Warren County Local
History by Dallas Bogan |
Contributor: |
Dallas Bogan on 22 July 2004 |
Source: |
Dallas Bogan, Warren County, Ohio and Beyond (Bowie Maryland:Heritage Press, 1979) page 15 |
Return to Index to see a list of other articles by Dallas Bogan |
A grand celebration was held Sunday, August 18, 1996, at the old Christian
Null homestead, located high atop a picturesque hill in a portion
of the Heatherwoode golf course, just south of Springboro, Ohio.
The Springboro Historical Society, a fairly young organization, accepted the
challenge of restoring this two and one-half story log house to its original
condition. Many objections were raised regarding the project. However, with
the vision and perseverance of the local Society, plans were made, executed,
and today stands a monument to the past, which everyone can be proud of.
In February 1995, two members of the Society, Charlie Logan
and Gil Morris, introduced a plan to the Historical Commission,
of which they are members, to completely renovate the decaying Null dwelling.
In turn, the Commission presented their plans to the Springboro City Council,
and approval was given. City Manager, Ed Doczy, paved a way
for the project, developing both a viable and financial plan.
Before the project got underway, an estimate of $200,000 was given to the Society
for restoration of the building. However, Charlie and Gil accepted the monetary
challenge and the job was done for less than $25,000.
Actual renovation began in March 1995. Volunteer work crews from the Springboro
Historical Society, the Historical Commission, and Springboro City Council worked
Saturdays throughout the on-going process.
Charlie and Gil worked every Tuesday and Friday, weather permitting. They were
joined in late March, 1996 by Paul Travisano, who had moved
to the area from Chicago. And a tip of the hat to Charlie's daughter, Jane Perkins,
for her part in the project. In all, more than 60 volunteers helped in the renovation.
One of the first jobs, and most assuredly the most difficult, was to place the
dwelling back on its foundation, which was a mere four inches off. One reason
given for this misalignment was the large earthquake of 1811.
Charlie and Gil hooked the old building up with cables and ingenious contraptions.
Constant pulls were given. Finally, with one extra large groan, it slipped perfectly
back into place.
The inside has been completely redone, except for a few minor adjustments. Five
sections of logs were replaced on the east side. Most of the foundation was
rebuilt, and the ground floor in the main room was restored. In this room is
a giant fireplace that a person can stand upright in. All the windows and doors
were replaced.
In late 1995, Chris Payne, a Springboro High School sophomore,
organized a group of scouts and their parents to do the chinking.
A porch was built onto the west side and both exterior wings were re-boarded.
Gil and Charlie also used juvenile offenders assigned by Lebanon courts as workers.
Our story begins in Virginia over 200 years ago. A somber group of men made
their way to the home of the Henry Null family. They led a
riderless horse and carried a saddle, sword and side arms. Tragedy had struck.
Their son Jacob was a casualty of the Revolution.
Especially affected by this bleak circumstance was 12-year old Christian
Null. With the death of his brother, Jacob, Christian decided to carry the
Null family name forward, and so at this tender age, he enlisted into the Revolutionary
War.
At age 20, Christian had matured and achieved skills in the
ways of the wilderness, more so than men twice his age. His father, having observed
his skills and restlessness, gave him $500 and a mission. His assignment was
to migrate westward to the grand frontier and purchase better farmland for the
family.
His travels took him overland to the Monongahela River. Here he offered himself
for work in order to secure passage on a flatboat heading down the Ohio River.
The men refused him, but the ladies of the craft thought otherwise, speculating
that he might be of some help.
In just three days Christian was selected as helmsman. As they floated down
the long winding river, a life-threatening event occurred, the horses had kicked
loose a board beneath the water level. Water quickly poured into the craft.
The men stood frozen while the women screamed uncontrollably.
Christian jumped into the river, grabbed the loose board and forcibly pushed
it back onto its pegs. All was not well yet, as the travelers bailed endlessly.
Eventually, they reached their ultimate destination at Limestone (Maysville),
Ky.
Christian worked, saved his money, and not until the Indian Peace Treaty in
August 1795 could he fully explore the Ohio country. Many trips were made north
of the Ohio until at last he found his home-site high atop a hill above Clear
Creek.
Word was sent back home to Virginia for his brother Charles
to join him in building a cabin on his newly purchased land. A beehive of activity
was now being performed in this new location. Large walnut and oak trees were
being felled and carried to the pinnacle. A sizable two and one-half story home,
constructed of square-hewn logs, was now being crafted. Stone fireplaces, laid
with rock from the valley of Clear Creek, were fashioned into each floor. One
of these marvels consisted of a built-in oven. The second floor and attic accesses
consisted of a narrow stairway, which turned 180 degrees in just six feet.
It was in the year 1798 that the Null log home was built. It is the oldest on-site
exposed log building in Warren County. After completion, Christian returned
to Virginia for the rest of the family. By 1802, the Null family had settled
into their new log home.
Christian Null
was born in Harrisonborough, Rockingham Co., Virginia, in 1770. He married Kathryn
Bone of Oldtown, Allegheny Co., Maryland. They raised all twelve children
in their Clear Creek home.
After Christian's death, in 1832, Kathryn and the children moved westward. He
is buried in the United Brethren cemetery on land that belonged to the Null
family descendants until 1953.
The Taylor family assumed ownership of the Null residence in
1832. During their tenure two cribbed wings and a full-sized cellar were added.
Some years later the cellar was used as a refuge for fugitives of the Underground
Railroad.
The superb Centerville Community band supplied music for the celebration. An
estimated 250 persons attended the ceremonious event. Fifty-seven Null family
members were on hand, one from as far away as Salina, Kansas, and another from
Mobile, Alabama. Don Ross, Historical Society President, presented
opening ceremonies. Speakers at the occasion were: Tom Sproat,
site expert; Bob Wilson, Historical Society Vice-president
and Historical Commission Chairman; Ray Wellbrook, Springboro
Mayor; Ed Doczy, Springboro City Manager; and Bob Schaefer,
Springboro Deputy Mayor. Charlie Logan and Gil Morris
gave renovation recollections. All are Historical Society members.
Society members along with Marlin Heist, former owner, and
Emma Jane Null, family descendant executed ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
Null family members performed the second part of this ceremony.
Future plans for the building include group tours and will serve as a casual
historical museum. Also, an annual Christmas event is in the plans. The city's
Historical Commission and the City Council will periodically schedule events.
Already, Nancy Morris, local genealogist and Society trustee,
has annual summer plans for traditional craftsmen and history experts. She is
presently teaching the youngsters the art of spinning.
As the writer gazed at the delightful landscape from high atop this hill, my
question was answered as to why a home in this setting. Surrounded by golf fairways
and greens, and by stately homes, the old Christian Null log home stands as
a symbol of the past with a link to the present.
(The writer greatly appreciates the assistance of Don Ross,
Springboro area historian, for supplying material for this article.)
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This page created 22 July 2004 and last updated
28 September, 2008
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