USA > Ohio > Miami County > Piqua > The first century of Piqua, Ohio > Part 5
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And n'a shall Lahf their respective offices until the new annual election, and until their successors are electe i and qualified.
ART. & At the election în said town two juigos and a clerk shall be appointed viva voce by the elec- tors prront; the xaid judges and clerk shall take an Outh ur affirmation faithfully and impartially to dis- charge the duties of their office, and shall presale at and conduct the election: at all subsequent elections the President and Trustres or any two of them shall be ju tge- and the Recorder clerk, At the close of the poli the ballots shall be counted by the judges and the statement publicly declared, and a fair record thereof made by the clerk, who shall notify the persons elect- ed thereof, within five days after the day of election, and the persons so notified shall take the proper oath or affirmation to support the constitution of the Unit- ed States and of this state, and also an oath of office.
ART 3, If any person elected President, Recorder or Trustee as afurevaal, shall neglect or refuse to qualify by taking the necessary oaths, within the time prescribed, after being duly nutified uf hia election, those of the said President, Recurder or Trustees who have been qualided shall proceed to fit the vacancy occasioned thereby, and the person they may elect shall serve until the next annual election.
ART. 1. The President, Recorder and Trusters, and their successors in office, shall be capable to ac+ qttire, receive, hold and convey any estate, real er personal, for the use of said tuwn, the cirar annual in- rome of which shall not exceed thec than and dollars: and shadl be capable in law by the name afore-aid of suing and being «und. of pleading and hing impleaded, answering and being answered unto in any sust or ac- tion, in any court within this state.
ART. 3. When any suit shall be commented against the sanl corparation, the servier shall be by a proper officer leaving an attesteil copy of the migsal proces with the Recorder, ten days before the return thereet; and if the said curporation khall fol to enter their ap. prarance upon the return of such priu rss mn der forme of law, the court from which said process inhet may compel wach appearance by writ of dishingas accord- ing to the furos and usage of law.
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ART. 6. The President, Recorder and Traders shall have one commun seal for the use of the empata. tion which they may alter at then hevert: .
ART. 7. The President, Recorder and Trustces shall appoint a tuun marshal. a collector and a treass. rer who shall hold their offices for one year. The marshal, collector and treasurer shall take the proper vath of office, and alou an oath to support the consti- tution of the United states aml of this state, and shall give bond for the firthfal discharge of the duties of Un ir respective offices, in anch sam and with such secu- rity as the President, Recorder and Trustees may re- quire.
ART. 8. The President, Recorder and Trustees shall fiff all vacancies that may happen in their own body, between the periods of the annual election; and the appointments so made shall continue until the next annual election and no longer.
ART. 9. The President, Recorder and Trustees. any four of whom the President or Recorder being one, shall be a quorum to do business. shall have power and aothe- rity to pass and publish all such laws aud ordinances ax to them shall sem necessary fur regulating the streets, alleys and highways and for cleansing, raising, paving, draining, turupiking or otherwise keeping the same in repair. They shali also have power to require the owners of in lots iu said towu, to pave or gravel the side walks in front thereof. They shall have power to establish and regulate markets, to establish an as- size of bread, to provide for the abatement of nuisances, for the cleansing of chimnies, and for the extinguish- tuent of fires within said town. 'They shall have power lo impase reasonable fines upon all persons transgres- ting the laws, ordinance, and regulations which they may adopt, and they shall have power to pass all such laws and ordinances relative to the good government of said towit, not in contravention of the laws of the United States or this state, as they may deem neces- sary.
ART. 10. The laws, ordinances and regulations made and established by the President. Recorder and Trusters, shall be kept by the lecorder, who shall re- cer them in a boak to be provided for that purpose, and no such law, ordinance or regulation shall take effect or he in force until it shall have been published and made known either by publication in a newspaper or by posting up copies thereof' in the most public place in said town for at least ten days.
ART. 11. The President, Recorder and Trustees shall have power to require every able bodied male per- soo above the age of twenty-one years, who may have resided three months in said town, tu perform annually the days work on the streets or highways, under the direction of a supervisor or such other officer as may be appointed to superinteml the improving and pre- xersing the streets and highways. They shall also have power to levy and collect a tax on dogs, hogs and Kerer owned or koja by the bousebalders or other resi- dent in sail town, and »offered to run at large therein. wiel upon all property that is or may be subject to tax- ation lor county purposes: but no tax upon dogs, hugs or greve shall exceed one dollar per head: no tax upon real estate shall exceed one half of one per cent. open the value thereef, and no tax on personal property skall presed the amount that may by law be assessed upon there were for county purpose -.
All'. 1. The Pres terte Recording and Trustees and all . clash of the market, and all our's other "
ORIGINAL INCORPORATION PAPERS OF PIQUA, 1823
46
THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
cate and carry into effect the laus, ordinaners and res gulations which they may adont for the guun govern. ment of the town, all of whom may be removed hom Their offices by the Presiftent, Recorder and Trustees at pleasure.
ART. 13. A time shall be prescribed for the asses. sor or assessors to return their estimate of taxable pro- perty, and a copy of the assessment to the Recorder, wha shall file the same and publi-h a day of appeal to be held by the President, Recorder, and Trustees, where ail persons who may suppuse themselves aggrieved by the assessment shall be heard and such order shall be taken thereon as may seem fit.
ART. 14. The President shall be a conservator of the peace within the lnuits of the town, and saall have all the powers of a justice of the peace therein. both in civil and criminal cases. lie shall keep s docket upon which he shall minate down his proceedings. and shall be governed in all things appertaining to bis du- ties as a justice of the peare by the laws dedning and" regulating the duties of the justices of the peace; he shall be entitled to the same fees as a justice of the peace, and an appeal shall tie from his judgment to the court of commuo pleas of the county aforesaid, and upon such appeal bond shall be given, and the like pro- ceeding. bad as may at any time be required by law upon appeals from the judgment of a justice of the peace.
ART, 13. The marshal shall serve all process issued by the. President, and su execution of the process the marcial shall have the same power, shall be governed by the same regulations, and shall be entitled to de- mand the same iers as may by law be provided for and allowed to constables in like cases.
ART. 16. All Gnes incurred for transgressing any of the law , ordinances or regulations of the President. Recorder and France, wall be recovered by action of debt provested at the suit of the treasurer beture the President and applied in aid of the taxes of t.» town; and in all cases where the President shall ien-
der judgment. an appeal skall lie to the court of ina- luyu picas as thather casts.
AR .. IT. Where the owners of unimproved lots !» nat revide within the limits of the town, and the ts. assessed upon such unimproved lat is not paid without the time prescribed by the ordinances or by-laws us- »easing the tax, a penalty of one hundred per cent. upon the amount of each years tax shall be incurred. But the corporation shall have a lien upon such lot tor the tax and penalties that may be due thereon, surt ire uytter and any subsequent purchaser of such lot ... be liable for the amount toereof, but when the tax and penalties due amount to one half the valuation of such lot, the President, Recorder and Trustees may direct the collector to make sale of the same. to raise the tos and penalties su due thereon and the collecter sha't convey the same to the purchaser in ice simple, but a . sale shall take place until the time and place if' sale. the number of the lot and the amount due thereus shall be advertised for at least six weeks in swane public newspaper printed in said town or county, and if there be no newspaper therem, then in the first nearest newspaper.
ART. 18. No lot shall be sobil for a less su a than the tax amt penalty due thereon, with the cxpeuces u? sales and where a lot shall sell for a greater auto than the tax atu penalty due, the overplus shall be paid întu the treasury of the corporation for the use and deucht of the owner of soch lot, and to be paid to him ar Cep upon application ba order otherwise. No sale of any Int tor taxes and penalties shall prejudice the rights of infant«, person« in captivity. leme coverts, idiots et lunatic», provided they pay mto the treasury" of the corporativa the whole amount of tax and penaltie- within one year after their disability is removed, tog- ther with the tax collected after the sale and the i- terest therean, which shall be returned to the person or persons who paid the same.
ART. 1". An account of the receipts and expert ... **** ** ****** pasta shall be annually publishcí. . ter Reversjag for the information of the citizens.
in testimony
mGereof, and in conformity
. .. FATE. HAN camed these letters to be made palen amy lase hereto set tay hand and af d the pea of my ofmeat Columbus this ).
anno domini ono than
//11
ORIGINAL INCORPORATION PAPERS OF PIQUA, 1823
47
FIRST INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN
In this paper is also the following "Challenge": To the ladies of Miami County; I will give a Hatchel made of cast steel containing 233 teeth, to any lady of Miami County, who will produce the best piece of linen, of her own spinning, 15 yards long, at the Seminary in Piqua, on the first day of October next; and a good steel Hatchel containing 127 teeth, to the lady whose piece of linen shall be adjudged as 2nd best. Same offer for Shelby County.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1824.
Trustees Wm. Mitchell
Justice Peace Hugh Scott
Jas. Defrees
John Ingram
Francis Johnston Constables Wm. Perrine
Clerk
Jas. Tamplin, Jr.
Enos Manning
Treasurer Nicholas Greenham
At the state election, Oct. 12, 1824, 175 votes were cast. At the Presi- dential election, Oct. 29, 135 votes were cast. This included town and town- ship.
It was about this time in the commercial history of Piqua, when ex- portation of products had become necessary in order to obtain ready money, that the period of flat-boat building was in its prime.
This period began soon after the close of the war of 1812, and ended just prior to the opening of the canal. These boats were built on the bank of the river, usually near the north end of Spring street. They were gener- ally about 12 feet wide, and from 60 to 75 feet long. They were built bot- tom side up, the planks in the bottom running crosswise and spiked to the gunwales. When the hull or bottom was calked and completed, it was then turned over by raising one side and letting it fall over upon brush piled up in sufficient quantity to save the hull from injury.
It was then launched into the river, and the siding and decks completed, forming a protection to the cargo and boatmen. Several Piqua men were engaged in this river boating, among whom were Joseph Bennett, Jacob Lan- des. David Hunter, and a man named Tinkham. The products usually shipped were grain, salt pork, barrels and furniture. Furs and tanned hides were also taken to market in this way. The risk of navigating the Miami was considerable, and required great strength and skill to successful- ly guide these large boats to their destination, which was usually Cincin- nati, Louisville, and frequently down the Mississippi to New Orleans.
When the trip extended to these lower ports the owner would usually sell the boat, and make the long return trip on foot or horse-back. Landes and Hunter did this several times. A man named Robert Logan was prob- ably the best flat-boat pilot out of Piqua, and made many trips for Bennett with cargoes of furniture which was sold to the settlers along the Ohio and Mississippi. John Chatham built one of these large flat-boats on the north- east corner of the Public Square, about 1820, and had it hauled to St. Marys, the bow resting on the truck of a big wagon and the stern on sled runners.
48
THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
James Johnston and John Campbell hauled it with eight horses, and it was used on the St. Marys and Maumee rivers for a freight boat.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1825
Trustees Wm. Mitchell
Justice Peace Hugh Scott
Jas. Defrees
John Ingram
Francis Johnston
Constables Jas. Ingram
Clerk
Jas. Tamplin, Jr.
John Severn
Treasurer Mathew Caldwell
Fifty cents was the balance remaining in the treasury March 1, 1825.
On June 4, 1825 an ordinance was published, signed by the President and Recorder of the town of Piqua. This is the first reference to the town of- ficials we have found. The substance of the ordinance is, that the property holders on Main street, north of the Public Square, shall pave, with brick, stone, or gravel, the sidewalks, ten feet wide in front of their respective properties. They must also place posts, to be three feet above ground, at the outer edge of said sidewalk, and not more than nine feet apart. Must also place stone curb outside of said posts, and pave or gravel the gutter. A fine of $20 shall be collected for each failure to comply with the ordinance. (Signed) Jas. Defrees, President. Jas. Tamplin, Jr., Recorder.
It was the fashion in those old days to celebrate the Fourth of July each year much more elaborately than we do at present. We have records of many of these gatherings, but will give the one of July 4, 1825, as a sample of all the rest.
Our National Jubilee was celebrated under a bowery in the rear of the Piqua Hotel. The Declaration of Independence was read, preceded by a short introductory address by Wm. McLean, Esq. At about 2 o'clock the company, about 80 in number, partook of a sumptuous dinner prepared in Mr. Tamplin's best style. The vinous, spirituous, and malted beverages were of excellent quality, and chiefly domestic.
After the cloth was removed, Gen. Young officiated as President of the day, assisted by Dr. Wm. Fielding, when the following sentiments were drank, accompanied by reiterated cheering.
TOASTS
1. This Day: The commencement of our national year of jubilee; may ever succeeding year find our country increasing in prosperity, and blessed with peace under our present happy form of government, "till suns shall rise to set no more".
2. To the constitution of the United States.
3. John Quincy Adams, President of the United States :- From his ex- alted talents, clear judgement, and enlightened policy, we may entertain hopes of the happiest results.
4. The Vice-president and heads of departments.
izost
moules ilat
W in B
B B
The se
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FIRST INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN
5. George Washington :- While his immortal spirit hovers over us, let us swear to defend those rights which he so nobly spent his life contending for. (Silent and standing).
6. The Congress of the United States :- May the preservation of the Liberty and Independence of our country be the chief object of their delib- erations.
7. Our Last Legislature :- The most liberal and enlightened since the formation of our State Government. Future ages will bless the unanimty they displayed in the foundation of a system of education, equitable taxa- tion, and the improvement of our young state by roads and canals.
8. Henry Clay : The fearless and independent statesman :- His flight, ike the majestic eagle, towers sublimely above the meaner birds, and his character has come out of the faction's furnace of his political enemies, ike gold seven times refined.
9. T. DeWitt Clinton :- The long persecuted father of improvements :- His most virulent enemies must applaud the wisdom of his judgement; and posterity honor the man who has opened to his countrymen the surest road o true greatness.
10. The memory of Anthony Wayne. (Silent and standing)
11. Gen. La Fayette :- The good, the brave, the generous :- May the riends of freedom throughout the world ever gratefully remember his dis- nterested exertions in the glorious cause.
e
12. Gen Jackson :- Unrivaled in the estimation of his countrymen as military chieftain.
13. The fair daughters of America :- Their smiles will ever prove the host delightful recompense for the toils of the patriot.
Many volunteer toasts were given, and we will quote a few to show that ur early townsmen were capable speakers, and well up on the topics of ne day.
By Dr. Fielding. The blessings of freedom :- Would to God that such niles of good humor as suffuses our cheeks, and such beams of joy as ir- date our eyes, glowed in the cheeks, and brightened in the eyes of every on and daughter of Adam: and that all might, like us, participate in those ivileges which result from freedom, are refined by knowledge, and perfect- l in the reign of virtue and peace.
By Capt. Jos. Defrees. Henry Clay :- Be of good cheer: The wisdom your head, the honesty of your heart, and the independence of your vote, duly appreciated in the West.
By Jas. Tamplin. The United States of America :- They stand as a acon to direct the enslaved nations of Europe to Liberty and Independence.
By Enos Manning. Gen. Simon Bolivar, the hero of South America :- le second Washington :- May he imitate his virtues as he has his patriotism.
lee an
ex rtai
er
a in
50
THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
By Capt. J. Beatty. May the glories of DeWitt Clinton be like the nev- er failing laurel. His knowledge of the true interests of his country placed him formost in the prosecution of the York canals, and he again achieves additional honor on the Licking Summit, by commencing the first Ohio canal.
By J. K. O'Ferrall. Henry Clay :- He has shown to the world a spirit of independence in his vote for President, and has gained the applause of his country.
By Jas. Tamplin. John Quincy Adams :- May he fully answer the expectations of his friends, and equally disappoint the expectations of his enemies.
By Henry Barrington. Gen. Andrew Jackson :- The conqueror of the self styled invincible conquerors of Europe.
By Wm. Perrine. May the policy, patriotism, and genius of Washington. Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe, be concentrated in John Quincy Adams our present President.
By John McCorkle. The advalorum system of taxation :- May the citizens of Ohio duly appreciate the equality of its operation.
By Byram Dayton. The South American Republics :- May strength and honor be their clothing, to enable them to triumph over the despots of Europe.
By John Defrees. Micajah T. Williams and his associates: The com missioners of the Ohio canals :- May they gain renown by their perserver. ance and industry.
By Stephen Dupree. Gen. Richard Montgomery; The indefatigable patriot and soldier :- He shed his life's blood among the first martyrs in the cause of American liberty.
By Jacob Landes. Henry Clay :- Your independence has not only convinced but quieted the Western People. You have nothing now to fear
By Dr. Jackson. May the triumphs of South America over Spanish Imbecility, nerve the brave sons of Greece to rise victorious over Turkish thralldom.
By Dr. O'Ferrail. The heads of departments :- May the splendor o their administration confound their enemies, and receive the approbation of their friends.
By Wm. R. Barrington. Commander David Porter: The intrepid defender of "Free Trade and Sailors Rights".
Despite the number of toasts drank on this occasion, our authority states that the day passed off with the greatest cordiality and expressions o good felling, and mutual congratulations, all parties avoiding any expression that might have interrupted the harmony of the festival.
Another notice in this paper reads :-- Rev. Samuel Johnston, of th Episcopal Church, by divine permission, will perform services with preach
51
FIRST INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN
ing and attend to the ordinances of baptism and the holy communion, in the brick school-house at Upper Piqua, on Saturday and Sunday, the 9th. and 10th of this month. (July, 1825.) Persons united with the church, or desirous of becoming so, can be supplied with the Book of Common Pray- er on application to John Johnston of Upper Piqua.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1826
Trustees Jas. Defrees Francis Johnston
Justice Peace Hugh Scott. John Ingram
Wm. Mitchell
Constables Thomas Hall
Clerk Jas. Tamplin, Jr.
Jos. Severn
Treasurer Mathew Caldwell
In this year the Piqua and St. Marys state road was completed.
On Nov. 4, 1826, The Piqua Colonization Society was formed: President Robert Young: Vice-presidents-John Ingram and Jos. Defrees: Secretary- Isaac Henderschott: Treasurer-Jacob Landes: Managers-Jos. Defrees, Robert Airhart, David Conklin, Thomas Bellas, Martin Simpson, John Camp- bell, Wm. Elliott, F. P. Tinkham, B. S. Cox, and Henry Kitchen. Hon. Wm. McLean was appointed delegate to the parent institution. This was a national society for the purpose of inducing the government to colonize the free slaves (and eventually all negroes) of the United States, on the coast of Africa.
The following advertisement appears in the Piqua Gazette of June 21, 1826. Whereas my wife, Elizabeth Bowers, has left my board, (not my bed, for she has taken that with her, with most of the household furniture, in my absence) without any just cause or provocation; therefore I hereby for- warn all persons from trusting her or harboring her on my account, from date. Cornelius Bowers.
On Dec. 2, Wm. R. Barrington took a census of the population of Piqua. He gave the name of the head of each family, the number of children, and the number of those engaged in different occupations.
The following is a summary of his report.
No. males under 18 127
Females over 16 unmaried. 22
No. males from 18 to 45 99
Males over 18 unmarried 36
No. males over . 45 9
Married men 67
No. females under 16
111
Married women . 69
Widows 11
Widowers none
Negroes or mulattoes . none
No. males, total 235
No. whole population . 448
Population of Troy in 1825 283
Population of Piqua in 1825. . .348
rep
orl
ns
No. females over. 16 102
No. females, total 213
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1
52
THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
OCCUPATIONS
Merchantile 12
Inn-keepers 2
Wheel-wrights 11
Lawyers. 2
Boat-builders
1 Teachers 2
Carpenters 19 Black-smiths 7
Farriers 2
Printers 4 Farmers 3
Masons. 4
Doctors 3
Potters 1
Cabinet-makers 7
Tailors . 5
Hatters 6
Wagon-makers
3
Mill-wrights 1
Coopers
3
Oil Man'fg
2
Shoe-makers
5
Chair-makers
2
Saddlers 6
Distillers. 1
TOWN AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1827
Town
Township
President Jacob Cox
Trustees Francis Johnston
Recorder Tho. Bellas
Jas. Defrees
Trustees
Henry Kitchen
Wm. Mitchell
John Campbell
Clerk
Jas. Tamplin, Jr.
John Ingram
Treasurer Mathew Caldwell
Wm. Manning
Justice Peace Hugh Scott
John Ingram
Constables John Tamplin Tho. Hale.
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On March 30, 1827, a grand squirrel hunt was held near Piqua. Two companies of 9 men each was formed. Each hunter was provided with a "Scalper" and "Spotter", besides the use of two rifles. The duty of the scalper was to load the two guns alternately, and to secure and string the scalps of the squirrels as killed. The spotter was usually a boy, and he was supposed to locate the squirrel for the next shot.
In this hunt 1872 squirrels were killed by the 18 men, an average of more than 100 per man. This was during the Grey-squirrel migration of 1827-28, when hundreds of these little animals were slain with no better weapons than sticks or clubs. Another such migration occured a number of years later, and organized hunts were held at frequent intervals. Washington and Springcreek Townships were opponents in one of these later hunts.
At the annual 4th of July celebration in 1827, the dinner was held at Col. Bennett's "Union Hall". A Shawanoe chief, John Perry, from Waugh- pakonnetta, became very drunk and stabbed the editor of the Piqua Gazette, (J. A. Dooley) in nine places. These wounds did not prove serious, and Dooley recovered in a few days.
TOWN AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS FOR 1828
Town
Township
President Issac Henderschott
Trustees
Benj. Brandon
Moses G. Mitchell
Pre
Recorder Wm. R. Barrington
Caleb Imlay
53
FIRST INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN
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