USA > Ohio > Knox County > A history of Knox county, Ohio, from 1779 to 1862 inclusive > Part 14
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The result of this caucus-or military dietation- the first of the kind ever known in this county, was the nomination of Waitstill Hastings and Jon- athan Miller.
Nominating caucuses were also held in Richland and in Licking counties this year. The contest waxed very warm; circulars and handbills were much circulated, and all manner of electioncering was resorted to atthis election. The result, however, was that out of 485 votes for Governor cast in the whole county, Thomas Worthington received 421 majority. Peter Hitchcock had 463 majority for Congress ; and the county gave small majorities for Martin for Senator and Miller for Representative.
Samuel Mott received 1 vote in Clinton, 3 in Morris, 8 in Miller, and none in Chester, Wayne, Jackson, Union and Morgan. Connected with this election is the following anecdote, which is alto- gether too good to be lost: Gideon Mott, the brother of Sam, who was a very plain man, yet full of wit,
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was responsible for it. He said that he dropped in to see Mrs. Mott on the night of the election, and while there Samuel got home from Richland coun- ty, where he had been electioneering, and asked how the election had gone in Clinton, and when he replied "He got one vote," Mrs. M. exclaimed- " That's always the way it is-if you had only been at home, Samuel, and voted, you would have got two !"
Josiah L. Hill, of Green township, offers himself as a candidate for Representative of Richland coun- ty in the following pithy address :
"The usual theme of candidates, in my standing, are many loud swelling words full of legislative wisdom, or rather of their own egotism, and to harangue every neighbor in their way with the prospect of a State road or a turnpike, by measures of which one- half of our citizens will become wealthy inn-keepers, and the other half their happy customers, with their pockets flushed with money drawn from a new country bank to be erected on a new fangled system, and thus all are to be ritch and happy. But such language as this hath never fallen from my lips since the days of my youth, when under the passions of love and addressed to females of my age, and I shall not again resume this theme until I become a widower; but while I speak for myself to men of understanding and discern- ment, and not to women, I have only to say that I stand a free will offering at the alter of your good pleasures. Should I succeed in my election I shall feel it incumbent on me to use my feeble endeavors, by lawful incense, to gratify my con- stituents, and this is all the flattery I have to make use of. My abilities are too small to boast of, which, with my character, are now for you to enquire into.
So I remain the public's devoted servant,
JOSIAH L. HILL. Green Township, Sept. 15th, 1816."
Whereupon Thomas Coulter withdraws his name from the list.
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At the election, this year, 470 votes were cast in Richland county-of which Worthington had a majority of 353, Hitchcock 433; and for Senator Mordecai Bartley received 339, Wm. Gavitt 77, Joseph Brown 23, Samuel Mott 10, Benjamin Mar- tin 6, Waitstill Hastings 6. And Samuel Williams was elected Representative.
Benjamin Martin, for Senator, puts forth the fol- lowing address :
" To the electors of the district composed of the counties of Licking, Knox and Richland :
GENTLEMEN-As I am offering myself as a candidate to repre- sent the inhabitants of the above district in the State Senate, I think it my duty to lay before the public a copy of official papers, which I hope you will read, and thereby satisfy your minds in regard to my political character. The first of my certificates of the oath of allegiance.
I do hereby certify that Benjamin Martin, of Bedford county, hath voluntarily taken and subscribed the oath of Allegiance and Fidelity, as directed by an Act of General Assembly of Pennsyl- vania, passed the 13th day of June, 1777. Witness my hand and seal the 10th day of October, A. D., 1783.
JAMES MARTIN.
Bedford county, State of Pennsylvania, ss.
We, the subscribers, Justices of the Peace, &c., in and for the county of Bedford, do hereby certify to all who it may concern, that we have been acquainted with the bearer hereof, Benjamin Martin, son of James Martin, Esq., of the county aforesaid, for these several years past, and that we have not heard of anything to operate against his character as an honest young man; but on the contrary, that he has behaved himself as a good WHIG and a friend to his country. And he being desirous to go from here to the lower parts of this State to transaet some business and see his relations; therefore, all persons are requested to permit the said
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Benjamin Martin to pass and repass, he behaving himself as a good and faithful citizen ought to do.
Given under our hands and seal, the 20th of April, in the year , of our Lord 1784.
[L.S.]
BARNARD DOUGHERTY, DAVID ESPY.
SIRS-Having always in view, as my polar star, the principles contained in the above oath and certificate, I have with a steady mind, either as a private citizen or as a public servant, pursued that kind of policy which would best promote the interests of our country, as the principles of general suffrage; for I always have and ever shall be of opinion, that when a man has enrolled him- self in our militia muster-rolls, and has paid State and county tax, that in consequence thereof, he is, and ought to be entitled to all the privileges and advantages of the government ; and any policy or law, which, in its operation, would tend to lessen those privi- leges would be an invasion on the natural and inherent rights of man. Those, gentlemen, are the principles which I ventured my life to establish, and the remaining part of my days shall go to maintain.
Written by the public's humble servant and real friend,
BENJAMIN MARTIN."
The difficulty of collecting debts, in part at this time, may be judged of by the following unique notice of sheriff Shaw :
" PUBLIC NOTICE .- My friends and the public are hereby in- formed, that should they have large sums of money to collect, not to bring suit in the Court of Common Pleas, in expectation of thereby obtaining their just demands in a reasonable time, I have been induced to publish this friendly caution that the public may not censure me for neglect in my official capacity. In order to show where the fault lies read the following plain statement :
" I have been assiduously endeavoring to collect the amount of an execution ever since I have been sheriff of this county, and have as yet received no money. The associate judges grant bills of in- junction successively, after I have had the property ready for sale, which has procrastinated the collection of the money. There have been two on the aforesaid execution ; the judgment was rendered
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at December term, 1815, for ERKURIUS BEATTY. Therefore, if the laws of this State will keep a man out of his money three years after judgment is rendered, I would seriously advise my friends not to bring suit for debts due them, but rather remove to some other State or country where they may obtain justice.
JOHN SHAW, Sheriff of Knox Co. September 4, 1816."
The fall term of Court of Common Pleas came on December 24, 1816.
" Grand Jury .- Isaac Vore, sr., foreman, Abednego Stephens, Thomas Townsend, Zebulon Ashley, David Jackson, Robert Work, Wm. Lepley, Wm. Kittle, John L. Lewis, Samuel Durbin, Robert McMillan, Anthony Banning, Francis Wilkins, Francis Blakeley and Thomas Fletcher.
" They found six bills of indictments. Tavern license was granted to Anson Brown and Jonathan Hunt. Store license to John Williams, James Rigby, James Miller, John Shrimplin, Bryant & Burr, Eli & Jonathan Miller, and Anthony Banning. Shadrach Ruark, of the Methodist church, was licensed to marry, and James Craig was fined $15 and costs for assault and battery.
" A HINT-Promises, without performances, are like clouds with- out rain .- The subscriber finds it indispensably necessary (these hard times) to call upon those of his friends who are indebted, lest they should forget him. He feels very sorry that a few broken promises should interdict all social intercourse : therefore, he earn- estly solicits them to come forward and enable him, like an honest man, to meet those who have reposed confidence in him.
" J. BROWN.
"N. B. I have a quantity of whisky for sale, either by the barrel or gallon, at my tavern in Mount Vernon. J. B.
" MOUNT VERNON, June 12, 1816.
" J. Brown's tavern, called the ' Ohio Hotel.'"
" Mr. John Mecabee gives notice that he has commenced tavern keeping in Clinton, at the well known stand of the " Rising Sun," formerly occupied by Mr. E. Ogle. That the house is large and commodious for the reception of ladies, gentlemen, and travelers. June 19."
The 4th of July was celebrated in becoming style
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at several points in the County, as will be seen from the following notices :
"At a meeting of a number of the inhabitants of Knox county, held at the house of William Mitchell, Esq., June 12th, to make arrangements for the Fourth of July, William Mitchell, Esq., was appointed Chairman, and Doctor G. B. Maxfield, Secretary. The following resolutions were unanimously adopted :
"Ist. Resolved, That a committee be appointed to conduct the business of the day. Accordingly the following gentlemen were chosen, viz: Wm. Mitchell, G. B. Maxfield, Job Allen, N. M. Young, John Garrison and John Lewis.
" 2d. That the day be kept as a day of Thanksgiving, and all ministers of the Gospel living within a reasonable distance be in- vited to attend, and that they meet at the house of Captain Job Allen, about three-quarters of a mile south of Fredericktown, at 9 o'clock A.M.
" 3d. That an invitation be given to all that wish to unite with us. The business of the day to commence at 9 o'clock A. M.
" 4th. That the following named gentlemen be a committee to superintend the singing, which is to be part of the performance of the day : Benjamin Jackson, Sen., Jacob Young, John Mefford and Benjamin Jackson, Jun. All those who are completely acquainted with all or either of the parts of vocal music are requested to make it known sometime previous to forming for the march, as it is in- tended to practice certain tunes.
"WM. MITCHELL, Chairman. "G. B. MAXFIELD, Secretary."
In the issue of July 10, 1816, we have a notice of the proceedings celebrating the Fourth, in pur- suance of the arrangements made at the meeting before noticed:
" Agreeably to previous arrangements to celebrate the 41st anni- versary of American Independence, a respectable company of be- tween three and four hundred persons met at the house of Captain Job Allen, and having formed a procession, they moved in regular order to the place appointed for public worship. A very suitable and impressive discourse was delivered by the Rev. Henry George,
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from Gallatians v: 13; and, after a short intermission, the atten- tion of the audience was again called by the Rev. James Smith, who delivered an excellent and comprehensive discourse from Luke xx : 25. The singers took their seats by themselves, and the greatest decorum was observed throughout the day. The de- vout exercises being ended, a highly gratified audience dispersed in harmony, nothing having occurred to mar the pleasures which a decent commemoration of the birth day of our National Independ- ence is calculated to produce."
The paper of July 21st contains a communica- tion giving an account of a celebration "by a very respectable number of citizens in Wayne township, at the dwelling house of Mr. William Drake. The day was ushered in by the discharge of musketry from a volunteer company commanded by Captain Israel R. Dalrymple. The Declaration of Inde- pendence was read by Mr. Jabez Beers, and a pat- riotic and very animated oration delivered by Mr. Truman Strong." Some of the toasts are rather spicy. Witness the following:
" Each Monarch of the Earth-The Island of St. Helena their dominion, and Bonaparte their landlord."
" The factious Americans, or English devotees-Dartmoor prison their cradle, and Captain Shortland their nurse."
" George Cabot, President of the Hartford Convention-May the warm sun of Republicanism melt the tory frost from off his head and heart; and may he cast off his pernicious principles as the reptile doth its skin."
" John Bull-Twice has he attempted to destroy the liberties of America, and twice has he witnessed the futility of his attacks on the sons of freedom's soil."
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CHAPTER XVII.
KNOX COUNTY IN 1817.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES. - THEATRICALS. - MISSIONA- RIES TO BE SENT TO CONNECTICUT .- SMALL-POX EXCITEMENT. - TRIALS OF INTEREST. - PATRIOTIC OUTGUSHINGS OF POPULAR FEELING. - COM- BINATION OF MECHANICS. - BILL OF PRICES. - FIRST DELEGATE TO THE STATE INSTITUTION .- ANOTHER TOWN .- MORE WHISKY AND MORE MAR- RIAGES.
THIS year was introduced by a grand Theatrical exhibition by the young gentlemen of Mount Ver- non. Of the performances, the following were a part : 1. An Address to the audience ; 2. The Conjurer-A Dialogue ; 3. The Dispute between a Merchant and his Wife; 4. Clownishness and Awkwardness, in 2 Acts ; 5. The Lap-Dog-A Dialogue of two Ladies; G. Douglass, or the Noble Shepherd-A Tragedy ; 7. The Knight's Dream; S. Cowardice and Knavery ; 9. A Dia- logue between a Schoolmaster and School Commit- tee, &c. For several years the young gentlemen continued their theatrical exhibitions, and often acquitted themselves handsomely.
The following "furwan" we copy verbatim from the Register of January 29th, 1817 :
" TAKE NOTICE-That eye have left my wife Iselbelah irelands bead and board and eye know furnwan eny person or persons creeaditing hir on my account as eye shall not be acountable for eny of her deats or contracts from this date likewse eye furwan
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eny person or persns from purchasing eny property whatever til her former deats is all paid up JOHN IRELAND."
The following entry upon the Court minutes, shows that the people were minus a term of Com- mon Pleas. The reason, we learn from the oldest inhabitant, was "high water" -- one of the "biggest" spring floods ever known by the old settlers :
" The Court of Com. Pleas was opened at Mount Vernon the 24th March, 1817. The Sheriff appeared and called the Court, who failing to appear, the Sheriff adjourned the Court until to- morrow morning, 9 o'clock. The Sheriff appeared and opened Court agreeable to adjournment, and called the Court, and Judges Young and Trimble, and no other Judge ; whereupon, by order of the Judges, ordered the Sheriff adjourn the Court until to-morrow morning. JACOB YOUNG.
" 9 o'clock, according to adjournment, the Hon. Jacob Young and John Trimble, Esq., Associate Judges, appeared. There not being a quorum, the Court being opened, the said Judges ordered the Court adjourned until Court in course. JACOB YOUNG."
This month a Yankee peddler, named Giddings, passed through the county bound for Columbus, who sold to several of the merchants wooden nut- megs, having a few genuine ones for them "to sample."
The old settlers of the county became charitably inclined, and determined to send Missionaries to convert " the everlasting heathen of Connecticut." Accordingly they formed a society for this purpose, and published on the 9th of April the following notice :
" OHIO MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
We are authorized to state, that a Society has been formed in this State for the purpose of propagating the Gospel among the
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everlasting Heathen of Connecticut and the parts adjacent. The first meeting of the Society will be held in Zanesville on the 20th of May next, for the purpose of electing suitable Missionaries for the performance of the arduous undertaking. It is hoped that all who are favorable to the cause, will contribute their mite to effect so desirable an object.
Printers favorably disposed towards the Ohio Missionary Society, are requested to give the foregoing one or two insertions."
At this period Zanesville was the great town of Central Ohio, and at that place and Putnam the principal shipping and other business was trans- acted by the citizens of Knox county.
In May, 1817, John S. Dugan having opened the Green Tree Hotel in Zanesville, advertises that he has a number of German servants (redemptioners), "who are attentive and honest ; one of which is a regular bred horse Doctor, and served six years under Bonaparte as such ; and 'tis said by travelers, he is one of the best hostlers in the United States. My whole study is to please, and I hope the public will give me a chance to do so."
The little log school-house on the public square had served its time, and at private houses schools had for some time been kept, when the public-spir- ited men in Mount Vernon started subscriptions to build another.
June 7th. The subscribers to the new school- house proposed to be erected, met at Richardson and Vore's tavern to choose managers, &c.
June 18th. The small-pox having made its ap- pearance at Newark, caused a great excitement in the quiet village of Mount Vernon. The inhabit- ants ran to and fro, not knowing what to do. A public consultation was had, and Dr. R. D. Moore
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wrote and published a little treatise on the subject, giving the origin of the disease, the views of "the immortal JENNER" upon "the grease," " cow-pox," "small-pox," etc., and concluding as follows :- " The small-pox has been for some months past traveling northward, and is now within a short dis- tance from this place. The subscriber will attend on every SATURDAY, at his house in Mount Vernon, for the purpose of vaccinating (those whose pecun- iary means will not warrant application), gratis."
Anderson Searl, of Mount Vernon, on the 18th of June, publishes that he will not pay a certain note given to William Shinnibery for a certain black and white muley cow, to be delivered to him next harvest; " the said note being given in part consideration of a certain horse sold to me by said Shinnibery for a sound horse, which I have since found to be unsound."
NOTABLE PROCEEDINGS OF COMMON PLEAS COURT, JUNE 23D.
"At this term, the Indictments vs. John Strain, were read, and lie was fined on the first $20 and costs-and on the second, assault and battery, $10 and costs.
" The Grand Jurors-Royal D. Simons, foreman-returned seven bills of Indictment. Albert Sherwood, by verdict of jury, recov- ered $75 off of Wm. Williams for assault and battery ; and in suit of the State Wm. Williams was fined $15 and costs. Thomas Wilkins and John Roop are, each, fined $5 and costs for assault and battery ; and John Strain and John Roop, each, fined $5 and costs for an affray, and Robert Butler was fined $15 and costs. "James Trimble renews his tavern license ; also Michael Harter, John Davidson, Gotleib Zimmerman, and Richardson & Vore.
" On application of Anthony Banning and Samuel Kratzer for the vacating of a part of the addition of the town of Mount Vernon. The application is overruled at the cost of the applicants.
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." Samuel H. Smith's application for vacating part of the town of Clinton was continued; and also continued Oct. term, 1817.
"Ordered that a certificate issue to pay expense of Coroner's inquest over the body of Wm. Conaway, jr. ; also of N. Butler.
PATRIOTIC OUTBURST ON THE NATIONAL ANNIVERSARY.
The 4th of July was celebrated by the Mount Vernon Artillery Company, under Capt. Joseph Brown, with all the pomp and circumstance of war. The day was duly ushered in by a national salute-a grand parade came off-a sumptuous dinner at Richardson & Vore's inn-and toasts, speeches, and wine made it a merry occasion. The Declaration of Independence was read by Doctor Robert D. Moore. Among the toasts were the fol- lowing :
" The Constitution, the grandest work of human genius-May it long stand the proudest monument of Republican solidity.
" The memory of our departed American heroes from Warren down to the brave Pike and Lawrence.
" Faction, the bane of republican governments-May it never be suffered to impair confidence in our legally constituted authorities.
"May the words Federalist and Democrat be exchanged for the prouder appellation of-' I am an American citizen.'
" The Fair Daughters of Columbia-Always lovely, but more divinely enchanting when attired in homespun, smiling on the pa- triot brave.
" By Capt. John Shaw-May brother Jonathan watch John Bull with the eye of an Eagle."
A quarterly or sacramental meeting was held on Friday, the 4th of July, at the Dry Creek school house. All christians and ministers of the gospel were carnestly solicited to attend and assist in the various exercises of the service.
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THE STORE SET UPON CAMPBELL'S POEMS-THREE DOLLARS OF ADVERTISING A $1.50 BOOK.
" Hope deferred maketh the heart sick."
"In the month of November, 1815, I advertised a volume of Campbell's poems, which I had lent some considerable time before to an acquaintance of mine. The principal poem in this work is entitled " The pleasures of Hope," and I had entertained a hope of obtaining it long ere this; but this hope, like some other of my expectations, has perished. I now only wish it may be returned to me.
June 18th, 1817."
ROBERT BUCHANAN.
This notice not having the desired effect, on the 16th of July the following pointed addition is made to it : " If Mr. J-n W- k-r, who was entrusted to deliver the above volume to me, by the person to whom I lent it, does not return it within two weeks from the date hereof, I will give his name to the public, together with some traits of his character, which have not much the appearance of honesty !
" As I am credibly informed that you have refused five dollars for those poems, I think you ought not to object paying me $1.50 for them. You may send or bring me this amount, or the book, at your own option. I am determined to have it or its worth from you-peaceably if I can, forcibly if I must.
R. B.
" The pleasures of Hope"-again.
" To Mr. John Walker :
SIR-The two weeks in which I allowed you to return the above poems, have now elapsed unheeded by you. At the expiration of that time, I promised to give the public your name and an expo- sition of your conduct in retaining this book in your own posses- sion after having politely proffered your services to convey it to me from the young lady to whom I had lent it; but being blessed with a pretty good share of charity, I have omitted the exposition for the present, and inserted your name only-giving you one week further to decide whether or not 'honesty is the best policy!'
ROBERT BUCHANAN.
July 3d, 1817."
15
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MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS SHOWING THE KIND OF CURRENCY, BUSINESS VIEWS AND INCONVENIENCES.
John Frank & Co., July 17th, offer "iron, cast- ings and salt, being both chartered and cash arti- cles in this place, and solicit their friends to whom they gave a short credit last winter to come for- ward and discharge their respective accounts.
* They are informed that the paper of the Owl Creek Bank of Mount Vernon, and that of Canton, and the Farmers & Mechanics' Bank of Steubenville will be taken," &c.
Luke Walpole brings to Mount Vernon a quan- tity of salt, leather, and castings to exchange for beef and pork, delivered in Zanesville the coming winter.
Oct. 16th, Frederick Falley, proprietor of Ven- ice, has 1,000 lots for sale, and invites all classes of mechanics and business men to locate there. About this time it was the supposition that Venice would become the future shipping point for Knox county, and Norton & Banning established a storage, com- mission and mercantile house at Venice, on the Sandusky bay. As evidence that this belief was general, we may cite the act of the Legislature of 1817, declaring that the road to be made by the Knox, Richland & Huron Turnpike Company shall terminate at the town of Venice, on Sandusky bay.
Robert D. Moore, as agent for the Mary Ann Furnace, situate on the Rocky Fork of Licking, brings to the notice of our citizens a large assort- ment of castings of superior beauty and quality, and asks them to encourage manufactories.
Daniel S. Norton notifies those who were in debt
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to him on the 16th of August last, to pay up while they can in the paper of the country.
Anthony Banning advertises a large lot of leather, which he will sell for hides or chartered money- or chartered money will be given for hides.
Jesse B. Thomas cautions " all persons (indis- criminately) against cutting, destroying, or remov- ing timber from or otherwise trespassing upon his lands on the Hamtramck section, as I have given my agents (Messrs. John Roberts and John Warden) positive instructions to prosecute all."
THE FIRST COMBINATIONS OF MECHANICS, WHO THEY WERE, AND THEIR BILLS OF PRICES.
" TAYLORS PRICES .- We, the subscribers, of Mount Vernon, have agreed to establish the following prices for Tayloring, viz : Great coats, $4.50; broad cloth coats, $4.00; common homespun, $3.50 ; common pantaloons, $1.25 ; vest, $1.25 ; pantaloons with but- tons on the legs, $1.75; ditto welted, $1.50 ; cherrivallies laced, $3 ; plain ditto, $2.25; ladies' coats, $3.50. Any extra work on the above articles shall be priced according to the work.
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