The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 85

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214

USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county > Part 85

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The amusements of our pioneer forefathers was much the same in every tenship, and were adapted to their free and open manner of living. The ap- p cuttings, spinning frolics, quiltings, corn huskings and log rollings were u versally attended and enjoyed by everybody. They always combined the u ful with the pleasant, and their seasons of enjoyment were seasons of profit a well. Their play was their work. There were no social bickerings and no " lect crowds." Society acknowledged but one class, and the open sesame of it doors was honesty, uprightness and a good appetite for work. The aris tracy of wealth, the aristocracy of good looks and the aristocracy of good c thes all ranked below the aristocracy of physical manhood. Probably one o their most popular enjoyments was their "spinning frolics," as upon these t y depended for their year's clothing. Preparatory to the " frolic," however, t flax must be pulled by the boys and girls; next, it was spread and watered f the purpose of hastening disintegration; after it had lain for some time, so a to be readily broken, it must be "winded" or "scutched;" next, the h king process must be gone through with, after which came the " spinning b.," not the least agreeable part of which, to the boys at least, was carrying thị girls' spinning-wheeis to and from the party. After the spinning, came tl weaving, which latter process was generally performed by a few families ithe neighborhood, for some slight compensation. This was because looms we expensive and weaving required some practice.

In this line we might add that the champion flax-dresser in the neighbor- had was David Bowlby, who, in two days, dressed 236 pounds-120 the first al 116 the second.

Washington Township is not to-day anything but distinctively agricultural il ts pursuits. There are but two streams and their tributaries, which have er afforded any water-power, and since the country has been cleared up and tlse have been greatly diminished in volume, and especially since the appli- c'on of steam has become so universal as to render water-power machinery a'ost useless, the goodly amount of machinery once employed in this town-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

ship has fallen into disuse, and the mills and factories have been torn do' and destroyed.

Almost every conceivable industry has at some time been carried on with the limits of the township. Hole's and Sugar Creeks have afforded employme for no less than seven saw-mills, five flouring-mills. one cotton factory, one fu ing-mill and one oil-mill. Besides this water-power machinery, there ha been in use at different times, two horse-power carding machines and thi steam saw-mills.

One of the first men identified with the manufacturing interests of t township was Isaac Harrison, who came to Ohio in 1802, and settled twe iniles above Cincinnati. By trade, he was a carder and fuller, and, removi to Washington Township in 1808, he purchased land on Hole's Creek, n. Woodburn, upon which there was a saw mill in operation. This mill he co tinued to run until he enlisted in the war of 1812. After returning from 1 war, he, in 1813 or 1814, converted his saw-mill into a carding and fulli mill. This was the second mill of the kind in the county, and was operated Mr. Harrison until 1833, when it was abandoned, and a stone factory, for manufacture of cloth, stocking yarn, etc., took its place. This factory Harrison continued to operate until his death in December, 1842, and then property fell into the hands of his son William, by whom the business prosecuted two years longer, when it was suspended.

Probably the most extensive and at the same time the least profitable bi ness ever carried on in the township was the manufacture of woolen, cott hemp and linen goods by the "Farmers' and Mechanics' Manufacturing Co pany, of Centerville, Montgomery Co., Ohio." Excessive length of title :n have been fatal to the company. for, although it is believed that the firms v leased the company's property all made money, the venture was a deci financial failure to the company itself, some members of which lost $20,000 fore the factory was abandoned.

In October, 1815, a meeting of the respectable gentlemen of the cou was called at the house of John Archer, Centerville, to discuss the feasihi., of establishing a woolen and cotton factory on Hole's Creek. Books for st subscription were opened immediately after the meeting, and, January 1816, the trustees met at the same place to elect a superintendent and let c tracts for building the factory, digging the race, making the dam and for Ir wright work.

It was not the design of the, company to run the factory themselves, . to lease it to reliable manufacturing firms or men. The first lessees were Is Hodgson & Co., aud they commenced operations some time in 1817. Anot leasee was Michael Canady, who held the property for several years.

The following is believed to be a complete list of the stockholders; Jo Archer, James S. Blair, William Blair, John Bailey, Jacob Benner, Abral' Buckles, Aaron Baker, James Chatham, Abner Crane, Thomas Clawson, Je Gephart, Abner Girard, John Harris, Amos Irvin, William Irvin, Will; Long, William Luce, Edmund Munger, Richard Mason, Benjamin Malt Thomas Newton, Aaron Nutt, Sr., George Nultz, William Newman, James R. sell, Thomas Rue, Peter Sunderland, Henry Stansell, William Stephen, Rol Scott, John Taylor, Asher Tibbals, Samuel Wilson, John Whitsell, Jonat! Watkins, Jacob Yazel, David Yazel.

The first managers of the company were Benjamin Maltbie, Thomas CI son and Thomas Newton. We insert a copy of the notification to Mr. Malt of his appointment:

SIR : I would inform you that the Trustees of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Ma facturing Company of Centerville, Montgomery Co., Ohio, have unanimously appoin

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11 to assist in the management and superintending the business of the factory in concert vh Thomas Newton and Thomas Clawson, and will give such compensation as shall be ( 'med reasonable for such services. Yours with respect,

MR. BENJAMIN MALTBIE.

JOHN ARCHER, Prest.

The following instructions were given to the managers:

The managers of the Factory company are directed to superintend to all the differ- e Branches of the Building of the Factory, and are empowered to Purchase such neces- sv artieles and tools as are absolutely wanted for the use of Said Company-and they i also directed to attend to the carding meshein, take account of all wool that may be bught to be carded, and to receive and account for all monies or other Pay for carding .make A report to the Trustees at their monthly meeting. The aforesaid managers a. Authorized to contract for such Laborers as shall be wanted to carry said Building ) effeet agreeable to former contract and they are to Procure A Desk to Deposit.

JOHN ARCHER, Pres. JOHN HARRIS,

WILLIAM LUCE, Trustees of

RICHARD MASON,

JACOB BENNER,

Factory.

The following items are taken from the memorandum of Benjamin Malt- r:

June 10, 1816. Began to superintend the factory. The hands that worked to-day w'e Robert Russell, William Russell and Abraham Clawson, by the montli.

Joseph Platts, by the day ..

.623

Andrew McNeal, by the day .623

Jonathan Mills, by the day. .621

John Wolf, by the day .50

John Cole, by the day. . Edward Smith, by the day. .56

June 13, 1816. This Day agreed with Mr. Stags of Middletown to Come next Mon- d and Put up the machienes if Trustees will not Imploy him he is to have Pay for one 1 . that is Two Dollars he is to have Two Dollars and his Board Per Day.

Got one quart of whiskey on the credit of the company.

The first order issued by this company was in favor of Aaron Nutt, Sr., f hauling, amount, $10.043; date, January 27, 1816. Abner Crane furnished tl company at different times 306,290 bricks, at a total cost of $1,378.301.

The lime used in constructing the factory was obtained from Amos and VIliam Irvin and amounted to 4,671 bushels.

One of the Treasurers of the company was James Russell, and the amount o money which passed through his hands while serving in that capacity was $056.783. Mr. Russell's books show that on settlement he had always paid more money than he had taken in.

- In 1819, the property of the company changed hands, and we append the a cle of agreement between the old and new companies:

Articles of Agreement made between the Farmers' and Mechanics' Manufacturing (pany of Centerville, Montgomery Co., Ohio-in the first part and John Harris, John T lor, Jacob Benner, William Luee & Francies Dilts their Heirs and Assigns on the "( nd part witnesseth that the said Farmers' and Mechanics' Manufacturing Company of I` terville &c., do agree and bind themselves to transfer all their right and title to their Ld and Factory lying and standing on the waters of Hole's Creek Adjoining to Isaac Hrison's Land with all the Privileges and Appurtenances thereunto belonging for and in cideration of ten thousand Dollars to be Paid to the aforesaid company-it is under- st d by the Parties that the said Harris Luce Taylor Benner and Dilts have assumed all the D'ts against said company and arc to Pay the remaining part of the ten thousand Dollars if ty remains in six equal annual Payments the first payment to be paid by the first day of Ji- 1821-and the aforesaid Mannfacturing Company hold the aforesaid Property as se rity until those of the second part have complied with the aforesaid contract in testi- my hereof we have set our hands and seals this third day of July 1819.

Test EDMUND MUNGER, I JOHN MINTURN.

JOHN HARRIS, [Seal. ] JACOB BENNER, [Scal. ] JOHN TAYLOR, [Seal. ] WILLIAM LUCE, [Seal. ] FRANSIS DILS, [Seal.]

-- It will be seen by a comparison of the names of the parties to this agree- mit with the names of the original stockholders that there were no new mem-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

bers admitted to the company, but only one part of the original owners boug the interest of certain others, who were wise enough to see that they had ma a bad financial investment.

The factory was in operation until about 1840, when it was closed up a the building torn down. This company is supposed to have organized und the following general law, passed in 1812 and limiting to five years:

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, that at any time wit five years, any two or more persons who should be desirous to form a company for purpose of manufacturing woolen, cotton, hemp, yarn, etc.

The first flouring-mill built within the present limits of the township by a man by the name of Wanp. This mill was located on a tributary Hole's Creek, in the northwestern part of the township. At this mill wh was ground for the army in the war of 1812.

In the days of buckskin breeches and coonskin caps, tanning green his was one of the important industries, and we find that there were four tanya sunk in this township, all of which enjoyed more or less patronage.

When the first one was sunk, we are unable to determine, but it must hi been as early at least as 1802, as the following items, taken from Aaron Ni Sr.'s, memoranda, go to prove:

Aug. 11, 1802. Johnathan Munger brought a cows hid marked J. M.

Aug. 13, 1802. James Snowden brought a horses hid marked J. S.

March 23, 1803. Justice Luce brought a Steer hid marked J. L.

March 23, 1803. Peter Borders brought a bull hid marked P. B.

March 23, 1803. Peter Sunderland brought a calfskin marked P. S.

April 11, 1803. John Cotrel brought a deerskin marked J. C.

April 13, 1803. Andrew Boyle brought a hid and a pease and a bearskin.

June 4, 1803. Conrod Carter brought a cow a calf four hogs a dog and a bearsiis

Among other items, we find mentioned "heffir," sheep and groundl-Es skins. Truly, if, as they say, " Variety is the very spice of life," the tany must have furnished its share of enjoyment to Mr. Nutt.

The other tanyards were owned by David Miller, Joseph Sunderland a John H. Martin, but they were of a later date, and, like the first, have coa to exist.

In 1819, there was erected at Woodburn a shop for the manufacture stoves. pots, kettles and machinery of all kinds. This was the only foundry the county until 1828.

In 1820, at Woodburn, Anthony Jones had an establishment for print bedspreads, quilts, pocket-handkerchiefs, etc. He was the only calico pril who ever carried on his trade in the township.

In 1835, one of the first shops in the county for the manufacture of s carriage-springs was in operation at Stringtown.

John Irons was the first man in Centerville to make the old wooden md board plows. He always declared there was no rule to make them by and. just had to " cut and fit and fit and cut."

About 1835, and continuing four or five years, the cooper trade was v profitable in Centerville. There were probably not more than two princi shops, but, as pork-packing was then at its height, these gave employment great many hands. Abraham Nixon and Nathan Reid were the principal I engaged in this trade, and their work was all taken by James Harris, the [ cipal pork-packer. This last-mentioned occupation was at that time very | ular, and besides the gentlemen mentioned above, there were engaged in business James Brown & Co., about 1830, and later, such men as the Harri father and two sons, John C. Murphy, Benjamin Hatfield, N. S. Sunderla Harris & Allen, Harris & Maxwell and Harris & Fisk.

The first goods sold in the township were brought here by Benjamin cher and sold in a log cabin, two miles northeast of Centerville, on the fi!

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Lw owned by Alonzo Montgomery. These goods were hauled from Cincin- Li, and Judge Archer paid for the hauling at a certain price per hundred vight. One winter, when there was good sleighing, he sent several sleds a'er a new stock of goods he had just purchased. As the pay was in propor- t'a to the size of the load, of course there was considerable rivalry among the t msters for heavy burdens. On this occasion, the man who was the least fort- late only succeeded in getting one box of hats, weighing thirty pounds. In ti spring of 1827, a number of unsalable hats were found in the loft of the cabin, and they were supposed to a part of this veritable thirty-pound box, vich had required two horses and a sled to bring it from Cincinnati.

The first store in Centerville was kept by Aaron Nutt, Sr., on the same lot o which the only dry goods store in the town now stands. His first stock of gods Mr. Nutt hauled in a cart from Baltimore. This was in the spring of 1.1. Previous to this, Mr. Nutt had lost the money with which he expected tay for his Ohio property by lending it to an irresponsible man in Kentucky. I 1810, seeing he must make some extra exertion in order to discharge his ob- littion, Mr. Nutt raised all the produce he was able to and purchased as much n re as his means would permit. In company with John Price, Peter Sunder- ial and others, he loaded this on two flat-boats at Cincinnati, on the 13th of Lember, 1810, and started to "coast " down to New Orleans. They had my queer experiences with the Southern " aristocracy." At one point, when emerating his commodities to a Southern lady, Mr. Nutt mentioned lard. ave you lard?" quickly asked this daughter of the South. Upon his as- -

sting her that he had it both in quantity and quality, she responded: "If To have lard, I'll take a barrel; so many of those dirty flat-boatmen come ilig here and want to sell me hog's fat, and I won't have that dirty stuff." H'assured her that he had genuine lard, and she said she would send the " ggers" down to bring it up. This she did, and Mr. Nutt received his pay, ecgratulating himself that he had learned to call things by their right names, w Je the lady was not a little pleased to find one boatman who did not sell he's fat.

Arriving at New Orleans, these gentlemen sold their remaining stock at ver advantageous prices. Peter Sunderland found that he had sold so much fois goods on credit that he had scarcely money enough to bring him home. B Mr. Price and Mr. Nutt had fared better, and, happening to meet with a " Captain from Baltimore, who told them of fabulous prices paid for produce nhat city, Mr. Nutt determined to invest in a flat-boat load which had just 'te in and take it there. The Captain who gave them information as to oses carried them both and Mr. Nutt's merchandise to Baltimore, where he 'od prices even better than had been represented. Having again sold out hi produce, Mr. Nutt invested in a horse and cart and a cart load of dry gols. These he hauled overland to Centerville. in the spring of 1811, fat u hearty from his sea voyage, and with enough money in his pocket to pay this debts.

We give below a copy of the "permit " which gave him the authority to tt a store in Centerville:

LE STATE OF OHIO,

MITGOMERY COUNTY. S 88. TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS:

Be it known that by virtue of the power in me vested by a law of this State en- it { " An act for grantin license and regulating ferries taverns and stores." Permission reby granted to Aaron Nutt Sr of Washington Township in this county to keep a to and vend merchandise at his house in said township from the date hereof until the ne term of our court of Common Pleas to be holden at Dayton on the second Monday of deember next according to the statute in such case made and provided.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of our said Co't of Common Pleas at Dayton the twentieth day of May one thousand eight hundred inbleven.

B. VAN CLEVE, clk., M. C. P. p. t.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Mr. Nutt was still in the business in 1815, and we find this list of who sale prices for that year: Lead pencils, 31 cents: British oil, 37} cents bottle; peppermint, 28 cents per bottle; Godfrey's cordial, 372 cents per b tle; Bateman's drops, 373 cents per bottle; camphor, 50 cents per bottle; n megs, 18 cents; darning-needles, 6} cents; allspice, 75 cents per pound: api check, 50 cents per yard; linsey, $1 per yard; pink cambrie, 75 cents per ya cambric, $2.25 per yard; jackanett, $1.62 per yard; pewter dish, $2.25.

Among other things we notice that the retail price of tea, in 1813, $2.50 per pound; of 8-penny nails, 21 cents per pound; coffee, 50 cents pound; calico, 873 cents per yard.

But probably the most expensive article which the early settlers had buy was salt. Benjamin Maltbie paid $26.873 for a barrel of salt in Cine nati.

The first tavern kept in the township was by Aaron Nutt, Sr. I house, or, more properly, log cabin, was opened up about 1800, just north the town plat, where Frank Harris now resides. Its sign was a pair of bud horns, and it enjoyed a moderate share of patronage, but was only continue short time.

John Archer opened up the first tavern in Centerville, with the sign of " cross keys."

Since that time, there have been many taverns in the township, good, and indifferent, with probably a predominance in favor of the good. The u famous was that of Enos Doolittle, and it soon came to be known far and r as the best stopping-place for travelers west of the Alleghanies.

This gentleman, who was a genuine type of the New England Yanl came to the town in 1820 as a peddler. With keen Yankee foresight, he say opening for trade in the town and immediately opened up a dry goods sto This, however, did not agree with him, and, purchasing suitable property. opened a tavern in 1832. In 1822 or 1823, he was married to Miss Bathsbi Robbins, and continued in the place until after her death, in 1845, when he moved to Columbus.

There is one more industry which we must not pass over in silence, though its existence would not be creditable to the township to-day. This the still-house built by Ashel Wright. It was in operation in 1817, and sides distilling liquor of several kinds, Mr. Wright was engaged in the maj facture of the oil of peppermint. His building stood on the land now ow by Benjamin Davis.

Washington Township has not had much experience with slaves, but i] are one or two incidents worthy of mention which occurred in the earlier d There was a law in Ohio in the forepart of this century under which indig persons were sold to the lowest bidder, not as slaves, but as paupers, ker public expense. We take the following entry from Aaron Nutt. Sr.'s, jour relative to one of these public sales:

" June 20, 1819 .-- Seel was advertise July 3; was sold to the Loest Bid wich was Levy Nutt; sold for $50 by Aaron Nutt. Sener, & Isack woodw oversers of the Poor for washington township."

This could in no case be called a sale for the personal liberty of the aby mentioned person, who, by the way, was a colored woman, but the Overseer the Poor merely let out the contract of keeping her to the person who was v ing to do it for the least money.

There was one genuine fugitive slave case in the township. In the fa 1826, there were various reports that a "nigger" had been seen in the w near Centerville. One man by the name of Lawrence reported that he seen him scooping up parched corn from the ground, and that he "looked

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

te devil." One morning, as the children of Peter Sunderland were going to school, they suddenly ran across him " in camp," and immediately returned Ime and reported to their father. Mr. Sunderland's men went out and found Im roasting a duck. He was protected from the cold only by a sack, which ] had found in the road and which he drew on over his head, having first pped it sufficiently to make arm-holes. By these men he was taken to the me of Mr. Sunderland and there made to understand that he was among ends. He gave his name as Black John, and soon proved himself to be an Inest and trustworthy hand.

One of Mr. Sunderland's daughters had a Kentucky suitor, and this gen- 1man reported the circumstance of Black John's capture to some of his friends no had lost a slave. One morning in the next summer, the household of Mr. Enderland was in unusual commotion, and it was evident that visitors were «pected whose advent was not agreeable One of the boys was sent out to the «d of the lane to watch for them, but the cherry trees were too tempting and on he was so busily engaged that he did not notice two strangers who walked Istily and quietly toward the house. When near the house, they were met ) the brawny Peter Sunderland, who, with a drawn corn-cutter, commanded halt. One of the men he grabbed by the collar, and, while he held the wea- jn over his head, threatening every minute to crash it into his brain, he called John to make his escape. John needed no second bidding, and, with a few pid strides, reached the woods and was soon out of harm's way, it is hoped, ¿ he was never heard from after. The treacherous Kentuckian who had lought about the event was forbidden the house of Mr. Sunderland, as he hly deserved to be.

We take the following entry from James Russell's journal:

April 9, 1828. Abel Morseman commenced work at $75 per yr, washing and mend- 3 to be done in the bargain.

Dr. May 29. 1828. To making 2 pair of pantaloons at 25c per Ann, 50c.

May 29, 1828. Paid Simon II. Douglass 25c for soleing shoes.

Sept. 27, 1828. Making cambric shirt by Polly, 75c.

Sept. 29, 1828. To ditto 35c each 50c. At the end of the year there were 21 days lost he at 26c, $5.46c.

Wages overdrawn $1.02.

We give the following wages in 1842: Making rails, 50 cents per day; aking hay, 50 cents per day; reaping and mowing, 62 cents. Flour, $2 per t .; pickled pork, 13 cents per pound; rye, 20 cents per bushel; corn, 20 nts per bushel; two-horse team, $1.50; carriage hire, in 1840, 25 cents per y; cider, $1 per barrel.

Washington Township takes the lead in the matter of public officials and cal government. It has always been run in the interests of economy and at e same time law, order and social and intellectual development.

The first election held in the county was June 21, 1803, and this town - ip cast ninety-five votes for Governor. The township has been reduced since en, but the number of voters now is 440. The first election for Justice of e Peace was on the second Tuesday in October, 1805, when the following tes were polled: John McCabe, 35; John McGrew, 32: Richard Mason, 1; tal, 68.

Among our township officers, we number the following: James Russell d James McGrew, Justices of the Peace, 1811; John McGrew and William ong, Justices of the Peace, 1812.

Township Clerks-Edmund Munger. 1809-26; Hugh Alexander, 1826- ; John Woodman, 1828-30; R. S. McGrew, 1830-33; James Wilson, 1833-

; Daniel Crosley, 1855-61; Clark Prim, 1861 to the present time (1882).

Treasurers-Thomas Clawson, - - to 1809; James Russell, 1809-11;

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Richard Mason, 1811-25; Goldsmith Chandler, 1825-26; James Harris, 182 29; John Benham, 1829-31: James C. Anderson, 1831; John Juning, 1831-4 James Harris, 1840-42; N. V. Maxwell, 1842-65: R. M. Anderson, 1865-6 N. V. Maxwell, 1867 to the present time (1882).

Postmasters-John Archer, appointed March 1, 1815: Enos Doolittl December 2, 1823; Nathaniel Strong, July 12, 1827; James Brown, Augt 19, 1829; Thomas Creighton, November 2, 1832; James Harris, May 3, 184 John H. Campbell, May 12, 1843; Enos Doolittle, February 6, 1844; Jam Brown, July 14, 1845; Israel Harris, July 6, 1846; R. M. Anderson, Mar 29, 1855; Wayland P. James, April 10, 1857; W. G. Stewarts, July 15, 185 Samuel Clutch, August 24, 1858; James C. Anderson, August 25, 1859; N. Maxwell, November 2, 1863; Mrs. Albina Benham, January 7, 1867.

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 85

Author: W.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1214

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214