KNOX COUNTY OHIO - Norton's History of Knox County [Chapter XVII] ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/ohfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Dave Ketterer Ketterer@empireone.net September 1, 2002 ************************************************ A History of Knox County, Ohio, From 1779 to 1862 Inclusive: Comprising Biographical Sketches, Anecdotes and incidents of men connected with the county from its first settlement: Together with complete lists of the senators, representatives, sherriffs, auditors, commissioners, treasurers, judges, justices of the peace, and other officers of the county, also of those who have served in a military capacity from its first organization to the present time, and also a sketch of Kenyon College, and other institutions of learning and religion within the county. By A. Banning Norton. Columbus: Richard Nevins, Printer. 1862 Entered according to the act of Congress in the year 1862 by A. Banning Norton, In the Clerk’s office of the Southern District of Ohio. ____________________________________________ CHAPTER XVII. KNOX COUNTY IN 1817. ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES. THEATRICALS.- -MISIONARIES TO BE SENT TO CONNECTICUT.-SMALL-POX EXCITEMENT.--TRIALS OF INTEREST.– PATRIOTIC OUTGUSHINGS OF POPULAR FEELING. - COMBINATION OF MECHANICS.--BILL OF PRICES.--FIRST DELEGATE TO THE STATE INSTITUTION.-ANOTHER TOWN.-MORE WHISKY AND MORE MARRIAGES. THIS year was introduced by a grand Theatrical exhibition by the young gentlemen of Mount Vernon. Of the performances, the following were a part: 1. An Address to the audience; 2. The Conjurer-A Dialogue; 3. The Dispute between a Merchant and his Wife; 4. Clownishness and Awkwardness, in 2 Acts; 5. The Lap-Dog--A Dialogue of two Ladies; 6. Douglass, or the Noble Shepherd--A Tragedy; 7. The Knight's Dream; 8. Cowardice and Knavery; 9. A Dialogue between a Schoolmaster and School Committee, &c. For several years the young gentlemen continued their theatrical exhibitions, and often acquitted themselves handsomely. The following "furwan" we copy verbatim from the .Register of January 29th, 1817: "TAKE NOTICE-That eye have left my wife Iselbelah irelands bead and board and eye know furnwan eny person or persons creeaditing hir on my account as eye shall not be acountable for any of her deats or contracts from tbis date likewse eye furwan eny person or persons from purchasing eny property whatever til her former deats is all paid up JOHN IRELAND." The following entry upon the Court minutes, shows that the people were minus a term of Common Pleas. The reason, we learn from the oldest inhabitant, was "high water"--one of the "biggest" spring floods ever known by the old settlers: "The Court of Com. Pleas was opened at Mount Vernon the 24th March, 1817. The Sheriff appeared and called the Court, who failing to appear, the Sheriff adjourned the Court until tomorrow morning 9 o'clock. The Sheriff appeared and opened Court agreeable to adjournment, and called the Court, and Judges young and Trimble, and no other Judge; whereupon, by order of the Judges, ordered the Sheriff adjourn the Court until to-morrow morning JACOB YOUNG. "9 o'clock, according to adjournment, the Hon. Jacob Young and John Trimble Esq., Associate Judges, appeared. There not being a quorum, the Court being opened, the said Judges ordered the Court adjourned until Court in course. JACOB YOUNG." This month a Yankee peddler, named Giddings, passed through the county bound for Columbus, who sold to several of the merchants wooden nutmegs, having a few genuine ones for them "to sample." The old settlers of the county became charitably inclined, and determined to send Missionaries to convert "the everlasting heathen of Connecticut." Accordingly they formed a society for this purpose, and published on the 9th of April the following notice: OHIO MISSIONARY SOCIETY. We are authorized to state, that a Society has been formed in this State for the purpose of propagating the Gospel among the everlasting Heathen of Connecticut and the parts adjacent. The first meeting of the Society will be held in Zanesvihle on the 20th of May next, for the purpose of electing suitable Missionaries for the parformance of the arduous undertaking. It is hoped that all who are favorable to the cause, will contribute their mite to effect so desirable an object. "" Printers favorably disposed towards the Ohio Missionary Society, are requested to give the foregoing one or two insertions." At this period Zanesville was the great town of Central Ohio, and at that place and Putnam the principal shipping and other business was transacted by the citizens of Knox county. In May, 1817, John S. Dugan having opened the Green Tree Hotel in Zanesville, advertises that he has a number of German servants (redemptioners), "who are attentive and honest; one of which is a regular bred horse Doctor, and served six years under Bonaparte as such; and 'tis said by travelers, he is one of the best hostlers in the United States. ~ My whole study is to please, and I hope the public will give me a chance to do so." The little log school-house on the public square had served its time, and at private houses schools had for some time been kept, when the public-spirited men in Mount Vernon started subscriptions to build another. June 7th. The subscribers to the new schoolhouse proposed to be erected, met at Richardson and Vore's tavern to choose managers, &c. June 18th. The small-pox having made its appearance at Newark, caused a great excitement in the quiet village of Mount Vernon. The inhabitants ran to and fro, not knowing what to do. A public consultation was had, and Dr. R. D. Moore wrote and published a little treatise on the subject, giving the origin of the disease, the views of "the immortal JENNER" upon "the grease," "cow- pox." "small-pox," etc., and concluding as follows :- The small-pox has been for some months past traveling northward, and is now within a short dis- tance from this place. The subscriber will attend on every SATURDAY, at his house in Mount Vernon, for the purpose of vaccinating (those whose pecuniary means will not warrant application), gratis.' Anderson Searl, of Mount Vernon, on the 18th of June, publishes that he will not pay a certain note given to William Shinnibery for a certain black and white muley cow, to be delivered to him next harvest; "the said note being given in part consideration of a certain horse sold to me by said Shinnibery for a sound horse, which I have since found to be unsound." NOTABLE PROCEEDINGS OF COMMON PLEAS COURT, JUNE 23d. "At this term, the Indictments vs. John Strain, were read, and be was fined on the first $20 and costs-and on the second, assault and battery, $1O and costs. ".The Grand Jurors-Royal D. Simons, foreman-returned seven bills of Indictment. Albert Sherwood, by verdict of jury, recovered $75 off of Win. Williams for assault and battery; and in suit of the State Wm. Williams was fined $15 and costs. Thomas Wilkins and John Roop are, each, fined $5 and costs for assault and battery; and John Strain and John Roop, each, fined $5 and costs for an affray, and Robert Butler was fined $15 and costs. "James Trimble renews his tavern license; also Michael Harter, John Davidson, Gotleib Zimmerman, and Richardson & Yore. "On application of Anthony Banning and Samuel Kratzer for the vacating of a part of the addition of the town of Mount Vernon. The application is overruled at the cost of the applicants. "Samuel H. Smith's application for vacating part of the town of Clinton was continued; and also continued Oct. term, 1817. "Ordered that a certificate issue to pay expense of Coroner's inquest over the body of Wm. Conaway, jr.; also of N. Butler. PATRIOTIC OUTBURST ON THE NATIONAL ANNIVERSARY. The 4th of July was celebrated by the Mount Vernon Artillery Company, under Capt. Joseph Brown, with all the pomp and circumstance of war. The day was duly ushered in by a national salute-a grand parade came off-a sumptuous dinner at Richardson & Vore's inn-and toasts, speeches, and wine made it a merry occasion. The Declaration of Independence was read by Doctor Robert D. Moore. Among the toasts were the following: " The Constitution, the grandest work of human geahahius-May it long stand the proudest monument of Republican solidity. " The memory of our departed American heroes from Warren down to the brave Pike and Lawrence. "Faction, the bane of republican governments-May it never be suffered to impair confidence in our legally constituted authorities "May the words Federalist and Democrat be exclahanged for the prouder appellation of-' I am an American citizen.' The Fair Daughters of Columbia-Always lovely, but more divinely enchanting when attired in homespun, smiling on the patriot brave. "By Capt. John Shaw-May brother Jonathan watch John Bull with the eye of an Eagle." A quarterly or sacramental meeting was held on Friday, the 4th of July, at the Dry Creek school house. All christians and ministers of the gospel were earnestly solicited to attend and assist in the various exercises of the service. THE STORE SET UPON CAMPBELL'S POEMS-THREE DOLLARS ON ADVERTISING A $1.50 BOOK. "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick." "In the month of November, 1815, I advertised a volume of Campbell's poems, which I had lent some considerable time before to an acquaintance of mine. The principal poem in this work is entitled "The pleasure. of Hope," and I had entertained a hope of obtaining it long ere this; but this hope, like some other of my expectations, has perished. I now only wish it may be returned to me. Robert Buchanan. June18th, 1817. This notice not having the desired effect, on the 16th of July the following pointed addition is made to it: "If Mr. J-n W-. k-r, who was entrusted to deliver the above volume to me, by the person to whom I lent it, does not return it within two weeks from the date hereof, I will give his name to the public, together with some traits of his character, which have not much the appearance of honesty! "As I am credibly informed that you have refused five dollar. for those poems, I think you ought not to object paying me $1.5O for them. You may send or bring me this amount, or the book, at your own option. I am determined to have it or its worth from you-peaceably if I can, forcibly if I must. R.B. " The pleasures of Hope"-again. "To Mr. John Walker: Sir-- The two weeks in which I allowed you to return the above poems, have now elapsed unheeded by you. At the expiration of that time, I promised to give the public your name and an exposition of your conduct in retaining this book in your own possession after having politely proffered your services to convey it to me from the young lady to whom I had lent it; but being blessed with a pretty good share of charity , I have omitted the exposition for the present, and inserted your name only-giving you one week further to decide whether or not 'honesty is the best policy!' July 3d,1817 ROBERT BUCHANAN. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS SHOWING THE KIND OF CURRENCY, BUSINESS VIEWS AND INCONVENIENCES. John Frank & Co., July 17th, offer "iron, castings and salt, being both chartered and cash articles in this place, and solicit their friends to whom they gave a short credit last winter to come forward and discharge their respective accounts. * * * * They are informed that the paper of the Owl Creek Bank of Mount Vernon, and that of Canton, and the Farmers & Mechanics' Bank of Steubenville will be taken," &c. Luke Walpole brings to Mount Vernon a quantity of salt, leather, and castings to exchange for beef and pork, delivered in Zanesville the coining winter. Oct. 16th, Frederick Falley, proprietor of Venice, has 1,000 lots for sale, and invites all classes of mechanics and business men to locate there. About this time it was the supposition that Venice would become the future shipping point for Knox county, and Norton & Banning established a storage, commission and mercantile house at Venice, on the Sandusky bay. As evidence that this belief was general, we may cite the act of the Legislature of 1817, declaring that the road to be made by the Knox, Richiand & Huron Turnpike Company shall terminate at the town of Venice, on Sandusky bay. Robert D. Moore, as agent for the Mary Ann Furnace, situate on the Rocky Fork of Licking, brings to the notice of our citizens a large assortment of castings of superior beauty and quality, and asks them to encourage manufactories. Daniel S. Norton notifies those who were in debt to him on the 16th of August last, to pay up while they can in the paper of the country. Anthony Banning advertises a large lot of leather, which he will sell for hides or chartered money- or chartered money will be given for hides. Jesse B. Thomas cautions "all persons (indiscriminately) against cutting, destroying, or removing timber from or otherwise trespassing upon his lands on the Hamtramek section, as I have given my agents (Messrs. John Roberts and John Warden) positive instructions to prosecute all." THE FIRST COMBINATIONS OF MECHANICS, WHO THEY WERE AND THEIR BILLS OF PRICES. "TAYLORS PRICES.-We, the subscribers, of Mount Vernon, have agreed to establish the following prices for Tayloring, viz: Great coats, $4.50; broad cloth coats, $4.00; common homespun, 33.50; common pantaloons, $1.25; vest, $1.25; pantaloons with buttons on the legs, $1.75; ditto welled, $1.50; cherrivallies laced, $3 plain ditto, $2.25; ladies' coats, $3.50. Any extra work on the above articles shall be priced according to the work. WM. W. ALEXANDER, WM. PETTIGREW, WM. CROUCH. May 20, 1817." William Giffin and Peter Zarly got up a meeting of Millwrights, at Zimmerman's inn, on the 26th of August, for establishing a bill of prices for their work. At this meeting John Williamson, Samuel Pyle, Peter Zarly, James King and William Giffin were present. Among the items we find-"For a double geered grist-mill, $300; for a double geered saw- mill, $200; for a meal spout, $2; meal trough, $3; hopper, $4, &c." Jacob Myers, Patrick Nellans, Robert Robert- son, Samuel Hoppers, Samuel Vance, John Byan, John Cottle, John Kinsey and David Poter, agree, upon honor, to support the said bill of prices. PETTY THIEVING AND OTHER RASCALITY. Michael Click offers one cent reward for Michael Teadrow, an apprentice to the brick-making business, but no charges paid. September 3d. James Miller publishes the following notice: "The person who took away a Mattock from my building, without leave, is requested to return the same immediately, or his name will be given to the public (besides prosecuting), as it is well known who purloined it." "TAKE CARE.-The person who was so kind as to take away without leave, a pair of stretchers and a broken singletree, on the 29th of August; they were laying on the green between .Mcssrs. Bryant & Burr's and Mr. J. Frank & Co.'s stores, are requested to return the same immediately to the subscriber, and save themselves trouble, they had better return them before they are troubled with a call from Mr. Constable. " Mt. Vernon, Sept. 5, 1817. James Thompson." Noah Rude has a chesnut sorrel horse stolen from James Bryant's pasture on the night of the 5th of September, and offers a reward for him. At the District Court of the United States, held at Chillicothe on the 9th of September, Samuel Bunting was indicted on a charge of robbing the mail between Newark and Zanesville, and was sentenced to the Penitentiary for one year. Horse thieves about this time became So bold that Joseph Berry had, on the morning of the 19th of September, a mare, saddle and bridle stolen from the door of James Thompson in Mount Vernon, just after he had hitched her, and gone into the house- At the October term of Knox Common Pleas, John McFarland was tried for feloniously stealing a five and two one dollar notes on the Owl Creek Bank of Mount Vernon. The jury found him guilty of stealing the five dollar note; as to the other counts in the indictments, not guilty. The court sentenced him to one year imprisonment in the penitentiary at hard labor, but no part of said term to be kept in solitary cells of the prison. The prisoner was a boy, 14 to 15 years of age, the son of a poor man, who, from want of restraint and of care in his tuition, had been led to crime. PROCEEDINGS OF FALL TERM (OCT. 13TH) COMMON PLEAS. "On the petition of sundry inhabitants of Mount Vernon for incorporation of said town, the sheriff made proclamation thereof according to law. Store license was issued to Daniel S. Norton and P. M. Weddle. Tavern license issued to Wm. Ayres, Seth Knowles, Richardson & Vore. S. W. Culberson was allowed 810 for defending Jacob Kyser, a criminal now in court." Patrick Moore had 81 cases at this term upon the docket vs. John Green. Thus many bank cases make their appearance, and add greatly to law business in this county. Among others were the noted Owl Creek ones; Patrick Moore vs. James Smith, John Hawn, jr., Jonathan Miller et al.; the famous Luke Walpole case shows its head, and tl'e "Granville Alexandrian Society" brings suit vs. Enos, Farquhar et al. The first money made by process of law, for military purposes, was in the noted cases of C. Langworthy for use of George Downs vs. Alex. Enos and Samuel Kratzer. In which it was "ordered that in both these cases the money be paid to Dr. Timothy Burr, the present Paymaster of this Regiment," &c. The State case vs. Alex. McKee was disposed of by fining him $5 and costs; vs. Win. Henry by fine of $3 and costs; John Watt $3 and costs; George Lybarger $10 and costs. Assault and battery was coming to be regarded in a more serious light. ANOTHER TOWN ON PAPER. A new competitor for public favor springs into notice in September bearing the name of FLORIDA. It is a town laid out by Samuel Hardenbrok, Geo. Vennemon and Plum Sutliff, on the >< roads from Mansfield to Columbus, and from Mount Vernon to Upper Sandusky-on a handsome eminence surrounded with springs of elegant water and rich soil, convenient mill seats on the waters of Owl Creek and Whetstone. Of this as of another city it may truthfully be said-" Ilium fuit." "IO TRIUMPHE -A NEW INSTITUTION ESTABLISHED. Joseph Brown starts a distillery near Mount Vernon, and gives sixty-two and a half cents for every 56 lbs. of good clean rye delivered at the distillery, or at Capt. Douglas' mill; he also gives one gallon of whisky for every five pecks of good clean rye. Thus in October, 1817, did the second large manufactory of fire water go into operation. THE MARRIAGES REGISTERED. "On January 2d, 1817, by Rev. James Smith, Mr. John Dwyer to the amiable Miss Sally Martin, both of Mt. Vernon. "On January 7th, by the same, Mr. Reasin Yates to the accomplished Miss Nancy Boalse, daughter of Capt. N. C. Boalse, both of this town. "On Tuesday February 4th, by the same, Mr. Obadiah Tatman to Miss Peggy Severe. What joys they both receive and both bestow, Virgins may guess but wives, experienced, know.' "On same day, by Rev. James Scott, Mr. David Newell, of' Richland county, to Miss Juliet Cooper of Knox. "There seems no goose so gray, but soon or late She finds some honest gander for her mate." "On Saturday evening, 22d February, by Wm. Douglass, Esq., Mr. Elijah Webster to Miss Elizabeth, disconsolate widow of--- Mr.--- Ask, alias---alias---Simpkins. "Married, April 10th, by Wm. Douglass, Esq., Mr. Isaac Hollister to Miss Hannah Kattle. "A matchless pair- hers the Wild lustre of the rising morn, And his the radiance of the risen day." "Married, on May 15th, 1816, by Rev. James Smith, Mr. Alpheus Chapman to the amiable Miss Amy Ward. "On May 7th, 1S17, by Rev. James Scott, Mr. Edward Marques to Miss Elizabeth Newell. "On June 19th, by Rev. James Smith, Mr. Leonard Simon: to Miss Sally Boyles. "On July 17th, by the same, Mr. Isaac Yore, jr., to Miss Poll Martin. "On July 10th, by Rev. George Vennemon, Mr. Ensley D. Johnson to Miss Sarah Petton, near Lexington, Richland co. "Lore, friendship, honor, truth and pure delight, Harmonious mingle in the nuptial rite.' "On July 17th, by Rev. James Smith, Mr. Alxander McKee to Miss Tabitha Waddle. "The following good play is made on occasion of the marriage of James Strong to Miss Sally Strong: "It has been said in former times Too sacred to be wrong; The battle is not always won, Or given to the STRONG. Grant this assertion may be true, As on the sacred page; Who'll gain the battle, I will ask, Where two that's STRONG ENGAGE ?"