Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals, Part 52

Author:
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642

USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals > Part 52

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Chapter XXI.

SALT CREEK TOWNSHIP.

T was to the Falls of the Muskingum, within firc, and the rest of the guards running to their the boundaries of the territory that subse- assistance, the Indians retired without accom- quently became Salt Creek township, and plishing their object. One of the assailants known and described in the United States sur- was killed and one wounded. The same night veys as "Township thirteen of range twelve they killed and scalped a mulatto man, servant of lands of the United States within the terri- to Maj. Duncan, a trader who was waiting for tory northwest of the River Ohio, and subject the assembling of the tribes, with goods to to entry in the land office in Marietta, Ohio," barter for their skins and peltries." This action that, in the latter part of June, 1788, a party of of the Indians exhibited so hostile a feeling thirty men, under the command of a United and was so unexpected that any further at- States military officer from Fort Harmar, was tempt to secure a treaty at that time was not sent by water, with provisions and presents of only regarded as impracticable, but exceed- goods, for the purpose of negotiating a treaty ingly hazardous, and, as a consequence, the of peace and friendship with several tribes of matter was for the time being indefinitely post- Indians who had selected that as the place for poned. A subsequent conference was, however, meeting Gen. St. Clair, the governor of the held in the fall following at another place and territory and authorized representative and a treaty effected.

agent of the government. The location se-

It was in the carly autumn of the year 1795, lected for conducting the negotiations was on immediately on the close of the Indian war and the south bank of the river, where the town two years before any white man was located of Taylorsville now stands. These troops were with the view of making a permanent home on ordered to the place by Gen. Harmar, com- any of the territory which now constitutes mandant of Fort Harman, for the purpose of Muskingum county, that under the auspices of erecting a council house and the building of a company formed in Marietta the manufacture huts for the comfort of the men and protecting of salt was commenced in this township, at or the goods against the weather. This remote adjoining the present village of Chandlersville spot was selected by the Indians for the pur- on the cast. It was the first experiment of the pose of the council in preference to Fort Har- kind in the Muskingum valley-in fact the first mar, for the reason it was nearer their own in all the territory northwest of the Ohio river homes, and was to them a well known and fa- east of the Scioto valley. The discovery of vorite locality and not under the influence of a salines at this point at the time it was made military fort. The attempt to form a treaty grew out of the fact that salt at Marietta, and was a failure. The reason is given by the his- at all the settlements below Marietta along the torian in a few words. He says: "The Indians Ohio and up the Muskingum rivers, was a com- commenced assembling from the different modity so scarce as to be entirely beyond the tribes in large numbers, especially from the ability of most persons to procure, it being re- Delawares. Among them was a band of the tailed as high as fifty cents a quart. It was, Chippewas and other Indians, outcasts from too, an article of universal necessity, and as the different tribes, amounting to about twenty. demand for it must constantly increase as the On the night of the 13th of July, those desper- population increased it was imperative upon adoes crept slyly around the tents containing the people to find some source of supply near the goods, and fired on the sentries, ten in at home adequate to the demand, and which number, with the intention of plundering them. would have the effect to reduce the price to an By this discharge two men were killed and one amount that all might be enabled to satisfy or two wounded. The sentries returned the their necessary wants. It was understood that

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

the Indians for an indefinite period of time had Meigs creek. He accompanied them a few been in the habit of obtaining salt water from miles on the way, and, after giving directions as the salines that have existed and reducing the to the route, returned. The men mistook the same to salt. Accordingly a company was directions given them, and instead of reaching sent out from Marietta for the purpose of locat- the headwaters of Meigs creek wandered over ing those salines. After a considerable search to the waters of Mills creek, down which they were discovered; by the aid of a small stream they traveled until night overtook camp kettle the explorers were enabled to test them. The day was cloudy and exceedingly the waters, and greatly to their relief it was cold, the thermometer at Marietta ranging found that these waters were much more from twenty-two to twenty-four degrees below strongly impregnated with saline particles than zero. Instead of going south as they supposed, they had any reason to hope or expect might they had been all the day traveling north. As be the case. A report of the discovery was night came on they succeeded, with the mate- duly made to the people of Marietta by whom rials they had at command, in striking a fire in they had been sent on this voyage of explora- the bark of a dry tree, and encamped for the tion. As a consequence all the necessary ap- night. The following day the sun appeared pliances for making salt were called into requi- and they saw the mistake of the preceding day sition at the earliest possible day, the business and commenced retracing their steps. They of salt manufacturing commenced, and was wandered about until the second night over- prosecuted with the utmost energy and vigor, took them in the wilderness. This was passed night and day, until the supply of the article as was the first night. Now their venison and was sufficient to satisfy the demand. The salt their means to obtain a fire were all gone. On was for the most part conveyed to the river at the morning of the third day they came upon a Duncan's Falls on pack-horses and thence small stream bearing a westerly direction, down transported in canoes to Waterford and Mar- which they determined to go. Suddenly and ietta. The supplies for the employes at the unexpectedly they saw smoke ascending works were procured at these places, and through the branches and tops of the trees. brought them in the same way. They were not long in reaching the works and

It was in the latter part of this year, during with frozen hands and feet received the greet- the month of December, that the adventure of ings of their companions from whom they sep- Capt. William Davis and Juda Ford occurred. arated more than two days before. And here They were employed at the works, the former we leave them.

acting in the capacity of foreman or manager, Before the discovery of the Salines by the the latter an intelligent young man of nineteen white man, the stream uniting with the Mus- years of age, a laborer there, and also acting in kingum river at Duncan's Falls was called Salt the capacity of book-keeper. The supply of creek. By whom this name was given the provisions at the works became well-nigh ex- main stream is not known. ' That matter is in- hausted, and it became necessary that a new volved in obscurity. But it was undoubtedly supply should be ordered. This could only be given because of the Salines on the east branch, done by going or sending to Waterford and which by the men at the works were called Marietta, and as the river was closed by ice it " White Eyes," and probably on the supposition was necessary to go by land. Accordingly that this east branch was the main and not a these men determined to make the trip and tributary stream. The name " White Eyes" started for Waterford by a direct route through was given this branch of Salt creek on which the woods, without any trace or marked trees the Salines were situated in honor of George to guide them. As the works had only been in White Eyes, a young Indian who had been operation for a brief period, the intercourse be- educated at Dartmouth College by the United tween them and their base of supplies had thus States Government as a token of respect to his far been conducted entirely by water, the over- father, a Delaware chief of that name, who had land route as yet not being opened. These ever exhibited friendship for the whites. This men having expected to reach their destination young Indian had spent some time at Waterford in a single day, the distance being only thirty when the first settlement was there made. He miles, the only outfit they provided was one had befriended the white settlers on several oc- blanket, a single charge of gunpowder, a flint, casions, was quite a favorite with them and was a jack-knife, a piece of tow string for tinder, personally known to some of the employes at and a couple of pounds of venison. Not being the works. The stream bore the name above familiar with the woods they hired a hunter as given it for quite a number of years, but of late, a guide to pilot them to the headwaters of within the memory of man, the name has been

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

transferred to another branch of Salt creek run- locality where he would spend his future years. ning in a westerly direction across the He had now passed the meridan of lifeand had northern portion of the township. The branch reached that period in human existence when of the stream first called " White Eyes" and the shadows lengthen as the years increase. joining it about a half mile below Chand- Hence the importance of a judicious selection lefsville, was called by the men at the works, must have been uppermost in his thoughts. "Williams' Fork," in honor of the adventure of His choice was probably determined by the Williams and Ford as related above. The name surroundings and the fact that all indications the stream still bears.

favored it as a healthy locality. Here, too,

It was in the year 1797, that Captain John were established a salt-works for the manu- Chandler, a native of Connecticut, but at the facture of salt which had been operated by the time a citizen of Rutland county, Vermont, in- Marietta company for a series of years with a spired by the enthusiasm that animated large constantly increased production. The locality numbers of New England people to remove to was one that seemed to be favorably situated Ohio, and allured by the glowing descriptions for becoming a business center, and as the popu- which reached New England of the richness of lation increased and the country developed the soil and the magnitude of the productions trade relations must become a matter of no small for which the Ohio country was becoming cele- importance. Besides it was on the direct brated, became one of a company of fifteen and shortest route of what must become the families, organized in New Ipswich, New chief highway between Zanesville and Marietta. Hampshire, under the general direction and

It was in the spring of 1799 when Captain leadership of General Rufus Putnam as agent Chandler with his family landed here in this of the Ohio company for the purpose of emigrat- White Eyes valley. What was the situation? ing to this western wilderness. This was only He had no home to which he could come; no one of numerous companies organized through- home to protect his family from the elements; out the New England states in like manner and not even a shed whereunder, for the time be- for a like purpose at about the same period of ing, he could find shelter. What a contrast it time. The company of which Captain Chand- presented to that Vermont home he had left ler became a member on its arrival in Ohio only two years before! How must all have made their first permanent landing in the part of seemed to the mind of this intelligent and cx- Balpre, now known as Newbury township, the perienced man! What were the emotions of most southerly township of Washington this heroic pioneer as he looked about him and county.

into the faces of that gentle and devoted wife

Here the company first planted a settlement and of that family of bright and active-minded but it was not destined long to remain so. It children who had accompanied him into the began very soon to disintegrate. It was com- depths of the wilderness!

posed of too many inharmonious elements.

Captain Chandler's family consisted of nine The families separated, some going in one persons -- himself, his wife, two sons that had direction, some another. Some sought a home nearly reached a man's estate, two in their boy- in one locality, some another. Captain Chand- hood years, one a lad of six or eight years, an ler remained two years and then det rmined to infant son and a daughter some nine or ten go elsewhere. He explored the region of the years of age. It was the first business to secure upper Muskingum and the valley of the Lick- a place of shelter and, for the time being, what ing. Like many others he probably entertained might be called a home. This was speedily a prejudice against selecting a home along the accomplished. Within three days he and his valleys of the larger streams. The fear was boys, with the aid of such of the men at the generally indulged that the atmosphere where works as could be spared, had a cabin erected the forests were so dense as along the larger and comfortably prepared for occupancy, and streams, must necessarily be filled with malaria of sufficient size to afford ample accommoda- and that as a consequence sickness must there tions for all the household. It very soon be- prevail. Hence many of the pioneer settlers came the home of peace, comfort and content- located on the high grounds when the rich ment.

bottoms along the larger streams could have As soon as the cabin home was prepared so been as easily secured. After much wandering as to afford comfortable protection to its in- and weighing in his own mind the relative mates, and shelter was provided for the oxen merits different localities possessed for a per- and the few domestic animals he possessed, manent residence, he finally selected the Captain Chandler and his boys, with an unfal- " White Eyes" branch of Salt creek as the tering industry and energy, commenced the

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

work of preparing the land for cultivation by This part, too, as it should become generally clearing away the undergrowth of the forest known, would have the effect to attract popula- and " girdling " or deadening the trees around tion. The works, therefore, when the new pro- and in the neighborhood of his cabin home. prietors acquired possession, thenceforward be- The wild became a garden. At the end of the came known as "Chandler's Salt works." The first season enough was secured of grain and business was. too, under the new management vegetables, and provender for stock, to supply prosecuted with renewed energy and vigor and over into the succeeding year enough and to for all there was in it. It was from these works spare. that the people along the Muskingum river and

The Chandlers were all active and could at Marietta, and for a distance of many miles work with advantage at almost anything they along the Ohio above and below Marietta, for undertook. They were, too, for the most part, quite a number of years, obtained this article artisans. They could as readily apply their of universal necessity. It cannot be ascertain- hands to mechanical pursuits, and with as quick ed that a single employe of the Marietta com- a perception as to the manner of doing, as to pany during the entire five years that Com- the preparation of the land for cultivation. pany owned and managed the works, remained Captain Chandler, in his boyhood days, had for any considerable time in the employ of the practiced, more as a pastime than as an em- new company, or became a pioneer or a settler ployment, the business of blacksmithing. His in the neighborhood. A new set of men were boys readily caught the business of smithing, on hand to take their places. Only the names as they did the use of the plane, the saw, the of a portion of these can now be recalled; chisel and the mallet, and as a consequence, at and of these memory and tradition are alike odd spells, on rainy days, and at times when at fault as to when and with a single exception out-door employments could not be pursued, whence they came and how long they were thus with the aid of such mechanical instruments as engaged. It is only known they were there they had at command, they were enabled to some portion of the time during the six or make almost any article of every day use that seven years the Chandlers conducted the salt required mechanical skill in its construction. operations. The names now recalled are those of This aptitude in the use of tools proved of John Hopper, Daniel Bane, William Cunning- great advantage to them during the after years ham, William Newell, John Dixon and David when the settlement was developing.

Forebush. Though single men, nearly if not Before two years elapsed Captain Chandler quite all became pioneers and identified them- had opened and placed under cultivation a selves with the people of the neighborhood in large and productive farm. But the farm and clearing away the forests for cultivation. They farming operations were not enough. Ambi- deserve remembrance as the advance guard of tious, energetic and restless spirits required the civilization that was to follow. It was now something to be feed upon more stimulating 1801, Zanesville and Putnam were each becom- and exciting than that afforded by agricul- ing points of some consequence and promised tural employment. It was at this juncture to be important towns. A post route providing of affairs that negotiations were entered upon for carrying the mail once a week each way, looking to the sale and transfer of the Salt had been established between these points and Works still owned and conducted by the Mari- Marietta, although on the entire line from Zanes- etta company to Captain Chandler and sons. ville to Waterford there was not a Post Office In duc time such sale was effected and the for the reason there was not a single inhabitant transfer of the works made. The new proprie- resident on the line except at the Chandler's tors immediately went into possession and took Salt works. This post road was little more charge of the business. Thus far, as the entire than a bridle path, but the travel over it was population of the neighborhood consisted only becoming quite constant and was rapidly in- of a single family, it was a matter of indifference creasing. Accordingly the "Chandler settle- who owned the works or who conducted the ment," as it was now being called, began to ar- business of salt manufacturing. But now it was restattention. Comers and goers were frequent. different. The time had come when an in- The roads to Zanesville and Duncan's Falls, es- crease of population in the neighborhood was pecially the latter as it was the road on which the anticipated. As a matter of course, all new traffic to and from the Salt works was con- comers would have a desire that the advan- ducted, soon became much traveled highways. tages to be derived from the conduct of the A new order of things was now about to be business, if any, should inure to the common introduced. benefit of the people of the neighborhood. There is no record as to who were the first

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pioneers to succeed Captain Chandler in this Eye." from a song he often sang. Dr. Daniel new settlement, who next to him were entitled Bliss, the pioneer physician, came in 1812. to the honor of being the first to commence Salt Creek Baptist church was organized in here the demolition of the forest. The arrivals 1811. The first church was of hewn logs and became quite frequent. Several families came had the dignity of two stories and a gallery. at about the same time. Among the first to The Methodist Episcopal church at Mansfork, arrive were John Briggs, of Pennsylvania, John- grew out of a class organized as early as 1812 son Brewster, of Vermont, a brother-in-law by Rev. James Watts. William Knox began of Captain Chandler. About the same time his labors at Chandlersville in 1816. Chan- came George Clapper from Pennsylvania and dlersville and Sugar Grove appointments were William Dixon, from Ireland, and Abraham formerly in Norwich circuit, and in 1869 were Mercer, of Virginia. All these men had joined with Fairview and Duncan's Falls ap- families and were here before 1804. In this pointments, and known as the Duncan's Falls year came Daniel Bliss another brother-in-law circuit. Presbyterianism took root here in 1814, of Captain Chandler, and a native of Massachus- when the first organization was formed. A ctts, with a family, including himself, of nine per- small frame house was the first edifice of this sons. He was a physician and the only denomination at Chandlersville. The present physician in the settlement for more than brick church was built in 1834. The United twenty years. Then came during the four Brethren church dates its organization back to or five years that followed, Peter Sarehett, 1857-1858.

Jacob Crumbaker, Jacob Wilhelm, Thomas

It was about the year 1805 that John Chan- Brady, Joseph Culbertson, and others whose dler, third son of Captain Chandler, still quite names are not at command. All these men a young man, erected, or caused to be erected, had families,-they were pioneers and be- the first mill in the township. Its site was on came what might be called representative men the creek about a mile below the salt works. of the neighborhood. They all came to make As the mill stones were procured in the neigh- husbandry their pursuit. A little further along borhood and it contained no bolting chest, came Robert Linn, and David Peairs, natives its use consisted principally in grinding corn. of Pennsylvania, Isaac Wartenbee from Vir- This was an important event in the history of ginia, and Welcome Ballou, from Massa- the neighborhood.

chusetts, and John Finney. All these per-

The Chandlers conducted the business of sons were accompanied with their families. salt manufacturing for the period of between Other pioneer settlers followed and at the six and seven years after they first came into end of the decade the population of the town- possession of the works. They then disposed ship had increased to several hundred. It was, of the same to John, Peter and Thomas Sarehett. too, a rapidly increasing population, not con- On the 15th day of February, 1809, the General fined to a single neighborhood, but scattered Assembly of Ohio passed a law creating or ap- over the entire township.

pointing an agent to superintend and lease thesc works. Previous to this date no such officer

The Chandler grist mill was built prior to 1807 and was burned in 1811-1812. Llewellyn existed. Accordingly under that act a lease of Howell built the second mill, and it is said the works for the period of three years was Silas Robinson was his partner in the enter- effected with the Sarehetts. Again on the 20th prisc. Sometime between 1815 and 1818 Sam- day of February, 1812, the general assembly of uel McCune had a saw and grist mill on Big the state passed an act authorizing the further Salt creek. Zachary Chandler's tannery was leasing of the works to the same parties for started about 1810, and William Scott's dis- the period of seven years, granting to the tillery in 1814. Bernhard Brewster opened a lessees the additional privilege of enclosing 80 store in 1812. John Stevens and John Moore acres of land adjoining for pasture and fuel were also early merchants. Zachary Chandler purposes. On the expiration of this lease no kept a tavern in a frame building as early as further action was taken by the state look- 1815. He was succeeded in this enterprise by ing to its renewal. Owing to the fact that in a Mr. Cuberday, and during his occupancy the numerous other localities, by boring wells deep building was burned. Robert Linn opened his into the rocky strata salt waters of much house for the accommodation of the public greater strength and in much larger quantities about 1820. There was no professional black- had been secured, these works as property smith in the township until 1810, when Jerry possessed little value. For this and other causes Joseph came. The next disciple of Vulcan they were abandoned. was William Moore, known as "Old Bung My The territory which became known as Salt

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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Creek township was described in the United the county commissioners of the date of March States surveys as "Township 13 of Range 12, of 6th of that year, so much of the said orginally lands of the United States situate in the State surveyed Township number 13, Range 12, as of Ohio," and as such passed into the market was contained in sections 6, 7, 18, 19, 29, 30 and as other Congress lands. Section 31 was 32, were detached from Salt Creek township situated on the south of the river and on it and became a part of Wayne township as the village of Taylorsville now stands. created of the date last aforesaid. This action

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Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals, Part 52

Author: Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 642

Author:
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642