USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > Directory City of Detroit, 1837 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6
Page
Abreviations used in the -
Directory. 39
Algic Society 99
Alphabetical list of In
habitants
43
Amusements, places of 105 Attorneys& Counsellors 105! Auctioneers in the State 109 Banks in city 89
Benevolent. Society. of
.
old countrymen, - 100
BenevolentInstitutions, 91
Brady Guards;
91
Catholic Ladies' Asso-
.ciation,
97
Circulating Librar
Charitable Institutions,
City officers,
Courts held in Detroit, Charche's
82
94
85
Physicians & Surgeons 83
Rail Roads
89
Reading Room
92
Rows & Buildings,
42
St. Clare Seminary,
94
Stages,
104
¡ State officers,
106
Streets, list of
40
Temperance; Young
Men,s State Society
91
Vessels belonging to the
'district of Detroit, . 101
Wards, boundaries of
50
Wayne County officers
99
Young Men's Society 93
in Detroit District, - 86}
Mayor's Court,
83
Mayors of Detroit, suc-
· cession of,
,90
Mechanics Society
100
Medical Society
'93
Methodist Sab. School, 197 Michigan Sunday school 'Union, 98
Michigan, Courts of #107
Michigan, Co. Clerks of:110
.
Judges of 109
Registers 111
Sheriff's
110
Treasurers 111
Municipal officers1.
81
Newspapers & periodi-
cals,
. 101
Old Countrymen, De-
Etroit Benevolent So. 100
Post-Office,
83
Postage, Rates of
84
Custom House ;:
College of St." Philip, :94
Detroit, history, of
5
Detroit Ladies :. Free
· School
98
Fe nale Seminary,
94
Fire Department, ofi-
'eers of
- 82
French Female Char-
itable.School, . 97
Hotels, principal -
-
105
Insurance Offices
88
Ladies' Ophan Associa-
·
tion, -
93
Land Office,
85
Land, amount of sold
92
97
81
--
MARTIN W. JOHNSON 514 W. MENOMINEE BELVIDERE IL 61008
1837
DIRECTORY
OF THE
CITY OF DETROIT,
WITH ITS ENVIRONS,
AND
REGISTER OF MICHIGAN,
For the year 1837.
CONTAINING
AN EPITOMISED HISTORY OF DETROIT ; AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF ITS CITIZENS ; A CLASSIFICATION OF PROFES- SIONS AND PRINCIPAL TRADES IN THE CITY ; EVERY IN- FORMATION RELATIVE TO OFFICERS OF THE MUNICIPAL " GOVERNMENT, TO PUBLIC OFFICES AND OFFICERS, TO CHURCHES, "ASSOCIATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS, TO SHIP -? PING, STEAM : ">ATS, STAGES, &C .- ALSO, A LIST, OF THE ) OFFICERS OF THE UNITED STATES, GOVERNMENT .;. THE NAMIES OF THE GOVERNOR, AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGIS- LATURE OF MICHIGAN, AND COUNTY OFFICERS OF THE. STATE, &C. &c. &c. .
0
BY JULIUS P. BOLIVAR MAC CABE.
.
3
2
Bettoft.
PRINTED BY WILLIAM HARSHA,
,
1837.
..
STANNE'S CHURCH OF DETROIT .
A few business pages left out.
a
PREFACE.
THE rapid improvement of Detroit and its environs, the increase of its trade and commerce, and the great influx of its emigrants from all parts of the Old and Now, Worlds, demand a correct Directory for the guidance of the resident inhabitant, the commercial visitor, or the: . enquiring emigrant and traveller. 1:
The advantageous position of Detroit for foreign and internal cominerce and the well known enterprise and intelligence of its inhabitants, render it one of the most important stations in the Western country ; while the superior agricultural advantages which Michigan pos- sesses are a source of attraction to the enterprising farmer.
To the commercial and agricultural world therefore, such a work is necessary to promote convenience, convey information and disseminate an accurate knowledge of the state of society, the trading interests and the natural and commercial recources of Detroit and its improving environs.
5
The several Directories published for other cities in the United States (Cincinnati excepted,) contain little more than a mere list of the inhabitants, while that which is now respectfully presented is designed to embrace an abstract history of this City, every necessary informa- tion relative to the arrival and departure of the mail and the stage coaches; the state of the shipping and steam navigation; the business of the public offices; the nature. and officers of the various institutions and associations; the churches of all denominations, with the names of their ; Ministers and the time of service in each; the municipal, government; the Governor and Members of both houses of the Legislature of Michigan; the Judges, Members of 4
,
HISTORY OF DETROIT.
the Bar, Judges of Probate, county Clerks, Recorders, Registers and Auctioneers of the different counties in the State, with such other useful and general information as the accuracy and object of the directory require.'
To obtain such information no labor has been avoided and the publisher has endeavored to render the Directo- ry of Detroit not only a work of local interest, but one of general utility.
To Henry R. Schoolcraft, Esq. Col. Henry Whiting, Right Rev. Dr. Rese, Geo. L. Whitney, J. P. Desnoyers, J. B. Vallee, R. Elliott, Geo. Byrd,, A.E. Heathon, Esqrs. , and the Rev. Messrs. Badin, Cleaveland, and Kundig, . for their kindness in furnishing information- connected with the work, the editor begs' leave to tender his grate- ful acknowledgements.
5
MARTIN W. JOHNSON :14 W. MENOMINEE- BELVIDERE IL·61008
HISTORY OF DETROIT.
0
0
3
DETROIT CITY AND PORT OF ENTRY, Wayne county and Capitol of the State of Michigan, is situated on the ' west bank of the river Detroit, 18 miles above Lake Erie, 7 below the outlet of Lake St. Clair, 302 W. from Buffalo, and 545 from Washington, Lat. 42 degees 19 minutes 53 seconds North, and Longitude west 82 deg. 58 sec. or from Washington west 5 deg. 56 min. 12 sec. Difference in time from Washington, 23 min. 44 sec: New York city, 34 min. 48 sec. .
The site of the city is an elevation of about thirty feet above the level of the river. The plan of the town, upon the river and for 1200 feet back is rectangular; in the rear of this triangular, the streets are from fifty to two hundred feet wide. Four roads constructed by the ge- neral government terminate in the centre of the city ;- . the Chicago, leading to Illinois; the Saginaw, to the head of Saginaw Bay; the. Fort. Gratiot, to the foot of Lake Huron, and the Grand River, to Lake Michigan at the mouth of Grand River. There is also a United States road leading from Detroit to Ohio.
Detroit River is about 25 miles long; average breadth 1 1-0 mile; average depth six fathoms; current two miles an hour.
The climate of Detroit is temperate; snow falls at from six to eighteen inches deep, and never remains more than a few weeks. The transition from the cold of spring to the heat of summer is rapid; from summer to winter gradual and prolonged. As general characteristics, the spring is wet and prolonged; summer dry; autumn mild; winter cold and dry. The average temperature in the spring is 50 of Fahrenheit; summer, 80; winter 20 ; au- tumn 60 to 65.
6
HISTORY OF DETROIT.
- The history of Detroit is connected with the princi- pal events which have transpired in the North West since the settlement of the country. ; Founded in the strife for sovereignty between the English and French govern- ments, it became at an early day, a point of central influ- ence and action. "No place in the United States," it has been observed, "present such a series of events, in- teresting in themselves, and permanently affecting, as they occurred, its progress and prosperity. Five times its flag has changed, three different sovereigns have claimed its allegiance, and since it has been held by the United States, its government has been thrice transfer- red ; twice it has been beseiged by the Indians, once cap- tured in war, and once burned to the ground."* .
The site of the city appears to have been occupied by Indian Villages at .the period of the discovery of the country. Their name for it is Waweatonong.f It was .' visited by the French as early as 1610. "The founda- tion of Quebec was not laid until 1632, and within seven years afterwards, there was a mission established among the Hurons in its vicinity. No fort was, however, erec- ted until 1701. Three years after its establishment the English influenced the Indians to set fire to the town, which was, however, but partially injured. In 1712 the Fox Indians renewed their attempt to destroy it, but af- ter a vigorous and determined seige of nineteen days, they were beaten off and repulsed with a heavy loss.
.In 1721 it was visited by Charlevoix, who found it the site of a fortt commanded by M. Tonti, and who repre- sented the beauties and advantages of the country in the highest terms to the French court. In 1749 the settle- ment was extended by emigrants sent out at the expense of the government, who were supplied with agricultural implements and other means. In 1759 Quebec was sur- rendered to the English-Montreal in the following year. The whole country was ceded to the British crown in 1763. The Indians, who were the firm allies of the
*Historical and Scientific Sketches of Michigan.
+ Indicaring the circuitous course of the approach. Put into English idiom the word Roundsby conveys the meaning. #Called Ponchartrain.
a
A
0
HISTORY OF DETROIT.
7
French, and did not. comprehend the policy, stood by. ·their friends and their rights. , Under the skillful gui- dance of Pontiac, they beseiged the fort-hemmed in, and sorely harrassed the garrison-defeated a strong de- tachment sent out against them on the banks of Bloody Creek, and were only repulsed on the opportune arrival `of a timely reinforcement, after having invested the place eleven months. At the same time the garrison of . Michilimackinac was captured by the Chippewas, led on by Minnawanna.'
From this period to 1753 the history of Detroit is fill- ed with the thrilling incidents of the American revolu- tionary war, and the subsequent ten or eleven years, with the tragic events of the western Indian war. About the year 1778 the success of Gen. Clarke in taking Vin- cennes, induced the commandant of Detroit, to erect a fort on the second terrace back of the city, which was recently known as Fort Shelby .* In 1794 Gen. Wayne defeated the combined Indians on the Maumee, Two years afterwards, in the month of June, a detachment of the American army, commanded by Capt. Porter enter- ed the fort. The British had previously evacuated it, and the authority of the country was thus peacefully transferred. Measures were immediately adopted for extending the ordinance of Congress of 1787 over this part of the north west territory, then governed by its first magistrate, Gen. St. Clair.f
Ohio assumed her position as one of the states in 1802. A subsequent division of the territory was made at separate periods, into Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan. The date of the political existence of Michigan as a territory, is 1805. . William Hull was appointed the first Governor,"with a judiciary, and organ- ized a government at Detroit in July of that :" year. He found the town little more than a scene of ru- ins. Advantage was taken of this circumstance to wi- den the streets, and lay it out on an entirely new and en- larged plan."" The Indians about this era were preparing for a second assertion of their rights of sovereignty,
*Major Whiting's discourse before the Historical Society of Michigan. tHistorical and scientific Sketches --- Major Budidie's discourse.
₲
. HISTORY OF DETROIT.
which they had failed in, forty years before, under Pon- tiac. "They were now, however, enlisted in the inter- ests of the British government, whose purposes were ad- . vanced by several of the western tribes. "The Shawnee Prophet and his brother Tecumseh, were their active leaders. Hostilities commenced on the. Tippacanoe in '1811. Detroit fell into the hands of the enemy the fol- lowing year. It was retaken by the American army in '1813, and the government of the territory re-organized late in the autumn of that year by the appointment of Gen. . Lewis Cass, as Governor. At this time the population was small, the resources few, and the people. impover- ished by, the losses of the war. He re-organized the . courts, explored the country, and gave confidence and. . stability to its institutions. And during his long, able and ·prosperous administration, extending to 1831, the territo- ry assumed that attitude of prosperity, which is destined to render her one of the first among the western states.
With every natural facility of becoming a place of im- portance the condition of Detroit for many years depen- ded on the precarious support afforded by the fur trade, the disbursments of public moneys, while a military post, and the liberal appropriations by government for public objects. The impulse and effect produced by the settle- ment and cultivation of the surrounding country, was wanting. . This, though recent in Michigan has commen- ced and is rapidly increasing. The causes of prosperity now in action, their results we show here as they have recently been manifested elsewhere .*
The old town of Detroit occupied a site below or west of the centre of the present town ; it was built entirely of wood, the streets were narrow, being economized to diminish the circuit of the stockade by which it was se- cured. 9 In June 1805 the town was almost entirely con- #sumed by fire. , Shortly after this catastrophe, an act of .. Congress was passed directing the Governor and Judges, then exercising legislative powers to lay out a new town, including the site of the one destroyed and ten thousand acres of adjacent land. The act directs that a lot should be granted to every owner or occupant of a house in the
HISTORY OF DETROIT.
. old town, and the proceeds of the remainder applied to the erection of a" court-house and jail. . It is from this fund thus accruing that the present public buildings have been erected in this city. The trust arising under the act is not yet closed. The destruction of the old town is so far fortunate that it led to the adoption of a plan better adap- ted to a city such as Detroit is no doubt destined to be- come ; though the powers of the governor and judges in this respect might have been more judiciously exercised.
The first newspaper, printed in this city was published" by James M. Miller, and styled the " Michigan Essay `or Impartial Observer,". a copy of the first number of . which, we have seen in the Museum, dated Friday, August 31st, 1809.
To give an' 'idea of the many changes, and the yast amount of improvement which have taken place in the city within a period of twenty years, we copy from the? Detroit Journal and Advertiser the' following sketch of the town in 1815 and 16.
"In 1815-16 there was but one wharf in front of De- troit. This wharf was . called the "public wharf"-it . consisted merely of a. pier, formed by a crib of lors, fill-
ed in with stone and gravel, and about 150 feet from the shore, with which it was connected by a bridge, or plank way. All vessels, whether public or private, were then , accustomed to load and unload at this wharf. The rest, of the water front of the place was nearly in a state of. nature ; after other wharves were built, the bridge of a this old one fell into decay .. In. 1826, when a part of ?. the military grounds was ceded to Detroit, most of it was sold to Mr. O. Newberry, who included it in a new wharf."
" The buildings then standing nearest the water's edge were the public store-house-taken down 1832 ; 'and a small store-house belonging to Mr. Henry I. Hunt, takèn. down in 1830. This small store-house was the last rem nant of the town which was destroyed by fire in 1805. The Meldrum house, still standing in Woodbridge street at the corner of the alley leading down between Mr. I.' Campau's and Seek's; house was the next building. Nearly.opposite; where the Eagle tavern - now, stands,
1
Anerican Encyclopedia.
10
HISTORY OF DETROIT.
'was another smaller building ; while that which is im- mediately in the rear of Mr. J. Campau's, was the third and last house on the water's edge between the Meldrum" house and Judge Abbott's recent dwelling."Immediately* below the latter was the ferry house, a small log build- ing still seen, adjoining his red store, where the post of- fice was formerly kept. The, water then came up to this ferry housc.
; On the cast side of Woodward avenue or market street the Jermain house stood the nearest to the water. 6. This "house is now the fourth from the corner of Atwater st. 5 Nearly in the rear of the Jermain house was a small log .building, - which was recently pulled down.' Mrs. Me- -Niff's (since Major Rowland's) house ; the Elliot house (hierc'Mr. Sanderson afterwards built;) -and the Ma- ged house, still standing next to the brick market, were the other houses theu between Market street, and Ran- dolph street." On the other side of that street, still fol- lowing the course of the water's edge, was the Bartlet house, now occupied by Mr. Le Bot, the gunsmith ; a small - building, and a tan-yard neither now remaining, filled up the interval between Randolph St. and the Brush "o house (still standing) was at the gate-way of the pickets, on that side of the town.
These pickets-a line of which surrounded the town, . . had been erected during the war immediately preceding,: and ran from this gate-way at the Brush house up to Jef- ferson Avenue, and crossed it on the castern line of Judge Sibley's present place. This avenue terminated there.2 and had a block-house in the centre of it. . The pickets continued thence to about the end of Michigan avenue, turning near La Pieer's house, and crossing Woodward avenue near Mr. Fourmer's house, joined the pickets *around the military grounds.' There was also a gate- way at the West end of the town, near the site of the old mansion house, which was connected by pickets with the military grounds on that side.
., In ascending Randolph street from the water's edge son the left hand side was Lamotte's house, standing near- oly where the brick market now stands, and Wood- worth's ; these, with the house on the south east corner
1L
HISTORY OF DETROIT.
of Randolph and Woodbridge streets, were all the dwell- ings between the water's edge and Jefferson Avenue. The old Council house, then only one story high, and Gov. Hull's (now Maj. Biddle's) house, formed the two corners of Randolph street and Jefferson Avenue. The present brick stable, opposite to Woodworth's, was then standing. On the opposite corner of Randolph street stood the wooden part of Judge Sibley's present house, and the office of the old Detroit Bank, a small brick buil- ding, occupying the site of Major Kearsley's present of- fice. There were no other buildings on the western side of Randolph street beyond the Bank. Beyond Judge Sibley's, on the other side, were seven houses, Boulin- linger's (since moved, or torn down) S. Andre's, the Jail house (since moved to continue Larned street) Major Whipple's, Judge Abbott's, Drouillard's, and La Pieer's.
Ascending Bates street in the same manner, Mrs. M'Niff's house on one side and Mr. Wing's (then Hud- son's) on the other, were the only houses between Wood- bridge street and the water. Between Woodbridge st. and Jefferson avenue stood the present yellow building of Gen. Williams, on the corner- of Bates and Wood bridge street, and Mrs. Hank's house, (still standing) nearly opposite Gen. Williams' house and store (a one story wooden building) then occupied the site of his pre- sent brick stores. Mr. Peter Desnoyer's house (his store then a part of it) stood where the beautiful four story block of stores have since been erected. Between Jeffer- son avenue and the pickets there were no other houses on Bate's street, excepting a small log house of Mrs. M'Millan's, at the corner of Larned street.
Ascending market street or Woodward avenue in the same manner, on the right hand side, the Jermain house, as has before been mentioned, was the nearest to the wa- ter, having one house, occupied then by Doct. Henry, between it and Mr. Jacob Smith's, (now occupied by Mr. Bronson,) on the corner of Woodbridge street. On the other side, above the ferry house before mentioned, stood the present red store of Judge Abbott, and one half of his late dwelling recently converted into stores. The Scott house, (now Col. Anderson's,) and Col. Richard Smith's.
0
12
HISTORY OF DETROIT.
were between Woodbridge street and Jefferson avenue on the same side ; while the Godfroy jur house, on the other corner of Woodbridge and Market street was the only building on the other side. This house of Mr. Godfroy was moved to the foot of Griswold street during the year 1833-4. The four corners of the intersection of Wood- ward and Jefferson avenue were then unoccupied.
· Proceeding up the former street towards the common, Mr. Smart's present dwelling house one side, and Gen. Larnard's on the other were all that stood between Jeffer- son avenue and Larned street. Beyond the latter street on the west side, was a small house (La Garde's) on the corner of Larned street ; Mr. Cote's present house ; an- other small one (A. Langdon's) on the site of Mrs. De- veaux's present house ; the same on the site of Doctor Hurd's; and two other small dwellings still beyond, both of which are now standing. On the opposite side of the. street, between the present churches and the pickets,, were three small houses, since moved or taken down, oc- cupied by Fournier, Peltier, and Monet ..
Neither Griswold, Shelby, nor Cass streets were then- opened.
In Woodbridge street there were no other houses than: those which have already been mentioned, excepting one small building on the south side between Bates and Ran- dolph streets.
Ascending Jefferson avenue from the west, the first house above Gov. Cass' farm (then owned by the heirs of William Macomb) was a one story stone building, just at the entrance gate. It formed the first story of the main .building of the recent mansion house ; was then owned by Judge Woodward, and occupied as an Inn by Major Whipple. The barn of the establishment and a small store, stood in a line with and between it and the milita- ry grounds. The front of these military grounds began at the present Cass street, and extended to Wayne street, running down Wayne to Larned street, up that street to Griswold street, and up Griswold street to Michigan ave- nue, thence by the line of that avenue to Gov. Cass' farm. On the river side of the avenue, the first building was the . public store, standing a little below the slope, contiguous
13
HISTORY OF DETROIT.
to Mr. Kercheval's garden. Col. Henry I. Hunt's house and store (now & boarding house, and the latter the post office in 1835) were the next. Between Wayne and Shel- by street, on the same side stood the same buildings which are still there excepting Mrs. Roby's, Mr. Kinzie occu- pying the first, Mr. Audrain, the receiver, the second, and Dr. Edwards the third. . On the site of Mrs. Qoby's pre- sent house and where Mr. Conant's brick stores are now built stood an old house occupied by Mrs. Dodamead, "on the opposite side of the avenue between the same streets were only Mr. D. Campau's (next to Mr. Wen- dell's) and the Thibault house above Shelby street, and was then occupied as an ordinance store. It now forms the dwellings of . Mr. Levi Cook in Shelby street. Mrs. Coates present house was the next. The site of Mr. Sheldon's present brick stores was then occupied by a one story yellow store, one half of which had been used. as a jail. The foundation of the Catholic Church, burnt down in 1805, filled up most of the space now occupied by Wright's, Cook's, and Brown's buildings. It projec- ted half across Jefferson avenue. The rubbish however. was then in the course of being removed. Retween this foundation and the present Griswold street was Mr. De- quindre's house (where the post office is now kept) and the store afterwards occupied by Mr. Newberry, and burnt down while occupied by Mr. Wendell.
On the other side of the avenue, there were between Shelby and Griswold streets, only Mr. Seek's (near pres- ent Farmer's and Mechanic's Bank) and Mr. J. Cam- pau's house.
A store and house belonging to Mr. Currier, and a store belonging to Mr. Ten Eyck, had stood between Griswold street and Woodward avenue, but were burnt down in 181-5. The block was sold in four lots to Col. Mack, Major Dequindre, &c. Major Dequindre put up his late dwelling house and store in 1816. On the other side of the avenue, between the same streets were the building still at the corner of Griswold street and the Messrs. Piquette's shops &c.
Between Market street and Bates street were Mr. P. Desnoyer's house on the north side, and Mr. Harvey's
B
a
V
HISTORY OF DETROIT.
house and bakery on the south side. The latter stood on the site of Mr. Lamson's present brick store, and, being moved, is now the U. S. Hotel in Woodbridge street.
. Continuing up the avenue on the north side there was a singularly narrow two story house where P. D. Neilis' shop now is. The next was Oliver Williams' tavern (Major Kearsley's late dwelling). Between that and the office of the Detroit Bank, were Doctor Brown's, Mr .. Horner's, Mr. Cook's and Doct M'Closky's, all still stan- ding, though, some of them, in a modified state.
On the other side of the avenue, after Gen. Williams' «tore, came Mr. Palmer's tavern (still the building before "which stands the elm tree) an old one story building, oc- cupying the site of Mr. Penny's and Brown's present. . shop. The present Miller house, Judge Chipman's (then Col. Mack's) and Mr. B Campau's present house, which then was, as it now is, next to the council house. Gov. [full's house on one side and Judge Sibley's on the other were the last houses on the avenue in that direction.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.