[5] It had been originally created as "Town(ship) number 6 in the 18th Range" (of the Connecticut Western Reserve); but prior to 1830, it was judicially attached to "Black River township".

Its first pioneer-settlement began in 1812, when Jacob Shupe built a gristmill on his farm in its northern section.

And although many additional pioneers settled throughout the other portions of the township in the 1810s and 1820s, but the actual village of Amherst was not officially established until 1836.

The township is governed by a three-member board of trustees, who are elected in November of odd-numbered years to a four-year term beginning on the following January 1.

The current trustees are Dennis Abraham, Neil Lynch, and David Urig.