From Goodspeed's "History of Knox and Daviess Counties"
published 1885:
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
This township is bounded on the north by a part of Busseron and by Widner
Townships, on the east by Vigo, on the south by Steen, Palmyra and
Vincennes, on the west by the Wabash River and Busseron Township. It was
named in honor of "the father of his country." It was reduced to its
prsent limits in 1847. The land is drained by Marie Creek (named in honor
of a French family who lived in the county) and small tributaries into
the Wabash. The places of market are Bruceville and Vincennes. The
Danville and Vincennes Railroad passes through the township, which
furnishes an outlet for its produce. The character of the soil makes it
well suited for farming and stock raising. The township contains about
28,000 acres, and all, with the exception of a small portion, is laid off
in donations. The assessor's books for 1884 show 6,051 acres of wheat,
4,259 of corn, 650 of oats, 1,494 of timothy, 2,683 of clover, and 3,436
of pasture lands, the largest area of any in the county.
THE PIONEERS
"On old tradition's scroll of fame no nobler life appears
Than that which plays its simple part among our pioneers;
Knights-errant of the new crusades, shrine builders for the years,
Grand men of destiny, toil-crowned, are these our pioneers."
Thomas Baird moved from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, and from Kentucky he
moved to Indiana in 1801, and settled near Vincennes; in 1806 he moved on
his farm near Bruceville, where he remained till his death. Joseph Baird,
who is still living near Bruceville, is a son of the above. He was born
in the county in 1803, and now has a silver medal given by the old
settlers' reunion as the oldest native born of the county. From 1863 to
1872 he was engaged in merchandising in Bruceville. The remainder of his
time has been spent on the farm. Bazil Parker came from Kentucky in 1818,
and settled in the "Barrens;" later he lived near Bruceville. James
Threlkeld (Tuccahoe) lived near Baird, where he remained until his death.
Samuel Johnson came from Kentucky in 1826, and John Young from the
Carolinas; they both lived on donations. Thomas Emison came from Kentucky
about 1802 or 1803, and settled on Marie Creek. On that stream he built
the first grist-mill and saw-mill in the community, at a much later date
steam was added. Marks of the old mill are still visible, yet
three-quarters of a century have rolled by since its first erection.
James Kyle settled farther south in the township. It is probable he was
from Ohio. He came while indiana was yet a Territory. Samuel Thompson was
from Kentucky. He bought the donation on which he lived from Gen.
Harrison in 1804; for the 400 acres he was to pay $1,000. The land was to
be paid for in brick; the deed was made and the land transferred to
Thompson before a single brick was made, such was Harrison's confidence
in Thompson. The bricks were made by Thompson on the farm where Mr. A. B.
McKee now lives, and were used in building the Harrison residence in
Vincennes. John McKee came from Kentucky and settled near Emison's mill
about 1807 or 1808. He was a farmer, a potter and associate judge for a
time. John, Peter and David Hollingsworth were from South Carolina; they
settled near McKee on Congress land. They had small still-houses. Samuel
Hollingsworth owned negroes, and on Indiana becoming a State he left his
land and went South with his slaves. Nicholas Harper and Washington
Sarter lived near the Hollinsworths; the former was from Kentucky, the
latter from South Carolina. He was also owner of a small still. Each came
about 1810. Richard Posey settled a very short distance from Bruceville
about 1805. He was a Methodist preacher and school teacher. He was the
grandfather of Hon. F. B. Posey, of Petersburg. John Bolthus lived near
lower part of the township. He came from Kentucky about 1807 or 1808.
Daniel McClure came with the Thompsons not far from 1800. He was for a
time justice of the peace and associate judge. A fort was built on his
farm in 1812. Charles McClure was a member of the "Light Horse Company"
in the war of 1812. Robert Elliott, from South Carolina, settled in Knox
about 1802. He was a Baptist preacher and owner of a still-house - not an
uncommon thing in those days.
A man named Chancellor bought a part of the land owned by Posey about
1806. He remained there until his death. Samuel Dunn settled near
Bruceville about 1817, James McCord settled on the donation , where
William Piety now lives. David McCord was another early settler. James
Denny was from Kentucky. He lived near Posey; was a wagon-maker by trade.
William D. Piety settled in Knox in 1815. He moved from Kentucky in a
wagon. Shortly after settling in the township he had the misfortune to
have his horses stolen. These he failed to recover. He was compellled to
struggle against poverty and the unconquered forest. He was a man of
sterling character. Maj. William Bruce came to Washington Township about
1804. He erected the house in which James Bruce now lives in 1811. He was
the father of twenty-five children, all of whom lived beyond infancy
except one.
OTHER ITEMS
In the war troubles of 1812 forts were erected in every neighborhood. One
of these was erected near Emison's mill, and owing to the fact that
nearly all the men were away in the war, and the garrison consisted
mainly of women, it was nicknamed "Fort Petticoat." The women of those
days were not easily terrified by the sight or sound of fire-arms. During
a holiday festivity on New Year's eve, in 1830, some parties went to the
house of Peter Hollingsworth and began clamoring for admission, and
becoming demonstrative were fired upon, and one of the party was killed.
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