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514 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO JACKSON. ORGANIZATION.
This township was organized October 5, 1816, from parts of Brush Creek and Concord, on application of sundry of the inhabitants of those townships, by petition to the county commissioners. It was originally bounded as follows: Beginning on the line between Highland and Adams counties where the Paint road crosses near Vanpelt's, thence north to the road from Countryman's mill to Hillsborough, and continue due north to the road from New Market to Chillicothe including the same, then with said road westerly to the road from Hillsborough to West Union, then with the West Union road including the same, southwardly to the Highland county line, then with the said line to the place of beginning.
NATURAL FEATURES.
The surface of this township is quite rolling and hilly in some parts ; in other parts it presents more nearly a level view. The soil along the creeks and bottoms is good, but on the higher elevations is of a thin character and soon wears out. On the hillsides it is liable to wash away during heavy rains. Much of the land is suitable for crops of all kinds, and much is badly worn, through unscientific farming.
The principal stream is the west fork of Brush creek, which enters the township in the northwestern part, and, following a zig-zag course, passes into Adams county in the southeast corner. The northeastern part of the township is drained into Elk run, and the southwest part by Rock Lick creek, both of which empty into Brush creek from one to two miles east of Belfast.
ANCIENT WORKS.
The valley of Brush creek and its tributaries, as well as the Paint and Scioto country, contain many evidences of the work of that extinct people known as the Mound Builders. Numerous small mounds may be seen by the antiquarian and any other visitors, though no effort has been made to preserve them. Some have been opened and have been found to contain human bones, most of which crumbled to dust on being exposed to the air. Stone axes or hammers, and other weapons of stone are frequently discovered. A large mound yet' stands between the forks of Brush creek, a mile and a half above Belfast, and the earthwork of forts or other defences are found in different places. More extensive works are found in the adjoining township of Brush Creek, allusion to which will be found in its proper place in this volume.
SKIRMISH WITH THE INDIANS.
One of the early Indian spies and hunters of Kentucky was John McNary, who served with Shelby, Kenton, Clark, and others, in protecting the border settlements from Indian depredations. Soon after 'the defeat of General St. Clair, in what is now Dodson township, in Highland county, McNary, with about fifty fearless spirits, set out from Kentucky to the battle-ground to collect and bury the remains of those who fell in the encounter, but owing to the vigilance of the Indians they were unable to accomplish their purpose, and were obliged to return. They had not proceeded far on their homeward route before they became aware that their relentless foes were in pursuit. They pushed rapidly forward until they reached the forks of Brush creek, when they stopped at a mound a mile and a half above the present town of Belfast, to take a short rest and breakfast. While they were eating a cold meal the Indians came up unexpectedly to both parties, but the whites were able to get in' the first fire, and saw several Indians fall. Being taken partly by surprise the Indians fired at random, and fortunately no one was hurt. The whites then ran, and, after a few hours, the pursuers, finding they were distanced, gave up the pursuit, and the party arrived safely at Manchester in the evening. Many years later a human skull was found at or near the point where the fight occurred, which was afterwards visited by Mr. McNary, who identified the spot. This was the second battle between the whites and Indians in Highland county.
SURVEYS.
The land comprising this township, was entered by the following persons: Marks, No. 1,520; Winslow, 1,993; Barbee, 1,203; Marks, 1,521 ; Johnston, 1,321; Montjoy, 1,566 ; Thompson, 12,514 ; Langbourn, 12,57 ; Barrett, 1,071 ; Wallace, 12,734; Powell, 2,409; McCaul, Kearns, McLain and Jones, 1,269; Posey, 2,477; Jones, 2,488; Ayus, 2,760; Haigh, 11,037; Tanneyhill, 1,326; Sims, 3870; Phillips, 6,189; Evans, 12,721; Taun, 4,872. Besides there are some fractional surveys in other adjoining townships.
SETTLEMENT.
The first settlement in the present township of Jackson was made by Thomas McCoy, who emigrated with his wife and child on horseback, and himself on foot, rifle on shoulder, from Bourbon county, Kentucky, to the Cherry fork of Brush creek, in the fall of 1800. Early in the spring of the following year, he moved to the West fork of Brush creek, and built a cabin on the farm now
HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 515
owned by George Haigh, a short distance above Belfast. His nearest neighbors were in the small settlement on Flat run, in the present county of Adams, and were George Campbell, Samuel Clark, Philip Noland, Levin Wheeler and William Paris, and their families. In those days to roll the logs of a cabin into place, it was necessary to procure assistance from a distance of five or six miles, and help was meagre at best. Often the wives of the settlers would turn out and help them in rolling the logs. Mr. McCoy had to go twenty-seven miles for two bushels of corn, and pay three shillings and sixpence a bushel for it. Wolves were so abundant that neither sheep nor hogs could be raised, but the forest was full of game, and plenty of wild meat could readily be procured. Mr. McCoy raised a family of nine children: Joseph, Ann, Cynthia, Eliza, Sally, Thomas, Nancy, Jane and Samuel. Two others, twins, died in infancy. Of these children, Joseph still lives, an old man, in the southwestern part of Washington township; Ann married Daniel Johnson, and died near Fairfax; Cynthia and Eliza died at home after becoming young women; Sally married John Walker, and died in the township; Thomas is still living in Darke county; Nancy married Arthur White, and lives a widow about two miles southeast of Belfast ; Jane was drowned in Brush creek when about six years of age, and Samuel died when a child.
Job Haigh and Spencer Wilson settled just above the present town of Belfast, some time between the years 1803 and 1805. Mr. Haigh passed his life on the farm he made on the banks of Brush creek, where he raised a family. His grandsons, George Haigh and his brother, now own the place settled by Thomas McCoy. A son of Spencer Wilson lives in Adams county. He is a very enterprising and prominent man, and has held several offices of public trust.
Arthur White was born near Hillsborough, October 2, 1816, His father, John White and family came to Liberty township among the early settlers, and bought three hundred acres of land, on a part of which the county infirmary is now located, and where he raised a family of ten children. None are now living in this vicinity, though two or three may yet live in the western States. Arthur married Nancy McCoy, and in about 1833 removed to Jackson township, two miles below Belfast, and near the pike. He there bought fifty acres of land, to which he added from time to time, until at his death he had four hundred acres, which is now owned by his widow. They raised five children, one of whom is now deceased. A daughter, Mrs. Sarah Armstrong, lives near Loudon, in Adams county; her sister, Eliza E. (Mrs. James Elliott), lives near her; Ann married James Wylie, and lives near May Hill, Adams county. The only son, Thomas, lives on a part of the home farm.
Joshua Smart settled on Brush creek, opposite Belfast, in 1816. There he made his home and died. His widow survived him some thirty years, and died in 1879. At the time he came, but four families were living along the creek—Thomas McCoy, Job Haigh, Spencer Wilson, and Samuel Clark. In the fall of the same year came Josiah Edward, and Joseph Wade, and the following spring, James and Abraham Moore, James Cochran, and some others, all of whom became permanent settlers, and labored to open up and improve the country.
William Martin settled on the farm now owned by Isaac Hottinger, a year or two previous to the above settlements. He was a peculiar appearing man, with his with his smooth bald head, and minus his nose, which he had lost in a free fight. He had a family of four children, all of whom are now dead.
William Newkirk and family removed to this township from below Wheat Ridge, Adams county, in 1832. His father, Abraham Newkirk, came from Pennsylvania to Ohio in about 1812, and settled seven miles from the Ohio river, where he passed his life. After coming to Jackson township, William Newkirk settled in Belfast, where, in 1839, he set up a carding-machine and an oil-mill, which he operated until 1842, when he exchanged his machine for the farm on which We has since resided, some two and a half miles southeast of Belfast, on the pike, and adjoining the Adams county line.
Isaac Hottinger came to this township with his stepfather and mother in 1823, and settled a half mile below his present place, on which himself and mother removed in 1836. Mr. Hottinger, sr., went east with a drove of cattle in 1828, and while away from home died. Isaac Hottinger and his wife now own and occupy the farm first settled by William Martin, where they have raised four childern, by the death of whom they are left to finish the battle of life alone.
Stacey Storer emigrated from Pennsylvania to Adams county, Ohio, in 181o, and died there in 1812. He raised a considerable family, several of whom soon after his death removed and settled in Jackson township, Highland county. His sons, Stacey Storer, jr., John, and James, settled in this county in about 1816, Richard in 1830, and William in 1832. William and Richard are still living in Jackson. The former built a saw-mill on his place a mile below Belfast, in about 1836. He run it a few years, principally for his own convenience, but did custom work for his neighbors.
HOME DUTIES.
The employment of the girls and women was spinning, carding wool with hand cards, and weaving the linen and woollen cloths used for clothing and bedding. Flax was cultivated, and the work of preparing it for the loom was performed by the mothers and daughters of the household. Flax pullings were had, to which all the girls of the neighborhood were invited, so that pleasure was combined with work. It generally happened that the men would have a gathering at the same time—chopping, grubbing, or log-rolling, and in the evening all was mirth and jollity. After a substantial supper, amusements of various kinds were indulged in, and often much of the night would be passed in dancing. At quiltings another gathering would be had, and a general frolic during the close of the sugar-making season. The girls were thus educated to their household duties, and very frequently this was the only education they had, many being unable to write.
516 - STORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO.
INDUSTRIES.
Among the earlier industries of this undeveloped country, was its mills and small still-houses, the latter being a necessity as was then believed, in that the product of the still was believed to be a panacea for pretty much all the ills that flesh is heir to, and particularly in its peculiar peculiar fitness for destroying the venom and consequences resulting from the bite of the rattlesnake, and M, the debilitating effects of the fever and ague. The first of these still-houses was put in operation by Josiah Wade, in about 181-7. His brother Edward, also operated one about the same time, A few other stills were afterwards started in other parts, but all have long since vanished. The people of the present day find their products unnecessary to their comfort and health, and conducive of great mischief.
James Moore built a grist-mill on Elk run about 1818. This was carried away by high water in 1822. In about 1824 Benjamin Vanpelt built the second mill, which stood just below the bridge, east of Belfast, and was kept in operation many years. Another mill was built on Elk run by Mr. Manning, some time after the demolition of Moore's mill. About 1840 a grist- and saw-mill was built some two miles below Belfast, which was a very good one. Horse-mills were run by Benjamin Vanpelt, Samuel Moore, James Anderson, and others until as late as 1830. William Storer had a saw-mill on Rock lick, below Belfast, about 1838 or 1839.
William Newkirk built and run an oil-mill in Belfast in 1839. Three years later he exchanged it with Eli Williams for the farm on which he now resides. Williams run it (and a carding machine, which was also put in operation by Newkirk) for a short time. The carding business was continued several years under the management of different owners, but has long since been given up,
In 1855 or 1856 Wilson Fenner built a grist-mill at Belfast. After a few years he removed the machinery to his farm, some two miles farther up the creek, and again, in 1860, removed it to Belfast. Since that time, in about 1876, it was purchased by J. H. H. Kelley and brother, who still own the property. The mill is now managed by Williamson & Tanneyhill.
MEDICAL.
The first physician in Jackson township was a young man who came soon after 1829, and lived a short distance below Belfast for a short time. He did not remain long, and for many years there was no regular practitioner. In about 1842 Dr. William Rogers came to Belfast, where he remained until about 1850, when he removed to California. His brother, Dr. Amos Rogers, succeeded to his practice, which he continued until his death, in June, 1878. About the time of his death, Dr. 0. C. Hook, who graduated from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery in 1878, came to Belfast, where he is now engaged in practice. Dr. S. G. Richards commenced the practice of medicine in Scioto county in the spring of 1856. On the breaking out of the Rebellion he received a commission as first lieutenant of a company in the Seventieth Ohio infantry, and served his country three years as a soldier. After his return from the army, he practiced medicine in Waverly and other places in Pike county until the fall of 1879, when he removed to Belfast, where he continues his practice.
MERCANTILE.
A man named Smith was the first merchant in Belfast, where he had a small stock of merchandise at an early date. J. Wallace Blair followed him, and was in business soon after 1830. He continued in trade quite a number of years, at first with James T. Wilson, of Adams county, as a partner, and afterwards by himself. Since Blair opened his store, there have been many changes in the business of the place. Hays Smith, Philip Anderson, Clark, Rogers & Fenton, Daniel Miller, and many others, have been identified with the mercantile interests of the place. At the present time, T. F. Webster & Son, and Williamson & Calvert are selling goods; J. McMeekin keeps the hotel, and has a harness and saddle shop; Jonathan Berryman, James Berryman, and George Saylor have each a blacksmith shop; T. J. Gustin & Brother, manufacture and repair carriages and wagons, and Williamson & Tanneyhill manage the saw- and grist-mill, which is owned by J. H. H. Kelley.
BELL POST-OFFICE,
A post-office was established at Belfast, with the name of Bell post-office, at some time between the years 1836 and 1840. J. Wallace Blair was the first incumbent of the office. Before this office was established, the people procured mail from Hillsborough, Sinking Spring, and Locust Grove, in Adams county. In the course of time, the county papers from Hillsborough were brought by some private conveyance and left at Blair's store, from which place they were taken by the subscribers. From this small beginning sprang the post-office. Several postmasters have since that time had charge of the office, which is now administered by S. F. Webster. Mail is now delivered from two other offices in the township, one at Fairfax, on the western line, and one at North Uniontown, near the northeast corner.
BELFAST
was platted the nineteenth of March, 1834, on a part of surveys number two thousand four hundred and nine, entered by Robert Powell, and number thirteen hundred and twenty-one, entered by William Johnson. The owners of the town were James Storer, Jonathan Weaver, and Lancelot Brown, who laid out a town of twenty-four lots. An addition of forty lots was made July 9, 1841, by Andrew Baskin, Lancelot Brown, Jonathan Weaver, and Jacob Hart.
FAIRFAX
was platted by B. F, Pulliam, February 15, 1845, and originally comprised twenty lots. It is situated on the line of Jackson and Concord townships. An addition of eleven lots was made by the same proprietor, February 27, 1849. It contains a post-office, Methodist church, one store, and blacksmith and wagon shops.
HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 517
UNIONTOWN
was platted by Obediah Countryman on a part of John Mark's survey, number one thousand five hundred and twenty, June 3, 1848. It is situated near the northeastern corner of the township, and has a post-office. An addition was made by Isaac Gall, May 27, 1852, and a second addition by Countryman and Gall, November 28, 1857.
CHURCHES.
The first preaching in the settlement was at the house of Job Haigh, in about 1804, the preacher being Mr. Leamons, a Baptist. From these meetings sprung the first church—the Baptist, which was located on Rock lick, southeast of Belfast a short mile. It is not known at what date the church was organized, but a church was built by Charles Storer, on his farm, near the site of the old burial-ground, in about 1832 or 1833. Among the members at that time were John McLaughlin and wife, John Vanpelt and wife, Nathaniel Tomlinson and wife, Nathaniel Cloud and wife, Mrs. Richard Storer, and others. Rev. Leamons was the first settled preacher. Rev. Charles B. Smith, of New Market, was also an early preacher. This church was in existence until since 1867, when the members had so dwindled away that it was discontinued. Some time after 1830 a division was caused in the church on the question of the abolition of slavery. In consequence of this, quite a number of the members withdrew from the communion, and organized the
EAST FORK BAPTIST CHURCH.
This division occurred some time about the years 1837 and 1838, when the new church was organized, those who withdrew holding the old church, which went down in about 1867. The members of the regular Baptist church who formed the East Fork church, were Thomas Storer and wife, Nathaniel Tomlinson and wife, William Newkirk and wife, John Williamson and wife, Stacey Beard and wife, John Dalrymple and wife, and others. A church was built in 1853, some two miles southeast of Belfast, and near the Belfast pike. The present membership is thirteen.
THE BELFAST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
was organized at the house of Samuel Clark, on what is now known as the old Smart farm, in about 1815. Among the early members, were Samuel Clark and wife, Spencer Wilson and wife, and Maria Haigh, Clark was the class-leader, and the meetings were at first held in his house. Meetings were also held at the house of Spencer Wilson. The first church building was erected in the fall of 1836, the church having been re-organized the previous year, by Rev. James Quinn, at the house of John Haigh. All the early members of this church have gone to their last resting place. The present church was built in 1851.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
at Belfast was organized about the year 1835, by Rev. John Forbush, who lived near Mount Lay, Adams county. Among the early members were David Matthews and wife, James Storer and wife, Stacey Storer and wife, William Storer and wife, J. W. Blair and wife, and one or two others. Meetings were at first held in the house of James Storer, a short distance north of Belfast. Some four or five years after the organization, a log church was built at the turn of the pike north of Belfast. This log church was occupied as a place of worship until sometime after 1842, when a frame church was erected in Belfast, which has since been used. The present membership is twenty-four, under the pastorate of Rev. Galbreath, who has served in that capacity some' eighteen months, though but recently ordained. A Sabbath-school is sustained during the summer months.
THE PROTESTANT METHODIST CHURCH,
near the northwest corner of Jackson, was organized at the house of Mrs. Gilmore, in about 1850. The following year a frame church was built near the residence of George Gilmore. This is a prosperous church, and has something more than one hundred members.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH,
two miles below Belfast, and near the Belfast pike, was built in about 1854. It was organized by Rev. Daniel Dillon, from Kentucky, some years previous to the above date. Meetings were held at the house of William Smart as early as 1830 or '32. In the latter year, a protracted meeting was held by Rev. Hathaway. Preaching services were kept up at Mr. Smart's until the church was built. There is now a membership not far from one hundred, who sustain a Sabbath-school during the summer months.
SCHOOLS.
A school was established at or near Belfast, about the fall of 1806, when the first settlers built a log cabin in the woods, on the farm afterwards owned by Mr. Lancelot Brown. Benjamin Massie was the teacher. Before this time, if the boys wished to attend school, they were obliged to go to West Union, in Adams county, where a small spelling, reading, and writing school was taught during the winter months. If the girls received an education, they were taught at home by their mothers. For a school suit, the boys had two linen shirts and pants in summer, and Linsey in the winter, with a wool hat. From April to December they went barefoot; in the winter they were supplied with heavy cowhide shoes. Webster's speller, a small blue-backed book, and Pike's arithmetic, were used after they came into date. This, with sometimes a small piece of slate, and two or three sheets of coarse writing paper, was the outfit. For ink they used a decoction of maple bark. The second school was taught east of the old cemetery, by William Hall. As the country became settled, schools were established in various parts of the township, which now has seven school districts, employing eight teachers and an enrollment of about two hundred and fifty scholars.
SOCIETIES.
Belfast Lodge, No. 512, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted June 18, 1874, the charter members being T. F. Webster, S. W. Webster, W. O. Murphy, George Saylor, L. S. Test, T. H. Baskin, and Jackson McMeekin. A hall over the store of Williamson & Calvert, and owned by W. 0. Murphy, was fitted up in a
518 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO.
simple manner, and has been occupied since the formation of the lodge. It is the intention of the members to erect a suitable hall at some time in the near future, funds to the amount of about one thousand dollars being in the treasury at this time. The following is a list of officers chosen for the year 188o: Spencer Smart, N. G.; Edward S. Gustin, V. G.; A. W. Milburn, R. S.; J. H. Berryman, P. S.; Frank McConnehay, treasurer; W. 0. Murphy, George Saylor and J. H. Berryman, trustees. |