THIS township occupies an interior position north of the centre of the county, and is bounded on the north by Goshen and Wayne townships, on the east by Jackson, on the south by Batavia and Union, and on the west by Miami.  The surface of Stonelick is greatly varied, and in some localities is much broken, but in the northern part is more level, and nearly the entire area there is tillable.

PIONEER SETTLERS

     An attempt at settlement was made within the bounds of Stonelick as early as 1792, about a mile above the mouth of Stonelick Creek, on the farm now owned by Mrs. Elizabeth Carpenter.  Four or five acres of land were deadened and a pole cabin built, but owing to the hostility of the Indians the place was soon abandoned.  It remained un-occupied until 1798, when Henry Allison, a brother of Dr. Richard Allison, came on and built a cabin on the same site, and cleared off the land that had previously been deadened, and made the first permanent settlement.  In 1799, Dr. Richard Allison, who had received a patent for survey No. 1773, containing 441 acres of land, for services rendered to the United States during the Revolution, built a double log cabin two stories in height on the south side of the road leading from Stonelick to East Liberty, opposite the present residence of T. C. Teal.  This house stood until 1862, when it was torn down by E.

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C. Patchell.  In 1810 he removed to Cincinnati, where he died in 1817.  In the same year his brother Henry sold his farm, and it is now owned by Mrs. Elizabeth Carpenter.
     Dr. Richard Allison was a native of Orange Co., N. Y., and was born about the year 1744.  In 1776 he graduated from the Jefferson Medical College (as it is now called) with high honors.  In the following year he was commissioned as a surgeon by the executive council of Pennsylvania, and served as such during the rest of the war, being assigned to the regulars under St. Clair.
     After the close of the war he returned to Philadelphia, where he practiced his profession until 1787, when he was commissioned a surgeon's mate by the executive council of Pennsylvania to the forces to be raised for the defense of the Northwest Territory, in which capacity he served until 1791, receiving for his services, in addition to his pay, 300 acres of land situated on the west side of the Alleghany River, in Westmoreland, Co., Pa. 
     After Harmar's defeat in 1790, Governor St. Clair being ordered to raise a body of regulars and volunteers for the subjugation of the Indians, Col. D. E. A. Strong, commander of the United States Legion, then stationed at Pittsburgh, was ordered to Fort Washington in April of that year, of which Dr. Richard Allison was surgeon.  On the arrival of St. Clair at Fort Washington, he was appointed surgeon-general of his army, also serving as commissary-general from April, 1791, to March 1, 1793.  He was in St. Clair's defeat, and through his bravery and
coolness saved the lives of several officers and soldiers by putting them on his famous charger, Jack, and taking them to the rear.  After the return of St. Clair's army to ;Fort Washington, he occupied a plain frame dwelling on the east side of the fort, on Fourth Street, situated in the
centre of a large lot cultivated as a garden and fruitery which was called Peach Grove, which he sold in 1801 to John Cleves Symes, together with three or four acres on the west side of Deer Creek, for $3000.
     He was also surgeon-general of Gen. Anthony Wayne's army, and was at the battle of Fallen Timbers. 
     After the treaty of Greenville, Wayne's army was disbanded and he resigned his commission, having been previously married to Rebecca Strong, daughter of Col. D. E. A. Strong, of the United States Legion.  For his meritorious conduct at St. Clair's defeat and the battle of
Fallen Timbers, he was given 3936 acres of land in Muskingum County.  In 1815 he laid out Allisonia on a grand scale, donating several lots for a public square, Lancaster school, hotel, and common prison.  The site, though a beautiful one, did not strike the eyes of the masses,' and
but few lots were ever sold, and they were finally taken back by the proprietor.
     Dr. Allison held several official positions both in this and Hamilton County.  As a surgeon he had no superior west of the mountains.  In person he was over six feet in height, with a commanding look.  He was kind-hearted and generous to a fault, and died at the age of seventy-three, greatly beloved by all who knew him.
     His wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Strong, was the youngest daughter of Col. D. E. A. Strong, of the regular army, and was born about the year 1778, at Pittsburgh, Pa., where her father was stationed.
     In April, 1794, she was married to Dr. Richard Allison, at the early age of fourteen, as claimed by some, but most probably at sixteen.  He dying in 1817 and leaving no issue, she became possessor of his estate.  In 1818 she was married to' the Rev. Samuel West.  She was the mother of two children, viz., S. R. S. West and Rebecca Julia Evans West, both now deceased.  She died June 1, 1827, aged forty-nine years.  Mrs. West was one of the most brilliant women of her time.  A fine form and a face of' marvelous beauty, together with a well-balanced and cultivated mind, made her the centre of attraction wherever she went.  Pious, sympathetic, generous, and energetic, she was a power in the church of which she was a member.  She was gifted as a speaker, and had she lived when women were allowed the privilege in the church and society that they now are, she would have excelled, in some respects, Margaret Fuller or Hannah More.

     The next settler after Dr. Richard Allison was John Metcalfe, a native of Virginia.  He also lived for several years in Maryland prior to his emigration to Kentucky in 1792.  In 1798 he immigrated to Ohio, stopping first at Garrett's Station, near Newtown, where he remained until the spring of 1800, when he purchased 250 acres of land on Stonelick Creek; now owned in part by Ira Williams.  In September of that year he built a log cabin on the banks of the creek, about five hundred yards southwest of the present residence of Ira Williams, in which he lived until 1808, when he built a hewed-log house, which is still in a good state of preservation, being occupied by Ira Williams.  In 1819 he built an addition ·of stone to it, which is also well preserved.  His house was a preaching place for many years.  His family consisted of himself, wife, and four daughters, viz., Elizabeth, wife of Wm. Glancy; Mary, wife of George McCormick; Milly, whose first husband was John Hair, who lived but a short time after their marriage, and her second husband was Timothy Kirby, of Cincinnati; and Nancy, wife of Jasper Whetston.
     John Metcalfe died in 18-l7. He was a great hunter and backwoodsman, and his cabin was the headquarters of Kenton and Washburn for a number of years.
     In September, 1800, Capt. Richard Hall settled on the farm now owned by John Smith.  He was a native of Pennsylvania.  In 1791 he emigrated to Ohio, locating at Columbia. Soon after his arrival he was made commander of Geraul's Station, which office he filled to the satisfaction of his comrades until after the treaty of Greenville.
     While in command of the block-house or station a party of five Indians were seen prowling around the block-house, intent on surprising some of the settlers.  He took his rifle and stole out unperceived by, them, and afterwards shot one of their number, a chief of more than local reputation.
Capt. Richard Hall was married to Theodosia Edwards, and had children named Jackson, Richard, Lytle, Eleanor, Ruth, and Isabel. It is claimed by some that he was a soldier of the Revolution, but this cannot now be positively determined.

     In 1800, Richard Taliaferro was employed by Gen. James Taylor to sell lands for him in the neighborhood

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of Boston.  In 1802 he brought his family from Kentucky and settled on the farm now owned by Jacob Balshizer.  He was twice married his  first, wife was a Davis, by whom he had five children, Zack, Lucy, Jones, Matilda, and Emily.  His second wife was Rebecca Riddle, by whom he had six children, Jefferson, Sarah, Elizabeth, Kitty, Riddle, and William.  Richard Taliaferro was a native of Caroline Co., Va.  He was under George Rogers Clark in his memorable expedition against Vincennes and Kaskaskia in 1778.
     For services rendered in that expedition he received 200 acres of land in Indiana, opposite Louisville, Ky.  After Clark's campaign he returned to Virginia, where he remained until 1792, when he came to Kentucky with Gen. James Taylor, settling near Newport.  Jones enlisted in the War of 1812, at the age of sixteen, and was in the battle of Brownstown, near Detroit, and was taken prisoner at that place a short time afterwards.  Zack was also in the war of 1812, having enlisted in 1813.  He was in the battles of Lundy's Lane and Chippewa, and for bravery at the former place was made ensign on the field by Gen. Winfield Scott.  He was a surveyor by profession and a man of considerable ability, but 'owing to his intemperate habits it did not avail him much.
     Richard Taliaferro died in 1835, while on u visit to Ohio, and was buried on his son's farm, he having previously removed to Indiana.  In person he was fine looking, of medium height, and stoutly built. Thomas Braggg, a distant relative of Richard Taliaferro, set tied about the same time on the farm now the property of Valentine Snider.  His family consisted of his wife and five children, Richard, Mary, Elizabeth, Nancy, and Rebecca.  He enlisted as a soldier in the war of 1812, and was killed at the battle of the River Raisin.  About 1820 his family went back to Kentucky, from which State he had emigrated to Ohio.  Since that time all trace of the family has been lost.  Josiah Prickett settled on the north side of Stonelick, on the farm now owned by W. Roudebush, in the spring of 1801.  He was a native of Virginia, and came to Geraul's Station in company with his parents in 1791.  In 1792 his youngest brother, Richard, was stolen by the Indians while he was hunting the cows a short distance from the station.  He never returned to the whites, having married an Indian woman and raised a large family. In the war of 1812 he was an interpreter for the Wyandots, by which tribe he had been adopted.  He died at an advanced age, in 1847, and was the wealthiest man in the reservation.  Josiah Prickett was a soldier of the Revolution and was in several battles.

The Fletcher brothers, William, David, and Jesse, settled in this township about the same time.  They were natives of· Pennsylvania, and came with Capt. Hull to Geraul's Station in 1791, where they remained until 1801, when they settled on farms now owned by Henry Balshizer and J. W. Robinson.  Of their history we have been unable to obtain any definite information. They at different periods owned and operated several distilleries, and were counted good business men.  None of their descendants are now living in the township, all having died or emigrated to parts unknown.

    In 1802, Conrad Harsh settled on the farm now owned by F. X. Iuen, north of the corporation of Boston.  He was born Dec.17, 1757, and was a native of Pennsylvania.  He was twice married: first to Eva Hockensmith, Aug. 31, 1790.  She was also a native of Pennsylvania, and was born Aug. 6, 1771.  She died in 1801.  In June, 1802, he married Nncy Hockensmith.  They had no children.  He died in 1846, and his wife in 1849.  He was the first blacksmith in Stonelick township, and made the first grain-cradle that was ever made within its limits.  In the same year Benjamin Whitmore a brother-in-law of Harsh, settled on the farm now owned by Thomas Shumard.  He was a native of Pennsylvania; in what year he was born is not known.  About the year 1785 he emigrated to Kentucky, settling at Lexington, having subsequently married Mary Hockensmith, who was born May 7, 1765.  He was the father of four children, Conrad, Mary, Sarah, ____.  Mary was the wife of John Patterson, Jr., and Sarah, that of Thomas Hills.  She was a continuous resident of Stonelick township for seventy-five years.  Benjamin Whitmore was killed in 1819, by falling from a house that he was helping to raise.  His widow married Lawrence Hensel.  She died in 1860, aged ninety-five years.  Of these two families there is not one of the name living within the limits of Clermont County.

     In 1803, Christian Long, ...

     In 1802, William Pattison ...

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     In September, 1805, Samuel Lattimer

     Ephraim Simpkins

     This year Dr. Samuel Glenn

     In January, 1806, Jesse Glancy,

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     Joseph Smith, a native of Pennsylvania, settled on the farm now owned by David Meek in the year 1806.  His father, Dennis Smith, Sr., was a captain in the war of the Revolution, and for services rendered received a warrant for 500 acres of land, which he located in Clermont County, and on which his three sons - Joseph, Christopher, and David-and son-in-law, James Seals, settled at various dates.  Joseph was the father of seven children, Dennis, Annie, Elizabeth, Joseph, Martha, Amanda, and Harvey, all of whom are now living.   Dennis is a prominent lawyer of Carthage, Ill.  Harvey has a wide reputation as a physician.  He resides at Blanchester.   Joseph Smith was one of' the constituent members of the Stonelick Baptist Church, and was a man of great piety.  He built the first brick house that was built in the township, in 1818.  Christopher was born Aug. 6, 1791.  He was at the defense of Baltimore in 1814.  In 1816 he was married to Mary Britt, who is still living at the age of eighty-four.  They are the oldest married couple in Clermont County, having lived together for almost sixty-four years.  They have reared a large family of children, a majority of whom are dead. David was born July 1, 1793.  1n 1814 he married, and had eleven children, Elizabeth, Dennis, Phoebe, Lydia A., Peter, John, William, Rachel, David, Sarah, and Jane.  He died in 1876, aged eighty-three.
     In 1806, Jacob Roudebush bought 159 acres of land, situated in survey No. 4239, from Richard Taliaferro, then acting as agent for Gen. James Taylor for the sale of land in that survey. Jacob Roudebush was born near Hagerstown, Md , Sept. 15, 1778.  In 1796 his fat her emigrated to Kentucky, settling in Bourbon County, near Lexington.  In 1800 his father bought 500 acres of land near Goshen, and in September of that year settled on it.  From 1802 to 1806, Jacob Roudebush was miller for Dr. Richard Allison.  In July, 1807, he built a large hewed-log house on his farm, now owned by J. L. Gerard and Valentine Dellar.  On the 17th of April, 1808, he was married to Elizabeth Hartman, a woman of great intellectual power.  By this union there were ten children, viz.:  William, Daniel, Mary Ann, Rebecca, John, Paulina, Sarah Jane, James M., Ambrose, and Francis J., all of whom, lived to be over twenty-five years of age.  On the 25th of May, 1835, Jacob Roudebush died of cholera.  He was a man of great personal worth, and was held in high esteem by his neighbors.  He was one of the best farmers of his time.  Conscientious in all his actions, quiet and unobtrusive in his manners, he was greatly respected by those who knew him.
     John, the third son, died in February, 1840, aged twenty-five years.  His disease was consumption, brought on by over-work in the school-room and elsewhere.  In 1834 he entered Hanover College, Indiana, graduating from it in 1837 with high honors.  The winter of 1837-38 he spent in teaching school in Mississippi, also that of 1838-39 in Illinois.  In the spring of 1839 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Courtland Williams, and was ready to commence the practice of it whom disease overtook him.
His personal appearance was striking. Elegant in manners, admirable in bearing, nearly six feet in height, with black

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* Since writing the above the distance is found to have been five hundred yards, so that his wife did not hear his call for help, but the dog did.
† History of Goshen Township

PROPERTY-HOLDERS IN 1826.

     This embrances, also, the names of some citizens of Jackson before that township was formed.  Those who paid no tax on personal property have a star prefixed to their names, to indicate that they were probably non-residents at that period.

     The entire number of acres was reported as 24,115, whose valuation, including houses, was set at $59,049.  On this was levied a tax of $324.72 for State and county purposes.  In 1826 there were 239 horses owned in Stonelick, valued at $9560; cattle, 362 head, worth $2896.  The entire tax on personal property was $68.51.

CIVIL ORGANIZATION.

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VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.

BOSTON.

Residence of T. W. Hill, Stonelick Tp., Clermont Co., Ohio

BELFAST POST OFFICE.

STONELICK

ALLISONIA.

COUNTRY STORES AND SHOPS.

James B. Shaw

Residence of J. M. Shaw, Stonelick Township, Clermont Co., Ohio

SECRET ORDERS.

HAMAR LODGE, No. 228, F. AND A. M.,

was instituted April 26, 1852, with Edmund Hartman, B. C. South, James South, Sr., Henry South, George Shanedoney, Nathan Anderson, Samuel Anderson, Harrison McGee, W. C. South, John Guy, Josiah Anderson, and James Smith us charter members.
     Names of first officers, 1852: W. M., Edmund Hartman; S. W., B. C. South;  J. W., James South; Treas., Henry South; Sec., Geo. Shanedoney; S. D., N. Anderson;  J. D., S. Anderson; Tyler, Harrison McGee.
     The principal officers since the first election have been as follows:
     Worshipful Masters.-1853, B.C. South; 1854-69, Robert Davidson; 1870, J. F. South; 1871-78, Robert Davidson; 1879, J. H. Hall.
     Secretaries. - 1853-56, George Shanedoney; 1857, J. B. Needham; 1858, A. Quitter; 1859, A. D. Daugherty;
1860, J. F. South; 1861, A. D. Daugherty; 1862, W. W. Robinson; 1863-64, A. D. Daugherty; 1865, Thos. Needham;  1866, A. D. Daugherty; 1867, G. W. Ferree; 1868-79, A. D. Daugherty.
     The officers for 1880 were: W. M., Henry South; S. W., William McMahon; J. W., J. L. Roudebush; Treas., John Vance; Sec., G. W. Hensel; S. D., A. Quitter; J. D., Peter South; Stewards, Rufus Pattison and James Smith; Tyler, Albert Daugherty.
     The aggregate membership is 201; present number, 69.  From 1852 to 1880 the time of meeting was Saturday evening on or after full moon; the place from 1852 to 1860 was Temperance Hall.
     In 1860 the society united with Joseph Foster and built a large brick building, two stories in height, on lot No. 33, fronting Main Street.  In 1861 the upper story was dedicated as a Masonic hall.  The lower story is used by Joseph Foster for a store-room.  In 1869 the society voted to give $50 as a gift to the Boston Cornet Band as long as it had an organization; but upon its disbandonment the instruments were to revert to the society.

BOSTON LODGE, No. 189, 1. O. O. F.,

was instituted July 28, 1851, with the following persons as charter members: Wm. Ulrey, Samuel Robinson, F. J. Roudebush, James Mitchell, and Milton Cook.  Names of first officers, commencing July 1, 1851: N. G., W. Ulrey;
V. G., Samuel Robinson; Sec., F. J. Roudebush; Per. Sec., James Mitchell; Treas., J. N. Pattison.
     The Noble Grands since the first meeting have been as follows: January, 1852, Samuel Robinson; July, F. J. Roudebush. January, 1853, Daniel Craig; July, J. N. Pattison.  January, 1854, J. S. Johnson; July, Samuel Robinson.  January, 1855, Richard Marsh; July, B. Blythe.  January, 1856, A. M. Marsh; July, Isaac Ferree.  January, 1857, George H. Miller; July, G. H. Hill.  January, 1858, E. Mitchell; July, J. N. Pattison.  January, 1859, L. H. Smith; July, A. Hopper.  January, 1860, J. C. Malone; July, W. A. Dallas.  January, 1861, David Mitchell; July, W. A. Dallus.  January, 1862, J. N.
Pattison; July, J. L. Mitchell. January, 1863, Darius South; July, J. C. Malone. January, 1864, Daniel Craig; July, N. Ulrey. January,1865, J. G. Oonk; July, A. M. Marsh. January, 1866, Lorain Marsh; July, Darius South. January, 1867, Thos. Needham; July, J. G. Oonk. January, 1868, A. M. Marsh; July, B. Blythe.  January, 1869, Lorain Marsh; July, J. G. Oonk. January, 1870, A. M. Marsh; July, B. Blythe. January, 1871, B. Blythe; July, Thos. Marsh. January, 1872, L. H. Medaris; July, E. C. Patchell. January, 1873, E. C. Patchell; July, Lorain Marsh. January, 1874, J. N. Pattison; July, A. E. Clark. January, 1875, A. J. Willis; July, D. D. Marsh. January, 1876, David Brunk; July, Joshua Burnet. January, 1877, A. Tice; July, David L. Mitchell. January, 1878, J. L. McCollum; July, A. M. Marsh. January, 1879, J. N. Pattison; July, Mahlon Marsh.
     The following are the officers for 1879: N. G., Mahlon Marsh; Secretary, J. B. Rapp; V. G., David Brunk; Per. Sec., J. N. Pattison; Treas., A. M. Marsh.
     The time of meeting is Saturday evening at seven P.M. in each week.
     Previous to the erection of a hall the society met in William Ulrey's garret.  In  1856 a stock company was organized for the purpose of building an Odd Fellows' hall and school-room, the lower story being used for the latter and the upper for the former purpose.  In 1875 the lower story was made into a store-room and also an addition built to it, in which Robinson & Patterson have a dry-goods store, etc. The society in 1865 purchased of Thomas Marsh 4¼ acres of land fur a cemetery, situated on the Milford and Chillicothe turnpike, for $500.  This lodge is said to be one of the wealthiest in the State.  Besides owning their hall and cemetery, it has a large amount of money on interest.

BOSTON DIVISION, No. 280, SONS OF TEMPERANCE,

was instituted at Boston July 14, 1847, with the following members; J. G. Buchanan, Cyrus Noble, E. Dimmitt, E. Fitzgerald, Albert Redding, William Buchanan, Samuel South, William South, Iru Harrold, John Cozart, and Richard South.
     The division met at stated times until March, 1865, when the meetings were suspended and not resumed until April 17, 1868, a new organization having been effected meantime.  Under this charter the Sons met until some time after 1872, when it was not deemed advisable to longer continue the organization.  In 1875 the hall where the division held its meetings was donated to Boston special school district, and no attempt has since been made to revive the work.  A lodge of Good Templars and other temperance organizations have also had an existence in the township, but their duration was not long continued, and their history cannot be detailed in this connection.

BOSTON GRANGE, No. 127, PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY,

was instituted Sept. 4, 1873, with D. D. Marsh, A. M. Marsh, F. J. Roudebush, A. Roudebush, J. L. Roudebush, E. C. Patchell, J. B. Needham, Thomas Needham, James Needham, John Burns, David Meek, John Moore, T. C. Teal, W. 1. Craig, A. Davidson, Ellen Roudebush, Sarah

Pg. 536 -
Roudebush, Adda Marsh, Belle Marsh, S. Marsh, Elizabeth Needham, and Mary Needham.
     For a time the grange kept up its organization in a vigorous manner, and on the 1st of January, 1876, had 69 members.  But the interest was allowed to decline, and at the end of the same year (1876) the meetings were discontinued.
     The Masters of the grange were J. B. Needham, F. J. Roudebush, .J. L. Roudebush, and A. M. Marsh.

EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS

BOSTON SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Pg. 538 -
if not the second, school ever kept in the township was taught by the latter.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

ST. PHILOMENA CATHOLIC CHURCH.

ST. LOUIS CATHOLIC CHURCH OF BOSTON.

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*No relative of the other family.

Pg. 539 -
Smith, Rev. ____ Deviles, Rev. Louis Navarron, Rev. ____ O'Mera, Rev. ____ O'Rourk, Rev. ____ Cunningham, Rev. ____ Maler, Rev. Joseph Henry, Rev. ____ Resner.
     The church belongs to the diocese of Cincinnati.  The .....

BOSTON METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

MOUNT ZION METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

Pg. 540 -
Charles Hill, H. Hill, W. Carr, Amos Hill, and John Hoffman.
     Number of volumes in library , 150; enrollment of officers, teachers, and scholars, 65.  This is the oldest Sunday-school in the township, and though conducted on a different plan for many years from the manner in which it is at present conducted, has always had a good effect on the neighborhood.

ROBINSON'S OR SHUMARD'S METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

MOUNT OLIVE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

BELFAST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

SECOND STONELICK BAPTIST CHURCH.

Pg. 541 -

 STONELICK REGULAR BAPTIST CHURCH.

STONELICK VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH.

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* See Wayne township.

Pg. 542 -
     In January, 1870, 1871, and 1872 three revivals occurred, in which over 100 united with the church.  In 1867 a union Sunday-school was held at the school-house, under the superintendency of A. J. Turner; 1868, G. S. Swing; 1869, J. N. Lawson.  In 1870 the Sunday-school became a Baptist Sunday-school, with A. J. Turner as superintendent; 1871, A. J.  Turner; 1872, G. S. Swing; 1873, E. C. Patchell; 1874, J. L. Roudebush; 1875, Henry Baldwin; 1876-77, E. C. Patchell; 1878-79, J. L. Roudebush.  The present officers are the following:  Superintendent, J. L. Roudebush; Assistant Superintendent, E. C. Patchell; Secretary, Mrs. Belle Patchell; Treasurer, J. A. Jones.  Volumes in library, 150; number
of officers, teachers, and scholars, 75.

STONELICK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

     In 1817, David and Joseph Rapp's was a preaching place, and continued to be until the "Union" or "Old Stone Church" was built in 1822, about which time the Presbyterians perfected an organization which for many years was only a missionary station.  The first pastor is thought to have been the Rev. L. G. Gaines.  At that time the following persons were members: David Rapp, Jesse Glancy, Isaac McChesney, William Cowen, Joseph Rapp, Margaret Rapp, George Rapp, Charlotte Happ, and others, to the number of fifteen.  The following persons preached there regularly: Rev. George Beecher, Rev. Dr. Wilson (it is claimed that Henry Ward Beecher preached also), Rev. -- Wilson, son of the above, and others whose names are now forgotten.  At this place the first Sunday-school in the township was organized, about the year 1824, of which there is, as of the church, no record.
     After 1842 the stone church was not occupied by the Presbyterians, and in 1846 it was abandoned by the Baptists.  The end walls are still standing, marking the spot where so many have started on a new pilgrimage.

GERMAN UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.

    In 1874 meetings were occasionally held in school-house district No. 10, by Rev. I. Moeller; and in 1875, through the influence of M. Maegley, F. Bayhu, and others, a church was organized, of which the following persons were the constituent members: John Liller, Barbara Liller, Kate Liller, Caroline Liller, Charles Plout, Sr., Mrs. C. Plout, Frederick Plout, Charles Bielfield, Frederick Bayhu, Lena Bayhu, Rosa Bayhu, Mrs. E. Bohn, Christopher Glasser, Barbara Glasser, George Glasser, Mrs. C. Divine, Kate Divine, John Gableman, Sr., Lena Gableman, Myria Gableman, Nicholas Ruster, Mrs. N. Ruster, Peter Ruster, Mrs. P. Ruster, Christopher Glltenkunst, Deborah Gutenkunst, M. Maegley, Magaritta Maegley, and Mary Smith.
Aggregate membership, 47; present number, 32.  The first church officers were: Trustees, F. Bayhu, C. Bielfield, and M. Maegley, who have been continued to the present time Treasurer, M. Maegley.  In 1877, M. Maegley was licensed as a local preacher.  The first pastor was Rev. I. Moeller; in 1877-78, Rev. G. F. Albrecht; 1879, Rev. A. Kopittke.  This church is connected with the Batavia change.  In 1876, a large frame church was built by Messrs. Gomieu & Faverett, on a beautiful site near the corporation of Boston, fronting on the road leading from Boston to Batavia, at a cost of $1050.  The church was dedicated Aug. 5, 1876, by Bishop Weaver.

STONELICK CEMETERIES.

     In March, 1822, Jacob Rapp, David Rapp, and Joseph Rapp (in consideration of three cents) deeded to W. Glancy, Peter Vandervort, and Joseph Smith, trustees of the Stonelick Baptist Church, and their successors forever, 132 poles of land situated on the Deerfield road, to be sued as a burying-ground.
     The first person buried in it was Annie Cook who died in 1823.
     On the 3d day of April, 1872, the trustees of Stonelick township, in accordance with an act which had passed the Legislature the previous year, located the township cemetery on the site of the Baptist burying-ground, and on the 23d of August the trustees of Stonelick Baptist Church deeded to the trustees of the township the aforesaid 133 poles of land.
     On the 5th day of April, 1872, the heirs of Jacob Rapp, deceased, in consideration of $158.75, deeded to the township trustees 3-4/5 acres of land, to be sued for a township cemetery.
     In 1873 the cemetery was inclosed by a neat and substantial board fence, and the grounds were also graded down in 1874, making it a very desirable and picturesque site for a cemetery.

BOSTON CEMETERY (I. O. O. F.)

     In October, 1864, Thomas Marsh, in consideration of $500, deeded to J. N. Pattison, W. A. Dallas, and B. Blythe, trustees of Boston Lodge, No. 189, I. O. O. F., 4-1/4 acres of land, to be used as a burying-ground, situated on the Milford and Chillicothe turnpike, one mile west of Boston.  In November the ground was laid out into lots.  On the 18th day of December, 1864, the first person, James Patchell, was buried in it.  In April of the following year it was inclosed by a substantial board fence.  In 1876 the drive-way was graded and macadamized.  It is now one of the most desirable cemeteries in the township.

PLAINVIEW CEMETERY.

     In September, 1873, William Roudebush sold to the Plainview Cemetery Association 7 acres of land, to be sued as a cemetery, situated on the Newtonville and Logtown free turnpike, one and a half miles west of Newtonville.  In 1873 it was surveyed into lots, part being reserved for a Potter's field.
     Mrs. Dennis Foster was the first person buried in it.
     The officers at the time it was laid out were: President, William Roudebush; Secretary, Richard Shumard;  Treasurer, Z. Dickenson.  At present the officers are: President, B. F. Clark; Secretary, G. M. Roudebush; Treasurer, Richard Shumard.  The location being good, it has filled up rapidly, and can be extended, as the grounds adjoining it are suitable for cemetery purposes.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CEMETERY AT BOSTON.

     When the church at the junction of the Jackson pike with the Deerfield road was built, a greater part of the yard

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was used as a burying-ground, and has been so used up to the present time, though the church has been removed since 1829.

THE OLD ROBINSON METHODIST EPISCOPAL BURYING-GROUND.

     was laid out about the same time the church was built.  It was situated near the residence of Joseph Birdsal.  About 20 persons have been buried in it.  It has been deserted for thirty years.

ST. PHILOMENA (CATHOLIC) CEMETERY.

     In 1837 the St. Philomena Catholic Church laid out about one-half acre into lots for a cemetery for its membership.  It is one of the most populous cities of the dead in Clermont County, as well as the oldest Catholic Cemetery.  The first person buried in it was Mrs. Louis Bartell, in 1839.

ST. LOUIS (CATHOLIC) CEMETERY

     In 1874 the St. Louis Catholic Church laid out one and a quarter acres into lots for burying purposes.  In 1857 persons were buried in it, but who the first one was is not known.  It is situated east of hte church and north of Boston village.

THE HILL FAMILY CEMETERY

     is situated on the farm now owned by Adam Dellar.  There have been some 50 bodies buried in it.  The first person that was buried in it was Thomas Hill in 1815.
     On the farm now owned by Clemens Grotte there was a large burying ground, which was mostly used by the Fletchers, Halls, Hills, and others.  It is now being plowed over, having been deserted thirty years ago.
     Numerous other family burying-grounds are found in various parts of the township, but for the most part they have been abandoned and their occupants removed to some of the above cemeteries.

STONELICK DESPARADOES.

     In 1809 several families, whose names are withheld, settled near Simpkillsville, in Stonelick township.  They claimed to have come from Kentucky (from which State it was afterwards ascertained they had to leave on account of their depredations).  The men were fine-looking, intelligent, and accommodating, rode fine horses, dressed in the best broadcloth, and their conduct and appearance for a short time left the impression on the minds of their neighbors that they were wealthy, cultivated, and honorable.
     They could not have selected a better place to conceal their business and plunder, and make stealing profitable.
     The hills of Stonelick Creek are rugged, and at that time were covered with a dense undergrowth.  The immediate neighborhood was sparsely settled, but surrounded by the more populous and wealthy settlements of Hamilton, Warren, and Adams Counties, and the rich blue-grass regions of Kentucky.
     They had not resided in the neighborhood long before their actions created suspicion in the minds of such men as
Archibald Simpkins, John Hill, Joseph Glancy, and Wm. Glancy, who watched them closely, and soon found that they did not work, always had plenty of money, were absent from home most of the time, and always brought home two or three horses different from what they had rode off.  Strange men were seen in their company and in conversation with them in secret places, which led them to believe that their suspicions were correct.  They did not hesitate to express their opinions, which were told to the gang by some of their newly-made converts in the neighborhood.  The gang now disguised themselves and went to the cabin of
Jesse Glancy in the dusk of the evening, while his family were all absent but one daughter, boldly walked in and commenced beating him in a brutal manner, and had it not been for the timely arrival of friends they would have killed him.
     This was their first overt act in the neighborhood, which aroused the best elements of society to their duty.
     For a time the gang ceased, as it were, from active operations, went to farming, and made no long visits to unknown parts.  This lull was soon succeeded by intense activity on the part of the gang.  They commenced stealing hogs from their nearest neighbors, selling the meat wherever they could.  They did not confine themselves to hogs, but stole a great many cattle, which they had their confederates, in other parts of the country, sell for them.  From cattle they went to horses.  They would run them off in the nighttime to some of their confederates, who would conceal them during the day, while they would return and be at home before
daylight; and so on from station to station, until out of danger of their being recognized.  Not content with stealing stock, they went to, robbing stores and private houses.  In 1814 they robbed a store at Lebanon, Ohio, getting a small amount of money and some goods.  Their trail being found they were pursued by the sheriff and a posse, and the house of one of the gang surrounded, and one of the supposed inmates ordered to come out and give himself up.  But instead of doing that he fired at the sheriff and wounded him, after which he beat a hasty retreat.  From this time until the gang was broken up in 1819 the community was in an intense state of excitement.
     Strange men were seen in the vicinity. Secret meetings (as they thought) were had by the gang, who' went well armed all the time.  Officers of the law were after them constantly, and persons in the neighborhood were concealing members of the gang from a distance and helping to throw the officers off their trail.
     As the gang became bolder and stronger, so did the opposition, led by the. Glancys, Simpkins, Hills, Swings, and others, become more determined to drive the gang out of the country.  An opportunity was soon presented for them to show that they were men of action.  One Saturday night in June, 1819, Isaac Conrad, then living almost opposite the present residence of Hon. J. M. Pattison, in Miami township, on the Milford and Wooster pike, had a horse stolen from his stable.
     On discovering the theft· he immediately notified some of his neighbors, who started on the trail, which was easily followed, owing to a peculiar mark made by the horse's shoes.  The thief hugged the fences as closely as he could, and rode in the bed of all the streams.  His pursuers having au idea that the thief was one of the Stonelick gang, followed on

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rapidly without paying much attention to the trail, as it was not discernible all the way.  After the trail had been followed to where John Moore now lives, in Stonelick township, it was lost; but the pursuers pushed on, and as they struck the mouth of Craven's Run they discovered it again in the mud on the bank of that stream, as there had been quite a rain on Saturday night.  After following it some distance up the stream the leader called a halt, and upon consultation it was thought best to send out a party on foot to see if the horse was not concealed in the adjacent ravines, while a second one with the dogs went to the house of William Glancy near by, it being understood that if the horse was found that they should all rendezvous at Glancy's.  The hunting-party soon returned, and reported that they had found the horse tied to a bush in a ravine near by (about one-half mile from the present residence of Samuel Hill).  About four o'clock the entire party, now numbering eighteen, all well armed, took up their line of march  the ravine.
     Arriving there they concealed themselves and waited for developments.  They had not waited long before a strange man came and rubbed the horse's neck, but went away.  A short time afterwards a man well known in the neighborhood, as a member of the gang, came with a sack of oats, giving some to the horse.  After he had eaten them he proceeded to lead the horse away, when he was ordered to halt.  He was startled for a moment, and a moment only.  He bounded away with the velocity of the wind, but had only got a few feet when two of the pursuers fired (though some claim three).  He ran about two hundred yards, closely pursued by Joseph Glancy and others, clearing a poplar log six feet in diameter· at a single bound.  He was soon seen to be wounded, and was overtaken by Joseph Glancy, when he dropped to the ground and expired almost immediately without uttering a word.  On examination it was found that he had been shot in the fleshy part of the thigh, the ball severing an artery, from which he bled to death. It is thought that Defariah Jenkins fired the fatal shot.  His body was taken to a neighbor's house, and a coroner's inquest held, which returned the following verdict:  "We, the jury, find that the deceased came to his death for the want of breath.

"JACOB ROUDEBUSH, FOREMAN."

This had the desired effect. The gang soon showed signs of dissolution, and a majority of them soon left for parts unknown, though two of their number had been previously hung for the murder of a peddler in Kentucky, one at Mount Sterling and the other at Lexington.  Though this virtually broke up the gang, one of the worst ever in the 'Vest, whose history would fill a volume of theft, counterfeiting, and horrible murders, the effects of it did not die out until 1830, manifesting itself ion petty thefts and counterfeiting.   The counterfeiters were connected with a gang on Bear and Indian Creeks in the southern part of the county.  On the farm now owned by. Geniah Covalt considerable counterfeit money has been found.  Some of the plates already described, being a composition with copper as a base, have also been found.   A few years ago $100 was found on the farm now owned by John Glancy under the root of an oak stump. In another neighborhood an old snag was set on fire, and when nearly burned down a stream of metal poured out of it which weighed over two hundred pounds. There is no doubt that at least $100,000 of counterfeit money was circulated by this gang, and worse than that, not one of the Stonelick division was ever convicted, though one of their number turned State's evidence.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

EDWARD PATCHELL

AMBROSE ROUDEBUSH

JAMES B. SHAW

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