USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > History of Muskingum County, Ohio ; with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent men and pioneers, 1794 > Part 97
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Daniel Monroe, John Jones, John Reynolds, Adam Shaner, William Ivers, and a man named Crow, located on section sixteen, in 1807, and Michael Hammond and Abraham Pollock, set- tled on section one.
During 1808-9, Philemon Johnson, Hezekiah Hyatt, and Israel Robinson came. Johnson was
a revolutionary soldier, and came from Vermont.
Caleb Monroe and Cleason Brady came in 1811, and Thomas Brady and Thomas Elliott, in 1812. The Spillmans, Dixons, Crawfords, Givens, Sims, Aulds, Forsyths, Gregorys, Fos- ters, and St. Clairs, were also early settlers.
The first log cabin was built by Leonard Stitchler, on section sixteen, in 1805.
The first frame house was built by Andrew Howell, on the northeast quarter of section twenty, in 1819.
Neal McNaughton built the first stone house, in 1827. Andrew Foster's stone house, built the same year, is still standing.
The first brick house was built by James Cal- houn, in 1828, where the hamlet of Rix Mills now is. The house is not now standing.
Samuel Gregory built the first frame barn, on the northwest quarter of section two.
The first road surveyed through any part of the township, was the Zanesville and Marietta road, which passes through the southwest corner of the same. The next was the Salt Creek and Guern- sey road, from Chandlersville to Cambridge. Thomas Brady says this road was surveyed in 1810.
The first birth in the township was that of John Moore, in March, 1807. The next was Pierce Warne, in August, 1807, who is still living within sight of the place where he was born, and is the oldest native resident of the township. The oldest resident is Mrs. Sarah Gregory, widow of Noble Gregory, who came to Rich Hill in 1813. She is now in her ninety-fourth year, and says she "never took a dose of medi- cine in her life, and is still able to work."
The house of John Gregory, her grand-son, with whom she resides, contains four generations of Gregory's.
The first marriage was that of James Dixon, to Ann Herron. The next was Caleb Monroe, to Deemy Hyatt, in 1812.
The first death was that of a little girl named Elizabeth McNaughton ; the second, an old lady by the same name; the third, a man named Martin. All buried on McNaughton's land, in 1812.
The first public cemetery was established on the southwest quarter of section nine, on land leased of John Reynolds, in 1814. This location being found unsuitable, on account of being too wet, the cemetery was removed to a lot located on the line between sections nine and sixteen, now known as the "Methodist Graveyard."
Here lie buried many of the sturdy old pio- neers, with their faithful companions beside them. No "storied urn, or animated bust," but a simple sandstone slab records :
" Their name, their years, spelt by the unlettered muse, The place of fame and elegy supply ;
And many a holy text around she strews, That teach the rustic moralist to die."
The first school was taught by John Jordan, in the year 1814, in a little log school house, which
Interior View of the SIGNAL OFFICE, Zanesville, Ohio. See pages 206-207.
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
stood on the northwest quarter of section twenty, near the present residence of Pierce Warne.
There are, at the present time, nine schools within the bounds of the township. Their history is not exceptional.
The first blacksmith in Rich Hill township, was John Officer, in 1812. The next was a James Crawford, in 1814.
The first store was kept at Rix's Mills, by James Calhoun.
At the present time there are four stores in the township,viz. : Two at Rix's Mills, (which see) one at Freeland P. O., by E. G. Warne, and one on section twenty-three, by E. Hickman.
There never was a tavern in Rich Hill.
The first gristmill was built by Neal McNaugh- ton, in 1818. It was built on the. northeast quarter of section twenty-nine, on the east branch of Salt Creek, and contained but one run of buhrs. Mr. McNaughton owned it twenty-one years, and then sold it to Thomas Randolph, who sold it to Jesse Hayden. While in posses- sion of Mr. Hayden, it was burned down, and never rebuilt.
The first sawmill was built by Abraham Warne, in 1824.
James Calhoun built a gristmill at Rix's Mills, about 1837. It contained three run of buhrs and did a good business. It is still running, and is owned by Mr. John Smith.
Dr. Daniel Bliss was the first to practice in Rich Hill, but he resided in Salt Creek township. It is not now known who was the first resident physician.
Dr. W. D. McCreary is the practitioner at present.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
Rich Hill township was organized in 1815, as the following "order" from the Commissioners journal attests :
"A petition was presented to the Commis- sioners from a number of the inhabitants of Salt Creek township, praying that they would incor- porate the thirteenth surveyed township, in the eleventh range, to be erected into a township, called and known as Rich Hill township, to which is added the twelfth surveyed township, and that part of the eleventh surveyed township, in said range, which lies in Muskingum county.
"Ordered by the Commissioners that the town- ship be erected .- March 8th, 1815."
The township was named, by John Reynolds, Rich Hill, "because it was rich and hilly."
No record was kept of the first election, and it cannot now be gathered from the memory of the "oldest inhabitant." All agree, however, that the election was held at the house of Daniel Monroe, on section sixteen.
Israel Robinson, a Justice of the Peace, lived in Rich Hill when it formed a part of Salt Creek township, and when Rich Hill was set apart he was retained Justice for the new township. Esquires Sims and McVey were also early dispensers of justice to the inhabitants of the new organization.
Abraham Warne was one of the first Trustees.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.
The present board of township officers are con- stituted as follows :
Justices of the Peace-Frank Richie and R. L. Porter.
Constable-George Swingle.
Assessor-Joseph Paine.
Clerk and Land Appraiser -- S. G. Cox.
Trustees-Joseph Echelberry, Robert Moore- head, and C. W. Mccutcheon.
Board of Education-Frederick Herron, Sam- uel Pollock, S. U. Elliott, George Moore, Lan- sing Acheson, Lee Warne, Henry Ledman, John White, and E. G. Warne.
Supervisors-Lewis Robinson, William D. West, Frank Nelson, Nathan Kirk. Samuel McDowell, Lee Warne, George W. Cariens, William Pearson, R. Tom, and Samuel Colville.
VILLAGES.
Rich Hill township contains no villages of importance.
Rixville is situated in the center of the north- ern tier of sections in the township. It was laid out by William Reynolds, in 1854, and contains one church, (United Presbyterian) ; one grist- mill, (John Smith, proprietor) ; two stores, (R. A. Cockins, and J. N. Barnett) ; one physician, (W. D. McCreary) : two blacksmiths. (A. Young and G. R. McGrath ) ; one saddler. (W. K. Ramsey) ; one tailor, (C. C. Hillman) : one milliner, (Mrs. Young).
POSTOFFICES.
The first postoffice was established at John Randall's, and called "Rich Hill Postoffice." In 1846, it was moved to Rix's Mills. John Moore, postmaster. The postoffices of Rich Hill appear to have been of the peripatetic order, changing location with the complexion of the administration.
An office was established at Thomas Shep- herd's, then moved to Morgan Morgan's : again to Watt Henderson's: then to John Pierce's; vacated in 1861, and re-established February 17. 1874, at E. G. Warne's store: now known as " Freeland Postoffice."
R. A. Cocking was appointed postmaster at Rix's Mills, in April, 1878, and is the present incumbent. The mail is supplied from Zanes- ville, via Chandlersville, tri-weekly.
CHURCHES.
Rich Hill M. E. Chapel .- The first church built in Rich Hill, was called Monroe's Meeting House. A class was formed at the house of Daniel Monroe, in 1812, and was composed as follows :
Daniel Monroe, and his wife, Mary. Philemon Johnson, and his wife. Philomela. John Reynolds. and his wife, Mary, William Herron, and daughter, Jane, Robert Monroe, and Jane Ham- mond. Daniel Monroe was leader for fifteen years. The first quarterly meeting was held in his barn. Rev. James Finley, Bishop Morris, and Dr. Durbin, when " to fortune and to fame unknown," all preached here.
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
In the year 1813, a log meeting house, 20x26, was built on John Reynolds' land, near the pres- ent residence of James Sims. This was known as " Monroe's Meeting House," and served as a house of worship until 1836, when a frame, 36x50, was built, on the southeast quarter of section nine, on land bought of Frederick R. Winrod. The building cost one thousand two hundred dollars, and stood until 1861, when a new frame was built on the same foundation, costing one thousand two hundred and fifty dol- lars, and was dedicated by Rev. Hiram Miller, in 1862.
Class Leaders-S. T. Elliott, and John Gregory.
Stewards-James Herron, Henry Sniff, and Johnson Houseman.
Goshen Baptist Church .- This society was organized October 18, 1822, by Elders Debott and Rees. For two years the services were held at private houses. From 1824 to 1849, the church at Flat Run, Guernsey county, was the place of meeting. At the latter date, a new church was built on section - , in Rich Hill township, Muskingum county, and is still used as a meeting house.
The original members were as follows :
William Newland, Levi Culver, George Baugher, Henry Ross, Daniel Newland, Phillip Culver, Isaac Baugher, Elisha Smith, Nancy Agnew, Susanna Ross, Nancy Culver, Mary Vanpelt, Elizabeth Culver, Elizabeth Baugher, Mary Secrist.
The first Deacons were Levi Culver and Henry Ross. In December, 1822, Elder Rees was called to the care of the church, and contin- ued in charge until 1832, when Elder McGowen became pastor. He remained until 1836, and was succeeded by Elder Sperry, who officiated until 1846. Elder Peter Ogan was pastor about thirteen years : Elder M. Brown, one year ; Elder Harper, one year. In April, 1862, Elder J. Brown became pastor, and was succeeded by Elder John Pritchard, the present pastor, in 1864. Elder George D. Burley served from 1878 to 1879.
Rixville United Presbyterian Church .- About the year 1825, Rev. David Proudfit, organized a United Presbyterian, then known as Associate Reformed Society, in the northwestern portion of Rich Hill, called the Salt Creek Associate Reformed Church, which met at first, for wor- ship, in private dwellings. Amongst the origi- nal members were: David Forsyth, and wife. Francis Moorehead, and wife, Samuel Crawford, and wife, Barnet Vandever, and wife, Hadden, and wife, and Mrs. Pollock.
D. Forsyth was the first Ruling Elder. Subsequently, Andrew Proudfit, and James Mc- Vey, were elected Elders.
In 1850, a frame building, 50x50, (its prede- cessor having been destroyed by fire), was erected on the southwest quarter of section nine, at a cost of one thousand six hundred dollars, and, for the sake of convenience, the congrega- tions were consolidated into one organization,
making a membership of two hundred and thirty- five, with the pastor, Rev. John Comin, D. D., preaching alternately, at Rixville, and Salt Creek churches.
Rev. D. Proudfit was the first pastor, and was followed by Rev. Johnson Welsh, who remained but a short time, and was succeeded by Rev. B. Waddle, in 1836. In 1850, Rev. John Comin took charge of the congregation, and still minis- ters acceptably to their spiritual wants.
Ruling Elders-A. Lorimer, R. Wilson, Thomas Jamison, James Reynolds, S. Kyle, John Hastings, John Watson, and William Mackey.
Deacons-W. G. Crawford, J. S. Paisley, William Shepherd, William A. Given and R. H. Moorehead.
Rich Hill Baptist Church .- This society was in existence in 1833, but at present little can be learned in reference to it. The meeting house stood on the creek bottom, on the east side of section twenty-nine, but no traces remain.
Rich IIill Reformed Presbyterian Church .- In the year 1836, a church stood on section thirty, with the title, Rich Hill Reformed Pres- byterian Church. The pastor was Rev. Robert Wallace. The ruling Elders were, John Auld and Charles Starrett. It, at one time, attained a membership of one hundred and thirty, but is not now in existence.
Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church .- A committee, appointed by the Presbytery, consisting of Rev's. William Wallace. Samuel Wilson and Elder William Cooper, organized Mt. Zion Presbyter- ian Church, August 24th, 1839.
Robert Henderson and his wife. Jane, Robert Spratt and his wife. Sarah, Henry White and his wife, Mary, Robert Lyons and John Lyons, constituted the original members.
Ruling Elders-Henry White, Alexander Henderson and Robert Lyons.
Clerk-H. White.
The first church building. a frame, 26x36, was erected in 1841, on the southwest quarter of sec- tion twenty-seven, and is now used for a parson- age.
The present building, a frame, 44x56, was erected in 1864, near the old one, and cost $1,811.
The first pastor was Rev. William Wallace, next, Rev's. William Reed, John Arthur and Robert Mccullough. Here occurred a vacancy, during which Rev. William Aiken acted as a supply. Rev. John Kelly was next installed as pastor, followed by Rev's. John Arthur, C. C. B. Duncan, Wm. J. McConkey, Samuel Ma- haffey and Charles L. Work, the present pastor.
Ruling Elders-Henry White, John White, John McGreggor and Hugh S. Elliott.
Clerk of Sessions-Rev. C. L. Work.
Maximum number of members. two hundred and sixty. Present number, eighty-eight.
A Sabbath School is connected with the church. Rev. C. L. Work is Superintendent.
AGRICULTURE.
Rich Hill is essentially an agricultural district.
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
The soil is composed chiefly of lime, with sufficient sand to render it very pliable, and is of superior quality. All kinds of crops grow abundantly. The farming is above the medium grade, conse- quently profitable. Corn and wheat were formerly the staple products, but the distance to market in- duced the farmers to turn their attention to wool- growing, as the product of the farm can, in that shape, be more easily disposed of. A few cattle and horses are raised for market, but wool is the article of export.
Abraham Warne probably set out the first or- chard in Rich Hill. He also brought the first mould-board plow (Wood's patent).
The first threshing machine was introduced by a Mr. Mayers, date unknown.
First merino sheep brought into the township was by D. Irwin, from Washington county, Penn.
The first attempt to improve the breed of cattle, in Rich Hill, may be credited to Abraham Wells, who, in about 1836, procured a few short horns from John Draper, of Morgan county. The first successful improver of stock, however, was Jas. Herron. In the year 1856 he bought some thoroughbred short-horn Durhams from Jas. Mc- Cune, of Blue Rock township, Muskingum coun- ty, and in 1876 he bought three head in Athens county, O. In 1876, Mr. Daniel Tom introduced a pair of fine Devonshires from Guernsey county.
So Rich Hill is in a fair way to keep pace with her sister townships.
MEIGS TOWNSHIP.
A CONGRESSIONAL TOWNSHIP-BOUNDARY-ITS NAME-TOPOGRAPHY-WATER -HIGH HILL - MINERALS -COAL- LIMESTONE -TIMBER, IN "'YE OLDEN TIME"-PIONEERS-LITTLE NANNIE GREEN-NOTED PERSONS DINE OFF A STUMP- FOUR YEARS WITHOUT MONEY-SCHOOL TEACH- ING, FOR FIFTY CENTS A WEEK, IN TRADE- FIRST ROAD-"OLD FEDERAL TRAIL"-FIRST HIEWED LOG HOUSE-FIRST FRAME HOUSE- FIRST BRICK HOUSE-FIRST CLEARING AND OR- CHIARD-SEVERAL "FIRST BORN"-FIRST MAR- RIAGE - FIRST DEATHI - CEMETERIES - FIRST SCHOOL - TANNERY - FIRST TAVERN - FIRST STORE-FIRST WAGON-MAKER-FIRST BLACK- SMITH-DISTILLERY-FIRST GRISTMILL -- FULL- ING MILL-CARDING MILL-FIRST SAWMILL- ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIP-FIRST ELECTION -JUSTICES OF MEIGS TOWNSHIP-"THE COLOR LINE" - PRESENT OFFICERS - MEIGSVILLE - MUSEVILLE-IIIGHI HILL-HOPEWELL CHURCH -SALEM M. E. CHURCH-LYTLESBURG M. E. CHURCHI-PLEASANT HILL M. E. CHURCH-ARK SPRING BAPTIST CHURCH-SCHOOLS-NIGGER IN THE SCHOOL-ROOM - POSTOFFICES - POST- MASTERS-PHYSICIANS-MEIGS TOWNSHIP VOL- UNTEERS-COLORED VOLUNTEERS-THE SOIL- WOOL-GROWING-SHORT-HORNS-FIRST GRAIN CRADLE-FIRST METAL PLOW-FIRST MOWING MACHINE -- MORGAN'S RAID.
Meigs township consists of an entire Congres- sional township, of thirty-six sections. `It is
bounded on the north by Rich Hill township, on the east by Noble county, Ohio; on the south by Morgan county, and on the west by Blue Rock township. It is, therefore, the extreme southeastern township of Muskingum county.
It received its name from the principal stream in it-Meigs creek-the creek, itself, having de- rived its name from Governor Return J. Meigs, of Marietta.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The surface of Meigs township is very hilly, the streams having cut deep ravines through the lime and sandstones of the lower coal-measures. The soil of the lowlands is not of the best quali- ty ; that of the hills, composed of disintegrated limestone, is generally good, but deteriorated, to some extent, by injudicious farming.
Meigs creek drains the southwestern portion of the township; Dyes Fork of Meigs creek, the southeastern ;. Collins Fork of Wills creek, the northeastern ; and Dents creek, the north- western portion. The branches of these streams ramify throughout the township.
HIGH HILL.
High Hill, as its name indicates, is an elevated knob, situated on the southwest quarter of sec- tion four-said to be the highest land in Mus- kingum county. The summit is 1,375 feet above the level of the sea.
This knob is the source of four streams, viz. : a branch of Meigs creek, one of Wills creek, one of Salt creek, and one of Kents creek-all of which rise within two hundred yards of each other. A mound crowns the summit, from which twelve counties are visible. Tourists often visit High Hill-as the Zanesville and Marietta Road runs by its base-to enjoy the delightful pros- pect.
MINERALS.
No valuable minerals are found in Meigs town- ship ; the "lead mines" having a "local habita- tion"-principally in the imagination of the in- habitants.
Five seams of coal crop out in the township, two, only, of which are worked. The coal is of fair quality, but is only used for home consump- tion.
Limestone is abundant, but very little is burnt, as the farmers evidently think that
" Butter to butter is no sauce."
Iron ore exists, in considerable quantities, but entirely undeveloped.
TIMBER.
Meigs township was originally covered with the following varieties of timber: White, red, black and rock oaks; hickory, maple, beech, elm, sycamore, buckeye, gum, walnut, butter- nnt, cherry, tulip-tree, ironwood, ash, dogwood, and willow. The rougher lands are still covered with the same varieties.
444
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
PIONEERS.
The first white settler of Meigs township was Archibald Bowles, who came from Alleghany county. Pennsylvania, in 1807, and settled on the southwest quarter of section twenty-nine, erect- ing his cabin on the east bank of Meigs creek, near the present residence of William Dunlap, who pointed out to the writer the remains of the ancient fireplace.
Elijah Collins, Jacob Baker, John Bean, Sam- uel Allen, Andrew Wolf, and David Stevens, came in 1808-9, and David James, in 1810. These settled on Collins' Fork of Wills creek, in the northeast corner of the township.
Mrs. Nancy Bell-then Mrs. David James-is still living, and is the oldest citizen of the town- ship. She is the mother of twelve children, has sixty-three grandchildren, seventy-five great- grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchil- dren. She resides with her son-in-law, Dr. Charles Hurd, in Lytlesburg, and, at the ripe old age of ninety-two, her eye will kindle, and her voice grow strong and animated, as she recalls with vividness the scenes of eighty years ago. The story of one of her experiences runs as fol- lows :
"LITTLE NANNIE GREEN."
John Green, a son of the Emerald Isle, lived on the Alleghany river, in Venango county, Pennsylvania, in 1798. Not being satisfied with his location, he built a cabin and made a "claim" in the woods, four miles distant.
Now. in order to prevent the claim from being ·· jumped," it was necessary to occupy the cabin daily, for a stated period ; but, as John had busi- ness at the county town, he took his little daugh- ter Nannie, aged ten years, and her little brother Tommy, aged seven, to the cabin, gave them possession, and started for Franklin, fourteen miles distant, intending to return before night ; but
" The best laid schemes o' mice an' men Gang aft aglee."
At the town, John Green met some good fel- lows, who, like himself, had "a very sthrong wakeness" for
" Inspiring, bold John Barleycorn, What dangers thou cans't make us scorn."
"The night drave on, wi' songs an' clatter, And ay the ale was growing better."
Meanwhile, how fared it with little Nannie and her baby brother? All day long they had amused themselves as best they could, and, as the sun began to sink behind the Venango hills, she cast many an anxious glance down the path, hoping to see her father approaching ; and, as the shadows deepened into twilight, she could scarcely repress her tears, while she strove to calm her little brother's fears, and repeated :
"Why don't he come? why don't he come?" Night, with all its attendant horrors, closed in
upon her, and still he came not. But, if her father and protector did not come, something else did-the wolves, attracted by the offal of a deer dressed at the cabin the previous day.
The situation was now a trying one, sufficient to make an older person than little Nannie quail -the wolves howling at the door, which there was no means of closing, no one to protect her, little Tommy to care for, and no means of escape. But, under that homespun pinafore, beat a brave heart, and Nannie was equal to the occasion.
Directing Tommy to put his arms around her neck, "hold tight, and keep quiet," she climbed to the rude joists, and, sitting astride of one, held her little brother between her and the wall, while he slept, until near morning.
As the first faint rays of light streaked the east, the howling demons retreated to their dens ; then, brave little Nannie, almost fainting from exhaustion, climbed down, deposited her pre- cious burden on the ground, and fell asleep.
When she awoke, the sun had climbed above the tree-tops and chased the gloomy night away. It was still three hours before her eyes were gladdened by the sight of
" The man approaching from the town."
To-day, her one hundred and fifty descendants can ponder on "what might have been," had lit- tle Nannie Green been less brave.
Later, Philip Yanger, Jacob Onstott, Jesse Sutton, Jeremiah Sutton, and Thomas Mitchell, came from Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and settled on Meigs creek ; and Joseph Taylor, Thomas Gilkison, John Green, Samuel Paxton, and Adam Grindstaff, located on Collins Fork of Wills creek.
The Hammonds, Hyatts, Hedges, Hollen- becks, Shaws, Chapmans, and Dunlaps, were also early settlers.
As illustrative of the privations and incon- veniences the pioneers were subject to, the fol- lowing incidents may be given :
David Stevens entered the northeast quarter of section nine, in 1808, on the Zanesville and Marietta road, and erected a log cabin over a huge chestnut stump, which served for a table, from which Bishop Asbury, General Cass, Gov- ernor Meigs, and other noted men were glad to dine.
Mrs. Israel Dunlap relates that her sister, Elizabeth Mitchell, carried butter, on horse back, twenty-four miles to Zanesvile, and then sold it for four cents per pound.
William Dunlap says that in March, 1818, he saw the last dollar that greeted his vision until 1822 ; that during these four years the people were absolutely without money, barter being the only means of exchange.
Miss Hannah Bliss taught school for fifty cents a week, and took her pay in maple sugar and feathers.
The consciousness of having well performed an arduous duty, is said to be sweet. In this case the reward was literally both sweet and soft.
445
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
The first road surveyed through the township ·was the Zanesville and Marietta road. It enters on section six, and following the dividing ridge between Wills and Meigs creeks, it passes into . Morgan county on section thirty-four.
The "Old Federal Trail" struck Meigs town- · ship on Asa Jordan's property, section twenty- five, crossed the Marietta road at Hollenbeck's tavern, followed down Guist's Fork and crossed Meigs creek on section thirty, thence passed into ' Blue Rock township.
Archibald Bowles built the first hewed log house.
The first frame house is believed to have been built by John P. Farrell, and the first frame barn by William Yanger.
The first brick house was erected in 1833, by Casper Hollenbeck, on the Zanesville and Mari- etta road, and used for a hotel. David DeLong now owns the property.
The first ground cleared, and orchard set out,. were by Archibald Bowles. A few of the trees, or scions from them, are still standing in William Dunlap's field.
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