History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I, Part 19

Author: Edwin Orin Wood
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Federal publishingcompany
Number of Pages: 861

USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I > Part 19

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CHAPTER IV.

SETTLEMENT OF FLINT BEFORE 1837.

Flint was the first prominent center of settlement planted beyond Pontiac on the old Saginaw Indian trail, and the second settlement planted beyond that cordon of tangled forest and dread morass surrounding Detroit, which was popularly supposed to be the vestibule of a vast uninhabited wilderness whose lands were barren and where nothing but wild beasts, migratory birds and venomous reptiles were ever destined to find an abode. Only a little time before, the great interior of the lower peninsula of Michigan was an unexplored and unknown country. The story has already been told, how, after the War of 1812, the United States surveyor-general, Edward Tiffin, declared to the national government that "the intermediate space between these swamps and lakes-which is probably near one-half of the country-is, with very few exceptions, a poor, barren, sandy land, on which scarcely any vege- tation grows except very small, scrubby oaks," and concluded with his opin- ion that "there would not be more than one acre out of a hundred, if there would be one out of a thousand, that would in any case admit of cultivation." Thanks to Lewis Cass, governor of Michigan territory, and others whom he was able to influence, this judgment was soon proved to be false. In 1818 he set out from Detroit, accompanied by Hon. Austin E. Wing and two or three other friends, on a tour of observation and discovery. Through the first stage of their northwestern journey after leaving Detroit the aspect was by no means reassuring. At times their horses sank knee-deep in the sloughs or wallowed through the marshy places along the trail. It really seemed as if the dismal tales of the surveyors and Indian traders would prove true. At last, after floundering over a distance which seemed a hundred miles, but which in reality was little over a dozen, they came to higher ground and more open country, which is now the southeastern part of the county of Oakland. From that point they continued their journey with comparative ease northwestward over a dry rolling country through beautiful open groves of oak and along the margins of pure and limpid waters. During their jour- ney, which lasted about a week, they penetrated nearly to the southern bound- ary of Genesee. When they returned they carried back with them the knowl-

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edge and proof that Michigan was not a worthless desert, as represented, but a beautiful and fertile land awaiting only the touch of the settler's axe and plow to yield an abundant increase to reward his toil.

The broad Indian trail taken by this party of explorers, which ran from Detroit to Saginaw, and along which for many years the northern tribes of Indians came down in large numbers to barter their furs for supplies and to receive their annuities from the English and United States governments, crossed the Flint river at a point called by the French traders the Grand Traverse, and it was a favorite resting place and camping ground for them and the neighboring tribes, as game and fish were there especially abundant. It is owing to this circumstance that Flint became a center of settlement.

Its name, however, is not so easily accounted for. According to some, the Chippewa Indians called the region now occupied by the city Mus-cu-ta- wa-ningh, or "open plain, burned over," and the stream which flows through it Pe-won-nuk-cning, or "the river of the flint." Just why they should have named the river so is unexplainable, for, though its bed is rocky, there is nothing about it suggestive of flint. Judge Albert Miller, who worked for John Todd in the early thirties, records in the "Michigan Historical Collec- tions" the name of the settlement as Pe-won-a-go-seeba. William R. McCor- mick, who as a boy lived with his parents at this site in 1832, gives the name of the settlement as Sco-ta-wa-ing, or "burnt opening," and that of the river as Pe-won-a-go-wing-see-ba, or "flint stones in the river." It is clear that whichever name in the Indian language was correct for the river, it meant "flint," in some form. Col. E. H. Thomson concludes the matter by saying : "After wrestling for several years with these Chippewa jawbreakers, the early settlers ended the struggle by calling both river and settlement 'Flint,'" and Flint they are.

INDIAN OCCUPATION.

The story of the Indian occupation of Flint as sketched in the Abbott history, may be here briefly retold. The Sauks and Onotawas held in peace the Flint river and the country of its neighboring streams. Long ago the Chippewas and Ottawas of Mackinac formed an alliance with the Ottawas about Detroit and by preconcerted agreement met near the mouth of the Sagi- naw and proceeded to destroy the Indian villages along its banks. They suc- ceeded there and turned to destroy the remainder of the Sauks. One of the most important of these battles was fought on the high bluff that overlooks the Flint a half mile below the present city, almost directly across the river from the school for the deaf. Another battle was fought down the river a

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mile above Flushing, and a third sixteen miles below Flushing on the Flint. The allied forces mastered this territory, and eventually joined the British troops with a view to exterminating the Americans who had settled on the St. Clair, the Clinton and the Detroit rivers. This alliance continued to the close of the War of 1812. But with the success of the Americans the spirit of the Indians was broken, and when the first white settlers came to the banks of the Flint, the Chippewas were inclined to be very friendly. Indeed, traffic with the red man was the potent incentive that attracted the first white men to the depths of the wilderness about Flint. The furs secured by the bullets and arrows of the Indians were of great value. The Indians often exhibited traits of character in transactions with their pale-faced neighbors quite as commendable as the copies set for them by their white invaders. There were several villages of Indians in the vicinity of Flint. They were glad to bring to traders and merchants not only their furs, but their baskets and maple sugar, in exchange for the white man's wares. Too often the red man wanted "firewater," and while under its influence he needed to be met with firmness and caution. We are told of but few collisions between settlers and natives which could not be amicably adjusted. Many interesting and thrilling experi- ences have been told by some of the pioneers who had won the confidence of the Indians.

AN IGNOMINIOUS WHIPPING.

A story is told of a fight between one of the chiefs and "Aunt Polly" Todd, who kept the first tavern at Flint. She was of the stuff of which the wives of pioneers are made. One day the old Chippewa chief Ton-a-da- ga-na called through the door for whiskey. Mrs. Todd, who was alone, refused him, whereupon the chief forced his way into the room, drew a long knife and was about to attack her when she struck him across the face with a heavy splint broom, knocking him down. She then jumped on him, placed her knees on his chest and held his wrists until help came in response to her screams. The next day the old chief came back to the tavern and, baring his breast, invited death at her hands, saying, "Old chief no good. Whipped by white squaw."

Aunt Polly's son, Edward A. Todd, says that he saw the sub-chief Pero, who was of a very jealous disposition, shoot his wife to death. The shooting, he says, occurred near where now is Genesee Mill. She was buried on the north side of the river in an orchard of plum trees about half way between Garland street Methodist Episcopal church and Saginaw street bridge; a kettle, tobacco, beads, etc., were buried with her and, adds Mr. Todd, "noth- ing was ever done about it."

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THE FIRST WHITE SETTLER AT FLINT.

The distinction of being the first white settler on the site of Flint prop- erly belongs to Jacob Smith, a man closely associated with the Indians of Flint and Genesee county throughout a long life. He was descended from a German family, but was born in the French city of Quebec. From early boy- hood he was intimately connected with the English, the French and the Indians, and naturally he grew up able to speak their languages fluently. He became a resident of Detroit and after the War of 1812 engaged in trading with the Indians in the region which includes Genesee county. After Cass's treaty with the Indians in 1819 at Saginaw, he made the Grand Traverse of the Flint his permanent trading post. By making himself one with his Indian friends, and by his habits of fair dealing, he inspired their confidence and his sound judgment and sagacity were their unfailing resource in time of need. This bond of friendship between Smith and the Indian chiefs of the region was strongly cemented as time passed. until his relations with them were those of a brother. Down to a very late day the remnants of these once powerful tribes cherished his memory with sincere affection.

The conditions at the site of Flint were most favorable for Smith's pur- pose. The Indian trail leading from Detroit to Saginaw crossed the Flint river just above the bridge on Saginaw street, where there was a fording place, long known to the early French traders as the Grand Traverse, or "great crossing." Here, on the site of the first Baptist church in Flint, Jacob Smith built a log trading post in 1819, where he lived until his death in 1825. Without doubt this log house was the first building erected for a white man's occupancy in the county of Genesee.

There can be no question that Smith's principal object in locating at this place was to take possession of the reservations which he had caused to be granted in the treaty of Saginaw, and to hold them for himself and chil- dren. It seems to be quite generally believed among those who have not examined into the facts, that Smith was entirely engrossed in the Indian trade and made no agricultural improvements at all. But there are papers to show that a part of his lands were cleared and cultivated by him, or under his direction. One of these papers is a sealed instrument which is self- explanatory, and of which the following is a copy :

Whereas, I, David E. W. Corbin, have this day canceled and given up to Jacob Smith a certain lease for a section of land on Flint river, in the county of Oakland, dated the 21st day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-one (1821), as by reference to said lease will more fully appear, and

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whereas the said Jacob Smith hath heretofore commenced a certain suit on a book account against me before John McDonald, Esq., a justice of the peace in and for the county of Wayne. Now, therefore, in consideration of the said Jacob Smith having discontinued said suit, and having given me a general release of all debts and demands whatsoever, I do hereby give, grant, sell, and convey into the said Jacob Smith all my right, title, interest, and claim whatsoever to all the wheat, corn, potatoes, barley, peas, beans, and oats, and all other crops whatsoever, now growing on said section of land, or elsewhere in the county of Oakland, and likewise all other property of every kind and description which I now own in the county of Oakland. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this fifth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two.

Witness : GEORGE A. GAGE.

DAVID E. W. CORBIN. (Seal)

From this it clearly appears that a part of the reservation had been cleared and that crops were growing upon it at least as early as 1822; that in 1822 it was occupied as a farm by Mr. Corbin under lease from Jacob Smith, and that Mr. Corbin, who for some reason was unable to meet his payments, relinquished the lease to Mr. Smith in that year. That the farm, after being given up by Corbin, was carried on by Mr. Smith until his death, seems clear from another paper, which is as follows:

Detroit, April 4, 1825.

To all whom it may concern: Mr. George Lyons is hereby authorized to take possession, in the name of Metawanene, or Albert J. Smith, a minor, of the house and farm, situated on Flint river, lately occupied by Jacob Smith, deceased, until some further definite arrangement. The horses, cattle, hogs, one wagon. three plows, and four sets of harness belong to me, and Mr. Lyon is hereby authorized to receive them in my name from any person now at the farm.

(Signed) JOHN GARLAND.

P. S .- All other property on the premises belongs to the estate of Jacob Smith. It is my wish that an inventory be taken of them by Mr. Lyons and Mr. E. Campau, and left with Mr. Campau.

(Signed ) JOIN GARLAND.

Mr. Smith's death, at the age of forty-five years, was the first death of a white person which occurred within the present limits of Genesee county. It left a name which runs through all of the litigation over title to the lands now occupied by the city of Flint and which dragged its slow length along down even to the time of the Civil War, retarding the development of the north side of the river and causing family and neighborhood heart-burnings for many a year.

Mr. Corbin, to whom reference is made in the Smith papers, had been a soldier in the War of 1812, and died at Green Bay, Wisconsin. Mr. E. Campau (François Edouard Campau) was a half-breed, who owned reserva- tion No. 7. There he lived in a cabin built by himself, and was frequently employed by Mr. Smith. On June 12, 1825, he obtained a patent for this

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land and, as he removed from it soon afterwards permanently, it is probable that the motive of his residence was to help him get the patent; in that case he could hardly be classed as a settler. George Lyons lived on the Flint river five years, but exactly where is not known. Neither can the exact date of his residence be given ; probably he lived near the Grand Traverse at the time of Smith's death.

RIVAL SETTLEMENTS.

The earliest rival of Flint as a center of settlement was Grand Blanc. Previous to the death of Jacob Smith, Grand Blanc received settlers in the persons of Jacob Stevens and his sons, Rufus and Sherman. This was in 1823. They came from western New York, whence came so many of the early pioneers of this county ; indeed, it is probable that the county was named for Genesee county, in New York, and appropriately, for another reason- the word Je-nis-he-yuh signified in the Seneca tongue "the beautiful valley." The name of one of the tribes belonging to the Six Nations in western New York was Chennussie, probably from the same root as Genesee. In 1826 there were added to this settlement Edmond Perry, Sr., and Rowland B. Perry, from Livingston. county, New York. In 1827-29 came Edward H. Spencer, from Vermont, William Roberts, George E. Perry (Connecticut ), Joseph McFarlan, Ezekiel R. Ewing, Jeremiah Riggs and family and a num- ber of others. Most of these were from western New York; a few were from New England. By 1830 Flint had quite a respectable rival in village beginnings in the southeastern part of the county, which would tend to inter- cept settlers moving towards Flint.

In that year, 1830, John Todd, then living at Pontiac in Oakland county, during a prospecting tour visited the Grand Traverse of the Flint and, being pleased with the location, purchased from Edouard Campau a section com- prising seven hundred and eighty-five acres for eight hundred dollars. The deed was dated April 1, 1830. Returning to Pontiac, he took his wife Polly and two young children, Edward and Mary (later Mrs. David Gould, of Owosso), and, cutting the road through the woods from Grand Blanc to Flint, returned to his new purchase. The journey took three days. In the emigrant train were stock, farm implements and household goods enough to begin pioneer life. To them belongs the distinction of being the first per- manent residents on the site of Flint. Mr. Todd at once repaired the Campau cabin, sixteen by eighteen feet in dimensions, and his wife, known then and for years afterward as "Aunt Polly Todd," soon made things comfortable within. In the neighboring Grand Blanc settlement Rufus W. Stevens was

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just completing a sawmill on the Thread river, and from there Mr. Todd got lumber with which he enlarged these humble quarters and opened, in 1821, the famous inn known as "Todd's Tavern." The hospitality of the host and the good management and energetic labors of "Aunt Polly" made it a popular public resort. It was situated on the site of the Wolverine Citizen office, and some time after its removal was destroyed by fire.

From the time of Mr. Todd's arrival, the Grand Traverse was known as Todd's ferry. He kept a canoe at the crossing for the accommodation of travelers. Usually he did duty as ferryman himself, but in the absence of himself or the men, the women lent a helping hand. The ferry was almost directly back of the Wolverine Citizen office. The canoe was hollowed from a tree and was about six feet wide and large enough to carry over wagons and sleighs. There was no charge for crossing, but the fame of this conveni- ence doubtless brought a good revenue to the tavern.

Mr. Todd later sold a part of his land to John Clifford and Wait Beach and removed to the present site of the First National Bank, on Saginaw street. He afterwards bought a farm on the Flushing road, where he and his wife lived for many years. Later they moved to Owosso, where "Aunt P'oily," honored with years, died at the home of her eldest son, ex-Mayor E. A. Todd, in 1868. "Uncle John Todd" died in that city on May 15, 1882, having lived to the ripe old age of eighty-eight years. He was born in Pennsylvania, in the valley of the Susquehanna, March 5, 1784, whence he removed early in life to Palmyra, New York. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and was in the battle of Fort Erie. He came to Michigan in 1819, crossing Lake Erie on the second trip of the "Walk-in-the-Water," and later, in 1825, was married to Polly Smith, who lived near Pontiac.

EARLY PERMANENT SETTLERS.

The same spring that Mr. Todd came to the Grand Traverse, came also Benajah Tupper and his brother-in-law, Archibald Green, and a cousin of Tupper's, named Preston. They came from Rush, Monroe county, New York, and for a time occupied the deserted cabin built by Jacob Smith. Mr. Green intended to buy land and become a permanent settler, but his wife died soon after his arrival and he returned to New York. Tupper and Preston stayed for a couple of years, hunting and trading. Finally a violent quarrel broke out between Preston and the Indians, who made it so uncom- fortable for the two that they returned to the East. They are, therefore, not in the same class of permanent settlers as Mr. Todd and his family.

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In the summer of 1831, Nathaniel Ladd and his wife arrived from Utica, New York, and lived for a short time in the Smith cabin with Tupper and Preston. The same year came Col. James W. Cronk and family; Mr. Cronk died while serving in the Mexican War in 1847. Mr. Ladd and his family remained until 1832, when they removed to Grand Blanc. Lyman Stow, to whom Mr. Ladd sold his property on the Flint river, was the first blacksmith on the site of Flint, and had his shop just across the street from the Citizen office. In 1832 George Oliver, an Englishman, joined the little settlement; also Elijah N. Davenport, who occupied a small log house which stood near the site of the later Hamilton's mill, and who soon afterward moved to Bay City, where he died. He was one of the first highway commissioners in the old town of Grand Blanc, in 1833. He kept a tavern at the Grand Traverse in 1834. Another settler of 1832 was James McCormick, but he moved away in 1835.

Neighboring parts of the county were slowly receiving settlers by 1833. In that year Asa Farrar had made his appearance in what is now Atlas. Benjamin Pearson and Addison Stewart had built their cabins near the north line of the present township of Flint. In that year, too, came Lewis Buck- ingham, later the first sheriff of the county. With him came several associates from western New York who formed a settlement on the line between the present townships of Mount Morris and Genesee. By reason of their opposi- tion to the use of intoxicating liquors their place was by a few derisively called "the Cold Water Settlement."

ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT.

In the same year of 1833 occurred the first election of officers for the new township of Grand Blanc, which included the settlement at the site of Flint. The following citizens received official honors: Lyman Stow, justice of peace and assessor; John Todd, highway commissioner; Elijah N. Daven- port, constable; James W. Cronk, trustee of school lands; George Oliver, overseer of highways.

One of the first decisions of the new town government was to dispense with Todd's ferry and build a good bridge over the Flint river at the foot of Saginaw street. The contract to build the bridge was sublet to a Mr. Davis, and with its completion and the erection of the Thread grist-mill the settle- ment began to wear the aspect of a village. Augustus C. Stevens, a man of considerable means, came on from Buffalo, New York, and bought two hun- dred acres on the east side of the Saginaw road from James Cronk, while his

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brother, Rufus W. Stevens, established a small store similar to the one he had in Grand Blanc. It was their money that built the grist-mill. At this time, too, came Daniel O'Sullivan, the first school teacher in Flint.

Pioneer conditions are reflected in the prices of real estate at this time. In 1833 James W. Cronk purchased the Todd domain for seven hundred and fifty-one dollars, Mr. Todd reserving his house and one and a half acres of land. In August, 1834, Augustus C. Stevens purchased of Cronk and wife all the section lying on the east side of Saginaw street for eight hundred dollars, and on January 31, 1835, James W. Cronk and wife sold the remainder, or that portion lying on the west side of the same street, to William Morrison and J. C. Dubois for one thousand dollars. Six months later, however, Messrs. Morrison and Dubois reconveyed to Cronk for the same amount. Colonel Cronk and wife then sold to John Todd the Morrison and Dubois purchase, or the lands west of Saginaw street for two thousand two hundred and fifty dollars.

FIRST VILLAGE PLATS.

The village was first platted as early as 1830, the plat being filed by A. E. Wathares, who called it the village of Sidney. His plat embraced four blocks, from Saginaw street to Clifford, east and west, and from the river to First street, north and south. In 1833 the site was resurveyed, a new plat was made, and the name of Flint River was substituted for Sidney. The new plat covered the Sidney plat and more, extending to the present Fourth street on the east to Harrison street. On October 9, 1835, John Clifford had registered in Oakland county a plat bounded as follows : commencing at the bridge, thence along Saginaw street to Fourth, Fourth to Harrison, Harri- son to Kearsley, Kearsley to Clifford, and along Clifford to the river. Wait Beach platted the west side of Saginaw street, July 13, 1836; his plat covered the land bounded by the Flint river, Saginaw, Eleventh and Church streets. September 6, 1836, John Clifford and others platted that portion of the village bounded by the Flint river, thence along East street to Court, Court to Saginaw, Saginaw to Fourth, Fourth to Harrison, Harrison to Kearsley, Kearsley to Clifford, and Clifford to the river. September 22, Elisha Beach platted the tract bounded by Eleventh, Pine, Fifteenth and West streets. January 12, 1837, Chauncey S. Payne platted and offered for sale lots in the village of Grand Traverse. This plat lay upon the east side of Saginaw street and was bounded by the river, Saginaw and North streets. Four days later he made an addition on the west side of Saginaw street, which was

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bounded by the latter street, North and West streets, and the Flint river. This was the extent of the settlement on the Flint at the time when Michigan became a state in the Union. Except the first ones, these plats were all sur- veyed by Capt. Harvey Parke, of Pontiac.

FIRST POSTOFFICE ESTABLISHED.

Before that event the first postoffice had been established there. The name of the office was Flint River. The first postmaster was Lyman Stowe, appointed August 5, 1834. It is said that, like many another obliging public servant under similar circumstances, he at times carried the postoffice about the streets in his silk hat. When the office was at home it was situated on the north west corner of the present Saginaw and Kearsley streets, on the site of the First National Bank. Mr. Stowe was reappointed, September, 1836, but was succeeded by John Todd the following year, whose commis- sion was dated October 2, 1837. While Flint was still a village the fol- . lowing postmasters succeeded Mr. Todd: William P. Crandall, December 28, 1839; William Moon, June 16, 1841 ; William P. Crandall, October 12, 1844; Alvin T. Crosman, April 28, 1849; Ephraim S. Williams, May 7, 1853.

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History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I, Part 19

Author: Edwin Orin Wood Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Federal publishingcompany Number of Pages: 861

Author: Edwin Orin Wood
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Federal publishingcompany
Number of Pages: 861