COLUMBIA COUNTY OHIO - MORRIS/MILLER History Chapter 15 (published 1873) *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman MaggieOhio@columbus.rr.com November 5, 1999 *********************************************************************** "HISTORY OF THE MORRIS AND MILLER FAMILIES" By Morris Miller 1873 *********************************************************************** Chapter 15 The Deep Snow of 1818, etc. The winter of 1817-18 was marked by several occurrences worthy of notice. The housekeeper Father employed in the fall did not prove to be a very congenial one in all respects. About midwinter he engaged the service of an older sister of his first cook, who stayed with us while needed. The fore part of the winter was considered about as moderate a one as we had ever experienced. On the morning of the third of February it commenced snowing about daybreak. Its descent was a little inclined from the northeast and came in rather small particles, but very compact for snow. It continued descending in the same direction for about 24 hours until it attained the depth of three feet, and there being no snow on the ground before it fell, the writer was particular to measure it in different localities. As there was no wind blowing while it fell, it did not drift. For four days after it fell the weather was calm, but on the fifth a gentle rain descended for about two hours, after which the coldest weather for nearly two weeks that the writer ever experienced. The rain had penetrated the snow very little until the cold congealed it into a crust of ice that would bear up a dog and even small children. It was lucky for those who had roads or paths broken before the freeze. All the deer in our forest were exterminated, as they could not flee from the dogs through the snow. Many other wild animals perished also. Soon after the snow fell we were visited by Uncle Lewis, Uncle David and Aunt Hannah Morris, all from Westland. They had come as far as our friend Stokes’ when they were storm stayed. They remained there a few hours until the roads were broken a little, and John Stokes being yet a single man and having never visited us, concluded to accompany them. Their visit was very acceptable. Although the weather was extremely cold, our large wood fires rendered us comfortable and enjoyable. The summer of 1818 passed without any particular occurrences apart from ordinary prosperity. In the latter part of the summer we were favored with a visit from Aunt Phebe Bryant and her husband. They having been absent from their relations then years were kindly received by them all. She had lost her husband by death a few years after they went east, and in process of time she married his brother Joseph. Their visit was particularly intended to me, as she had been an inmate of Father’s house from my earliest recollection until the time of her marriage, which occurred when I was about ten years of age. I believe Grandfather paid us a visit that fall also. Having now a good housekeeper, we all remained at home. We three older boys being capable of attending to the farm, gave Father favorable opportunities to go and visit his friends as desire or occasion afforded. In the course of his acquaintance during the fall and winter he became intimately acquainted with a woman named Anna Hole, a resident with an older brother, a younger sister and a niece, all single, and the household consisted of a third sister who had been married a short time previous to Father’s acquaintance with them. The brother and sisters lived on a farm for many years until they were considerably advanced in age. They had emigrated from Virginia and settled near a married brother from the same place. They were among the early settlers of Carmel, Columbiana County, Ohio. I have been thus particular, as several family connections have resulted since from the above acquaintance of the Hole family, as will appear by the following pages.