THIS township came into existence as one of the subdivisions of Morgan County, July 7th, 1819, at which time the court issued the following order:
     "Whereas, As it appears that our commissioners of Morgan County have set off a new township by the name of Bristol,
     "Ordered, That said township be entitled to two justices of the peace; and
     "Whereas, It appears that there is now one acting justice of the peace within said township,
     "Ordered, That the qualified electors be authorized to assemble at the house of Mr. Merwin, in said township, on the 24th inst., for the purpose of electing one other justice of the peace.”
     The justice referred to by the court was David Stevens.  His first commission was dated July 8, 1815.  June 18, 1818 he was reappointed.  Both commissions are signed by Thomas Worthington, then Governor of the State.
     Bristol is situated in the northeast part of the county, and is one of the most fertile and prosperous agricultural sections in this part of the state.  The township is well watered by the branches of Meigs Creek, together with Horse Run, a branch of Dye’s Fork of  Meigs Creek.  The west branch is called “Mann’s Fork,” and the east branch, which is the middle branch of the creek, is called “Beal’s Fork.”  These branches are so called after two of the first settlers upon their waters.  The bottoms of these creeks are exceedingly rich and productive in all the cereals, while the hills produce an abundance of rich and nutritious grasses that make the region a very desirable one for wool-growing, which is one of the most important industries of the township.  The inhabitants are. a. thrifty and energetic people, and have done much in giving the township the prominent position it occupies among the other townships of the county.  Judge Gaylord says “that perhaps no people in the pioneer days enjoyed themselves more rationally and actively than did the people of Old Bristol.  The Maine Yankees and the Pennsylvania and Virginia “Corn Crackers,” coming

Page 470 -
together and commingling at their social gatherings, backwoods fashion, made to themselves lively times.”  Numerous laughable anecdotes and interesting scenes are related as taking place among the old pioneers.
     Benj. W. Talbot, John Kirk, Job Armstrong, Deveraux, Zera Patterson, the Jenkinses, Devols, Fordyces, Lawrences, Foutses, Stevenses, Wellses, and others were all prominent characters at that day.  Young and muscular, they were all active in all enterprises, athletic exercises, and social gatherings, such as house-raisings, log-rollings, corn-shuckings, balls, quiltings and dances, and then, too, they were prominent at church, weddings and funerals.  While under the “stated preachings” of Rev. Elder Adrial Muzzey at “Old Bristol” Meeting-House (the only place of worship in the township for many years), the people were mildly reproved for their transgressions and timely advised as to how they should conduct themselves in order to make themselves acceptable to that “Divinity who shapes our ends, rough hew them how we will.”
     The first entry of Government land within the present boundaries of the township was made in 1804 by David Stevens on the northeast quarter of section 36.  He leased the land to one Abel Gallant, who remained on it until 1808, when Mr. Stevens took possession.  Here he kept tavern until 1839, when he removed to Muskingum County.  He was a typical pioneer and undoubtedly the first settler in the township.  He was born in Stamford, Conn., Feb. 22, 1769.  From Stamford the family came to Washington County, Pa., in 1781, and from there to Marietta, Ohio, in 1790.  He helped build the blockhouse at Waterford, and for ten years was an aid to Gen. Rufus Putnam in surveying public lands.  He assisted in opening the road from Wheeling, W. Va,, to Maysville, Ivy., and in the year 1800 he helped cut the Waterford and Zanesville trail.  His name is connected with many of the initial events in the history of this part of the state.  In 1801 he was engaged at the Chandlersville Salt-Works. Salt at this time was sold at five dollars per bushel.  He was married in 1802 to Eleanor Bentley.  His son Elijah, now living in Zanesville, was born in 1804.  After entering his land in Bristol Township, which was at that time a part of Meigsville Township, Washington County, he moved to the Hammond farm, near High Hill, Muskingum County.  Here he erected a log cabin over a large chestnut stump.  This stump was used by the family for many years as a table.  In this cabin Mr. Stevens “kept tavern ” for many years and had the honor of entertaining Gen. Lewis Cass, Gov. Meigs, Bishop Asbury, and other noted men of that day, all of whom dined from off the chestnut stump.  Mr. Stevens was a remarkable man in many respects.  Like most of the pioneers, he was a great hunter, and it is said that he killed over two hundred bears, besides wolves, deer and other game.  He had three brothers, all men of powerful physique.  James was a physician and settled in Washington County, Pa.; Samuel at Chandlersville, Ohio.  David died in 1861.
     The Stevens farm on section 36 was thought to be a desirable location for the county seat.  One of the advantages claimed for it by those who urged its selection was that it was nearest

Page 471 -
the “geographical center’’ of the county.  The location of the seat of county government was a question that seriously agitated the people oh the county for a time, a full account of which is given in the general chapters.
     In 1804 John Wilson and Henry Nichols were living near Dye’s Fork, but whether in Bristol or in the territory now embraced by Manchester is not known.

     Arthur and Richard Jenkins came from Marietta and settled on Bear Run, on section twenty-eight in the spring of 1816.  The Jenkinses were Welsh people.  They emigrated to this country in 1801, and were in every way well qualified for the ordeal through which they had to pass.  Arthur was a man of family, which he brought with him: there were three boys, Thomas, Richard and David.  But few men were more largely identified with the township in the early days than Arthur Jenkins. He was a man of unquestioned honesty, an industrious and thrifty farmer and in every sense a worthy citizen.

     William Fordyce was not only one of the early pioneers of the township, but was connected with many of the events in its history.  He was one of the early justices and said to be the first clerk of the township after it became one of the subdivisions of Morgan County.  It is stated on what seems to be good authority that he was a resident as early as 1804, but family tradition and the statement of the oldest native-born resident of the township, Mr. David L. Jenkins, places his settlement ten years later.  He was of Canadian birth, and first settled near Marietta, whence lie removed to Bristol in 1814.  With him came his family, consisting of his wife and two children, Nelson and Patience.  His decease occurred in 1862.
     The year succeeding, the arrival of Mr. Jenkins, Benjamin W. Talbot settled in the vicinity of the Cotton farm.  He came from Westmoreland County, Pa.  Stanton Fordyce, John Kick, Joseph Deveraux, Arphaxed Devol, and Job Armstrong were his neighbors.  For many years he kept a tavern on the Barnesville Road.
     Nearly all of the pioneers were men in very limited circumstances and not infrequently they had barely money enough to locate them in their new homes and obtain subsistence for their families for a limited period.  They would “squat" upon a piece of land, erect a cabin and make a clearing before they had entered the land, trusting to fortune for the money necessary to make the purchase of the government.  In many cases mercenary speculators, or “land-sharks,” as they were commonly known, would enter the land and then bring a suit of ejectment if they were not disposed to leave peaceably.  A case of this kind occurred in the vicinity of Bone’s Mill about 1820.  The pioneer had erected a comfortable cabin and had cleared ten acres, and with his hoe had cultivated a crop of corn.  A speculator, learning that the land had not been entered, went to the land-office at Zanesville and purchased it.  Returning, he informed the occupant that the land was his and peremptorily commanded him to leave.  There was a strong bond of unity existing between the early settlers, and their isolated positions made them feel strongly their dependence upon one another and they would protect each other in any emergency.  On learning of the action taken by the speculator

Page 472 -
they hastily collected together, and harvested his crop, which they took to a place of safety.  They then placed the rails in piles and put some combustible matter in the cabin and set fire to both rails and cabin, then started the report that they had been struck by lightning.

     Matthew Wilson was one of the prominent characters in the early history of Bristol; he came in the spring of 1822.  He was a soldier of the Revolution
and participated in the battles of Germantown, Brandywine, Monmouth and many other decisive engagements of that sanguinary struggle.  After the war he entered the service of the state of Pennsylvania as an Indian scout, and was thus employed for seven years.   For a long time he carried the mail from Pittsburgh to Presque Isle (Erie), when the entire distance was a dense wilderness. After he had become incapacitated by age the state of Pennsylvania gave him a pension of thirty-six dollars a year, and the general government also made him a pensioner, paying him ninety-six dollars per year.  It is said that he would live upon his pension from the state and use his pension from the general government for the relief of his impecunious neighbors, many of whom would have lost their homes had it not been for his timely aid.  He was universally esteemed for his kindness of heart.  He died in 1844, aged eighty-nine years.

     James and Archie McCollum were early settlers on the southeast quarter of section twenty-eight.  They were Scotchmen and came to the county previous to 1819, as their names are recorded in the poll-book of the first election held on the 24th of July, 1819.

     Lovit Bishop was the first blacksmith.  His shop was on the farm now owned by Robt. Evans.  He welded the log chains of his neighbors, sharpened their
plowshares, shod the horses of those who were fortunate enough to have them, and received his compensation in chopping, log-rolling, or other farm
work.

     Jared Andrews was one of the early settlers on Mann’s Fork.  He was a Yankee, and a very benevolent and eccentric man.  On one occasion one of
his neighbors, a poor man by the name of Atwell, was dangerously ill, and some of his friends thought it best to hold a prayer-meeting at his house.  One of them in passing Mr. Andrews’ home, invited him to go.  His response to the invitation was, “Neighbors, I can’t leave hum to-night, but if you will take it I’ll send some prayers.”
     On receiving an affirmative answer he went to the house and brought out a large ham and a pillow-case of flour, which they took with them.  His response to a salutation was invariably this: “ I am not so well as I was yesterday, but much better than I was the day before,”

     Lemen Fouts was from Brook County, Virginia, and the pioneer on the Cotton farm.  He was a very agile and muscular man, and no complement of men at a log-rolling or raising was considered complete without him.  His son, Lemen, Jr., became one of the most prominent citizens of the county.  He was colonel of the 1st Regiment Ohio militia, and afterwards served his fellow-citizens as Probate Judge.

     Asher Allen, a Maine Yankee, was an early settler on Mann’s Fork.  One of the prominent pioneer families was that of John D. Parmiter.  He came from Hancock County, Maine, with his family, which consisted of his

John Parmiter

Page 473 -
wife and six children.  The entire journey
was made with a one-horse wagon.  He had intended to settle on the Scioto, but learning that it was an unhealthy locality he changed his intention.  He
settled in the south part of Bristol.  He was prominent in the early affairs of the township and died in Bristol at an advanced age.

     William Rowland

     George Herring

     John Carlin

     Simon Merwin

     John Ryan

     In the fall of 1819 Isaac Whitehouse settled at the head of Bear Run, on sixty-eight acres of unimproved land, which he had purchased of Thomas McGraw, one of the pioneers in this part of the township.  He was then a young man and unmarried.  He had served his country in the war of 1812, and his military experience had fitted him for pioneer life in the wilds of Bristol.  He was a native of Augusta, Maine, and a cooper by trade.  He followed his vocation for a livelihood for many years.  He married Miss Nancy, daughter of Thomas McGraw, and reared a family of three children — Robert, Eliza A. and Maria J.  Robert was born on the old place May 31, 1821, and has been a resident of the township all his life.  He married Miss Sarah Parmiter, daughter of John D.    

Page 474 -
Parmiter, one of tlie pioneers of the township.  She was horn in 1822.  Three
children were the result of this union — Isaac, John and Israel.  Isaac is a merchant in the village of New Bristol.

     George Henderson

     David Mercer

     Robert Cunningham

Page 475 -
of the family, is one of the prominent farmers of the township.

     Samuel Roberts

     Joseph Devereaux

     Jonathan Van Fossen came from New Market, Md., and settled on section 18, in the spring of 1829.

     James Beatty came from Pennsylvania in 1888 with his family of seven children—five boys and two girls, he located on the northeast quarter of section 6.  He died in 1888.

     Wilkes Bozman came from Baltimore County, Md., in November of 1819, and settled upon the farm now owned by David Mercer, he brought with him a family of six children, his wife having died in Maryland.  The names of the children were Edward, John, Frances, Ruth, Elizabeth and William.  He diedin McConnelsville in 18(52.

     Edmund Murduck

     The Chambers family are traditionally descended from the "Bruce," one of the conspicuous names in Scottish annals.  Alexander Chambers, the progenitor of the family in this country, was born in Ireland and came to America in 1798 with his family consisting of his wife and five children - William, John, Alexander, Mary and Margaret.  They first located near Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, where they remained until 1812, when they removed to Belmont County, where the elder Chambers died in 1861 and where Thomas V. Chambers was born May 9, 1833.  Alexander, the youngest of the three sons of Alexander, Sr., was born in 1785 and came to Morgan County in 1834 and settled on the farm now owned by his nephew, Thomas V.  He died in Meigsville Township in 1873, aged seventy-six.  William, the elder of the three boys, had four sons - William Robert E., Alexander and Thoams V.  Robert E., or Judge Chambers, as he was familiarly known, was born in Belmont County, and became one of its most prominent citizens.  Of the daughters of William - Jane, Mary A., Margaret and Rachel - all are deceased

Page 476 -
 

     In 1834 George Henderson

     George J. Henderson

     William Hempfield

     Matthew Scott

Page 477 -
his children there are now living in the township James, Mary, Nancy.  William and Mrs. Keziah Wilson.

     William H. Cool

     Joseph McDonald

     John McDonald

     William J. Shook was born in Bristol, Feb. 26, 1840. Dec. 5, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, 78th O. V. I.   He was wounded in the battle of Shiloh, and was detailed as an ambulance driver, and was in every battle in which the division was engaged during the war. lie was at the siege of Vicksburg; with “ Sherman to the sea;” in the battles of Champion Hills, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta, Fort Donelson,

Page 478 -
Iuka, Fort Beauregard, Charlestown, and Jonesboro, thirty-four engagements in all, and was mustered out with the regiment, July 11, 1865.

     John Augustus C. Leland

     Zachariah Peddicord

     John Hardesty

     James Harper

Page 479 -
lic esteem than they; and their positions are due wholly to their own efforts.

     John King

     William Phillips was born in Cadiz Township. Harrison County, Ohio, June 20, 1818.  While an infant lie met with an irreparable loss in the death of his father, and at an early age was thrown upon his own resources.  He was reared in Harrison County, and started in life as a shoemaker, to which trade he had been apprenticed.  He followed this vocation for ten years, and in 1837 came to Morgan County, Ohio, and settled in Meigsville Township, where he purchased a small farm, upon which he resided six years, when he disposed of his property and went West.  The Western country proving uncongenial, he returned to Morgan County and purchased a farm in Bristol Township, where he has resided for a quarter of a century.  By his thrift and energy he has accumulated a comfortable competency, and has built up a reputation among his neighbors and friends that is worthy of emulation.  In 1838 he was married to Miss Polly Brothers, of Harrison County, Ohio, where she was born in 1822.  They have been blessed with a family of seven children: John, William, Alexander, Ella, James, Charles F. and Mary J.

INITIAL EVENTS.

     It is extremely difficult at this time to obtain a just conception of the trials, inconveniences and hardships of the first settlers of Bristol.  Remote as they were from villages and frequently without money, they were placed in many trying positions; but they were fertile in expedients and many were possessed of much inventive genius, and means were always devised to attain their desires.  Wagons were almost unknown, and if they had had them they would have been useless, as there were no roads on which they could be used.  Some of the first wagons were made by the settlers without the assistance of a wagon-maker; the wheels were sawed from a log of suitable size, and destitute of hull or tire.  Some of the later settlers brought wagons with them, and these were loaned around among the neighbors.  Some had carts, and frequently two neighbors would construct a wagon by using the wheels of their carts.  A pioneer harness would now be a rare curiosity.  The breast and tongue chains were made of hickory withes.

Page 480 -
the traces of rawhide or elm bark; the collars were of cornhusks, sewed with splits of oak.  In another chapter will be found a vivid description of the life of the pioneers, and the above is merely given to illustrate some of the expedients to which they were obliged to resort and the economy they were compelled to practice.  Ginseng, maple sugar and deerskins were for a time the only articles that would command money.  Wheat was packed on horses and taken to Zanesville, where it was marketed at about twenty-five cents a bushel.  This was the price of that commodity in 1805.  In 1804, however, from some cause it brought two dollars per bushel.
     Hogs ran wild in the woods and in the fall they fattened upon mast, and were hunted the same as any other wild game.  For lack of conveniences for dressing they were either skinned or the hair burned off by placing them on a log fire.
     The first settlers of Bristol were not deprived of postal facilities.  As early as 1808 David Stevens was appointed postmaster of Meigsville Township, which then embraced all of what is now Bristol.  This was the first office, and he the first postmaster of which we have any knowledge in Morgan County.  There was a post-route established between Marietta and Zanesville previous to the year 1798.  In that year Daniel Converse, then a young man twenty-one years of age, carried the mail on this route nearly the entire distance on horseback.  At this time the country between Zanesville and Marietta was a dense wilderness and infested with hostile Indians.  On one occasion Converse was pursued by the savages, and when near the mouth of Olive Green Creek, which he was obliged to cross, he had a very narrow escape.  A large, flat log had been placed across the creek for the benefit of foot passengers, but the ford was located one mile farther up the creek.
     The Indians were in full chase, and elated with their prospective victory, they made the hills resound with their yells.  But young Converse was a boy of rare presence of mind and fertile in resources, and without a moment’s deliberation be came to the conclusion that his only alternative was to ride his horse across the log, for if he rode to the ford and back the savages would there intercept him.  It was a daring trip, but one which the Indians had not anticipated and dared not undertake.  His horse seemed to comprehend the situation fully, and carried his young master safely across, and thus saved his life.
     About the first thing to receive the serious attention of the early settlers was the question of roads.  They usually found their way to their new homes by trails or blazed bridle-paths, but they saw the necessity of a more convenient thoroughfare for the transportation of the products of the farms.  The first road in the township was the Marietta and Zanesville road, a return of which was made July 8, 1808.  It was for years a post-route.
     One of the earliest routes of travel was the so-called Federal Trail, said to have been made by a portion of Gen. St. Clair’s army, who were unable to obtain boats for transportation to Fort Washington.  The trail commenced at Grave Creek, on the Ohio River, and running westward crossed Dye’s Fork of Meigs Creek at Renrock, then divided, one branch crossing Bristol Town

Page 481 -
ship through Sandhollow and passing through the northeast corner of Bloom, and thence into Muskingum County, crossing the Muskingum River at Gaysport.
     What is now known as the Barnesville road was one of the earliest and most important roads in the township.  It was ordered about 1820.  It is not the purpose of the writer to give a detailed account of road-making in Bristol.  New roads are constantly being suggested and old ones taken up.  They have always been a knotty problem for Bristol people.  The character of the soil and the hills render the building of good roads an exceedingly difficult task.
     Mills then, as now, were prime necessities, and the pioneers were frequently obliged to go many miles, through an almost trackless wilderness, carrying their grist upon a horse.  If the mill was located upon a small stream and the water was low, or if, as was frequently the case, there were many others there before them, they had sometimes to wait several days before their turn came.  The pioneers of Bristol were obliged to go to Zanesville to get their grinding done, for several years.  There was frequently in the neighborhood someone who had a handmill, but using it was a very slow and tedious process, and but little in advance of that more primitive way of reducing the grain to flour— that of burning a hollow place in a stump and beating it with a pestle attached to a spring-pole.  About 1810 a log mill was built on Boat’s Fork by Philip Moore, which he operated for several years.  About 1825 he built a new mill of hewed logs, and also a sawmill.  Job Kennison had a hand-mill for grinding corn, which was frequently used by the settlers.  Alex. Mutchmore had a horsemill on the Cotton farm.  He also had a distillery at the same place.
     Elijah Stevens, of Zanesville, states that what was known as the “Cobb’s Mill” was the first in the vicinity, and that he ground corn in 1810, and that in the following year, 1811, Taylor’s mill was built at the forks of Meigs Creek.
     Mr. Stevens is also authority for the statement that Miss Mary Wilson, daughter of Deacon Wilson, of Waterford.  taught a school at the house of Stanton Fordyce in the year 1812, and that in 1814 Thomas Sawyer taught a school in the township.  One of the first schools in Bristol was taught by a Yankee by the name of Samuel Shattuck, in a rude log cabin previously occupied by some squatter or hunter.  It was located in what is now district number two.  The floor was of puncheons, and a hole in the logs four feet high by two feet in width was the only place of admittance, which was closed, when necessity required, by a puncheon set up endwise.  The light was admitted through greased paper.  A huge fireplace eight feet in width warmed the house in winter.  In the center of this primitive schoolhouse sat the teacher during school hours upon a seat made from the end of a log.  He was armed with a long whip, with which he could reach any refractory pupil in the room without getting up.  The seats and desks were made of slabs.  The latter were retained in their places by wooden pins driven into the logs.  Among the pupils who attended this pioneer school were David L. Jenkins, Lovit Bishop, Mary A. Jenkins, Austin Prouty, Acus and Phineas Allen.  Har-

Page 482 -
rison Stephens and Saphronia Prouty.  The only branches taught were reading, writing and arithmetic.  One of the early teachers was a fellow by the name of Perry, a generous and liberal (?) man, who on certain occasions would treat his pupils to whisky to stimulate them in the performance of their duty.
     The first marriage license was issued by Levi Barber, July 12, 1816.  The contracting parties were John McKee, of Guernsey County, and Miss Rachel DeLong.  The ceremony was performed by 'Squire Stevens.
     The first couple married in Bristol after the organization of the county was William Barris and Charlotte West.  The license was issued by Samuel A. Barker, Dec. 27, 1819.
     The first frame house in the township was built by David Stevens in 1813.  Isaac Counsel was the carpenter.  The first brick house was erected by Arphaxad Devol.
     Deveraux’s schoolhouse was the first public building built of brick township excepting six sections.
     The first tavern was kept by David Stevens in 1808, at the place where Dye’s Fork of Meigs Creek crosses the Zanesville and Marietta road.  Mr. Stevens was a genial host and served his guests with venison, bear meat and wild turkey.  The early settlers of Bristol evinced a decided taste for military affairs, and in all the general musters they took a prominent part.  These general musters were looked forward to with a great deal of interest, probably for the reason that they afforded the people a little relaxation and gave them an opportunity of seeing people from all parts of the county and thus gathering all the news.  For many years these musters were held on the farm of Joseph Devereaux, on the Barnesville road, in the western part of the township.  Judge Gaylord, in his “Reminiscences of the County,” thus describes the first muster:
     “It was upon the Devereaux farm that the first general muster of the first regiment of Morgan County militia was held.  The regiment was about 500 strong and was officered by Col. Alexander McConnel; B. W. Talbot, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Asa Emerson, Major.  The regiment appeared upon the ground fully armed and equipped—some with and many without guns; some with walking-sticks, others with cornstalks, and because of the latter being the prevailing arm of ‘offense and defense’ at these musters they were everywhere called the ‘cornstalk militia.’  As these musters were a new feature in the public affairs of Morgan County, and the people being of a more social nature than now, full of fun and frolic, they came in for fifteen miles around— men, women and children—to participate in and witness the performances of the day.  Whisky, cider, apples and gingerbread were consumed liberally.  At this time whisky was the prevailing beverage and universally considered an article of necessity, especially to those who were in any way exposed to the vicissitudes of the weather or engaged in laborious employment.  Prohibitionists were then unknown, and a neighbor who failed to offer a friend a drink, even when calling at his house, was thought to be a mean and stingy fellow and as much despised as if he failed to observe other more necessary acts of hospitality.  At these general musters fights of “fist and

Page 483 -
skull” were common.  The combatants purposely met to test their muscular superiority, or to settle any differences that might in the past have been existing between them.  At this first general muster appeared the Olive Green Independent Rifle Company, John Whitmore, Captain.  They were the observed of all observers—one hundred strong; large, sinewy, resolute, fierce-looking fellows from the townships of Olive, Olive Green, and Centre.  Their uniform was entirely home-made and made up of a deep blue hunting shirt fringed with red, and butternut pants.  Every man was well armed with a squirrel ride. The officers wore the same kind of uniform as the privates, and were distinguished from the common soldiers by some outlandish insignia of rank.  They would go through the manual of arms, march and countermarch, and by way of variety give a little of the maneuvers and drill of the Indians.  In this way they gained the applause of the spectators. Maj. Emerson made his debut at this muster, in company with other regimental and staff officers, mounted upon a diminutive, untamed young charger.  The Major in person was long and lank, standing over six feet in his stockings, dressed in gaudy regimentals, spurs on his heels and several in his head.  The martial music of that day was immense, but discordant, and the Major’s horse, not having an ear for that kind of music, took fright and started off at full tilt — first down along the front of the regiment, then made a like exhibition of himself in the rear.  He then charged the center and broke it, routing whole companies.  The unceasing music from a dozen drums and the spurs on the Major’s heels, added to the shouts from a thousand throats, increased the terror of the warhorse and the prolongation of the Major’s ride, which came to an ignominious ending in a fence corner.  The affair disgusted the Major and he retired from military life.  He died many years ago at his home near Luke Chute, in Windsor Township.”
     The first election held in Bristol was on the 24th day of July, 1819, at the house of Simon Mervin, for the purpose of electing a justice of the peace.  This was eleven years after the first settlement in the township by David Stevens in 1808.  From some cause the pioneers were not very much interested in the election, as only twenty-four votes were cast.  Following are the
names:
     John Bickford, Andrew Fonts, Samuel Shattuck, Daniel Linsey, Lovit Bishop, Anderson Underhill, Jared Andrews, Hugh Osborn, Ansel Taylor, Thomas Jenkins, John McCollum, William Rowland, Robert Rowland, Richard Jenkins, David Sproat, Benj. W. Talbot, William Fordyce, Archibald McCollum, Joseph Devereaux, Lemen Fouts, George Herring, Asher Allen, Thomas Stevens, David Stevens.
     At an election held two years after, June 30, 1821, thirty-six votes were polled, showing either a. small increase in the population or a decided lack of interest in politics in 1819.  At this election the following electors appeared for the first time and voted:
     Alexander Martin, D. McAllister, Andrew McAllister, Stanton Fordyce, James Taylor, Phillip Moore, James Davidson, Abraham Davis, Alex. Vaughn, Jesse Gibbs, James Finley, Levi Whaley, John Knox, Dan Martin, John Parmiter, Samuel Fonts, Edmund Murduck, Thomas Nott.

Page 484 -

     At an election held in August of 1823, the following additional persons cast their ballots:
     Chauncv D. Grey, Daniel Prouty, Job Kennison, Lovit Cady, William Hempfield. Seth Andrews, Wilkes Bozman, Ezra Kennison, Ezra Osborn, Isaac Whitehouse, Peter L. Lupardis, Thomas McGrath, Ebenezer Ellis, Zadock Dickerson.
     In 1824 the following additional persons are found upon the record as participating in the affairs of the township:
     Adrial Huzzey, David Howard, Lot Workman, William Murray, Jonathan P. Lawrence, William Hoit, Andrew Hossom, Thomas Knox, Charles Davis, James Howard, Mordecai Bishop, Alvin Fuller, Thomas Rowland, A. G. Grubb, Philip Bonham, William Barr, Thomas Carlin, Daniel Lawrence, Benjamin Taylor, Uriah Martin, Absalom Fouts, Job Armstrong.
     The above undoubtedly gives the names of nearly all the settlers up to 1825.  A large portion of them were from the state of Maine, while the nativity of the balance was pretty equally distributed among the following states: Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

THE VILLAGE OF BRISTOL.*

     Bristol Township, with all its enterprise, energy and wealth, so prominently manifested in its whole history, has failed to build up a village of any considerable importance within its borders.  The only place of note to be found in the township is the village of Bristol, laid out in 1831 by Thomas Stevens.  It contains in its survey about fourteen lots, with the necessary streets and lanes running through it for the convenience of its inhabitants.  It is on the Barnesville road, about six miles from McConnelsville, and is the central business point of the township.  It is in the suburbs of this village where stood for more than fifty years the old Bristol meeting-house— about the first house built for public worship in the county.  This village of Bristol has failed to flourish and spread itself to the extent contemplated by its venerable and public-spirited proprietor.  Some envious and evil-disposed person, full of expedients to blast the good name, fame, and prospects of the embryo village, and being moved in his hatred and ill will by that evil spirit that seems to have control of the human heart, put into circulation a report that some of its inhabitants had a taste for mutton, and mutton they would have, whether in a legitimate way or not.  These outside barbarians who had lost their mutton, instead of leaving their ninety and nine unlost sheep and going forth in a friendly way in search of the lost one, in their hatred and contempt of the villagers gave the town, just blooming into importance and notice, the contemptible name of Muttonburg, by which name it is now known far and near and will so continue to be known and called, it is feared, until the Angel Gabriel sounds his last trump.

RELIGIOUS HISTORY

     The early settlers of Bristol were men of excellent morals and who had in their former lives received religious advantages.  Many of them had been members of some religious organization, and in their new homes they sadly felt the need of church facilities.  As soon, however, as a little settlement had been formed they were usually visited

---------------
     * From Gaylords Remembrances.

Page 485 -
by some itinerant minister and services were held at some cabin accessible to all.  The first of these pioneer ministers in Bristol was Rev. Levi Reeves, who held meetings in the homes of William and Stanton Fordyce and Casper Hollenbeck.  Alvin Fuller was an early preacher of the Baptist faith.  He was followed a few years later by Rev. Russell.  Rev. Samuel Baldridge was the first to minister to the spiritual wants of the Presbyterians.  These missionaries preached to the people long before the organization of any church.  They were men very zealous in their master’s service, and endured many hardships and privations.  It is said of Rev. Baldridge that “he lived near a Master whom he obeyed.”  Humility was one of the salient points in his character.  When he prayed on a Sabbath morning he and his hearers were bowed low.  He preached as one with a message not his own.  There was no doubt, no hesitation, no doctrine of probabilities in any of his teachings.

     Rev. John Chapman, or “ Appleseed Johnny,” or “Johnny Appleseed,” as he was familiarly known among the pioneers, was a man remarkable for the depth and sincerity of his piety.  A large portion of his life was devoted to missionary labor among the new settlements.  He frequently was barefooted, but never without an abundant supply of appleseeds in his pocket, which he distributed among the early settlers.  Some of the oldest orchards in this and other portions of the state are said to have been planted by him.  He left this part of the state about 1840, an old man, and it is said that he continued to preach and plant appletrees beyond tin; pale of civilization until he died.  In 1816 he planted a large

     Rev. Adrial Huzzey was an expounder of the faith of the New Lights, an organization now extinct in the county.  In connection with his ministerial labors he carried on shoemaking, and was
frequently found plying both vocations at the same time.  He was one of the earliest ministers in the township and a man of many eccentricities.  He must have been among the first to settle in the township, as Elijah Stevens says that he made shoes for his father's family in 1810.  In those days it was not an uncommon sight to see women going to church barefooted, and if any of them were so fortunate as to have shoes they usually carried them in their hands until near the place of meeting.  A venerable pioneer says: “I attended church at the Old Bristol Meeting-House when only five women in a large congregation had shoes.”

     Bristol Meeting-House - This was one of the first churches erected in the county.  In it for many years the pioneers were wont to assemble, and the spot where it stood is hallowed by many associations.  It was erected in the year 1822.  It was built by the early settlers and was used by all denominations and frequently for other purposes.  It was quite an imposing structure for those days.  It was constructed of yellow-poplar logs which were neatly hewed.  It was known by

Page 486 -
some as the New Light Church, there being many of that belief in the immediate vicinity, and the Rev. Adrial Huzzey, the expounder of the tenets of that faith, being one of the first to hold meetings there.  It stood near where the Disciple Church now stands.  It was destroyed by fire about 1870.

     Christian Church. - In the early times the people living in the immediate vicinity of what is now New Bristol, or Muttonburg, as it is generally known, were adherents of the Christian Church until they became members of other denominations.  Their last meeting was held at “Old Bristol Meeting-House” about 1855.  About the year 1833 Samuel Adams and a few others moved into the vicinity, and made the initial effort in the formation of what is now the Christian Church.  They met from house to house until the erection of a church about two miles east of Old Bristol.  This house was eventually vacated and Old Bristol Meeting-House became their place of worship until it was burned.  They then erected another church in the immediate vicinity.  Rev. John Beard was the first pastor.  He was succeeded by Revs. Dunn and O'Kyle. Gardner, White, Roswell, Franklin and Bingman were prominent revivalists.

     Bristol Presbyterian Church - This church was established in the summer of 1835 by those who had been members of the same denomination in Western Pennsylvania and Virginia.  After the erection of a church building 25x30 feet, they applied to the Presbytery for admission.  The Rev. James Moore was sent by the Presbytery to effect the organization.  Oct. 29, 1835, Rev. Moore preached to them, and after the services the following persons were received: Thomas Alexander, Hester Alexander, George Henderson, Mary Henderson, John Miller, Jane Miller, Hugh Scott, Sarah Scott, Mary Moore, Allie Henderson, Jane Henderson, and Abigail Coalman.  Mar. 5, 1836, George Henderson and John Miller were ordained and installed ruling elders.  In November of this year the sacrament was administered for the first time by Rev. William Wallace.  In September of the following year Rev. John Arthur became the pastor.  June 28, 1839, he was succeded by Rev. James C. Sharon, who remained until the autumn of 1842. In the spring of 1843 Rev. Benj. I. Lowe was employed.  He remained one year.  The pulpit was then vacant until 1846, and that year Rev. Thomas Smith came, remaining until October, 1851.  In November of 1851 Rev. John P. Caldwell was installed.  Under his pastorate the church thrived to such an extent that a new building was needed, and in 1853 the present structure was erected at a cost of about $1,300.  In 1856 Rev. Caldwell left, and the church was without a pastor until Dec. 26, 1857, when Rev. W. M. Grimes was employed.  He remained until 1860.  In October of 1862 Rev. C. C. B. Duncan was called.  He remained three years, after which Rev. Grimes returned.  He was succeeded by Rev. C. W. Courtright, N. C. Helfrich, W. M. Grimes, C. B. Taylor, J. A. Baldridge and E. W. Fisher, the present pastor, who was called Sept. 1, 1883.  The present membership is about 150.  The following have officiated as elders: George Henderson, John Miller, W. H. Smiley,
William Henderson, W. G. Henderson, Hugh Boyd, Joseph McDonald, Samuel

Page 487 -
Reed, James Aiken, John Henderson, John Knight, Solomon Rowland, Hugh Ogilvie, Robert M. Henderson, McCracken Wilson, and Wilson Scott.

     Mt. Zion Church - Mt. Zion Church,of Bristol, has been from its organization one of the strongest country churches in Morgan County.  At the same time it is one of the oldest, having been organized by John Hammond in 1819.  The records having been lost, it is impossible to give the names of the original members, but among them were the Hammonds, Devols, Murphys, Ranersons, Cuddingtons, McCartys, Smiths, Harmons, and others.  James Abbott was the first class-leader.  The first church building was of logs; it was built in 1821.  The present structure was erected in 1850; it is 38x44 feet, and cost $1,200.  The present membership is about fifty.  The society has a flourishing Sabbath-school of fifty pupils.  Of this church, W. D. Mercer says: “There is probably no country church in the state that so many people will call their spiritual birthplace.”

    Mt. Carmel Church -  Mt. Carmel Church (Methodist Protestant), is located two miles northwest of Mt. Zion Church.  It was organized in 1827, and a log house built for a place of worship.  Nathan Coleman, James Howard and Alexander Smith were among the prominent early members of this organization.

     Lebanon Church - This society was organized and a building erected in 1830.  Elijah Stevens and Wortman were the leading members.
     Bristol Grange No. 80 was organized in 1870 with thirteen charter members and William Chandlers as master.  At one time the order was quite prosperous, and had one hundred members.  The society has a fine hall, the lower part of which is occupied as a Grange store.  The first officers, after the erection of the building, were John Henderson, master; Solomon Rowland, secretary; James Scott, treasurer; John Whitney, overseer.

Pages 487 - 488
THE PARMITER FAMILY.

< CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS >