TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO - 443
MEIGS TOWNSHIP.
A CONGRESSIONAL TOWNSHIP-BOUNDARY-ITS NAME-TOPOGRAPHY-WATER - HIGH HILL - MINERALS - COAL- LIMESTONE -TIMBER, IN "YE OLDEN TIME"- PIONEERS-LITTLE NANNIE GREEN-NOTED PERSONS DINE OFF A STUMP- FOUR YEARS WITHOUT MONEY-SCHOOL TEACHING, FOR FIFTY CENTS A WEEK, IN TRADE- FIRST ROAD-"OLD FEDERAL TRAIL"-FIRST HEWED LOG HOUSE-FIRST FRAME HOUSE- FIRST BRICK HOUSE-FIRST CLEARING AND ORCHARD-SEVERAL "FIRST BORN"-FIRST MARRIAGE - FIRST DEATH - CEMETERIES - FIRST SCHOOL - TANNERY - FIRST TAVERN - FIRST STORE-FIRST WAGON-MAKER-FIRST BLACKSMITH--:DISTILLERY-FIRST GRISTMILL--FULLING MILL-CARDING MILL-FIRST SAWMILL- ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIP-FIRST ELECTION -JUSTICES OF MEIGS TOWNSHIP-"THE COLOR LINE" - PRESENT OFFICERS - MEIGSVILLE - MUSEVILLE- HIGH HILL-HOPEWELL CHURCH -SALEM M. E. CHURCH-LYTLESBURG M. E. CHURCH-PLEASANT HILL M. E. CHURCH-ARK SPRING BAPTIST CHURCH- SCHOOLS-NIGGER IN THE SCHOOL-ROOM- POSTOFFICES POST MASTERS- PHYSICIANS-MEIGS TOWNSHIP VOLUNTEERS-COLORED VOLUNTEERS-THE SOIL- WOOL-GROWING-SHORT-HORNS-FIRST GRAIN CRADLE-FIRST METAL PLOW-FIRST MOWING MACHINE-MORGAN'S RAID.
Meigs township consists of an entire Congressional township, of thirty-six sections. It is bounded on the north by Rich Hill township, on the east by Noble county, Ohio ; on the south by Morgan county, and on the west by Blue Rock township. It is, therefore, the extreme southeastern township of Muskingum county.
It received its name from the principal stream in it—Meigs creek—the creek, itself, having derived its name from Governor Return J. Meigs, of Marietta.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The surface of Meigs township is very hilly, the streams having cut deep ravines through the lime and sandstones of the lower coal-measures. The soil of the lowlands is not of the best quali- ty; that of the hills, composed of disintegrated limestone, is generally good, but deteriorated, to some extent, by injudicious farming.
Meigs creek drains the southwestern portion of the township ; Dyes Fork of Meigs creek, the southeastern ; Collins Fork of Wills creek, the northeastern ; and Dents creek, the northwestern portion. The branches of these streams. ramify throughout the township.
HIGH HILL.
High Hill, as its name indicates, is an elevated knob, situated on the southwest quarter of section four—said to be the highest land in Muskingum county. The summit is 1,375 feet above the level of the sea.
This knob is the source of four streams, viz. : a branch of Meigs creek, one of Wills creek, one of Salt creek, and one of Kents creek—all of which rise within two hundred yards of each other. A mound crowns the summit, from which twelve counties are visible. Tourists often visit High Hill—as the Zanesville and Marietta Road runs by its base—to enjoy the delightful pros- pect.
MINERALS.
No valuable minerals are found in Meigs township ; the "lead mines" having a "local habitation"—principally in the imagination of the inhabitants.
Five seams of coal crop out in the township, two, only, of which are worked. The coal is of fair quality, but is only used for home consumption.
Limestone is abundant, but very little is burnt, as the farmers evidently think that
"Butter to butter is no sauce."
Iron ore exists, in considerable quantities, but entirely undeveloped.
TIMBER.
Meigs township was originally covered with the following varieties of timber :. White, red, black and rock oaks ; hickory, maple, beech, elm, sycamore, buckeye, gum, walnut, butternut, cherry, tulip-tree, ironwood, ash, dogwood, and willow. The rougher lands are still covered with the same varieties.
444 - TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO
PIONEERS.
The first white settler of Meigs township was Archibald Bowles, who came from Alleghany county, Pennsylvania, in 1807, and settled on the southwest quarter of section twenty-nine, erecting his cabin on the east bank of Meigs creek, near the present residence of William Dunlap, who pointed out to the writer the remains of the ancient fireplace.
Elijah Collins, Jacob Baker, John Bean, Samuel Allen, Andrew Wolf, and David Stevens, came in 1808-9, and David James, in 181o. These settled on Collins' Fork of Wills creek, in the northeast corner of the township.
Mrs. Nancy Bell—then Mrs. David James—is still living, and is the oldest citizen of the township. She is the mother of twelve children, has sixty-three grandchildren, seventy-five great- grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. She resides with her son-in-law, Dr. Charles Hurd, in Lytlesburg, and, at the ripe old age of ninety-two, her eye will kindle, and her voice grow strong and animated, as she recalls with vividness the scenes of eighty years ago. The story of one of her experiences runs as follows :
"LITTLE NANNIE GREEN."
John Green, a son of the Emerald Isle, lived on the Alleghany river, in Venango county, Pennsylvania, in 1798. Not being satisfied with his location, he built a cabin and made a "claim" in the woods, four miles distant.
Now, in order to prevent the claim from being "jumped," it was necessary to occupy the cabin daily, for a stated period ; but, as John had business at the county town, he took his little daughter Nannie, aged ten years, and her little brother Tommy, aged seven, to the cabin, gave them possession, and started for Franklin, fourteen miles distant, intending to return before night ; but-
" The best laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft aglee."
At the town, John Green met some good fellows, who, like himself, had "a very strong wakeness" for
" Inspiring, bold John Barleycorn,
What dangers thou cans't make us scorn."
"The night drave on, wi' songs an' clatter,
And ay the ale was growing better."
Meanwhile, how fared it with little Nannie and her baby brother? All day long they had amused themselves as best they could, and, as the sun began to sink behind the Venango hills, she cast many an anxious glance down the path, hoping to see her father approaching ; and, as the shadows deepened into twilight, she could scarcely repress her tears, while she strove to calm her little brother's fears, and repeated :
"Why don't he come? why don't he come?"
Night, with all its attendant horrors, closed in upon her, and still he came not. But, if her father and protector did not come, something else did—the wolves, attracted by the offal of a deer dressed at the cabin the previous day.
The situation was now a trying one; sufficient to make an older person than little Nannie quail —the wolves howling at the 'door, which there was no means of closing, no one to protect her, little Tommy to care for, and no means of escape. But, under that homespun pinafore, beat a brave heart, and Nannie was equal to the occasion.
Directing Tommy to put his arms around her neck, "hold tight, and keep quiet," she climbed to the rude joists, and, sitting astride of one, held her little brother between her and the wall, while he slept, until near morning.
As the first faint rays of light streaked the east, the howling demons retreated to their dens ; then, brave little Nannie, almost fainting from exhaustion, climbed down, deposited her precious burden on the ground, and fell asleep.
When she awoke, the sun had climbed above the tree-tops and chased the gloomy night away. It was still three hours before her eyes were gladdened by the sight of
"The man approaching from the town."
To-day, her one hundred and fifty descendants can ponder on "what might have been," had little Nannie Green been less brave.
Later, Philip Yanger, Jacob Onstott, Jesse Sutton, Jeremiah Sutton, and Thomas Mitchell, came from Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and settled on Meigs creek ; and Joseph Taylor, Thomas Gilkison, John Green, Samuel Paxton, and Adam Grindstaff, located on Collins Fork of Wills creek.
The Hammonds, Hyatts, Hedges, Hollenbecks, Shaws, Chapmans, and Dunlaps, were also early settlers.
As illustrative of the privations and inconveniences the pioneers were subject to, the following incidents may be given :
David Stevens entered the northeast quarter of section nine, in 1808, on the Zanesville and Marietta road, and erected a log cabin over a huge chestnut stump, which served for a table, from which Bishop Asbury, General Cass, Governor Meigs, and other noted men were glad to dine.
Mrs. Israel Dunlap relates that her sister, Elizabeth Mitchell, carried butter, on horse back, twenty-four miles. to Zanesvile, and then sold it for four cents per pound.
William Dunlap says that in March, 1818, he saw the last dollar that greeted his vision until 1822; that during these four years the people were absolutely without money, barter being the only means of exchange.
Miss Hannah Bliss taught school for fifty cents a week, and took her pay in maple sugar and feathers.
The consciousness of having well performed an arduous duty, is said to be sweet. In this case the reward was literally both sweet and soft.
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY - 445
The first road surveyed through the township was the Zanesville and Marietta road. It enters on section six, and following the dividing ridge between Wills and Meigs creeks, it passes into Morgan county on section thirty-four.
The "Old Federal Trail" struck Meigs township on Asa Jordan's property, section twenty- five, crossed the Marietta road at Hollenbeck's tavern, followed down Guist's Fork and crossed Meigs creek on section thirty, thence passed into Blue Rock township.
Archibald Bowles built the first hewed log house.
The first frame house is believed to have been built by John P. Farrell, and the first frame barn by William Yanger.
The first brick house was erected in 1833, by Casper Hollenbeck, on the Zanesville and Marietta road, and used for a hotel. David DeLong now owns the property.
The first ground cleared, and orchard set out, were by Archibald Bowles. A few of the trees, or scions from them, are still standing in William Dunlap's field.
John Hammond was also an early cultivator of fruit.
Several persons claim to be "the first person born in the township," and the chronicler does not presume to decide the point.
The first marriage on record, is that of John Briggs to Mary Bowles.
Thomas Carlin was married to Margaret Hyatt, in 1819, and Samuel Davis to Elizabeth Mitchell, in 1821.
The first death was a child of Thomas Carlin. For a long time after the settlement, there was
no regular graveyard, but each family buried their dead on their own premises.
After the building of the Hopewell church, a cemetery was established at that place, which is thought to be the first in the township.
There was also a cemetery established at a very early day, on the northeast quarter of section four, near the Salem M. E. Church, and thought by some to antedate Hopewell burying ground.
The first school was taught by a Mrs. Harkness, on Wills creek, in the northeast part of the township, in 1813.
A tannery was built on "Collins Fork" on the northeast quarter of section twelve, in 1815, by Thomas C. Gilkison. He afterwards sold out to Chauncey DeLong, who operated the tannery for many years, and still occupies the premises.
The first tavern was kept by Casper Hollenbeck, on the Zanesville and Marietta road, situated on the northwest quarter of section twenty- three. He kept accommodations when the stage coaches ran through from Marietta to Zanesville, having located there in 1813.
The first store was kept at Lytlesburg, by John P. Farrell. It was a small affair, and scarce deserved the name. Regular stores were opened about the same time at Lytlesburg and High Hill, by George Lytle and William E. Walker, respectively.
Benjamin B. Seamans was the first to manufacture wagons. His shop was on the Marietta road, on the northeast quarter of section ten, in 1816.
Levi Thomas was the first blacksmith in Meigs. He kept a shop on Guit's Fork, in 1820, and subsequently at Lytlesburg or Meigsville.
William Dye was the first distiller.
The first horse mill was erected by Jesse Fenton, in 1820.
The first gristmill was built by Joseph Reasoner, in 1823, on "Collins Fork," of Wills creek. This was a small mill with but one run of buhrs. About the year 1829, James McGlashen built a fulling mill on the southeast corner of section twenty. Cards were afterwards added, and the mill run for some years, by William Yanger. No trace of the mills now remain.
A sawmill was built by Jacob Onstott, in 1832, on a branch of Meigs creek, which is thought to be the first mill built exclusively as a sawmill.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
The following "entry" is copied from the Commissioners' journal, dated July 13th, 1819:
"A petition was presented to the Commissioners praying a division of Rich Hill township. The Commissioners therefore erected the twelfth original surveyed township, in the eleventh range, to be a separate township called Meigs township. The qualified electors to meet at the house of Zoath Hammond, on the last Saturday of the present month, to choose township officers."
In pursuance of the above, the first election was held at the house of Zoath Hammond, on the northeast quarter of section nine. John Hammond and Llewellyn Pierce, were elected Justices of the Peace, and Jacob Wortman Clerk. Who the other officers were, is not now known.
The following list of Justices, for Meigs township, is copied from the records at Zanesville. 1832—Llewellyn Pierce and Jobn Hammond.
1835—John Hammond and C. J. Gibeaut.
1838—Thomas Green and Llewellyn Pierce.
1841 —Thomas Green and David Hughes.
1844—C. J. Gibeaut and Thomas Green.
1847—Matthew Fisher and William T. Mason.
1850—William McIntire and Matthew Fisher.
1853—Alexander Armstrong and Matthew Fisher.
1858—Alexander Armstrong and William T. Mason.
Shortly after the first election, the polls were moved to Richard Bush's, on section twenty-one ; again to Charles Ewing's, on section ten, where they remained until 1855, when another move was made to the center of the township, which constituted the voting place until 1879, when by a vote of the people, it was again moved ; this time to Russel Bethel's, on the Marietta road.
" THE COLOR LINE."
Charles Lucas was the first colored man who voted in Meigs township, under the decision of
446 - TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
the courts that a man who had more white blood than black in his veins, was entitled to vote. He voted in 1853, the Trustees being, William Shaw, Thomas Green and William Gallogly, but as he was understood to have voted with the regnant party, after some " tall " swearing the matter was dropped.
At the spring election, in 1864, Joseph Tate and several persons, of more or less color, offered to vote, but were refused by a majority of the Trustees, the Board consisting of William Dunlap, William Imlay and Israel Clark ; whereupon Mr. Tate sued the Trustees. But before the cause came to trial, the fall election came off, and Mr. Tate and several others again offered to vote, and again were refused ; the Board, at this time, consisting of Samuel Culbertson, J. J. Cline and Thomas Fenton. Mr. Tate proceeded to read the law under which he claimed to vote, when Mr. Fenton exclaimed :
“Things have come to a pretty pass, when a white man must listen to a nigger reading law to him !"
Suit was now brought by Aquilla Lett and four others, against the Trustees, for refusing their votes.
Tate's suit came before Judge Granger, in Zanesville, in February, 1865, when he obtained a verdict of $240.00 damages, against William Imlay and Israel Clark (Mr. Dunlap being exonerated, on the ground of his having offered to take Mr. Tate's vote), and the township paid the cost, The other suit was made up, by the Trustees paying all the costs.
Now, all that is changed. The colored man's vote is not only taken when offered, but is sought after, a fact which sufficiently vindicates the wisdom of the law, which granted the privilege.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
Justices-William Ewing and L. H. West.
Constable-Nathaniel M. Dempster.
Assessor-Russel Bethel.
Treasurer-M. D. Gallogly.
Land Appraiser-P. G. Dye.
Clerk-James Hutcheson.
Trustees-William McIntire, David McClurg, and John Knight.
The Board of Education is composed of the following gentlemen :
No. 1, G. W. Brown.
No. 2, Robert Kingston.
No. 3, Johnston Imlay.
No. 4, H. M. Starrett.
No. 5, George Little.
No. 6, Edward Bethel.
No. 7, W. G. Richie.
No. 8, William P. Doan.
No. 9, John Trainor.
No. 10, J. W. Lett, (colored).
The Board of Supervisors is as follows :
No. 1, E. Connor.
No. 2, W. H. Wilson.
No. 3, Adam St. Clair.
No. 4, Robert Kingston.
No. 5, David Seright.
No. 6, Samuel Sutton.
No. 7, W. H. Onstott.
No. 8, George Dickson.
No. 9, J. L. Hyatt.
No. 10, E. Moore.
No. 11, Thomas Mitchell.
No. 12, Charles Cline.
No. 13, William Hyatt.
No. 14, Asa Jordan.
No. 15, James Simons.
No. 16, Judson Lett.
No. 17, David Flowers.
No. 18, M. M. Reasoner.
No. 19, John Downing.
No. 20, W. P. Wallace.
No. 21, John McCarty.
VILLAGES.
The villages of Meigs township are small and unimportant.
Meigsville is situated on the southwest quarter of section twenty-seven, and was laid out by Gilbert Bishop, in 1840, and William Betz made an addition in 1846.
Stores were kept at various times by J. P. Farrell, George Little, James Hutcheson, John Hardesty and E. A. Dye.
It contains at present, one store, one post- office, one physician, two boarding houses, one blacksmith shop, and about a dozen dwellings.
Museville is a small hamlet, situated on Meig's creek, on the northeast quarter of section thirty, and contains one store, one postoffice, one wagon shop, one blacksmith shop and a few dwellings.
High Hill contains two stores, one postoffice, one Odd Fellow's Hall and a few dwellings.
Zeno and Coal Hill each contain a post- office, store and blacksmith shop.
Stores-Meigsville, Elza A. Dye, proprietor ; Zeno, William Ewing, proprietor ; Museville, John Revenaugh and Joseph Trainor, proprietors ; High Hill, William Gallogly and N. Chapman, proprietors ; Coal Hill, Jesse Frazier, proprietor ; Oak Grove, George Knight, proprietor.
CHURCHES.
Hopewell Church.-In the year 1830, the citizens of the southwest portion of the township, joined together and put up a meeting house, a frame, 30x40, on the land of Philip Yanger, (southwest quarter of section twenty.) It was used by all denominations until 1846, when the Presbyterians, becoming the more numerous, a church was organized by Rev. John Arthur, and the property deeded by Mr. Yanger to the society. There were, at this time, about twenty members. Robert Lyons and John Trainor were the ruling Elders.
This society continued until the Presbyterian church was established at High Hill, in 1878. The building is now occupied by the Methodist Protestant Society, but the title is still vested in the Presbyterians.
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO - 447
Salem Methodist Episcopal Church.—The aggressive missionary spirit of pioneer Methodism was here, as elsewhere, manifest in the early formation of a " class."
In 1820, John Crawford was appointed " leader," and a class formed with the following persons as members :
John Crawford, and Sarah, his wife, William Gallogly, and Frances, his wife, Aaron Foster, and Rebecca, his wife, Patrick McCullough, and Sarah, his wife, Ambrose Joselyn, and wife, Jonathan, and Sarah Lawrence, William and Sarah Roxwell, Mrs. French and daughter, Mary, Priscilla Howell, Elizabeth Wharton, and Mrs. Kirkpatrick.
In 1830, a meeting house, a frame, was built, which stood until 1853, when a new frame, 40x50, was erected, on the southwest quarter of section three.
Present number of members, seventy-five.
Leaders— John Harris, and James Herron.
This is the oldest society within the bounds of the township.
Lytlesburg Methodist Episcopal Church.— John Hardesty and his wife, Sarah Ann, John Carrell and wife, David Cline and wife, Samuel Huffman and wife, Parker C. Gorrell and wife, Mr. Gordon and wife, and Jemima Priest, were members of the first class.
Parker C. Gorrell was Leader, and John Hardesty, Steward.
The church, a frame, 26x36, was built in 1854.
Present number of members, eighty-four.
Leaders—Crawford C. Wilson, and M. Reed.
Stewards—Jesse Wilson, and William Ross.
Pastor—Rev. John Doan.
Pleasant Hill M. E. Church (Colored).— In the year A.D. 1824, Rev. Mordecai Bishop preached in the southeast corner of the township, and formed a class at Lazarus Marshall's.
The members of that class were : Lazarus Marshall and his wife, Mary, David Blackburn and wife, Arthur Ginn and his wife, Mary, James Mitchell and his wife, Mary, James Guy and his wife, Deborah, William and Mary Guy, and Elizabeth Blackburn.
Arthur Ginn was Leader.
This society was composed of both whites and blacks ; the meetings being held at private houses, until 1836, when a hewed log church was built,on section twenty-four, called "Wesley Chapel," and all went well for awhile. But as the society grew in numbers, " vile self got in." Some of the white members of the congregation entertained conscientious scruples against worshiping in the same house with the colored members, and particularly against partaking of the Eucharist at the same table.
Much dissatisfaction and not a little trouble, (to put it mildly), arose from this cause ; when, for the sake of peace, twenty-three of the colored members withdrew, in 1843, and built a hewed log church, 24x30, on section twenty-three, for themselves, which stood until April, 1854, when it was burnt. In the spring of 1857, a frame, 28x32, was built on the same ground, and is still standing, (called " Pleasant Hill " Church.)
After the withdrawal of the colored people, the society at Wesley Chapel went gradually down, and, the property falling into the hands of a Mrs. Tate, the Church was torn down and transformed into a dwelling.
The congregation at "Pleasant Hill" is rather small at the present time and has no settled pastor.
Ark Spring Baptist Church.—In the month of January, 1852, Rev. Thomas Shepherd held a series of meetings in school house No. 5, in Meigs township, at which meeting several persons were baptized into the fellowship of the Rich Hill Church, and the following spring Rev. J. Winters, assisted by Rev. Benjamin Thomas, - pastor of the Brookfield Church, held a meeting at school house No. 6, and baptized several persons into the fellowship of the Brookfield Church.
At the above named meeting, seven members of the Rich Hill and Brookfield Churches were formed into a society, called the western branch of the Brookfield Church, and J. C. Moore was elected clerk.
In 1853, a frame meeting house, 30x40, was finished at a cost of four hundred dollars.
Rev. Benjamin Thomas preached for this branch of the Brookfield Church until he was succeeded by Rev. Edward Jones, in the spring of 1853. Rev. Warwick succeeded Jones, and was himself succeeded by Rev. A. J. Buell, who continued as pastor until the western branch was organized into a separate church.
At a meeting held June 25, 1859, it was resolved to " form a separate organization on the Saturday preceding the fifth Sunday in July."
In pursuance of this resolution, a committee composed of Rev's. William Senwick, A. J. Buell, and Washington Glass; with Deacons Jesse Leasure, John James, and Thomas Moore, met at the time indicated, and organized the branch into a regular church, called "Ark Spring Baptist Church," with Rev. W. Glass as pastor ; J. C. Moore, Clerk ; William Brown, Treasurer ; J. C. Moore, William Brown, and Wm. Watson, Trustees ; Jesse Leasure, Deacon.
The following are the constituent members of the Ark Spring Baptist Church :
J. C. Moore, William Brown, William Watson, J. W. Watson, Jacob Gallogly, David Babb, John Frazier, Horace James, Ulysses Frazier, Jesse Frazier, W. T. Hollenbeck, J. A. Brown, Eliza James, Mary J. James, Rachel James, Mary Frazier, Francis Bethell, Mary Bethel J.A. Riddle, Nancy Riddle, Rebecca Ewing, Miranda Ross, Margaret Graham, S. A. Leasure,Mary Leasure, Rachel Graham, Jane Rogers, Eleanor Mitchell, M. C. Hatton, C. G. Hatton, Maria Brown, Annie Kennedy, Margaret Brown, R. A. Hollenbeck, F. A. Brown, Nancy Moore, Isabella McClurg, M. S. McClurg, Margaret Kennedy, Isabella Kennedy, Espey Watson, Minerva Baldwin M. J. Marshall, Jane Marshall, A. C. Marshall, Clara Bethel, Lucy Bethel, Harriet Crawford, Betsy
448 - TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
Leasure, Sarah Leasure, Miriam Babb, Sarah Benjamin, Lucy Crawford, L. A. Armstrong, John McIntire, Jacob Hayden, Hannah Mitchell, Andrew James, Julian Mitchell, Susan Fisher, Victoria Wortman, Jesse Hyatt, Celia Lett, Rachel Armstrong, Jesse Leasure, Hannah Hayden, Louisa Hayden, James Kennedy, Mary Armstrong.
The names of the ministers, who have served as pastor, are as follows : Rev. Washington Glass, Rev. George Jones, Rev. Washington Glass, Rev. G. W. Churchill, Rev. James Herbert, Rev. Henry Ward, Rev. Thomas Erwin, and James Herbert, the present pastor.
Present Clerk J. C. Moore.
Present Deacons—John James, Jesse Frazier, and Jesse Leasure.
Present Trustees—J. C. Moore, and John James.
Present Treasurer—David McClurg.
Present number of members, ninety one.
SCHOOLS.
The history of the schools in Meigs township furnishes a striking proof of the strength of the prejudice against the descendants of Ham, that formerly existed in this locality, as the following incidents will illustrate :
In the year 1845, there lived in the southeastern corner of Meigs township a colored man (a quadroon) named Ayala Lett. This man owned a good farm, and, paying a good round tax, naturally enough conceived the idea of educating his children. With this idea in view, he sent his daughter, Margaret, then twelve years of age, and his two younger children, Henry and Susan, to the district school.
The news soon spread like wild-fire that there were " niggers in the school," and the Directors (Jacob Wharton, David McCarty and Burr Reed) ordered the teacher, Miss Louisa Harmon, to put the "niggers" in a corner by themselves until a meeting could be had. The teacher attempted to comply, but Margaret refused to be separated from the other scholars, on the plea that she "was not a nigger."
The next day the Directors came and ordered the teacher to separate the scholars, as per previous instructions. The teacher then refused, on the ground that Mr. Lett's children were attentive and orderly, and she would not disgrace them by any such unenviable distinction. She also refused to point them out.
Mr. McCarty, after some parleying, addressed Margaret with, "Say, my gal, ain't you one of them?"
Margaret inquired : " One of what?" "Why, Africans." The rejoinder was : No sir, I am as white as you are. Mr. Wharton then attempted to pick out the offending niggers, but unfortunately got hold of McCarty's daughter (about the size and age of Margaret), when McCarty interfered with : " Hold on, that's my gal."
McCarty next essayed the difficult feat, and got hold of Wharton's daughter, when Wharton exclaimed " his gal." This rather disconcerted the directors, but something had to be done, and as the teacher refused to " put the niggers on the jim crow seat," she was dismissed and another employed, named Eliza Wood.
The white children—instructed, no doubt, by their parents—inaugurated a system of persecution and intimidation, to drive the Lett children from the school. But Margaret was plucky, and when any of the scholars tried to frighten her with clubs she would herself pick up a club, and resolutely charging, put the enemy to flight.
The Directors came frequently- to the school and dismissed the same, but as often set the teacher to work again, thinking, apparently,that Mr. Lett would refrain from sending his children.
One old man visited the school and informed the teacher that niggers did not need any teaching, as they had no souls."
Previous to this time, one school house had been torn down and another burnt,to prevent the colored children from getting an education, as " niggers knowed too much already."
Mr. Lett, being threatened with the destruction of his property, concluded to appeal to the law for protection in the exercise of his rights ; accordingly, in December, 1846, he sued the directors, before Matthew Fisher, for debarring his children from the public schools. Colonel C. J. Gibeaut, counsel for Lett. Verdict for plaintiff.
Whereupon a separate house was built on the land of J. Lett, and a separate fund created for the purpose of schooling the colored children. This house was rebuilt in 1853, and in 1864 a good frame was erected, in which the colored children—fifteen or twenty—are still taught. Since 1856, the colored people are allowed to choose their own Directors.
POSTOFFICES.
Meigs township was, for along time, without any regular postoffices, the inhabitants going to Cumberland and Duncan's Falls for mail.
In the year 1845, offices were established simultaneously at High Hill and Meigsville (Lytlesburg), with C. J. Gibeaut and William Betz, as Postmasters.
The Museville office was established in 1853 ; Henry Onstott, Postmaster.
" Zeno " was made an office in 1862 ; Edward Bethel, Postmaster.
Coal Hill in 1876 ; Jesse Frazier, Postmaster.
The present Postmasters are as follows :
High Hill—Frederick W. Vogt, Postmaster.
Meigsville—("Young Hickory") Peter Henry, Postmaster.
Museville—John Revenaugh, Postmaster.
Zeno—Edward Bethel, Postmaster.
Coal Hill—Jesse Frazier, Postmaster.
PHYSICIANS.
The first physician who practiced in Meigs township, was Dr. Clark, who resided in Morgan county. After him, came Doctors Dalton, Wilson, and some others, but they did not remain
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
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Its Motto: "God and Humanity;"
It is Pure in Tons,
The WEEKLY VISITOR AND HOME MONITOR was originated at Frazeysburg, Ohio, in 1880, by M. W. Acton, pastor of the M. E. Church at that place. It was first issued under the name of the DISTRICT Vistor, and attained a circulation of about six hundred during that year. In the fall of '81 its originator was sent to South Street M. E. Church, Zanesville, and immediately established the VISITOR office, enlarging the paper to a seven-column folio. The office was located on South Fourth Street, and the enterprise originated on the slender capital of $200. In September of 1882 it was removed to the second floor of the new Shin- nick Block, on Main street, a cut of which accompanies this article. Large additions were made to the office, increasing its value to $3,200.00, and the VISITOR enlarged and changed in form from a seven column folio to a five-column quarto. Its subscrip¬tion steadily increased until at this date (February 1, 1883,) its list con tains fifteen hundred names, representing the best class of citizens in Zanesville and vicinity,
Politically, independent; religiously, non-sectarian , its aim has always been to advocate personal morality and fight public evils. Realizing intemperance as one of the greatest, it commenced, in the fall of 1882, a vigorous exposure of the criminal methods of the traffic in Zanesville, and has ever since been noted for fearless speech and the purity of its columns. Its course has made bitter enemies of the lawless classes and warm friends of all order-loving citizens. It has awakened a greater interest in the question of practical temperance than has been known for years. No time has been wasted in the useless discussion of extreme legislative measures. On the contrary, its efforts have been addressed to the task of the enforcement of existing laws and the kindling of sentiment in favor of the suppression of illegal liquor sales.
In style and appearance it is the hands om est sheet issued in the city, and the cheapest, the subscription price being but $1.15 per year. The Job Department is well supplied with new type, new presses, and fine workmen. A full stock of bill, letter and note heads, & c., kept constantly on hand. The VISITOR presses are run by a. Backus Water Motor.
In December, 1882, the VISITOR offered $50.00 in cash for the four best temperance stories, written by subscribers to the paper, and other valuable premiums amounting to $75.00. A large number of competitors sent in their productions. and they are, at this date (February 28, 1883,) in the hands of the Awarding Committee. The temperance stories will appear in the VISITOR from time to time, affording the people of Muskingum county the opportunity to judge of the merits of home talent, and also encouraging the same. Whether the VISITOR will become a financial success remains to be seen. Its purpose, and the energy and enterprise of its originator, deserves success; but the history of temperance publications is not encouraging.
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY - 449
long, probably because the climate was too warm for " resurrectionists."
Dr. Joseph Register came to Lytlesburg in 1842, and remained until 1855.
In 1846, Dr. Charles Hurd settled in Wigs- vine (Lytlesburg), and still resides there, having a large practice and an excellent reputation.
Dr. James Gallogly located at High Hill in 1847, where he practiced fifteen years, and then removed from the township.
Drs. N. W. Spring and Lewis Marshall are young physicians, recently located in the township, and are making fair bids for public patronage.
MEIGS TOWNSHIP VOLUNTEERS, 1861-5.
Arter, Abel ; Seventy-eighth 0. V. V. I. Atcbinson, John ; regiment unknown.
Bethel, Russel ; First Lieutenant, 0. V. V. I. Berry, Patrick ; Nineteenth 0. V. V. 4.
Bay, William ; regiment unknown.
Babb, Thomas ; Nineteenth 0. V. V. I.
Brown, James A. ; Seventy-eighth 0. V. V. I.
Barr, Eli ; Seventy-eighth 0. V. V. I.
Cramblet, Isaac ; One hundred and Twenty-second 0. V. I.
Crawford, James ; One Hundred and Twenty-second a V. I.
Crawford, Isaac ; One Hundred and Twenty-second 0. V. I.
Crawford, Elias ; One Hundred and .Twenty- second 0. V. I.
Craig, Absalom ; Sixty-second O.V. V. I.
Crawford, Elisha ; Sixty-second 0. V. V. I.
Coffee, Richard ; Sixty-second 0. V. V. I.
Crawford, Stephen D. ; Thirty-second O.V. I.
Cramblet, John ; Ninety-seventh 0. V. I.
Cox, Hugh M. ; Fifteenth 0. V. V. I.
DeLong, William L. ; One Hundred and Twenty-second 0. V. I.
Echelberry, John ; Seventy-eighth 0. V. V. I.
Flowers, Chas. D. ;.Seventy-eighth 0. V. V: I.
Fisher, Israel ; Seventy-eighth 0. V. V. I.
Fisher, James ; Seventy-eighth 0. V. V. I.
Flowers, Adam H. ; Sixty-second 0. V. V. I.
Frazier, Ulysses ; Sixty-second 0. V. V. I.
Flowers, Horace ; Ninth 0. V. I.
Frazier, Jackson ; One Hundred and Twenty-second O. V. I.
Fisher, Absalom ; One Hundred and Twenty-second O. V. I.
Gallogly, William ; Seventy-eighth O.V. V. I.
Gibeaut, Peter, Sr. ; Seventy-eighth 0. V. V.I.
Gibeaut, Peter, Jr.; Seventy-eighth 0. V. V. I.
Gibeaut, Charles ; Seventy-eighth 0. V. V. I.
Gay, James W. ; One Hundred and Twenty-second 0. V. I.
Grandstaff, Geo. ; One Hundred and Twenty-second 0. V. I.
Grandstaff, Andrew ; Sixty-second 0. V. V. I.
Grandstaff, Leander ; Thirty-second O.V. V. I.
Gay, Eli ; Ninth 0. V. C.
Hall, Charles ; One Hundred and Twenty-second 0. V. I.
Hardesty, John C. ; One Hundred and Twenty, second 0. V. I.
Haskins, Jacob ; One Hundred and Twenty, second 0. V. I.
Hutchinson, Benton ; One Hundred and Twenty-second 0. V. I.
Flatten, Isaac ; One Hundred and Twenty-second 0. V. I.
Hatten, William ; One Hundred and Twenty, second 0. V. I.
Hedge, Charles.; Ninety-seventh O. V. I.
Hyatt, Jesse ; Seventy-eighth 0. V. V. I.
Haskins, Joseph B. ; Seventy-eighth O. V. V. I.
Johnson, Abraham ; Seventy-eighth O. V. V. I.
Jordan, Asa L. ; Sixty-sixth O. V.V. I.
Johnson, John ; One Hundred and Twenty-second 0. V. I.
Johnson, Al. ; Ninth 0. V. C.
Johnson, Hugh ; regiment unknown.
Lyons, John ; Seventy-eighth O.V. V. I.
Lee, Charles W. ; Seventy-eighth 0. V. V. I.
Little, William ; Thirty-second O.V. V. I.
McClurg, Leander ; One Hundred and Twenty-second 0. V. I.
McClurg, Wm. ; One Hundred and Twenty-second 0. V. I.
Mitchell, Thomas, Jr.; One Hundred and Twenty-second 0. V. I.
Marshall, Seth ; One Hundred and Twenty-second 0. V. I.
Mitchell, Thomas, Sr. ; Ninety-seventh O.V. I.
Mitchell, Clarkson ; Ninth O.V. I.
Marshall; Samuel ; Ninth O.V. C.
Marshall, Josephus ; Ninth O.V. C.
Marshall, Richard ; Ninth O.V. C.
McLucas, James ; Seventy-eighth O.V.V. I.
McRoberts, Hugh ; Seventy-eighth O.V. V. I.
Morris, Wm. W. ; Sixty-Second O.V. V. I.
Marshall, Frank ; Sixty third O.V. V. I.
Mitchell, Simon ; One .Hundred and Twenty-second 0. V. V. I.
Murphy, Martin ; One Hundred and Twenty-second O.V. V. I.
McDade, John ; Second West Va. V. C.
Mitchell, Samuel ; Ninety-seventh 0. V. I.
Mitchell, John ; regiment unknown..
Moore, John ; regiment unknown.
Onstott, John ; Ninety-seventh 0. V. I.
Ross, William ; Second Sergeant, Seventy-eighth 0. V. V. I.
Rogers, Robert ; Seventy-eighth O. V. V. I.
Rogers, Thomas ; Seventy-eighth O. V. V. I.
Riddle, Joseph, Forty-third 0. V. V.
Robinson, James ; One Hundred and Twenty-second 0. V. I.
Reeds, William H. ; One Hundred and Twenty-second 0. V. I.
Starrett, Joseph ; Seventy-eighth 0. V. V. I..
Shaw, James D. ; Seventy-eighth 0. V. V. I., (died recruiting).
Schreiber, Frank L. ; Fifteenth 0. V. V. I.
Simons, Joseph ; One Hundred and Twenty-second 0. V. I.
Sims, Israel ; One Hundred and Twenty-second 0. V. I.
Sims, William ; regiment unknown.
Sims, Adam B. ; regiment unknown.
Sutton, John ; regiment unknown.
450 - TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO
Sutton, William ; regiment unknown.
Turner, Eleven ; Seventy-eighth O. V. V. I.
Turner, Daniel ; One Hundred and Twenty-second O. V. I.
Turner, John ; regiment unknown.
Wilson, William ; Thirty-second O. V. V. I.
White, James ; Thirty-second O. V. V. I.
Watson, James W. ; Seventy-eighth O. V. V. I.
Wilson, James ; One Hundred and Twenty-second O. V. I.
Williams, Samuel ; One Hundred and Twenty-second O. V. I.
Wilson, Samuel H. ; Ninth O. V. C. West, Charles ; Ninth O. V. C.
Wharton, Isaac ; Sixty-second O. V. V. I.
Colored Volunteers.—The following is a list of the colored soldiers from Meigs township in the late Rebellion :
Brown, James C. ; regiment unknown.
Brown, Al. ; regiment unknown.
Clifford, John ; regiment unknown.
Clifford, L. D. ; regiment unknown.
Caliman, Nelson ; regiment unknown.
Grey, Eliphalet ; regiment unknown.
Johnson, William ; regiment unknown.
Lett, Othias ; regiment unknown.
Lett, Samuel ; regiment unknown.
Simpson, Joseph ; Eighty-eighth U. S. C. I.
Simpson, Daniel ; One Hundredth U. S. C. I.
MORGAN'S RAID.
William Ewing, Esq., furnishes the following reminiscence of Morgan's passage through Meigs township :
Thursday morning, July 23, 1863, the sun rose clear and bright, shedding his beneficent rays on the citizens of Meigs, who went as usual to their daily and peaceful occupations, little thinking of the approach of a hostile foe.
But ere the sun had reached his meridian height, the quiet and peace of the neighborhood were disturbed by the roar of cannon at Eaglesport, on the Muskingum River. Involuntarily, the question sprung to every lip, '' What is it? " " What does this mean? " They were not long left in suspense. A cloud of dust was seen ascending from the highroad, in the southwestern portion of the township, and runners announced that John Morgan's rebel cavalry was in our midst.
The excitement that followed can be more easily imagined than described. " There was hurrying to and fro." Some were hiding their horses and valuables, while others, who thought themselves more brave, brought out their weapons, and prepared for a defensive warfare.
But, when the enemy came near, their courage failed, discretion took the place of valor, their small guns were secreted, and the owners sought positions as far removed from danger as possible.
Morgan, with his three hundred men, (which rumor magnified to a thousand), came into Meigs township from the southwest. Descending the hill to the forks of Meigs Creek, they met " Old Billy Dunlap," (as he is familiarly called), and demanded his horse, which he quietly gave up, taking off his saddle, when they informed him he must leave the saddle on the horse. But when one of the bareheaded cavalrymen demanded his hat—Dunlap replied, " I'll be d—d if I give . you my hat," and he didn't.
On the way to Zeno, they relieved Jesse Leasure of one horse, J. C. Guist of two, and T. O. West of one. They struck the Marietta road at the old Stephens tavern. stand, where they coveted a fine charger belonging to Mr. E. Stephens.
Here one of Morgan's men, who had been wounded in the back during their skirmish that morning with the Eighty-sixth Ohio Infantry, (that came from Zanesville to intercept them) at Eaglesport, could go no further, and was left. He was taken care of by the citizens and sent to Marietta.
It was near two o'clock in the afternoon when the raiders arrived at Zeno Here they scat., tered in search of food for themselves and feed for their horses, appropriating everything they could find that a man 0r horse could eat, and taking all the horses they could get.
Having taken a horse from Mr. C. Fuller, they next repaired to the stable of Russel Bethel, then in the Union army, with the intention of capturing a very fine horse, belonging to that gentleman. But, before they could accomplish their purpose, Russel's mother had placed herself in the stable door, and barred the passage. They could not get the horse out without passing over her, so they were obliged to abandon the enterprise, and the horse was saved by the: intrepid woman.
Morgan had taken a number of prisoners on his way west of the river, among them Col. Z. M. Chandler, Rev. Maccabee, and Judge Ezra Evans, of Zanesville. These gentlemen had gone out into Perry county to look after Morgan, but it seems he looked after them and kindly took them in. One mile east of Zeno they were paroled and permitted to return home, satisfied, no. doubt, with their brief military experience.
John James, Jesse Frazier, and James McClelland, each lost a horse, while the '' rebs" patronized Chauncy DeLong to the extent of three head, leaving, generally, however, their own worn out and broken down horses instead.
About four o'clock p. m. Morgan halted his. Command at C. H. DeLong's, on Collins' Fork, in the northeastern corner of the township, and his men commenced pillaging every dwelling, spring house and granary in the neighborhood. While this was going on T. Frazee's grocery was doing a " wholesale " business, supplying the thirsty Johnnies with whiskey.
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO - 451
Perhaps Mr. Frazee was 'not responsible for Morgan's kindness in placing a guard over the grocery, and permitting his men to take only that which tbey paid for, but the circumstance. was regarded as significant at the time.
Six of Morgan's men found a boon companion in a Rich Hill farmer. Their friendship became so firmly cemented that they found it impossible to separate, so the soldiers went home with the farmer and remained there until they got sober, when they were taken 'to Camp Chase. One of them was a wealthy farmer of Kentucky, named Bradley.
Near Cumberland, another of 'Morgan's wounded soldiers fell out of ranks. He was taken in and cared for at the house of James McClelland, Sr., where he lay for several weeks before he was able to be taken to Columbus.
Morgan passed through Meigs township diagonally, from southwest to northeast, a distance of near nine miles.
General Morgan's troops were followed closely by General Shackelford, with his Kentucky cavalry.
Being obliged to recruit his exhausted stock on the same ground passed over by Morgan, he necessarily followed at a disadvantage. Still, so closely did he follow, that he entered Cumberland on the morning of the 24th, only 'one hour after Morgan left.
AGRICULTURE.
The soil of the uplands of Meigs township is strongly impregnated with lime, and had it been properly cared for, would still have been very pr0ductive. The numerous worn out, bare and abandoned fields that meet the eye, are suggestive of reckless husbandry, and the deep rain- washed gullies that traverse them are neither ornamental nor useful.
Wool is the principal article of export. Israel and. Benajah Doan were the first persons who introduced fine sheep into the township.
During the year 1843, they bought three hundred head of merinos from Colonel Laughlin, near Cambridge, in Guernsey county.
William P. Doan has, at this time, a fine flock of eight hundred head. David Paisley also posesses a very fine flock.
Andrew and Hugh Lyons were the first to improve the breed of cattle, by the introduction, in 1850, of a pair of Durbams.
In 1877, Israel Doan went to Kentucky and purchased thirteen head of " short horns," and
now the owner of the best herd in the township.
The first grain cradle was brought into the township by Joseph Taylor, in 1825.
David James introduced the first metal plow in 1825.
Samuel Culbertson was the first to adopt mowing machines. His was one of "Ball's " pattern.