Luce Township.It is not certainly known who first settled Luce Township. Families began to arrive there as early as 1810 or 1811. One of the first was that of Atha Meeks, who had a family of big boys and girls, all of whom were people of marked courage and great physical strength. The father was killed by the Indians, a circumstance fully narrated elsewhere in this volume. Samuel Gardner was in early, also William Carter, David Luce, James Parker, William Overlin, Barney Carter, Sr., John Nunn, John Holtsclaw, Ally Overall, Abraham Harmon, George and John McClary, Mr. Bacon, William Hamilton, James and Thomas Everton, the Youngs, Matthew Rogers, other Meekses, William Overlin, Noah Howell, Peter Tucker, the Browns, Benjamin Dudley, the Thrailkills, the Veatches later and others named elsewhere. All of the earliest settlers had adventures with wild animals. Barney Carter, Sr., on one occasion while hunting saw and shot a bear. Matthew Rogers and Abraham Harmon, each, kept a pack of hounds, and would start a bear and chase it for miles. These animals when hard pressed would make for Willow Pond, into which the dogs and hunters on horse-back would follow. It is declared by the old settlers that this pond early had a fine graveled bottom, but it was often mid-sides to the horses. Jo. Carter, yet living at the advanced age of seventy-seven years, was one of the best hunters at a little later date. He had a famous dog, trained to trail game slow enough for the hunter to keep pace with it. In this way he could follow game at will in any season of the year and kill it. David Tucker killed a panther about two miles southwest of Richland City. One day Abe Harmon and Main, while ,out hunting with horses and dogs, saw a small drove of hogs running toward them in a great state of excitement, with bristles erect, and soon saw that they were pursued by a large, long-legged bear. The latter animal stopped when he saw the hunters, and made off at the top of his speed followed by the six dogs. The hunters followed as fast as they could through the woods. They ran the bear six or eight miles, and in turn came upon the carcases of the six dogs, which had been killed as they approached too close in the pursuit. At last the hunters came up with the tired bear, and found it had been brought to bay by a stray hound which had joined the chase. The bear was sitting up keeping the dog off with its paws. Upon sight of the men it endeavored to escape, but was brought down by a shot from one of the rifles. This chase took place through Luce and Ohio Townships, and the story is vouched for by several of the old settlers.
The following were the only entries of land in Luce Township prior to 1820: Township 7 south, Range 7 west, Section 7, Joseph Williams, June, 1818; Section 8, John Gwaltney, June, 1818 ; Section 15, John Holtsclaw, October, 1815; Section 17, Ally Overall, February, 1816, William Overlin, January, 1818; Section 19, William Hamilton June, 1818, Noah Howell, June, 1815; Section 20, Nathaniel Ewing, September, 1815, Christopher Hardesty, September, 1818, James Parker, January, 1818, James Everton, September, 1817; Section 21, John C. Brown, September, 1818; Section 22, James Brown, March, 1818; Section 26, William Carter, September, 1817; Section 27, Abner Luce, September, 1817, Sbadrach Rogers, October, 1817 ; Section 28, Benjamin W. Dudley, January, 1818, David Luce, November, 1816; Section 29, B. W. Dudley, January, 1818, Benjamin Meeks, December, 1816, Atha Meeks, May 9, 1811; Section 30, Thomas Everton, November, 1816 ; Section 81, Adam Young, April, 1814, John Young, April, 1814; Section 32, John Meeks and Paten Thrailkill, May 19, 1811, B. W. Dudley, January, 1818, Amos Cuthfield, April, 1814; Section 33, Richard Arterbury, November, 1817; Section 35, Matthew Young, July, 1817, William Spencer, September, 1815. Township 8 south, Range 7 west; Section 2, Abraham Harman, November, 1817; Section 4, Samuel Hazlehurst, June, 1815; Section 5, Joseph G. Totten, fractional, 373.39 acres, January 6, 1808; Section 6, J. G. Totten, fractional, 84.90 acres, January 6, 1808; Section 9, Samuel Hazlehurst, June, 1815; Section 10, Samuel Hazlehurst, April, 1814; Section 11, Samuel Hazelhurst, April, 1814.
At the Presidential election in Luce Township. November 5, 1832, Jackson received thirty-nine votes and Clay four, the voters being as follows : N. Woodruff, Hiram Logsdon, James Parker, William Overlin, Sr., Andrew Woodruff, William Overlin, Jr., Bryant Parker, Zachariah Parker, Nelson Carter, Ebenezer Richardson, William Bell, Jacob Williams, Squire Osborn, James H. Lawrence, David Smith, Joseph Strobl, Shadrach Rogers, A the Tucker, Aaron Thrailkill, Manoah Osburn, Solomon Roberts, Cornelius Young, Mitchell L. Montgomery, William Richardson, Benjamin Meeks, Henry C. Jones, Spencer Naney, Elijah Boyd, Obadiah Knox, Gabriel B. Sidwell, Janus Myers, John Williams, William Snook, Thomas Mattingly, David Luce, William Short, Thomas Bower, John Bower, William Sullivan, Jacob Brant, Thomas Roberts, Richard Meeks and John Carlisle. This election was held at the house of William Snooks, and David Smith and Squire Osburn were Clerks, and James H. Lawrence and Joseph Strohl, Judges. Squire Osburn, not being able to write his own name, made his mark when he signed the returns. The latter are in the handwriting of Smith.
An early grist mill was started at Pyeattville on the Warrick bank of Pigeon Creek. Mathis Bros, operated it for a number of years. John Rogers conducted a water-mill on Lake Drain on Section 23, Luce Township, about fifty years ago. Baldwin's water-mill at the mouth of Muddy Creek was well patronized for many years.
Grass Township.This township was settled at an early day. Two men located there about the same time?James Lankford and a Mr. Drinkw ater. The former, it is said, was the first man with a family to live upon the present Bite of Rockport. He squatted there and built no residence, but lived in a half cave protected by boughs and bark for perhaps a year. This is traditional but probably correct in the main. He was in Grass Township as early as 1814. But little is known of Drinkwater save that he was an early settler. Lankford became well known and well respected. Hiram Main was a settler about the year 1815. He was a noted hunter, and killed a bear near Centerville in the Knobs. He saw the bear standing with its fore-paws on a log and shot it just back of the shoulders. In its death struggles it killed a valuable dog which had attacked it. James Lankford operated an early water saw-mill. William Scanland was a very early settler in the western part and also owned an early mill, also a small distillery. He ground both corn and wheat and his mill ran many years. Thomas Hackleman was an early settler. James Tinker, William Allensworth, Mason J. Howell, the Joneses, Casebeers, Browns, Bristoes, Deweeses, Aliens, Rays and many others were early settlers. This township was one of the first created, about 1816, while the territory was yet attached to Warrick County, and before Spencer was formed. It was named in honor of Daniel Grass. William Welch located in this township about 1817. The early settlers of this township went to Rome in Perry County and to Rockport to buy their supplies.
The following were the only entries in Grass Township before 1820 : Township 5, Range 6, Section 32, Thomas M. Jones, February, 1818 ; Township 6 south, Range 6 west, Section 1, Daniel Casebeer, June, 1818, and Benjamin Deweese, March, 1819; Section 3, Henry Jones, August, 1818, and Samuel Buntin, February, 1819; Section 4, Gabriel Jones, April, 1818, and John Brown, October, 1819; Section 5, Leroy Bristoe, March, 1818; Section 9, John Harrison, August, 1818; Section 10, James Young, October, 1817, and Samuel Brown, October, 1817 ; Section 11, Daniel Deweese, March, 1819; Section 17, Levi Hale and Stephen Rogers, February, 1819; Section 18, W. R. Griffith, December, 1818, and Lewis and Zach. Allen, June, 1818; Section 19, John Harrison, Sr., February, 1819; Section 21, John Carr, July, 1818, and Thomas Hackleman, September, 1819; Section 22, John Bemiss, July, 1818; Section 28, Samuel Pickerel], April, 1818; Section 25, Robert Sanders, April, 1818; Section 26, William and James Ray, June, 1818; Section 27, William Allensworth, July, 1818; Section 28, Matthew Kennedy, October, 1817; Sections 28, 29 and 32, William Allensworth, 1818; Section 30, Samuel and James Moore, December, 1814; Township 6 south, Range 7 west, Section 1, James Langford, February, 1819 ; Section 10, Stephen Rogers, January, 1815; Section 13, Mason J. Howell, January, 1818.
At the Presidential election in Grass Township, November 5, 1832, held at the house of Ellis Wright, with Thompson M. Jones, Inspector, James Bryant and James Stark, Clerks, and Henry Gentryman and William Whittinghill, Judges, sixty-five votes were polled for the Jackson electors and twenty-three for the Clay electors. The following men cast their votes : Benjamin Lamar, N. Hartley, J. Wire, Ralph Hunt, Samuel Lamar, J. Lindley, A. Gentry, John Simpson, Thomas Phelps, Samuel Buntin, R. McCoy, L. Bryant, James Hunt, James Harrison, W. Jones, John Romine, John Cohoon, J. Israel, William Hall, Z. Bryant, James Wright, G. Jones, John Cohoon, Sr., James Hale, A. Hall, James Tinkler, John B. Lamar, James Childres, C. Pence, James Lindley, W. Flat, W. Wakefield, John Hepron, John Hammond, 0. R. Griffith, John Kitchen, B. Young, W. Roberts, Thompson Lamar, 0. Weller, L. D. Padgett, J. Thorp, James C. Hill, James Quillen, S. Weller, James Whittinghill, J. Johnson, W. Gary, R. P. Craig, L. Prosser, L. Wright, J. Hale, M. Bryant, L. Bryant, R. Tuley, W. Black, W. R. Kelley, C. Davis, John Stark, C. Grigsby, B. HeAVen, W. Tuley, W. Grigsby, H. Jones, H. Jones, Sr., R. Grigsby, J. Goble, James Beasley, D. Radcliff, J. L. Cooper, William Weathers, C. Wright, J. Hungate, S. Brown, W. Stark, H. Gentry, J. B. Shields, W. Whittinghill, N. Davis, M. Jones, Thomas Turnham, Thomas Jones, J. Garrison, James Bryant, D. Woods and S. Rasor. Grass Township at this time included nearly all of the present Jackson.
Jackson TownshipAmong the earliest settlers in Jackson Township were Henry Gunterman, James Gentry, William Whittinghill, William Stark, John Hoskins, Joseph Hoskins, the Bristoes, Ellis Wright, Wyatt Crook, James Crook, Zerrill Crook, Robert Pleraig, Benjamin Young, Conrad Weller, Samuel Weller, John Kitchen, William Kitchen, L. D. Padgett, William Grigsby, James Grigsby, Charles Grigsby, Benjamin Hesson, John Hesson, William Roberts, John Stark, James Stark, Joseph Oskins, Jacob Oskins, Benjamin Oskins, Robert Oskins, Peter Whit-tinghill (who owned an early grist-mill), Rev. Charles Harper (a Baptist), Owen Griffith, James, Carter and Lazarus Wright, John Cohoon, William Barker, Gideon Romine and others. The old Whittinghill Mill and the old Gentry cotton-gin were prominent industrial features of this part of the county. The "corn-cracker" was turned by a sweep, each man hitching on his horse or oxen to grind his own grain and afterward turning the bolt by hand. Considerable cotton was grown in this neighborhood, nearly every family raising from a quarter to two acres. Wild animals were numerous. William Whittinghill caught a large black wolf in a wooden trap across the line in Warrick County, and brought it over to Gentryville, where it was disabled and made to fight the dogs. It could whip any of them singly. Whittinghill tanned deer, wolf, bear and other skins at his tannery. James Gentry, Sr., was one day hunting in Warrick County, when his dog started a large bear which was soon brought to bay. The dog was courageous and approached so close to the bear that it was caught and killed by the latter. But Mr. Gentry put in an appearance about this time and sent a bullet crashing through the furious Ursus.
The following were the only entries in Jackson Township prior to 1820: Township 5 south, Range 6 west, Section 1, James Gentry, 240 acres, July, 1818, and William Whittinghall, July, 1818; Section 10, William Starke, April, 1818; Section 14, John Hoskins, March, 1819, and Thomas Bristoe, June, 1818; Section 21, John Cochran, October, 1818; Section 23, Joseph Hoskins, September, 1818; Section 24, Henry Gunterman, June, 1818, and Benoni Hardin, October. 1818 ; Section 25, James Gentry, June, 1818; Section 26, Samuel Bristoe, February, 1818, and Elias Wright, March, 1818.
Jackson Township was formed in December, 1841, and named in honor of "Old Hickory," and the first election was held at the house of Edmund Phillips, January 31, 1842, for Justice of the Peace. William Stark received thirty-seven votes and J. Kitchen six. Ballots were cast by the following citizens: E. Howell, B. Phillips, William Oskins, 0. R. Griffith, William Jones, P. Kellams, William Tulley, P. Chin, M. Clark, J. Moran, H. Gentryman, J. Romine, J. Oskins, Jr., J. Cohoon, E. Phillips, A. G. Phillips. J. Oskins, Sr., J. Stark,.!. D. Padgett, D. Woods, B. A. Ward, A. W. Lamar, L. B. Bridges, William Roberts, William B. Young, L. Stark, T.' Wells, J. Lamb, S. Young, W. W. Cook, C. Ketchum, William Weller, S. Young, Sr., S. B. Brown, J. Tinker, C. Grigsby, D. Chancier, William Shigert, D. B. Ketchum, R. Grigsby, James Grigsby and W. Grigsby.
Carter Township.It is probable that Thomas Carter was the first permanent settler in Carter Township. This was about the year 1815. Thomas Vandeveer came in early. Quite a large settlement was made in the western part prior to 1820. Among the earliest were David Casebeer, Willis Boone, Thomas Jones, Thomas Medcalf, John Jones, Lawrence Jones, William Smith, Thomas Lowe. Thomas Lincoln, father of President Lincoln, Thomas Turnham, Edley Brown, John Morris, Luther Greathouse, Henry Morris, William Whitten, Elijah Whitten, James Wilson, Nathan Rice, Robert Wood, William Wood and others. Thomas Medcalf at a very early day built a water-mill in the northwestern part of the township. The settlers here vent to Rockport and Rome for groceries, and sold their supplies there. They often went for flour to George Taylor's mill at Taylorsville. in Warrick County. John Morris was the first blacksmith. He did work for the whole country, and mined kis own coal. "A wagon-load would last him a year." Whittinghill's grist-mill, in Jackson Township, was often visited. Zachariah Ricks, of Rome, sold the first goods in the township. He placed a small stock of goods in the "up stairs" of the John Jones log-cabin, and here on cer-tain days of the week he came to sell the stock to the settlers who gathered in to buy. Thomas Carter, who was one of the early County Commissioners, and after whom the township was named, erected a distillery a short time after locating on his place, having brought the still with him. He conducted it about three years, beginning in 1817.
The following were the only entries of land in Carter Township prior to 1820: Township 4 south, Range 5 west, Section 5, Jesse Lindsey, May, 1818, and John Dotten, March, 1818; Section 7, Thomas Metcalf, May, 1818; Section 17, Henry Winkles, July, 1818, Lawrence Jones, July, 1819, William Smith, August, 1818; Section 18, Lawrence Jones, May, 1818, and John Jones, April 1817 ; Section 19, John Jones, March, 1818; Section 20, John Jones, June, 1817, and Thomas Lowe, April, 1819; Section 26, Joseph and William Wright, June, 1818; Section 31, John Jones, April, 1817; Section 32, Thomas Turnham, January, 1819, Thomas Lincoln (father of Abraham Lincoln), October 15, 1817, and Thomas Burrell, September, 1817; Section 33, Thomas Carter, May, 1817 ; Section 34, Noah Gordon, September, 1817. This township was sailed Carter while yet a part of Perry County. It was then much larger than at present.
At an election held at the house of Jonathan Greathouse in Carter Township, August, 1819, the following men cast their ballots: Taylor Basye, Andrew Crawford, John Woodall, Moses Handle, John Sumner, Zachariah Wright, William Leforce, Jonathan Greathouse, Joseph Wright, Lafayette Parker, George Angel, Demp Sumner, Josiah Swoliver, William Wright, Sr., John Ellis, Jesse Hoskins, John Masterson, John Angel, Chesley Wheeler, Ezekiel Powell, James Masterson, William Baird, Samuel Lamar, Jr., Samuel Powell, Thomas Lincoln, father of President Lincoln, George Huffman, William Woolard, Young Lamar, John Ewing, Thomas Garter and A. Richardson.
Clay Township.This was the last township organized in the county, but was settled almost as early as any. Among the first residents were John Carter, Samuel Howell, Noah Gordon, Amos Richardson, John Richardson, Joseph Wright, Reuben Grigsby, Joseph Murray, John Wright, Young Lamar, Henry Gunterman, Jesse Hoskins, William Hoskins, Shadrach Hall, S. F. West, William Harris, Samuel Beard, Nathan Grigsby, John Conner, John Masterson, Hezekiah Harris, Hugh Masterson, Josiah Crawford, Aaron Grigsby, William Barker, James Sallee, Abraham Pollard, Benjamin Clark, James Brown, Warren Harris, Asa Gears, Ezekiel Powell, Jacob Varner, and others. In the early settlement it was the custom for home-seekers to select the hills or knobs for the sight of their residence for several reasons: The country was much wetter then than now, and the level lands were malaria breeders; it was thought that the hills were better soil than the low lands ; on the hills could be found perpetual springs of good water. From the fact that Clay had a rolling surface, many settlers located there quite early, but the township did not increase in material wealth as rapidly as some other places, owing to the poverty of the soil on the knobs. Noah Gordon conducted a small horse-mill here at an early day, which did good work for the times and was well patronized. He also operated a distillery.
The following were the only entries of land in Clay Township prior to 1820 : Township 5 south, range 5 west, Section 1, Josiah Sullivan, June, 1818; Section 5, John Carter, October and November, 1818; Section 6, Samuel Howell, September, 1817; Section 7, Noah Gordon, May, 1818; Section 9, Amos Richardson, May, 1817; Section 12, Luther Greathouse, October, 1817; Section 15, Joseph Wright, June, 1817; Section 18, Reuben Grigsby, January, 1816; Section 19, Reuben Grigsby, January, 1818; Section 27, Joseph Murray, October, 1815, and Young Lamar, December, 1817 ; Section 30, John Wright, August, 1818; Section 32, John Wright, February, 1817; Section 31, David Ott, June, 1818,
Huff Township.The following were all the entries of land in Huff Township prior to 1820: Township 5, Range 3, Section 30, Morrison Carter, June, 1817. Township 6, Range 3, Section 6, Joseph Wright, May, 1815; Section 7, Ishmael Conner, November, 1813. Township 4, Range 4, Section 30, Luther Greathouse, June, 1818 ; Section 31, Daniel Fry, August, 1818. Township 6, Range 4, Section 28, Thomas Sanders, April, 1818; Section 24, Thomas Rogers, April, 1818; Section 26, Thomas Sanders, September, 1817. Township 6 south, Range 4 west, Section 1, William Taylor, May, 1815; Section 4, Nicholas Emmick, September, 1815 ; Section 5, Hugh Masterson, February, 1816; Section 10, David Edwards, February, 1815; Section 12, Samuel Conner, December, 1814; same section, William Taylor, June, 1818; Section 14 (fractional), 122.11 acres, Walter Taylor, May 6, 1807 ; Section 15 (fractional), 865.52 acres, Francis Posey, April 17, 1811; Section 29, Daniel C. Lane, May, 1818; Section 30, the same, March, 1818; Section 31, Henry Hurst and D. C. Lane, May, 1818. It is alleged that the first settlement in the county was in Huff Township near Maxville. This could not be verified by the writer. The township was named for Aquilla Huff.
Huff Township was organized in 1837, being detached from Hammond. The first election was held at the house of William Lamar, October 14, 1837, for a Justice of the Peace, George Huffman being Inspector, Aaron Masterson and John Smith, Judges, and Harrison Huffman and Josiah Maxfield, Clerks. William Robb received 45 votes for justice and George Marlett 87. The following were the voters: Trusten Woollen, Reason Masterson, Thomas Sanders, Charles Clark, Hugh Masterson, Warren Rollins, Jefferson Reims, William Ralston, Anderson Johnson, Jacob Dudley, Elisha Sanders, George Kitterman, Elisha Laman, John Sanders, Hinton McAdams, Walker Porter, James Cravens, Joseph Masterson, Larkin Nolen, Thomas Sanders, Peter Osburn, Matthew Posey, Elijah E. Watts, William Holt, James Grubb, Henry Coombs, Thomas Jackson, Daniel MoAdams, John Osburn, Richard Richards, Joseph Wright, Festus Osburn, Aquilla Huff, Edward Carter, Micajah McGuffey, Joseph Laughlin, Augustine F. Pursell, Robert Meakin, Thomas Lee, Robert Lincoln, John A. Phillips, William Richards, Stephen Dugan, Stephen McDaniel, Obadiah Baird, Andrew H. Heath, Richard Pursell, Denton Sumner, Zachariah Masterson, Henry Coombs, Wesley Porter, Henderson Huff, John Tucker, William Baird, Hannah Lincoln, Presley Sanders, Harrison Jeffers, Edward Lynch, David Lamar, William G. Davis, Luther Greathouse, Samuel B. Coombs, Jacob Pluker, William Sissell, David Phillips, John Smith, Aaron Masterson, William Robb, George Marlett, Ezekiel Baird, Samuel Baird, Harrison Huffman, Josiah Maxfleld, Josiah Dunn, Allen Fuller, Edward Welsh, Henry Davis, James L. Porter, Stephen Service, James Roberts, James Mclntire, William Lamar, and George Huffman.
Harrison Township.The second election in Harrison Township was held the first Monday in April, 1841, for two Constables, and was conducted by George Huffman, Inspector; James Craven and Warren Harris Judges; William Thompson and William Lynch Clerks. Jesse Sum-ner and Green B. Hanks were elected Constables, each receiving twenty-four votes. The following men except one voted: John Smith, Beden Beard, Moses Craven, Jonathan Beard, Philip F. Sumner, Jesse Sumner, Green B. Hanks, John Watson, Elijah Craven, Seyton Taylor, Warren Harris, Jesse Pollard, Elijah Whitten, Thomas Jackson, Trus-ten Waller, Dillings Lynch, Thomas Sumner, Jonathan Jackson, John Waller, William Thompson, Robert McKim, William Lynch, James Craven, Alfred McKim, and George Huffman. This was the second election held after the formation of the township.
Harrison Township was formed in January, 1841, and named for the President-elect, William Henry Harrison. The numerous Jacksonian Democrats of that famous old township cannot escape this inevitable historical inference. For some unknown reason, the township, at the Presidential election of 1844, polled 44 votes for Henry Clay and only 11 for James K. Polk, and at the election of 1848 polled 68 for Zachary Taylor and only 18 for Lowis Cass. After that, however, it went Democratic, and has since continued the banner Democratic township of the county. The first election in the township was held February 26,1841, for a Justice of the Peace, William Lynch receiving 23 votes and John Smith 8. The following men polled their votes: Jesse Pollard, James Cravens, K. G. Whitman, Jacob Fry, Elisba Whitten, B. Coombs, J. Baird, Edward Lynch, Michael Wagner, Randolph Baird, Elisha Lamar, J. Brodle, T. Sumner, M. Baird, J. Clark, E. Whitten, D. Lamar, E. Johnson, T. P. Sumner, S. Garlin, G. B. Hanks, D. Lynch, B. Chewning, H. Chewning, M. Jackson, T. Wollen, Thomas Jackson, William Baird, Jesse Sumner, and Seyton Taylor. George Huffman was Inspector; Robert McKim and William Harris, Judges; and William Thompson and John Wollen, Clerks. This township is famous for its large German population, its large Democratic majority, and its large college, church and abbey at St. Meinrad.
Source: History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties Indiana Goodspeed Bros. Co 1885
Hammond Township.HAMMOND TOWNSHIP HISTORY
By Myrtle Ray Woolfolk
Many moons have elapsed since the fierce Shawnees roamed in undisputed possession over that portion of the Miami domain now known as Spencer County. And the last of the Indian tribes to leave Hammond Township were forced to leave their hunting grounds by a small but determined band of immigrants from the Virginias, Maryland and Carolina, who were persistently seeking the land of their desires. Their journey day by day through unknown forests and bridle paths finally brought them through Kentucky to the little Fort Blackford, which was an arrow's shot from the Ohio River. Here they tarried during the winter and until a sufficient number had gathered that they deemed it safe to cross into unbroken territory. The women, no less brave than their husbands, accompanied the little band in canoes to the mouth of Big Sandy in the spring of 1805.
Ezekiel Ray claimed the land west of the creek, James and Samuel Hammond the land east of the creek and Uriah Lamar the land northeast of the two. Hammond Township can lay undisputed claim to being the second settlement in Spencer County, if not the first, for these men stayed on their claims and, if as recorded, Daniel Grass entered a claim to land May 9, 1807, he went back to Bardstown, Ky., and it was four or five years later before he brought his wife and settled on the land he was supposed to have entered. In reading the history of Warrick, Spencer and Perry County, this settlement of Ezekiel. Ray and Uriah Lamar is recorded to have been in 1808 but the writer has the authorized statement from the descendants (men now all past eighty years of age) of these early pioneers-Meeks, Lamar, Thurman, Powell and Hammond, that the date of 1805 is the nearer correct. These men were squatters-that is, claiming the land by possession and living on it until other settlers began to dispute their claims. In October, 1811, Ezekiel Ray, entered a claim to 555 acres of land. He also entered other land in July 1814, and July 1817. Mr. Lamar bought his first tract March 25, 1812. He operated the first gristmill (or corn cracker, as it was called) on Big Sandy Creek. It was operated by horse-power with a leather band which was made from an ox hide. This was about 1817. James Norton, near Honey Creek, also operated a corn cracker mill by sweep and cogs. Big Sandy Creek derived its name from its wide steep bank of sand and Honey Creek was the land of the locust and wild honey.
On May 4, 1811, the Meeks tragedy occurred at their home in what is now known as Luce Township and it was several days after the killing of Atha Meeks, Sr., before the murderer, a Shawnee sub-chief named Set-te-tah, his son, who was with him when Meeks was killed, his squaw and two or three small children were taken to the home of Uriah Lamar, who was a Justice of the peace, and there, during the night, two of the guards left the cabin, presumable for water, and during their absence Set-te-tah, was shot. The location of his grave is still being pointed out to this generation. As Mr. Aaron Meeks, the grandson, asked the writer the other day "If Ohio and Luce Townships were settled and had justices of the peace, why did they bring Set-te-tah all that distance for his trial?" If all accounts are correct, there was one block-house on the Ray farm near Grandview in which court was held or rather a change of venue was taken at one time from the court held in the home of A.W. Dorsey. Another blockhouse was located near Newtonville. The educational facilities from 1805 to 1820 were very poor. The families living closest were able, for a few weeks, to get a teacher by boarding him around. The only qualifications requisite to obtain a school were "to be able to make a quill pen and handle a beech limb adroitly." At that time as well as years later, the jug of whisky for the teacher was as much in evidence as the water bucket and gourd. The first school of which there is any record was taught by Thomas Hillar in 1821 in a log building in Grandview, with a good dirt floor, vacated by a squatter. About the same time one was taught near Newtonville by a man named Burns. The first traveling preacher was one of the Baptist faith. With the exception of the Meeks tragedy, there was never any serious trouble with the Indians. They were all gathered on what is known as Finch Hill. The whites on the south side of the road and the Indians on the north but the difficulty was peacefully settled. Trapping and hunting were the only means of a livelihood and clearing small patches of ground and cultivating the carefully hoarded seed and grain that had been brought with them. The corn and wheat was threshed out by hand, crushed between stones and soaked in water before it could be used.
The town of Newtonville was laid out and recorded in March 1865. The Town of Grandview was laid out in September 1851, and on September 6, 1872, was incorporated. The same old plots of Ray, Lamar, and Greer are to be found in all records of today. Mr. P.A. Hammond tells the writer that about 1816 to 1820 a great uncle of his left this county because it was too densely populated and traveled to the far west. A short while afterwards a party wanted to buy a piece of land then known as the Lazue place. There seemed to be some misunderstanding about the title and a letter was sent to this great-uncle asking his advice, and his reply was, "Ask Ray. He can tell you. If he can't, read the first verse of the book of Genesis." One other personal mention: the writer was told by Capt. Watterman, of Evansville, that he and Abraham Lincoln had many times spent the night with Abel Ray, the grandfather of the writer, and after Lincoln's inauguration he offered Mr. Ray a responsible office but, owing to his retiring disposition refused the offer.
Transcribed by J. M. Kell
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The following were the only entries of land in Luce Township prior to 1820: Township 7 south, Range 7 west, Section 7, Joseph Williams, June, 1818; Section 8, John Gwaltney, June, 1818 ; Section 15, John Holtsclaw, October, 1815; Section 17, Ally Overall, February, 1816, William Overlin, January, 1818; Section 19, William Hamilton June, 1818, Noah Howell, June, 1815; Section 20, Nathaniel Ewing, September, 1815, Christopher Hardesty, September, 1818, James Parker, January, 1818, James Everton, September, 1817; Section 21, John C. Brown, September, 1818; Section 22, James Brown, March, 1818; Section 26, William Carter, September, 1817; Section 27, Abner Luce, September, 1817, Sbadrach Rogers, October, 1817 ; Section 28, Benjamin W. Dudley, January, 1818, David Luce, November, 1816; Section 29, B. W. Dudley, January, 1818, Benjamin Meeks, December, 1816, Atha Meeks, May 9, 1811; Section 30, Thomas Everton, November, 1816 ; Section 81, Adam Young, April, 1814, John Young, April, 1814; Section 32, John Meeks and Paten Thrailkill, May 19, 1811, B. W. Dudley, January, 1818, Amos Cuthfield, April, 1814; Section 33, Richard Arterbury, November, 1817; Section 35, Matthew Young, July, 1817, William Spencer, September, 1815. Township 8 south, Range 7 west; Section 2, Abraham Harman, November, 1817; Section 4, Samuel Hazlehurst, June, 1815; Section 5, Joseph G. Totten, fractional, 373.39 acres, January 6, 1808; Section 6, J. G. Totten, fractional, 84.90 acres, January 6, 1808; Section 9, Samuel Hazlehurst, June, 1815; Section 10, Samuel Hazlehurst, April, 1814; Section 11, Samuel Hazelhurst, April, 1814.
At the Presidential election in Luce Township. November 5, 1832, Jackson received thirty-nine votes and Clay four, the voters being as follows : N. Woodruff, Hiram Logsdon, James Parker, William Overlin, Sr., Andrew Woodruff, William Overlin, Jr., Bryant Parker, Zachariah Parker, Nelson Carter, Ebenezer Richardson, William Bell, Jacob Williams, Squire Osborn, James H. Lawrence, David Smith, Joseph Strobl, Shadrach Rogers, A the Tucker, Aaron Thrailkill, Manoah Osburn, Solomon Roberts, Cornelius Young, Mitchell L. Montgomery, William Richardson, Benjamin Meeks, Henry C. Jones, Spencer Naney, Elijah Boyd, Obadiah Knox, Gabriel B. Sidwell, Janus Myers, John Williams, William Snook, Thomas Mattingly, David Luce, William Short, Thomas Bower, John Bower, William Sullivan, Jacob Brant, Thomas Roberts, Richard Meeks and John Carlisle. This election was held at the house of William Snooks, and David Smith and Squire Osburn were Clerks, and James H. Lawrence and Joseph Strohl, Judges. Squire Osburn, not being able to write his own name, made his mark when he signed the returns. The latter are in the handwriting of Smith.
An early grist mill was started at Pyeattville on the Warrick bank of Pigeon Creek. Mathis Bros, operated it for a number of years. John Rogers conducted a water-mill on Lake Drain on Section 23, Luce Township, about fifty years ago. Baldwin's water-mill at the mouth of Muddy Creek was well patronized for many years.
Grass Township.This township was settled at an early day. Two men located there about the same time?James Lankford and a Mr. Drinkw ater. The former, it is said, was the first man with a family to live upon the present Bite of Rockport. He squatted there and built no residence, but lived in a half cave protected by boughs and bark for perhaps a year. This is traditional but probably correct in the main. He was in Grass Township as early as 1814. But little is known of Drinkwater save that he was an early settler. Lankford became well known and well respected. Hiram Main was a settler about the year 1815. He was a noted hunter, and killed a bear near Centerville in the Knobs. He saw the bear standing with its fore-paws on a log and shot it just back of the shoulders. In its death struggles it killed a valuable dog which had attacked it. James Lankford operated an early water saw-mill. William Scanland was a very early settler in the western part and also owned an early mill, also a small distillery. He ground both corn and wheat and his mill ran many years. Thomas Hackleman was an early settler. James Tinker, William Allensworth, Mason J. Howell, the Joneses, Casebeers, Browns, Bristoes, Deweeses, Aliens, Rays and many others were early settlers. This township was one of the first created, about 1816, while the territory was yet attached to Warrick County, and before Spencer was formed. It was named in honor of Daniel Grass. William Welch located in this township about 1817. The early settlers of this township went to Rome in Perry County and to Rockport to buy their supplies.
The following were the only entries in Grass Township before 1820 : Township 5, Range 6, Section 32, Thomas M. Jones, February, 1818 ; Township 6 south, Range 6 west, Section 1, Daniel Casebeer, June, 1818, and Benjamin Deweese, March, 1819; Section 3, Henry Jones, August, 1818, and Samuel Buntin, February, 1819; Section 4, Gabriel Jones, April, 1818, and John Brown, October, 1819; Section 5, Leroy Bristoe, March, 1818; Section 9, John Harrison, August, 1818; Section 10, James Young, October, 1817, and Samuel Brown, October, 1817 ; Section 11, Daniel Deweese, March, 1819; Section 17, Levi Hale and Stephen Rogers, February, 1819; Section 18, W. R. Griffith, December, 1818, and Lewis and Zach. Allen, June, 1818; Section 19, John Harrison, Sr., February, 1819; Section 21, John Carr, July, 1818, and Thomas Hackleman, September, 1819; Section 22, John Bemiss, July, 1818; Section 28, Samuel Pickerel], April, 1818; Section 25, Robert Sanders, April, 1818; Section 26, William and James Ray, June, 1818; Section 27, William Allensworth, July, 1818; Section 28, Matthew Kennedy, October, 1817; Sections 28, 29 and 32, William Allensworth, 1818; Section 30, Samuel and James Moore, December, 1814; Township 6 south, Range 7 west, Section 1, James Langford, February, 1819 ; Section 10, Stephen Rogers, January, 1815; Section 13, Mason J. Howell, January, 1818.
At the Presidential election in Grass Township, November 5, 1832, held at the house of Ellis Wright, with Thompson M. Jones, Inspector, James Bryant and James Stark, Clerks, and Henry Gentryman and William Whittinghill, Judges, sixty-five votes were polled for the Jackson electors and twenty-three for the Clay electors. The following men cast their votes : Benjamin Lamar, N. Hartley, J. Wire, Ralph Hunt, Samuel Lamar, J. Lindley, A. Gentry, John Simpson, Thomas Phelps, Samuel Buntin, R. McCoy, L. Bryant, James Hunt, James Harrison, W. Jones, John Romine, John Cohoon, J. Israel, William Hall, Z. Bryant, James Wright, G. Jones, John Cohoon, Sr., James Hale, A. Hall, James Tinkler, John B. Lamar, James Childres, C. Pence, James Lindley, W. Flat, W. Wakefield, John Hepron, John Hammond, 0. R. Griffith, John Kitchen, B. Young, W. Roberts, Thompson Lamar, 0. Weller, L. D. Padgett, J. Thorp, James C. Hill, James Quillen, S. Weller, James Whittinghill, J. Johnson, W. Gary, R. P. Craig, L. Prosser, L. Wright, J. Hale, M. Bryant, L. Bryant, R. Tuley, W. Black, W. R. Kelley, C. Davis, John Stark, C. Grigsby, B. HeAVen, W. Tuley, W. Grigsby, H. Jones, H. Jones, Sr., R. Grigsby, J. Goble, James Beasley, D. Radcliff, J. L. Cooper, William Weathers, C. Wright, J. Hungate, S. Brown, W. Stark, H. Gentry, J. B. Shields, W. Whittinghill, N. Davis, M. Jones, Thomas Turnham, Thomas Jones, J. Garrison, James Bryant, D. Woods and S. Rasor. Grass Township at this time included nearly all of the present Jackson.
Jackson TownshipAmong the earliest settlers in Jackson Township were Henry Gunterman, James Gentry, William Whittinghill, William Stark, John Hoskins, Joseph Hoskins, the Bristoes, Ellis Wright, Wyatt Crook, James Crook, Zerrill Crook, Robert Pleraig, Benjamin Young, Conrad Weller, Samuel Weller, John Kitchen, William Kitchen, L. D. Padgett, William Grigsby, James Grigsby, Charles Grigsby, Benjamin Hesson, John Hesson, William Roberts, John Stark, James Stark, Joseph Oskins, Jacob Oskins, Benjamin Oskins, Robert Oskins, Peter Whit-tinghill (who owned an early grist-mill), Rev. Charles Harper (a Baptist), Owen Griffith, James, Carter and Lazarus Wright, John Cohoon, William Barker, Gideon Romine and others. The old Whittinghill Mill and the old Gentry cotton-gin were prominent industrial features of this part of the county. The "corn-cracker" was turned by a sweep, each man hitching on his horse or oxen to grind his own grain and afterward turning the bolt by hand. Considerable cotton was grown in this neighborhood, nearly every family raising from a quarter to two acres. Wild animals were numerous. William Whittinghill caught a large black wolf in a wooden trap across the line in Warrick County, and brought it over to Gentryville, where it was disabled and made to fight the dogs. It could whip any of them singly. Whittinghill tanned deer, wolf, bear and other skins at his tannery. James Gentry, Sr., was one day hunting in Warrick County, when his dog started a large bear which was soon brought to bay. The dog was courageous and approached so close to the bear that it was caught and killed by the latter. But Mr. Gentry put in an appearance about this time and sent a bullet crashing through the furious Ursus.
The following were the only entries in Jackson Township prior to 1820: Township 5 south, Range 6 west, Section 1, James Gentry, 240 acres, July, 1818, and William Whittinghall, July, 1818; Section 10, William Starke, April, 1818; Section 14, John Hoskins, March, 1819, and Thomas Bristoe, June, 1818; Section 21, John Cochran, October, 1818; Section 23, Joseph Hoskins, September, 1818; Section 24, Henry Gunterman, June, 1818, and Benoni Hardin, October. 1818 ; Section 25, James Gentry, June, 1818; Section 26, Samuel Bristoe, February, 1818, and Elias Wright, March, 1818.
Jackson Township was formed in December, 1841, and named in honor of "Old Hickory," and the first election was held at the house of Edmund Phillips, January 31, 1842, for Justice of the Peace. William Stark received thirty-seven votes and J. Kitchen six. Ballots were cast by the following citizens: E. Howell, B. Phillips, William Oskins, 0. R. Griffith, William Jones, P. Kellams, William Tulley, P. Chin, M. Clark, J. Moran, H. Gentryman, J. Romine, J. Oskins, Jr., J. Cohoon, E. Phillips, A. G. Phillips. J. Oskins, Sr., J. Stark,.!. D. Padgett, D. Woods, B. A. Ward, A. W. Lamar, L. B. Bridges, William Roberts, William B. Young, L. Stark, T.' Wells, J. Lamb, S. Young, W. W. Cook, C. Ketchum, William Weller, S. Young, Sr., S. B. Brown, J. Tinker, C. Grigsby, D. Chancier, William Shigert, D. B. Ketchum, R. Grigsby, James Grigsby and W. Grigsby.
Carter Township.It is probable that Thomas Carter was the first permanent settler in Carter Township. This was about the year 1815. Thomas Vandeveer came in early. Quite a large settlement was made in the western part prior to 1820. Among the earliest were David Casebeer, Willis Boone, Thomas Jones, Thomas Medcalf, John Jones, Lawrence Jones, William Smith, Thomas Lowe. Thomas Lincoln, father of President Lincoln, Thomas Turnham, Edley Brown, John Morris, Luther Greathouse, Henry Morris, William Whitten, Elijah Whitten, James Wilson, Nathan Rice, Robert Wood, William Wood and others. Thomas Medcalf at a very early day built a water-mill in the northwestern part of the township. The settlers here vent to Rockport and Rome for groceries, and sold their supplies there. They often went for flour to George Taylor's mill at Taylorsville. in Warrick County. John Morris was the first blacksmith. He did work for the whole country, and mined kis own coal. "A wagon-load would last him a year." Whittinghill's grist-mill, in Jackson Township, was often visited. Zachariah Ricks, of Rome, sold the first goods in the township. He placed a small stock of goods in the "up stairs" of the John Jones log-cabin, and here on cer-tain days of the week he came to sell the stock to the settlers who gathered in to buy. Thomas Carter, who was one of the early County Commissioners, and after whom the township was named, erected a distillery a short time after locating on his place, having brought the still with him. He conducted it about three years, beginning in 1817.
The following were the only entries of land in Carter Township prior to 1820: Township 4 south, Range 5 west, Section 5, Jesse Lindsey, May, 1818, and John Dotten, March, 1818; Section 7, Thomas Metcalf, May, 1818; Section 17, Henry Winkles, July, 1818, Lawrence Jones, July, 1819, William Smith, August, 1818; Section 18, Lawrence Jones, May, 1818, and John Jones, April 1817 ; Section 19, John Jones, March, 1818; Section 20, John Jones, June, 1817, and Thomas Lowe, April, 1819; Section 26, Joseph and William Wright, June, 1818; Section 31, John Jones, April, 1817; Section 32, Thomas Turnham, January, 1819, Thomas Lincoln (father of Abraham Lincoln), October 15, 1817, and Thomas Burrell, September, 1817; Section 33, Thomas Carter, May, 1817 ; Section 34, Noah Gordon, September, 1817. This township was sailed Carter while yet a part of Perry County. It was then much larger than at present.
At an election held at the house of Jonathan Greathouse in Carter Township, August, 1819, the following men cast their ballots: Taylor Basye, Andrew Crawford, John Woodall, Moses Handle, John Sumner, Zachariah Wright, William Leforce, Jonathan Greathouse, Joseph Wright, Lafayette Parker, George Angel, Demp Sumner, Josiah Swoliver, William Wright, Sr., John Ellis, Jesse Hoskins, John Masterson, John Angel, Chesley Wheeler, Ezekiel Powell, James Masterson, William Baird, Samuel Lamar, Jr., Samuel Powell, Thomas Lincoln, father of President Lincoln, George Huffman, William Woolard, Young Lamar, John Ewing, Thomas Garter and A. Richardson.
Clay Township.This was the last township organized in the county, but was settled almost as early as any. Among the first residents were John Carter, Samuel Howell, Noah Gordon, Amos Richardson, John Richardson, Joseph Wright, Reuben Grigsby, Joseph Murray, John Wright, Young Lamar, Henry Gunterman, Jesse Hoskins, William Hoskins, Shadrach Hall, S. F. West, William Harris, Samuel Beard, Nathan Grigsby, John Conner, John Masterson, Hezekiah Harris, Hugh Masterson, Josiah Crawford, Aaron Grigsby, William Barker, James Sallee, Abraham Pollard, Benjamin Clark, James Brown, Warren Harris, Asa Gears, Ezekiel Powell, Jacob Varner, and others. In the early settlement it was the custom for home-seekers to select the hills or knobs for the sight of their residence for several reasons: The country was much wetter then than now, and the level lands were malaria breeders; it was thought that the hills were better soil than the low lands ; on the hills could be found perpetual springs of good water. From the fact that Clay had a rolling surface, many settlers located there quite early, but the township did not increase in material wealth as rapidly as some other places, owing to the poverty of the soil on the knobs. Noah Gordon conducted a small horse-mill here at an early day, which did good work for the times and was well patronized. He also operated a distillery.
The following were the only entries of land in Clay Township prior to 1820 : Township 5 south, range 5 west, Section 1, Josiah Sullivan, June, 1818; Section 5, John Carter, October and November, 1818; Section 6, Samuel Howell, September, 1817; Section 7, Noah Gordon, May, 1818; Section 9, Amos Richardson, May, 1817; Section 12, Luther Greathouse, October, 1817; Section 15, Joseph Wright, June, 1817; Section 18, Reuben Grigsby, January, 1816; Section 19, Reuben Grigsby, January, 1818; Section 27, Joseph Murray, October, 1815, and Young Lamar, December, 1817 ; Section 30, John Wright, August, 1818; Section 32, John Wright, February, 1817; Section 31, David Ott, June, 1818,
Huff Township.The following were all the entries of land in Huff Township prior to 1820: Township 5, Range 3, Section 30, Morrison Carter, June, 1817. Township 6, Range 3, Section 6, Joseph Wright, May, 1815; Section 7, Ishmael Conner, November, 1813. Township 4, Range 4, Section 30, Luther Greathouse, June, 1818 ; Section 31, Daniel Fry, August, 1818. Township 6, Range 4, Section 28, Thomas Sanders, April, 1818; Section 24, Thomas Rogers, April, 1818; Section 26, Thomas Sanders, September, 1817. Township 6 south, Range 4 west, Section 1, William Taylor, May, 1815; Section 4, Nicholas Emmick, September, 1815 ; Section 5, Hugh Masterson, February, 1816; Section 10, David Edwards, February, 1815; Section 12, Samuel Conner, December, 1814; same section, William Taylor, June, 1818; Section 14 (fractional), 122.11 acres, Walter Taylor, May 6, 1807 ; Section 15 (fractional), 865.52 acres, Francis Posey, April 17, 1811; Section 29, Daniel C. Lane, May, 1818; Section 30, the same, March, 1818; Section 31, Henry Hurst and D. C. Lane, May, 1818. It is alleged that the first settlement in the county was in Huff Township near Maxville. This could not be verified by the writer. The township was named for Aquilla Huff.
Huff Township was organized in 1837, being detached from Hammond. The first election was held at the house of William Lamar, October 14, 1837, for a Justice of the Peace, George Huffman being Inspector, Aaron Masterson and John Smith, Judges, and Harrison Huffman and Josiah Maxfield, Clerks. William Robb received 45 votes for justice and George Marlett 87. The following were the voters: Trusten Woollen, Reason Masterson, Thomas Sanders, Charles Clark, Hugh Masterson, Warren Rollins, Jefferson Reims, William Ralston, Anderson Johnson, Jacob Dudley, Elisha Sanders, George Kitterman, Elisha Laman, John Sanders, Hinton McAdams, Walker Porter, James Cravens, Joseph Masterson, Larkin Nolen, Thomas Sanders, Peter Osburn, Matthew Posey, Elijah E. Watts, William Holt, James Grubb, Henry Coombs, Thomas Jackson, Daniel MoAdams, John Osburn, Richard Richards, Joseph Wright, Festus Osburn, Aquilla Huff, Edward Carter, Micajah McGuffey, Joseph Laughlin, Augustine F. Pursell, Robert Meakin, Thomas Lee, Robert Lincoln, John A. Phillips, William Richards, Stephen Dugan, Stephen McDaniel, Obadiah Baird, Andrew H. Heath, Richard Pursell, Denton Sumner, Zachariah Masterson, Henry Coombs, Wesley Porter, Henderson Huff, John Tucker, William Baird, Hannah Lincoln, Presley Sanders, Harrison Jeffers, Edward Lynch, David Lamar, William G. Davis, Luther Greathouse, Samuel B. Coombs, Jacob Pluker, William Sissell, David Phillips, John Smith, Aaron Masterson, William Robb, George Marlett, Ezekiel Baird, Samuel Baird, Harrison Huffman, Josiah Maxfleld, Josiah Dunn, Allen Fuller, Edward Welsh, Henry Davis, James L. Porter, Stephen Service, James Roberts, James Mclntire, William Lamar, and George Huffman.
Harrison Township.The second election in Harrison Township was held the first Monday in April, 1841, for two Constables, and was conducted by George Huffman, Inspector; James Craven and Warren Harris Judges; William Thompson and William Lynch Clerks. Jesse Sum-ner and Green B. Hanks were elected Constables, each receiving twenty-four votes. The following men except one voted: John Smith, Beden Beard, Moses Craven, Jonathan Beard, Philip F. Sumner, Jesse Sumner, Green B. Hanks, John Watson, Elijah Craven, Seyton Taylor, Warren Harris, Jesse Pollard, Elijah Whitten, Thomas Jackson, Trus-ten Waller, Dillings Lynch, Thomas Sumner, Jonathan Jackson, John Waller, William Thompson, Robert McKim, William Lynch, James Craven, Alfred McKim, and George Huffman. This was the second election held after the formation of the township.
Harrison Township was formed in January, 1841, and named for the President-elect, William Henry Harrison. The numerous Jacksonian Democrats of that famous old township cannot escape this inevitable historical inference. For some unknown reason, the township, at the Presidential election of 1844, polled 44 votes for Henry Clay and only 11 for James K. Polk, and at the election of 1848 polled 68 for Zachary Taylor and only 18 for Lowis Cass. After that, however, it went Democratic, and has since continued the banner Democratic township of the county. The first election in the township was held February 26,1841, for a Justice of the Peace, William Lynch receiving 23 votes and John Smith 8. The following men polled their votes: Jesse Pollard, James Cravens, K. G. Whitman, Jacob Fry, Elisba Whitten, B. Coombs, J. Baird, Edward Lynch, Michael Wagner, Randolph Baird, Elisha Lamar, J. Brodle, T. Sumner, M. Baird, J. Clark, E. Whitten, D. Lamar, E. Johnson, T. P. Sumner, S. Garlin, G. B. Hanks, D. Lynch, B. Chewning, H. Chewning, M. Jackson, T. Wollen, Thomas Jackson, William Baird, Jesse Sumner, and Seyton Taylor. George Huffman was Inspector; Robert McKim and William Harris, Judges; and William Thompson and John Wollen, Clerks. This township is famous for its large German population, its large Democratic majority, and its large college, church and abbey at St. Meinrad.
Source: History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties Indiana Goodspeed Bros. Co 1885
Hammond Township.HAMMOND TOWNSHIP HISTORY
By Myrtle Ray Woolfolk
Many moons have elapsed since the fierce Shawnees roamed in undisputed possession over that portion of the Miami domain now known as Spencer County. And the last of the Indian tribes to leave Hammond Township were forced to leave their hunting grounds by a small but determined band of immigrants from the Virginias, Maryland and Carolina, who were persistently seeking the land of their desires. Their journey day by day through unknown forests and bridle paths finally brought them through Kentucky to the little Fort Blackford, which was an arrow's shot from the Ohio River. Here they tarried during the winter and until a sufficient number had gathered that they deemed it safe to cross into unbroken territory. The women, no less brave than their husbands, accompanied the little band in canoes to the mouth of Big Sandy in the spring of 1805.
Ezekiel Ray claimed the land west of the creek, James and Samuel Hammond the land east of the creek and Uriah Lamar the land northeast of the two. Hammond Township can lay undisputed claim to being the second settlement in Spencer County, if not the first, for these men stayed on their claims and, if as recorded, Daniel Grass entered a claim to land May 9, 1807, he went back to Bardstown, Ky., and it was four or five years later before he brought his wife and settled on the land he was supposed to have entered. In reading the history of Warrick, Spencer and Perry County, this settlement of Ezekiel. Ray and Uriah Lamar is recorded to have been in 1808 but the writer has the authorized statement from the descendants (men now all past eighty years of age) of these early pioneers-Meeks, Lamar, Thurman, Powell and Hammond, that the date of 1805 is the nearer correct. These men were squatters-that is, claiming the land by possession and living on it until other settlers began to dispute their claims. In October, 1811, Ezekiel Ray, entered a claim to 555 acres of land. He also entered other land in July 1814, and July 1817. Mr. Lamar bought his first tract March 25, 1812. He operated the first gristmill (or corn cracker, as it was called) on Big Sandy Creek. It was operated by horse-power with a leather band which was made from an ox hide. This was about 1817. James Norton, near Honey Creek, also operated a corn cracker mill by sweep and cogs. Big Sandy Creek derived its name from its wide steep bank of sand and Honey Creek was the land of the locust and wild honey.
On May 4, 1811, the Meeks tragedy occurred at their home in what is now known as Luce Township and it was several days after the killing of Atha Meeks, Sr., before the murderer, a Shawnee sub-chief named Set-te-tah, his son, who was with him when Meeks was killed, his squaw and two or three small children were taken to the home of Uriah Lamar, who was a Justice of the peace, and there, during the night, two of the guards left the cabin, presumable for water, and during their absence Set-te-tah, was shot. The location of his grave is still being pointed out to this generation. As Mr. Aaron Meeks, the grandson, asked the writer the other day "If Ohio and Luce Townships were settled and had justices of the peace, why did they bring Set-te-tah all that distance for his trial?" If all accounts are correct, there was one block-house on the Ray farm near Grandview in which court was held or rather a change of venue was taken at one time from the court held in the home of A.W. Dorsey. Another blockhouse was located near Newtonville. The educational facilities from 1805 to 1820 were very poor. The families living closest were able, for a few weeks, to get a teacher by boarding him around. The only qualifications requisite to obtain a school were "to be able to make a quill pen and handle a beech limb adroitly." At that time as well as years later, the jug of whisky for the teacher was as much in evidence as the water bucket and gourd. The first school of which there is any record was taught by Thomas Hillar in 1821 in a log building in Grandview, with a good dirt floor, vacated by a squatter. About the same time one was taught near Newtonville by a man named Burns. The first traveling preacher was one of the Baptist faith. With the exception of the Meeks tragedy, there was never any serious trouble with the Indians. They were all gathered on what is known as Finch Hill. The whites on the south side of the road and the Indians on the north but the difficulty was peacefully settled. Trapping and hunting were the only means of a livelihood and clearing small patches of ground and cultivating the carefully hoarded seed and grain that had been brought with them. The corn and wheat was threshed out by hand, crushed between stones and soaked in water before it could be used.
The town of Newtonville was laid out and recorded in March 1865. The Town of Grandview was laid out in September 1851, and on September 6, 1872, was incorporated. The same old plots of Ray, Lamar, and Greer are to be found in all records of today. Mr. P.A. Hammond tells the writer that about 1816 to 1820 a great uncle of his left this county because it was too densely populated and traveled to the far west. A short while afterwards a party wanted to buy a piece of land then known as the Lazue place. There seemed to be some misunderstanding about the title and a letter was sent to this great-uncle asking his advice, and his reply was, "Ask Ray. He can tell you. If he can't, read the first verse of the book of Genesis." One other personal mention: the writer was told by Capt. Watterman, of Evansville, that he and Abraham Lincoln had many times spent the night with Abel Ray, the grandfather of the writer, and after Lincoln's inauguration he offered Mr. Ray a responsible office but, owing to his retiring disposition refused the offer.
Transcribed by J. M. Kell
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