This township is one of the original Townships, - taken from the territory of Ross.  It is well watered by the several branches of Paint running through; the surface is generally level and very productive; farmers wealthy and their improvements good and substantial.  The following are the names of pioneer and early settlers handed in by Samuel Fisher, Esq., and T. Moon; Robert Irvin, farmer and surveyor; John King, a minister and served in the war of 1812, he was a farmer; John Orr, merchant and farmer; Samuel Edwards, farmer and served as Justice of the Township two terms; Robert Anderson, farmer, was in the war of 1812; David Garringer, carpenter; James Crothers, farmer; he served as an Associate Judge two terms; he was a man of talent and influence, and ably represented the County in the Legislature two terms; William S. Cockerill, farmer and school teacher, was in the war of 1812; John Priddy, a neat farmer and benevolent man; John Smith, farmer; Barnabas Cochran, farmer; Solomon Tracy, farmer, was in the war of 1812, a brave man; Warner Tracy, a farmer; John Beard, farmer; Mathias Vandeman, farmer; he served as a soldier in the war of 1812, a man well known; Samuel Sollars, farmer; Conrad Goodright, farmer, was in the war of 1812; Samuel Mooney, farmer and was a Judge of the Court; Richard, Jacob and Abner Todhunter, were all farmers and good neighbors; Robert Eyre, a farmer, and served Perry Township twenty-one years as Justice of the Peace, and Fayette County nine years as a Commissioner; he was a man of prominence; his constituents placed confidence in him; James Smith, Sr., was a neat farmer; Isaac Henderson, farmer and trader; William Linnis, farmer and tanner; John Doster, Nathaniel Bonner, Isaac McAdams and Thomas Stout erected the first mill in Perry Township; John Christy was the first school teacher in the Township.  The first Methodist class organized in Fayette County was held in John King's  cabin; the class leader was the venerable John King, father of Methodism in Fayette County.  William Pierson and his father were farmers; Thomas Ellis, farmer and first cooper, was the founder of the village of Martinsburg.  The first school-house in the Township was built on the farm of Robert Scott, Esq., the first church on the farm of Barnabas Cochran; the first store was kept by Thomas Ellis, Jr., in Martinsburg.

MOUNDS AND RELICS.

     Large skeletons have been exhumed from an ancient burial depot on the farm of William Bush; one was found in an upright, erect position.  There was, as late as 1811, an Indian camp near a large Sulphur Spring on the farm of Robert Scott, Esq., also a mound on the same farm.
     Cedar Bluff is a place of note, wild and romantic, called by the Indians Mollie's Leap.  Cedar Pond is a deep water under the cliffs, surrounded by tall and majestic Cedar trees.  It was in early days a place of great resort by noted and daring hunters, a celebrated place for game.  It was the property of Mathias Vandeman, who was the original owner, but has now fallen into the hands of Anderson Iriom, Esq.

NAMES OF FAMILY PIONEER HUNTERS.

     George and Samuel Biniger, James Stewart, John Hase, David Baldwin, John Gest and Hamer H. Harmer.

SECOND SETTLERS.

     WILLIAM SMITH, tanner; John Orr, merchant and farmer, also stock dealer; Z. Bryant, farmer and blacksmith; Matthew Anderson, farmer and stock dealer; William Sturgeon, farmer and miller; William King, farmer, justice, school teacher and minister; Elias Brakefield, William Merchant and John C. Capps, all successful farmers; Samuel Hains, farmer, stock dealer, and breeder; Trustin Adams, large farmer and retired merchant; Anderson Irwin, Harrison Britton, Isaac Johnson, Jacob Brakefield and Nathan Corey, are all enterprising farmers, stock dealers and importers; Alexander Beatty, farmer and wholesale stock merchant; Robert Templeton, farmer; William Bush, farmer, stock raiser and breeder; Robert Adams, farmer and laborer; Albert Adams, farmer, James Watt, George Meade, James Devoss, Louis Doster, Peter Stout, William Eyre, Joseph Tracy, Thomas Cockerill and John Todhunter, farmers; Levi Ellis, Henry Lewis and Gersom Perdue, a retired merchant and nursery man, a useful man in society; Richard Williams, stone cutter and merchant, the first of his occupation, the most honest and honorable, is an enterprising citizen and a useful man; Thomas Fishback, wheelwright, a good mechanic; Amos Todhunter, a good practical tiller of the soil; Alfred Todhunter, a successful worker in good soil; Harman Ellis, farmer and school teacher, William Chew, farmer and a successful producer; Levi Tracy and Samuel Fisher, farmers.

SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, ETC.

     The number of school-houses within the Township is nine; five are new and four rather on the old pioneer order.  The number of churches, four, three Methodist and one Quaker, or sometimes called Friends.  There is also one water mill on Main Paint, owned by William Sturgeon.  There is one town or village, called New Martinsburg.  It is a flourishing town, having three dry goods stores, one drug store, one grocery and two blacksmith shops, all doing a good business.

TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS - 1870.

     WM. SMITH, John Todhunter and William Wauln, Trustees; Clerk, H. Ellis; Treasurer, Elmer Welchimer; Landviewer, H. Ellis; Constable, H. Reese; Assessor, H. Reese; Justices, W. A. King and R. E. Jones.
     Physicians in Martinsburg are Doctors Jones and Morman, men of talent and successful practitioners.
     Perry Township claims to have the oldest citizens in the County.  The following are their names, a majority of whom have emigrated to the haven of repose: Richard Tolefero, age 96; E. C. Hans, 84; Jacob Todur, 80; John Beaty, 85; Peter Stout, 81; William Lancing, 97; Thomas Green, 85; Eli Goods, 98; E. Jones, 86; William Carson, 82; Phillip Stout, Sr., 87; William Stout, 78; all served in the wars of the Revolution or 1812.  William Gary, Reese Gary, Jonathan Hand, Thomas Ellis, Solomon Reese, William Eyers, Jacob Kellen, W. Merchant and Lewis Goodnight, ages not reported; were, and are, tillers and improvers of the soil and did their duty in subduing the forests of Fayette, and making fertile fields; they are, as the poet says:

"The mighty fathers of the West,
Their arduous labors Heaven has blessed."

     I am through with the names and records handed in by Mr. Samuel Fisher and Capt. Thomas Moon, who has recently passed away.

NEW MARTINSBURG DIRECTORY.

     From the maps of Fayette County, 1867.  Williams & Kredler, dry goods, grocers, hardware and notions, Main street; M. P. & T. K. Perdue, dealers in nursery trees, flowers and shrubbery; J. S. Jones, physician and surgeon; William Eyre, Peter Stout, P. W. Smith, Mrs. Doster, Louis Doster, J. T. Doster.  Present settlers: H. S. Orr, A. V. Orr, W. H. Orr, J. S. Orr, Matthew Anderson, W. A. King, A. R. Iron, H. Britton, J. M. Johnson, Trustin Adams, S. Tracy, F. A. Tracy, James Pridy, Eli Brakefield, Jefferson Brakefield, T. R. Cockerill, T. G. Cockerill, James Smith, Barkly Doster, J. P. Todhunter, A. R. Todhunter, Barney Eldrick, Wm. Eyre, Jabez Smith, Len. Ellis, John Fisher, Samuel Fisher, David W. Ellis, Lewis Carson, George J. Booden, T. R. Perdue, Eli Cooper, Joseph Walm, Joshua Walm, Ambrose Carson, William Carson, Alfred Todhunter, William Jury, D. Brown, Elijah Doggett, Jacob Todhunter, H. B. Lines, C. Doggett, N. Bales.

BALLAD TO JOE BROWN, AN EARLY PIONEER BAKER OF THE NORTH WEST.

Air - Am I a Soldier, etc.
Joe Brown, he was a baker man.
A baker man was Joe,
He ne'er was known to want for aught,
And yet he kneaded dough.

To never cheat his customers,
This man was early taught;
And yet his loaves were always light,
His pie crust rather short.

And he was generous hearted too,
And kind unto the needy,
And neat an tasty in his dress,
although his cakes were seedy.

With him none dare to bandy jokes,
Whene'er he sought the marts,
For well they knew his repartees,
Were sharper than his tarts.

When age at last, o'ertook the man,
His form grew bent and sore,
And like the cakes he used to bake,
His head was frosted o'er.

And when he died, all mourned his loss
With no sectarian bias,
For he had been a friend to all,
A good man and a pie-ous.

HIS EPITAPH.

Beneath this crust of upheaved earth
A pioneer baker lies,
And like the rolls he used to mould,
We hope at last he'll rise.

Len. Ellis, R. P. Ellis, John Peitsmeyer, Samuel Massie, Elijah Ellis, R. and T. Ellis, Jonathan Denton, Z. Smith, R. Ayers, James Cockerill, Joseph Doster, M. Doster, A. W. Carter, Thomas Cockerill, Lewis Doster, J. H. Giller, M. Dates, Wm. Line, J. D. Lucas, Samuel Crooks, E. W. Lines, James Bonnor, J. T. Bonnor, William Taylor, E. Lucas, Jonah Bonnor, Thomas McLeory, Thomas Wallice, Joseph McGregor, James McConnett, Burgess Ball, A. R. Adams, John Bush, A. Adams, J. Bush, widower; William Bush, C. Z. Nead, James Bush, A. Beatty, John Solars, George Monroe, James Devoss, Allen Sollars, William Rogers, Alexander Beaty, N. Corey, Teddy Ritter, N. Coffman, Hiram Lines, A. Jones, Levi Brakefield, J. Brakefield, Jacob Brakefield, J. N. Johnson, M. Johnson, James Patterson, A. Walker, W. H. Scrill, Anderson Iron, Nathan Edwards, Elias Tracy, M. Scott, N. Pope, Samuel Ficcer, W. A. King, Thomas Bedoss, A. Walker, William King, S. Coffman, John King, Z. Bryant, Benj. Temple.

BRIEF RECORD OF THE AUTHOR, - GEN. RUFUS PUTNAM.
BY REQUEST.

     GEN. PUTNAM'S native home was Marietta; his father was the late Judge Putnam, of Putnam, Ohio; his grandfather, Gen. Rufus Putnam.  Gen. Putnam served during the last war with England, as Major of martial music at Fort Zane, Capt. Herron, U. S.  At the close of the war he went to live with his grandfather, with whom he lived until the death of the old pioneer, 1823.  During his residence with the old General, he attended the Military Academy at West Point one term, in 1824; he excelled in martial music and manual of the sword; he returned home and was appointed by Gen. Reynolds, Brig. Major, which honor he held until 1826, when he emigrated to Illinois, where he was re-appointed by Gen. Herrick, to the same office, in which he continued until 1828, when he was appointed Adj't. Gen. of Illinois, by Gov. Reynolds.  He served in that office during Red Bird, the Chief's invasion of Prairie Du Chien.  In 1829, he returned to Ohio with Capt. Brubacker, a cattle merchant, of Clark County.  Arriving in Springfield, he stopped with his brother, Rev. F. Putnam, one night and left the next day for Putnam, Ohio; being well pleased with Springfield; after remaining a short time at home, he returned, and engaged as clerk in the store of P. Spinning and B. Brubacker; at the expiration of one year he returned home and engaged in the store of Buckingham & Co., as salesman for one year, and then opened store in Putnam.  In 1832, he visited Springfield and married Miss Mary D. Heiskell, youngest daughter of John Heiskell, Esq.; returning home he continued in business one year, and moved to Dayton, and engaged in merchandising, farming etc.  While in Montgomery County, he held several civil offices.  In 1834, he sold out and moved to South Charleston, and entered into business with Mr. Heiskell in selling goods.  In 1835, he was appointed Major Gen. by Gov. Lucas, during the Border war; in 1839, he was appointed and commissioned, by Gov. Vance, Major General 5th Division O. M., which honor he held until 1838.  In 1837, he was elected and commissioned Col. 2d Infantry Regiment, 2d Brig., 5th Division O. M.; which honor he held until 1842, when he was appointed Col. of Cavalry, and Gov. Corwin.  On June 1st, 1846, he tendered himself and regiment to Gov. Beaty, for the prosecution of the Mexican war.  He served several terms as Mayor of South Charleston.  On the death of his father and mother in Putnam, he moved to the old homestead, and entered into business with E. Elder, and kept the Post Office.  His wife's health failing, he moved to Springfield, and engaged in business until 1852, when he moved to Greenville, and purchased the Herald Office, where he and his son, J. H. Putnam, conducted the office until the death of Mrs. Putnam, in 1854, when he sold out to his son, and moved to Licking County, and went into the sheep business, until 1857, when he took a Western trip, not returning to Newark, for three years.  He was President of Fort Rowe Institute from 1859 to 1862, and from 1862 to 1865, General Instructor of Cavalry and Music, at Fort Rowe Institute, by Gov. Todd.

FROM HON. A. STAGG'S SKETCHES.

     GEN. PUTNAM, by occupation of merchant, is thoroughly schooled in Military tactics; he has been commissioned by different Governors, from Lieut. to a Major General.   Judge Putnam , of Putnam, was his father, and General Putnam, who greatly distinguished himself in the Revolution, his grandfather.  Gen. Putnam is the father of three sons: John H., Rufus and William R., all served as officers or soldiers in the last war.  Gen. Putnam is the author of several pioneer works, and tales of backwoods adventures.                                        B. W. C.

     N. B. - While on his Western tour, he was appointed by Gov. Medary, of Minnesota, Adj't. Gen., during the Spirit Lake war, 1857-8; and at Eaglesport, on the Muskingum, during Morgan's raid through southern Ohio, he was chosen Chief Commander of the assembled militia forces there, to head the invader.  He is now G. G M. G. of the Pioneer Association of Ohio, which was organized Apr. 8, 1788.  Gen. Putnam from a child, has been an aspiring military character; as a martial musician he never had his superior; he may be called a natural musician.

GEN. HARRISON.

     GEN. HARRISON was quite a botanist; one flower he preferred above all that adorned the prairie, - the Mocasin flower, that grew on Paint bottoms at an early day; a choice medical herb by the Indians.  The leaves were in the form of an Indian mocasin, its stalk like their war club, her flower like the cups they used for water.  The poet thus describes it:

THE MOCASIN FLOWER.

I.
Far off on the plains where the Buffalo roams,
Where the gopher and prairie dog dig themselves holes;
Where the tempest tossed oaks in their majesty tower,
Grows the belle of the Prairie- Mocasin flower.

II.
With no glaring color she dazzles the eye,
Full often the traveler passes her by,
But the creamiest salmon and pink is thy dower,
The belle of the Prairie, - The Mocasin Flower.

III.
Her home is in the West, and she loves it so well,
That naught can repay her for breaking the spell,
Remove her from thence, and she dies in an hour,
The belle of the Prairie, - The Mocasin Flower.

IV.
As pure as a maiden in fancy and form,
She bows, but she ne'er will yield to the storm,
And proudly she stands, though the tempest may lower,
The Belle of the Prairie, - the Mocasin flower.

V.
The pioneer blesses the gentle eyed lass,
That peeps through the wiry Buffalo grass,
And naught oe'r his rough, manly brow has power,
Like the belle of the Prairie, - the Mocasin Flower.

VII.
Then hail to the beauty and pride of the West,
And long may she gladden the pioneer's breast,
None fitter to blossom in Royalty's bower,
Than the belle of the Prairie, - the Mocasin Flower

     FREDERICK BERLEY, chief in Earl Dunmore's war, 1774; the Revolutionary war, 1776 and the Indian war of 1791.  He was a noted hunter; his home in the deep forest, his lodging in caves, dens and rocks.  He possessed a strong constitution, suiting the times in which he lived; a hermit by choice.  One of his hunting camps was on the waters of Sugar Creek.  He killed, during his life, according to his MSS, sixty bears; ninety-six panthers; one hundred and six wolves; one thousand elk and deer; eleven buffalo and ninety-six Indians.  He often hunted with Kenton, Boone, Wolf, Boggs, Slover, Hughes and Weitzel.  He died in his cabin, aged one hundred and one years, on the waters of the Mohican, where his neighbors erected a monument to his memory.  During his protracted life, he run the gauntlet at Sandusky, Squawtown, and Oldtown, now Frankfort, Ross County, Ohio. - Extract from Ross Pioneer Record.

     From the Ross County Pioneer Record. -

THE YEARS TO COME.

My transient hour, my little day,
Is speeding fast away;
Already hath my summer sun
Half its race of brightness run.
Ah me! I hear the wintr'y blast,
My life of life will soon be past;
The flush of youth will all be o'er,
The throb of joy will soon be oe'r,
And fancy, mistress of my lyre.
My trembling heart, - prepare, prepare.
For skies of gloom, thoughts of care,
Sorrows of wants will make thee weep,
And fears of age will oe'r thee creep;
Health that smiled in blooming pride,
Will eease to warm thy sluggish tide;
The shaft of pain, the point of woe,
Will bid the current cease to flow,
And, who, alas, shall then be high
To soothe me with affection's sigh;
To press my feeble hand in their's
To plead for me in silent prayers,
And cheer me with the hopes that shed,
Rapture oe'r a dying bed.
Days of the future cease to roll,
Upon my wild affrighted soul.
Mysterious fate, I will not look
Within thy dark eventful book.
Enough for me to feel and know,
That love and hope must shortly go;
That joy will vanish, fancy fly,
And death dissolve the closet tie,
Ee'n now, while moans my penaive rhyme,
I list the warning voice of time.
And oh! this sigh, this start of fear,
Tells me the night will soon e here.

     GEORGE ROUGHNER emigrated to the Scioto Valley about 1789, from Virginia, and located on the South bank of Paint River.  He was a fearless, brave man.  He has a deadly hatred to the Indians, as they had killed his father in 1774, at Point Pleasant.  His father was an Indian spy under Lord Dunmore; he lived by hunting game, and would kill every straggling Indian that he could see.  His hunting excursions were on the waters of Paint and Rattle Snake.  One of his headquarters was at Cedar Pond and Cliffs, a noted place for bears, wolves and panthers; here he often met the famous and fearless hunters of Hocking and Kentucky.  When the Indian war of 1791 broke out, he became an Indian spy under Gen. Harmar; finding it unsafe to live unprotected, during a bloody war, in his cabin, he went to Fort Harmar.  After the treaty of Wayne with the Indians, in 1775, he went to Waterford on the Muskingum, where he lived until the war of 1812, when he volunteered under Gen. Cass, and was killed by the Indians in 1813.                                            S. Ross County P. R. 12.