USA > Ohio > History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 77
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Peach brandy was largely manufactured in this township by the early settlers. Peaches grew in abundance when the township was cleared and agriculture was first turned to attentively. They now have little success in quantity or quality.
Perhaps the oldest and most profitable tannery of pioneer history was one owned and run by Abram Kimberlain, in 1812-13, and for a few years afterwards, at what is now Knabbs Station, on the Vernon branch of the Ohio & Mississippi railroad. Tanyards were not quite as common as still-houses; yet they were scattered through- out the country in great numbers. It would re- quire a statistical table to give them properly. Lawrence's tannery in New Washington, how- ever, was a very successful one. It ran from 1820 to 1840.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
FORTS.
In this age it seems strange that our forefathers would engage in whiskey-making before any general action should be taken to protect them- selves against the barbarities of the red man. But such was the case. It was not till the Pigeon Roost massacre in 1812 that people be- gan to realize that they lived on the frontier ; that decisive measures must be employed, if their homes and farms were to be preserved against the Indians. Pigeon Roost is not more than six or seven miles from Knabbs Station. It was natural people should become alarmed on ac- count of their safety, when such atrocities were committed so near home.
Jesse Henly, assisted by his neighbors, erected a block-house on what is now the Charlestown and New Washington road, two miles and a half south of New Washington village, in 1812. The house stood near the mouth of Henly's cave, from which a plentiful supply of water was fur- nished. After the excitement went down, and the people who had crossed the Ohio into Ken- tucky returned to their homes and began once more the old way of living, the block-house was abandoned. It has entirely disappeared. The old Henly farm is now owned by Mr. William Works.
Mr. Pervine put up a fort on Fourteen-mile creek near his mill. It, too, has long since passed away.
On Frederic Fisher's farm, one mile north of New Washington, a block-house was erected in 1812. There was one also where Colonel Mar- tin Adams now lives in a little settlement called Hookertown, but which has entirely disappeared.
Colonel Adams himself put up a private block- house. In it the family lived for a year or two, and then returned to their old but more comfort- able log cabin.
The Indians seldom gave the white settlers in Washington township any trouble, except a few pretty thefts which they committed, and which, fortunately, the settlers were always able to bear.
CHURCHES.
After the excitement caused by the Pigeon Roost massacre had passed away, people began to turn more of their attention to religious and educational matters. The Universalists were among the first religious bodies in the township,
but they never had any thoroughly organized class. As early as 1812, Adam Bower, who lived two and a half miles west of New Wash- ington, had preaching at his house by Universal- ist preachers from Kentucky. After the Christian church was established in this community, they became members of that denomination.
The Presbyterian church on Camp creek, three miles east of New Washington, known as the Pisgah chapel, was erected more than forty years ago. For some time before and after the congregation built their house of worship, the class prospered. When the controversy came up which afterwards divided the members into two congregations, the enthusiasm of both sides resembled the worship of Baal more than the Lord God of Elijah. The Old School Presbyte- rians went to New Washington, and the New School retained possession of the church build- ing. Among the first members were Alexander Walker, John Henderson, and John Matthews, with their wives and families. Parson Todd, who came from Virginia, Revs. John Dickey and William Robinson, the latter of whom came from Madison, Indiana, were early preachers. The old members have died; the old church has succumbed to time and the elements, and is no more. A school-house in the neighborhood affords a place of worship and, in the pleasant months of the year, a room for holding Sunday- schools. The first members of the Pisgah chapel were true, devoted Christians, men who were guided by a conscientious regard for law and justice.
BURYING-GROUNDS.
On the Charlestown and New Washington road, on a little eminence near Flag run, Jesse Henly laid out a small graveyard as early as 1807, on his farm. At this time there were few graveyards in the country. The health was gen- erally good, except some fever and ague, which was often quite common in the fall. There is in the inclosure perhaps a quarter of an acre. It has been filled up almost to its full capacity, but yet people bury their dead in it frequently. Mrs. Jesse Henly was the first person who was buried in it. A good stone fence protects the evergreens and flowers from the outside world. Everything looks tasty and in conformity with modern ideas. A number of handsome monuments are particu- larly attractive.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
The old Walker graveyard, which is now on Colonel Martin Adam's place, was used as early as 1814. It was then surrounded by the woods, having been located in the midst of a strong growth of beech timber. The location was probably determined by the death of Mary Polly Adams, who was the first person buried within its present limits. William Pervine and his daughter were the next who were laid to rest under the shady beech and oak. This old grave- yard is now but little used. Its like is seldom met in the history of Clark county.
Fouts's grave-yards, now known as the Barnes burying-grounds, on the forks of Fourteen-mile creek, were used by the settlers fifty or sixty years ago. Squire Jacob Fouts, who lived near the East fork of Fourteen-mile, had at first a pri- vate burying place. It was afterwards used by the neighbors and came to be regarded as pub- lic property. The other, laid out by a relative of Mr. Fouts, perhaps a brother, was situated on the West fork of Fourteen-mile creek. Both sus- tained about the same relation to the public. They are now among those things of bygone days which in history must ever be regarded with affection, and which are reminders that we must all pass away.
SCHOOLS.
The first school which was kept in the vicinity of Colonel Martin Adams, was taught by Stephen Hutchings and a Mr. Reed. Its location is now fixed by the old Walker burying-ground. All the Adamses, Bottorffs, and Needhams gained their education here. John Reese, one of the Baptist preachers of early times, frequently preached to the people in this school-house. He also preached in the school-house which belonged to his district. William Gulick, who married Miss Sallie Adams, was the first teacher, or among the first teachers. He taught for many years afterwards in the adjoining townships, and belongs to that class of men who first brought the public-school system to rules.
On the Charlestown and Westport cross-roads, at the northwest corner, a district school is well filled with the boys and girls of the community. On the northeast corner a saw-mill, owned by Mr. Godfrey Bradley, runs most of the time.
It was on this little body of bottom land that the northern-bound emigrant rested during the
night, while on his way to the upper Indiana counties.
Washington township has nine school districts and about four hundred and fifty school children. Educationally, it is well up with the other town- ships. Her school-houses were always rude af- fairs during the pioneer age. Since the State school law came into force, school-houses have been fashioned after more modern patterns. They invariably look well.
VILLAGES.
'There never was more than one regularly laid- out village in Washington township. Its isolated situation seemed to preclude any idea of future greatness. But there naturally sprang up a de- sire to have a township center, a place where people could vote, where ammunition and gro- ceries could be bought, and where Christmas shooting-matches could be held. David Copple, Bala Johnson, and Adam Keller, who owned land in the vicinity of New Washington, were the first persons who made a successful attempt to found a village. New Washington is admir- ably situated. It was laid out in 1815 by the three persons above-mentioned. There were one hundred and twenty-eight lots, each 90x 150 feet. Eight lots were given for public purposes, and the proceeds of their sale turned into a fund for churches, schools, and the grading of streets. They were located on the first square northeast of the center of the town- for it was a town of size which they had planned. In 1819 Johnson made an addition on the west side of nine lots of the same size as those surveyed at first. Mr. Todd made an addition of thirty- three inlots and twelve outlots, in 1879, on the south side, the former 90x 100 feet.
Adam Keller, who came from Wales, with his wife and a part of his family, was one of the first citizens of New Washington. He after- wards moved to Shelby county, Indiana, where he died.
Bala Johnson came from Kentucky, farmed for a living, and, after a life of much fruitfulness, died near his ideal village.
David Copple was a farmer. He came from one of the Carolinas. Absalom Frazier, another early citizen, a wheelwright and edge-tool-maker, was here before 1820. He erected a steam grist- mill sixty-odd years ago in the village, to which
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
he afterwards attached a saw-mill. He was a man of considerable ability, and aided much in the improvements of New Washington.
Five years after New Washington was laid out, it had grown to be a thriving village of perhaps one hundred inhabitants. This resulted mainly from its location on the great thoroughfares which led to Madison and Lexington, over which hundreds of emigrants passed yearly. At one time there were striking evidences of a brilliant future. The knobs on the west and the Ohio river on the east, almost compelled the traveling public to take this route. Of course taverns sprang up with stores and produce exchanges.
John Lowder, who came from Kentucky, was among the first who kept a house of entertain- ment. After him came Joseph Bowers, Jacob Duges, Robert Tilford, William Robinson, and others. Their public houses were in various locations, but all had striking resemblances to each other.
Mr. Elijah Prewett, who came from Kentucky, was the first storekeeper. The kind of a store which he kept, was a general produce exchange, a place where butter, eggs, chickens, hides, and so on, were given for groceries and a few of the coarser dry goods. Esquire Bower dealt out groceries to the pioneer citizens for a number of years. Solomon Davis, who was here in 1840, carried on storekeeping on a large scale. At that time the village had as many as six different firms who were engaged in the same business. Christopher C. Cole and Berlin Spooner had a small stock of tobacco and groceries in connection with the post-office which they kept, about three or four years after the village was laid out. But stores in New Washington have always been governed by varying circumstances. They gener- ally change hands every few years. It can be truly said no one ever made an independent for- tune by commercial business within the bound- aries of New Washington village.
Blacksmiths have always found steady employ- ment in the village, if industrious. Five years after the town was platted, Charles Downey, of New York State, opened a shop and attended to the wants of the public. James McHenry fol- lowed soon after, as also did William Charleton and Andrew Robinson. G. L. Harper, a good artisan, and one whom everybody respected, was here for a long time. He died only a year or
two since. Blacksmith shops, here, like the stores, were often temporary. They depended to a great extent on the social qualities of the smith, as well as the excellent work which he did. Thomas Colvin is the present village smith, though another shop can be used if business should demand it.
As one enters the village coming in on the Charlestown road (the old county seat lies twelve miles south), the traveler is struck by nothing of decided importance, except the Presbyterian and Christian churches. The former stands in the eastern part of the town. Its fences are in a needy state, the weather-boarding needs paint, and the whole building a thorough going-over. There is no bell. This class is that part of the Pisgah Presbyterian church which was designated as the Old-school.
The Christian church is a little more modern in appearance, as well as younger in years. It has a tin-covered cupola, with an oval-shaped crown, which glitters in the sunlight. The cupola can be seen for several miles, if standing at an angle so that the rays of the sun strike the observer properly. The Christian church is larger than the Presbyterian. It was organized about the time of Alexander Campbell's refor- mation, and its first members came mostly from the other denominations.
The Baptist church in New Washington was built in 1820, and was the first house of worship in the village. It was made of hewed logs. Its furniture was old-fashioned, and its members more zealous in good works than anxious to have easy seats and polished discourses. It was the Baptist church to which most of the early settlers belonged. Jacob and Lewis Fouts, Jacob Woods, and their families were early mem- bers. Many of their preachers came from the adjoining counties. John Wright, a man of much natural and acquired ability, was perhaps the most distinguished of all their ministers. He came from Washington county. Preachers who rode the circuits-many times extending over a tract of country fifty to two hundred miles in length-always made New Washington a stop- ping place. It was then this church was in its prime. Its members were generally from the best people in the country, people who were known by their common, hard sense, who paid a debt as readily without as with a note. After
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
the old log building became unfit for use, a neat frame was erected to take its place.
John Reese was an old Baptist preacher in the country about New Washington. He preached mostly in school-houses and the houses of the pioneers. Joseph Reese and Charles Johnson were members; but they, with a number of others, were finally taken into the Christian church. It seems that the first preaching of this old denomination was begun in the neighborhood of Colonel Martin Adams's large farm-at least John Reese did considerable preaching in this section before New Washington was laid out. After the village had grown to some size, the class naturally located centrally-hence the church of 1820. Sixty-odd years have made many changes in the regularity of this ancient sect. The church in New Washington is in a semi-conscious state, many of its first members having died, moved off, or become connected with other re- ligious organizations. But it leaves behind it a legacy richer than the wealth of Croesus.
The Methodist Episcopal church, a small brick building, was erected in 1833-34. It was never powerful either in numbers or wealth; but it had a spiritual strength which has survived to this day. William T. Lawrence and Thirston Davis were two of the first and most influential mem- bers. Their preachers were generally those who addressed the people of Owen, Bethlehem, and adjoining townships. It is in the Methodist church that the only Sunday-school of New Washington is held. Here all classes go regard- less of creed, and the school is tolerably well sus- tained. It was organized twenty-five or thirty years ago, but has during that time passed through many changes.
Sunday-schools in the village were at one period very prosperous. When the place was thriving and business returned good dividends, Sabbath-schools flourished. When business lagged, Sunday-schools dragged. The time will come, probably, when they will be revived and be made to take a firmer stand than ever before in the religious matters of New Washington.
The Seceders' church, an offshoot of the estab- lished Church of England, was at an early day quite successful in the village. Its members came from England and were mostly grown when they arrived here. For a few years preach- ing was held occasionally in the neighborhood.
After the old members died, their children, who generally connected themselves with some other denomination, let the church of their parents pass out of existence in this community, as far as any regular body was concerned. In Jeffer- son county this denomination is quite numerous, and from this territory a preacher will come oc- casionally and address the people in this sec- tion. There are three things about which all persons like to think for themselves-politics, religion, and love; and it is to be regretted that few care so little for moral questions and all things which lead us to think more of God and the future.
The first school-house in the neighborhood was built of logs. But it was not long until a very decided move was made to establish a school which would furnish a thorough educa- tion. In the original plat there was a public square. It was soon divided into lots, which were sold at auction, and the money turned into a fund for building a seminary. As the square was well situated, a handsome amount was re- alized from its sale. A good brick building was erected, 40 x 50 feet, with a cupola, good fences, and other necessary attachments. But the en- thusiasm which more than anything else caused its erection, soon subsided. The founders of the village could not risk too much to accom- plish the desired result. After a number of years of varying success, the school began to lag in interest and numbers. Parson Brownlow and David Graham, the latter a son-in-law of Colonel Martin Adams, were the first teachers, and did much to place the seminary on a sub- stantial foundation. The classics and all the sciences were taught, and it seemed at one time that the road to fame was wide and easily traveled.
After about ten years of use as a seminary the building was taken by the public school authorities, and since 1840 has been under their control. There are now two teachers and from seventy-five to one hundred scholars.
Twenty-five years ago a Masonic lodge was organized in New Washington. Among the charter members were John and Dougan Fouts, Robert Tilford, and Barney Campbell. The lodge prospered for a time-as long as the vil- lage prospered-and then began to droop. There are now some thirty members. A. M.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Fouts is W. M .; John C. Fouts, secretary. The Masonic hall has been used recently by the Granger society. But it, too, is not active and full of that spirited determination which charac- terized the early life of this order.
When Pervine carried on milling on Fourteen- mile creek, before New Washington was laid out, the post-office was kept at his mill. It had few wants to meet. People wrote few letters, and newspapers were almost unknown. · One of the best authorities on post-office affairs says that the mail was delivered here as early as 1800; but it is improbable, because it was not till 1808 that Pervine's mill was erected. As soon as New Washington had grown to have fifty or sixty in- habitants, the post-office was located in the vil- lage. It was near the year 1817 that the change was made. Christopher C. Cole and Berlin Spooner were the first postmasters. The office was in the east end of the town, in a little log house. Joseph Bower was postmaster for more than twenty years. He was a justice of the peace at the same time, which office he held for more than forty years. Mails were carried at first on horseback, and went by way of Charles- town, New Washington, and Madison, though the starting point was Jeffersonville. As the mail-carrier went along, he distributed letters at way offices. They were often of little import- ance, but had to have communication with the great, busy world on the Ohio, and the thorough- fares in other parts of the county. A stage-route was established about twenty years after the vil- lage was laid out, which took the same road as that followed by the horsemen. For some time it paid well. The prosperity of this enterprise was also determined by the prosperity of the vil- lage. Robert Tilford acted as postmaster for a while. He belonged to the new era of post- office life. The mails of New Washington are now carried three times a week on a route starting at Otisco and ending at Bethlehem.
New Washington at first was the rival of Charlestown. Its situation in the northern part of the county, however, was a great hindrance to its final result. Charlestown was located near the centre of the county, and for this reason had a decided advantage. Many of the first and foremost physicians, nevertheless, made it their home. Lawyers she had none. Dr. Samuel Adair, who came from Ohio, was here soon after
the village was platted. His practice was in the adjoining and home counties. Dr. Philip Jolly, who came from the same State, was here about 1828 or 1830. He was an excellent physician, and his practice extended for miles in all direc- tions. A familiar remark was, "Yonder goes Dr. Jolly again." Dr. Solomon Davis was here for a number of years, but his practice was not extensive. In the village now there are three practicing physicians-Drs. Samuel Adair, David Haymaker, and David Allhands.
The Indiana Gazetteer for 1833 had something to say of this village, with its name somewhat abridged, as follows:
WASHINGTON, a post-town in Clark Co., about 12 miles N. E. from Charlestown. It has about 150 inhabitants, 2 taverns, 3 mercantile stores, and several mechanics of various Irades.
New Washington village has now about two hundred and fifty people, engaged mostly in ag- ricultural and mercantile pursuits. There are two main streets, which are those leading to Charlestown and Madison. Four stores are in operation, doing considerable business in the way of exchange and cash sales. It may hap- pen that the new railroad, which will probably be built before a great many years, will pass with- in a mile or less of the village. If so, there will be an awakening in trade, and the oldest citizens may yet see their birthplace taking a proud posi- tion in the commercial and social affairs of the world.
OLD SETTLERS.
Colonel Martin Adams came from Kentucky with his father in 1808, and made improvements on a small tract of land near where he now lives, two miles south of New Washington. They re- turned in the spring of the following year, and with the family moved to Terre Haute, Indiana, where they resided till 1811. There were thir- teen in the family. General Harrison was en- gaged at that time in trying to conciliate the In- dians on the frontier. It was on this account that the family moved to Washington township. In the spring of 1813 Mr. Adams enlisted as a ranger to fight the Indians on the borders, and made several campaigns. On the 18th of August, 1825,, he married Miss Jane H. Davis. The Davises came from Kentucky and settled in Jef- ferson county, Indiana. There is but one of her brothers, out of a family of twelve children, living
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
in this township at present. He resides on the New Washington and Bethlehem road.
Colonel Adams gets his title from the office which he held during the mustering times of the State militia. He held it till the law which gov- erned these gatherings was repealed. In all pur- suits which bring wealth and pleasure, Mr. Adams has taken a prominent part. He was en- gaged as a flatboatman on the Ohio for twenty- five years, in the meantime accumulating a hand- some competency. There is no other man in Washington township so thoroughly acquainted with pioneer incidents as Colonel Adams. His record is worthy of imitation by the youth of to-day; his character, as also his wife's, is with- out blemish.
Jacob Taflinger, Sr., was born in Virginia, and came to Clark county in 1829. Two years pre- vious to moving he had bought a tract of land on the line now dividing Oregon from Washing- ton townships. His family consisted of his wife, whose maiden name was Barbara Kline; his sons, Joseph, Daniel, John, and Jacob, and daughters Elizabeth, Sarah, Lydia, and Nancy. The journey was made in a four-horse covered wagon, with the familiar white top. After arriving on the ground, it was found to be unprofitable for agriculture on account of the slough and undergrowth. During the night in which they encanıped on the ground, a violent storm set in and almost drowned the family. On the follow- ing morning they proceeded to Charlestown township, stopping at the residence of James Worrel, who at that time lived one mile and a half west of Charlestown. Arrangements were soon made to visit other parts of the county, and to secure, if possible, a site favorable for a mill and also convenient to form the first purchase. After some search land was bought in the neigh- borhood of Robinson's settlement, one mile and a half above the head of Fourteen-mile creek. In a few days the family moved and began the work of clearing. Jacob Taflinger, Jr., was by trade a carpenter and millwright. He assisted in rebuilding the old Robinson settlement mill, and did considerable work in building houses and barns. He was born on the 2d of August, 1800, and has traveled much and learned by experience what the early schools failed to im- part. The greater part of his life has been em- ployed in erecting and rebuilding mills through-
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