A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 88

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans
Number of Pages: 1612

USA > Ohio > Scioto County > A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record > Part 88

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He was married in 1836 to Mary Vannort, by whom he had two children : Robert, deceased, and Mary Elizabeth, wife of Theodore Appel of Clifford, O. The first wife died in 1838 and he was married again to Susan Wilson, August 14, 1862, by whom he had eight children, as follows: William A., resident of Chillicothe. Missouri. was a soldier in the 33rd O. V. I. and was wounded in the battle of Resaca ; Catherine, deceased, married Isaac Williams; George W. resides at May, Woodward County, Oklahoma; David, married Josephine McNeal and lives near Lucasville ; Sarah C., married Frank Winter ; Thomas J. resides at Haddam, Kansas, a farmer and married : Rachel J., married Benjamin Yeager and lives at Lucasville; and Joseph H., a merchant at Lucasville, who has a sketch herein.

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Joseph Brant, senior, was a farmer most of his life. He owned a small farm of hill land and several lots in Lucasville. At one time, in the forties he bought the old tavern at Lucasville and conducted it for ten years. At the time he bought this tavern, it was the chief distributing point, in Lucasville, for whiskey and other intoxicating drinks, when Lucasville was seeing its "wild and woolly" days for which it had gained quite a notoriety throughout the lower Scioto Valley. The sale of drinks was stopped when Mr. Brant took charge and immediately, the morals of Lucasville began to improve and have continued to improve up to this day, when not a drop of liquor can be bought; and it is largely a community of Christian and law-abiding people. In the latter years of our subject's life, he lived in retire- ment and died October, 1893. He was a man of low stature, weigh- ing about 200 pounds and seldom was troubled with ill health. He inherited his father's ingenious nature and could work with any kind of tools and sometimes tinkered at blacksmithing and woodworking. as a matter of pastime and accommodation to his neighbors. He was liberal to a fault, not seeming to appreciate the value of money and was always ready to assist his neighbors, always refusing compensation. As a companion he was entertaining. His observations and anecdotes were always interesting. He had a fund of stories and reminis- cences which seemed exhaustless and when he and his old cronies got together to swap stories, it was an enjoyable time to all the listeners. All they had to do was sit still and be entertained, and no one had to be requested to be present or to keep order. Uncle Joe's stories never lacked spice or humor. Since his death, he has had no succes- sor in this direction, and Lucasville has been more of a serious place.

Lyttleton Bradford

was born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1796, the son of Ezra Bradford and Sarah Curtis, his wife. Ezra Bradford was the owner of a plantation and slaves near Norfolk, but had a conscience. He thought that slavery was wrong, freed his slaves and removed to Ohio in 1805. He purchased 300 acres of land on Turkey Creek and remained there un- til his death. His son, Lyttleton, succeeded to his father's land. He married Abigail Samson, daughter of David Samson, one of the early settlers. They had six sons and three daughters, of whom three sons still survive. They are Ezra, William and Henry. Lyttleton died in Scioto County, on the land his father had purchased. He named the Post Office, at Friendship, and the land he formerly owned is now owned by George Vaughters, Leonidas Pyles and Alex. Cole. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Jean Baptist Bertrand

was the last male survivor of the French emigrants. He was born in 1761, in Champagne, east of Paris. He was left an orphan when a

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child. In his childhood, he was a verger and bell ringer at one of the French churches. He had a good education as compared with his fel- low emigrants. While he was one of the French Colony in 1790, he did not cross the ocean with the emigrants. He drew lot 16 of the First French Grant, but on the record his name is entered as Jean Baptist Berthone, when it should read Bertrand. Lot 16 was pat- ented to him by his correct name. He also puschased lot 10 French Grant of Michael Mazure on the 31st of July, 1804, for the consider ation of $434.00. The deed recites that Michael Mazure was one of those who had drawn one of the ninety-two lots of the first French Grant. Our subject became a miller at Gallipolis. One day when he was requirded to be absent from the mill, he employed a substitute. On that day, the Indians made a raid and killed his friend, and his friend's body was found mangled in the grass when Bertrand re- turned.

He lived aolne in the Grant until he was about 40 years of age, when he went back to Gallipolis and brought him a young wife. She died January 11, 1827. His eldest son John, was born in 1804, and the others were Julie, Felicite, Henry, Rosalie and William. In 1811, be built a large brick residence on his lot 16. Monsieur Bertrand was one of the industrious enterprising and energetic Frenchmen. His farm was covered with apple trees and peach trees, from which he distilled the fruit. He was very jolly in his nature, was always court- eous and in a good humor. He uniformly greeted his friends with a low bow and a pleasant smile. It was a great pleasure for him to sit up all night over his cups with his French associates, very often to the annoyance of his family. He was one of the best gardeners in the Grant. In the language of Artemus Ward, gardening was his forte. In the latter years of his life, he would work in the garden of mornings till 9 or 10 o'clock, and read the remainder of the day. In all his long life he never learned to speak English. He was one of the few French -- men who had fixed religious beliefs and views. He was an earnest Catholic, and never retired without saying one or more of the prayers which he had learned as a child. He succeeded in all his business affairs. He was temperate and regular in his habits; and was not off his feet until six weeks before his death. He died March 21, 1855, in his ninety-fourth year.

Major John Belli.

John Belli was a citizen of the world. His father was a French- man, his mother a native of Holland, and he was born in Liverpool. England, in 1760. He received a good education in England, and in military school. When he came of age, he was in Amsterdam, Hol- land, and received his coming of age papers from the estates of Hol- land and West Friesland. When he conceived the idea of coming to the United States, he was in Paris, France. He had been study-

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ing about the United States and had become filled with the extreme Republican notions of that time. In the theory of government, he was a rabid republican: in his own personal relations, he was an aristocrat, though he was hardly conscious of the fact. So he pro- cured a letter of recommendation from the American Minister, John Jay, who, in his letter, described him as a young man worthy of trust. He came over with Mr. Francis Bowers, of Ostend, a mer- chant who was bringing over goods. His letters of introduction were to Mr. Josiah Watson, of Alexandria, Va. He came alone, without any members of his family, and landed at Alexandria, Va., in May 1783, which was then an important seaport. He engaged in business there, first as a clerk, and afterwards as a merchant, and re- mained there until the spring of 1791, a period of eight years. Of his life in Alexandria, we have no account, but he formed a number of valuable and important acquaintances in that time, among whom were Col. Alexander Parker and Gen. George Washington.

In October, 1791. Gen. Knox, then Secretary of War, sent him to the Northwest Territory on public business. What his functions were does not clearly appear, but they were of a confidential char- acter.

On April 18, 1792. when he was in the Northwest Territory, President George Washington sent him a commission as Deputy Quartermaster on the General Staff of Wayne's Legion. This com- mission is in the hands of John Belli Gregory, his grandson, at Fontana, Kentucky. It is on parchment, illustrated, and bears the original signature of President Washington and Secretary of War, Henry Knox. The commission does not state his rank, but it was that of Major, hence his title. He went by way of Pittsburg, then called Fort Pitt, and down the Ohio River to Fort Washington. Gen. Knox gave him a letter. dated September 30. 1791, directed to the Deputy Quartermaster at Fort Pitt, stating that he was to have transportation down the Ohio River, as he was on public busi- ness of great importance. He went direct to Fort Washington, where it appears he was stationed until the time of Wayne's expedi- tion against the Indians.

There is preserved a list of the Quartermaster's stores he had on hand at Fort Washington. November Ist. 1783. Mr. Gregory also has in his possesion a letter addressed to Major John Belli from Gen. Anthony Wayne, in answer to one of May 30, 1794, preced- ing. He tells the Major that he is glad he has been successful in purchasing cattle; that 300 per month will be required, independent of accident; that he must forward those on hand by first escort. That he has three weeks' supply for the Legion, nor can he think of advancing with less than 600 or 800 cattle, which would not be more than ten weeks' supply, should they all arrive safe. He stated that the wagons would set out from Fort Jefferson the next morning for

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Fort Washington under a good escort, commanded by Major Hughes and they were not to be delayed at Fort Washington more than forty- eight hours, to be loaded with tents, intrenching tools and axes. Also he was to send such hospital and ordinance stores as he had been provided with, together with all the hunting shirts, or shirts and tools that were in his possession. Also, that his own private stores were to be forwarded under a select guard, which he will request Major Hughes to furnish from his department.

He was directed to use as many private teams as could be ob- tained which, with the use of the water transport, when a favorable rise should occur in the Miami, would enable him to forward the grain to Fort Hamilton, which the Quartermaster General had re- quired. He was not to lose a moment in mounting the dragoons and furnishing all the necessary accoutrements. He was also to be furnished with $2,000 in specie, and $8,000 in good bank bills to be replaced by his department. He was told that every arrangement would be made by his department for a forward move by the first of July. He wished the Major every success in his purchase and supplies of every nature, in the line of his department and signed himself, "I am, sir, your most ob'dt humble serv't, Ant'y Wayne."

As soon as the expedition was successful, Major Belli, went east and settled his accounts with the department. He returned with some $5,000 and bought one thousand acres of land at the mouth of Turkey Creek and placed a man named Wright upon it, who cleared up a part of it, built a log house and planted an orchard. This was the first settlement in Scioto County, though the historian, James Keyes, disputes it, and says the first settlement was near Sciotoville, by the Bonsers and Burts.

He laid out the town of Alexandria, at the mouth of the Scioto River and gave it the name of Alexandria, for that city in Virginia, where he had first landed in this country, and had spent eight years. He spent considerable time in and about Alexandria, N. W. Territory, as the agent of Col. Alexander Parker, for whom he located much land in Scioto County. In Septemebr, 1797, he was appointed Recorder of Adams County. and held the office until October, 1803. He was a Justice of the Peace for Adams County, appointed by the Judges of the General Court, April 28, 1801. and his commission is in existence.

It seems he spent a great part of his time in Kentucky. He evidently did not and could not attend personally to the duties of the office of Recorder of Adams County.

On the twenty-first of March, 1800, he concluded some very important business in Kentucky, for on that date, he was married to Miss Cynthia Harrison, a cousin of Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison. Her father. Samuel Harrison, was a prominent man in Kentucky, and a large slave holder. He owned the site of the town of Cynthiana, Ky., and laid it out. He named it for his twin daughters, Cynthia

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and Anna, born just before the town was platted. On his marriage, Major John Belli moved to his land at the mouth of Turkey Creek. He named his home, "Belvidere," and kept a carriage and horses and traveled in style. In every county of the territory, there was a Colonel of the Militia and a Major. Nathaniel Massie was the Colonel of the Adams County Militia and John Belli, the Major.

On August 29, 1804, he was commissioned by Edward Tiffin, Governor of Ohio, Major of the Second Battalion, Second Regiment, First Brigade, Second Division Ohio Militia.

During the time that the town of Washington was flourishing as the county seat of Adams County, Major Belli was not there much of the time. When he was absent it is not known who attended to the duties of his office as Recorder, but very likely it was General Dar- lington, who was always ready to do anything to accommodate his neighbors.

Major Belli had five children-four daughters and a son. His daughter, Eliza, was born December 3. 1809. She married Moses Gregory, October 20, 1826. Her son. John Belli Gregory, who was a citizen of Scioto County for many years, at one time member of the Board of Public Works in this State, and afterwards its En- gineer, resided at Fontana. Ky .. and kindly loaned the editor of this work the papers of Major Belli. His son, Hiram D. Gregory, is a lawyer at Covington, Ky. His daughter, Hattie, is the widow of Ariel Barney, and resides in New York City.

Major Belli, after 1803. devoted his whole time to the improve- ment of his land on Turkey Creek, though he was a land owner in many places. He at one time owned a large tract near New Hope, in Brown County. In. 1806, he built him a large two-story frame house on his land at the mouth of Turkey Creek, but did not live to enjoy it. In October, 1809, he was taken with one of those fevers against which it seems the pioneers could not contend, and he died and was buried on the river bank near his home. His widow con- tinued to reside there until 1838, when her home, built by the Major in 1806, was accidentally destroyed by fire. She removed to Illinois, where she died in 1818. In 1865 the Major's grave was washed by the river, and Mr. Gregory had his remains exhumed and reinterred in the cemetery at Friendship. A picture of the Major is in the possession of Mr. Gregory. It represents him with powdered wig and a Continental coat faced with red. A cut from this picture ap- pears herein.

Major Belli was a gentlemen of the old school. He never changed his dress from the style during the Revolution. While he lived among backwoodsmen. he always had his wig and queue, wore a cocked hat, coat with facings, waist coat, knee breeches. stockings and shoe buckles. His queue was carefully braided and tied with a ribbon, and this was his style of dress at all times.

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While he believed himself to be a Republican, as the term was understood in his time, he had pride enough for all the aristocrats in the neighborhood. He was a disbeliever in slavery, and it is thought his location in the Northwest Territory and his mainte- nance of his residence here was on account of his repugnance to that peculiar institution. His wife's slaves were brought to Ohio and freed, and this through his influence. He was the agent of Colonel Alexander Parker and General Thomas Parker in making their loca- tion in the Virginia Military District.

Colonel Alexander Parker owned Survey 455 on Pond Run -- 1,000 acres. Survey 475 at the mouth of Turkey Creek, was the property of John Belli. Survey 408, on which Alexandria was lo- cated, was for 900 acres, and entered for Colonel Alexander Parker, of Frederick County, Virginia.

Samuel Clingman Briggs

was born near Wilkesbarre, Nescopeck Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, May 25, 1794, a son of John and Hannah Clingman Briggs. His mother was a daughter of John Michael Clingman, a Captain in the Revolutionary War from Pennsylvania in 1778. He is mentioned elsewhere in this book. Our subject came to Ports- mouth at the age of twenty-one and made his home with his Uncle Aaron Kinney for seven years. On June 23, 1817, when the Parish of All Saints Church was organized, he was one of the original sign- ers of the Constitution. July 27, 1820, he was baptised by the Rt. Rev. Philander Chase and confirmed by him December 10, 1820. He afterwards left the Episcopal Church and connected himself with the Bigelow M. E. Church. In 1852, he assisted to organize the Spen- cer Chapel, was Stewart and Trustee and held a prominent place in the Church up to the time of his death. He purchased what is known as the Briggs farm, the principal part of which is now owned by John Richardson. July 1, 1824, he was married to Elizabeth Smith, a daughter of John Smith, by Jacob P. Noel, Justice of the Peace. She lived only a few months. On Dec. 30, 1825, he mar- ried a Miss Rebecca Timbrook. Their children are as follows: John K., Aaron K., William H., Elizabeth, Henry, Mary and Hannah, now Mrs. Sweet of Shipman, Illinois, and Rebecca, wife of Telema- chus P. Noel living near Spring Lane Distillery. Of the daughters. Elizabeth and Mary died in infancy. Aaron K., died October 26, 1871 ; John K .. died November 27, 1893: Henry resides in Jameson, Missouri ; William lives in Kansas. In 1840, Mr. Briggs' second wife died, and he married Miss Sarah Barber, who died suddenly a few months after the marriage. He then married her younger sis- ter, Marinda Barber, December 27, 1843. Their children are Joseph C., living near the old home; Sarah Smith, wife of Firman Smith of the West Side; an infant son ; Louisa Epworth now the wife of Wel-

SAMUEL C. BRIGGS. [PAGE 656.]

HENRY BUCHANAN. [PAGE 664.]

WILLIAM L. BOYNTON. [PAGE 659.]

CLAUDIUS CADOT. [PAGE 669.]

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lington R. Kinney, who resides on the old homestead. July 1, 1860, Mr. Briggs died. He left a fine farm of over 200 acres to his family. He was a man of the strictest honesty and integrity. He was ener- getic and industrious. He tried to fulfill every duty in every rela- tion of life. He was highly esteemed by his church people and all his neighbors.

John Kinney Briggs

was born October 6, 1826, the son of Samuel Clingman Briggs, and Rebecca Timbrooks Briggs, his wife. He was born at the old Briggs Homestead on the Chillicothe Pike now occupied by Wellington R. Kinney. He obtained his education in the district school and was brought up a farmer. He was married three times, first in 1850, to Miss Mary Miller. The children of that marriage were: Louisa, who died in childhood, Laura, who died at the age of sixteen, Aaron Anthony, Charles C., and Frank. The fourth child of this marriage was Margaret, now the wife of Dr. George W. Osborne, of Dry Run. The fifth child. Anna Bell, died at the age of two years. The first, Mrs. Briggs, died November 14, 1865, and on December 6, 1867, our subject married Miss Melinda Jane Smith, daughter of Hamlet Smith. The only child of this marriage was Bertha A., who died at the age of sixteen years. Mr. Briggs' second wife died November 22, 1867, and he married her sister, Margaret Smith, July 17, 1870, who survived him. On March 4, 1861, he located in Washington Township, where he spent the remainder of his life. Mr. Briggs was noted for his integrity and uprightness, He always enjoyed the confidence of his neighbors. He was Treasurer of his Town- ship for fourteen years. He was a Republican, but never aspired to a county office, and had no political ambitions. He was a member of Oldtown M. E. Church. He died November 27, 1893.

Asa Boynton, Senior.

John Boynton, the three times great-grandfather of our subject, was born at Knapton, Wistingham; East Riding of Yorkshire, England, in 1614, and came to Massachusetts and settled at Rowley 1630. He was a tailor and married Helen Pell of Boston. He died February 18, 1670. and was the father of eight children, one of whom, was Captain Joseph Boynton. He was born in 1644 and married Sarah Swan by whom he had eleven children. He died December 16,

1730. One of his sons. Sergeant Richard Boynton, was born Novem- ber II. 1675. and married Sarah Dressler and had seven children. He lied December 25, 1732. One of his sons, Nathaniel, the father of our subject, was born August 18, 1712. He married Mary Stewart, 1736, by whom he had twelve children and Asa was the eleventh in order of their births.

Asa Boynton was born March 4. 1760, and married Mary, daughter of Joseph and Mary Edmunds. of Lynn, Massachusetts,

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April 10, 1781. She was born in Lynn, August 9, 1762. They re- sided first at Lynn and then moved to Grafton County, New Hamp- shire at Piermont. In 1806, he came to the French Grant for the purpose of looking out a location. He went back to New Hamp- shire and negotiated the purchase of 3,800 acres of the Gervais Tract, and 650 acres outside, from Rosewell P. Hunt, brother of Samuel Hunt and executor of his last will and testament, for the sum of $9,000. Samuel Hunt had purchased the 3,800 acres of John G. Gervais and had given a mortgage for the purchase money. The mortgage was assigned to Earl Sproat. Samuel Hunt died July 27, 1807. The mortgage was foreclosed and the 3,800 acres were sold to Earl Sproat at Sheriff's sale for $5,700, April 18, 1810. Boynton got a warranty deed from Rosewell P. Hunt, dated January 15, 1810. He afterwards, June 25, 1811, received a warranty deed from Earl Sproat for the same premises, the consideration being $8,000. From this we would infer that he paid $8,000 for the Gervais tract and $1,000 for the other 650 acres. In 1812, he deeded the 650 acre tract to Lawson Drury, Senior, Lawson Drury, Junior, Ruth Drury and Charles T. Drury. On January 9, 1811, he deeded 850 acres to Peter White for $1,400. About the same time he conveyed 176 acres to James Abbott for $522. On July 17, 1812, he conveyed 100 acres to Zelotes Tucker. On January 13. 1812, he conveyed 131- 34 acres to Adam Proebster and Jacob Linch. He sold altogether 2,040 and retained 1,759 acres for himself.

Boynton and his family made the trip overland from New Hamp- shire to their new home in 1810. They traveled in the family car- riage and wagons, and they were on their journey for six weeks. By his marriage with Mary Edmunds, thirteen children were born : Mary. b. December 17, 1781, d. May 4, 1797: Asa, b. August 4, 1784, d. August 30, 1802; Lucy, b. July 6, 1787, d. November 29, 1787; Lydia, h. February 21, 1789, m. James B. Prescott November 12, 1815, d. February 23, 1825; Joseph E., b. February 21, 1791, m. Betsey Wheeler, January 18, 1813, d. August 17, 1817; Charles C., b. De- cember 29, 1792, m. Roda, daughter of Captain Edward C. Sumner of Peacham, Vermont, March 13, 1814, d. August, 1837; Cynthia, b. June 13, 1795, m. Benjamin Locke, December 22, 1814; Lucy, h. November 22, 1797, m. George Williams November 30, 1818, d. No- vember 3, 1883 : William L., ( See Sketch) : Mary, b. July 9, 1802, m. Thomas Rogers June 1, 1822; Jane Ann. b. March 7, 1805, m. Thomas Whittier December 19, 1821, d. November 19, 1891 ; Asa, b. July 21, 1807. m. Julia Bertrand, December 25, 1828, d. about 1880; John L., b. July 17, 1811, m. Felicite Bertrand February 13, 1836, d. August 12, 1858.

Mr. Boynton was an industrious and enterprising man and did much to develop the new country and toward furnishing the neces- sary conveniences for his friends and neighbors. He built a mill

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for grinding wheat and corn. The mill was run by horse power and the bolt was turned by hand. Often those who came to get grinding done would furnish the horse power, thereby saving toll. He built another mill back of where Ironton now stands, at which both grinding and sawing were done. In those days it was difficult to get money for market products and upon one occasion, Boynton built a flat boat and took a cargo of produce to New Orleans, and came back on the Steamer "Congress." He was successively a Fed- eral, a National Republican and a Whig. He was treasurer of Green Township during 1819 and 1820. He died February 21, 1837 and his wife died July 23, 1823.

William L. Boynton

son of Asa Boynton and Mary Edmunds, his wife, was born in Piermont, Grafton County, New Hampshire, in 1800, and came with his parents to French Grant in 1810. His boyhood was spent on his father's farm and his education was meagre. He was married on January 1, 1822 to Nancy Feurt, who was of direct French lineage, and whose father Peter Feurt, was one of the first white inhabitants of Scioto County, having come to Alexandria shortly after it was laid out. To them were born seven children : Mary, (deceased), married Doctor Mussey : Cynthia, (deceased, ) married Samuel Skelton, and at his death married Alva Jaynes ; Peter, married Eliza J. Cadot ; James, deceased : Henry, lives at Powellsville, Ohio: Asa, deceased, and Wil- liam who lives in Florida. His father gave him 400 acres of land, a part of the Gervais tract and he afterwards added several hundred acres to this on Pine Creek. When the Furnaces flourished he dealt a great deal in live stock and supplied the furnaces with meat.

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A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 88

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913 Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans Number of Pages: 1612

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans
Number of Pages: 1612