USA > Ohio > Fayette County > Pioneer record and reminiscences of the early settlers and settlement of Fayette County, Ohio > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9
BY LEVI KOWE.
Peter Vanpelt, a neat farmer, has hold the office of road commissioner ; a useful man. Charles Vanpelt, school teacher and merchant; a good financier; has accumulated au ammple fortune ; is & large stock dealer in Highland County. O. E. R, Vaupelt emigrated to California, and made his pile by honest, hard work; he returned home and married Miss Rowe. He now lives in Washington. Andrew Vanpelt has moved to Green County, and engaged in farming; he married Miss Thompson. Simon Vanpelt lives with his aged parents; he served as a musician in the 730 regiment. Oliver Vanpelt, youngest son of Peter Vanpelt, Sr., was in the 54th regi- ment; was wounded in battle, brought home, and died much lamented ; he was a young man of talent and promise. Wil- Jiam Vanpelt emigrated to California and died.
[The above is a brief record of a brave family, whose war record runs from 1776 to 1861.]
George MeDouall, farmer, although unlettered, is very in- telligent and learned in the history of our country, his reccl- lection of what he hears and sees is remarkable, John Stuckey, farmei, served as Captain of Militia during the mt- litia monsters in Ohio, and was also trustee of Concord Town- ship; a prominent man in society. George Hidy, a farmer and honest man. Joseph Mark, held the ofices of clerk, trustee, and county commissioner ; a large, Leat farmer, and a man of influence. Samuel Marks was in the war of 1812;
55
a farmer, and was treasurer. Michael and Banner Marks, preachers in the M. E. Church in Iowa. Samuel Sprinkle, a large farmer and good man; he was a man of great enter- prise, accumulating much property; he died at a good old age, much respected and lamented. J. W. Williams, school teacher, justice and clerk of the township tor several years ; he is still living, and enjoys good health; he retains all bis faculties in an eminent degree ; he oversees and superintends his own affairs, and enjoys the company of his numerous friends.
Indian occupants of Fayette in 1750, were as follows : The Shawnces, Piques, and Chillicothe tribes. The animal occu- pants were the bear, black and yellow; buffalo. or bison ; wolf, panther, black and gray fox. Of these animals that are caniverous and herbiferous, are the opossum, raccoon, polecat, and miak; the wood chuck or ground hog; rabbits are her- biferots; black, gray, stripped, and fox squirrels; red and flying squirrels; beaver, weasel, porcupine, otter. elk, deer, snakes -- two kinds --- rattle and black snake; two kinds water- suaker, copperheads and garter ; spotted snake, called cabin or bouse svake ; lizzards, three kinds.
Tradition says that one of Daniel Boone's hunters, in 1783, in Kentucky and the western forest of the great Northwest, was Alex. Cupper. He aud Daniel Boone were taken pris- Quers at the Three Islands by the Indians, and got within seven miles of Old Town, when Daniel made his escape. Cupper was taken to Old Town, was tried by an Indian coun- cil, and condemned to be burned. He was put in a close eabin, and watched by the two largest Indians in the camp. The night prior to the execution, he was brought out to run the gauntlet. A circle was formed, and he was let loose ; ran- ning a short distance, he broke the circle, distanced his pur- suers, and penetrated the deep forest of now Concord, and took refuge on the waters of Little Wabash, where he ro- mained secreted until he made his escape to Three Islands on the OLio.
.
56
BY A. W. WRIGHT.
JOHN WRIGHT emigrated to Seioto Valley in 17S, and settled on the waters of Paint, with his father's family, and lived with the family until 1807. when he married, and omi- grated to Fayette in 1903. Two years before the organiza- tion of the county, the whole country was one unbroken for. est, inhabited only by Indians, wolves, bears, deer, and other smaller game. The last wolf' was killed in 1848. on the waters of Sugar creek, by Daniel Carmaen. Gabriel Wright, father of John Wright, emigrated from New Jersey to Hampshire County, Virginia, at an early date, and from Virginia to Kon- tucky, and settled bear Big Bone Lick, and remained there SOTen years, when he removed to the Northwest territory in 1780. His family were Deborah Ball, by whom he had Jou- athan, David, Joob, John, Hoses, and Caleb, Wright ; Sarah, Anna, Rhody, and Charity. John, the subject of this record, was in the war of 1812, under Capt. Kilgore and Gen. Wni. II. Harrison. He first went out under a draft for forty days He text was in the general call, ander General MeArthur and Colonel Wir. Clark. He married Miss And Cook, by whom ho bad Anthony W .. Ames, ADen L., Susan, laubel, Mar. garet, and Rachel; all dead but Anthony and Isabel John Whright held the office of trustee and several other civil of. Goes. Mr. Wright was by occupation & farmer, hating cleared and improved bis land from a dense forest; he was a man much respected aud beloved by all who had the honor of bis segoaintauce. The following beautiful and merited tribute, we extract from a Washington paper one week after his death. which was in 1833.
Died at his residence, in this county, on the 7th of April, 1833, Mr. John Wright, in the 52d year of his age. Bis dis- case was consumiptica ; a long. painful, lingering, and lu the enl, fatal, consumption. He bore bis a Plictions with furti- tude, and with Christian humility he heard and obeyed.tho summnous. He is now realizing what happens to ionecrianty in the eternal world, whither we must shortly follow him, and. like him, engage in a new and endless course of being and existence there. Let us be watchful; lot as he ready. The deceased was an honest man, a good neighbor, a kind husband,
57
und an affectionate father. He has loft a wife and seven children to deplore his loss -& loss which to them can not be repaired. Let them, however, not despair; for that good Being who has summoned the father away will be to the or- phan a better father, and to the widow a kinder husband. Let them confide in him. Signed,
ACQUAINTANCE.
His son, Anthony Wayne Wright, who is the possessor of the old forest homestead. and the author of this brief record, hands in the relic below described : A fawn-skin purse, made by his father and used by him during the war of 1812, when he was in the black swamps defending his country.
MOLTO OF JOHN WRIGHT.
There is nothing purer than honesty, nothing sweeter than charity, nothing warmer than love, nothing richer than wis. dom, nothing more steadfast than faith. Those united in one mind form the purest, the sweetest, the warmest, the richest, the brightest, and the most steadfast happiness.
Mrs. John Wright was a woman of enterprise, industry and business habits. During the war of 1812 her husband being & coldier in that campaign, she, with the help of a small boy. cultivated and gathered uine acres of corn, amounting to four hundred bushels ; the boy plowed the corn, and Mrs. Wright hoed it. She died in 1852, regretted by all. Mra. Wright was a kind and benevolent woman; good to the poor; she was attentive to the sick and afflicted, and at excellebt nurse; the siek had confidence in her prescriptions and advice. She was proberbial for her charities and benificence; her latch.string was always out; at her bountiful table the hungry were fed : she was a kind companion, an affectionate mother, and an obliging neighbor and true christian.
ANTHONY WAYNE WRIGHT
Was born March, 1812, and is in his COth year. Mr. Wright married Sarah Wright February, 1853, by whom he had three children, Margaret, Jasper, and Samantha Jane. Mrs. Wright died October 19th, 1840. In 1843 be married Mary Caylor, daughter of Jacob Caylor, by whom he had one son, J. A. Wright, who married Jane Deriens July 20th, 1871.
...... .
58
Jasper Wright, son of Anthony Wayne Wright, was in the late rebelliou as one of the hundred day men. He lives on the east side of Sugar creek ; he married twice. ard has one child by each wife, Mary G. and Essie C. Amos Wright. son of John Wright. is dead; he lived on the northeast bank of Sugar creek; he married Susana Rankin ; their children were Emily E., Maria L., Theodore L. Alice A .. , William Wallace, and Cyrus R. Wright. Allen L. Wright married Ary Tur- ner, by whom he had four children, Huldy A., Heson, Chas. W., and John. A. Wright. Margaret married Harry Iron, and moved to Kansas; both dead; bad six children, five living and one dead. Rachael married Aaron Hyer; she is dead, leaving one daughici ; Hved on Sugar creek. Isabel is living in Jay County ; her husband, Abraham Medsker, is dead. David Wright was an early emigrant; he was in the war of 1812; is dead. Hosea Wright, farmer, was in the war of 1812; he came to his death by the falling of & tree. Jonathan Wright was a son of Gabriel Wright, and was a noted hunter of Kentucky and the Northwest. His hunting excursions were on the head-waters of Paint and Rattlesnake. He killed buffaloes, elk, bears, wolves, panthers, deer, and other game in abundance. He was the companion of Governor Heath, Witzell, Wolff, Boggs, Stoner, Mckay, and other celebrated hunters. He was a brave scout, fearless and daring ; he set- tled og Indian creek, and died about 1805. Caleb Wright emigrated to Fayette County in 1807. He was a single man ; when the war of 1812 was declared by Congress, he volvo- tered as an Indian spy, and continued in that critiest and dangerous capacity, traversing the hills, plains, valleys, and swamps, for one year; his living was wild ivat, his hiding. places, the black swamps, his covering, the blue sky, and his raiment was the wild hunters costume ; he was brave, fearless, and daring, penetrating the camp and secret hiding dens of the savages and the enemy.
PRESENT CITIZENS.
Jas. Beatty, Joseph Marks, David Persinger, Milton Seiver, Nathan Marks, Lewis Coffman, Isaiah Sellars, John seiner, Eli Craig, Aaron Hire, William Bitzer, William Long. Mar-
59
tin Rowe, John Stukey, Thomas Worthington, Thomas Con- nor, Samuel Allen, John T. Cox, John House, George Mo- Donald, Matthew Owens, Samuel Marks, James Holbrook, James Homes, Elias Priddy; D. M. Craig, J. W. Craig, J. B. Cole, L. Hany, Wm. Darick, M. Craig, John Mitcheler, J. N. Rowe, Joseph Beatty, David Rowe, Levi Burnett, Amos Golds- bery, George Hidy, A. M. Wright, J. C. Connor, Eli Connor, Joseph Mc Vey, Joseph Seiner.
STAUNTON BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Dry goods. Craig Bros. and J. N. Rowe ; manufacturers of boots and shoes, James Ilolbrook and Wm. Bay; butcher, John Mitchener; church, M. P .; wood shop, R. D. Cole and Jonu Rusler , carpenters, P. R. Craig, John Buitenener, Joseph Beatty, and John Rusler; grocery, Elias Priddy ; black- smiths, R. B. Cole and Wm. Long; compounding and pratice of medicine, James Matthews and L. J. MeCorkle ; post- master, Eli Craig, school houses, three; teachers, David Ellis and Mr. Norton; wholesale Yankee notions, wagons, William Gray and T. J. Craig; woolen and cloth manufac- lurer, James Holmes ; undertaker, John Mitcher.
60
JASPER TOWNSHIP.
ROBERT BURNETT emigrated from Virginia to Fayorte County, in 1810; a single man, worked around until 1812, when he settled or squatted on government land ; he married in 1812 Susannah Bush, by whom he had six sons and five daughters, viz : Henry, John, Jesse, Thomas, Elihu and Ab- salom. Mr. Burnett, was out in the war of 1812 ; he belonged to a volunteer company of rifle ; he served a tout as Captain of Militia, also as Clerk and Trustee of Jasper Township ; he was also appointed by the County Commissioners road viewer ; in religion a Unitarian ; his first wife died in 1839 ; his see- oud wife was the widow of Jacob Coler; sho was the first woman married in Fayette County, jv 1810, the time the lines were run by David Creamer, first County Surveyor. Captain Burnett, by profession, was a surveyor, and rup out a great number of County and Township roads. Henry Bur- net visited California in 1848, did well, and cleared $13,000; he lives in Clinton County, a farmer and stock merchant. John Burnett was County Surveyor, and made a good one; was frequently called on in other counties ; now a farmer, etc. Jesse and Thomas kept a cabinet shop in Washington ; both dead. Elibu Burnett, by profession a gardner, was in the late war. Absalom, was private clerk under Col. Miller in the late war and now ar Engineer on the Peru Railroad, Indiana. Namesof the Captain's girls : Sidney, Rebecca, Neomah, Catber- ine and Susan. Sidney lived and died a single woman ; a pleas- ant, kind girl, much regretted ; she was a ready nurse, and her presence among the sick was ever acceptable. Rebecca married Alvaro Figgins, by whom she had one son; both dead ; she married J. L. Mark, Esq., of Jasper station, who holds the office of Justice, and is now Postmaster ; he is a man of business qualifications ; he is also a merebant, by whom she had que son and daughter. Neomah married J. L. Mark,
61
by whom she had four children, two living and two dead. Catherine is married and lives in Washington ; her husband, Joseph Plumb, keeps a furniture store ; by trade a cabinet maker ; they have but one child living, a daughter, who mar- ried James Farley, now living in Indiana. Susan married James Brooks, and lives in Indiana.
Captain Burnett, in 1813, leased a tract of land in Union Township of Mr. Bush, and lived there until 1821, when he moved to his own land, which be purchased of Pendleton, of Virginia, all in the woods. On his first lease the surround- ings were a dense forest. There was an ancient Indian camp on the bank of Sugar Creek, where the Indians would stop on their route from Fort Clark to Old Town. The Captain -ay3 squads of them would stop there and rest on their annual huuts. The majority, however, had emigrated to Logan Coanty. He says deer were plenty, and he would frequently shoot them ; wolves were in great abundance ; they could at any time be seen skulking in the woods ; sheep had to be se- cured within high ouclosures, and hogs in close pens ; bears were few; elk had emigrated to the West; turkeys, coons, opossums and other small game were in abundance. The Cap- tain, boing something of a marksman, kept his family well supplied with fresh meat. Mills there were none ; horse mills and hand mills were all the early pioneers had ; they frequent- ly used the hominy block and grater ; sometimes a journey to the Selote mills by some of the pioneers would be made ; roads were Indian trails and dcer paths. The Captain says bordes of wild hogs infested the woods; he describes them as having tushes like ramus' boros, head and nose long and sharp, legs long and close as the rabbit, when provoked to anger more dangerous than any beast of the forest, and in the chase could distance the hound or the trained fox steed ; he says these wild bogs nest in jumbles on the banks of Sugar Creek. Snakes wore rather plenty ; he killed once a monster, the largest he ever saw, he thinks, and was perhaps as old as Me- ihnselah. as the life of a snake is 1,000 years, agreeably to snakeology historians. He says that grass on the prairies would grow as high as a horses back, and the runs and natu- val holes and pools afforded water for stock the entire season.
62
Corn ground was plowed with a wooden share and iron point, and the corn planted with hoes ; when sufficiently high it was bladed and topped, and when ripe was pulled and hauled to the barn yard and thrown into two heaps; the neighbors were all invited to the husking, captains for each pile were chosen. and the word " Musk !" was given, when the hardy pioneers would commence; the corn would fly in one place, and the husks in another until finished ; tho victor would be carried with shouts, on the shoulders of the victorious party, round the yard , then a short of " Old Rye," or corn whisky was drank by each party, -- when supper was ready, and each eat plenteously of venisou, turkey and bear meat, and ash, Johnny and hoe cake. After supper the boys and girls would take a Muvasiu dance on the purchaon Anar, which would last until the break of day, when all would return, singing merrily, to their cabins and wigwams in the wilderness. All cabins, barns and stables would be cut, hauled and raised in the same way; also log rollings, clearings, wood choppings etc. Wheat, rye and oats were harvested by the hand sickle ; grass was harvested or mowed by the hand scythe, raked with a hand rake, and cocked with a hickory pitch fork.
NOTE .- Mrs. B. says I omitted to state that core would be often hid by the party fearing defeat.
Harness, says the captain, were made of homp rope, come- times decr hide and often bark; bridles of hemp rope, elw bark and sking ; saddles, called pack saddles, were made of wood and padded with straw. Wagons-hickory axle-tree, aud wooden wheels ; hickory withes were used for ropes to tie ; large spinning wheels were used for wool, and small ones for fax; the roel to wind, the cards for tow ; no carpets for the floor, which were split puncheons. Wooden plates and wood- en bowls were used to eat out of; gourds for rye or corn coffee. The dress, buckskin, linsey or tow linen ; mocasins or nature's shoes; wool and straw hats.
The Captain is now 83 years old ; he says he never had a law-suit. never paid a fine, never had a quarrel with a neigh- bor, never left his house over night, never used tobacco in any way, but used whisky (made in its purity) until it was made by steam and poisoned with drags ; now he does not taste it or
63
use it in any form. He has been keeping house fifty seven years, and never eat & meal without company ; his latch-string has ever hung out. The Captain showed me the following ancient relics, which I insert in this record, viz : one china spotted plate, of many colors, a present from Mrs. Hurshaw, who emigrated to Fayette County, in 1810, from Virginia. She bought it before the French war of 1755, making the plate 116 years old. She died in 1823, aged 93 years. Onc set silver tea spoons, a present from the Captain's grandmoth- er, Mrs. Jane ITollenworth, in 1812 ; they were made in Eng- land in 1665, and brought to America in 1753. Mr. Hollen- worth died aged 105 years. The spoons are now in the hands of the fourth woman, Mrs Burnett, 76 years old. On evine- ger aldi, a pressa from her grandmother, Mrs. Anna Hees, to Mrs. Burnett. Mrs. Hess died in 1830. aged 96 years. One pair of white corduroy pants, the Captain purchased for his first marriage in 1811, now 60 years old and in good con- dition. One summer shawl, a present to Mrs. Burnett from her father, when she was thirteen years old, making the sbawl 63 years old ; it is in a state of preservation. One of Long's make of hook circles, bought in England, in 1636, the first in use, and perhaps the oldest now in America, One ancient trunk, made in Germany in 1600, size 6 by 12 ft., brought to America in 1755 by Michael Miller, and now in the posses- sion of Captain Burnett since 1819.
GENEALOGY OF THE BURNETT FAMILY.
WILLIAM BURNETT, grandfather of Captain Burnett, emi- grated from Ireland to America and settled in Pennsylvania ; he served during the Revolution as teamster ; his two brothers were in the service of Cornwallis. Robert Burnett, father of the Captain, was born in Pennsylvania in 1755; he was in the war of 1776 as teamster; he hauled the baggage from Brandywine; he emigrated with his wife to Fayette ic 1818, and died in 1820, aged 65 ; his wife died in 1824, aged 66. Their children : Samuel, Amor, Mary, Jane, Robert, Jr., Thomas, Susan, Henry and John S. Samuel was a mechanic and farm- er; Amor was a farmer; Mary married Thomas Friend ; Jane remained single ; Thomas, farmer ; Susan died young ;
64
Heniy was a farmer and stock frader; John Burnett was County Auditor and Deputy Clerk under Milligan ; he died in 1823.
Jasper was organized in 1828. First Justice, William Thompson ; first constable, Henry Burnett ; first Treasurer, John Kirkpatrick ; first Clerk, Robert Barnett ; first Trustees, Levi Arnold. Jacob Wood and A. Carr; first Assessor, R. Burnett ; first preacher, Rev. Isaac Tany ; firet school teacher, Robert Burnett ; first merchant, E. I. Ford ; first blacksmith. James Parkenson ; first shoemaker, John Cole ; first grocer, J. W. Williams ; first wagon shop. Daniel Blue ; first carpen- ter, Anzi Hire; first brick mason, A. Carr ; first Doctor, J. DeGauat, fust water mill, Hugh Rankin ; first horse mill, Peter Fisher.
NOTED HUNTERS.
George Rupart and Jobn Arnold. George Repart told Mr. Burnett that he killd, in one season, 120 deer, two bears, wolves and other game in abundance. John Arnold killed deer and other game without number. Oo Esquire Marks' farm there is an ancient grave yard ; skeletons seven feet, and perfectly sound, have been exhumed. Also one grave-yard on Amos Cole's farmn, where skeletons over seven feet were ex- humed.
CREEKS, RUNS, BRANCHES, ETC.
In this Township are Sugar Creek, Rattle Snake, McFar- land Run, Indian Carop Run, Ayers' Fork sud Grassy Branch.
ROADS, TUKNPIKES ETC.
Part of Wilmington pile, Parmer pike, Charleston road, Bur- nett, Sabina and Plymouth roads, Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley Railroad.
TOWNS.
South Plymouth contains over 100 inhabitants, one store. ove grocery, one blacksmith shop, one shoe maker, one wagon shop, one doctor, one school-house. Milledgeville, one store, one grocery, one blacksmith shop, one wagon maker, one mil!, one doctor, one school-house. Jasper Station, one store, 000
65
grocery, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, one shos shop, one doctor, one preacher, ono church, and ove large steam flour and saw mill. There are in the Township, eight district school-houses and ten churches.
PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
Justices, Smith Rankin and J. L. Mark ; Trustees, Samuel Fichthorn, Z. Smith and Jnc. Merchant ; Coustables, William Iliat and S. Smith ; Treasurer, E. L. Ford ; Clerk, Anderson Blue ; Assessor, Samuel Hamilton
. The following pioneers were handed in by Captain Robert Burnett; Richard Figgins, Leonard Bush, father-in-law to Robert Burnett emigrated in 1810, and settled in now .Jas- PS, by ocupation a farmer, his russo fous, deau, he died ir: 1833, age 77 ; his wife died aged 96 ; JJacob Rankin, son of Smith Rankin, who emigrated to JJaspor at an early day, was a man of influance. He served as Justice several terms ; Benjamin Ryan, M. E. preacher ; moved to Iowa ; Elijah Ar- nold, is a son of the noted hunter referred to in another page; he is a farmer and is a good citizen ; John Merchant, farmer and trader in fine stock, was in the last war ; John Romer, a a fariner and steam saw mill manager ; James Perriil, a farmi- cr, and wholesale dealer in stock, and a shipper of cattle ; a man of note, wealth and influence ; J. W. Hartesly, grazer and trader in stock; J. Il. Hogue, held the office of Captain of Militia and was in the last war; he held the office of Justice several terms ; J. L. Persinger, a business man. energetic and successful in trade; Levi Wright, farmer, gone West; Wm. Griffith.
The following are all successful farmers and useful citizens : William Griffith, William Burris, James Sanderson; was kill- ed in the last war; James Acton, Benjamin Rankin, Ellis Coil, Bela Latham, Jacob Rankin, John Hall, Nathan Coff- man, Jacob Bush, Eli Somebert, S. Cola, Hugh Rankin, Wmn. Ferguson, Benjamin Harper, Jesse Core, trader in stock and shipper ; Jesse Worthington, school principal, now in the Cherokee Country, among the Indians ; a relation of Giov. Worthington ; J. Allen, Seth Linton, J. T. Sylvester, ..-. Wil- :ou, J.J. Gray, R. Upthegrove, Lewis Shackelford, E. Allen, Jr.
66
T. Davis, W. M. Merchant, Enos Harper, Samuel Pitshorn, Wm. A. Creamer, Samuel Willis, John Bellfield, Wm. H. Cunningham, J. B. Pursley, Jacob Coyle, John Harper, J. L. Persinger, George Culbertson, W. M. Dix, Henry Burnett, E. Yeoman, George Cline, Samuel Bryant, Elijah Arnold, Jr., R. L. Wagner ; all the above are large land holders and stock- traders.
Governor Trimble entered a large tract of land, part of which lay in Jasper; he frequently visited his land ; he had it well stocked. He frequently visited Captain Burnett, and often remained over Sunday with him ; he was out as a Major in the war of 1812, his head-quarters were Fort Meigs ; he represented his district as a Senator and Representative at Columbus, was twice elected Governor of Ohio ; in all these trusts he rendered general satisfaction. His family consisted of Josoph, William, James, Madison and Cary, Joseph is a noted preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Presiding Elder of the Columbus district; William, counsel- lor at law ; Caly, a merober of Congress and doctor; James and Madison, large farmers and stock dealers. Gov. Trimble lived to the advanced age of 83 ; bis wife only survived him a short time; both have gone to the spirit land, lamented and regretted by numerous friends and relations.
PIONEER SONG.
OLD GRIMES.
Old Grimes is dead ! that good old man, We ne'er shall see him more; Ile used to wear a long, black coat, AU buttoned down before.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.