History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 67

Author: Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A.A. & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Mt. Vernon, Ohio : A. A. Graham & Co.
Number of Pages: 1096

USA > Ohio > Knox County > History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present > Part 67

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Smith & McArdle, of the Register office, issued proposals for publishing by subscription, at their office, a history of the American Revolution, written in scriptural, or ancient historical style, by Richard Snowden. To which "will be added, The

Columbiad, a poem on the American war," in thirteen cantos, by the same author. The price of the volumes, containing between two hundred and twenty and two hundred and fifty pages, duodecimo, was one dollar to subscribers; to non-subscribers, one dollar and twenty-five cents.

In 1816, the Register office having been removed to Mount Vernon, the editor, Mr. McArdle, who was also a bookbinder, gave notice in his paper that the publication of the Ohio Register would be suspended for two weeks, as he "had a large amount of binding for the State, which must be done prompt- ly." In 1880, with a population of twenty-seven thousand three hundred and thirty, of which five thousand two hundred and forty-nine are within the limits of Mount Vernon, Knox county has not a bookbinder within its limits.

On the morning of the 4th of July, 1814, the flag of the United States was hoisted near Mr. Zebulon Ashley's dwelling house, on a liberty pole sixty-eight feet in length, and the day was cele- brated by a respectable number of the citizens of Strong's settlement and its vicinity. After an elegant dinner eighteen toasts were drank, ac- companied with the discharge of musketry. From the number we extract the following:

The President of the United States, prefers republican prin- ciples to British tyranny-May the constitution be his life guard.

The American sword, which is drawn in defence of our coun- try-May it never be returned till it has pierced the heart of our enemy.

Perry and his brave crew on Lake Erie-May they ever be victorious while their swords are drawn in defence of America.

The United States of America-May they ever be too inde- pendent to be governed by any other nation.

Success to the American Eagle, not forgetting Great Britain, hoping its kingdom may be brought down.

The others alike partake of a spirit engendered by the war, and breathe hate and defiance to the foe.

The following interesting items are from Nor- ton's history :

In February, 1815, George Girty opened at store in Mt. Ver- non, and also one in Fredericktown. There was but little in- crease in the number of business men or in other respects this year.

On the eighth of April a "singing assembly" of ladies and gentlemen, comprising different singing societies in the county, gave a grand concert at the court house in Mt. Vernon, at I o'clock P. M. All persons feeling willing to unite and partici- pate in the exercises came. It was one of the olden kind of

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gatherings, like the "old folks' concert" given in Mt. Vernon this spring of 1862, as we have been assured by one of the vo- calists who participated in both "singing assemblies."

In these war times, when some are disposed to grumble at the low rates soldiers receive, it may be well to remind them of the pay in 1815. In March the pay of non-commissioned offi- cers and privates in the army of the United States was reduced to the following prices: To each sergeant-major and quarter- master-sergeant, nine dollars; sergeants, eight dollars; corpo- rals, seven dollars; teachers of music, eight dollars; musicians, six dollars; artificers, ten dollars, and privates, five dollars.

Samuel Mott had come all the way from Vermont to practice law in the wilderness, and was the first lawyer resident in the county. Enos was the second, who, one of the old settlers, says, had just been made at home, and "wasn't lawyer enough to hurt."

May 9th, H. Curtis informs his friends and the public that during the vacations of the courts, clients will find him in the town of Mt. Vernon. In 1817 he became a fixture of the county, and here remained until 1858.

At the October election this whole county polled three hundred and forty-five votes. Alexander Enos was chosen representa- tive; John Shaw, sheriff; Jonathan Miller, commissioner; Dr. W. Hastings, coroner.

Richland county, at this election, gave for representative- Winn Winship, one hundred and fifty-six; A. Enos, twenty- two; Robert McMillen, ten.

The following "furwan" we copy verbatim from the Register of January 29, 1817:

"TAKE NOTICE-That eye have left my wife Isebelah ire- lands bead and board and eye know furnwan eny person or per- sons creeaditing hir on my account as eye shall not be account- able for eny of her deats or contracts from this date likewise eye furwan eny person or persons for purchasing eny property whatever til her former deats is al paid up.

JOHN IRELAND."

The little log school-house on the public square had served its time, and at private houses schools had for some time been kept, when the public spirited men in Mt. Vernon started sub- scriptions to build another.

June 7th. The subscribers to the new school-house pro- posed to be erected, met at Richardson & Vore's tavern to choose managers, etc.

June 18th. The small-pox having made its appearance at Newark, caused a great excitement in the quiet village of Mt. Vernon. The inhabitants ran to and fro, not knowing what to do. A public consultation was had, and Dr. R. D. Moore wrote and published a little treatise on the subject, giving the origin of the disease, the views of "the immortal Jenner" up- on "the grease," "cow-pox," "small-pox," etc., and conclud- ing as follows : "The small-pox has been for some months past travelling northward, and is now within a short distance from this place. The subscriber will attend on every Saturday at his house in Mt. Vernon, for the purpose of vaccinating.

Anderson Searl, of Mt. Vernon, on the eighteenth of June, publishes that he will not pay a certain note given to Williaın Shinnibery for a certain black and white muley cow, to be de- livered to him next harvest; "the said note being given in part consideration of a certain horse sold to me by said Shinnibery for a sound horse, which I have since found to be unsound."

The 4th of July was celebrated by the Mt. Vernon artillery

company, under Captain Joseph Brown; with all the pomp and circumstance of war. The day was duly ushered in by a national salute-a grand parade came off-a sumptuous dinner at Rich- ardson & Vore's inn, and toasts, speeches and wine made it a merry occasion. The Declaration of Independence was read by Doctor Robert D. Moore. Among the toasts were the following: "The Constitution, the grandest work of human genius-May it long stand the proudest monument of Republican solidity.

" The memory of our departed American heroes from Warren down to the brave Pike and Lawrence.

"Faction, the bane of republican governments-May it never be suffered to impair confidence in our legally constituted au- thorities.

"May the words Federalist and Democrat be exchanged for the prouder appellation of-" I am an American citizen."

"The fair Daughters of Columbia-Always lovely, but more divinely enchanting when attired in homespun, smiling on the patriotic brave.

"By Captain John Shaw-May brother Jonathan watch John Bull with the eye of an Eagle."

The grand jurors in the common pleas court June 23d, -Royal D. Simons, foreman-returned seven bills of indict- ment. Albert Sherwood, by verdict of jury, recovercd seventy- five dollars from William Williams for assault and battery; and in suit of the State William Williams was fined fifteen dol- lars and costs. Thomas Wilkins and John Roop are each fined five dollars and costs for assault and battery; and John Strain and Roop each fined five dollars and costs for an affray, and Robert Butler was fined fifteen dollars and costs.

James Trimble renews his tavern license; also Michael Har- ter, John Davidson, Gotlieb Zimmerman, and Richardson & Vore.

On application of Anthony Banning and Samuel Kratzer for the vacating of a part of the addition of the town of Mount Vernon. the application is overruled at the cost of the appli- cants.

Samuel H. Smith's application for vacating part of the town of Clinton was continued; and also continued in the October term, 1817.

Ordered that a certificate issue to pay expense of coroner's inquest over the body of William Conaway, jr .; also of N. Butler.

John Frank & Co., July 17th, offered iron, castings and salt, being both chartered and cash articles in this place, and solicit their friends to whom they gave a short credit last winter to come forward and discharge their respective accounts. .

They are informed that the paper of the Owl Creek bank, of Mt. Vernon, and that of Canton, and the Far- mers' and Mechanics' bank, of Steubenville, will be taken, etc.

Luke Walpole brings to Mt. Vernon a quantity of salt, and leather, to exchange for beef and pork, delivered in Zanes- ville the coming winter.

October 16th Frederick Falley, proprietor of Venice has one thousand lots for sale, and invites all classes of mechanics and business men to locate there. About this time it was the suppo- sition that Venice would become the future shipping point for Knox county, and Norton & Banning established a storage, commission and mercantile house at Venice, on the Sandusky bay. As evidence that this belief was general, we may cite the act of the legislature of 1817, declaring that the road to be made by the Knox, Richland & Huron Turnpike company shall terminate at the town of Venice, on Sandusky bay.

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Robert D. Moore, as agent for the Mary Ann furnace, situ- ated on the Rocky fork of Licking, brings to the notice of our citizens a large assortment of castings of superior beauty and quality, and asks them to encourage manufactories.

Daniel S. Norton notifies those who were in debt to him on the sixteenth of August last, to pay up while they can in the paper of the country.

Anthony Banning advertises a large lot of leather, which he will sell for hides or chartered money; or chartered money will be given for hides.

Jesse B. Thomas cautions "all persons (indiscriminately) against cutting, destroying, and removing timber from, or other- wise trespassing upon my lands on the Hamtramck section, as I have given my agents (Messrs. John Roberts and John War- den), positive instructions to prosecute all."

"TAYLORS' PRICES .- We, the subscribers, of Mt. Vernon, have agreed to establish the following prices for tailoring, viz : Great coats, four dollars and fifty cents; broad-cloth coats, four dollars; common homespun, three dollars and fifty cents; com- mon pantaloons, one dollar and twenty-five cents; vest, one dol- lar and twenty-five cents; pantaloons with buttons on the legs, one dollar and seventy-five cents; ditto, welted, one dollar and fifty cents; cherrivallies, laced, three dollars; plain, ditto, two dollars and twenty-five cents; ladies' coats, three dollars and fifty cents. Anyextra work on the above articles shall be priced according to the work.

"WILLIAM W. ALEXANDER, "WILLIAM PETTIGREW,

" WILLIAM CROUCH. " May 20, 1817."

William Giffin and Peter Zarley got up a meeting of mill wrights, at Zimmerman's inn, on the twenty-sixth of August, for establishing a bill of prices for their work. At this meeting John Williamson, Samuel Pyle, Peter Zarley, James King, and William Giffin were present. Among the items we find-" For a double-geered grist-mill, three hundred dollars; foi a double geered saw-mill, two hundred dollars; for a meal spout two dol- lars; meal trough, three dollars; hopper, four dollars, etc."

Jacob Myers, Patrick Nellans, Robert Robertson, Samuel Hoppers, Samuel Vance, John Byan, Jolin Cottle, John Kinsey, and David Porter, agree upon honor to support the said bill of prices.

" The person who took away a mattock from my building, without leave, is requested to return the same immediately, or his name will be given to the public (besides prosecuting), as it is well known who purloined it."

"TAKE CARE .- The persons who was so kind as to take away without leave, a pair of stretchers and a broken singletree, on the twenty-ninth of August; they were laying on the green be- tween Messrs. Bryant & Burr's and Mr. J Frank & Co.'s stores, are requested to return the same immediately to the subscriber, and save themselves trouble. They had better return them before they are troubled with a call from Mr. Constable.

JAMES THOMPSON.

MOUNT VERNON, September 5, 1817."

Noah Rude has a chestnut sorrel horse stolen from James Bryant's pasture on the night of the fifth of September and offers a reward for him.

At the district court of the United States, held at Chillicothe on the ninth of September, Samuel Bunting was indicted on a charge of robbing the mail between Newark and Zanesville, and was sentenced to the penitentiary for one year.

Horse thieves about this time became so bold that Joseph Berry had, on the morning of the nineteenth of September, a mare, saddle and bridle stolen from the door of James Thomp- son in Mount Vernon, just after he had hitched her, and gone into the house.

Samuel Mott, candidate for senator, September 11th, sends out to the electors of Licking, Knox and Richland, the first printed address we have been able to find. He says, among other things, that he has "been induced to become a candidate from the encouragement of many substantial and respectable citizens in the district."

In the Register, of September 11th, we find tickets announced as the choice of Chester, Morris, Morgan and Miller townships.

There were many aspirants for political promotion. Among the number we find, for governor-Thomas Worthington, Ethan A. Brown, James Dunlap.

For congress-Peter Hitchcock, John G. Young, David Clendenan.

For senate-William Stanbery, esq., William Gavitt, esq., Major Joseph Brown, Samuel Mott, esq., Benjamin Martin, esq., Waitstill Hastings, Henry Smith, Mordecai Bartley.

For house of representatives-Jonathan Miller, William Mitchell, Munson Pond, John Warden, Alexander Enos, Judge Thomas Coulter for Richland county, William W. Farquhar.

The Ohio Register, of August 28th, having contained this notice:

"There is another gentleman who very kindly offers his ser- vices as representative in the State legislature; he is extremely modest, though very popular; he, therefore, believes that it will amply suffice, at this time, to make public the initial letters. only, of his name. They are "R. B."

Expectation, on tip-toe, was gratified by the following ex- planatory card:

"September 5, 1816.

Mr. McArdle: After my respects to you, as you have been so good as to insert the two first letters of my name, (I presume it has been from the solicitations of my friends) I wish you to insert my name in full, as I am a candidate, and determined to oppose William Mitchell; and forward your bill to me, and you will much oblige yours, etc.

ROBERT BUTLER.

J. P. MCARDLE."

Colonel John Greer about this time felt the importance of his millitary commission, and issued an order to the commandants of companies in the county of Knox to send two men from each company to Mr. Boalse's inn, to nominate suitable persons to represent the counties of Knox, Licking and Richland. Where- upon there appeared, on the thirteenth of September, the fol- lowing persons:

From Captain Parcel's company, Truman Strong and David Shaw. From Captain Cook's company, Captain John Cook and Isaac N. Richardson. From Captain John Venom's com- pany, Joslalı B. Day and John Trimble. From Captain A. Emmet's company, William Bevans and Benjamin Warner. From Captain Cooper's company, Jacob Hanger and Jonathan Burch. From Captain Squire's company, James Miller and John J. Tullos.

The result of this caucus-or military dictation-the first of the kind ever known in this country, was the nomination of Waitstill Hastings and Jonathan Miller.

Nominating caucuses were also held in Richland and in Lick- ing counties this year. The contest waxed very warm; circulars

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and handbills were much circulated, and all manner of election- eering was resorted to at this election. The result, however, was that out of four hundred and eighty-five votes for governor cast in the whole county, Thomas Worthington received four hundred and twenty-four majority. Peter Hitchcock had four hundred and sixty-three majority for Congress; and the county gave small majorities for Martin for senator and Miller for representative.

Samuel Mott received one vote in Clinton, three in Morris, eight in Miller, and none in Chester, Wayne, Jackson, Union, or Morgan. Connected with this election is the following anecdote, which is altogether too good to be lost: Gideon Mott, the brother of Sam, who was a very plain man, yet full of wit, was responsible for it. He said that he dropped in to see Mrs. Mott on the night of the election, and while there Samuel got home from Richland county, where he had been electioneering, and was asked how the election had gone in Clinton. He replied "I got one vote," Mrs. Mott exclaimed, "That's always the way it is-if you had only been at home, Samuel, and voted, you would have got two!"

Josiah L. Hill, of Green township, offers himself as a can- didate for representative of Richland county in the following pithy address:

"The usual theme of candidates, in my standing, are many loud-swelling words full of legislative wisdom, or rather of their own egotism, and to harangue every neighbor in their way with the prospect of a State road or a turnpike, by measures of which one-half of our citizens will become wealthy inn-keepers, and the other half their happy customers, with their pockets flushed with money drawn from a new country bank to be erected on a new-fangled system, and thus all are to be rich and happy. But such language as this hath never fallen from my lips since the days of my youth, when under the passions of love and ad- dressed to females of my age, and I shall not again resume this theme until I become a widower; but while I speak for myself to men of understanding and discernment, and not to women, I have only to say that I stand a free-will offering at the altar of your good pleasures. Should I succeed in my election I shall feel it incumbent on me to use my feeble en- deavors, by lawful license, to gratify my constituents, and this is all the flattery I have to make use of. My abilities are too small to boast of, which, with my character, are now for you to enquire into.

So I remain the public's devoted servant,

JOSIAH L. HILL.

GREEN TOWNSHIP, September 15, 1816."

Whereupon Thomas Coulter withdraws his name from the list.

At the election this year, four hundred and seventy votes were cast in Richland county-of which Worthington had a majority of three hundred and fifty-three, Hitchcock four hundred and thirty-three; and for Senator Mordecai Bartley received three hundred and thirty-nine, William Gavitt seventy-seven, Joseph Brown twenty-three, Samuel Mott ten, Benjamin Martin six, Waitstill Hastings six. Samuel Williams was elected repre- sentative.

Benjamin Martin, for senator, puts forth the following address:

' To the electors of the district composed of the counties of Lick- ing, Knox and Richland:

GENTLEMEN-As I am offering myself as a candidate to rep- resent the inhabitants of the above district in the State senate,

I think it my duty to lay before the public a copy of official papers, which I hope you will read, and thereby satisfy your minds in regard to my political character. The first of my cer- tificates has reference to the oath of allegiance.

"I do hereby certify that Benjamin Martin, of Bedford county . hath voluntarily taken and subscribed the oath of allegiance and fidelity, as directed by an act of General Assembly of Pensyl- vania, passed the thirteenth day of June, 1777. Witness my hand and seal the tenth day of October, A. D., 1785.

JAMES MARTIN." "Bedford county, State of Pennsylvania, ss.

We, the subscribers, Justices of the Peace, &c., in and for the county of Bedford, do hereby certify to all who it may con- cern, that we have been acquainted with the bearer hereof, Ben- jamin Martin, son of James Martin, esq., of the county afore- said these several years past, and that we have not heard of anything to operate against his character as an honest young man; but on the coutrary, that he has behaved himself as a good Whig and a friend to his country. And he being desirous to go from here to the lower parts of the State to transact some business and see his relations; therefore, all persons are request- ed to permit the said Benjamin Martin to pass and repass, he behaving himself as a good and faithful citizen ought to do.

Given nnder our hands and seal, the twentieth of April, in the year of our Lord 1784.

[L.s.]

BENJAMIN DOUGHERTY, DAVID HESPY."

"SIRS-Having always in view, as my polar star, the princi- ples contained in the above oath and certificate, I have with a steady mind, either as a private citizen or as a public servant, pursued that kind of policy which would best promote the inter- ests of our country, as the principles of general suffrage; for I always have and ever shall be of opinion, that when a man has enrolled himself in our militia muster-rolls, and has paid State and county tax, that in consequence thereof, he is and ought to be entitled to all the privileges and advantages of the govern- ment; and any policy or law, which, in its operation, would tend to lessen those privileges would be an invasion on the natural and inherent rights of man. Those, gentlemen, are the principles which I ventured in my life to establish, and the re- maining part of my days shall go to maintain them.

Written by the public's humble servant and real friend, BENJAMIN MARTIN."

The difficulty of collecting debts, in part at this time, may be judged of by the following unique notice of Sheriff Shaw:

PUBLIC NOTICE .- My friends and the public are hereby in- formed, that should they have large sums of money to collect, not to bring suit in the court of common pleas, in expectation of thereby obtaining their just demands in a reasonable time. I have been induced to publish this friendly caution that the pub- lic may not censure me for neglect in my official capacity. In order to show where the fault lies, read the following plain statement :

I have been assiduously endeavoring to collect the amount of an execution ever since I have been sheriff of this county, and have as yet received no money. The associate judges grant bills of injunction successively, after I have had the prop- erty ready for sale, which has procrastinated the collection of money. There have been two on the aforesaid execution; the judgment was rendered at the December term, 1815, for Erku- rius Beatty. Therefore, if the laws of this State will keep a

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man out of his money three years after judgment is rendered, I would seriously advise my friends not to bring suits for debts due them, but rather remove to some other State or country where they may obtain justice.

JOHN SHAW, Sheriff of Knox county.

September 4, 1816.

The fall term of the court of common pleas came on Decem- ber 24, 1816.

GRAND JURY .- Isaac Vore, sr., foreman. Abednego Ste- phens, Thomas Townsend, Zebulon Ashley, David Jackson, Robert Work, William Lepley, William Kittle, John L. Lewis, Samuel Durbin, Robert McMillan, Anthony Banning, Francis Wilkins, Francis Blakeley, and Thomas Fletcher.

They found six bills of indictments. Tavern license was granted to Anson Brown and Jonathan Hunt. Store licenses to John Williams, James Rigby, James Miller, John Shrimplin, Bryant & Burr, Eli and Jonathan Miller, and Anthony Banning. Shadrack Ruark, of the Methodist church, was licensed to marry, and James Craig was fined fifteen dollars and costs for assault and battery.

[The foregoing quotations from Mr. Norton's book have been given nearly verbatim, partly to indicate the spirit of the times and show the rather crude condition of the pioneers in a literary way, and partly for the names of the pioneers, which appear in various places .- The Editor.]

In 1820 there were only seven brick houses in Mt. Vernon, and of these two only remain to mark the past. The building on the northeast corner of Mulberry and Vine streets, now occupied by O'Con- ner, grocer, is one; the second has been so im- proved and modernized that its past appearance can scarcely be recalled to mind even by the oldest residents, and to others its existence is forgotten. At that time what is now Mr. Joseph M. Byers' pleasant residence, northwest corner of Gay and Vine streets, was but a small one- story building upon the east end of the lot. The old building is yet there, and is still not there, for the modern improvements have completely hidden it from view. At that time the little brick was occupied by William Vore, a teamster.

In 1826 Mt. Vernon contained eighty dwelling- houses, one printing office, a brick court house and jail, a merchant-mill, a saw-mill, a cotton factory, and within six miles, nine grist-mills and saw-mills, and three carding machines.

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History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 67

Author: Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A.A. & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Mt. Vernon, Ohio : A. A. Graham & Co. Number of Pages: 1096

Author: Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A.A. & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Mt. Vernon, Ohio : A. A. Graham & Co.
Number of Pages: 1096