A history of the early settlement of Highland County, Ohio, Part 25

Author: Scott, Daniel
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: [Hillsboro, Ohio] : The Gazette
Number of Pages: 442


USA > Ohio > Highland County > A history of the early settlement of Highland County, Ohio > Part 25


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38


The Commissioners at this section detected, occasionally, oner in three or "ordered that Peter Moor, Sunuel Reed four mouths perhaps the slightest marks and John Countrymon proceud to view of a narrow wheeled wagon. When a road beginning at the crossing of wagons did not happen to pes over John Shields' Run, thence running a theme unfrequented roads, through the south-westerly course the nearest and sparsely populated parts of the county, best way to intersect a road laid out in they were almost as much of a curiosity Adams county, and cut from Limestone to the white headed children of the one to Highland county line, to intersect or two log cabins alon , the route, ab in a said road running through George's train of railway cars at this day. The? Creek and Cherry Fork settlement to could hear the lumbering noile of the Highland county line, and that the said


vehicle ag it slowly wound along, . tritt- viewers proceed to view said road, and ing stumps, roots and logs, sometimes Walter Craig survey the same, agrco- almost upsetting, and richting senin able to the request of petitioners."


with a crash, which echoed through the woods and along down the changel of


The entire county at this date was densely covered with timber, and the the creck like thunder. There komade, undergrowth was, as a general thing, mingled with the loud voice of the thick and brushy. It was therefore no driver and the frequent crick of bis small job to cut ten or twenty miles of whip, heralded the approach, it might road and make it favorable for wagons, be for a mile or more of n clout cronine. after it had been located by the viewers and all the household werd oud at the and survoyed by order of the Com- missioners.


fence, the smaller ones on top of it, :00 the dogs on the outside nest the remol, whilst the oll folks contentori thiem- selves by standing in the dom, to wit - 128 the passage of thế wagon alnie:


Cutting these neighborhood roads was therefore one of the many self-imposed duties which was cheerfully discharged by the industrious and persevering first their road. settlers of this county. The work pro- The Commissioners that awin on the ceeded slowly, as a matter of course, and Path of the same month, "promett. roads were only made where they were Nathaniel Pope, Jonathan Boyd and


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A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND. COUNTY, OHIO.


Frederick Braucher, and proceeded to twenty-two dollars for boarding the business. Ordered, that the Trustees of Surveyors. Ordered. that Jesse Baldwin Fairfield township receive an order to receive an order on the Treasury grant that order to the Supervisor of for three dollars, for carrying the re- said township, to open and keep in re- turns of Fairfield township clection to pair a road leading from Morgan Van- Chillicothe. Ordered, that John David- meter's towards the Falls of Paint creek, son, Esq., receive an order on the Treas- by order of the Commissioners. Order- ury for three dollars, for carrying the ed, that Abraham J. Williams receive returns of New Market election to Chilli- an order on the county Treasury for cothe." Commissioners adjourned. twelve dollars, for attending as Prosecu- ting Attorney at February Term, 1806."


It does not appear what election these returns were of, but it is presumable they were of the preceding October election.


The next meeting was held March 8th, of this year, at which accounts of the Associate Judges, Jurors fees, &c., were audited. The next session of this


June 9th 1806. Commissioners met pursuant to adjournment. Ordered, that year was held on 20th of April, at which Nathanel Pope receive an order on the it. was ordered that Josephi Swearingen received an order on the county Treas- Treasury for twelve dollars and twenty- five cents, for collecting the county tax ury for one dollar for carrying the re- in Fairfield township in 1805. Bond turns of the October election to New received of John Richards and securi- Market. The Commissioners also or- ties, as Treasurer of Highland county, dered themselves pay for their services, according to law, for the year 1806. at the rate of one dollar and fifty cents Ordered, that George Richards receive per day, and the Secretary extra pay of an order on the Treasury for ten dollars two days. Orders were also issued to and fifty cents, for going to Chillicothe Thomas Mays, James Boyd and Peter twice for stationery. Ordered, that Moore, for carrying chain, at the rate of John Richards receive an order on the seventy-five cents per day, "in survey- Treasury for twenty-four dollars and ing a road through Brushcreek town- twenty cents, for serving as Treasurer ship."


one year pust. Ordered, that Peter Light, James Denny and Nathaniel Beasly, receive each an order on the


It appears from the following orders, made at a session of the Commissioners held on the 17th of May, 1806, that Treasury for six dollars for fixing the prior to that date the Commissioners permanent of seat justice for Highland appointed by the Legislature to survey county.


the county and ascertain its centre, had "Ordered, by the Commissioners of "Ordered, Highland county, that there shall be given for every wolf or panther scalp, above six months old, two dollars and fifty cents, and under six months, one dollar and fifty cents, to be paid out of the county Treasury on order of the Commissioners. Jonathan Boyd, Sec. Ordered, that Edward Curtis receive an performed their services. that James Denny, Esq., receive an or- der on the Treasury for eighty-eight . Jollars and fifty cents, for surveying { ascertaining the lines of Highland minty with the centre, and other ex- penses." A similar order for a like sum was made for Nathaniel Beasly. Peter Light also received an order for eighty- order for two dollars and fifty cents, for nine dollars for similar service perform- killing an old wolf. Ordered, that. ed at the same time. In the absence of Joseph Swearingen receive an order for other record testimony, we conclude eleven dollars, for taking in and assessing that the above named men were the the land and property of Liberty tp. State Commissioners for the purpose.


Ordered, that Evan Evans receive an order on the Treasury for sixteen dol-


"Ordered, that Nathaniel Beasly re- ceive an order on the Treasury for lars and fifty cents, for taking and as- thirty dollars for two hands, twenty sessing the land and property of Fair- field township. Ordered, that Elijah Kirkpatrick receive an order on the Treasury for eight dollars, for taking in and assessing the land and property in New Market township. Ordered, that Benjamin Groves receive an order on the Treasury for four dollars and assessing the land and property in days each, in chaining the county lines. Ordered, that John Campton receive an order for seventeen dollars for serv- ing in marking the county lines. Order- ed, that Christian Bloom receive an or- der on the Treasury for six dollars for packing for the Surveyors. Ordered, that George W. Barrere receive an or- seventy-five cents, for taking in and der for five dollars and seventy-five cents for provisions furnished the Sur- Brushcreek township. Ordered by the veryors. Ordered, that Oliver Ross re- Commissioners of Highland county, ceive an order on the Treasury for that the Assessors shall be collectors of


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A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


the State and county levies, each one ceive an order on the Treasmy for four in his own district. Evan Evans, for dollars for candles and stationery for the township of Fairfield; Joseph Swear- the Court of Highland county to this ingen, for the township of Liberty; date. Ordered that George W. Barrere Elijah Kirkpatrick, for the township of receive an order on the Treasury for New Market; and Benjamin Groves, for eleven dollars for his house during six the township of Brushcreek. By order terms of the Court of Highland coun- of the. Commissioners, Jonathan Boyd, ty." In addition to thus business or- Sec., Ordered, that Jolin Hoop receive ders were issued to James Collins, an order for one dollar and a half for Peter Hoop and Samuel Ree o for two appraising houses and lots one and one dollars and fifty cents each for killigg half days in the town of New Market. each an old wolf. Confinissioners ad- Ordered, that Jolin Richards receive an journed to the 13th of December next. order on the Treasury for one dollar for At this meeting the only order that appraising houses in Liberty Town- was made was to James Ralaugh for ship." Appaising of houses in Liberty two dollars and fifty cents for killing Township appears to have been a liglit an old panther. Board adjourned to task fifty-two years ago. Indeed it is the 5th of January, 1507. not easy to conceive buildings at that


New Market up to this date had not day in this county, intrinsically worth become much of a business place, at the cost of appraising, except the few least in the way of trade. Fritz Miller little mills, for from the best informa- was compelled to wind up his concern tion we can gather, there were few, if this fall on account of the failure on the any houses, having pretensions above part of Barngruber to keep up the sup- the log cabin -- an occasional one having plies most in demand. a lap shingle roof. During this session


To Miller succeeded a Mr. Logan, of the Commissioners, Evan Evans de- who opened up his stock of goods in clined serving as collector for Fairfield the finishing shop of Michael Stroop. township, and William Pope was ap- This trading establishment was also pointed in his stead, and gave bond to soon closed out and discontinued. Af- the satisfaction of the Board. Board ter Logan left, John Smith came from adjourned till the 20th of July next. Maysville with a respectable lot of "Met pursuant to adjournment. Order- goods. This was late in the winter of ed, the Trustees af Brushcreek town- 1805-07. Smith opened his story east ship receive their orders to proceed to of Fritz Miller's old stand, on the op- work the Brushcreek township road. posite shore of a large pond in the Ordered, that Jonathan Boyd receive street, which lay east of where G. W. an order on the Treasury for twenty- Barrere then residel, It spread clear two dollars and sixty-six cents, for mak- across Main street from side to side ing out eight duplicates of State and This pond was named Like Robinson county levies of Highland county, and by the New Marketers. For the ad- for stationery two dollars and sixty-tix commodation of foot passengers there cents. Board of Commissioneis ad- was a connection of logs laid above the journed to the 17th of October next."


water from one side to the other. 1


At the Ocober meeting, the Commis- man by the name of Robinson, laboring sioners did nothing of interest but issue under the influence of some of Fritz's orders for the per diem of the Associ- whisky, and being very top heavy, at. ato Judges, and pay nine dollars for tempted to cross this pond with his killing four wolves, three old ones and a load by means of the foot logs, when young one. "Ordered, that the Com- he unfortunately slipped, though using. missioners lay before the Associate as he fancied, the utmost care, and Judges the books of their respective tumbled headlong into the water, and proceedings. Board adjourned to the from this circumstance and time it 17th inst." was Known as Lake Robin on until in


At the October election, 1506, the course of time it was drained and ffel term of Frederick Brancher, as Com- up. missioner, expired, and George W. Bar- present at the next adjourned meeting


Smith carried on a sneekestul busi- rere was elected in his stead, and was nets in New Market as A morclient for a year or two until Hill borough was of the Board on the 17th of October. laid out, when he removal then and established himself in the same trade.


At this session it was "ordered, that Anthony Franklin receive an order on During the year 1500 the firstselile- ment was commenced iu the present the Treasury for twelve dollars for bal- lot books for the election districts, and township of Washington by Willfarg carrying them to the election districts. Murphin, from one of the New Eur Ordered, that Anthony Franklin re- Lind States, 119 moved in and built a


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A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


cabin some two miles east of the pres- night's encampment and remained ent town of Berryville on the farm with them until morning. known as the old Murphin place.


The day of their departure was


Early in the month of March, 1806, among the first of early autumn. The James Fitzpatrick moved up from Chillicothe to this county and settled first frost of the season had left his foot marks on the tenderest of sum- on a farm about three and a half miles mer's foliage, which gave to the dis- southeast of Hillsborough. He had purchased the land of Henry Massie and selected that locality on account of its promise of health .. tant mountain sides an appearance more subdued than that of summer, yet less grand than when, a few weeks later, they donned the full livery of the season. But the late flowers of the valley were yet spared, and except the slight sharpness of the morning air, and the occasional fall of a yellow leaf in the path, little of the sadness of decay was


The previous October he arrived with his wife and a large family, prin- cipally grown, at Chillicothe from Monroe county, Virginia. Ilis old home was on a small stream called In- dian Creek, a tributary of New River. visible to the train of emigrants as In this wild region he reared his fami. they bade adieu to the long familiar ly and spent the greater part of his land marks of Indian Creek, and slowly wound their way down the valley to the north ward.


life, for he was an old man -- upwards of sixty when he determined to gratify the inclination of his children by seek- ing a new home on the rich lands of the Scioto Valley.


Preparations for the departure of the summer, for it was to them the first great incident of their lives -- breaking


family were commenced early in the of the mountain, gazing with moisten-


ed eyes for the last time, as they doubt- ed not, on their much loved friends --- up old associations, abandoning an old listening to the peculiarly sad and sor- home, endeared to each member of the


rowful tones of the bells on the stock, large family by many peculiar charms as their slow and measured tone grad- which all know and appreciate, and set- ting out on a long journey into a new and unknown land.


The arrangements were at length completed, and the day of departure arrived. Most of the neighborhood spent the previous evening with them. They were all good old-fashioned Methodists-wearing the simple religi- ous costume of the early days of that Christian denomination-and their im- far West.


mediate friends were of the same per- suasion. The evening was spent in singing and prayer. In the morning the entire neighborhood was early as- sembled to take leave of the Fitzpat- ricks and witness their departure. It day would suppose, for though the was a most solemn scene.


girls walked every foot of the way the


Nine pack horses were ladened with travel was not so rapid as to be greatly the property which was deemed neces- fatiguing after they become used to it, sary to be taken to the new country. which only required a few days. The These were started on the road in a weather continued, with a few except- ions of rainy days, very pleasant, and the novelty which the river, forest and these came the cattle, with bells on occasional new farm, constantly pre- sented-the deepening tinge of autumn on the leaves; their almost ceaseless campment in the brown old woods at night, and the bustle and preparation


line one after the other, the foremost led by one of the sons. In the rear of their necks, among which mingled the other stock. Next in the procession came the family, on foot, all except the falling around them, exposing the rich mother, who rode on horseback. The clusters of grapes or nuts-the en- three men carried rifles on the should- ers, and the six girls, nearly all young women, assisted to drive the stock. In for starting in the morning, afforded the rear followed the dogs of the fami- almost constant employment for their ly. Many of the young neighbor boys thoughts, So that the entire journey, and girls accompanied them to the first lonely and cheerloss though it may ap-


..


To the large number of relatives and friends who stood about the gate until the last of the departing company had disappeared behind a projecting spur ually grew more and more faint and in- distinct, until they were entirely lost to the ear, although the listeners kept the most profound silence in hopes to catch another farewell tone-to these good friends left behind the scene was indescribably melancholy, and utterly beyond the comprehension or apprecia- tion of those who never witnessed a similar departure of emigrants for the


The "movers" were about six weeks on the road. Nothing, however, occur- red worthy of special note. They ar- rived at their destination all well, and less fatigued than one of the present


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A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


pear to the reader, was far from it. joists of peeled hickory poplar Some one of the men, acting as hunter, poles, covered with heavy boards. The rarely failed to supply their encamp- doors were heat, and there were two ment with a fat buck or turkey- some- small glass windows. There was but times a bear. After broiling a rich


one room, but the old cabin made a supper from the choice parts of the car- good kitchen. In this, two nice large cass, an old-fashioned heart-felt hymn beds, with snow white, home made, seven hundred flax linen sheets, pillow was chanted and a prayer was offered by the venerable sire. They all then cases, &c. The bed clothing was abo retired to rest, with full confidence in all home made, and of the most taste- the protecting hand and watchful eye ful and serviceable style. Near one of of the Great Father.


the windows on a small stand lay the old buckskin covered bible and hymn


Chillicothe and the surrounding country were pretty well improved at book. The chairs were old fashioned this date, and the Fitzpatricks were split bottomed, without paint, but very much pleased with what they scoured white as snow, and indeed considered their new home. They, every thing inside betokened great in- however, deferred purchasing land un- dustry, skill and taste. It was a beauty til spring. But shortly after their of a cabin, and in it reigned peace, har- arrival, the charm of the Scioto country mony and love. The ininates were was broken. Extending their acquaint- true Christians. Each one strove to ance somewhat, they discovered that avoid any delinquency in duty. From more than half the people in the bot- morning till night the hum of the toms were just recovering from the wheel and the clang of the loom were fever and ague. On inquiry, they heard, whilst the men folks were en- found that this scourge was of annual gaged in the out door work. The father occurrence. This intelligence was to had provided himself with a quantity them, who had hardiy ever heard of of choice peach seeds from his old sickness of any kind in their lives, orchard in Virginia, and his first care startling. They speedily resolved not was to plant them. His skill as a Woodsman enabled him soon to obtain a supply of bees from the woods, which were early domesticated. They had


to remain there longer than 'carly spring, and many of the families were anxious to retrace their steps to their old home among the mountains of Vir- plenty of fine cows, and having built a ginia. But Henry Massie hearing of pretty little cabin milk-house, at the cool, rocky spring, they were able be- their troubles, went to them and told them that ho had good uplunds in fore fall to set the nicest hard. fresh Highland, where he would warrant


butter on the table with their johnny thein against fever and agne. So cake, chestnut coffee and fried venison,


Robert Fitzpatrick went to look at the lands de cribed by Massie, and selected the tract on which his father and family settled the following March.


They built their cabin within twenty


that man ever delighted his palate with.


Early in the autumn of 1805, the first regular Methodist meeting ever held in the county of Highland, was held at


yards of where the Furnace road now Fitzpatrick's. Peter Cartwright and passes, near a most superb spring of James Quinn were the regular circuit


water. A small "clearing" was made


preachers, and William Butk was pre-


in good season for planting corn. siding elder. The circuit was called Everything went on well. The family the Scioto circuit, and embraced pretty enjoyed good health, and were pleased much the whole extent of territory with their new home, which they soon west of that river and east of the Little made entirely comfortable. During Miami. Mr. Quinn had thirty-one ap- the summer, they put up one of those pointments to fill every four weeks. old fashioned, neat and pretty log Ho and Cartwright wore buckskin cabins, which were once tolerably com- breeches whilst on this circuit. "Quinn mon in this county, and which mark


was the first preacher who ever came the first stage between the primitive to our house," says a member of the . "rough log cabin" of song and the family; "he came wandering along


howed log house of a later date. It through the tron1 "George was a story and a half high, logs sofall Richards', hunting our house, lato one and hewed on two sides, closely click- afternoon. We had nothing but a little ed and tightly daubed on the outside bench for a table, but we got him som with yellow clay. The chimney was supper- the best we had-and he ap- "cat and clay," i. e. straw mixed up in peared satisfied and quite at home in well worked clay-stone hearth and our little rough cabin. He remained fire place; neatly hewn puncheon floor; all night, and sat up late talking and


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A HISTORY OF HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.


praying with us. The nextmorning he in the ranks, his toil, suffering and left, having made an appointment to heroism have been lost sight of by the preach for us in two weeks." And historian, and tradition has failed to from that time forward for the period hand them down. He was, however, of twenty-one years, Fitzpatrick's con- with Lewis at the bloody battle of the º tinued to be a regular place of circuit "Point," and, being an excellent woods- preaching and quarterly meetings. It man and hunter, was generally among was a favorite stopping place for the those who were known as Indian fight- preachers at this time. Perhaps no ers after the close of the Revolution up place at that day in Ohio, could present to the peace of '95. He was a harmless, so many attractions to the truehearted quiet, peace-loving, honest, simple- hearted old man, devout and sincere in and self-sacrificing: pioncer Methodist "circuit rider," as the hospitable and his religion, true in his friendships, unpretending home of the Fitzpat- ricks.


In the first settlement of the county there does not seem to have been any Methodists, but speedily after a perma- nent preaching place was established, a congregation was rapidly built up. People came for many miles to attend preaching there, and it was thenceforth the headquarters of Methodism, as well as the center of Christian example.


Allong list of the pioneer preachers, who made this house their occasional home for one or two years, might be His bees also throve, and he had great given. Quinn, Cartwright, Trader Ha- abundance of honey. He understood vens, Collins, etc. But they are all making a favorite drink in the early days of the West, called Metheglin. which was made of honey chiefly and was superior in many respects to any


gone, and those better qualified than us have long since recorded their virtues and sufferings. Some, after a pleasant


by the Bishop, Asbury, Whatcoat or McKendree, as missionaries to Missis- sippi, and died in want and suffering among the savages they hoped to save. Others were transferred to distant con- ferences, and in the new field of useful- ness made new friends, and were no more heard of by their humble friends here, while some still remained labor- ing in their chosen vocation, till they tilled the measure of their years, be- came tho patriarchs of the Highland church, and then meekly passed away to receive their reward.


Peter Light, when assisting as State Commissioner to fix the seat of justice for Highland county, made his home at Fitzpatrick's during his stay. And in 1811 or '12 when Simon Kenton was last in this county he stayed several nights with them."


James Fitzpatrick was a soldier of the Revolution, having entered the army in 1778. He served for some time as a spy, but we regret our inability to find any portion of his history, either while in the army of the Revolution or the frontier service against the In- dians. Like most of those old worthies who did good service to their country




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