USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 52
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The principal Indian burial-place in the township was on the northeast shore of Mud Lake, and close by was
25
191
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
their camping-ground. A large number of graves were long to be seen in the burying-ground. Others were also found, but not as extensive. The Indian corn fields were sometimes sources of inconvenience to farmers, as they were difficult to plow, owing to the fact that corn was year after year planted in the same hills, while the latter were raised a little higher each year, and were often ten or twelve feet apart. Quite an extensive corn-field was found east of the present village of Linden. This was on a farm once owned by Alonzo J. Chapin, and now the property of John Welch.
In the edge of the township of Mundy dwelt a small tribe whose chief was one " King Fisher," or Fisher,* as he was generally called. Their burying-ground was the one mentioned as having existed near Mud Lake, in Fen- ton, aud at present no traces of it can be found, owing to long cultivation. Fisher's name will be found on another page, in an article bearing upon the history of Fenton, written by Col. William M. Fenton. He (Fisher) was a lover of athletic sports, as well as whisky, and on occasions of town-meetings was accustomed to visit the village and join in whatever of the nature of sport was going on. Among the feats of the young men of that day was the one of jumping over a string held at a certain distance above the ground. Alonzo J. Chapin was rather more than the equal of Fisher, one of whose toes was so long that it would catch on the string. The chief would take hold of it angrily, and exelaim, " D-n toe no good ! Me cut him off,-me jump you !" He was exceedingly loath to speak English, except when under the influence of liquor.
In the fall of 1877, while constructing a dirt-road across Crane's Cove, on the west side of Long Lake, a party of workmen found a skeleton of very large size, some two or three feet below the surface. As it is a well-known fact that this locality was the favorite Indian resort for hunting and fishing, the skeleton was supposed to have been the frame-work of a gigantic warrior, though why he should have been buried just there was not satisfactorily explained, as it was some distance from their common burial-place on Mud Lake.
ORIGINAL LAND ENTRIES.
The following is a list of the land-entries in the township of Fenton, from the records of the land-office. The first land entered in the township was taken in March, 1834, by Clark Dibble, and included the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 34,-forty acres, and the south- west quarter of the northwest quarter of section 36,-forty acres. The remaining entries were as follows :
SECTION 1. Acres.
Joshua L. Wheeler, Wayne Co., Mich., May, 1836. 160
William Tanner, Cayuga Co., N. Y., May, 1836. 195.90 L. G. Gordon and John Cook, Wayne Co., Mich., July, 1836 160 William Aylward, Genesee Co., N. Y., March, 1837 80 Alanson Shelley, Wayne Co., Mich., October, 1850. 39.42
SECTION 2.
Wilkes Durkce, Oakland Co., Mich., February, 1836. 69 10 Juhu Cook, Wayne Co., Mich., March, 1836. 80
E. B. Gregory and John Cook, Wayne Co., Mich., May, 1836. 80
Wilkes Durkee, Oakland Co., Mich., Mareb, 1836; 80
Cook and Gregory, Wayne Co., Mich., May, 1836 118.69
Felix MeWilliams, Wayne Co., Mich., May, 1836
S0.57
Jacob Snyder, Wayne Co., Mich., May, 1826 77.05
* Corrupted from Visger, the name of a French-Indian half-breed.
SECTION 3. Acres.
Cook and Gregory, Wayne Co., Mich., March, 1836. 80
Edward Bingham, Wayne Co., Mich., May, 1836. 80
Michael Meshiffy, Orange Co., N. Y., Jone, 1836. 81.14 Lyman Turner, Livingston Co., N. Y., June, 1836. 79.72 John Turner, New London Co., Cono., June, 1836 160 James Turner, New London Co., Conn., June, 1836 160
SECTION 4.
William Il. Cook, Cayuga Co., N. Y., June, 1836 159.23 1. G. Gordon and John Cook, Wayne Co., Mich., June, 1836 .. 79 John Turner, New London, Conu., June, 1836. 400
SECTION 5.
Cook and Gordon, Wayne Co., Mich., June, 1836. 79.16
Lyman Turner, Livingston Co., N. Y., June, 1836. 238.76
Joho Weaver, Oakland Co., Mich., December, 1836 ... 40
Charles W. Johnson, Genesee Co., Mich., March, 1843. 40
Carlton L. Sage, Genesce Co., Mich., May, 1843. 40
Asahel Martin, Jr., Genesee Co., Mich., September, 1847.
Anna Martin, Genesce Co., Mich. 40
40 Swamp land
40 Not entered
SECTION 6.
Abijah B. Dunlap, Seneca Co., N. Y., April, 1836. 74 14
John Turoer, New London, Conn., Jone, 1836 158.92 Lyman Turner, Livingston Co., N. Y., June, 1536 169
Cook and Gordon, Wayne Co., Mich., Angost, 1836 147.20
Calvin P. Austin, Rutland Co., Vt., November, 1836. 74.12
SECTION 7.
Hiram L. Lamb, Wayne Co., N. Y., May, 1836. 160
Peter Lamb, Wayne Co., N. Y., May, 1836 145.76
William Kellogg, Ontario Co., N. Y., June, 1836. 1220
Reuben Kellogg, Ontario Co., N. Y., June, 1836 120
Jesse B. Odell, Genesee Co., Mich., March, 1839 66.24
SECTION S.
Iliraw L. Lamb, Wayne Co., N. Y., May, 1836.
Couk and Gordon, Wayne Co., N. Y., June, 1836. SU
Richard L. Lamob, Wayne Co., N. Y., July, 1836 10
Cook and Gordon, Wayne Co., Mich., July, 1836 210
Francis HI. Hermoo, Genesce Co., Mich., December, 1836 40
George Page, Washtenaw Co., Mich., January, 1837. SO
Andrew Potter, Genesee Co., Mich., August, 1853 .. 40
Swamp land. 40
SECTION 9.
John Cook, Wayne Co., Mich., March, 1836 .. 80
James Mellenry, Oakland Co., Mich., April, 1836 120 Newhold Lawrence, New York City, May, 1836. 400
John Cook, Wayne Co., Mich., July, 1836 ..
SECTION 10.
Samuel Allison, Oakland Co., Mich., December, 1835.
Walter Davenport, Orange Co., N. V., December, 1835. 160
E. B. Gregory no.1 JJohn Cook, Wayoe Co., Mich .. March, 1536 80 John Penniman, Wayne Co., Mich., May, 1836 1GO
Gregory and Cook, Wayne Co., Mich., May, 1836 80
SECTION 11.
Samuel Allison, Oakland Co., Mich., December, 1835 42.83
Waller Davenport, Orange Co., N. Y., December, 1835 82.07
J. Thompson and II. Lyon, Fairfield Co., Coun., May, 1836 ... 123.35
Edward Bingham, Wayne Co., Mich., May, 1836 71.70
SECTION 12.
P. H. and Eliza MeOmber, Oakland Co., Mich., May, 1836. 160 James Turner, New London, Conn., June, 1836 .. 160 Moses W. Scott, Saratoga Co., N. Y., June, 1836. 320
SECTION 13.
John Duncan, Wayne Co., Mich., March, 1836 .. 111.40
P. 11. and Eliza McOmber, Oakland Co., Mich., May, 1836. 152.85
Philip Il. McOmber, Oakland Co., Mich., June, 1836 .. 40
Philip H. McQuiber, Jr., Genesee Co., Mich., Jude, 1836 40
Conrad Forbes, Oakland Co., Mich., September, 1848 SO
ITugh MeCully, Oakland Co., Mich., December, 1848. 40
John Pitte, Genesee Co., Mich., September, 1852 10
Not entered SU
SECTION 1.4.
P. II. McOmber and wife, Oakland Co., Mich., May, 1836. 23.01 HI. aod V. R. Hawkins, Genesee Co., N. Y., June, 1836 230.70
195
FENTON TOWNSHIP.
SECTION 15.
Acres.
Walter Davenport, Orange Co., N. Y., December, 1835. 76 Wallace Dibble. Genesee Co., Mich., February, 1836, 10
I[. and V. R. Hawkins, Genesee Co., N. V., June, 1836. 210
Cook and Gordon. Wayne Co., Mich .. August, 1836 80 Abraham Noyes, Wayne Co., Mich., February, 1837 120
SECTION 17.
Silas Warner, Hampshire Co .. Mass., February, 1836. 210 James Ripley, Warren Co., N. Y., May, 1836. 320
Oren Skut, Wayne Co., Mich., October. 1836, 40
Fra Lamb, Genesee Co., Mich., November, 1836. 40
SECTION 18.
William Manifold, Washtenaw Co., Mich., June, 1836 .. 64.72 Win. and Win. B. Hawley, Ontario Co., N. Y., June, 1836 ..
Samuel W. Pattison, Genesee Co., N. Y., June, 1836. 65.24
John S. Cooley, Wayne Co., Mich., July, 1836. 10
Robert T. Winchell, Genesee Co., Mich., August, 1836. SO
John W. Hyatt, Oakland Co., Mich., August, 1836
Juhn Jones, Genesce Co., N. Y., September, 1836. SO
Alvin Hanmer, Wayne Co., Mich., October, 1836. 120
SECTION 19.
Charles Byram, Wayne Co., Mich., Jaly, 1836 160 Philemon ". Murray, Washtenaw l'o., Mich., February, 1$36. 67.52 Charles Byram, Genesee Co., Mich., February, 1836. 40
E. J. Penniman, Wayne f'o., Mich., March, 1836 .. 120 Henry D. Garrison, Wayne Co., Mich., October, 1836. 160
E. J. Penniman, Wayne Co., Mich., November, 1836 65.64
SECTION 20.
James Ball, Bradford Co., Pa .. July, 1835. 40
Dustin Chency, Genesee Co., Mich., October, 1835. 80
Oliver P. Lamb, Genesec Co., Mich., October, 1835. 10
Richard L. Lamb, Genesce Co., Mich., October, 1835 10
Samuel Castle, Monroe Co., N. Y., November, 1835. 80 George l'age, Washten iw Co., Mich., July, 1836. 120
Consider Warner, Genesee Co., N. Y., February, 1836 210
SECTION 21.
Alden Tupper, Lapeer Co., Mich., July, 1835. 10 .. Genesee Co., Mich .. October, 1835. 40 Charles Tupper, Genesee Co., Mich., December, 1835
George Page, Washtenaw C'o., Mich., July, 1836. 40 Perry Lamb, Genesee Co., Mich., May, 1836 .. 10 Charles Tupper, Genesee Co., Mich., May, 1836 40
.. June, 1836 SO
John Herman, Oakland Co., Mich., November, 1836 40
George Doty, Wayne Co., Mich., October, 1836. 40
Charles Tupper, Genesee Co., Mich., April, 1837 40 Jefferson Edily, Genesce Co., Mich., June, 1853 40
44 .. 4. December, 1854 40
Seth C. Sadller,
July, 1855.
40
Not entered
10
·
SECTION 22.
J. Cranger and C. K. Carroll, New York State, August, 1836 .. 160 lliram B. Madison, Genesee Co., Mich., November, 1836. 40 Jefferson Bowen, Genesee Co., Mich., February, 1838. 40 Jefferson Badly, Genesee ('o., Mich., December, 1854. 120
Not entered. 280
SECTION 23.
John Duncan, Wayne Co., Mich., March, 1836. 66,83
P. H. & E. McOmber, Oakland Co., Mich., July, 1836 22.70
Moses W. Scott, Saratoga Co., N. Y., July, 1836. 6.1.40
Charles Il. Carroll, State of New York, August, 1836. 135.30
Iliram L. Lamb, Genesee Co., Mich., February, 1839. 40
Andrew Potter, Genesee Co., Mich., July, 1852 ..
John 1. Whiting. Wayne Co., Mich., December, 1853. 80 Andrew Potter, Genesee Co., Mich., December, 1854 40
SECTION 24.
P. H. & E. MeOmber, Oakland Co. Mich., July, 1836. 72.50 Moses W. Scott, Saratoga Co., N. Y., July, 1836. 80 Isaiah Scott, William R. )
Bixby, Samuel Morgan, > Addison Co., Vt., August, 1836 ... 160
and Nelson Richards,
John Eldy, Wayne Co., Mich .. May, 1837. 80
Joseph Parker, Oakland Co., Mich., November, 1837 .. 160
Joseph Deene, Northampton Co., Pa., November, 1815. 80
SECTION 25.
Ebenezer Pratt, Ontario Co., N. Y., May, 1835 ..... = June, 1835 SO
James Thorp, Genesee Co., Mich., November, 1835.
William Remington, Dutchess Co., N. Y., November, 1835
40
Acres.
Charles L. Pratt, Ontario Co., N. Y .. February, 1836.
Joseph Thorp, Genesee Co., Mich., May, 1836. 40 Sol. Jefferds, Monroc Co., N. Y., January, 1836 ...
Sylvester L. Sage, Livingston Co., N. Y., January, 1836. 10 John Patterson. Wayne d'o., Mich., August, 1836. 40 R. Le Roy and William M. Fenton, Oakland Co., Mich., July,
1837
SECTION 26.
William Nichols, Shiawassee Co., Mich., July, 1835. 10 John Wilber, Genesee Co., Mich .. November, 1835. 40 William Remington, Dutchess Co., N. Y., November, 1835 24)0 Archibald Duncan, Wayne Co., Mich., February, 1836. 80
Dustin Cheney, Genesee Co., Mich., March, 1836 40 40
William Gage, Oakland Co., Mich., March, 1836
Samuel F. Cheney, Monroe Co., N. Y., May, 1836. 40
Theron M. Young, Oakland Co., Mich., July, 1836. 40
David D. Young, Livingston Co., N. Y., July. 1836. 10 Henry Sackner, Monroc Co., N. Y., October. 1836. 10
James M. Briarty, Wayno Co., Mich., April, 1837 40
SECTION 27.
William Remington, Genesee Co., Mich., December, 1835. 10 Archibald Duncan, Wayne Co., Mich., February, 1836. 80 Dustin Cheney, Genesee Co., Mich., Mareb, 1836. 120 Mary Platt. Genesee Co., N. Y., April, 1836.
Elijah Platt. Genesee Co .. N. Y., April, 1836. IGO Marzan and Alouzo Chapin, Wayne Co., Mich., June, 1836.
James Woodruff, Genesee Co., Mich., June, 1850 40
Not catered. 10
SECTION 28.
Harrison Tupper, Lapcer Co., Mich., July, 1836. SO
Morris Miller, Wayne Co., Mich., March, 1836 76.20
James Ball, Genesee Co., Mich., May, 1836 .. Se
Harrison Tupper, Gencsec Co., Mich., May, 1836.
Zenas Fairbank, Genesee Co., Mich., June, 1836. 10
Harrison Tupper, Genesee Co., Mich., June, 1836
10 10
Otho D. Beden, Wayne Co,, Mich., February, 1837.
James Woodruff, Genesee Co., Mich., November, IS53
Andrew Potter, Genesee Co., Mich., November, 1853 " February, 1854 40
Ifiram Chandller, Oakland Co., Mich., March, 1854 40
E. P'otter
SECTION 29.
George Page, Washtenaw Co., Mich., January, 1836.
Charles Byram, Wayne Co., Mich., January, 1836. 198.40
" = February, 1836 48.75 Consider Warner, Genesee Co., N. Y., February, 1836. 160
Henry R. Butler, Wayne Co., Mich., March, 1836. 54.35
SECTION 30.
Charles Byram, Wayne Co., Mich., January, 1836. 233.44 Consider Warner, Geneseo Co., N. Y., February, 1836. 133.35 Jirab Hillman, Lewis Co., N. Y., May, 1836 1 19.84
SECTION 31.
Edmund Downer, Oakland Co., Mich., September, 1835 .. 40 Elisha W. Postal, Macomb Co., Mich., July, 1836 .. SO Jefferson Il. Downer, Oakland Co., Mich., July, 1836
Elijah Crane, Wayne Co., Mich., March, 1836 67.18
E. J. Penniman, Wayne Co., Mich., March, 1836. 147.81
Seth Thompson, Washtenaw Co., Mich,, March, 1836
Samuel Averill, Oakland Co., Mich., March, 1836.
Joseph Il. Byram. Wayno Co., Mich., September, 1836. 10 Enoch T. Glass, Wayne Co., Mich., September, 1836
SECTION 32.
Edmund Downer, Oakland Co., Mich., September, 1835.
Gardin L. Downer, Oakland Co., Mich., September, 1835. 80
Elisha Larned, Allegany Co., N. Y., November, 1835. 100 Gardin L. Downer, Oakland Co., Mich., November, 1835
E. J. Penniman, Wayne Co., Mich., March, 1836. 40
SO Morgan L. Gage, Monroe Co., Mich., April, 1836. May, 1836 ... 60.75
Joseph L. Byram, Wayne Co., Mich., September, 1836. 2.1.75
SECTION 33.
Robert T. Winchell, Genesee "'o., Mich., October, 1835 .. .10 Consider Warner, Genesce Co., N. Y., February, 1836 .. 200 Frederick F. Riggs, Genesee Co., Mich., October, 1836, 10 David W. Woodworth, Livingston t'o., N. V., October, 1836 ... 132
John Wenver, Oakland, Mich., December, 1×36 80
Philena Lathrop, Otsego Co., N. Y., March, 1837.
Henry Larned, Oakland Co., Micb., April, 1818
196
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
SECTION 34.
Acres.
Clark Dibble, Lapeer Co., Mich., March, 1834. 40
Wallace Dibble, Ontario Co., N. Y., May, 1835 SO
Lauren P. Riggs, Sbiawassee Co., Mich., June, 1835 40
Abram Baley, Allegany Co., N. V., June, 1835. 40
Dustin Cheney, Shiawassee Co., Mich., July, 1835. 40
Jobn Thorp, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., October, 1835. 2.40 Wallace Dibble, Shiawassee Co., Mich., November, 1835.
Henry Iloward, Wayne Co., Mich., July, 1836.
SECTION 35.
Abram Baley, Allegany Co., N. Y., June, 1835. SO
John Thorp, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., October, 1835. 2.10
Iliram B. Madison, Monroe Co., N. Y., May, 1836 120
Daniel II. Chandler, Genesee Co., N. Y., June, 1860. 160
Samuel W. Pattison, Genesee Co., N. Y., June, 1836. 40
SECTION 36.
Clark Dibble, Lapeer Co., Mich., March, 1834 40
James Thorp, Oakland Co., Mich., Mareb, 1835 10
Jahn R. Jones, St. Clair Co., Mich., April, 1835 40
Ebenezer Pratt, Ontario Co., N. Y., May, 1835. 10
Wallace Dibble, Ontario Co., N. Y., May, 1835 40 John Galloway, Monroe Co., Mich., June, 1835. 40 James Thorp, Oakland Co., Mich., June, 1835 ... 40 John Torret, Oakland Co., Mich., October, 1835 80
Wallace Dibble, Shiawassee Co., Mich .. November, 1835. 80
HI. & V. R. Hawkins, Genesee Co., N. Y., June, 1836 ..
Levi Warren, Genesee Co., Mich., May, 1836. 40
Norris Thorp, Genesce Co., Mich., June, 1836. 40
John F. Bliss, Genesce Co., Mich., June, 1836 40
Assuming that seetion 16, reserved for school purposes, contains 640 aeres, the foregoing figures will make the area of the township, aside from its water-beds, 21,629.91 acres. This would exclude only the larger lakes, as Long, Mud, Pine, Silver, Byram, etc., while the many small ones aid to swell the water area of the township to the figures given at the opening of this chapter, 2240 acres, or in that neigh- borhood. Much of the land originally in the midst of swamps, long left untouched, has been drained and re- elaimed, and in places is among the most valuable in the township. The area apportioned to the larger lakes, as given in the preceding table of entries, is but 1410.09 aeres, or 1000 aeres less than the real water area of the township. The swampy portions were and are still in most places grown up to tamaraek timber.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS-INCIDENTS.
The settlement of the township of Fenton dates back to 1834. In April of that year Dustin Cheney and family located where now is the village of Fenton, coming from Grand Blane township, where they had lived a short time. They were followed the same month by other families, and soon a respectable settlement was flourishing. These will all be found mentioned in the history of the village. The southern portion of the town received the first settlers, and the years 1834, '35, '36, and '37 witnessed the arrival of a considerable number, some coming from other portions of Genesce County, others from Oakland and Livingston, with many direct from the State of New York.
The village of Linden was settled two years later than Fenton, or in 1836, and at present is a prosperous borough numbering several hundred inhabitants. The northern part of the township received attention from settlers within a few years after the first pioneers had located on the southern border.
Across the southeast corner extends a ridge of sand and gravel hills, rising perhaps a hundred feet above the Shia- wassee River. Similar elevations are found in the north-
eastern part, though not as high nor well defined. The region between and extending westward is fertile and pro- duetive, and there were the farms of the pioneers, which in a few instances are yet occupied by the original owners, although most of them have changed hands many times. The first entries in the township, outside of what are now the incorporated villages, were made, a few in 1835, and the greater proportion in 1836, which latter was the year which witnessed the most extensive immigration of any in the history of the State. From the few original settlers yet remaining are ascertained the following faets :
Alonzo J. and Murzah L. Chapin, from Irondequoit, Monroe Co., N. Y., were among the early settlers in Fenton. They came to Wayne Co., Mich., in 1833, and located in the township of Dearborn, where each owned a farm. Alonzo was a young man without a family, while his brother was married. The former during his residence in Wayne County came in 1835 to Fenton and located land, and in 1836 or '37 was here and voted. He moved his brother and family to the township in 1836, the latter settling one mile east of where is now the village of Linden. Return- ing to Dearborn County, he remained until the following year (1837), when he came with his wife, having been but a short time married, and located on a farm northwest of the village of Fenton, in the present Cheney neighborhood and near Mud (or Pinery) Lake. Ile afterwards removed to a farm near Linden, now owned by John Welsh, and in 1844 to the farm he still owns, immediately west of Fenton village, section 35. Upon this he continued to reside until the fall of 1867, when he moved upon his present village property. His farms are occupied by his sons.
The circumstances which induced Mr. Chapin to locate in Fenton township were about as follows: In 1835 he and his brother left their homes in Dearborn, for the pur- pose of looking for land. Upon reaching Brighton, Living- ston Co., they fell in with a party of six men from Ann Arbor, and all set forth in company, hardly knowing in what direction to proceed. A man who knew of the dwell- ing-place of the Fisher tribe of Indians directed them on the trail towards that locality. Following this for some dis- tance, finding it well beaten, they came in time to branch- ing trails, and arriving at the site of Fenton village, or " Dibbleville," as the small settlement was then called, they concluded to locate in its vicinity, as five trails eentered here, and they deemed it most favorable on that account, and the abundance of water in the surrounding country. Mr. Chapin and his brother, together with two of the Anu Arbor men, located in the township, while the other four subsequently settled farther west, having found, on reaching the land-office at Detroit, that the sites they had selected had already been taken by other parties. When on their way hither from Brighton, they noticed occasional wagon- tracks leading away from the trail, -a few settlers having ventured into the wilderness, miles from any elustered hamlet, or " village." One of the gentlemen from Ann Arbor who located in this township was a Mr. Manifold ; the name of the other is not now recollected. Of the entire party, it is believed Alonzo J. Chapin is now the only one living in the township.
197
FENTON TOWNSHIP.
The inhabitants of the Indian village mentioned as that of Fisher and his tribe, situated near the southern line of the township of Mundy, in time became scattered. Many of them removed, while others purchased lands and became farmers on a limited scale. A portion of them went to the neighborhood of Gaines and others to Flushing. Wabaness, quite noted among them, still owns a farm in Gaines town- ship, where two of Fisher's sons are also living.
Mrs. Elizabeth Chapin, wife of Alonzo J. Chapin, has been a resident of Michigan since 1828, and has witnessed the transition of the wilderness into a productive garden and the fading away of nearly an entire generation of pio- neers, while those who were but children, or were yet unborn when she first became acquainted with the State, have grown to mature manhood, and turned upon the down- ward slope of the way. Fifty years of life in the West have Jeft their impress upon her, and filled her mind with a won- derful store of recollections, among which those of her ex- perience in her pioneer days are chief. In 1828 she came with her father, Henry S. Gale, from the town of Greece, Monroe Co., N. Y. (originally from Albany County, had lived in Monroe two years). Mr. Gale settled in Su- perior township, Washtenaw Co., Mich., and there spent the remainder of his life. He purchased the land from the government, and died upon the same place he originally entered. His daughter was married to Mr. Chapin during her residence in Washtenaw County, and soon after re- moved with him to Fenton (then Argentine).
With the exception of two years of the time Mr. Chapin las resided in Fenton, his occupation has been that of a farmer. During the two years he aided in the construction of the Michigan Central Railway. He has known of the building of every house now standing in Fenton village. When, in 1836, he moved his brother into town, his team became mired where the Everett Honse now stands in the village. The spot seemed to have been caused by springs. The way taken by teams lay as close to the river as it was then thought expedient to drive, and passed over numer- ous places which at this day would scarcely be considered desirable for a road-bed. Mr. Chapin's team was a fine one, and had cost him four hundred dollars, yet there were not men enough in the settlement to get the horses out of their muddy prison. Mr. Chapin took his axe, went into the neighboring woods and cut some stout poles, with which they literally pried the animals out of the mire, and the journey was resumed.
About the year 1839, while doing his spring plowing on his farm near Linden, Mr. Chapin unfortunately broke his plow-point. The nearest place at which he could procure another was " Piety Ilill," now Birmingham, in Oakland County, seven miles south of Pontiac. Peter Lamb, who lived a short distance north of Linden, owned a span of ponies, with which he teamed between Linden and Detroit, being on the road almost constantly. He was, at the time Mr. Chapin broke his plow, away on a trip and had .not yet. started from Detroit on his return. This Mr. C. knew, as he was perfectly acquainted with Lamb's " time-table." Going into the house, he told his wife he was going to walk to Birmingham that night (it was then late in the afternoon, buy a new point, and return with Lamb the
next morning. Accordingly, collecting all the money in the house, amounting to fifty cents, and taking a loaf of brown bread, which Mrs. Chapin had just baked, he started. When he reached Dibbleville it was after sundown, and the distance through the woods to the Saginaw turnpike, in Springfield, Oakland Co., was sixteen miles. Nothing daunted, however, he started on. Twisting some hickory- torches, and taking them in one hand while in the other he carried a stout cudgel, he plodded along in the darkness, replacing his torches as necessary, and having sometimes to feel carefully for the trail to avoid becoming lost. Anon the howl of a wolf startled him to a more rapid pace. Soon it was answered from another direction, and in a remarkably short space of time numbers of the rapacious brutes had gathered in the forest around and were following him, all the time keeping up their discordant and savage howling and barking. It may be supposed his nerves were not entirely in a state of rest when, at last, he reached the beaten turnpike. Pushing still on, he arrived at Pontiac some time after midnight, and, stopping but a few minutes, walked to Birmingham, which place he reached at daybreak. As soon as people began to stir he looked around and found that Lamb had not yet returned from Detroit. IIe concluded, after purchasing his plow-point,-which cost " three bits,"-to start on the back-track, and ride with Lamb when the latter should overtake him. This did not happen, however, and Mr. Chapin reached home in the afternoon at about the same time he had left it the previous day, having walked the entire distance to Birmingham and back, or more than sixty miles !
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