USA > Ohio > Delaware County > History of Delaware County and Ohio : containing a brief history of the state of Ohio biographical sketches etc. V. 2 > Part 18
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James Norris, Sr., came from Portsmouth, Ohio, to Worthington in 1811, and after having pro- vided his family with a suitable dwelling, he obeyed the call for troops, and joined Harrison's army, which was then on the march north to Fort Meigs. He was with that army when besieged at that place. After the siege was raised, he returned to his family, and in 1814, moved into what is now Troy Township, settling on land now known as the Shultz farm. At this time, William Nor- ris, his eldest son, was eleven years of age, who still lives in the township, and can look back upon his past life with satisfaction as one of useful- ness and activity. He is popularly known as Judge Norris from having held the position of Associate Judge of the Common Pleas Court for six years from 1842. He was associated on the bench with Judge Swan, who has since gained a high reputation as a writer on law. It was while Judge Norris occupied this position that he, to- gether with Col. Andrews and Col. Lamb, built by contract thirty-one miles of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad. Many reminiscences which he relates of pioneer life are interesting. When a new-comer or some neighbor, ofttimes some miles away, wished to erect a cabin, it was customary for the men of the settlement to turn out and lend a help- ing hand, thus making short work of the job. The lack of markets made such food as could be raised by the settlers very cheap, indeed it was years before there was a home market suf- ficient to create a reasonable demand. The trav- eler was always welcome, and found free and generous entertainment wherever he might stop, and ever carried with him the good wishes of his host. It was necessary to go as far as Zanes- ville for salt, and to Franklinton to mill, while occasionally trips were made as far north as Lower Sandusky for the purpose of trading. The stock all ran unrestrained in the woods, and the clang of the cow-bell told where they were to be found, perhaps in the clearing, or browsing in the timber. A pig that couldn't outrun a bear had no show for an existence. The miasmatic fevers induced by the noxious gases arising from the decay of the over-abundant vegetation upon the woodlands long hidden from the rays of the sun, were combated by teas made from herbs, to be found in the im- mediate vicinity, and roots from the forest. Phy- sicians were rarely called, and then only in extreme cases. The inability of the settler to pay them when called, tended to disparage their settling in
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
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so new a country. They were therefore " few and far between." James Norris, Jr., another son, was a mere child when the family moved into Troy Township. When he had grown to be quite a boy, he assisted Joseph Cole and others, in blazing the road through from Delhi to the old Marlborough Baptist Church. Some years pre- vious to his death, he constructed a small mill which was a novelty in its way. The grinding- stones were made from " nigger heads " found on the banks of the Olentangy, and a team of horses, hitched to a lever which was attached to a center piece of the top stone, was the power that turned the mill. "The meal was a little coarse " says an old pioneer, " but then it was better than nothing." Before leaving the history of the Norris family; it may not be out of place to mention the heroic death of Dr. James Busby Norris, who was a son of Judge Norris. He, while located at the city of Chattanooga, Tenn., in the practice of his pro- fession, responded to the call for aid made by the yellow-fever stricken city of Vicksburg in 1878, and met his death in that city while battling with that disease. His remains lie interred in the Na- tional Cemetery at Chattanooga, an innovation the Secretary of War acceded to without objection.
Sabeers Main was born in the State of Connec- ticut before the Revolutionary war, and although never a resident of this township, or even of Ohio, yet he was represented with numerous descend- ants here, in the early settlement, and deserves a passing notice by way of introducing this numerous family. He was a little under age when the war for freedom commenced, but determined to enlist, which he did, and was assigned to the army under Gen. Greene. After being with Greene for some time, the regiment he was with was placed under Gen. Putnam. He served in the capacity of a spy, often penetrating the British lines for the purpose of gaining information for his command- ing officer. After the close of the war, he mar- ried Hannah Cole, a native of New York, and moved to Virginia, where he died. He left a widow and several children, all of whom were early settlers in this township. The names of his sons who came to this county are as follows : Timothy, Sabeers, Eleazar, John, Jonas, Thomas and Lyman, the latter being the only one now liv- ing. Eleazar Main was the first of the family that came to Ohio. He was induced to leave his home in Virginia by Joseph Cole, who had re- turned to that State for the purpose of moving his brother-in-law. John Duncan, to this country. It
was in the early part of the year 1813 that he reached the then little village of Delaware, and on learning that Gen. Harrison's army was besieged at Fort Meigs, he enlisted, and accompanied the detachment which went to its relief. He re- turned and lived for a time with the Cole family, and marrying Margaret, the eldest daughter, soon after moved to the farm where his widow still lives. In 1824, he built a brick house, the sec- ond one of the kind put up in the township. The brick for the same were burnt from clay taken from the bank on the farm of Joseph Cole. For over half a century this old brick house has de- fied wind and weather, but it shows signs of de- cay, and erelong another old landmark will be numbered with the past. Eleazar Main gave freely to the support of the Marlborough Baptist Church, and when he died in 1871 was buried in the graveyard adjoining that church. Sabeers and Timothy Main were the next of the family that came to this settlement. They arrived Au- gust 10, 1815. The former remained one year at Cole's, afterward removed to the farm now occu- pied by his son Jonas Main, and, putting up a cabin, began to clear the land. He died March 14, 1869. His wife was Sarah Wright, who moved into Virginia from North Carolina, and who died in 1859. Timothy and his family settled on the farm now occupied by Mr. Simpson. His demise took place a number of years ago, and his sons have moved from this locality. Lyman and Thomas Main came to this locality about 1815 01 1816, with their mother and sisters. When they arrived they were compelled to live for a short time in the cabin home of a relative, until they could rear one of their own. Their cabin was put up on the land now occupied by Mrs. Williams. Thomas was quite young when he arrived, and lived with his mother until he attained his majority. He then married Anna Russell, and moved to the farm upon which his son Ezra now resides, and which he had purchased from a man by the name of Wilson. He built a cabin and lived there for some time, and then built a frame house nearly opposite to where his cabin was located. He moved into it, where he died in 1867. Lyman in 1823 was married to Hannah Martin. The cere- mony took place in the cabin of his mother. and was performed by his brother Timothy, who was a. Justice of the Peace. At this time, a great deal of sickness prevailed in the neighborhood. and of the guests who attended no less than seven were stricken down with the chills. Immediately
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
after his marriage, he left his old home, and cut his way through the woods to the farm he at present occupies. Here he built himself a cabin. He deserted this in 1835, and moved into a frame house that had been once used as a schoolhouse, . and which he had bought, and moved to a short distance above the old log structure. A few years later, this home accidentally caught fire and burned to the ground. His present residence was its im- mediate successor. In his earlier days, he was a a great hunter, and among many other stories the following is related of him : One day, just as the sun was setting, he was attracted by the cry of his favorite hound, and from its tone knew it must be in trouble. Without stopping for his rifle, he hastened toward the spot from which the sound came, and found the dog in the embrace of a huge bear. Not thinking of danger, he grasped his hunting-knife and closed with the bear. Bruin with a stroke of his huge paw knocked the knife out of his hand, which compelled Lyman to seek safety in a rapid retreat to his cabin. Having gained that refuge, he took down his rifle, and the bear, which had now almost reached the door, was shot dead. Jonas Main and John Main seem to have been the last of the family that came to Ohio. Jonas, soon after his arrival, married Polly Cole, and settled near the " Horse Shoe," and has been dead a number of years. John settled just north of where Lyman Main lived, and the brick house now occupied by his son marks the site of his old log cabin.
Benjamin Martin, about 1811, emigrated from Virginia, a State which contributed largely to the settlement of this township. The family started in bad weather, in the winter, and at times were compelled to camp for a week, on the bank of a river, before they were able to cross. At one time, they had to sleep in an old still-house, and the baby nearly froze to death. At another time, the horses strayed away, and it was a week before they could be found. These delays postponed their ar- rival at Deer Creek, Ross County, where his uncle resided, until 1812, and, having stopped his wagon for the purpose of taking out his goods and placing them in his uncle's cabin, an officer came along and drafted him into the army. He was immedi- ately assigned to a detachment going to the front and marched with them to Sandusky. His uncle in the mean time placed the family in a small log house that had been used as a barn, and fixing it up made them as comfortable as possible. Mr. Martin remained in the army and in Ross County three
years, and in 1815 came to Troy Township, settling on the farm now occupied by his grandson, Nehe- miah Martin, and near Joseph Cole, who was his neighbor in Virginia. Soon after his arrival, he handed in the following letter to the Marlborough Baptist Church, and was admitted to fellowship and licensed to preach :
" To whom it may concern : Whereas, our beloved brother and sister, Benjamin and his wife Peggy Mar- tin, being about to move out of the bounds of our church, have made application to the church for a letter of dismissal, which letter was granted by us ; we do therefore recommend them to the orderly members in full union. communion and fellowship with us, and where joined to any church of the same order and faith they will be considered as dismissed from us, and may the Lord make you all to be numbered among the jew- els of Zion's kingdom, is the prayer of your unworthy brethren in Gospel bonds. Done at our church meet- ing for the transaction of business on Saturday October 5, 1816. (Signed) PETER JACKSON.
After William Brundige had ceased to preach, Mr. Martin took his place, and was the first resi- dent preacher in what is now Troy Township. By his first wife, Margaret Wright, he had fifteen children, and after her death, in 1850, he married Mary Conger, who survives him. James Martin, his eldest son, was born in Virginia and came withi his father to the settlement on the " Horse Shoe." In 1823, having married Dorcas, a daughter of Sabeers Main, he moved upon the farm he occupied until his death in 1880. It was at the raising of his barn that David Carter was killed. James Martin early took an active part in the Marl- borough Baptist Church, and has ever evinced the greatest solicitude concerning its prosperity. His remains find their last resting place in its graveyard. Samuel Wells, another old settler. came as early as 1811, and was in the war of 1812. He has been dead for a number of years. Jeremiah Williams came to this section from Vir- ginia, a short time after the Mains reached the settlement. He had been a school teacher for a number of years previous to his coming. Upon his arrival he bought land of Joseph Cole and built a cabin. Mr. Williams was the first man to introduce writing paper into the township. He died about 1819, and was one of the first buried in the Baptist Church graveyard. Henry Cline came in 1815 and bought land just north of David Dix's farm, where he died in 1875. He owned a large tract of land, now the property of his sons. Henry Worline was a neighbor of Cline, and married his sister. Both families came to Troy
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
from Fairfield County, Ohio, but were originally from Pennsylvania. Thomas Gill, a brother-in- law of Carter, came from Virginia in 1816. He settled on the farm now occupied by Cline, where he died. The Salisburys also came at an early date and settled on a farm near where Joseph Main now lives. The head of the family is long since dead and his relatives are scattered. George Hunt came previous to 1817 and was employed about the settlement as a hired hand, but never contributed upon his own responsibility to the per- manent improvement of the township. At about the same time, Samuel Gilpin, a native of the State of New York, came and settled on the " Horse Shoe." He took out a contract to clear one hundred acres of what has subsequently been known as the " Brown Corn Farm." It consisted of two hundred acres of dense and tangled growth of underbrush, trees, driftwood, etc. And for this labor he received one hundred acres of the land. David Carter came about the year 1817. He was a stonemason by trade, and married a sister of Thomas Gill and through him was connected with the Mains. He settled, when he came to this locality, on the farm now occupied by Mr. Simpson. His unfortunate death caused profound sorrow in the community, and the circumstances attending it are remembered by many to the pres- ent day. In 1823, James Martin had invited bis neighbors to help him put up a log barn. Carter was among the number, and while assisting to place a log in position, it slipped and, striking him on the head, inflicted injuries from which he sub- sequently died. This accident cast a gloom over the settlement, and for some years afterward was wont to bring up sad memories at all similar gatherings.
Drake's defeat and the feeling of alarm and sus- pense necessarily arising from the war of 1812, caused a break in the line of emigration, and it was not until 1817 that the next influx occurred. There came about this time, the Crawfords, Ea- gons, Moses, Bushes, and somewhat later, the Williamses, Darsts, Jacksons, Cozards, Willeys, and Inskeeps. James Bishop came from Virginia in the year 1827. He held a captain's commission in the war of 1812. Having learned that his old friend Joseph Cole was doing well in the valley of the Scioto, he determined to come to this neigh- borhood. After trying in vain to enlist his father in the undertaking, he mounted his horse and started alone. Upon reaching Columbus, his horse gave out from exhaustion, and he was compelled
to continue liis journey on foot. He stopped at Joseph Coles, where he remained for a short time, and then buying a piece of land in the neighbor- hood, erected a cabin. He is still living in the township.
The first minister that preached to the people was William Brundige, and the first after the or- ganization of the township was Benjamin Martin. The first physician came into the township at a later date. The only ones the settlers had access to at an early date, lived at Delaware, Delhi, Ash- ley, Norton and other neighboring towns. The first birth was Robert Cole, who was born Feb- ruary 8, 1810, but died soon after. Rebecca Roath, wife of Nathan Roath, was the first called to seek the " undiscovered country," dying in May, 1810. Thomas Gill was the first blacksmith, and as business did not warrant him in locating per- manently, he used to shift his quarters as occasion required. Joseph Cole put up the first grist and saw mill, and he was also the first Justice of the Peace. He was elected to this office immediately after the organization of the township. The first marriage was that of Eleazar Main and Margaret Cole, and took place on the 24th of February, 1814. A small distillery, built and owned by David Bush, was one of the early institutions of Troy, but never amounted to much. Bush put up the first frame barn in the township, while Norris erected the first house of that character. In connection with the building of the first two brick houses in the township, the following inci- dent is related. The mortar for the same was being tramped by oxen, and Hugh Cole's sister, who was quite small, was sitting on the bank near by watching the operation, when from some cause one of the oxen became rampant, and making a dash toward the little girl, caught her clothes on his horns, and with a toss of his head landed her in the bed of mortar, almost under his feet. Hugh who happened to be standing near, seeing the danger his sister was in, leaped into the mortar bed, and, seizing her in his arms, rescued her from peril. The first bridge over the Olentangy in Troy was built by Joseph C. Alexander, at Cole's mills in 1840. The first or nearest approach to stores were trader's tents. These traders came up into the settlements with goods which they would dispose of to the settlers and the Indians. They generally came from Worthington or Chilli- cothe. There never was what might be called a store in the township. The first and only post office was at the house of Cole, and he was the
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
Postmaster. The office continued but a short time, and the citizens were compelled to receive their mail through offices situated in other town- ships. The first dam was the "brush " dam at Cole's mills.
About the year 1806, a tornado passed over a portion of Delaware County, which, on account of its strength and destruction was designated as " the Great Windfall." Many of the early settlers remember windfalls which did consider- able damage, but this was the most devastating of which they have any recollections. It struck Scioto and Thompson Townships, and with a curve swept across the northwest corner of Delaware Township into Troy. Here, in some cases for a mile wide, the great trees were prostrated, and it seemed as if a mighty scythe had cut a swath through the forest. For many years after, the path could be discerned by means of the smaller timber and the decaying logs.
The first church built in this township, and around which clusters the most historic interest, is the old Marlborough Baptist Church. The records from which we take the accompanying sketch are very full and complete, and appear to have been made a short time previous to July 14, 1810, and show the causes of organization. They run as fol- lows, no attempt being made to change their dic- tion : " It pleased God in His good providence to remove a number of His people to this part of the world; and we were from different parts of the country, and strangers to each other. We became acquainted in the love of Jesus Christ and the profession of our faith in God, and Brother Joseph Cole gave them permission for meetings to be held at his house, and also did a number of other peo- ple open doors likewise, and it pleased God to cause. Elder Brundige's lot to fall amongst us, and we are to be constituted into a church July 14, 1810, by Elder William Brundige and Elder Jacob Drake."
The first meeting of the Baptist Church at Marlborough took place the Saturday before the third Lord's Day, July 14, 1810, and the follow- king are the minutes of the first meeting :
" The church proceeded to renew covenant and found a union, and Joseph Cole was chosen Deacon on trial, and David Dix, Clerk.
"The church voted to give Eider William Brun- dige a call to the pastoral chair of the church, and the clerk was instructed to write a letter to Liberty Baptist Church. requesting a dismission for him from that church, and to lay the letter be-
fore the church for inspection at our next church meeting, which is to be held at the cabin of Brother Joseph Cole." After the first meeting the letter was written to Liberty Church, and after being approved was sent to Liberty Church.
August 19, 1810. The church met at Brother Joseph Cole's cabin on Saturday before the third Lord's Day in August. Elder Wyatt was chosen Moderator. The church proceeded to renew covenant and found a union. The following is a copy of the letter sent to William Brundige from the church in Liberty.
Elder William Brundige living a member in full communion with us now living in the bounds of a sis- ter church of the same faith and order. and being de- sirous of a letter of dismission from us so that he may join them, and applying now by the mouth of Elder Wyatt for a letter, we now give him a letter as a min- ister of the Gospel and recommend him as such, and be- ing in good standing with us at this time, and as soon as he is joined to another church of the same faith and order, he will be considered as fully dismissed from us. This letter is given at Delaware town by order of the Baptist Church of Liberty.
JOSEPH EATON, Clerk, August 10, 1810. (Signed) .
Elder William Brundige came forward to join the church, and gave in his letter of dismissal frown the pastoral charge of Liberty Church, and was appointed to the pastoral chair of the church.
In 1810 occurred the first withdrawal, Pierce Main severing his connection with the church.
The meeting on the Saturday before the third Lord's Day in April, 1811, was interrupted by the male members of the church being called to military training.
May 16, 1813. No meeting of the church, as the men were called to the field against the enemy.
The meeting in June, 1813, postponed en ac- count of the men being under arms to repel a threatened attack of the British and Indians.
The meetings in August and September also postponed on account of a threatened invasion of the enemy.
In March, 1814, Pierce Main came forward, and, after confessing his fault, was re-admitted into the church. The following is a copy of the letter of dismissal of Nathaniel Wyett, the first settler in this section of the county, from the Liberty Church.
The Baptist Church, called Liberty Church, in Del- aware County, State of Ohio, holding the doctrine of unconditional election, justification by Jesus Christ, justification by the spirit of grace, the resurrection of dead. both of the just and the unjust, etc. To whom it may concern : That our Elder Nathaniel Wyett hay
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requested a letter of dismissal from this church as his local situation, and the helps we are blessed with in the church justify his request. We do now dismiss him as being in full fellowship with us, and as such we recom- mend him to the other churches of the same faith and order.
Done on July 8, 1815. JOSEPH EATON, Clerk.
Saturday before the third Lord's day in December, 1815. The meeting was opened by prayer and praise. The Church proceeded to business. Joseph Cole was chosen moderator, and the church proceeded to renew covenant and found a union. The church took up the request from the members in Radnor Township, which was laid into the church at our meeting in November, praying that they might be constituted into a separate church. It was acted upon, and voted that they might be constituted into a church, separate and distinct by themselves.
DAVID DIX, Clerk.
It was not until about 1819 that the society built their first church. It was constructed of hewn logs, from Joseph Cole's land. The sit- uation was the same as now occupied by the new church, which overlooks the river in the extreme northern aud eastern part of the township.
In 1836, they tore down the old log church. Joseph Cole bought it and moved it to his farm and placed it opposite his house, where it can be seen at the present time. It is now used as a hay barn. A frame one was then built, which they occupied until 1873, when it was replaced with a new one. The present church is an elegant structure, large and commodious, and is built of brick and freestone, at a cost of $3,300. The first minister that preached to the society was William Brundigre.
The first Methodist organization in Troy Town- ship was the Windfall Class. It took its name from the fact that it worshiped in a small school- house on the southwest corner of Hiram Welch's farm, which was situated in the path taken by the " Great Windfall," of 1806. This organization had an existence as early as 1834, and continued for a number of years, but had no church build- ing.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, situated just above Judge Norris' farm, first came out as an or- ganization and at first worshiped in the school- house situated near where the present structure stands. The first frame structure was built upon the site of the present brick church, and was a very cheap affair. Soon after it was put up, they were joined by the " Windfall Class," and wor- ship was continued for some time. At last their building becoming so poor and dilapidated as to seriously inconvenience those worshiping in it, the
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