USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > A complete history of Fairfield County, Ohio > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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Evins, John.
Mufford, Job.
Ward, Catharine.
Ford, Robert.
Monson, Jesse.
Wayman, John.
Ford, Phineas.
Munson, Guston.
Warden, John.
Farmer, John.
Miller, O.
Ward, John.
Groner, Martin.
Mitchel, Sylvanus.
Walson, Cornelius.
Green, Daniel.
Moor, Frederick.
Ward, Daniel.
Green, Benjamin.
Monson, Jeremiah.
Ward, A.
Groner, John.
Nelson, Joel.
Wilcox, John.
Green, Thos.
Nash, Edward.
Wells, I.
Green, T.
Newman, Samuel.
Wright, Jonathan.
Groner, R.
Newman, Morris.
Waters, Benjamin.
Gavit, Wm.
Obaker, Jesse.
Winshall, Silas. .
Gavit, Josiah.
Orr, Geo.
Wright, Spencer.
Godard, N.
Obour, Wm.
Williamson, John.
Godard,-Moses.
Parr, Samuel.
Wilson, Archabald.
Gillman, Elias.
Parr, Richard.
Waters, Samuel.
Dayton, Giles.
Miller, Abraham,
Simpson, I.
Kiger, Anthony.
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
AMANDA TOWNSHIP.
Anderson, Thomas.
Chilcold, Mordecai. Lane, Jesse.
Allen, Lemuel.
Chilcold, John.
Lane, William.
Allen, Frederick.
Clark, Neal.
Lane, John.
Allen, S.
Cole, Joshnay.
Leathers, Frederick.
Allen, Whiting.
Cole, D.
Long, William.
Barr, John.
Eagle, Thomas.
Morris, James.
Barr, Andrew.
Eagle, William.
Metcalf, Vachael.
Barr, William.
Erington, Ebenezer.
McLane, Robert.
Barr, Thomas.
Earnman, Frederick.
Murry, William.
Barr, Samuel.
Frettle, Lewis.
Mackerel, Benjamin.
Brothers, Francis.
Gardner, Jacob.
Nigh, George.
Barnhart, Jacob.
Good, Peter.
Owens, John.
Brown, William.
Gossage, John.
Oram, Thomas. -
Jones, Benjamin.
Galagher, Thomas.
Pavey, Samuel.
Beal, James.
Huffer, Isaac.
Pilcher, Frederick.
Burnap, Abner. Bull, B.
Hardister, Joseph.
Russel, Thomas.
Booker, James.
Herron, Philip.
Bauer, Valentine.
Brown, T.
Howe, David.
Shadden, Jacob.
Brown, William.
Hooker, Richard.
Swope, David.
Brian, Mary.
Hayes, Mary.
Selby, George.
Brian, John.
Herrod, John.
Stevens, William.
Brian, William.
Hoover, John.
Searles, John.
Burhart, William.
Highlands, Joseph.
Selby, jr., Thomas.
Crist, John.
Ingonan, Luke.
Torance, John.
Caton, Benjamin.
Iles, Isaac.
Whiteman, Christian.
Collins, Timothy. Cole, Broad.
Kester, Jacob.
Williams, Thomas.
Clayton, John.
Kester, George.
Willets, Jesse.
Cain, Daniel.
Linebaugh, George.
Wollet, Philip.
Cole, Shadrick.
Long, James.
PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.
Albright, Adam.
Giger, Martin.
Neeley, William.
Arnold, Frederick.
Good, Jolın.
Pullen, Thomas.
Armstrong, Thomas.
Hill, George.
Pope, Abraham.
Burton, Jacob.
Hopman, Henry.
Perrin, John.
Bredenstone, Frederick. Hall, Daniel.
Bright, Nimrod. Bell, Isaiah.
Harmon, Frederick. Hammond, Samuel.
Pope, Frederick. Powel, Aaron. Pew, Jesse.
Bailey, James.
Hammell, Samuel.
Powlis, Jacob.
Barr, David.
Hite, Andrew.
Powel, Moses.
Barr, Joseph, jr.
Buchanan, Andrew.
Hite, Andrew, jr. Hite, Jacob.
Quinn, James.
Radibaugh, Nicholas.
Kester, David,
Williams, John.
Howe, James.
Rica, Abraham.
46
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Berry, Jacob.
Hoover, Christian.
Ross, Thomas.
Berry, Christian.
Houser, George, jr.
Roof, Peter. Redman, Martin.
Bibler, Jacob.
Houser, John.
Brown, Ludwick.
Hite, John.
Rowley, Jacob.
Brown, William.
Bibler, Barbary.
Barkhammer, John. Black, Luke.
Hite, John, jr.
Springer, William.
Rlack, John.
Ewing, John.
Sturgeon, Robert.
Beaver, William.
Ewing, Mathew.
Solter, Christian.
Beard, William.
Inks, John.
Siple, Frederick.
Beard, John.
Jones, William.
Smith, Jesse. Soliday, Adam.
Caldwell, William.
Kortman, Jacob.
Stevenson, Thomas.
Cornell, Benjamin.
Kratzer, Samuel.
Smith, Christian.
Comer, Samuel.
Kortman, jr., Jacob.
Smith, Daniel.
Cagy, Christian.
Laffady,
Shepler, John. Sheats, Mathias.
Crawford, William.
Lamb, Jacob.
Catures, Nicholas.
Laffady, Samuel.
Shisler, John.
Cofman, Martin.
Laffady, Thomas. Lee, Soloman.
Sterm, Michael.
Culp, Henry.
Lindsey, William.
Tool, M. Twig, Francis.
Chaffan, Robert.
Lantz, Martin.
Trimble, John.
Dild, Jacob.
Lamb, George.
Trimble, William.
Duncan, James. Dumna, John.
Martin, William.
Teal, Arthur.
Dumna, Martin.
McCune, Adam. Miller, Christian.
Teal, Samuel.
Durbin, Samuel.
McDaniel, William.
Teal, Nathaniel. Teal, Walter.
Erwin, William.
Myres, Abraham.
Ernest, George.
Maclin, Tenalt.
Thompson, William.
Fink, John.
Musselman, Jacob.
Torence, Robert.
Fetters, Peter.
Maclin, Peter.
Walters, Gasper.
Feemen, Benjamin.
Matear, Robert.
Walters, Jacob.
Feemen, John.
Manley, John.
Weger, John.
Fetters, Conrad.
Mills, Samuel.
Wagner, Andrew.
Farmer, William.
Miller, Abraham.
Wagner, Benjamin.
Flake, John.
. Murphy, Asa. Murphy, Benjamin. Miller, John. Miller, Jacob.
Wiseman, Samuel.
Graham, A.
Watson, Thomas.
Giger, Adam.
York, William.
Giger, David.
Murphy, William. McNoughton, John. Nowlin, Barnaby.
Ulster, Widow.
Gardner, William.
Hampson, John. Hill, George. Hendrix, James.
Rogers, James. Seigler, John. Staltzer, Jacob, jr.
Baker, David.
Kemerer, Philip.
Clove Robert.
Linch, Henry.
Teal, Edward.
Teal, Edward, jr.
Durbin, Thomas.
Wiekle, Jacob.
Warner, Thomas.
Frazer, Alexander. Fox, Jacob.
47
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
Archer, George.
Evins, Wm.
Murphy, Jacob.
Bowers, A.
Finley, Alexander.
Panebaker, Jacob.
Bowers, Abner, jr.
Fognier, Wm.
Pitney, James.
Blakeny, Frances.
Gass, Wm.
Priker, Peter.
Beers, Jacob.
Hardisty, Francis.
Patterson, Thomas.
Bryon, James. Boyd, T.
Herrod, James.
Rebe, Nicholas.
Banks, Peter.
Henderson, James.
Richardson, Edward.
Brown, Silas.
Harrod, John.
Severe, Jesse.
Brown, Aron.
Harrod, Levi.
Shimplin, John.
Buttler, Benjamin.
Hall, Richard.
Simpkins, John.
Babbit, Calvin.
Harris, Enoch.
Stotts, Joseph.
Brice, John.
Henthorn, John.
Stockwell, Michael.
Buttler, Isaac.
Johnson, David.
Spurgeon, Nathaniel.
Brown, Benjamin.
Johnson, Abraham.
Shrimplin, Samuel.
Brown, David.
Johnson, John.
Simpkins, S.
Brown, Ebenezer.
Kratzer, Samuel.
Schruchfield, Wm. St. Clair, John.
Craig, Andrew.
Kite, Peter.
Spurgeon, George.
Cook, John.
Knight, Wm.
Talmage, Joseph.
Cook, Jacob.
Kite, Nicolas.
Thomas, Samuel.
Craig, James.
Lyon, Abraham.
Thompson, Edward.
Converse, James.
Leonard, Benjamin.
Walker, Alexander.
Calvin, James.
Lash, John.
Watson, A.
Conrad, Joseph.
Lewis, John.
Walker, Abraham.
Conrad, Nathan.
Lashley, Jacob.
Walker, James.
Dunlap, James.
Lashley, Peter.
Walker, Joseph.
Dooty, Peter.
Leonard, Wm.
Woods, John.
Dunlap, Samuel.
Leonard, Zeba.
Walker, Philip.
Darling, Wm.
Marens, John.
Wilson, Samuel.
Duglass, Wmn.
Morrison, John.
Williamson, John.
Dirt, George.
McGowen, Chas.
Walker, James.
Ertmell, Thomas.
McBride, Chas.
Walker, Joseph.
THORN TOWNSHIP.
Acherson, Edward.
Harris, John.
Neff, Henry.
Bartholomew, John.
Hall, Uriah.
Neel, Jamcs.
Barnes, Joseph.
Humberger, Henry.
Orr, Robe t.
Brooks, David. Baker, David. ×
Heller, David.
Ogg, George.
. Parr, John. Ream, Wm.
Black, James. Bean, Paul. Bearshore, John.
Humberger, John. Humberger, Peter. Henderson, James. Hooper, Jacob.
Ramsey, John.
Redingur, Mathias.
Binkley, John.
Huber, Daniel.
Ripple, Mathias.
Brown, Luther.
Kerr, John.
Roberts, Henry.
Haines, Henry.
48
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Bowman, Henry.
Huffman, George.
Ream, Jacob.
Berry, John.
Hoover, Christ.
Reddinger, Ludwig.
Chalfant, Mordecai.
Johnson, John.
Reason, John.
Cooper, Joseph.
Johnson, Wm.
Stockberger, S.
Cooper, Jacob.
James, John.
Strawn, Joel.
Claypole, Wm.
King, John.
Dickeson, John.
Livingston, Peter.
Dean, M.
Meek, Clelland.
Starkee, Peter.
Emrick, Leonard.
McMullen, Mr.
Skiner, Wm.
Fisher, John, jr.
Myres, Frederick.
Smith, Andrew.
Fisher, John.
McInturft, Frederick.
Sane, Peter. Taylor, Wm.
Fickle, Joseph.
Mager, George.
Thorn, Michael.
Good, John.
Myres, Adam.
Thompson, John.
Graham, Widow.
Myres, John.
Valentine, George.
Howard, Chas.
McMullen, John.
Weadman, George.
Harris, Wm.
Mervin, James.
Wiseman, Jacob.
Harris, Edward.
McOwen, Thomas.
Weadman, John.
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
Anspach, B.
Hamerly, Andrew.
Miller, George.
Anderson, Simon.
Harper, Wm.
Maricol, John.
Anspach, John.
Howell, Jacob.
McGinnis, Wm.
Anderson, Ephraim.
Head, John.
Neely, David.
Ashbaugh, Andrew.
Hedleback, George.
Nelson, George.
Alexander, Wm.
Heek, Frederick.
Owens, Archibald.
Bolen, Wm.
Howseker, Jacob.
Overmire, Peter.
Black, Peter.
Henry, George.
Owing, P.
Blosser, George.
Holt, Wm.
Orendor's, Henry.
Bond, John.
Harding, Ignatius.
Pew, David.
Brinkley, Adam.
Hiles, John.
Patten, John.
Brinkley, Jacob.
Harford, Caspar.
Polen, Richard.
Basehore, Frederick.
Ijams, Wm.
Polen, Martin.
Brinkley, Henry.
Ijams, Isaac.
Ruffner, Emanuel.
Bowman, George.
Ijams, Thomas P.
Rowland, James.
Beakle, John.
Ijams, Wm, jr.
Rolle, Jesse.
Bearge, Isaac.
Jervis, James.
Robertson, Wm.
Bearley, Nicholas.
Brinkley, Henry.
Johnson, Asa.
Bright, George. Beery, Abraham.
Kerr, John. Kiger, John.
Rees, Jacob. Ray, Samuel. Shaver, T. Spohn, Philip.
Beery, Henry.
Kemper, Daniel.
Stiffie, Stephen.
Custard, Joseph. Kemper, Isaac.
Swagg, David.
Cooper, Robert.
Kindle, John.
Senfit, Jacob.
Carpenter, Samuel.
King, Christian.
Senfit, Philip.
Stotts, Jacob. Starret, Wm.
Furguson, Joseph.
Myres, Andrew.
Johnson, Benjamin.
49
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Conaway, Jeremiah.
Kenshaw, Wm.
Sain, Philip.
Clayton, Wm.
Lakesley, Wm.
Sunderland, John.
Chilcote, James.
Leonard, Jacob.
Sain, David.
Cool, Joseph.
Lintch, Philip.
Stephenson, Jesse.
Cook, John.
Laremore, Ebenezer.
Sellers, Henry.
Comer, Philip.
Laremore, Isaac.
Sherrick, Andrew.
Davis, Thomas.
Laremore, Robert.
Stemer, Henry.
Duvall, M. H.
Leath, John.
Shield, Edward.
Drum, John.
Love, John.
Stembrink, Henry.
Drum, Peter.
Laremore, James.
Turner, Benjamin.
Deubler, Peter.
Murphy, Edward.
Turner, Joseph.
Deubler, Leonard.
Murphy, John.
Turner, Wm, sr.
Driver, Josiah.
McCormick, Thomas.
Turner, Wm, jr.
Downey, James.
McCormick, Hugh.
Turner, James.
Fay, Jacob.
'McCormick, John.
Thompson, Wm
Freisner, Frederick.
McCormick, James.
Wiseman, Wm.
Glosser, George.
McCormick, Wm.
Whitmer, Peter.
Godfrey, John.
Miller, John.
Wilson, Wm.
Goofis, John.
McClung, Chas.
Wilds, Sarah.
Hattle, George.
Miller, Peter.
Winegardner, Adam.
Hardy, David.
Musser, Theobald.
Wills, John.
Householder, Adam.
Miller, Joseph.
Wills, Wm.
Huddle, Henry.
Moins, John.
Young, Edward.
There were, therefore, within the bounds of Fairfield county, in the year 1806, one thousand five hundred and fifty-one tax- payers. To make the reasonable assumption that there were five additional persons to every tax-payer at that time within the county, it would have given a population of a little over nine thousand. When it is remembered that the first white family built their cabin on the Hocking in the spring of 1798, this rapid increase of population within about seven years is wonderful, regarding the wilderness state of the country, and its remoteness from sources of supply. It is, however, to be borne in mind, that the area of the county was at that time more than three times what it is at present.
It is a melancholy reflection forced upon the mind, that of that 1,551 tax-payers of 1806, not one is alive to-day. They were the pioneers of the county. It was them that broke the wilderness and drove away the wild beasts and savage men, and opened the way for the prosperity, and plenty, and luxury, and ease of to-day. It was them that endured hard- 4
50
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
ships, and toils, and privations, and the sickness of a new and uncultivated country. Their descendants know nothing of how they lived, and how they did, nor can a written work con- vey any just conception of it all. These men and women have passed away and are forgotten-nearly forgotten-the largest mumber of them are totally forgotten ; a few only are remem- bered-those of them who did prominent deeds. And when another generation comes up to displace the present, the pioneer fathers, and all they did, will have been lost to the world forever. History tells us the numbers that went into the field in the revolution one hundred years ago, but that is all; we do not know who they were, or how they appeared. The most prominent officers are all we have any conception of-all have turned to dust.
But the immediate descendants of the pioneer fathers of Fairfield County, many of them, are with us, and many who came at an early day, but after the settlements had made con siderable progress. From them we glean much that pertains to the early history of the county. The times of the log-cabin era of the Hocking Valley have not faded from their memories, but the realization is lost.
But recurring again to the tax-payers of 1806. They have gone from the scenes of earth forever-all they did, what they endured, how they loved, and joyed, and sorrowed, is all noth- ing now. Their voices have all been hushed into eternal silence, so far as earth is concerned ; their faces have faded from memory ; the waves have closed over them forever more. They were a noble, enduring race of men and women ; their names and deeds ought to be carried down to posterity, far into the coming ages. Their names have mostly faded out; , only a few of them are to be seen chiseled in the cold marble or sand-stone that marks their last resting-places. Would- that their virtues and patriotism were written in imperish- able script on every threshold and on every wall, the pioneers of Fairfield County.
To one familiar with the present population of the county, traces of many of the pioneer families are recognized in all the townships and original settlements, by the names and families of their descendants, but the largest number of the families of the tax-payers are extinct in the county. Most of the names are entirely lost ; moving away, intermarriage, and death,
51
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
accounts for this. Many of the oldest inhabitants at present residing in the county came early, but subsequent to 1806. In personal notes, elsewhere, will be found notices of such prominent early settlers, both before and after 1806, as facilities have enabled me to secure. These older citizens still cherish the memory of the log-cabin age of the county. The house- raising, the log-rolling, the corn-husking, the quilting, the country wedding, country dance; "Sister Phebe;" " Marching to Quebec;" "Thus the farmer sows his seed;" " As oats, peas, beans and barley grows ;" " Kilimacranky ;" and other plays then so universal. The hominy block, lie hominy, the Johnny cake, hoe cake, corn dodger, the tinkling cow bell, sound of the woodman's ax, the dinner horn, drumming pheasant, and the thousand things peculiar to frontier life sixty years ago and more; all have passed away forever, but the recollection of them is precious to the aged yet living-hal- lowed, priceless. The writer has passed through all the phases of frontier life in another part of the State. There is nothing so dear to the aged as the remembrances of the past, the long ago, of life's first young dreams, its loves, and joys, and dear associations. It is a thrilling comfort to the aged Christian man or woman, when recollection falls back to the humble cabin with its slab benches, rude corner cupboard, and wide fire-place, and dwells upon the sincere, simple and true worship of other days, days that were before the carking cares of the world, and the follies and absurdities of fashionable life were brought in to ornament the simplicity of the religion of the great founder of the church. Reader, did you ever let your thoughts go back to your young days, where, unbidden, the scenes of the past, with all that was precious to memory, came grouping around you ? Is there anything this world can afford that you would be willing to exchange for that hour of elysium, that bliss that is all your own, and that cannot be taken from you, nor marred by enemies? These good old days are all gone, never to return, and the old mourn unavailingly their depart- ure. There is really nothing now that was sixty years ago, or nothing as it was then; grey heads and bent forms remain, and tender emotions come up, but the loves and endearments of other years have drifted back into the dim vista of the past.
Regarding the pioneers of Fairfield County during the first fifteen or twenty years of the present century, with all they
52
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
were and what they did, they appear to the contemplative mind as a wave of humanity that laved the shores of time for a brief season, only to ebb away into the vast ocean of what, to mortals in this mundane sphere of existence, seems oblivion. They were here and did the work of their day, but they are gone, and that is all we can say. No visible work of their hands stands out in relief. And what has their lives and deeds availed? Much ; but the present age fails in due appre- ciation. To the busy throng of to-day, in their irrational race for riches and fame and enjoyment, the former age is obliv- ious. We rush almost frantically, at best heedlessly, over their sleeping dust to grasp the baubles that even our own ex- periences tell us will dissolve in our grasp. And for what? A few more brief decades of years, and we will be as the pioneers are now-gone-forgotten. We do not even pause an hour to remember, and possibly appreciate how much we owe to that noble and sturdy race. By their hands the forests and jungle have been cleared away, by which the pestilential fogs and fens have been disarmed of mischief, mostly. They did the hard work and gave us a clear soil to till. Can we say we are carrying forward their virtues, their practical common sense, their good manners, humanity and worship ? Have we inherited their patriotism ? We have grown wiser, possi- bly, and gained wealth, material wealth. Have we grown in goodness ?
FIRST COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.
The first judicial records for Fairfield County were entered in a small blank book of 231 pages. The paper is very coarse, of a dull white color, and unruled. From it I am able to make some highly interesting extracts. The first dates are in 1803. The manner of keeping the records would appear strange enough at this day. Though one year after the State was ad- mitted into the Union, the word Ohio occurs but seldom in the volume. The records are strangely deficient in another respect, which is, that with the exception of the names of judges, jurors, and parties to suits, no others appear, save that of Hugh Boyl, who was appointed Clerk of the first Court. One fails, in passing quite through the book, to learn the name of a Sheriff, or any other officer of the Court. Another pecu- liarity is, that in giving the verdicts of juries-it is simply
53
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
written that the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plain- tiff, or defendant, as the case might be, but with few excep- tions the amount of damages is not stated. The record in this quaint old book runs over a period of six years, viz. : from 1803 to 1809; but there are no dates given to any of the entries, other than that they were a part of the proceedings of the May term, the March term, or the June term, etc. And again, at the opening of each term it is a part of the record, that "The following jury was elected and sworn in." Sometimes it is said the jury was impanneled ; at others, that the jury ap- peared ; and at the July term of 1806 it reads : "Came a Grand Jury." Indictments are given, with name of accused, and crime, a few interesting examples of which will appear.
The style of the book of records before me is :
"Minutes of the proceedings of the Court of Common Pleas for Fairfield County, beginning at May term, 1803."
At this first term of the Court of Common Pleas for Fair- field County, which commenced on the second Tuesday of May, 1803, the record stands : "Before Wyllys Sillman, Esquire, President, and his associates." The following are the names of the Grand Jurors who were sworn in at that term : David Resse, foreman ; Joseph Hunter, Henry Mesner, Jacob Lamb, John McMean, Thomas Cisna, Frederick Leather, Thomas McCall, Joseph Work, James Black, John Shepler, John Mills and David Shellenberger. "And after being duly sworn, re- tired to their room, and after some time returned into Court, and having made no presentments, nor found any bills of in- dictment, were discharged."
Immediately succeeding is the following, which seems to have been the first action of the Court in a business way :
" A petition, or recommendation for a tavern-license for Peter Biver was read to the Court. Ordered, that license be granted to the said Peter Biver for one year from this term." Follow- ing this were orders to grant license for one year from "this term" to James Black, of Newark (Newark was then within Fairfield County), and Samuel Hammil, to keep tavern, "and then the Court adjourned till to-morrow morning. "
" Wednesday morning, May 11th, the Court met pursuant to adjournment."
"The Court proceeded to the appointment of a clerk pro tem., when Hugh Boyl was duly appointed. "
54
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
A license was then granted to William Trimble to keep a public house on the road leading from Lancaster " towards the Muskingum river" (on Zane's trace). And then
" A petition for a road from Hunter's saw-mill was read, April term, and ordered to lay over to May term." The quo- tation is literal.
The Court then proceeded to the trial of a number of civil cases, the first of which was styled, William Austin vs. James Philips ; 2nd, William Peek vs. Nathan Kennedy; 3d, Moses Reese vs. Thomas Laplana; 4th, Amassa Delano vs. Jeremiah Conway.
The first term of the Common Pleas for 1804 commenced on the fourth day of January, and seems to have been held by the three Associate Judges, as no mention of a presiding Judge ap- pears in the record. The Associate Judges were: Samuel Cal- penter, Daniel Vanmeter and William Irwin. At this term a Grand Jury was sworn, but it does not appear that they did any work. The associates proceeded to try and determine several civil cases, of which Charles Friend vs. Elijah Ander- son was the first, and James Crane vs. John Elder was the second. At this term John Cullerton, Methodist Minister, was authorized to solomnize marriages. Some cases of a civil nature seem to have been tried before a jury of nine; at least only nine names are recorded. In others, twelve are entered. Several cases were, by consent of the parties, referred to three arbitrators. The first was George Thompson vs. George W. Shelby, referred to Elanathan Schofield, Joseph Hunter and John Irwin.
The number of civil cases tried in a single term of the Com- mon Pleas at this early day, is surprising. At the January term of 1804 alone, there were on thedocket no less than forty- three cases.
At the opening of the April term of 1805, Robert F. Slaugh- ter appears first on the bench. He is styled the "President." His associates at that term were William Irvin and Robert Cloud. Here a Grand Jury of twelve were discharged from further attendance on the ground of not having been legally summoned. The first case tried was Levi Merrit vs. Jacob Resler ; the fifth was Thomas Hart vs. Alex. Sanderson. Dur- ing this judicial year there were docketed 136 civil suits on forty pages of the small book of records. No names of counsel
5
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
appear, and the awards of juries or amount of damages are named but in a few instances.
The March term of 1806, Robert F. Slaughter, President, and Henry Abrams and Jacob Burton associates, opens its proceed- ings with the hearing of several criminal cases. We quote from the docket literally, thus: "State of Ohio vs. William Long ;" "same vs. Samuel Chaney ;" "same vs. Reason Reckets;" "same vs. same;" "same vs. same;" "State of Ohio vs. James Lam- bert." In no instance is the nature of the offense or crime specified. Wm. Long was fined one dollar and costs; Samuel Chaney was acquitted ; Reason Rickets was fined in one case three dollars and costs; in the two others he was acquitted.
At the March term of 1807, Hon. Leven Belt was presiding Judge, and the Grand Jurors were Elenathan Schofield, Abra- ham Miller, John Johnson, John Carpenter, James Love, John Shepler, Thomas Ijams, Abraham Heistand, Elijah Spurgeon, Abraham Courtright, John Brinkley, Peter Fetter and Jacob Shellenbarger. At this term the.Grand Jury indicted Susan Pealt for larceny, and were discharged. George Renie sued Emanuel Carpenter in attachment. The record says: "the defendant being called three times and defaulted." Further on is a case, "State of Ohio vs. Daniel Reese, John Elder, John Edgar, James Taylor, Joseph Barr, George Reese, Ben- jamin Feemen and John Baker." The offense was for non- attendance as Petit Jurors, and the entry has it; "David Reese and John Elder, under attachment, thereby appeared and is discharged."
At the June term the Grand Jury were, Timothy Sturgeon, Joseph Work, Andrew Barr, Edward Murphy, I. Maclin, Samp- son Ream, Christian King, Thomas Ijams, John Beery, Elijah Spurgeon, Johnathan Simpson, Jno. Stalter and Daniel Thomp- son. This jury presented several indictments, viz. : "One against George Livingston and Jacob Leather for assault against each other; one against John Tent and John Fogle- song for assault on each other ; one against Abraham Johnson for keeping a public house and retailing spirituous liquors; one against Samuel Taylor and Samuel Pot for assault on each other ; one against John Spencer for assault on Oliver Stoker ; one against Joseph Cunningham for assault on Oliver Stoker ; one against Morris A. Newman for disorderly conduct in his own house."
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