USA > Ohio > Ashland County > A History of the Pioneer and Modern Times of Ashland County > Part 36
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. On the sixth day of June the following year, (1817,) seven families, all living in one neighborhood, viz., John Parmely, Sen., his wife Dorothy, and his two youngest children, two married sons, viz., Sylvanus Parmely and Lois Parmely, and four children ; Asahel and Fanny Parmely, and two children ; Jesse Chamber- lain and his wife Betsey Chamberlain; Abijah and wife; Thomas and Lucinda Rice, with nine children ; and James Palmer and his wife and five children.
All had ox teams but one-Thomas Rice had a span of horses. Each had one or more cows, which afforded them plenty of milk on their journey. We had a prosperous journey to Medina, only camping out one night, and that was at Liverpool, Medina County, during our journey of six weeks. Mr. Rice lost one of his horses here. We arrived at Medina the next night; remained here three weeks; we were kindly received by the inhabitants, and hospitably ยท entertained during our stay. Asahel Parmely buried his youngest child, Hannah Parmely, here. This was our first grief in the new country ; all sympathized deeply with the bereaved and afflicted parents. T. Rice and A. Mann, concluding to stay at Medina during the winter, the rest of the party being desirous to get through with their journey, left Medina and came to Harrisville. There was no wagon road after we left Harrisville, and we were obliged to chop one as we proceeded ; this retarded our progress considerably. The first day we advanced about seven miles, and camped out within three miles of our destined home. On the fol- lowing day, in the afternoon of the 28th of August, 1817, we arrived at the center of township No. 1, 18th range-found the camp of the surveyors still standing unmolested, which served as a shelter till more comfortable quarters could be prepared. No
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other white inhabitants in town. We all camped at the center, sleeping in our wagons till we could build log shanties. To cover the camp so as to be impervious to the storms, we dug troughs, and put them on for a roof, placing two right side up, a little space between, and then inverting one, just overlapping the edges, and making them serve as conductors, thus effectually keeping out the storm ; for it must be remembered that boards and other neces- sary materials for building were entirely out of the question in this new country. The next day after our arrival, Henry and Benja- min Close, from the State of New York, came. They selected land three and a half miles northwest from the center, on the road known as Close Street ; they came every night to the center, where they were well cared for, till they set up for themselves. We soon found that the Indians had preceded us, and had constructed rude wigwams on Butternut Creek, northeast of the center, on land now owned by Whitney Chamberlain. They were for the most part peaceable-had occasional disturbances among themselves. Many incidents occurred which served to relieve the monotony of this new country. While at Medina, two yoke of oxen belonging to me made their escape, and started directly for Vermont. Upon missing them, I started immediately in pursuit, following their track through the tall grass till sunset, when I came into the road at Hinckley, near a dwelling, where I tarried over night. This was on Friday ; commenced search early again in the morning, traveling as fast as possible, following along the banks of the Cuyahoga until I came upon them, before they had started up from their night's repose. Returned as far as Brunswick that day. It was, however, getting quite dark when I arrived there, and thought it best to stop over night. Arose very early and hurried onward, arriving at Medina just at sunrise Sunday morning; found the people alarmed at my protracted absence, collecting to . go in search of me, supposing I was lost.
Soon after our arrival in Sullivan, Mr. James Palmer went out to gather nuts, of which there were a great abundance. It was on the afternoon of one very pleasant day in September; but ventur- ing out of sight of clearing, he got lost. He wandered about till dark, without finding anything from which he could judge of his direction or distance from home. Night overtook him, and in this dilemma he was obliged to give up, and laid himself down by a log to rest till morning. He passed a restless, if not a sleep- less night. At one time a huge bear came very near him; but fortunately was not hungry enough to attack him. His friends became quite alarmed at his prolonged absence, and at dark ral- lied out to find him; but their search was fruitless. Preparations were then made for search next day; two men were dispatched to Harrisville to raise men to assist them. They were fitted out with hickory torches, and went this whole distance and returned before daylight-making a journey of twenty miles by torchlight. Mr. Palmer, however, by the aid of the stakes set up by the surveyors,
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was enabled to find his way home about nine o'clock A.M. A mes- senger was instantly sent to Harrisville with the glad tidings that the lost was found.
Our cattle grazed in the woods, and we took turns watching them; one of our number following them through the day and bringing them up at night-fortunately we did not lose any. Each family selected 160 acres of land as near the center as possible, and then decided to draw lots, as being the best way of settling the matter satisfactorily, for all had their preferences. This being amicably disposed of, all immediately built rode huts or shanties upon their land, without chimneys, and with but part of a floor; and around these rude fire-places clustered their bearts' fondest affection, and the endearments of home in this forest wild rendered them contented and happy; and to this day they will cite you back to those times with delight and affection.
Truly, what mighty changes have taken place, and how the wilderness has been made to blossom as the rose !
Thus located in the midst of a dense forest, far from any settle- ment, and entirely dependent upon their own resources and good luck, they saw no dark side to the picture, but hopefully gazed on the bright sunlight that streamed in upon them as the forest trees fell before the athletic arm of the pioneer, and saw, or thought they saw, in the future many blessings in store for them and their children.
Our nearest neighbors on the east were at Harrisville, ten miles distant; south, about eight miles; north, Elyria, twenty-five miles; west, New London, fifteen miles ; sundry necessary articles of con- sumption and clothing could not be obtained this side of Cleve- land. Salt was nine dollars per barrel, and cotton cloth fifty cents per yard. The nearest store was at Wooster, Wayne County. I walked through the woods to the latter place without any road, to obtain fifteen lights of glass for a window to my log house- made the sash myself with a jack-knife. This was considered quite unnecessary. The settlement progressed slowly; one reason was that government land could be obtained at the rate of $1 25 per acre, while the proprietors of this town held their land at $2 50 per acre. Notwithstanding, there were some additions to our number the following spring : Whitney Chamberlain, and his wife and four children ; his mother and youngest brother came also. Mr. T. Rice concluded to locate here instead of Medina. The first child born in Sullivan was Ashley Parmely, son of Asabel Parmely. The first death was that of John Parmely, my young- est brother, who died of white swelling on his knee.
Another serious hinderance was our great distance to mill. But invention never tires; and as a substitute for a mill, we dug out the top of a large stump, in the shape of a mortar, and by the aid of a spring pole pounded our corn into meal, and for a change of diet jointed corn for pudding. This was rather a tiresome pro- cess, and we set about to build a horse-mill. Many of the inbab-
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itants will recollect the large two-story building, nearly west of my residence, which was converted into two large rooms below and four above to rent, some twenty years ago. Frequently as many as six families lived in it.
I recollect at one time I went six miles south, to get my horse shod, through the woods, with only a foot-path, which was nearly obscured by the falling leaves. On my return it became so dark that my horse could not follow the path, and I was obliged to dis- mount and lead him. The only way I could keep the path was by the breaking of sticks under my feet when I got out of it. Twice in my efforts to find the old path, I turned round, and went back a quarter of a mile to a certain place I knew I had passed, and you may imagine how difficult it was to get along, when I tell you it took me all night to get home over the distance of two miles. About this time a large party of Indians came from San- dusky into town on a hunting expedition; making rather too free use of fire-water, they were quite quarrelsome, and had frequent disturbances among themselves. At one time they got into a quarrel, and in their affray killed one of their number. This af- fair shortened their stay, and they left, to the great joy of the inhabitants, who dreaded their presence; indeed, they were rough neighbors, and sent terror to the hearts of every family.
A child of Mr. Durfee went out just at dusk with his uncle; he sent him back while he went into the woods to hunt some hogs. On his return be found the little boy did not go home. They immediately searched for him, and continued it for several days, but found no trace of the missing child. The next spring his bones were found by the side of a log, where doubtless he had perished the first night.
Of the whole number, eighteen survive; nine are still living in town ; Jesse Chamberlain, widow Thomas Rice, widow Whitney, Chamberlain and myself are living on the same farms. In 1833 there were 50 voters, now 230. The township was organized about 1818.
SULLIVAN VILLAGE.
There are 4 churches, 1 Masonic Lodge, 1 steam saw-mill, 2 taverns, 1 dry goods and grocery store, 2 shoe shops, 2 carriage shops, 1 blacksmith shop, 1 millinery shop.
CHURCHES.
There are four-Methodist, Baptist, Disciple, and Congregationalist. Of these it has only been practica- ble to obtain a full report of the history and present
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condition of but one-the Baptist-which will be published in another form. Rev. Mr. Jones is the pastor of the Methodist, Rev. Mr. Sweet of the Bap- tist, Rev. J. P. Mann of the Disciple, and Rev. Q. M. Bosworth of the Congregationalist.
SULLIVAN LODGE, No. 313.
This Lodge of Masons was chartered October 20, 1859. Charter members: Harlow P. Sage, George W. Kilburn, De Witt Prince, Alexander Masters, Henry Summers, James Buver, John Campbell, A. H. Palmer, Thomas Parker, Shadrach Bryan, Calvin Bryan, Leonard Brown, C. B. Houck, Daniel Camp- bell. and Hiram Thurston. The present number of members is thirty-five. Harlow Sage, W. M.
THE END.
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