USA > Michigan > Macomb County > History of Macomb County, Michigan > Part 25
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THE MORAVIAN VILLAGE.
This village was located where in later years was the farm of Elisha Harring- ton, round the site of the residence of that pioneer. As described by Mr. Harrington, this center of Moravianism on this continent, comprised thirty one-story log-houses -fifteen on each side of a laneway forming the nucleus of what the day-dreams of Huckenwelder pointed out would be the main street of a large and prosperous town. In the center of one of those rows was the Moravian temple, differing very little in external appearance from the dwellings of the worshipers, built as much for defense against the bellicose Otchipwes, as for shelter from climatic extremes.
Here this tribe remained some years, but the Otchipwes, whose more warlike natures made them the terror of all the neighboring tribes, became jealous of the Moravians, hating them because they had abandoned the war-path, and the nomadic life of their forefathers. They hated them because their religion was full of mys- tery or appeared so to the savages of the Chippewa nation. The Moravians knew full well how deep was the hatred, which their scalp-taking neighbors entertained toward civilization, and her children, of their feelings toward any Indians who pro- fessed friendship for the American, and this knowledge tended to render their stay here as disagreeable as it was dangerous. It is no wonder to learn of their emigra-
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tion. They scattered-some returning to Muskingum, others effecting a settle- ment near the scene of Proctor's defeat, on the Thames River in Canada; but before the persecuted people left their village on the banks of the Huron, fourteen mem- bers of their colony died, and were buried at Frederick, where their graves were made between what are now known as the Harrington and Stephen's farms.
The old Moravian village at Frederick has passed into the Past. It is as if it had never been. One relic alone remains. Years ago Elisha Harrington, realizing the fact that the time would come, when such a relic would possess no inconsider- able interest to the antiquarian, dug up and preserved a piece of the timber, which formed a part of one of those buildings.
The following paper on this subject, read by the Rev. B. H. Bissell, now at Armada, before the Mount Clemens Lyceum, March 23, 1858, and introduced by Judge Eldridge subsequently in his sketches is a valuable addition to Moravian his- tory.
" In 1781, all the missionaries laboring at their different stations on the Musk- ingum, in Ohio, were taken prisoners and brought before Col. De Peyster, at Detroit, charged with acting in concert with the United States troops at Pittsburgh. Early in July, 1782, several of the Indians who had been connected with the mis- sion arrived at Detroit with some white brethren, among whom were Richard Connor and his family. Having obtained permission from the Chippewas in their behalf, De Peyster advised the Moravians to settle on the Clinton (then known as the Huron) River, and to bring their Indians there. He furnished them a vessel and provisions, and such utensils as they needed, together with two milch cows and some horses, and his lady also made them several useful presents. On the 20th of July, 1782, Zeisberger and Jungman, with their families, and Edwards and Jung, single missionaries, set out with nineteen Indians from Detroit, and arrived at their new home on the Clinton River the next evening. They named it New Gnaden- hutten, in remembrance of their old home on the Muskingum. Some more of their dispersed converts now gathered to them, and a flourishing settlement was in prospect. . The commandant at Detroit had made arrangements with the Indians that this settlement at Frederick should continue until peace was restored between Great Britain and the United States. They remaining after this event, the Chippewas, on whose lands the mission was located, became jealous of them, and on the 20th of April, 1786, the whole was abandoned with the intention of returning to Ohio. Mr. Connor being advanced in years preferred to remain, and this made it a center for other settlers.
Richard Connor located upon what is known as the Wells Farm, now owned by Messrs. Campbell and Sackett. The Moravian mission was located on the opposite side of the river, near the present residence of Mr. Henry Harrington.
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
This spot had evidently been the site of an ancient Indian village. A few years afterwards, in sinking a cellar for a dwelling there, the excavators exhumed a large number of bones, the remains of the dead buried there.
After, the establishment of this settlement at Frederick, and before the departure of the missionaries in the spring of 1874, Mr. William moved with his family into the county and located a home at about the spot where Mr. Charles Tucker now resides. Of these two first American settlers we naturally love to in- quire. From whence they came, and why, would be subjects of interest had their lives been even those of quiet, ordinary vanguards of civilization in peaceful times."
THE GERMAN IMMIGRATION OF 1845.
The extensive German immigration of 1845 brought to Michigan a number of Franconians and Bavarians, who felt themselves oppressed at home. Those under the advice of Pastor Loche resolved to emigrate to the United States, there to follow the profession of the Lutheran creed, and to essay the conversion of the Indians. Within a few years the first colony of fifteen, succeeding in attracting five times that number to our land, and of the second and third bodies of immi- grants a few settled in Macomb County, the greater number locating in Saginaw.
The immigration of 1849, the result of an attempt made by the people to cast away the tyrant, marked the history of that year. The Revolutionists sought refuge in the United States, not a few of them finding a home of liberty in this county. The German immigration of later days brought us Pomeranians and Mecklenburghers, Belgians and Hollanders.
CHAPTER XIV.
PIONEER HISTORY.
A period of time bordering on a century has passed away since the American pioneer first appeared in this county. Those years have been pregnant with changes-social, political, even physical change. The visitor of to-day, ignorant of the past history of Macomb, could scarcely realize the fact, that within ninety- seven years, a population, approximating 35,000 grew up, where, toward the close of the Eighteenth Century, a few bands of aborigines, with a few French and American trappers, hunters and fishermen existed. The population has not only grown to its present number, but also in wealth, refinement and all these char- acteristics, which mark the older counties, of the Eastern States. Schools, churches, palatial dwellings, extensive marts, busy mills, cultivated fields now occupy the
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village sites and hunting grounds of the Otchipwes ; while ? people endowed with the highest faculties occupy the domain of the Otchipwes themselves. There are but few left of the old landmarks, still a smaller number of the old settlers. Civilization and its demands have conspired to raze almost every monument of the red man-to obliterate almost every trace of his occupancy ; while on the other hand Old Time placed his heavy hand upon many of the pioneers, driving them, as it were, away from the old homestead to the promised land beyond the grave.
Previous to 1781 the white inhabitants were all Frenchmen or French Canadians and the numerous French trappers and hunters who made the banks of the North- ern' Huron their headquarters. During the year 1781 the first American settler set ·his foot upon the soil, and built for himself the rude hut, which was the model of pioneer dwellings in the State. The treaty which conveyed the land in the neigh- borhood of Detroit to the National Government drew attention to this portion of the ceded Indian territory, and attracted a few more settlers. The fur traders intro- duced themselves, found a land teeming with milk and honey, and settled in it, so far as such men settle, while yet all Michigan, save that portion of the peninsula around Detroit, was a wilderness. Succeeding them a stream of Americans poured in, and in the course of a dozen years, it was found that many of the Amer- ieans who came as visitors, located here, and built their homes in the beautiful wilderness.
It is not strange that among the pioneers and old settlers of a county, a deep- seated and sincere friendship should spring up, to grow and strengthen with their advancing years. The incidents peculiar to life in a new country, the trials and hardships, privations and destitutions, are well calculated to test, not only the physical powers of endurance, but also the moral, kindly, generous attributes of true manhood and womanhood. Then are the times which try men's souls, and bring to the surface all that may be in them of good or evil. As a rule, there is an equality of conditions that can not recognize distinction of class-all occupy a com- mon level, and as a consequence a fraternal feeling grows into existence that is as lasting as the lives of the old settlers, and, in a great number of instances, as the lives of their children.
In such a community there is a hospitality, a kindness, a benevolence, and high above all, a charity, unknown and unpracticed among the older, richer, and more densely populated settlements, just in the same manner, perhaps, as there was a higher faith animating the early Christians, than that which marks the Christian people of the present day. The very nature of the surroundings of those pioneers taught them to feel each other's woe-to share in each other's joy, and live in com- munal integrity. An injury or a wrong may be ignored with profit to the evil-doer and his victim ; but a kind, generous, charitable act is never to be forgotten-the
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memory of old associations and kind acts must for ever remain green. Raven locks may bleach in the summer sun, and whiten through the cold of winter; round cheeks may become sunken and hollow; the fire of intellect may fade from the eye ; the brow may become wrinkled with care and age, and the erect form may bow under the weight of accumulated years ; but the true friends of long ago must be remembered so long as memory itself lives.
As a general rule the men and women who first settled this land were bold, fearless, self-reliant and industrious. In these respects no matter from what part of the world those old settlers came, there was a similarity of character. In birth, educa- tion, language and religion there were differences ; but such differences did not interfere with harmony; in fact, they soon vanished, became lost by association, and a common interest united all.
In pioneer life there are always incidents of peculiar interest, not only to the pioneers themselves, but also to posterity. It is a matter much to be regretted that the old settlers of Macomb did not begin at an earlier date to organize themselves into an association, for even the record of reminiscences related at the meetings of such an association have a direct bearing upon history, and serve to add to the literature of the Republic's first century the history of every community. Aside from the historic importance of such re-unions, they serve to enliven and cement old friendships, and renew old memories that might have been interrupted by the innovations of progress. It is well that even now they have realized the import- ance of organization.
SOCIETY OF 1871.
At a meeting of pioneers held at Romeo Hall, Sept. 5, 1871, to organize a pioneer society, William F. Abbott was elected chairman, and Aaron B. Rawles, secretary. On motion of A. E. Leete, a resolution was adopted to form the Romeo Historical Society. A committee of five was appointed to draft a Constitution and By-Laws, as follows : Albert E. Leete, Dexter Mussey, C. Dearing, H. O. Ladd and J. E. Day. This committee reported a series of six articles for the govern- ment of the society, which report was adopted. The meeting then proceeded to elect officers, with the following result : President, Albert E. Leete ; Vice-Presi- dent, John E. Day ; Secretary and Treasurer, William F. Abbott ; Historian, Horatio O. Ladd. This society continued in existence for some time, but ultimately ceased to exist.
ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY PIONEERS.
At the earnest request of many citizens of Macomb County, anxious to collect incidents and biographical sketches of early settlements and settlers, and place on record some of the early history of the county, a meeting was called at Washington Village, March 22, 1881. Owing to the severity of the weather and condition of
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the roads, the pioneer element was not so largely represented as it would otherwise have been.
The meeting was called to order by W. A. Wales, when Mr. Wales was elected chairman and Stephen B. Cannon, secretary. Prayer was offered by Rev. John Cannon. Loren Andrus, H. Rose, Rev. John Cannon, Calvin G. White, Thomas Brabb, H. N. Miller, Niles Giddings. C. M. Bates, addressed the people on the subject of organization. This meeting was entirely favorable to the enterprise, a committee of three was appointed to draft a Constitution and set of By-Laws. A committee was named to recommend names of persons for permanent officers of the society, another committee on music, and still another to arrange for a future meeting of the pioneers.
Committee No. 1 was composed of Stephen B. Cannon, Loren Andrus and N. H. Miller. No. 2 comprised N. H. Miller, Allen Pearsall and Timothy Lockwood. No. 3 was represented by Byron Norton. No. 4, by Loren Andrus, Stephen B. Cannon, Mrs. Loren Andrus, Mrs. Thomas Brabb and Mrs. William A. Stone.
Loren Andrus moved that the Rev. Edward Davis be requested to deliver the inaugural address before the first regular meeting of the association.
THE FIRST REGULAR MEETING
Was held May 26, 1881. The Committee on Constitution and By-Laws reported, which report was accepted on motion made by John E. Day. The Committee on Permanent Officers was directed to reconsider report, which order was followed by the recommendation of Chauncey G. Cady for president ; Williard A. Wales, treasurer, and John E. Day, secretary. The following-named gentlemen were appointed Vice-Presidents : O. G. Burgess, Richmond ; Hiram Barrows, Armada ; Dexter Mussey, Bruce ; John A. Tinsman, Washington ; Zelotis Stone, Ray ; John Dryer, Lenox ; C. H ,oker, Chesterfield ; Horace H. Cady, Macomb; John Keeler, Shelby ; Charles Hutchins, Stirling; Edgar Weeks, Clinton ; William Tucker, Harrison ; John Cumings, Erin ; John Beebe, Warren.
At this meeting over 400 persons were present; the History of Washtenaw County, introduced and edited by M. A. Leeson, was presented by Mr. Lorenzo Davis, son of Rev. J. E. Davis, of Macomb County, a representative citizen of Washtenaw.
An executive committee, composed of Stephen B. Cannon," Martin :Buzzell, and Perry M. Bentley, was elected.
C. Harlow Green read a paper on the early schools, of the churches and pastors of Macomb County.
The Secretary, John E. Day, spoke in support of Rev. Mr. Davis' paper, and on the importance of securing not only a history of events connected with the
HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
county, but also a biographical sketch of each of the old settlers. His remarks were fully concurred in.
The address of welcome delivered by the centenarian, Rev. J. E. Davis, of Macomb Township, was a remarkably able paper, very full and instructive, and one which was received most enthusiastically by the people.
The second meeting of the society was held at Gray's Opera House, Romeo, September 7, 1881. This reunion was one of the most important ever held by the pioneers of any county in the Union, made so by the historic excellence of the dis- courses delivered. Dexter Mussey spoke on the local history of Romeo, Judge James B. Eldridge on the organization in Macomb County. J. E. Day read Nathaniel Carter's paper on his settlement in the County. Mr. Day also read a poem by James Lawson, the writer being then at Point St. Ignace, engaged in the examination of public lands. The first temperance movement in the county was ably treated by the secretary ; while S. H. Ewell dealt with the first election, on the Temperance Ticket, held at Romeo. The president, C. G. Cady, H. A. Cady, Elisha Calkins, Oran Freeman, Thos. Stalker, and Joseph Chubb were among the speakers and story-tellers.
The third reunion of the society was held within the Congregational Church, Armada Village, December 28, 1881. C. G. Cady presided with John E. Day, secretary. This, the writer is inclined to think, was one of the most agreeable reunions ever participated in. It was organized at the instance of the secretary and was complete in every particular-social and literary. Rev. H. N. Bissell delivered a discourse on the carly History of Macomb. The young ladies, who added so much to the success of the meeting, were partially rewarded by witnessing the excitement, which one of their practical jokes drew forth. They helped the old people to tea, cream and salt-they enjoyed the luxury of doing good, and were particularly amused to witness the wry faces which their senior friends assumed when the joke was discovered.
A paper was read by Perrin C. Goodell, on Early Times in Armada. Messrs. Ewell and Davis, accompanied on the organ by Miss Owen, rendered the song -The Old Musician and his Harp, very effectively. Mr. H. O. Brown, representing the writer of the County History, laid before the meeting a plan of the proposed history. His address was well received. L. D. Owen read a paper on early times in Shelby ; the president recited a number of his experiences of early settlement. Edgar Weeks dealt with the history of the Press of Macomb County ; Oran Free- man related a few unvarnished tales ; an historical committee was appointed to aid the general historian in the correction or revision of the general history, and a vote of thanks passed to the people of Armada, as well as to the genial pres- ident.
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
CHARTER MEMBERS.
Chauncey G. Cady, born in Otsego County, N. Y., August 20, 1803, settled in Clinton Township, at Mount Clemens, October 20, 1820, elected president of the Macomb County Pioneer Association in 1881.
M. I. Cady, born in Onondaga County, N. Y., December 19, 1820. Moved to Oakland, and located in Warren Township, Macomb Co., in 1832.
John E. Day, son of Erastus Day, Jr., was born in Armada Township, January 11, 1838, is now a resident of Richmond Township, and secretary of the Pioneer Society of Macomb County.
John Cannon, born at Salem, Mass., September 21, 1808, moved to Saratoga, N. Y., thence to Washtenaw Co., Mich., and in 1831, located on Section 3, Shelby Township, where he has been minister of the Christian Church since 1831.
Calvin G. White, born at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., July 10, 1803, moved to West- ern New York in 1817, and to Armada Township, May 16, 1831.
S. H. Davis and his wife, S. M. Davis, born in Genesee County, N. Y., September 13, 1813, settled in Washington Township at Romeo, June 15, 1843.
Robert Warner. See biographical sketch.
Arad Freeman was born at Pompey, N. Y., February 26, 1815, moved to On- tario County, N. Y., and thence to Ray Township, Macomb County, June 3, 1824.
Peter J. Lerich, born in Warren County, N. J., May 20, 1810, settled in Shelby, May 29, 1835.
Sarah F. Lerich was born in Warren County, N. J., December, 4, 1817, settled in Shelby, May 29, 1835.
John Gass was born in Green County, N. Y., 1808, moved to Ray Township in 1830, where he settled on Section 29.
Samuel H. Ewell, born at Romeo, now Middlebury, Genesee Co., N. Y., January 3, 1819, moved to Bruce Township, May 28, 1836.
Martin Buzzell, born in Canada East, May 16, moved to Western New York in 1817, and to Bruce Township, July 1831.
Julia A. Buzzell, born in Canada, November 11, 1824, moved to Washington Township, October 6, 1844.
Stephen B. Cannon, born in Washtenaw County, Mich., September 30, 1832, settled in Washington Township, Macomb County, January, 1834.
Hiram W. Miller, was born at Hampton, Washington Co., N. J., November 26, 1814, moved to Genesee County, N. Y., and thence to Washington Township, this County, June, 1822.
E. D. Hamblin, was born at Windsor, Vt., January 16, 1809 ; moved to Mon- roe County, N. Y., and thence to Macomb County, Mich., June 1, 1826.
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
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MEMBERS ENROLLED SINCE ORGANIZATION.
O. D. Thompson, born at Wellport, N. Y., December 23, 1835; settled at Romeo, November, 1858. Principal of Romeo High School.
William L. Dicken, born in Ray Township, Macomb County, October 8, 1833, County Clerk, January 1, 1879.
Charles Tackles, born in Macomb County, November 22, 1827. Eleeted County Treasurer, and entered on duties of that office, January 1, 1879.
Joseph Chubb, born at Pittsford, Monroe Co., N. Y., April 5, 1822, moved into Ray Township, Macomb County, May, 1825, was admitted an Attorney-at-Law in 1862 by the Washtenaw Circuit Court.
Henry Connor, born in Macomb County, October 25, 1818, grandson of the pioneer, Richard O'Connor. He has been proprietor of the hotel at Mount Clemens for the last thirty-five years.
James B. Eldridge, born in Maeomb County, November 25, 1836; elected Judge of Probate in 1876, and entered on duties of that office, January 1, 1877.
Robert J. Crawford, born in Macomb County, September 1, 1858.
Calvin Davis, born in Macomb County, July 27, 1832.
George A. Waterbury, born at St. Clair, St. Clair County, August 11, 1847 ; moved to Sanilae in 1848; to Romeo, July, 1873, now proprietor and editor of the Romeo Observer, and possessor of a fine collection of antiquities and minerals.
Erastus Day, born in Otsego County, N. Y., October 15, 1808; moved into Canada, 1812, and to Lima, N. Y., in 1824; thence to Bruce Township, Macomb County, December, 1826. He was for fifty years a captain of State Militia, and is a survivor of the Toledo War.
Mrs. Betsey Day was born at Burlington, Otsego Co., N. Y., October 17, 1813; moved to Chautauqua County, N. Y., in 1816, to Erie County, Pa., in 1826, and thence to Macomb County, Mich., in 1885. This lady was the pioneer school teacher of Armada Township.
Julia Seeley, born in Lindon Township, Vt., January 11, 1808; moved to Oneida County, N. Y., thence to Onondaga, thence to Niagara and lastly to Michigan, in 1831. She is the daughter of Joseph Thurston.
William Inwood, born at Dunkinfield, Southampton, England, February 28, 1791. Came to Washington Township, Macomb County, May 22, 1837.
Dexter Mussey, born at Worcester, Mass., January 12, 1811 ; moved to Lowell, Mass., in 1832, and to Romeo, Mich., in 1837. He was speaker of the House of Representatives.
Grace N. Owen, born in Genesee County, N. Y., November 12, 1824; moved to Shelby Township, June 18, 1825.
Charles Andrews, born at Putney, Vt., August 28, 1820; moved to West
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
Bloomfield in 1829, to Mindon, N. Y., in 1830, to Pittsford, N. Y., in 1832, to Armada in 1840. State Senator from 1828 to 1870.
Horace H. Cady, born at Hadley, Windham Co., Conn., February 20, 1801, moved to Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., and thence to Mount Clemens, May 24, 1821. Mr. Cady has been a member of the Legislature for many years:
Deliverance S. Priest, born at Bennington, Vt., August 7, 1814, moved to Western New York in 1819, thence to Ray Township, Macomb County, in 1838.
John N. Sellick, born at Middlebury, Wyoming Co., N. Y., February 17, 1808; moved to Avon, Livingstone Co., in 1814, and thence to Romeo, Mich., in March, 1837.
J. W. Allor, born in Jefferson County, N. Y., Aug. 19, 1837, came to Chester- field, Macomb Co., October 23, 1852.
Oran Freeman was born in Onondago County, N. Y., June 14, 1818 ; moved to Ontario, N. Y., and thence to Ray Township, June 1, 1824.
George W. Garvin was born in Washington Township, Macomb County, August 26, 1835, now a resident of Ray Township.
George W. Gass, born in Green County, N. Y., May 1, 1813, came to Ray Township, October 3, 1836.
Lydia Bailey, born at Romeo in 1834, daughter of Asahel Bailey, still resides . at Romeo.
Luther Procter was born at Armada in 1830.
Mrs. Luther Procter, daughter of A. W. Stirling, was born at Romeo in 1836.
Nathaniel Carter, born at Leominster, Mass., February 20, 1806; settled in Armada Township, September 10, 1831.
Edmund Gould, born in Onondaga County, N. Y., June 14, 1817; moved to Ontario County, N. Y., and thence to Bruce Township, June 1, 1823.
Wilson Cronk, born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., March 22, 1822; moved to Otsego County, thence to Monroe County, N. Y., and lastly to Ray Township, December 20, 1854.
Julia A. Cronk was born in Erie County, N. Y., January 23, 1828 ; moved thence to Cattarangus County, N. Y., and again to Ray, February 21, 1855.
Philip Cudworth was born at Richmond, Ontario Co., N. Y., March 30, 1811 ; located on Section 33 of Armada, October, 1835.
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