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Post Offices Serving Jefferson County

      The number of post offices serving America in the 1800s is astounding, until you remember how difficult transportation was. In the late 1800s, people attending an event from ten miles away were considered to be visiting from a distance. Coupled with a population surge in the last twenty years of the century, there was an explosion of post offices, most of whom vanished early in the 1900s when rural free delivery was begun. This list includes Post Offices in other counties served parts of modern Jefferson County.

      The list was derived from two major sources. One is a list of Jefferson and Switzerland County post offices prepared in 1925 by a Dr. Newton D. Mereness from records in Indianapolis (although not stated where.) It was transcribed by Miss Mary Hill and typed on May 5, 1955. The other is a work of incredible detail, The Postal History of Indiana by Leonard Hartman, published in 1976. These two sources largely agree, but I have reconciled some differences. I have also added the township in which each post office operated and the legal land description of lesser known post offices or post offices not associated with existing towns and settlements when I could ascertain it.

      Location of post offices during the 1800s is a tricky question. In the country, post offices were generally operated by people who owned other public facilities such as stores, mills, and blacksmith shops. Most often, a country postmaster was also a store operator. When the postmaster changed, it seems likely that the post office location changed for many country post offices. The sections listed for some post office locations may not be true for all periods of a post office’s operation.

      It is a mistake to assume that the existence of a post office indicates the existence of a town or settlement as an article in the Madison Courier did in the 1990s in listing many rural post offices as being vanished towns. Of the post offices listed below only the following Jefferson County posts offices are associated with a platted town: Barbersville, Brooksburg, Bryanstburg, Canaan, Deputy, Dupont, Lancaster, Hanover, Kent, Madison, New London, North Madison, Paris, and Wirt. The founding of towns and post offices also do not coincide. The Barbersville post office opened in 1826, but the town was not platted until 1848. Conversely, Brooksburg was platted in 1839, but was served by the Home post office until the Brooksburg post office opened in 1880.

      A person’s address could vary widely over the years. Without ever moving, some residents of Scotts Ridge had the following addresses: Caledonia (Jefferson Co.), Canaan (Jefferson Co.), Jay (Switzerland Co.), Manville (Jefferson Co.), McGregor (Jefferson Co.), and Moorefield (Switzerland Co. ) A single township was served by many post offices. In 1859, a county directory shows that Shelby Township was served by the following post offices: Barbersville, Bryantsburg, Canaan, and Manville. In 1887, residents were served by Barbersville, Canaan, Cross Plains, Hicks, Jay, Madison, Manville, and Moorefield. This situation was true of the other townships as well.

–Robert W. Scott (April 15 2000)

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Alberta: Monroe Twp.? May 4, 1893-Jan. 21, 1899 (Mail to Bellview). First postmaster, Evan Sheets.

Antioch: Hanover Twp.? Established Dec. 22, 1884. First postmaster Benjamin Mouser. Probably near or associated with the Antioch Grage.

Barbersville: Shelby Twp. Dec. 7, 1826-Nov. 19, 1838, (Service transferred from Buchanan's Station, Ripley Co.) (Mail to Canaan) (Re-established from Buchanan’s Station.) June 27, 1848-May 31, 1906 (Mail to Canaan) First postmaster Timothy Barber. Mary Hill’s notes say its name was changed to Canaan on Nov. 29, 1938 and that it was discontinued on Jan. 15, 1911. Hartman’s book shows that service was simply transferred to Canaan. Section 2N Twp. 5N Range 11E

Bee Camp: Madison Twp. Feb. 18, 1880-Feb. 15, 1905 (to Madison) First postmaster, Valentine Ruel. Section 28 Twp. 4N Range 11E.

Belleview: Monroe Twp. March 15, 1890-May 31, 1906 (to Madison) Name changed from Mud Lick. Section 26 Twp. 5N Range 10E.

Big Creek: Monroe Twp. Aug. 11, 1884-Oct. 22, 1889. First postmaster, Christopher Smart. Re-established, Feb. 10, 1891-Apr. 30, 1903, postmaster, James M. Smart. Section 9 Twp. 5N Range 10E.

Brooksburgh: Milton Twp., Oct. 19, 1880. Name changed to Brooksburg, March 31, 1893. First postmaster, Theodore L. McKay .

Bryantsburgh (originally Mud Lick): Monroe Twp. June 10, 1834-Dec. 12, 1856. First postmaster, John L., Woodfill; Jan. 1858-Dec. 10, 1872, Thomas Bell, postmaster, March 1, 1873-July 29, 1907 (Mail to Madison), John M. Selleck, postmaster. Name changed to Bryantsburg, June 10, 1893. Section11 Twp 5N Range 10E.

Buchanan's Station: Brown Twp. Ripley Co., Feb. 12, 1840-June 27, 1848 (Mail to Barbersville). Postmaster, Benjamin Whitham.

Buena Vista: Milton Twp. Aug. 19, 1847-Dec. 22, 1858 (name changed to Manville) First postmaster Joseph Lochard.

Caledonia: Shelby Twp. Dec. 13, 1830-July 23, 1834, July 2, 1836-Nov. 29, 1838 Shelby Twp. Postmaster, Samuel Welch. Probably operated at Welch’s home on Scotts Ridge. Section 30 Twp. 5N Range 12E

Calloway: Monroe Township. May 22, 1893-Apr. 15, 1901. First postmaster, Isaac C. Williams. Probably at Calloway’s Station. Section 30 Twp. 5N Range 10E. (Mail to Foltz)

Camargo Dec. 20, 1849-June 8, 1860. First postmaster, Amos Bussey.

Canaan: Shelby Twp. (from Barbersville) Nov. 29, 1838-Jan. 15, 1911. First postmaster, William C. Sullivan.

Chelsea: Saluda Twp. Established June 1, 1883. First postmaster, Andrew J. Wood. Modern Chelsea is at the intersection of three sections in Twp. 3N Range 9E.

China: Madison/Shelby Twp. Jan. 30, 1833-Nov. 29, 1838. First postmaster, Moses H. Wilder; Feb., 3, 1879-May 2, 1881, postmaster William H. Rinckoff; Feb. 23, 1882-Feb. 28, 1902 (to Madison) postmaster, Jacob Thiennes. The first post office was likely in Madison Twp. The next two renditions were in Shelby Twp.

Creswell: Smyrna Township. May 29, 1856-May 15, 1892. First postmaster, Archibald C. Dean. (Mail to Volga) June 6, 1893-Sept. 13, 1902 (Mail to Madison), postmaster James C. Clines. Section 24 Twp. 4N Range 9E.

Deputy: Graham Twp. Established April 5, 1870. First postmaster, William F. Robertson.

Doe Run: Milton Twp. June 28, 1892-Nov. 21, 1895 (Mail to Home). First postmaster, William M. Heath. Probably in Section 5 Twp. 3N Range 12E where Heath owned land.

Dupont: Lancaster Twp. Lancaster P.O. changed to Dupont Aug. 30, 1839. Changed from Republican to Franklin Mills, Dec. 28, 1839. Changed to Lancaster Aug. 18, 1841.

Eagle Springs: Madison Twp. Oct. 19, 1868-Dec. 5, 1870. First postmaster, John M. David. Section 19 Twp. 4N Range 11E. David owned land on Ryker’s Ridge just slightly south and west of the Ryker’s Ridge Church.

Egypt: Apr. 13, 1892-June 4, 1892. Postmaster John W. Bare.

Evans Station. Monroe Twp.? Miss Hill’s notes say this post office was not in the list she examined, but that it was supposedly in Monroe Twp.

Faulkner: Monroe Twp. July 7, 1882-Apr. 10, 1903. First postmaster, Silas W. Jines. Section 7 Twp. 5 N Range 10E.

Foltz: Lancaster Twp. Established Dec. 26, 1882, First postmaster, Nicholas Foltz. Section 24 Twp. 5N Range 9E.

Franklin Mills: Lancaster Twp. Formed as Lancaster April 16, 1830. First postmaster, John L. Spann. Changed to Dupont Aug. 30, 1839. Changed from Republican to Franklin Mills, Dec. 28, 1839. Changed to Lancaster Aug. 18, 1841.

Graham: Graham Twp. Jan. 6, 1844-July 30, 1904. First postmaster, Charles K. Lard. Section 13 Twp. 4N Range 8E.

Hanover: Hanover Twp. Established as South Hanover, Dec. 13, 1830. Name changed to Hanover, Feb. 16, 1860. First postmaster, John F. Crowe.

Hargan: Republican Twp. June 4, 1884-July 29, 1898. First postmaster, Charles S. Royce. (Mail to Swanville.) Possibly in the SW1/4 Section 13 Twp. 3N Range 8E where C.S. Royce owned land in 1876.

Harrell: Saluda Twp. May 4, 1881-April 30, 1903. First postmaster, Alfred DeHarrell. Section 7 Twp. 2N Range 9E.

Hicks: Shelby Twp. May 7, 1884-May 31, 1906, Shelby Twp. First postmaster, Don Carlos Lochard. (Mail to Canaan.) Section 1 Twp. 5N Range 12E.

Hindsville: Mar. 19, 1829, First postmaster, Francis Hinds. Changed to Poplar Ridge Dec. 30, 1835. Name restored to Hindsville Sept. 20, 1837, postmaster Francis Hinds; Discontinued June 25, 1848.

Home: Milton Twp. Jan. 18, 1830 (1832 per Mary Hill records)-Aug. 1, 1896 (Mail to Brooksburg). First postmaster, Mordecai Brooks. Section 30 Twp. 4N Range 12E.

How: Monroe Twp.? Dec. 15, 1884-Sept. 25, 1895. First postmaster, Joseph M. Salisbury.

Jay: Pleasant Twp., Switzerland Co. March 18, 1884-April 30, 1906 (Mail to Canaan). First postmaster, Isaac N. Paugh. Served parts of Shelby Twp.

Kent: Republican Twp. Established as Ramseys Mills Dec. 19, 1832. First postmaster, Absolom Waters. Name changed to Kent. Jan. 14, 1848.

Lamb: Craig Twp., Switzerland Co. May 3, 1882-Aug. 31, 1907 (Mail to Vevay) Served part of Milton Twp. First postmaster, William H. Lamb.

Lancaster: Lancaster Twp. Established as Lancaster March 16, 1830-Aug. 30, 1839. First postmaster, John L. Spann. Changed to Dupont. Changed from Republican to Franklin Mills Dec. 28, 1839. Changed to Lancaster Aug. 19, 1841.

Lee: Saluda Twp. Not on list Miss Hill checked. She wrote it was supposed to have been Saluda Twp. She did not confuse this with Levi since her transcription of Mereness’ list also has Levi.

Levi: Hanover Twp. Dec. 6, 1889-Apr. 30, 1905. First postmaster, Rodney J. Lee. Section 25 Twp. 3N Range 9E.

Madison: Madison Twp. May 25, 1818 First postmaster, John Sering. Manville: Milton Twp. (name changed from Buena Vista) Established Dec. 22, 1858-April 30, 1907 (Mail to Madison) First postmaster, Joseph Lochard at Buena Vista. First postmaster as Manville, Nicholas Manville.

Marble Hill: Saluda Twp. Established April 27, 1889-Nov. 15, 1921. First postmaster Emma A. Wells. Section 19 Twp. 2N Range 9E. (Mail to Nabb)

Mechanicsburg: Saluda Twp. Established Oct. 17, 1836. First postmaster, Samuel B. Wells. Name changed to Saluda Feb. 14, 1840.

Millard: Aug. 11, 1851-Oct. 5, 1854. First postmaster, John T. Hamilton.

Moorefield: Pleasant Twp., Switzerland Co. Jan. 5, 1837-May 8, 1838.June 20, 1838-June 30, 1916 (Mail to Brooksburg). First postmaster, James R. Nance. Served parts of Milton and Shelby Townships.

Mount Zion: Madison Twp. Sept. 13, 1893-July 1, 1899. First postmaster, Simeon A. Grebe. Located on Ryker’s Ridge? Probably took its name from the Mt. Zion Methodist Church.

Mud Lick: Monroe Twp. March 2, 1855-March 8, 1866, First postmaster, John King; April 16, 1866-March 15, 1890 (name changed to Belleview), First postmaster, William Kelly.

McGregor: Shelby Twp. April 12, 1893-June 15, 1907 (Mail to Canaan?) Located on Scotts Scott’s Ridge, Section 30 Twp. 5N Range 12E. First postmaster, Charles D. Scott.

Nabb: Oct. 2, 1878-Feb. 25, 1881. Scott Co., changed to Clark Co. Feb. 25, 1881-May 20, 1907. First postmaster, Albert H. Barnes. Served parts of Saluda Twp.

Neils Creek: Lancaster Twp. Sept. 7, 1849-Dec. 30, 1856. First postmaster, Joshua C. Tibbetts. July 15, 1869-July 1903. Name changed to Neil’s Creek from Neill’s on Oct. 2, 1893. Section 31 Twp. 5N Range 9E.

New London: Saluda Twp. Aug. 10, 1819-Feb. 14, 1840. First postmaster per the Mereness record was Gail Borden. (Historical note: This is the man whose name lives on as the inventor of powdered milk.) Saluda Twp. The post office was located on the river. Hartman has the post office established on May 13, 1818 with first postmaster as John Midcap and Borden serving second.

North Madison: Established Jan. 13, 1848. First postmaster, Buell Eastman.

Otto: Served parts of Saluda Twp.

Paris: (Now Jennings Co.) Jan 22, 1820-June 30, 1906. First postmaster, Zachariah Tannehill. Paris was in Jefferson Co. when this post office was established.

Parkersville: Graham Twp. May 13, 1870-July 26, 1870. First postmaster, Joseph T. Cobbs or Combs. Probably near Parkers Station.

Paynesville: Saluda. Miss Hill did not find official records of this post office, but reported its existence.

Pittsburgh: (Milton Twp.) A Jefferson Co. newspaper account reports that Jonathan McCarty resigned as Pittsburgh postmaster in 1818. Neither the Mereness records nor Hartman’s book reports its existence. McCarty lived near Home Church on the Dry Fork of the Indian-Kentuck Creek.

Pleasant: Pleasant Twp., Switzerland Co. Feb. 27, 1829-Dec. 15, 1917 (Mail to Vevay) Served parts of Shelby Twp. First postmaster, Henry D. Banta.

Pleasant Point: Madison Twp. Official records were not on the list Miss Hill examined, but she reported its existence as “Supposed to be in Madison Twp.” Shown on County maps in Section 21 Twp. 4N Range 10E on the road between North Madison and Wirt. Perhaps this was a station. Hartman does not report any records for it.

Poplar Ridge: See Hindsville.

Ramsey’s Mills: Republican Twp. Dec. 19, 1832-Jan. 14, 1848. First postmaster, Absalom Waters. (Changed to Kent.)

Republican: Lancaster Twp. Established Aug. 18, 1837. First postmaster, William J. Goldsborough; Changed to Franklin Mills Dec. 28, 1839; Changed to Lancaster Aug. 18, 1841. Discontinued Aug. 23, 1842. Re-established Feb. 10, 1843, First postmaster, Lyman Hoyt. Discontinued Aug. 19, 1847, postmaster Joshua C. Tibbetts Discontinued May 15, 1909.

Redpath: Monroe Twp. Sept. 1, 1897-April 30, 1903. First postmaster, John W. Harris. Section 29 Twp. 5N Range 10E.

Saluda: Saluda Twp. Aug. 19, 1828-Feb. 14, 1840. Name changed from Mechanicsburg. First postmaster Stephen Gudgel. Dec. 10, 186_-Apr. 30, 1903. First postmaster, James P. Reed.

Smocksville: Hanover Twp. July 1813-Nov. 29, 1838. First postmaster, Samuel Smock.

Stoney Point: July 26, 1853-?, Madison Twp. First postmaster, Jesse Wagner. Madison Twp. Section 2 Twp. 4N Range 10E.

South Hanover: Hanover Twp. Dec. 13, 1830 First postmaster, John F. Crowe. Name changed to Hanover to Feb. 16, 1860.

Sugan: Milton Twp. July 26, 1883-Feb. 15, 1905 First postmaster, William C. Stone. [Sic, probably should be Story or Storie.] Section 12 Twp 4N Range 11E.

Swansville: Republican Twp. June 10, 1847-Oct. 23, 1866. First postmaster, Alexander H. Hannah; Jan. 8, 1867-Jan. 15, 1907. First postmaster, Alex C. Monroe. Section 19 Twp. 3N Range 10E.

Toll: May 12, 1861-Feb. 7,1882. First postmaster, John McCauley.

Volga: Smyrna Twp. May 29, 1856-July 14, 1904. First postmaster, William J. Chambers. Smyrna Twp. Section 16 Twp. 4N Range 9E.

Wakefield: Smyrna Twp. July 8, 1899-Feb. 15, 1905. First postmaster, John R. Tewell. Section 18 Twp. 4N Range 9E.

Waldinger: Madison Twp. Dec. 30, 1897-Apr. 15, 1902. First postmaster, Nathan Mathis.

Wirt: Madison Twp. Dec. 22, 1834-June 19, 1839. First postmaster, John W. Parsons.

Wise: Shelby Twp. May 27, 1897-Feb. 28, 1905 First postmaster, John M. Wise. Section 6 Twp 5N Range 11E.