We find on the Commissioners' docket, a record of the first appraisement of property in Madison County, and cull therefrom the following items: "June 11, 1810, ordered that there be allowed to John Simpkins the sum of $6.25 for five days' attendance while listing and appraising houses, making out duplicates and returning the same for Union Township by order of the Board." Joseph Kendle was paid the same sum for a like work in Stokes Township; David Foster, $5 for four days' listing, etc., in Deer Creek; James Ewing, $5 for four days' work in Darby; Thomas Foster, $3.12½ for a similar labor in Jefferson, and Samuel Scott $5 for four days' appraising and listing in Pleasant Township. At the same time, Patrick McLene was appointed Lister for resident lands in Madison County, and subsequently paid $27 for eighteen days' services in doing said work.
In the early settlement of the Scioto Valley, one of the greatest nuisances to the settlers were the large number of wolves infesting the country. These pests, although not specially dangerous, were continually killing the smaller and younger stock of the pioneer, so that it became a necessity to enact laws whereby to rid the settlement of them. At a meeting of the Commissioners held July 31, 1810, it was ordered "that there shall be allowed for all wolf scalps killed after the 1st day of March, 1810, within the boundaries of Madison County, that is over six months old, the sum of $2, and for all wolves killed within said boundaries that are under six months old, the sum of $1 for each scalp by order of the Board." The first person to take advantage of this law was Thomas Gwynne, who was paid $2 for an old wolf scalp in July, 1810. In September, Daniel Kent received $2 for an old wolf scalp, while William Atchison was paid $9 for the scalps of nine young wolves. These prices were paid for the purpose of exterminating the scourge until September, 1817, when the law was abolished, yet the people kept up the war by regular hunts until none were left to spread havoc among the peaceful flocks and herds of Madison County.