>From the book: Nine Communites of Monroe Co., Oh Brownsville, Ohio 1886 Written for the Monroe Gazette. Having written an epitome of our town for the centennial anniversary of 1876, which was afterwards published, (a copy of which is on file in the Library of Congress, and also one in the New York State Library at Albany), but finding it to hae been full of errors, I have rewritten it and added such items as I consider of importance to those interested. We cannot perhaps trace the history of the peaceful town of Brownsville as far back as to the time of the first permanent settlement in Ohio at Marietta, April 7th, A.D. 1788, nor to the time, Feb. 19th, 1803, when Ohio was enrolled as the seventeenth State in the Union; neither to the year 1804, when the first settlement was made in the territory now comprised in Benton twp by John CLINE, Joseph CLINE, & William BROWN. The town of Brownsville is in 1st 98 deg. 34 min. N. and long. 81 deg 9 min. W. from Greenwich; population 100; situated in sections 18 and 24, township 2, range 5, 18 miles from the county seat and 5 miles from Cocransville, on the west bank of the Ohio river. The Indian trail from Cochransville, on the west bank of the Ohio river. The Indian trail from Fort Harmar to Fort Fincastle (in 1777 the name was changed to Fort Henry in honor of Patrick Henry) went over the ridge where the town of Brownsville is now situated. When Brownsville was laid out it was located in Grandview Twp, Washington County, march 3rd, 1840. Jolly twp, which was taken from Grandview twp, was organized and remained so until 1851. When Novle county was formed a part of Washington county was added to Monroe county. Benton twp was organized March 27th of the same year, then Brownsville became located in Benton twp, Monroe County. The original part of Brownsville and the first addition extend from South street to Third street on the North. The second addition is situated north of Third street. Brownsville was surveyed by B. F. STONE, then county Surveyor of Washington County.. Main street runs north and south and is 90 10-11 links wide; the other streets are 50 links wide, the alleys 16 links wide, the lots 91 links wide, 275 links long and contain one-fourth of an acre. The original plat of Brownsville was surveyed April 6th, 1834, for Israel BROWN, proprietor, and is situated west of Main street. Leonard CHALK with his wife and daughter, Julia A., (widow of Corbin AMOS) were the first permanent settlers in Brownsville, March 16th, 1826, and lived on lot No. 1. The first addition to Brownsville was surveyed January 6th, 1838, for Alex McWILLIAMS, proprietor, and is situated east of Main street. The first house was built on lot No. 6, by Peter FULLMER, who bought said lot June 14th 1838, for $30.00, and this lot is at present owned by Christian SAUNDER. The second addition was surveyed for Israel BROWN, proprietor, on the same day when the first addition was. Description of the business portion of Brownsville: C. SANDER and Son, general store, established October 1863; POOL & SCHMIDT, general store, established April 1881; S. STEWARD, physician, established December 1883; Geo. SCHMIDT & Son, shoemakers, established May 1858; C. SWITZER, blacksmith, established 1886; Geo. S. ALGEO, dealer in leaf tobacco, established 1857; C. SANDER, Notary Public in his sixth term; Aug. MEYER, Justice of the Peace, in his second term, also twp clerk in his eleventh year. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Brownsville was organized one mile south of town A.D. 1883. (although there was preaching by M.E. Ministers as early as 1825.), and was known as LINN appointment, which was one of the twenty-one appointments on Woodsfield Circuit, Wesley BROWNING was the Presiding Elder, R. ARMSTRONG and H. BRADSHAW were the preachers in charge. In 1834 they built a log meeting-house which was also used for a schoolhouse. Nov. 6th 1838 they bought three lots, No 21, 22, & 23 E. of the S. E. corner of the town, north of South street and east of Main Alley. Shortly after they commenced to build a log meeting-house 22 x 24 ft. which was finished in the following spring. In 1856 Brownsville circuit was organized. In the summer of the same year they built a frame meeting-house 26 x 40 ft., which was dedicated the following Octover by James HENDERSON, Presiding Elder. In 1855 the name of Brownsville circuit was chnaged to New Matamoras. Christian SANDER has been the Recording Steward for 22 years. August 25th, 1883, was held the Semi-Centennial Picnic of the organization of the M.E. Church. Present membership 85, S. CUMMINGS, pastor. The Sabbath School conducted with the above society has an average attendance of 68. Christian SANDER is the present Superintendent, he has filled the position since May 1859. The United Presbyterian Church was organized A.D. 1852 by Rev. Alex. YOUNG with eight members. In 1853 they built a frame meeting-house on a lot west of town. At present they have occasional preaching. Membership 44. The Sabbath School conducted with above congregation has an average attendance of 25. L.C. McWILLIAMS is the present Superintendent. The Reformed Presbyterian Church was organized in 1851, Rev. Thomas HANNAH preached the first sermon. In 1861 they built a large frame church. At present they are without a Minister but have occasional preaching. Membership 11. The name of the Postoffice is Jolly. So named from the township of Jolly in which Brownsville was located, when Jolly Postoffice was established, July 8th, 1842. William AYERS was the first postmaster. Ben. AMOS was appointed Jan 12th, 1833; Fred SEMON, Dec 21st, 1843; Jos. WILSON, April 28th, 1847; Francis WILSON Feb 3rd, 1848; Alex. McWILLIAMS, April 8th, 1848; George S. ALGEO, Dec 19th 1855; Chris. SANDER, Jan 4th, 1864; J.M. POOL, Aug 19th, 1885. The cause of education has not been neglected. A two story school house was built in 1874, 27 x 44 feet. The lower story is divided into two rooms, the smaller or ante room is used for public business, and the larger for the common school. The second story is one room now occupied by Prof. Jere. W. HAWKINS, of Scio College, who is teaching a Normal School. This school has given satisfaction to all. There is an increased attendance of 55 per cent over last year, and the interest and advancement have grown accordingly. Aside from the common branches he has in school Primary and Higher Algebra, Geometry, Trighonometry; Philosophy, Physiology; Phonography. The citizens of Brownsville and vicinity are taking an active part in building a school here, and we hope Normal now organized may be permanent. Centennial Cracked Liberty Bell of 1876. Previous to the 4th day of July 1876, the Brownsville, M.E. Sabbath School met to make arrangements to celebrate the grand Centennial Anniversary of American Independence, when our forefathers met in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, on the 4th day of July 1776, when they passed the celebrated Declaration of Independence by which they forever threw off their allegiance to the king of Great Britain. It gave birth to a nation, changing a dependent people into a free and Independent Government; and a down trodden country into a land of liberty. What a thankful people we should be for these heave grandet privileges. C. SANDER was chosen President for the occasion. W. L. WEST., M.D. was appointed to ring the school-house bell at daybreak to let the people of Brownsville and vicinity know that the great Centennial Liberty Day of 1876 had dawned. The Doctor rang the bell for some time with great vigor, when lo! it cracked. All appreciated the excerises of the day and we hope that in the century to come our Republic will have made greater progress than in the one past. We think this bell likely to be the only Centennial cracked bell in the world. It is owned by C. SANDER who highly appreciates the treasure. Description of the business portion of the town of Brownsville as it was July 4, 1876. there were four stores of general merchandised owned by the following persons: Christian SANDER, Corbin AMOS, Josiah WILSON and Aug. MEYER; Geo. W. SANDER, tinner, and also dealer in stoves and hardware; W. L. WEST and Josiah WILSON, physicians; G. S. ALGEO, dealer in leaf tobacco; Geo SCHMIDT and John TRAVIS, shoemakers; Charles SWITZER and Geo. W. FULTS, blacksmiths; Christian SANDER, notary public; Geo. S. ALGEO, Justice of the Peace, and Aug. MEYER, twp clerk. by Christian Sander The Monroe Gazette, Woodsfield, Ohio Friday, September 17, 1886 Vol XIV, No. 9