HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
CHAPTER XLI.
WALNUT TOWNSHIP.
258
Walnut township, because of its low, wet and swampy land when in a primative state, was settled much slower than any other of the town- ships of Fairfield county. William Murphy, who came from Virginia in 1800, was about the first white settler. He located lands in the northern portion of the township, near the site of Millersport. Murphy was a celebrated hunter. He killed one panther, sixty-three wolves, and large numbers of deer; wild turkeys, coons, foxes and smaller game. He also traded with the Indians, exchanging flour, meal and various articles for skins of wild animals. He packed his skins and furs to Virginia, where he sold them, realizing sufficient money in a few years to become quite wealthy. His descendants still reside near Millersport. Thomas and Isaac Cherry were also early settlers, coming to the township in 1810. Their neighbors at that date were William Murphy, William Pugh, Henry Eversole, William Bowman, Andrew Crager, William Hane and Samuel Crawford. Thomas Cherry was also noted as a successful hunter, and as wild game was still numerous at the time of his settlement in Walnut township, he was much of his time engaged in hunting and trapping. As late a period as 1810 the people subsisted largely on the flesh of the deer and wild turkey, which with their corn bread and sassafras and spice wood tea, made very palatable living. Prior to 1806, but a few emigrants had come to Walnut. Of this number were the Murphys, the Crawfords, the Hendrixes, Watsons and Lyles. Between the years 1806 and 1814 the following persons had settled in various parts of the township, nearly all of whom emigrated from Virginia and Maryland, viz.: James Holmes, Andrew Krager, William Harvey, Samuel Wiseman, Abraham Harshbarger, William Milligan, Thomas Cherry, Isaac Cherry, Eli Whittaker, Edward Berry, William Irwin, David Runk, John Miller, Thomas Ross, David Dillinger, George Heis, Nicholas Ketner, Samuel Mills, Jonas Reinhart, Daniel Hall, John Shipler, Adam Geiger, Samuel Trovinger, Solomon Barks, Edward Peal, John Decker, Jesse Pugh, Adam McNamee, and several others. There is no record of any election held prior to 1820. At the election held on the 3d day of April, 1820, at the house of David Lyle, the following officials were chosen: trustees, Jesse Pugh, David Lyle and Jacob Culp; supervisors, Edward Berry, Samuel Crawford, Abraham Baughman and Nathan Harris; clerk, David Lyle; lister, John Miller; constables, John Miller and Isaac Cherry; treasurer, John Goldthwait; fence viewers, Andrew Jervis, William Carey; overseers of the poor, by appointment, Thomas Watson and Thomas Cherry. The first grist mill in Walnut township was erected by George H. Houser. It was situated on Big Walnut Creek. This mill was built probably before the war of 1812 commenced. The second grist mill was built by John Good, a short time after. Solomon Barks built the third grist mill, probably a short time after the close of the war. It was situated on Little Walnut Creek All of these mills have long since disappeared, and have been superseded by more substantial structures. At an early day, two still-houses were erected on section 15, one by William Irvin and the other by Thomas Ross. Eli Holmes also built259
one on section 4, about the same time. These distilleries manufactured large quantities of whisky, which was transported by the settlers across the Allegheny Mountains and exchanged for goods. The business of distilling whisky was at that time considered respectable and even members of evangelical Christian churches often engaged in it. It has since fallen into disrepute, and the last distillery disappeared some fifty year ago. The first road in Walnut township was laid out about 1810. Prior to that time for several years it had been a "blazed road" or trace, through the almost unbroken wilderness. This road led from Franklinton to Zanesville. At an early date, a road leading from Newark to Lancaster was located, which was a great thoroughfare for travelers. That portion of the road between New Salem and Lancaster, was converted into a free turnpike in 1870. James Holmes probably erected the first, and William Murphy the second log cabin in the township. They were of unhewed logs, having the old-fashioned fire place, and the chimney being on the outside of the building. It is said that William Hauer built the first hewed log house in 1807, and Eli Holmes, the first brick in 1812. Thomas Warner also built one of the first log cabins in the town- ship. Between the years 1800 and 1807, several unhewed log houses were erected, by the Wisemans, Crawfords, Berrys and others. John Goldthwait started the first nursery in Walnut township about the year 1812. It was situated about two miles west of New Salem. Goldthwait was a Yankee, and politically a radical Federalist. The following anecdote is related of him. Soon after his orchard commenced bearing fruit, two lawyers from Lancaster, who were strong democrats, came out to his nursery to sample his fruits. He showed them his Golden Pippins, Rhode Island Greenings, Russets and his Federal apples. The lawyers said to him: "You have shown us your Federal apples now show us your Democratic ones." He said: "Come down this way." He then pointed out a scrubby tree, which had a few inferior apples on. "That," said he, "is the Democratic apple." The Ohio Central Railroad, the only one in Walnut, crosses the township from north to south. It was completed in 1880, For several years after the first settlement of Walnut township, there were no organization of school districts in the township. The pioneers built log cabin school houses, to accomodate neighborhoods. The teachers were hired by articles of agreement which were drawn up by the teacher, in which the terms were stated. This paper was circulated throughout the neighborhood, and the heads of families put down their names for so many scholars, at a certain rate per scholar. James Allen and Jesse Smith were among the first school teachers of Walnut township. They taught in different neighborhoods for many years. John Griffith and John Granthum were also early teachers. One of the first school houses erected in the township was situated near the site of Millersport, in the Murphy and Holmes settlement. It was built about 1815. The religious interests of the early settlers were not neglected. Soon260
alter the advent of the first pioneers, Rev. James Quinn, a noted and zealous minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, made his appearance in Walnut, as well as several other of the townships of Fairfield county. He frequently held meetings at the cabin of William Murphy. At a very early date in the history of this township, the Methodists erected a small log church on the farm of Job McNamee. Among the early members of this church were the Murphys, and others. Revs. Charles Waddle, Abner Goff and James Gilruth were also early Methodist ministers, who proclaimed the glad tidings of salvation to the pioneers here. The Baptists also entered the field of missionary work here at an early date. Elders John Hite and Eli Ashbrook were the first of the township. It is probable that the first church structure in Walnut township was built by the Baptists, under the auspices of Elder George Debolt about 1814. It was a rude log building, situated near the first Methodist church referred to. Of the early members of the Baptist Church were Thomas and Isaac Cherry, the Hites, Debolts, Ashbrooks and others. These rude log structures have long since disappeared and not a trace remains to mark the spot where they once stood. About 1827, and soon after the formation of the Methodist Protestant Church, ministers of the denomination came into the township and preached at various places. They were instrumental in causing many of the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church to withdraw their membership from that church and join the Protestants. Ministers of other evangelical denominations occasionally held meetings, but were not successful in organizing churches of their creed. There are three villages in Walnut township, viz.: New Salem, Millersport, and Hadley Junction; also, about one-third of the village of Pleasantville is in the township. New Salem was laid out by Abram Hashbarger about 1832. It is located in the southeast part of the township, and is a pleasant village of about three hundred inhabitants. The first house in the village was built by John Pride, and was occupied by Abram T. Sweazy for a store. This structure was on the corner where Linville's store now stands. John Pennell built the second house; and Benoni Hoagland, the third one. The first hotel was built on the Ortman corner, and John Spitler was the proprietor. This hotel enjoyed a very good patronage during the good old days of the stage coach, and hotel keeping in New Salem was a more profitable business in those early days than now. The first physicians in the village were Drs. Brock and Loomis. David Smith was the first blacksmith and Richard Dean the first wagon maker. The first post office was established about 1839, and David Sweazy was the first postmaster. This mail route was from Lancaster to Jacktown, in Licking county, and the mail was conveyed by the stage coach. The first school taught in the village was by Christopher Trovinger. He held his school in a small tailor shop, which stood on the site of the present hotel building. John Fix, now residing in New Salem, attended this school.261
The Methodist Episcopal church of New Salem was erected in the year 1838. It is a substantial frame edifice, and cost about thirty-five hundred dollars. Prior to 1838, and about the year 1820, the society now known as the New Salem Church was organized, and meetings were held in the houses of Thomas Watson and others of the early members. About 1822 a log church was built, in which the society worshiped until the completion of the present frame edifice. John Wiseman, James Miller, James Allen, Thomas Watson, Tillman Lewis, George Stinchcomb, Samuel Wiseman, Elizabeth Hill, and Jacob Hooper and wife, were of the early members. Rev. James Quinn, Abner Gough, Charles Thorn and Charles Waddle, noted pioneer Methodist ministers, were among the first who preached to this class. About 1840, during the pasturate of Rev. Martin Kellogg a remarkable revival of religion occurred and about one hundred were added to the membership of this church. In the winter of 1850 another great revival was had, and near one hundred conversions reported. Rev. Levi Cunningham was pastor during this revival. The present membership is 120 and Rev. F. S. Thurston is pastor at the present time. A Sunday- school in connection with the church was organized about 1830. Samuel Wiseman is present superintendent of the school, which is in a very flourishing condition. There is a cemetery also in connection with the church laid out about 1822, which is the last resting place of hundreds of the early and later residents of Walnut and Thorn townships. A Mrs. Smith was the first buried in this cemetery; date of interment not known. The cemetery is very neatly kept, and the grounds beautifully decorated with evergreen, shrubs and flowers. The Reformed Church of New Salem, known as Grace Reformed Church, was organized by Rev. C. W. Hoyman, on the 18th day of October, 1863, at the Woollard school house, two miles south of New Salem. The society worshiped in this school house until the 3d day of January, 1867, when the present frame edifice in New Salem was dedicated. The first members of this organization were John and Catharine Long, Rebecca Peters, E. Baker, Jesse Cromer, O. P. Avey and wife. John Long was the first elder, and O. P, Avey, the first deacon. Rev. C. W. Hoyman, the first pastor, continued in that relation until 1878, when he was succeeded by Rev. F. C. Yast, the present incumbent. A Sunday-school was organized in 1866. John C. Alien is superintendent at this time. The present membership of the church is about forty-five. The Methodist Protestant Church of New Salem was instituted in 1832, by Rev. William B. Evans. About the time of its organization, a log church building was erected on the site of the present church. The society held their meetings in this church until 1856, when the present church edifice was built at a cost of about sixteen hundred dollars. Among the first members of this society were James Miller and wife, William Hill and wife, William Shaw and wife, Jonathan Hill and wife. Revs. Sanford, Clark and Flowers were of the first pastors. About 1833, a great revival was had, which added materially to the membership of the church. There are about fifty members at present who belong to this charge. A cemetery in connection with the church was laid out about 1834. Mrs. Shoup was the first person interred in the cemetery.262
The village of New Salem at the present time contains one dry goods store, one drug store, one grocery, one harness shop, one carriage manufactury, one millinery shop, one shoe shop, one blacksmith shop, two butcher shops, two physicians, one undertaking establishment, one Masonic hall, and one brick school house, the school being under the superintendence of Prof. William Henry. Salem Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was instituted in 1842. The charter members were M. D. Brock, S. Baker, W. C. Galleher, Caleb Coplen, Joseph Linville, J. Baker and J. H. Baker. The present membership is about one hundred. Millersport is situated in the northern part of the township on the Ohio canal, and near the Licking Reservoir. It is also on the line of the Ohio Central Railroad. It has a population of about two hundred souls, and for several years after the completion of the canal was a place of considerable business. The town was laid out by Mathias Miller about 1825. Soon after the completion of the canal three grain warehouses were erected by the Millers and others, and large amounts of wheat, corn, oats, pork and other commodities were purchased by the owners of the warehouses and shipped to eastern markets. These old warehouses are still standing, but in a somewhat dilapidated condition. Old residents of the neighborhood remember the advent of the Red Rover, the first boat that passed through Millersport after the completion of the "big ditch." The banks of the canal were lined with hundreds of people from the surrounding neighborhoods, and much joy and satisfaction were manifested at the success of the enterprise. A Mr. McGrew was proprietor of the first hotel in Millersport. A widow lady named Henderson also kept a hotel several years while the canal was being constructed. Drs. Strayer and Holmes were the first physicians who located in the village. While the canal was being constructed, an epidemic of a malarial type broke out among the laborers and large numbers were prostrated and many died. The physicians of Millersport and contiguous towns were kept busy in caring for the numerous patients under their care. Edward Metcalf was the first blacksmith. About 1825 another village named Monticello was started and for some ten or twelve years much business was transacted within its limits. It was situated about one- half mile south-west of Millersport, near the canal. Now hardly a vestige of it remains to mark its former location. The site of the once flourishing village is occupied by fields of grain. The town at this time has two dry goods stores, three groceries, one restaurant, one harness shop, two blacksmith shops, two shoe shops, one saw mill, one hotel, one tile manufactory, situated near the village, the three grain ware- houses heretofore referred to, one brick school house, and one church. The Millersport Methodist Episcopal Church was organized, and the present frame church edifice erected in 1839- Among the first members were George Bishop, James Nelson and Mrs. Wilson. The church was organized by Rev. Martin Kellogg. Among the early pastors of this society were Revs. Gilruth, James Hooper, Daniel Carper and Richard Pitcher. The present membership of this church is about fifty persons in full connection.263
One and three-fourth miles north of Millersport is Lakeside, a famous resort for fishing and pleasure parties. It is situated on the reservoir and having but two hotels, the principal buildings in the place, has not a sufficient population to be considered a village. Hadley Junction was laid out in 1881 by George W. Bush. It is at the junction of the Toledo and Columbus Division of the Ohio Central Railroad. It was first called Bush City in honor of the proprietor, but subsequently changed to Hadley Junction by the officials of the railroad. Frank Stokes erected the first dwelling house. J. C. Mechlin and Co. were the first merchants, and L. H. Taylor kept the first hotel. These gentlemen still continue in their respective business. James Buchanan was the first shoemaker. The first postoffice was established in 1881 and J. C. Mechlin appointed postmaster, still holding the office. There are but fourteen dwelling houses in the village at this date (June 1881), but several more will soon be built. The village still contains less than one hundred inhabitants, but bids fair to exceed that number in a few years. A neat brick school house has been erected for the accommodation of the scholars of the village.264