USA > Ohio > Delaware County > History of Delaware County and Ohio : containing a brief history of the state of Ohio biographical sketches etc. V. 1 > Part 71
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73
The following facts, pertaining to this noted family, and their settlement in this township, are from an article in the Delaware Gazette, written by A. E. Goodrich, à descendant. The article is so thorough, and so well written, that we incorporate
it in this chapter, almost bodily, as being pertinent and to the point. It is as follows : "There was a custom in the family, contrary to the feudal sys- tem, by which the chief inheritance passed to the youngest son. After the death of Abiah, his son, Abraham Carpenter, was established in the family seat, at the village of Rehoboth, in the Massachu- setts Bay Province, which at that time was a small republic, and quite independent, as it had not yet been enslaved by the encroachments of the British Ministry. Here he continually added to his estate by the purchase of small and sometimes large tracts of land, until he became an extensive land- owner. No doubt it will be somewhat surprising to our readers, to learn that prices for land then were about as high as at the present day, as is shown by some of his conveyances, now in posses- sion of the writer, some of which date back to the year 1728. For one half-acre he paid £10 ($50), and for two acres he paid £40 ($200); but, as they were small tracts, they were probably located near the village. In 1756, Abraham made his last will, which is as much a dissertation on the Christian graces as it is a conveyance of his prop- erty-bequeathing his property to his son Abiel, and to his grandchildren. Abiel lived in the vil- lage which was the choice of his ancestors, where he reared a large family, and his third son, Na- than, became the pioneer, and the original settler of Delaware County.
" Capt. Nathan Carpenter was born at Reho- both in 1757, and grew to manhood amid the ex- citement preparatory to the Revolution, a zealous patriot. He was among the first to respond to the call of his country when the great colonial struggle came on, though scarcely more than a boy in age. He fought bravely at the battle of Bunker Hill, at which place his brother was killed and himself wounded. Afterward he participated in several sanguinary battles, among them the- pur- suit and capture of Burgoyne at Saratoga. After the surrender of Burgoyne, Capt. Carpenter had an interview with him, in which he took oc- casion to remark that he had very reluctantly accepted the command imposed upon him by the British Ministry, that of compelling him to war against the American colonies. He soon after confirmed his position by returning to England and joining Pitt's party, opposed to the war. Car- penter described Gen. Washington as being a tall, large man, of very imposing appearance, and, like Bonaparte, devoid of warm or passionate affection, although so ardently and truly devoted
C
415
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
to his country . Persons owed more gratitude to him collectively than they did individually. After the battle of Monmouth, Carpenter visited his home, and during his stay was married to Miss Irene Reid. But he did not long remain at home, and, soon after his marriage, returned to his post of duty. He took an active part in the cam- paigns and participated in many of the battles un- til a peace was conquered at Yorktown. The war was over now, and the troops were returning home. The battalion to which he belonged was expected home on the evening of a certain day. The young wife knew not whether her husband was living or dead. (Mail communications were not so complete, nor soldiers' letters so common, as during our late war.) Full of hope, however, she prepared supper for both of them, and then sat down to await his coming. Sadly she thought over the probabilities of his return, now that the war had ended. As she was beginning to despair, and her heart to sink with hope deferred, a knock was heard at the door. She started up, but was unable to speak or move further, when the door opened, and, behold, both her husband and brother stood upon the threshold safe and sound. It was too much; she fell senseless, but her hus- band caught her in his arms. He had returned to enjoy with her the recompense of those hard- fought battles, and to share with her the rest of his eventful life.
" After the close of the war. Mr Carpenter lived in Connecticut until 1795, when he removed to New York, and purchased a large estate upon the Unadilla River. It was while residing here that the excitement over the Ohio Territory rose to a height exceeded only by that perhaps over California in later years. Public meetings were held, at which were discussed the stories of its de- lightful climate and inexhaustible wealth. Never having become attached to the country which he had adopted as his home, he was inclined to share in the enthusiasm. And, then, a life in the West would be congenial to his nature. One morning, after having ascended to the roof of his house to shovel off the snow, a frequent necessity in that climate, he broke the intelligence to his wife, that he intended to leave that land of hills and snow- banks, and go to the wonderful Ohio. Having disposed of his estate and other effects which he would not need, and, having procured everything required in his future home, he bade adieu to his numerous friends, who had gathered to say fare- well, and started for the new El Dorado on the 12th
day of February, 1801. About twenty young men (Powerses, Smiths, etc., etc.,) who were going out to see the country, and some of whom after- ward became permanent settlers, accompanied him. He traveled on wagons and sleds as far as Pitts- burgh, where he loaded his effects and passengers into a boat and continued his journey by floating down the Ohio River. The beginning of his journey down the Ohio placed the little party be- yond civilized limits, and brought it a foretaste of the privations and luxuries of pioneer life. He traveled by day only, the boat being made fast to shore at night; but shortly after leaving Pitts- burgh, some of the passengers became anxious to travel at night also, and Capt. Carpenter finally acceded to their wishes. The boat started out, but did not proceed far before it struck a "sawyer," obstructions which were then so common in the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and crushed in the bow. The hold was rapidly filling with water, when the break was rudely stopped and the water kept down, until the boat could be run ashore and all on board rescued, though not a little alarmed. A day was spent in repairing the damage, when they again proceeded on their journey with light hearts and buoyant spirits. Congeniality light- ened every adversity and swelled every enjoyment. The variety of scenery contributed largely to the entertainment of the little band as it floated down La Belle Riviere. This voyage was long remem- bered and was highly interesting to the younger members of the party at least. Although early in the season, Nature had already donned her spring clothes, for the winter was indeed over. The knolls and valleys were covered with grass, and hundreds of deer, which looked in great wonder- ment upon the strange barge, were seen grazing upon the green slopes. Sometimes a solitary moose, with his huge antlers, or a bear, would change the monotony of the scene and contribute their mite to the variety of the bill of fare. Then turkeys were so plenty and the deer so tame that le voyageurs never lacked for fresh meats. Marietta was left behind ; prominent hills faded away in the distance; the last bend was passed, and the boat arrived safely at the mouth of the Scioto River. But here a change must be made; in order to reach his destination, the Scioto River must be ascended. Accordingly, the cargo and passengers were transferred to keel-boats, in which they were moved up to Franklinton, a place consisting of three or four log houses, and situated across the river from where Columbus now stands. Here a
416
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
large canoe was procured, and his goods transported up the Olentangy to the place where Hiram R: Carpenter now resides, and where he arrived on the 1st day of May, 1801, having been two months and eighteen days on the voyage. The first busi- ness in order was the erection of a cabin for a shelter, which was built on the bank of the river just above highwater mark. It was rudely chinked with split sticks and covered with bark, but with- out floor or chimney. Flat stones were set up against the logs to make a safe place to build a fire. The cabin was scarcely finished when it commenced to rain, and continued for eight days in succession. After the flood had abated, the land was surveyed, and, according to previous ar- rangement, Capt. Carpenter received choice of land in the section. He now began prospecting for a site on which to build a permanent home, which must be erected and finished before winter. His assistants were equally engaged in clearing, plant- ing and hunting, and the result was they harvested 500 bushels of corn, besides superabundantly sup- plying the party with the choicest meats. Game was plenty ; deer were to be seen every day ; tur- keys were frequently shot from the cabin door, and the creeks were full of fish.
" During the summer a substantial hewed-log house was erected on the site of the present resi- dence of Squire Carpenter. The family were moved into it, and provided with improved furni- ture and other adjuncts of civilization. In the spring following Capt. Carpenter's settlement, his party was joined by two other pioneer adventurers, Thomas Cellar and Josiah McKinnie, who were also men of wealth and influence, having their land paid for, and bringing with them surplus money. Mr. Cellar had purchased an entire sec- tion (4,000 acres) of land (a matter to which we shall again have occasion to refer), and, upon his arrival, built his house near the present residence of E. G. Taggert; McKinnie located on the op- posite side of the river from Carpenter. The colony now consisted of the families of Carpenter, Powers (who came with Carpenter), Cellar and McKinuie. Cellar was a gunsmith, and had manufactured guns for the war of independence, while the others had used them to that end. They were now associated together, not in war, but in subduing the wilderness, and building up homes in the new land of promise.
" The children of Capt. Carpenter, ten in num- ber, were now young men and women, and, being of congenial disposition, were sufficient company |
for each other to render their forest home cheerful and pleasant, instead of suffering it to become lonely and irksome. They often had exciting stories to relate concerning their adventures with wild animals and the Indians. With the latter they were usually on pretty good terms. As many of these pioneer stories have been handed down to the present, we will give one or two by way of embellishment to dry facts. There were those among the Indians, who sometimes became intolerable in their conduct, especially in their de- mands for whisky, and the whites, in such cases, did not hesitate to enter into a skirmish with them, knowing that they were in bad repute, even with their own people. An old Indian, whose name was Sevans, came to Carpenter's one day and asked for 'whisk.' Ira, the eldest son, who chanced to be present, knowing too well what the result would be, informed Mr. Sevans that he could not be accommodated. The old Indian urged his de- mand with so much importunity, that it became necessary to use other kinds of persuasion than argument. He first drew his knife, but Ira wrested that from him with little difficulty, which rendered the red man furious, and he began draw. ing his tomahawk from his belt, when a kick from his pale-faced adversary sent him sprawling out of doors. As soon as he recovered himself. he threw his tomahawk at young Carpenter with all the force he could muster, but the door was brought together in time to intercept the blow. The weapon passed through the door, however, and was now in possession of the white man, who chas- tised Mr. Sevans quite severely. He then gave him back his knife and tomahawk, with the injunction never to be seen there again-an in- junction the old rascal faithfully obeyed.
"There being a surplus of help at home, John Carpenter, the second son, concluded that he would hire out his services, and obtained employment of a Mr. Patterson, who had a trading-post at San- dusky. He set out for that place on foot and alone, following the Indian trails, which were the only roads there were at that time through the wilderness. He traveled in the daytime, guided by these trails and a pocket compass, and at night he slept by the side of a log. His first night's rest was quiet and undisturbed, but late in the second night, he was awakened by shrieks or howls, the source of which was evidently approaching nearer every moment. Being thoroughly awakened and conscious of his impending danger, he remained perfectly still by the side of his log. The shrieks
1
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
417
were soon changed to snuffings, and then the beast sprang upon the log directly over his bead ; walking down the log smelling of its intended vic- tim, it again alighted upon the ground, and, after smelling of him from head to foot, began to cover him up with leaves that were within reach. After having accomplished this feat to its satisfaction, it retired some distance and began to shriek most hid- eously, and soon Carpenter heard a response in the distance which convinced him that he was the sub- ject of a grand supper talk. Not wishing to be- come the food of a panther and her cubs, he quietly crawled out of the pile of leaves which had been heaped upon him and climbed up the nearest tree. The answering sounds which he had heard grew nearer, and soon the young family made its appearance. They tore open the bed of leaves, but their anticipated supper had disap- peared. Uttering hideous shrieks, the old one struck the track and followed it to the tree, and, rearing up against the trunk with he fore feet, stared indignantly at the subject of her disappoint- ment. When the morning dawned, the huge pan- ther withdrew her interesting family, and young Carpenter, happy in his escape, went on his journey. Many other incidents of interest pertaining to this pioneer settlement might be narrated, but our space will not permit; so we will return to facts.
" Capt. Carpenter died in 1814. On the even- ing of the 9th of September, a little more than thirteen years after his settlement in the township, he was returning from the town of Delaware on horseback. The animal on which he was mounted was a very vicious one, and, having left town late, night overtook him before he reached home. He could not see the road, and his horse had no dis- position to follow it. Winding along the river, it passed between the bank and a tree that stood very near to it. An overhanging limb swept the rider from his seat, and, being so near the brink, he fell down the precipice upon the rocks below. He raised upon his hands and uttered a solitary cry for help. The familiar voice attracted the attention of a neighbor near by, who hastened to his assistance. He immediately asked for water, which the man, with his hat for a cup, procured for him from the river. Dr. Lamb was soon at the scene of the accident, but his injuries were fatal, and he soon expired, thus ending, at the age of fifty-six, his eventful life. His death cast a cloud over the entire community ; all were con- scious that they had lost a friend. His family were devotedly attached to him; his physician and
many friends wept at his grave, as they laid him by the side of his wife, who had died ten years before."
Capt. Carpenter's seven children, who survived him, lived to an average age of eighty-one years, aggregating 570 years .* The eldest daughter, Mrs. Swiniton, went to Illinois in 1816, and died in 1873, at the age of ninety-three years. Alfred died in Illinois, and Nathan at, his residence in Worthington. The others are all dead except Mrs. Case, now eighty-three years of age, and most of them died in the county in which they grew up. Mrs. Case is living in Licking County, in good health for one of her years. Sarah, who married John Hardin, Esq., and who died at the residence of her son-in-law, A. S. Good- rich, Esq., in the winter of 1878-79, at the age of eighty-eight, was the last surviving child, except Mrs. Case, of Capt. Carpenter. After her decease, her grandson, Al. Goodrich, whose excellent sketch of the Carpenter family has served us so well in recording the first settlement of this township, indited an affectionate little tribute to her memory, which we give as an appropriate finale to the his- tory of this pioneer family. He pays a beautiful and touching compliment to a noble woman, and his only fault is, that he does not oftener touch the strings of his harp, and sing for the benefit of the public :
" There was naught of living verdure, Or of summer's light, For the earth was clothed in ermine, A true emblem of her life,
When they bore her to her resting In the city of the dead,
Near by the ancient temple, With a slow and measured tread.
" 'Twas by the old familiar streamlet, Where, full many years ago, She had watched the red man sailing In his light and fleet canoe. She was laid beside a dear one, Who had gone some time before,
When she was left to mourn him, For thirty years or more.
' Long had she dwelt among us, Was always true and kind, And many stories did she tell us Of the happy olden time. No grave, in her early childhood, In all the land was seen, Yet she had seen the churchyard Filled with her friends and kin.
* This estimate was made in 1876, at the time Mr. Goodrich wrote the article from which we have quoted so freely in the foregoing pages. Mrs. Hardin, as well as Mrs. Case, was then living.
6
418
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
" But, yet, alas ! the time had come, A day of grief, a day of gloom ; We left the cares of the busy world To lay her in the tomb. Sweet incense to the memory Of the sleeper 'neath the sod, Till we join her in the presence Of the everlasting God."
Thomas and Avery Powers accompanied Capt. Carpenter to the West. They were neighbors in New York, and settled on adjoining farms to Car- penter in this township. Avery was one of the first County Commissioners, a position he filled with credit and satisfaction. He did not live many years, however, to enjoy his new home, but died some time previous to Capt. Carpenter. A
son of his, Benjamin Powers, has been, until re- cently, President of the First National Bank of Delaware, an office he filled acceptably. Thomas Powers served in the war of 1812, and was killed in the battle of the Thames, we believe. Thomas Cellar owned 4,000 acres of land (one section) in the central part of what is now Liberty Township. He was a native of Franklin County, Penn., and came to his new possession in the spring of 1802. Josiah McKinnie came with him, and hailed from the same region. The Cases and James Gillies followed a few years later. These were all related by marriage or otherwise, and located upon the " Cellar section." Thomas Cellar had several sons, among them were Thomas, R. M. and J. F. Cellar. McKinnie was one of the first Associate Judges of Delaware County after its organization. Both he and the elder Cellar died years ago, and sleep in the old burying-ground at Liberty Church. McKinnie's widow is still living, nearly ninety years old, but quite active. The Cellar family was a large one, and representatives of it are to be found in many parts of the county. Of the Case family, there were Ralph, Watson and George Case, who were all pioneers. There are still many descendants of them in the country. George Case and his wife lie buried a short distance east of Powell. In the corner of a large field, by the roadside, stand their tombstones, looking as lone- some as a weeping-willow tree by moonlight.
The Welches came to Liberty Township in 1804. There were three brothers, John, Ebenezer, and Aaron Welch, and a brother-in law. Leonard Monroe, and all were from Unadilla County, N. Y. John Welch, the eldest of the Welch brothers, came to Ohio as the agent of the Glover lands, but, liking the country, he settled perma- nently in Liberty Township. He died in Marl-
borough Township in 1832; Aaron died in Dela- ware in 1816, and Ebenezer died in 1823. He was a man somewhat addicted to drinking, or had been, but for some time had refrained. He was at Delaware one day, where something went wrong with him, and, to solace himself, drank to intoxica- tion. Late in the evening he started home. a place he never reached. A few days afterward he was found dead in the woods. Abijah Welch was a son of John Welch, as was also Dr. David Welch. Abijah died very early, and was among the first deaths that occurred in the settlement. In fact, it has been said that his grave was the first of a grown-up white person north of Franklinton. This, however, we think , a mistake, as Mrs. Car- penter died the same year the Welches came to the country. John Welch's mother, who came to the country with him, also died early. Billdad. another son of John Welch, came to Delaware County in 1817. A son of his, Augustus Welch, lives in Delaware, a prosperous furniture dealer. John Welch was a Justice of the Peace, and prob- ably the first one in the county. Isaac Welch. a nephew, was also an early settler. He settled near the mouth of Welch's Run. He had a large family, which are scattered; none of them living in the county at present. He himself died on the place of his original settlement, some twenty-five years ago. Leonard Monroe, a brother-in-law to the Welches, died nearly half a century ago. He was a tailor by trade, and always appeared in company looking extremely neat and well dressed. A devout Christian, Deacon Monroe is still remembered in the community as a very pious man. One day he was lecturing some of his neighbors about not attending church, when they remarked, " Well. but Deacon, you have shoes to wear, and we would have to go barefooted." " Why," said he, " if that is all, I will go barefooted too." So the next church day, the delinquent brothers went to meet- ing "to see if Deacon Monroe would keep his word." Sure enough the Deacon was there bare- footed, and had taken a seat just inside of the door with his feet so displayed that any one on the outside could not avoid seeing them. As each man came up to the door and caught sight of the Deacon's naked feet, he walked in and took his seat. Thus, by adapting himself to circumstances. he largely increased the attendance at church ; on this particular Sunday at least. But whether they were drawn thither for the benefit of divine wor- ship, or to see whether Deacon Monroe would attend church barefooted is somewhat problematical.
419
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
. A few years subsequent to the settlement of those mentioned above, probably about 1806, Ebenezer Goodrich settled in the extreme south- east corner of the township, where his son, A. S. Goodrich, now lives. He had bought his land be- fore leaving Connecticut, his native State, and, being a young man and single, he kept " bach " for a number of years after locating in the township. The first settler in this immediate section, while living alone with no companion but his faithful dog, he was a kind of second Crusoe on his desert island. He served in the war of 1812, and, soon after his return to his home, he was elected or ap- pointed a Justice of the Peace, an office he held for many years. Mr. Goodrich died October 15, 1846. Four sons are still living, two in Delaware County and two in Indiana. A. S. Goodrich oc-
cupies the old homestead, and has accumulated considerable wealth. He has retired from active business, and, while he enjoys the fruits of a life of industry, he has turned over the management of his large property to his sons, who are worthy scions of a good old stock. William Goodrich lives at Ashley, this county; Edmund lives in Miami County, Ind., and H. E., in Cass County, Ind. John Hardin was another settler of 1806, and came from Fairfield County here, but had lived previously at Marietta. He was a descendant of the old Hardin stock of Kentucky, than whom none better exists in that proud old commonwealth. He married a daughter of Nathan Carpenter, the first settler of Delaware County, and died some thirty years ago. A son of his, Solomon Hardin and Mrs. A. S. Goodrich, a daughter, still live in the township. Another son, John, lives in Illi- nois; Isaac, another son, is dead; Nathan C., still another, lives in Missouri. Capt. Timothy Andrews and his father, also named Timothy, were from Connecticut, and settled in the township in 1815, on what was known as Middlebury street. The old gentleman died in 1840, but Capt. Timo- thy is still living, though quite old and infirm.
Among the early settlers up on Middlebury street besides Capt. Andrews and his father, were Solo- mon Moses, Joseph M. Gardner, Lemuel Humph- rey. Abner Pinney and Eben C. Payne. They were all from Connecticut, except perhaps Gard- ner, who came from New Hampshire. They called the neighborhood Middlebury, in honor of their native town. Humphrey was an early Justice of the Peace. He had several sons, but none of them, we believe, are now here. Moses was a zeal- ous Methodist, and has two sons, Flaviel and
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.