Preston Sayre
The last of the soldiers of the Revolution who died in Butler County was Pierson Sayre. His lamp had burned to the very last, and finally had gone out from mere exhaustion. He was the son of Ezekiel Sayre, and was born at a place now known as Providence, New Jersey, on the 12th of September, 1761. He was too young to enter the service of his country at the beginning of her struggle with Great Britain, but before he had attained his growth as a man entered the army of heroes who had determined to defend their homes and firesides. He was but seventeen when he joined Lord Sterling's division as a private soldier. In no State did the soldiers have more hardships to endure than in New Jersey, and of these Sayre had his part for two years and a half. He was in most of the battles fought during that time, and in particular was in the battle of Springfield. General Greene was his commander, and the troops bore themselves nobly. He frequently had an opportunity of seeing Washington, and a half century after the general's death loved to recount what he knew of him. Often he would paint from his recollection to those around him that majestic figure, that serene countenance, that power of command that seemed inseparable to him, and would describe his action under trying circumstances.
After Mr. Sayre left the army he went to New York City, where he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, as there was then a great demand in that city for persons of that calling. Four years before, the place had been set on fire by either British incendiaries or American patriots, it was never clearly known which, and a third of the town was burned. With the return of peace in 1783, New York became again a center of trade and speculation, and many new houses were built, giving full employment to all. Of this Mr. Sayre had his part; and in 1786, on the 29th of June, he married Miss Catherine Lewis, with whom he lived happily for fifty-two years until her death in Hamilton on the 25th of December, 1838, at the age of seventy-five. He remained in New York until 1790, when he moved to the western part of Pennsylvania, and settled in Uniontown, Fayette County, where he remained until 1809, when he came to this State. He was an important man in that community, and was sheriff for three years. He also took an active interest in the militia, and was at different time commissioned as lieutenant, captain and major. The date of issuing this last was August 2, 1800, and it was signed by Governor McKean.
In 1809 Mr. Sayre, with his family, removed from Uniontown, buying a farm and tavern-stand seven miles from Hamilton, on the road leading to Middletown. It was then known as "Cross Keys." It is worth remarking that nearly all the early places of entertainment hereabout were indicated by emblematic signs, such as the Black Eagle, Blue Ball, Lamb and Shepherd, as they are even now made known in Europe and parts of Pennsylvania. The "Cross Keys" had formerly had much custom , and was widely known. Many meetings of the pioneers had been held there in the days when it had been kept by Andrew Christy. Mr. Sayre conducted this place for a few years, when he sold to Andrew Miley, and removed to Cincinnati, where he kept a tavern near the corner of Walnut and Front Streets, at the sign of the "Green Tree." Mr. Sayre's father had preceded him on his removal to the West, settling in Cincinnati, in 1790, but afterwards removing to Reading.
After going to Cincinnati, Pierson Sayre purchased a tract of land in Lemon Township, which, under another owner, was the site of the town of Monroe. In 1814 he came back to this county, purchasing of John Sutherland lot No. 20, on Front St., between Dayton and Stable Streets, but only remaining there a few months. When he removed to the Torrence tavern-stand, situated on the corner of Dayton and Water Streets. The building is now owned by Henry S. Earhart.
In October, 1817, he was elected sheriff of this county, and in October, 1919, he was again chosen. Being withdrawn at the expiration of this time, in consequence of a constitutional limitation, he was succeeded by Dr. Samuel Millikin. In October, 1825, Mr. Sayre was again elected by a large majority. On the completion of this section of the Miami Canal, he was appointed the first collector of tolls, having his office at the East end of the Hamilton basin. He held this position for two years, or until April 1, 1830. In 1835 he was appointed toll gatherer for the bridge across the river at this place, holding the position until April 1, 1839. He was then seventy-eight years old.
In the year 1820, while sheriff, he contracted with the Board of Commissioners to erect two public offices in the court-house square, one on the east and the other on the west of the court-house, and he completed this task to the satisfaction of the people. He also built the Female Academy, on the south side of the hydraulic race, finishing it in the year 1834. This is the building now used for city offices, and in which the fire occurred in the spring of 1882. He also built several other houses.
Mr. Sayre, more than any other person who ever lived in this county, had an opportunity of witnessing the changes that time has wrought in our land. When he was born the population of the British colonies was but a little more than two million souls; at his death they were at least 24 millions. George the Second had but recently died, and he saw the heads of political affairs, George the Third, Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Jackson, Van Buren, Harrison, Tyler, Polk and Taylor, besides the heroic governor, William Livingston, of New Jersey, and the worthies who presided over the Continental Congress. When he entered the army, Philadelphia, our largest city, was smaller than Dayton now is; the inland towns were Albany and Lancaster, and he married before Ohio had a single settler. This State had as great a population at his death as the whole country had when he was born. He had witnessed great changes in the Miami country. Bridges, roads, canal, and railroad, all were made while he was here, in his long residence of forty-three years.
He did not escape the drawbacks of age. His children had died before him and his wife; his strength became weakness, and his mind worn out. For two years he required to be handled like an infant. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church for many years, and as a neighbor, father, and husband was universally esteemed. He was not an idle man, and was always ready to assist others. He died on the 4th of April, 1852, and was buried in Greenwood, the funeral sermon being preached by the Rev. J. W. Scott, of Oxford.
From A History and Biographical Cyclopædia of Butler County Ohio, With Illustrations and Sketches of its Representative Men and Pioneers, Western Biographical Publishing Company, Cincinnati Ohio, 1882.