TIMELINE 4

 

1842 - Lewisville later called Bloomington only village in Wilson Township was laid out by County Surveyor
           Peyton West, for James Degroot.
1844 - Jamestown Methodist build parsonage. William Fannon, born in Virginia, owned land on Taylor's survey,
           Wilson Township, Clinton, died about 1844. A new frame school house built in Jamestown with John
           Bennington probably being the first teacher. The old brick school house was falling down, the Disciple
           Christian Church building was used for 3 or 4 years, until a new building could be raised.
1845 - Christopher Hussey, Jr., erected a steam saw mill on part of the land now included in Bowersville. The
           Mill was only one in this part of the country and was fitted up with a so-called sash upright saw.
1847 - December 23, Peter Bowermaster made application for position of Post Master. Received commission 12
           February 1848 at which time Bowersville Post Office established. Mail was carried from Sabina via
           Bowersville to Jamestown once each week, by Christopher Hussey Stewart, who traveled on horse back.
1848 - A wing added to Jamestown School, one room above and one below. Bowersville laid out by Samuel
           Owens for Christopher Hussey containing 26 lots. It is said to be named for Peter Bowermaster, the
           1st resident; the second story is D. L. Reaves, who helped lay the town off, suggested Bowersville in
           reference to the abundant shade trees. These lots were sold for $40 to $60 each.
1849 - John Stinson, Jamestown, murdered by son-in-law Nelson Farmer (see Torchlight, March 8, 1849).
           Dr. Matthias Winans died of Cholera, while visiting in Cincinnati. Dr. Winans was Jamestown's
           first doctor.

1850 - Wilson Township, Clinton, the Society of Friends had a frame school near their meeting house.  Wilson Township formed from Union, Richland, and Liberty Township.  Among petitioners were:   John Oliver, Jr., Isaac Turner, Wm. Jacks, Jesse Carter, Joseph Robinson, Reuben and Mark Peelle, Isaac Pierson, Jonathon Mills, Amos Wilson, Abi Oliver, Everett Oliver, Isaac Lamb, Reuben Mills, Eri Lamb, James Fannon, E. Daugherty, S. A. Bowermaster, John S. Oliver, Samuel Leming, James .T. Bryant, Joseph C. Gerard, Isaac Gerard, Joshua Thorp, Wm. Oliver, Elisha Gallemore, Mark Pierson, Harvey Jackson, Anderson Homey, John B. Oliver, Bassele Bailey, John Hoover, W. D. Bryant, Isom Lamb, Joseph Lamb, John Haines, Israel Earley, John Fannon, Joseph Oliver, H. S. Moorman, Moses S. Hunt, Lewis Hunt, Ozaias Goodson, William Bentley, James Ellis, Wm. Nevergall, Isaac Telfair, David J. Mills, Christopher Ellis, Win. Bloom and Aaron Bloom. Cedarville Township was taken from Ross Township, this year. Post office established in Grape Grove with Andrew Fogg as first postmaster. Mail brought from Jamestown semi-weekly by carrier. The second Church in Ross Township was built on Daniel Little's farmit was called Wesleyan Methodist, discontinued during Civil War.

1851- New Jasper Methodist Church built this year. Bowersville (Christian) Campbellite Church, organized in the M.P. Church at Bowersville 23 November by Revs. Wm. Irvin, Wm. Hayes and R. B. Henry, original membership about 40. Met in M.P. Building a short while, then erected a 30 x 40 frame; work done by R. A. Bowermaster, Esq. The Bowersville Protestant Methodist Church organized June by Wm. Evans at the Haughey school house. Original members: Jarius Hollingsworth, Evaline Hollingsworth, I. C. Stewart, Lucinda Burr Stewart, Robert Stewart, Lucinda Oxley Stewart, Elias Vanniman, Eva Vanniman, Stephen Vanniman, Rebecca Jane Vanniman, Benjamin, Elizabeth, John, and Mary White, Christopher and Nancy Stewart, Wm. and Margaret Johnson. In the fall of 1851, a frame building erected 28 x 36. Odd Fellows-Lodge No. 181, instituted 31 March in Jamestown. Charter members: P. S. Browder, James M. Johnson, Samuel J. Hawkins, John M. Syphers, P. Dingess, Edward Wichersham, John W. Baker.

1853 - Jamestown Methodist Church (frame structure 40 x 70) dedicated by Rev. James B. Finley. New Jasper Township formed out of portions of Cedarville, Ross, Silvercreek, Caesar's Creek and Xenia Township. Martin Boots, John Fudge, and George Mallow took title as trustees for land of Adam Boots, deceased, with a 99 year lease on land in New Jasper Township used as cemetery and known by name "Boot's Graveyard." A. B. Crampton assisted by Rebecca Hodges were Jamestown school teachers.

1854 - Bowersville Methodist Episcopal Church organized at Haughey's school house by Rev. Ebenezer Webster with about 20 members. John S. Perkins was first Sunday School leader.

1857 - $9,000.00 collected from Silvercreek Township, to help pay construction of a railroad from Dayton via Jamestown to Belpre, Ohio. The road was graded from Dayton to Jamestown about this year.

1858 - Jefferson Township organized June 7th, taken from Silvercreek Township. Name suggested by Peter Bowermaster, an ardent admirer of Thomas Jefferson. Union Agricultural Society of Jamestown organized, Robert Brown, president and J. H. Jenkins, Treasurer.

1859 - Union Agricultural Society has selected 12 acres of ground west of Jamestown (within i/2 mile of center of town). A beautiful grove, well shaded, undulating enough to drain off water before it becomes muddy. Grounds nearly enclosed by fence, 2 wells on grounds. Will have halls, stalls and ample track about one-third mile in circumference, and eating saloon. Fair started 31 August and lasted 3 days. This fair has been compared as second only to Ohio State Fair.