History of Delaware County and Ohio, Part 79

Author: O. L. Baskin & Co; Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 818

USA > Ohio > Delaware County > History of Delaware County and Ohio > Part 79

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During the money stringency succeeding the war, another disaster overtook the frontier homes. Heretofore the community had known but little of sickness. In ten years there had been but six deaths, four children and two adults. Now a miasmatic epidemic spread over the frontier, which visited every cabin, and few families were so, for- tunate as to escape without losing a member. The epidemic took on the nature of a plague, many deaths occurring under distressing circumstances.

At the end of the first decade of Berlin's his- tory there were about forty families in the town- ship. About twenty of these had come from Wa- terbury, Conn., and settled on the Constant pur- chase in the southeast part of the township. Among those there had been eight marriages, the first of which, as well as the first occasion of the kind in the township, was that of Elias Adams to Harriet Lewis, by the Rev. Joseph Hughs. On the Byxbe purchase there were some ten families from various places, several of them being from Virginia. In the northwest quarter there were some eight families, the rest of the township being too low and swampy to attract settlers. During this decade there had been but six deaths, four children and two adults. The first event of the kind in the township was the death of Elanson Lewis, who died in 1807, and was buried in the old burying-ground where the block-house once stood. The next adult was Emma Lewis, who died in 1811, and was buried east of the creek.

In the historical sermon delivered by Rev. John W. Thompson, we find the following in regard to the increase of population after this time: " It is," says he, "doubtful whether there are as many inhabitants on the eastern half of the township as there were ten years ago. During the last twenty- five years the southwest part, which hitherto had remained an unbroken forest, has been filled up with inhabitants, thus maintaining the average 10 per cent increase in the population of the town- ship. The present number of families in the township is not far from two hundred and fifty, probably a little over, making an increase of five

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.

families per year from the first settlement. The first vote, which was in the fall of 1820, was 72. The average vote for the succeeding five years was 71, the highest number of ballots cast being 79, and the lowest number 48. From 1825 to 1835, the whole vote was 743, making an average an- nual vote of 74, with the highest number of votes cast 79, and the lowest 66. For the decade end- ing 1845, the highest number of ballots cast at any election was 185, the lowest, 123, making an average of 140. During the last decade the av- erage has been 172, with the highest and lowest number of votes cast at 210 and 109 respectively. Not one man has voted at every State election. Two men have missed only two State elections, Allward Smith and Lovell Caulkins. Of the seventy-two who voted at the first election, only eight are now (1858) living in the township. Of the twenty families who came out during the first decade and settled in the southeast quarter, only nine of the parents remain-Jesse Armstrong and wife, David Lewis and wife, Lovel Caulkins and wife, Mrs. Chloe Scott, Mrs. Lois Dickerman, and Mrs. Betsy Thompson. Of those who came and settled in this quarter (near Cheshire) of the town- ship previous to 1807, only David Lewis and wife remain. Of those who came in 1807, the widow of Asa Scott is the sole survivor. Of the five families who came in 1809, Lovell Caulkins and wife are all that are left. These stand while all the rest that were twenty years old or upward have passed away."

In 1820, Berlin was organized according to the original survey, and received its name at the sug- gestion of Asa Scott. He was at the time Treas- urer of the section of country known then as Berk- shire, which included Berlin. On looking over the subject he discovered that there were inhab- itants enough to warrant a separate organization, and at once headed a petition to the Commission- ers to that effect. Dr. Loofbourrow was made Township Clerk, and Joseph Eaton Justice of the Peace, while Scott was continued in his position of Treasurer for Berlin at the first election. The first mechanic in the township was Roswell Caulk- ins, who was skilled in carpentering and joining. While he gave much of his time to clearing up his farm, he still found time to devote to his trade. One of his first pieces of work was a loom made for Mrs. Chloe Scott. He did also the most of the hewing on the block-house and superintended its construction. The first frame dwellings were erected in 1820, one by James Eaton, and another

by Daniel Nettleby, both east of the creek, near Cheshire, Eaton's being nearer the town line. The first store, or place where goods were offered for sale, was located south of Cheshire, in a cabin, and kept by Nathan Sherwood. Up to the time of the epidemic, about 1815, there had been but little sickness, but the presence of so many swamps hidden from the purifying action of the sun, gave rise to considerable miasmatic fevers. Such ailments the " folk lore " of the pioneers found no trouble in curing with sundry decoctions of herbs. Occasionally they had recourse to a Dr. Hanley, who had been formerly a surgeon in the Revolu- tionary army, and had settled in Berkshire.

In the matter of pioneer industries, it was the demand for them which regulated the order of their establishment. First came the mills, saw and grist, both coming close together. The demand for a mill located near the settlement to grind the wheat and corn, was a very pressing one. . Almost every settlement sooner or later, had a grist-mill, but, owing to the crudeness of their machinery, and its limited grinding power, there never was any danger of the business being overdone. A few bags of grain stocked the mill, and later comers from a distance were obliged to camp out, while they waited their turn to be served. Closely dis- puting precedence with this came the saw-mill. The first home depended principally upon such furniture as could be made in the woods. The way was too long, and transportation too meager, to bring it from the East. Floors, when any were had, were made from puncheons, logs split up into sections, two or three inches thick. Of this material were tables, seats and all this class of fur- niture made. Bedsteads were constructed with one leg, which supported one foot and one side rail, the other ends finding support in holes bored in the logs of the house. This frame, united by a bed-cord brought from the East, or a grapevine which served the same purpose, made the founda- tion for a superstructure of skins, blankets, etc. Under such circumstances the saw-mill would find patronage second, at least, only to the grist-mill. The first of these mills was built in Berlin, by Nathaniel Hall, in 1808, on Alum Creek, near the Delaware and Sunbury pike. In 1814, Joseph Lewis built a grist-mill and a saw-mill, near Cheshire. The demand for a market for the surplus crop of corn brought in response a dis- tillery in almost every settlement. There were two established at an early date in Berlin. One was built by Hall, near where his mill stood, and

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.

another near property owned by E. P. Sanders. The one erected near Cheshire was built by Isaac and Chester Lewis about 1816. The business was conducted by Armstrong and Frost, who made it an attractive resort for those who had time and inclination to loaf there. They did not last long, however; trade was poor, as the habit of drinking was not as generally practiced here as elsewhere. The tannery was prominent among the established industries of the early settlements. There was an ample demand for leather, but, like the Israelitish brickmakers, they found it difficult to furnish the material without the means of making it. Hides were difficult to obtain. The settlers had no more cattle than they needed for the working of their farms. Hogs were in abundance, and, running wild for six or seven years, had hides of remark- able thickness. These when killed were skinned, to furnish a sort of tough, coarse leather, which supplied harnesses and horse collars. Later, a murrain got among the cattle, and carried them off in large numbers, furnishing plenty of good leather, but at a serious loss to the pioneers. The first tannery in the township was built by Wilbur Caswell in 1817, on Alum Creek, at Cheshire. The tannery first stood down on the flats, near the stream, for some years. It was then moved on to the hill, near where he now lives, and continued until 1858. A tannery was built at an early date, on the Berkshire road, by the Dun- hams, but the time is uncertain. Berlin is situ- ated away from any direct line of travel, save the Delaware, Berkshire and Sunbury pike, and, con- sequently, had no call for a tavern, though there is said to have been one at Cheshire when it was first laid out.

Alum Creek Post Office is a point of interest, located on the pike between Delaware and Sun- bury. A post office has been located here for years, at a private house about half a mile west of the place, which affords the chilled traveler in winter a comfortable place to warm while the mail is sorting. A church building adds dignity to the name, and serves to mark the place.

Cheshire, located east of the central part, is the only village in the township. Samuel Adams owned the farm on which the village now stands, and laid it off into lots. The first store was a room about seven by nine feet, and was kept by L. R. Ryant. He bought his goods in Colum- bus and brought them here in a wagon on the 15th of October, 1847. A few years afterward, he added another room for a shoeshop, where he

sold ready-made goods and manufactured to order. Mr. Ryant was also the first Postmaster, his com- mission being dated August 10, 1851. The post office is called Constantia, from Joseph Constant Lewis, the first child born in Berlin. The vil- lage is located on a barren clay knoll, a location which gave rise to a name which attained quite a local popularity. Jesse Hultz gave it the name of Peth, from a place similarly situated in New York, "for," in explanation, said he, " what don't run away will starve to death." A saw-mill and grist-mill combined was built here in 1855, by Daniel Nettleton. The structure is much smaller than originally constructed. Mr. Nettle- ton intended to add a carriage factory, but the excitement brought on by the undertaking pros- trated him with a nervous disease which put a stop to the enterprise.

A fine cemetery ground is located just south of Cheshire, which was laid out by the " Nettle- ton Grove Bank Cemetery Association," organ- ized October 10, 1853. The first officers were Joel Cleveland, President; Lewis Thompson, Clerk, and Vinal Steward, Treasurer. The oldest cemetery is the one where the block-house stood, on the west side of the creek, but it is rapidly going to decay. Another, near the town hall, on the road to Berlin station, contains many of the first settlers. Here an old storm-beaten stone bears the legend-

Here rest the remains of JOSEPH EATON. who departed this life . Feb. 8, A. D. 1825, aged 59 years. He emigrated from the State of Pennsylvania, A. D. 1805. He was the son of DAVID, EATON ; which was the son of JOHN, EATON ; which was the son of JOSEPH, EATON ; which was the son of . JOHN, EATON; who emigrated from Wales,. A. D. 1686.

The village is made up of two country stores of the smaller size, the post office, a saw and grist mill, a slat window-shade manufactory and two churches.

Berlin Station is simply what its name implies, a railway station. The first agent put in a stock of groceries and was the pioneer in both respects.

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.

There is now a grocery, a saw-mill, a wagon-mak- er's shop, a post office, a church building and a tile factory, at this place. The latter enterprise bids fair to reach large proportions. There is a large demand for drainage material, and the pro- prietors arc active business men, who are well calculated to achieve success. The business has already developed a vigorous growth, and Berlin Station can well afford to nourish such an enter- prise in its midst.

Another place should be mentioned, which, though it does not now appear on the map of the county, promised at one time to rival the larger villages of this section. It was laid out, in 1850, by J. R. Hubbell and Thomas Carney, just where the railroad crosses the Berkshire pike. At that time, the railroad did not go to Delaware, and it was expected by the founders of this village that a depot would be established there. Some eighty lots were laid out and sold, a warehouse was built, and efforts put forth to stimulate the growth of the town. The railroad, however, had a larger town to deal with, and, in compromising with Dela- ware, placed its depot about two miles south, in the woods. Soon afterward, the curve was built to Delaware, which gave a finishing blow to the new venture, and, about ten years after its found- ing, " Berlin " returned to its rustic pursuits.

The Baptist Church was the first to take the field in Berlin, in the person of a Rev. Mr. Wyatt. A church of this denomination had been formed in the Olentangy Valley, in Liberty Township, as early as 1806. Mr. Wyatt was their Pastor, and he came into this township about once a month to preach in the cabins ahout. He carried on his work as far east as Trenton, receiving such as wished to join the church into the organization at Liberty. From time to time, as the membership in the various localities would warrant, they were set off from the parent church at Liberty, into separate organizations. This distribution of churches, together with the increase of like faith in

Berlin, made Alum Creek the central point for meet- ings. In 1816, they met for the first time in the block-house, which, having served the community in time of war, was called upon to play a nobler part in time of peace. For eight years the Bap- tist Church held its meetings here, when it was voted to change its name to the Berlin Baptist Church, and, in that year, erected the frame building, where lies the burying-ground on the road to Berlin Station. This building is now the town hall. Among the members, at that time,

were Isaac Monroe, David Lewis, Sr., Joseph Eaton, and their wives; John Johnson, Sarah Brandy and Polly Noko; the two latter were colored women. Sarah Brandy died at the age of 114 years. She had been a servant in George Washington's family, and been for a long time connected with the family of Gen. Sullivan, of Revolutionary fame. It was the habit of Gen. Sullivan to send to Joseph Eaton a small sum of money each year, to provide Sarah with such com- forts as tea, sugar, coffee, etc. In 1854, the Baptist church building now standing in Cheshire was built, at a cost of some $700. Rev. Philander Kelsey was the first Pastor in this edifice. It was dedicated on the last day of the year, and a bell was hung in it the following year. Elder Jacob Drake was early on the ground, and co-operated with Mr. Wyatt. He was a surveyor, and was much among the people. He preached in the cabins, especially in those of Mr. Lewis and Ros-

well Caulking. An incident is related which shows that " chickens " were not considered then the only thing fit for a minister to eat. He came out from Delaware one morning, in 1808, before breakfast, and a meal was prepared for him. The table was a puncheon, neatly smoothed off on the upper side, supported by pins driven into the logs of the cabin. When the meal was announced, he sat down to a single baked potato, with salt in a clam shell, and water in a gourd. This was the fare offered a minister, who had walked seven miles for his breakfast, and it is said he seemed to relish it as well as though it had been a fine dinger.

The Presbyterian Church came second in chron- ological order, its first minister being a Mr. Stevens, who came to Berlin on a missionary tour of exploration. Rev. Ebenezer Washburn, of Berkshire, was on the ground at an early date. Revs. Matthews, Taylor, Hughs and Hoge were contemporary with him. At an early time an or- ganization of a Presbyterian church in Berkshire was called the Berkshire and Kingston Church, with a constituency extending from Kingston to Orange, and this continued to be the center of this denominational influence until 1828, the year of the great revival, when that part of the church south of Berkshire was set off and formed into the Presbyterian Church of Berlin. Among the num- ber set off there were four elders, John Roloson, Paul Ferson, Milton Sackett, and Stephen Chand- ler. These composed the session of the new church, which at once proceeded to build a place of wer-

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.

ship. The building is situated just south of Cheshire, and is a neat frame building, which cost some $700. The minister at this time was the Rev. Ahab Jinks. This man was peculiar in more respects than in his name. It is said, that, when a boy, he was the leader of a godless band of young ruffans, for whose sport he would mimic the preachers he heard, giving, their sermons ver- batim. Going to hear Dean Swift, his course of life was changed, and he turned his ability to. ward the right. His trick of memory never left him, and led to some contretemps in which he was the least confused party. On one occasion he preached from Isaiah i, 2, an especially brilliant sermon to his parishioners in Berlin, which greatly impressed them, and it was generally remarked, that the minister had outdone himself. One of his parishioners went to Genoa in the afternoon, where he heard, to his utmost astonishment, the same identical sermon, delivered by Rev. Mr. Jud- son, the earliest of the Sunday-school agents. At another time, desiring to get up a camp-meeting in Berlin, Mr. Jinks preached a sermon which car- ried every obstacle before it, and aroused the peo- ple to the pitch of camp-meeting fervor. The ar- rangements were made for the meeting in the Dickerman woods, and it was carried on with great success. Near the close, Mr. Jinks invited a Rev. Mr. Pomeroy to assist in conducting the meetings. He came and delivered for his first effort the very sermon which had so aronsed the people some time before. . When asked to explain these coincidences, Mr. Jinks quietly remarked that he had heard them delivered, considered them good sermons, and thought he would give his parishioners the benefit of them. In 1832, Rev. Calvin Ransom was installed Pastor of this church. Five years later Rev. D. C. Allen succeeded him, and he in tarn, after a few months, was succeeded by Rev. H. Shedd. In 1844, Rev. A. S. Avery was called, and in 1845, Rev. John W. Thompson was installed Pastor, and continued for a long time as Pastor of this church. Another church of this denomination was established at Berlin Station in 1876. The church was organized January 16, 1876, with nineteen members, and, in the fall of that year, a church building, costing some $1,700, was built. The church edifice is a neat one indeed, furnished with inside blinds, and presenting a very attractive appearance. The membership is now about sixty-nine. Rev. Thomas Hill is Pastor.

The Methodist Episcopal Church is the next organization in point of time in this township.

Rev. Vinal Steward was the first minister of this denomination in the towaship. He came in 1814, and soon after organized a class, composed of Jacob Aye and wife, and his children-John, Jacob, Jr., Henry, Betsy, Katie, Polly and Peggy ; Lewis Sherwood and wife, and John Lewis and wife. About 1829, they put up a hewed-log meeting- house, a little north of Cheshire Corners, in which they worshiped until 1845, when they held their services in the Presbyterian building. Some three years later the church erected their present place of worship in Cheshire at a cost of $500, dedicat- ing it in 1849. In 1878, the society added a bell. The Cottonwood Wesleyan Church is located in the southwest corner of the township. It was called the Fairview M. E. Church about 1854, and continued for some twenty years. This organiza- tion died out about 1874, when the Christian Union occupied the building for about five years. On March 20, 1879, the Wesleyan Methodist Church was organized with fifteen members, and occupied the church. Mrs. Jacob Colflesh is Class Leader, and B. Hartley, Steward. Rev. Mr. Teter preached for two years here before the organization of a church, and was succeeded by Rev. L. White. Services, Sunday school and prayer-meetings are maintained throughout the year. The church has a seating capacity of one hundred and fifty, where services are held every alternate Sunday.

The Peach Blow Church, in the southern part of the township, belongs to the United Brethren denomination. It was organized in 1857, with about twenty members. Their meetings were first held in the schoolhouse on the west side of the township until the following year, when the pres- ent place of worship was erected on land belong- ing to G. A. Stover. The building, a neat frame, cost about $700. The first Pastor was Virgil Pond; the present one is Rev. Daniel Bonebreak. A good Sunday school is maintained the entire year. The tradition in regard to the name of the church is an interesting one. It was dedicated as Berlin Chapel. The trustees who had the matter in charge, decided to have the church painted white, but a third trustee, when the painter came on the ground, directed him to paint it red. So sash and woodwork, and altar soon glowed in that sanguinary hue. The astonishment of the major- ity of the Trustee Board can be better imagined than described. The minority member explained that he had a preference for the delicate tint of the peach-blow, and had thus changed the instructions

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.

of the painter. The final upshot of the whole matter was that the peach-blow member retired from the unappreciative church, and the color of the church changed to white, but the name of peach-blow still adheres to the church. A few members of this denomination were settled about Alum Creek Post Office, and, previous to 1860, held meetings at the residence of O. R. May. About this time the project of building a church was inaugurated, and, with the earnest support of such men as Mr. May and Nathaniel Roloson, soon became an accomplished fact. The church is known as the North Berlin U. B. Church, although it was one of the conditions of Mr. Roloson's aid that it should be open to the use of all denomi- nations. This gentleman gave the land on which the building stands. The first Pastor was Rev. William Davis. They maintain Sunday schools in the summer.

The Universalists, in 1820, made a short-lived attempt to gain a foothold for their doctrines. They held a camp-meeting in a grove near the bridge, south of Cheshire, a Mr. Rogers conduct- ing the services. The effort created some little excitement among the evangelical organizations, but produced no permanent results. An incident is related in connection with this effort, which, for the time, created quite an animated discussion in church circles. One Sunday morning as the peo- ple assembled it was discovered that there was no pulpit. Of course, one must be had, and tools and axes were brought out to supply the missing enginery of the church. It is said that some from the evangelical churches aided in this work on Sundry, much to the scandal of the Christian community. Some ten years later a Mormon missionary made a visit and held a few meetings, but made no impression on the steady-going peo- · ple.

In the matter of temperance, the first agitation was begun in public in 1832. A meeting was held in the brick schoolhouse across the street from where the Presbyterian church now stands, just south of Cheshire. A pledge had been pro- posed with two or three names attached, and at the meeting some eighteen more names were se- cured. A society was formed, and many more united. This pledge, however, did not exclude vinous or fermented liquors. About 1840, the movement in favor of total abstinence became gen- eral throughout the country, and the result in Berlin was to drive a good many out of the tem- perance society here. With the progress of

thought, the sentiment of this community has ad- vanced, and Berlin is abreast with the rest of the world in matters of temperance. Not a drop of liquor is offered for sale within her borders. About 1840, the proslavery sentiment in Berlin was very pronounced. No discussion of this absorbing question could be calmly carried on, and the pres- ence of an " Abolitionist " created more excite- ment than the passage of a show now does among the children. Later, when antislavery sentiments had reached a larger growth, the flight of fugi- tive slaves was only conducted in safety when the darkness of night afforded concealment. But, notwithstanding these untoward circumstances, the " underground railroad " passed right through the village of Cheshire. From Orange along Alum Creek the fugitive from bondage made his way with the friendly aid of earnest men to Cheshire, thence to the Quaker settlement, and then on to Oberlin, or some other outlet. But all that has long since changed, and every honest man now goes his way without let or hinderance.

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History of Delaware County and Ohio, Part 79

Author: O. L. Baskin & Co; Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 818

Author: O. L. Baskin & Co; Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 818