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Glass Factory of Moscow, Clermont County, Ohio

by Shelley Nuss
 
I have been researching my great-great-grandparents, James Henry and Sarah (Davies) Hartshorn on and off for decades. I found several references to Hartshorns in the book, History of Clermont County, Ohio, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers by Louis H. Everts, 1880, including a reference to a glass factory located in Moscow.
"Manufacturing interests in Washington Township included the most important glassworks established July 1823 by the firm Pugh & Teater, the former being the father of Senator George E Pugh. The factory was on the south side of Ray’s Run, on the farm now owned by L. German."
 
The book goes on to state that Henry Teater and Lot Pugh purchased the tract of land for the factory. The property was described plus where some of the resources needed in manufacturing glass were sourced. The timber on the property provided energy for the glassworks as did coal from Pittsburgh. Sand was delivered from Cincinnati on flatboats. Twelve log houses were built along the river for most of the 50 workers.
By 1830, Henry Teater was the sole proprietor. He moved the glass factory to Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia). The factory building was sold and used as a distillery until it was destroyed by fire (year not given). The only person named in this book as someone who worked at the factory was my ancestor, James Hartshorn. In another section of this book, James Hartshorn, and Henry Teater both started the Methodist Church in Moscow.
 
I couldn’t find many other references to the glass factory, and there is conflicting information about when this glass factory began and when it moved or closed production.
 
Another reference, to Pugh & Teater glass factory is found in History of Hamilton County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches by Henry A. Ford, 1881. In this reference the factory was built before 1826 and is called Cincinnati Glass Works although it is located in Moscow, Ohio.
 
Although we know that Henry Teater transferred his factory to Wheeling, we don’t know what happened to that factory later. There is evidence that Teater returned to Clermont County, as he is found in the 1850 census for Washington Township, Clermont County. His age is 62 and occupation glass maker. Although Teater returned, I found no evidence of another glass factory returning to Clermont County.
 
Reading about glass making, I learned that it takes a lot of energy to produce. In the late 1820s fuel became very expensive, which might be why glass manufacturing moved to other areas, such as Wheeling, which is closer to sources of coal.
 
This research has brought more questions for me to answer, such as:
 
• Why was James Hartshorn the only person named as a worker for the glass factory in the Clermont County History?
• Did James work in glass factories before he lived in Clermont?
• Did James work in this factory because of his association with Henry Teater?
• Where else was glass produced in the Ohio River Valley?
• Where was glass successfully manufactured long term in Ohio?
• What products besides glass were manufactured for Early American homes?
I can see that I will have many more enjoyable hours researching my family in Clermont County!
 
CCGS Members can read a more in-depth article in the August Newsletter.
 
Image above, Figured Flask, c .Pugh & Teater, (American) 1824–30, light green glass. Clark Art Institute,
The Albert and June Lauzon Collection of Early American Blown Glass, 1987.110.jpg
 

We Are Thrilled to Announce the Reprinting of

The Clermont County, Ohio 1980, A Collection of Genealogical and
Historical Writings Volume One.
 
Many CCGS Members submitted family histories and photos to be used in the book.
The indexed 315 page book has been out of print for many years. CCGS is collaborating with the Warren County Genealogical Society to reprint it!
 
Check to see if one of the surnames you are researching is in the book by searching this index
 
If you wish to order the book and have it shipped to you, you can go to the online STORE page at left or mail a check to: Clermont County Genealogical Society,
PO Box 394,
Batavia, Ohio, 45103
 

The CCGS Library

Thanks to Amy & Chris and the staff of the CCPL
Doris Wood Branch for their interest, support and help.
And, for helping members and non-members with their
research. And for the new signage and our Indian Trails
map on the wall.
And to our CCGS Librarian, Marcia Jelus, our past
Librarian Kathy Payne and other volunteers for making
a so, so much more organized space. For cataloging,
repairing, getting donations in the system and on the
shelves and more....
 
What a great job !!!
 
View as you enter the CCGS Genealogy section of the CCPL's Doris Wood Branch Library.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Walking In
 
 
 
View of microfilm racks, microfilm reader, computer and printer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Microfilm, Microfilm reader, computer, etc.
 
 

View of tables, Obits files and part of book shelves
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Books, books amd more books
 

 
You can download and print the Store Order Form and mail it with your check. Or go to the Store, select your items, then print a list of your items and mail with a check. Or go to the Store to order online, using a PayPal account or a credit card to complete your order.
 



 
 
Have you looked at the "CEMETERIES" page lately??
 
There are now 10,386 burial records in 26 different Clermont cemeteries. Search by surname to see if any of your ancestors have been added. We still have tens of thousands of burials to add to the rest of our cemeteries to finish . If you can work with Excel, are detail-oriented, want to volunteer by working from home, and wish to help with the project, please contact Paige Craig at programs@ccgsoh.org.



 
Obituaries
More and more obituaries are added daily to the "Area Deaths" page. This can be very helpful in your research.      
 
 As of 22 Feb 2023, there are 21,874 entries.
 
Thanks to Kathy Payne, Stacie Ishmael, Steve West and Pat Dudek. Their progress is amazing! Kathy estimates that there are over 25,000 obituaries in total. GREAT JOB!!!!
 



 
 
Kroger Community Rewards
It is time to sign up for the new year of Kroger Community Rewards!  Please show your support for CCGS by signing up today.
 
It costs you nothing to sign up and it does not take away any of your fuel points.
 
 
Kroger will be ending the requirerment that you re-register every year. Register or re-register this year and you will not need to register again
 
Kroger Community Rewards enrollment image
 
There is no expense to you!!

October 7
CCGS Board Meeting
Come to the library to meet in person or use the information in your emailed invitation to meet via your telephone or device. If you would like to attend, please contact us by the day before the meeting at info@ccgsoh.org or by calling (513) 723-3423, so we can email an ...
October 7
Twenty Years of Stuff. What Do I Do Now?
Come to the library to meet in person or use the information in your emailed invitation to meet via your telephone or device. Presenter:  Elissa Scalise-Powell Elissa Scalise-Powell, Certified Genealogist, has been a western Pennsylvania researcher for over 30 years.  She is the co-director of the Genealogical Research Institute of ...
November 4
Navigating Family Search and How to Get Resources Part II
Come to the library to meet in person or use the information in your emailed invitation to meet via your telephone or device. Presenter:  Pam Peterson Come discover what free research help is available at FamilySearch.org. This class will demonstrate how to access and use several FamilySearch resources designed to ...
December 2
Holiday Party & Show & Tell
Presenter(s):  Members of CCGS Details TBA. Come to the library to meet in person or use the information in your emailed invitation to meet via your telephone or device. CCGS members will be emailed an invitation and instructions. If you do not receive an email and wish to attend, please ...