(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 483 NEW MARKET. This is one of the four original townships included within the present limits of Highland county, but the exact date of its formation is unknown, as no early records seem to have been kept. It was formed when Ohio was under a territorial form of government, probably in about 1778 or 1779. The records which should contain the date of organization of these townships, have been lost or destroyed, but the boundaries were defined and recorded by the county commissioners in 1825. Since its organization other townships have been formed and it has been much reduced in size. NEW MARKET-SETTLEMENT. In the spring of 1797, Henry Massie, a brother of General Nathaniel Massie, surveyed large tracts of land lying on the headwaters of Brush creek, and was greatly pleased with the location. After the assured success of his brother in laying out the town of Chillicothe, he had an ambition to also plat a town, and after consultation with his brother and friends on his return to ,Manchester, he decided to carry out his plan and found a town that should rival the settlement at Chillicothe. Accordingly, the following' spring he returned to the point he deemed the best for his purpose, accompanied by Oliver Ross, his daughter Rebecca, at that time a girl of about fifteen, Robert Huston, and one other. On the evening of April 17, 1797, they camped at a spring near the contemplated town, where Miss Ross was made keeper of the camp and cook for the party. Mr. Massie and his assistants immediately set about the work of surveying and platting the town, on the completion of which he presented Miss Ross with a village lot. The plat covered four hundred acres, and was arranged much after the plan of the city of Philadelphia. The two main cross streets were each ninety-nine feet wide, and the others sixty-six feet. Four in-lots on the northeast corner, at the intersection of the main cross streets, were designated as a public square, and were to be occupied by a court house, as this was to be the county seat of some future county. One lot was reserved for school purposes, and an out-lot for a cemetery. After platting the town it required some study on the part of the proprietor to find a suitable name, but he finally decided to call it New Market, from a beautiful village of that name in Virginia. He then prepared copies of the plat, with a full description of its natural advantages, which he sent to friends in Maysville, Kentucky, to Manchester, and Chillicothe. During the summer several visitors came to the embryo town, attracted by his graphic descriptions of it and 484 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO the surrounding country. Among these were Jonathan Berryman and William Wishart, the former of whom purchased one hundred acres of land adjoining the town, .and the latter a corner-lot, on which he immediately commenced the erection of a log cabin, to be used as a hotel for the accommodation of the great rush of new settlers which was anticipated. During the same summer, Joseph Kerr came to the camp and engaged in surveying and locating land. Oliver Ross and Robert Huston continued to act as chain carriers for Massie until each was enabled to purchase one hundred acres of land adjoining the town. Both were natives of Ireland, and had arrived in America but a short time before starting on this expedition. In the fall the party returned to Manchester, where they passed the winter. In the spring of 1798 Oliver Ross, with his two sons and one daughter, left Manchester for the purpose of making a new home in the wilderness town of New Market, where they arrived the fourteenth of Match. A temporary home was made in a camp, from which preparations were made to build a home, the first work being the clearing of a small piece of corn land. Oliver Ross was a comparatively old man when he began this settlement, and, on going into the woods to commence a clearing, he directed his son, St. Clair, to chop down a small tree, and then with a grubbing hoe remove the roots, that, when an old man, he could say that he had cut the first tree, and dug up the first grub in the settlement of New Market. That spring they planted four acres of corn, from which they harvested a good crop. During the summer they remained in the camp, eating their meals from a split log with the flat side up, and subsisting on corn-meal gruel, flavored with wild onions. For meat the forest furnished an abundance of venison, wild turkey, bear, and other game. Their nearest and only neighbors were the Indians, who were quite troublesome, stealing everything they could lay their hands on. Soon after the settlement of the Ross family came Jacob Barnes, McCafferty, and others, whose names cannot be recalled. Robert Boyce brought the first wagon into the settlement, in the fall of 1798. He sent word to the first arrivals and asked them to turn out and cut a road to meet him, which they did. The following spring St. Clair Ross and his sister went to Manchester after supplies, and, on their return, met a party of Indians, with Simon Kenton at their head. The brother and sister were somewhat alarmed, but Kenton assured them that they were in no danger, and they passed on. Soon after, Mr. Ross saw a couple of horses grazing in the valley near by, which he recognized as belonging to his neighbor, Robert Boyce, and, rightly conjecturing that they had been stolen by the Indians, he untied the wythes with which they were tethered, and started them toward home. He soon found that the Indians were pursuing him, and, telling his sister to press forward as fast as possible, he hastened on with fresh horses. The Indians then showed themselves and fired several shots, which, fortunately, flew wide of their mark, and they arrived home in safety, and restored the missing horses. Mr. Ross was married to Miss Rebecca Eakin, by Samuel Evans, esq., in 1807, and, two years later, removed to near Sugar Tree Ridge, now in Concord township. Considerable improvement was made in New Market during the fall of 1799, and before cold weather set in six or seven cabins were visible from the cabin door. The permanent settlers of the town at the opening of the year 1800, were Eli Collins and family, Isaac Dillon, Jacob Eversole, John Eversole, Christian Bloom, Robert Boyce, Jacob Beam, John Emrie, and William Wishart, the proprietor of the log cabin hotel. Jonathan Berryman lived on his farm adjoining the town, where he had cleared and brought under cultivation several acres, and was considered the principal farmer in the settlement. The previous season he had raised a good crop of corn, of which he had a surplus, and for which he found a ready market at his crib. Oliver Ross had built a house on his farm east of the town, the best in the settlenient. It was a good sized, one-story, hewed-log house with clapboard roof; one room in front and a kitchen in the rear. He had also cleared and cultivated several acres of ground, and under a special license from Governor St. Clair, had opened a tavern. At one time the governor passed through New Market, on a journey to Chillicothe, on which occasion he stopped at Ross' tavern. Ross was an Irishman, and well supplied with the gift of blarney, and a short time afterward, received from the governor an appointment to the office of justice of the peace, the first state office held by any person living in what afterwards became Highland county. This honor was appreciated by the squire, and by all New Marketers. Robert Huston, who came to the place on its original survey, had also built a cabin on his land adjoining the town, and raised a small crop of corn. His wife was a daughter of Oliver Ross. After purchasing land for a farm, Jonathan Berryman returned to Manchester for the purpose of bringing his wife to his new purchase, but was delayed by a crippled horse, and was unable to star tuntil October. They performed the journey in a light Jersey wagon which contained their household goods. He was obliged to cut a road through the woods to his destination, and was eleven days on the road, camping out at night, hobbling and belling his horses that he might find them in the morning. On his arrival he set about cutting logs and building a cabin, in which labor he was several days delayed by his horses wandering away. They had been turned loose by his wife, who neglected to hobble them. After several days search one was found several miles north of New Market, where it had died, as was supposed from the bite of a rattlesnake on the nose. The other was never found and was probably picked up by some roving band of Indians, many of whom remained in the vicinity. The loss of his team was severely felt by Mr. Berryman, who had depended much upon their assistance in clearing and cultivating his land. On his return from the search he was able, with the help of his neighbors, to raise his cabin, and about the middle of November, moved into it, but, owing to continued storms HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 485 was unable to chink and daub it until between Christmas and New Years. Just after moving into his cabin he shot and killed a bear from his own door. Mr. Berryman was an industrious farmer, and soon had the best farm in the settlement. He planted an orchard from seeds brought with him, and procured a stock of bees from a tree in the woods, and in the course of a few years had fruit and honey in abundance. As a man, he was greatly respected, and in iSoz was appointed one os the associate judges of the new county of Highland, in which office he served four years. He commanded the first militia company in New Market, in 18o5, and was considered a good officer. This company had no uniform, and was armed, each man with his own rifle. Alexander Sanderson came to New Market in about 1801. He was a Scotchman who emigrated originally to Pennsylvania, and later, to Kentucky, from which State he came to Ohio. He located half a mile below New Market town; had a family of five children, who moved elsewhere, with one exception. His son, William,. remained on his farm some time, and afterwards removed to Hamer township, where he died, leaving a family of nine children, two of whom, George and A. C., now live in the township. William Sanderson cleared the farm now owned by J. H. Wood, a half mile west of the present village of Danville. Henry Wilkin and family emigrated from Shenandoah county, Virginia, to Ohio, in October, 1802, and settled two miles below New Market, where he died the next February. He left a family of five sons and four daughters, as follows: Godfrey, Leah, Abraham, Margaret, John, Isaac, Millie, Henry, and Mary Ann. John removed to Indiana, where he worked at the trade of tinsmith, and died an old man. Isaac died in Paris, Illinois, and Godfrey died near there. Mary Ann married Andrew Brouse, and died in Indianapolis. Millie married George Parrott, and is now living in Buckskin township, Ross county. Margaret married John Strain, and died in New Market. Leah married Frederick Gibler, and died in White Oak township. Abraham married Sallie Ferris, and remained on the home farm, where his son, Isaac, now resides. John Gossett emigrated from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, and from there, in 1797, to Chillicothe, where he remained two years. He then came to Highland county, and settled on White Oak, where he established the first successful mill in the county. He remained there many years, but finally sold and removed to a farm two miles east of New Market, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was the first representative of Highland county in the legislature, serving during the year 1808. Mr. Scott relates an amusing anecdote of Mr. Gossett's first visit to Chillicothe as representative. He was dressed in plain homespun and wore a pair of fair-leather shoes. On his arrival at the seat of government he put up at the best hotel, and on retiring gave his shoes into the care of the servant, to be cleaned. In the morning he could not find his shoes, and applied to the servant for them. The latter protested that he had returned as many as he carried away. The landlord was appealed to, it being Mr. Gossett's belief that they had been stolen. If so, the landlord would replace them as soon as a pair could be made, but meanwhile suggested that Mr. Gossett try the only pair left, which he found a perfect fit. He then made an examination, and found, to his surprise, that they were really his own shoes; but, as they had never before been blacked, he did not recognize them as the fair-leather pair he had worn the day before. Mr. Gossett bought, at Chillicothe, in 1823, the first iron mold-board plow ever used in Highland county. It- was a great curiosity in those days, and was visited by people from a distance of twenty miles. Its cost was twenty-three dollars. Lewis Summers, George Row, and Joseph Myers moved to the New Market settlement early in the spring of 1801. In the fall of the same year George Caley and Isaac Lemon also settled in the. town. During the winter of 1801 George Caley and Peter Hoop, while on a hunting expedition over the country now occupied by Hillsborough, became lost in the forest, but were fortunate in finally running upon the cabin of Terah Templin, on Rocky fork, where they were kindly cared for. Late in the fall of 1801 a wearied traveler arrived in the settlement. On his head he carried an eighteen gallon copper kettle, on his back a pack of tools and in his hands a quantity of wool. Thus Michael Stroup, the hatter, arrived in the town. He was an industrious fellow, and soon manufactured all the stock he had brought with him. He had no difficulty in selling all the hats he could make, but had a few left that he could obtain no trimming for, and having no money to buy further stock, he, with William Finley and George Caley, engaged with Robert Boyce to open a road from New Market toward Springfield. He was engaged on this work nineteen days, but General Kenton, their employer, had neither money nor provisions for them, and they were obliged to return as best they could. Stroup was not discouraged by his failure to earn money in this manner, but went to work again, and soon managed to procure trimmings for his hats, which he readily sold. The next spring George Parkinson, a hatter from Pennsylvania, arrived in New Market, and entered into partnership with Stroup. They soon built a hewed log shop, with shingle roof—the first building of that kind in the town. The work was done by Thomas Kinkead, a carpenter. No wool being accessible in the vicinity, Stroup mounted his horse and rode to Lexington, Kentucky, where he purchased one hundred pounds of wool for as many dollars, bringing his purchase back with him on the horse. Himself and partner soon furnished the settlement with hats, besides sending many horse loads to Chillicothe, Maysville, and other places. The price per dozen, at that time, was eighteen dollars. The same year Anthony Stroup, a brother of Michael, settled at New Market. In March, 1803, Michael Stroup was married to Miss Polly Walker, who had emigrated to the falls of Paint with her stepfather and mother four years before, and to New Market in the spring of 1801. The ceremony was performed by Squire Oliver Ross. The bride was dressed 486 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. in a fine fight figured calico, which cost one dollar a yard, wore a plain cap on her head, white silk gloves, white collar, etc. The groom was dressed in brown dress-coat and pants, white Marseilles vest, white socks, low shoes and white kid gloves. The ceremony, as performed by the old squire, was an unique one, and deserves a place in this connection; we therefore copy it as given in Scott's history of Highland county: " Well," said the squire in his peculiar Irish style, "we have met today til join tilgither in holy matrimony, Michael Stroup and Polly Walker—as respectable a couple as iver the Lord brought tilgither. Now I do hope that not one of you will ha ony objection to their get- tin' married. I think there will be no objection—join your right hands. Will, Mr. Mike, will you take Miss Polly, whom you hold by the right hand—and as good-lociking and virtuous a young woman as iver the Virgin Mary was—to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to forsake all others (now by the Lord, Mike, you must quit running after the other girls and cleave to her alone, will ye Mike?)—yes—yes," says the groom. "Oh! by , yes! Will, Miss Polly, will you take Mike, whom you hold by the right hand, to be your lawfully wedded husband (he is worthy, for he is as sprightly a young man as iver wore a pair o' buckskin broikns), you promise to forsake all others (but what the deil's the use to make a woman promise that, when we know they won't keep their promise, but I think you are an exception), you will cleave to him til it please the Lord to separate you by death, will you, Polly? I know you will—yes—then I pronounce you man and wife— no more two—but one. The Lord bless you. Now go home and raise your children for the Lord. The Lord bless you, ha, ha ha; take your seats now, ha—the Lord bless you." After the ceremony, the afternoon was passed in dancing and other amusements. Mr. and Mrs. Stroup lived together fifty-seven years, and raised a family of fourteen children, all but one of whom lived to maturity and married. He died in Dodson township, in 186o, and his wife in 1866. In the fall of the same year George Parkman, Stroup's partner, was married to Miss Rebecca Ross, who was the first white woman in New Market township. Philip Wilkin, with his wife and five children, came from Shenandoah valley, Virginia, to Ohio, and settled in the north part of the township, some four miles west of Hillsborough, in 18o1. He bought a tract of several hundred acres, on which he settled, and where he raised his family. The second distillery, in connection with a horse-mill, in the township, was erected and put in operation by Mr. Wilkin, on his place in 1804. These he continued during his life, and at his death was succeeded by his son Philip, who also continued the business many years, and only gave it up in about 1836 or 1838. The mill was in operation some years later, and the building was finally torn down by his son, David Wilkin, in 1848. Old Mr. Wilkin brought a few fruit trees from Virginia when he came, and was early able to make apple whiskey and peach brandy. His children were William, George, Benjamin, Philip, and a daughter, who married Andrew Shaffer. All lived to raise families, and the sons remained on land given them by their father, where they died. Philip married Polly Roush, and remained on the home farm, which he left to his only son, David, who now owns it. He also had several daughters, all of whom married and live in the vicinity. Adam Medsker and Jacob Medsker came to New Market, and settled in the town in 1800 or 1801. The former died-in 1801, and the latter removed to a farm in the vicinity of New Market in which place he afterward resided. John Malcom and William Boatman came about the same time, and 'became permanent settlers. Their descendants remain in the vicinity, and are scattered through the county. They settled some two miles south of the town. Joseph Beam also lived in the town at this time. John Donahoo was also an early settler southwest of New Market, where he located soon after 1800. He was a farmer and also a shoemaker. Jacob Medsker built a cabin in the town soon after 1800, but a short time later removed to a farm south of town. George W. Barrere and family emigrated from Kentucky to Afiderson's prairie, in Clinton county, in 1802, and in November of the same year removed to New Market, where Mr.:Barrere bought a house of John Eversole and opened a tavern. It was a hewed log house of one room, to which he soon added another, and fixed up a kind of room in the loft. This tavern stood on the corner opposite Wishart's, and soon became the most popular house in the town. Mr. Barrere was captain of a volunteer rifle company in the war of 1812. He also served in the legislature as senator in 1808, 1809, 1812, 1813, 1814 and 1815, and as associate judge of the county fourteen years from and after 1816. He was also one of the first county commissioners, and served as such several years. One of his sons, Morgan, yet lives in New Market, and three are in Hillsborough. Lewis Gibler and several other families from Kentucky, removed to Highland county in 1803, and settled on White Oak, some two miles below New Market, where he bought John Gossett's grist-mill, which he operated many years. His family consisted of seven sons and one daughter, Sally. The sons were John, Philip, Jacob, Matthias, Samuel, William, Lewis and Abraham. Philip, Jacob and John were in Captain Barrere's company in the war of 1812. Jacob died soon after his return from the war. Philip married and settled in New Market, where he raised a family of eleven children, all of whom are now living, two in Illinois and the others in this county. Of the old stock but two are now living—Samuel in Liberty township, and Lewis in Illinois. The home-place is now owned by Lewis Gibler, a grandson of the original settler. Joseph Eakins and family emigrated from Ireland and settled at Pittsburgh in 18o1. After two years, hearing much said regarding the infant settlement at New Market, he removed with his family, but finding no vacant cabin was obliged to live in camp until his house could be built. He was a wealthy man, and bought three hundred and fifty acres of land near the village. Neither himself nor family were accustomed to the hardships of pioneer life, and when the few groceries they had brought with them were exhausted, they suffered for food, as they could not eat the coarse brown bread of the settlers. James B. Finley called at their cabin one day, and found Mrs. Eakins very despondent. He told her that he could make bread that she could eat, and in a HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COVNTItS, OHIO - 487 very short time had a "jonny-cake " baking before the fire. This the family could eat, and soon grew to like it, so that afterward they called it " Jim Finley's bread." In the year 1805 Squire George Caley purchased the land on which he now resides, and settled down on it. This place is a short distance north of the old Philip Wilkin farm. During the first year of his residence there he killed twenty-two deer. He lived more than fifty years on this farm, and raised a large and respectable family. He was present at the laying off of the town of Hillsborough, and witnessed its growth for thany years. In 1805 Moses Patterson and his family emigrated to Highland county from Fayette county, Kentucky, and settled about a mile north of New Market, where he lived some three or four years. Some two years after he came into the country he bought a tract of land, on which James Smith had previously erected a small tub mill. Patterson kept this mill in operation some years, his son Robert being the miller. He built a saw-mill, and made some other improvements before occupying the land. He raised a company, after Hull's surrender in the war of 1812, and the following year went to the relief of Harrison at Fort Meigs. Afterwards he represented the county three times in the State legislature, and served seven years as associate judge. His son Thomas algo served in the legislature, and in the constitutional convention of 185o. Thomas Robinson came into the county in 18o6, and settled two miles northwest of the town. The next season James Murray, James Morrow and John Hunter became settlers. Murray located a little north of Robinson on the road leading to Hillsborough. Hunter's farm adjoined the town, and Morrow adjoined Hunter on the east. The latter served as justice of the peace for many years. Thomas Barrett settled on land adjoining the town on the south, in about 181o. He made a home, cleared the land, and passed his life there. Henry Trop, accompanied by his mother and sisters, came to the north part of New Market township, on the present Danville pike, in 1812. He married Susannah Fenner, and raised a family of six children, five of whom are now living. The home farm is owned by his son, Philip H. Trop. Jacob Barnes and his wife, John Barnes and family, and Michael Dugan arrived in New Market in June, 18o6. Jacob remained in New Market, and was a member of Captain Barrere's company in the war of 1812. John settled six miles north of New Market, where he died in about 1852. At the first census of Highland county, taken in 1807, the following is a list of the free male inhabitants of the township of New Market, which, at that date, included the territory now embraced in the townships of White Oak, Clay, Concord and a portion of Salem and Hamer: Andrew Badgley, Adam Bingerman, John Bingerman, Elias Boatman, William Boatman, Jonathan Berryman, John Berryman, Eli Berryman, John Barr, William Burris, John Barr, junior, Peter Barnhart, William Boyd, Thomas Boyd, William Boyd, junior, John Bowman, George Bordon, John Bordon, Jesse Bryan, Edward Brown, Sovereign H. Brown, John Burr, Christian Bloom, John Barnes, Jacob Barnes, George W. Barrere, Elisha Bratton, Henry Bond, Joseph Bratton, Six Barngruber, Allen Benjamin, Thomas Colvin, George Cailey, William Curry, Isaac Collins, John Colvin, Andrew Charles, George Charles, Eli Collins, Frederick Cailey, Jacob Coffman, James Cowman, David Chapman, Isaac Chapman, James Colvin, John Campton, William Campton, John Donoho, Michael Dugan, Samuel Davis, John Davidson, Joseph Davidson, John Davidson, junior, Adam Ernold, John Eakins, Benjamin Eakins, Joseph Eakins, Edward Earls, John Emrie, Andrew Ellison, Jacob Eversole, Robert Fleming, Alexander Fullerton, George Fender, James B. Finley, John P. Finley, John Florence, Lewis Gibler, John Gibler, Frederick Gibler, John Gossett, Julius Gordon, Richard Gordon, Daniel Garrison, Jeremiah Grant, Ebenezer Hamale, Peter Hoop, Joseph Hough, John Harvel, Robert Huston, William Hough, John Hair, Samuel Hindman, Walter Hill, David Hays, James Hays, Gideon Jackson, Williatn Johnson, Enos Johnson, William Joslin, John Kite, William S. Kenner, Andrew Kessinger, Elijah Kirkpatrick, Isaac Leaman, Adam Launce, James Lane, John McQuitty, Hector Murphy, Jacob Medsker, James Mountain, James McConnell, Samuel McQuitty, Frederick Miller, Joseph Myers, John Malcom, John Malcom, junior, James Malcom, Wilford Norris, John Porter, Moses Patterson, James Pettyjohn, Thomas Pettyjohn, Benjamin Purcell, Henry Roush, James Reed, St. Clair Ross, James Ross, James Rush, Isaiah Roberts, John Roush, Oliver Ross, Thomas Robinson, Felty Kinnard, Andrew Shaffer, Andrew Shaffer, junior, Adam Shaffer, Frederick Saum, Daniel Smith, Michael Stroup, Philip Wilkin, William Wray, John Wardlow, George Wolf, Godfrey Wilkin, Thomas Wisby, Archibald Walker, William P. Finley—a total of one hundred and forty- three. Oliver Harris came from New Jersey in 1810, and settled on what is now called the Arnett farm, three-fourths of a mile east of New Market, where he remained twenty years, removing, in 183o, to the farm now owned by his son, Robert Harris. He raised a family of six children, three sons and three daughters, but two of whom are now living. Samuel S. lives northeast of New Market, and Robert on the home farm. The wife of Oliver Harris was Amy Shepherd. Robert Harris married Martha Smith, and, after her death, Margaret 0. French. He has had three children, two sons and one daughter, as follows: James 0., Charles E., and Mary Ann. The latter married Charles Everard. All live in the county. Daniel Van Winkle came to Ohio with his father's family in 1799, when but eight years of age. In 1811 he began carrying the mail from Cincinnati to Chillicothe, and continued at this occupation during his life, a portion of the time as hail-carrier, and a portion as a contractor for carrying mail. He conveyed the tidings of the declaration of the war of 1812 to Cincinnati, and also the news of peace. In 1816 he removed to New Market, and, after a year or two, settled on a farm of two hundred acres in 488 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. the Gill survey, a mile southeast of town. His wife was Eve Gideon, by whom he raised a family of ten children, six of whom are now living, all but one in this county. One daughter lives in Warren county. John and James live on the home farm, and Lewis G. on a farm just north of New Market. John has followed school-teaching, the winter of i88o being the first that he has spent outside of the school-room during twenty-eight years. William Van Winkle, father of Daniel, came from Cincinnati to New Market when an old man, and died on the farm of his son, in 1845. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and died at the age of eighty-nine. William Purdy and family came to the settlement in 1814, and remained on a farm adjoining New Market on the north, for two years. He then sold and removed two miles further north, where his son now lives. Samuel Lemons came at the same time, and settled two and a half miles north of town. He raised a large family, as did Purdy, and their descendants have been numerous in the township for many years. In 1817 Thomas Purdy, Isaac Lemons, and John Lemons, came, and largely increased the settlement. Their families were large. Rev. William Ambrose and family came from Berkeley county, Virginia, and settled some three miles west of Hillsborough, in 1814. He there purchased six hundred and twenty acres of land in Templin and Elliott's survey, through which runs the pike leading to Danville. The price paid was eleven hundred dollars. He remained on this farm until 1850, when he died, in the eightieth year of his age. His family consisted of ten children, one of whom died in Virginia. They were, Elizabeth; Jacob, who died in New Orleans; Christine, who married Jacob Sonner, and died in White Oak; George, who first settled on the home farm, where he resided some fifteen years, when he removed to a mile west of Hillsborough, where he died in March, i88o, aged seventy-seven ; William, who remained on the home farm until about 186o, when he removed to near Hillsborough, where he now lives; Susan, who married Mr. Meharry, and died in Indiana; Matthias, who is a United Brethren preacher in Illinois; Lewis, who is the same in Missouri, and Catharine, who married Samuel Ridings, and lives near Pricetown. Dennis Sanders came from Pennsylvania with his father, John Sanders, and settled some two miles southeast of New Market, in about 1816. John Sanders bought a farm of one hundred and thirty-six acres. Dennis was a child of some eight years when they came to New Market, and had five brothers and sisters. One of these, Oliver, lives on the home farm. Dennis lives near him, in the seventy-second year of his age. The others went west. The children of Dennis Sanders were John, Mary A., Timothy, Naomi (who died when a young woman), Jacob and Silas. Jacob Sanders owns a farm three miles south of New Market. Silas and Mary A. remain on the home farm. The others are in the west. John and Lewis Couch came from New Jersey in 1818, and settled on land now owned by William Purdy, where they rented for some time. They afterwards removed to a small farm near Hillsborough. John finally went to Cincinnati, where he died. Lewis is still living in the village. The Roushs, John, Henry, and Philip, with large families, settled in the township in about 181o. William Harshbarger was born in Pennsylvania, and in 1836 came to Ohio. He remained in Fairfield county, where he married, and in 1848 removed to New Market, and bought a farm a mile and a half south of the town, where he ha's since resided, adding to his possessions until he now has two hundred and ten acres. He has worked at brick-laying during the most of his life, and has done much work in Hillsborough, on the city hall, Smith's block, and both colleges, besides other work. He has raised a family of four children, William H. H., John F., David L., and Mary E. The latter is now in Missouri. John lives near Springfield; the others at home and near by. Mrs. Harshbarger died in 1876. INDUSTRIES, ETC. The first building erected in New Market was the log- cabin hotel of William Wishart, which was built in the summer of 1798. He continued his hotel until 1803, when he sold out and removed to other parts, in consequence of a rival establishment by Aaron Watson, a newcomer from Kentucky. Esquire Oliver Ross opened the second house of entertainment in New Market, under a special license issued by Governor St. Clair, soon after Wishart established his house. He had the honor of entertaining the governor soon after opening his house, to the great disgust of landlord Wishart, who thought he deserved that honor. In the fall of 18oz, George W. Barrere bought the house of John Eversole, in which he opened a tavern. After the formation of Highland county, in unpleasant weather, the court met in his barroom at other times under the shade of the forest trees that still remained in the town. Mr. Barrere continued at the hotel business during his life, and was succeeded by his sons, one of whom, Morgan Barrere, still lives in the town and dispenses good cheer to the wayfarer. In 1802, George Parkinson and Michael Stroup, the enterprising hatters, built the first hewed log house with shingle roof, in New Market. Thomas Kincade was the carpenter who managed the work. The hatters were single men, and kept bachelors' hall, and, of course, boarded their hands. Their table was supplied with wild meats and corn bread, made of meal pounded in a hominy mortar with the head of an iron wedge, and unsifted. Occasionally a sup of whiskey, from Wishart's tavern, helped to wash down the corn bread. The first marriage in the township, and probably the first in the present county of Highland, was that of John Emrie and Margaret, daughter of Esquire Oliver Ross, which was celebrated in the spring of i800. Esquire Ross was not as yet commissioned a justice, and there being no one competent to perform the ceremony in the settlement at New Market, a messenger was sent to New Amsterdam, at the falls of Paint, to secure the services of John Brown. By what authority he acted tradition does HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 489 not inform us, but the contracting parties were ever satisfied with the result. The ceremony was performed at the house of Esquire Ross, where were gathered all the settlers living in the vicinity. The wedding took place at eleven o'clock in the morning, and, after a substantial dinner, the guests amused themselves by shooting at a mark, running races, and other pastimes. The festivities concluded with a dance at night, in which none were too young and none too old to take a part. Mr. Emrie lived until 1855, and died at Hillsborough. The first successful grist-mill in the vicinity, and, indeed, in Highland county, was built by John Gossett, on White Oak creek, two miles below New Market, in 1801. It was a good-sized, hewed-log structure, with a clapboard roof. The millwright was John Smith, a Scotch- man, and for his services in erecting the mill he received one hundred acres of land, on which he settled and remained during his life. The iron used in the mill was brought from Kentucky, and the stones were manufactured from two large boulders, by Mr. Gossett. After running the mill about two years Mr. Gossett sold it to Lewis Gibler, who continued the business. He was a very kind-hearted man, and if persons applying for flour or meal were unable to pay for it, he would cheerfully give to them. This mill was located near what was, many years later, Sonner's mills. A saw- and grist-mill was built some two miles. southeast of town, in about 1850, on Gossett's fork of Brush creek. It was run by Henry Handers, a German, and, after a few years, was burned down. David McConnaughey had a horse-mill near by, about the same time. Edom Purdy also had a horse-mill on his place, and there were several others in the township. David Zink built a mill in the south part of town in about 1852. After a few years he sold to Samuel Zink, and he to Captain Burke. It has since been owned by Huntington, Bronson, Myers, and Dr. West. The building was afterwards removed by Moses Whistler to his lot, where new machinery was placed in it, and has since been run some seven years. The first whiskey used in New Market was brought in by William Wishart, the first tavern-keeper in the place. In order to bring in custom he procured a barrel of whiskey from Manchester, and, with tin cups, opened a bar in this tavern. It is not known who started the first distillery in the township. Philip Wilkin put in operation a still on his place, which was near the present Mt. Zion church, on the Danville pike, in 1804. This he operated many years. Not far from the same time Thomas Robinson had a still about two miles north of New Market. Jacob Barnes had an early still a mile northeast of town, and Louis Gibler run one in connection with his mill on White Oak creek, for many years. It was the first in operation in the township, and was started in the year 1803. The first burial in the New Market graveyard was Adam Medsker, who had recently come into the country, and Robert Branson, from the Rocky fork. These burials took place in the summer of 1801, and was the result of the first sickness that had attacked the settlement. Robert Finley, sr., was the first preacher in the settlement, and undoubtedly the first in the present county of Highland. During the years 1801 and 1802, Rev. Henry Smith, a Methodist preacher from Virginia, occasionally held a service in New Market. Jonathan Berryman brought with him from New Jersey a quantity of apple and peach seeds, which he planted soon after his arrival. From the nursery thus started sprung many of the orchards of the vicinity. He also procured a swarm of bees from a tree in the forest, and from this stock soon raised a considerable colony, and, in a few years, his farm presented quite an inviting appearance. John Campton came to the settlement from Kentucky, in 1803, and established the first tannery. In the process of finishing the leather fish oil was used, which made leather very high in price, as this oil could not readily be obtained. As a substitute Campton used oil pressed from the fat of raccoon, opposum, bear, and other animals, which answered the purpose very well, and was the means of furnishing a small income to the hunters of these animals. In about 1805 John Campton sold to his brother William, and moved away. The tannery afterwards changed owners several times, and was run by John Dill and by Theophilus Williams. Soon after Williams left, it was discontinued. Another tannery was started by Samuel Murphy in 1828 or 183o. He left the management to his brother James, who run it some ten or twelve years, until his death. It was then continued by Samuel Murphy, who partially tanned the leather and sent it to Cincinnati to be finished, but the business not proving profitable, he discontinued it. George Charles established the first blacksmith-shop in 1806. Mrs. Bloom, wife of Christian Bloom, was a master hand at making gingerbread, with which she supplied the people in the early days of New Market. Her baking was generally for sale on occasions of general muster and other large gatherings, where it was washed down with frequent libations of raw whiskey by the thirsty and hungry crowd. The first school was taught in a log cabin, situated on the school lot in the town of New Market. School was taught here for many years, but the names of the pedagogues are lost in oblivion, while most of those who attended have passed away from this life. In 1871 or 1872 the school district, comprising the town of New Market, built a new brick house on a lot some distance northeast from the original site of the log-cabin school house. The township authorities added a second story to this building, for use as a town hall, and for other public purposes. In 1807 Michael Stroup brought to New Market and put in operation the first carding machine used in Highland county. This proved a great convenience to the wives and daughters of the early settlers, who had previously been obliged to card all the wool used in the manufacture of woollen and winter clothing with hand-cards. It was patronized by people from remote settlements, 62 490 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. and Mr. Stroup drove a thriving business for some time. The first store in the town was opened in 1805, by Adam Barngruber and Fritz Miller. The former furnished the goods and the latter attended to their sale. Among other articles, they kept tobacco and whiskey, and Fritz was soon surrounded by a roystering crowd, the ring-leader of whom was James B. Finley, often called the "New Market devil," and afterwards a worthy and influential minister of the Methodist church in this country. Fritz was a simple-minded Dutchman, and became the butt for all manner of practical jokes. Among other pranks played by Finley, was the establishment of a bogus Masonic lodge in the store. Fritz became a candidate for admission at its opening, and, after being made to perform many freaks for the amusement of the crowd, was branded with a red-hot nail, the smoke of his torment arising to the roof, while he howled an accompaniment. This store was managed by Miller several years, until his partner became unable or unwilling to furnish further supplies, when he betook himself to tailoring, and became very expert in cutting and making buckskin breeches. He followed this business until buckskin ceased to be worn in town, after which he went around the country "whipping the cat," as was termed the custom of traveling from house to house, engaged in his business. He was perhaps the last man in the county who made a scientific pair of buckskin breeches. He has long been dead. Mr. Logan succeeded Miller in the mercantile business, and opened up a stock of goods in the hat furnishing shop of Michael Stroup. This store was soon closed out and discontinued. After Logan left, John Smith came from Maysville, Kentucky, and opened a store east of Fitz Miller's old stand, on the opposite side of a large pond in the street, which lay east of George W. Barrere's and near where Lewis Couch afterward slived. It spread entirely across the street, and was named Lake Robinson by the New Marketers. A footway of logs was laid above the water from side to side, and a man named Robinson, while under the influence of Fritz's whiskey, slipped and tumbled headlong into the water. From this circumstance the pond obtained its name. Smith carried on a successful business for a year or two, until Hillsborough was laid out, when he removed his stock of goods to that place, where he, and his sons after him, have conducted a good business. It is not possible to give the names of the successive merchants of the town to this date, and but a few will be mentioned. George W. Barrere engaged in mercantile business in about 1815 or '16, at which he continued several years. D. H. Murphy built a house in which he sold goods, in about 1826. John Barrere also had a store here in 1830 or '31. James McClintick, Joseph Sperry, and Daniel Gordon, each had stores for a few years. Isaac Colvin also sold goods, and, after a few years, disposed of his stock to Samuel M. Smith, who remained in business some twelve years. Thomas McConnahay sold goods some two years, as did James Purdy. The latter sold to Robert Bayliss, and, a few weeks after his purchase, the store and goods were destroyed by fire. Lewis V. Morris and Norton Davis have been merchants here. David Carson, who conducts the present mercantile business of the place, has been here some fourteen years. PHYSICIANS. For many years there was no regular physician at New Market. Many of the wives of the settlers knew something of the virtue of the herbs and roots that they found in the woods, and unless in case of very severe sickness in the family, they attended to the giving of their home- brewed medicine. Dr. Vest was perhaps the first, or one of the first, physicians to locate here. He came about as late as 1840, and remained some six or seven years. Dr. Washburn came after Dr. Vest, and was in practice some twelve years. He was succeeded by Dr. H. Whistler, who has been in practice here sixteen years. He had previously practiced three years in Buford, and a year or more in Locust Grove. FIRST COURT. The first special court held in Highland county, met at New Market, on Thursday, May 19, i8o5, with Richard Evans, John Davidson, and Jonathan Berryman, as associate judges. The only business transacted was the appointment of David Hays as clerk pro tem. Soon after this the regular court was held in the same place, at which time some business was transacted. Another special term was held June 14th, and the next regular term October 18th. There was at this time no court house, and the sessions of that body were held under the forest shade. It was difficult to preserve the best of order, and during the first day five or six fights took place in the very midst of the temple of justice. One man rode up to the judges, bottle in hand, and asked their honors to take a "snort" with him. The sheriff was ordered to take the man into custody, but, mounted on a fleet horse, he escaped the officer. As the records of this court properly belong in the general history of the county, readers are referred to preceding pages for further history of its proceedings. POST-OFFICE. Mr. Scott, in his "Historical Sketches," says regarding the early postal facilities of the county: "A post-office was established at New Market in the fall (1799), a weekly pack-mail line between Chillicothe and Cincinnati having been put in operation, and the enterprising landlord of the log cabin hotel (Wishart) appointed postmaster. A pole fence inclosed the tavern, which consisted of one room twelve by sixteen feet. The place had become a post town, and the burly Scotch landlord had risen in dignity with the town, so he forthwith determined to fix up for the emergency in a manner creditable to himself and the town. He accordingly managed to get a barrel of whiskey, the first ever in the place, from Manchester, and with two tin cups opened a bar of considerable promise, in one corner of his tavern. "It was interesting on mail days, to witness the sensation produced at this post town, by the clear, ringing notes of the postman's horn, and to mark the importance with which that functionary, clad in buckskin hunting-shirt, coon-skin cap, etc., with heavy dragoon holsters under bear-skin covers, assumed when he arrived, and the deference with which he was received by mine host. But keeping post-house in an uninhabited town in the woods, soon convinced the efficient postmaster that there was no money in it, however much honor there might be, for neither letters nor papers were found in the bags marked New Market. From this the postmaster naturally inferred that outsiders, by some unaccountable ignorance or stupidity, were not aware of the HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 491 fact that such a post town as New Market existed in the Northwest Territory, with such a postmaster as William Wishart, or they certainly would direct letters to it. He, therefore, prompted by a laudable desire to enlighten his fellow-men on the subject, set about writing letters to every person he ever knew, and to many of whom he had only heard. The business of the office thus for a time became respectable for a new place, and the public became advised of the fact that such a place as New Market had a real existence on the.pack-trace somewhere between Zanesville and Cincinnati. They also learned that there was such an individual as William Wishart, postmaster. The business of writing letters did not, however, prove lucrative, and as very few of those to whom he wrote chose to keep up the correspondence, he finally abandoned it and resigned his place as postmaster." Jonathan Berryman was appointed successor to Wishart, as postmaster, and served in that connection some twenty years. At his death George W. Barrere was appointed, and removed the office to his tavern, where it was kept many years. His son, H. P. Barrere, had the office some years, as did William Higgins and Isaac Colvin. David Carson, the present incumbent, has held the office since 1865. There may be others who have had charge of the office since it was started, but if so, their names can not now be recalled. BARBECUE. During the year 18o6, the question of removing the county-seat to a more central location, was agitated. There was great opposition from the people who resided in the vicinity of New Market, but many of them were of the rowdy order, and the town had not enjoyed an enviable reputation, while the citizens of Clear Creek and the northern part of the county were men of energy, influence and determination. In order to secure the permanent location of the county buildings there, Joseph Kerr who owned, or had sold many lots on the assurance that the county seat would remain at New Market, proposed that they erect the necessary buildings. It was finally determined to have a grand barbecue on the fourth of July, and invite the people of the county to be present; at the same time it was proposed to raise money by subscription, to erect the public buildings. The barbecue came off as appointed, and was served in true Kentucky style, with roast pigs, sheep and an ox. The table was spread in the street fronting G. W. Barrere's tavern. The New Market militia paraded the streets headed by fife and drum, and following an old tattered flag that had once belonged to a company in the army of General Wayne. A rude stand of rails was erected on one side of the square, and around this the people gathered to listen to the reading of the Declaration of Independence, and an oration by Jesse F. Roysden, an eccentric schoolmaster, who had recently arrived in the place. After these preliminaries came the dinner, which was rather of a grab game, though all seemed to be satisfied. Several cedar kegs filled with liquor, were placed conveniently by, and were soon surrounded by a noisy crowd. Several knock-downs took place, and when night fell, those who were sober enough wended their crooked way homeward. The main object of the meeting—the taking up of a subscription with which to erect the public buildings—was forgotten in the still more enticing and important one of drinking the contents of those kegs. WRESTLING MATCH AND FREE FIGHT. The decision of the court at the term held in February, 1807, appointing a director who should have authority to purchase the land, and lay out a county seat, virtually settled the question of the claims of the New Marketers holding the county seat. Considerable bad feeling was engendered between the Clear Creek men, who were triumphant, and the New Market men who felt that their rights had been outraged. On the last day of the court a wrestling match took place between Danna, of Clear Creek, and Gibler, of New Market, to decide which were the best men. Gibler was the stronger of the two, but after a severe bout was thrown, Danna being uppermost. On this the Clear Creek men gave a triumphant shout, which so enraged the discomfited Gibler that he knocked Danna down. He was himself immediately knocked down by Billy Hill. Hill was then knocked down by Borden, when Joe Swearingen pitched in and knocked down five or six New Marketers in such rapid succession that the first hardly had time to rise to his feet until the last fell. By this time the entire crowd had engaged in the melee, and in a very short time hardly a man but had a black eye or a bloody nose. The noise disturbed the court, and the judge ordered the sheriff to take into custody the participants. Major Anthony Franklin, the sheriff, went to the door of the tavern where court was being held, but seeing several hundred men engaged in the fight and no idle spectators, concluded that it was best to let the matter alone. The judge countermanded his order of arrest, as there was no jail in which to confine the prisoners, when taken, and the whole matter was allowed to pass unpunished. CHURCHES. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The school-house in New Market was one of the first places of worship of the Presbyterian society, and was occupied by them for many years. Rev. Pittinger was one of the first preachers. Among the first members were James Murray, John Hunter, James Morrow, Robert and Thomas Hunter, William Purdy, Samuel Lemons, Joseph Shields, Thomas Barrett, and other families. After some years, in about 1840, the congregation built a brick church, which has since been torn down, rebuilt and enlarged, and is still in use. The present membership is about seventy. A Sabbath-school was started at an early day, and has been continued during the summer months, and a part of the time throughout the year. METHODIST CHURCH. The first preaching service in the township was held by Rev. Robert Finley, soon after 1800. Preaching was held at the house of William Boatman, two miles below the town, and in other private houses for many years. A church was finally built in New Market in 1833 or 1834. This was occupied until about 185o, when a brick church was erected in the north part of town. ZION CHURCH (REFORMED) was organized at the house of Philip Wilkin soon after his settlement, which was among the first. Meetings were held at his house for some time, until a log church 492 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. was built in 1817, on land owned by Squire George Caley, where services were held many years. In 1843 a brick church was erected on the Danville road about two miles east of that place. This was occupied until 1879, when it was torn down and rebuilt. The first members were few in number, and consisted of Philip Wilkin, his wife, some of their children, and perhaps a few others. The log church was built in conjunction with the Lutherans, and was also occupied by them for some time, but after the erection of the brick church they gave up their organization. The present membership is about one hundred. A Sabbath-school has been sustained for many years. AMBROSE UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH was organized at the house of Rev. William Ambrose, in 1818, or about that date. Meetings were held at his house for many years, until 1834 or 1835, when he commenced building a brick church on the lot now occupied by the cemetery, and nearly opposite the present church. He was instrumental in the erection of this church, and furnished much of the means used in its construction. This building was thus used until 1861, when the present brick church was built. Among the early members were Rev. William Ambrose and wife, John, Silas and Azel Chapman, Frederick Duckwall and wife, Basil Shockey and wife, Henry Trop, his wife and mother. Revs. William Ambrose, John DeWitt, Henry and Daniel Bone- brake, and John Fetterhuff, were among the early preachers. The present membership of the church is something over fifty. The present pastor is Rev. John Canter. A Sabbath-school has been sustained for many years, at present under the superintendence of Philip Trop. THE OLD NEW MARKET BAPTIST CHURCH was organized two miles east of the town, in about 1824. A log church was erected and used during the continuance of the organization. This church was anti-mission in principle, and refused to receive into communion persons belonging to the same denomination and recommended by letters to this church. In consequence of this decision the membership declined when the new Baptist church was organized, and after a few years the meetings were given up. But two or three of the original members are now living. NEW MARKET BAPTIST CHURCH, originally known as Little Rocky Fork Baptist church, was organized at the house of Oliver Harris, two miles east of the town of New Market, June 9, 1838. Sixteen members were present at this meeting: William and Rachel Vance, David and Prudence McConnaughey, Oliver and Mary Harris, James and Comfort Arnett, Andrew, Mary, and Eleanor McConnaughey, Jacob Johnson, Lydia Vance, Margaret Ross, Samuel S. Harris, and Mary Wheaton. This church was organized for the reason that the Bap tist church already established at New Market would not accept members of the same denomination who had recently arrived from Pennsylvania, it being an anti-mission church. Elder Eli Fry was called to take charge of the new church, and James S. Arnett was elected clerk. At the next meeting of the association the church was admitted to the Strait Creek association, in 1839. A brick church was built in 1839, and was the same season blown down by a tornado, and was rebuilt in 1840. This church was occupied until 1877, when a beautiful brick church was built in the town, at a cost of Six thousand dollars. This church is well arranged, with a wing at each side, so constructed, with sliding windows, as to be used in connection with the main audience room. The ceiling is finely frescoed, and the pulpit and chairs harmonize with the finish of the building. The present membership is about one hundred and fifty-four. A Sabbath-school has been sustained for many years, and now has some two hundred members. The successive Pastors have been: Revs. Eli Fry, Thomas Craven, I. R. Brownson, L. Griffith, A. W. Hall, A. Huson, G. W. Taylor, B. Y. Siegfried, A. B. White, Joseph Smith, J. F. Hull, and the present pastor, Rev. D. Trickler, who has held the office since 1872. THE CHRISTIAN UNION CHURCH was organized, in 1869, at New Market, where a church was built the following year. The members were: John Stewart, Mr. Graves, Adam Lemon, Abraham Strain, J. C. Stine, Sarah Wilkin, Mrs. M. A. Stewart, Rachel Gibler, William Stanforth, and others. Daniel Hare, and Revs. Wolf and Milburn, were the first preachers. A Sabbath-school is sustained during the summer. GRAVEYARDS. The first lot used for burial purposes was that given by Henry Massie in his plat of the town. The first burial here was that of Adam Medsker, who died in the summer of 1801. The next was Robert Branson, who had lived on the Rocky fork. He died the same season. This lot has since been used as a public burial-ground. Besides this, there are several private grounds one at Mr. Van Winkle's. The Baptist church has a ground in New Market; there is also a ground connected with Mt Zion church, and one with Ambrose church, both on the Danville pike.