1860	1870	1880
Bratton (new township)	--	--	1,053
Franklin	2,263	2,272	1,540
Greene	1,629	1,833	2,128
Jefferson	1,845	2,268	3,431
Liberty	1,544	1,377	1,357
Manchester	834	982	1,492
Meigs	1,548	1,748	2,125
Monroe	1,206	1,304	1,403
Oliver	1,060	1,069	1,064
Scott	1,327	1,409	1,211
Sprigg	2,519	2,086	2,637
Tiffin	1,787	1,858	2,211
Wayne	1,191	1,169	1,125
Winchester	1,558	1,475	1,464
	_____	_____	_____
Total	20,309	20,750	24,241
Over 1t per cent, increase.  Gain 3,442.

Acres in the county	352,000
" on the tax duplicate	318,274
" in cultivation	88,778
" in pasture	61,464
" in woodland	78,073
" uncultivated land	14,154
" in orchards	4,430
Value of land $3,787,098.

CROPS IN 1878

STOC

FURNACES AND IRON OF ADAMS COUNTY.

     In the earlier days there appeared to be considerable quantities of iron ore deposited in the hills in the eastern part of (illegible), and furnaces were early built to smelt it and work it into iron ware.  At one time three furnaces were in operation, but they have all long ceased to operate.  It is not certainly known why they suspended, but it was probable partly because the ore was becoming exhausted and partly because others more productive were being opened up in places more accessible to markets.

BRUSH CREEK FURNACE

     This was the first furnace to be put in operation.  It was built in 1811, by Paul and McNichol, of Pittsburg.  It was located on Cedar run, near where the Cedar Mills now stand.  The point of its location is some two miles above the mouth of Cedar run into Brush creek, and why it was named Brush creek we don't know.  It passed through the hands of two or three parties and down to 1838 or '40, it ceased to be no more, and nothing but the piles of debris are now left to tell where it stood.

STEAM FURNACE

     This furnace was so named because steam was used, and was built in 1814, by Andrew Ellison and Christian Benner.  It manufactured hollow-ware.  The firm was James Rogers, Geo. Sample, & Co. Andrew Ellison, Jr., manager.  R. Hamilton, clerk.  It passed through several parties, and was continued until about 1839, when it finally ceased to he operated.  It was located in Meigs township something over a mile east of Jacksonville.  A flouring mill still remains.

MARBLE FURNACE

     Was located in the southern portion of Bratton township.  It was built in 1817 by Duncan McArthur and Thomas Jones, who ran it until 1832 or ’33; but like the others it become unprofitable and ceased to work.

BRUSH CREEK FORGE

     This forge was built about 1829, by Valentine Fear, John Means, John Sparks and James Rodgers.  After running it some years, and after passing through several hands it ceased business.

TOBACCO

     The tobacco plant was unknown to the European nations, until the discovery of the American continents, when it was first noticed by sailors sent ashore by Columbus in Cuba.  They found to their astonishment the natives, puffing smoke from their mouths and noses, which they afterwards learned was derived from the dried leaves of this plant.  The smoke was inhaled through a hollow cane, one end of which was introduced into the mouth.  As other portions of the continent were explored, tobacco was everywhere found and used in varous ways by all the tributes from the north-west coast to Patagonia.  It was used as snuff by pulverizing the dry leaves, also, by rolling the leaves in the form of cigars and smoking them, as well as smoking it in pipes.  Thus all the modes in which this plant is at present used, appear to have been in common practice among the ancient Americans or Indians, when this country was first discoved by Europeans.  Its use is traced still further back to the more remote periods, by the pipes that are found in the ancient mounds and other monuments of the unknown races that inhabited this continent before the Indian tribes.  The name tobacco is supposed to be derived from the Indian tobaccos, given by the Caribs to the pipe in which they smoked the plant.  Others, however, derive it from Tobacco, a province of Mexico, and others from Tobacco in the gulf of Florida, while others still claim its origin from the Island of Tobago, one of the Caribees.  The name of the genus is derived from that of the French ambassador to Portugal, Jean Nicot, who brought in 1560, some tobacco from Lisbon to France.  Its use was probably introduced into England, by Sir Walter Raleigh, who was a man of style and fashion, and smoked it in London, on his return from America to the great metropolis.  A ship load of disheartened colonists returning in one of Sir Francis Drake's ships in 1686, carried some of the seed with them that introduced its cultivation into England, from whence its growth has extended to every quarter of the globe, until it now grows wild in some parts of Asia and Africa.  Although the English Government looked upon its introduction with disfavor, and took measures to suppress its use.  James 1, then King of England, wrote a Phillipie against it called "Counter Blast,' yet its use has continued to increase and extend, until it has now become an article of general use among all nations and all people in every quarter of the glove, and its cultivation, one of the great industries of the world.  It grows in a wide range of latitude.  To give some idea of the vast amount raised we will briefly state that

     It will be safe to put the total production of tobacco for the world at 500,000, tons with a total value of $120,000,000.  The following table shows the approximate consumption for several different counties per head and per annum.  This list shows what the average amounts to for the entire population, men, women and children, if all used equal amounts, but as a large portion, especially of the women and children, don't use any, the general average of those who do use it, is far above the figures given:

Nicotine	0.060
Concrete volatile c_	0.010
Bitter extractive	2,870
Gum with malate of iron	1,740
Chloraphyl	0,267
Albumem and gluten	1,308
Malic acid	0,510
Lyguine and starch	4,969
Salts (sulphate aritrate, etc)	0,734
Silica	0,088
Water	88,280
	_______
Total Analysis	100,836

     The active principles of the plant reside in the akaloid nicotine, nicotia and nicotiuine.  The strongest Va., and Ky., contain from six to seven per cent., of nicotine, while some of the milder kind used for cigars contain but two per cent. of it.
     The medical effects of tobacco upon the system is very marked whether it is taken internally or applied externally.  In small quantities taken by either of the methods in which it is commonly used, as smoking, chewing or in snuff, it acts as a sedative narcotic, calming mental and bodily restlessness, and producing a state of languor or repose, most agreeable to those accustomed to its use.  In larger quantities or with those unaccustomed to its use, it causes giddiness, faintness, nausea, vomiting and purging with great debility, sometimes resulting in death.  Although it may seem to have some medicinal virtues, it is seldom used by physicians.  Eminent medical men, however, have differed in regard to its effects upon the human system, whether beneficial or hurtful, as it is commonly used.  Even since its introduction, many have condemned it for its supposed universally injurious qualities.  Its use nevertheless been constantly increasing among all nations.
     If, however, the writer may be permitted to express his individual opinion, it would be that the one hundred and twenty millions of dollars annually expended for tobacco in its various forms could e devoted to other purposes that would benefit mankind more than the way in which it is used.

ADAMS COUNTY INFIRMARY.

     The Infirmary or Poor-house in this county was established in 1839.  On March 5, of that year the Commissioners bought 211 acres of land of Geo. L. Compton, on Poplar Ridge, about three miles south-east of West Union, for which they paid $2,000.
     Additions were made to the buildings already on the farm, and were soon occupied by the poor that required public aid, with Mr. Comption as the first Superintendent of the institution in which capacity he served until his death.
     This farm and buildings were used as an Infirmary until about 158 or '59; for some cause - probably to get a more convenient location, this property was sold Aug. 7, 1858, to William Morrison, for ___ and 52¼ acres bought Sept. 25, 1858, from James McClanahan, in Liberty township, paying $1,7857.50 for the same.
     This location not giving satisfaction the land was exchanged with Geo. S. Kirker, for 66³⁄₄ acres of land now occupied by the Infirmary buildings.
     The deed from the Commissioners was made to Geo. S. Kirker Feb. 2, 1859, and from Kirker to the Commissioners for the present farm, Mar. 16, 1859.
     The contract for building the Infirmary was awarded to A. __. Ramsey, April 11, 1859, for $7,833.
     The house was completed in 1859, and occupied in the spring of 1800, with William McNeilan, Superintendent.
     The average number of inmates for the last ten years has been 60.

EARLY MARRIAGES.

     The first law regulating marriages in the territory, was published in the fall of 1788.
     Sec. 1, provided that males of the age of fourteen, and not prohibited by the laws of God, might be joined in marriage.
     Sec. 2, provides that any of the Judges of the General Court of Common Pleas, or ministers of any religious society within the districts in which they reside, many solemnize marriages.
     Sec. 3, provides that before being joined in marriage, the parties should give notice of their intentions by having them proclaimed for the preceding Sabbaths in their congregation, or notices in writing under the hand and seal of one of the Judges before mentioned, or a Justice of the Peace of the county, and posted in some public place in the town where the parties respectively reside, or a license that may be obtained from the Governor under his hands and seal, authorizing the marriage, without the publication aforesaid.
     A supplementary act was passed Aug. 1, 1792, embracing every Justice of the Peace to solemnize marriages in their own counties, after publication as aforesaid or upon license.
     Commencing with the first marriage certificate found on the county records, the following list embraces all the marriages that took place in the county down to Jan. 1, 1800:
     James Scott and Elizabeth Kilgore, married Apr. 17, 1798, by James Scott, JP
     Joseph Lane and Mary Hastley, married same day by the same Justice.
     Thomas Harrod and Esther Templia, June 5, 1798, by James Scott, J. P.
     Andrew Edgar and Nancy Brooks, June 12, 1798, by James Scott, J. P.
     Turner Davis and Elizabeth Vance, Aug. 7, 1798, by John Belli.
     William Russell and Ruth Heneman, Aug. 7, 1798, by John Belli.
     John Stockman and Francis Kahu, Aug. 15, 1798, by Moses Baird, J. P.
     James Folsom and Elizabeth Martin, Oct. 31, 1798, by John Russell, J. P.
     Jacob Strickley and Martha Cox, of Mason Co., Ky., Oct. 31, 1798, by John Russell J. P.
     Fred. Brawches and Nancy Eres, Nov. 26, 1798, by Thomas Kirker.
     John Davis and Nancy Aiken, Jan. 10, 1798, by Moses Baird
     David Miller and Catherine Studenbaker, Jan. 3, 1799, by Moses Baird.
     Peter Bible and Isabel Morrison, Jan. 22, 1799, by Thomas Kirker
     George Nolas and Polly Edgerton, Jan. 22, 1799, by Thomas Kirke
     Jesse Nelson and Martha Wilson, Mar. 5, 1798, by Moses Baird.
     Thomas Foster and Jennie McGoveney, April, 4, 1799, by John Dunlavy.
     William Stout and Margaret Bennett, May 16, 1799, by John Russell.
     Isaac Stout and Ann Snodgrass, May 16, 1799, by John Russell.
     Joseph White and Elizabeth McHenry, June 14, 1799, by John Russell.
     John Smith and Nancy Dennis, July 25, 1799, by Noble Grimes.
     Abraham Thomas and Margaret Baker, Aug. 8, 1799, by John Dunlavy.
     Eliah Shepherd and Hannah Rogers, Aug. 20, 1799, by John Belli.
     Alexander Barters and Beckey Dennis, Aug. 25, 1799, by Noble Grimes.
     Abraham Shepherd and Peggy Moore, Sept. 12, 1799, by John Dunlavy.
     Jonathan Lining and Jane Lining, Sept. 17, 1799, by John Dunlavy.
     Joseph Corns and Anna Fransdale, Oct. 23, 1799, by John Belli.
     Alexander Burnside and Margaret Martin, Dec. 20, 1799, by John Belli.
     John Jones and Jane Mitchell, Dec. 39, 1799, by John Belli

BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO.
 

 

 

POPULATION AND STATISTICS - COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF THE POPULATION OF ADAMS COUNTY.

 

LAND

 

CROPS IN 1878

 

STOCK

 

TAX DUPLICATE

 

FURNACES AND IRON OF ADAMS COUNTY.

 

BRUSH CREEK FURNACE

     This was the first furnace to he put in operation.  It was built in 1811, by Paul and McNichol, of Pittsburg.  It was located on Cedar run, near where the Cedar Mills now stand.  The point of its location is some two miles above the mouth of Cedar run into Brush creek, and why it was named Brush creek we don’t know.  It passed through the hands of two or three parties and down to 1838 or ’40, it ceased to be no more, and nothing but the piles of debris are now left to tell where it stood.

STEAM FURNACE

 

Page 63 -

 

 

 

 

 

ADAMS COUNTY INFIRMARY.

     The Infirmary or Poor-house in this county was established in 1839.  On March 5, of that year the Commissioners bought 211 acres of land of Geo. L. Compton on Poplar Ridge, about three miles south-east of West Union, for which they paid $2,000.
     Additions were made to the buildings already on the farm, and were soon occupied by the poor that required public aid, with Mr. Compton as the first Superintendent of the institution, in which capacity he served until his death.
     This farm and buildings were used as an Infirmary until about 1858 or '59; for some cause - probably to get a more convenient location, this property was sold Aug. 7, 1858, to William Morrison for -- and 52¼ acres bought Sept. 25, 1858, from James McClanahan, in Liberty township, paying $1,767.50 for the same. 
     This location not giving satisfaction the land was exchanged with Geo. S. Kirker for 66¾ acres of land now occupied by the Infirmary buildings.
     The deed from the Commissioners was made to Geo. S. Kirker Feb. 2, 1859, and from Kirker to the Commissioners for the ___ farm, Mar. 16, 1859.
     The contract for building the Infirmary was awarded to A. _ Ramsey, apr. 11, 1859, for $7,833.
     The house was completed in 1859, and occupied in the spring of 1860, with William McNeilan, Superintendent.
     The average umber of inmates for the last ten years has been 60.

EARLY MARRIAGES.

     The first law regulating marriages in the territory, was published in the fall of 1788.
     Sec. 1, provided that males of the age of fourteen, and not prohibited by the laws of God, might be joined in marriage.
     Sec. 2, provides that any of the Judges of the General Court or Common Pleas, or ministers of any religious society within the district in which they reside, may solemnize marriages.
     Sec. 3. provides that before being joined in marriage, the parties should give notice of their intentions by having them proclaimed for the preceding Sabbaths in their congregation, or notices in writing under the hand and seal of one of the Judges before mentioned, or a Justice of the Peace of the county, and posted in some public place in the town where the parties respectively reside, or a license may be obtained from the Governor under his hands and seal, authorizing the marriage without the publication aforesaid.
     A supplementary act was passed Aug. 1, 1792, embracing every Justice of the Peace to solemnize marriages in their own counties after publication as aforesaid or upon license.
     Commencing with the first marriage certificate found on the county records, the following list embraces all the marriages that took place in the county down to Jan. 1, 1800:

     James Scott and Elizabeth Kilgore, married Apr. 17, 1798, by James Scott, JP
     Joseph Lane and Mary Hastley, married same day by the same Justice.
     Thomas Harrod and Esther Templia, June 5, 1798, by James Scott, J. P.
     Andrew Edgar and Nancy Brooks, June 12, 1798, by James Scott, J. P.
     Turner Davis and Elizabeth Vance, Aug. 7, 1798, by John Belli.
     William Russell and Ruth Heneman, Aug. 7, 1798, by John Belli.
     John Stockman and Francis Kahu, Aug. 15, 1798, by Moses Baird, J. P.
     James Folsom and Elizabeth Martin, Oct. 31, 1798, by John Russell, J. P.
     Jacob Strickley and Martha Cox, of Mason Co., Ky., Oct. 31, 1798, by John Russell J. P.
     Fred. Brawches and Nancy Eres, Nov. 26, 1798, by Thomas Kirker.
     John Davis and Nancy Aiken, Jan. 10, 1798, by Moses Baird
     David Miller and Catherine Studenbaker, Jan. 3, 1799, by Moses Baird.
     Peter Bible and Isabel Morrison, Jan. 22, 1799, by Thomas Kirker
     George Nolas and Polly Edgerton, Jan. 22, 1799, by Thomas Kirke
     Jesse Nelson and Martha Wilson, Mar. 5, 1798, by Moses Baird.
     Thomas Foster and Jennie McGoveney, April, 4, 1799, by John Dunlavy.
     William Stout and Margaret Bennett, May 16, 1799, by John Russell.
     Isaac Stout and Ann Snodgrass, May 16, 1799, by John Russell.
     Joseph White and Elizabeth McHenry, June 14, 1799, by John Russell.
     John Smith and Nancy Dennis, July 25, 1799, by Noble Grimes.
     Abraham Thomas and Margaret Baker, Aug. 8, 1799, by John Dunlavy.
     Eliah Shepherd and Hannah Rogers, Aug. 20, 1799, by John Belli.
     Alexander Barters and Beckey Dennis, Aug. 25, 1799, by Noble Grimes.
     Abraham Shepherd and Peggy Moore, Sept. 12, 1799, by John Dunlavy.
     Jonathan Lining and Jane Lining, Sept. 17, 1799, by John Dunlavy.
     Joseph Corns and Anna Fransdale, Oct. 23, 1799, by John Belli.
     Alexander Burnside and Margaret Martin, Dec. 20, 1799, by John Belli.
     John Jones and Jane Mitchell, Dec. 39, 1799, by John Belli
    

-------------------------

BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO

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