USA > Ohio > Highland County > A history of the early settlement of Highland County, Ohio > Part 22
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"Knoxville, the 15th April, 1797."
Department was read to them by the interpreter, they made no further ob-
Thus provided and guided by the jection, but hastily prepared to return interpreter and the kind instructions of to their homes on the Coosa. So the Colonel Whitley, the Governor of Ten- whole party accompanied them back nessee, Major IIenley and others who that for. Then they discovered that took a warm interest in his enterprise, the boy had been adopted by a woman he pursued his route South; and, after who had her only son killed in battle. crossing the Tennessee River at Tilico Sheregarded young Jolly as one sent by Blockhouse, left behind him all traces of the Great Spirit as a substitute for him civilization. In due time he and his she had lost, and she loved him with guide arrived at the point in the all a mother's devotion, and he return- Cherokee country, on the Coosa River, to ed it with all the warmth and generos- which Col. Whitley had directed them, ity of his nature. She was almost fran- but to their great disappointment found tic when she heard he had to leave her a large party of the Indians had gone by authority of the Government of the South and the boy with them. After United States. But after a long and collecting what information they could tender interview which continued the in regard to the route and probable greater part of the night, in which she stopping place of the Indians, they made the boy promise that he would again set out. This whole region of soon escape and return to her, they country, now known as the State of started the next morning. Young Alabama, w63 an almost unbroken Jolly wanted to take his gun and pony wilderness at that day, inhabited by the with him but his brother was distrust- Cherokeen, Creoks and other roving ful and would not consent. His adopt- tribes of Indians. Mr. Jolly and his ed mother gave him all his nicest ornn- companion set out again in the pursuit, ments, moccuins, leggings, &c., and having filled his pouch with jerk veni-
determined to find the boy before they retraced their stepª. They traveled on son, permitted him to start. A large and on, till they arrived near Pensacola, number of the young Indians accom- in the present Stato of Florida, before panied them the first day, and after they found the Indians.
that a few continued to follow in the rear until they arrived at the Tennes-
When they made their business known, the Indians seemed disposed to see River. During the journey through give them but little satisfaction. The the wilderness young Jolly continued young of the party were out hunting sullen and would not talk. His broth- they said, but they were . all Indians -- er allowed him to ride his horse much none white, Mr. Jolly, however, de- of the time, taking care to walk close termined to wait till they came in at by his side. When the boy got off to least, that he might judge for himself. walk, he frequently asked to carry the He, therefore, deemed it policy in him gun, but his brother was afraid to trust not to appear to be very anxious, or it to him. At last, near the banks of evidence any degree of certainty in his the Tennessee River, they had stopped mind that his brother was with the at aspring to refresh themselves and hunters, lest word might be conveyed Mr. Jolly, less cautious than usual, had to him. So they waited patiently for a set his gun against a tree clom by. few days, under the pretenso of resting Whilst they remained there he obers - after their long journey, and were kind- ed the oyes of the boy frequently turn ly treated by the Indians. On the towards the gun, and perceivedthat he evening of the third day the young In- gradually approached it sidewiso and
dians all came in camp with the pro- apparently without any deigen, but his brother was too vigilant for him. ceeds of their hunt, and Mr. Jolly soon recognized his brother, more from fhm- While they were waiting on the banks fly resemblance than anything else, for of the Tennessee at Telico blockhouse ho was dressed in full Indian costume to cross the river, the few Indiana who and looked and acted as much like an had borno them company from the Indian as any of his companions, He Coosa country came up and took their
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A HISTORY OF HIGHILAND COUNTY, OHIO.
final farewell of young Jolly, whom which he was never entirely able to they had named Thunder, as interpre- understand, to the Cherokees, a small ted from their language. They con- party of whom were on a visit to their tinued to stand ou the southern bank
Shawnee brethren. The Cherokees of the river and gaze after him as long soon after set out for the South, taking as he was visible. . young Jolly with them. They took the trail to Old Town on the north fork of Paint. From there they struck and kept the hill region of the country to the Ohio River at the mouth of Cabin Creck. After crossing the river they again took the hills and on to the Cum- berland Mountains, avoiding all white his brother had no difficulty with him. settlements, and kept on the mountains all the way to Tennessee. As they passed along one day, right at the point where the "Crab Orchard Road" cross-
From this time on the boy gave up all hopes of inaking his escape and said he would go on home to his white friends and see them all and then re- turn to his Indian mother and home. lle now grew more cheerful and com- municative, and from Knoxville home As they passed along in the neighbor- hood of Lexington, Kentucky, the boy, being in Indian dress, attracted much attention and many young ladies of es the mountain-Cumberland Gap- they killed a traveler. The Indians were at a point on the mountain where they could command a view of the val- ley and road for miles. They saw the traveler at a distance of a mile or more leisurely riding along. The Indians held a short consultation after which
course were anxious to see the "young Indian." When some handsome girls were around him his brother asked him how he would like to have one of them for a wife. He shook his head and said "Too much white-too muchi white."
Mr. Jolly arrived safely at Chillicothe all retired a short distance and conceal- after an absence of near six months, ed themselves, while one, who had been having been most successful in the ob- selected for that purpose, took a posi- ject of his journey and having met no tion behind a tree near the road. They all lay still and waited the approach of accident or misfortune. The greater part of his time was spent in the wil- the unsuspecting traveler. Jolly said derness and in the Indian country, he was behind a log and could look over though they everywhere treated him and see the traveler. He rode along up with respect as under the protection of the mountain side in a slow walk on a the United States, and in many in- very fine horse. When he got to the stances they were very kind to him and right place the Indian behind the tree shot him, and he fell from his horse down the side of the mountain. The
his guide. From the time they left Telico Block House going South till they returned there he never slept in a horse ran off a short distance and they bed or a house.
caught him, getting the saddle, saddle- After young Jolly returned to his father and became somewhat recon- cilede to civilized life, he gave a brief history of his seven years' captivity. As before stated he was carried to San- dusky and well treated, much to his surprise, as he had witnessed the mur- bags, &c. After taking the horse a few hundred yards from the road into the thick bushes they tied him; then they all went off in a different direc- tion some distance and camped. They remained there over night and all the next day, perfectly quiet. On thenext der of his little cousin, McCune, on the night they went to the horse, untied route and had always heard of the him and started on their journey, tak- cruel and blood-thirsty nature of the ing him along. They traveled all that Indians. night and the next day. They contin- The next spring after he was taken . ued on direct until they arrived at an Mr. and Mrs. Dick -- of whom we have Indian town called Brownstown, where before spoken- - were brought into the same encampment. He recollected the delicate and weakly condition of they remained some time. After leav- ing this place they went down to the Cherokee Nation to a town called Tur- Mrs. D. On one occasion whilst she key Town on the Coosa River, where was there the Indians all got drunk Jolly remained. and exhibited much of their savage na- ture and habits. Mrs. Dick was much
Young Jolly regretted deeply his sep- aration from his Indian friends in the alarmed for the safely of the boy, and South. He liked their mode of life, the the better to protect him, covered him up in one corner of the wigwam in a pile of bear skins. delightful climate, and more than all, their warm friendships and , native magnanimity. Indeed he had become a thorough Indian in his habits and tastes, The life of the white man was
Shortly after this young Jolly was transferred by some arrangement
1:
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A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
irksome to him, and he longed for the could get his hands on that would be sylvan shades and warm hearts on the likely to please their fancy. He also banks of the Coosa. He had no taste fixed up some presents for others of his or inclination for work, but was an friends among the tribe, not forgetting adept in hunting and fishing, and he his old Indian mother. When the spent most of his time with his bow morning came for them to start he and arrows on the banks of the Scioto went with them one day's journey. and Paint. Whenever he was almost But his friends at home had their eyes forced into the field to help in the nec- upon him and extorted a pledgeof honor essary labor of the time, he would seek from him and the Indians that he the first opportunity to slip off and should return. He had, however, come would not be seen till dark. If hesus- to the conclusion before the Indians pected an urgent demand for his labor came to remain at home and live like a the next day he would rise by times white man. He continued to reside and go hunting. Generally in summer only a few years in this county, prefer- time when he would desert from the ring the wilder scenes of the West. field work, he would climb a tree and He, however, married and raised a weave himself a bed of limbs and most respectable family, who now re- grapevines where he lay all day dream- side in Wisconsin.
James Jolly was a tanner, and es- the Sunny South, where the squaws tablished a small tan yard at an early
ing doubtless of his happier home in hoed the corn and the men followed the day on a farm, now owned by Judge
chase and the war path.
Delaplane, on the present road from
The next summer after he returned Hillsborough to Marshall. Subse- to his family two Indians, his adopted quently he moved to Hillsborough brothers, came from Alabama to see where he remained several years, carry - him. They brought with them his ing on business. Abont 1823 he re- pony, gun, tomahawk and hunting im- moved to Fort Defiance, where he died plements, also some pretty worked a few years after. Mary Ann Jolly belts, moccasins, &c., sent by his In- married William Warnick, and has dian mother. Young Jolly was over- been dead a number of years.
joyed at the sight of his Indian broth- David Jolly, jr., carly attached him- er's and spent his whole time with self to the Presbyterian Church, and them. They ate together in Indian was one of the first who established a congregation of that denomination and erected a church in the neighborhood
style, hunted together, slept together, and during the two weeks they re- mained were inseparable. But it was of Hillsborough. He was throughout a sorrowful day when the Indians left. his life a constant and devoted Christ- He had carefully parched and ground ian and contributed largely by his ex- on a handmill a quantity of corn, ample to the advancement of the which he mixed with maple sugar and church. Mr. Jolly was to the fullest put up in a buckskin sack for the In- extent a true man in every department dians to carry along for part of their of life. He died at his home in this provisions. In addition to this he county, on the farm he first improved, made them presents of anything he in the winter of 1813.
CHAPTER XXIV.
FURTHER PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, AND EXTRACTS
FROM COURT RECORDS-ORIGIN OF THE NAMES OF WATER-COURSES IN THE COUNTY-ADDITIONAL SETTLEMENTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF GREENFIELD-MOSES PATTERSON ERECTS A MILL NEAR HILLSBORO - ROUSHI, ARNETT, WILKIN AND GIBLER MOVE INTO THE COUNTY.
Originally there were no county penses, thirty dollars. Ordered, that Auditors in Ohio. The Commissioners David Hays receive an order on the discharged the duties now devolving Treasury for sixty dollars for serving upon Auditors, together with the busi- as Clerk of the Court of Highlard. ness now properly belonging to them. Ordered, that Elijah Kirkpatrick re- Owing to the small amount of taxable ceive an order on the Treasury for property owned by the citizens of thirteen dollars and fifty cents, as Col- Highland fifty-three years ago, the lector of the township of New Market. labor of making out the annual dupli- Ordered, that William L. Kinnard re- cates was comparatively trifling and ceive an order on the Treasury for one could be easily performed by the Board dollar and fifty cents for attending on of Commissioners without greatly pro- the Grand Jury. Ordered, that Jona- tracting their regular session. The than Berryman, Esquire, receive an or- Act creating the office of County Audi- der on the Treasury for thirty-four tor, and prescribing the duties of that dollars for acting as Associate Judge and other expenses. Ordered, that officer was not passed till 1821. Prior to that date the Clerk of the Commis- Richard Evans, Esquire, receive an or- sioners discharged the duties of Audi- der on the Treasury for six dollars for tor of the county.
Some other extracts from the record of the Commissioners of this year may order for twelve dollars for acting as be interesting. "Ordered, that Martin Prosecuting Attorney at Countryman receive an order on the Term, 1805. Ordered, Nov. 4th, 1805, County Treasurer for one dollar for that Dan Evans receive an order on the
acting as Associate Judge. Ordered, that Absalom J. Williams receive an October
carrying the returns of the Brushcreek township election to New Market, Highland county, October 10th, 1805." "Ordered, that James Stafford receive an order on the Treasurer for two dol- lars for carrying the returns of Fair- field township to Chillicothe, Novem- ber 24th, 1805." "Ordered, that Walter Hill receive an order on the Treasurer for five dollars and fifty cents for carry- ing the returns of New Market election into Chillicothe on October 10th, 1805." "Ordered, that Elisha Greer receive an order on the Treasurer for four dollars for carrying the returns of Brushcreek Treasury for twenty-four dollars and thirty cents for summoning the Grand Jurors and calling the same, and other expenses wherein the State failed in prosecution. Board of Commissioners adjourned to the 10th day of February, 1806." This closes the official and pub- lic business of the county for the first year of its existence, with the exception of the formation of a military company in New Market. This was a militia company and was organized in the summer of 1805. Jonathan Berryman was Captain. They wore no uniform and paraded to the music of the drum township election to Chillicothe." The and fife, carrying their own rifles and accoutrements.
records of this year do not show that any payments were made for carrying the returns in the elections of any other of the townships of the county that year.
About the 20th of December, 1801, a company consisting of William Rogers and his two sons, Thomas and Hamil- ton, and two gentlemen by the name of Thomas and Dolittle, arrived at the mouth of Rattlesnake and camped for the night. They were joined at this point by David Hays, of New Market,
On the 26th of December, 1805, the following orders of the Board of Com- missioners appear onrecord: "Ordered that Walter Craig receive an order on the Treasury for eighty-seven dollars and their business was to divide a sur- and seventy-five cents for surveying vey of two thousand acres of land, known as the George survey, which tho county of Highland. Ordered, that John Davidson receive an order on the Wm. Rogers, Thomas and Dolittle had Treasury as Associate Judge. Ex- recently purchased at Sheriff's sale in (108)
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A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OIIIO.
Chillicothe. Hays was the surveyor. names, uncouth and inappropriate as They had a merry time of it in their they are admitted to he, will perhaps encampment that night roasting veni- never be changed, the origin of those son, telling stories, &c. They, however, which do not clearly explain themselves succeeded in dividing the land, in the may not be without interest, course of the next day, to the satisfac-
Paint, which forms a considerable tion of the parties interested. The portion of our eastern boundary, re- share that fell to William Rogers was ceived its name from the Indians. A five hundred acres, which he divided short distance below Reeves' Crossing between his two sons. As the survey. there are two high banks, washed by ing party passed up Paint Creek: they the stream, called the Copperas Monnt- came to a long, deep pond, on which ains. It is said that the Indians used, was a large flock of wild geese. They at an early day, to resort to one or both became alarmned at the presence of their of these to procure the earth which unusual visitors and all took flight. they used, in the absence of genuine leaving them to name their lonely and vermillion, to paint and decorate their happy home the "Goose Pond," which faces and persons. In this way the stream derived its name. Rattlesnake
it bears to this day.
The following August, about the was so named because of the immenso 25th, Thomas and Hamilton Rogers number of rattlesnakes which infested commenced building each a house on its banks and cliffs at an early day. his land. After they got them com- They were chiefly of the large spotted pleted and returned home to the North and black species, though snakes of al- Fork of Paint, about Christmas, they most every variety known in this lati- met a company of Virginians encamped tude were found there. It was cm- near the ford. John Tudor and Philip phatically a snake country bordering Adair, with their families, gladly ac- on the stream. Old settlers say in the cepted the offer, the first of William spring of the year when they first came Rogers' cabin, the other of Hamilton's. out of their dens to sun they were often They had interesting families and be- søen rolled up in large bundles or fag- came permanent citizens of that neigh- gots, half the size of a barrel, och one borhood and drew to them many other having his head sticking outward, and all forming a most frightful circle of built a school house and church. Part heads, glaring eyes and forked, hissing Various kinds of sunkes
valuable settlers. They soon after of the company went on up into the tongues. Popo settlement with a view of re- were frequently seen composing the maining there, but were not pleased same bundle. Whether this singular and soon returned to Paint. Among combination was for amusement or de- these was Benjamin Adair, the patri- fence is not known. Humbolt, in his arch of the party. They hunted up travels in South America, describes the their friends, from whom they had sep- serpents of that country as frequently arated at the falls of Paint. Soon after found banded together in a style simi -. they arrived at the settlement at the lar to the snakes on Rattlesnake. He mouth of Rattlesnake, and having concluded the object
made the necessary
arrangements against the anticipated attack of some
moved down and became permanent dreaded enemy.
was defence
residents. Shortly afterwards, the old
A story about these snakes on Rattle- man Adair purchased in that vicinity snake is related by an early settler the land on which he lived and died. thus: In the spring of 1502 William He had the pleasure of seeing all his Pope, John Walters and Hezekiah children settle in life around him and Betts were passing up the trace
united with the church. The cabins along the banks erected by the Rogers were the first from the falls of Paint, where of Rattlesnake improvements above the falls of Paint, they had been for milling and other immediately on the stream, except at purposes. This trace was on the north- Greenfield, and were four miles below east side of the creek. A short dist mico that place.
below the mouth of Hardin's Creek,
There is nothing particularly strik- and nearly opposite the present town ing or beautiful in the names of the of New Petersburg, a strong and re- water courses of this county, and many of them are simply named for some
markably cold spring breaks out of the cliffs and the branch there crossed the very palpable local quality or charac- trace. This spring was a favorito teristic. Indeed it is much to ho res stopping place for all thirsty travelers gretted that names moro pleasing and over the lonely route. When the party reached the branch William Pope die-
euphonious had not been adopted at first. As it is, however, there are now mounted and left his horse standing permanent. In view of the fact that near the remainder of the company,
A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
who declined drinking. He walked to chased the tract of land on which the the spring-two or three rods-and was Patterson mill now stands of Benjamin just in the act of stooping down to take Elliott. James Smith had previously a drink when his eye detected the erected a small tub mill on this land, a presence of a huge rattlesnake, very few rods below where the turnpike close to him. He happened to have the now crosses the creek. This little mill wiping stick of his gun in his hand was run by Patterson for some time with which he soon killed the snake. afterwards. His son Robert was the By the time, however, that he had ac- miller and kept bachelor's hall in a complished this, he saw others and he very small cabin close by. It had an took his tomahawk and cut a pole and extensive run of custom, particularly kept on killing till they became so in dry weather, as the water at that numerous that he grew alarmed and point was more lasting. Persons came started for his horse-literally killing to this mill a distance of fifteen to his path through them to where hehad twenty miles. Patterson built a saw It appeared as mill and made some necessary improve- though they had all rushed out to the ments on the land before he moved on left his company.
aid of the first which were attacked it. and slain. After Pope reached his
On the 17th of October, 1805, Andrew horse lie was so fatigued and overcome Shafer, a Revolutionary soldier, arriv- with the nauseous odor emitted by the ed with his family at New Market, snakes that he was unable to stand and from Washington county, Maryland. was obliged to lie down on the ground, He remained in New Market till Feb- where he vomited intensely. His com- ruary, when he moved on to his land, panions were also sickened. Pope the same on which he lived up to the wore buck skin breeches and heavy time of his death in 1855, at the age of blue cloth leggins. During the fight 94 years. Mr. Shafer was in the with the snakes several struck him on battles of Germantown, Monmouth and the legs and fastening their fangs in Trenton.
his leggins, hung there till he eut them
John Roush and Adam Arnott, with off with his butcher knife. After the their families, emigrated from Vir- killing was over the other snakes, ginia to Highland in 1805, and settled which had come out in great numbers, in the neighborhood of Philip Wilkin, retreaton, and their heads could be seen three miles east of the present town of thick, sticking up over the rocks. The Danville. Wilkin had settled at this snakes had just come out for the first place some two or three years before, time that spring and were very fat and having emigrated from Virginia in clumsy. Walters and Betts went back 1801, in company with Lewis Gibler. afterwards to see how many Pope had David Wilkin, his grand-son, afterward killed and counted eighty-four dead snakes. occupied the same farm. Isaac. Lea- mon also settled in that neighborhood
Hardin's Creek derives its name about the same time. from Col. Hardin, of Virginia. Har- This year was remarkable as the great din, Hogue, Redick and some others mast year. The trees were breaking surveyed jointly a very large tract of down with nuts. Acorns could be land extending over a large scope of gathered under the whiteoak trees in country about the mouth of Hardin's incredible quantities. In many places the ground was covered to the depth of Creek, containing some fifteen or twen- ty thousand acres. On the division of several inches.
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