TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO - 439

RICH HILL TOWNSHIP.

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GEOGRAPHICALLY-TOPOGRAPHICALLY -INDIANS -OLD FORT-PIONEERS-FIRST CABIN-FIRST FARM HOUSE-FIRST STONE HOUSE-FIRST BRICK HOUSE-FIRST BIRTH-FIRST MARRIAGE -FIRST DEATH-CEMETERY-FIRST SCHOOL- FIRST BLACKSMITH-FIRST STORE-NO TAVERN -FIRST GRIST MILL-FIRST SAW-MILL-FIRST PHYSICIAN-ORGANIZATION-WHO NAMED THE TOWNSHIP-NO RECORD OF THE FIRST ELEC- TION - TRADITIONAL ACCOUNT GIVEN-0E1'1- CERS-RIXVILLE AND ITS DIRECTORY-POST OFFICES-RICH HILL M. E. CHURCH-GOSHEN BAPTIST CHURCH-RIXVILLE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-RICH HILL BAPTIST CHURCH -RICH HILL REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH -MT. ZION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-AGRICULTURE-SOIL-PRODUCTS WOOL GROWING - FIRST ORCHARD - IMPLEMENTS - IMPROVED STOCK.

Suggests the words of the poet—

"A gentle hill,

Green, and of mild declivity.

But a most living handscalie; and the wave

Of woods and corn fields, and the abodes of men,

Scattered at intervals."

Rich Hill township is located in the eastern part of the county. It is bounded on the north by Union township, and the military base line ; on the east, by Guernsey County, Ohio ; on the south by Meigs township, and on the west by Salt Creek township. It is a full Congressional township, and contains thirty-six sections, each a mile square.

TOPOGRAPHY.

Although named Rich Hill, this township can not be called, hilly, as compared with Some other townships of the county. There is very little land that could not be Cultivated, if cleared.

Buffalo, and Williams Fork, of Salt Creek, drain the western portion, while McKee's and May's Forks, of Wills Creek, drain the eastern portion of the township. Water is abundant, and, although strongly impregnated with lime., it is good.

No Minerals of any consequence, except coal, are found. A few coal seams have been opened, but the deposit has not been sufficiently developed to determine its extent and quality.

LEAD.

That irrepressible "lead mine," in its pere- grinations through the country, has not failed to visit Rich Hill township, but, unfortunately,its'ex- act location cannot, at present, be _pointed out by the "oldest inhabitant."

TIMBER.

The kinds of timber prevailing in this section are, oak, in its different varieties ; walnut, poplar, butternut, hickory, chestnut, maple, in its different varieties ; gum, elm, beech, buckeye,

440 - TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.

sycamore, cherry, iron wood, sassafras, dogwood, mulberry, etc.

INDIANS.

During the spring of 1807, a band of Shawnee Indians numbering about thirty warriors, was encamped on Salt Creek bottoms, near the house of Abraham Warne. The white settlers had cleared land and planted corn, and were apprehensive that the Indian ponies might destroy the growing crops. They therefore waited upon the chief, informed him of their dependence upon their crops for the support of their families, and their fears in relation thereto, and ended by asking him to remove his camp. He replied that he would consult with the hunters when they came in.

The result was, that they "folded their tents like Arabs, and as silently stole away ;" leaving the pale faces in full possession of their former homes.

Would the white .man have done the same? "Alas, for the rarity of Christian charity !"

THE OLD FORT.

On a point of land between the two branches of Williams Fork of Salt Creek, and just about the center of the northeast quarter of section five, owned by T. W. Moore, is situated one of those curious structures—the land marks of that mysterious people called mound-builders. It is a military earth work of the defensive class. Its form is nearly circular, being an irregular polygon of twelve sides, the faces varying in length from ten to twenty yards. The diameter of the figure is seventy yards, and the circumference, two hundred and twenty. The ditch has originally been about five feet deep, and the excavated earth, thrown inward, must have raised the parapet eight or ten feet above the bottom of the moat, forming an effective barrier to an approaching foe. The works are at present overgrown with forest trees.

PIONEERS.

A German by the name of Lawrence, with his step-son, Leonard Stitchler, located on the school section sixteen, in 1805. They are thought to be the first settlers in Rich Hill township.

In 1806, Lewis Pierce, with his three sons, Llewellyn, Jonathan, and Andrew, came from Pennsylvania with Abraham Warne, John Moore, William Robison, and John and Neal McNaughton. They landed at Duncan's Falls, May 12, 1806, and proceeding up Salt Creek, located on sections nineteen, twenty, and twenty-nine, of the present Rich Hill township—being town thirteen, of range eleven. About the same time, William Herron settled on the southwest quarter of section eighteen.

Daniel Monroe, John Jones, John Reynolds, Adam Shaner, William Ivers, and a man named Crow, located on section sixteen, in 1807, and Michael Hammond and Abraham Pollock, settled on section one.

During 1808-9, Philemon Johnson, Hezekiah Hyatt, and Israel Robinson came. Johnson was a revolutionary soldier, and came from Vermont.

Caleb Monroe and Cleason Brady came in 1811, and Thomas Brady and Thomas Elliott, in 1812. The Spillmans, Dixons, Crawfords, Givens, Sims, Aulds, Forsyths, Gregorys, Fosters, and St. Clairs, were also early settlers.

The first log cabin was built by Leonard Stitchler, on section sixteen, in 1805.

The first frame house was built by Andrew Howell, on the northeast quarter of section twenty, in 1819.

Neal McNaughton built the first stone house, in 1827. Andrew Foster's stone house, built the same year, is still standing.

The first brick house was built by James Calhoun, in 1828, where the hamlet of Rix Mills now is. The house is not now standing.

Samuel Gregory built the first frame barn, on the northwest quarter of section two.

The first road surveyed through any part Of the township, was the Zanesville and Marietta road, which passes through the southwest corner of the same. The next was the Salt Creek and Guernsey road, from Chandlersville to Cambridge. Thomas Brady says this road was surveyed in 1810.

The first birth in the township was that of John Moore, in March, 1807. The next was Pierce Warne, in August, 1807, who is still living within sight of the place where he was born, and is the oldest native resident of the township. The oldest resident is Mrs. Sarah Gregory, widow of Noble Gregory, who came to Rich Hill in 1813. She is now in her ninety-fourth year, and says she "never took a dose of medicine in her life, and is still able to work."

The house Of John Gregory, her grandson, with whom she resides, contains four generations, of Gregory's.

The first marriage was that of James Dixon,. to Ann Herron. The next was Caleb Monroe, to Deemy Hyatt, in 1812.

The first death was that of a little girl named Elizabeth McNaughton ; the second, an old lady by the same name ; the third, a man named Martin. All buried on McNaughton's land,

in 1812.

The first public cemetery was established on the southwest quarter of section nine, on land leased of John Reynolds, in 1814. This location being found unsuitable, on account of being too, wet, the cemetery was removed to a lot located on the line between sections nine and sixteen,. now known as the "Methodist Graveyard."

Here lie buried many of the sturdy old pioneers, with their faithful companions beside them. No "storied urn, or animated bust," but a simple sandstone slab records :

"Their name, their years, spelt by the unlettered muse,

The place of fame and elegy supply ;

And many a holy text around she strews,

That teach the rustic moralist to die."

The first school was taught by John Jordan, in the year 1814, an a little log school house, which

TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO - 441

stood on the northwest quarter of section twenty, near the present residence of Pierce Warne.

There are, at the present time, nine schools within the bounds of the township. Their history is not exceptional.

The first blacksmith in . Rich Hill township, was John Officer, in 1812. The next was a James Crawford, in 1814.

The first store was kept at Rix's Mills, by James Calhoun.

At the present time there are four stores in the township,viz. : Two at Rix's Mills, (which see) one at Freeland P. O., by E. G. Warne, and one on section twenty-three, by E. Hickman.

There never was a tavern in Rich Hill.

The first gristmill was built by Neal McNaughton, in 1818. It was built on the northeast quarter of section twenty-nine, on the east branch of Salt Creek, and contained but one run of buhrs. Mr. McNaughton owned it twenty-one years, and then sold it to Thomas Randolph, who sold it to Jesse Hayden. While in posses- sion of Mr. Hayden, it was burned down, and never rebuilt.

The first sawmill was built by Abraham Warne, in 1824.

James Calhoun built a gristmill at Rix's Mills, about 1837. It contained three run of buhrs and did a good business. It is still running, and is owned by Mr. John Smith.

Dr. Daniel Bliss was the first to practice in Rich Hill, but he resided in Salt Creek township. It is not now known who was the first resident physician.

Dr. W. D. McCreary is the practitioner at present.

TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.

Rich Hill township was organized in 1815, as the following "order" from the Commissioners' journal attests :

"A petition was presented to the Commissioners from a number of the inhabitants of Salt Creek township, praying that they would incorporate the thirteenth surveyed township, in the : eleventh range, to be erected into a township, called and known as Rich Hill township, to which is added the twelfth surveyed township, and that part of the eleventh surveyed township, in said range, which lies in Muskingum county.

"Ordered by the Commissioners that the township be erected.—March 8th, 1815."

The township was named, by John Reynolds, Rich Hill, "because it was rich and hilly."

No record was kept of the first election, and it cannot now be gathered from the memory of the "oldest inhabitant." All agree, however, that the election was held at the house of Daniel Monroe, on section sixteen.

Israel Robinson, a Justice of the Peace, lived in Rich Hill when it formed a part of Salt Creek townshin,and when Rich Hill was set apart he was retained Justice for the new townAtip. Esquires Sims and McVey were also early dispensers of justice to the inhabitants of the new organization.

Abraham Warne was one of the first Trustees.

TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.

The present board of township officers are con- stituted as follows :

Justices of the Peace—Frank Richie and R. L. Porter.

Constable—George Swingle.

Assessor—Joseph Paine.

Clerk and Land Appraiser—S. G. Cox.

Trustees—Joseph Echelberry, Robert Moorehead, and C. W. McCutcheon.

Board of Education—Frederick Herron, Samuel Pollock, S. U. Elliott, George Moore, Lansing Acheson, Lee Warne, Henry Ledman, John White, and E. G. Warne.

Supervisors—Lewis Robinson, William D. West, Frank Nelson, Nathan Kirk, Samuel McDowell, Lee Warne, George W. Cariens, William Pearson, R. Tom, and Samuel Colville.

VILLAGES.

Rich Hill township contains no villages of importance.

Rixville is situated in the center of the north- ern tier of sections in the township. It was laid out by William Reynolds, in 1854, and contains one church, (United Presbyterian) ; one grist- mill, (John Smith, proprietor) ; two stores, (R. A. Cockins, and J. N. Barnett) ; one physician, (W. D. McCreary) ; two blacksmiths, (A. Young and G. R. McGrath) ; one saddler, (W. K. Ramsey) ; one tailor, (C. C. Hillman); one milliner, (Mrs. Young).

POSTOFFICES.

The first postoffice was established. at John Randall's, and called "Rich Hill Postoffice." In 1846, it was moved to Rix's Mills, John Moore, postmaster. The postoffices of Rich Hill appear to have been of the peripatetic order, changing location with the complexion of the administration.

An office was established, at Thomas Shep- herd's, then moved to Morgan Morgan's ; again to Watt Henderson's ; then to John Pierce's ; vacated in 1861, and re-established February 17, 1874, at E. G. Warne's store ; now known as "Freeland Postoffice."

R. A. Cocking was appointed postmaster at Rix's Mills, in April, 1878, and is the present incumbent. The mail is supplied from Zanesville, via Chandlersville, tri-weekly.

CHURCHES.

Rich Hill M. E. Chapel.—The first church built in Rich Hill, was called Monroe's Meeting House. A class was formed at the house of Daniel Monroe, in 1812, and was composed as follows

Daniel Monroe, and his wife, Mary, Philemon Johnson, and his wife, Philomela, John Reynolds, and his wife, Mary, William Herron, and daughter, Jane, Robert Monroe, and Jane Hammond. Daniel Monroe was leader for fifteen years. The first quarterly meeting was held in his barn. Rev. James Finley, Bishop Morris, and Dr. Durbin, when "to fortune and to fame unknown," all preached here.

442 - TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.

In the year 1813, a log meeting house, 20x26, was built on John Reynolds' land, near the present residence of James Sims. This was known as " Monroe's Meeting House," and served as a house of worship until 1836, when a frame, 36x50, was built, on the southeast quarter of section nine, on land bought of Frederick R. Winrod. The building cost one thousand two hundred dollars, and stood until 1861, when a new frame was built on the same foundation, costing one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars, and was dedicated by Rev. Hiram Miller, in 1862.

Class Leaders—S. T. Elliott, and John Gregory.

Stewards James Herron, Henry Sniff, and Johnson Houseman.

Goshen Baptist Church.—This society was organized October 18, 1822, by Elders Debott and Rees. For two years the services were held at private houses. From 1824 to 1849, the church at Flat Run, Guernsey county, was the place of meeting. At the latter date, a new church was built on section , in Rich Hill township, Muskingum county, and is still used as a meeting house.

The original members were as follows :

" William Newland, Levi Culver, George Baugher, Henry Ross, Daniel Newland, Phillip Culver, Isaac Baugher, Elisha Smith, Nancy Agnew, Susanna Ross, Nancy Culver, Mary Vanpelt, Elizabeth Culver, Elizabeth Baugher, Mary Secrist.

The first Deacons were Levi Culver and Henry Ross. In December, 1822, Elder Rees was called to the care of the church, and continued in charge until 1832, when Elder McGowen became pastor. He remained until 1836, and was succeeded by Elder Sperry, who officiated until 1846. Elder Peter Ogan was pastor about thirteen years ; 1lder M. Brown, one year ; Elder Harper, one year. In April, 1862, Elder J. Brown became pastor, and was succeeded by Elder John Pritchard, the present pastor, in 1864. Elder George D. Burley served from 1878 to 1879.

Rixville United Presbyterian Church.—About the year 1825, Rev. David Proudfit, organized a United Presbyterian, then known as Associate Reformed Society, in the northwestern portion of Rich Hill, called the Salt Creek Associate Reformed Church, which met at first, for worship, in private dwellings. Amongst the original members were : David Forsyth, and wife, Francis Moorehead, and wife, Samuel Crawford, and wife,. Barnet Vanclever, and wife,

Hadden, and wife, and Mrs. Pollock.

D. Forsyth was the first Ruling Elder. Subsequently, Andrew Proudfit, and James McVey, were elected Elders.

In 1850, a frame building, 5ox5o, (its predecessor having been destroyed by fire), was

erected on the southwest quarter of section nine, at a cost of one thousand six hundred dollars, and, for the sake of convenience, the congregations were consolidated into one organization;

making a membership of two hundred and thirty- five, with the pastor, Rev. John Comin, D. D., preaching alternately, at Rixville, and Salt Creek churches.

Rev. D. Proudfit was the first pastor, and was followed by Rev. Johnson Welsh, who remained but a short time, and was succeeded by Rev. B. Waddle, in 1836. In 185o, Rev. John Comin took charge of the congregation, and still ministers acceptably to their spiritual wants.

Ruling Elders—A. Lorimer, R. Wilson, Thomas Jamison, James Reynolds, S. Kyle, John Hastings, John 'Watson, and William Mackey.

Deacons—W. G. Crawford, J. S. Paisley, William Shepherd, William A. Given and R. H. Moorehead.

Rich Hill Baptist Church.—This society was in existence in 1833, but at present little can be learned in reference to it. The meeting house stood on the creek bottom, on the east side of section twenty-nine, but no traces remain.

Rich Hill Reformed Presbyterian Church.— In the year 1836, a church stood on section thirty, with the title, Rich Hill Reformed Presbyterian Church. The pastor was Rev. Robert Wallace. The ruling Elders were, John Auld and Charles Starrett. It, at one time, attained a membership of one hundred and thirty, but is not now in existence.

Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church.—A committee, appointed by the Presbytery, consisting of Rev's. William Wallace, Samuel Wilson and Elder William Cooper, organized Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church, August 24th, 1839.

Robert Henderson and his wife, Jane, Robert Spratt and his wife, Sarah, Henry White and his wife, Mary, Robert Lyons and John Lyons, constituted the original members.

Ruling Elders—Henry White, Alexander Henderson and Robert Lyons.

Clerk—H. White.

The first church building, a frame, 26x36, was erected in 1841, on the southwest quarter of section twenty-seven, and is now used for a parsonage.

The present building, a frame, 44x56, was erected in 1864, near the old one, and cost $1,811.

The first pastor was IZev. William Wallace, next, Rev's. William Reed, John Arthur and Robert McCullough. Here occurred a vacancy, during which Rev. William Aiken acted as a supply. Rev. John Kelly was next installed as pastor, followed by Rev's. John Arthur, C. C. B. Duncan. Wm. J. McConkey, Samuel Mahaffey and Charles L. Work, the present pastor.

Ruling Elders—Henry White, John White, John McGreggor and Hugh S. Elliott.

Clerk of Sessions—Rev. C. L. Work.

Maximum number of members, two hundred and sixty. Present number, eighty-eight.

A Sabbath School is connected with the church. Rev. C. L. Work is Superintendent.

AGRICULTURE.

Rich Hillis essentially an agricultural district.

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The soil is composed chiefly of lime, with sufficient sand to render it very pliable, and is of superior quality. All kinds of crops grow abundantly. The farming is above the medium grade, consequently profitable. Corn and wheat were formerly the staple products, but the distance to market induced the farmers to turn their attention to wool-growing, as the product of the farm can, in that shape, be more easily disposed of. A few cattle and horses are raised for market, but wool is the article of export.

Abraham Warne probably set out the first orchard in Rich Hill. He also brought the first mould-board plow (Wood's patent).

The first threshing machine was introduced by a Mr. Mayers, date unknown.

First merino sheep brought into the township was by D. Irwin, from Washington county, Penn.

The first attempt to improve the breed of cattle, in Rich Hill, may be credited to Abraham Wells, who, in about 1836, procured a few short horns from John Draper, of Morgan county. The first successful improver of stock, however, was Jas. Herron. In the year 1856 he bought some thoroughbred short-horn Durhams from Jas. McCune, of Blue Rock township, Muskingum county, and in 1876 he bought three head in Athens county, O. In 1876, Mr. Daniel Tom introduced a pair of fine Devonshires from Guernsey county.

So Rich Hill is in a fair way to keep pace with her sister townships.