USA > Ohio > Ashland County > A History of the Pioneer and Modern Times of Ashland County > Part 27
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To stop the crevices between the logs, pieces of wood were driven in, called "chinking," and on this
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a thick mortar was put, which was called "daubing;" this was sometimes done inside and out. The inside finish was in all respects as rough as the outside ap- pearance. If the owner wished to be a little nice, he would take an axe and hew off the logs on the inside, after the building was put up. The floors were laid with timbers called "puncheon," which were usually from eight to ten feet long, split out of large oak trees, made as broad as the logs would admit, and about four inches thick. The door was also made of these same "puncheons," and hung on wooden hinges, and fastened with a wooden latch.
To those familiar with the days of log cabins, the phrase so often used, "the latch string is out," is clearly understood. This latch or fastening was made of wood, and in order to enable those from without to enter the dwelling, a small string was at- tached to the latch, (which was always on the inside,) and passed through the door to the outside, and hence, to prevent the entrance of any person, the inmates would pull in the latch string, so that when it was not seen on the outside of the door, it was evidence that no one could be admitted. One window was usually all that was considered necessary in & log cabin. This was made by cutting out one log, some two feet in length, and then closing up by putting in small sticks, in the form of sash, and pasting greased paper over them to cause it to admit the light more readily.
As stoves were almost unknown in those days, a fire- place was used instead thereof. These were made by cutting out a hole in one end of the building, in some cases large enough to pass a two-horse wagon through the cavity. On the outside of the house, and con-
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nected with this, the chimney was built of wood and mortar, sometimes lined on the inside with stone and mortar, immediately adjoining the fireplace. In front of the fireplace was a large space left in the floor, called the hearth, which was usually covered with flat stone, and hence the old phrase '"hearth-stone."
As the wants of the people of that day were few, and easily satisfied, the log cabin usually contained but one room, which served as kitchen, dining-room, bed-room, sitting-room, and parlor.
Well, as before remarked, the school-house was built in real log cabin style-the principal difference between it and a dwelling-house was, that in the school-house the window was made by cutting out one log on each side, nearly the whole length of the building, and then closing up the aperture by pasting greased paper over it. Seats were made out of split timber, with legs in them so long that none except long-legged men could touch the floor with their feet. One object at least was attained by this arrangement of the seats, viz., the pupils were so far elevated above the floor as to be unable to make any noise with their feet; but whatever good was attained by this was counteracted by the far greater evil of causing the scholars to sit in this unpleasant posture during school hours.
Description of a Fort, or Block-house.
The early settlers were under the necessity of erecting some kind of fortifications in which to pro- tect themselves and families from the wily Indian, especially during the war of 1812. These buildings, sometimes called forts, but more properly called block-houses, were located in the most convenient
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part of the neighborhood, to which all might flee for safety in case of danger. They were usually built on a commanding eminence, so that the approach of an enemy might be seen at a great distance. During the war of 1812, some three or four of these structures were erected in Mohican Township-one near the town plat of Jeromeville, a few rods north of the present grist mill; one near the Mohican Creek,
about four miles south of Jeromeville, on land now owned by Henry Treace; and one about a mile far- ther down the creek, near the residence of Stephen Taylor. These houses were built after the fashion of log cabins, in most respects. The logs were fitted closely together with small holes between them, called port-holes, through which the inmates could fire upon their enemies in case of an attack. The entrance to the building was an only door, which was made of strong timbers and securely barred on the inside.
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There was one peculiarity about these buildings, the wisdom of which will suggest itself to every thinking mind. It is this: the lower part of the building, to the height of about seven or eight feet, was composed of shorter logs than that above; hence a projection was formed, which would enable the occupants to shoot down on their enemies on all sides of the build- ing, in case they should attempt to set it on fire, and also prevent them from climbing up the outside thereof. To these houses all the neighborhood would run for safety whenever the alarm was given, and not unfrequently they would have to remain there for several days and nights, with but little to eat or drink. Sometimes some trivial circumstance would cause an alarm, and the whole neighborhood would gather into the block-house, and, after remaining there perhaps a day and night, the mistake would be found out, and all would return to their homes again.
WILLIAM NEWBROUGH.
William Newbrough and wife, in March, 1819, re- moved to the northeast quarter of section 28, Mohican ยท Township, having purchased his land of Martin Long- strath. Upon this farm he yet resides.
THOMAS NEWMAN.
This gentleman is, (June, 1861,) beyond doubt, the oldest citizen now living within Ashland County. He was born in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, England, about 1758, which would make him now one hundred and three years of age. Mr. Newman is also at this time among the oldest of the pioneers. He entered the land upon which he now resides-being the north- west quarter of section 23, township 21, (Mohican,)
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in the year 1810. About two years afterward he received his patent, which bears date July 1, 1812, and is signed by James Madison, President, and Ed- ward Tiffin, (the first Governor of Ohio,) Commis- sioner of the General Land Office. This document, which has been well preserved, is probably among the oldest of its kind in the possession of the original purchaser, which now exists in the county.
RICHARD RHAMEY, SEN.
Richard Rhamey, Sen., immigrated to Jeromeville from Pennsylvania in 1813, his family then consisting of his wife and three children. Richard Rhamey, Jr., who was born in the old block-house in Jeromeville, in September, 1815, is the only surviving member of the family now residing in Ashland County.
JOHN SHINABARGER.
John Shinabarger emigrated from Virginia, in 1802, to Pennsylvania, from thence to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, in 1805, and in 1810 from the last-named place to Mohican Township, and entered the southwest quarter of section 23, in said township. This quarter he partly cleared, and erected thereon a saw-mill, and resided upon the place until the time of his death, which occurred January 29th, 1838, aged seventy- four years. When he removed to Mohican .Township, his wife and seven children constituted 'his family, the only survivor of whom, residing in Ashland County, is James S. Shinabarger, of Perry Township, and to whom we are indebted for what follows.
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Cedar Trees, and remains of Buffalo and Elk, six feet under ground.
Upon a part of the above land, in Mohican Town- ship, was a prairie, which appeared originally to have been a crust of vegetable matter overlying a sheet of water. As it was evidently land of great fertility, if the water under it could be withdrawn, efforts were made thoroughly to drain it. Ditches were made, in some places, to the depth of six feet, and considerable quantities of cedar trees, some of them twelve and eighteen inches in diameter, were found imbedded in the earth. What length of time they had occupied the position in which they were found is, of course, unknown, but they appeared as free from any evi- dence of decay as they would have shown on the day they perished. What is remarkable is that no cedars were ever found, by the early settlers, growing in that vicinity. The inference is that a cedar swamp once covered the ground, and a tornado may have violently uprooted them, thus breaking the crust and burying them beneath the surface. Swamp flag and wild grass, very little decayed, were also found at a depth of from five to six feet. Skeletons of buffalo and elk were also discovered, some of them of immense size. The head and horns of one elk found partly imbedded were of such dimensions that, placing the points of the horns upon the ground, two men on each side supporting them in an unright position, William Eagle, a man whose height was nearly six feet, would pass under them erect.
MAJOR TYLER. .
Major Tyler immigrated to Mohican Township in February, 1814, having previously resided in Buffalo,
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New York, from which town he took his departure a few weeks after its having been burned by the British. He entered the south half of the northwest quarter of section 26.
RICHARD WINBIGLER.
Richard Winbigler immigrated to Mohican Town- ship from Maryland, in the fall of 1818. The mem- bers of his family at this time consisted of his wife and four children, namely, Mary Ann, Henry, Eliza- beth, and William. The only survivor of these, at this time, is Henry Winbigler, Esq., who resides upon the land originally entered by his father, which land is the west half of the northeast quarter of section 9, Mohican Township.
NICHOLAS WIREMAN.
Nicholas Wireman immigrated to the place now known as Mohicanville, but then as Bell's Mills, on the 15th of January, 1833, and rented of Harvey Bell his carding and fulling establishment, which occupied the site of the present woolen manufactory of Samuel Huff.
When Mr. Wireman became a resident of the place, in 1833, the following named persons embraced all the heads of families who were then inhabitants, viz .: Simeon, Harvey, and Samuel Bell, Henry Sherradden, and John Shaffer. Of those named, Mr. Wireman is now the only surviving resident, the others being de- ceased or having removed from the village.
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CHAPTER XV.
Perry Township
SURVEYED in 1807, by Jonathan Cox. The town- ship was organized on the 14th of September, 1814. The organization embraced also the territory now known as Jackson.
Population in 1820 558
" 1830 1242
" 1840 2100
1850 1788
1860 1911
Extracts from Official Records of Perry Township.
ELECTION OF APRIL, 1825.
Trustees, Daniel Williams and Daniel Smith-Clerk, William Spencer. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1862.
Trustees, George Myers, David McConnell, and Henry Shiss- ler-Clerk, William W. Strayer-Treasurer, John Van Nest- Assessor, John Shidler.
Names and Dates of Commissions of Justices of the Peace in Perry Township.
John Jackson, July 3, 1816. Thomas Johnston, January 29, 1818.
John Ihrig, April 27, 1819. Thomas Johnston, December 25, 1820. John Smith, April 25, 1822. John A. Kelley, March 31, 1824.
John Smith, April 30, 1825. John Herr, March 12, 1827. John Ihrig, May 3, 1828. (428)
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John Allison, March 1, 1830. John Ihrig, April 23, 1831. John Allison, March 1, 1833. John Ihrig, April 24, 1834. John Allison, March 25, 1836. John Ihrig, April 28, 1837. Jacob Miller, October 14, 1837.
John Allison, March 19, 1839. John Smith, September 15, 1840. Isaac Cabill, April 7, 1842. John Smith, September 28, 1843. John Ecker, March 22, 1845. Jacob Miller, October 2, 1846. John Ecker, March 11, 1848. John Van Nest, September 22, 1849. Jobn Cory, March 15, 1851. John Van Nest, September 25, 1852. Columbus C. Coulter, March 23, 1854. John Van Nest, September 14, 1855. Alexander Hamilton, March 24, 1856. Hugh Hamilton, August 26, 1857. John Van Nest, September 9, 1858. Hugh Hamilton, August 15, 1860. Henry Buck, September 9, 1861.
Electors in Perry Township, in 1827.
As appears by the poll-book, there were eighty- eight votes cast at the October election of 1827. The names of the electors are appended. Those to whose names are affixed the asterisk (*) are deceased; and those with the dagger (+) have removed.
William Hamilton.' John Smith .* Samuel White .* John McClain. t Robert Laughlin. t David Smith.' Henry Sapp .* John Hern .* John Allison, Jr. .
John Raner .* William Abrite. t Samuel Y. Hayes .* Joseph Clark .* Hugh Meloy. t Phineas Summerton.
John Ihrig. t John Hillis. t
Jacob Rauch. t
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John Pittinger .* David Williams. Abraham Ecker .* James Dorland. t William Hillis. t Thomas Cunningham. David Cunningham, Jr.t Robert Hillis. t John Long. t Samuel Neal .* Robert Robinson. t David Cunningham.
George Carey .* Garrett Dorland. Christian Rice .* David Clark .* William Kelley .* Conrad Hare .*
Thomas Pittinger.
Lazarus Lowry .* Francis Lowry .* Zaccheus Lash .* Frederick Shawn .*
Henry Grindel .*
Nathaniel Paxton.
Remember Stockwell .* Robert Ason. John Helman. John Myers .*
Jacob Klingaman. Henry Buffenmyer .* Michael Row .* David Cline .*
Jacob White, Jr .* John Shissler.
Richard Smalley .* Henry Lash. t Christopher Hefler. t John Smalley .* William Adams." Jacob White .* James Dickason. William Williams .* James Nelson .* William Spencer. t Nicholas Carr.
George Strouse. t John Close .* Jacob Onstott .* John Allison, Sr .* Peter Pittinger. John Thomas. t Edward McFadden. t John Maurer .* James Shinnebarger. Alexander Allison. Michael Row, Jr .* Daniel Pittinger .* Solomon McMillen. t James White. t Matthias Campf. Henry Worst. John White. t James Anderson.t John Lattimore. t Jobn Klinger .* Jobn A. Kelley .*
Henry Smalley .* William Morgan.t
Daniel Williams .*
ROWSBURG.
This town was laid out April 15, 1835, by Michael D. Row. The original proprietor of the village was then unmarried, and resided with his father, Michael Row, in the house about forty rods east of the town, now owned by Haynes Jones. At the time the plat was . recorded, there was not an inhabitant within the limits of what now forms the town. The first public
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sale of lots occurred in May, 1835. Jacob Carr pur- chased the first lot for thirty-four dollars-being the same now owned by Garrett Dorland, and used by him as his residence. The second lot was sold to David Dorland for twenty-one dollars-being the lot recently occupied by C. C. Coulter as a grocery store. Catharine Long purchased the lot now owned by Mrs. Winter, as a residence, for eighteen dollars.
The population of Rowsburg, in 1860, was two hundred. This is the only instance that it was taken distinct from the township. There are in the town, 1 physician, 2 dry goods stores, 1 tavern, 1 millinery shop, 2 shoe shops, 2 blacksmith shops, 2 wagon- makers shops, 2 tailor shops, 1 tannery, 1 stove and tin shop, 1 cabinet shop, 1 weaver shop, 1 harness shop, and 2 groceries.
CHURCHES IN PERRY TOWNSHIP.
MOUNT HOPE CHURCH, (PRESBYTERIAN.)
Some Presbyterian families settled in this region (then Wayne County, Ohio) shortly after the close of the war of 1812. For some time they were supplied with. occasional preaching by traveling ministers. About 1820 the church was organized, and was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Richland, which at that period embraced the territory now covered by the three Presbyteries of Richland, Wooster, Coshoc- ton, and part of Marion. It was known for several years as the Muddy Fork Church, so called from the branch of the Mohican of that name, near to which the house of worship stood. About 1831, by request of the congregation, its name was changed to that of
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Mount Hope. David Cunningham, Sr., his son-in- law, James Fulton, and William Hamilton were the first ruling elders. These all lived within the bounds of the church, until their death, which occurred about ten or twelve years since. In 1833, David Cunning- ham, Jr., and the late Hugh Bay were ordained as ruling elders. In 1837, the late John Livingston and Thomas Hayes were added to the session. A few years after, William Buchanan, now deceased, and Isaac Cahill, were called to the same office. The present incumbents are, Thomas G. Hayes, Isaac Cahill, Thomas Cunningham, son of David Cunningham, Sr., and one of the first elders, and J. M. Livingston, son of the late John Livingston.
The first pastor was the Rev. William Matthews, who, for several years, was pastor of the old Hopewell Church, near Ashland, Ohio. He was succeeded by the late Rev. Robert Lee, whose labors, for a short period, were divided between the Muddy Fork Church, as it was then called, and the old Hopewell Church. He again was succeeded, in 1829, by the Rev. Richard, now Rev. Dr. Brown, of Wellsville, Ohio. This church, together with those of Congress and Jeromeville, con- stituted his pastoral charge. He was released from his charge in the fall of 1832. The church remained without a pastor from that period until the 1st of January, 1834, when the Rev. Thomas Beer took charge of the congregation. His connection with the church was dissolved in the summer of 1857. The present pastor is the Rev. T. B. Van Emmon.
From 1834 till 1844 the congregation continued to increase in numbers, but shortly after began to de- cline, by immigration to the West, its present member- ship being a little above forty.
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The first house of worship was a small log build- ing, erected in 1826. In the fall of 1836 a new frame building was put up on the same site, which was destroyed by fire on the night of the 6th of March, 1841. The present house of worship was erected in the course of the subsequent summer.
The Rev. Doctor H. B. Cunningham, late editor of The Southern Presbyterian, Charleston, South Caro- lina, Rev. William S. Livingston, of East Liberty, Alleghany County, Pennsylvania, Rev. David Cun- ningham, of Bridgewater, Beaver County, Pennsyl- vania, Rev. A. A. Dinsmore, late of West. Theolog. Sem., Alleghany City, Pa., and the Rev. Robert Beer, of Beloit, Wisconsin, were all, in their youth, mem- bers of this church-three of them being sons of ruling elders, and the other one a son of a former pastor.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
There is one in the township-at Rowsburg. The society was organized in 1822, with twelve or fifteen members. Preaching was for more than thirty years held at the house of John Hellman. The present church building at Rowsburg was erected in 1854. Its dimensions are 38 by 50 feet, and will seat up- wards of four hundred persons. The circuit preacher, since 1860, is Rev. Mr. Warden. The Trustees are: Hugh Carr, Garrett Dorland, Henry Buck, David Dorland, Haynes Jones, Isaac McHose, and' Thomas Clodfelter-Stewards: David Dorland and William Patterson-Class-Leaders: Henry Buck and Isaac McHose. This year (1863) there are thirty-two members.
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ENGLISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
This church was organized in January, 1842, by Rev. W. J. Sloan and Rev. A. H. Myers, by the in- stallation of Jacob Onstott and Samuel Gruver, elders; and William Humes and Levi Snyder, deacons; who were unanimously elected by the congregation. The church edifice, which is 30 by 45 feet, was erected in 1842, at a cost of $1200.
The church has been served during this period by Rev. E. Eastman, Rev. W. A. G. Emerson, Rev. Rich- ard Emerson, Rev. Jacob G. Beckley, and W. J. Gil- braith, the present pastor. The present officers are- Elders: Solomon Hazel and David Weiber-Deacons: Emanuel Kaufman and James Patterson. The present membership amounts to eighty-nine.
EVANGELICAL (OR ALBRIGHT) ASSOCIATION.
There are two churches of this denomination in Perry Township-one in Lafayette (Immanuel's) and the other (Zion's) in Moore's neighborhood, near the west line of the township.
The officers of the church at Lafayette are, Henry Zimmerman, George Walkey, and Jacob Bauhl, trustees; and Jacob Bauhl, class-leader. The church building is 35 by 40 feet, and will seat four hundred and fifty persons. There are fifty-two members in 1863.
The officers of Zion's Church are, Jacob Moore, Daniel Moore, and George Moore, trustees; Adam Eichelbarger, class-leader. There are fifty-nine mem- bers in 1863.
Rev. Frederick Sprang and Robert Folger supplied the pulpits of the above churches for the years 1861 and 1862.
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UNITED BRETHREN.
There are three congregations of this denomination in Perry Township-one in Rowsburg, one in Lafay- ette, and one on the farm of David Swartz, near the south line of the township, known by the name of the United Brethren Bethel.
The Rev. Mr. Crubaugh and Rev. Mr. Dillon were the pastors for 1861 and 1862. Rev. Obadiah Jen- nings, of Perry Township, and Rev. Mr. Strock, of Jeromeville, are local preachers, occasionally supply- ing the pulpits of these churches.
The officers of the United Brethren Bethel Church are, Obadiah Jennings and Robert Nelson, trustees; Isaac Webster, class-leader; and Rev. Mr. Shock, steward. The building is 32 by 40 feet, and will seat three hundred people.
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REMINISCENCES OF THE PIONEERS OF PERRY TOWNSHIP.
JOHN ALLISON.
John Allison, an emigrant from Pennsylvania. He settled in Congress Township, Wayne County, in January, 1820. That township had been but recently organized. Under the laws then in force it required fifteen legal voters to accomplish an organization. There were about that number in the township at that time, being one family to 2} square miles.
Churches and School-houses.
There was not a church or school-house in the township. There was preaching occasionally at pri- vate houses by Presbyterian and Methodist clergymen. Wooster was the nearest town.
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Markets, Mills, etc.
There was no demand for produce except by newly arrived immigrants. To them wheat sold at 50 cents; oats about 12} cents; corn 25 cents; salt $12 and $15 per barrel. A small grist-mill on Killbuck Creek, constructed of beech poles, covered with split boards called clap-boards, was built previous to 1820 by John Naftsinger. The bolting was done chiefly by hand. In the dry part of the season, in the fall especially, & considerable portion of the corn used in families was reduced to meal by the tedious process of pulverizing on tin graters, and prepared for table use as the fancy and taste of the "gude wife" would dictate. I once went to Perry Township and purchased three bushels of wheat, packed it on horseback to a horse mill in Orange Township, built by Robert Crawford on the farm now owned by Albert Tilton. The mill being thronged, I succeeded, by staying over night, in hav- ing part of my grist ground. On the following morn- ing I packed my flour and grain on horses to Andrew Moore's, on Killbuck, where I boarded. Such were the difficulties encountered in getting grinding done at this period.
Ginseng, Wild Game, etc.
There was an abundance of ginseng-root in the forests. There were many who made it a business to gather it in the spring of the year. It was worth twenty-five cents per pound, and as it was one of the few productions of the country that commanded cash, large quantities were annually gathered. Michael Row, Sr., under the impression that the current rates . paid by merchants in the country were much below
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its intrinsic value, transported a load to Philadelphia, in a one-horse wagon, and found it a paying trip.
Deer, raccoon, and wild turkey were plenty. Do- mestic linen and woolen goods composed the principal material for male and female dresses. The men were often dressed in buckskin pantaloons. In such attire the early settlers and their families enjoyed as much true happiness and independence as "Cesar with a senate at his heels."
The last of the Indian Hunters.
The farm I assisted in improving was once the dwelling-place of part of a tribe of Indians, (said to be of the Senecas.) Their wigwams were numerous, built with small poles, front partly open, and covered with black ash or white elm bark, peeled from three to five feet long. Small troughs were made of the ash or elm bark to save or catch sugar water, as num- bers were to be seen about large sugar trees that had been notched a number of years previous, the notches being covered with a new formation of wood amount- ing in thickness to two or three inches. Many trin- kets or jewelry were found on cultivating the land. In the fall of 1822 there were nine Indian men and three squaws came in and encamped near the same ground for the purpose of hunting and trapping. They had about sixteen head of horses, and each man a rifle. They had a number of white visitors, each person carrying them some vegetables, such as turnips, cabbage, pumpkins, etc. Their cooks, for the sake of variety, boiled all their vegetables together in the same kettle. They remained in camp about nine days, and quitted the country with the good wishes 29
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