KNOX COUNTY OHIO - Norton's History of Knox County [Chapter XXV]

************************************************
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 XXV.

SYCHAMORE--AND THE TWO LAST SYCHAMORS.

"SEPTEMBER 4th, 1815, onpetition, Morgan township 
is divided and the east part of it is placed into a township 
called Sychamore." Such is the brief entry upon the journal 
showing a name now unknown.
On the 15th of September, 1815, an election was held at 
the school house, in the township of Sychamore, for the 
purpose of electing three Trustees and a Towushlip Clerk. 
Jacob Simons, William Claypool and Jonathan Hunt, sr., 
were the Judges, and .Tohn H. Simons and Alpheus 
Chapman, Clerks. William Bair, Jonathan Hunt, Jr., and 
Lemuel Chapman were elected Trustees and John Mott, jr., 
Clerk.
At the election on the 10th of October 17 votes were 
cast, and among the number we find Riverius Newell, Otis 
Warren, Samuel Rowley, Gideon Mott, Riverius Newell, 
Jr., Aaron Hill, Abner Hill, Alpheus Chapman and James 
Miller.
Of these parties but two now live, viz: Aaron Hill and 
Jonathan Hunt; both over . fourscore years on earth.
The name of Sychamore, as a Township, is known to 
scarcely a man in the county at this time. When, or how it 
came to be lost the records give no information, except in 
the little extract at the head of

this page; there is no mention of it on official records.
Of Jas. Miller"s family-J. W., the old merchant in Mt. 
Vernon, who married Mary Bryant; Madison, of Miller, who 
married Mary Hams; Henry H., John F., Dr. Volney and 
Dana, were the boys. Mrs. Rosannah Sanford, Mrs. Harriet 
Knox. Mrs. Sally Sanderson and Mrs. Lucinda Ellis are 
living. and Mary- is dead. The Chapmans, Motts. Warren, 
Bair, Siinons, Claypool and Newell, have not one of their 
blood within the county limits. In 1812 Riverius Newell and 
Aaron Hill were blacksmiths in Mt. Vernon.
Jonathan Hunt, born in Somerset co., N. .1., Oct. 23d, 
1780, moved from Western Virginia to this county in 1806, 
and settled where lie now lives. He learned the trade of 
wagon making of his father, and also worked as a. gun-
smith, and at this day works at the latter branch. After he 
located he did much work for the Indians, until the war 
broke out. In August, 1812, he started with the troops, 
under Maj. Kratzer, for the frontier, and Upon reaching 
Mansfield was set to repairing guns with Andy Blair, from 
Belmont co., at $1 each per day and regular soldier"s pay. 
They put up a little shop at. Ben in"s mill, on the Rocky Fork 
of Mohican, and he recollects that Rufner called to see him 
the morning of the day that he was killed by the Indians. He 
was working there when Copus' family was attacked and 
Copus killed. After three weeks work he rejoined the 
company, and continued with them until discharged. When 
he first settled in this county he went to Bowling Green,

below Newark, and bought grain and got it chopped 
there; and lie afterwards went to Kerr"s mill with his grist. 
When he moved here he had but one child, and his wife has 
had 11 children-four of whom are living in I~leasant 
township, and one in Illinois. In 1822-3 Jonathan lived in 
Mount Vernon and worked at wagon and plow making, 
&c. His wife, Honor Wells, born in Washington co., Pa., 
and of the old Wells awl Dodridge fani -ilies so widely 
known, is yet living in her 79th year. Aaron Hill was born 
near Boston, Mass., emigrated to this county in 1811, and 
shared in the privations and toils of life in a new country. 
During his long residence he has worked as a carpenter and 
joiner, a blacksmith, and a farmer, and has. with true 
Yankee instinct, lent a hand at whatever work the wants of 
the country required. At the advanced age of 81 years he 
resides in Mt. Vernon, spending the evening of a well spent 
life in the society of friends. Of his family of five, Norman 
N. is the sole survivor. These twain-the last of the 
Sychamores-may their days be many in the land they sought 
out more than a half century ago.