History of Ashtabula County, Ohio, Part 86

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 458

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The first post-office was established in this township in the year 1815, at the house of Elijah Crosby, who was the first postmaster, and who continued to hold the office until 1829. The present postmaster is Leander C. Rceve, the office being located at Rome station. Another office was established at New Lyme station (also in Rome township) in 1873. This office is kept at the residence of the postmaster, Hiram Moses.

ROADS.

A few years ago, prior to the first settlement in Rome, a marked route was made from Austinburg to Warren, Trumbull county. This passed through this township a short distance east of the present turnpike. The first record we find of a road being officially located bears date June, 1812. This is couched in language having the merit of brevity, at least, and reads, " From Rome to Orwell." In March, 1816, another road was opened "from the centre road on a line between Daniel Hall and John Crowell's, about forty-five rods south of said Crowell's dwelling-house, and running one mile west." February, 1819, " from Rome to New Lyme, on centre line." Junc, 1819, " From road by C. Chap- inan's, in Morgan, to Orwell." December, 1826, " From the centre of the cast line of No. 9, in the fourth range (Rome), and running west on centre line of said No. 9 to Grand river ; thence ranging two degrees northerly until it meets the centre road of No. 9 of the fifth range" (Hartsgrove). December, 1827, " From the turnpike road between lots Nos. 11 and 12, and running west to the township line." There are now some thirty-six miles of road in the township.

FIRST ORCHARDS.

About 1807, Joseph D. Hall and David Walkley purchased each fifteen apple- trees of O. R. Hawley, at Austinburg, carried them on their backs to Rome, and set them out on their respective places. They grew finely, and it is related that in the course of time Mr. Hall made from the first of these trees a barrel of eider; this was stored in the cellar until it had acquired the necessary "sparkle," when the neighbors were invited to the cabin to partake of the delicious beverage, and no doubt derived fully as much pleasure drinking from the tin eups as do the fashionables of the present day as they sip from gilded goblets the same liquid under the euphonious name of champagne. Some of the trees of these pioneer orchards are still standing.

FIRST SAW-MILL.

This was erected by E. C. Dodge, in the year 1818. Its location was on Rock ereek. In the year 1820 John Ried put in operation a small grist-mill about one mile north of the Dodge mill. In 1830 another saw-mill was built by David Walkley and Daniel Hall, on the farm of the latter. His mill was located on a small stream emptying into Grand river. The first steam-mill was put in opera- tion by Azariah Smith, in 1853. This stood one mile south of the centre, on the southwest corner of lot No. 28. There are at present two steam-miHls in the township, one at Rome station, owned by Messrs. Stiles & Smith, and another

at New Lyme station, owned by Hill & Smith, and a grist-mill on Rock creek, one mile south of the centre, owned by Messrs. Shultz & Jayne. The first wheat was grown by Elijah Crosby, in the year 1807. The first grinding was done for William Crowell, he transporting his grain to a mill situated in Pennport, east of Kinsman, Trumbull county. The first store was opened by Travis A. Miller, in the year 1824, on lot No. 25. The present store is situated at Rome station, and is owned by G. D. Carter.

The first hotel and stage-house in Rome was opened by John Crowell, in 1819. This stood on the turnpike, about one and one-half miles from the north line of the township, on the farm now occupied by Michael Scoville. The second house of entertainment was the one crected by Sylvester Rogers, and to which reference is made in the previous pages. The present hotels are the " United States Mail," at Rome station, James Kelscy host, and one at New Lyme station, by Harvey Hill.

The first marriage which occurred in the township of Rome was that of Jerusha, daughter of William Crowell, to Erastus Flower, of Lenox. This interesting cvent took place in June, 1807. T. R. Hawley, justice of the peace, of Jeffer- son, solemnized the marriage contract, and it is said the wedding-party was a happy one.

The first physician who located in the township was Dr. Baird, who began practice in about 1826. Dr. Chester also practiced the " healing art" for a time, but at present Rome is without a physician.

The first birth was that of a daughter to William Crowell and wife, in June, 1807. This was " Aunt" Emeline, who at present resides at Rock Creek, in maiden meditation, fancy free. The first male child was Harry, the eleventh child of Elijah Crosby and wife; and it is said that Champion, the owner of the township, having promised to the first male child born in Rome fifty acres of land, promptly executed the decd to the juvenile Henry. This tract was situated about one mile south of the centre.

The first death was that of the wife of John Crowell, which occurred on the 8th day of August in the year 1808. Who conducted the funeral obsequies we are unable to ascertain. The body was interred on lot No. 14, being the same ground now occupied for cemetery purposes, opposite the residence of Elijah Crosby.

ORGANIZATION.

In connection with the organization of the township of Rome, we find on the record of the commissioners of Ashtabula County, under date of June 2, 1828, the following : " A petition of Christopher Champlin and others, inhabitants of the township of Richfield, praying that the name of said township be changed, was presented and read, whereupon it was resolved by the board that said town- ship, it being surveyed township No. 9, in fourth range of townships, and here- tofore known by the name of Richfield, shall be hereafter known and designated by the name of Rome, and said name of Richfield be abolished." The first election, which was held on the first Monday in April, 1829, resulted in the election of the following officers : Joseph D. Hall, William Watrous, and Samuel Crowell, trustees ; Justin Williams, township clerk and treasurer. As it may appear a little irregular that these two offices should be filled by one person, we will state that the office of treasurer at that day was principally honorary, there being but little money handled by that officer. Charles Crowell and Justin Williams were elected constables ; Lynes Tinker, Reuben Saunders, and Silas Washburn, supervisors of highways; Sylvester Rogers aud Asa Tinker, overseers of the poor ; and Daniel Hall and David Walkley, fenee-viewers. Justin Williams was the first justice of the peace. He was succeeded, in 1830, by Samuel Crowell, and he, in 1833, by Cyrus Richmond. The present justices of the peace are Edward Allen and II. C. Ackley, and the present township officers are as follows : Edward Nevison, S. C. McFarland, and Hiram Evans, trustees ; N. J. Decker, treasurer ; H. L. Chester, elerk ; A. W. Stiles, assessor; S. M. Seoville and William Smith, constables, and six supervisors.

PRESENT MANUFACTORIES.

A handle-factory is located at Rome station, under the management of Agent Spaulding. A butter-tub factory is at the same point, owned by E. A. Peck, and a steam saw-mill and cheese-box manufactory, east of New Lyme station, by Giles E. Scott. The first cheese-factory in the township was established in the year 1869, by a stock company, who eventually sold out to Messrs. Flagg & Frisbie. The location of this factory is on the turnpike at the centre. In 1871 another factory was erected, on lot 10. This was burned in 1873.

In relation to the patriotism of the citizens of Rome, we learn that when the alarm consequent upon Hull's surrender sounded throughout the meagre settle- ments of the Reserve, " every able-bodied man in the township, except one, re- sponded to the call for troops." During the Rebellion Rome was represented in many a hard-fought battle. In the " roll of honor" will be found the names of

220

HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO.

those who gave their lives for our starry ensign, the pride of every true citizen. Mr. G. H. Crosby furnishes the following : " The Indians made frequent calls at the houses of the early settlers while hunting in this section. Some of them came to be quite well known. Being friendly, were ever ready to barter their surplus game. They were in the habit of coming in the spring to make sugar on the ' flats' of Grand river. Thin sap-troughs were constructed of white birch- bark, which was brought with them from, it is thought, Canada. One Sunday, a pleasant spring day, David Walkley and Sylvester Rogers visited their camp. The sap was running freely, but the Indians were sitting about. They asked why they were not making sugar. The reply was, . Sabbat big day. No make sugar on big day.' They never visited the Indians again on Sunday."

" In the days of militia training, when all the able-bodied men from eighteen to forty-five years were required by law to do two days' drill, Rome had its titled men .- General Miller and Colonels Tinan and Latimer. The regimental train- ings were several times held on lands of Sylvester Rogers, and a big time was had on these occasions."

STATISTICS FOR 1877.

Wheat ...

196 acres.

2,148 bushels.

Oats.

IS2

14,464

Corn ......

405

13,702

Potatoes

3,014

Orcharding ....

116

7,010

Meadow.

1623

1,797 tons.

Maple-sugar.

6,030 pounds.

Butter. Cheese.

97,292

Population in 1870, 669.

Vote for President in 1876 : R. B. Hayes, 143; S. J. Tilden, 39.

As Rome township was the last to retain the name of Richfield, we deem it proper to give in connection with this township history the following record of an early election held in that township. This was on April 6, 1807, at which time Eliphalet Austin was chosen chairman and Hosea Wilcox and Stephen Brown judges of election. The following are the names of those elected : Elijah Crosby, T. R. Hawley, and Sterling Mills, trustees ; Noah Smith, clerk ; J. M. Case and Edmund Strong, overseers of the poor; Ambrose Humphrey and Ste- phen Knowlton, fence-viewers; Sterling Mills and T. R. Hawley, listers and ap- praisers ; Cornelius Phelps, John Henderson, Noah Smith, Calvin Knowlton, James Stone, Jesse Hawley, and Daniel Hall, supervisors of highways; Joab Austin and Asa Gilbert, constables ; J. M. Stone, treasurer ; and Noah Cowles, Elijah Crosby, T. R. Hawley. and Edward Friethy, justices of the peace, whose commissions were dated October 6, 1808. We obtain these facts from the book of records, now in the office of the clerk of Rome township. The records of Rome township are also to be found in this volume, from the years 1828 to 1861.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

WILLIAM CROWELL, SR .*

The pioneers of the Connecticut Western Reserve, with few exceptions, were from New England, and a large majority of them from the State of Connecticut, which formerly owned the territory. The character and habits of New England people made and left a deep impression on the early settlements, which remains influential to the present day. Mr. Crowell was born at East Haddam, Middlesex county, Connecticut, July 10, 1771. His father, Samuel Crowell, was born at Chatham, Barnstable county, Massachusetts, March 16, 1742, and was descended from Puritan stock that emigrated from England at an early day aud settled in that county. He emigrated to Connecticut, and married Jerusha Tracy, and had six children,-William, Samuel, Eliphaz, John, and Hezekial, and a daughter that died in infancy. The subject of this sketch was the oldest son, and at the age of fourteen was apprenticed to a Mr. Mack to learn the joiner's trade, and served the full term of seven years. He was married to Ruth Peck, August 26, 1792, and had nine children, one of whom died in infancy, and after his removal to Ohio the number was increased to fourteen; only two of whom are now living,-a son in the city of Cleveland and a daughter at Rock Creek.

The first settlers of the Western Reserve werc generally intelligent and enter- prising men, and capable of enduring the fatigues, hardships, and privations of a new conntry, which they were compelled to bear. On his journey to Ohio he was in company with two other families, and they traveled in covered wagons drawn by oxen, and were more than forty days on the way. They traveled through Pennsylvania, over the mountains, to Pittsburgh, and thence to Ohio, and reached the end of their long journey the last of November, 1806. From Bristol to Rome,

a distance of more than twenty miles, there was an unbroken wilderness, without a house to shelter them, and they were obliged to camp out for the night in the most primitive style. The darkness and gloom of that November night were rendered more hideous to the weary travelers by wolves howling around the camp- fire, and seeming to take offense at the intrusion of strangers upon their ancient domain, occupied in common by savage beasts and men for unnumbered generations. The log cabin which had been built for them, and in which they spent the winter, stood near the dwelling-house of the late Joseph D. Hall. The building, not a large one for three families, was divided by a stone wall five or six feet high, and extending partly across the room. On each side of the wall fires were built for comfort and convenience, and over these an opening was left in the roof for the smoke to escape. One part of the log cabin thus fitted up was occupied by Mr. Crowell and his family (the writer of this was one of them), and the other part by the two families already mentioned. With the thermometer at zero, the apartments of the cabin could not be esteemed very extravagant or luxurious by the most prudent and economical. In the spring Mr. Crowell built a log house on his farm, and at once commenced clearing it up for cultivation. He soon found employment at his trade in the older settlements, where frame houses soon took the place of log cabins, not only in different parts of this county but in the adjoining counties, for he was esteemed a very good workman at his trade.

His family lived upon his farm at Rome, to which he retired in later life, and where he died July 15, 1852, at the age of eighty years. He became a member of the Protestant Episcopal church when the diocese of Ohio was organized, and was frequently a member of the diocesan convention, in the time of Bishop Chase, and when the bishop resigned voted to accept his resignation, and also in favor of the election of his successor, Bishop MeIlvaine, whom he esteemed very highly as a great and good man. Bishop Chase speaks of him very kindly in his " Reminiscences," published several years before his death, and both of the bishops were always his welcome guests in their diocesan visitations. He was a very earnest and devoted member of that communion, aud organized a parish and built a church in the neighborhood of his residence, and in the grave-yard attached to it his remains now repose. His wife survived him several years, and died at the age of eighty-four, June 12, 1856, and was laid by his side.

ELIJAH CROSBY

was born in East Haddam, Middlesex county, Connecticut, on the 14th day of February, 1805. He is a younger brother of Levi Crosby. The subject of the present sketch was married on the 10th of October, 1831, to Elizabeth L., daughter of Deacon Erastus and Lydia Williams Chester, formerly of Colchester, New London county, Connecticut, and who arrived in Rome township, this county, on June 1, 1827, where the father died on March 9, 1877, and the mother, August 30, 1857. Mr. Elijah Crosby has held many township offices, and has filled them with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constitu- ents. This couple became members of the Presbyterian church in 1831, and have been since that time active and consistent members. The occupations of his life have been that of house-building, which avocation he followed during the early years of his life, and farming, of which class he has for years been an in- dustrious and honored member. Is in politics thoroughly Republican. The children of Mr. Crosby, with dates of birth and marriage, are given below, viz. : Lydia A., born December 23, 1832, married to J. W. Springer, June 3, 1861 ; Frank E., born July 29, 1834, married to Emma Wood, September 12, 1863; Orietta M., born August 5, 1836, married Oliver Smith, August 31, 1856; Elliot M., born February 28, 1839, married Betsey Crowell, August 20, 1865, died January 5. 1876; Albert C., born January 24, 1842, married Sylvia Fobes, December 23, 1870 ; Sarah E., born June 2, 1844, married E. J. Crowell, De- cember 16, 1866 ; Phebe C., born February 22, 1847, died October 29, 1876, unmarried ; Alice L., born April 22, 1850 ; Carrie J., born November 18, 1856, married E. H. Stiles, December 25, 1877.

LEVI CROSBY,

a fine view of whose farm, residence, and pleasant surroundings, with portraits, appears in another portion of this work, was born in East Haddam, Middlesex county, Connecticut, on the 2d day of April, 1803. His father, Elijah Crosby, was born in the township and county above given, May 13, 1764. His mother was Phobe Church, and the date of her birth was October 7, 1767. They were married October 31, 1787, and settled in Rome township in the month of August, 1806. Here the father died July 30, 1835, and the mother, July 30, 1846. The subject of the present sketch was, on the 28th day of February, 1832, united in marriage to Miss Sarah Leonard, whose place of nativity was Warren, Herki-

# Prepared by Hon. John Crowell, Cleveland, Ohio.

45,697

RES. OF ELIJAH CROSBY, ROME TP. ASHTABULA Co., 0.

221

HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO.

mer county, New York. The result of this marriage was four children ; the dates of whose several births are as follows : Giles II., born January 19, 1833, married October 5, 1862; Dwight L., born November 21, 1835, married November 16, 1864 ; Maria J., born March 16, 1840, married January 2, 1863; and Jane E., who was born on the 10th day of October, 1844, and was married on the 24th day of September, 1866. The wife of Levi Crosby died in January, 1846, and on December 8, 1851, he was again married, to Mrs. M. C. Willey. After the death of his father, Levi was appointed agent for the sale of the lands yet re- maining unsold in Rome township. He was for many years engaged in the mer-

cantile and produce business in connection with farming, but of late has given up everything else and is, as he expresses himself, " only an honest tiller of the soil." He is eminently worthy of a place among the pioneer fathers of Ashtabula County, and has ever been foremost in promoting the general growth of his adopted home. In politics Mr. Crosby is a stanch Republican, having been first a Free-Soiler and afterwards a Whig. Giles H., the eldest son of this gentleman, has turned his attention somewhat to inventing. Is the patentee of the iron-bob sled bearing his name, and has recently obtained letters patent on a buggy wheel, which is quite superior, we believe, in some respects to anything that has preceded it.

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP.

ORIGINALLY this township was included in the limits of Ashtabula, and it was not until January 7, 1838, that the territory now under consideration was, by order of the county commissioners, detached from that township, and created a new one, to be known as township No. 12 of the third range.

ORGANIZATION.

On July 4, 1838, this township was regularly organized and an election for township officers held, the result of which is shown by the following copy of the poll-book used on the occasion : " At a meeting of the electors of Plymouth township holden at the house occupied for school purposes, standing near the resi- dence of Russel A. Smith, in said township, on the 4th day of July, A.D. 1838, Robert Seymour, Samuel Burnet, and Josiah Allen were chosen judges, and Levi P. Blakeslee and Wells Blakeslee clerks of said election, who, being duly sworn according to law, proceeded to elect the following township officers : Samuel Burnet, Andrew Willey, and William Stewart, trustees; Levi P. Blakeslee, township clerk ; Bennet Seymour, treasurer; Elias C. Upson and William Foster, overscers of poor ; Joseph Mann, James Hall, and Solomon A. Simons, fence-viewers ; Merrit M. Mann, constable; Samuel Burnet, William Stewart, Joseph Mann, Bennet Seymour, Solomon A. Simons, Elias C. Upson, and Merrit M. Mann, as supervisors." (The number of electors is not given. )

The first justice of the peace was Warner Mann, who was elected on the 9th day of November, 1838, his commission bearing date November 26, 1838. This election was held at the house of the justice elect. Mr. Mann was succeeded by Josiah Allen, and he by Wells Blakeslee. Previous to the expiration of Mann's commission, however, a second justice was ordered for the township, and Daniel Hubbard was the first to fill the office. Levi P. Blakeslee succeeded him, and was in turn succceded by Samuel Burnet.

This township was originally owned by Nehemiah Hubbard, of Middletown, Middlesex county, Connecticut, Hon. Matthew Hubbard, who located in Ashtabula in 1804, being agent for the proprietor.

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS

within the present limits of the township were as follows: In 1804 or 1805, William Thompson and Thomas McGahhe, with families, located on lot number five. In the spring of 1806, Samuel White began improvements on two hundred acres upon the north line of the township. Fitz' woolen-factory was subsequently established on this lot, which is now owned by Ezra Bonnell, who has in process of erection a grist-mill, on the old factory site. David Burnet settled on lot number twelve, also in spring of 1806; this lot was afterwards owned by Wells Blakeslee; Oliver Gary is the present occupant. Both White and Burnet came from Hubbard, Trumbull county. In 1807, Thomas Gordon purchased two hundred and forty acres in lot number six, and in the spring of 1808 took pos- session of the same with his family. William Foster, of Sacket's Harbor, New York, arrived in the township in 1810, locating on lot number ten. His mode of transit was by small boat to Ashtabula,-at Niagara Falls he hired a team to haul his boat some seven miles around the falls. Captain Moses Hall emigrated from Connecticut in 1811, and began the life of a pioneer on the northwest cor- ner lot. In the year 1811 a number of families arrived from Plymouth Hollow, Litchfield county, Connecticut, and settled in this township. They were, so far as we are able to learn at so late a date, Zadoc and Warner Mann, John and Ashur Blakeslee, Lynus Hall, Titus Seymour, David Warren, and Elias C. Upson. There are doubtless others, but whose names we have been unable to obtain.

The first log house was crected in 1804 or 1805, on lot number five, by William Thompson, the " oldest inhabitant," who removed from the township in the year 1807.

The first orchard was planted by Samuel White in the spring of 1807. It was located on his farm, near the pond, and consisted of forty trees. They first bore fruit in 1811, which was, without doubt, the first produced within the terri- tory composing the townships of Plymouth and Ashtabula. Captain Moses Hall was, we believe, the owner of the orchard at this time, and it is said he distributed nearly the entire yield of the orchard among the sick of the township.

ROADS.

Upon the first settlement of the Plymouth pioneers, the only road was the " girdled" one laid out by the Connecticut land company, running from Kelloggs- ville, via Sheffield, through Plymouth, and west through Saybrook, Austinburg, etc., terminating at or near Cleveland. The first road authorized by the county commissioners, after Plymouth became a separate township, was in June, 1842, which began on the Jefferson and Ashtabula road, at William Willard's northwest corner, thence east on lot lines to Denmark road.

March, 1844, another road was surveyed, running from William Stewart's, northeast and north, to the road south of Amos Moses in Kingsville.

March, 1850, the last one was established, from the southwest corner of the township north to the turnpike, and from the west line of the township, at the northwest corner of lot number eighty, easterly to the plank-road.

TOPOGRAPHY.

Much of the western portion of the township is of high rolling ground, while in the southern part extensive marshes prevail, the largest of which is some three miles in length, and averaging, perhaps, three-quarters of a mile in width ; its waters, flowing westerly, are discharged into Grand river, in Austinburg. South of the " Big marsh" lie two smaller ones, which are separated by a natural road- way, over which the mail was carried to Jefferson until the opening of the Franklin division of the Lake Shore railroad. The waters of these two marshes flow, one easterly, into Ashtabula creek, the other westerly, into Grand river.

STREAMS.

These, aside from Ashtabula creek, which forms a portion of the northern boundary of the township, are Hubbard's run, which rises principally from springs in Saybrook, and forms another part of the northern boundary, uniting with Ashtabula creek, about one mile southeast of the village of Ashtabula. Smith creek, which heads in the southern part of the township, runs easterly, uniting with the waters of "Little marsh," and finally reaches Ashtabula creek in Sheffield.

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History of Ashtabula County, Ohio, Part 86

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.) Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : Williams brothers Number of Pages: 458

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 458