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CHAPTER XXIV.
CENTER TOWNSHIP-OLD BURLINGAME TOWNSHIP-THE FIRST ELECTIONS AND
OFFICERS-FIRST ENTRIES. OF LAND-THE PIONEERS-BEAR HUNTERS-HISTORICAL
SCRAPS-VILLAGE OF JONESBOROUGH-MERCHANDISING-INCIDENT OF THE
FEATHERS-CINCINNATI-BRIDGEPORT-TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS-PREACHERS AND CHURCHES.
THIS township was not created until long after the organization of Greene
County. On the 6th of April, 1821, at the first meeting of the County Board,
the township of Burlingame was created with the following limits: "
Beginning at the northeast corner of Township 8 north, Range 3 west; thence
south with the east line of Greene County, to the southeast corner thereof;
thence west with the south line of said county to the southwest corner of
Section 35, Township 6 north, Range 4 west; thence north with the section
line dividing 34 and 35 to the northwest corner of Section 2, Township 8
north, Range 4 west; thence east with the township line dividing 8 and 9 to
the place of beginning."It will thus be seen that the township of Burlingame
comprised the present townships of Beech Creek, Center and Jackson.
ELECTIONS AND OFFICERS.
The election of two Justices of the Peace was ordered held at the house of
Abel Burlingame, who was appointed Inspector. Mark Dugger and Leonard
Nicholson were appointed Overseers of the Poor, and John Storm, Garret
Gibson and Adam Morrow, Fence Viewers; Mark Dugger, Constable. Abel
Burlingame was one of the Justices of the Peace elected at the first
election, and John Gardner the other. The following year he was Township
Lister. David Storms was Constable in 1822, as was Hugh Dobson also. Robert
Smith succeeded Burlingame as Inspector. John Storms and Julius Dugger
became Overseers of the Poor, and Isaac Lindsey, Leonard Nicholson and
Wesley Smith Fence Viewers; The township elections for several years
continued to be held at the cabin of Abel Burlingame. In the month of May,
1829, the township of Burlingame was divided into two equal townships—Beech
Creek and Jackson—the southern half of the present township of Center being
a part of Jackson, and the northern half a part of Beech Creek. Hugh Dobson
was made Road Superintendent in Beech Creek, as was John Burch also. Samuel
Hite became Inspector of Elections; John Gardner and Georges Burch,
Overseers of the Poor; William Edwards and Robert Gaston, Fence Viewers; and
elections were ordered held at the house of Robert Gaston. Elections later
were held first at the house of Isaac Storms, in old Jackson Township, and
then at the house of Thomas Storms. In November, 1841, the township of
Center was created with its present territory, no change having occurred
from that time to this. It received its name from the circumstance of its
being between Beech Creek and Jackson, out of which two it was created.
FIRST PURCHASE OF LAND.
The first land entries in Center Township were made as follows : John
Storms, on Section 36 (in the southeastern part), in October, 1816; Isaac
Storms, on the same section, in December, 1816; William Carter, on Section
25, in December, 181'7; Abel Burlingame, on Section 35, in August, 1818;
Daniel Rollins, on Section 1 (in the northeast part), in 1820; John Gardner,
on the same section, in 1820; Garret Gibson, on SeCtion 10, in 1822; and
Joseph Burch, on Section 9, in 1826. These were the only early entries—or
entries prior to 18216—in Township 7,. north, Range 3 west.
THE PIONEERS.
Isaac, John and Joseph Storms, William Carter, Abel Burlingame and Stephen
Riddle came to what is now Center Township in the year 1818, but who came
first and built the first log cabin cannot be stated with certainty. There
is evidence that the Storms settled in the township in 1817, and if this be
true they were doubtless the first permanent settlers. There was scarcely
any large portion of country where, previous to the first permanent
settlement, families of professional hunters had not lived in hastily
prepared log, or even bark, cabins—often no better than wigwams—and had
lived in their wild, precarious, though enchanting way. Cabins of this
character were found on Beech Creek and Indian Creek at the time of the
first settlement of Center. Among the others who came to reside in the
township quite early were Jesse Rain-bolt, Thomas Oliphant, George Burch,
William Brummet, Edmund Bingham, Frederick Bingham, William Cole, William
Stone, Enoch Stone, Joseph Shelton, Enoch Shelton, Harden Warren, Beverly
Bap, Henry Fulk, Isom Johnson, James Burch, Joseph Burch,' Thompson Brenham,
Robert Hogwood, William Briscoe, William S. Bays, John Gallon, Peter
Luntsford, Abraham Young, Abner McHergue, Lawson Oliphant, Ephraim Jackson,
Ralph Martindale, David Bullock, James Bullock, John Fodrell, John Harthash
and A. Harthash.
BEAR HUNTERS.
As in all other portions of the country at that time, wild animals were very
abundant and often very dangerous. Wolves were numerous, and when pressed
with hunger in the dead of winter, when sources of food supplies had become
very,scarce, would often attack domestic animals, such as calves, hogs, etc.
Those who kept sheep were obliged to place them at night in high pens that
could not be climbed by the ravenous creatures, and guard them b day when
they were in the woods feeding on the boughs and buds. It is said that one
of the Storms failed to get up all of his cattle one night when snow was on
the ground but before the frost had penetrated deep into the earth, and when
he went the next morning to find it he discovered that it had been mired
down in a small "lick" where it had gone to drink and,had furnished a
midnight repast for the wolves. The Hatfields killed many deer in the
township, and a few bears. One day Emanuel Hatfield was hunting with his
dogs. in the township, when, in passing on the bluffs near Indian Creek, he
saw below him a bear which had not yet perceived him., He advanced down
toward it as fast as he could go, and soon his dogs were in full pursuit and
close upon it. After running about half a mile, it took to a tree and was
shot there when Mr. Hatfield arrived. Old Abel Burlingame was. a prominent
man in early years. He was Justice
of the Peace, and elections were held at his house and he was rega0ed as the
leader in that part of the county. He was not much of a hunter, but had an.
adventure with a panther which is handed down in tradition. He had gone to a
neighbor's on some errand and darkness had set in before he started to
return; but he was not afraid, and proceeded on through the woods, following
the obscure path, then the only road. Suddenly, out at one side, at a
considerable distance, he heard a panther scream, which scared him
immeasurably and urged him into a run to escape the beast if possible. He
had no gun and no doubt made good time along the obscure path. Again he
heard its cry nearer than before, and after a little time again still
nearer. A little later, as he ran 'panting along, he heard the beast
bounding over the leaves at his side and could now and then see its eyes
shining like yellow dia. moods in the dark. He had gathered up a stout
stick, which he now held ready for a stroke should the panther approach him,
but the animal, after passing to leeward, left him and continued on out
through the woods uttering its peculiar cries until lost in the distance. No
doubt the settler was greatly relieved when he reached the cabin.
SCRAPS OF HISTORY
.
The first murder in Greene County occurred in Center Township, at the house
of Stephen Riddle. A full account of this will be found in the history of
the courts. The first marriage was Simon Leakey to Mary Burcham, by Abel
Burlingame, Justice of the Peace.. Other early marriages were Abner McHergue
to Mary Riddle; Willian3 Doolen to Eliza Bingham; John 1.71and to Polly
Bays, and William Stone to Matilda Chaney. Old Frederick Bingham was one or
the earliest millers at Rock Bluff. Dr. Targleton built and conducted an
early horse mill on the old Bloomington road. Old man Oliphant also built
and conducted a hone mill on the Nellinger farm. Mr. Gannon operated the
same kind of a mill in the township at an early day. Charles Shelton started
the first distillery. He owned a small copper still, and obtained his meal
at the horse mills and, it is said, made a superior article of corn whisky
and fine peach brandy. He found a ready and anxious market for all his
liquor.
JONESBOROUGH.
It is said that McGill & McGill were the first men to open a store at,
Jonesboro, but Ephraim Jackson and Charles D. Rader conducted stores in this
portion of the county, beginning a few years before. The McGills began the
business about the year 1839. Late in the same year, William Dorch opened a
grocery there, wet and dry. About this time, John Gardner was fined before a
Justice of the Peace for retailing liquor without a license. This was not at
Jonesborough, however. In 1840, McGill & Dugger were associated together in
business in the town, as was also McGill & Davis. A few families had located
there, and a blacksmith, carpenter, etc., had appeared. In about 1845-46,
Lawson Oliphant opened his store and continued many years with increasing
patronage and profit. John P. Gainey also opened a store there in 1846.
Oliphant had a good store. George Wolfe & Co., seem to have established a
store there about 1841, which they conducted a few years. Mr. Dugger sold
large quantities of whisky.
AS LIGHT AS FEATHERS.
A man named Dory was an early merchant in the town. lie bought large
quantities of farm products, among which were feathers. He had a very large
sack reaching from the upper story to the lower, in which he poured his
feathers to keep them aired, And to'keep the wind from carrying their away.
One day he fell into this sack and came near smothering to. death before he
was taken out. Mr. Oliphant early started a carding mill in town, which he
conducted with profit for a'series of years. He built the first brick house
in the township, and was a"man of much broader views than the average. His
son, J. T. Oliphant, was for a number of years the leading merchant of the
town. It is said that a pottery was conducted in town for a number of years.
The present merchants are Bingham & Holtsclaw, and Michael Deckard; both
firms are doing a good business. The former firm has general merchandise,
and the latter drugs; the latter distills about 2,000 gallons annually of
pure peach and apple brandy. The post office is ,called Hobbieville. The
name Screamersville is sometimes applied to the town. The town of Cincinnati
was founded at an early day. John W. Carmichael was the first merchant, and
continued for many years. In about 1857, he erected a large steam flour mill
in town, which is yet in operation,owned by John Carter. It has two sets of
buhrs—one for wheat and one for corn—and is doing a lucrative business. The
present mer chants are Richard W. Yoho and J. B. Vanmeter, both of whom have
excellent stores anti trades. Mr. Vanmeter has drugs, which he commenced
with in 1883. Mr. Yoho has general merchandise, valued at $3, 500. The post
office is Cincinnati. Many persons get this town confounded with one of the
same name in the southern part of Ohio, on the Ohio River. The latter will
no doubt soon alter its name to avoid the confusion. Ridgeport was named for
its location on the high ridge which separates Beech Creek from the streams
farther south. It has never been properly laid out and recorded, and has
never had a post office. The present merchant is Robert Johnson, who is
driving a 'profitable trade.
THE TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS.
The early settlers of this township were very slow in commencing their first
schools, and even then did not evince as deep an interest, apparently, as in
other portions of the county. The time came, however, when the schools had
to be founded or the , township would lose the expected influx of
population, for later families seeking homes in the wilds of Indiana were
careful to locate in good neighborhoods where there were good citizens, good
schools, good mills, good stores and good churches. It is said the first
school in the township was taught near William Carver's, in about the year
1826, by a man named Mill. It is also said that a school was taught in the
cabin of Abel Burlingame as early as 1824, but as there are no reliable
accounts of this it cannot be stated with certainty. Mill is said to have
taught a good school in the rudest of rude log cabins, where there was no
window but greased paper, nc floor but clapboards and no seats nor desks but
slabs. Of course the scholars sat upon the softest side of the slabs. This
man Mill taught many years in the township, and was a good disciplinarian if
not a competent scholar. Scholarship was not a test in that day of a
teacher's merits. If he was capable of using the rod upon offenders, big and
little, and if he did it when occasion required, and could read, write and
cipher, and argue on religion and
national political matters, he was regarded as a paragon of learning and
perfection, and was continued in charge of the school as long as he desired,
and perhaps his wages were raised from $10 to $12, or possibly $15. He was
not paid by the month, however, but received so much from each scholar for
the term. Another early school was taught in the southern part by a man
named John Tilley. One of the first schools was taught in the southwestern
part and another in the northwestern part. Two other early teachers were
Ralph Martindale and Jacob Young. In 1830, there were four or five schools,
and in 1846 there were eight. In the thirties, the school fund from the sale
of the sixteenth section began to be realized, which proved a great
advantage notwithstanding the limited amount at first. Now the town" ship
has as good educational facilities as any other township in the county.
RELIGION IN THE TOWNSHIP.
Among the earliest preachers in the township were Revs. Thomas Oliphant,
Joseph Wilson, Samuel Doty, George Burch, Richard Wright arid Eli P. Farmer.
These men were the first to preach within the township limits. As early as
1844, the Methodists.in the southwestern part, and in Richland Township
adjoining, organized a class composed of. thf. families of Hansford Stalcup,
David Watson, Jeremiah Doty and others, and arrangements to build a church
on Section 27, Township 7 north, Range 4 west, were made as early as
January, 1826. The first church built in ‘Center Township was what became
known as the Beech Creek Baptist Church, and was erected not far from 1831,
though the class was organized a few years before in private dwellings.
George Burch was the first pastor of this class, and later were James Burch,
Davis Burch and John B. Vanmeter. The membership was largely from the old
Hebron Church in the edge- of Monroe County, and among the first were George
Burch, Martha Burch, Elijah Burch, Meretta Burch, Mary Burch, James Burch,
Elizabeth Burch, Nancy Campbell and Joice Gibson. The old church built by
this class is yet standing. The Methodist Church at Jonesboro was organized
not far from the year 1840. Elder Forbes and William Butts were leaders in
the church; E. E. Rose was one of the early preachers. Rev. M. Hawk is the
present pastor. The old church is almost in ruins, and the class meets in
the schoolhouse. The Hopewell Baptist Church was founded in the northwestern
part in about 1845. John Pitts donated land for the church to.be built on
Section 11. This class is yet in existence. The Sylvania Church, organized
first as a Methodist Episcopal, was established in the southern part at an
early date, and the church building was erected mainly by the individual
means of Isaac Hamlin, a zealous Christian and a local preacher of that
faith. After the last war, the organization died, but was revived as a
Protestant Methodist under Rev. S. Baker. They worship yet under the
pastorate of Rev. William Lamb. A frame church was built in Cincinnati (not
in Ohio, but in Greene County, Ind.), about the year 1874 for all
denominations, if accounts are correct. The only organized religious class
now occupying this building are the Congregationalists who do not, however,
have regular preaching. Center Township has had several religious
organizations in schoolhouses, and since an early day has been well supplied
with moral influences.
This information is the research of many people across the United States and may contain errors. It is presented as the best information to date. Like all of those whose work I have incorporated herein, my research is a work in progress and subject to change without notice. A special thanks to Marlene Ricci of CA, Dwayne Meyer of CA, Jacqueline Bean of TX, Debbie Dick of IN, Milus Miller of IL, Carol Hendricks Miller of IN, Clarence Miller of IN, and Harold Glen Miller of IN. There are numerous others too; many of which are unknown, but their findings and stories are still much appreciated. Much of this would not have been possible with out their information. Also this website includes historical facts gathered from Washington County History, Indiana History, Rowan County and Salisbury North Carolina Historical sources and other US Historical sources.
James A. Miller- Great -Great -Great -Great Grandson of Adam Miller and Hannah Sheets.
©2007 The Millers of Washington County
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Last Updated 07/04/07 08:29:02 AM -0700