Clay Township

 

The last township formed in Muskingum County was Clay. It was created from part of its eastern neighbor, Brush Creek Township. As with other township spin-offs, residents of the proposed township (then numbering only about 100 people) claimed they were disadvantaged by the distance they had to travel to conduct business or participate in elections. County commissioners ordered an election be held on December 9, 1841 at the home of Adam Rider. (Adams son, Francis M. Rider, was one of thirteen Clay Township men who served--and survived-- together in the 32nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. See "The Lucky 13") 

The township was named for the area's diverse, high-quality and abundant clay deposits, which led to the rise of extensive pottery manufacture in the mid to late 1800's. The village of Roseville in the northwest corner of the township became the center of pottery manufacturing, and its name became synonomous with the particular pottery style that developed there. The most prominent citizens' names were among the names that appeared on the potteries that dotted the area: McCoy, Ransbottom, Stine, Rider, Sowers, Dugan, Kildow, Lowry, Owens. What really advanced the pottery business--and made Roseville pottery famous--was the arrival of the Cincinnati, Wilmington & Zanesville Railroad. The establishment of this line through the village in 1856 meant that heavy stoneware could be shipped not just throughout Ohio, but throughout the United States.

The Nelson McCoy Pottery Company,
one of many successful Roseville potteries
(courtesy "McCoy Pottery Collectors' Society" website)

The Ford and Stokeley families were among the first settlers to the area that would become Clay Township, arriving about 1810. The Rose family, for whom Roseville was named, was also one of the first families to settle there. Although John Rose platted Roseville in 1812, it was originally named New Milford. The name change came about in 1830 when the first post office was established. As Roseville expanded, it drifted into Perry County, creating some confusion about who lives where; researchers with Roseville ancestors need to look in both Muskingum and Perry County records. My father, who was born and reared in Roseville (the Muskingum part), first alerted me to this.

As for the Clay Township potteries, all went out of business, beginning with Roseville Pottery, in the 1950's. Following the end of WWII, cheap ceramic imports, the development of durable plastic goods, and changing tastes caused the industry to decline. By 2005, the last of the once-famed potteries closed its doors.

Examples of Roseville pottery style