael McConnell and wife; Charles Chapman, wife and daughters, Judge Turner, Mrs. Major Lacy, Thomas Thompson, Matthew White, Mrs. William Arnold, and Mrs. Dr. McBean. All of them have been called from the church militant to the church triumphant. The second church building was commenced in 1835, but was not completed until 1836. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Wesley Browning, of Wheeling. Bishop Simpson, who was stationed then in Monongahela City, preached at night. The present beautiful church building was erected in 1876. 166 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY CHAPTER XIII. NOTTINGHAM AND FREEPORT CHURCHES. For several years after the beginning of the present century, the territory comprising Nottingham congregation, together with the region where Cadiz and Freeport are now located, as well as. many other points in eastern Ohio, were mission fields, sustained in part by the Synodical Home Mission Fund of the Presbyterian Church, which had its officers and headquarters in Pittsburgh. For nearly sixteen years there was only a mission station in the vicinity where Nottingham Church now stands; and all was connected with the pastorate of Crabapple. So far as known, Rev. John Rea, pastor of Beech Spring and Crabapple, preached the first sermon in this region, on the second Sabbath of June, in the year 1806, on the old Cunningham homestead. The history of NOTTINGHAM CHURCH has been made familiar to many residents of Harrison county, through the sketches published in 1886, in the "Reminiscences" of Dr. Thomas Crawford, for forty years the pastor of this congregation, and though the good Doctor's form is now missed from its accustomed place in the church, it is to be hoped the remembrance of his genial,. helpful, kindly presence will live forever in the hearts and minds of his congregation and their posterity. In detailing the history of this church, we will follow Dr. Crawford's own words: In this sketch we propose some historical reminiscences of the Presbyterian Church of Nottingham—its pioneers, pastors, progressive work, and historical incidents. In the preparation of this narrative I was NOTTINGHAM AND FREEPORT CHURCHES - 167 governed by my diary, old records, and, in some instances, by the recollections of the oldest citizens. For several years the territory of this congregation was considered within the limits of Crabapple and. Cadiz churches. Although eight to nine miles distant, it was traveled by our forefathers, in hot and cold weather, and often on foot, more regularly than do some of us who live but two or three miles distant from the house of public worship. To remedy this inconvenience and exposure, a preaching point was estab lished in this vicinity, and the first sermon ever preached by a Presbyterian minister in this part of Harrison county was by the Rev. John Rea, D. D., in the summer of 1806, at the root of a large chestnut tree, standing on the eastern slope of the hill, near where the barn now stands on the Cunningham farm, and about one-half mile from this house. The same element that settled Western Pennsylvania settled Southeastern Ohio, and gave to it, as to the former, the Presbyterianism which both possess to a very large extent. Those pioneers came into an unbroken wilderness, which required hard labor and much self-denial to gain a subsistence, and for a time many of them lived in rude and uncomfortable cabins, but were not disposed to leave their religion behind them, as is too frequently the case with many emigrating to a new country, for no sooner had they found a home for themselves in the western wilderness, than they sought a place where they might worship the Lord our God. Ninety-five years ago this whole region was an unbroken forest, and over these hills and through these valleys roamed the wild beast of the wood, and the more savage men, with their implements of death. Near to this site .passed the Indian trail to their hunting grounds in the Muskingum and Scioto countries. At the close of the Revolutionary War, peace was declared, but only established between Great Britain and the United States. The Indians still continued hostilities on our frontier settlements, partly owing to the deceptions and frauds imposed upon them by the early traders. Scenes, however, began to change for the better, which opened up the way for a daring and enterprising population to come into the Northwest Territory and to settle in companies, even before Congress declared Ohio to be regularly constituted a State. But those. emigrating so early not only encountered the common hardships of a frontier life, but for a few years were continually exposed to attacks from savage warriors, under such cruel leaders as the renegade "Simon Girty," "Old Cross-fire," and "Red Jacket," who, with their Indian forces, infested this whole region, and continued more or less for several years after the white population began to locate in communities near some garrison or block-house, into which they were often compelled to flee in times of alarm, both for defense and safety. The first settlements in this vicinity were made from 1798 to 1803. Abraham Brokaw, John Glenn, William Angles, George Laport, Thomas 168 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY Wilson, Arthur Barrett, ____ Jones, and ____ Moffitt, and perhaps others. These were but the advance of .a great mass of people that in a few. years scattered over a large, tract of country. So, as by magic, the Northwest Territory was settled; and signs of civilization were evident, by subdued forests, newly erected dwellings, followed by the school house and church So far as we can learn, the first families that came into the bounds, and identified themselves with the congregation of Nottingham, were those of Abraham Brokaw, John Glenn, Richard Baxter, Adam Dunlap, Samuel Lafferty, and John Price. These were the pioneers of Presbyterianism in this region, and amid many trials and discouragements labored earnestly to establish a nucleus of a church, in which they finally succeeded. When peace was ratified with the Indians, and Ohio admitted into the Union of States, the tide of emigration began to flow strongly in this direction. In the great western thoroughfare passed not more than three-quarters of a mile from Nottingham Church, which was the route from Pittsburgh by the way of Steubenville; and from central Pennsylvania by the way of Charleston (now Wellsburg), forming a junction in this county, which induced the location of Cadiz; then running west nine or ten miles, forked on the lands of William Ingles (now owned by James Roland). The right branch of this road passed through the "White Eye" plains, and on by "Fort Defiance," into the Sandusky region; the left branch running by the way of Zanesville into the Scioto and Miami valleys. Howe, in. his "Historical Collections" of this State, says, "that previous to the construction of the National Road through Ohio, this road was perhaps traveled more than any other route west of the .Ohio river." Mr. Ingles, then residing at the junction of the western division of this road, found it necessary to keep a public house, for the accommodation of the unexpected rush of emigration into this and other settlements further west. In the spring of 1802, he erected a large double log cabin, considered in those days a magnificent house; and supposed to be the first "Hotel" ever kept in the bounds of his county. A part of the remains of this .old tavern was still to be seen, until quite recently, as a monument of the past, though vacated long since, and in a retired and lonely spot, less than one mile north of this place, but deserted both by residents and roads. Some award. to our county seat the first public-house erected in the territory of Harrison county; which, according to history, is incorrect. Cadiz was laid out in 1804, by Messrs.. Biggs and Beaty. In 1806, is the first record. we have of a hotel kept in that town, by Jacob Arnold. At this day of comparative ease and plenty, we know but little of the self-denial, privations and: hardships endured by the early settlers who came into the wilderness to find 'a home. They mostly emigrated. from New Jersey, Dela-ware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and some of them soon NOTTINGHAM AND FREEPORT CHURCHES - 160 sought for a, place where they might worship God according to the dictates of conscience, and after the order of their Puritan fathers. But few of the first inhabitants were religiously educated, and especially in the Presbyterian faith; and that few were necessitated for a time to travel some distance to worship in the church of their choice. In 1804, the church was organized at Crabapple, by the Presbytery of Ohio, under the direction of Drs. McMillan and Ralston, nine miles distant from our present house of worship. A committee was appointed to confer with Rev. John Rea, D. D., and the elders of Crabapple church, as to the propriety of establishing a mission station in the "Ball-Lick" settlement. It was thought better, for the time being, that all in this vicinity should form a connection with that congregation, until further developments of divine Providence, which soon indicated a change, because of the distance and inconvenience of travel, constraining those in this region to have a place for public service nearer home. In 1806, a stand was erected in the forest at the base of a large tree (before noted), where Dr. Rea preached his first sermon in this part of the county. Six weeks after, he returned and held religious services in the same place, encouraged by a much larger attendance than on the former occasion. A council was held by a few, in connection with the preacher, as to the propriety of an organization at this point; but on more mature reflection it was thought advisable to make this an' outpost for missionary work, tributary to Crabapple church, and that their pastor should continue to labor here part of his time, preaching and administering the sealing ordinances of the church to such as desired .them, to which all parties agreed. Although there was no formal organization of this church until several years after,' yet it was virtually organized under the ministry of Dr. Rea, who continued for five years to preach occasionally at this point, a part of the time in a private house, and in suitable weather, in the grove. In 1808, a tent was erected on the south side of the graveyard, by Abraham Brokaw, Robert Baxter, John Glenn, and Adam Dunlap. This tent was occupied in the summer season for eight or ten years, and the house of Robert Baxter in the winter or stormy days. In the call that was made out in 1805 by the church of Crabapple and vicinity for the labors of Rev. John Rea the one-half of his time, the representatives of Nottingham interest signed said call with the express understanding that a part of the pastor's services would be employed in this region, if desired. Fifty pounds per annum was the sum specified in the call, one-half in cash and the other half in produce; the latter to be delivered at a certain flouring mill near the mouth of Big Short creek. In keeping with these conditions, the supplies of grain increased rapidly, at such prices as 20 to 25 cents a bushel for wheat, and 12 to 25 cents for corn and rye. It soon became necessary for the minmister to have his large stock of produce manufactured and put into market, that he might procure some funds wherewith to replenish his 170 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY library, and supply the wants of his household. When a sufficient number of barrels and lading were ready to fill a flat boat, a man of approved character and ability was employed to take the oversight of the cargo, and ship it down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to some southern port, make sale, and bring back the returns, which, after paying expenses, were often quite small. Mr. Rea was the first minister of the gospel of Christ to gather a group of worshippers in the western part of Harrison county, and amid great difficulties and much self-denial, continued his mission to this people until the Beech Spring congregation presented a call for the whole of his time, with a salary of one hundred pounds sterling, payable semiannually, which he was constrained to accept in 1810, and immediately occupied all his time in that church. Mr. Rea established the Nottingham Mission, in 1806, and served it at stated times from the beginning, until 1810, when all his labors were required at Beech Springs, where his pastorate continued forty-five years, and during all this time, he was much beloved and appreciated by the people. The older members of the congregation were enthusiastically attached to him, both as a preacher and spiritual adviser, and well they might be, for he was untiring in his exertions for their well being. Thomas B. Clark, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Hartford, Ohio, came into this vicinity in the spring of 1811, and supplied the Mission Station every fourth Sabbath for six years; for there was no formal organization of a church here then, though often considered and desired by the scattered families of the "Ball Lick" settlement, but from some cause unknown to us, it was still postponed, perhaps from the pretext that regular preaching, and the sealing ordinances were enjoyed at this place, as an outpost of Crabapple. Mr. Clark was ordained and installed at Crabapple by the Presbytery. of Ohio, June, 1811, and continued to preach there, and fill this appointment until he was dismissed in 1818. He had the credit of being quite punctual in his engagements, and rarely failed to meet his contracts for public worship, although his labors were -abundant, for his pastorate covered a territory of about fourteen miles square. When .coming to this place, his road passed a flouring mill, on a branch of Stillwater. Being a conscientious and zealous man, he was exceedingly annoyed by the running of this mill on the Sabbath, and was in the habit of reproving the miller (Mr. Logan) far his desecration of the Lord's, day. On one occasion, when coming to his preaching place at the "Old Tent," as he passed on Sunday morning, near the hour of public service, discovering that the mill was in motion, he stopped his horse, paused for a moment, as if reflecting on what was his duty, at length dismounted and tied up his bridle-strap, went into the mill to dissuade, if possible, his reckless friend from a continued violation of civil and divine law. But Mr. Logan evaded the minister, for, going out at the NOTTINGHAM AND FREEPORT CHURCHES - 171 rear door, he locked it after him, and coming round he secured the other door, "making," as he said, "a prisoner of the parson," and keeping him confined until the hour of public worship had expired. Then Mr. Clark, for a few moments, directed his discourse to the transgressor, and kindly remonstrated with him on what was his duty in reference to the claims of God and the commonwealth, and in view of his family and himself in future. His exhortations were not lost, for the Lord succeeded these efforts to the reformation of Mr. Logan, who became the warm friend of Mr. Clark, changed his course of life, and in a few months made a profession of religion under his ministry. In the spring of 1821, Rev. William Wallace, an evangelist, under the direction of Steubenville Presbytery, came into this neighborhood; and after preaching here and elsewhere for about six months, he made application to Presbytery, by request of the people, for an organization of a church at the "Tent." The request was granted, and Mr. Wallace was chairman of a committee that organized the Church of Nottingham, November 17, 1822, with twenty-two names on the roll, as follows: Archibald Todd, Nancy Todd, Thomas Morrow, Jane. Morrow, William Crawford, Adam Dunlap, Abraham Brokaw, Margaret Brokaw, Elizabeth Lafferty Samuel Lafferty, John Glenn, Nancy Glenn, John Price, Mrs. Price, William Hamilton, Elizabeth Hamilton, John Reed, Ann Reed, Robert Baxter, Margaret Baxter, Mary W. Wallace, and Sarah McKibbon. The following persons were elected ruling elders, and immediately ordained and installed, namely: Archibald Todd, William Crawford, and Thomas Morrow. Rev. William Wallace, a member of the Presbytery of Steubenville, having spent a few months in this and other missionary points in the western part of the county, a call for one-half of his labors was made out by the congregation of Nottingham, March 18, 1822, signed by Archibald Todd, Robert Baxter, and fourteen others, moderated by Rev. John Rea, and carried up to the April meeting of the Presbytery and put into the hands of Mr. Wallace, who, signifying his acceptance, was duly installed pastor. The stipend was to be paid quarterly, one-fourth in cash and three-fourths in produce. Money was scarce, and little to sell with which to procure it. The products of the ground were few, until the wilderness was subdued and turned into cultivated fields; and after a supply, of grain was had, the markets were so distant, the labor of shipping so tedious and costly, that when the expenses were paid the agriculturist had little left. The whole amount. of salary promised Mr. Wallace was but three hundred dollars per. annum, paid equally by .this and the Freeport Church. To us this appears like short allowance for the preacher, as: it surely was. Yet it would go as far in those days toward supporting a 172 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY family as More than double the amount would do with the prices of these times. Rev. William Wallace, son of John and Margaret (Anderson) Wallace, was born in Chester county, Pa., March 17, 1787. He finished his academic education at Jefferson College, Pa ; studied Theology under the direction of James Hervey,.D. D., and was licensed to preach the Gospel by. the Presbytery of Steubenville in the spring of 1821. He entered the service of his Divine Master as a domestic missionary, going through the new settlements of eastern Ohio, and hunting up families of the Presbyterian order, and when finding one or more such families in any destitute place, he would publish a notice for preaching at some convenient point, and in this way was instrumental in gathering up and forming nuclei from which have arisen some of our most prominent congregations. After reporting progress to Presbytery, he was appointed chairman of a committee that organized several churches in this territory, and among them the Churches of Nottingham and Freeport, and to each of the last named places he gave one-half of his labors for eighteen years, until his health so failed that he was compelled to resign his charge in 1839, and after two year of increasing infirmities, he died of heart disease, December 18, 1841, in the fifty-fifth year of his age, having spent twenty years in the work of the ministry. Rev. Gilbert M. Hair was then in charge of this congregation two years. Mr. Hair graduated at Washington College, Pa., in 1838, studied Theology (while teaching an academy in Martinsburg, Ohio), with Henry Hervey, D.:D., and was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of Richland, October, 1840. He received .a call from the congregation of Nottingham, and was ordained and installed pastor of this church in. the Spring of 1841, by the Presbytery of St. Clairsville, and continued. in this relation two years. Another opening offering itself more to his mind, he then asked and received a dismission in April, 1843, to the church at Wellsburg,. W. Va. Mr. Hair, after laboring successfully in fourteen different charges, died June 5, 1884,. at Elyria, New York. Thomas R. Crawford, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Steubenville, immediately received a call from the church of Nottingham. He began his ministerial work October 19th, 1846, and in due time was ordained and installed pastor, continuing in this office forty years. He graduated at Franklin College, Ohio, in 1844, and on the same day was chosen Professor of Mathematics in said College; and during the time of his teaching there, he read Hebrew under the President, Rev. A. D. Clark, D. D., and. Theology under Dr, Rea. .He soon left college for the purpose of completing his studies; and was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of Steubenville, October 6th, 1846. He was born near New Athens, Ohio, March 8th, 1821, and when but a few months old, his parents and family removed to Jefferson county, near Steubenville, Ohio. At the age of fourteen, he began his academic studies, preparatory to entering college. In the eighteenth year NOTTINGHAM AND FREEPORT CHURCHES - 173 of his age, he united with the church under the ministry of Rev. Jacob Coon, of New Athens, during a revival of religion that occurred among the students in 1840. After he received authority to preach, he took a traveling certificate to the Presbyterian church and Presbytery of Marion, but never reached the place; for when ready to start, Dr. Rea insisted on him filling an appointment at the Church of Nottingham, which was vacant, and at once he received a call, and returning his traveling certificate to the Presbytery, of Steubenville, was regularly dismissed to the Presbytery of St. Clairsville, and in due time was ordained and installed pastor of said church, for two-thirds of his time; and the one-third at Deersville, as stated supply for nine years, from October, 1846, when he was called to spend all his time and labors at the Church of Nottingham. At the time of my installation as pastor, the Board of Elders consisted of Archibald Todd, Nathan Tanneyhill, Alexander Russell, Alexander Beall, William Kirkpatrick, and John W. Milligan. Shortly after, Joseph Rea and Allen Wallace were added to the Session; but one of the former is still living and quite infirm, being far advanced in years. All those men were .reliable and trustworthy in counsel. In 1863, A. J. Rea and M. Wallace were introduced into the Session. In 1870, John W. Hilton, Jacob Compher, and William Scott were added to the Board of Elders. The first house of worship erected by this congregation was a log-cabin, which stood a short distance above the "Old Tent," and was built in 1821 by Abraham Brokaw, Thomas Morrow, Archibald Todd, Adam Dunlap, and Samuel Lafferty. The last two named men having good teams, were requested to draw in the logs, whilst the balance of the labor was divided according to choice. The ladies, by personal efforts, procured the nails and glass. It was a rude structure, but answered the purposes for the time being. In the winter season, a pile of logs was built on an earthen platform in the center of the building, and fired up to warm the auditory, whilst the smoke escaped as best it could from the roof. This house corresponded in the main with the improvements of those days, and was equal in architecture to the dwellings of the worshippers. There were no Boards of Home Missions and Church Erection in those times to aid young and feeble congregations to build houses or sustain preaching in their midst. There was; however, a Synodical Fund for the purpose of aiding mission stations. Money was scarce and hard to be got; and had there been convenient markets, there was not grain to sell, for the land was not yet cleared out, but crops were produced abundantly in proportion to the ground brought under cultivation. The second house of worship was a brick building, fifty by forty feet, and began to be constructed in 1828, but was not completed until 1833. The congregation worshiped in this edifice twenty-nine years, until it became rather small for the people that desired to attend church, to be comfortably seated. It was deemed necessary to -call a meeting to consider 174 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY the propriety of erecting a larger house for the accommodation of the increased attendance on the preaching of the Word. According to previous notice, the people met in the month of August, 1859, to confer upon the subject, in relation to building a third house of worship. The books were opened at said meeting, and about one-half of the whole amount of money necessary to complete the structure was subscribed on sight, in less than thirty minutes. Duplicate papers were prepared and sent around to the absentees, and in due time returned with the required money pledged. A building committee was appointed at a meeting held February 3, 1860, and directed to erect a house seventy-three by fifty feet in the out, with gallery in front, twenty-feet story in audience room, and tower one hundred and six feet high. The committee, after receiving sealed proposals on a certain day, let out the contract to Mr. John McGraw, of Wheeling, W. Va., who undertook and finished the entire building ready for occupancy, in a satisfactory and workman-like mariner. And this house was dedicated, free from debt, to the worship of Almighty God, April 18th, A. D. 1861, and continues to this time. FREEPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. This church was organized in 1821, by the Presbytery of Steubenville. Messrs. Holliday, Leaper, and Kincade were ordained and installed ruling elders. For five years before that date the congregation had received occasional supplies from Presbytery, some account of them already having been given in connection with the sketch of the Presbyterian Church of Cadiz. The first pastor was Rev. William Wallace, who divided his services equally between Nottingham and Freeport. He supplied both pulpits until the spring of 1839, when he was compelled to resign, on account of failing health. He died of heart failure, Dec. 18, 1841. Mr. Wallace was a man of ardent piety and practical worth. The Freeport church attained a larger membership and greater efficiency under his pastorate than it has ever enjoyed since. Rev. John Hattery, an evangelist from Washington Presbytery, became stated supply at Freeport in 1843, for two-thirds of his labors, and remained until 1847. He was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Mahaffey, who served as stated supply for something over eight years. From 1857 to 1859, occasional supplies were sent by Presbytery; and in the latter year Rev. John B. Graham became stated supply, giving Freeport a portion of his time, and remained until 1865, when he was dismissed to the Presbytery of Washington. After his departure, Rev. Samuel Mahaffey was again invited to supply Freeport for one-half his time, and served the congregation from 1867 to 1873. He was succeeded, three years later, by Rev. H. R. McDonald, who remained until 1881. DICKERSON CHURCH - 175 CHAPTER XIV DICKERSON, BETHEL, AND RANKIN CHURCHES. The following Historical Address, giving an account of the early history of Dickerson Church, was delivered by Mr. Joseph Holmes, one of the trustees, at the dedication of the new building, near Cadiz, on October 7, 1888: The history of the Dickerson Society commences early in the present century. As early as March, 1801, Joseph Holmes moved to the farm on which he lived and died. Soon after, the following settlers came into the neighborhood: Joseph Huff, William Walraven, Thomas Dickerson, Eli Dickerson, William Scoles, James and Thomas Worley, Abraham Holmes, and William Welling. In the Fall of 1802, Thomas Dickerson settled on the farm on which Dickerson Church is located. He was a man of strong religious convictions, and during the same Fall, he succeeded in the organization of a prayer-meeting circle, at which he gave religious instruction to those who attended the meetings. The meetings were held weekly, from house to house in the neighborhood, and they increased in numbers and interest from time to time, under the supervision of Thomas Dickerson. In 1804, a Society of Methodists was organized, with Thomas Dickerson duly appointed class-leader. Among the first members of the society were: Thomas Dickerson and wife, Joseph Holmes and wife, William Walraven and wife, William Scoles and wife, James Worley and wife, Abraham Holmes and wife, Eli Dickerson and wife, William Welling and wife, and James Jones and wife. Preaching was held like the prayer-meetings, from house to house. In those days, sermons were like angel's visits, "few and far between." The first quarterly meeting was held on the farm of Joseph Holmes in the summer of 1805. This meeting was conducted by the Rev. Asa Shinn. Methodists and others from beyond and about Wellsburg, on the Ohio river, and from the Holmes Church, on Short creek, came to 176 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY the meeting, not only to renew the friendship of other years, but to aid in pushing forward the cause of Christ. It may seem strange to those of modern times, when we describe the arrangements for holding this first quarterly meeting. The meeting Was held in the grove. The seats were made of rails, logs, and puncheons. A few puncheons were used for a platform. In each of two trees, standing about six feet apart, a notch was cut, and in those notches was placed a puncheon about sixteen inches wide, and on this the preacher laid his Bible, and this was the make-up of the preacher's pulpit. The meeting was one of great spiritual power, and several persons united with the church. The second quarterly meeting was held on the farm of Thomas Dickerson in 1807, with the same arrangements, and like results. In 1813, a quarterly meeting was held in the barn of Thomas Dickerson, conducted by Rev. James B. Finley. From 1807, preaching services became more frequent. Asa Shinn, James B. Finley, Bishop Roberts, and the Rev., McElroy, were some of the early itinerate ministers who have preached in our community. The first church was built in 1817; although the selection of a site for a church had been made in 1806. The first burial in the cemetery was in. 1807. The ground was conveyed by Thomas Dickerson and wife to Joseph Holmes, William Scoles, William Welling, James Worley, and Abraham Holmes, as trustees of the M. E. Church. The organization of the Dickerson Church is clearly traceable to the labors of Bishop Asbury and Bishop McKendree, from the fact that the first members of the church came from Virginia and Pennsylvania, direct from the fields of labor of these great and good men. But directly to Thomas Dickerson, more than to any other, belongs the honor of the organization of the church at this place. He was blessed with a fine social nature, and a vigorous constitution. His piety was deep and uniform. . . . From 1817 to 1828, the church moved steadily forward. In 1828, Thomas Hudson and S. R. Brockunier were appointed to the West Wheeling Circuit, and this circuit included the Dickerson appointment. During this year, there were some accessions to the church, and the membership was greatly revived. But the year 1829 is especially remarkable for its great spiritual prosperity at Dickerson's. During this Year, Thomas Hudson and William Tipton were travelling the circuit and Joshua Monroe, Presiding Elder. At the first meeting of the Quarterly Conference that year, a resolution was passed to hold a camp-meeting on the farm of Thomas Dickerson. The meeting was appointed, and was largely attended. In the "Life and Times of Rev. Thomas M. Hudson," he says, as the meeting progressed, the work of revival greatly increased, awakenings becoming more general, and conversions more frequent every day. . . He tells us, that among the numerous subjects of that great revival that he received into the church at Cadiz, were many interesting young men, DICKERSON CHURCH - 177 five of whom became ministers of the Gospel. Bishop Simpson was one of them. Some weeks after the close of the camp-meeting, Hudson determined to hold a meeting at the Dickerson appointment. As a result of this meeting, over sixty persons professed conversion. . . . This revival included to a greater or less extent the families of the entire neighborhood, and bore its fruit for many years. From 1829 to 1835 the church was in a prosperous condition. But during 1835 and 1836 many members of the Dickerson appointment removed their membership to New Athens. The number of members thus removing was about twenty-five. This greatly weakened the Dickerson Society. This removal of membership was caused by a new church being built at New Athens. But those remaining still adhered to the Society-with a strong faith. In 1839, the second camp-meeting was held, on the old camp ground. . . . As a result of this meeting, several persons united with the Society. From 1840 to 1850, the membership remained about the same. There were several additions to the church during 1851 and 1852, but during the winter of 1853, a revival meeting was held by Rev. D. P. Mitchell and Rev. J. D. Knox. . . . This was the last protracted effort ever held in the old church building. . . . It was the opinion of many and the desire of others, that as soon as Thomas Dickerson was gone, the old church should be abandoned, and that the members of the Society should either go to Cadiz or New Athens—but those persons were much mistaken. Thomas Dickerson died. The workman fell, but still the work went on. The mantle of Thomas Dickerson was resting on the shoulders of his son, Joseph Dickerson. By much labor of his own, with such help as he could secure, the second church was built, in 1854. The dedicatory sermon was preached by *Dr. Nesbitt. After the building of the new church, the Society received new life. The membership increased from sixty-five in 1856, to ninety-three in 1858. For the next two years after, the membership remained about the same. The next four years were years of war, and while the Society and community were loyal to the church, they were also loyal to the Government. In proof of this, twenty-eight of the young men that were either members or :patrons of the Society gave their services to their country. Within a circle of one and one-fourth miles from the church, thirty-eight of our best and bravest young men left for the seat of war. It is not saying too much when we declare, that the Dickerson neighborhood furnished more soldiers to the square inch than any other country-place in the county. The first Sabbath school was organized in 1825, with Joseph Dickerson as superintendent. This history would be deficient without the names of its class-leaders from its organization to the present. They are as follows : Thomas 12 178 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY Dickerson was leader for forty-eight years. During the latter part of his life, he had an assistant. The next, in order, were Joseph Dickerson, Joshua Dickerson, A. H. Thomas, William Perry, Washington Soule, Joseph Holmes, Abraham Holmes, R. B. Green, S. M. Dickerson, and G. B. Holmes. From 1804 to 1855, there was but one class. In the latter year, it was divided into three classes, and a leader appointed for each class. Time has removed nearly all who were born before the building of .the first church. Only three remain with us [in 1888]. They are, Asa and Mary Holmes, and (Knob) Joshua Dickerson. Only seven persons now hold their membership with us who were members of the Society when the second church was built. The others have either died or removed to other places. Joshua Dickerson's membership—now the oldest —dates from 1837. In the history of the Society, we deem it necessary to briefly refer to others who have gone from our midst, and were either members of the church or Sabbath school. From the family of William Scoles, two young men went forth to .preach the Gospel. The family of James and Susan Jones furnished five Methodist preachers. A. H. Thomas died when he was Presiding Elder. During the last decade, 0. W. Holmes and W. H. Diclrson have entered the ministry from this Society; also, David Porter, who was a member of the Sabbath school. There are others who have taken high positions in life. From a class of twelve young men in the Sabbath school, which I had the pleasure of teaching, were Capt. Joseph Dickerson, Capt. Thomas McElravy, Capt. John Finley Oglevee, ex-auditor of the State of Ohio, Col, J. T. Holmes, of Columbus, Abraham Thomas, a minister of the North Ohio Conference, Dr. Hamline Welling, of Columbus, Capt. William McElravy, of Iowa, William Oglevee, of Illinois, Rev. D. S. Porter, David Harrison of. Kansas, James Oglevee of the 126th O. V. I., now resting in the cemetery at this place, and Robert McElravy, who was killed in the capture of Richmond. BETHFL CHURCH. The following sketch of Bethel Church was written by Mr. J. Fletcher Birney, of Means, Ohio, and printed by him in 1894: Rev. James B. Finley, the pioneer of Ohio Methodism, organized the first class in this vicinity, at what is now the home of Joseph L. Thompson, one mile north of Cadiz, in the year 1811. It consisted of nine members, as follows: Morris West, leader; John Baker, Sr.; and Margaret Baker; William Foreman, Sr., and Sarah Foreman; Zebedee Baker and Cassandra Baker; Joseph Kent, and Elizabeth Chaney. In 1814, when John Birney, Sr., from Ireland, and his brothers, BETHEL AND RANKIN CHURCHES - 179 Hugh and William, with their families, from Pennsylvania, arrived here; two other classes were formed, one at the Baker farm, one mile west of the. church; on the Cadiz and Jefferson road; the other at what is now the home of Mrs. Samuel Pittinger, one-half mile south of Jewett. Hugh Birney, Sr., and John Baker, Sr., led the classes alternately. Robert McKee and Richael McKee, and Nancy. Moore (Foreman), joined soon after. The three classes continued until 1818, when Bethel Society was formed. In March of that year, one acre of land was purchased of Robert Orr, for which twenty dollars was paid. It was deeded to John Baker and others. On this lot the old log church was built. It was about thirty feet square, and stood about twenty-five feet west of and parallel with the present building. The door was in the center of the east end. The pulpit was in the west end, with a window on each side of it. The seats were split logs, with legs in them. In the rear part of the house, they were placed north and south; and in the fore part, east and west. The preaching then, was at noon on Thursdays. Rev. Jacob Young followed Rev. Finley as circuit preacher. From the building of the church, to 1830, the following persons united with the organization: Hugh and Jane Brown, Robert and Margaret Birney, Mrs. Keziah Wheeler, Mrs. Nancy (Foreman) Moore, Mrs.. Mary Ralston, Abraham and Deborah Busby, Rebecca Busby, William Kent, Sr., and his wife. From 1830 to 1840: Samuel Foreman, Lemuel and Mary Green, Ellen Gallagher, Otho and Mary Baker, Evan Baker, John and Leucintha Ralston, Charles Conaway and wife, Lydia Ryan, John Brindley, Sr., and wife, James. McKee, Hamilton and Hugh Birney, Jane Scarlot, Abram and Mary Mattern, Mary, wife of George Lease, Sr., Cassandra Fife, Jacob and Rebecca Dennis, Jacob Lewis, Sr. Of the above named persons, but four are now [1894] living (Hamilton Birney, John Brindley, Sr., Jane Lease, and Deborah Maxwell). The rest have gone to their reward. Most of their bodies rest in Bethel cemetery. The present church is about forty by fifty feet. It was begun in 1839—Rev. Pardon Cook the preacher in charge. Its seating capacity is about 300. The brick was made near where the church stands, by James Means, of Cadiz; the mason. work was done by Andrew and James Jelly; the carpentering, by T. W. Wells, who lived near the church.. The pulpit, at first, was one. of the upper story kind, as it took three high steps to get into it; and the preacher had to stand up to see over the top. The seats were high-backed, and closed at the bottom. The building cost $1,600. . . . It was dedicated by Revs. Edward Smith and A. J. Rich, entirely free from debt, in 1840. Following were the preachers who ministered to Bethel congregation from 1825 to 1860 (Cross Creek Circuit): William. Tipton and W. Hank, 1825-26; 3. Monroe. and S. Adams, 1826-27; J. Monroe and J. 180 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY Graham, 1827-28; J. Graham and E. H. Taylor, 1828-29; W. Knox and E. H. Taylor, 1829-30; W. Knox and D. C. Merryman, 1830-31; S. R. Brockunier and D. C. Merryman, 1831-32; Simon Lauck and Walter Athey, 1832-33; Simon Lauck and P. Green; 1833-34; E. H. Taylor and W. Athey, 1834-35; J. P. Kent and H. Wharton, 1835-36; T. Jamison and Job Wilson, 1836-37; J. W. Minor and P. K. McCue, 1837-38; C. Thorn and Alexander Scott, 1838-39; ,Pardon Cook and J. Hammett, 1839-40; EdWard Smith and A. J. Rich, 1840-41; James C. Taylor and W. F. Lauck, 1841-42; Wesley Smith and J. L. Clark, 1842-43; Wesley Smith and T. McCleary, 1843-44; Ebenezer Hays and B. F. Sawhill, 1844- 46; Charles Thorn and David S. Welling, 1846-47; J. C. Merryman and J: Henderson, 1847-48; J. C. Merryman and J. W. Shirer, 1848-49; John J. Moffit and C. A. Holmes, 1849-51; D. P. Mitchell and George Crook, 1851-52; D. P. Mitchell and J. D. Knox, 1852-53; S. F. Minor and L. Pettay, 1853-55; S. P. Wolf and Hiram Sinsabaugh, 1855-57; John J. Moffitt and E. W. Brady, 1857-58; John J. Moffit and W. B. Watkins, 1858-59; J. M. Bray and H. M. Close, 1859; J. M. Bray and James Day, 1860; Alexander Scott and J. W. Shearer, 1860; Alexander Scott and T. J. Scott, 1860-62. Bethel appointment was first in the bounds of Knox Circuit, Muskingum District, Western Conference, with James Quinn Presiding Elder. The Conference for that year (1811) was held at New Chapel, Shelby county, Kentucky, on November 1st, 1810. In 1813, it fell into the Ohio Conference, and in 1825, into the Pittsburgh Conference. The Circuit then bore the name of Cross Creek, which it retained until 1834, when it was changed to Richmond. In 1838, the Conference was held at Cadiz, Bishop Enoch George presiding. Bethel was then joined to Cadiz Circuit, which had been formed the year previous. In 1847, the Circuit Was composed of the following appointments: Cadiz, Bethel, Athens, and Harrisville. Stiers was added in 1850, and Jefferson in 1852 (formed in 1847, by David Welling); Rumley and Hanover (the latter formed by C. Thorn and W. Devinney), in August, 1853, and Jewett (formed in 1847), in December, 1853. The same year, Harrisville, Athens, Stiers, arid Dickerson's were joined to other Circuits, leaving five appointments. In 1854, Rumley was dropped. In 1864, Cadiz and Dickerson's were joined, leaving Bethel, Jefferson, Jewett, and Hanover. The Circuit was then named Bethel Circuit, which name was retained until 1887, when it was changed to Jewett. After the formation of the Society at Howard Chapel (Cadiz Junction), in 1892, a new Circuit was formed, consisting of Bethel, Howard Chapel, Mount Hope, and Asbury Chapel, and named Bethel Circuit, which name it still retains. The District bore the following names: West Wheeling, 1825-26; Barnesville,. 1826-32; Steubenville, 1832-36; Wheeling. 1836-40; Steubenville, 1840-47; Cambridge, 1847-76; New Philadelphia, 1876-94. Presiding Elders, to 1860: Rev. W. Lambdin, 1825-28; Rev. D. Limerick, 1828-29; Rev. J. Monroe, 1829-32; Rev. W. Browning, 1832- BETHEL AND RANKIN CHURCHES - 181 36; Rev. S. R. Brockunier, 1836-40; Rev. R. Hopkins, 1840-44; Rev. H. Gilmore, 1844-46; Rev. S. R. Brockunier, 1846-48; Rev. J. C. Taylor, 1848-52; Rev. W. Cox, 1852-55; Rev. John J. Moffiitt, 1855-56; Rev. W. F. Lauck, 1356-60; Rev. W. A. Davidson, D. D. 1860-63. The cemetery was laid out when the old Church was built, the lots in rows, about ten feet wide, running north and south, and were taken by families as follows, beginning at the west end: First row, Holland, Webster, Devore; second row, Tipton, Hatton, Rutledge; third row, Busby, Auck' kerman, Braden, Young; fourth row, Busby, Pittinger, Adams; fifth row, Pittinger, Lemasters, Fife, Maxwell; sixth row, Ralston, Rankin, Knox, Ryan; seventh row,. McKee, Brindley; eighth row, Foreman; ninth row, Thompson, Campbell; tenth row, Baker; eleventh row, Beaty, Brown, Green, Dennis; twelfth row, Hugh Birney, John Birney, Sr.; thirteenth row, Lewis, Kent, Robert Birney, Sr.; fourteenth row, George Lease, Wheeler; fifteenth row, Norman, Bargar; sixteenth row, Mehollin, Speer; seventeenth row, H. Thompson, Busby. In 1858, the cemetery was enlarged by the purchase of fifty-four perches of ground; and again, in 1881, by the addition of two acres. Hugh Brown's head-stone is dated 1822; and those of Margaret, wife of John Baker, Sr., and Margaret, daughter of John Birney, Sr., are both dated 1829. Many head- stones have crumbled, until the dates are lost. Deceased members, with year of death: Cash Adams, 1892; Maggie C. Ault, 1891; John Baker, Sr., 1847; Margaret Baker, 1829; Otho Baker, 1855; Mary Baker,, 1870; Evan Baker, 18—; John Baker, Jr., 1879; Rezin Baker, 1876; Sarah T. Baker, 1892; William Baker, 1890; Laura B. Baker, 1886; Mollie Baker, 1889; Mary Jane Baker, 1863; John Birney, Sr., 1854; Rebecca B. Birney, 1843; Hugh Birney, Sr., 1861; Elizabeth B. Birney, 1828; Nancy C. Birney, 1854; Robert Birney, Sr., 1871; Margaret Birney, 1866; John N. Birney, 1876; Hugh Birney, 1880; Robert Birney, 1884; Rachel M. Birney, 1886; Nelson Birney, 1867; Samuel F. Birney, 1894; Isabel Birney, 1863; Hester M. Birney, 1888; Elias Benedict, 18—; Hugh Brown, 1822; Jane Brown, 1884; Wil- liam Brown, 1874; Lizzie Brown, 1887; John Brown, 1873; Sarah Boals, 18—; Ann B. Brindley, 1889; Wesley Brindley, 1876; Albert Brindley, 1869; Mary Ann Bradford, 1882; Abraham Busby, 1855; Deborah Busby, 1884.; Rebecca Busby, 1892; Shird Busby, 1884; May A. Crawford, 18—; Charles Conaway, 18—; Fanny Conaway, 18—; John Campbell, 18—; Margaret Copeland, 1861; Ankrim Caldwell, 1881; Arthur Chaney, 1884; Elizabeth Chaney, 18—; Jacob Dennis, Sr., 1880; Jacob Dennis, Jr., 1890; Rebecca Dennis, 1883; Aaron Dennis, 1866; Cassandra Fife, 18—; William Foreman, Sr., 1845; Sarah Foreman, 1864; .Jennie R. Ford, 1893; John Folks, 18—; Lemuel Green, 1860; Lizzie Green, 18—; Mary T. Green, 1879; Cordelia Gallaher, 1865; Rebecca Gutshall, 1881; Thomas Healy, 18—; Phebe J. Hines, 1884; Lewis Hall, 18—; Hiram Harriman, 18--; S. 0. Howell, 1880; Rachel Jenkins, 1886; William Kent, Sr., 1872; Katie Kent, 1882; W. W. Kent, 1886; Asbury Kent, 182 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY 18—; Susan C. Kent, 1886; Zachariah Kent, 18—; Kennedy Kent, 1883; Joseph Kent, Sr., 18—; Joseph Lewis, 1853; Mary Lewis, 1850; Elizabeth Lewis, 18—; Josiah Lewis, 18—; William Lemasters, 1878; Jacob Lewis, Sr., 1882; Abram Mattern, 1889; Mary B. Mattern, 1890; Hugh Mattern, 1876; Robert McKee, Sr., 1851; Rachel McKee, 1847; Hannah McKee, 18-- James McKee, Sr., 18—; Catharine McKee, 1861 Ann B. McDivitt, 1863; Martha A. Norman, 1890; James Roberts, 18—; John Ralston, 1881; Leusintha A. Ralston, 1846; Ella Rutledge, 1884; Jane Scarlot, 1868; Rebecca Snyder, 1882; Ruth A. Snyder, 1892; Catharine Speer, 1883; Margaret Speer, 1886; Sophia Speer, 1849; John Thompson, 1892; Elizabeth Thompson, 1858; Hugh T. Thompson, 1878; Mary Ann Thompson, 1889; Harry Thompson, 1891; Thomas Thompson, 875; Rebecca Thompson, 1854; Mary Thompson, Sr., 1860; Thomas Sr.,Tumble- son, 18—; Keziah Wheeler, 1876; Morris West, 18—; Melinda Young, 18—. RANKIN CHURCH. This church was organized about the year 1814, by Rev. James Roberts and T mas Dickerson. Services were held for some five years in the log-cabin of Thomas Rankin, during which time, among others, the following members were enrolled: Thomas Rankin, Mary Rankin, James and Hester Rankin, William Johnson and wife, Joshua Dickerson, John Early and wife, Jonathan Early and wife, Margaret Early, Arthur Barrett, Isaac Barrett, William Jones, Rachel Jones. In 1819, Thomas Rankin donated an acre of ground to the Society on Section 31, in Moorefield township, for the site of a church, and burying ground. Soon after, a log building was erected, and the membership of the church materially increased. At one time, it numbered over 100 members. Four ministers were sent out from this church, namely, Benjamin Johnson, Baruch D. Jones, John Moffit, and Allan Moffit. Before 1850, the membership began to decrease, and at one time the roll was reduced to thirteen members. In 1870, a new building was erected; and since that time, the congregation has regained much of its former prosperity. THE RIDGE CHURCH - 183 CHAPTER XV. THE RIDGE CHURCH. This church is the oldest religious organization in Archer township, and one of the oldest Presbyterian churches in Harrison county. The congregation has had four different preaching places or building sites since the church was set off from that of Beech Spring. The first of these was at the house of William Barnhill, then standing on section four. The second location, and site of the first church building, was on the northwest quarter of section eight; the third, on the southwest quarter of section seventeen; and the present building, on the southwest quarter of section twenty-three, near the village of Hanover. The following history of Ridge Church is condensed from an Anniversary Discourse, delivered by its pastor, Rev. Robert Herron, D. D., at the church on December 13, 1873 (printed at Uhrichsville, Ohio, 1874) : The importance of having a continuous history of this church on record engaged the attention of the session early in the present pastorate. The importance of this was the more manifest from the fact that all the first records, both of the session and the congregation, were lost or mislaid, so that they could not be reached. This solicitude on the part of the session led to the adoption of the following resolution, which is taken from the records of the session of Ridge Church, Sept. 26, 1851: The Moderator was appointed to collect the facts, and write out a history of the church from its organization to the present time. The Moderator in due time submitted the following report to the session, which was accepted and approved by that body: "According to the foregoing action of the Session, I have taken considerable pains to collect and arrange, in a historical form, all the facts relating to this church. I regret, however, that after having written to the Stated 184 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY Clerks of the Presbyteries of Ohio and Steubenville, I am unable to ascertain how many persons were organized into a church here, or who were the ruling elders at, the time of its organization." The report was then presented, containing a historical sketch of this church, drawn from such information as could be gleaned from tradition, in the memory of a few of the older persons yet living among us; from congregational records commencing with the year 1835, and from sessional records commencing in the year 1842, which will be made the basis of our historical sketch, until the commencement of the present pastorate. The Ridge Church, under the direction of Divine Providence, owes its , existence to the following circumstances: The boundary of Beech Spring on the west extended for a considerable distance down the valleys of Stillwater and Connotton creeks. Hence, those members of this church found that their regular attendance upon the means of grace dispensed in the church where they worshipped was attended with great inconvenience. This fact induced them to ask the congregation to give their consent for their pastor, Rev. 'Dr. John Rea, to come and preach statedly among than a portion of the time. To this request the congregation readily assented. The pastor, with a self denial and zeal in his Master's service, by which his long ministerial life was characterized, cheerfully came to break unto them the bread of life eternal. The extent of this self denial can be learned, partially, it is true, by reflecting on the fact that every time he visited this part of his charge, he travelled from home a distance of from ten to twelve miles, over roads new and poorly made, in a broken country. Dr. Rea's labors commenced in this way in the spring of 1810, and continued until the spring of 1817, a period of seven years. The proportion of time which Dr. Rea spent in this manner cannot be satisfactorily ascertained; but it is judged to have been about one-fourth of it, during this period. He commenced his labors by preaching in the house of Mr. William Barnhill, on the farm now owned by Mr. John Reed, on the road leading from Smithfield to the road leading from Cadiz to Congress Furnace, and four miles from the point of intersection with it where the church now stands. He preached and administered the ordinances of religion, alternating this place occasionally with other dwelling-houses for a few years, when it was deemed advisable by the parent congregation to settle upon some place for holding their public services. Accordingly, a location was selected on the New Burnley and Cadiz road, on the farm now owned by Mr. John. Lisle, three miles north of Cadiz. There they erected a house of worship, in which they were accustomed to assemble during the remainder of Dr. Rea's ministrations among them. This building—a log cabin—was, doubtless, of small proportions, and of humble pretensions, yet it would sustain a favorable comparison with the dwellings of those THE RIDGE CHURCH - 185 who assembled there to worship the Most High; for they did not dwell in coiled houses. . .. . The Providence of God appeared to indicate in the spring of 1817, that this society should be left without the stated means of grace, by Dr. Rea's withdrawal from them. Dr. Rea proposed to the people, now respectable in numbers, that they should covenant with God, and with befall. This agreement was made by the whole body holding up their right hands. Thus ended Dr. Rea's official connection with the germ of one another, that they would remain united together, whatever should the Ridge Church. . . . A Presbyterian church was now about to be organized in Cadiz, and it was believed that if this society should continue to assemble in its present place of worship, it would stand in the way of that church's progress. This consideration prompted removal from this spot to another, on the northeast corner of the farm of John Endsley, Sr., now owned by his grandson, John E. McPeck. Here a tent was set up, and around it the people were accustomed to assemble for Divine worship. The society now felt the necessity of assuming an organized form, _ as a Presbyterian church. In order to do this, they presented a petition to the Presbytery of Ohio, whose boundary extended thus far westward. This petition was favorably regarded by the Presbytery, and a committee, consisting of Revs. Messrs. Snodgrass and Clark was appointed to visit the field, and organize a church if the way were found to be clear. The committee discharged their duty, and organized the Ridge Presbyterian church, on the 17th day of October, 1818. The Synod of Pittsburgh ordered the organization of the Presbytery of Steubenville previously to this committee's reporting to the Presbytery of Ohio, as to their action in the premises. This resulted in placing the name of the Ridge church on the roll of the churches of the Presbytery of Steubenville, without its being found on the roll of churches of the Presbytery of Ohio. The organization continued to worship in this vicinity, occupying private houses and barns for two years, when they removed their place of worship to the village of Hanover, where they erected a tent for preaching purposes, north of where the Methodist church now stands. They met here, and in adjacent dwelling houses, for devotional purposes until February, 1823. But not finding this an eligible site on which to build a permanent house of worship, they secured, by purchase,. two acres of ground from Mr. George Hospelhorn. One of these was used for building purposes, and the other was appropriated to burial uses. At a meeting of the congregation held March 15th, 1823, it was re-. solved to proceed at once to erect a house of worship, and a tent. The house was for use on inclement Sabbaths, and the tent was to be occupied in favorable weather. The house was to be built fifty feet long by thirty wide, with a story twelve feet high. The tent was to be built eight feet long and six feet wide, and be weatherboarded. 186 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY Messrs. Samuel Buchanan, John Archibold, and Samuel Welsh were appointed a committee to carry out this action of the congregation. This church building was completed and occupied by the congregation in the latter part of the following year. No doubt the work went forward as rapidly as the means of the people could drive it onward, as their number was small, and their resources limited. This church now became united with the church of Cadiz as one pastoral charge. They unitedly called Rev. Donald McIntosh to become their pastor, giving to each part one-half his ministerial labors. The salary promised him from this branch of his charge was two hundred dollars: one-half cash, and the other half in produce, at the following rates—wheat, fifty cents per bushel; rye and corn, each thirty-three cents per bushel. The grain was to be delivered to Mr. Matthew McCoy, Cadiz, Ohio, with whom Mr. McIntosh boarded, being an unmarried man. The writer of this paper has in his possession a book, in which the following note is inscribed, by Mr. John Morrison Forsythe: "The Reverend Donald McIntosh, this 9th day of February, 1823, began his heavy labors in Archer township. It shall be said of this man, and that one, that he was born there." Mr. McIntosh was regularly installed pastor over this united charge; and from a communication sent to the trustees of this congregation, it appears that he also had charge of an academy for two years, when he resigned it, in order that he might devote himself entirely to his ministerial work. Mr. McIntosh's care of this charge continued until 1826, when failing health required his resignation, in order to admit his travelling southward. Mr. McIntosh is remembered as an accomplished scholar and an instructive preacher. He died soon after in East India. Rev. John McArthur became pastor of the same united charge in the year 1828. Mr. McArthur was regarded by his co-presbyters as a thorough scholar, and well-skilled in the doctrines of the holy Scriptures; a faithful expositor of God's word, and an acceptable and instructive preacher. Mr. McArthur was born in Washington county, New York, March 25th, 1803. He graduated in Jefferson College, at Canonsburg, Pa., in 1825; studied theology, under the Presbytery of New Lisbon, and was licensed by them in the fall of 1827; married Miss Christina Ann Robert-Son, daughter of Rev. James Robertson, of Carrollton, Ohio, in the winter of 1829, by whom he had six sons and one daughter. Two sons died in infancy. His wife survived him about seven years. Mr; McArthur continued in this relation until 1836, when his time was entirely devoted to the Cadiz branch of his charge. The memory of Mr. McArthur was ever carefully cherished by all who were under his pastoral care. He is believed to have been the instrument in the ,hand of God in moulding this church in the pattern of sound doctrine and good government. It was at his instance, and through his influence that the congrega- THE RIDGE CHURCH - 187 tion obtained a charter as an incorporated body in the year 1835, by act of the Legislature of Ohio. The incorporators in this act were, "Walter McClintock, Jacob Richey, Samuel Buchanan, Ralph Atkinson, Jacob Vasbinder, Thomas Day, James L. McLane, James Megaw, John Lyons, George McPeck, John Welsh, Jr., William Lisle, Thomas Albertson, William Miller, and James McClintock." He afterwards became professor of languages in Miami University, at Oxford, 'Ohio, and died at Indianapolis, Ind., in July, 1849. Rev. William Doane McCartney became pastor of this church, devoting his entire labors to it, in 1838, and sustained this relation to it until 1842, when, at his request, the pastoral relation was dissolved. Mr. McCartney was born in Montrose county, Pa. January 20th, 1806. He made a profession of religion in the Presbyterian church of Derry, Pa., September, 1822; graduated at Washington College, Pa., 1832, and immediately commenced the study of theology in the Western Theological Seminary. He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Washington, April, 1833; and by the same Presbytery he was ordained to the whole work of the ministry, June 27th, 1836. Mr. McCartney and Miss Maria Jane Stewart, of Washington county, Pa., were united in marriage, April 25th, 1837. The result of this marriage was four children. One of these, the wife of Mr. D. S. Noble, ruling elder in Wellsville church, survives him, Mrs. McCartney and his other children having preceded him to' their heavenly home. He was called to bear severe afflictions near the close of his life, but the full vigor of his mental powers, and the sustaining grace of the Lord Jesus Christ were with him to the end, and that end was peace. He fell asleep in Jesus near Wellsville, Ohio, July 27th, 1863, and his mortal remains repose in Bethel churchyard, awaiting the resurrection of the just. Rev. James Cameron became pastor of this church in the year 1844, and sustained that relation until the year 1847, when, at his own request, the pastoral relation was dissolved. Mr. Cameron was born in the city of Pittsburgh, Pa., June 1st, 1813. He obtained his primary education in the place of his nativity, and graduated at the Jefferson College, Pa., in the year 1839. Soon after he entered .the Western Theological Seminary, where he completed the prescribed course of study, and .was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Ohio, in the year 1842. He received and accepted a call from this church to become its pastor, and in the year 1844 the Presbytery of Steubenville ordained and installed him pastor over this church. Two-thirds of his labor were to be given to this church, and the remaining one-third to Centre Unity. His record here is that of an industrious and efficient pastor, who did what he could to extend the interests of this part of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. Mr. Cameron's wife was Miss Isabella Richey, of Pittsburgh, Pa., by whom he had four children—three sons and one daughter—all of 188 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY whom, with their mother, survive him. His death occurred May 1st, 1866, in Brunswick, Ill., and was the result of paralysis. The following records are found amongst the papers of Mr. Samuel Buchanan, deceased: "Messrs. Walter McClintock and Jacob Richey were ordained Ruling Elders for the Ridge congregation, by Rev. Mr. Clark, August 21st, 1819: "Messrs. Ralph Atkinson and Jacob Vasbinder were ordained Ruling Elders for the Ridge congregation, by Rev. Mr. McIntosh, August 22d, 1823.. "Messrs. William Patterson and Samuel Buchanan were ordained. Ruling Elders for the Ridge congregation, by Rev. Mr. Rutherford, April 29th, 1827." An election was held for Ruling Elders, by the congregation, it is believed, in the year 1834, which resulted in the choice of Messrs. James Megaw, Thomas Day, James L. McLane, and John Lyons. They accepted the office, and were ordained and installed by Rev. Mr. McArthur. On the 20th day of August, 1844, Messrs. Alexander Osburn, Hugh McIlravy, and George McKinney were elected Ruling Elders by this con- gregation. Mr. Osburn had formerly been a Ruling Elder in Crabapple church, and therefore. only required installation in this church. The other Elders elect were ordained and installed by Rev. Mr. Cameron. Messrs. Robert Scott, Samuel Adams, and Samuel Osburn were elected Deacons by the congregation, August 20th, 1844, and were ordained and installed in their office by Rev. Mr. Cameron a few weeks afterwards. Of these, Messrs. Adams and Osburn remain in the discharge of their duties amongst us; but Mr. Scott has fallen asleep, as we believe, in Jesus, and was fully ripe for eternal glory, through the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus far we have traced the way along which the Lord led this church in paths which are known to us only as revealed by the pen of the historian, or handed down by tradition. From this time forward we are enabled to speak of things which we ourselves have seen. The present pastor formed a slight acquaintance with this congregation in the fall of 1847, while preaching a few Sabbaths to relieve a sick friend, Rev. Ephraim Ogden, then temporarily in charge of the congregation. The congregation becoming vacant, he was invited by the congregation at a meeting held June 20th, 1848, 'to visit them, and if he and they were mutually satisfied, to become their pastor. This invitation was accepted, and his labor in this way commenced on the fifth day of the succeeding July. His ministrations being regarded as satisfactory, a meeting of the congregation was held on the 20th day of September, next, for the purpose of taking the sense of the congregation on that subject, and: on the vote being taken, it was unanimously in favor of the candidate's election as pastor, and a, call was accordingly made out for two-thirds of his ministerial services, promising him a salary of three hundred dollars a year in half yearly payments. He being a licentiate, THE RIDGE CHURCH - 189 under the care of the Presbytery of Washington, the Presbytery of Steubenville gave the congregation permission to prosecute the call before that body. The Presbytery of Washington placed the call in his hands, and it was by, him accepted October 14th, 1848, whereupon he was dismissed to the Presbytery of Steubenville. . . . Presbytery ordered that the ordination take place at Corinth on the 17th day of the ap- proaching November, and assigned to him Hebrews, xii., 1. . . . The ordination took place according to the order of Presbytery, Rev. Dr. Beatty presiding, asking the constitutional questions, and leading in the prayer of ordination. Presbytery directed that the installation of the pastor elect take place on the 13th of the approaching December, and appointed Rev. Joseph H. Chambers to preside, preach the sermon, and propose the constitutional questions, and Rev. Dr. Brown to deliver the charges to the pastor and people. The installation services took place as directed by Presbytery, according to the stipulations of the call. A careful canvass of the church was now made by the session of the church, in order to ascertain the strength of its membership. The result of this investigation showed that at that time there were seventy-two persons in full communion in the church. Several of these were aged and infirm, so that the active working force of the church may be set down as sixty. Officers in the church, 1848: Ruling Elders—Samuel Buchanan, Thomas Day, John Lyons, Alexander Osburn, Hugh McIlravy, George McKinney, and James Megaw. Deacons—Robert Scott, Samuel Adams, and Samuel Osburn. Trustees—George Fisher, John Lyons, John Welch, Jr., Hugh McIlravy, Joseph Buchanan, and Thomas Day: Treasurer—George McPeck. Clerk of the Congregation—William Smiley. Precentors—(Who stood before the people, gave out the lines of the hymn, pitched the tune, and led in singing it)—John Welch, Jr., Hugh Mcllravy, George McKinney, and Samuel Osburn. Additions to the church officers to 1873: Moses Cole and Isaac Pratt were elected to the office of Ruling Elder, and ordained and installed February 10th, 1853, Samuel Herron and John E. McPeck were elected to this office, and ordained and installed October 13th, 1860. Robert Anderson, formerly a Ruling Elder in New Hagerstown church, was elected and installed in this office, February. 3d, 1862. Samuel Osburn was elected to this office, and ordained and installed January 18th, 1867. John E. McPeck, having withdrawn from the membership of the church,, owing to a. change of residence, and having now returned to us, he was elected and installed in this Office, October 28th, 1870. 190 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY Present Church Officers [1874] : Ruling Elders—John Lyons, Samuel Herron, Robert Anderson, Samuel Osburn, and John E. McPeck. Deacons—Samuel Adams and Samuel Osburn. Trustees of the Congregation—David Patton, Robert Anderson, Samuel Currey, John S. Adams, Eli Cavin, and John Atkinson. Congregation's Clerk—G. M. McPeck. Treasurer—George McPeck. It is proper that in this place there should be given a brief resume of the pastor's labors and successes during the quarter of a century just now closing. The labors of this time were commenced by giving two-thirds of my time to this church, and the remaining one-third to Centre Unity. This arrangement continued until January.1st, 1864, a period of fifteen years, when this congregation began to occupy my entire time, until the present. The reported number of sermons, of members received, and of baptisms administered, will cover only those pertaining to this congregation. I have preached twelve hundred sermons in the interest of the Ridge church, in discharging my pastoral duty to it. I have received into full communion in the Ridge church three hundred .members. Some of these persons have come to this church on letters of dismissal from other churches of our own order; and a proportion of them have come from other denominations; but much the larger part of these additions have been made on examination.. I have administered the ordinance of *baptism, in the interest of this congregation, to twenty-seven adult persons, and to two hundred and seventy-five infants. I have solemnized the marriage of one hundred and twenty-nine couples, that being, in some instances, of the parents and the offspring. It has been my lot to be present and officiate, wholly. or in part, at the funerals of one hundred and eighty-five persons. These have, however, not all been in connection with this congregation, nor even with the-Presbyterian church. Nearly two generations of men have passed away since the organization of .this. church. It is not known that any one of the original members is now living. If we limit our range of vision by the horizon of the last twenty-five- years, we find, to-day, in the session of this church but a single member, Mr. John Lyons, Sr., who was in it at that time. Two others, Messrs. Hugh Mcllravy and George McKinney, are believed to be yet living, in other localities. To-day, there are but fifteen living .members in connection with us, who were members of this church at the commencement of the present'. pastorate; and who have retained their membership in it until the present time. The condition of the church is specially_ encouraging. During the 191 - THE RIDGE CHURCH present year she has sent forth a colony of thirty persons to form a church in the neighboring village of Fairview, on the P., C. & St. L. Railway, called Buchanan Chapel. And still are left one hundred and fifty active workers in the cause of Christ, besides a few fathers and mothers in Israel, who linger among us to bless us with their counsels and prayers. The congregation is free of debt, and owns a substantial and convenient brick house of worship. PART SECOND. HARRISON COUNTY LAND PATENTS, EARLY MARRIAGES, BURIAL RECORDS, AND WILL ABSTRACTS. HARRISON COUNTY LAND PATENTS - 195 PART SECOND, FIRST LANDOWNERS. IN HARRISON COUNTY. The first measure providing for the establishment and maintenance of government by the United States in the territory northwest of the Ohio river, was an ordinance passed by Congress on April 23, 1784. The ordinance was reported by a committee of which Thomas Jefferson was chairman, and contained a clause prohibiting slavery in the territory after the year 1800. This provision, however, was stricken out before the ordinance was finally passed. The only important result accomplished under the first ordinance was the beginning of the survey of the territorial lands. Congress, having purchased from the Indians at the treaty of Fort Stanwix, October 27, 1784, whatever title the Six Nations had to lands in the valley of the Ohio, now sought to provide for the survey and disposal of the same; and on May 20, 1785, was passed, "An Ordinance for Ascertaining the Mode of Disposing of Lands in. the Western Territory." This ordinance provided that a surveyor should be appointed from each State. On May 27th Congress chose as surveyors: Nathaniel Adams, New Hampshire; Rufus Putnam, Massachusetts; Caleb Harris, Rhode Island; William Morris, New York; Adam Hoopes, Pennsylvania; James Simpson, Maryland; Alexander Parker, Virginia; Absalom Tatum, North Carolina; William Tate, South Carolina; and on July 18th, Isaac Sherman, Connecticut. Benjamin Tupper was appointed instead of Rufus Putnam from Massachusetts, as the latter was then surveying lands in Maine, and could not serve. Caleb Harris and Nathaniel Adams having resigned, Col. Ebenezer Sproat and Winthrop Sargent were chosen in their places. 196 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY The surveyors were to divide the territory into townships, six miles square. The first north and south line was to begin on the Ohio river, at a point due north from the western terminus of .a line that had been run. at the southern boundary of Pennsylvania; and the first east and west line was also to begin at the same point. It was provided that as soon as seven ranges of townships had been surveyed, the Geographer should transmit the plats of the same to the Board of the Treasury. The Secretary was then to take by lot a number of townships and fractional townships, both of those to be sold entire and of those to be sold in lots, such as would be equal to one-seventh part of the whole' seven ranges, for the use of officers and soldiers of the Continental army: The survey was begun in July, 1786, under the management of Thomas Hutchins, the 'Geographer of the United States. He started on .the Pennsylvania line at the north bank of the Ohio river, and first ran a 'line west' through Columbiana and Carroll counties, now known as the "Geographer's Line," a distance of forty-two miles, setting a post each mile. Every six miles was a township corner, and from these corners 'the south lines were run to the Ohio river, and the north lines to the southern boundary of the Connecticut, or Western Reserve. Hutchins began numbering sections at the southeast corner of the township, 'which was called section 1, thence north to the northeast cornet, which was section 6. Section 7 began at the bottom again, west of section 1, and the 'numbers were carried up to section- 36, which was in the north-west corner. In Charles Whittlesey's tract on the "Surveys of the Public Lands in Ohio," it is stated. that this is the first application in the history of land surveys, of the rectangular system of lots in squares of one mile, with meridian 'lines and corner posts at each mile, where the number of the section, town, and range was put on the" witness trees in letters and figures. This system of numbering was followed in the survey of the Ohio Company's lands about Marietta,. and in the Symmes Purchase. It was changed to the present system in 1799, by which the numbering of the sections begins in the northeast corner of the township, and proceeds alternately from east to west, and thence west to east. The plan originally adopted by Congress for the sale of the lands in the Northwest Territory, proposed to sell it in tracts of two million HARRISON COUNTY LAND PATENTS - 197 acres; the second ordinance, in smaller tracts, of one million. Under the last ordinance, the contract of the Ohio Company, on the Muskingum, and that of Judge Syinmes and his associates, between the Miamis, were made, the former for two millions, the latter for one million acres. By. a subsequent ordinance, passed in May, 1785, seven ranges of townships,. each six miles square, were surveyed westward from the Ohio river and the Pennsylvania line, which were divided and offered for sale, in quarter townships; first at Pittsburgh, and afterwards in Philadelphia. Harrison county lies between the western lines of Ranges three S and. seven, its townships thus being included in the four western ranges. In May, 1796, an act was passed by Congress, directing the Surveyor General to cause the public lands to be divided into townships of six miles square; and one-half of these townships, taking them alternately to be divided into sections of one mile square, and the residue into quarter townships of three miles square. In the year 1800, another law was passed, ordering a portion of these lands to be subdivided, and sold in half sections,. of three hundred and twenty acres: When this law came into operation, land offices were established at Cincinnati, Chillicothe, Marietta, and Steubenville, and a large quantity of the richest and most productive soil was brought into the market. Before that time, the tracts of land offered for sale by the Government were so large that men of limited means were unable to purchase: The smallest tract that could be bought was a section, containing six hundred and forty acres. Under this arrangement, most of the lands in the present townships of Short Creek, Athens, Green, and Cadiz were entered by the section; thus indicating that the first corners were men of more than ordinary means or enterprise. Although the later provision for the accommodation of the settler of limited means was of much importance, yet it was not sufficiently so as to advance the settlement of the Territory with much rapidity. But an act passed at a subsequent session of Congress which ordered the sections and half sections to be subdivided and offered for sale in quarter sections (160 acres), at two dollars per acre, on a credit of four years, was of vastly more importance; as it enabled thousands to become landowners who otherwise must have remained tenants; and it thus encouraged and increased emigration to the western. country. 198 - HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF HARRISON COUNTY The Act of May 18, 1796, (First Statute at Large, 464), and the Act of May 10, 1800 (Second Statutes at Large, 72), provide, in substance, for the sale of public lands to the highest bidder, one-fourth of the purchase money to be paid at the time of sale, one-fourth within two years, one-fourth within three years, and the remaining one-fourth within four years from date of sale. The Act of March 2, 1821 (Third Statutes at Large, 612) provides for the relief of purchasers of the public land, where the purchase was made prior to July 1, 1820, and they had been unable to comply with the provisions of the previous act. In all credit sales patented prior to the passage of this relief act, it is safe to assume that the purchase was made within the four or five years preceding the patent. Cash entries, as a rule, were made from six months to two years prior to the date of patenting, although in the case • of a few suspended entries, this rule would not apply. Hence, as a general rule, all patents issued for lands in Harrison county prior to 1821 (and many during the next four or five years after 1821), bear a date from four to five years later than the date of the original entry and settlement of the land. In the descriptions of lands given in the following list, the words, "section," "township," and "range" have been omitted, and are to be understood as following the three numbers describing the location of the respective tracts. For instance, "all 6.9.4" means "all of section 6, township 9, range 4," which would locate the tract as section number 6 in Short Creek township. "W 1/2 SW 6.9.4 means, "the west half of the southwest quarter of section 6, township 9, range 4," which would locate :1-1e tract as eighty acres of section number 6 in Short Creek township. A section of land comprises 640 acres, the common subdivisions of which are half sections (containing 320 acres), of which there may be the north half, the west half, the south half, or the east half; quarter sections, or "quarters" (containing 160 acres), of which there may be the northeast (NE) quarter, the northwest (NW) quarter, the southwest (SW) quarter, and the southeast (SE) quarter, as well as adjoining halves of two adjoining quarters; eighth sections, or "eighties" (containing eighty acres), of which there may be the north half of the northeast quarter (W1/2 NE), west half of the northeast quarter (W 1/2 NE), etc., east half of the northwest quarter (E1/2 NW), etc., east half of the south- HARRISON COUNTY LAND PATENTS - 199 west quarter (E1/2 SW), etc., south half of the southeast quarter (S1/2 SE), etc., as well as any two adjoining or cornering half-eighties; and sixteenth-sections, or "forties" (containing forty acres), of which there may be the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter (NW NE), etc., and so on through sixteen different descriptions, as well as any two adjoining or cornering twenty acre tracts which taken together comprise forty acres. it will be remembered that there are thirty-six sections in a township, the numbering beginning with the section in the southeast corner, which is numbered one, and proceeding thence north to the section in the northeast corner of the township, which is numbered six, thence beginning again on the south line of the township with the section adjoining number one on the west, which is numbered seven, and proceeding north to section twelve; and so on; the section in the northwest corner of each numerical township being numbered thirty-six. The different numerical townships and ranges of Harrison county correspond with the geographical names of the different townships as follows: Township 8, Range 4: Sections 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, and 30 form the south half of Short Creek township. Sections 34, 35, and 36, form part of the east one-sixth of Athens township. Sections 1, 2, and 3, 7,8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 31, 32, and 33 form the east three-fourths of Wheeling township, Belmont county (adjoining Short Creek township, Harrison county, on the south), in which are located Crabapple and Unity churches. Township 9, Range 4: Sections 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 19; 20, 21, 25, 26, and 27 form the north half of Short Creek township. Sections. 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, and 30 form the south three-sevenths of Green township. Section 31 forms the northeast corner section of Athens township. Sections 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 form the east one-seventh of Cadiz township. Township 10, Range 4: Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19,