Adamsville
Mordecai Adams laid out the original plat of Adamsville and had it patented and record April 30, 1832. it was originally laid out in 40 lots. Lot #1 started in the northeastern corner of the plat and continued westward, again eastward and so on until reaching lot #40. In 1835 an additional plat was laid out to the north by A. H. Wheeler. In 1841, 47 and 50, Jared Cone laid out additional plats to the east and south of the original Adams plat.
Mordecai Adams was also the towns first resident and built a house for his family on lot #16. He later moved to Shannon, Ohio where he died and is buried. The house he built was later moved to Main Street. The second house to be built was by Dr. Jacob Reasoner, the towns first physician. The lot was donated to him by the town in exchange for him moving his practice there. The frame cottage he built was on lot #10 across the street from Mordecai Adams. This home was later converted into a harness and saddle shop. The building eventually was sold and torn down to make room for a new two story structure that still stands today.The ground floor of this store also contained the towns first Post Office to which Mr. Garret had been appointed Post Master in 1868.
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Mechanicsville
The first hamlet to be laid out was in section 8 in the northeastern corner of the northwestern quarter by John B. Slack. He failed to have the plat patented and recorded until june 10, 1833 after Mordecai Adams had already submitted his patent for Adamsville which was recorded on April 30, 1832. Mechanicsville was laid out in 1833 by a man named Beaver who was the first elected county surveyor. On 50 acres deeded to John Slack by his father, the first village of Salem Township was laid out. A small cabin built by John B. Slack, stood by the roadside in the village and he resided their until his death in 1831 at the age of 73. The first house in the village was built by D. James Lull who also operated the first store. The house is no longer in use and is known as the Aler house. Dr. Lull sold his house and lot to Christian Weinholtz who resided their until his wife's death upon which time, he sold it to John Aler and returned to his native Germany. Mr Aler resided in the house until his death in 1881 and it continued to be occupied for some years after by his daughter Rachel. The land was recently owned by his son, C. F. Aler, who lived in Adamsville.
After John Slack dies in 1839, his house was occupied by Peggy Cheney and Isaac Dickinson. It was then occupied by John Aler Jr. before he moved to Morgan County. Presently there are but three houses where Mechanicsville once stood. In it's infancy, it saw the first school and Post Office in Salem Township as well as a store that existed before Adamsville was laid out. beside the Post Office and store, it also contained a blacksmith's shop. Most of this land is now owned by Mrs. Paul Sarbaugh. The school was known as Denon's and was located nearby. The first Salem Baptist Church was also close to Mechanicsville.
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