COLUMBIA COUNTY OHIO - MORRIS/MILLER History Chapter 7 (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 7 Incidents of Moving to Ohio Father and Mother feeling a little cheered by Grandfather’s report of their new purchase, used all diligence to bring their business to a close and go away in the following autumn. Their wheat harvest was to cut, thresh and make market of, and such personal property as they could not take was to dispose of. We all found a busy time in getting ready. Uncle Joseph Dutton came in from Ohio to attend to his harvest and make ready also, having cleared about three acres of land, planted it in corn and potatoes, then split rails and fenced it, after which he raised and roofed a log cabin on it. This I give as a specimen of a new settler in the woods in Hanover Township in 1810. As neither Father nor Uncle had teams capable of taking them to their new home, it was necessary for each of them to employ a team for that purpose. For a few years previous Grandfather’s boys on his large draft. The boys were emulous in this to imitate the five-horse teams then so common for heavy hauling. Their team consisted of five steers, the two spans with a usual yoke and the fifth with a half-yoke, a pair of traces, back bands, etc. They were all noble animals, and trained to the word of command, presenting a fine appearance. David, the oldest son at home, having been the most energetic in getting up the team, was its general driver. Being about 19 years of age, (he) felt ambitious to see the west, and proffered to take Father and his effects to their new home in Ohio. Uncle having employed a horse team and being ready a week sooner than Father, started on, as the horses and oxen would not keep together on the road. I may seem prolix to the general reader to go into a detail of moving which is of so frequent occurrence, but I expect to be pardoned by the many who feel interested to know what their parents passed through before their time. There were three boys first, the eldest a few months over 11 and the youngest a little over 8 years of age; then two sisters and a little brother about two years old. Mother and the three youngest had to take their passage in the ox wagon, which was tented over with a linen cover which was customary in those days. We three older boys were to drive the cattle and sheep, there being four of the former and 12 of the latter. Father attended to the two horses and a spring colt. This afforded alternate riding for the boys. Thus disposed and arranged, we left Grandfather’s house the morning of the 5th of 11th month, 1810, with several others bearing us company a few miles. The weather had been propitious and fine for some time before, and was then, as we hoped, in the midst of an Indian summer. As it had only been smoky a few days, we anticipated that it might last until we would get through. But in this hope we were disappointed, for scarcely had our friends bade us adieu and turned back until it began to rain, and continued raining all that day, rendering it difficult for our barefoot team to get along, but being well trained we slowly advance, making but 14 miles that day. The next day was also partially raining, consequently we only made 15 miles, and that might met the team that had taken Uncle Joseph and his family out to the west before us. We were glad to hear of the comfortable getting along of Uncle and his family, as they had better weather for their moving than we had so far. The night passed with considerable rain, which continued during the day, but we journeyed on through rain and mud, making but nine miles that day, being checked a little before night by high water. The rain abated in the evening, and by the next morning the stream could be crossed. We journeyed on that day without any rain and with partially clear weather; consequently, we moved 18 miles, coming within three miles of the river. Starting early the next morning, (we hoped) to cross it before it got too high, but when we reached it we found it in all the majesty of one of its highest floods - five feet higher than ever known before by old residents. Thus we were delayed as it was imprudent to attempt to cross it that day. The weather was pleasant and numerous observers were there from the adjacent country to see the flood. By the next morning it had abated about eight feet, and mostly clear of drift, the ferrymen concluded to venture out with their boat, as they had no steam poser then to assist them, and the boat had to be poled up the river a considerable distance before striking across so as to make a landing at a proper point on the opposite side. By proper arrangement our team and stock were safely got over, but it consumed near the whole day, whereas with an ordinary stage of water one-fourth of the time and labor would have been sufficient. We had no sooner found ourselves safely over the river than we were told that a landslide occurred, obstructing the road near the mouth of the Little Beaver River, so that no team could pass on the direct road to Lisbon; consequently, our only alternative was to ascend a very precipitous road to the heights above and then to take a northern road leading to Achortown and Fairfield. Our team by dint of perserverence scaled the winding road and finally reached the top near dark. This was considered the most critical adventure we made in the journey. Staying at a private house on top of the hill, we resumed our journey the next day, which was partly rainy, making about 11 miles. As there was no bridge across the Little Beaver at Achortown, we lost a sheep in driving through the stream. We passed through Fairfield and Lisbon, reaching the residence of an old friend of Father’s named William Skelton, who emigrated and settled, some years before, about one and a half miles northwest of Lisbon. We were kindly received by them, as Samuel Shaw, Father’s first cousin, married Skelton’s daughter Susanna, about the time that Father and Mother were married, and having lived in Greene County about two miles from Father’s until two years since, when he and his family moved and settled near his father-in-law. They hearing of our arrival, came early in the morning to see and welcome us to our new home. We spent the night very comfortably with our friends, hoping it might be the last that we should be out on the tedious journey. To our dismay, in the morning we found near an inch of snow on the ground, which made it more uncomfortable traveling, as the mud was deep before, but it did not rain or snow that day, and we wended our way through. As we had been expected for a few days past, a lookout was kept for us, and when the singular ox team made its appearance, we were met and welcomed by those who would be our near neighbors. Never were such courtesies bestowed more fitly than those were at that time, as we presented a very jaded and weatherbeaten appearance; also felt much in need of comfort. Our little house had been occupied by Uncle Joseph and his family since their arrival, and would have to continue so until they could prepare their cabin fit to live in, as there was no vacant house or room to be had there in those days. So we had to nestle together as well as we could. The two families numbering 13, old and young, made it pretty thronged in an apartment less than a rod square inside. We all had been favored with good health on the way. Uncle returning from his work at dark found the house crowded - all glad to see each other. The long evening was spent very socially, mostly in recounting the incidents of each other’s moving which contrasted very strongly. One had very pleasant weather and a comfortable passage, while the other could claim but little of either. Uncle David, the teamster, was also much pleased that he had brought us through safe, as much depended on his prudent management. The singularity and nobleness of his team commanded the admiration of all who saw them.