(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 272 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO LIBERTY. This township was included in Jefferson until the winter of 1832-33, when Dr. Joseph Baker circulated a petition asking for a division of the township and the establishment of a new one. During the winter, Liberty township was erected from parts of original townships seven and eight, and comprising twenty-four full sections of the latter, and fourteen sections from the former, three of them being fractions. The first justice of the peace was Josiah Drummond, who was elected in Jefferson township before its dismemberment, but living within the newly formed township of Liberty he served his term there. The first jus_ tice elected under the new organization was Alexander Graham. Elections have been held at Londonderry since the organization of the township. The officers for 1879 are Joseph Thomas, Tilghman Peterman, and Simon R. Dixon, trustees ; George Rat cliff, treasurer; Elisha Humphrey, clerk; Samuel B. Erskin, and Patrick Murphy, justices of the peace; Robert Thacker and James M. Argenbright, constables. ANCIENT WORKS. On the farms belonging to Thomas Orr and Milton Jones, in the northwestern part of the township, was a few years since quite a large earthwork, enclosing some fifteen acres of land. It was located near the bank of the Scioto river, and, in form, was an octagon, with a gap at each corner. Near by was another earthwork on the bank of the river. This was built in a circular form, and contained about twenty acres, with a lane or gap reaching to the water's edge. On the farm of Daniel Harness was a square work, enclosing about eight acres, and with a small mound in the center. On the farm of Edward Harness was another mound, around the base of which were found buried a number of human skeletons. Near this mound was another earthwork, containing some ten acres within its walls, and with a long lane or outlet extending to some distance from the main work. Besides these there are several mounds in other parts of the township. MR. AND MRS. RATCLIFF. SIMON RATCLIFF was born in Chatham county, North Carolina, near the northern division of that State, between the forks of the Haw and Deep rivers, which after uniting form the Neuse river. His birth occurred August 23, 1800. On September 4, 1804, his father and mother, John and Ruth Ratcliff, with their family of ten children, of whom Simon was the youngest, started with two teams for Ohio, where they arrived in October. They brought with them their household goods and two cows. The party comprised a total of some forty persons, who had been neighbors in North Carolina. At Charleston, West Virginia, their wagons were taken apart and placed on a keel-boat, and from thence conveyed to Gallipolis by water, while the stock was driven through, there being at that time no wagon road through the forest and over the mountains. At Gallipolis the wagons were again put together and used during the remainder of the journey. Mr. Ratcliff and his family first encamped for six weeks near Richmondale, where friends had previously located, but not being satisfied with the country thereabouts, they proceeded to what is now Eagle township, in Vinton county, at that time a part of Ross county. Here Mr. Ratcliff entered a quarter section of land. The children who accompanied their parents, were, Ailse, Ann, Susan, Ruth, Rachel, John, Timothy, Jesse, Ezekiel, and Simon. The two elder, Ailse and Ann, were married, and the former had three children when they came into the country. The first cooking the family did after their setllement, was the roasting of a wild turkey by Mrs. Ratcliff, who suspended it over the camp fire by a string, and turned it, for the purpose of basting and properly roasting it. Mrs. Ratcliff died August 23, 1805 and in 1807 Mr. Ratcliff also died. After the death of his father, Simon went to live with his sister, Mrs. Joseph Dixon, who lived in the southeast corner of what is now Liberty township. When fourteen years of age he commenced work in the grist-mill belonging to Mr. Dixon, where he remained seven years. His early education consisted of only about six months spent in the subscription school of that day, where he learned something of arithmetic and the common branches of education. In his later life he has read a great deal, and in his old age is a well informed man. August 10, 1820, he was married to Rachel, daughter of Samuel Dixon, who came into the country in 1802. She was born July 17, 1804. After marrrage, they settled on section twelve, in the woods, where Mr. Ratcliff entered a piece of land. They remained there three years, when they removed up Salt creek, into Jackson county (now Vinton), where they remained three years, when they again removed, and this time settled on the farm they now occupy, on section fourteen, in Liberty township. They moved into the house of Samuel Dixon, where they lived fourteen years, but the house was built under the hill, in an unhealthy location, and the constant attacks of ague, to which they were subject, compelled them to leave, and for fourteen years thereafter they lived in the village of Londonderry. There Mr. Ratcliff engaged in mercantile business, at which he continued, with sonic intermission, during some twenty years, at the same time managing his farm. In 1857 he tore down the old brick dwelling house, first building a frame, into which he moved with his family. He then built his present line brick house, which is located on the hill above the former location of his home, and commands a fine view of the country. Here they have since resided, and conducted the business incident to a large farm of between six and seven hundred acres. Mt. and Mrs. Ratcliff have had eleven children, as follows: Harriet, who married Marcus H. Walker, and lives in Vinton county; Ann married William Graves, and died in the county; Ruth remains at home single; Emma married Abdalla Griffin, and lives east of Londonderry; Rachel W. married Jeremiah Drummond, and lives a mile south of the old home; Jane married Benjamin Graves, and lives in Stark county, Illinois. The others were Pearly, Jesse and Simon, who died when young, and two who died in infancy. Mr. Ratcliff, now in the eightieth year of his age, enjoys a hale and hearty old age, and is able to work beside many a younger man. In a life of activity and hard labor, he has accumulated a comfortable competence. Mrs. Ratcliff is an invalid, resulting from a partial paralysis. This aged couple are cared for in their old age by their daughter Ruth, and cheered by the companionship of their granddaughter, Miss Mary R. Drummond, who lives with them. HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 273 WILD ANIMALS AND GAME. This country was the home of many varieties of wild animals, and game—the bear, deer and wild turkey. Young bears, fawns and foxes were frequently made pets. Thomas Jones, sr., raised a pet deer from a fawn, which was allowed to roam about the vicinity of his place with a bell attached to her neck. In her rambles she would attract the attention of a large antlered buck, who would follow her to the house, when the dogs would be turned loose to hunt him down, the doe taking as much interest in the capture of her admirer as did the hunters. She was afterwards shot by mistake, having been allowed to wander abroad without her bell. Many bear were killed, and those who became accustomed to the meat preferred it to any other kind. Wild turkey were very plenty, and a short time would suffice for the hunter to return well laden with the spoils of the chase. NATURAL FEATURES-STREAMS. Two considerable streams flow through Liberty township Salt creek in the eastern part, and Walnut creek west of the center, both flowing from north to south. In the northeast part of the township Cranberry run flows into Blue lick, which empties into Poe's run, and the latter finishes its course in Salt creek. Dry run passes through the western part of the township; and the Scioto river forms its western boundary. Mulgy run flows near Londonderry station, and empties into Salt creek in the southeast corner of the township. Besides these there are a good many brooklets and unnamed runs that flow down from the hills and help form the larger creeks. TIMBER. The original timber was white oak, black oak, walnut, wild cherry, beech, sugar maple, elm, ash, poplar, hackberry, butternut and buckeye. There still remains some valuable timber among the hills, though it has been culled and the better part removed. SURFACE. In the northern and eastern part, Liberty township is hilly, with rich valleys. The central and western part is good land and has fine farms. There are several high hills, among them Rattlesnake Knob and Point Lookout. SOIL. The soil on the lowlands and in the valleys is a rich sandy loam, running to a clay on the hills. SETTLEMENT. In this township is located what has, from the earliest settlement of the country, been known as the "high bank prairie," on which the early settlers raised their first crop. Across and farther up the Scioto river is the "station prairie," also settled by the first corners. The lands bordering on the river were very rich, but had their drawbacks which caused many to remove to the hills in pursuit of health. The prevailing disease was ague, which attacked all alike, and was so severe at times that every member of a family would be down at the same time, with no one to provide drink for the sick. In such cases buckets would be filled in the morning, by those most able to walk to the spring, and placed where each could help himself. At some seasons of the year the roads were almost impassable, and when it was so that travel could be attempted there were many sick, else there would have been a general stampede for their old homes by the settlers. As it was, they were compelled to remain, until in time the country became settled and the prevailing disease and its cause in a measure removed. Among the first who came were James Kilgore and family, who settled on the "high banks," in 1798, or, perhaps, before that date, and built a cabin near where Horace Crookham now lives, where he raised his first crop of corn. He afterwards bought the upper trail of the "high bank prairie," which he divided with a Mr. Holton, and where both died. This land is now owned by Milton Jones and Thomas Orr. Following Kilgore were Thomas and Zebulon Orr, who located on the " high bank " in 1798 or 1799, and there raised a crop of corn. They afterwards removed to Springfield township, where they died, leaving families whose descendants now reside in various parts of the county. Thomas and Zebulon Orr, jr., live in this township. About the same time Robert Corken, Benjamin Kerns, Amos Taylor and others, settled in this vicinity, where they remained until the sale of the lands in 1802, and finding themselves outwitted in the purchase of the land on whin they had located, they removed to the adjoining sections back from the river, and some to the hills, where they again made homes. At this time the government sold no smaller tracts than a section, and many of the settlers clubbed together to purchase the section on which they had located. But, on the day of the sale, when these lands were sold, the crier, instead of naming them the "high bank" lands, offered them as the lands lying at the mouth of Indian creek, and they were bought by Benjamin Kerns, Felix Renick and Joseph Harness, except the upper fractional section, which was bought by James Kilgore and Holton. This made a scattering of the pioneers then settled along the bank, some of whom fell back to the flats or second bottoms. It was their settled conviction that bribery was used in the sale of the "high bank" lands, and after circumstances pointed to the man who was suspected of being the guilty party. The first wheat raised on the "high bank" was by Benjamin Kerns, who was allowed to harvest and stack it, soon after which some unknown person set fire to it and it was burned in the night. Mr. Kerns also cleared a place for an orchard, and while burning the log heaps he planted his trees, which were obtained at considerable cost, as there were no nurseries in the country at that time. A few nights after the planting of the trees was finished, some person or persons pulled up every tree in the orchard and laid the roots in the fire. After the land sales the Orrs settled on Dry run, Robert Corken and Benjamin Hanson located on Walnut creek, near Mooresville, in what is now Harrison township, and others remained in what is now Liberty township, where they settled and made homes. 35 274 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. On obtaining possession of the corn land on the "high bank" after the sale, one of the purchasers claimed rent for the lands used previous to the sale, and all paid except Thomas Orr, who was sued by Benjamin Kerns, and was upheld in his refusal to pay for the use of Congress lands. Another prominent man and early settler was Abraham Claypool, who came from Randolph county, Virginia, and settled on the "high bank prairie" in 1799. After the land sales of 1802, when he was disappointed in not being able to purchase the tract on which he had made some improvements, he entered section seventeen, on Walnut creek, where he made a permanent location and passed the remainder of his life. He cleared much of the land, and died at his home at the age of eighty-three, leaving his property to his nine children, Solomon, Jacob, Newton, Wilson, Abel, Isaac, Ann, Sarah and Maria. The two last are the only survivors of his children, and now reside in Chillicothe, although they own three-fourths of the original section. The other daughter, Ann, died on the property. The sons all settled in the west, where they died. The remaining one-fourth of the section is now owned by Abel Claypool, jr., son of Abel Claypool, who died in Fountain county, Indiana. Abraham Claypool, when a young man, was elected to the Virginia legislature, in which he served four years. He was elected a member of the first general assembly of Ohio, and served some eight or ten years; and was once a candidate for congress against General McArthur, receiving a creditable support. When a young man he served under "Mad" Anthony Wayne in his campaign against the Indians, and remained in the service until the close of the war by the treaty of Greenville. Amos Taylor came about 1800 to 1804 and settled on the "high banks" for a time, but it was so sickly he afterwards removed to the east side of Walnut creek, and located on section nine, where two of his daughters now reside. In 1804 Thomas Jones and family, consisting of his wife and seven children, arrived in this township, and settled on Walnut creek. He, with Alexander McClintick and Samuel Hoshauer, entered into an agreement, by which they were to enter section eight at the land office, and divide it into three equal part by lines running east and west. Mr. Jones took the north part, Hoshauer the center, and McClintick the south part. The children of Thomas Jones were William, Henry, Thomas, Mary, Rebecca, Benjamin, Jeremiah, Caleb, Joshua, Samuel and Jacob, all of whom married and remained in the vicinity, becoming farmers, who opened up the country to its present prosperous condition. They all lived and died here with the exception of Rebecca and William, who died in Missouri, and Jacob, Samuel and Joshua who still survive and live in the township. Samuel raised a family of seven sons and one daughter, one of whom (Samuel) died in the army. James lives in Missouri, and the others remain in the vicinity. Of Henry Jones' children, three yet remain in the vicinity: Simpson, Henry and Milton, all men in advanced life. Thomas, son of Joshua Jones, senior, and Finley, son of Thomas Jones, also reside in the township. Besides the above mentioned, there are many other descendants of Thomas Jones, senior, in the vicinity. Mr. Jones, the head of the family, when they came, was by occupation a shoemaker, and worked at his bench in his house, until an old man. His son, William, followed in his footsteps, and also worked at his trade during most of his lifetime, besides managing his farm. The others all became farmers, and by their industry, cleared the land, and made the country what it is. William bought section fifteen about 1810, and in 1825, built a brick house on his property—the same now occupied by Corwin Jones. He left this property to his second son, and went to the west, where he died. Alexander McClintick built a grist-mill on Walnut creek, on his land, very soon after his settlement. With it was connected a distillery, for in those days it was no disgrace for a Presbyterian, or a member of any other church, to make whiskey, which was used more commonly then, than is cider at the present time. This mill and distillery were run by McClintick during his life, and for a time after his death by his family. It afterwards passed into other hands, and is long since one of the things of the past. No vestige of it now remains. Quite an excitement was caused in a very early day, by an attempt made by some one to destroy the still. This was run by a young man who lived with the McClintick family. One evening, while he was at supper, seven loud reports were heard in the direction of the still-house. All hurried there, and found that some evil-disposed person, with the head of an axe, had burst in every one of the seven copper kettles. An indignation meeting was at once called, to which all the settlers were summoned, and directed to each bring his axe, in order to ascertain which would fit the holes in the kettles. All axes in the neighborhood were tried, but the guilty person was not discovered. Such was the indignation of the settlers that summary punishment would have been meted out to the perpetrator had he been found out. It was an attack on one of the industries of the little community, and for a time demoralized the corn market. Samuel Hoshauer cleared and cultivated his land, and raised a family, all of whom went west. His land is now owned by Benjamin Drummond. Caleb Odell settled on section seven, west of McClintick's, at about the same time. Here he had a small still, which was in operation eight or ten years. Elisha Rawles was a very early settler on the south half of section seven, on which he built a hewed log house and barn, both of which had shingled roofs. The patent for this land was granted in 1813, and gives the location of the land as in township number eight, range twenty. This original patent is now in the possession of Samuel Jones, who ownes the property. Rawles sold it to Jacob Hoshauer, and removed to near Sandusky. John Carr entered the north half of the same section (seven), but never lived on the land. He sold to Daniel SAMUEL AND MARY ANN JONES. One of the oldest and most respected surviving natives of the Scioto valley is Mr. Samuel Jones, the subject of this brief notice. His parents came from New Jersey to Liberty township in 1804, bringing a large family with them, to which additions were made after their arrival. Among them was Samuel, born at the pioneer home, only one and a half miles from his present residence, in 1807, the eighth son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Cox) Jones. He is of Welsh blood on the father's side. He had few advantages of schooling, hut is a fairly intelligent and well disciplined man, able to read understandingly and appreciativly, and perform- all other duties necessary to his station. His A, B, C's were learned in a primitive log school-house, by the light filtered through greased paper, used for windows. He labored at or near home, sometimes for his oldest brother, William, until after he was eighteen. For one job he cut and corded thirty-two cords of wood for Abraham Wakeman, for the petty sum of five dollars. September 9, 2830, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Drummond, who is still the partner of his joys. He now took a place for himself, buying the land where Benjamin K. Drummond now lives. He lived there two years, then sold to his brother, Jeremiah, and located on the place where his son Rodman resides. Upon that tract he spent thirty-three years, and finally settled upon his present farm, in the near neighborhood of the other, in the north part of Liberty township, one and a half miles from Schooley's station. He has been greatly prospered, and enjoys abundance in his old age. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for forty-seven years, and is one of the main-stays of the Concord society, near his home, having entered the doors of its meeting-house oftener than any other person, living or dead. For many years he has served as class-leader, steward, or trustee. He was a Whig until Republicanism came in, when he cast his lot with the new party, and has been township treasurer, and also school director. He was a thorough patriot during the late war, and gave two sons to the Union army, one of whom died in the service, as noted below. He is a member of the temperance organization, known as the Independent Order of Good Templars, but has never joined any other secret society. He is still in hale and happy health, and bids fair to last yet many years in his career of usefulness and honor, and to set a shining example to his fellow-men. Mrs. Mary Ann Jones was the second child of Josiah and Han- nah (McCauley) Drummond, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 10, 1810. Her father was a Jerseyman; her mother of Irish descent. He was a dentist, and also held a diploma as a doctor of medicine, and practiced both professions. Mary was educated in the common schools of the Quaker city, and at the age of seventeen accompanied her parents to the far west, the Scioto valley, where they settled in Liberty township, upon the farm afterwards occupied by Mr. Jones, their son-in-law. He tried farming for a while, but his health was poor, and he sold out and resumed practice as a dentist, going to Cincinnati, where he remained two years, and then settled in Londonderry as a physician. He practiced in this region for many years, and lived to a vigorous and good old age. He was an almost life-long member of the Methodist church, and was very highly respected as a physician and citizen. Mary accompanied her people in their migrations until married, as before recorded, to Mr. Jones, to whom she has ever since been a loving and faithful helpmeet, and also a useful member of society and of the Methodist church. Although now in somewhat feeble health, her senses and mental faculties are remarkably well preserved, and she still reads with ease without glasses. Their children and children's children, a numerous family, are as follows: David, born December 13, 1831, married Eliza Haines November 13, 1855, lives near Circleville, and has children, James, George, and Anna, the latter now Mrs. Mark Owen; Rodman, born March 5, 1834, married January 28, 1862, Mary E. Hampton (died January 12, 1876), lives near parents, and has children as follows: Carnie V., Ida Ella, Dora, and Mary C. (died July 12, 1876, aged six months); James, born January 4, 1836, married Nancy Ann Walker November 19, 1865, was three years a soldier in company D,, Eighty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, is now a farmer in Nodaway county, Missouri; John Wesley, born April 23, 1843• married Catharine Sheets, now resides at the toll-gate, on the Walnut Creek turnpike, near his father, and has children as follows: Samuel, Nellie, May, Hattie, Laura, and Daniel (died in infancy); Ellis, born February 15, 1838, died December 9, 2842; William Henry, born April 29, 1840, died December 12, 1841; and Samuel Osborn, September 12, 2845, died October 16, 1864, at Richmond, Virginia, a prisoner of war, having been taken at the battle of Monocacy, while in the hundred days' service. HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 275 Dollahon, who made some improvements and afterwards sold it to Samuel and Simpson Jones, the present owners. Peter Day, from Pennsylvania, with Hugh McKee, entered section six very early. The Malones and Alexanders were squatters on the same land. Day was a hard drinker, and died from the effect of his intemperate habits. McKee also died in the neighborhood, very suddenly. He worked on Saturday and died Sunday. He was the owner of a small, white horse, which was a great favorite with him, and before he died said he wanted his horse to draw him up the hill. His body was prepared for the grave, placed on a small sled to which the horse was attached, and according to his desire was thus conveyed up the hill as far as the horse could go, and was carried the remainder of the distance to his grave. Webster Thomas settled on section five, about 1800. He was a native of New Jersey, and remained during his life on the land. Some of his descendants are now living in the vicinity. William Schooley came about the same time, and settled on section eighteen, which was given his wife by her father, Thomas Bowens, who settled on the section below Schooley. Here he lived and died. Schooley also died on his property, which remained in the possession of his son until recently, when he sold it and removed to Missouri. Mr. Bowen left his farm to his son, who occupied it until an old man, when he went west, where he died. Andrew Kelley settled on fractional section number eleven, at the State dam, about 1800. His wife died there in 1801, and was burried on the land; but since then her remains have been removed and deposited in the burial-ground at Schooley's station. He afterwards removed to section nine, where he remained and spent the rest of his life. He was the father of sixteen children, of whom seven are now living. Two of them, Mrs. Harriet Wakeman and Mrs. Orlenda Long, reside in the township. Mr. Kelley planted an orchard from seed procured from apples shipped to Chillicothe soon after his settlement. Some of the old trees are now standing. He was a farmer during his life, and an early justice of the peace in the county. Thomas and James Kelly also came about 1800. Both settled in the west part of the township, where they died early. Some of their descendants remain in the vicinity. Joseph Harness bought sections nine and ten, and fractional section eleven on the high banks, at the first land sales. He had something over twelve hundred acres. He came to this country from Hardy county, Virginia, in about 1798, and settled on the land he afterwards bought. Here he remained during his life, and at his death left his property to his children, of whom he had five, as follows: Eliza (Mrs. James Vause), Mary (Mrs. George Moore, of Mason county, Virginia), Edwin J., who died leaving no family, and Rebecca (Mrs. Charles F. Beal). Of their descendants, Joseph I. Vause, Mary Harness and Rachael Harness, live in the township. Two others, Edwin W. and James M. Vause, live in Coles county, Illinois. George Harness, brother of Joseph, entered the sections adjoining and farther down the river, where he owned some sixteen hundred acres of land. He never, settled on the land, which was occupied by tenants for many years, until 1842 and 1846, when C. E. Harness and his brother, Daniel R. Harness, came into possession of the property on which they now live. John Hixon and family were among the earliest settlers in the eastern part of the township, locating in about 1802, on one-half of section twenty-three. The section was entered by Griffith Pierce, who gave one-half to his son-in-law, Hixon, and one-half to his son, Samuel Pierce, who came from Virginia with Hixon. About a year later, Samuel, Jesse, and Joseph Dixon came from Chatham county, North Carolina, and located in what is now Liberty township. Samuel had one hundred and eleven acres in section fourteen, and the whole of section twenty-four. Jesse Dixon settled on section eleven, and Joseph on section thirteen, of which he finally owned three-fourths. He built a saw- and grist-mill on Salt creek, which he put in operation in 1807. He run this mill until 1825, when he died, and the property passed into the hands of his sons, Abel and Joseph, who continued the business many years. In about 1870, it was sold to John Holland, and after a year Joseph Dixon bought it again, and again sold it, to Robert Kidnocker, who now owns the property. The mill building is the same, with some additions, as the original. Enoch Cox bought a portion of section eleven, for his son, Nathan Cox, who settled on it about the same time as the Dixons. Joseph Cox settled on section fourteen about 1802. He had a wife, but raised no family. Both died on their property. John Francis came in 1801, and settled in the south part of the township for a time, but afterward removed to what is now Vinton county. Daniel, George, and Jonathan Dixon settled on section ten in 1800. When the land was sold each of the brothers bought one-fourth; the remainder being purchased by Nicholas Cox. Daniel Dixon died, of cholera, in 1 8 3 2, and left a family of seven children, all of whom settled in the vicinity, but have since scattered. George Dixon, jr., his son, was born here, in 1808, and remains in the township, living on section eleven. Elias lives on section ten, and two sisters, Tamar and Nancy, the latter of whom married Jacob Calver, live on section sixteen. George and Jonathan Dixon died on their land, both leaving families. John, Charles, and James Davis, brothers, were early settlers (about 1800) on the Harness land, near the Scioto river, where they remained many years. They afterward removed to the south part of this, and into Pike county, where their descendants now own valuable farms. Webster Thomas came from New Jersey, in 1806, with his family. They settled on section eight, where they lived, and where Mr. Thomas died. His son James lived on the land until 1869, when he moved to Londonderry, and died at the house of Rev. Joseph Thomas, his son. James Thomas' first wife died on the farm, in 276 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. 1844, leaving nine children. He afterwards married Mrs. Elizabeth Harlow, by whom he had three children. Abraham Hiner located on the banks of Walnut creek, on section eight, about 1806 or 1808, where he established a tannery. This he kept in operation fifteen or twenty years, when he died. His family consisted of two daughters, both of whom married and passed their lives in the vicinity. John May came into the country early and entered section one, in the western part of the township. This he sold to John Steely, in 1816. Steely remained but a short time, and the property passed into other hands. John Cox came with his father's family, and settled in Liberty township about 1808 or 1809. He has lived for many years in the northeast corner of the township. George Day and family settled in Liberty township at some time about the year 1805 to 1808. They came here from Botetourt county, Virginia, and, on their arrival, settled on section eighteen, a part of which Mr. Day owned. The section was entered by Thomas Bowens, who sold Mr. Day one hundred and ten acres. In 1831 he sold the land and went to Indiana, where he remained until 1834, when he returned, and, after a few years, died. He was by trade a tailor, and worked in his house. Of his family of seven children, Mrs. Margaret Gates lives in Harrison township, and, William Day, in Londonderry. The latter followed the business of a gunsmith, in the village, from 1831 to 186o. For eighteen years he was a justice of the peace in the township. James and Adam Stewart, natives of Ireland, settled on section fifteen about 1810, where they afterwards died, leaving families. Two daughters of Adam Stewart live in Londonderry. Lemuel Kilbourn came from New York State very early, and located in Chillicothe for a time. In about 1810 he removed to section thirteen in the eastern part of Liberty township, where he remained some years. He finally removed to Jefferson township, where he died. Joshua Jones emigrated from New Jersey to Ohio, in 1814, and settled on section sixteen, where he made a home, and remained until about 1841, when he removed to Londonderry village. Both himself and wife died there. His wife was a widow Williamson, who had four children previous to her marriage with Mr. Jones. Two of them removed to Marion county. One daughter died in Liberty, and one son now lives in Londonderry. A son by her second husband (Levi Jones), now lives on section twelve, where, with William Day, he owns a farm. John Wesley Williamson came to Ohio in 1814, when nine years old, with his step-father, Joshua Jones, and remained with him on section sixteen for some years. He then followed herding cattle on the Indian reservation, near Upper Sandusky, for several years. In 1836 he opened a hotel in Londonderry, in which he remained until 1848, when he removed to his present residence, on the opposite side of the street. His wife was Willey Higley. She died in the village, leaving one child, Jane, who married Austin Motter, since deceased. She now lives with her father, Mr. Williamson. William Kelly settled in Lancaster, whence he came from Frederick county, Virginia, in 1802. In about 1807 he came to Ross county, and located in Liberty township, where he entered land in section nine. There he made a home and raised his family of ten children, five sons and five daughters. Of these children, five are now living, Nancy, Dorcas, Julia, Ezra, and D. H. Kelly, all of whom remain on the original section, where Mr. Kelly had a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He was by occupation a cooper, and had a shop on his land in which he worked until an old man. He lived to be seventy-six, and his wife eighty-six years of age. Four of his sons learned his trade, two of whom worked at the business many years. The other, John, learned shoemaking and tanning, which he followed many years. He was also a harness-maker for a few years, besides managing his farm. He had a tannery on the farm of his uncle, Andrew Kelly, about 1835, which he kept in operation until 1840. He died on his farm. Ezra and I). H. Kelly worked with their father in the shop for a time, when Ezra read medicine, and practiced one summer in Illinois. He was also a school teacher some fifteen winters. Jacob Peterman, from Botetourt county, Virginia, settled in Liberty township in 1812, locating on the "high banks," where he opened a blacksmith shop, and worked at his trade during the most of his life. In old age, he moved to the house of his son Daniel, where he died. He raised a family of six children, all of whom settled near by, but afterwards scattered. Two, David and Mary (Mrs. Cutwright), died in the township. Daniel is the only one of the children who now lives in the township. Morris Humphrey settled on section eleven, where he rented land in 1825. He came from Loudoun county, Virginia, and after remaining on this land a few years, he married Mary Ann Dixon, who inherited the farm. Some years later they sold the property, and spent a short time in Jackson county, when they returned to Liberty township, and Mr. Humphrey died. Some of his children are now living in the vicinity; one son, Elisha, in Londonderry. Thomas Corken and family came from Chillicothe, where he was raised, and settled on section fifteen, in 1828 or 1830. He married Rebecca Jones, and raised a family of ten children. His daughter, Eliza Jane, married Robert Hanna, who purchased the farm. Mr. Corken then removed to Nodaway county, Missouri, where he lives with his son Samuel, aged eighty-eight years. Mrs. Hanna died in 1875, leaving her husband and a family of children, who still occupy their home. Joseph Dixon, jr., was born on section thirteen, in 1814, and remained there during his life, dying in 1874. His wife was Winnie Walker, whose father, John Walker, came from Virginia in 1824. They raised ten children, of whom all but two that are living reside in the township. Simon R. Dixon, their third child, married Mary R. Jones, daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth Jones, in 186o, and resides a half mile south of Londonderry. Joseph Wilkins and family removed from New Jersey to Virginia, and from there to Ohio in 1805. He first settled in Columbiana county, where he remained until DANIEL AND ELIZA PETERMAN. Daniel Peterman was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, October 11, 1804, first son of Jacob and Rosanna (Carsner) Peterman. He knew well the "hermit of the Scioto," mentioned in this volume in the history of Franklin township, who was also a native of Botetourt, and was often at his house. The Peterman ancestors were from Germany. The family came to the Scioto valley in 1810, and settled near the present home of the subject of this sketch, on the High Bank prairie, in Liberty township. The father was a farmer and blacksmith, and Daniel also pursued both vocations to some extent until he was married and began to do for himself. The former interesting event occurred on New Year's day, 1840. His wife and children are duly mentioned below. He has since been a quiet farmer, with no events of marked importance in his tranquil life. He has not been at all an office-seeker, but has been honored by his fellow-citizens with various township and school offices. Although now nearly seventy-six years old, he enjoys excellent health, and was never sick abed in his life, save once, about five years ago, when a horse fell upon him and inflicted a severe injury, breaking his leg. He hears and sees well, and is in all respects in the full possession of his faculties. He is a peaceable man, never having more than a single suit in court, is in good repute every way, and, so far as he knows, has not an enemy in the world. Mrs. Eliza Peterman, wife of Daniel, was born in Virginia, December 28, 1810, the second daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah (Howard) Ditman. The father's descent was Pennsylvania German; the mother's English. They removed to the high bank about 1812. In 1833 she was married to William Stogdale, a native of the Green River country, Indiana, and resided in that State five years. In 1837 she lost her mother, and her father died April 10, 1853, and her husband at some date of which we are not in possession. New Year's day, 1840, she was married to Mr. Peterman, and has since faithfully shared his fortunes. Their children are: James T., born November 16, 184o, a farmer at Schooley's station, on the Marietta & Cincinnati railroad; Nathaniel Tilghman, born May 4, 1843, a farmer near his parents; Jacob, born February 1, 1845, the station-keeper at Schooleys; and Samantha, who was married May 5, 1870, to Mr. Cyrus Hickle. HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 277 1815, when he again removed and located in Liberty township, Ross county. He bought a quarter section of land on the east side of Walnut creek, where he remained some ten years, when he went to Highland county. The land which he purchased was entered by Mr. Fleming, who forfeited his title after making one payment. Jacob Mace came from Hardy county, Virginia, and settled on what was then known as Evans' prairie, near Yellow Bud, in 1798. John Jackson, Mr. Davenport, Samuel Smith, and Mr. Baker, with their families, came at the same time. Baker, Jackson and Davenport died there. Mr. Mace removed to within four miles of Chillicothe, and settled in Union township, where he died. His sons Isaac and Jacob were born in Union township, where the former died some years since. Jacob remained there until 1833, when he went to Pike county. In 1842 he removed to his present -home in Liberty township. One sister, Mrs. Nancy Mouser, in Pickaway county, and a brother (Morgan) in Missouri, are all that now remain of the children of Jacob Mace, sr. INDUSTRIES, ETC. Two railroads run through Liberty township from east to west. The Marietta & Cincinnati was commenced in about 1851, and was completed through the township in 1852 or '53, and through its entire length about 1860. Two passenger stations are situated in this township, one called Schooley's station, and the other Londonderry station. Besides the above-named road, the Dayton & Southeastern, a narrow guage road, was also completed through the township in 1879. The present business in the township is represented by an elevator at Schooley's station, a new steam saw- and grist-mill and carding machine at Londonderry, a tannery at Londonderry station, a saw-mill in the south part of the township, a grist-mill and carding machine in the southeast part of the township, besides the usual number of blacksmith, wagon and repair shops. A tannery was started a short distance north of Londonderry, in about 1832, by John Dailey, who afterward removed it to the village, where it remained until about 1848, when he died. It was then continued some three years by William Graves, who then sold it to Beck & Barnett. They operated it two years and closed up the business. Beck then formed a partnership with Mr. Walker, and erected a building near Londonderry station, about the time the railroad was in process of construction, and established a new tannery. This they continued until 1864, when Walker sold to Beck, who managed it about a year and sold to Henry Du Bois, who has since controlled it. He does a large business and buys stock in different parts of the country. The first brick house in the township was built by James Kilgore, soon after 1804, and is now owned and occupied by Milton Jones. This house is located in the northwest corner of the township. The barn on the place is the same built by Mr. Kilgore, in I Fo4, and is made of peeled hickory logs. It has since been weather-boarded, and would not now be recognized as a log barn that has withstood the storms and tempests of seventy-six years. A very early school was taught in the east part of the township, by William Slaughter, in about 1806 or '7. Another early teacher was John A. Dailey. The building used as a school-house was built of logs, with a large fireplace occupying one end of the building. Light was furnished by sawing out a log on one or both sides, then tacking strips of wood across the opening, which was then covered with greased paper. After using for a time, another fireplace was built at the other end of the building, but not being constructed on strictly scientific principles, after being used for a week, it held fire long enough to destroy the building. This was situated on section fifteen. The next school-house was built on section fourteen, on the road southeast of Londonderry. John A. Dalley, who was the teacher when the first school-house burned, became teacher in this during the remainder of the winter. The next teacher was Joseph Stretch, a carpenter, who worked at his trade most of the time and taught school during the winter. He was the architect and builder of most of the barns in this part of the township. In the west part of the township a school was taught, on land belonging to Mr. Rawles, in section seven, about 1818. The teacher was an old man by the name of Greenlee. A little later a school-house was built east of Walnut creek, on land now owned by Misses E. and E. Kelley. James Kilgore kept the first tavern at his house in the west part of the township. This he opened very soon after his settlement, and continued during his life. He also had a grist-mill near the point where the railroad crosses the Scioto river. This he also kept in operation until his death, from cholera, in about 1832. Felix Renick, who located near Kilgore, became a prominent man among the early settlers. He was one of the first associate judges of Ross county, and was besides a well-known surveyor. He laid out the road from Chillicothe to Athens, through Liberty township, in the fall of 1812. Amos Kilburn had a fulling-mill on Salt creek, soon after 1810. His son and son-in-law, about the same time, put in machinery for a dish-mill, and worked at manufacturing wooden bowls some four or five years, when they gave up the business. Jacob Dixon started a distillery on Salt creek in an early day. Abraham Wakeman had one on section fourteen, about 1825. This was kept in operation until 1834 or '35, when it was given up. Stephen Wakeman was an early settler from New York State. In about 1830 he built a grist-mill, saw-mill and still-house, on section seventeen, on the bank of Walnut Creek, which contributed the motive power. When the creek was up the mill would work slowly, but it was never a very good mill, though it was kept in operation some twenty years. The first carding machine was brought into the township in about 1820, by William Clayton. This machine 278 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. was located on a little run near Londonderry station, and was kept in operation seven or eight years. Another carding machine was brought into the country, by Abel and Joseph Dixon, in about 1830-35. This machine is still kept in operation at Elisha Humphrey's saw-mill. Jacob Dixon also had a carding machine on Salt creek, in the south part of the township, which was long since given up. William Clayton had a grist-mill which he kept in operation a few years, at the time he was running a carding machine. John Nichols had a distillery on the same run, but it was not kept in operation long. Isaac Hegley had a distillery on William Kelley's farm about 1810 or 1812. This still was in operation a few years when it was discontinued. It was revived, and again run some two years, when it was given up. First mills used by many of the early settlers, were called Armstrong's mills, and were of very simple construction. A solid stump was cut square on the top, and a fire built in the center, which, in a short time, burned a cavity into the wood. This was scraped so as to remove the coal, when it was used as a mortar, in which to pound the corn. Sieves was made of deer hide, from which the hair was cleared, and while the hide was still green it was stretched over a hoop. When dry, small holes were punched or burned in it by a knitting-needle or other fine wire, when it was ready for use. The meal or flour was not as fine as that used at the present day, nor was all the bran removed, but with this coarse diet the early settlers were not troubled with dyspepsia and its many ills. Joseph Dixon brought with him a large coffee mill, and before building his mill on Salt creek, used to grind corn and wheat for the use of his family in this. Simon Ratcliff who lived with Mr. Dixon, worked at grinding in this mill during the daytime, and Mr. Dixon during the evening. It kept one of them busy most of the time to provide flour for the use of the family. Joseph Cox, Samuel Dixon and Joseph Dixon planted nurseries soon after their settlement, from which sprang many of the early orchards of the township. CHURCHES. Alexander McClintick fitted up a chamber in his house, on the west side of Walnut creek, about 1804, which was used as a place of meeting for the Presbyterians. This same room, built of hewed logs and since weather-boarded, is included in the west part of the house now owned and occupied by Simpson Jones. A church was organized in this room as early as 1804 or 1806, the first members being Alexander McClintick, his wife, and other members of his family. After a time accessions were had to the membership from among some of the young people in the neighborhood. The first preacher was Dr. Wilson, of Chillicothe. This church was kept up some ten or fifteen years, until the death of the old pedple, since which time no organization has been in existence. CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Liberty church was built as a free church, in the west part of the village of Londonderry, on land now occupied by James Stevens, in about ;832. Early meetings were held at farm houses and in barns for a number of years before the church was erected. An organization was effected about 182o, by Enoch Harvey. Among the first members were Enoch Harvey, Joseph Baker, Noah Clark, James Mitchell, Christian Huddle, William Schooley, with their wives and others. Joseph Barker was the local preacher. Ministers also came in from other places, among them Barton Stone, from Kentucky, and other prominent men. The church building, a frame, was burned in 1862, since which time the organization has died out. Meetings were held for a time at a free church which was built near Schooley's station at about the same date, but at which no regular services are now sustained, although the church is free for the use of any denomination. LONDONDERRY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was organized about 182o or 1821. Previous to that time traveling preachers of the Methodist church passed through the country and held meetings at every convenient place. William Jones kept open house to all these early preachers, and, as was the custom in those days, set out a pitcher of whiskey in the morning, of which the preachers partook, as an appetizer, as well as to ward off attacks of ague and other malarial diseases. The church was organized in a school house, several years before the building was erected, which was in about 183o. This was a frame building, and was occupied as such until about 1856, when it was sold and torn down, and the present comfortable brick church built in its stead. Among the early members were William Jones and wife, Josiah and Robert Drummond with their wives, Amos T. Mendenhall and wife, John Rains, Benjamin Drummond and wife, Mrs. Sarah Wesson, James Mendenhall and John his brother, Thomas Corken and wife, and many others. The present membership of the church is about forty. A Sabbath-school of about one hundred members is also sustained, under the superintendence of E. J. Young. The lot on which the church was built, was obtained from Adam Stewart and Sarah his wife, by John Rains, Amos Mendenhall, James King, Josiah Drummond, and Benjamin Drummond, who served as trustees. CONCORD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was organized about 1826, in which year the church lot was deeded for that purpose by Leonard Weaver. Meetings had been held in private houses for some years previous to this date, and the organization was effected at some time before the church was built. The early members were Samuel King and family, John Climer and family, Caleb Odell and family, Thomas Orr and family, Benjamin Drummond and family, and others. The first church erected, a small frame building, was used until 1878, when a beautiful new church was built, a short distance south of the old one, which is occasionally used for temperance and other meetings. A large Sabbath- HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 279 school is sustained, with Jacob Whetstone as superintendent and Simpson Jones assistant. FRIENDS CHURCH at Londonderry was organized in about 1865, by Gersham Perdue and John Henry Douglas, the latter being the preacher. Among the first members were Hiram Dixon and wife, Jacob Jones and wife, Mason Jones and several others. An organization was effected in the Methodist Episcopal church, which was used three or four years. In about 1869 a church was built in the west part of the village. Before the building was completed some thirty or forty members joined the congregation. No regular preacher ministers to the church, though Thomas Kelley and Taylor Moore are preachers who belong to the congregation. Regular meetings are held each Sabbath, whether a preacher be present or not. This congregation belongs to Fairfield quarter. A Sabbath-school of some fifty members is sustained, under the superintendence of Simon R. Dixon. A cemetery was opened on the church lot in 1868, the first burial being Mrs. Reed, in 1869. Since that time many persons have been buried here, and others removed from other places. This ground is called Londonderry cemetery. GRAVEYARDS. Among the first in the township was the ground at Schooley's station, which was opened soon after 1800. There was another three-fourths of a mile north of Londonderry, the first burial in which was William Cox, in 1808. Another ground is situated near the Friends church in Londonderry. Concord church, west of Rattlesnake knob, also has a ground. There is a family burial ground on the Claypool land, besides several others in other parts of the township. LONDONDERRY. The village of Londonderry was laid out about 1831, by Adam Stewart and Nathan Cox; Stewart laying off the south part and Cox the north. The latter sold all his property after a time, and removed to Stark county, Illinois. Stewart was an Irishman, from near Londonderry, after which he named the village. The first store in the place was kept by Ebenezer Guy, in 1832. He remained but a short time, and during the same year Simon Ratcliff opened a store, which he sold to Nathan Cox after a time. Cox received Abel Dixon as a partner, and remained in business but a short time. James Gillespie was also in business here in 1832. Since that time, the following firms and business houses have been in operation in the place: Dr. Alexander Gordon, J. Weston, Henninger & Creal, Joseph Grubb, Samuel Griffin, who was in business, from about 1835, some forty years; Rowell & Day, John D. Carr, Austin Motter, Dr. Drummond, William Baker, Abraham Boblitt, Cox & Gordon, White & Comstock, Cushing, Wood & Co., S. G. Griffin, Bramble & Reynolds, Humphrey Bros., Walker & Griffin, James Rittenour, P. G. Griffin & Co., and at present, Ratcliff Bros., John Walker, and William Francis. The first physician to locate in the township was Dr. James Moore, who came to Londonderry about 1831, or 1832, and remained some four or five years. Dr. Josiah Drummond came about this time, and was followed by Drs. Shawk, N. E. Jones, John T. Jones, and the present physicians, Dr. Thomas Farabee and Dr. J. M. Wiltshire. There are also in Londonderry four blacksmith shops, presided over by Joseph Foust, S. S. Walker, Kilbourn, and Lemuel Meeker; one hotel, managed by Mrs. C. Rains; grist-mill of John Boblitt; planing-mill of Henry D. Dixon, and wagon shops of Joseph Pariot, S. S. Walker, and Joseph Thomas. Isaac Headley, shoemaker, and Drs. John M. Wiltshire and Thomas Farabee. The first hotel in Londonderry was kept by Benjamin Barnett, who came from Maryland in an early day, and in about 1829 built a hotel in the village which he managed several years, until the death of his wife, after which he removed to Kingston. John W. Williamson also kept a hotel in the village some six years, when he retired from the business. POST-OFFICE. Liberty township had no post-office until 1832 or '33, when an office was opened in the village of Londonderry, and was named Gillespieville, from James Gillespie, who became its first officer and served several years. The office was at that time kept in the house now occupied by William Day, esq., who succeeded Mr. Gillespie in the charge of the office. Since then the office has been administered by William S. Myrick, J. W. Williamson, Levi Jones, Dr. J. M. Shawk, Dr. N. E. Jones, John D. Carr, William Day, H. D. Calver, Andrew G. Morrison, Jacob Beck, Philip Griffin, W. B. Francis, T. H. Griffin, Thomas Ratcliff, and the present postmaster, George Ratcliff. Another office was established at Schooley's station, on the Marietta and Cincinnati railroad, about 1861, of which John Schooley was the postmaster, as well as agent for the railroad. He was succeeded by Benjamin Harness, and he by Henry Harness. Vigo post-office was established at Londonderry station at about the same time as the one at Schooley's station, and under the charge of Jacob Beck. Since then there have been several changes, the present postmaster being E. P. Climer, who also has a general merchandise store. A regular mail route was established in about 1832. Jacob Minton was the first carrier; he traveled on horseback. A few years later a line of stages was put on the road from Chillicothe to Athens, and was continued until 1855, or about that time, when the Marietta railroad was completed.