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     Some account of the first settlement of the town of Athens and of its history up to the organization of the county is given in Chapter IV.  The township as established by the county commissioners at their first meeting included territory which now forms five townships, viz: Swan and Brown, of Vinton county, and Waterloo, Canaan and Athens of Athens county.  Thus though not so extensive as Alexander or Ames, Athens township nevertheless included a large extent of country.  It was, for that period, a fair two days' journey across the township; and although the country was now emerging from the condition of an unbroken wilderness,

" Where beasts with men divided empire claim.
And the brown Indian marks with murderous aim,"

_______________
8th, 1795, the following report of the committee for examining the lands on the Hockhocking, suitable for fifth division lots:

     "We, the subscribers, being appointed a committee by a resolve of the agents of the Ohio Company of the 9th of November, 1790, and for the purpose expressed in said resolve, but being prevented from attending to that business by the Indian war, until a treaty took place, since which (in company with Jeffrey Matthewson, a surveyor appointed by the superintendent of surveys), having measured and very minutely examined the lands of the Hockhocking, report: That in range 14, township 10, the following section or mile squares, viz : No. 13, 19, 20, 25, 31, and 32; in range 13, township 12, sections No. 2, 3, 4,9, 10, 17, 23, 24, 30, 35, and 36; in range 16, township 12, sections No. 5, 12, and 18; in range 16, township 13, sections No. 13, 14, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 33 and 34, we find are suitable to be laid out in fifth division, lots agreeably to a map herewith exhibited. Having also examined and surveyed the land at the mouth of the great Hockhocking we find it very suitable for house lots and in quantity according to the map herewith exhibited.

JONATHAN DAVIS, ROBERT OLIVER, HAFFIELD WHITE,

Committee."

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it was still very wild and thinly populated.  The Rev. James Quinn, a pioneer Methodist preacher who died in Highland county at an advanced age in 1847, settled in Ohio in 1804.  The same year he and the Rev. John Meek were appointed to the  "Hockhocking circuit," which embraced not only the Hockhocking valley but also the settlements on the Muskingum and on the Scioto from the high bank below Chillicothe up to the neighborhood of where Columbus now stands.  In 1805 Mr. Quinn was returned to the same circuit with the Rev. Joseph Williams as his colleague.  A camp-meeting, probably the first ever held in the county, was held by Bishop Asbury and Mr. Quinn near the town of Athens in 18 10.  Mr. Quinn states that it lasted four days, and that Bishop Asbury, preached two powerful sermons.  In his autobiography, published many years since, Mr. Quinn says:

     My first missionary excursion up the Hockhocking valley was performed in December, 1799.  Leaving the vicinity of Marietta I ascended the Muskingum to the mouth of Wolf creek and then took the trace to Athens and the falls of Hockhocking.  But, taking the right hand trace I left Athens to the left and passing through Amestown, struck the Hockhocking at the identical spot where Nelsonville now stands.  There, at the foot of a large beech tree, I stopped and prayed.  Having given my horse his mess of corn, and eaten my piece of pone and meat, I cut my name on the beech, mounted poor Wilks and went on.  Between sundown and dark I reached the old Indian town near the falls. Here I found three families.  They came together and I preached to them.  I passed on up the river as far as

[200]
there were any settlements, spending nearly a week with the people in the vicinity of where Lancaster now is, I then returned by the way I had come and stopped again at my beech tree.  Saturday night found me at Athens and in comfortable lodgings at the house of a Mr. Stevens.  The people came together the next day, which I think was the first sabbath of January, 1800.  I took for my text St. Paul's language to the Athenians of old, 'Of this ignorance,' etc.  There were a few0 Methodists in the region round about, and we had a refreshing time."

     This Mr. Quinn was, ordained by Bishop Whatcoat, who was ordained by Wesley himself.
     Between this time and the organization of the county in 1805 steps were taken by the trustees of the university toward establishing the town.
     On the 6th of June, 1804, they passed an "ordinance providing for the sale of lots in the town of Athens." Sec. I appointed Rufus Putnam and Samuel Carpenter to survey and lay off the town of Athens agreeably with the rule of the resolution of the legislature of December 18th, 1799.  Sec. 2 directed the treasurer of the university to have the town plat recorded.  Sec. 3 directed Putnam and Carpenter, after due notice, to sell on the first Monday of November, 1804, at public auction, twenty-seven house-lots and an equal number of out-lots at their discretion, excepting and reserving house-lots number 57 and 58.  The remaining sections related to the form of certificate and lease to be given.

[201]
     The sale took place November 5th, 1804, and with the following result:

     On the 2nd of April, 1806, Rufus Putnam and Dudley Woodbridge were appointed a committee to conduct a second sale of town lots, which took place November 25, 1806.  Some of the lots previously sold were sold again, payments having not been made.  The following is the report of the second sale:

[202]
 

     The first act passed by an Ohio legislature relative to the navigability of any stream was passed February 15, 1808, and entitled "An act for the navigation of the Hockhocking."  It declared that stream to be navigable from its mouth to Rush creek and affixed penalties for obstructing its channel.  The first act passed in the state authorizing the construction of a mill dam conferred this privilege on two citizens of Athens.  It was passed February 21, 1805, and entitled "An act authorizing Jehiel Gregory, and John Havner their heirs and assigns, to erect a mill dam across the Hockhocking river."
     Sec. I, authorized these persons "to build a mill on the Hockhocking river, and erect a mill dam across said river opposite to out-lot number ten (10) in the town of Athens, which mill and dam when completed

[203]
are hereby vested in the said Gregory and Havner, their heirs and assigns, so long as they shall have a legal right to the before mentioned lot."
     Sec. 2, enacted that they should make "in the mill dam aforesaid a good and sufficient lock, or apron, constructed in such manner that the free navigation of the river shall not be obstructed."
     Sec. 3, required them to pilot and assist all persons or craft passing up or down the stream over said lock or apron without fee or reward.
     Sec. 4, required them to complete the dam within five years, and to keep the same in good repair; and Sec. 6, imposed a fine of five dollars for refusing to assist or pilot any person or craft passing up or down the stream over the dam, or for receiving any fee or reward therefor.
     Under this act a dam was constructed and mill built in 1805 and 1806, the latter known as Gregory's mill, east of town where D. B. Stewart's mill now stands. In 1832, Messrs. J. B. and R. W. Miles built a large flouring mill at this site, which has been occupied by a mill continuously since 1806.  From 1843 till 1853 this mill was in the hands of Mr. Andrew Kessinger, well remembered here as an upright man of business; he was the father of Mr. Joseph L. Kessinger now an active citizen of Athens.  The Herrold mill as it is now called, was built by Capt, Silas Bingham in 18 16. Previous to his death (which

[204]
occurred in 1840) Capt. Bingham rented the mill to his step-son, Joseph Herrold, who in 1844 became and still continues the owner of the property.  Judge Pruden established his business of carding wool, cloth-dressing, etc., at this mill about 1826 and continued it for several years, when he removed to a new point about two miles below Athens on the river and built up the mills, salt works and other improvements now called Harmony, in Canaan township.
     In early times, and for many years after the organization of the county, the passage of the river was made by ferry boats—little scows which were poled and rowed across.  In 1800 there was a ferry kept by old Arthur Coates (called Coates's ferry) a few rods below where the south bridge now stands, and another one called Harper's ferry, kept by Wm. Harper, about 100 yards above where the Marietta and Cincinnati railroad crosses the Hockhocking, west of Athens—just where the road turns.  Mr. Harper lived a short distance the other side of the river, and Isaac Barker, at that time, in a log house situated on this side and about where the road now turns southward.  It was at that time expected that a town would grow up at this terry, and it was named rather prematurely, Elizabethtown, after a woman who accompanied Mrs. Margaret Snowden to the settlement—her surname is forgotten.
     The rates of ferriage for man and beast, loaded teams, etc., were fixed yearly by the county commis-

[205]
sioners.  There are now several excellent bridges In the township. The East-bridge, as it is called, was built about 1834, by Joseph B. and R, W. Miles, and their associates.  Isaac Jackson was the principal mechanic, assisted by Oliver Childs.  This bridge was modeled after the bridges at Zanesville, Ohio, then recently built by the Buckinghams.  The West bridge was built in 1836, and by the same mechanic, Isaac Jackson.  The South bridge was built in 1839; Samuel Miller was the principal mechanic, assisted by Francis Beardsley.  All three of these bridges were built under acts of incorporation, making them toll bridges, but have since been made free by voluntary contributions of the citizens, aided by appropriations of the county.  There are two other good bridges in the township, across Margaret's creek, one at its mouth, near the Bingham mills, and the other about a mile above, at the old Goodrich saw mill.  Both of these were mainly built by Joseph Herrold, on subscriptions of the neighboring citizens, and appropriations by the county.
     The town of Athens had been "confirmed and established," by a legislative act of December 6, 1800; it was regularly incorporated by an act, passed January 28, 1811, entitled "an act to incorporate the town of Athens, and for other purposes."   This act enacted that "so much of the township of Athens, county or Athens, as is contained in the plat of the town of

[Pg. 206]
Athens, as recorded in the recorder's office in the county of Washington, be and the same is hereby erected into a town corporate, to be known and distinguished by the name of the town of Athens."  It provided for an annual election of a town council and other officers.  It also authorized and directed "the trustees of the Ohio university to lease to the county commissioners, on a nominal rent, for ninety-nine years, renewable forever, in-lots Nos. 35 and 37, on which the court house and jail now stand, and also in-lot No. 18, reserved for the purpose of building a school and meeting house;" also, to lease, on the same terms, the grounds reserved for a burying ground.
     This act of incorporation was amended February 15, 1812, when the trustees of the Ohio university were authorized and directed to lease to the Methodist society in the town of Athens, on the foregoing terms, "a piece of the public commons which adjoins out-lot No. 61, beginning at the S. E. corner of said lot, thence E. four chains, thence N. eight chains, thence W. four chains, thence S. to the place of beginning — for the use of the said Methodist society, and to build a meeting house thereon for the purposes of worship."
     During the next half century, the population of the town and township increased but slowly.  The extreme inaccessibility of the town during a long period, from the absence of railroad or other good communications, prevented a large immigration, while the superior agri-

[Pg. 207]
cultural advantages of states lying further west, have drawn away, from time to time, numbers of the citizens.  In 1820, the population of the township was 1,114; in 1830, it was 1,703; in 1840, it was 2,282; in 1850, it was 2,360; and in 1860, it was 2,852.  The present population of the town of Athens is about two thousand.  It is handsomely situated, and, for a town of its class, well built.  With a healthful location, in the midst of a region abounding in natural beauties of an uncommonly attractive and picturesque order, and with a quiet and intelligent population, Athens may justly be regarded as a pleasant place of residence.  There is good reason also to believe that the future growth of the town will exceed the past.  It is now accessible by one railroad, and will soon be the terminus of another.  We have, elsewhere in these pages, adverted to the great mineral wealth of the county, and it can not be doubted that these attractions will eventually draw a large and valuable immigration to this point.
     A recent triumph of the liberality and active enterprise of the citizens of Athens merits a conspicuous mention—we refer to the securing of the new lunatic asylum. January 17, 1866, Dr. W. P. Johnson, representative from Athens county in the state legislature, caused a resolution to be offered, through Mr. Lockwood, of Licking county, instructing "the committee on benevolent institutions to inquire what

[Pg. 208]
action is necessary by the general assembly, to do justice to the incurable insane, and report, by bill or otherwise," which passed the house.  February 21, 1866, Dr. Johnson, chairman of the committee aforesaid, reported, by direction of the committee, a "bill to provide for the erection of an additional lunatic asylum, and for the enlargement of the northern and southern lunatic asylums." Meanwhile a flood of light was thrown on the condition of the incurable insane, within the state, by a committee of the state medical society, whose thorough and exhaustive reports on the subject, Dr. Johnson brought before the legislature, contributing much to the success of his measure.  His bill, entitled "an act to provide for the erection of an additional lunatic asylum," became a law, April 13, 1867. It provided for the appointment, by the governor, of three trustees, to select and purchase, or receive by gift or donation, a lot of land, not less than fifty nor more than one hundred acres, suitably located for the erection of an asylum, to contain four hundred patients.  Mr. W. E. Davis, of Cincinnati, Mr. D. E. Gardner, of Toledo, and Dr. C. McDermont, of Dayton, were appointed trustees; a vacancy occurring in this committee, through the death of Dr. McDermont, Mr. E. H. Moore, of Athens, was appointed in his place.  There were various competing points, and for some time the contest was sharp and close; but through the superiority of her claims, the sagacity

[Pg. 209]
of her representative, and the liberality of her citizens, Athens finally eclipsed all rivals and secured the asylum.  To carry the point, the citizens purchased and made a gift to the state of one hundred and fifty acres of land, lying south of the town, known as the Coates farm.  The site is faultless.  The land lies beautifully, overlooking the valley of the Hockhocking, with its encircling hills, and commanding on every side a picturesque and varied view.  The location was fixed by the trustees in August, 1867.  Contracts for the excavation have been let to Messrs. Maris & McAboy; for the brick (about 12,000,000) to Messrs. D. W. H. Day and James W. Sands; and for the masonry to William McAboy.  The entire length of the building will be about eight hundred feet, and its cost about four hundred thousand dollars.  It will be an elegant and important feature of the place, and can not fail to attract public attention to the town and county.

Officers of the Town of Athens.

     The town records from 1811, the date of incorporation, to 1825, are lost. In 1825, James Gillmore was president of the town council, and Joseph B. Miles recorder.
     At an election held in the town of Athens, March 6, 1826, the number of votes cast was forty-three, and the following persons w^re elected members of

[Pg. 210]
town council, viz.: Thomas Brice, by thirty-four votes; Columbus Bierce, by thirty-four votes; Ebenezer Currier, by thirty-one votes; John Brown 2d, by forty-three votes; and Joseph B. Miles, by twenty-three votes. The following town officers were elected: Samuel Knowles, marshal; Eben Foster, supervisor; A. G. Brown, treasurer; Calvary Morris, collector; John Gillmore, assessor. The council elected Ebenezer Currier, president, and Joseph B. Miles, recorder.

     March 5, 1827.—Charles Shipman, Columbus Bierce, John Brown 2d, Thomas Brice, and Isaac Taylor, were elected councilmen; William W. Bierce, marshal; John Gillmore, assessor; James J. Fuller, collector; A. G. Brown, treasurer; Eben Foster, supervisor.  The council elected Columbus Bierce, president, and John Brown 2d, recorder, for the ensuing year.
     March 10, 1828, an election was held, pursuant to an act of the legislature, passed January 24, 1828, entitled "an act to incorporate the town of Athens, in the county of Athens.'  Nine councilmen were chosen, whose term of office was afterward decided by lot, as follows, viz.: Joseph Dana, Thomas Brice, and Jeremiah Olney, to serve three years; Isaac Barker, John Gillmore, and Amos Crippen, to serve two vears; and Ebenezer Currier, Eliphaz Perkins, and Norman Root, to serve one year.  The council elected, of their own number, Joseph Dana, mayor, and Norman Root, recorder and they appointed, from the citizens, A. G. Brown, treasurer, John McGill. marshal, John Porter, surveyor of wood and lumber, and William Golden, clerk of the market.
     March 9, 1829.—Joseph Dana was elected mayor; Ebenezer Currier, Calvary Morris, and Norman Root, councilmen; and John McGill marshal. Norman Root was chosen recorder for the ensuing year, A. G. Brown, treasurer, and John Porter,

[Pg. 211]
surveyor of wood and lumber.  The mode of electing the mayor and marshal had been changed by an act of the legislature, passed February 9, 1829, which made these officers elective by the people, instead of by the town council.
     March 8, 1830. —John Gillmore, Amos Crippen, and Isaac Barker, were elected to the town council, for three years, and John Perkins for one year; Joseph Dana was elected mayor, and John Sampson, marshal. Norman Root was appointed recorder, John Porter, surveyor of wood and lumber, and Dr. A. V. Medbury, treasurer.
     March 14, 1831.—Joseph Dana, Thomas Brice, and John Perkins, were elected councilmen; Joseph Dana was elected mayor, and John Sampson, marshal.  The council appointed Norman Root, recorder.  Dr. A. V. Medbury, treasurer, and Wm. D. Bartlett, surveyor of wood and lumber for ensuing year.
     March 12, 1832. —Hull Foster, Wm. D. Bartlett, and Francis Beardsley, were elected councilmen; John Gillmore, mayor, and Thomas Francis, marshal.  The council appointed Thomas Brice recorder, and Dr. Medbury, treasurer.
     March 11, 1833.—Samuel Miller, Oliver Childs, and Isaac N. Norton, were elected councilmen; Samuel Miller, mayor, and John Sampson, marshal. Joseph Dana was appointed recorder, and Dr. Medbury, treasurer.
     March 10, 1834.—Thomas Francis, A, B. Walker, and Charles Cunningham, were elected councilmen; Samuel Miller, mayor, and John Sampson, marshal.  A. B. Walker was appointed recorder, for the ensuing year, and Dr. Medbury, treasurer.
     March 9, 1835.—Norman Root, James J. Fuller, and Francis Beardsley, were elected councilmen; Samuel Miller, mayor, and John Sampson, marshal.  Edgar P. Jewett was appointed treasurer, and A. B. Walker, recorder, for ensuing year.
     March 14, 1836.—I. N. Norton, John Welch, and Leonidas Jewett, were elected councilmen; I. N. Norton, mayor, and

[Pg. 212]

[Pg. 213]

[Pg. 214]
     April, 1867.—H. K. Blackstone, N. H. Van Vorhes, Jesse Van Law, J. H. Faloon. Wm. P. Johnson, councilmen; Geo, W. Baker, mayor; Frederick L. Ballard, recorder; N. H. Van Vorhes, treasurer.
     April, 1868.—N. H. Van Vorhes, H. K. Blackstone, C. L. Wilson, H. S. Stinison, Alexander Cochran, councilmen; J. M. Dana, mayor; F. L. Ballard, recorder; N. H. Van Vorhes, treasurer.

Township Officers in Athens Township.

      The first election for township officers in Athens township was held at the house of John Havner, on the point of the hill, near where Ring's wagon shop now stands, on the first Monday in April, 1806, when the following persons were elected, viz: Jehiel Gregory, John Lowry, and William Harper, trustees; John Hewitt, Robert Linzee, Joel Abbot, Daniel Mulford, Canada Lowry, and Uriah Tippee, supervisors; John Corey, clerk; Chauncey Perkins, treasurer ; Robert Fulton, lister; Alvan Bingham and Abel Mann, overseers of the poor; Robert Lowry, Philip M. Starr, and William Biggerstaff, constables.  At succeeding elections, the following officers were chosen

     At succeeding elections, the following officers were chosen:

Trustees.

1807	Leonard Jewett,	Jehiel Gregory,	Silas Bingham.
1808	John Havner,	William Harper,	Aaron Young.
1809	Leonard Jewett,	Ebenezer Currier,	John Abbot.
1810	"	Jacob Lindley,	"
1811	Silas Bingham,	Hopson Beebe,	Joseph B. Miles
1812	Jehiel Gregory,	Martin Mansfield,	William Harper,
1813	Ebenezer Currier,	Joel Abbot,	Stephen Pilche.
1814	Robert Linzee,	Wm. Whitesides,	"

[Pg. 215]
 

Trustees - Continued

1815	Robert Linzee,	Wm. Harper,	Arthur Coates
1816	"	"	"
1817	Edmund Dorr,	John White,	David Pratt
1818	"	"	Abel Mann
1819	"	"	"
1820	"	"	"
1821	"	"	"
1822	"	"	"
1823	"	"	"
1824	"	"	Silas Bingham
1825	"	"	Columbus Bierce
1827	"	"	Josiah Coe.
1827	Solomon Goodspeed,	Reuben J. Davis,	"
1828	"	"	"
1829	"	"	"
1830	"	"	"
1831	"	Frederick Abbot,	"
1832	"	"	Samuel Lowry
1833	John Minten	"	"
1834	"	"	Daniel Stewart
1835	Josiah Coe,	Edmund Dorr,	"
1836	John Brown,	Solomon Goodspeed,	Samuel B. Pruden,
1837	Justus Reynolds,	John White, jr.,	Ebenezer Currier
1838	"	John Brown,	"
1839	Edmund Dorr,	"	Daniel Stewart
1840	Robert McCabe,	"	Christopher Sheldon
1841	"	"	"
1842	Amos Crippen,	Norman Root,	"
1843	John R. McCune,	Justus Reynolds,	"
1844	"	"	"
1845	John Ballard	Henry Hay	Wm. T. Dean
1846	"	"	"
1847	George Connett,	"	Nathan Goodspeed
1848	"	Andrew Kessinger,	J. R. McCune
1849	"	John Brown,	"
1850	Leonidas Jewett,	"	Joseph Morrison
1851	Oliver W. Pickering,	"	"
1852	"	"	"
1853	"	James W. Bayard,	"
1854	"	Richard Dobson,	"
1855	"	"	L. R. Jarvis
1856	Thomas Davis,	"	Thomas Laughlin.
1857	"	Charles Goodspeed,	"
1858	"	"	Richard Dobson
1859	"	"	Thomas Laughlin
1860	"	Ezra Goodspeed,	"
1861	C. R. Sheldon,	"	"
1862	"	"	Alfred Morrison
1863	"	Jesse Davis,	Jefferson Reynolds
1864	"	"	A. J. Reynolds
1865	Ezra Goodspeed,	B. F. Finney,	"
1866	"	"	"
1867	"	"	"
1868	"	Parker Carpenter	"

[Pg. 216]

Township Treasurers and Clerks since 1807

	Treasurers	Clerks
1807	Chauncey Perkins	John Corey
1808	Alexander Stedman	"
1809	"	"
1810	"	"
1811	"	"
1812	"	"
1813	Eliphaz Perkins,	Nehemiah Gregory.
1814	William Weir,	Alexander Proudfit.
1815	Charles Shipman,	Alvan Bingham
1816	"	James Gillmore.
1817	Ebenezer Blackstone,	"
1818	John Gillmore	"
1819	"	"
1820	"	"
1821	"	"
1822	"	"
1823	"	"
1824	James Gillmore,	John Gillmore,
1825	"	"
1826	"	"
1827	"	"
1828	"	"
1829	Charles Shipmen,	"
1830	Allen V. Medbury,	"
1831	"	David Pratt
1832	"	"
1833	Isaac Barker,	Robert E. Constable
1834	"	A. B. Walker
1835	A. G. Brown,	"
1836	"	N. B. Purington
1837	Elias Hibbard,	D. W. Cunningham
1838	Joseph H. Moore	"
1839	"	"
1840	"	"
1841	"	"
1842	"	"
1843	"	David M. Clayton
1844	"	"
1845	E. H. Moore	"
1846	SSamuel Pickering,	Wm. Loring Brown,
1847	"	Wm. H. Bartlett
1848	Joseph L. Kessinger,	"
1849	Joseph L. Kessinger,	"
1850	"	H. K. Blackstone
1851	"	Daniel S. Dana
1852	John B. Paul,	"
1853	"	Samuel S. Knowles
1854	"	Daniel S. Dana

[Pg. 217]

TOWNSHIP TREASURES AND CLERKS - Continued

	Treasurers	Clerks
1855	Wm. P. Kessinger,	Daniel S. Dana
1856	"	George H. Stewart
1857	"	"
1858	"	"
1859	Elias Tedrow,	"
1860	"	"
	Elias Tedrow resigned in December, 1860, and A. D. Brown appointed.
1861	A. D. Brown,	Norman Root
1862	"	"
1863	"	"
1864	"	"
1865	"	"
1866	"	"
1867	L. H. Moore,	"
1868	"	C. R. Sheldon

Justices of the Peace -

[Pg. 218]
 

Justices of the Peace - Continued

Schools -

     The first school established in Athens was in 1801, and was taught by John Goldthwaite.  The school house (a log one) was situated on Joseph Higgins's place, about three miles south of Athens.  Henry Bartlett taught in this house several quarters, between 1802 and 1806.  Michael Higgins, now seventy-four years old, attended Esquire Bartlett's school, and relates that, on one occasion, when the scholars undertook, according to a custom then prevalent, to bar the master out, on a certain day, and had made all very fast, Mr. Bartlett procured a roll of brimstone from the nearest house, climbed to the top of the school house, and dropped the brimstone down the open chimney into the fire; then placing something over the chimney, he soon smoked the boys into an unconditional surrender.
     The first school house on the town plat was a small brick building, which stood about where Grosvenor & Dana's law office now is — just east of the Presbyterian church.  This has long since disappeared.  It was built about 1806 or '7.  Capt. David Pratt taught here for several years.  Some of the best remembered among

[Pg. 219]

[Pg. 220]
his successors arc Mrs. Sarah Foster ("Grandma Foster"), Miss Sallie Jcwett, the Rev. James McAboy, the Rev. Mr. McDill, Mrs. Burton, Prof. Andrews, L. D. Shepherd, Mr. Scars, Mr. Blake, the Rev. Joseph Marvin, the Rev. Charles Townsend, Samuel Marsh, Miss Haft, and James D. Johnson.  About twelve years ago, the union school system, so successful '"every where, was adopted in Athens, since when the public school has taken a respectable rank.  About eight thousand dollars was raised by taxation, and a convenient and spacious school building erected.  The site is a commanding one; the building, of brick, is sixty-five feet front by seventy-one deep, and three stories in hight ; the first and second stories each thirteen feet high, and the third story eighteen feet.  The ground and second floor are each divided into four class rooms, two twenty-two by twenty-eight feet, and two twenty-seven by twenty-eight feet, and the third floor furnishes a hall sixty-two by fifty-six feet.  Mr. L. R. Jarvis superintended the stone work, Mr. J. B. Paul, the brick work, and Mr. William Shaffer, the wood work.  Mr. Cyrus Grant was the first superintendent of this school, and was succeeded by Mr. J. K. Mower, and Miss Eunice Rice.  The Rev. Mr. Travis followed, then Mr. Doan, the Rev. John Pratt, the Rev. W. H. Scott, Captain Charles Barker, and Mr. Goodspeed, the present superintendent. The institution is

[Pg. 221]

The Methodist Church -

     The establishment of the Methodist church, here, antedates that of any other religious society.  Three quarters of a century ago, this denomination had already developed that spirit of energy and religious enterprise, which has not only made it the pioneer church, and forerunner of other denominations, but has caused it to become the most powerful church organization in America.  We have quoted elsewhere, from the Rev. Mr. Quinn, an account of a missionary tour, which he made up the Hockhocking valley in 1800, when he preached at Athens.  The Methodists have had a society here from that time, and during the early as well as later years of their church history here, have numbered among their preachers some very able, earnest, and useful men.  In 1805, the Rev. Jacob Young preached on this circuit.  The Rev. Geo. C. Light preached here about the same time.  In 1806, Peter Cartwright, who afterward became celebrated in the church, visited Athens and Alexander townships, preaching and forming societies.  About 1815, the Rev. Thomas Morris (now Bishop Morris), was on this circuit, and preached statedly at Athens.  Among the early Methodist preachers here were the Rev. Cornelius Springer, the Rev. Daniel Limerick, the Rev. Curtis Goddard, the Rev. Abraham Lippett, the Rev.

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John Ferrcc, the Rev. Abraham Baker, the Rev. Henry S. Kcrnandcz, the Rev. Absalom Fox, the Rev. Asa Stroud, and the Rev. Robert O. Spencer—some of them being on the Muskingum and some on the Athens circuit.

     During the early years of this century, the Methodists held their meetings at different houses, but in 1812 or '13, they built a brick church on the lot now owned and occupied by Prof. W. H. Young, and in 1825, they erected a brick parsonage adjoining.  The church building, having been used as such nearly thirty years, fell into decay, and was then used for some years as a foundery; it has now disappeared.  The parsonage forms a part of Prof. Young's present house.  The present Methodist church was built in 1837.  It is to be regretted that a continuous sketch of the Methodist society at Athens can not be furnished; its early establishment and long career of usefulness entitle it to a more extended history than we are able to offer.

The Presbyterian Church. -  

     The First Presbyterian Society of Athens was organized in the autumn of 1809 by the Rev. Jacob Lindley.  The original members of the organization were but nine in number, viz: Joshua Wyatt and wife, Josiah Coe, Arthur Coates, Dr. Eliphaz Perkins, Alvan Bingham, Mrs. Sally Foster and the Rev. Jacob

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Lindley and wife. Public service was held for a time in the little brick school house which stood just east of the present site of the Presbyterian church, and afterward in the court house until the year 1828, when the present brick church was built.  In 1815, the church numbered forty-seven members, and a revival that year added forty-three. In the year 1820, there were fifty-six added to the church, and the whole number of church members at that time was 177.
     In 1827, steps were taken for the full organization and incorporation of the society.  The following document, though incomplete and without date, possesses some interest as illustrating one step in the history of the church.  The original paper, in the hand-writing of Joseph B. Miles, is yellow, time-worn, and mutilated —the last page with the signatures being lost.

"ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION.

     "We, the undersigned, taking into consideration the great importance of religious and moral instruction, and believing that the regular and stated preaching of the gospel is necessary for the promotion of these virtues ; and as it is ordained of God that they who preach the gospel, shall live by the gospel, and 'the laborer is worthy of his hire,' and in order to obtain the same, we who receive spiritual food ought to contribute of our earthly substance, as God shall enable us, to those who dispense to us the bread of life, and in order the more effectually to promote these objects, do enter into the following articles of association.

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I.

This society shall be known by the name of the First Presbyterian Society of Athens.

II.

     There shall be a meeting of this society on the first Monday of May, annually, for the purpose of electing the officers of the society, amending or adding to the articles of association and doing such other business as may be necessary for the society to transact. III. The officers of this society, shall consist of three trustees, a clerk, and collector, who shall also be treasurer, to hold their offices for one year, and until others are chosen in their places, to be chosen by a majority of voters present. IV. It shall be the duty of the trustees to hire preaching, either by the week, month, or year, as they may think best, to be paid in the kind, and to the amount of subscriptions, to settle with the persons employed ; also, to solicit subscriptions, receive donations or contributions, for the purposes of defraying the expenses of preaching, and to give public notice of the annual meetings of the society. Said trustees shall meet on their own adjournment, from time to time, as thev may think best for the benefit of the society. It shall be the duty of the clerk to keep a fair record of the doings of the society, and a fair list of the subscribers' names, with the amount subscribeq, and the time of subscribing, and to make out a list of subscriptions to the collector.

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VI.

     It shall be the duty of the collector to collect and receive all moneys or other property due the society by subscription or otherwise, and to pay out the same by order of the trustees, which order shall be signed by the chairman of the trustees.

VII.

     No person shall have a vote to control the funds of this society after it is organized, unless they shall subscribe something towards the support of preaching, and no member shall be eligible to office until after he shall have subscribed.

VIII.

     On the death, removal, or resignation of any of the officers of the society, it shall be the duty of the trustees to appoint a person or persons to fill the place, until the next annual election.

IX.

     It shall be in the power of any three subscribers to call a meeting of the society at any time when they may think necessary by giving written notice in three public places in the town of Athens, setting forth the objects of said meeting, and having it proclaimed on the Sabbath before said meeting in the congregation.

X.

     Should the funds of the society be deemed sufficient at any time to settle a regular preacher of the gospel, by themselves, or with the joint subscriptions of the adjoining settlements, and the society should deem it necessary, it shall be the duty of the trustees in such case, to invite preachers as candidates, but ho preacher shall be regularly settled without the consent of two-

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treasurer, and Calvary Morris, J. W. Harris, J. H. Pratt, W. P. Johnson, and Jesse Van Law, trustees.
     The citizens of Alexander township have recently begun a similar improvement by the addition of several acres to their former burying ground at the Cumberland Presbyterian church, near Hebbardsville. The addition is neatly laid off into lots with avenues and walks, and ornamented with shrubbery. It is to be hoped these examples will be followed by other towns and townships in the county. The appropriate burial of the dead and proper care for their resting place by the living, is a mark of christian civilization, and the universal attention now given to the subject in this country, indicates a pleasing change in public sentiment. Beautiful cemeteries are scattered over the country, some of them very celebrated, and soon no enterprising town will be without one. Lucretius says of the earth—

"Omniparens, eadem rerum est commune sepulchrum."

The parent of all, she is also the common sepulchre.  Let our burial places, therefore, be beautified with the "greenery of nature," and let the adornments of art be added to please the senses and soothe the feelings of the living.

Newspapers.

     The first newspaper published in Athens, was The Athens Mirror and Literary Register, commenced in

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1825, by A. G. Brown.  The Mirror was political and literary in its character, printed once a week on paper of super-royal size (sixteen pages about nine by five inches to each number), and continued through five years.  It was printed on a wooden press with a stone bed, and required four pulls to each sheet.
     Several copies of the old Mirror, running from January to May, 1829, are before us, and furnish some interesting bits of local history.  Each number contains the advertisements of Joseph B. Miles, Ebenezer Currier, and Thomas Brice, offering their "complete and extensive assortments of goods for sale low for cash, or in exchange for wheat, rye, corn, pork, butter, feathers, rags, calf and deer skins, fur skins, buck horns, ginseng, bees wax, etc."
     In February, 1829, the publisher announces that "all who wish to see a fifth volume of the Mirror published, are desired to send in their names before the 1st day of May, next;" and earnestly solicits increased patronage.  In the issue of February 21, 1929, the editor apologizes for being delayed beyond the usual time for publication, by stating that "a young man in our employ unluckily received a severe hurt while skating on the ice."  Probably that young man was John Brough, afterwards governor of Ohio, etc., who was then employed in the office. 
     About this time the temperance question was considerably discussed in the town.  A sermon delivered on

the subject, January 22, 1829, by the Rev. Robt. G. Wilson, is published in full in the Mirror.  A society was formed, of which Dr. Wilson was president, the Rev. John Spaulding vice president, and Professor Joseph Dana secretary, and a pledge was kept at the Mirror office for signatures.  The constitution of the society, printed in the Mirror, is accompanied by the following note:  "It is understood that merchants and others having contracts or quantities of spirits now on hand, shall have reasonable time to close and dispose of the same on becoming members."  The movement was pushed with great earnestness and success by the good men who inaugurated it, and doubtless there was sufficient need of reform.  Some of the seed sown fell on good ground in Ames township, and blossomed forth into the following unique advertisement, which appeared in the Mirror of April 25, 1929:

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the subject, January 22, 1829, by the Rev. Robt. G. Wilson, is published in full in the Mirror.  A society was formed, of which Dr. Wilson was president, the Rev. John Spaulding vice president, and Professor Joseph Dana secretary, and a pledge was kept at the Mirror office for signatures.  The constitution of the society, printed in the Mirror, is accompanied by the following note:  "It is understood that merchants and others having contracts or quantities of spirits now on hand, shall have reasonable time to close and dispose of the same on becoming members."  The movement was pushed with great earnestness and success by the good men who inaugurated it, and doubtless there was sufficient need of reform.  Some of the seed sown fell on good ground in Ames township, and blossomed forth into the following unique advertisement, which appeared in the Mirror of April 25, 1929:

"A CHALLENGE.
"ATTENTION GROG DRINKERS!!

     "SAMUEL L. MOHLER, of Ames township, having been for sixteen years in the constant habit of drinking, and getting drunk on an average, as often as once a month, has resolved to refrain entirely from the practice in future; and as a test of his sincerity, he offers to pledge the new wood work to a good wagon, against any property of equal value, that he will refrain from drinking ardent spirits longer than any other man who has been in the habit, an equal, or half the length of time;

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 provided both live to make the trial.  Any person disposed to take him up can give notice to that effect.
     "April 10, 1829."
     We are not able to state whether this interesting challenge was ever accepted or not; perhaps Mr. Mohler's virtuous resolve went toward improving that nameless place which is said to be "paved with good intentions;" we can not tell.
     A committee consisting of Thomas Brice, John Gilmore, Amos Crippen, and Norman Root, appointed to settle the accounts of the town of Athens for the year ending February 18, 1829, publish an itemized report, showing the total receipts to have been one hundred and seventy-three dollars and twenty-three cents, and total expenditures one hundred and twelve dollars and ninety-four cents.
     The Mirror was succeeded in 1830 by The Western Spectator, edited and published by Isaac Maxon, who came from Marietta in 1825, bringing young John Brough as a type-setter.  The paper continued under Mr. Maxon's management for six years.  In 1836 it was bought by Mr. Abram Van Vorhes, who changed the name to the Hocking Valley Gazette and Athens Messenger.  Under this name Mr. Van Vorhes edited and published the paper for several years, enlarging it to imperial size, printing it with new press and type, and otherwise greatly improving it.
     In January, 1844, the Gazette was succeeded by the Athens Messenger, edited and published for a time

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by Mr. Nelson H. Van Vorhes, and afterward by him and his brother, Mr. A. J. Van Vorhes.  In the spring of 1854, N. H. Van Vorhes retired from the paper, which continued in the hands of his brother until October 1, 1855, when the establishment was purchased by the late Mr. George Walsh, who only retained control one year, when it was once more sold to N. H. Van Vorhes.
     Mr. Van Vorhes edited and published the paper till January, 1861; Mr. T. F. Wildes, from January, 1861, till September, 1862; Mr. Jesse Van Law, from September, 1862, till November, 1865; Mr. J. W. Stinchcomb, from November, 1865, till November, 1866; Mr. J. R. S. Bond, from November, 1S66, till March, 1868, and Mr. C. E. M. Jennings, from that till the present time.

The Court House.

     For about a year and a half after the organization of the county, the court was held in a room, rented for that purpose, of Leonard Jewett and Silas Bingham.  In 1807-8, a hewed log court house was erected, very near the spot where the present one stands, in which the courts were held for about ten years.  This temple of justice must have been a pretty substantial structure, if its chimney, described in the following extract from the records of of the county commissioners may be taken as a "specimen brick:"

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     "September 7, 1807.  The commissioners proceeded to adopt the following plan for a chimney in the court house in the town of Athens, to wit:  The foundation to be laid with stone, one foot below the surface, the remainder to be of brick, to be well laid in good lime mortar; one fire place below and two above - the fire place below to be four feet clear in the back, twenty-two inches deep, and five feet four inches wide in front, to be secured by a bar of iron the size of a common flat bar, and secured with a sufficient bolt let into the discharging piece - the bolt to be secured by a fore lock and key, the bolt about one foot and five or six inches in length, and the discharging piece six inches thick.  The fire places above to be each eighteen inches back, and built proportionably with the rest of the chimney, which is to be raised three feet above the top of the building; the upper fire places to be well coated, and the whole to be completed, including the hearths, in a workmanlike manner, on or before the 20th day of November next; which (contract) being put up at public sale, was struck off at seventy-eight dollars."
     The resources of the settlement being very limited, this same building was used also for a school house, and meeting house.  In the records of the county commissioners we find the following entry:
     "December 7, 1811. - Resolved, by the commissioners, that from and after this date, the court house in the town of Athens shall not be used as a school house or a meeting hosue, unless the inhabitants of said town shall agree to furnish, for the sue of the court, during the time of its session, a sufficient quantity of fire wood, ready cut, fit for the fire; also to keep the house in as good repair as it now is, and keep the same well swept during the sitting of the court; and that the clerk notify the inhabitants as aforesaid, by advertisement posted on the court house door."

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     Perhaps the school teacher was careless about shutting the door at night, and probably school boys, in those days, like other boys before and since, were not scrupulous about keeping the floor clean; for the next entry on the subject is as follows:

     "June 2, 1812. - The board appointed Ebenezer Currier a committee to see, on condition the court house is used as a school house, that the door of said house be kept shut whenever the house is not occupied, every night, and that it be kept clean; also, that a sufficient quantity of fire wood be constantly kept for the court and commissioners, and that the house be left in as good repair as when entered upon."

     And, finally, on this head, it was ordered, December, 8, 1813:

     "That the court house shall be no longer used as a school house, and that Henry Bartlett be a committee to take care of the same, and have said house repaired by the 1st of January next."
     "June 8, 1814, it was Ordered, that the north and east sides of lots Nos. 35 and 37, on which the court house and jail now stand, be fenced with good, sawed, white oak palings, of five feet in length, the posts to be of black locust, four by five inches square, and six and a half feet long, the rails of good white oak,,,, and the panels ten feet long, with a small gate before the present court house door, and a gate of ten feet wide near the north east corner, fronting the east."
     Caleb Merrit and Joseph B. Miles were appointed a committee to carry the above resolution into affect.
     The old hewed log court house was the one in use

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while Thomas Ewing was attending college at Athens, and he was, doubtless, a frequent visitor here.  Here he probably gained his first familiarity with judicial proceedings, and acquired his earliest knowledge of the workings of the law.  The practitioners at the Athens bar of that day, if they noticed an unsophisticated youth, on a back seat, intently listening to their professional efforts, little imagined that that youth would live to become one of the greatest expounders of the law our country has yet produced, and to ornament some of the highest positions in the land.
     Proposals for a new court house (the one now in use) must have been published in the spring or early summer of 1814, for in the proceedings of the meeting of the county commissioners, held August 1, of that year, present, Asahel Cooley, Caleb Merrit, and Robert Linzee, it is entered:

     "Proceeded to sell, to the lowest bidder, certain articles, agreeable to advertisement, to be furnished for the erecting of a court house, viz: to Ebenezer Currier, twelve hundred feet of black walnut boards, one and one-fourth inches thick; one hundred feet of poplar boards, one and one-half inches thick, and five hundred feet, ditto, one and one-fourth inches thick - to be delivered on the court house lot, piled up properly for drying, and to be delivered on or before the 1st day of January next.  To Edmund Dorr, twenty perch of rough stone, for the foundation - to be laid, according to advertisement, before the 15th day of November next."

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     The following entries, copied from the old records of the county commissioners, mark the progress and history of the present court house:
     "November 16, 1814 - Ordered, that the wall for the foundation of the court house be six inches thicker than described heretofore, and that the same be laid in mortar of lime and coarse sand, and that such further compensation be allowed to Edmund Dorr, contractor for the same, as masons shall adjudge."

     "December 5, 1814 - County of Athens, to Joseph B. Miles, Dr.,
     To 1,925 feet of boards and scantling,...............  $19. 25
          Hauling same from mill ................................$   3.00
          Drawing plan of court house ........................$  1.00

     "December 6, 1814 - Ordered, that the clerk notify, by advertisement, set up in three public places in Athens, the furnishing of three ranges of cut stone, two feet wide and nine inches thick, to be well laid in lime mortar; also the furnishing of one hundred thousand good merchantable brick, to be delivered on the court house lot by the 1st day of August next.  Proposals will be received by the commissioners, in writing, at their meeting, on the second Monday in January next."
     "February 1, 1815 - The commissioners met for of consulting as to the practicability of proceeding in building the court house."

     It was decided to proceed, and at their meeting, March 7th, the clerk was directed to

     "Advertise in the American Friend, for furnishing brick and stone in amounts as aforesaid; proposals to be received by the

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commissioners, at the court house, on the second Monday of April next, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on said day."
     "April 10, 1815 - The commissioners met for the purpose of contracting for the furnishing of cut stone for the court house; also of one hundred thousand brick for the same.  After having received the proposals of Elijah Hatch, Esq., and Edmund Door, for furnishing brick, and of William Dorr, William Alcock, and Jonathan Amlin, for furnishing and laying cut and hewed stone," the board adjourned till next day.
     "Tuesday, April 11 - Proceeded to receive bonds of William Alcock and Jonathan Amlin for the stone work, and agreed with them for the sum of three hundred dollars, payable October 1st, next.  Proceeded also to take bonds from Edmund Door, for the furnishing of one hundred thousand brick for the court house; amount of said contract, six hundred dollars, in county orders, on the completion of the contract."

     June 7, 1815, the clerk was directed to advertise for materials, and making doors and window frames; also for sleepers, joists, and rafters, and for framing timber for floor, laying the brick, etc.

     "July 17, 1815 - The commissioners proceeded to contract as follows:  with John Havner, for laying up the brick walls of court house, five hundred dollars; with Abel Stedman, furnishing timber, framing cupola, etc., two hundred and seventy-four dollars; and with Elijah Hatch, for shingles, sixty-seven dollars."
     "September 5, 1815 - Agreed with John Porter, he being the lowest bidder, for the following jobs of work, viz: putting a cornice round the court house, at fifty cents per foot; also boarding the roof of the same, for the sum of twelve dollars; and shingling the same at the rate of one dollar and twenty-five cents per thousand, and at one dollar for each hip."

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     "September 6, 1815 - The board appointed James Gillmore superintendent, to oversee the superintend the building of the court house, and to call on Charles Shipman and J. B. Miles to assist him at any time when required."
     September 26, - Resolved by the board, that the sum of four hundred dollars be borrowed from the Bank of Marietta, for the purpose of paying for the stone work on the court house, including window sills, etc., and for the purpose of purchasing nails; and that an order issue for the said amount, payable to Asahel Cooley, and that the same be sent by William Skinner, and deposited in the Bank of Marietta, for the purpose of obtaining the sum aforesaid."
     "September 27, - Busy in making arrangements for the building of the court house, and making proposals to the trustees of the court house, and making proposals to the trustees of the Ohio university for the loan of one thousand dollars."
     "Thursday, 28 - Agreed with the trustees of the Ohio university, for a loan of one thousand dollars, for one year, at six per cent, interest."
     "Friday, 29 - Resolved, That Robert Linzee and James Gillmore be a committee to examine the mason work of the court house, when finished, and receive the same, and also to ascertain the number of brick in said building."

     The laying of the brick was finished in October, 1815, and John Havner received his pay in full, viz:  $500, as per contract.

     "Wednesday, December 6, 1815 - Resolved, by the commissioners of the county of Athens, That, in consideration of a subscription by sundry individuals, viz: Josiah Coe, Cephas Carpenter, Mary Ann Ackley, Lydia Ackley, James Gilmore, Jacob Dumbaugh, John Johnstone, Enos Thompson, David Pratt, Daniel Stewart, Joseph B. Miles, Henry Bartlett, Robert Linzee, Charles Shipman, Ebenezer Currier, Eliphaz Perkins, Chauncey F. Perkins, Alvan Bingham, Amos Crippen, John

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Porter, James J. Fuller, James Session, Silas Bingham, John White, Abel Stedman, Eliphaz Perkins, jun., S. S. Johnstone, John Havner, Thomas Armstrong, Seth Child, Asahel Cooley, Thomas McClelland, and Arthur Coates, amounting to $506, to be paid into the county treasury to assist in building the court house in said county, and this day presented by a committee appointed for that purpose by the subscribers; the commissioners do agree that the subscribers and their associates have the privilege of holding meetings for religious purposes, on the Sabbath and other days, for eight years from the first day of January, 1816, when it shall not interfere with the county business, upon condition that $500 of the above-named subscription to be paid to Henry Bartlett on or before the first day of March next; and that each subscriber, on his paying the sum subscribed by him, shall receive a receipt for the same, to be refunded in eight years, without interest; and provided further, that if the said sum of $500 is not paid in by the time specified, then it shall be optional with the commissioners to refund the money or continue the privilege, and if they should not continue the privilege, then the money is to be refunded.  And it is also understood that the aforesaid sum of $500 be appropriated for finishing the lower room of the court house, if the whole of said sum be necessary.  The following form of receipt shall be given by Henry Bartlett, clerk of the commissioners, for the purposes aforesaid:  'Received of A. B. the sum of ___, which is to be refunded to the said A. B., or his heirs or assigns, at the end of eight years from the first day of January, 1816, out of the county treasury, without interest.'
     "January 6, 1816 - It is agreed by the commissioners and Joseph B. Miles, that the said Miles furnish the glass and oil for the court house, and that, after deducting the amount of said Mile's subscription from the articles, the balance be paid him, on delivery thereof.
    "Same day. - "Agreed with John Walker for making the sash for the lower and upper rooms of said court house, priming the same, and setting the glass, and fitting the sash in the frames, at

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ten cents per light - materials to be furnished by the commissioners.  Also, agreed with John Walker for laying the lower floor, at $4.50 per square.  The above contracts to be completed by May 1, 1816.
     "Agreed with John Porter for finishing the upper part of the cupola, from the cornice up (including cornice), putting up rafters, boarding and shingling roof, putting on timber, with a ball agreeable to a plan this day exhibited, to be completed by May 1st, 1817.  Also agreed with John Porter, finishing and building the stairs for the sum of $60; the banisters to be mortised into the hand-rails and string board, and completed in a workmanlike manner.
     [Time for completing the above contracts extended to the 1st day of September.]"

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

     Same date. - "WHEREAS, Robert Linzee and Asahel Cooley, have loaned the corporation of the Ohio university, the sum of $1,000 for the sue and benefit of the county of Athens, in building the court house; therefore, be it resolved, that so much of the tax of his present year be appropriated for the benefit of said Linzee and Cooley, as will satisfy said sum and interest.
     Same date. - "Resolved.  That James Gillmore and Henry Bartlett, be a committee to receive bonds of the several contractors on the court house, and that the said Gillmore and Bartlett, be a committee to dispose of the $1,000 borrowed by Asahel Cooley and Robert Linzee, for the use and benefit of Athens county, which sum said committee are directed to apportion among the different contractors who have heretofore filled their contracts on said building in proportion to their claims, after deducting therefrom six per cent.
     June 13, 1816 - Agreed with John Walker, for completing the following jobs or parcels of work: finishing the judges' seats in the court house agreeably to the plan, twenty panels in front, with bed moulding and capping for a cornice; five panels of each side of the bar, nine in front; two sheriffs' boxes;

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two tables for the bar, and clerk's seat, agreeably to the plan; after furnishing thereof, the same to be adjudged by Messrs. Corp and Shipman, and the price determined by them; also agreed with same for making finishing, and hanging the three outside doors of the court house, and casing the jambs."
    "June 25, 1817 - Resolved - That the superintending committee be authorized to employ John Bowman to paint the roof, cupola, etc., of the court house.    
     The foregoing extracts from the old county records include nearly every entry relating to the court house, and quite fully represent the history of its erection.  The building was about completed during the autumn of 1817, and has been in continuous use ever since.  It has underground  changes and repairs both inside and outside, but much of the original work still remains - an evidence of the honesty and fidelity with which the mechanics of those days labored.  It is an antiquated and most unornamental building, and must ere long to give way to a finer structure; but, perhaps, the walls of its successor will never echo the voices of greater men or better lawyers than have plead within the old court house.
     The first resident lawyer in Athens and Artemus Sawyer, a young man of high literary and scholastic attainments, who arrived in 1808.  In 1810, he was appointed prosecuting attorney, and acted as such for a few years, until he fell an early victim to habits of intemperance.  E. B. Merwin, of Lancaster, acted as prosecutor before Sawyer, and was one of the

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principal practitioners of this period at the Athens court.  Gen. Philemon Beecher, and Wm. W. Irwin, of Lancaster, were also regular attendants.  William Woodbridge, of Marietta, practiced here until his removal to Michigan, where he became governor, senator, etc.  The Hon. Thomas Ewing attended the courts in Athens county very constantly for several years, after his admission to the bar, as did also the late Samuel F. Vinton, who took up his residence in Gallipolis about 1817.  Mr. Vinton represented this district in Congress for twenty-two years.  Gen. Goddard, of Zanesville, also practiced here for several years, commencing about 1818.  The Hon. Henry Stanbery came in a little later, but practiced for several years in the Athens courts, and his maiden speech was delivered in the present court house.*  Messrs. Hocking H. Hunter, Brazee, and Nash must also be added to the great lawyers who practiced here.  Gen. Dwight Jarvis, who resided and practiced here about five years,

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* Mr. Stanbery, in response to an inquiry addressed to him by the writer, touching the correctness of the tradition that his "maiden speech" was delivered here replied:
     "The 'tradition' is correct.  I was admitted to the bar at Gallipolis, in May, 1824, and made my first jury speech at Athens in the following June.  The case was of a character (in bastardy) and the evidence so broad as not to admit of publication.  It involved some nice questions as to the period of gestation, etc., with which, of course, I was not at all familiar; so that I can very truly say that this was my 'first great cause least understood.'  I did, however, succeed in making one point which had a telling effect on the jury.  The defense was mainly placed on an attempt to impeach the veracity of the mother of the children (for they were twins); I appeared for the mother, and she was the only witness to fix the paternity of the boys on the defendant.  I argued to the jury that our case was sustained by three witnesses.  The counsel for the defense promptly contradicted this assertion, appealing to the jury that the mother was our only witness.  I replied that it was true that the mother was the only witness who had testified under oath, but that her testimony was fully corroborated by that of the twins themselves - calling the attention of the jury to certain points of resemblance which they bore to the defendant, and quoting the well known line, "o, holy nature thou dost never plead in vain.'  So it turned out in this instance, for the silent testimony of the twins carried the case."

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from 1825 to 1830, was the second resident lawyer, not reckoning Joseph Dana, then a professor in the university, who though never fairly engaged in the practice, attended to a few cases, at intervals, when not occupied with teaching.  At a somewhat later period, the late Judge Arius Nye, of Marietta, was among the most constant and faithful attendants, from abroad, at the Athens bar.  Since about 1832, there has been no lack of resident lawyers (some of them of marked ability), and the attendance from abroad has been less frequent; in fact, of late years, non-resident lawyers are seldom seen here.  The resident lawyers at the present time are Messrs. Grosvenor & Dana, Messrs, de Steiguer & Jewett, Messrs. Browns & Wildes, Messrs. Golden & Townsend and Robert E. Constable.

Grand Juries from 1805 to 1815.

     The first grand jury that ever sat in the county, was drawn in November, 1805, and was composed as follows:

     John Dixon, John Hewitt, Samuel Moore, John Corey, Peter Boyles, Jeremiah Riggs, Canaday Lowry, William How-

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I argued to the jury that our case was sustained by three witnesses.  The counsel for the defense promptly contradicted this assertion, appealing to the jury that the mother was our only witness.  I replied that it was true that the mother was the only witness who had testified under oath, but that her testimony was fully corroborated by that of the twins themselves - calling the attention of the jury to certain points of resemblance which they bore to the defendant, and quoting the well known line, 'O, holy nature thou dost never plead in vain.'  So it turned out in this instance, for the silent testimony of the twins carried the case.

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lett, Robert Fulton, Alvan Bingham, Josiah Coe, Philip M. Starr.
     March Term, 1806. - Alvan Bingham, Hopson Beege, John Thompson, Silas Dean, John Lowry, Josiah Coe, Daniel Stewart, Robert Fulton, Baruch Dorr, Edmund Dorr, Peter Byoles, John Corey, Benaziah Simmons.
    July Term, 1806 - Alvan Bingham, John Havner, David Pratt, Reuben Hurlburt, Jacob Boyles, Moses Bean, Canaday Lowry, Alexander Fulton, George Wolf, Joseph Brooks, Abraham Shidler, John Corey, Peter Boyles.
     November Term, 1806. - Jehiel Gregory, Silas Dean, Samuel Humphreys, Thomas Sharp, William Howlett, Ignatius Thompson, Trueman Hewx, Michael Barker, Amos Thompson, William Weir, Phineas Allen, Benaziah Simmons, Silas Bingham.
     March Term, 1807 - Hopson Beebe, Archibald Stewart, William Brooks, Alvan Bingham, Christopher Wolf, John Thompson, Jared Bobo, John Steele, Abram Pugsley, Josiah Waters, John Miller, John Hewitt, Jason Rice, Jehiel Gregory.
     December Term, 1807 - Stephen Pilcher, Joseph Seamans, Obadiah Walker, Benjamin Davis, Jason Rice, John Corey, James Crippen, John Thompson, Jesse Halsey, Nathaniel Williams, John Brooks, Aaron Young, Simon Speed, Jehiel Gregory, Roswell Culver.
     April Term, 1808 - George Seamans, Samuel Beaumont, Elijah Pilcher, Joshua Wyatt, Eleazar Penrod, Nehemiah Gregory, Uriah Tippee, John Simontown, Samuel Russell, Charles Harper, David Chapman, Baruch Dorr, Azel Johnson, Leonard Jewett.
     August Term, 1808 - John Thompson, Moses Bean, Charles Harper, James Pilcher, David Boyles, John Walker, Ebenezer Currier, William Woodward, Caleb Merritt, Edmund Dorr, John Kelso, Jacob Wolf, John Lowry, William Gabill, Elijah Pilcher.
     December Term, 1808 - Amos Thompson, Daniel Stewart, Joseph Fuller, Charles Rice, William Howlett, Robert Palmer,

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John Brown, Jacob Boyles, Peter Boyles, Wm. Barrows, John Abbot, Simeon Cooley, Josiah Coe, Peter Grow.
     April Term, 1809 - Nathan Woodbury, Azel Johnson, Wm. Peane, Thomas Armstrong, Wm. Harper, Isaac Stanley, Robert Linzee, Othniel Tuttle, Daniel Weethee, Jacob Cowdry, Isaac Barker Joshua Wood, Arthur Coates, John Brown 2d.
     August Term, 1809 - Leonard Jewitt, Martin Mansfield, Reuben Davis, William Rabb, Caleb Merritt, Daniel Stewart, Wm. Howlett, Wm. Weir, Samuel Coleman, Levi Johnson, Thomas Armstrong, Jacob Humphrey, Stephen Buckingham.
     December Term - 1809 - Jehiel Gregory, George Walker, Jason Rice, Zebulon Griffin, Jonathan Watkins, Wm. Burch, Elijah Pilcher, Joseph Pugsley, John Armstrong, John Johnstone, Samuel Luckey, Martin Mansfield, Amos Thompson, Wm. Howlett, Eli Reynolds.
     April Term, 1810 - John Brown, Benjamin Davis, Abraham Pugsley, Josiah True, Wm. Brown, Seth Fuller, Peter Phillips, Joshua Wyatt, Amos Crippen, Arthur Coates, Wm. Harper, Samuel Moore, John McKee, Eli Reynolds.
     August Term, 1810 - John Corey, Arthur Coates, Daniel Weethee, Eli Reynolds, Abel Mann, James Crippen, Solomon Munroe, Charles Harper, Jarret Bobo, Joel Lowther, Jacob Cowdry, John Thompson, Jarret Jones, Joshua Wood, Elijah Pilcher.
     December Term, 1810 - Jehiel Gregory, Joseph Guthrie, Charles Harper, Levi Stedman, James Armstrong, Isaac Wood, Wm. Burch, Joseph Fuller, Nathan Woodbury, Baruch Dorr, Samuel Luckey, Jabez Cooley, Silvanus Ames, Bernardus B. Lottridge, George Barrows.
     April Term, 1811 - John Brown, Isaac Stephens, Caleb Meritt, Wm. Brown, Robert McKinstry, Henry Barrows,, John Bowman, Abram Pugsley, Nicholas Phillips, Samuel Coleman, John Phillips, Moses Bean, John White.
     August Term, 1811 - David Simontown, John Wright, Elisha Alderman, Robert Palmer, Christopher Herrold, George Ewing,

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Jonathan Watkins, ISaac Havner, Isaac Wood, Edmund Dorr, Elijah Pilcher, John Abbot, Aaron Young, Moses Kay. 
     December Term, 1811 - John Phillips, Josiah Coe, Jeremiah Shumway, Thomas Armstrong, Arthur Coates, Thomas Sharp, John White, Nehemiah Davis, Othniel Tuttle, Job Phillips, Wm. Burch, Augusting Webster, John Irwin, John McKee, Robert Lowther.
     April Term, 1812 - Silas Bingham, Henry Barrows, Frederick Tubbs, Ebenezer Barrows, Martin Mansfield, John Symmes, Christopher Herrold, Jacob Cowdry, Abel Mann, Wm. McKinstry, Joel Cowdry, Enos Thompson, John Corey, Levi Johnson, Edmund Dorr.
     December Term, 1812 - Christopher Wolf, John White, Daniel Weethee, Nathaniel Williams, Hopson Beebe, John Corey, David Pratt, Edmund Dorr, Reuben J. Davis Jeremiah Riggs, Joseph Guthrie, Arthur Coates, Martin Mansfield, Stephen Pilcher, Charles Harper.
     April Term, 1813 - Alvan Bingham, Hopson Beebe, Charles Harper, Edmund Dorr, Arthur Coates, John Connor, Alexander Stedman, Barnet Brice, Eliphalet Case, Eliphalet Wheeler, George Barrows, Daniel Muncie, Alvan Bingham, jr.
     August Term, 1813 - Stephen Pilcher, Charles Harper, Peter Grow, Joshua Selby, Ezra Green, B. B. Lottridge, Jacob Barker, Samuel Dailey, Abel Miller, David Pratt, Robert McKinstry, Seth Fuller, Abel Glazer, Jason RIce, Caleb Merritt.
     December Term, 1813 - Alvan Bingham, Robert McKinstry, Thomas McClellan, John Brown, John Holmes, John Brooks, Conklin Buckley, Enos Thompson, seth fuller, Jehiel Gregory, Peter Boyles, Elisha Hulburt, Henry O'Neal.
     September Term, 1814  - Stephen Philcher, John Bowman, Samuel Luckey, Wm. Dorr, Joseph McMahan, George Walker, Elihu Francis, S. P. Standiff, Elijah Pilcher, John McKee, Arthur Coates, Abel Mann, Luther Danielson, Jonas Smith, Wm. McKinstry.
     January Term, 1815 - George Ackerly, Justus Reynolds, Jonathan Watkins, Robert McKinstry, Wm. Johnson, Wm. Buf-

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fington, Wm. McKinstry, George Barrows, Azel Johnson, Joseph Fuller, Obadiah Walker, Nathan Nye, Jacob Kimes, Josiah Coe.
     June Term, 1815 - Josiah Coe, George Reeves, Ezekiel Worthing, David Ducher, John Brooks, JAcob Humphrey, Cephas Carpenter, Isaac Pierce, Charles Devol, John Walker, Asahel Cooley, James Gillmore, John Abbot, John Bowman, Elijah Pilcher.

Personal and Biographical.

     A history of Athens county would be very incomplete without a biographical notice of the father and projector of the Ohio university—an institution that has done so much to shape and influence the history of this community.  Though never a resident of the county, perhaps no one person has exerted a more deep and lasting influence on its welfare than Dr. Manasseh Cutler.  He was the son of Hezekiah Cutler, who came from a thorough Puritan stock, and was born at Killingly, Connecticut, May 3, 1742.  He graduated at Yale college, at the age of twenty-three, studied theology at Dedham, with the Rev. Thomas Balch, and having settled in the ministry at Ipswich, Massachusetts, in 1771, soon became known for ability and learning.  A minister by profession, he was also an ardent votary of science, in some of whose walks he became very eminent.  In 1766, he married Mary Balch, daughter of his preceptor in theologv, and to them were born seven children, viz : Ephraim, Jervis,

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Mary, Charles, Lavinia, Elizabeth, and Temple.  Of these only three, Ephraim, Jervis, and Charles ever came to Ohio.  Dr. Cutler was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1781, of the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, in 1783; an honorary member of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1784; received the degree of LL. D. from Yale college in 1789; was elected a member of the Massachusetts Historical Society in 1792, and was a representative in congress in 1800 and 1802.  He was also active as president of a bible society in Massachusetts, and was a member of various other scientific bodies than those above named.  He was a chaplain in the American army during; the revolutionary war, and in one engagement took such an active and gallant part, that the colonel of his regiment presented him with a fine horse captured from the enemy.  On the formation of the Ohio Company in 1787, Dr. Cutler soon became a controlling spirit in that enterprise. In an original memorandum of his, now before us, referring to the origin of the company, etc., he says:

     "At this meeting* by y^e desire of Major Sargent, I attended. I had suffered exceedingly in y^e war, and after it was over, by paper money and y^e high price of articles of living.  My salary* small and family large, for several years I thought y^e people had

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*The meeting of March 1st, 1787.

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not done me justice, and I meditated leaving them. Purchasing lands in a new country appeared to be y^e only thing I could do to secure a living to myself, and family in that unsettled state of public affairs.  I had long before entertained an high opinion of y^e lands in y^e western country, which was a particular inducement to attend this meeting.  The representations and plans of y^e country gave me a still more favorable idea, and I determined to join y^e association, but without y^e most distant thought of taking an active part."

     A few days later, he was chosen a director, and appointed as their agent to proceed to New York and negotiate with the congress then sitting there, for a purchase of western lands.  From the very interesting journal kept by Dr. Cutler during this trip, we have quoted at some length.  He conducted this negotiation with great skill and entire success.  He insisted that there should be an appropriation of land in the company's purchase for the endowment of a university, and this feature was part of the contract with congress.  Thus, the Ohio university is undoubtedly indebted to Dr. Cutler for its existence, and he was in later years very active in furthering its sound organization.  He also originated the idea of a donation of land in each township, for educational and religious purposes, and made it a part of the contract with congress that two sections in each township should be reserved as school and ministerial lands.
     In the summer of 1788, in order to attend a meeting of the directors of the Ohio Company, and to examine into the condition and prospects of the colony. Dr.

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Cutler made a trip to Marietta, where he spent a short time, and became thoroughly acquainted with the nature of the country and wants of the settlers.  His versatile talents and unusual business qualifications made his services to the company of great value, and for many years he continued to exercise a controlling influence in this great enterprise.  During all this time he did not cease his labors as a minister of the gospel, nor his scientific investigations, particularly his botanical pursuits, in which branch of science he was very eminent.  The latter years of his life were spent peacefully in Massachusetts.  He officiated as pastor of one church at Hamilton in that state, for nearly fifty years, and died in 1820.