History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio, Part 69

Author: Williams Brothers
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 443

USA > Ohio > Lake County > History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio > Part 69
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio > Part 69

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

a name now supposed to stand for no place in any world. This gave place to Texas, and in time it came to be known as " Fullertown."

At a day too late to be more than mentioned, Marsena Worrallo came over to Newbury from Willoughby to the centre, built, opened a store of goods and whisky, built a small tavern; when other settlers, the Chases, the Clarks, and Bittles and others, settled west and north of him. Some were in those parts long before.

Many valuable and useful families came later,-the Haydens, Evanses, Hawses, Cuttlers, Gardners, Reuben K. and William Munn, McNishes, and others,-who cannot be called pioneers, and are not within the scope of this chronicle; Ira Kinney, in Fullertown, the Potters, Elijah Hawse, the Shaws and Cranes brought in many of the most excellent people of Newbury.

ORGANIZATION.

Newbury remained a part of Burton till set off and erected into a township by itself, by order of March, 1817, which directed them to hold their first election at Punderson's house, on the first Monday of the following April.

On assembling Lemuel Punderson was chosen moderator, and thereupon Lem- uel Punderson, Solomon Johnson, and Joshua Burnett were elected judges of the election. The same men were also elected township trustees. John Cobb was elected township clerk ; Thos. Manchester and Hamlet Coe overseers of the poor. Poor old Coe came himself to need help in his old age, and Manchester was never rich. Eliph. Gay and Moses Bradley, fence-viewers; Seth Johnson, appraiser and lister; John Bacheldor, appraiser ; John P. Smith and John Cobb, supervisors of roads ; Benj. Hobert, constable; Josh. M. Burnett, treasurer ; Lem- uel Punderson, justice of the peace, the first, and his commission bears date May 19, 1817. Of this first list not a man survives. Of those not to be elsewhere men- tioned, Moses Bradly, a brother of Bildad and Niger, did not use to wear hat or shoes ; was a carpenter; bought a farm on the State road south ; married a daugh- ter of Nathan Parks ; came to be quite well off ; was melancholy at times. His youngest daughter, a bright, smart woman, lives at the old homestead. Smith became captain, a justice of the peace, and had four wives. Hobert, of whom many things used to be said showing austerity of character, and other qualities on the father's side, early moved to Southington. He was the only Presbyterian in Newbury for many years.

I attach a list of the officers for 1878: M. H. Dutton, Perry Morton, J. B. Lawrence, trustees; Edward Bosworth, clerk ; Henry Bosworth, treasurer ; E. J. Jinks, assessor; W. C. Blair and W. R. Munn, constables; Edwin Bosworth and Gaius Munn, justices of the peace.

Most of these are sons of pioneers. Dutton is of a good Auburn family. The Bosworths are sons of Harmon Bosworth, and Lawrence a son-in-law. All are of the better, good average of middle-life citizens.

So far as I can ascertain Evelina Royse was the first child born in Newbury of European blood. Samuel Punderson, born July 11, 1812, is thought, by his sister, to have been born in Newbury, and, as she thinks, his mother claims him as the first birth. I think this is an error. The better impression is that he was born in New Haven. The second son, Daniel, may have been the first male birth, February 6, 1814.

EARLY MARRIAGES.

Of Newbury people I find this record of their early marriages, which may be of interest.

Theodore Royce and Clarissa Parks, by Esquire Hickox, February 14, 1809 (St. Valentine's day), at Burton. Eliphalet Gay and Calista Burnett, September 14, 1816, by John Ford, justice of the peace ; a granddaughter of J. M. Burnett says this ceremony was performed in Newbury. Henry Burnett and Hannah Wilbor, November 21, 1816, by the same. These appear by the record to have been in Burton, but Burton then included Newbury, and this, like the former, was undoubtedly in Newbury. Josiah Burnett, son of J. M. Burnett, and Didama Johnson, daughter of Solomon Johnson, June 21, 1818, by Lemuel Punderson, in Newbury. This was after the township organization and legal name. Elisha Talcott and Urana Johnson, December 3, 1818, by Rev. Luther Umphrey, in Newbury. Mrs. Talcott was a sister of the late Hopkins Johnson, of Burton, Levi Savage and Thriphena Alexander, February 24, 1820, by Lemuel Punder- son, justice of the peace; she was a daughter of Justin Alexander. Benjamin Hosmer and Orinda Robinson, April 11, 1820, by Punderson. At this wedding Jerry Evans first met Laura Munn. Levi Patchin and Emeline Fowler, Sep- tember 28, 1820, by Jonathan Brooks, justice of the peace, Burton. The bride was a daughter of Isaac Fowler, who came into Burton in 1798. See settlement of Burton. Seth Johnson and Saloma Curtis, March 18, 1821, by Punderson, justice of the peace. Miss Curtis was " brought up" and brought out by Dr. and Mrs. Long, of Cleveland. Jotham Houghton and Clarissa Loveland, May 6,

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1821, by Punderson, justice of the peace. Jeremiah Evans and Laura Munn, February 24, 1822, by Punderson, justice of the peace.

All of these were young, bright, hopeful people of that town. Many of the brides were beautiful girls; something more will be said of some of them. In passing I may say of the brides I think Calista Burnett is living at an advanced age, as the widow Parker. Gay died at forty-nine. Henry Burnett and Hannah Wilbor live in Russell. Diodama Johnson passed away, but Josiah, the bridegroom, survives. Elisha Talcott and Urana Johnson-she the faithful mother of a large family- died long ago. Elisha then married a shrew, became unhappy, and they parted. He died years ago. The house they built, the farm they made is in the hands of strangers, and look strangely. The Talcotts were faithful Methodists. Orinda Robinson, the mother of a family, died at ripe years. Benjamin Hosmer married again. See Troy. Levi Patchin lived to advanced years, moved to Chardon, and died. Seth and Saloma are both with the spirits, but have many descendants. See the Johnsons. Jotham Houghton survives Clarissa, well in the decline of life. Jeremiah Evans died at a ripe age. Laura survives. See sketch.

SCHOOLS.

The first school in Newbury was on the State road (South Newbury), in the log house of J. M. Burnett, the summer before he occupied it, and taught by Chloe Humphrey, of whom I know nothing more. The first school-house was of logs, just south of the Spring brook, near the old Parker hotel, on the south side, and here Loviza Bosworth kept the first school, of whom I know as little. Hamilton Utley taught the first winter school here, in 1818-19. Miss E. Fisher is my authority for these two teachers, and also that Amariah Wheelock taught in the new framed school-house, built, as she says, in 1821. She seems accurate in early history. E. J. Jenks fixes the erection of this house in 1820, on the authority of Harry Burnett.

There is question whether at other points the second school was in the Uri Hickox district or the west part. I think the latter, and it was kept by Polly Young (Mrs. J. G. Stockman), and H. Utley kept the first winter school there. A framed school-house was built there in 1828, and Aberdeen Smith kept the first school in it. The first school in the central, afterwards the first district, was in the winter, and kept in one part of Jonah Johnson's log house, by Daniel Houghton, a brother of Jotham, now living in Russell. The next summer and fall a log house was built on the southeast corner of Thomas Riddle's land, and Seth Johnson undertook the school, which he gave up after three weeks, when Merrill Squire took charge of it. A framed house was erected there, in 1829 or 1830, and Dr. O. W. Ludlow taught there two winters.

I cannot give the beginning of the schools in the Uri Hickox district. They had a good house there at an early day, in which Hamilton Utley taught school in 1826 or 1827. At the centre a framed school-house was built to begin with, and George W. Riddle must have kept the first or second winter school in it.

Newbury has always been quite in the front rank of townships in the matter of education, and has at different times had many select schools. Her school property now is in good repair. The present number of her children within school ages is one hundred and fifteen males and one hundred and six females,- a total of two hundred and twenty one.

PREACHERS-CHURCHES.

The Rev. Thomas Punderson, Episcopalian, of New Haven, a cousin of Lemuel, preached the first regular sermon on the Sabbath, in 1817, and in the first framed barn built in Newbury. The barn, newly roofed, is sound. Of the congregation gathered from several settlements all have passed to the world of sleepers except, perhaps, Harry Burnett, his wife, and brother Josiah. I don't learn that the old missionary, Badger, ever visited Newbury. Rev. Luther Um- phrey occasionally preached there. The people were not noted for early piety, or orthodoxy, early or late. Gentle, kind-hearted Justin Alexander, a Restora- tioner, as they were called, used to preach early and often, and Peletiah Adams, connected with the Uphams, early came to his side for a time. Later a Mr. Jones, of Mantua, and then Mr. Bigalow, a noted man of that faith, came and preached, as did St. Clair, a Universalist; and later still Mr. Wadsworth and Mr. Tracy ; and still later Father Doloff, an able and persuasive reasoner. Ebe- nezer Williams and Mr. Doolittle, of the same faith, sometimes preached there, and while there was little organization, the course of the religious sentiment was with them. There was Vene Stone, the Miners, of Chester, Evans, the Uphams, Utleys, Riddles, Johnsons, the Coes, and early the Burnetts, Fullers, with the Auburns, Snows, and others who held to these notions. For years these gave Newbury a decided unorthodox reputation. On the other hand, John Bacheldor, Apollus Hewit, the Talcotts, Bosworths, Aneplias Green, Cutler Tyler, and stiff-headed Rufus Black, and the gentle-spirited daughter of Lemuel Punderson, representing all shades of orthodoxy, stood firm for the older faith. The Methodists made

their usual exertions, and secured important accessions. Among them R. K. Munn and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Jenks, the elder Burnetts, Gays, and others, while the Congregationalists always had a following, as did the Baptists, especially after the arrival of Elijah Haws.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

was organized April 15, 1832, by Rev. Chester Chapin, with the following mem- bers: Gideon, Ebenezer, Jemima, and Sarah Russel, John and Sarah Batcheldor, Pamelia and Polly Barker, Amplias Green, Rufus Black, widow Wilson and Mrs. Wilson. Meetings were held in school-house standing on the site now occupied by tannery in South Newbury a part of time, balance in Russell, at private houses. After the erection of the Methodist Episcopal church they met there alternate Sabbaths, until 1851, when the present brick church at South Newbury was erected. This is two stories, upper occupied by church, lower for select school, formerly some eighty scholars, but now considerably less. The ministers have been Revs. D. Witter, N. Latham, S. W. Pierson, H. Matson, N. Slater, S. S. Scott, and E. D. Taylor, the present pastor. The membership is thirty. Church officers : H. P. Green, deacon ; J. Way, clerk; John Punderson, John Watterton, and Lewis Way, trustees; Milo Hardy, superintendent Sabbath-school.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

was organized in 1832, with David Walker, Susan Wilson, Elisha Talcott, Nestor Young and wife, and Mrs. J. G. Stockman. From this beginning the church may be said to have had a vigorous existence, and came to number some of the best families of the township. In 1842 they erected their church edifice, a mile south of the centre. With this church is a flourishing Sunday-school.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH

was organized July 27, 1832, with Elijah and Sarah Haws, Parley Wilder, Mr. and Mrs. Orlean Daggett, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Lucy Bosworth, and Mrs. Mehita- ble Shaw as members. In 1845 they united with the Universalists, and built a neat church structure at the centre. Elder Stephenson, Elder Elliott, and others were among their earlier preachers.

A small band of these Christians (Disciples), under the lead of Hon. Anson Mathews, a resident and merchant at South Newbury, erected what is known as the Union chapel, aided by outsiders. A grange, organized in 1876, of small membership, meets in this chapel semi-monthly.

A women's suffrage club, with a membership of seventy, was organized many years ago. It has always been managed by women with ability and spirit, and has helped to make South Newbury a lively place.

THE UNIVERSALISTS

have continued to have preaching in the later years. Rev. S. P. Carlton, Mr. Canfield, and other men have from time to time preached to them; many of them able men.

In 1828 or 1830, the first temperance organization was formed on the old platform of that movement. Almon Riddle was president of the first society. Elisha Talcott and Rufus Black were older practical advocates. Black raised a house without whisky in 1825 or 1826, as did Talcott also.

The different newer orders have since flourished there. The Sons of Temperance, who built a hall at the centre, also a lodge at South Newbury, who meet in the In- dependent chapel. Of these orders a great picnic was holden near the centre, in August, 1878, with a large attendance from the surrounding country.

I think the first Punderson & Hickox mill was a framed structure. Punder- son built the first framed barn. Joshua M. Burnett built the first framed house in 1819, and the second framed barn earlier. Hill, of Burton, was the master- mechanic of the house. Punderson's house must have been the second, built in 1820. He also built what is still called the new barn, which stands across the road from the house, the same year. Cutler Tyler was a carpenter, and worked on these buildings, and, I think, was master-mechanic.

The Punderson mills were the first, grist-mill running in 1810, and saw-mill, 1817. The Munns built a saw-mill soon after their arrival in Newbury, which was rebuilt in 1826 or 1827, and run many years. No vestige now remains of mill or dam. Above this, on the same creek, Elijah Haws set up a shop with machinery. The Fuller mill was started in 1821. The stones for this were made in Burton, by Parks. In 1829 or 1830, Harry Burnett and Ithel Wilbor . built a grist- and a saw-mill six miles below Munn's mill, on the same creek, also a still. The mills were not long continued. Samuel and Nathan Robinson bought the still and ran it several years. Dudley Loveland, Jr., had a grist-mill at some time on some stream, which I cannot locate, though I think it was on the Coes Creek branch of the Chagrin.

Abiather Alexander built a saw-mill on the creek below the old Coe fulling- mill, which still stands, and may run at times.

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During these last years, Elmer Riddle, grandson of Thomas Riddle and Wm. Hodges, grandson of Simeon Hodges, built, and successfully ran a steam saw- mill and box-shop, west of the centre, which is now under the control of Hodges and others. Riddle removed to Chardon, where he opened a lumber- yard.

Punderson & Hickox started the first still, and sent whisky up the lake at an early day. The still ceased, probably before the death of Punderson, in 1822. Amos Parker built one early, nearly opposite his tavern-stand, set up long after- wards, and David Bruce came from Madison, in 1820, and went into company with him. Later, Ansel Savage started one at the west part, which ran success- fully many years, followed by Wilbor & Burnett's and Robinson's.

J. M. Burnett built and ran the first tavern. The branching horns of an elk were the well-known sign. The next was opened by Uri Hickox, a stage-house, where he lived. Years after, the Burnett tavern gave place to Amos Parker's. Parker was a son-in-law. Later his was burnt, and a larger one built. Detroit Burnett built another just south. Alanson Knox opened one at his residence on the State road, and in 1838 or 1839 Manning Shumway built one at North Newbury, as did Worrallo another at the centre, and later Willoughby opened another there about the same time. There is now no hotel or tavern in Newbury.

Hiram Colton brought the first dry goods into Newbury in 1824 or 1825, when he became a settler on the Charles Woodward place. Asahel Utley, a brother of Hamilton, brought the next lot a little later. Abiathar Alexander set up a little store in his father's house in the west part, in 1825 or 1826, and ran an ashery. This was the first store in Newbury. A. C. Gardner set up a large store about 1830, on the State road, South Newbury, and did a large business for many years. Later the firm of Gardner, Hayden & Weston, and then Doolittle & Weston, and others succeeded. Elbridge Hayden sold goods many years in the latest Parker tavern-house, as did E. W. Johnson in the old Burnett tavern- house. Shumway opened a store at North Newbury, a little before he opened his hotel, and Worrallo and others had a store at the centre. Samuel McNutt once had a little grocery at Fullertown. I think Mrs. Burnett and William Hodges are now the only sellers of goods and groceries in Newbury.

Sibley was perhaps the first blacksmith. Roswell Rice and Thomas Billings must have been early,-all at the State road. Later the Perry brothers had a large shop quite opposite Parker's. Alvin Hyde ran, or let it stand still, a shop out west, as did Parley Wilder one over near David Walker's. Olds had a shop near Uri Hickox's in 1826 or 1827. Robert Mitchell established one at North Newbury, as did William Chase one at the centre. Dow Austin set up another there, and Byington helped him. Woodin, Owen, Joe Gilbert, and old Piper have all hammered iron and disappointed customers in Newbury.

I don't know who first made shoes on the State road. We used to go over to John Cook's, in Burton, for both leather and shoes. Augustus Gilbert, who established a tannery on the State road, at an early day made shoes there, and had a fine workman,-Alpheus Haws. Marble Weaver ran a shop down there later, as have Sol Burnett and others. Jonas Ward was a good shoemaker, and the first I remember, and later John Robinson worked a shop near the Munn homestead for years, as did Henry Utley afterwards. John Ferris, on Music street, would make a basketful of shoes in a day, and mend all that came back the next day.

I have referred to Coe and Fuller. At an early day Herindean had a card- ing-machine and cloth-dressing, east and north of Uri Hickox's, and Daniel Houghton worked with him. With this may be placed Adonijah Bradley's water-lathe and shop of the old time, and the shop of the Ober brothers, on the south road of later years, now departed.

John Earl, born in Massachusetts, July 21, 1774, died at Newbury, June 1, 1826, at forty-two. A relative of the Johnsons, Cobbs, Mortons, and Hough- tons; was one of the most ingenious mechanicians that ever lived. Through many years of dying he constantly worked. He made all manner of musical instruments, from a bass drum to a bass viol, and all possible implements of use, both of wood or metal. He invented a thing, made the tools to make it with, and worked it out. His sons, Albert and John M., had much of his ingenuity. These and the daughter, Mrs. N. Manchester, are all dead. It is said his father, hearing of the wool-carding of England, went there, got access to a shop, watched, noted, made drawings, came home, and set running the first carding-machine in America.

Solomon Johnson, Jr., worked with him, and after his death, set up a shop for similar work, near his father's house, where much useful work was done for many years.

COOPERS.

John Earl made the first cooper-work. Then came Nathan Wilson, whose water-pails, tubs, and buckets, were well made. The Coles, father and son, had a shop near Dan Punderson's. Baker had one farther south. Sylvester Black made

barrels, and he and Willoughby made all manner of sap-buckets, and things name- less. James Russell has for many years done good work east of the centre.

Of carpenters, Tyler and Wilbor were the first. Later, Merrick, Almon, and John Riddle became noted house-, barn-, and church-builders in Newbury and the surrounding country. Many of the neat church edifices were built by John.

John Jackson had a carriage-shop on the State road, and Andrew Burnett a tailor's shop, at the same time, many years ago; and Jonas Alshouse, a harness- shop, about the same time.

A foundry was erected by Messrs. Bosworth & Lawrence in 1859 or 1860, and was located perhaps half a mile east of the centre. November 20, 1865, Mr. Julius J. Smith purchased the building and a portion of the tools. He re- moved it to lot fifteen, where he has conducted the business until the present. He has added engines and machinery. General business, the making of plows, but does all kinds of custom cutting.

The cheese-factory at South Newbury was established by A. B. Hale, and is now operated by Messrs. Harrison & Tuttle, who purchased property in February, 1878, for two thousand seven hundred dollars. Patronage, four hundred cows; make both cheese and butter. In the western part of the township another fac- tory is owned by Messrs. Meech & Davis, and at the centre one owned by Baker, each making cheese and butter.

A tannery at South Newbury, worked by John Reeves, was built some thirty- five years since; owned by Henry Hodges.

Cyrus Foot has a grocery at the same point, with a shoe-shop in connection. Mrs. P. M. Burnett, postmistress, has also a grocery ; likewise Miner Luther.

Dr. Burnett was the first physician. Dr. Justin Scott was many years a prom- inent practitioner; ruined by unfortunate habits. Secretary Rawson practiced there several years. Dr. Palmer was there two or three years, as was Dr. Russell. Dr. Edwin W. Cowles, father of Edwin Cowles, editor of the Leader, also prac- ticed there. Later came Dr. Ludlow, who was followed by Dr. Burlingame. Dr. Hickox has resided there since. Dr. Fisher and Dr. Bell both have lived and practiced there.

Newbury has always been a healthy region, and her people now send else- where for medical aid.

I adhere to the early use of the word burying-places in preference to the foreign term " cemetery." Of these there are three; one at South Newbury, on the eastern margin of the mill-pond, sloping towards the west and water, which is the most considerable of the three, known to me, in the township, and the first estab- lished. For many years it has been neatly kept.

The one in the west part was laid out early, receives fewer of the late inter- ments, and is much neglected. In these two sleep the remains of nearly all the pioneers whose names are found in this sketch. The first interment in the west part was Marsena Munn, a suicide.

There is another at the centre, very well kept up, which has a soldiers' monu- ment.

Lemuel Punderson was the first postmaster, and continued to be till his death, in 1822. After his death, D. T. Bruce may have had temporary charge of the office. I think Thomas Billings was the next, who held it till it was transferred to Gardner's store. Mrs. Burnett, youngest daughter of J. M., is the present incumbent. This office, formerly Newbury, was changed to South Newbury on the establishment of a post-office at North Newbury, and hence the " State road" of an earlier day came to be called by the same name.

Manning Shumway was the first postmaster at North Newbury; was succeeded by Asa Cowles. The office and place were long since discontinued. There is a post-office at the centre, called Ford, in honor of Governor Ford; and W. Bul- lock, the only Democrat within miles of the place, was appointed postmaster by Mr. Pierce, though he was never inside the office, which was run by the young Herricks, merchants there at the time.

I am unable to give the population of a census earlier than 1850, when it was 1253; in 1860, 1048, and had one colored person ; in 1870, 861, one of which was colored. Of this last number, 28 were of foreign birth,-a falling off of 392 in twenty years. I think this is one of the largest numerical, though not the largest relatively, of the townships. The reader will find some observations on this matter in the history of Russell.

SUICIDES.

There is a sad record of suicides to be noted in the history of Newbury, begin- ning with her early settlement. The first was Marsena Munn, in 1820, followed by that of Stephen Patterson, a few years later, a very young man. Some years intervened, when young Bradly Way committed suicide under the elms at the foot of Punderson's pond. These used rifles; the two first the same gun. Within the memory of the present younger generation, Anson Reed, a man well to do, with an interesting family about him, hanged himself in his barn.

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History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio, Part 69

Author: Williams Brothers Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages: 443

Author: Williams Brothers
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 443