by Patten, Anna Bailey.

See previous entry: Little Home Histories, Part 01 -- Table of Contents and Introduction.

An event occurred in Warren Township, Belmont County, Ohio, in the winter of 1806-1807 which presents the privations of the pioneer in so strong a light that we are constrained to present it to our readers.

Jesse Bailey, a Quaker from the State of North Carolina, arrived in the township late in the fall of that year. He had not time to build a cabin before the hard winter would set in. So looking about for some place in which to winter, he found, situated on the lands now owned by Jesse Judkins, in section 27, a rock, the upper ledge of which projected out beyond its fellows from fifteen to twenty feet. He immediately determined to turn it to his advantage.

Splitting out some puncheons he placed them upright, inclosing a space even with the edge of the out-croping rock. In one corner, the rocks were so formed as to make the part of a natural chimney. Topping this out with four puncheons like a funnel, and daubing its sides with clay mud, formed a fine outlet for the smoke. In this structure he and his family passed the winter.

Timid deer, frightened, bounded away from its ungainly front by day. At night wolves howled around his humble mansion. Bears came and clawed at the door, and wild cats on the limbs of the adjacent trees screamed at the unwelcome intrusion. But Bailey, secure within, lived through the winter in comparative comfort.

Note: Baileys Mills is said to be named for this man. We are not able to trace any connection with our branch of the Baileys.

Source: Extract from Belmont-Jefferson History, 1880. Written by Anna Bailey Patten, Tacoma, Ohio.

See next entry: Little Home Histories, Part 03 -- Jesse and Asenath Patterson Bailey..

For the table of contents and first entry in this series, please see: Little Home Histories, Part 01 -- Table of Contents and Introduction.

This entry is adapted from Little Home Histories in Our Early Homes, Belmont County, Ohio, which was published in 1942. Its publication was coordinated by Robert D. and Beulah Patten McDonald. This entry has been reedited for inclusion in the Pierian Press Fulltext eBooks database, and is included on the Stratton House Inn Website by special permission. This entry is licensed for use ONLY on this Website. It may be used for educational purposes and personal pleasure under fair-use provisions via this Website. Please note that the Stratton House Inn iteration of this entry does NOT include the subject headings assigned each chapter for use in the Fulltext eBooks database.

DATABASE: Fulltext eBooks: Copyright (c) 2002 The Pierian Press, Inc. All Rights Reserved
ENTRY NUMBER: EBK30013702