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PERRYSVILLE, O., June 23, 1879.  The most notable event of the past two weeks in our village was the assembling together on the 14^th. inst. of the Ashland Pioneer Association.  They met at the Academy at 11 o’clock A.M., organized and then adjourned to meet at 1 o’clock P.M.  Promptly at 1 o’clock they met, and the meeting was called to order by the President, Major G.W. Urie, of Ashland.  Owing to this being a special meeting, the reading of the minutes of the last meeting was dispensed with.  The meeting was then open for remarks, which met with a response from Professor Sample and others.  Mr. Melzar Tannehill stated that he had been a resident of the county since 1811.

Mr. C.C. Coulter responded in a lively little speech, in which he stated that his first lessons were studied by the light of a hickory bark fire, while his mother spun flax by the same light.  He introduced his aged mother, who sat at his left hand, as the first pioneer school –teacher of the county.  [In conversation with her since, we have from her own lips, that she taught the first school in Perrysville during the summer of 1815.  She received the liberal salary of $1.50 per week;  we are not jesting, it was liberal in those days.]

Dr. P.H. Clark, Secretary of the Association, then read a well prepared and very interesting address, portraying the dangers, privations and struggles of pioneer life, and carrying his hearers with him through the rise and progress of civilization, and the consequent changes visible upon the face of the whole country, step by step, up to the present time.

Dr. Henderson, of Neville, being then called upon, responded in a few appropriate remarks, concluding by extending a cordial invitation to all the pioneers and their friends to meet at Mansfield on the 4^th. of July, and celebrate the day with the Richland County Pioneer Association.  Mr. Andrew Mason then gave a few incidents connected with pioneer life that was both thrilling and amusing.  Dr. Samuel Riddle then arose and announced a pioneer basket pic nic at Hemlock Falls, the 1^st. of September (we think we are not mistaken in the date), naming Dr. Henderson as President of the day, and extending an invitation to all present to be there.

Dr. George W. Hill, historian, then gave the report of the Obituary Committee.  The mortality among the pioneers during the last year is very great, twenty-two having passed away since the last meeting of the Association in August, 1878.  The ages of the pioneers who died during the past year ranged from 60 to 89 years.  Quite a number of pioneers from a distance who were too aged and feeble to be present with us sent greetings to their fellow pioneers.  The following is a list of the pioneers still living who were forted in the Blackford blockhouse in the fall of 1812.  The list was made out by request and handed in to the Secretary:

Mr. Sylvester Fisher

Mr. Joseph Hill

Mr. Alvah Adzit

Mr. Daniel Oliver
Mr. Lewis Oliver*

 

Mr. Alexander Rice*
Mrs. Elizabeth Rice Coulter*
Mrs. Martha Rice Chapel

 

Mr. Melzar Tannehill*
Mrs. Rachel Tannehill Irwin*
Mrs. Nancy Tannehill Graber*
Mrs. Sarah E. Tannehill Ayers*

 

Mrs. Eliza Crawford Byers
Mrs. Abigal Crawford Coulter (sic.)
Mrs. Isabel Crawford Kinney

 

Mr. Otho S. Conine
Mrs. Jane Conine Wolfe

All those who were present at the meeting have a star affixed to their name.  The names embraced in the brackets belong to the same family and are brothers and sisters.  (I have separated them by spacing them in groups)  Their ages range from 60 to 87 years.  The meeting was brought to a close without much ceremony, by extending an invitation to all present to go forward and examine the cabinet of specimens, including archeological and Indian relics.   <<remainder of discussion on relics omitted>>

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Friday, March 16, 2012