OHGUERNS-L Archives
Archiver > OHGUERNS > 2003-01 > 1042227860
From:
Subject: [OHGUERNS] More Ohio Guernsey County Names/Old Washington
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 14:44:20 EST
Page 10-C, "Founders of Old Washington Reserved Lots for Courthouse"
On September 28, 1805, George and Henry Beymer platted New Washington, now
known as Old Washington.
Gen. Simon Beymer came to Ohio from Pennsylvania. At Beymerstown, he opened
a tavern which he called the Black Bear and he dated it 1806. His license to
keep it was issued in Pennsylvania.
The tavern was still in use long after the National Road was built, and was
the stopping place for stage coaches.
Between 1805 and 1811, Thomas Frame and his seven sons, Moses, William,
David, Jacob, John, James and Thomas, all with their families, came to Wills
Township from Fayette County, Pa., and entered large tracts of land in the
same locality.
Other pioneer families were the Laws, Lawrences, Clements, Doyles, Cooks,
LaRues, Bairds, Cunninghams, Boyds, Sawhills, Robes, Pattersons, Dugans,
Hawkins, Clarks and McNutts.
Anticipating a new county five years in advance of its formation, Henry and
George Beymer, evidently hoped that their own town would be made county seat
of justice and they reserved two lots for a court house and a jail. However,
Cambridge was the city designated as county seat.
Among the businessmen in 1870 wree Spence and Lovejoy, millers; L.B. Biggs,
wool merchant; W.A. and S.B. Lawrence, general store; W.H. Hayes, sales
stable; William C. Smith, proprietor of American Hotel; J.W. Eaton, druggist;
Luke Barton and Noah McMullin, blacksmiths; John Knox, saddler; W.A. Lovejoy
and R.C. Purdum, dealers in leaf tobacco.
Horse thieves were so numerous in Guernsey County in 1871 that a permanent
organization was stated to recover stolen horses and to pursue and arrest
thieves.
The Rev. Samuel Mehaffey was president; W.K. Gooderl, secretary and James. H.
Eaton, treasurer. A constitution was adopted which provided for election of
officers annually. Any person residing with four miles of Washington was
eligible to membership by paying one dollar and subscribing to the
constitution.
###
This thread: