Ohio A State - Organization of Pike county - County Seat - Piketon - and Early Settlers.

     Among the first settlers who came to Pike County in 1795 were Kenton and Miller from Mason County, Kentucky.  A many by the name of Owens of the Kenton party argued with Miller about the right to settle in what is now Piketon., Miller was killed and buried along the banks and for many years afterward the place was known as "Miller's Bank."
     Hezekiah Merrit claims to be the first settler in Pike County.  He came from Pennsylvania and stated he was the first man to settle on the Scioto along its whole length.  He came Christmas night in December 1795.  While he then settled in Scioto County, it is a portion of what afterwards became Pike County.
     Be that as it may we know definitely that Arthur, John and Abraham Chenowith, with their families, came from Virginia in 1796.  Also at the same time there came from Pennsylvania John Nolind and his wife, Lurena Shepherd Nolind (after whose family the town of Shepherdtown, Maryland, was married).  The four families settled near the Scioto River in the Pee Pee prairie bottoms.
     The Nolinds settled across the river from Greggs' Hill, their home being built of solid walnut logs and a stone chimney, and still stands today in all of its sturdiness, and is now owned and occupied by Lawrence Adkins and his family.
     The Chenowith home was located about three-fourth of  a mile from the present Piketon River bridge, on the land laying between old and new Routes "23".  The large house which was made of stone and logs had a two-deck porch the length of it.  It was torn down not too long ago, however the Chenoweth burying ground can still be seen only about a hundred feet from where the house stood.
     The first child born in Pike County was John Chenowith, son of Abraham Chenoweth in 1797.
     Ohio became a state in 1803.
     Pike County was organized in 1815.  It was formed from Adams, Scioto and Ross Counties.  The largest part taken from Ross County and the least from

Adams County.  It contained approximately 429 square miles.
     Pike County was named after Zebulon Montgomery Pike, of Revolutionary War fame.  He was killed in the Battle of York, now known as Toronto, Canada.
     By 1800 there were 30 log cabins along the Scioto River in Pike County.
     On January 28th, 1815, the General Assembly of Ohio appointed three commissioners, Edward Tupple, of Gallia County, George Barnes and John Davidson, of Highland County, to fix the seat of justice in the new county of Pike.
     They decided that the seat of justice be established on the east bank of the Scioto River on a tract of land owned by Elisha Fitch consisting of about 115 acres.
     Eli Sargent was appointed director.  It was decided to purchase 40 acres at $20.00 per acre.  The town was laid off in lots, and though it was formerly called Jefferson, it was ordered by the court to be named Piketon.  All of the lots were to be sold except four, which were to be reserved for the town square and public buildings.  At this time, in order to straighten out some lines, a part of Pike was taken off the county and given to Jackson County, as was some taken from Jackson County elsewhere and given to Pike County.
     After the Indians were subdued many pople came to live in the vicinity of Piketon.  Among them were the Moores, Talbots, Dailys, Daniels, Dunhams, Cissnas, Sargents, Fitches, Downings, Chenowiths, Nolinds, Brambles, Clarks, Prathers, Lucases and Martins, (it is not my intention to leave out some of the early settlers.  If not here, it is simply because I do not have access to their names).
     The first mail was carried in 1817 by General James Rowe.  He carried it horseback, down Yoakums Trace which ran from Chillicothe to Portsmouth.  The first postoffice in the county was established in Piketon and John Hines was the first postmaster.  He carried the mail in his hat, and some one com-

ing along would say, "any mail for me, Uncle Johnny?"  Off would come Uncle Johnny’s hat to see if there were any mail.
     The first marriage in Pike County was that of Polly Starr to James Walls on May 4, 1815.
     The first school in Pike County is listed as located at Byington in 1804.  However, we have a record of a subscription School in Seal Township 1802-03.  This only lasted three months.
     In the year 1910-11 a schoolhouse was built of logs in the woods three miles west of Piketon.  This was the pioneer seat of learning for children and youth within a six mile area. Shadrick Newingham was among the earlier schoolmasters.  However, the school was opened by James McLeash, of Irish descent.  Mr. McLeash had the idea that bruts force was the true science of learning.
     The first ferry boat at Piketon was built in 1812.  Joseph Lewis had built a flat boat on the Monongahela River to bring his family to Pike County.  On arrival he sold it to Colonel John Guthrie, who used it to ferry across the Scioto River.  The first road was surveyed by Surveyor Richard Chenowith from Piketon to Richmond (this is now Known as Richmondale). It was laid out so that people could get to the salt wells in that vicinity, as well as contact the boat building business which flourished on Salt Creek. 
     The first church was held in 1801 at the home of Mary and Snowden Sargent and later services were conducted at the home of Abraham Chenowith.
     There can be nothing good without religion, and as the earliest settlers came to this part of the country, they missed the warmth of the church.  Rev. Peter Cartwright and Rev. John Stewert spent their lives in traveling through the dense forests and preaching the good word wherever a congregation could be gotten together.  They

were the first to plant the seeds of Chrisianity in this vicinity.  Even though they were of the Methodist faith, they came to help those of any faith in the community.
     Notice would be given months and sometimes a year in advance of the minister’s arrival.  The preacher brought news of other settlements and cheer and variety into the early life of the pioneers.  Too, he performed marriage ceremonies and other duties.  If people died, they were buried and their funeral sermon was preached when the minister came, months or maybe a year later.  If the minister arrived when it was not too busy time of the year, encampments were held and the revival and social meetings lasted several days.
     The first jail built in Piketon was of logs. It was built in wleliGepuaeo1d not prove prisoner proof.  But no new jail was erected until 1853, when Peter and Thomas Higgins built a fine | two-story stone jail at $5.00 per perch. You may still see this sturdy and attractive building standing in all of | its beauty today to the rear of the | present "city building" wing Piketon.
     The first court in Pike County was held at the home of Abraham Chenowith, which was west of the Scioto River.  When the weather was somewhat cool it was held in the house.  But later on as the weather became warm, court was held under a tree by the house.  We have a record that one of the prisoners was kept in an inverted sugar hogshead, in which holes had been cut to give him air.  The guard sat on the top of the hogs-head.
     The first steamer, known as the America, arrived at the port of Piketon on the first day of February 1845 at two o’clock in the afternoon.  We. have no further knowledge of another steamer plowing the waters of the beautiful Scioto River.  Mostly keel boats were used on the river.

Arrival Of The Abram Stanford and George Emmitt Families From Pennsylvania - Early Life In The Wilderness.

     The grandfather of the Honorable James Emmitt, Waverly’s great philanthropist, was a merchant in Dublin, Ireland.
     He sold his business there and after a terrific three month’s voyage, landed in New York around 1780.  The family made their way to the Kishacoquillas Valley in Pennsylvania, where he set up in business.  They had seen what they thought was a snake, but afterwards proved to be a harmless terrapin.  However, they sold out in anticipation of returning to their snakeless Ireland, but the Continental money they had received from the sale of their business was repudiated so they had to give up their plan of returning to their native land.
     Later the family made their way to a settlement on Licking Creek, about 75 miles from Pittsburgh and 10 miles from the Allegheny River.  Here Mr. Emmitt built a grist mill.  This was very poor country the main products being white pine lumber and the raising of buckwheat.
     A son of the Emmitt’s, George Emmitt, when he was 19 years of age, in 1804 married Mary Adda Stanford, the daughter of a neighbor farmer, Abram Stanford. James Emmitt, their first child was born Nov. 6th, 1806.
     Since the land was so poor where they lived, they all kept an open mind in hopes of hearing of a better place to settle.  A man named  "Travis decided to go on an exploring trip of the new West, and especially around the Lake region and down into the Scioto Valley.
     He finally returned and began telling his friends of the wonderful Scioto Valley.  A general meeting was called with Travis, the venturesome, as the speaker.
    Among other things he told, the corn grew so tall, a man could climb a stalk and comfortably sit on an ear of corn. 
     The timber in the northern part of the state, he said, grew to such a wonderful height and girth that it covered the ground too thickly, the trees not being more than two feet apart.  Also he said had seen elk in

Blacksmithing - Conestoga Wagons - William Hewitt

Henry Jefferds and James Emmit Store

First  Mill In This Section - James Emmitt and Louisa Martin Courtship

First Lot Sold In Uniontown - First House Built - Canal Legislation - Wagoning of Silver

Canal Boats - Broad Horns - 1832 Opening Of Canal For Transportation - First Postmaster In Waverly

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PICNIC PARTY from Waverly in the Gay Nineties at "Three Locks", Ohio and Erie Canal.  This division of the canal was fed here by the Scioto River.

places of business sprang up with the water power which the canal afforded.  It gave direct shipping to the Ohio River to the south.  And to the north shipping to the lake from whence our products were sent far away.  The only drawback was that only certain months of the year when the canal was not frozen over that this could be done.
     The port of collection for the canal in the district was in the building now occupied by the Scioto Valley Furniture Company.  On the second floor of this building was where dances and other festivities were held.  This building with its enormous beams stands as sturdy today as the day it was built.
     In 1832 Mr. Emmitt contracted with Neil, Moore and Company, pioneers in the staging business in Ohio, to board the drivers as well as the stage teams between Columbus, Chillicothe and Portsmouth.  The drivers were charged three dollars a week for their board.  The trip was made from Columbus to Portsmouth in a day.  The coaches comfortably carried six passengers.  One order the driver was always given was to "bring her in on time."  Mr. Emmitt had a sign painted of a coach drawn by four white horses.  His relay house known as

"The Coach and Four" became famous throughout the Scioto Valley.  He was always energetic and never missed an opportunity to advance his prospects.
     He realized much profit from his flat boats, broad-horns they were called and traveled the Scioto River and on down the Ohio.  He would buy up a flat boat load of corn, about two thousand bushels and either ship it to New Orleans at an enormous profit or sell it along the way.  These broadhorns were 60 by 16 feet.  The boats were generally manned by a crew of 14 men, and were operated by four huge oars or sweeps, and a very heavy helm.  These broad-horns were made water tight by caulking the seams and joints with flax tow and pine tar.  When the boats left Portsmouth for New Orleans, several boats were lashed together for greater safety.
     Again we have before us an example of the trust and confidence that men had in each other in that Mr. McConathy, who was an active member of the distilling firm of McConathy and Taylor, and also president of the bank of Madison, Indiana, came to Waverly in the spring of 1835 and left with Mr. Emmitt the sum of three thousand dollars, with which to op-

CORNER OF EAST NORTH STREET and Market Street before street was cut through about 1832-35 when Ohio and Erie Canal was built.  Dr. Green's office to the right.  Note old lamp post.  House still standing today in good repair.

Canal Day Stories

AN 1880 SCENE - First Emmitt Warehouse - Ohio & Erie Canal - Canal Bridge which was built about 1835, crossing the canal on Market Street.  Brick business block, one part built by a Mr. Jones, one part owned by Lewis Weiss and one-half built by James Emmitt, now occupied by Waverly Drug Co.  Note old lamp post at north end of left vehicle bridge.  Also a man leading a cow about to enter bridge.  Many years ago E. P. Smith the father of our townsman, Florist Nelson Smith, rode his bicycle over the iron arch in the middle of the vehicle bridges.  (Picture belongs to Mr. A. S. Keechle.)

"FISHIN" IN THE OHIO AND ERIE Canal Locks at Waverly are left to right: Charles Chenault, (unidentified), Dick Ellington, Charles Thompson, Shife Schwardt, (unidentifed), and Jim Button.  Shife Schwardt's corn boat can be seen in the background.

a smart aleck kid in the watching group.  It is remembered hearing him say, "Dan Blake swallered a rake and died with the belly ache."  But that didn’t bother Dan any, all he wanted to do was to get that raft safely into the pond just below the saw mill, where the logs were soaked before sawing.
     Kike Keechle, Waverly’s recent splendid mayor, said as a youngster, he and some of the boys would drop from Smith’s bridge onto the passing canal boats, and by the time the tiller had gotten one of the boat tenders to take the tiller, so he could grab the kids, the boat had reached the Market Street bridge and they were safely climbing up on it. 
     Immediately beyond the Bentwood factory, was the aqueduct, where the canal crossed Crooked Creek.  From this spot it was downhill, so about two hundred feet from the aqueduct was what was known as the First

THE OLD STONE MILL - Blanket Factory on Second Floor.

Locks.  Parts of these locks are still standing and may be seen today. 
To right of the locks, next to the mill race, was located a stone saw mill on the first floor of the building and a wool mill on the second floor, which was operated by a Mr. Kemp.  The whole building was erected to be used for carding, and Richard Watters leased the water power from the canal for this purpose, but before it was finished he sold it to two brother, William and John Butt, who converted it into a stone saw mill.  The stone which was cut into any size or shape the customer wanted for building.  The stone was quarried along the hill side near Lake White.  The road leading to the quarry is known as Stone Quarry Road.  Stone from this quarry was shipped to many places.
     Adjoining the canal, where the State Highway Park is now located, was the very large mill pond.  The mill at the edge of this pond and next to the locks was built in 1836 by John Howe, John F. Armstrong and Francis Campbell, of Chillicothe.  The mill had four runs of stones, and the builders had leased the waterpower from the state for 30 years.
     Next to the mill pond was the dry dock where canal boats could be repaired.  This stood where the present water works office is now located.  The dry dock was filled with water at a level of the mill pond, the boat was floated in, the gates closed, then the water was gradually let out, running down in Crooked Creek.  As the water slowly floated out, the boat settled on a number of tressels, which were built in the bottom of the dry dock and when empty and dry, the boats could easily be caulked and otherwise worked on.
|     To the left and up the bank about 50 feet was the Cooper Shop.  It is said, the finest barrels in the world for shipping flour and whiskey were made in this shop.  They plant employed 15 men under the supervision of Richard Ellington and John George Miller.
     It is recalled that by this time Mr. Emmitt owned much land around Waverly and among other things shipped considerable hay.  To be sure of getting the hay mowed before rain set in, Mr. Emmitt made the rounds of

down the canal to the Dayton farm.  The building was done by Herb Trusdell, Bruce Watkins and Jim Grubb, who were then employees in this division on the state canal boat, of which Charles Watkins, Sr., was the ‘superintendent.
     Where the Lake White spillway is now built, is the spot where the canal crossed Pee Pee Creek through the aqueduct.  As from this spot the land was level until the second locks which were built three hundred feet from the aqueduct.  Then a little less than

one-half mile farther on with the land sloping it was necessary to built the third lock.  From this place on into Jasper the canal had an easy and even flow.
     Jasper, which had been named after Sgt. Jasper, of Revolutionary War fame, was a busy shipping port.  The first firm doing business there was Phelps and Alexander, and through the years Cutler and Curry; W. H. Trusdell and Jones; S. N. Cutler and Son; J. McGowen, L. A. Dewey and Stephenson and Wills.

CHAPTER 10

Another Chapter of Early Waverly and Canal Days - Names Of Villages and Hamlets.