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THE SUBJECT OF THE REMOVAL OF THE COUNTY-SEAT IS AGITATED, AND THE CITIZENS OF NEW MARKET MAKE A DESPERATE EFFORT TO RETAIN IN THEIR VILLAGE THE SEAT OF JUSTICE-JOHN CARLISLE'S MERCANTILE VENTURE ON CLEAR CREEK-COMMISSIONERS' RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS, INCLUDING THE LAYING OUT AND ESTABLISHING OF NEW ROADSREWARDS OFFERED FOR WOLF AND PANTHER SCALPS JOHN SMITH STARTS A STORE IN NEW MARKET, AND AFTERWARDS REMOVES TO HILLSBORO - JAMES FITZPATRICK SETTLES NEAR HILLSBORO - PETER CARTWRIGHT AND JAMES QUINN, EARLY METHODIST MINISTERS, AND THEIR LABORS-MATTHEW CREED AND HIS MILLING ENTERPRISE-A TURKEY PEN.

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An agitation, which in its incipient stage was considered unworthy attention by the knowing ones, begun, during this year, to assume an alarming character to the good people of New Market and neighborhood, including all the southern portion of the county. This was no more nor less than the removal of the county seat to a more central point. Faint whispers of this had occasionally been heard almost from the first location of it at that place, but Jo. Kerr, who owned a large part of the lands around the town, or had sold them on the assurance that the place was central and would remain permanently the seat of justice, in spite of all the interests in other less favored quarters, laughed at them. He was a man of learning and ability. Interest, therefore, prompted him to use the influence they enabled him to command to browbeat all advocates for a change, and keep the result, which he could not but regard inevitable, as long away as possible.

These whisperings soon, however, became alarming to the New Market people, many of whom had purchased town lots and made or commenced improvements with reference to the permanency of the county seat. The people north and east of the town numbered more than two to one at this date, and, without an exception, they were in favor of locating the county seat elsewhere. New Market, during the eight years of its existence as a town, had not made for itself a very enviable reputation. The surrounding population were, with many worthy exceptions, rather on the rowdy order, and a considerable number of the citizens of the town were, as is always the case in new places, worse if possible than those in the vicinity. But these causes were not much mooted,

and of course not at all relied on by those who urged the change. The agitation of the subject soon brought to light the fact that the town of New Market was not in the center of the county by some miles.

In all new counties, the location of the county seats is a matter, generally, of deep personal interest as well as wide spread and intense excitement. This grew rapidly, and soon became the subject of much discussion. The Clear Creek settlement furnished the warmest and most determined advocates for the change. The men of this settlement were, many of them, leading and influential citizens, of much energy of character and determination of purpose.

Kerr was looked to, by the friends of New Market, as the leading advocate and defender of their local rights, and while he most solemnly assured them that there was no danger, he commanded, in abundant caution, that the citizens of the place should raise money and erect, at their own expense, the public buildings for the county. This done, he assured them, they would hear no more about moving the seat of justice.

In pursuance of this counsel, the leading men of New Market and vicinity set their heads together to raise the money. They were not aware, it seems, that all the county, with the exception of their own neighborhood and town, were opposed to their plans. After much consultation, they concluded the better mode would be to give a grand barbecue, and invite the entire population of the county, and as there had never yet been a fourth of July celebration in Highland, they fixed upon that memorable day for the feast, hoping that while their guests were enjoying the hospitality of the town, and excited with free whisky and the glorious re

collections revived by the day, that they were freemen, they would give up the mere trifle of the removal of the county seat three or four miles nearer the centre of the county.

The day approached, and the preparations for the festivities were great. Word had been sent to every neighborhood, if not to every man in the county, and expection was on tip toe. The "barbecue" was got up in regular Kentucky style. Roast pig, sheep, turkey and even an ox, it is said, together with all the vegetables, bacon, &c., which could be found for miles around. It was emphatically a great day in New Market. The town was crowded to overflowing. Indeed the entire population of the county seemed to be present. No public gathering of a general character had ever before taken place of sufficient importance to attract the masses, and therefore this free dinner on our country's great natal day, could not be resisted by the good people of Highland.

was suggested, and accepted by acclamation. He accordingly was conducted to the chair. The Declaration of Independence was then read, and immediately followed by an oration of considerable length, delivered by one Jesse F. Roysden, a rather eccentric schoolmaster, then recently settled in the neighborhood. At the close of these services, it was announced that dinner was ready, and the people being pretty hungry, needed no urging. It was rather a promiscuous affair, and looked, to a modest hungry man, very much like a grab game. However, they managed to get pretty well satisfied, and then came the drinking of toasts. We regret exceedingly our inability to furnish a sample of the uttered patriotism of that early day. These toasts were drank in strong toddy and juleps, brewed in large new cedar tubs, which flowed like water. Every thing went on swimmingly now. The fifer and drummer made incessant noise at one end of the table, and the fiddler at the Extensive preparations were made in other kept up a laudable but most active the way of tables, which to make it en- rivalry. Soon the interest of outsiders tirely convenient, and give the most en- began to flag. Some of them went out larged idea of complete freedom, were and commenced shooting at a mark, spread in the street in front of G. W. while others ran foot races, wrestled, Barrere's tavern. Around this the &c. At length, rather an ugly knock crowd very naturally gathered, as the down took place, which greatly diminavowed object of the meeting was to ished the number at the table, and, with eat, and they watched with great anx- those who remained, things began to iety the progress of the cooking depart- grow confused in nearly exact proporment. Early in the day the New Market tion as the tin cups of julep circulated. company of militia paraded the streets, The fighting became more general, and marching up and down and performing the noise and disturbance great. various military evolutions, and firing salutes, to the music of the fife and drum, and following an old tattered flag that had once belonged to a company in Wayne's army, and was with him at the "Fallen Timbers." The crowd, however, soon became so dense that the military could not maneuver to advantage,and they ceased to be regarded with interest in proportion as the masses grew hungry and drunk.

A stand, which had been erected of fence rails, on the side of the street near the long table, was occupied about 11 o'clock by several dignitaries. Around the military was drawn, the drum and fife, to which by this time had been added three fiddlers, in front, and the old flag planted firmly on one corner of the stand. The crowd of course collected around. The militia fired a general salute, the music struck up, and when it ceased the most excited part of the audience huzzaed lustily. It was then announced that the meeting would organize by electing a President. The name of Morgan Van Meter

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sober portion of those at the table deemed it prudent to adjourn, which was done. It was now well on to night, and all who were not too drunk or too badly whipped, started for home, and except the noise made by those who were still thirsty, or not sufficiently whipped, and the frequent half indistinct huzzas from the large number of fense corner patriots, things seemed, by sundown, to be setting down again into something like ordinary New Market life. So absorbed were the managers by the great affair, and so delightful was the entertainment, that it was not until the next morning that it occured to them that, after all, they had entirely forgotten the chief, indeed the sole object of the entertainment, to wit: a general subscription to erect public buildings in New Market. Things in reference to the seat of justice, therefore, remained pretty much as they were, and no further effort was made to forestall the action of the opposition by erecting public buildings in New Market, on private account.

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In the spring of 1806, John Carlisle, of Chillicothe. came up to Clear creek and made arrangements to start a store in that settlement. He selected "Billy Hill's" as the best point, and had a hewed log house built for a store house. William Kelso and Samuel Swearingen kept the store for Carlisle.

The first session of the Commissioners of the county for 1806, commenced on the 10th day of February. Under the statute providing for the election of Commissioners, the new Board elected at the October election, 1805, were required to settle among themselves who was to serve one year, who two years, and who three years. At this session it was agreed, as appears from the record, that Fredrick Braucher should serve as Commissioner until election, 1806, Jonathan Boyd until 1807, and Nathaniel Pope until 1808.

But little business was transacted at this session, which continued only one day, except in relation to the roads of the county. These were things of absolute necessity as the population of the county increased. New settlements were forming, at intervals, among the woods of the entire territory, with the exception of the wet lands on the west of New Market, and the desire to pass from remote settlements to mills and the county seat, manifested itself in numerous petitions for roads.

The Commissioners at this session "ordered that Peter Moor, Samuel Reed and John Countryman proceed to view a road beginning at the crossing of John Shields' Run, thence running a south-westerly course the nearest and best way to intersect a road laid out in Adams county, and cut from Limestone to Highland county line, to intersect said road running through George's Creek and Cherry Fork settlement to Highland county line, and that the said viewers proceed to view said road, and Walter Craig survey the same, agreeable to the request of petitioners."

The entire county at this date was densely covered with timber, and the undergrowth was, as a general thing, thick and brushy. It was therefore no small job to cut ten or twenty miles of road and make it favorable for wagons, after it had been located by the viewers and surveyed by order of the Commissioners.

Cutting these neighborhood roads was therefore one of the many self-imposed duties which was cheerfully discharged by the industrious and persevering first settlers of this county. The work proceeded slowly, as a matter of course, and roads were only made where they were

indispensable. These roads, frequently following an old trace, were merely cut wide enough for the passage of wagons and sleds, the timber cut off being rolled to the sides, leaving a lane, as it were, through the woods, for the logs and brush formed a pretty good fence on both sides of the track, of from three to five feet high, thus making the road a complete enclosure, with only an opening at each end.

These roads were entirely destitute of bridges, and from the innumerable stumps, a foot or more above the ground, they were rough in the extreme, and barely passable for the very few wagons that were taken over them. Provision was made, it is true, by law, for working the roads of the county, and it was made the duty of the Supervisors to keep them in passable order, but the settlers had too many other things to do, of more pressing necessity, and they could not spare the time to work roads after they had been opened up, unless it was unavoidable. On many of these roads, years even after they had been located and cut out wide enough for a wagon, not the slightest appearance of the impression of a wagon wheel could be discerned. Neither could the foot marks of a shod horse be seen on the entire track. Horses, like their owners, went barefoot in those days. On the more prominent of the roads, might be detected, occasionally, once in three or four months perhaps the slightest marks of a narrow wheeled wagon. When wagons did not happen to pass over these unfrequented roads, through the sparsely populated parts of the county, they were almost as much of a curiosity to the white headed children of the one or two log cabins along the route, as is a train of railway cars at this day. They could hear the lumbering noise of the vehicle as it slowly wound along, striking stumps, roots and logs, sometimes almost upsetting, and righting again with a crash, which echoed through the woods and along down the channel of the creek like thunder. These sounds, mingled with the loud voice of the driver and the frequent crack of his whip, heralded the approach, it might be for a mile or more of a clear evening, and all the household were out at the fence, the smaller ones on top of it, and the dogs on the outside next the road, whilst the old folks contented themselves by standing in the door, to witness the passage of the wagon along their road.

The Commissioners met again on the 26th of the same month, "present, Nathaniel Pope, Jonathan Boyd and

Frederick Braucher, and proceeded to business. Ordered, that the Trustees of Fairfield township receive an order to grant that order to the Supervisor of said township, to open and keep in repair a road leading from Morgan Vanmeter's towards the Falls of Paint creek, by order of the Commissioners. Ordered, that Abraham J. Williams receive an order on the county Treasury for twelve dollars, for attending as Prosecuting Attorney at February Term, 1806." The next meeting was held March Sth, of this year, at which accounts of the Associate Judges, Jurors fees, &c., were audited. The next session of this year was held on 20th of April, at which it was ordered that Joseph Swearingen received an order on the county Treasury for one dollar for carrying the returns of the October election to New Market. The Commissioners also ordered themselves pay for their services, at the rate of one dollar and fifty cents per day, and the Secretary extra pay of two days. Orders were also issued to Thomas Mays, James Boyd and Peter Moore, for carrying chain, at the rate of seventy-five cents per day, "in surveying a road through Brushcreek township."

twenty-two dollars for boarding the Surveyors. Ordered. that Jesse Baldwin receive an order on the Treasury for three dollars, for carrying the re turns of Fairfield township election to Chillicothe. Ordered, that John Davidson, Esq., receive an order on the Treasury for three dollars, for carrying the returns of New Market election to Chillicothe." Commissioners adjourned.

It does not appear what election these returns were of, but it is presumable they were of the preceding October election.

June 9th 1806. Commissioners met pursuant to adjournment. Ordered,that Nathanel Pope receive an order on the Treasury for twelve dollars and twentyfive cents, for collecting the county tax in Fairfield township in 1805. Bond received of John Richards and securities, as Treasurer of Highland county, according to law, for the year 1806. Ordered, that George Richards receive an order on the Treasury for ten dollars and fifty cents, for going to Chillicothe twice for stationery. Ordered, that John Richards receive an order on the Treasury for twenty-four dollars and twenty cents, for serving as Treasurer one year past. Ordered, that Peter Light, James Denny and Nathaniel Beasly, receive each an order on the Treasury for six dollars for fixing the permanent of seat justice for Highland county.

It appears from the following orders, made at a session of the Commissioners held on the 17th of May, 1806, that prior to that date the Commissioners appointed by the Legislature to survey the county and ascertain its centre, had "Ordered, by the Commissioners of performed their services. "Ordered, Highland county, that there shall be that James Denny, Esq., receive an or- given for every wolf or panther scalp, der on the Treasury for eighty-eight above six months old, two dollars and dollars and fifty cents, for surveying fifty cents, and under six months, one and ascertaining the lines of Highland dollar and fifty cents, to be paid out of county with the centre, and other ex- the county Treasury on order of the penses." A similar order for a like sum Commissioners. Jonathan Boyd, Sec. was made for Nathaniel Beasly. Peter Ordered, that Edward Curtis receive an Light also received an order for eightynine dollars for similar service performed at the same time. In the absence of other record testimony, we conclude that the above named men were the State Commissioners for the purpose.

"Ordered, that Nathaniel Beasly receive an order on the Treasury for thirty dollars for two hands, twenty days each, in chaining the county lines. Ordered, that John Campton receive an order for seventeen dollars for serving in marking the county lines. Ordered, that Christian Bloom receive an order on the Treasury for six dollars for packing for the Surveyors. Ordered, that George W. Barrere receive an or der for five dollars and seventy-five cents for provisions furnished the Surveryors. Ordered, that Oliver Ross receive an order on the Treasury for

order for two dollars and fifty cents, for killing an old wolf. Ordered, that Joseph Swearingen receive an order for eleven dollars, for taking in and assessing the land and property of Liberty tp. Ordered, that Evan Evans receive an order on the Treasury for sixteen dollars and fifty cents, for taking and assessing the land and property of Fairfield township. Ordered, that Elijah Kirkpatrick receive an order on the Treasury for eight dollars, for taking in and assessing the land and property in New Market township. Ordered, that Benjamin Groves receive an order on the Treasury for four dollars and seventy-five cents, for taking in and assessing the land and property in Brushcreek township. Ordered by the Commissioners of Highland county, that the Assessors shall be collectors of

New Market up to this date had not become much of a business place, at least in the way of trade. Fritz Miller was compelled to wind up his concern this fall on account of the failure on the part of Barngruber to keep up the supplies most in demand.

the State and county levies, each one ceive an order on the Treasury for four in his own district. Evan Evans, for dollars for candles and stationery for the township of Fairfield; Joseph Swear- the Court of Highland county to this ingen, for the township of Liberty; date. Ordered that George W. Barrero Elijah Kirkpatrick, for the township of receive an order on the Treasury for New Market; and Benjamin Groves, for eleven dollars for his house during six the township of Brushcreek. By order terms of the Court of Highland counof the Commissioners, Jonathan Boyd, ty." In addition to this business orSec., Ordered, that John Hoop receive ders were issued to James Collins, an order for one dollar and a half for Peter Hoop and Samuel Reese for two appraising houses and lots one and one dollars and fifty cents each for killing half days in the town of New Market. each an old wolf. Commissioners adOrdered, that John Richards receive an journed to the 13th of December next. order on the Treasury for one dollar for At this meeting the only order that appraising houses in Liberty Town- was made was to James Ralaugh for ship." Appaising of houses in Liberty two dollars and fifty cents for killing Township appears to have been a light an old panther. Board adjourned to task fifty-two years ago. Indeed it is the 5th of January, 1807. not easy to conceive buildings at that day in this county, intrinsically worth the cost of appraising, except the few little mills, for from the best information we can gather, there were few, if any houses, having pretensions above the log cabin-an occasional one having a lap shingle roof. During this session To Miller succeeded a Mr. Logan, of the Commissioners, Evan Evans de- who opened up his stock of goods in clined serving as collector for Fairfield the finishing shop of Michael Stroup. township, and William Pope was ap- This trading establishment was also pointed in his stead, and gave bond to soon closed out and discontinued. Afthe satisfaction of the Board. Board ter Logan left, John Smith came from adjourned till the 26th of July next. Maysville with a respectable lot of "Met pursuant to adjournment. Order- goods. This was late in the winter of ed, the Trustees af Brushcreek town- 1806-'07. Smith opened his store east ship receive their orders to proceed to of Fritz Miller's old stand, on the opwork the Brushcreek township road. posite shore of a large pond in the Ordered, that Jonathan Boyd receive street, which lay east of where G. W. an order on the Treasury for twenty- Barrere then resided, It spread clear two dollars and sixty-six cents, for mak- across Main street from side to side. ing out eight duplicates of State and This pond was named Lake Robinson county levies of Highland county, and by the New Marketers. For the acfor stationery two dollars and sixty-six commodation of foot passengers there .cents. Board of Commissioners ad- was a connection of logs laid above the journed to the 17th of October next." water from one side to the other. A At the Ocober meeting, the Commis- man by the name of Robinson, laboring sioners did nothing of interest but issue under the influence of some of Fritz's orders for the per diem of the Associ- whisky, and being very top heavy, at ate Judges, and pay nine dollars for tempted to cross this pond with his killing four wolves, three old ones and a load by means of the foot logs, when young one. "Ordered, that the Com- he unfortunately slipped, though using, missioners lay before the Associate Judges the books of their respective proceedings. Board adjourned to the 17th inst.'

as he fancied, the utmost care, and tumbled headlong into the water, and from this circumstance and time it was known as Lake Robinson until in course of time it was drained and filled

laid out, when he removed there and established himself in the same trade.

At the October election, 1806, the term of Frederick Braucher, as Com- up. missioner, expired, and George W. Bar-Smith carried on a successful busirere was elected in his stead, and was ness in New Market as a merchant for present at the next adjourned meeting a year or two until Hillsborough was of the Board on the 17th of October. At this session it was "ordered, that Anthony Franklin receive an order on the Treasury for twelve dollars for ballot books for the election districts, and carrying them to the election districts. Ordered, that Anthony Franklin re

During the year 1806 the first settlement was commenced in the present township of Washington by William Murphin, from one of the New England States. He moved in and built a

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