USA > Ohio > Highland County > The County of Highland : a history of Highland County, Ohio, from the earliest days, with special chapters on the bench and bar, medical profession educational development, industry and agriculture and biographical sketches > Part 11
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Eight years had now elapsed since the beginning of settlement, but the journey from the east remained an undertaking of great serious-
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ness, involving hardship and danger. Col. William Keys, long a resident of Hillsboro, well describes the early struggles of the inhab- itants of the older states in their efforts to find new homes in the west. He says: "It seems to me that in order to have a correct estimate of the labors and extreme danger we had to encounter in settling Highland county and other parts of the state, we ought to take into account the trouble, toil and fatigue we had to undergo in moving to it. When we take into consideration the then state and condition of the roads over the mountains and hills, the great want of bridges and ferries over water courses, we can have some concep- tion of the extreme difficulty of traveling over the almost impassable route from the old settlement to Ohio at that early day. Turnpikes, railroads and steamboats were not then in existence; and the roads over the mountains were the most difficult wagon ways conceivable- without grading, ruts, gutters, mudholes and other obstacles never mended, and the country hilly, broken and uneven, made it toilsome in the extreme. An intelligent lady being requested by a friend to furnish her with a receipt for the best method to dress a hare for the table, complied and commenced her receipt by saying: "The first thing to be done is to catch the hare." It seems to me equally nec- essary in order to give our successors and posterity an adequate idea of the extreme labor in settling Ohio, we ought to recapitulate the toil, fatigue and drudgery of traveling to our wild home in the west. The lady above alluded to seemed to have a clear view of her under- taking. She knew the persons who would be engaged in feasting on the delicate and well dressed morsel, when on the table, would never think of the labor and trouble of catching it. So other descendants of the early settlers, and the present occupants of our well improved farms, our beautiful towns, our commodious churches, school houses, court house, excellent flouring mills, etc., will hardly turn a thought in the direction of the toil, drudgery and hardships of those laborious men who leveled the forests and opened up the farms.
"We started on our journey from the valley of the Old Dominion in September, 1805, with a strong team, large wagon, and a heavy load. We proceeded on our way over the Alleghany mountains, Greenbrier hills, Sewell and Gauley mountains, Kanawha river, and back water creeks, often made impassable by the rising of the river, and arrived at Point Pleasant, where we crossed the Ohio and left most of our troubles behind us. Our company consisted of two fam- ily connections, each of which was subdivided into one or two smaller families ; and to give promise of a fair beginning, each of them had an infant specimen of young America to carry on the knee, number- ing twenty-three persons in all, eight of whom were full grown men. We had often to exert all our limited strength and skill to prevent our wagons from upsetting, and had often to double teams in order to ascend the steep mountain sides. None of our company met with
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any accident, but not so with all the emigrants who preceded us on the same route ; we sometimes passed the fragments of broken wagon beds, broken furniture and remnants of broken boxes and other marks of damage by upsetting on the mountain side, where the wagon, team and all had rolled over and over and down the steep declivity, for some rods, until checked by some tree too strong to be broken by the mass of broken fragments. By doubling teams, we could reach the mountain top, but to get safely down again called for other con- trivances. One expedient frequently tried was to fasten a pretty stout pine tree to the axletree of the wagon with chains, so as to retard the downward course upon the horses. At the foot of such hills and mountains could be seen sundry such trees dragged down for the same purpose. We arrived at our Highland home after about eight weeks' constant travel, Sundays excepted."
We have attempted in a brief way to go over the scenes of those early years, when the forests were unbroken, and nature in all her untamed wildness reigned supreme. We have sought to recall to the memory of the living the names of many who as pioneer hunters, surveyors and settlers, began the transformation of the wilderness into cleared and fertile farms upon which the children of the present, in elegant and substantial homes, live in ease and comfort; sought to tell the story of those early beginnings of village and towns that are now cities with teeming thousands mad in their rush and greed for gold; sought to impress upon the mind of the living that the fashions of those years have passed away; that "the moccasin, the buckskin, hunting shirt and knife, the night repose under tree, log, or the more luxurious bark camp, the encounters with bear, panther, or Indian, are now dim in the distance," a thing of tradition but little heeded by the men and women of the present, descendants of those honest and courageous dwellers in the dark and gloomy days when danger and death was about them.
As Col. John McDonald, one of the pioneers, said of the settle- ments on the banks of the Ohio: "The toils, hardships of the pio- neer were not, however, unbroken by pleasure none the less keenly relished for springing in the wilderness. The inhabitants were generally as playful as kittens, and as happy in their way as their hearts could desire. The men spent most of their time, when not on the war path, in hunting and fishing, and almost every even- ing the boys and girls footed merrily to the old time tune of the fiddle. Thus was their time spent in the happy state of indolence and ease, which none but the hunter or herdsman condition of society can enjoy. They had no civil officers to settle their disputes with each other, nor priest to direct their morals, yet crime among them was of very rare occurrence. Should any one who chanced to be among them prove troublesome and disturb the harmony of the community, his expulsion forthwith would be the consequence, and woe be to him
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if he again attempted to intrude himself upon them. The manner of these pioneers among themselves was affectionate and familiar. They addressed each other by their Christian names only, which cus- tom appeared to them the most friendly and sociable mode of inter- course. To one of these old men who looks back on those days it seems as if money making and the selfishness incident to it had frozen up all the avenues to the heart ; that the frank and social intercourse which was then the sunshine of society is gone, and the cold, calculat- ing spirit of accumulation has succeeded. But while they cannot but feel the change, and occasionally cast a regretful thought back- ward sixty or seventy years, they are conscious that they were but acting the part assigned them, in which the art of money getting formed no ingredient. Their mission was simply to prepare the way, while that of their more fortunate successors is to cultivate, embellish and enjoy the heritage. If in this they have grown selfish, arrogant, and forgetful, it is but natural, for all their efforts neces- sarily center in self. Not so with the rough old pioneers, who, though unconsciously, labored for others. The consequence was that much of the innate nobleness of the heart was developed in them, while all the baser elements were left dormant. With the people of this enlightened and property loving age the reverse is doubtless true to a great extent, and it is painful to record the fact that intense selfishness has literally dried up the modicum of the milk of human kindness compassionately allotted to frail humanity. Courage and endurance were the leading characteristics of the early pioneers, and to exhibit these in an eminent degree was to be distinguished and respected. The possession of wealth was not then, as now evidence of high moral and intellectual capacity, and therefore a passport to the confidence and favor of society." Some one has said, "that there is a nobility above birth, and riches above wealth, and of men, that the bravest are ever the most noble." This principle became the rule in those early pioneer days, and if it is correct these men of the frontier are unrivalled upon the pages of history.
The followers of Martin Luther built the first church in Brush Creek township in 1805; the building was of hewn logs, and but a short time ago the remains were still visible on the original site. Daniel Inskeep, long a resident of Highland county, located on Rocky fork some two miles west of Hillsboro. He was a local Meth- odist preacher of some note, and to his ability as a preacher he added the useful trade of saddletree-maker, the first, doubtless of that trade in the county. Penn township, or what is now that township, received some excellent settlers in the families of Capt. Thomas M. Johnson. In moving they passed through the town of New Market and on through the site of Hillsboro to the land located by Johnson. While near the site of the old Patterson mill, one of the wagoners named McDorman took his rifle and skirted the road some distance
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from the wagon train. He saw some horses grazing and just beyond them a fine deer quietly nipping the grass. He could only see the deer when stooping down and looking under the horses and he was fearful if he moved the game would be frightened. While the shot was a close one he concluded to risk it, so taking careful aim he fired, killing the deer and clipping a bunch of hair from one of the horses, so close was the margin. Williams Williams from North Carolina, James and Jacob Griffin, James Stafford, Shadrach and James, Jonas and John Matthews, Alexander Starr, all from North Caro- lina, followed on the trail of Johnson and settled near him in Penn township.
James Carlisle came from Loudoun county, Va., in 1800, locating at first near Chillicothe but in 1805 in Highland county. John Richards came with him. Carlisle was the first tobacco planter and manufacturer in the county, if not in all the region of southern Ohio. He followed this business during his long residence in the county and his brand of tobacco was famous for purity and strength. It was put up in twists of some two or three pound weight, was called for by the consumers of the weed everywhere, and no store or tavern was properly furnished without a full supply of the "Car- lisle Twist."
An incident illustrating the grit and power of endurance of these early settlers is told of John and James Carlisle, when boys of eight and six years. The Carlisle house was on a hill overlooking the bottom toward the north, and this hill was a regular den of rattle snakes, of which great numbers were killed. One day while the family were away from home, except John and Jim, who were busy pulling suckers in the tobacco patch, Jim suddenly cried out that he was bitten by a snake. The boys knew the fatal result of a rat- tle snake bite, and that something must be done. James bared his arm and placing it upon a stump ordered John to take the toma- hawk and cut it off, showing him the place to strike near the wrist. John refused to do this, urging as a reason that the tomahawk was too dull, but finally consented to cut the finger off, which by this time had turned black and was greatly swollen. He made a heroic effort to sever the bitten finger, and as it was the forefinger on the right hand he succeeded in cutting the thumb also, but that not being affected by the poison was made to grow on again under the surgical care of Gus Richards.
CHAPTER VI.
ORGANIZATION OF HIGHLAND COUNTY.
N THE 3d of March, 1803, Edward Tiffin, first governor of the State of Ohio, was sworn in and at once entered upon the business of his office. Ile had the respect and confidence of the people. He had been president of the convention that framed the Constitution and was in every respect qualified to fill the honored seat of governor. In speaking of this convention a writer has said that "it did in twenty-five days what the united wisdom of the state, fifty years after, failed to do, after remaining in session eight months, to-wit, made a good constitu- tion." In this convention Adams county was represented by Joseph Darlington, Israel Donalson, and Thomas Kirker; Ross county by Michael Baldwin, James Grubb, Nathaniel Massie, and Thomas ยท Worthington, and these were necessarily the delegates of the people of the county of Highland, not yet instituted. In the first general assembly under the state constitution, which met at Chillicothe March 1, 1803, General Massie was senator for Ross, and John Beasley for Adams, and in the house Ross was represented by Robert Culbertson, William Patton, and Thomas Worthington, and Adams by Thomas Kirker, Joseph Lucas, and William Russell. Jeremiah McLene was the first sheriff of Ross county. The settlers in Ross county in and around New Market, Whiteoak, Clear creek, Rocky fork and the East fork, Turtle creek and the East fork of the Miami were compelled to go to Chillicothe as witnesses or jurors. The dis- tance was some forty-five miles, and the journey was most generally made upon horseback, with rifle and a good supply of johnny cake to eat on the way. When they reached their journey's end, the guns were stacked in the court house yard, the horses fed and sheltered, if possible, and their business attended to with faithfulness and despatch.
On the 18th day of February, A. D., 1805, the legislature of the state created a new county, with the following boundaries : "Beginning at the twenty mile tree in the line between Adams and Clermont counties, which is run north from the mouth of Eagle creek
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on the Ohio river, and running thence east twelve miles; thence northeasterly until it intersects the line which was run between the counties of Ross, Scioto and Adams at the eighteen mile tree on the Scioto river; thence northerly to the mouth of the Rocky fork of Paint creek ; thence up main Paint creek by the bed thereof, to the south line of Franklin county ; thence with said line west to the east line of Greene county, thence with said line south to the southeast corner of said county ; thence with the south line thereof, west to the northwest corner of Clermont county and from the beginning west to the north fork of Whiteoak creek; thence north to the south line of Warren county; thence with said line east to the corner between Clermont and Warren counties." This act went to effect on and after the first day of May of that year. The name Highland was given for the reason that it occupied the position upon the highlands between the Scioto and Miami rivers. It had within its legal boundaries all of Highland as it now is, about one-half of Fayette, and about two-thirds of the present county of Clinton. Its most northern boundary was the present northern line of Fayette. This large territory was at first divided into four townships, New Market, Brush Creek, Liberty and Fairfield, the exact boundaries of which cannot be given, as the records cannot be found, but out of these four have grown the seventeen that now compose the county.
The organization of Highland county seemed to stimulate the people to more active exertion to advance its interest in a more sub- stantial and material way. While it did not bring about a sudden revolution in the customs and habits of the people, yet they seemed to take on a new dignity and feel the necessity for more intelligent effort to deserve the honor of self-government conferred upon them by the organization of this new county. Heretofore they were sat- isfied with their corn patch and enough deer meat to carry them through the winter, but now the possibility of being public men, put in high places to be envied and looked up to by their neighbors, stirred the ambition, native in every breast, to the exercise of new energy in domestic and social conditions, until advancement was marked and improvement plain. At the same time the county was created three associate judges were elected by the legislature: Rich- ard Evans, John Davidson and Jonathan Berryman. They held a special session in the town of New Market, on Thursday, May 16, 1805, but did no business except the appointment of David Hays as clerk pro tem., who took an oath of "allegiance and office." Soon after this special term a regular term was held in the same place. The court records say: "Be it remembered that at a Court of Com- mon Pleas begun and held in the town of New Market, in the county of Highland, on Wednesday, the 12th day of June, one thousand eight hundred and five, being the first Court held under the Consti- tution of the State of Ohio, for the county aforesaid, on which day,
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being the day and place appointed by an act organizing the Judicial Courts, Present the Honorable Robert F. Slaughter, Esquire, Presi- dent, John Davidson and Jonathan Berryman, Esquires, Associate Judges ; the Sheriff of this county returned the following names as Grand Jurors from the body of this county as follows: Samuel Gibson, William Hill, Amos Evans, John Creek, Benjamin Chaney, Terry Templin, Ezekiel Kelley, Jacob Metzer, William Boatman, Ebenezer Hamble, Edward Carey, James Fitzpatrick, John Gossett, Samuel McQuitty, Michael Metzer, Anthony Franklin, and Chris- tian Bloom. The Court appointed Samuel Gibson foreman. By an order of the Court, Abram J. Williams is appointed prosecutor of Highland county. The report of the Commissioners for fixing the seat of justice in the county of Highland, was this day handed in and ordered filed. The court adjourned until tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock.
"Thursday, 13th. The court met agreeable to adjournment, the same Judges as yesterday. The court proceeded to appoint a county surveyor, Walter Craig was duly appointed."
We can find no record for the appointment of sheriff for the county, but conclude from the following recorded order of the court that Daniel Evans was the first sheriff: "By order of the Court that Dan Evans, late Sheriff, be exonerated and his securities, which are William Hill and John B. Bails, from their bond given for the discharge of the duties of Sheriff." We infer from the date of this order, October 19, 1805, that Mr. Dan Evans was the first sheriff of Highland county and that he received his office by order of the court.
At a "special session of the court of Common Pleas held in New Market, in the county of Highland, on Friday, the 14th day of June, 1805, present the Honorable John Davidson and Jonathan Berry- man, Esquires, on which they proceeded to appoint a recorder for the county of Highland, and the said Associate Judges then and there appointed David Hays Recorder for said county." Amos Evans was the first coroner.
Again we have the record: "At a court of Common Pleas began and held in the town of New Market, in the county of Highland, on Friday, October 18, 1805, present, the Honorable Robert E. Slaughter, Esquire, President, Richard Evans, John Davidson, and Jonathan Berryman, Esquires, Associate Judges; the Sheriff returned a Grand Jury, to-wit: Nicholas Robinson, foreman, Jon- athan Boyd, John Shields, Thomas Stiles, Samuel Hindman, Isaac Leaman, Terry Templin, Elijah Kirkpatrick, Jacob Metzer, John Finley and Eli Collins." The first case shown by the docket was "Collins vs. Kerr, Robert Huston and Oliver Ross special bail." The court at this session ordered: "By order of the court that Mountain Lucket receive a certificate to retail merchandise for three
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months, and Frederick Miller a certificate to retail merchandise for four months; and also Jonathan Berryman to keep a tavern in the town of New Market. The first criminal case upon the docket of this court is "State of Ohio vs. Charity Collins, the defendant was called and showed her recognizance and was therefore discharged." In the "State of Ohio vs. Isaac Collins," the court found that said Isaac Collins should be "bound for his good behavior" by giving two securities in the sum of one hundred dollars each, that is Robert Huston and Oliver Ross." During the session of this court George W. Barrere and Ebenezer Hamel were granted letters of adminis- tration and the court appointed Robert Huston, William Boatman and Lewis Gibler appraisers of the goods, chattels, rights and credits of Alexander Sanderson, deceased, and "they are required to make return to the Clerk's office according to law." George W. Barrere was given a certificate to keep a tavern in the town of New Market for the term of one year "on the paying into the county treasury the sum of eight dollars; and Thomas Dick was given the same right to keep a tavern in Brush Creek township by paying six dollars. David Hays was appointed clerk to the court of common pleas, for the county of Highland, who took the oath of the office pursuant to law and gave bond with surety, which was approved by the court.
New Market was not the established seat of justice, but the only place near the center of the county where the "honorable court" could meet. There was no building in the town suitable for court business, so the court house, like "Milton's limbo," was "large and wide," being the thick shade of an interminable forest. Puncheon seats supported the dignity of this judicial body, while the people had ample room to be seated upon the bosom of mother earth or upon some log or stump, as best suited those who were desirous of sitting down or had business with the court. The sheriff had much trouble in keeping "order in the court" and one fellow, more daring than the rest, rode into the very presence of their honors, pulled out his bot- tle, and asked the court to "take a snort." The judge ordered the sheriff to take the man into custody, but the fleetness of the miscre- ant's horse saved him from arrest. Three or four fights the first day relieved the monotony of the occasion.
It is not known how the first board of commissioners came into existence, as there are no records showing appointment or election. The presumption is in favor of appointment of such board by the old court of Quarter Sessions. "This court was composed of not less than three nor more than five Territorial justices of the peace." But that there was a board of commissioners which held a session as early in the history of the county as June 13, 1805, is certain. At this meeting referred to, the county tax was levied as follows : "Thirty cents per head on horses and ten cents per head on cattle, and on all other property subject by law to taxation one-half per
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cent." "Ordered that any person obtaining a license or permit to keep a tavern in New Market, shall pay the sum of eight dollars per year. Ordered that any person obtaining a license or permit to keep a tavern on any road in Highland county shall pay six dollars per year. Ordered that John Richards be and he is hereby appointed Treasurer of Highland county. Board of Commissioners adjourned until the first Monday of August next." Joseph Swearingen, George Richards, and Nathaniel Pope constituted this board. At the next meeting nothing was done "but make out the duplicates for the Listers, according to law" and approve the bond of John Richards as treasurer. At the next meeting of the board the county surveyor was ordered to "run the boundary line of Highland county, begin- ning at the twenty mile tree in the line of Adams and Clermont counties which was run north from the mouth of Eagle creek, meanders of Paint creek excepted." On September 10, 1805, the board again met. "Ordered that Abraham Williams receive an order on the treasurer for twenty dollars for prosecuting at the June term. Ordered that William Saymore receive on order on the treas- urer for six days' service-twelve dollars-for fixing the seat of justice for Highland county. Ordered, that Joseph McCoy receive an order on the treasurer for six days' service-twelve dollars-for fixing the seat of justice of Highland county." The commissioners received for their services two dollars per day, acted under oath and reported to the court of common pleas sitting in the county. The pay of grand jurymen was seventy-five cents per day.
On the second Tuesday of October, 1805, the first county election for Highland was held in the several townships; New Market was the voting place for that township; William Hill's, on Clear creek, for Liberty ; Beverly Miller's on Hardin's creek, for Fairfield; and Frederick Brougher's tavern, for Brush Creek. By the act of the legislature, April 16, 1803, it was made the duty of the court of common pleas of the several counties, to establish townships, each of which should be a voting district. The associate judges were required at their first meeting to name a certain house in each town- ship, as nearly central as possible, at which the electors should meet and cast their ballots. It was the duty of the sheriff to obtain, at the expense of his county, suitable boxes, one for each township in his county, to be deposited at each voting place.
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