In general terms, this township is said to be in the southwest corner of Muskingum County.  Its boundaries are as follows:  On the north, by Springfield and a part of Hopewell townships; on the east, by Brush Creek and a small portion of Springfield townships; on the west, by Perry County.
     The soil is generally fertile, and the region well watered.  Jonathan's Creek is the principal stream, traversing the territory in a zig-zag course from the east, down below and up through the center, and out at the northeast corner, fertilizing and draining, with its south fork, a large area of the township; to these add the net-work of tributaries - Buckeye Fork, Kent's Run, Thompson's Run, One Mile, Two Mile, Three Mile, and numerous other smaller tributaries, and it is found to be one of the best watered townships in the county.
     The clay of this township has become noted for its excellence in pottery, and many are engaged in that industry.
     The pioneer history is somewhat remarkable.  This locality was a favorite resort of the Shawanese Indians, game and fish being abundant.   The first record of actual settlement is that Jacob Smith entered the west half of section twenty-three, town fifteen, range fourteen, in 1797.  He came from Bucks County, via Louden County, Virginia, and settled upon this land in 1802; his cabin was subsequently described as being one mile southwest of "Andrew Dugan's store;" his son John now in his eightieth year of age, lives on the oldhome place.
     Andrew Crooks, born in Berkley County, Virginia, in 1750, and MAry, his wife, of same place, born in 1757, came to this region and settled on a part of section six, near the site now occupied by Newtonville, in the year 1800.  His on the "old home place."  The same year, came also John Axline, from Bucks County, Pa., and settled on the southeast quarter of section thirty-four.  George Crooks, John Smith and John Axline are the three oldest of the pioneers now living.

INDEPENDENCE DAY.

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     ELECTION DAY. -

     THE FIRST TAVERN - The public spirit of Andrew Crooks, induced him to extend his hospitality to the wayfarer, and his house became known as "Crooks Tavern," as early as 1804.  Six men and two women were present at "the raising" of this house, viz.:  Henry Crooks, David Olive, Joseph Carpenter, Isaac Martin, Solomon Hodge, John Mathias, Peggy Carpenter and Mary Crooks.  The accomodations of "the tavern," were plain and substantial.  The floor furnished the bedstead, and wild beasts their skins for covering.  The food was always palatable and plenty.  A traveler who sojourned with Mr. Crooks, was so favorably impressed, that he resolved to make his home at a neighborly distance, and thus the name of Chauncey Ford was added to the list of pioneers; he located near Roseville, in 1804; his daughter-in-law, Mrs. J. I. Ford, informs the writer that there were no houses between there and Putnam, and the George Crooks cut a road from Powell's Mill to where he lived.  Mr. Crooks continued to keep this tavern for nearly half a century; he died in 1849, aged seventy-one.
     The first store in the township was kept by Isaac James, on Jonathan's Creek; date not known.
     The first road was cut in 1805, from Putnam to intersect the Zane I'race in Perry County, and passed through the township diagonally from the northeast corner to the southwest corner, or nearly so.  George M. Crooks remembers that

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THE FIRST TANNERY

OLD TIME'S VISITS.

     In this, as a very abode of men, there were shadows, as well as sunshine; and it seems trite to say more than that there never was an Eden "old Time" did not enter with his scythe, even

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among the fairest flowers, and so it came to pass that the necessity was felt that a regular cemetery be set apart.  It was located on Benjamin Croy's place, on Buckeye.
     The first person buried there, was Peter Fauley in May, 1815; the second interment was Peter Crooks, in June, of the same year.

THE FIRST BIRTHS.

     The first births in Newton township, were, a son to Joseph Carpenter, in 1804, and one to John Crooks, Mar. 30th, 1806.
     Porter & Hook opened a store near Crook's bridge, in 1813 or1814.  G. W. Rankin started a store, on the Rankin place, in 1838.  This was the first store in Newtonville.

     The first salt well was bored by Mr. S. Lenhart, in 1815, a little south of the site now occupied by Uniontown, and demonstrated that salt could not be made there in paying quantities.

     Uniontown was laid out by John Porter and Henry Hummell in 1815.  The first store, and tavern, were kept by John Porter.  Several houses had been built on the site, before the village was laid out.

UNIONTOWN DIRECTORY, 1881.

     Blacksmiths - C. H. H. Panmore, D. Phillips, J. W. Pherson, E. Rudolph.
     Boot and shoe makers - A. R. Keyes, Henry Zeigler.
     Carriage and wagon makers - Jasper Willison, Thomas O'Neil.
     Drugs and fancy goods - C. B. Fauley, Bugh & Carter.
     Dry goods - Fauley & Breckbill.
     Groceries - "Sep" Axline
     Physicians - John Watkins, E. Van Atta, J. C. Axline.
     Churches - Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Presbyterian.
     Academy - Fultonham Academy
     Societies - Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Muskingum Lodge, No. 368, F. and A. M.
     The Zanesville "Express," of September 23d, 1818, contains the following advertisement:

"WOLLEN MILLS, OR CLOTHIERS" WORKS.

     "The subscriber informs the public that his clothiers' works are in operation, on Jonathan's creek, being the works formerly owned by John Harrington, and now by John Slack - about four miles from Zanesville.
     "He will receive cloth at the houses of Andrew Crooks, Jacob Crooks, David Tipton, Levi Chapman, and at my house, in Putnam, to which places the cloth will be returned, when dressed; having such a stock of dye-stuff, and workmen who to form every color desired.
     "He will receive wheat, rye, corn, oats, flaxseed, beans, etc., in payment.
                                                    "S. H. RAYMENTON,"
     Newton Township, Sept. 23, 1818.

     Newtonville is situated near the site of the old log school-house.  The limits have since been extended so as to take that site in, and it is now occupied by a neat, frame, school building.
     The first store kept in this town, was by A. Weller & Co., about 1852.  This site is now occupied by the general store, and postoffice, kept by Andrew Wilson Dugan who for the last ten years, has met the wants of the community, in merchandise, and, as Postmaster, has become so favorably known.
     Mr. A. Keyes, the venerable blacksmith, came here and built his fire, some thirty years ago, and is now assisted by his son, who is also Township Clerk.
     J. C. Gillespie, a native of this township, has lived about sixty years amid the scenes of his childhood, esteemed by all who know him.  James Llewellyn, his cotemporary, shares the confidence of the people with him.
     The present population of Newtonville is about two hundred.
     The Methodist Episcopal Church is ably supplied by Rev. A. Rickets, and, attached to the church, is a flourishing Sunday School.
     William Rankin and his wife, Mary Elizabeth, parents of George Rankin of Newtonville, came from Ireland, and settled near the town of later period, in 1820.  That they were lured to come by the glowing descriptions of their American paradise, is not improbable, as perhaps no region in Southeastern Ohio was more beautiful; and to this he added the enthusiastic admiration for American freedom which thrills, especially, those who have once known the absence of it in their natal home.  But it is more likely that their affection for their children, whom they followed to this country, denominated every other sentiment.  And this whole-heartedness soon made him popular in his new home, where, in 1830, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and filled that office several terms.  He died in 1848, at the advanced age of eighty.  His widow and sons, Grafton and Charles, moved to Barnesville, where she died.

POTTERY.

     The first pottery, for stone-ware, was started in 1814 by Jacob Rosier, on a place now owned by _____ Rankin.  The next was started by A. Ensminger, about 1828.  In 1874, Harrison Suttle started a pottery in Newtonville, running three wheels.
     The pottery of Joseph Rambo is situated in the extreme northwest corner of Newton township, near Gratiot road, and was built in 1863, at an expense of about four hundred dollars, including the shop and kiln.  Mr. Rambo has had to employ an average of three hands, including himself.  The average number of gallons of pottery made, per year, has been about forty thousand, worth, in the market, from three and one-half to eight cents per gallon.  The kinds of ware made consist of jugs, jars, pans, and churns, and they are remarkable for durability, neatness of pattern, and finish.

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     The clay will also make a superior fire-brick.  Mr. Rambo has some in his grate that has stood well for ten years.

GOSHEN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

     The Goshen Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1830 by Rev. John Goshen, assisted by Rev. Morris Chandler.  Among the members were Amos Reese, Nehemiah Bell, John Hoover, L. Adamson, B. Dezelem, John Rose, Jacob Mauk, Edward Rose, Jonas Burton, Mrs. Vicars, Mrs. Lydia Stokely, and Susan Warner.
     The society erected a hewed log house of worship in 1835, thirty-five by forty feet, on Mt. Goshen, five miles east of Roseville, on the Athens road.
     The following is as nearly a correct list of those who have served this church in the ministry as memory will afford: 
     Rev. J. Gilruth, James Gurley, Samuel Hamilton, J. D. Chase and L. Douty.
     From the date of organization up to the time of the formation of "The Bell Church" on Brush Creek, in 1848, and the church at Roseville in 1846, the Goshen Church prospered, but soon after these subtractions it began to wine, and in 1852 the conference decided to disband the society, and it was merged into other churches.
     The Methodist Episcopal Church of Uniontown was organized about 1830, by the Rev's. Samuel Hamilton and James Gilruth.  Among the members at this time were Henry Roberts, Isaiah Gardner, John Bowers, Jonathan Hatcher, Judge John McElhaney, and their families.
     They worshiped from house to house, and in school houses, until 1840, when they erected a commodious frame structure - rather hastily - just after a camp meeting, which stood until another more substantial and suitable was built, in 1875; and recently they have built a new church, with a cupola and bell.
     Rev's I. Longman and M. V. B. Bing were associate pastors in 1848, and Rev. James Jamison the Presiding Elder.  The present preacher is in charge is Rev. B. F. Thomas.  The membership is about eighty.  There has always been a Sunday School connected with the church.
     The first cemetery in Uniontown was formally set apart for the purpose in 1830; and the first person buried there was Thomas Hardy, May 19, 1835.
     Andrew Dugan started his tannery in 1835, and is still in the business.  And during this year Caleb Hitchcock started his store; it was where John Ungemach lives.
     Stofel Lenhart started a saw mill, a little southwest of Newtonville, in 1835.  The mill was owned by Alfred Mathews in 1860; he then sold it moved to Putnam and died the same year.
     The Uniontown Baptist Church was organized July 2, 1842, by Rev. Levi Sigfred.  The Deacons elected at that time were Benjamin Moore and William Moore.  The membership numbered eighteen.  The trustees were Ezra Madden, E. B. Lake and Benjamin Moore.  Rev. W. Daniels is the present pastor, and Ezra Madden and K. W. Moore are the Deacons.  The present number of communicants is about fifty.  They have a neat frame church, thirty-five by forty-five, thirteen feet high, with cupola fifty feet high, from the ground, and a good bell.  The trustees are at present E. B. Lake, Emmanuel Bough and W. Moore.
     The Presbyterian Church of Uniontown was organized, by Rev. H. C. McBride, Nov. 28, 1848, with about twenty-eight members.  Samuel Milhouse and John Reed were chosen Ruling Elders, and John Smoch was elected Deacon.  Rev. H. C. McBride solicited and obtained about six hundred dollars, (traversing parts of six counties), to purchase a lot and erect a church in Uniontown, which was accomplished within a year from the date of organization.  About this time, Rev. Wm. Ferguson came to the church, and a neat little house of worship (35x45) was erected under his superintendence.  Rev. M. A. Beamer is the present Pastor.  Wm. Carter and J. Wilkins are the Elders, and D. Hugins and James Slach are the Deacons.  The membership numbers forty seven.
     This township was united with the world at large, by the advent of the Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley Railroad, which, passing through, opened its station in 1853, and with "the rest of mankind," the following year, by telegraph, introduced by that company.
     The Dunkards built a church on Mount Goshen, four miles east of Roseville, in 1860.  John Roberts was a zealous member of that denomination, and preached at his own house a long time before the church was built.  Elijah Horn, John Stoneburner, old Mrs. Horn, John Roberts and wife, and Manley Roberts, were among the early members.
     The Dunkard Church was built by subscription in the community, and was to be free for all Christian Denominations when not used by the Dunkards; this condition was set forth in the subscription paper; but as Mr. Roberts died before the meeting house was completed, and it was finished by Elijah Horn, this provision was ignored, Mr. Horn refusing to permit other denominations to use it, and it is now a solitary monument of the existence of that peculiar people.
     The Methodist Protestant Church was organized in 1865, by Rev. John Burns, in the Powell School House, with the following members: Jeremiah Springer and wife, Josephus Powell and wife, Mrs. Mary Hall, Charlotte Hall, and others whose names are not remembered at this time, and as no record was made of the event we are constrained to this meagerness, for want of sufficient witnessing in other details.  The society erected a neat frame house of worship, thirty-five by forty-five feet, having a cupola with bell in it; the church was located in the beautiful grove near Powell's mill, on the Roseville road.

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THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.

MUSKINGUM LODGE, NO. 368, F. AND A. M.

FULTONHAM ACADEMY.

NEWTON TOWNSHIP GEOLOGICALLY.

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IRON ORES.

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