Belmont County, Ohio

History and Genealogy



Belmont County Townships


History of Kirkwood Township

Kirkwood formed one of the first four original civil townships and extended from the Ohio river to now Guernsey, in which part of said county was included. It was erected November 25, 1801, and named in honor of Robert Kirkwood, the pioneer. On February 24, 1802, and August 15, 1804, Richland, Pease and Union were erected from the eastern portion. In January, 1810, part of its western territory was included in the establishment of Guernsey county. March 14, 1817, sixteen sections were taken off the northern end of the township in connection with twelve from Union township to create Flushing, since which time it has remained unchanged, with a square of thirty-six sections.


First Settlement

The first settlement in Kirkwood township was made on section eight, in 1800, by three brothers, Joseph, William and Barnet Groves, who migrated from Pennsylvania with their families, located and made improvements on this section. In 1802, a man by the name of McBride located and made some improvements on section eleven. In 1802 or 1803, John Israel settled on section two. John Bradshaw settled on section thirty-two in 1803 or 1804. In 1804, Hugh Gilliland and family settled on section twenty-five, and Hugh Ford on same section and John Heaney on section one during the same year. In 1804 or 1805, John Burton settled in the township; John McClain settled on section twenty-five; Anomias Randall on section thirty-two. In 1805, Thomas Perkins and family settled on section seventeen. In 1805 or 1806, James McKinney settled in the township. In 1806, Ralph Cowgill settled on section thirty- one. William Spencer settled in the township in 1805 or 1806. In 1808, Robert Griffin settled in the township about the same time. In 1807 or 1808, John Honnold, Josiah McColloch, John Jarvis, John Marsh, Francis Hall and Hugh McMahon, made settlements in the township. Thomas Barret settled on section thirty-two in 1807 or 1808. In 1808, Robert Waddell made his first improvements in the township. In 1808 or 1809, James Sheppard settled on section twenty-three. Daniel Conner and Basil Ridgeway made settlements in the township during the same years. Mathias Graves settled on land one-half mile east of where Hendrysburg now stands on section twenty-nine. Isaac Midkiff settled in the township in 1810 or 1811. Philip Ward settled on section 17 in 1811. John Ball on section sixteen the same year. Charles Harvey, Nicholas Gazaway and the Moores were among the early settlers. Jacob Barnett settled in the township in 1813. William Bratton in 1814. Abner Moore in 1814. John McFadden, in 1815. Alexander H. McCormick, in 1815; Alexander McKeever, in 1816; Rev. John McPherson, in 1816; Lewis Jones, in 1816; Henry Acton, in 1817; Eli Taylor in 1817; Patrick Hamilton, in 1819; Samuel Boden, in 1821; Joseph Reynolds, in 1824; Charles Smith, in 1826; Samuel Smith, in 1824; Robert Armstrong, in 1823. And there are many others who were here in an early day and endured the hardships of a pioneer life, labored hard to clear away the dense forests, make improvements and prepare the soil for cultivation. Some of them are mentioned in the history of Sewellsville.


Incidents

In about 1798 a party of hunters were camping at a spring near where Jonathan Perkins' dwelling now stands. One evening when they returned to camp one of their party, by the name of Robinson, was missing. Diligent search was made for him, but he could not be found. They supposed him to be carried off a captive by the Indians, as there were some in the neighborhood at that time. In 1807 there was a gun barrel and some human bones found on the Perkins' farm, section 17, which were thought to be the remains of Robinson. In honor of this unfortunate man one branch of Stillwater creek bears his name, and is known as Robinson's branch.

In 1818 or 1819, near the centre of the township, John Clark was killed by a tree falling on him.

In 1820 a man by the name of Gilbert was found dead in the dam. His shoes were lying on the bank, and the remainder of his clothing was on his body. It was supposed that he had drowned himself.

Henry Roberts was found dead in the dam one morning. His horse was standing near the water's edge and the man's body in the water.

In 1827 or 1828 there was a man killed while raising a tobacco house by a log rolling on him. His name was not known.

In 1830 Samuel Douglass, while holding a log on a hillside, the log rolled, struck him on the head, and killed him instantly.

In 1830 or 1832 James Gould was killed on the road leading from Henrysburg. He was on his way home from town with his oxen and cart. The cart was upset, and a plow that was in the cart fell on him. The shear striking his side killed him.

In 1844 or 1845 William Jarvis was killed, while raising a house by a log falling on him.

In 1849 William Johnston was found dead on the hillside above Henrysburg, supposed to have been killed by the horses and wagon running over him.

In 1851 there was a destructive fire in Henrysburg, burning a steam flouring mill, storeroom, and dwelling house; also a stable with one horse was consumed by the flames.

In 1852 Philip Spear, a carpenter by trade, was killed while tearing down an old frame house, by one side of the building falling on him.

In 1856 or 1857 George Lewis and his son, Samuel, were killed in the coal bank at the old woolen mills by the bank falling on them.

In 1869 Louisa C. Fox was murdered b Thomas Carr on the farm now owned by Daniel Mummy. An account of this is found elsewhere.


Lodges of Hendrysburg


Mancinnetta Lodge No. 360, I. O. O. F.

Was organized in 1860, by W. C. Earl, grand master, with five charter members, Moses Milton, Dr. P. R. Chapman, D. J. Spear, A. C.Hogue and A. J. Heaney.

Officers elected were: A. C. Hogue, N. G., D. J. Spear, V. G., A. J. Heaney, R. S. Dr. P. R. Chapman, P. S., Moses Milton, Treasurer.

Others were soon added to their number. The lodge was prosperous and in good Working order until 1864, when on account of so many of their members going to the war, they surrendered their charter to the GrandLodge of Ohio, and it was not until in 18776, that by a petition sent to the Grand Lodge by A. J. Heaney, D. S. Spear and A. C. Hogue and others of the old members, that a new charter was granted to them. Since the reorganization of the lodge, it has been prosperous. Their membership at present is twenty-eight. They met in Susan James' Hall until 1877, then they in company with John Parks erected a building in the western part of Hendrysburg, the upper room of which is used by the I. O. O. F. lodge and the lower room by Parks for a store room.

Present officers are: C. M. Tidball, N. G., William Goodin, V. G., Alfred Hutchison, R. S., W. S. Henderson, P. S., Job Dillon, T.


Kirkwood Grange No. 911

Was organized in May, 1874, with Barnet Taylor, Master. They meet in one room of the Hendrysburg school house. The membership at present is about sixty, with James A. Sheppard, Master.


Hendrysburg Reading Club

This society was organized December 4, 1874, with seven charter members. Officers elected were: Dr. E. D. Straw, president; R. A. Heandy, vice president; John Davis, recording secretary; W. H. Davis, corresponding secretary; Wilford Wesley, librarian.

They occupied one room on the school buildin guntil in March, 1878, they moved their quarters to the hall over the drug store, where they hold their meetings at present. Membership at this time is twelve, with Frank Dillon, president; E. S. Swan, vice president; Carl Agy, recording secretary; W. H. Davis, corresponding seretary; W. L. Culberson, librarian; Willim Wesley, treasurer.

This society is in good standing and their library is filled with inetersting and valuable books.


Hendrysburg Division No. 37, S. S.

was organized June, 1876, with twenty-six charter members, by A. M. Collins, D. G. W. P. The following officers were elected: John Davis, W. P.; Elizabeth A. Davidson, W. A.; Etta Hamilton, P. W. P.; Clarkson McKeever, R. S.; Ktie Chapman, A. R. S.; William F. Shepherd, F. S.; Etta Hamilton, Treasurer; John Hall, C.; Katie Gray, A. C.; Sadie McKeever, I. S.; John Conner, O. S.; Rev. M. J. Slutz, Chaplain; John Davis, D. G. W. P.

They held their meetings at Susan James hall about one year. When they moved their quarters to a room in the school building, which they are occupying at present. The membership at this time is thirty. The lodge is in a prosperous condition, with Jesse Burson, W. P.


Justices of the Peace of Kirkwood Township

John Israel was one of the first justices of the peace in Kirkwood township. John McPherson, T. Lacock, Mead Jarvis, A. Moore, Wm. B. Beall and John H. Johnston have also been justices. Barnet Taylor, who has filled the office for twenty-one years is one of the present justices, and Joseph Erich, the other.


Schools

In 1809 or 1810, there was a log cabin school house erected on the Cowgill farm in section 31 near the southwest corner of the township. John Stewart kept the first school in this house, and continued teaching there for several years. David Long and James Round also taught several terms in this cabin.

In about 1810 or 1811, there was a cabin school house built, on then William Green's bu tnow Silas Sheppard's farm, near where Sewellsville is now located. William Jarvis and William Metchell taught several terms in this house.

In about 1813 or 1814, there was a cabin house built on James Greeneltch's farm. James Greeneltch taught in this house for several years. There was an old log cabin house fitted up for school purposes, near the center of the township, in which william Mitchell and David Long taught several terms of school. There were several terms of school kept in an old cabin house that stood on the farm now owned by James K. Murphy, in the north central part of the township. In an early day there was a cabin house erected for school purposes south of where Hendrysburg is now located. There were also several terms of school taught in different parts of the township in cabin houses. The teachers were paid by each family that sent children to school, paying according to the number they had in attendance during that term.

In 1822 the township was divided into nine school districts, all of which were supplied with hewed log houses so soon as it was possible to do so. Some of the teachers who taught in the hewed log houses were Jesse Cowgill, Norman Shamblin, William Gregg, Wm. Doudle, Pardon Cook, David Harris, Moses Marsh, Richard Cross, Henry Long and a Mr. Sidle. The hewed log houses have long since been torn away, and their places filled with good frame buildings. At present the township is divided into eleven school districts, four of which are supplied with good brick houses, and the other seven with frame buildings. The schools are in good standing, and supplied with competent teachers.


Hendrysburg School

Before the erection of a house for school purposes in the vicinity of Hendrysburg, there were several terms taught in private residences in the neighborhood, and a few terms taught in the old Christian Church building, which was a log structure, located one-tourth of a mile north of town, by Moses Milton. Benjamin Eaton taught a term in his own residence in the winter of 1831-2. William Tidball kept a few terms in his dwelling house. Robert Barkley and a Mr. McGinnis were among the early teachers in the neighborhood. In 1839 there was a frame school house erected at the east end of town 28x30 feet. David Tidball taught the first term of school in the new building.

On account of the number of scholars being too great for one teacher, the district was divided and a frame school house built. The schools were carried on as separate districts until in 1870, then the two districts united and formed a union school. They erected the present school building, which is a fine brick structure 36x60 feet, containing four rooms, three of which are used for school purposes. The fourth room has been used by the Hendrysburg Reading Club, until March, 1878, and since then the temperance society have been holding their meetings there,

The school is in a prosperous condition under the management of Oliver S. B. Grimsley, principal, assisted by E. F. Swantand Miss Ellie Barber.


Henrysburg

The village of Henrysburg is located on the National pike in the south central part of Kirkwood township, section fourteen. The pike was built through this part of the country in 1825-6. Charles Hendry purchased the land that is now occupied by the town shortly after the pike was completed. He first engaged in the mercantile business, meeting with success. In 1826 or 1827 he erected a stream flouring mill which brought people to the place and gave rise to the laying out of a town. In 1828, Mr. Hendry employed Mr. Briggs, a surveyor, to lay out and make a plat of a town which he called Henrysburg in honor of his own name. The lots extended on both sides of the pike, across a quarter section, except a short distance on the north side of the pike at the east end of the village, being 52 feet on the street or pike. A number of lots were at once sold and small log dwelling houses erected thereon, that have since been torn away and frame buildings erected in their stead. The first building of any connection, in which he engaged in the mercantile business for several years. Since 1867 it has been used for hotel purposes by Mrs. Conner. In 1843 there was a woolen mill built by a joint stock company on the present site of the distillery, which was operated with success for a number of years, manufacturing all kinds of woolen goods until in 1860 it was abandoned. The stream flouring mill built by Charles Hendry, in 1826 or 1827, was owned and operated by different men until in 1851, it was destroyed by fire. Another mill of the same ground, operated about one year and was also consumed by fire.

In 1849-50, the flouring mill known as the National Flouring Mill, was erected a little northwest of where the old woolen mill stood, by Christopher Shaffer. It contains three run of burs, two for flour and one for chopping feed. The capacity of the mill is one hundred barrels of flour per day. It has been owned and operated by several parties since its erection. Since 1871 it has been operated by Job Dillon. In 1862 the old woolen mill building was purchased by Christopher Shaffer, converted into a distillery, and has been used as such since that time. At present it is operated by William Henderson, and owned by the Shaffer heirs.

In 1837-8, the M.E. Church society erected a brick church building, which was used for church purposes by the society until 1869; they then tore away the old building, and erected the present frame structure for church uses, in which they worship. The Christian church society erected a church edifice in the village in 1869, which they hold their meetings in at present.

In 1854 Messrs. E. Combs and McCartney built the Hendrysburg flouring and saw mill at the east end of the village. At present it is owned and operated by Trimmer & Hill.

At present the village contains about eighty-five dwelling houses, with a population of about 375.

It contains three dry goods stores, two grocery stores, one drug store, postoffice, with David McCoy postmaster, two physicians, one dentist, two wagon shops, four blacksmith shops, one distillery, two saloons, two stream flouring mills, one with saw mill in connection, one livery and sale stable, two hotels, one school building containing four rooms, two churches, I.O.O.F. Lodge, Reading club, temperance organization, & c., and one Grand Lodge.


Egypt

In 1826 James Lloyd erected a flouring mill on Stillwater creek, section 3, Kirkwood township. In a few years he built a saw mill near the grist mill. He did a flourishing business for many years, during which time there were several buildings erected. Some parties engaged in the mercantile business, and there was a blacksmith shop built, and everything went on well. The place was called Egypt, and is known by that name for many miles. But nothing remains at this time to mark the place but old buildings, all the business and people having forsaken it. The mills have not been in use for several years.


Sewellsville

Near the spot where sections 28, 29, 34 and 35 corner in Kirkwood township, Belmont county, Ohio, was a grand old spring of pure, cold water, which served as a watering place for the pioneers of the settlement that was made in close proximity to it about the year 1815 or 1816. The settlement was known by the name of 'Union,” after the name of the log meeting house, which was also built near this spring in 1819, and of which the writer will speak more at length in another place. In 1807 Francis Hall settled and built a cabin on section 29. Alex. McBratney and Robert Griffin also settled on the same section in 1808, Basil Ridgeway, Thomas and William Green in 1809, John Hunter, Philip Lykes, Sr., Jesse Pennington and Philip Lykes, Jr., settled on section 35 in 1812. William Frizzell, Henry Gregory and Thomas Miller, on section 28, in 1809. John Jarvis, Philip and Mead Jarvis and David Shay, on section 34, in 1810. The location of the village proper, is on the dividing ridge between the waters of Skull fork, and Robinson's fork of Stillwater, and is on the line of the western terminus of the coal region of the county.

The settlement was called “Union" up to the year 1831, when on petition of Thomas Beeks, John Cole, Mead Jarvis and others, a postoffice was granted under the name of Sewellsville, with Peter Sewell first postmaster. Mr. Sewell and family emigrated from Maryland in 1828, stopped a short time with Francis Hall, then moved on to New Rumsley, in Harrison county, Ohio, where his brother James Sewell was living. Here they remained till the next spring, 1829, when they returned to what is now Sewellsville, and settled on the lot now adjoining the M. E. Church on the south. Peter Sewell was a cabinet maker, and supplied the neighborhood with good furniture for a number of years. He was also noted as a fifer and drummer in martial music. He and his estimable lady, Susan Sewell, and their son, T. M. Sewell, are now at this writing living in the town of New Athens, Ohio, the son being a prominent teacher in Franklin College. But it will occupy too much space to give even a brief sketch of all the pioneers of this place, and the writer will be excused for only mentioning the names of prominent individuals Who were connected with the history and business of the village. The successors of Mr. Sewell to the office of postmaster, were William Jarvis, John Anderson, J. R. Ball, Isaiah Mitchell, John Widdoes and Joshua Young, present incumbent, who took charge of the office in 1865. The first church organization was in 1818, under the pastoral labors of Rev. Thomas Ruckle, (Methodist Episcopal) who first preached in a log cabin near where the brick church now stands, which was also used as a schoolhouse.

A class was organized with Basil Ridgeway leader, and met at his house, about a mile north from where the church building is now located, for a year and a half, when the log meetinghouse above mentioned was built in 1819 in the bounds of what was then known as Barnesville circuit. At the time this house was built the leading members in the society were Ridgeway, Thos. Miller, Zachariah Marsh, Mead Jarvis, Thomas Frizzell and others. The leading ministers who supplied the work up to 1837, when the present brich church was built were Thomas Ruckle, John Carper, Daniel Limerick, William Knox, Thomas Taylor, (John McPherson, local,) Pardon Cook and C. E. Weirich. Under the pastoral labors of the two latter ministers an unusual display of Divine power was manifested in the month of September and continued through the winter of 1836-7. Over one hundred persons professed saving faith in Christ, and united with the church, and the meeting is known to the present time as Charley Waddell's great meeting, a local preacher who labored successfully with Cook and Weirich. The old log house now being too small to accommodate the congregation, arrangements were made the following spring for building a more commodious house. The contract was let to James Young, of Wrightstown, Ohio, to make the brick and finish the building, 45X56 feet, 16-foot story, ready for service for the sun of 8----. The house was finished in the fall of 1837. (Theodore Bailey, boss bricklayer,) and was dedicated by Rev. Edward Smith, P. E., on January 1, 1838. The principal ministers on the charge from 1838 up to present time were C. D. Battelle, S. R. Brockunier, G. D. Kinnear, Charles Thorn, John Shirer, Israel Archibold, P. K. McCue, N. C. Worthington, J. W. Baker, James McIllyar, M. J. Slutz and R. S. Strahl, present pastor. All of whom were eminent divines, and did noble work for the advancement of Christianity. The church membership at present numbers 125; church property valued at $2,000. A prosperous Sunday School in connexion with the church has been in operation over forty years. In 1855 a Methodist Protestant Society was organized, and a neat frame building, 30x40 feet and twelve foot story, was erected a little west of the village, principally through the labors and influence of John Sheppard, one of the pioneers of Methodism in the neighborhood, with H. T. Lawson, pastor. The principal ministers in this church who supplied the work were: H. T. Lawson, William L. Baldwin, George Hessey, John M. Woodard, J. P. King, Thomas Schott, J. B. McCormick, E. S. Hoagland, and L. W. Link, who was the pastor in 1877 when the society disbanded, after continuing 21 years with moderate success. A Sunday School was carried on most of the time, composed chiefly of the same scholars that made up the M. E. Sunday School. Church property valued at $1,000

As before stated, a log cabin stood near the church building which was used as a school house. It had split puncheons for seats, without backs. It is not clearly defined who taught the school in this house during the first few years of the settlement, but in 1829, David Harris (afterward justice of the peace, and probate judge of Belmont county for a number of years) built a cabin on what was afterwards known as Odell's hill, and opened a school in the autumn of the same year.John Barry and Angeline McPherson were his successors for some years afterward, when the old school house went down and the Union scholars went to the adjoining districts, one on the north and the other on the south, since known as Orr's and Armstrong's school houses until abou tthe year 1846, when a handsome frame schoolhouse was built on the hill at the west end of the village, on a lot purchased of Philip Jarvis, known as No. 12 and finished after a more modern style, with board seats and writing desks, black board, &c. In the winter of 1847-8, D. McMoore taught the first school in the new house.

About the year 1821, the Ohio state school law was passed providing for the payment of teachers from a public school fund, which was divided into state, county and township and collected by the county treasurer. Section sixteen was also set apart in each township for school purposes. Among the leading teachers in sub-district No. 12 (Sewellsville) from 1847 up to the present date, were: D. McMoore, Charles Gordon, Mary Penn, Anna R. Livingston, L. A. Davidson, Eliza J. Kennon, Michael Crouse, Mary Rosemond, Howard Anderson, Lina Hamilton, N. M. Crawford and Simeon Rosengrant. T. M. Sewell, also taught a select school in 1869, in the old building used by Dr. Dallas for an office. In 1869, a more commodious school house was built by the township, on the same spot where the old one stood, and funished with patent writing desks. The room is 22x38 feet, with ten-foot story, finished in handsome style, with a good bell. Cost of building, $1,400. The schoolnow enumerates eighty scholars.

In 1830 Mr. Wiley kept a small store in a hewed log house, on the lot now owned by John Sheppard. In 1831 Hugh McMahon bought and carried on the store in same building, until September, 1832, when he died of cholera. Having been to Wheeling for goods, he was taken sick on the way home, and died soon after his arrival. He was buried with his bed and clothing on the same lot, and a plain sand stone slab marks his grave.

Mead and William Jarvis also sold dry goods and groceries from 1835 to 1843, during which time William Jarvis kept the postoffice. Joseph Wheat, of Wheeling, Va., also sold goods here in 1840-1-2, and in March, 1843, moved his goods back to Wheeling in sleds, there being about eighteen inches of snow at that time. William Jarvis was killed in May, 1844, by a log falling on him at a tobacco house raising on the lands of Thos. Beeks, about a mile from the village. He was affable and courteous toward his neighbors, and was sadly missed by his friends and the community at large.

Dillon Pickering, Carron & Alexander, John Widdoes, Isaiah Mitchell and Joshua Young were the dry goods merchants from 1843 ot present date. Philip Lykes and Solomon Shearo were the first blacksmiths in the place. Shearo worked ina small shop on th elot, sincek nown as the Alexander Hall property. Lykes first occupied a cabin opposite Shearo, on th4e lot afterward known as the Dallas property. The smithing business was handed down to the third generation in the Lykes family. From 1820 to 1850, they occupied a shop on the lot east of where Shearo worked. Samuel Cavender, William and Joseph Garven, Jeremiah Sheppard and Joseph Junkins were the blacksmiths from 1850 up to date. Cavender was a No. 1 blacksmith and perhaps worked here at an earlier date than 1850. Obediah Miller, Maline Odell, William Akers, David James and J. B. Widdoes were shoemakers in the village. Dr. James Hood, of Fairview, was the principal physician in this part of the country up to 1841, when his son-in-law, Dr. L. J. Dallas, settled in the village and commenced and continued the practice of medicine (old school) until the spring of 1859, when he sold out and moved to Douglas county, Kansas.

Dr. H. C. Davies also practiced the eclectic system in Sewellsville and vicinity from 1845 to November, 1851, when he died of typhoid fever in the twenty-ninth year of his age. A handsome marble monument marks his last resting place in the village cemetery. Dr. Davies was a very promising physician, and it is one of the mysteries of Providence that he was called away from earth in the midst of his usefulness. Dr. William Lindsey, a student of Dr. Davies, and who was attending the medical lectures at Cincinnati at the time of Davies' death, was called home and took Davies' practice, and has been a practicing physician up to present time.

The writer of this brief sketch of Sewellsville has endeavored to give the main facts regarding the rise and progress of the village. If, however, any errors may appear with regard to names or dates, it is expected that a generous public will make a reasonable allowance for the imperfection of finite memory. The present population of the village is 150.

Salem M.E. Church

This society was organized in about 1810 or 1812, with eighteen or twenty members. They held their meetings in private residences until 1813 or 1814, they erected a hewed log church building near the western line of section ten, in Kirkwood township. Their benches in the house were small logs split in halves, the flat side shaved smooth, holes bored, and sticks put in for legs, which they used for seats for several years, then made seats of boards. Their fire place was a box set in the middle of the house with dirt in, on which they made a fire place, and built a stone chimney in the center of the house. This house they used as a place to worship, until 1840; then they erected the present frame structure, situated near where the old log building stood, in which they hold their services. The society has been very prosperous. The membership at present is eighty. In 1846, on account of their number being great it was divided into two classes, and continues so at present.


Early Members

Mr. Honnold and wife, John Clark and wife, Mrs. Thos. Major, Mrs. Waddell, George Waddell, John McFadden and wife, Henrietta Murphy, Sarah Moore, Eleanor Waddell, John Fox, and many others.


Ministers

Revs. Knox, Thorn, Archibald, Springer, Wolfe, C. Waddell, Geo. Waddell, Worthington, McIllyar, Huston, Vertican, Feitt, Coil, Shaw, Rhodes, Slutz, and many others have been ministers in the circuit. Rev. Strahl is the present pastor.


Class Leaders

The first class leader was John Fox; 2d, Isaac Midkiff, who acted in that capacity for about twenty-five years; 3d, Alex. Carr Skadden, for ten years; 4th, Samuel Douglass for six years; 5th Earl Douglass for three years; 6th Jonathan Perkins fifteen years. William G. Major has been leader of class No. 2 for ten years, and is still filling the position. John T. Grove is leader of class No. 1 at present.


Burying Ground

Near the church is the burying ground. In 1815, there was but one grave, and that was the grave of a man by the name of Dallas. But since that time many of the first settlers, or those that suffered at the hands of a pioneer life, have been laid in their long resting place in this cemetery. In passing by the ground it is plain to be seen that the monster death has been doing its work in that vicinity. In this burying ground can be seen a monument, erected by the citizens of the neighborhood in memory of Louisa C. Fox, who was murdered by Thomas Carr in 1869.


Concord M. P. Church

In 1830 Rev. George Waddell and wife, James Waddell and wife, Richard and William Shoars, Richard Palmer, Moses Milligan and some others, withdrew from the Salem M. E. Church Society, and organized a society known as the M. P. Church Society. In 1832 they erected a hewed log church on section 17, Kirkwood township. Others connected themselves with the church after its organization, They continued as a church society until in 1850, then they ceased to exist as an organization. Revs. Henry Heberling, James Winn, Rev. Linder and Rev. Brown, were ministers for this organization.


Sewellsville M. P. Church

Was organized by John Sheppard in February, 1856, with twelve members. During the summer of the same year they erected the present frame church building, 30x40, which was used by them for church purposes while the society continued to be an organization. For a number of years it was properous, and their membership numbered about sixty. But on account of their membership becoming so small, it has not been considered an organization since the winter of 1877-8, then they held their last meeting. And since that time the church building has not been in use. Revs. Henry Heberling, J. W. Case, B. T. Lawson, Joseph Edwards, Wm. L. Baldwin, John M. Woodward, J. P. King, Thomas Scott, Thomas Orr, Samuel Lancaster, E. S. Hoagland and F. W. Link, were ministers for the organization.


Hendrysburg Disciple Church

In 1862 Elder E. A. Mires, a minister of this denomination, preached an occasional sermon in the school house in Hendrysburg. At that time there were but five or six members of this organization in the village, and no organization nearer than Morristown. By the occasional sermons preached, the number of members were increased, and continued in that manner until in the winter of 1866-7, when Rev. Mires, assisted by other ministers, held a series of meetings in the M. E. Church, by which their membership was greatly increased. Then they organized into a society, and steps were taken to bring about the erection of a church for their own use, in which they succeeded, and during the year 1869, their house, which is a frame structure, was completed, at a cost of $3,500, and dedicated by Elder A. E. Mires.

The society was organized by A. E. Mires, assisted by Elder Carlton, of Bellaire, Ohio.


Leading Members

Charles Smith, W. Carter, Daniel Carrol, H. R. Fowler, James McLaughlin, Sr., Margaret Heaney, Nancy Heaney, Lucinda Murphy, Vina Carter, Mary Wilkins, and many others.


Ministers

Elder Ridge was their minister for eighteen months, Elder E. J. Gantz for a period of six months, and Andrew Linkletter their Pastor for one year. Others have preached for them occasionally, and held protracted meetings, through which means many have been taken into the church. Their church building is a frame structure located in the western part of the village. At this time the church is not in a very flourishing condition, their membership being considerably reduced in numbers.


Egypt United Presbyterian Church

This church society was organized in 1842 or 1843 by Rev. David Finley. John McCormick, the McWilliams', the Scotts, the Hoods, and some others were among the first members of the society. Shortly after the organization they erected a church building on section ten in Kirkwood township. It is a frame structure, and is still standing. Rev. David Finley was their minister for several years. Revs. Clark, Boyd, Reed and Love have been regular ministers for this society. Others have preached for them occasionally as supplies. At one time in the past this was a strong organization, but has been made weak by its members moving from the neighborhood, and thus its membership has become so small that they have no more regular preaching in this church. The church building is still allowed to remain and mark the place where God's people did meet and worship.

Near the church building is the burying ground used by the society where the bodies of many of its first members were interred.


Reformed Dissenting Presbyterian Church

This society was organized in 1809, by Rev. Alexander McCoy. Among the early members were Robert Griffin and wife, Geo. Buchanan and wife, Andrew Dougherty and wife, Thomas Griffin, John Thompson and others. It was the first organization of the kind in the township of Kirkwood. They held their meetiings in private residences until 1815, then they built a hewed log house 20x22 feet for church purposes near the southeastern corner of Kirkwood township, in which they held their meetings until in 1836, then they erected a stone church building near wiere the old one stood, that was used by them for church purposes until in 1855, then they abandoned the old stone structure and connected themselves with the U.P. Church society at Fairview, Ohio. Revs. John Patterson and John Anderson were ministers for the society. The old stone structure has since been torn away, and nothing remains to mark the spot except the burying ground where some of the pioneer members were buried,


The Murder of Louisa C. Fox, a Beautiful Girl, Only Fourteen Years of Age.—Thomas D. Carr the Murderer— His Trial, Conviction and Execution

No little excitement prevailed amongst the people of Belmont county, upon the announcement of the murder of Louisa C. Fox, daughter of John Fox, of Kirkwood township. She was a beautiful girl of only fourteen summers. On the 21st day of January, 1869, the cold-blooded murder was committed by the hand of Thomas D. Carr, who had become infatuated with her beauty and graceful manners. Because she refused giving him her hand in marriage he took her life. He was a notoriously wicked fellow, being engaged in all manner of vices; confessed to have taken fourteen lives in cold-blood, and had attempted to murder five other persons, but in which he was unsuccessful. He was born in Sugar Hill, West Virginia, in 1846, and was the fourth son of a family of five children. At an early age he lost all respect for his parents, and they no longer had power or influence over him. He grew from bad to worse—from one degree of sin to another—until finally he was swung off into eternity on the gallows.

Soon after the perpetration of this last murder, he was arrested and lodged in the county jail at St. Clairsville, to await his trial. At the March term of 1869, the grand jury found a bill against him for murder in the first degree. On the 6th of March, he was arraigned at the bar of the court and entered a plea of “not guilty." Esquires D. D. T. Cowen and O. J. Swaney were assigned by the court as his counsel, and Lorenzo Danford, Esq., assisted the prosecuting attorney, J. W. Shannon. At the summer term, Thursday, June 17th, the cause came on to be tried. Judge John S. Way, on the bench. The jury was composed of the following gentlemen: Solomon Hogue, Samuel F. Davis, Lee Evans, John A. Grove (Goshen township) William Patterson, Thomas Pyle, Allen Bond, John A. Neff, James Kerr, Isaac Meek, Alexander McElravy and John A. Work–good and lawful men of Belmont county. Three days were occupied in taking evidence. At noon on Tuesday the jury came into court with a verdict of murder in the first degree. It is said his counsel managed the case with great ability, and it was no fault of theirs that he was not acquitted. On Thursday, June 29th, he received his sentence. After being asked by the court if he had anything further to urge why the sentence of the law should not be pronounced upon him, he replied in the negative; whereupon the judge directed that the prisoner should be taken hence to "the jail of the county, and there safely and securely be kept until Fri and there safely and securely be kept until Friday, the 20th day of August, A. D., 1869, and that on that day he be taken to the place of execution, and between the hours of nine o'clock in the morning and four o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, that he be hanged by the neck until he be dead.” The execution did not take place, however, until March 21, 1870 oWing to exceptions being taken and a writ of error granted. When the death warrant was read, Carr laughed loudly, and said he did “not care a d-n if it was to be to-morrow.

On the 8th of March, 1870, Carr signed a confession, which he had dictated to an amanuensis, relating the details of his acquaintance and intimacy with his victim, and all the circustances connected with the murder, which was published in pamphlet form. The substance, in brief of this confession was, that while he was digging coal for Mr. Alexander Hunter the girl came to live at his brother-in-law's house (Robert Wallace); that there he began a courtship with her; that they frequently vowed that "nothing but death should separate them," and that she promised to marry him; that her parents also gave their consent, notwithstanding her age; that he had provided clothimg for her and the wedding day had been fixed; that Mrs. Hunter had interposed good advice to the girl; that her parents broke their promises and compelled her to reject him; that he then became desperate, and that while she was going from Mr. Hunter's to her father's, he overtook her and murdered her, cutting her in a dreadiul manner with a razor. He then skulked about the neighborhood until the next day, when he tried to kill himself, first by shooting himself with a gun and then cutting his throat. The citizens then captured him. His wounds were afterward dressed by physicians, and as soon as he was able to be conveyed, he was taken to St. Clairsville and lodged in the county jail.



Source: History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio by J.A. Caldwell, 1880