USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > History of Ashtabula County, Ohio > Part 55
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In 1834, 13,000 tons of stone were removed, and the channel deepened to 9 feet. In 1836 the western pier was extended into 12 feet of water, and the channel was dredged so as to secure 9 feet across the rock, and the Beacon light- house was built.
In 1845 an appropriation of $5000 was made. The whole amount of appro- priations up to 1859 was $61,746. In 1852 there was appropriated $10,042.61. Since then there have been appropriated $184,708.32.
The increase of tonnage of the vessels on Lake Erie is noticeable. That of the first steamboat, " Walk in the Water," was 310 tons. She was wrecked in a gale off Buffalo. The second steamer was the "Superior," 300 tons, built in 1822. The third was the " Chippewa," 100 tons, built in 1824. The fourth was the " Henry Clay," 348 tons, built in 1825. The fifth was the " Pioncer," 238 tons, built in 1825. The steamer " Washington," built in this place in 1838, 350 tons, was one of the largest for that period. The loss of this steamer set back the business for this town. Other ports took the business, and in 1849 the magnificent palatial steamers of 1000 and 1300 tons were running from Buffalo to Detroit. The building of the Lake Shore railroad in 1851, however, put an end to this business.
Sinee that time passenger travel upon the lakes has been very light, and the freight has been carried by sail vessels and propellers.
The business of the harbor has increased within a few years, as the opening of railroads has made this a port for transhipment of coal and iron.
Much of the iron business is now conducted by steam barges, attended by two or three consorts.
Total amount of appropriations for the improvement of this harbor, $261,497.71. The extension, 300 feet, of the west pier was completed in 1875. A depth of water over the bar of 16 feet has been attained, and Ashtabula harbor now ranks among the best along the south shore of Lake Erie.
From the year 1827 vessels could lie within the piers. In 1836, 407 steam- boats and 156 other vessels entered this harbor. In 1875 the arrivals were 306, and the clearances 296; 95,000 tons of coal were shipped, 146 eargoes of iron ore, and 81 miscellaneous cargoes were received.
In 1874, 1000 cords of limestone, and 12,000 barrels of salt, and 1,000,500 feet of pine lumber were received.
The value of the exports and the imports for the first years after the improve- ment was as follows :
Imports.
Exports.
Total.
1825
$25,300
$30,275
$55,575
1826
27,000
31,000
58,000
1827
44,000
61,210
105,210
1828
59,000
81,000
140,000
1829
70,000
90,000
160,000
1830
75,360
110,000
185,360
1831
80,000
115,000
195,000
1832
90,000
120,000
210,000
1833
93,175
214,000
307,175
1838
225,000
275,000
500,000
POST OFFICE AND MAIL-ROUTES.
The Ridge road from east to west was, from 1808 to 1852, the great thorough- fare and the principal post-route on which the mails arrived at Ashtabula. This road was first cut out, as has been described, by citizens of Conneaut and Harpersfield uniting with the citizens of this place.
It is told of John Metcalf, the first mail-carrier, that he was obliged at times to sleep in the woods or to lodge in the wigwams of the Indians, wherever night might overtake him. At one time he was lodging in a wigwam, and after taking his luncheon out of the mail, where he was accustomed to carry it, he put it back, what there was 'left, and in order to protect the mail he went to slecp with his hand inside the bag. During the night, however, the squaws by some means managed to get his luncheon out of the bag and he was obliged to leave in the morning without a breakfast.
In the change from the primitive method of carrying the mail to the more pretentious one of a wheeled vehicle, Mr. Metcalf became the driver. The old road from Ashtabula, through Saybrook and Austinburg and other townships of the fourth range, was the principal route from the south. It was the first road cut through the wilderness, and for a long time was known as the old Salt road. It was a dreadful road for many years; and passengers by the stage to Warren had the privilege not only of pieking berries from the high bushes which grew to the very edge of the path, but at times might meet the wild bear engaged in the same pursuit on the opposite side of the bush, or a little farther away might discover the herds of decr and elk browsing among the thick forests. Many are the adventures which have been met along this route. The road generally consisted of but one mud-hole the whole length of it. It is said of Judge Austin that at one time he was riding along the route in company with several gentlemen. At length the party came to a nice, smooth, dry stretch of road, but as they got to the end of it the judge was seen to turn his horse and go back. Some of the party called out and asked, " Why, judge, where are you going?" He replied that the road secmed so good that he thought he would go over it again just for the pleasure of traveling it.
In 1819 this road was converted into the Trumbull and Ashtabula turnpike. For about thirty years the mail was transported on this route by stages to Warren, and from thence to Wellsville. It constituted a main route from the lake shore to the Ohio river. For the greater portion of the thirty years the mail was carried along the old turnpike-route through Austinburg, but finally Jeffer- son's influence became sufficient to divert it so as to pass through the latter-named place, meeting with the old turnpike-road again at Rock Creek. Thus was Austin- burg for a number of years deprived of direct mail facilities from Ashtabula. Other routes have been established from time to time, but they have all been superseded by railroads.
In 1852 the cars commenced running on the Lake Shore railroad, and in 1872 on the Franklin division to Oil City, and in the same year on the Ashtabula, Youngstown and Pittsburgh railroad.
The post-offices of Ashtabula are also worthy of history. It was in about the year 1809 that the first post-office was established. This was in the house of 'Gideon Leet, who lived on the lake road on east side of the river. Mr. Lcet was at the time village postmaster and tavern-keeper. Hle, however, did not consider that the office ought to detain him, for he was able to carry the office with him. It is narrated that the postmaster was known frequently to put the mail into his hat and start out to spend the day fishing. If he happened to meet any one it was very convenient to deliver what then was in the office for him. If only one happened to call for the mail, all he had to do was to wait until he returned. It was moved to the west side on the appointment of Mr. Hubbard as postmaster, and here has been in various places and buildings to suit the convenience of the people. The present convenient quarters were fitted up in 1874, and the business has been constantly increasing during the service of the present efficient officers.
The postmaster's salary for the quarter ending March 31, 1817, was " eleven dollars and forty-four cents." During that period was collected on postage $41.38. In 1830 the business had increased to $154.07 during the quarter, and the salary was $50.74. In 1861, salary $238.59, and postage 8481.36. In 1873 the postage was $802.31 per quarter, box rent $193.50, newspaper postage $68.65.
Postmasters .- The following are the names of those who have served as post- masters : Gideon Leet, Matthew Hubbard, N. Hubbard, John Booth, E. C. Root, Henry Harris, and J. F. Sexton.
Mail-carriers .- The first mail-carrier was John Metcalf, who carried the mail on his back, from Cleveland to Erie, in 1808. It took about three weeks for a letter to reach Ashtabula from New York city. In 1811 to 1815 the mail was carried on horseback. Then John Metcalf was found on the top of a stage-coach cracking his whip over a spirited span of horses. Iu 1818 he was succceded by William Whitman, Calvin Cole, and others. Edwin Harmon had the honor of placing the first line of four-horse stages from Cleveland to Erie.
The religious history of this place is an important one. It will be acknowl- edged that no history could be complete without a description of society, as related to the worship of God as well as to its moral habits and sentiments.
The first advent of any minister of the gospel to this new settlement in the wilderness is said to have been in the year 1804. The name of this person has not been preserved, but the meeting was held in a log house, on the west bank of the river, at the end of the south Ridge road, now Main street. It is believed that Rev. Joseph Badger, of Austinburg, Rev. Nathan B. Darrow, of Vienna, and Rev. John Leslie, of Harpersfield, occasionally visited the place also about this time.
In 1810, Rev. Mr. Badger, who had been laboring among the Indians at Lower Sandusky, came with his family and settled at this place.
138
HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO.
In May, 1810, Mr. Matthew Hubbard complained to the owner of the lands that an incoming trader, from whose enterprise much good was expected, had brought in brandy, rum, etc., to sell on commission, and strongly protested against the traffic. Mr. Hubbard was, and through life remained, a temperance advocate, using neither ardent spirits as a beverage nor tobacco in any form.
In the same letter we find him regretting the removal of Rev. Mr. Darrow, and urging the need of securing some religious instructor to assist in staying the progress of wickedness, especially the desccration of the Lord's day. He states that a few persons were trying to engage Rev. Mr. Badger to teach and to preach to the people one-half of his time. The church people extended an invitation to Mr. Badger, and the following is Mr. Badger's letter of acceptance. The original document is in the possession of Mr. A. C. Hubbard.
" To the Church and Congregation of Ashtabula :
" BRETHREN,-It having pleased Almighty God to stir up your minds, in this early period of your settlement in a wilderness land, to seek the enjoyment of gospel ordinances, and to make suitable provision for the support of the min- istry, and by your committee having presented muc your call to take charge of administering to you, in the name of the Lord, for one-half of my time for four years to come, I have, after duly considering the matter with prayer to Almighty God for his directiou, come to a determination to accept your eall, and do accept the same. I hope, with humble reliance on the Great Head of the Church, for wisdom and faithfulness in the discharge of ministerial duties, according to the word of God. And while I am laboriug with you to promote the salvation of your souls, I ask for your prayers, and for your diligent and candid attention to instruction, and that you will aid my efforts in the religious instruction of your children, that your profiting might be in the Lord.
" JOSEPH BADGER.
"ASHTABULA, July 27, 1810."
Mr. Badger's home was in what is called the Badger house, on Lake street, near the Badger brook, which is still standing, and his garden was the spot of ground which has been described as the site of the old Indian village or fort, now occupied in part as the site of the school-house belonging to St. Joseph's church (R. C.). Mr. Badger resided here for ten years, though some of the time he was serving as a chaplain in the army, and stationed at Sandusky. His services were never confined to this place, as there was no regularly-organized Congregational or Presbyterian church in this place until 1821.
There were possibly ten or twelve church members in this community, but the church was at Kingsville. Yet the preaching appointments alternated between that place and Ashtabula. The support which Mr. Badger received was very small. He removed to Kingsville in 1821.
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
The first religious organization established in Ashtabula was that of the Meth- odists. A class had been formed in the family of Thomas Benham, Sr., and a quarterly meeting was held by the presiding elder as early as 1810.
This church was organized by Rev. Mr. Winston, in 1812, and consisted of Thomas Benham, Sr., and wife, and his sons Samuel and Adner and their wives. Meetings were held in dwelling-houses, when they built a large log chapel at Bunker hill. This was called the " Block-house." It was occupied until 1829, when the society erected the frame church on the bank of the river, which now stands unoccupied, opposite the Sonth park. In 1860 they erected the present large and beautiful church on Park street.
The first Sunday-school was organized about 1820, consisting of about twenty- fire, old and young. The present uumber of communicants in this church is two hundred and thirty. The Sunday-school numbers two hundred and thirty- five, including officers and teachers.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In 1811 and 1812 several families of Episcopalians emigrated from Plymouth, Connecticut, and settled in South Ashtabula (now Plymouth). In 1813 they began to meet for worship by lay reading. They were led by Zadock Mann. They thus met until the Rev. Roger Searle, their former minister, arrived among them frou Connecticut, who, on the 19th of February, 1817, held service with them at the house of Hall Smith, in this village. After service they were organized as a parish of the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States, which was the first parish of that church organized in Ohio. The number of communieants was eleven. The Rev. Mr. Searle being requested to name the parish, called it " The Parish of St. Peter's Church, of Ashtabula."
Mr. Searle left the next year, dividing his time between the various parishes organized soon after on the Western Reserve until 1824. Rev. John Hall was minister from March, 1824, to May, 1834. Rev. Samuel W. Selden officiated as
minister from May to August, 1834, when he died. Rev. Seth Davis was min- ister from October, 1834, to October. 1835.
In September, 1836, Rev. John Hall was re-elected rector and minister. He resigned in 1853, but continued to supply until May, 1854. After having offici- ated more or less every year for about thirty-two years he retired, and was sue- ceeded by Rev. Homer Wheeler, who served the church until 1858, when he was succeeded by Rev. James Bonuar until 1872, when the present rector, Rev. James Moore, D.D., entered upon his duties. Baptisms recorded,-infants, 793, adults, 229, total, 1022 ; burials, 301 ; whole number of communicants, 727 ; present, 250 ; marriages recorded, 191 ; persons confirmed. 371. Present officers : George Willard, senior warden ; Lorenzo Tyler, junior warden ; S. C. Talcott, Nehemiah Hubbard, George B. Raser, A. A. Strong, W. E. Blakeslee, C. L. Booth, and E. W. Savage, vestrymen. The church, under the able supervision of Dr. Moore, is enjoying a state of healthful prosperity.
BAPTIST CHURCH OF ASHTABULA.
In the year 1810, Mr. Amos Fisk and family, and Mr. Watrous and family moved to Ashtabula. In 1813, Mr. Thomas Whelpley and family also settled in this place. These were all Baptists. In 1814, Elder Barnes commenced preach- ing at Kingsville. During the years 1818 and 1819, Elder J. Hartwell visited this place and held services, and baptized Mrs. Temperance Harmon and Miss Emily Klice. These were the first persons immersed in Ashtabula .. For a few years after, Elder S. Abbott preached here occasionally. In 1824, Mr. Amos Fisk, at his own cost, erected a house of worship for the use of the Baptists of Ashtabula. This was the first frame building erected in the township used ex- clusively for religious purposes ; dedicated August 12, 1824.
During this same year letters of dismission were procured from the Kingsville church, and a committee was appointed to draw up " Articles of Faith and a Covenant" for a church at Ashtabula. This committee consisted of Amos Fisk, Elder W. B. Centip, and Asa W. Hickox. The church was organized Jauuary 5, 1825, consisting of the following names : Elder W. B. Centip, Amos Fisk, A. W. Hickox, Lemuel Booth, John Wheeler, William Watrous, Winthrop Wat- rous, Luke Osborne, Lawson Terrill, Thomas Whelpley, Charles Whelpley, Jeru- sha Spencer, Temperance Harmon, Emily Klice, Pamelia Watrous, Amanda Watrous, Mary Willard, Lucretia Terrill, Lydia Smith, Anna Hickox, Mary Whelpley, Sarah Wheeler, Mrs. L. Booth, Mrs. L. Osborne, Susan Jones, James Stewart, Cornelia Whelpley, Louis Smith, Persis Duty, Betsey Goff, Rachel Wright, Chloe Crowell, Auna Wetmore, Polly Knapp, Susanna Beekwith, Betsey HIall, Patience Titus, Mrs. Lamb, Fanny Warner ; thirty-ninc in all. At the close the membership was sixty-two. Elder W. B. Ceutip served to October, 1825, Elder J. W. Bently to the close of 1827. The church was supplied for three years by Elders P. Lockwood, W. Collins, and M. Fairfield. Elder W. H. Newman supplied from 1831 to 1832. E. Chapin was ordained in 1834. Under his ministry thirty-two were baptized and twenty-nine received by letter. Rev. Charles Morton was pastor from 1836 to 1840. Membership reached at this tique to one hundred and ten. Elder Jacob Bailey, from May, 1840, to July, 1843. Elder Archibald Williams was pastor from 1843 to 1847. Elder Z. Smith supplied in 1849. Elder L. Andruss, from 1850 to 1851. Elder G. W. Haller, from 1851 to 1855. Elder Nelson Crandall became pastor in 1856. Elder J. W. B. Clarke was ordained as pastor. At this time the old house was sold and the present oue erected. Rev. Charles Morton was again pastor from 1861 to 1865. The church had been supplied by Rev. J. M. Gillett, Elder M. Roberts, Elders L. Andruss and E. Babcock. Elder M. Roberts became pastor in 1867, and closed his pastorate in 1870, when Rev. J. O. Fisher became pastor. Rev. M. Fisher was ordained April 3, 1873 ; he is the present pastor. Total of members to this date, four hundred and ninety-thrce; present members, eighty- three. The church built in 1824 is used as a school-house, and now stands west of the North park. The present church building is a respectable structure, having been recently repaired and painted.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ASHTABULA.
This church was organized on the 7th of December, 1821, by the Revs. Joseph Badger and Giles H. Cowles, under the "plan of union" of Presbyterians and Congregationalists in new settlements. The church was Congregational in its form of government, but the society was incorporated under the name of "the First Presbyterian society of Ashtabula."
The original membership consisted of seven persons, viz., Joshua Nettleton, Lot Newell, Sally McDonald, Anna Carter, Lydia Hall, Tabitha Smith and Jeru- sha Cook. There were twenty-seven communicants in February, 1826, and thirty- one iu 1831. On the 27th of December, 1832, the first standing committee was appointed ; and in 1834 the church, which had been worshiping with the Baptist society for some tique, held services separately. In the following Junc twenty-one
FLOUR.GRAIN & FEED
OHIO MILLS
OHIO MILLS
FLOUR, GRAIN & FEED WY SEYMOUR & SON
OHIO MILLS,WM.SEYMOUR & SON, PROPRIETORS. CENTER ST ASHTABULA, O.
CARRIAGES
CARRIAGE MANU FACTORY
THORPE AND PFAFF.
CARRIAGE WORKS OF THORPE& PFAFF, 41 MAIN ST., ASHTABULA, O.
RES.OF JOHN P. ROBERTSON, ASHTABULA, O.
139
HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO.
persons were added to the church, greatly increasing its strength and efficiency. December 26 of the same year (1834), Moses Ingersoll and William Hubbard were elected deacons, the first mentioned in the records. The church edifice was dedicated June 23, 1836, and during a series of meetings held soon after, sixty- six persons became members. There was an extensive revival of religion in 1851, fifty-seven names being added. In 1858 the number was increased by thirty- eight more, and in 1868 by forty-three. The inerease of membership in other years was also great, but in 1860 the number was diminished by fifty-one com- municants, who formed the First Congregational church.
From its organization until 1834 the church had maintained but a fecble ex- istence. Few in numbers, without a house of worship or the means to procure one, it had been unable to sustain the regular preaching of the gospel without assistance from abroad. In the spring of 1834, the late Nehemiah Hubbard, of Middletown, Conuecticut, offered a thousand dollars towards the erection of a house of worship, and promised to furnish a bell for it when completed. A suit- able lot was procured, and the present building was erected, and dedicated June 23, 1836, and it was enlarged and improved, and rededicated October, 1857.
The church was connected from its organization with the Grand River presbytery. It adopted, November 22, 1850, the discipline of the Presbyterian church, except an annual elective session, and a right of appeal, under certain restrictions, from the session to the church. In 1869 the organization was made strictly Presby- terian. There was no installed pastor until 1847. The following ministers supplied the church : Rev. Perry Pratt, from 1821 to 1826 ; Rev. Urban Palmer, from 1826 to 1827 ; Rev. Henry Cowles, from September, 1828, to November, 1829 ; Rev. Elbert S. Seott, from April, 1832, to April, 1833; Re7. H. Root, from May, 1834, to May, 1835; Rev. Ira Smith, from May, 1836, to May, 1838; Rev. Robert H. Conklin, from May, 1838, to November, 1839; Rev. Dewitt C. Sterry, from December, 1839, to Mareh, 1840 ; Rev. John Ingersoll, from April, 1841, to May, 1842; Seth H. Waldo, from August, 1842, to June, 1846.
Ou February 14, 1847, Rev. Augustus Pomeroy beeamc the first settled pastor of the church, remaining until May, 1852. Rev. J. M. Gillett was the second pastor, from May, 1853, to October, 1865. The present pastor, Rev. J. N. MeGiffert, entered on his ministry with the church July 29, 1866.
In 1868 there was an addition of forty, following union services, without as- sistance from abroad, under the last-named pastorate. In 1873 protracted union meetings were held, Rev. H. H. Wells assisting; fifty-nine were added during that year on confession.
Apart from these years of special blessing there have been many occasions of marked interest, and few years in which there was not some growth. The total number added to the communion of the church previous to January, 1878, is seven hundred and twenty-eight, four hundred and fifty-three on confession. The present number of communicants is two hundred and twenty-six.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ASHTABULA.
This church was organized May 30, 1860. A eouneil was held at the Presby- terian house of worship, and twenty six persons united by letter from the Presbyterian church. The following are the names enrolled as members at date of organization : Henry Fassett. A. Merriman, James Reed, William Willard, J. G. Wright, Abijah Southwick, Stephen Hall, T. S. Strong, M. W. Willard, E. Humphrey, A. M. Humphrey, Mrs. Betsey C. Reed, Mrs. Ruth Strong, Mrs. Lois Cheney, Mrs. Luey W. Baker, Mrs. Cornelia Willard, Mrs. Roxana South- wiek, Miss Mary McDonald, Mrs. S. A. Nellis, Mrs. C. E. Nellis, Miss H. M. Fassett, Mrs. A. J. Mnnsou, Mrs. L. Galpin, Mrs. Jane Torrey, Mrs. L. E. Per- rigo, Mrs. Ruth Hall.
Alpheus Merriman and Henry Fassett were elected deacons, and afterwards Bernard Nellis and L. D. Badger. The society connected with this church was organized on June 16, 1860. The church and society worshiped in Smith's Hall, until a briek church building was completed. This was dedicated February 12, 1862. The cost of the building and lot was about ten thousand dollars. The following are the names of the pastors, with the number of additions under each pastorate : Rev. R. H. Conkliu,-additions by letter, twenty-six ; by profes- sion, seventeen ; total, forty-eight. Rev. G. M. Tuthill is the only pastor who has been installed. The number of additions under his pastorate were nine by letter, and twenty-three by profession; total, thirty-two. A debt of six thousand dollars was paid while Rev. Edward Anderson was pastor. The number of additions to the church during his stay was eleven by letter, and twenty-four by profession ; total, thirty-five. Rev. J. A. Towle supplied one year. Three joined by profession. Prof. Judson Smith supplied for one ycar, during which time six joined by letter. Rev. S. D. Peet supplied from January, 1873, to January, 1877. During this time there were fifty-one additions by profes- siou, and seventeen by letter ; total, sixty-eight. A pipe organ was purchased,
and the bell was recast, and the house newly carpeted, and a debt of three thousand dollars was paid. Rev. John Safford, the present pastor, has supplied since January, 1877. Number of additions to this time have been ten by profession and thirteen by letter; total, twenty-thrce. The total membership has been two hundred and seventy-three ; present membership, one hundred aud eighty-three.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
This church has a large membership. It had at its organization about one hundred and twenty-five. The parish membership, in 1876, was about five hundred and forty. Their house of worship was built in 1850, and was enlarged and repaired in 1876.
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