604 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.
BY HORACE CLINTON.
In the first division of Warren County, it was divided into four townships, named Franklin, Deerfield, Wayne and Hamilton. Hamilton then embraced all of Salem and Hamilton, and most of Washington Township. June 24, 1813, the eastern portion of the township was cut off, by a line drawn south from the mouth of Todd's Fork to the south boundary of Warren County, and erected into a new township, called Salem. dune 8, 1818, the then existing boundary line between Salem and Hamilton was changed to the present line.
We now have a township in the shape of a rectangle, being about six and a half miles from north to south, and five and one-half miles from east to west, and containing about thirty-six square miles. The whole of the township is included within what is called Virginia military land. The State of Virginia, at an early period of the Revolutionary war, raised two descriptions of troops, State and Continental, to each of which bounties in land were promised. In March, 1784, Virginia ceded her lands north of the Ohio to the General Gov-
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - 605
ernment upon certain conditions, one of which was that, in case certain other lands south of the Ohio River were insufficient for the legal bounties for her troops, the deficiency should be made up from lands north of the Ohio, between the Rivers Scioto and Little Miami. In 1783, the Legislature of Virginia authorized the officers of their respective lines to appoint superintendents to regulate the survey of the bounty lands promised.
An office for the reception of locations and surveys was opened at Louisville Ky., August 1, 1784, and on the 1st of August, 1787, the said office was open for the reception of surveys and locations on the north side of the Ohio.
Land warrants calling for from one hundred to five hundred acres were issued to various individuals, who located them in such places and shapes as best suited them, and this fact accounts for the irregularity of surveys, lines, roads, etc., throughout the township. The whole territory was then in the possession of the Indians.
The first warrant located within the present limits of the township was No. 520, in the extreme northeastern part of the township, and embraces the farms of Capt. Don ally, Dr. Roach, Thomas, Joseph, and Levi Baker and William Ditmas. Those acquainted with the lands would doubtless say that it was a good selection. This entry was made by Lieut. William McGuire, August 21, 1787-number of acres, 1,000. It was surveyed by Nathaniel Massie, District Surveyor, January 29, 1793; Matthew Hart and Jonathan Stout, chain carriers; Thomas Massie, marker.
No. 1546 --The records do not show by whom this entry was made. Surveyed by William Lytle, District Sutveyor, April 12, 1792 ; Robert Campbell and Martin Varner, chain carriers; Henry Ball, marker.
No. 1496 was entered August 21, 1787, by John Bemis (assignee); number of acres, 1,500. Surveyed October 6, 1792, by Nathaniel Massie ; Josiah Wade and Matthew Hart, chain carriers ; Thomas Massie, marker.
No. 1497 was entered by James Mcllhaney and six others, August 21, 1787, number of acres, 800. Surveyed October 17, 1796, by William Lytle John Donel and Peter Clawson, ch4in carriers ; Thomas Paxton, marker.
No. 825 was entered by Lieut. Thomas Martin, August 23, 1787. Number of acres, 1,000. Surveyed by William Lytle, District Surveyor, October 17 1796; John Donel and Peter Clawson, chain carriers ; Thomas Paxton, marker.
Entry No. 1547-By Elisha King (assignee), August 24, 1787. Number of acres, 1,333 1/3. Surveyed April 12, 1792 ; William Lytle, District Surveyor Robert Campbell and Martin Varner, chain carriers ; Henry Ball, marker.
Entry No. 1548-By Elisha King (assignee), August 24, 1787. Number o acres, 1,533 1/3. Surveyed April 13, 1792; William Lytle, District Surveyor Robert Campbell and Henry Ball, chain carriers; Martin Varner, marker.
Entry No. 1549-By Sackville King, August 24, 1787. Number of acres 1,000. Surveyed April 14, 1792; William Lytle, District Surveyor; Bober Campbell and Henry Ball, chain carriers; Martin Varner, marker.
Entry No. 2192-By William Nall, May 26, 1792. Number of acres, 1,000. Surveyed April 15, 1793; William Lytle, District Surveyor; Robert Campbe] and Henry Ball, chain carriers; Martin Varner, marker.
Entry No. 4239-By Francis Taylor, June 7, 1802. Number of acres, 70( Surveyed March 18, 1804-, William Lytle, District Surveyor; John Donel an Thomas Paxton, chain carriers; Daniel Ertles, marker.
Entry No. 3791-No entry or survey on record.
Entry 3790-By James Taylor, William Lytle and Robert Underwoc (assignees), February 8, 1800. Number of acres, 1,766 2/3. Surveyed February 20, 1800; David Miller and Jacob Snyder, chain carriers; Abraham Miller, marker.
606 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
Entry No. 2956—By Richard Stark, March 23, 1797. Number of acres, 666 Surveyed by William Lytle, October 1, 1798; James Taylor and John Douai', chain carriers; John Lytle, marker.
Entry No. 3334—By William Lytle (assignee), August 9, 1798. Number of acres, 333 2/3. Surveyed October 1, 1798, by William Lytle; John Taylor and John Donels, chain carriers; John Lytle, marker.
Entry No. 3802—By James Taylor, February 8, 1800. Number of acres 666 2/3. Surveyed March 3, 1803, by William Lytle; John Donels and David Miller, chain carriers.
The location and survey of these lands were attended with great hardships and much danger from the Indians, especially so during a period of some three or four years prior to 1794, as they had become, owing to a dispute about the conditions of some of their treaties, very hostile, and remained in a state of war up to their defeat by Gen. Wayne, August, 1794. The treaty of Greenville, July 30, 1795, brought an end to the Indian troubles in Ohio.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS
Many Virginians having land warrants had, prior to this time, come down the Ohio to possess their lands, but the hostile attitude of the savages induced them to settle temporarily at Columbia, White's Station, and other points near Cincinnati. The treaty of Greenville, by giving assurance of permanent peace, opened the way for settlers, and emigrants came rapidly to the Miami country.
Probably the very first settlement in the county south of the Little Miami River was within the present bounds of Hamilton Township. Seemingly well authenticated tradition says that William Mounts and five other families settled on lands now owned by his grandson, William P. Mounts, in October, 1795, and built their cabins in a circle around a spring, a few rods west of where the residence now stands. It was then called Mounts' Station.
The names of the families thus early locating in the unbroken forests of Hamilton Township were, as remembered, William Mounts, wife and six children; Thomas Forsha, wife and children; Thomas Leonard, wife and six children; Thomas Watson and family.
These lands were purchased of Robert Todd, by William Mounts and Martin Varner.
The following is a copy of the obligation of purchase—omitting the description of two tracts not situated in the county, to wit:
This shall oblige me, my heirs, etc., to convey by deed, with a general warrantee, to Martin Varner and William Mounts, as tenants in common, the quantity of 1,200 acres of land, on the Little Miami River, in three tracts—a tract of nine hundred acres—that lies about three miles and a half below Todd's Fork, of the L. M. H., which 900 acres is to contain a better bottom than any of the three next below O'Bannon's Creek. For the performance of this, my obligation, I do bind myself, my heirs, etc., to the said Martin Varner and William Mounts and their heirs, in the penal sum of five hundred pounds, lawful money of Pennsylvania. As witness my hand and seal, this day of October, 1791.
ROBERT TODD.
Witness :
JOHN MCCABE,
DAMES GRAHAM [SEAL.]
The extreme northern and extreme southern parts of the township were earliest settled, while the central part was not opened up until a later date. Their is some uncertainty as to the year in which the first settlement was made in the south, but there seems to je no doubt that the first settler in this section was Theophilus Simonton, who with his wife and two children, came from North Carolina and settled near the Clermont County line, and on the farm now owned by Dr. Donough. The time of Simonton's arrival at this place is fixed, by tradition, in the fall of 1796. At that time he had no neighbors within the present limits of the township; save those at the Mounts' settlement, and an
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - 607
unbroken forest of many miles lay between them. In 1797, Simonton was favored with a nearer neighbor, in the person of Joseph Hill; who settled about forty rods south of the Hill Graveyard, and near Clinton's farm. In the year 1799, Samuel Hill settled on the Gillispie farm, now owned by Henry Peachy. About the same time, Daniel Ertel located near the Little Miami river, where the family of Solomon Ertel now resides.
These probably were the only settlers in the southern part of the township prior to 1800. We have no reliable information of any settlers, except those already mentioned. at Mounts' Station in the northern or southern part of the township, before the year 1800.
A full list of the later settlers—say down to 1810—would doubtless be of much interest, but, after a lapse of seventy years, only a few can be given.
In the fall of 1800, Philip and Benjamin Hill, of North Carolina, came to and settled in southern Hamilton, the latter where the old stone house now stands, a half mile east of Loveland, and near the Murdoch pike. The former settled a little further east, on what has been known as the old Phillip Hill farm. The cabin in which he first settled stood some twenty rods north of the present brick building, on the farm owned owned by Daniel Shields.
In 1802, Samuel B. Walker and Isaac Spence settled within the present limits of the township, but this was not Walker's first visit to the wilds of Ohio. Early in the spring of 1798, Walker, then about twenty years old, in company with John Mahard started from Loudentown, Penn., and turning their faces westward traveled on foot to Pittsburgh, a distance of 150 miles. At that time there was no wagon road over the mountains of Western Pennsylvania, only a pathway traversed by pack horses; this trail they followed. On arriving at Pittsburgh they secured passage to Columbia on a flat-boat, agreeing to assist in the work as compensation for their passage. In due time, they landed at Cincinnati, and here they parted. Walker found his way out to Gen. Ludlow's place, and engaged in his service. He was possessed of a good prabtical education, including the theory and practice of surveying. This enabled him to be of great service to Ludlow, who took him with him, in the summer of 1798, on a surveying expedition up the Little Miami to Yellow Springs, thence across to and down the Big Miami, occupying some two month's time; after which he worked some six months on the farm of Gen. Ludlow. In March, 1799, Walker went up to Williamsburg in Clermont County, to naake his home with William Hunter, whom he had known in Pennsylvania. Here he met Gen. W. Lytle, and was employed by him to assist in pointing out and subdividing various bodies of land (owned by Lytle) to suit purchasers. In this capacity he was through our township when there was not a solitary settlement between Deerfield and the extreme southern part. The writer Copied the following from a small memorandum book in possession of T. D. Walker.
"Came to William Hunters on Friday, 29th of March, 1799. My horde was stolen by Indians on Wednesday night, the 22d of May, 1799; also Robert Dickey's stolen the same night." On the same book we found the following: "Robert Dickey's horse returned on Saturday, September, 1799." His own was returned at a later date. Walker, while living, related that these horses, with many others, were returned by the Indians, in response to a proclamation by the Territorial Governor offering reward for the return of stolen horses.
Previous to this time his father, Samuel Walker, of Pennsylvania, had contracted with Gen. Lytle for eleven hundred acres of land, to be selected from a tract near Williamsburg, in Clermont County, or if these lands on view were not satisfactory, then was Walker to have his choice out of some three or
608 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
In the spring of 1'799, the father came on to see the lands and to consummate the purchase. In company with his son, he met Gen. Lytle, at Squire Hunter's, and being dissatisfied with the tracts in Clermont County, he after some hesitation, accepted a deed for eleven hundred acres, situated in southern Hamilton Township, and upon which his son Samuel B. Walker—as has been already stated—settled it 1802. The consideration named in the deed was $2 per acre.
This tract embraced farms now owned by A. J. Walker, Mrs. Foster William Merrill, Mr. Kay, Ellon Walker, heirs of M. Ertel, Daniel Shields' James Swank, Mr. Skillman, Milton Spence, 0. R Reeves, T. D. Walker and some other smaller lots.
Soon after completing the land purchase, Mr. Walker, the father, went back to Pennsylvania. The son also went back some time in 1800, to return in 1802 and take up a permanent residence. The first cabin occupied by Walker stood some thirty rods northwest of Christian Stock's house. In 1804, he commenced the building of a hewed-log house, situated on lands now owned by
Thomas D Walker. This house was not finished until some years later, and still stands a landmark of early days.
In 1803, Colen Spence moved from Pennsylvania, and settled in the township, on the farm now owned by Mrs. Foster, near Bethel Graveyard.
William Spence and mother settled, in 1802 or 1803, near Cozaddale, on the farm now owned by Samuel Spence.
Isaac Clinton came from Kentucky and settled in the year 1807 on the farm now owned by John Clinton.
Alex. Hall, from Kentucky, settled, in the year 1807, where James Hall now lives.
William Newel came from Pennsylvania and settled in the year 1807 in the same neighborhood.
John Creamer came from Kentucky in 1805 and settled on the old Creamer farm, one mile north of Cozaddale.
Adam Snell came from Kentucky in 1805 and settled on the farm now owned by Capt. Wiley, near Cozaddale.
In about 1803 or 1804, Gabriel Morgan bought a tract of land, where Thomson Spence now owns, and moved into a cabin on it. In 1802, Francis Eltzroth, of Maryland, settled on the farm now owned by Benj. Eltzroth, near Camargo. In 1808 or 1809, Elijah Mounts came from New Jersey and settled near Camargo. Among the very early settlers we omitted to mention in the proper place, was William Burton, who came from North Carolina, and settled near the Phillip Hill farm, in the year 1802. In 1806, John Gilles settled near Salt Springs. In 1804, Abraham Haney came from Pennsylvania and settled in the northern part of the township, near Hopkinsville. In the same year (1804), James Hopkins came from Kentucky and settled on the old Hopkins' place a little south of the village. Judge Michael H. Johnson, at an early date, settled on the Grandin farm. Robert Shields came from Pennsylvania in 1810, and settled below Hopkinsville, and in 1811 moved into a cabin on the farm now owned by Mrs. William Ertel. The Bakers, Kibbys, Kellys, Rosses, Boats, Stevens, Ludlums, were also among the early settlers, and they and their posterity are closely identified with the affairs of the township. Many other names of early settlers deser'e honorable mention, but want of information of details forbids the attempt.
GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE.
The geological structure of Hamilton Township belongs almost entirely to the Cincinnati Group. The only exception to this is the alluvial land in
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - 609
the valley of the Little Miami River. The system of rocks denominated "The Cincinnati Group" is a formation of blue limestone, partially stratified, and has an aggregate thickness of nearly eight hundred feet. It was undoubtedly ridge cast up at the close of the Lower Silurian age, and extended from near Nashville, Tenn., through Kentucky, and far into the State of Ohio. This great ridge separated depressed areas during the whole of the Upper Silurian, Devonian and Carboniferous ages. The Cincinnati group contains many of the characteristic fossils of the Hudson River group and the Trenton limestone of New York. The blue limestone floor of Hamilton Township is covered by a blue glacial clay. Above this clay lies an ocherous deposit of from four to seven feet in thickness. On this ocher rests a light vegetable mold of surface soil. The land is very productive when properly cultivated. Building stone of excellent quality is abundant. The township is well watered. The principal streams are the Conococheague Creek, (so named by Samuel B. Walker, a Government surveyor, who emigrated from the banks of the famous Conococheague Creek in Pennsylvania, in 1798, and located a large tract of land on this stream) Hen Run, Salt Run (so named on account of a salt lick and spring on its bank), Bear Run and Mounts' Run. These streams all abound in the remains of extinct life so characteristic of the Cincinnati group. The Lower Silurian brachiopods and Upper Silurian trilobites and ptilodictya are numerously found along the bed of the Conococheague Creek, on the farm of A. J. Walker. There is a hill just below the old saw-mill on Mr. Walker's farm that abounds in fine specimens of the Orthis plicatella, one of the most interesting forms of ancient life.
The bed and banks of Salt Run are strewn with specimens of the well-known Orthoceras and the Atrypa type of the the Devonian brachopods. Some beautiful specimens of the Orthis biforata have been found in Hen Run on the farm of Henry Burton, and along the Conococheague Creek below the Camargo Schoolhouse.
Striated rocks, those strange, mute witnesses of one of the stupendous glaciers that brought them from their Northern home and cast them out along its broad and icy path, are scattered all over this township
Here, too, are strewn the stone implements and weapons—both nealithic and paleolithic—of the Mound Builders. Indeed a rude manufactory of those implements was discovered in the early part of this century, near the Conococheague Creek, on the farm of James Hall, Esq.
Their great highway of commerce and war, which extended from the old copper mines of Lake Superior, to Florida, ran through this township, and we believe is yet traceable on the farm of the late James Ford near Zoar.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The surface of the township, in the Southwest and North, is somewhat broken, but the hills are neither high nor precipitous, and most all the lands admit of easy cultivation. In the east and central part of the township, the land is more level, but sufficiently rolling to insure good drainage.
Numerous springs of excellent water abound in different parts of the township ; water is obtained by digging to the depth of from twelve to forty feet.
At the time white settlers first appeared, the land was covered with a heavy growth of timber, consisting of oak, hickory, walnut, ash, maple, sugar, elm and other varieties of small growth.
ROADS.
The Cincinnati, Montgomery & Hopkinsville pike, passing through the Northern part of the township via Hopkinsville and Zoar, was graded in the
610 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
year 1835, and was the first pike built in the township. The township is traversed by three gravel roads, constructed under the "Free Pike" low. The Maineville & Foster's Crossing road, extending from the latter place to the eastern line of the township, the Murdoch pike, extending from Love land, via Murdoch, to a point one mile east of Murdoch, and the Foster's Crossing and Loveland road connecting those two points..
SCHOOLS.
The early pioneers of this section were generally men of sterling character, who endured the dangers and trials of a new country, not solely for their own sakes, but for their children, and notwithstanding the settlements were sparse, and the people, as the pioneers of all new countries are, were poor and lacked the means of paying teachers and procuring books, yet we find that at a very early date in the settlement, schoolhouses were built and schools opened in various neighborhoods as occasion .made necessary. The houses were not built by subscription in money, but by contributions of labor. On a given day the neighbors assembled at some place previously agreed upon, and with their axes cut the necessary logs and then raised the walls. The roof was made of clapboards, kept in place by heavy poles reaching the length of the house. The door made of clapboards, was hung on wooden hinges; the latch of wood, and raised by a string. The floor was of trees, split, with the face and edge dressed with the ax. The crevices between the logs were filled with chinks and daubed with mud. The fire-place was of huge dimensions, built on the outside of the house, usually cf stone to the throat of the flue, and the remainder of the chimney of split sticks of wood, daubed with clay. The windows consisted of an opening, made by cutting out one of the logs for almost the entire width of the building. In the winter, this opening was covered with paper saturated with grease, to keep out the cold as well as to admit the light. The furniture corresponded with the house. The writing desk was constructed by boring auger holes in one of the logs below the window, and in these strong wooden pins were driven, on which a wooden slab was placed, which served as a writing desk for the whole school. The seats were hewed slabs supported by wooden pins or legs. These seats had no support for the back. These were indeed rude structures, but the wonder is not that they did not build better houses, and have better facilities for learning, but that they, laboring under so many disadvantages, had any schools whatever. Those who can remember back for a period of fifty or more years will recognize this general description as applicable to all school buildings in the township. From the best available information, the writer concludes that the first of these rude structures built in the township, was located on the present site of Bethel Graveyard. The exact year when this house was built cannot be given, but there seems to be no doubt that it was as early as 1804. James Coghlan was the first teacher. Alexander Hull, Samuel Gillispie, Samuel B. Walker and John Hill were among the early teachers. After some years, a new log schoolhouse was erected a short distance south of the old one, and in turn this was replaced by a stone structure, situated a little further south and near the Run. In 1850, the old stone building gave place to a more modern brick one, and the site was changed to the south side of the Run and on top of the hill. This served its time and was replaced by the present house. Another of these early educational landmarks was located on the southwestern part of the township and a half-mile west of the Hill Graveyard. Some years later, this was replaced by a larger and more tasty log house, the logs being hewed, windows with glass lights, etc. The early teachers, as remembered, were John Clinton, Alexander Hall, Benjamin Tufts,
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - 611
James Clinton, Margaret Coddington and Elizabeth Gaskin. In 1840, a brick was completed and the log building was for many years thereafter used was meeting house. The new building was known as the Butterworth schoolhouse. It was situated a mile or more north of the old one, and on a lot obtained from Mormon Butterworth. This house was in turn replaced by the present one, situated three-fourths of a mile west, and on the banks of the same creek, near Robert Smith's farm. About the year 1818, a rude stone school building was erected at Zoar, in the northern part of the township. This was, if not the first building for school purposes in that part of the township, among the first. About 1849, it was replaced by a brick building, located a few feet east of the present Zoar Church ; and again this building gave way to the present one, which was built about the year 1870. The early teachers at Zoar were Joseph Patton, Benjamin Ludlum and Joseph Keever. Dr. Mounts taught at a later date. Many of the boys who went to school to Jo. Keever, doubtless still have a vivid recollection of him, as it is said he had the peculiar faculty of leaving a lasting impression on the mind, of those who were so unfortunate as to incur his displeasure in the schoolroom.
As early as 1812, there was a school taught at Hopkinsville, the house was a log one standing some few rods north of the present building.
In a like manner, these rude seminaries of learning were planted throughout the township to be replaced in time by better ones.
The township at present is divided into eight subdistricts and three special ones, provided with neat, comfortable buildings and modern furniture.
The following contract, copied from the original, is appended to show the remuneration teachers received for their services in early times :
ARTICLES OF AN AGREEMENT, made and entered into by and between Samuel B. Walker, of Warren County, and State of Ohio, of the one part, and the underwritten subscribers of the county and State aforesaid, of the other part, Witnesseth, that the said Samuel B. Walker, doth agree to teach such children as may be placed under his tuition, reading, writing and arithmetic, according to their respective capacities, for the term of three months to come, as soon as twenty-four scholars are subscribed for, and a house prepared suitable for the business. The underwritten subscribers do, for their part, agree to fix a house fit for teaching in, and each subscriber to furnish a sufficient quantity of firewood, in proportion to the number of scholars annexed to their names, and to pay unto the said Samuel B. Walker, at the expiration of said term, the sum of one and one half dollars per scholar, one-third to be paid in cash, and two-thirds in either wheat, rye, corn, oats,
sugar, flax, linen or wool, at the market price.
DECEMBER 15, 1820.
MAINEVILLE ACADEMY.
A history of this academy would doubtless be of interest to many, but the writer is not in possession of the early records, and cannot enter into details. The enterprise was undertaken by a joint-stock company, and was incorporated in the spring of 1847. The building, a two-story brick, was completed and ready for use in 1849. Owing to financial embarrassments, there was a re-organization in 1857. The organization continued with varied success until the year 1874, when the property was transferred to the Maineville Special School District, since which time the building has been used for a public graded school. The names of the teachers in the academy, as remembered, are as follows: Prof. John W. F. Foster, Prof. C. W. Kimball, N. F. Cotton, Robert Milliken, Frank Tufts, Rev. I. J. Cushman, Charles Drake, Rev. J. H. Wilson and Dean Babbitt.
This academy, like most othel. similar institutions, was crowded out of existence by an advanced system of public school instruction, but it did much to inculcate an educational spirit in the township.
We give below Hamilton Township's contribution (so far as we can learn) to the leading professions, most of whom are, in part, indebted to the old Maineville Academy for the basis of a solid education: Hon. Benjamin But-
612 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
terworth, Cincinnati, lawyer, and Member of Congress from First Ohio District; Horace Clinton, lawyer, Loveland, Ohio; Smith Ford, editor, Kansas City, Mo. ; William F. Eltzroth, lawyer, Lebanon, Ohio. ; Rev. L. F. Walker, Presbyterian minister, College Hill, Ohio; Dr. Lucius W. Bishop, physician, Loveland Ohio; Erwin D. Walker, Presbyterian minister, Peabody, Kan. ; Jerome Hill, lav, yer, Austin, Texas; J. Quincy Spence (deceased), lawyer; Frank Dyer, Principal Loveland Schools; Isaac N. Walker, lawyer, Lebanon, Ohio; Frank Leever, Methodist minister, New Paris, Ohio; Collins Leever, physician, Defiance Ohio; T. P. Breeding, lawyer, Batavia, Ohio.
To this list may be added the following names of those who were pupils in the school, but non-residents of the township: Josiah Morrow, lawyer, Lebanon; George E. Morrow, professor in Illinois Industrial University; Lucien Clark, Methodist minister.
There are many others, doubtless, whose names deserve mention in this connection, but the writer only has his memory to draw from, and cannot recall others.
MEMBERS OF BOARD OF EDUCATION OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP FROM 1853 TO PRESENT TIME.
1853—Joseph Mounts, H. Ludlum, Joseph Baker, John M. Dyer, Samuel Frybarger.
1854—James Haney, John M. Dyer, James McIntire, Joseph Mounts, Hamilton Ludlum, Thomas Dicky.
1855—J. M. Dyer, F. G. Hill, James Haney, Levi Baker, James McIntire.
1856—Peter W. Snook, J. M. Dyer, William Walker, J. 0. Marsh, T. McClave, J. McIntire.
1857—James Ford, J. M. Dyer, Adam Simonton, J. Hitesman, Henry Ford, Richard Ford.
1858—Levi Baker, Perry Snyder, H. T. Butterworth, William H. Walker, Jesse Hitesman, Henry Ford.
1859—Daniel Ritchie, Ed Crane, H. T. Butterworth, J. W. F. Foster, J. Hitesman, Henry Ford, J. McIntire.
1860—Daniel Ritchie, H. T. Butterworth, John Spence, Nathan Hill, D. H. Mahlam, James McIntire.
1861—Daniel Ritchie, Samuel A. Hill, John Spence, N. H. Hill, D. H. Mahlam, James McIntire.
1862—Daniel Ritchie, S. A. Hill, John Spence, N. H. Hill, D. H. Mahlam, Levi Baker.
1863—James Ford, S. A. Hill, John Spence, J. P. Glasscock, Levi Baker, E. Stevens.
1864—James Ford, John Spence, Eph. Kibbey, John Hewit, John P. Glasscock.
1865—James Ford, S. A. Hill, H. Clinton, John P. Glasscock, John Ertle, Eph. Kibbey.
1866—James Ford, S. A. Hill, W. H. Walker, John P. Glasscock, John Ertle, J. W. Dugan.
1867—J. A. Ford, S. A. Hill, H. Clinton, John P. Glasscock, John Ertle, David Wells.
1868—James Ford, Samuel A. Hill, H. Clinton, Bruff Vincent, E. Stevens, David Wells.
1869—James Ford, John M. Dyer, N. H. Hill, Daniel Hewet, David Wells.
1870—James Ford, John M. Dyer, William R. Merrill, D. M. Ross, Daniel Hewet, D. Wells.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - 613
1871—Robert Hill, William Merrill, John Bickett, Daniel Hewet, David Wells.
1872—Robert Morgan, William R. Merrill, John Bicket, W. H. Haney, David Wells.
1873 - Lewis Terwileger, David Claypool, W. R. Merrill, Charles Hewet, William C. Ditmas.
1874 - Williams P. Mounts, Robert T. Smith, Wm. R. Merrill, Thomas Swigert, Asa B. Wolf
1875 - R. Ludlum, Robert T. Smith, William R. Merrill, Thomas Swigert, John Spence, Asa B. Wolf, John T. Whate.
1876—R. Ludlum, Robert T. Smith, William R. Merrill, Thomas Swigert, J. M. Johnson, Asa B. Wolf, T. Van Clausenburg.
1877—R. Ludlum, Robert Smith, William C. Spence, Thomas Swigert, J. Johnson, Asa B. Wolf, F. H. Darby.
1878—R. Ludlum, Robert Smith, William C. Spence, Thomas Swigert, J. M. Johnson, Asa B. Wolf, John Baker.
1879—Alex. Ford, Robert Smith, William R. Merrill, Thomas Swigert, William H. Dodds, Richard Ford, F. H. Darby.
1880—Ira D. Soule, Robert T. Smith, T. D. Spence, Bruff Vinson, W. H. Dodds. A. B. Wolf, William Renshaw.
1881—Ira B. Soule, T. D. Spence R. T. R Smith, Jonas Eltzroth, B. Vinson, William H. Dodds, A. B. Wolf, William Renshaw.
EARLY MANUFACTURES.
Among the many inconveniences to which the early settlers were subjected, perhaps nonen werec more keenly felt than the want of grist and saw mills. The very earliest settlers had to go to Columbia to m packing their grist of corn meal on horseback, by paths through the forest. Families were often out of meal, and compelled to live for days on hominy. A little later, a man named Waldsmith erected a mill at Indian Riffle, near Camp Dennison. This mill was constructed on some kind of a flat-boat, anchored out in the river, the current of the river supplying the motive power. It ground corn only. This shortened the distance measurably, and was, no doubt, hailed with joy. In the year 1806, Piercy Kitchel built a flouring-mill on the west bank of the Little Miami River,
where Greely's mill now stands. This was making rapid progress in the right direction, and since then mills have been erected at other points on the west bank of the Miami, convenient of access to the people of Hamilton Township, although there are none at present within the limits of township.
The first saw-mill in the township was built by Theophilus Simonton, the neighbors contributing rgely in its completion by volunteer labor in digging the trench some three-fourths of a mile that conveyed the water from the main stream to the mill. This mill was built about the year 1812, and located on stream creek near where Simonton first settled. This stream was named Conococheague Creek by the early settlers from Pennsylvania. At a later date Samuel B. Walker's sons built a saw-mill on the same stream, on the farm now owned by A. J. Walker. These mills were what might be termed wet-weather mills, as it was only during h comparatively wet times that there was sufficient water to furnish the necessary motive power, and were, under the most favorable circumstances, of very limited capacity; yet to these early settlers they were a great convenience. Since then many other mills, mostly steam, located at different points throughout the township until the greater part of the saw timber has been converted into lumber. In the early times, and in- deed, for many years, salt wasr an expensive article, and was with much diffi-
614 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
culty obtained. Farmers would frequently combine together and Io d wagon with corn, take it to
Cincinnati, and return with a barrel of salt, the proceeds of the load of corn. About the year 1803 or 1804, one Peter Nvq" son, having discovered that certain springs, some half mile south of th' present site of Maineville, possessed, in some degree, a saline quality, and being furnished with some capital by Gen. Lytle, undertook the manufacture of this article of household necessity. He sunk some three or four wells to a considerable depth, built a furnace, and placed in it a number of kettles, and proceeded to collect the water and boil it down; but the water proving toe weak to make the enterprise a paying one, Wilson soon abandoned it. The furnace and kettles, however, remained for a number of years, and neighborsfarmers for quite a distance would frequently camp there and boil down the water from the wells, and in this way procure small quantities of salt for their own use.
The manufacture of whisky was not wholly neglected by the early inhabitants. Simonton, who was the pioneer in saw-mills, was also the pioneer in distilling whisky. At an early date he erected a small copper still, just west of where Dr. Donough's house now stands, and commenced the manufacture of whisky, and this he continued for some years. The capacity of the still was from Sixteen to eighteen gallons per day. He also put up a small corn-cracker to grind,eorn for the use of the still.
The drinking of whisky was almost a universal habit in those days, and Simonton's still-house was the scene of many a wild gathering, the neighbors meeting there to talk over the events of the times and enjoy a social drink together. About the same time, a man named Cunningham erected a small distillery near where Thompson Spence now lives, but did not continue long.
At a much later date, Vandervort's flouring-mill, at Foster's Crossings, was converted into a distillery, and turned out, from time to time, considerable quantities of whisky.
We will now turn to what must have been a much more profitable branch of early manufacturing, and this was the manufacture of shoe leather. A tannery was opened for business about the year 1835. This tannery was located one-half mile north of Murdoch, on the farm now owned by F. Bateman. The farm was at that time owned by Jonathan Hopkinson, who built the tannery and conducted the business. The manufacture of leather -proved a valuable addition to the neighborhood. Hides of cattle were tanned on the shares, one-half for tanning, and thus the farmers were enabled to supply their families with winter shoes at a small expenditure of money. Mr. Hopkinson and son eontinned the business for a number of years; but the establishment finally succumbed to the inevitable fate in store for all country tan-yards.
EARLY GRAVEYARDS.
The early settlers, in many instances, interred their dead on their farms; yet there are throughout the township a number of graveyards of a very early date. The one known as Hill's Graveyard, on the hill near the Clermont County line, was used for this purpose as early as 1800, in which year there was buried J. Hill, as shown by the rude headstone. The first interment at Bethel Graveyard was that of Annie Spence, in the year 1806. The Hopkinsville Burying Ground owes its origin to the following incident: At an early date, a body (the name not remembered) was being taken to Deerfield for burial, and when the funeral train reached the river they found it too high to ford. They returned to Hopkinsville, and, after much persuasion, obtained permission from Col. John Hopkins to bury the body on the site of the present burying grounds.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - 615
There are other old graveyards in the township, notably the one east of Zoar, at the foot of the hill, but the writer cannot give names of first burials.
The Maineville Burying Ground is of later origin. The following, copied from an inscription on a stone, probably marks about the time of its establishment as a resting-place for the dead: " Sacred to the memory of Peter Dudley, who departed this life October 22, 1819."
EARLY REMINISCENCES—MISCELLANEOUS.
The following, copied from the original receipts, will show the rate of early taxes. Walker then paid taxes on 1,100 acres of land:
Received of Saml B. Walker sixty cents, it being in full of his County tax for the year 1805.
JAMES MIRAN
Received of Saml B. Walker the sum of Two dollars and twenty-six cents, being in
full of his State tax for the year 1805. I say received by me.
[Signed] DANIEL COYLOT
.
The following is a " verbatim" copy of a rather remarkable document found among the papers of the late Samuel B. Walker, viz. :
Resolution of the Grand Jury for them to meet at the time of adjournment or otherwise to be obliged to pay one-half pint of whisky viz, to come in proper order to do business and not to be intoxicated, otherwise they shall be obliged to pay four half pints of whisky.
February Term 1811.
Resolution of the Grand Jury of Warren County.
Resolved that they will meet according to the time they appointed to meet according to adjournment, or if not, to be obliged to pay one-half pint of whisky, each one who does not meet against the time agreed upon, and if any person, who is a Juror as aforesaid shall attend intoxicated, he shall be entitled to pay the sum of fifty cents. Also we resolve that all drink that is brought in for the use of us the Jurors aforesaid stall be equally divided, or in other words each Juror pay his part of the same. And we do agree to adjourn to ten o'clock to-morrow. Absent Jacob Barker and Joseph Mounts. Resolved also that we will appoint John Craft a moderater during the time the Jury sit.
Among the early records of the township we find the following :
Taken up, by John Gillis, a black heifer rising two years old. Appraised to $2.75 by Robt Shields and Hugh McCullough—Dec 22d 1814.
Taken up by John Cramer a sorrel horse Colt supposed to be one year old past. Appraised to $7.00 by Thos Spence and Jacob Morgan. Jany 27th 1816.
Taken up by Saml W. Spence six stray Sheep. Appraised to $4.50, by Sam" B Walker and George Shields—Dec 4th 1829.
The following, copied from the original, will show the form of marriage license sixty years ago :
THE STATE OF OHIO, ss.
Warren County,
License is hereby granted unto Samuel Anderson and Judith Clinton to be joined in marriage agreeable to the law of the State of Ohio, entitled " An act regulating marriages." Therefore, any Justice of the Peace, or Minister of the gospel legally authorized, may join the said Samuel Anderson and Judith Clinton in marriage, agreeable to said law, provided always that there is no legal objection.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas at Lebanon, the 24th day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty.
MATTHIAS CORWIN, JR., Clerk.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.
Owing to the loss of the early records, we are unable to give a complete list of the officers of this township, from its organization, to this date. The following is a list from 1857 to 1881, inclusive.
1857—Trustees, D. IL MalehaM, P. W. Snook, Henry Burton; Clerk, C. W. Harvey; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens; Assessor, Levi Baker.
1858—Trustees, D. H. Maleham, Henry Ford, Levi Baker; Clerk, C. W. Harvey; Treasurer, James N. Foster; Assessor, F. F. Dugan.
616 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
1859—Trustees, Benjamin Tufts, James Hopkins, jr., Peter W. Snook, Clerk, C. W. Harvey; Treasurer, James Foster; Assessor, Levi Baker.
1860—Trustees, D. H. Maleham, James Hopkins, Peter W. Snook; Clerk, Charles Townsend; Treasurer, James Foster; Assessor, I. C. Burton.
1861—Trustees, D. H. Maleham, John M. Dyer, Allen Cullom; Clerk, C. W. Harvey; Treasurer, James Foster; Assessor, I. C. Burton.
1862—Trustees, J. M. Dyer, D. H. Maleham, Allen Cullom; Clerk, C. W. Harvey; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens; Assessor, H. L. Clinton.
1863—Trustees, J. M. Dyer, John R. Kibbey, William A. Price; Clerk, E. Spence; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens; Assessor, H. L. Clinton.
1864—Trustees, J. M. Dyer, John R. Kibbey, William A. Price; Clerk, E, Spence; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens; Assessor, H. L. Clinton.
1865—Trustees, J. M. Dyer, John R. Kibbey, William A. Price: Clerk, C. E. Spence; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens; Assessor, H. L. Clinton.
1866—Trustees, J. M. Dyer, W. A. Price, John R. Hopkins; Clerk, C. E. Spence; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens; Assessor, Levi Shoemaker.
1867 - Trustees, John M. Dyer, John R. Hopkins, Harry Eastman; Clerk, C. E. Spence; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens; Assessor, H. L. Clinton.
1868—Trustees, John M. Dyer, John R. Hopkins, James Coats; Clerk, C. E. Spence; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens: Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1869—Trustees, John M. Dyer, John R. Hopkins, James Coats; Clerk, C. E. Spence; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1870—Trustees, J. M. Dyer, John R. Hopkins, T. D. Gilman; Clerk, C. E. Spence; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1871—Trustees, Marshal Girton, Jasper M. Johnson, H. Burton; Clerk, Benjamin Tufts; Treasurer, C. E. Spence; Assessor, H. H. Dunham.
1872—Trustees, Levi Baker, Jasper M. Johnson, D. N. Shields; Clerk, B. Tufts; Treasurer, C. E. Spence; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1873—Trustees, William Price, William P. Mounts, D. H. Shields; Clerk, B. Tufts; Treasurer, C. K Spence; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1874—Trustees, Henry Kelley, J. M. Dyer, Henry Burton; Clerk, B. F. Tufts; Treasurer, C. E. Spence; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1875—Trustees, J. M. Dyer, Henry Burton, Henry Kelley; Clerk, B. F. Tufts; Treasurer, C. E. Spence; 'Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1876—Trustees, H. B. Kelly, J. M. Dyer, Henry Burton; Clerk, B. F. Tufts; Treasurer, C. E. Spence; Assessor, Horace Clinton.
1877—Trustees, H. S. Williams, William C. Ditmas, D. H. Shields; Clerk, B. F. Tufts; Treasurer, C. E. Spence; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1878—Trustees, H. S. Williams, H. Burton, D. H. Shields; Clerk, J. C. Redman; Treasurer, J. Mulford; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1879 --Trustees, D. H. Shields, H. S. Williams, Marshal Girton; Clerk, J. C. Redman; Treasurer, J. Mulford; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1880 - Trustees, H. S. Williams, Marshal Girton, D. H. Shields; Clerk, J. C. Redman; Treasurer, B. F. Ludlom; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1881—Trustees, H. S. Williams, Marshal Girton, Henry Burton; Clerk, J. C. Redman; Treasurer, B. F. Ludlum; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
POLITICS.
The political complexion of the township, has been for many years largely. Republican. The vote at the Presidential election of 1880 was as follows: Garfield, 401; Hancock, 202. In the year 1828, the township gave a Democratic majority, Andrew Jackson having a majority of about 60, out of a vote
of less than 300; he also carried the township, by a reduced majority, in 1832.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - 617
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Only a partial list of Hamilton's Justices can be given, as the records are mostly lost. Among the earliest were Michael H. Johnson John Bowen, James Miranda, Theophilus Simonton, Samuel B. Walker, James Thomas Dickey, Col. John Hopkins, and later Esq. Munger, David Morgan, Calvin Kitchel, H. 0, Dwinel, Daniel H. Shields, Clarkson Butterworth, William H. Cummins, Milton Monce and Peter Doughman. The presents incumbents are Wm. C. McCarnmon and J. C. Redman, the latter having served since 1865.
WAR OF 1812.
I
n this contest Hamilton took an active part. She furnished two companies —the one a light-horse company, commanded by Col. John Hopkins, the other a rifle company, I commanded by Theophilus Simonton. The writer has not been able to learn the names of any members of the first named company. The latter while making ready to take the field, had its headquarters at Hopkinsville, Theophilus Simonton was chosen Captain. The company was composed of about forty men. The writer has been able to gather from tradition and records the following names of members of the company. The list so far as it extends is thought to be reliable. Theophilus Simonton, Captain; Alex Simonton, William Spence, William Hopkins, Samuel Anderson, Arnold Snyder, Henry Snell, Samuel B. Walker, Robert Shields, Thomas Wallace, John Wallace, Alex Brannon, John Brannon, Ludwick Thompson, James Johnson, Alex Bigham, Theophilus Wasson, Alexander Work, Abraham Haney, William Coburn, David Simonton, Valentine Ertle, James Hill, Hugh McCullough, John Vandervort, Jonas Vandervort and John Gillis. David Shields, Colen Spence and Archibald Clinton were also out in the service, but probably not in this company. Simonton's company was at the siege of Fort Meigs and underwent many hardships. The following extract from an original letter, now in existence, will serve to show the spirit that animated those heroes:
FORT MEIGS, FOOT OF THE RAPIDS OF THE MIAMI OF THE LAKE,
Monday, the 28th June, 1813.
DEAR WIFE: * * * * * We have been preparing to receive another visit from the enemy this while past, but it is the opinion of a good many they never will have the effrontery to show their infernal faces at Fort Meigs again ; if they do, they will have cause to rue it, as our forces will be strong enough to give them a complete drubbing. Eight hundred mounted men from Kentucky arrived here last night. Our beloved and worthy General Harrison left here the 12th of last month and I have not seen him since, but he is expected here this evening with a number of regular troops. * * *
SAMUEL B. WALKER.
MEXICAN WAR.
There can be but little said of the part the township took in this war. The names of the f011owing are remembered as volunteering their services : Henry Smith, Washington Cline.
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
The writer regrets exceedingly his inability to give a full and complete list of those who went from the township into this conflict, but can only give the names as obtained from memory, which must necessarily furnish only an incomplete list.
Company—, Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry—Captain, J ames E. Murdoch. Members—J. C. Burns, Charles Chaney, Henry Dunham, Henry Geise, Frank Hopkinson, Henry Roat, Henry Smith, William Semon, John Spence, Erwin Swank, John Walker, Gaines Walker, Robert Shields, Pliny Cottle, Dudly Mulford, John Snook, Jesse Hines, William Legg. The following were in the service, but their companies cannot be given : John Atkinson, William Atkinson,
618 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
Samuel Atkinson, Mike Doughman, Felty Doughman, David Doughniah Henry Graham, Martin Graham, John Graham, Mont Henry, Thompson Spence, Albert Boyd, William Girton, James Pollock, John Powers, Stanly Day David Day, Luther Walker, Mitchel Shields, W. H. Haney, Samuel A. Bane; George Ertle, David Ertle, John Hitesman, Thomas C. Legg, Thomas Seaman, Verney Seaman, Henry Temme, Thomas Wilkinson, J. A. Hopkins; John Clark, Levi Shoemaker.
POST OFFICES.
The first post office in the township was at Hopkinsville, established in 1825, and afterward post offices were established in the following order viz. Dallasburg, 1848, Maineville, 1854; Foster's Crossing, 1859; Murdoch, 1866, and Cpzaddale, 1871. The very earliest settlers received their mail probably at Lebanon. The following, copied from the address on the back of an early letter, will show how indefinite the directions :
Mr. Samuel Walker,
living in Warren County,
State of Ohio ;
Near the Little Miami.
This letter was written in 1805. It will be seen that Southern Hamilton was without an office until 1848, but the postal facilities were not so bad as this would indicate, as there was a post office at O'Banionville in Clermont county, near the Warren line at quite an early date, affording the advantage of a weekly mail to this section. The above offices are, with the exception of Dallasburg, in operation yet, each having a daily mail.
VILLAGES OF THE TOWNSHIP.
Hopkinsville, situated on the Montgomery & Hopkinsville pike, is the oldest village in the township, dating back to about 1808. In its early days, it was the center of trade for the whole township, and enjoyed a good degree of prosperity. It was also for a long time the legal place for holding township elections, and headquarters for general musters and all public gatherings; but in course of time new places sprung up and trade was diverted into other channels. The village now contains one store, a blacksmith shop, shoe shop, schoolhouse and church. At one time, it contained three stores and three taverns. Col. John Hopkins, Matthias Rapp and Boss Erwin were the merchants.
Zoar—This place was also settled at an early day, but the year cannot now with certainty be given. It at one time gave promise of being quite a manufacturing place. About the years 1844 to 1847, there were two blacksmith shops and two wagon-makers' shops located here, working some eight to ten hands. Ferdinand Dugan was one of the proprietors and enjoyed quite a large Southern trade in plows and wagons. He also manufactured wagons for service in the Mexican war. A wheelwright shop, by Matthew McNeely, was also, at this time, in full operation. But this prosperity was destined to be only transitory. The building of railroads and establishment of large manufactories changed all this, and the streets of Zoar became long ago deserted and the sound of the hammer is no longer heard within her borders.
Cozaddale, situated on the Mqrietta Railroad in the extreme southern part of the township, was laid out by John J. Cozad in the year 1871.
Mr. Cozad spent money very liberally in putting up buildings and improving the place, hoping to make a permanent manufacturing town, but his hopes were not fully realized, as evidenced by the many tenantless houses. There are now in the village two stores and one shoe shop.
619 - PICTURE OF WM. JACKSON
620 - BLANK
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - 621
Murdoch, situated on the Murdoch pike, in the midst of a well improved stid finely cultivated farming district, owes its importance mostly to the fact of its being for a long time.the home of Prof. James E. Murdoch, from whom it derived its name. The following comprise the extent of the village, to wit : Cottage of Prof. Murdoch, now occupied by the writer of this sketch ; the residence of John Spence, Sr. ; the residence of Ellen Walker, widow of the late W. R. Walker ; the Presbyterian Church and parsonage; store by Alexander Robb, and a neat, pretty schoolhouse just completed.
MAINEVILLE.
Maineville, the only incorporated village in the township, is situated near its center. The first permanent settlers were from the State of Maine, and it dates back to the year 1815; but previous to that period, about 1802, one John Wilson cleared off quite a good-sized patch of ground near where Benjamin Tuft's house now stands. Wilson also, about the same time, cleared a small ;field just west of William Burton's house. In a short time,he abandoned these clearings and a dense growth of hickory and other forest trees grew up, and, by the time permanent settlers came, these clearings were almost an impenetrable thicket. The first house built in Maineville was a log one, and stood near where H. L. Clinton's residence is now located. It was built by a man named Carr. Carr was a blacksmith, and carried on his trade in this building. He gave his attention mostly to making axes. Carr's axes became quite famous throughout the settlement. As we have already stated, the first permanent settlement was in 1815. In that year, Moses Dudley, with his family, moved from Maine and settled where Capt. Whitten afterward lived. He owned some two hundred acres of land on the south side of the present pike. Dudley built the first frame house in the village.
He died in 1842, and was buried in the cemetery east of the village.
Dr. John Cottle came from Maine in the year 1818, and settled where Mrs. Smitzer now lives. The Doctor was the first graduate of a medical college to practice in the township Some idea of the extent of his practice may be gathered from the fact that at an early day his nearest competitor on the west was Dr. Noble, at Sycamore Creek, and or, the north Dr. Montague, at Deerfield, and on the south none nearer than Goshen; while, on the east, he rode beyond Clarksville and Wilmington, and for a long time he kept an extra horse at Clarksville for use in that section. Cottle was not only a good physician, but a skillful surgeon. The writer remembers well, when a small boy, of the old Tioctor and his son Lucius coming to his father's and removing, with the knife, a cancer from the breast of his mother. The operation was a complete success, as it never afterward gave her any trouble. Cottle built the first brick house in Maineville, and probably the first in the township. This was in 1821. The house still remains in good preservation, and is owned, and, as before stated, occupied by Mrs. Smitzer. In 1822, Elder Benjamin Tufts, with his family, moved from Maine, and settled where Benjamin Tufts now lives. These were but the forerunners of many other immigrants from that far-distant Eastern State. The village was for -a long time called Yankeetown, but was afterward changed to Maineville. Among the early industries was a wagon- maker's shop, Josiah Greely and Robert Blackstone proprietors. There was also at one time a foundry located here, at which engines and many other articles were turned out, but after some time the shops were closed, the cost of shipping ore, etc., being too great.
The village was incorporated in the year 1850. The first election for village officers was held April 25, 1850, and resulted in the election of Silas Dudley for Mayor.
622 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
The following is the succession of Mayors: Silas Dudley, 0. M. Kilburn 0. 0. Morrill, J. W. Perryman, H. Eastman, T. D. Gilman, J. C. Redman, V. Babbit, Charles Ford and P. D: Cottle.
The year 1850 will be remembered by many as being the cholera year, and this village, seemingly protected by its isolation from the large cities, was never the less destined to undergo the devastation and horrors of that fearful plague of the Orient in all its intensity. Death reigned in almost every house; terror seized hold upon the stoutest hearts, and it was with difficulty that the dead were buried. Many of the best citizens were its victims. In a radius of two miles more than fifty persons died in a short space of time. Among the business men who died were Nathan Butterworth and Sherman Knowlton, mer.. chants.
In this year, Col. James Ford came from Maine and settled here, succeeding Butterworth & Knowlton in the mercantile business. Col. Ford proved himself to be a public-spirited and enterprising citizen, possessed of excellent business capacities. He carried on the merchandising business with marked success up to the time of his death, which occurred in the spring of 1865. At the time of the Colonel's arrival, and for some time afterward, the citizens of Maineville were making strenuous efforts to induce the Government to establish a post office in the village, but without success. Finally Ford took hold of the matter, and having a personal acquaintance with some of the leading officials at Washington, succeeded in bringing about the desired result, and a post office was established in 1854, Ford receiving the appointment of Postmaster. a position which he continued to hold, notwithstanding the administrative changes, until his death. In this connection it will not be invidious to mention the name of Sullivan Stevens, although still living. Stevens has been closely identified with the commercial interests of the place for nearly a third of a century. During these long years of business relations
with the people, he has never failed to command their entire confidence and esteem.
MAINEVILLE BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Charles Ford, dealer in dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes and hardware.
John Cottle, dealer in groceries and meats.
S. F. Stevens & Son, dealers in dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, drugs and hardware.
Nye & Kellar, harness makers.
J. C. Redman, Justice of the Peace and Township Clerk.
Owen S. Higgins, blacksmith.
S. G. Tufts & Son, wagonmaker and undertaking.
Benton Johnson, boot and shoemaker.
Dr. Cook, druggist.
L. A. Cottle, physician and surgeon.
B. F. Ludlum, physician.
Harry Eastman, farmer and commercial traveler.
William Burton, builder and money-lender.
The present population of the village is about three hundred.
THE CHURCHES.
The forms of religion that prevailed largely among thb early settlers, were Presbyterian and Methodist. The former had its center in the southern part of the township, among the settlers from Pennsylvania. The latter had two strongholds within the township, one at Zoar, and the other in the Hill settlement, in the southwestern part of the township.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - 623
CHURCH AT ZOAR.
This was the pioneer Methodist organization in the township. The Mountses and Ludlums were prominent among the early, active and influential members. The first church building was a log one, and stood on the same spot where the present one now stands, and was built about the year 1820. Previous to this time, class-meetings were held at private houses, and the Methodists and Presbyterians united in occasional services at Mounts' Station. The church continued to enjoy a good degree of prosperity, and in 1837 the log building was replaced by the present one. In the winter of 1843-44, a most remarkable revival took place in this church. The meetings were under the ministration of Rev. Smith and Fife, two ministers possessing unrivaled powers as revivalists. The religious excitement attending these meetings, was very great and more than two hundred were converted. This period marked the time of the church's greatest prosperity at Zoar. The establishment of an organization at Maineville, a few years later, gradually drew the interest in that direction, and the members are now comparatively few.
I have already stated that the Methodists had, at an early day, another stronghold in the township, in the Hill neighborhood. At a very early date, several families of Hills—all relatives—settled in this locality. They were earnest and active Methodists, and noted for their wonderful powers of spiritual song. They proceeded at once to organize class meetings, going from house to house, and engaging in exhortation, song and praise to God. Some years later, this point became a regular preaching place on the Circuit, and for many years the old log schoolhouse, a few hundred yards west of the Hill Graveyard, was used for public worship. The walls of this primitive building often resounded to the fiery eloquence and pleadings of many of the grand old preachers of early days; many were the revivals that took place within its portals; many weary and troubled souls found rest and quiet around its rude alters; but time has wrought great changes. The old building long since (1854) yielded to the force of the storm king, and the material of which it was built, became scattered far and wide. The congregations that were wont to assemble there have, too, like the building, yielded to the process of disintegration; some have moved away, some have sought other places to worship, while many, very many, have crossed the river, we trust, to enter into that House not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens, whose builder and maker is God.
MAINEVILLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The first regular church organization of the Methodists at this place was in 1842, the Dudleys and Tufts, taking a prominent part in the movement. Previous to this time, they had class-meetings and religious gatherings at private houses, and occasional preaching. At the time of the organization, they had no church building, but the Baptist brethren kindly allowed them the use of their house until they could erect one of their own. The new organization at once enjoyed a season of great prosperity. Revival meetings were held under the leadership of Smith, Fife and others, and large accessions were made to the church. In 1844, they erected a commodious brick building of their own. The church has continued with varied success to the present time. It is the only Methodist organization, with the exception of Zoar, in the township. The total number of members now is about one hundred. The Rev. Baughman, Rev. Bishop Soule, Rev. George Maley and Rev. James B. Finley preached here at different times. This society supports a flourishing Sabbath school.
MAINEVILLE FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was organized by Elder Moses' Dudley, Henry Greely and others as early as 1822 or 1823. It was called Salt Spring Church. For a
624 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
number of years they worshiped in a schoolhouse east of Maineville, and not far from the Maineville Graveyard. About 1830, they built the present brick building. For a number of years this society enjoyed a good degree of success, but of late years, the membership has from various causes diminished. However, it still supports a regular minister, and a good class of Sabbath school scholars, and is in a quiet way doing much good.
Elder Moses Dudley was the first pastor of this church. Among those who preached from the pulpit in early times may be mentioned the names of Marcus Kilburn, Black:Isaac, Richard Simonton and John Dudley, the latter a New Light.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE.
Information concerning the early organization and progress of this church, is of a very meager character, owing to the fact that the minute-book was lost by burning some few years ago. The society was organized as a branch of the Sycamore Associate Reformed Church, on the west side of the Little Miami. Rev. David McDill is believed to have been the first preacher; he probably preached at Hopkinsville occasionally, as early as 1820. The church was organized soon after this. About 1827, William Hopkins was elected a Ruling Elder. The ministers who have served the congregation are as follows: Rev. John Graham, Rev. Peter Monfort, Rev. Henry AlleN Rev. Robert K. Campbell from 1856 to 1866, Rev. H. Y. Leiper 1868 to 1869, Rev. James H. Elliot 1870 to 1880. Rev. S. A. Buck is the present pastor. The present number of meMbers is about twenty-six. A good and efficient Sabbath school has been kept up for many years.
BETHEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This was the first religious organization in the township, and the varied relations of this church to the people in general have been so widespread and long continued, and its influence in giving character to society so potent for good, that its history is so interwoven with the history of the township, as to be inseparable. In view of these well-known facts, the writer feels that in giving a somewhat detailed history of the church, no apology is due.
About the close of the last century, Samuel Walker, of Franklin County, Penn., purchased ( as already stated in the account of the early settlement of the township ) a large tract of land in the southern part of the township, upon which, not long after, four of his children, viz., Esther Spence, Margaret Spence, Samuel Walker and Sarah Martin, settled for the purpose of making homes for themselves and their children. These families brought with them the seeds of Presbyterianism, which, with many discouragements, prayers and self-denials, they planted in the wilds of what was then known as the Miami country.
These, in connection with a few other families, formed the nucleus out of which was organized the Bethel Church. These fathers and mothers underwent many hardships in their efforts to give to their children the religious institutions which they now enjoy, but they met their trials with patience and courage, toiled in hope, prayed in faith, and their labors were blessed. The church was not organized for about twelve years after the first settlement of these pioneer families. During this time, they enjoyed occasional preaching by several faithful ministers. The Rev. Robert B. Dobbins, a member of the Presbytery of Washington, which was then A part of the Synod of Kentucky, and located chiefly between the Scioto and the Miamis, visited the Bethel neighborhood about twice a year, preaching and administering the ordinance of baptism to the children of such as held certificates of standing in the churches from which they had removed. Other ministers also occasionally preached in
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - 625
the neighborhood, both before and after the organization of the church, among vihora may be mentioned, Revs. Nicholas Petinger, Father Boyd, Crothers, ]!donfort, Reuben Frame, James and William Dickey At last the long desired time arrived when a church was to be organized, and this little band were to be gathered in closer union, and strengthened by the bands of outward ecclesiastical organization.
On the 9th day of September, 1814, the Rev. Robert B. Dobbins preached, and after the sermon proceeded to organize the church in the usual way. The minutes, which record the matter, read thus: " The congregation of Bethel (after sermon) proceeded to the election of Ruling Elders. The votes were cast up, and it appeared that Colon Spence and Robert Shields were duly elected." On the next day these two brethren were solemnly set apart to the office to which they had been chosen by the congregation, and immediately thereafter held a meeting at which ten persons were received into the church— Rev. R. B. Dobbins, Moderator—eight upon certificate, and two upon examination. Their names are as follows: Isaac Spence and Esther his wife, Martha Shields, Margaret Spence, James Anderson and Martha his wife, William Wasson and Agnes his wife; and on examination, William Spence and Rebecca his wife. This little band constituted Bethel Church at its organization sixty-seven years ago. These brethren who were elected to the eldership served the church faithfully during the remainder of their lives, often riding on horseback forty and fifty miles to attend the meeting of Presbytery.
The little church for several years had no house of worship, but held their meetings, in the winter season, in a log schoolhouse near the present Bethel Graveyard, and in the summer season in the groves. To them, the groves were indeed God's first temples. It might be pleasant to linger among these memories of the past, and notice every feature in the growth of the church, but space will not admit of it. We pass over several years, burdened, doubtleSs, with many trials of faith, and come to the year 1823. This year marked an epoch in the history of the church. In this year, it was determined to erect a house in which to worship God. It was not a costly structure, but answered its end, and was adapted if not to the wants, at least to the circumstances of those concerned. It was built of logs, hewn from the forests in the immediate vicinity. The seats were made mostly of puncheons, and of course without any backs. In the center of the room was a capacious hearth, but no chimney; none was needed, for on the hearth was built a fire of charcoal, which made no smoke, and the materials of which could also be drawn from the near forest. The building stood near where the parsonage now stands, The church continued to grow in numbers each year marking new accessions.
The people worshiped in this house till the year 1839. Up to this time the minutes of the session record a great number of judicial cases. This is owing largely, no doubt, to the condition and habits of society at that time. The most frequent charge is "the too free use of spirituous liquors." In these early days the baleful influence of intemperance was felt in every relation of life, not only in the evils of intoxication, but in the kindred evils which always accompany it. It is not to be wondered at that the church session experienced great difficulties in this direction, when we reflect that whisky was a principal guest at every gathering, and had a place upon every side-board. But happily, as the preaching of the word and the means of grace increased, we find the evils of intemperance abating from the church. On the Sabbath when there was no preaching, religious services were held under direction of the session, which were called Society meetings, at which some one was appointed to read a sermon from some approved author, prayers were made and hymns sung. Thus the little band struggled along through the darkness and discourage-
626 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
ments incidental to all churches at an early day. Goshen was also a preachit place in connection with Bethel Church, and continued this relation until 183 when a petition was presented asking for the organization of a church in that place. The records show that at this time the session was composed of th following members : Rev. S. G. Gaines, Moderator, Z. Owen. J. Oliver, R. Be McKinnie, T. Dickey, S. W. Spence, Geo. Shields, Rob't Shields, Wm. Thack. er, J. B. Spence and Benjamin Erwin. The session met May 30th, 1833, at which quite a number received their certificates with a view of uniting with the Goshen organization, and the little church of Bethel, never too strong, became two bands. This church was not discouraged, however, and in the year 1839 undertook the work of building a new house of worship of more substantial character and better adapted to their wants. The log building was 24x36 feet the one proposed was to be of brick, 40x50 feet, and was in due time completed We copy from the report of the the treasurer the names of those contributing to the building fund, varying in amount from $1 to $85. James Walker, George Shields. Benj. Erwin, R. Dobbin Shields, William Schuyler, Samuel B. Walker, John Shields, Samuel W. Spence, John McClave, William Ramsey, Eli McKinney, Bennet Simonton, Joseph Clinton, William Newel, James Hall, John Abernathy, John Spence,Sr., Thomas Monce, Andrew Newel, David Morgan, Thomas Dickey, Robert Shields, James B. Spence, William Shields, John Gillis, Joseph Gillis, A. J. Walker, William Coburn, Andrew W. Spence, William B. Spence, Daniel Quinby, Mrs. Janetta Eve- land, Peter Eveland, Francis Hopkinson, Estate of William Spence, Dec., Isaac Spence, Sr., James Spence, Peter Schuyler, James Martin, William Swank, John Spence, Sr., Isaac Spence, Jr., and Colon Spence.
From about 1832 until 1842 (as nearly as can be learned from the records) the church was supplied in connection with Goshen by Rev. L. G. Gaines, who was known as a pioneer church builder, he being instrumental in the erection of a number of church buildings. His immediate successor was ,the Rev. A. H. Rodgers, whose name appears first on the minutes of session of May 28, 1842; he continued to serve the church until December 3, 1843, when his name disappears and is followed by the Rev. S. J. Miller, who preached until 1847. For the next two years, we find the names of Edward Kemper and Slack as supplies. These were followed by Rev. P. Rees, who supplied the church from February 1849, until September 1850, when the Rev. James Connelly took charge of the church and continued to serve until 1852; he was succeeded by Rev. James Coe, who preached for the churches of Bethel and Goshen (as his predecessors had done) until the latter part of 1853. Two other ministers' names appear from this date to 1856, viz., Revs. McCombes and Caldwell. The records do not show whether they were regular supplies or preached only occasionally ; probably the latter.
In the year 1856 an important action was taken by the congregation, the first of the kind of which there seems to be any record in the minutes of the session. That action was embodied in the following resolution by the congregation :
Resolved, That we now proceed to elect a pastor.
A vote was then taken and the result was that Rev. J. M. Drake was unanimously chosen. This pastorate continued through two yc ars, when the church again fell back into the stated supply system and employed the Rev. D. Kingery, Who we believe was the first minister that was employed for all the time at this place. Rev. Kingery continued to serve the church until the autumn of 1860, when he was succeeded by Rev. I. J. Cushman, whose pastorate continued for more than twenty years, and was only terminated by his death, which occurred in August, 1881. Of this long and faithful pastorate,
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - 627
ranch of interest might be said, suffice here to say that in Mr. Cushman's death the whole community recognized the loss of an able minister and an upright and consistent Christian in every relation of life. January 1, 1882, the Bev. George M. Maxwell accepted the pastorate of the church and began his labors.
As as 1867, it became apparent that it would soon be necessary to rebuild the church. About this time, Prof. James E. Murdoch, whose benevolence and generosity are widely known, made a proposition to the church, that if they would rebuild would raise and contribute a sum equal to half the cost of rebuilding. Thise w proposition was accepted April 14, 1870, commit- tees were appointed to solicit subscriptions; building committees were also appointed; subscriptions were secured from the congregation and community to the amount of about $2,525. This, with Prof. M Murdoch’s generous proposal, made a building fund of $5,000. Noting however, until April 15, 1872, when the building committee were directed to give the proceed with their work. On the first Monday in May, the work of removing old building was begun, and in the fall of the same year the new house was completed. The cost of the building, exclusive of the material of the old one, was $4,518.56, and including the same, $5,178.
Within its walls were gathered, on the 2d day of December, 1880, a large assemblage of the people ; the occasion was the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the Rev. I. J. Cushman's pastorate. The old and the young were there. Those that still walked in the ways of the world, as well as the professed followers of Christ, were there, the former drawn thither by their admiration and profound respect for him who in his every day contact with the world, followed faithfully that line of conduct which he so ably and earnestly advocated in the pulpit, the latter by those mysterious chords of love and confidence that bind God's followers to a faithful leader.
The Ministerial Association of Cincinnati delegated a committee to attend the services, consisting of Revs. J. G. Monfort, D. D., Thomas Thomas oul you and J. P. E. Kumler, D. D. The church was filled toe it After a half hour spent in devotional exercises, Mr. Cushman was called on, and gave a review of his twenty years' work. He was followed by Rev. William B. Spence, of Sidney, who spoke of pioneer life in this section of the Little Miami Valley, and recalled many incidents connected with the early history of this church, near which he was born in 1804. This closed the morning exercises, and after partaking of a banquet served in the parsonage, the audience returned to the church, where the afternoon exercises were begun by Rev. Thomas Courtleyou, Mrs. Cushman's pastor before her marriage. He was followed by Mrs. Horace Clinton, a sister of Rev. Mr. Walker, in an eloquent and touching address to the pastor, on behalf of the congregation. The address was followed by the presentation of the " Eagles." This was an unique and most touching ceremony, in which each year was represented by a Sabbath school scholar. This band of children, twenty in number, came forward in procession and successively repeated an appropriate verse prepared for the occasion, each in turn presenting a golden coin to the pastor. At the conclusion of this touching ceremony, congratulatory letters were read, presents tendered, and some short speeches made by brother ministers present. The audience then sang the hymn, "Blirsed Be the Tie that Binds," and were dismissed, thus closing an eventful day in the,history of Bethel Church.
Members Received into the Church, 1814 to 1850 - 1814, James Smith and Agnes, his wife; 1815, Hannah Walker, Samuel Stewart, Mary Sewel; 1816, Margaret Spence, Isabella Spence, Hannah Spence; 1817, Alex Hall; 1822
628 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
Sarah Anderson, William. Mitchell, Samuel Spence; 1824, John Anderson, 1825, Mrs. Elsie C. Roat, Margaret Roat; 1826, Mrs. Mary Burton, Joseph Owen, Annie Patten, William Spence, Thomas Dickey and Isabella, his wife John Spence, William Thatcher and Hester, his wife; 1827, William Shields' Jacob Morris, Mrs. Polly Soule, James Spence, Susannah Morris, Annie Haywood, Phoebe Clinton, Hannah Shields, Elsa McKinney, Hester Eveland Joseph Wallis, Mrs. Rebecca Spence; 1828, John Oliver and Margaret, Ilia wife, Miss Mary Munce, Mrs. Sarah Spence, John 0. Thacker, Andrew w. Spence, Samuel W. Spence, Andrew Spence, Jr., James Walker, Mary Shields, Eleanor Clinton, Judith Anderson, Sarah Anderson, Permelia Snell, Jane Spence, Esther Spence, Ann Spence, Bulah Thacker, Eliza Paxton, Elizabeth Dunlap, James Dunlap, Joseph Dunlap, Lewis Atkinson, Isabella Martin, Daniel Barber, Jane Cox, Thomas Spence, George Shields, John Shields, Lucinda Shields, Elizabeth Kelley, Samuel Walker, Jr., Joseph Anderson, Elizabeth Burton, Catherine Burton, Jacob Schuyler and Margaret, his wife Elenor Cummins, Jane Ann Cummins, Mary Wene, Mary Ann Gillis, Joseph Branch, Samuel B. Walker, John Walker, Isabella Hall, Jane Liggett, David Shields; 1828, Patience Barber, Martha Clinton, Margaret Dickey, Benjamin Thacker, George Constable, Charles Leeper, Tabitha Drake, Rebecca Barker, John Dunlap, William Roat, Charles Cummins, William Cummins, Elizabeth Cummins, Nancy Kelley, Elizabeth Wene, Girty Schuyler, Hester Thacker, Elenor Simonton, Jane McKinney, Susannah Oliver, Ann Wene, Eliza Mullen, Jenetta Frybarger; 1829, Mrs. Ruth Burrows, Mrs. Elizabeth Higgins, Annie Munce, Mrs. Benjamin Erwin, William Spence, Jr., William Frybarger.
May 29, 1830, the church of Union having, by consent, united with Bethel Church, the following enrolled themselves as members, viz. : Harman Eveland, Jennetta, his wife, Mrs. Sarah Orr, Mrs. Martha Paxton, Mrs. Elenor Leeper. In this same year a camp-meeting was held at Montgomery, lasting from August 27 to August 31, inclusive, at which the following persons were received into the communion of the church, viz. : Catharine Brunson, Thomas Brunson, David Cummins, Deborah Foster, Elizabeth Parker, Jessie Wood, Elizabeth Wood, Andrew J. Walker, Hester Haywood, Margaret Heaton, Phoebe Heaton, Lydia Haywood, Joseph A. Shields, Caleb Oliver; 1830, Sarah Munce, Margaret Oliver, Margaret Coburn, Nancy Cox, Catharine Spence; 1831, Mary Ann Nickles, Anna Garrison, Jonas Garrison and Elizabeth, his wife, Miss Rachel Phillips; 1832, John Spence; 1833, Abraham Wilson, Margaret S. Frame, David Biggs, Elizabeth Scott, Jane Scott, Richard McKinney and Lydia, his wife, Mrs. Martha Boyd; 1834, Andrew Campbell, Rebecca Gordon, Joseph Rapp and Margaret Rapp; 1835, Mrs. Martha Irwin, Carrie A. Westerfield, George Rapp, William Scott, Maria Oliver, Mary Scott, Margaret Gaines, Dr. Hiram Cox and Margaret, his wife, Caroline Spence, Isaac Westerfield, Hannah Oliver, Margaret Dickey, Agnes Campbell; 1836, Mrs. Mary Marsh, Mrs. Elizabeth Cook, Mrs. Eliza Spence, from Middle Spring, Penn. ; 1837, Agnes Lowry, Maria Fold, James Hindman and Mary, his wife, Samuel Anderson, Katherine Quimby, Mrs. Mary Felter, Mrs. Martha Boyd; 1838, Preston Bishop and Hannah, his wife, Fannie Stephens, Adaline Stephens, William Schuyler and Christina, his wife; 1842, Ruanza Phillips, Elizabeth Anderson, Mariah Millspaugh, Rachel Burton, Elenor Morris, William Coburn, Leah Walker; 1843, Dgnira Johnson, Jane Walker, Elizabeth Clinton, Nancy Newel, Lewis Elston; 1845, Cassander Wene, Louis. A. Miles, Sarah Miles, Joana Spence; 1846, Eliza Phillips; 1849, Elenor Walker, William H. Walker, Mary Jane Shields, Mary Spence, Ezra A. Butler; 1850, Rachel Shields.
Names of Elders:--Colon Spence, Robert Shields, Joseph Owens, William Spence, Thomas Dickey, John Oliver, George Shields, R. B. McKinney, Sam-
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - 629
uel W. Spence, J. B. Spence, B. Erwin, William Thacker, William Swank, James Walker, Samuel Spence, Dr. N. W. Bishop, Alexander Robb, Daniel Shields. The present incumbents are A. J. Walker, William Swank, Dr. N. W. Bishop and Samuel Spence.
Death of Members as copied from Records.---Isaac Spence, January 24, 1820; Margaret Anderson, October 15, 1820; Jane Shields, September 7 1821; James Anderson, May 5, 1825; Sarah Anderson, May, 1827; John Anderson, September 14, 1827; Upheny Munce, July 16, 1830; Mary Munce, July 11, 1830; Esther Spence, October 17, 1830; Joseph Anderson, May 13, 1831; Mrs. Annie Spence, July 13, 1831; Harman Eveland, August 17, 1831; Isaac Clinton, January 13, 1832; Margaret Spence, February 12, 1832; Katherine Thacker, September 7, 1833; Martha Paxton, March 10, 1835; Rhoda Martin, August 13, 1835; Colon Spend., June 13, 1836; William Spence, 1837; William Newel, December 20, 1840; Mary Burton, August 7, 1840; Mary Wene, April, 1840; Sarah Martin, May 3, 1841; Eliza McKinney, August 9, 1841; Jacob Schuyler, May 10, 1841; Katherine Spence, November 20, 1842; Sarah Spence, January 15, 1843; James Smith, 1844; Margaret Schuyler, April 10, 1844; John Ross, August 20, 1844; Samuel B. Walker, December 6, 1845; Elenor Simonton, October 8, 1848; Thomas Spence, March 6, 1849; Hannah Walker, February 14, 1851; Samuel S. Shields, 1852; Agnes Smith, April 12, 1854; Thomas Dickey, May 14, 1856; Isabella Walker, September 25, 1857; Martha Shields, November 19, 1863; Isabella Dickey, November 1, 1864; James Martin, March 12, 1864; Hester Ann Walker, December 24, 1864; Martha Clinton, April 7, 1865; Mary Ann Gillis, December, 1866; Esther Spence, March 12, 1866; Andrew Spence, 1866; Alexander Gaines Walker, killed at battle of Murfreesboro. December 31, 1862; Minerva Shields, January 24, 1867; Francis M. Swank, August, 1869; John Quincy Spence, October 17,1868; Hannah Spence, June 8, 1871; Rachel Burton, 1871; Caroline Swank, March 23, 1871; James Caldwell, August 9, 1871; Aaron Schuyler, December, 1872; Ruanza Spence, June 8, 1873; William H.Walker, June 2, 1873; James Walker, July 15, 1879; Eliza H. Spence, July, 1880; Jane Spence, February 20, 1880; George Shields, July 26, 1880.
The above is only a very limited list of the dead, but is all that could be gathered from the church records.
BETHEL TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.
The use of intoxicating drink was a besetting sin among the pioneer settlers. Its evil effects were felt in almost every household. Was there to be a wood-chopping or a log-rolling, and we might add with truth, a church building to be raised, whisky was regarded as one of the essential aids to a proper performance of the work. No farmer thought of commencing his harvest, without first securing a liberal supply of liquor. Thomas Dickey, then a young man, was one of the first to awaken to a knowledge of the moral degradation being fastened upon the community by its use. About the year 1825, Young Dickey, in connection with James Walker, William Shields, and Andrew Spence, organized the "Bethel Temperance Society." A constitution was drafted and necessary by-laws were adopted. Thomas Dickey was chosen President. Accessions were rapidly made, and in a short time the society numbered one hundred members. It is a remarkable fact that among all these members, but a single violation of ate pledge occurred. The influence of this society for good was incalculable. It banished whisky from the social gatherings, from the harvest field, from the log-rolling and other similar gatherings. The society preserved its organization for many years and finally died out, not because the temperance spirit was less dominant, but because the work was completed in the neighborhood. There was no longer any foe to fight.