553 - BLANK
554 - PICTURE OF MAHLON T. JANNEY
WAYNE TOWNSHIP - 555
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
BY JUDGE JOHN W. KEYS.
Wayne Township was one of the four original townships into which Warren County was divided by the Associate Judges, May 10, 1802. The original boundaries of the township were as follows: Beginning at the northeast corner of Section 33 in the third township; thence east to the northeast corner of the county; thence south to a point drawn due east from the north boundary of the third military range; thence due west to the southwest corner of Section 25, in the fourth range; thence due north to the place of beginning. When we take into consideration that the east line of the county was as far east as where the town of Wilmington now is, we see that the township covered a large tract of territory, the west line being two miles farther west than now and the south line being two miles farther south than now. On the 26th day of June, 1806, Eaton Township was formed, cutting off all of Wayne Township east of Cm.sar's Creek. Turtle Creek Township was formed August 5, 1804, and cut off of Wayne about two miles on the south.
On the 11th day of September, 1815, Clear Creek Township was formed of the territory of Wayne and Franklin Townships, cutting off of Wayne a strip two miles wide on the west side. On the 10th day of October, 1850, Massie Township was formed out of Wayne and Washington Townships, and, on the 11th day of June, 1851, some change was made, by which a part of Massie Was restored to Wayne Township, since which time there has been no further change.
The incidents attending the settlement of a new country are of particular intermit to the parties, and, in. after years, there is no more pleasant enjoyment than for old settlers to get together and relate the scenes through which they have passed, and the part they bore in opening up and developing the country. The children remember the oft-told tale, and they, too, relate the incidents through which their parents passed; after them comes another generation, the country is opened and settled, they find all things prepared for them and ab record kept of the past, and they feel but little interest in matters that transpired so long ago.
As Samuel Highway, with those who were associated with him and who accompanied him, appear to have been the first settlers, I think it not improper to here give the contract of purchase by Highway and his partners, of John Cleves Symmes, and their partnership contract:
ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN JOHN CLEVES SYMMES AND JOHN SMITH, SAMUEL HIGHWAY AND EVAN BANES.
Articles of Agreement made this third day of February in the year 1796, between John Cleves Symmes, of North bend in the County of Hamilton, in the Terrytory of the United States North West of the River lo, of the first part & John Smith, Samuel Highway & Evan Banes, of the same Count of the second part, are as followeth; (viz.) The said John Smith, Samuel Highway & van Banes, jointly and severally, for themselves, their heirs Executors and Administrators agreeth and hereby covenanteth with the said John Cleves Symmes to purchase of the said John C. Symmes several certain unappropriated sections lying in the northern tier of sections in the fourth Range of Townships, and in the four Southern tiers of sections in the fifth Range of Townships in the Miami purchase, and County aforesaid, rangeing the said tiers of sections from East to West, every tier of which shall bound Easterly on the Little Miami River, including all the fractions, and extending Westerly into the purchase in the following manner, The most Southward tier shall extend from the Little Miami River not less than three whole sections abreast, Westerly, and not further west than the Eastern boundary line of the second
556 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
Township in Fourth and fifth ranges, which Western extent shall be resolved on within three weeks from the date hereof, by said John Smith, Saml Highway and Evan Banes notifying the said John Cleves Symmes of such their determination, Thence running North from a Western point so to be by the said purchasers resolved on, & ascertained, across the said Several tiers of sections, not further North than the uper side of the fourth tier of sections, in the fifth entire Range of Townships but falling as much short of that line as the said purchasers may think proper, they giving due notice thereof to the said John Cleves Symmes within three weeks as aforesaid, they retaining however twenty sections at least & not exceeding fifty sections inclusive of all fractions. And the said John Smith, Saml Hitainghway Evan Banes, and agreeth to pay for all such lands as they re, nin& e shillings and four pes, cove ence half penny currency of seven shillings and six penceof to the dollar—equal to one dollar and twenty five cents per acre for each & every acre the land hereby contracted for, reserved sections always excepted, which purchase money of nine shillings and four pence half penny per acre shall be paid by the said John Smith, Samuel Highway and Evan Banes in the following manner (viz.) One Thousand Dollars in specie shall be paid in hand to the said John Cleves Symmes, at the sealing hereof, & two thirds of a dollars equal to five shillings in Specie on every acre shall be paid by the said John Smith, Samuel Highway and Evan Banes, their Executors or Administrators, either to the Government of the United States as the purchase money agreeable to the Original contract, or to the said John Cleves Symmes for the use of the General Government as the Original price of the land, and such five shillings per acre shall be paid in discharge of the Original purchase money, by the time the same shall be required of the said John Cleves Symmes by Congress or by the proper officers of Government to whose functions it may belong, and the residue of said nine shillings four pence half penny currency as aforesaid, or remaining four shillings and four pence half penny shall be paid to the said John Cleves Symmes his Executors or Administrators on or before the third day of February which will be in the year One thousand eight hundred and One, being five years from the date hereof, together with the interest at six per cent thereon accruing, which annual interest thereon the said John Smith, Samuel Highway and Evan Banes hereby bindeth themselves to pay the said John Cleves Symmes yearly and every year on the third day of February for the five succeeding years, which interest at six per cent shall be calculated yearly on the amount of the said five shillings and four pence half penny, a part of the said Nine Shillings and four pence half penny per acre, for each and every acre which the aforesaid purchasers may think proper to retain—being not less than twenty sections, and the said John Smith, Samuel Highway and Evan Banes further stipulates and agreeth with the said John Cleves Symmes, his heirs Executors and Administrators, that in case the said John Smith, Sarni Highway and Evan Banes, their Executors & administrators, shall neglect, or in any wise delay to make full payment, first of the One Thousand Dollars in hand, second the full amount of two thirds of a dollar to the use of the General Govern ment as aforesaid, thirdly the full interest accruing annually on the said four Shillings, four and one half pence per acre, after deducting from the said One Thousand Dollars advanced in hand, and fourthly by dischargeing the principal sum, which the said four shillings and four pence half penny may come to on the contents of the whole land purchased as aforesaid, after deducting from such principal sum the said One thousand dollars advanced in hand, part payment, and finally discharging the whole of the principal of the purchase money with interest thereon, due at or before the said 3d day of Feby 1801, then and in such default or in case of any one or more delinquencies happening or taking place, the present agreement and all conditions and things hereto appertaining shall be null and void so far as the same shall relate to such tiers of sections as may not be paid for as in in manner aforesaid, but in no way injureing or impairing the present contract so far as it respects so much of the land heretofore described as may be fully paid for by the said John Smith, Saml Highway and Evan Banes within the times and according to the terms and conditions heretofore Stipulated and agreed, always however takeing whole tiers East and West aforesaid—and the said John Cleves Symmes for himself and his heirs agreeth to the aforesaid terms on the said Several payments being made in manner and time aforesaid, and not otherwise. He the said John Cleves Symmes or his heirs will make or cause and procure to be made to the said John Smith, Samuel Highway and Evan Banes, or to their heirs or assigns and for such sections, quantities and limits, as they may agree on, or to purchasers under them or their order, a good and lawful conveyance of the title (reserved sections excepted) by and in fee simple in due form of law, the same being subject to the terms of sale and settlement of Miami lands as has been heretofore observed in the purchase, and will cause the same to be duly recorded in the Miami Land office, they paying the customary fees of office for surveying and Registering.
In Testimony Whereof the said John Cleves Symmes of the first part, and the said John Smith, Samuel Highway and Evan Banes jointly and severally of the second part. have hereunto this article consisting of two sheets severally set their hands & affixed their seals the day and year aforesaid.
Sealed and delivered in presence of
TIMOTHY SYMMES,
WILLIAM SYMMES
JOHN CLEVES SYMMES - Seal.
JOHN SMITH - Seal.
SAML. HIGHWAY - Seal.
EVAN BANES - Seal.
WAYNE TOWNSHIP - 557
AGREEMENT BETWEEN SMITH, HIGHWAY AND BANES.
Articles of Agreement made and entered into this 22d day of February, 1796, between John Smith, Samuel Highway and Evan Banes, of Hamilton County & Territory N. West of the River Ohio as followeth to wit:
Whereas the said John Smith, Samuel Highwayighway and Evan Banes did on the 3d day of
February 1796 purchase of the Hon. John Cleves Symmes Esqr, a certain tract of land on the Little Miami River in the Fourth and Fifth Range of Townships, hounded East by the Miami River, containing 43 sections with their fractions on the said River for which they did on the 3rd day of February 1796 jointly enter into articles with the said John C. Symmes Esqr, for the payment thereof. Now the conditions of this article is such that the above named John Smith, Samuel Highway and Evan Banes do mutually agree to become equal partners, Jointly and severally as tenants in common, in the aforesaid purchase, in every respect as well in expenditures profits and loss &c. &c. The Said Samuel Highway, John Smith & Evan Banes, do Jointly and Severally, as tenants in common, bind themselves their heirs Executors to each other, his heirs Executors & Administrators to abide by and fulfill the above mentioned conditions and the following Stipulations in every respect. In the first place the said Samuel Highway to and with the said John Smith and Evan Banes, his and their heirs Executors and administrators to advance the sum of £2000, Stock doll's at 76 each towards the payment of the aforesaid Land, whenever Congress may demand payment of sd John Cleves Symmes Esqr. out of his own private stock, And the said .John Smith and Evan Banes, do agree to advance whatever money they can of their own private stock towards the same, And the said parties do likewise agree that the party advancing the greater proportion of money when demanded by congress, for the surplus he may advance more than his copartners be entitled to interest for the Ids the same at 6 per cent by such partner or partners who fail in advancing their equal quoto,— till the said surplus money can be reimbursed from the sale of the lands, do agree jointly and Separately for himself, his heirs Executors and Administrators, as tenants in common, to reserve for themselves separately the quantity of 3000 acres of land in the said pur chase, in the following manner viz: The said Saml Highway is to have his 3000 acres as above mentioned, bounded East on the Miami two miles below the Town of Waynesville lately laid off in the said purchase, and adjoining the same, and West at right angles for quantity with the East and West section lines, Beginning at the South Vest corner of said Town agreeable to the plan thereof, And the said parties do agree as copartners & tenants in common that the said John Smith and Evan Banes may each of them take in reserve for himself his quantity of 3000 acres of land in said purchase in any part thereof— excepting what the said Saml Highway hath chosen for himself, provided they do not in such choice extend more than one and a half miles each, on the Little Miami River agreeable to the section lines, And the said parties do agree with each other that whatever bargain or bargains may be made by any two of the said parners shall be absolute and valid in behalf of the whole in every respect whatever, agreeable to the spirit of the aforesaid agreement and the mutual interest of the company,—And the said parties do further agree, that each one of the aforesaid parners shall whenever called upon by the others or one of them or their representatives, produce sufficient vouchers, for his proceedings, in the sale or expenses attending the disposal of said lands for the satisfaction of the other parties, and not appropriate any of the money arising from the sale of said lands to any other use than what may be conceived by a majority of said partners to be for the interest of the whole. And it is likewise further agreed on by the said parties that all moneys received by any one of the whole of said partners for the sale of said lands, shall within the term of three months & every three months of the year, or years, during the continuance of the partnership, he deposited in the Bank of the United States after the first day of April next —as soon as possible—if Judged necessary by a majority of said partners until a sufficient sum is received to answer the demands of Congress for said lands as stipulated in the article between John Smith, Saml Highway Evan Banes, & John Cleves Symmes Esqr, & the performance of all and every the articles and agreements above mentioned, the said John Smith, Saml Highway & Evan Banes do hereby bind themselves their heirs Executors & Administrators as Tenants in common to each other his heirs Extrs & Admtrs as witness our hands & seals the day and date above Written.
In presence of
R. BENHAM & JAS RIDDLE
JOHN SMITH - Seal
SAML HIGHWAY - Seal.
EVAN BANES - Seal.
SAMUEL HIGHWAY'S JOURNEY TO WAYNESVILLE.
The first settlers at Waynesville were accompanied on the journey, from Philadelphia down the Ohio to Columbia and thence to the site of Waynesville, by Francis Bally, a young Englishman of education and means, who afterward became well known as the author of some valuable works and a promoter of the science of astronomy. Baily's Journal of a Tour in the Unsettled Parts of
558 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
North America in 1796 and 1797," was published at London, in 1856, after the death of the author. The following liberal quotations are made from qui work:
" I set off on the 1st of September: 1796, to make a tour of the Western country. * * I was in company with a gentleman by the name of Highway, who was going down to the Northwestern settlement to form a plantation.” [He then describes their travel by horseback to Baltimore, where Mr. Highway bought his goods and had them hauled by wagons to Pittsburg; he continues their travel by horseback with a fine description of the country, towns, ete,, until their arrival at Pittsburg, having traveled that way about 300 miles. At Pittsburg, Highway bought a flat-boat twelve feet wide, thirty-six feet long, drawing eighteen inches of water, and loaded into it over ten tons, and, the river being very low, they were required to wait for a rise.]
"Thursday, November 24, 1796—The river having risen these last few days, * * we started from Pittsburg this afternoon about 3 o'clock; however, we did not proceed over four miles down as the stream was very slow, and we were afraid to venture in the night in consequence of the riffles, which were not completely covered. Therefore, seeing some other boats near the shore, we made toward them and joined them for that evening. * * As the gentle- man who traveled with me was going to establish a settlement on the 'Miami River, he had got every article that he thought would be necessary in his new habitation; therefore, we were not so badly accommodated as some of the boats were, who went sometimes most miserably supplied, with scarcely a covering to the boat or a blanket to lie down on, and barely a pot or a kettle to dress what provisions they might chance to meet with. We had laid in a sufficient quantity of beef, mutton, flour, bacon and what other provisions we thought we might want, and we had three or four good feather beds and plenty of bedding; and, as it was very cold weather, we stopped every crevice we conveniently could, and made ourselves a very comfortable habitation. * * * * *
"Friday, November 25, 1796—By daylight, we started in company with another boat. * * We stopped this night opposite the mouth of Bic, Beaver Creek; * * the wind was high and the weather very cold, the effects of which we found next morning, Saturday, November 26. for we observed several large pieces of ice floating down the river. * * The next morning, Sunday. November 27, having proceeded about two miles farther on the river, we observed two other boats made fast to the shore and accordingly joined them. * * Wednesday, November 30, the river having cleared itself of ice, we determined to proceed. * * Thursday, December 1, we got fast on a riffle near Brown's Island; * * we got off without any danger on lightening the boat. * K The next day, Friday, December 2, 1796. we met with a disaster which threatened us with very disagreeable consequences, but from which we were happily relieved without experiencing any material loss. It was about 2 o'clock in the afternoon; the river was very full of ice, and we were floating along at a slow pace, when, about a mile above the town of Wheeling (where there was a riffle), we got aground, and all our endeavors to get her off were ineffectual and no remedy was left but to unload the boat. Accordingly, we loaded a little skiff which we had with us, and sent her down to the town; and this we repeated twice before it grew dark; but our endeavors to get her off were still ineffectual, and we were obliged to remain in this situation all night. * * Early next morning, Saturday, December 3, we sent another skiff load down to the town, and, a flat coming down the river about breakfast-time, we got the men to stop and we then unloaded the boat sufficiently to let her float down to the town. * * Wednesday, December 7, after laying in a fresh stock of
WAYNE TOWNSHIP - 559
provisions at this place and repairing the little damage, we pushed off from the shore and
proceeded down the river. * * * * * * *
" Thursday, December 8, 1796, we floated about 6, and at l2 we put ashore * * The weather had been very cold for several days and the river had continued to fall, so that we determined to moor our boat in some place of safety, where she might not be exposed to the logs and large trees which were continually drifting down the river, and there to wait for a change of weather.
“Accordingly, the next day, day, Friday, December 9, 1796, Highway and my- self walked down the banks of the river about five miles to a place called Fish Creek, and, to our sorrow, found it completely blocked up with ice and frozen over for several miles down, so that it was absolutely impossible to proceed. We observed four or five boats on the opposite shore who were in the same predicament with ourselves. Having satisfied ourselves in this respect, we returned home to our boat, and, the next day, Saturday, December 10, we dropped down the river about a mile to a place which we had observed yesterday in our walk, and which we conceived more secure from the bodies drifting down the river than the one we were in. Having moored ourselves, as we conceived, in a place of safety, and having every prospect of passing the winter in this situation, we began to apply ourselves to laying in a good stock of provisions. Mr. Bell's boat was with us, and another boat, which was proceeding down the river, joined us, and we all lay moored together, so that there were fourteen or fifteen of us in company, and we every day sent out some of the men into the woods with their guns to hunt for deer, turkeys, bears or any other animal fit for food.
“Wednesday, December 21, we were awakened out of our sleep with a noise like thunder, and, jumping out of our bed, we found the river was rising and the ice breaking up. All attempts would be feeble to describe the horrid crashing and tremendous destruction which this event occasioned on the river. Only conceive a river near 1,500 miles long, frozen to a prodigious depth (capable of bearing loaded wagons from its source to its month), and this river, by a sudden torrent of water, breaking those bands, with which it had so long been fettered! Conceive this vast body of ice put in motion at the same instant, and carried along with an astonishing rapidity, grating with a most tremendous noise against the sides of the river and bearing down everything that opposed its progress—the tallest and stoutest trees obliged to submit to its destructive fury and hurried along with the general wreck. In this scene of confusion and desolation, what was to be done? We all soon left the boat, in order for every one to provide for his own personal safety; but, seeing the precautions we had taken the day before, prevented the ice from coming upon us as soon as it otherwise would have done, and that there was a chance, though at great risk, of saving some, if not all the things from the boat, we set to, as earnestly as we could to unload her.
" There were near eleven tons of goods in her, the principal of which were implements of husbandry designed for Mi. Highway's plantation; the rest consisted of articles of barter intended for the Indians and the provisions and other necessaries for our journey.
" We, in the first place, endeavored to secure these last mentioned; and then we set about getting out the others, some of which were very bulky, weighing upward of 500 pounds.
" We had not proceeded in the undertaking above a quarter of an hour when a large sheet of ice came against our boat and stove in one side of her; we saw it coming, and happily escaped from the boat before it reached us. She was immediately filled with water, but, as she was near the shore and al-
560 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
most touched the bottom (the water being very low), she was not immediately covered. The river was rising at a very rapid rate. and, as we knew if we one, lost sight of her we should never see her more. and, as we saw there was still a chance of saving some things from the wreck (though at the risk of our lives), which might tend to make our situation more comfortable while we were obliged to stay here, and not leave us utterly bereft of every necessary, we de. termined upon making one more effort; therefore, jumping into the boat up t,0 our middle in water, we continued to work near three hours amidst vast fields of ice, which were continually floating by us, and whose fury we would escape when they made toward us, by being warned by one of our party whom. we set on the bank to watch. In this manner did we persevere till we had got most of the things out of the boat in one of the coldest nights ever remembered in this country; the thermometer was 17 degrees below zero, and so intense was the cold that the iron chain which fastened our boat, had the same effect on our hands as if they had been burned with a hot iron.
" Further, while we were in the boat this last time, the moment we raised our legs above the water (in walking), our stockings froze to them before they were put down again, as tight as if bound with a garter! In such a situation, and in such severe weather, it is a wonder we had not perished, and possibly, we might, had not the river, which was now rising rapidly, completely covered our boat and obliged us to desist from our attempt. Thus went our boat; and thus went every hope of our proceeding on our journey; thus were all our flattering prospects cut short, and none left but the miserable one of fixing our habitation on these inhospitable shores. It was still dark when the event happened, and this, added to the desolation which was making around us, whose power we could hear but not discern, heightened the effect of our forlorn situation.
" Some women who were of our party had kindled a fire on the banks; and when we saw that no more could be done, we took our blankets, and, clearing away the snow, lay ourselves down before it, and, overcome with fatigue, gave ourselves up to rest. Some of the party were so affected by the intense cold, and by so long exposure in the water, that their feet was frost-bitten; others had their legs swelled up in large knots as big as an egg. As to myself, I felt no ill effects from either.
"When morning approached, a scene most distressing presented itself to our view. The river was one floating wreck. Nothing could be discerned amidst the vast bodies of floating ice (some of which were as big as a moderate- sized house) but trees, which had been torn up from the banks, and the boats of many a family, who had scarcely time to escape unhurt from such an unlooked for event, and whose whole property (perhaps scraped together, to form a settlement in this distant Territory), was now floating down, a prey to the desolating flood. Canoes, skiffs, flats, in fact, everything which was exposed to its fury, was hurried along to one general ruin.
" As daylight advanced, we had also an opportunity of seeing in what situation we stood ourselves; and here, instead of finding any ray of comfort or hope, we observed our misfortunes increasing upon us, for the bank where we lay was fully fifty feet high and nearly perpendicular—so much so that it could not be ascended or descended without great difficulty. There happened to be a little bit of level .where the boat was, and where we placed the things we had preserved from the wreck; but the water was rising so rapidly that it had almost covered this place, and we were under the necessity (worn out as we were) of carrying them still higher up the bank, or they would have shared the fate of our vessel. This was a most laborious undertaking, and to have hauled them to the top of the bank would have taken us some days; we were, therefore, un- -
WAYNE TOWNSHIP - 561
der the necessity of hauling them up one by one, about two or three feet at a time, and lodge them behind the trees which grew on the bank, and which prevented their rolling back into the river; and this we were obliged to continue to do until we saw the river had ceased rising; and then we left them for a day or two, in order to rest ourselves from our fatigue and to fix up some kind of habitation to protect us from the inclemency of the weather.
"Having thus happily escaped from this danger and saved most of our property from the flood, we set about erecting a covering under which to lodge it; and this we did with a number of blankets and some coarse linen which we had brought with us; it was a rough sort of building, but such an one as answered our purpose in the situation we were in. We made it by fixing two poles in the ground., about ten or twelve feet asunder, and laying another traversely at the top of them. This was the front of our tent and was left always open; the back and sides were formed by straight poles leaning against the horizontal one, which was placed traversely across, and over them were thrown blankets, etc.; this secured us, in a measure, from the rain, which ran off almost as fast as it fell; and, in order to keep off the cold, we kept a large fire burning in the front of our tent; and thus circumstanced, we endeavored to make our selves as comfortable as we could, consoling ourselves that it might have been worse with us, and that even now we were not so badly off as many of those who had descended the river this season.
"Here we found full employment for some time in drying our goods, which had got wet when the ice stove the boat. Some of the packages were so much frozen as to take three days constantly standing before the fire ere we could get out their contents to dry them. This took us near three weeks, during which time we had got into more comfortable lodgings. In the neighborhood of this place we had found a log house, which appeared to have been used for the purpose of keeping fodder for cattle. It was open on all sides between the logs, but this we soon remedied by lining the whole with blankets and coarse linen which before we had covered our tent with. We also built up a chimney in it, and had our fire wholly within doors; so that now we began to look a little more in order, though there was no flooring to the house, neither was there any window, for all the light we had came down the chimney, which was large and wide, or in at the door; however, this was a luxury with which we could dispense, considering the hardships we had gone through; therefore, hauling all our goods to this place and stowing them under this roof, we may not improperly be said to have commenced housekeeping. This was on the 24th of December, and, as it was about a mile from where we were, we made a sledge for the convenience of dragging our goods to the house, or we should never have accomplished it. We had four horses aboard with us, which expedited us in this undertaking very much.
"December 25, Christmas Day, two of our party being ill with the fatigues we had undergone on the 21st, the task of superintending the conveyance of our goods devolved upon me. We had been employed at it the whole of yesterday, and, as soon as daylight approached this morning, we began the same career again—nor did we cease this routine, except to take the scanty pittance we had saved from the wreck, till the setting of the sun, and our weary limbs told us it was time to close the scene once more. * * Circumstanced as we were, we were under the necessity of getting another boat to carry us on; but ere we could come to any resolution oft this kind, or determine where we could get it accomplished, we had the mortification to see the river frozen over once more and close up as fast as ever; this did not prevent us from getting a boat ready against it should break up again. Accordingly, two of the men who accompanied us, being pretty good mechanics, we dispatched them off to
562 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
Grave Creek across the woods, where they might have the advantage of a saNi, to saw the planks for the boat (for as to all other tools we had plenty of them with us) and where they might have the assistance of more hands if required. Accordingly, about the middle of this month (January), they set out for Grays Creek, taking with them all the tools which they might have occasion for in their undertaking; and they set about felling some trees immediately and soon put their work in a state of forwardness. But what relieved us most in our distress was their meeting with a supply of gunpowder, which, though small, was very acceptable to us, as we were reduced to our last charge and were in a great dilemma what to do, as we depended on our gun for our daily food.
"Whilst they were getting the boat ready in this manner, we would occasionally take our guns and go over to see them and encourage them in their undertaking. These two men had lately come from England, and, Mr. meeting with them at Philadelphia, gave them £50 currency for their services for two years, and they were now going down with him to help him form his settlement on the Miami River; they had got their wives with them, which, together with another person, Mr. Highway and myself (seven in all), formed our whole company. But what is very remarkable, and what may never happen to seven other people who were traveling near 4,000 miles from their country, we happened to ba all English. This made it very pleasant and in this distressing situation in which we were, even to talk of England, afforded us pleasure; and it was a conversation in which we all could feelingly join, for, in the wilds of America, all distinctions of rank are necessarily laid aside.
" January 31, 1797—The river which had been frozen up near five weeks, broke up again to-day, with a repetition of all those destructive circumstances which attended it the last time, and we had the anxiety of beholding its ravages. * * We made another visit to our men who were engaged in building the boat, and, expediting it as much as possible, we had the satisfaction of seeing her launched on Friday, February 17, and the next day, February 18, we brought her down to the place where we lay. This boat was thirteen feet wide and forty feet long; * * it was about 9 o'clock in the evening when she arrived, * * and before daylight the next morning, February 18, we got up and proceeded to load the boat. This took up the whole day, so that it was next morning, February 20, 1797, Monday, about 10 o'clock in the forenoon, when we pushed off from the shore, and, on bidding a final adieu to our old habitation, proceeded down the river on our journey. * * * * * * *
"Monday, February 27—About half-past 3 o'clock we came to Columbia —our long-wished-for port--having, through unforeseen difficulties and unavoidable delays, been six months on our journey. We put our boat into the mouth of the Little Miami River, and my friend Highway having some business to do with a gentleman in the town, whose house was about a mile off, he took a canoe and went down to him this afternoon and did not return until quite late. Mr. Highway had purchased, in company with two other gentlemen of this place, 30,000 or 40,000 acres of land on the banks of the Little Miami and about forty miles up that river, and he was now going to form a plantation on that land and encourage settlers to do the same. He was down here about twelve months ago and made the contract. He gave Judge Syrnmes $1.25 per acre for it. * * Highway informed me that nearly half his land was sold and a great part of it settled; the price he asked for it was $2 per acre; * * the lots in town which he had laid Aut were $6; they consist of a half acre of ground, and you were obliged to build a house in a certain time.
"Highway remained here, housed his goods, sold his boat, etc., and nired two wagons to take what goods they could, and, on Mafch 4, 1797, the two wagons started, accompanied by a guide, to conduct them through the wilder-
563 - PICTURE OF JAMES BOWYER
564 - BLANK
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ness and three or four pioneers to clear the road of trees. * * And, on the 6th of March, Dr. Bane and myself started about noon, accompanied by several others in the neighborhood, some of whom were tempted by curiosity and others with a prospect of settling there. We were mounted on horses and had each a gun, and across our saddles we had a large bag containing some corn for our horses and provision for ourselves, as also some blankets. * * We kept the road as long as we could, and, when that would not assist us any farther, we truck out into the woods and toward sundown found ourselves about twenty :tiles from Columbia; here, having spied a little brook running at the bottom of a hill, we made a halt, and, kindling a fire, we fixed up our blankets into the form of a tent, and having fed both ourselves and our horses, we laid ourselves down to rest, one of us by turns keeping watch, lest the Indians should steal our horses. The next morning, Tuesday, March 7, as soon as it was day-light, we continued our journey, and the middle of the day overtook our friend Highway almost worn out with fatigue. * * His wagons had been overturned twice or thrice—in fact, he related to us such a dismal story of the trials, both of patience and mind, which he had undergone, that I verily believe if the distance had been much greater, he either would have sunk under it or formed his settlement on the spot. We encouraged him with a prospect of a speedy termination and the hopes of better ground to pass over, and with this his spirits seemed to be somewhat raised.
" We all encamped together this night and made ourselves as happy and comfortable as possible. My friend Highway also seemed to put on the new man, and from this and from his being naturally of a lively turn, we found that it was a great deal the want of society which had rendered him so desponding and out of spirits, for, after we had cooked what little refreshment we had brought with us and finished our repast, he sang us two or three good songs (which he was capable of doing in a masterly style), and seemed to take a pleasure in delaying as long as he could that time which we ought to have devoted to rest.
" The next morning, Wednesday, the 8th of March, by daylight, our cavalcade was in motion and some of the party rode on first to discover the spot, for we were traveling without any other guide than what little knowledge of the country the men had acquired by hunting over it. I could not but with pleasure behold with what expedition the pioneers in front cleared the way for the wagons. There were but three or four of them and they got the road clear as fast as the wagon could proceed. While we were proceeding on at this rate, we observed at some distance before us, a human being dart into the woods, and endeavor to flee from us. Ignorant of what this might mean, we delayed the wagons, and some of us went into the woods and tracked the footsteps of a man for some little distance, when suddenly a negro made his appearance from behind some bushes and hastily inquired whether there were any Indians in our party or whether we had seen any. The hideousness of the man's countenance (which was painted with large red spots on a black ground) and his sudden appearance startled us at first, but soon guessing his situation we put him beyond all apprehension and informed him that he was perfectly safe. He then began to inform us that he had been a prisoner among the Indians ever since the close of the last American war, and that he had meditated his escape ever since he had been in their hands, but that never till now had he been able to accomplish it. He asked us what course the nearest town lay from us, and, after telling him, he said that the Indians no doubt had bean pursuing him ever since they had missed him, and that he intended to escape to the first town for protection. He said that they had used him remarkably well ever since he had been with them, treating him as one of their own children, and
566 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
doing everything in their power to render his situation comfortable. They had given him a wife and a mother (it is their usual practice to put white people whom they wish to encourage to come among them, under the protection of some matron who is called his mother) and plenty of land to cultivate if he chose it, and the liberty of doing everything but making his escape. With all these inducements, he said he could not give up the idea of never seeing again those friends and relatives whom he left in his early days. This man, when he was taken prisoner, was a slave to a person in Kentucky, and, though amongst the Indians he enjoyed liberty and all the comforts which can be expected in a state of nature, and which were more (I may safely pronounce) than when he tasted of the bitter cup of slavery, yet was this man who so lately enjoyed all the blessings of heaven, going to render up a voluntary slave to his former master; for what? That he might there once more embrace those friends and relatives from whom he had been so long separated. We could but look upon the man with an eye of pity and compassion, after giving him something to pursue his journey with, and desiring him to follow our track to Columbia, we separated.
"About 3 or 4 o'clock the same afternoon, we had the satisfaction of seeing the Little Miami River; here we halted, for it was on the banks of this river that the town was laid out, and we were soon joined by our other companions, who had proceeded on first, and who informed us that they had recognized the spot about half a mile up the river. We accordingly went on and got the goods out of the wagons that night, so that they might return again as soon as they thought proper; and here we could not but congratulate our friend Highway upon his arrival at the seat of his new colony. He appeared heartily glad that his journey was at an end, and he seemed to eye the ground and the country about with that degree of secret pleasure which a man may be conceived to take in viewing a spot which, in point of cultivation, was to be the work of his own hands; he seemed to anticipate his labors and fancy he saw fruitful corn-fields and blushing orchards in every object he beheld, and expressed a secret satisfaction in thinking he should end his days in this delightful country.
" The next morning, nothing was to be heard but the sound of the ax resounding through the woods. Every one who was expert at that art was gone out to cut down trees to build our friend a house, and before night they had got several of the logs laid and the house raised several feet. They all joined cheerfully in this work. * * While the major part were engaged in this necessary employment, Dr. Bane and myself and two of the men took our guns and a couple of axes and went bear-hunting. We had discovered marks of several in coming along, and we were now going to see if we could shoot some of them, in order to furnish ourselves with provision. * * It is easily discoverable whether a tree has a hole in it. and it may also be easily ascertained whether there is a bear in it or not, for in climbing up the trees they scratch off the bark in such a manner as to leave an indelible track through the whole winter; when, therefore, the hunters have found one of the trees in which they imagine a bear to be lodged, they set about cutting it down, which those who are used to it will very soon do, and three or four of the party, with loaded rifles, will plant themselves at a little distance off, and in the direction where they expect the tree to fall. As soon as the tree comes to the ground, bruin starts from his hiding-place and endeavors to flee into the woods, but the person who stands nearest to the course which he is going to pursue, immediately aims his piece and most probably kills him; however, if he should only wound him, the bear will generally turn upon his attacker, and, in this case. the others come to his assistance and put an end to the contest by shooting him through the head.
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"This being a new species of diversion to me, I embraced with pleasure the opportunity of going with them to enjoy it. We had not proceeded far in the woods ere we discovered a hole in the top of a lofty oak, whose diameter was upward of three feet at the bottom. * * These immense trees are generally those to which bears fly—in fact, no others of a smaller size could contain them at a height of sixty or seventy feet from the ground. We saw evient traces of his claws on the bark of the tree, and it was soon resolved that the tree should come down. Accordingly, our two men set at it, and when they had nearly got through, we took our appointed stations to watch the egress of the tyrant of the woods. In a short time, the immense trunk began to give way, and, carrying all the lesser trees before it, fell with a tremendous crash Upon ground; bruin, finding his habitation in notion, began to look out before it the ground, and, with a sudden spring, arrived there first. Immediately, Dr. Bane leveled his piece and shot him through the body, but only so as to wound him, and the bear began to turn on him. * * This afforded me time to come round to Dr. Bane's assistance, when I shot the animal through the head and put a period to his existence. After that we left him to our men to carry to our camp, whilst we went to discover the haunts of some others, and in this expedition we killed two or three deer and saw a great quantity of wild turkeys, so that we had not any prospect of extreme want whilst we were here. After this, we returned home and received the thanks of our party for supplying them so sumptuously with provision. This diversion I pursued as often as the weather favored almost every day I was here. * *
"Friday, March 31, 1797—I had now been with my friends near a month, during which time I had an opportunity of observing the steps which are taken in first settling the country. It opened quite a new field to me, as it must to every one who has never been witness to it."
(Here he enters into a lengthy description of the country, soil and timber and the progress of the settlers in building, laying out gardens, prospects, etc., which I omit.)
"Having, as I observed before, been with my friend near a month, I began to think of leaving him and pursuing my journey down the river. It was my intention to go down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans—a city in the Spanish dominions, * * and from thence to return to New York by sea. A long voyage was before me. * * I determined upon taking the early part of spring, that I might have the whole summer before me. Accordingly, as Mr. Highway was going to Columbia this morning (March 31), I determined to accompany him and to bid adieu (perhaps forever) to this little society of which I had seen the first rise. * * Furnishing ourselves, therefore, with a little provision, and mounting our horses about 10 o'clock this morning, we struck into the woods. * * We proceeded on our journey, and, before the second day was closed, we reached Columbia, where Dr. Bane was expecting us."
The foregoing narrative illustrates the hardships of the early settlers in reaching the West, and is a fair illustration of nearly all. Perhaps all did not encounter the same incidients and hardships, but the majority experienced severe privations. Not so now, when all parts of the country can be reached within a short Lime by railroads. It may be of interest to know what became of Baily. On the 3d of April, 1797, he boarded a flat-boat at Cincinnati, and in that manner went to Orleans and the Southern country; returned by horseback through the country to Knoxville. Tenn., and, on the 28th of January, 1798. boarded a ship at New York for England and arrived at Bristol March 1, 1798.
568 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES AND CHURCHES.
The Friends were the first to organize into a society. In 1800, Ezekiel Cleaver, with others, came with their families from Virginia to Red Stone, new Brownsville, in Pennsylvania, and the families remained there, and Cleaver (and perhaps some others) came to Waynesville and erected a large log house on the east corner of Miami and Third streets, resting on large logs cut and placed in the ground endway, and returned to their families. In the spring of 1801, Cleaver moved here.
Previous to 1803, the Friends organized a society, a committee of Friends coming from Red Stone to sit with them, as was then and I believe still is their custom. After the organization, meetings for worship were held at the differ. ent family residences until 1805, when they built a substantial log meeting-house, where the house of the Orthodox Friends now is.
David Brown was appointed a committee to build the house. The records of the Friends show that he built it, put in a stove and fenced in the graveyard, and received as a compensation for building and completing the house, $65.88; the stove, $35.93, and for fencing in the graveyard, $19.
The Friends got the title to their grounds in 1808. David Pugh, Benjamin Evans, Isaac Mills, David Homer, Samuel Test and Benjamin Hopkins, were made trustees in the deed. A committee was appointed to examine the title, consisting of Joel Wright, Joseph Canby, Mordecai Walker, John Haines Abijah O'Neall, Isaac Ward and George C. Ward.
In May, 1811, they determined to build a brick meeting-house, 40x60 feet, one story. and appointed Asher Brown and Joseph Evans, managers, and, in August following, considered the propriety of building two stories, and Jonathan Crispin was appointed an additional manager. In February, 1812, reported expenses were $1,195.13, and probably expense, to complete lower story for use, $400.
In May, 1812, Noah Haines, Chairman of the committee, reported total expenses, $1,278.45.
In 1813, a committee was appointed to draft a plan and finish the upper part of the house, consisting of John Stubbs, Levi Cook, Joseph Evans, Thomas Sherwood, Asher Brown, John Satterthwaite and Isaac Stubbs, which they did at a cost of about $250, making a total cost of a little more than $1,500. David Evans and wife were the first couple married there.
In the year 1870, the house was repaired and remodeled, leaving but little of the original architecture and giving it the appearance of a one-story building, with a small gallery on the east side, at an expense of over $2,000.
In a division of the society in about 1828, the orthodox branch, which was in the minority withdrew and they repaired the old log house, which was badly rotted, where they worshiped until 1835 or 1836, when the old log house was taken down and the present structure erected. The Friends Graveyard on their premises in Waynesville was the first regular graveyard in the township.
A log meeting-house was erected by the Baptists on the farm of Jane Carman, on the road from here to Dayton, at an early day. I have been informed about the year 1814.
A free meeting-house was built on the farm now owned by Rev. John Hisey, in east Wayne Township, in 1817, by subscription. As I have a copy of said subscription paper, I here give it, with the original orthography:
Feb 5, 1817
We the undersigned—to buyld a meeting house in Our neighborhood, as there is none
handy, to be open and free for any society whatever. It is to be buylt on the North east corner of John Smiths land. The description of the house will be as follows : the logs to be cut & put up & then hewed down insrde and out– the roof is to be framed with rafters
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& clabboards to be nailed on ; the size will be concluded upon by the subscribers - the subscribers will subscribe as many days work as they think proper, and chewses to pay money, they can subscribe the money to pay hands with in their stead.
Subscrrbers Names - No. of Days
John Smith, senior - 10 days
John Smith, junior. - 5 days
Ezekiel Cleaver - 2 days
Alexander Stewart - 6 days
Robert Stewart - 6 days
Jacob Elmore - 4 days
Thomas Hall - 4 days
Zachariah Prater - 4 days
Daniel McGregor - 2 days
John Welch - 4 days
William Grimes - 3 days
Job Castles - 4 days
Eli Cook - 2 days
Thomas Spray - 3 days
Henry J. Good - $3
The building was used by the Baptists, who organized a society there, until after 1840, when the society built a comfortable frame church across the road, which still stands, but is not much used. John Smith, who died about 1827, devised the lot where the log house stood to any society that would build upon it. A graveyard was also started on the lot and several persons buried there, when it ceased to be used.
The Methodists organized a society near Mount Holly about 1820—perhaps before—and. raised a log meeting-house on Section 32, Township 4, Range 5. A graveyard was started there in which a number were buried; the unfinished house was taken down and moved near the present graveyard at Mount Holly, and was used until about 1845, when it was vacated and the present frame-erected in Mount Holly. The Methodists also had an organization at Raysville at an early day, and built a log meeting-house and established a graveyard. The log meeting-house was removed and a very handsome frame built—probable about 1850—which was burned down and afterward the present comfortable house erected. They have a very good society. There has been a very large number buried there, but the graveyard has almost ceased to be used.
They early organized a society in the vicinity of Waynesville, at what date. I am unable to give, but previous to 1815, and their meetings were held at private houses until about 1826, when they built their first church here—a comfortable little brick, on Outlot No. 2, on Water street, which was used until 1840, when they built where the house now stands. In 1869, the house was repaired, enlarged and much improved. In 1837, a great revival occurred amongst them under the ministration of the Rev. Mr. Harker; forty-two joined the church, and, in 1842, another noted revival took place, conducted by the Rev. J. J. Hill, when over 160 joined them.
The first permanent Sabbath school established in the township was in 1837, under the control of the Harrisons, Hendlys and other members.
In 1843, the Mormons introduced their doctrine into the township. They organized a society and quite a number were attracted to Nauvoo, most of whom returned and many of them found homes in other churches and the organization here was abandoned.
In 1850, the Regular Baptists endeavored to effect an organization, but not meeting with sufficient encouragement, the effort was abandoned.
In 1856, the Congregationalists under the preaching of the Rev. Simeon Brown effected an organization and fitted up a snug little church. The society was weak, some of the members removed, and, after an effort of two or three years, the society disbanded.
The Christians (Campbellites) made an organization and built a snug little
570 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
church on High street, east of Main street, Waynesville, where they now worship.
The first Episcopal service was given in Hay's Hall in April, 1869. in August of the same year, the corner-stone of St. Mary's Church was laid in a lot on the corner of Third and Miami streets. On Easter Thursday, 1881, the edifice being finished and free from debt, the church was consecrated to the worship of Almighty God by Right Rev. Thomas A. Jaggar, Bishop of Southern Ohio. Although there were but two communicants of the church in the neigh. borhood at the time the corner-stone was laid, the communion now numbers some twenty-five members, and, being free from debt and ministered to by a most excellent pastor, the Rev. Charles A. Hayden, it is in a very prosperous condition. The church property is probably. worth $3,000. Much is due to J.
Drew Sweet for his energy and perseverance in organizing and building up this society and church.
The first Friends were principally from New Jersey and Virginia. In a very few years, the number was largely increased from Pennsylvania, Maryland, the Carolinas and Tennessee-all attracted here, no doubt, by the reports of the character and quality of the soil, the prospect of independent homes and being free territory. The society became very large. They were a frugal, industrious class of people, and their principles have very largely influenced the people of the township. Since the division, both societies have become much reduced.
The Friends at Waynesville contracted for their grounds, but were unable to get title before 1807, when a patent for 208 acres was granted to David Faulkner (including most of the old town plat), but they established a graveyard there as early as 1804. Previous to that there was no permanent graveyard in the township. Many family burying-grounds have at one time or another been used, but all, I believe, have ceased to be used.
On the 2d day of April, 1866, the cemetery association was formed under an act of the Legislature of the State, passed February 24, 1848, and is now the principal burying-ground for quite a large district of the country.
SCHOOLS.
The citizens took an early interest in education, and, as neighborhoods were settled, a log schoolhouse was built with narrow openings at the sides sufficient to receive a single 8x10 glass Among the first school-teachers were Rowland Richards, who taught in a log schoolhouse in Waynesville in 1802; Joel Wright, who taught at Abijah O'Neall's, in east Wayne Township, in the years 1802, 1804 and 1805; Elizabeth Wright, in 1808, and, between. that and the year 1820, Joel and Allen Wright, who both taught in Waynesville; from 1820 to 1824, Thomas Ricket taught in Waynesville; he was followed by Thomas O'Brien, Horace Lathrope, Jeffrey Truman, William Butterworth, John C. Whitrage, John Gilpin, Noah Leeds, Chaney Pyle and others up to
the year 1830.
Each district is now supplied with a good and substantial school building maintained at the public expense. In 1857, the Union Schoolhouse in Waynesville was built, with George P. Brown as first Superintendent. Since then a higher order of schools has been maintained. The school is now under the superintendency of Mr. George J. Graham.
PHYSICIANS.
The first physician to locate in the township was Dr. Evan Banes. who was associated with Highway in the land purchase. He came from Virginia, settled here in 1799. He was kindly spoken of by old settlers and regarded as a
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did physician. After remaining a few years, he removed to Clark County. In 1804, Dr. Kemper, from Cincinnati; in 1807, Dr. Joseph Canby; in 1814, Dr . Martin D. Lathrope. Sylvanus Cornell informed me some years ago that he brought Dr. Lathrope with his movable effects, including a horse, from New York, down the river on a raft; that he was engaged at that time in rafting lumber to Cincinnati. Dr. Lathrope died in Waynesville in 1823. Dr. John E, Greer came here about 1823 and practiced until about 1837, when he moved to Indiana. Horace Lathrope, a nephew of the Doctor above mentioned, practiced a few years' with his uncle and after his death.
TAVERNS.
James Corey, about the year 1800, put up a log building in Waynesville, on Wabash square, on Main street, and opened a house of public entertainment there (long since known as the Hammel House stand), and was probably the first to keep a house of public entertainment in the township. Previous to 1806, the premises were sold to James Jennings, from New Jersey, who continued the business and erected a frame building. As no absolute title could be given for lots until after David Faulkner got a patent for the land in 1807, in June of that year, Faulkner deeded to Jennings in that square, Lots No. 7, 8, 4 and north half of 6, for $350. I am unable to state how long Jennings continued in the business, but he was succeeded by Samuel Beck, Robert Way and Richard Cunningham. In 1817, Jennings deeded the stand, including Lots No. 4, 7, 8 and parts of 3 and 6, to John Warrell, for $600. In 1822, Warrell improved the stand by building thereon a large brick building, and sold out and moved away in 1831. Between that date and 1841, a tavern was kept there by Keene, Barnhart & Durand, and N. McLean became the owner, and, at the date above mentioned, sold to Enoch Hammel, from New Jersey, who continued there until about 1863. In 1804, a public house was kept by a Mr. Goodwin, and the first election in the township was held at his house. In 1810, Samuel Test sold to David Hammett Lots 5 and 6, in Miami square, for $50. Mr. Hammett built a large two-story house thereon, plastered outside, with a walk around front to the second story. It was peculiar in its structure, facing three sides to the streets. A tavern was kept there by Hammett and Richard Cunningham until 1819, when it was kept by Levi Johnson, and after him by Brady. No hotel was kept there after 1824. The building will be remembered by the older citizens as the "Old Penitentiary."
A house of entertainment was opened at a very early day on Third street -probably 1805, by David Holloway, and another at the upper end of Main street in a large two-story log house as early as 1808, by Samuel Martin, who continued until after the war. The tavern house at the crossing of Main and North streets, Waynesville, was built in 1826, by Joshua Ward. Israel Woodruff was the first to keep a tavern there, who only remained one year. Then by Josuha Ward; 1828 and 1830, by Brice Curran; 1835, by S. M. Linton. I will nsootnpursue its occupants; it is now (1881) the property of Samuel Cornell &A tavern was opened previous to 1820 on the Lebanon road, at the crossing of the Middetown road, in a log building, by Adam Morris. It was for wagoners and travelers a favorite stopping-place; after the building of the turnpike road it was rendered valueless as a tavern. Taverns were opened at an early day at Mount Holly and Raysville, but by whom or when I am not advised. The tavern at Mount Holly, in 1836, was kept by Peter Dehaven. The editor of a paper published in Cincinnati in 1810, called the Freemen's Journal, made a tour through the State, and, in August of that year, on his return, says: " Crossing the Little Miami River, I arrived in Waynesville.
572 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
The town was laid out on a high and healthy tract. * * There are about fifty families, three or four stores and about as many taverns. It is unfort_ unate that he did not give the names of the owners of the stores and taverns,
DISTILLERIES.
Distilleries were early established in the neighborhood. Whisky has always been a salable commodity. At the time the first settlements were made, there was but little or no market, except to new-corners, and grain was distilled on shares; what was not consumed was taken to Cincinnati and sold or exchanged. The first distillery was operated at the head of Main street in Waynesville by Samuel Martin, in probably 1802; the next, by Samuel Highway down on the Miami near his mill; one by Joseph Chenoweth, on the Lile farm, and one at a spring on the hill on the cemetery grounds. by John Everhart —all previous to 1812. Between that and 1820, one was operated by Whicker on the Cartwright farm, and one by Thomas Hall on the A. P. O'Neall farm; one was run by Ward & Thurston at the upper mill, Waynesville, about 1825, and ceased to be used in 1832. Distilling was extensively carried on by E. H. Pence at Mount folly; the date of the commencement I am unable to state, but it was closed some years ago, since which time there has been no distillery in the township.
EARLY INDUSTRIES.
But little is known of them. Daniel Wharton was the first to establish blacksmithing permanently, in 1810. John Craft. Jr.. a carpenter, previous to said date; Samuel Rogers worked at carpenter work in 1812; Joshua Jones at the same trade, from the close of the war of 1812 as long as he was able; also Thomas Pugh and Augustus Moreland, previous to 1820. Joseph Rogers came to the township first in 1812. He returned to New Jersey and moved to the township in 1816. He brought with him patterns for iron mold-boards for the Peacock plows, and got his castings at Brush Creek, I believe, now in Highland County, and was the first to manufacture plows with iron moldboards here, if not in the county. He also worked at the carpenter trade. He is at this date (1881) living, in his ninety-third year.
William Bunting and family came to the township in 1816, and he and his son Thomas worked at blacksmithing until the time of their death—after 1831.
A tanyard was first sunk by Samuel Martin, on the flat above the head of Water street, Waynesville, as early as 1805; one previous to 1810 by David Pugh, on a flat opposite
Waynesville, on the farm now owned by S. S. Haines. David Morgan became the owner of this about 1818, and, after 1820, enlarged it, and did a good business there until after 1830. He let the business go down, and, in 1842, moved with his family to Iowa. A yard was sunk by Cothron in 1816, on the hill above the Friends Graveyard, and closed in 1819; one by Moses Henly, in 1826, near the Upper Mill. There is now no tanyard in the township.
Cabinet-makers—Allen Clutch, previous to 1808; John Lucas and John King, 1822; George Sherman, 1830; John Lloyd, 1834.
The writer was engaged in the cabinet and undertaking business from 1836 to 1876. During that time, there were buried from his establishment about 2,000 persons.
But little is known of shoemakers previous to 1820. At that date, James Borden and family were here, and he worked at that business; Joseph Ogborn, from 1823 to 1830; Robert Huston and
William Moore, 1823; Joseph Shaw, 1826; Samuel Barton, 1820; John Meeks and William Small, 1826.
I find David Suffrins, a hatter from Virginia, was here as early as 1805, and
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be and his son-in-law, Frederic Stanton, afterward associated with him, until about 1830.
Tailors-1820, Levi Johnson, and shortly after, Benjamin Kemp. Coope Benjamin Barnhart, before and after 1820. Chairmakers--Clement Messick, from 1817 to 1823; Ezra Adams, from 1823 until the time of his death; be also made spinning-wheels. Robert Cummins made spinning-wheels from 1806 to 1823. The first wagon-makers known were Thomas Durell, before 1820, and at that date and until 1831, Stephen Covert.
The first saddlers of whom I am advised were Bateman and Elijah Brady, between 1812 and 1820, and Shepherd Florer, after 1820; Ezra Smith, 1824. The first livery stable was by Joseph and Job Rogers, 1847.
The first show was a lion-1818; next was an elephant-1823; the next was a nice little collection of animals—monkeys, ponies, etc., the same year.
BRIDGES.
Before 1819, the channel of the river on the road to Corwin was not as now, but where the bridge now is was in the bend of a horseshoe, the channel above and below the bridge having been made since. The crossing of the river was between High and Main streets, in Waynesville. When the water was high, there was a ferry used, and when low, a ford. About 1812, an effort was made to build a bridge at the ford. The abutments were raised and a superstructure was placed on trestles. A freshet in the river swept out the work and no further effort was made to build a bridge at that place. In 1817, a bridge was built on a contract, where the bridge now is, by John Satterthwaite, for $700, including the abutments. It was built of oak timber, principally hewed, never covered or weather-boarded, and only lasted about ten years. At that time, the road crossed the West Branch of the Miami, known as the race at the mouth and followed the north bank of the Miami to the bridge. The race wsa then a small' stream, no bridge over it; the ford was a very bad crossing.
A second bridge was built at that place about 1827. It stood several years before it was weather-boarded and roofed, and, in 1836, it fell down. An open bridge was built there on a contrail by Samuel Welch in 1837, for $350; it only stood a few years, and, about 1842, another was built there. I am unable to give the name of the contractor, but O. J. Wright enlarged the abutments. and, in 1861 and 1862, the present substantial bridge was built by H. E. Hebbe. No other bridges were built across the Miami in the township until the iron bridge, three miles below, was built in 1873, and but one bridge across Caesar's Creek in the township,-that near the railroad, in 1869.
STORES.
Mr. Highway was the first to sell goods here. He brought a stock of goods with him at the time of his settlement, and afterward increased it, so that, it is said by his descendants, he had at one time the largest stock of goods of any one store in Ohio, and, while out assisting in cutting a new road (date not given), his store and dwelling took fire and burned down. At dates not known to me, stores were kept by William Ferguson and Mr. Phillips (who afterward removed to Dayton)—all previous to 1815.
In 1803 a store was kept at the east angle of the crossing of High and Third streets by David Holloway. A few years after, Jacob Pierson kept a store there for some time. Shortly after, a store was kept at the north angle of the same crossing, and in 1810 by Seth Silvers. In 1808, David Brown built a house on Outlot No. 4, Waynesville, and kept a small store there; in 1806, David Pugh had a store on Main street; in 1810, on the same street, by
576 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
John Satterthwaite; in 1813, by Satterthwaite & Linton; in 1819, David Brown and others. At that date, no knives and forks or cups and saucers (except of potter's ware) could be bought in the town.
PRICES OF LAND.
I deem it not improper here to give slime of the early prices of lots and land. I find that after Faulkner got a patent for 208 acres (Waynesville), deeds were given, and the considerations therein mentioned, by David Faulkner, in 1807, as follows: Lots 8 in Miami square, 5 and 7 in Washington square, to Jonathan Newman for $32; Outlot No. 14, to Joel Wright for $8.16; Lots No. 5, 6 and 7, Miami square, to Samuel Test, $87; Lots No. 6 and 8, Washington square, and 3, 4, 7. 8, Adams square, Outlot 7 and part of 8, to Seth Silver, for $122.04; to Zadock Street, Lots No. 1 and 3, in Washington square. $2.04; to Merrick Starr. Lots No. 2, 3, 4 and 6. President square, $2; to Rowland Richards, Outlot No. 13, $8; to David Linton, Out-lots No. 5 and 6, $10; to David Holloway. Lot 5, Wabash square, Lot 1, Jefferson square, Outlots 12 and 17, $400.
The first title obtained by Highway and, I believe, the only one in fee simple was that year from Falkner, when there was deeded to him Scioto and English squares and four and one-half acres on the southwest of town, for $368.
The prices given could not have been the value of the property sold, and I can only account for it from the fact that sales had been made by Highway and partners, and that the purchasers had paid part, and that the above prices were balances or considerations to quiet title.
I will now give considerations of later dates that I think better represent values, viz., Hammett to Satterthwaite, Lot No. 1, Wabash square, 1811, $80; David Pugh to David Brown, 1808. Lots No. 3, 4, 7, 8, Ohio square, $50; David Holloway to Thomas Swift, 1814. Lots 5, 7. Washington square, $150; Joel Wright to David Morgan. in 1820, four and one-half acres, southwest of the schoolhouse. $50; John Haines to David Brown, Outlot 4, $200; in 1807, Clevenger to Seaman. Lot 4, Miami square, $34; James Jennings to John Conner, in 1816. Lots 7, 8, Ohio square, $71.50; in 1811, Sarah Buckels to Noah Haines, Outlots 10, 11, 18, 19, $450; Thomas Swift. in 1816, Lot 4, Ohio square, $190; in 1819, Thomas Wilson to Samuel Rogers, Lot 5, Wabash square. $200; in 1811, David Linton to Noah Haines, Lots 3, 4, 7, 8, Adams square, $500.
The farm immediately above Waynesville was a part of the land originally patented to Henry Seeman. Satterthwaite bought, in 1815, of Seeman, forty-nine acres for $600; of Joseph Chenoweth, eight acres for $93.75; of Mr. Biggs, fifty acres for $270; of John Croft, nineteen acres, price not given. making the farm 126 acres.
The farm owned by the Benjamin Brown heirs, at the crossing of the Franklin and Dayton roads, was patented to John Craft in 1810. Among the early owners and occupants on the east side of the Little Miami, I will name a few : Military survey, No. 528, embracing a tract of near 1,700 acres, was purchased by the Rev. James Smith, of Maj. Harris, in Virginia. I am not advised at what price per acre. Smith liberated his slaves, valued, I am informed, at near $40,000, and removed with his family to the Northwest Territory. In 1798. they went to reside at a small station near the Little Miami, called Middletown, between Columbia and Newtown, where Mr. Smith died in 1800, and, in the winter of the same year the family (after having some primitive improvements made) removed to the land above mentioned. This tract was the first one divided by a decree of the Warren Court of Common Pleas on
WAYNE TOWNSHIP - 577
pettion for partition in the county. At the time of the settlement there by the Smiths, Martin Heston lived on Section 10 and Obediah Walker on Section 9 across the river, and Studybaker and Miller on Survey 2,464; these, I believe were the nearest settlements.
Abijah O’Neill and Kelly bought, of John Brown, of South Carolina, his military claim of 1,500 acres for $2,100 in silver, and got for a part of it Brown's survey of 600 acres, and, for the balance of it they took two survey in Greene and one in Fayette Counties. O' Neal I got two-thirds and ic.es ily one-third, and they divided their land here by deeds in 1809.
Survey No. 399 was bought by Gaines and Philip Goode for 9 shillings per acre and settled by them about 1805.
The upper part of the survey above Holeman's Survey of 1,333 acres, was settled by Robert Furnas and others, and the lower part by Clark, of South Carolina, in 1806. 1 have been informed that Clark paid about $4.50 per acre for his part.
To show the prices otherwise paid for lands on that side of the river, I will give a few of the transfers: In 1803, Nathaniel Massie to Ezekiel Cleaver, 135 acres for $405.75; John Overton to Abijah O'Neall, 621 acres of Griffin's Survey, for $1,255; James Murry to Israel Wright, 5722 acres of Survey 1,554, for $1,000; Thomas Posey to Jonathan Wright, in 1807, 2981 acres of Survey 1,056, for $297; J. Macher to Abijah O'Neall and Joel Wright, in 1807, 1,040 acres of Survey 614, for $1,500; in 1803, Nathaniel Massie to David Faulkner, 165 acres, for $95.75; in 1805, Benjamin Anderson to Abijah O'Neall, 1,000 acres on the lower side of Caesar's Creek, for $2,000; in 1807, Abijah O'Neall to Robert Millhouse, 210 acres on Caesar's Creek, for $72.10; Abijah O'Neall to David Whitsen, 112 acres, on the southeast side of Caesar's Creek, for $252; same to Mordecai Spray, 98 acres, for $221; in 1808, same to Joel Wright, 255 acres of Survey 774, for $410; Philip Goode to Gabriel Crane, in 1809, 131 acres, for $351.
MARRIAGES
I will now give some of the early marriages of the township. Many, no I doubt, will be omitted that might with propriety be inserted. Previous to 1 1803, license had to be obtained from Cincinnati and among Friends, previous to 1803, by the authority of their monthly meeting in Pennsylvania. It was not unusual, however, if a couple desired to marry, to advertise it, and then appoint a pubheic meeting. and unite in marriage by a public declaration-after the manner of the Friends. I have been informed that William Mills, who came here from Carolina in 1799, was married in that way. By furnishing proof of publication to a Justice or minister, parties could be married without license:
1803-Benjamin Jones and Hannah-Julien.
1804-Matthew Compton and Rachel Campbell; Ennis Baldwin and Sarah Hunt.
1805-William Pope and Grace Lupton; William Edwards and Jemima Bridges ; Thomas Perkins and Sarah O'Neall; Henry Millhouse and Jane Strawn; John Cook and Dinah Spray; David Linton and Letitia Silvers.
1806-Samuel Jay and Bethsheba Pugh; Joseph Cloud and Jane McCoy; Job Carr and Ruth Mason; Jacob Paxton and Sidney Richards; Isaac Waldrup and Kitty Campbell; Joseph Chenoweth and Nancy James; Burwell Goode Land Elizabeth Smith; Nathan Linton and Elizabeth Smith; Jonathan Mote and Susanna Hollingsworth; Eli Jenkins and Ruth Mendenhall.
1807-John Compton and Ann Pearick; Jonathan Sanders and Lydia Lupton; Thomas Sanders and Elizabeth Pope; John Sears and Penelope John-eon; Isaac Mills and Catharine Richards; John Jay and Mary Steddom; James
578 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
Cook and Elenor Matlock; Thomas Clark and Rachel Martindall; Alexander Stewart and Rebecca Clark.
1808—Thomas Swift and Verlinda Pugh; Job Pugh and Nancy Swift; Robert Sale and Magdalene Smith; David Brown and Mary —; Noah Haines and Aim Silvers; William Gray and Mary Cleaver; John Jeffreys and Esther Prewett.
1809—Allen Clutch and Rachel Austin; John Satterthwaite and Elizabeth Linton; Samuel Tamset and Sarah Clark.
1810—Israel Wright and Leah Ferree; Frederick Stanton and Hannah Suffrins; James Edwards and Martha Maiming; Cornelius Morford and Margaret Ray; Jonathan Clark and Ruth Elmore; Samuel Highway and Mary Jennings.
1811—Robert Cummings and Polly O'Harro.
1812—Samuel Brown and Rebecca Evans; Abraham Cook and Ruth Hawkins; Stephen Cook and Elizabeth Evans.
1813—David Evans and Rachel Burnet; Micaja Johnson and Rebecca O'Neall; Thomas Evans and Hannah Pedrick; John Shaw and Elizabeth Wright; Daniel Wharton and Margaret Cunningham.
1814 —George Phillips and Ann McCoy; Joshua Carman and Jane James; Obediah Smith and Margaret Holloway; William Chenoweth and Catharine Chenoweth; David Morgan and Rebecca Brown; George Hatton and Margaret Foulk.
1815—Benjamin Ninde and Jane Whitacre; Abner Hibbs and Esther Lynch; John W. Smith and Sarah Evans; Martin Robinson and Abigail Swift.
1816—William O'Neall and Martha Smith; George Moss and Fannie —; Benjamin Barnhart and Elizabeth Holloway; Aaron Chandler and Hannah Ward; Jesse O. Jones and Mary Ward; Sylvanus Cornell and Sarah Florer; Josiah Rogers and Abigail Cleaver; Martin D. Lathrope and Rebecca Wright; Joel Wright and Ann Bateman.
1817—Samuel Rogers and Pamelia Heaton; Clement Messick and Sarah Suffrins; Abraham Gause and Jane Mullen; Stephen Covert and Elizabeth Wicker; Gamaliel Davis and Ann Smith: Edward Hatton and Rachel Lukens; Abraham Hollingsworth and Sarah Pigeon; Henry Millhouse and Sarah Horner.
1818—Seth Cook and Ruth Cook; Samuel Brown and Ruth Gause; Benjamin Butterworth and Ruth Welch; Josiah Davis and Anice Little; Ellis Pugh and Sarah Mills; Stephen Pardee and Patty Welch; Uriah Farquer and Sarah Jennings; Joseph Mannington and Lydia Lynch.
1819—Robert Huston and Sarah Shaw; Ishmael Pugh and Tabitha Cunningham; Thomas Bunting and Catharine Holloway; David Wilson and Eliza Kay; David Montgomery and Anna Barton; Levi Cook and Ann Hasket; Peter Cleaver and Sarah Crews.
1820--Nathan Davis and Lydia Cleaver; George Mather and Mary Ricket; James R. Johnson and Rhoda O'Neall; Samuel Stephenson. Jr., and Repsiba Evans; Joshua Jones and Harriet Pugh; John Woods and Sarah A. Lynch; Caleb Satterthwaite and Rebecca Ward; Jacob Chenoweth and Charlotte Cabe.
1821—Samuel Barton and Nancy Holloway; Samuel Cornell and Susanna Crane; William Graham and Ary Clymer; Jesse Flora and Nancy Wilson; Jonathan Hillman and Dorothy Moore; Curtis Mills and Sarah Stratton; Evan Ward and Catharine Jeffers; Benjamin Brown and Sarah Chapman; George Evans and Sarah Hasket; John Burnet and Elizabeth Hawkins; Joseph Lukins and Hannah Brown.
1822—John Lashley and Grace Borton; Horace Lathrope and Jane Worrell; Cornelius Ratcliff and Mary Kinley; Jacob Doan and Hannah Stubbs; Benja-
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rain L. Satterthwaite and Ruth Evans; Richard Pedrick and Mary Evans; William Edwards and Elizabeth Newman; Benjamin Lukins and Mary Satterthwaite; Ellis Ward and Mary E. Newman
1823—Thomas Kersey and Letitia Craig ; James Smith and Mary C. Brown; William Cox and Rachel Tamset; Jeffrey Truman and Dorothy Isham; Edward L. Kenrick and Patience Barton; Levi Pugh and Sarah Naylor.
1824—John King and Rachel Billingsly; Henry J. Goode and Margaret 3IcKay; Peter Dutterow and Charlotte Roberts; William Brown and Lucinda Blackford; Conrad Smith and Sarah Ridge; Ezekiel Cleaver and Elizabeth Carr; Ezekiel L. Cleaver and Mary Taylor; Moses Kelly and Abigail Satterthwaite.
1825—Moormon Butterworth and Fanny Smith; Isaac Engle and Mary E. Haines; John Brown and Rebecca Barton; Noah Jones and Sarah Copner; Joshua Jones and Catharine Lawrence; James Spray and Biddy Fox; William White and Agnes Wilson; Mason Borden and Louisa Small; John McGahee and Polly Smith; Benjamin Barnhart and Polly Holloway; Benjamin Clifton
and Mary Williams.
1826—William Butterworth and Elizabeth Linton; Seth Furnas and Dinah Kindley; Henry Small and Kesiah Ware; Thomas Bispham and Eliza Jennings; Vachel Tharp and Jane Hunt; James Clutch and Deborah Ray; Charles Bradshaw and Phebe Morris; Ustacy Cooper and Mary Ann Filer; Shepherd Flora and Mary Crossley; Philip Mintle and Mary Smith; Dayton Holloway and Cynthia A. Conner.
1827--Joseph Oats and Elizabeth Gray; Henry Clark and Ann Antram; Samuel Silvers and Tamson Haines; John McGinnis and Mary Mintle; Asher Brown and Esther Jones; Joseph Hopkins and Mary Ann Crispin; Richard Hopkins and Hannah Wharton.
1828—Jason Evans and Amyra Haines; Samuel Kelly and Achsa Stubbs; Joel Satterthwaite and Phebe Watson; Thomas Phillips and Catharine Davis; Samuel Gordon and Martha Montgomery; Nathan Everhart and Aseneth Howe; Ellis Pugh and Mary Edwards; Abijah O'Neall and Eleanor Hall.
SOME EARLY SETTLERS.
The account of the trip through from Philadelphia by Messrs. Baily and Highway to Waynesville, and of the parties that accompanied them from Columbia, is silent as to the names of the persons. Enough, however, is known that the young Englishmen whom Mr. Highway hired in Philadelphia for two years for 50 pounds currency, were John and Samuel Tamset, and the two women mentioned in the narrative were their wives. They afterward settled a short distance west of Waynesville on tracts of land each of eighty acres (now owned by S. S. Haines). Each of them raised large families of children. John died about 1824, and Samuel, in 1830, sold out, and, with his family, moved to the St. Joseph country. The wives they brought with them from England both died, and they afterward married sisters by the name of Clark. Their only descendants remaining are John Tamset, near Raysville, and Sarah Pugh, at Bell Brook, children of John.
Culbert Watson came to the town from Columbia with Highway, and drove one of the wagons. He shortly after came to the township and settled on Section 33, Town 4, Range 5.
Rev. James Smith, who was iif Waynesville in October, 1797, mentions in his journal the fact that there were then about fourteen families settled here. I have made every effort that has suggested itself to my mind to get their names or a part of them, but without success.
I supposed when I first read the mention of Highway by the Rev. Smith,
580 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
that Highway had emigrated to this country but a short time before /making a settlement here. I have since seen a record of an oath of his, made for the purpose of becoming naturalized, in 1804, in which he stated he had been a citizen of the State of Ohio and of the Northwest Territory for twelve years; that would have brought him into the territory in 1792.
I will give the names of such as I have of settlers after those I have mentioned, viz., Abijah O'Neall and family, James Corey, Josiah Sutton, Charles Monroe, Ezekiel Bell, Mr. Isham, John Quigley, William Mills.
In 1799, Martin Hester lived on a part of Section 10, Town 4, Range 4. Obediah Walker lived on the same section; a man by the name of J. Sutton lived on said section at a later date. Abraham Studybaker and -- Miller lived on Survey No. 2,464.
In 1800, Samuel Martin, who lived at the upper end of Waynesville, built a large two-story log dwelling, and sunk a tanyard on the flat on the opposite side of the road as it is now; also under the hill, a brewery and distillery; his water supply came from Satterthwaite's spring. He also kept a hotel.
In 1801, Samuel Kelly, David Faulkner, David Painter, James Mills, Joshua Carman, William James. In the fall of that year Ezekiel Cleaver came here from Virginia, leaving his family at Brownsville, and put up a house at the crossing of Third and Miami street, on the east corner of said crossing in Waynesville, and, in the spring of 1802, moved here with his family. With him came John Mullen, Rowland Richards, David Holloway and others. The same year, Samuel Linton, of Pennsylvania, moved here with three sons and two daughters. He afterward settled on Todd's Fork. Henry Seaman and Jonathan Newman came here that year with their families. Newman came
first from South Carolina and settled in Tennessee, and after that removed here.
In 1803, I find Jemima Wright and her family—Jane, Joshua, Jemima, Joab and Joel were here with others whose names 1 have been unable to obtain.
In 1804, among others, Edward Kinley, Robert Furnas, Amos Cook, William Lupton, Samuel Spray, Solomon Lupton, Jordan W'hitsen, Amos Hawkins. David Pugh, Matthew Compton, John Jay, Samuel Pearson, Benjamin Evans, Charles Bridges, Asher Brown, John Embree, Thomas Perkins, Isaac Perkins, John Beales, Joseph Wilson and John Furnas and the families of all that had families, and Noah Haines and John Haines and Isaac Ward.
In 1805, Azariah Pugh, Ellis Pugh, George C. Ward, Isaac Cook, Nathaniel Edwards and their families, Seth Silver and daughter, Samuel Test, John Sanders, Joseph Cloud, David Jones, Jonathan Wright and the families of such as had them.
In 1806, Gaines and Philip Goode, Benjamin Hopkins, Jonathan Wright, Isaac Cook, David Suffrins, Hezekiali Sanders, Jonah Wright, Joel Wright, Israel Wright, George Phillips, John Wright, Samuel Gause and their families.
In 1807, David Faulkner, Isaac Haskit, Edward Thomas, Jonathan Crispin, Nathan and Richard Goodwin. Also previous to 1810, Joseph Chenoweth, Burwell Goode, Thomas Clark, Alexander Stewart, Robert Sale, Allen Clutch, Cornelius Morford and John Craft were here. I might here mention that previous to 1820, John Satterthwaite, Obediah Smith, David Morgan, George
Isham, Benjamin Jones, dames Boyd, Jesse Palmer, Samuel Boyd, Joshua Merryman, Thomas Hall, Elias Hollingsworth, Aquilla West, Philip Pedrick, Luther Ball, Eli Cook, Abram Elliott, Francis Cunningham, William Hendley, Thomas Holloway, Henry Clark, Enoch Gardner, Jesse Johnson, Wright Cook, Moses Martindale, Joseph Rogers, Sr., Joseph Rogers, Samuel Rogers, William Bunting, Thomas and John Bunting, Isaac Keys, James Holland, Thomas Bispham, Ezra Adams, William Barton, Elias
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Cabe, Daniel Intram, John Clements. Benjamin Barnhart, Joshua Jones, John Worrell, Thomas Swift, Isaac Brazetton. John Everhart. John Archer. John pool, Jack Brown., Jacob Mintle, Israel Williams. Jacob Clark. _____ Ray, Samuel Cornell, Thomas Ricket, William Moore, James Smith. Joseph Mannington, William Wilkerson. Robert Cminss , Isaac and Johns, Samuel Welch, Abraham Bowman, William Martindale. Elias Cabe many others that do not now occur to me were residents.
William James came here in 1801, and settled on Section 3. Town 3, gauge 5; he was elected as one of eight members of the Legislature from Hamilton County in the first general election under the constitution of 1802, and was a member at the time of the formation of Warren County, and was elected one of the first Associate Judges of the county, and assisted in dividing the county into townships. In 1804, he rode horseback to Columbia to attend a Baptist association, of which order he was an active member, and was injured in the ride and died at Columbia and was buried there.
Intemperance and other follies gave trouble to the Friends; occasionally some of their members would be addicted to them, but it can be said of them as a class that they always bore testimony against those follies, and always exercised a fraternal watchfulness and care over their members.
In 1812, Ezekiel Cleaver rode horseback from here to Baltimore to attend a Yearly Meeting of the Friends; his daughter Abigail, then about sixteen years of age, made the trip with him.
MILLS
The first settlers had, of course, no mills. and the nearest milling point was at what has since been known as Buckingham's, down the Miami about or near where Miamiville now is, until about the year 1803, when Mr. Highway built the first mill in the township on the creek below Waynesville. on what is now known as Newman's Run; it was then called Highway's Run. The mill was built of logs, and the mill-stones used were what were called “raccoon buhrs." It afterward became the property of Jonathan Newman. He attached a saw-mill and carding machine, which were burned down and not rebuilt.
Newman afterward built a good frame mill-house and continued the business. but other mills were built, the water-power became weak and the mill ceased to be used. The last use made of the power there was by James Throckmorton, about 1844. for a distillery.
Highway also built a grist-mill and saw-mill on the power. now owned and used by Clement's mill, formerly Taylor's. but lower down than the present one. At what date I cannot state, only that I know that in the winter of 1823 -24, it was a very old mill. all open and exposed to the weather with but little shelter overhead, and was used by Samuel Highway. Jr., to grind corn and feed. The power was afterward improved by Thomas Evans and James Smith by erecting the present mill-ho-use--about 1831.
About 1827, a grist-mill was built on the power below by Cooper, and shortly after. the power below where John K Spencer now lives. by Thomas Hall, by putting in a saw-mill. A long and vexatious law-suit was carried on between Cooper and Hall about back-water.
About the year 1806. John Haines. from Virginij.. built a mill at Waynesville on the power now owned by Wright. It was of framed timber and stood about where the saw-mill now is. The dam was a few hundred yards above the mill and abutted the land owned b' Abel Satterthwaite. which has since. by means of a channel on the east side. become an island. Haines failed to secure an abutment on the east side of the river. and the dam causing the frequent overflow of the land, became obnoxious to the owner. He cut round the dam
582 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
and destroyed the power, about the year 1809. A long litigation ensued and the case was finally decided in the Supreme Court against Haines.
John Jennings came to the township in 1810, and bought the mill and secured an abutment on the east side against the rugged bank, for $200, and contracted with David Brown to extend the race for $300. Brown completed the race, but lost heavily on the contract. The mill was idle about six years during which time the principal milling of the neighborhood was done at Newman's mill on the Run, and Highway's mill on the Miami. A saw-mill and a fulling-mill were there at an early day and carding and fulling, done there until about 1850.
The brick mill was built in 1825 by John Jennings, and, about 1832, was sold by him to Stephen Cook and Jason Evans. Evans became the sole owner, and, in 1840, sold the mills with the lands, lots, dwellings, etc., to William Oliphant, of New Jersey, for $14,000. It was regarded as a good sale at the time. Oliphant died, and his sons sold out and settled up and returned to New Jersey.
In the year 1831, James Elliott built a grist-mill immediately below Waynesville; he also built a saw-mill and woolen-mill, in which carding, spinning and fulling were done. The premises were sold to Asa Trahern, about 1842, for $5,000; it passed through various hands, and, in 1860, became the property of Sidwell Taylor, who built the present mill.
There have been long law-suits at different times with Elliott and Taylor by the owners of the upper mills for damages on account of back-water. Cook & Evans prosecuted Elliott for damages on account of back-water, and, after a long litigation, obtained a judgment against him, probably in 1838, for $109.
The mill-power at Mount Holly was first improved by Joseph Chenoweth, who came from Virginia about the year 1815, by putting in a dam and sawmill. A grist-mill was built there by John Satterthwaite about 1818. Mills have been kept up there ever since. There is evidence to show that Banes improved this power very early in the present century.
About 1816, Joseph Chenoweth built a grist and saw mill on Middle Run, some distance below where the turnpike crosses; they were only used a few years and were abandoned for the purposes for which they were built.
The Hisey mill property, on Caesar's Creek, was first improved by Benjamin Butterworth, by'bui]ding a saw-mill there about 1822. Israel Woodruff afterward became the owner and built a grist-mill there about 1834. The mills afterward became the property of C. Hisey, but have long since ceased to be used.
I am unable to state who first improved the property on the creek at a point called New Baltimore, but Joshua Canby was the owner in 1835, and did a large business there with a grist and saw mill. The power is only used now for a saw-mill, by John Stanfield, who has been in possession for the past fifteen years. Saw-mills have otherwise been built, one by Isaac Ward, on Newman's Run, near the crossing of the Upper Springboro road, in 1816; one by Evans & Elliott on the same stream, near the Lebanon pike, about 1848; one by Samuel Butterworth on the west branch of the same stream, in 1850; one by Joseph Rogers, Sr., on Middle Run, about 1818, and one by his son Joseph, near the same place, about 1823.
OFFICERS.
There are no records that can be found of township officers previous to 1816. Early Justices of the Peace, so far as I can learn them, were as follows: John Buckels in 1803; I think he was a Justice under the Territorial ornanizaLion; he settled and lived on Section 26, Town 3, Range 5; David Pugh, 1805; Jonathan Newman, 1807; John Satterthwaite, most of the time from
583 - WILLIAM BUTTERWORTH
584 - BLANK
WAYNE TOWNSHIP - 585
1813 to 1833; Martin Robinson, 1816; Benjamin Barnhart, 1818; George C. Ward, 1825; Ellis Stokes, 1830; Samuel Rogers, 1835; also John Walcott, 1814; Gaines Goode, 1819; Burwell Goode, from about 1818 to 1830, and John W. Smith,. 1824.
Constables. Thomas Biggs, 1813; Reason Reagan, 1814; Richard Cunningham, 1815; Joshua Carman, 1816; Samuel Rogers, most of the time from 1820 to 1835, and Jesse Ware, 1824.
From the time of the first settlement until 1804, the post office was at Cincinnati. Residents relied more for their letters and news on emigrants than they did on the mail. Samuel Highway was the first Postmaster; he was appointed April 1, 1804, and held the office until January 1, 1814, when David Pugh was appointed; he held until January 1, 1817, when Noah Haines was appointed; he held the office until the time of his death, which occurred, I think, in 1833. John M. Hadden was then appointed, and held the office for ittany years. The mail was carried on horseback. I have not the route for those early years, but in 1817, Waynesville was on the route from Cincinnati to Detroit. It was carried in that manner until 1827, when the first line of stages was put on from Cincinnati to Springfield by John Satterthwaite, of Waynesville, and William Worden, of Springfield. When the weather was pleasant and the roads were good, the regular stage was used; when not, a long square wagon, which received the name of "Black Hawk" was used. Many amusing incidents were related by travelers about having to get out and pry the vehicle out of mud-holes with rails, and the drivers instructing them to hold on to their rails, as there were other mud-holes ahead. Many of the travelers declared they did not mind walking, but were opposed to carrying a rail.
In 1838, the first turnpike road was made through the township---the Cincinnati, Lebanon & Springfield.
Although the citizens of the township have always taken a lively interest in politics, they have never been politicians as generally understood by that term. Allen Wright was first elected Auditor, while a citizen of this township, in 1824, and held the office until 1843; Burwell Goode was elected Commissioner in 1824, and held the office until 1836; Noah Haines, from 1831 to 1833; David Evans, from 1841 to 1844.
Allen Wright was County Surveyor from 1803 to 1823. I will not name the county officers further as the county history gives them.
The following persons, raised in the township, have been members of the Legislature, viz.. Hon. George J. Smith, from this county; John Q. Smith, a member of both branches, from Clinton County, and also a member of Congress; Thomas J. Keys, of Stockton City, Cal., both branches; Hon. Seth S. Haines is the only one residing in the township that ever was elected a member of that body.
TOWNS.
The following towns have been, laid. out in Wayne Township as it was and is: Waynesville, by Highway,`, Smith & Banes, February, 1796; acknowledged and recorded, 1802; Oakland, by James Murray, December, 1806; contained seventy-two lots; Freeport, by Ignatius Brown and Nebo Gant, November, 1816; contained twenty-seven lots; Crosswicks, by James Jennings, July, 1821; contained twelve lots; Harveysburg, by William Harvey, January, 1829; contained forty-seven lots; Mount Holly, by Jacob Pearson, July, 1833; contained twenty-five lots; Raysville, by M. Mills & Bro. and others, November, 1855; contained twenty-two lots; it had a name long before it was platted; Corwin, about 1844, by John Johnson and Joel W. Johnson.
586 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
CONCLUDING NOTES.
Highway & Co. failed to realize out of their purchase what they expected. and were involved in a number of law suits, which continued for a number of years, in reference to the titles-of land sold by them, and, as I shall probably not refer to them again, I will observe that Mr. Highway was born in Shropshire, England, and emigrated to the United States in 1791. with an ample fortune of goods and money. He was about six feet, six inches in height and weighed 300 pounds. He removed from here to Cincinnati in the latter part of 1813, and there died in 1817.
The first newspaper was the Miami Visitor, in 1850. by Jesse W. Elliott.
Mrs. Sarah Keys, now in her ninety-fourth year, and Joseph Rogers, now in his ninety-third, and Charlotte Dutterow, about the same age. and Rebecca Stewart, I believe are the oldest persons in the township.
The citizens have generally sympathized with the oppressed, and were generally anti-slavery. In the winter of 1837-38, two negroes ran away from near Lexington, Ky. They traveled together to Lebanon. and there separated; one took the road to Dayton and the other came this way. They were pursued by two men traveling by stage who, about midnight, discovered one of the Naves, an old man named Hazard, near Genntown, arrested him and brought him to this place. In the early morning, the citizens discovered the negro tied by a rope above the elbows. When the natural inquiry was made as to the cause, they were informed he was a runaway " nigger.– The citizens demanded that he be untied, which was done. The negro was very penitent, was sorry he had run away, was coaxed away, had a good master, etc. The agents were informed that they could not take Hazard unless they could produce necessary authority to do so. It was finally agreed to leave the negro in charge of some persons (Reeve Holland was one), and one of the citizens was to go with one of the agents to Lebanon and take counsel of Judge Smith as to their authority. On the return of the party in the evening, the citizens were advised that the agents had no authority. lTazard was then given his choice—the citizens informed him if he wanted to go back he could do so: if not, he should not be taken by force. Hazard brightened up and said he preferred to resume his journey. His little property was demanded and given to him, and a citizen, a few days after, informed me he saw Hazard nine miles on the road north, and some time after both got through to Canada.
In 1840 or 1841, some Virginians were moving through to Missouri with their slaves. It was claimed by slave-owners that they had a right to cross the State with their slaves for the purpose of business, or removal, when their destination was another Slave State. This' was denied by the anti-slavery people of Ohio. A warrant was sworn oat before Jonathan Clark, a Justice of the Peace here, by Dr. Brooks, and the slave-owners were arrested between this place and Franklin, and brought back and tried here. Judge George J. Smith and Robert a Corwin were counsel for the prosecution, and Charles Anderson, of Dayton, for the defendants. After hearing the case, Squire Clark discharged the defendants. Some persons about Springboro and vicinity spirited away the slaves, or a part of them; they were afterward indicted by the grand jury. and tried, I believe, before Judge Hinkson in the Warren County Court of Common Pleas, convicted and sentenced to fine and imprisonment in the dungeon, The Supreme Court was in session at Cincinnati a writ of error obtained therefrom, and the defendants were released from imprisonment The case finally came before the Supreme Court of the State, when the question was settled definitely, as claimed by the anti-slavery party.
In conclusion, I have to say that the names of many persons no doubt
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have been omitted that should have appeared. Their descendants will excuse the omission. When it is remembered that our early settlers are gone and no record of them could be found, it will readily occur to the reader that it is not to be wondered at that some names are omitted. I only claim that I have used the best evidence I could obtain. On many points no doubt many will differ with me.
They must remember that they rely on their memory, while I have relied not only on memory but on evidence in all cases where the obtainable.