USA > Ohio > Lorain County > History of Lorain County, Ohio > Part 64
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Alter this we make our way as best we can, over a new road, made among trees and logs, fording Rocky river with our three covered wagons; then all that can, are picking their way on foot to lessen the bur- dens of horses and cattle, until we come to a log house in Colombia, Cuyahoga county. It was nearly dark, but light enough for the first sight inside that log cabin to be remembered. There stood a good moth- erly-looking woman, with short gray hair, making hasty pudding in a goo ] sized brass kettle which made a little pioneer girl laugh. Another day, and we come to Liverpool; only five miles more of unbroken forest, and we arrive at the place where our home was to be.
In Liverpool we stop a few days, while our strong force, consisting of father and brothers, go forward and prepare a road. This was done through the un- derbrush, over logs, and around trees, whose roots in some places serve as a pavement for one side of a muddy swale, wagon wheels sinking in mud, and water on the other, the inmates calling forth, " Oh! oh! don't tip us ont in this terrible place!" " Drive slowly, there's no danger," is the answer; and sure enongh, we near the township line in safety, and make our way as fast as possible, until we reach our shanty shelter, to spend our first November night. in the woods.
"Backward, turn backward, oh time, in your flight, Make me a child again, just for to-night."
The shanty just mentioned was built and occupied during the summer by John Sibley and Daniel Nes- bett, while making small clearings each side the line, between their lots of wild land. They had returned to West Stockbridge, expecting to come again in the spring, which they did. Here. in this only shelter in town, fifteen persons are huddled. Two experi- enced log bonse builders had been hired to oversee the building of the first log house in number four, sixteenth range, thus increasing our family. Not a sign of civilization was found in the twelve by twelve
foot shanty, except an excuse for a bedstead made in one corner, by boring holes in the logs, putting in strong poles for head and foot, two posts supporting the front side, while bark for cord completed this only piece of furniture.
Next morning, every person in town is here before breakfast, and how is my mother going to prepare it, in this awful looking place, this first morning in the woods? In due time, nine men and boys, with broad and narrow axes, driving the patient oxen, with heavy chains bound around their yoke, the two builders tak- ing the lead, start for the spot never to be forgotten, though the foundation marks have long since passed away.
Selections of land had been made the previous sum- mer, by men from different towns in Berkshire county. Number seven was owned by some of the original members of the Connecticut Land Company, and through their agents, many farms in Berkshire were exchanged for wild land, and for many years, every family in the settlement was from Berkshire connty. The dear "old hills " have not faded from memory. My father received in exchange for his farm one thousand and forty acres of land, and a thousand dollars in money. The lots were in differ- ent parts of the township, but the one nearest Liver- pool is decided upon, and the house must be built before the snows of winter fall upon our homeless family. This first house was built on lot number twenty-six, where Daniel Kingsley now resides.
Locating a stranger on this once familiar spot, must not prevent me from noticing an unpleasant affair that occurred during the building of this first house. My brother Joseph, then nineteen years of age, full of hope and courage, who had been working with the rest during the day, started for the shanty, a little in advance, in order to drive home the cows, whose bells were heard in the distance, though not in the direction of the shanty. Ile started from the north side of the blind path, and crossed it unper- ceived. Still traveling, and expecting soon to find the way, he made rapid steps in the wrong direction. Before thinking himself lost. he espied a young bear in a small tree, and with his shot-gun, was about to bring it down, but thinking quickly if the old bear would let him alone he would not disturb her cub, he renewed his steps, -still in the wrong direction. Darkness convinces him that he is lost, and must spend a night of suffering in the lonely forest, with- ont fire or extra clothing. With his shot-gun he could not kindle a fire, and only by constant exertion did he keep from perishing with cold,-sometimes clasping trees, and running swiftly around them. In this manner the coldest night, so far, in that Novem- ber month was passed. Rocky river was frozen over from shore to shore. He afterwards said he felt of his teeth to see if they were not all loose. ITis course had taken him through a wind-fall, two miles south, and nearly impassable under other circumstances. Brambles formed a net work from tree to tree, upon the
Recurson
GRINDALL RAWSON
RESIDENCE OF HENRY B. RAWSON, GRAFTON, LORAIN CO., OH10.
2.7
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
young underbrush, the size of hand-spikes and broom- sticks. The marks upon his face were evidence of suffering. All this could hardly exceed the agony of the family during that sleepless night. My mother thought surely that wild beasts would devour her Jo- seph. Only a few days had we been in the woods, and did not know how numerous or ferocious the wild beasts of the forest might be. The howling wolf had been heard in the distance, the nimble deer had not. yet. been seen. The important tin horn had been over- looked in the onttit for pioneer life. Guns were fired, hallowing of strong voices made a solemn echo through the unbroken stillness. Torches made of hickory bark were lighted and carried quite a distance from the shanty, while voices and guns made the starting point evident. At carly dawn a brother was sent. to Liverpool for a tin horn and men to search for the lost one. But the lost one began to find hin- self as soon as it was light and safe to leave the place where he had kept himself from freezing during the night. He soon found a " hub" or corner and was tracing the marked trees, when a hunter who had gone in pursuit espied him, though each claimed to see the other first; no matter, the lost was found, and on reaching the shanty, hungry and weary, with torn garments and bleeding face and hands, truly there was rejoicing before unknown in that rude shelter.
A pleasant incident occurred next day, which I think was the laying of foundation logs, at right angles, by " Joshua Henshaw," who was passing through on a surveying tour, assuring us we were not out of humanity's reach. The size of this house being built was eighteen by twenty-four feet. A window with nine lights of seven by nine glass in the north side, stick chimney in the east, door in the south and another small window in the west end. "The chimney proves quite a sky-light, sun and moon aslant can be seen, snow, bail and rain sometimes entering in quantities to nearly extinguish fires built upon the ground instead of hearth. The puncheon floor made of split and hewn logs is next laid. Webster does not name, or place, puncheon for floors, but custom did, and pioneers continue to do so in their reminiscences. The door was made from boards of the largest wagon box, called the "Ark" when making our journey. This door, with its wooden trimmings, had a latch-string outside and was never pulled in, even when Goodhurt or Red Jacket wished to enter, and more than once did they find the ample fire-place more comfortable than their solitary wigwam, covered only with bark, and no squaw or pappoose to prepare his food or keep him company. One, after sleeping by our fire, and while eating breakfast by himself, discovered he was not provided with a cup of tea, which called forth this amusing request, " Can't Indian have a plate of tea?" This request was granted, and with seeming relish enjoyed.
Our house was made more comfortable than the
shanty in two weeks' time, when eight of us take possession and call it home. We are now in the best built and furnished house in town, with more canse for gratitude than complaint.
Allow a little nine year old girl to place the furni- ture made by unskilled hands, and some brought from the best room six hundred miles away. We will furnish the first floor by placing two bedsteads, one in each corner, at the west end of the ample room, with a trundle bed under one. These were made by hands unused to work with such tools and timber, sometimes requiring force to make them stand steady long enough to be secured with ropes. These become places of repose for tired nature; " balmy sleep " visited the occupants, and dreams of better days were just as reliable as under other cir- cumstances. The nice looking bureau placed between the bedsteads, with table and stand near by, (relics of better days,) without the aid of Nast made an impressive picture. Chairs were casily counted: two chests made to fit the wagon in which the family rode, covered like settees, now stand on either side of the broad fireplace. Long wooden pins firmly placed in the logs on which shelves, made from the remain- der of wagon box, serve as cupboard for crockery, besides bright. pewter plates and platters of various sizes, pewter basins also, childrens' individual prop- erty, oft filled to overflowing by the same gentle cows from hillside pasture, now cropping browse and herbage in the unbroken forest. Stoutly wrought andirons, slice and tongs, long crane and hooks, take their places and prove as useful as in a New England kitchen.
The old-fashioned clock, made fast to the logs. has resumed its forward march, and with extended hands faithfully marks the passing time, yet more than anything else, constantly reminding of time, and opportunities past, never to return. Only quite re- cently has its time or speed, its marks of comely face, or perfect form, been questioned: when silently its place of usefulness is yielded, and in its stead a more beautiful face and form, with gilded hands and mimbler step, is measuring the flight of time. This same old clock, the first ever heard to tiek in native land, the first pendulum swung in Grafton town- ship, can now be heard and seen in Elyria this first day of January, 1879. Unlike young America is its slow and even step; its clear yet modest tick sometimes stopping entirely, as if asking "how much longer?" receiving in answer, "be patient, old settler, stand at your post to the last. Truth breaks through your faded face, white your worn and battered hands still point in the right direction."
Log house number second is built where I will settle my eldest. brother, Seth C. Ingersoll. with his wife and three little pioneer boys, Ardin, Reuben and Ralph. This was on the lot directly north of my father's, and now owned by Hobart Corning. Seven children were added to their family after coming to Grafton. The first white child born in number four
33
258
HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
was Nancy, eldest daughter of Seth C. Ingersoll, May 18, 1817.
My brother continued to reside upon his farm until his death, which occurred February 15, 1859, aged seventy-two years. His wife died April 30, 1852. in the sixty-tifth year of her age.
I am expected to be brief, but just here I must. linger, while remembering these solitary houses, built. in November, 1816. One only road leads to onr nearest neighbor, five miles distant. We hear of families being seven miles north, twenty miles south, and forty directly west. Our one road must be tray- eled constantly to bring food for thirteen persons. Barrels of flour were brought from Canton, Stark county, and other catables that could be found at Columbia and Liverpool, were obtained at a dear rate. The indispensable bake kettle or oven was before the tire, without a hearth until rough and uneven stone were dug from a creek near by, which improved our condition for cooking. No wonder my mother drooped like a willow, knowing her children must obtain food to keep the wolf from entering the door, from this frost-bound soil and the leatless forest trees, Not. this alone causes sorrow, but the doors of church and school seem forever closed against us. The Sabbath was known by the solemn stillness. The ring of axes and the crash of falling trees were hushed, telling the Sabbath had come, and that in our dear native land, friends were enjoying privileges of which we were deprived. The faded, falling leaves had left sure promise of return in coming spring-time. But distant indeed seems the time when advantages of civilization will be enjoyed in this desolate place. Cheering hope, with great courage and fortitude, overcomes formidable difficulties.
In the month of February, 1817, William B. Crit- tenden and family, from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, come among ns, being the first pleasant company, out of town during the winter. Mr. Crittenden be- comes the first settler at the center of the town, own- ing the southeast corner lot. I want to write the names in full of every person coming to our settlement in 1817. William B. Crittenden, his wife Lydia, oldest danghter Marietta, four years of age: the little boy Henry, now a resident of Grafton. Some inci- dent might be given in connection with every name I shall write. Again are we rejoiced to see covered wagons bringing settlers to join us. This time, the family of Mr. Eliphalet Jones, from Tyringham, Berkshire county, is remembered; Eliphalet, and Polly, his wife, familiarly called Unele Liff and Aunt Polly; their eldest son, Linas, nearly nineteen; Sa- mantha, sixteen; Emeline, twelve (afterward Mrs. Josiah Taylor): John R., always called Riley, aged Dine, now living at Rawsonville; Erastus, seven, re- mained on the spot where log house number four was built until his death in 1827; Harriet, then three years of age, now Mrs. Ashley Root. Mr. and Mrs. Root are the only couple of pioneers remaining in Grafton in 1879-children in 1817.
The next lot west, on the same side of the road, was owned by Elder Robert. Neshett, from West Stockbridge, Berkshire county. This family num- bered nine, besides a lad named Levi Loomis, who came with them. Their names were: Robert Nes- bett, and Mary, his wife; five danghters, named Catharine, Nancy, Mary, Betsey and Sarah; Daniel, who came a few months before the rest of the family, and took possession of the log house built during the winter, for the sum of forty dollars. All this family are buried in the cemetery, near the homestead, where they resided until their death, except Daniel, who died in Elyria.
We now come to the only diagonal road in town. and settle the family of Stephen Sibley, Esq., on lot next west of Nesbett's. This family, too, were from West. Stockbridge, and all adults. Three sons named John, George and Giles; two daughters named Nancy and Mary. John and George soon afterwards make their home two miles south of the center, living in one house; having married twin sisters, they continued as one family until the death of one of the sisters. Descendants, only a few in number, are living in Grafton by the name of Sibley.
Two more families to be settled this spring of 181 ;. which are from West Stockbridge, Mr. Nathan Bonghton and wife, two daughters and a son, named Rhoda, Electa and Guy. Mr. Jonathan Rawson and wife; Mrs. Rawson was youngest daughter of Mr. Nathan Bonghton. Grindall Rawson. brother of Jonathan Rawson, was a member of their family until his marriage. The addition of these families makes forty-two persons in town, all but four on this north street.
The first saw mill was built in the same summer and fall by David Ashley, of Pittsfield, Berkshire county. on the lot owned by Jonathan Rawson, and the only mill privilege on Black river in the township.
Early in. June of that year, while a number of children were picking wild flowers, a stranger was seen approaching, leading his horse, and evidently searching for something. It proved to be the hub, or corner he was looking for. "Children, can you tell me the number of this lot?" "No, sir," one speaks up, but we know who is coming here. Capt. Turner, from Great Barrington; he's got ten children; then we're going to have a school house "-an appropriate truth as we shall see. The stranger's smile indicated his acquaintance with the family. Mr. Turner left his family in Columbia until a small clearing was made, and on the fourth of July, 1817, log house number nine was raised. Mr. Turner was the first blacksmith in the township, and the cheery ring of the anvil was beard early and late for many years. Two only of Mr. Turner's family now reside in Grafton: Mrs. Orville Lyndes and Mrs. Benjamin Corning. Mr. and Mrs. Corning living at the homestead near where the old house stood. Wm. Turner, Jr., and family reside in Elyria. Four children were added to this family after settling in Grafton.
B. Of Morning
It has been appropriately asserted that the life and services of a good man constitute an important part of the history of the community in which he has passed any considerable portion of his time. The career of a self-made man, with the narra- tive of the principal events that led to the successful issue of his various enterprises, to the fulfillment of his hopes, the con- summation of his ains, and the realization of his aspirations, affords a record at once interesting and instructive. The life of him whose name heads this brief sketch offers many features of an excellent nature, and fairly illustrates what well-directed energy, industry, and business taet can and almost invariably does accomplish.
B. S. Corning was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., Nov. 16, 1812. He is the grandson of Bliss Corning, who was born in Massachusetts, Oet. 30, 1763, and at an early day settled in Columbia County, where he continued to reside until his death. The name of B. S. Corning's father was Nathan S., and he was born at Norwich, Conn., in the year 1788, and moved with his father, Bliss Corning, above mentioned, to New York, where he remained until 1834, during which year he and his family removed to Grafton, Lorain Co., Ohio, where he resided until his death.
B. S. Corning was the eldest of thirteen children. As a means of perpetuating their names to posterity, we quote from the family record as follows :
The first of the Cornings in America was Samuel, who was born about 1616, and made a freeman at Beverly, Mass., in 1641.
Nehemiah Corning, born 1717, son of Joseph and great- grandson of Samuel, married Mary, widow of Abner Pride, formerly Mary Richards, Nov. 14, 1745, and had the follow- ing children :
1. Josephi, the oldest, born Oct. 7, 1746; taken by the British during the Revolutionary war and put on board of the Jersey prison-ship at New York, and never was heard from after.
2. Benjamin, born Jan. 22, 1748, a farmer, settled in Vol- untown, in Connecticut ; died in 1827.
3. Amos, born April 27, 1751, and died in 1753.
Nehemiah Corning died Oct. 7, 1797, aged eighty-one. His second wife, Freeborn Bliss, died Nov. 8, 1809, aged eighty- six years.
The heads of the successive generations down to Bliss Corning were as follows: Joseph ; Benjamin, who had three
children,-Lois, Charles, and Joseph ; Mary ; Uriah, married Sophronia Hall, and had eight children, namely, Elias Bliss, Rebecca W., Betsey (died in infancy), Betsey (2d), Jedediah, Amos, Sally B., and Elizabeth Willett.
Bliss Corning was born in 1763, at Preston, Conn., son of Nehemiah, who was from Beverly, Mass. ; he married Lucinda Smith, of Preston, who was born in 1755. Their children were Nathan S., born May 20, 1788; Elisha, born Feb. 17, 1790; Clarissa, born Dec. 7, 1792; Erastus, of Albany, who was a member of Legislature of New York, also a member of Congress, born Dee. 14, 1794; Alexander B., born Jan. 5. 1796; Edwin, born March 16, 1798; Richard S., born July 8, 1800; Eliza, born Sept. 13, 1802, died Oet. 7. 1803; Hannah T., born Vet. 4, 1804; Mary Ann, born Sept. 24, 1806; John H. Corning, born March 10, 1809.
On settling in Ohio, Mr. Corning at once assumed a promi- nent position in township affairs, which position he has ever since retained. At an early day he was engaged as a builder and contractor, which business he followed for about twenty years. Hle then purchased the farm upon which he now lives, located about two and a half miles east of Grafton. On the 10th of April, 1836, he married Miss E. L., daughter of William and Mary Turner. She was born in Massachusetts, Feb. 22, 1811. From this union four children were born, namely, Dwight, born Sept. 23, 1837; Hobart E., born April 19, 1839; floward, born Aug. 1, 1843; and Angelina G., born March 1, 1847.
In 1866, Mr. Corning was elected to the office of county commissioner, and was twice re-elected to the same office, serving in all nine years. He gave very general satisfaction in this important office, as he had always done in minor positions to which the people called him. In politics he is a Re- publican, having joined them in the organization of that party in 1854. Both he and his worthy wife are members of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Grafton, to which they are liberal contributors. The portrait of Mr. Corning appears above this brief sketch, and that of his wife, his companion for more than forty-three years, on the opposite page, both worthy occupants of the places assigned them in the history of the county in which they have lived and labored for nigh half a century. May they live many years to enjoy the esteem of those who know them as at present, and dying at a ripe old age, leave behind them
"Footprints on the sands of time."
MRS. B. S. CORNING.
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HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.
It is now November, and two families have settled near the center. I will mention first Mr. Aaron Root's family, already in their log house, built by their oldest son, Pomeroy, during the summer, one- half mile west of the center. Mr. Root was from Pittsfield, Berkshire county. Mr. Root, while a widower in Pittsfield, with five children, was married to Mrs. Anna West with five children; three became members of Mr. Root's family. They were called Uncle Aaron and Aunt Anna during their life time. Their children's names were Pomeroy, Samuel, Ashley and Mary Root, Caroline, Albert and Clarinda West. The two youngest born to this couple were Frederick and Oliver. Pomeroy joined the family of Shakers in Newburgh more than fifty years ago, and to-day is an honored member of that order; nearly eighty years old. Samuel, the next oldest, was drowned in 1825, living at that time in Pentield. Caroline West, oldest daughter of Mrs. Root, long since passed from scenes of earth, still lives in heart and memory of surviving friends. She was married to Mr. Lathrop Penfield, and resided in Penfield township at the time of her death. Ashley, third son of Mr. Root, is still a resident of Grafton, hale and hearty with mind well stored with historic lore. Albert West, son of Mrs. Root, settled in Grafton, and died there more than thirty years ago. His son, Albert West, Jr., is in a soldier grave made on the southern battle field. Mary, youngest danghter of Mr. Root, married Wm. Kin- ney, of Grafton, fifty-two years ago. Aftor his de- cease in 1849, she became the wife of Mr. Joseph Thompson, of Grafton, and died quite recently. For a number of years Mr. and Mrs. Thompson lived upon the spot where her father's log house stood, so plainly remembered by all survivors. Mr. Thompson died in 1878. Clarinda West, youngest daughter of Mrs. Root, was married to George R. Starr, of Penfield. Mr. Starr has been a resident of Elyria more than forty years, and prominently connected with the mercantile interest of that place. Mrs. Starr died in 1876, sincerely lamented. Mr. George Starr resides in Elyria, in the house built by his father on Broad street.
Mr. Bildad Belden and family, from Hancock, Berkshire county, came in company with Mr. Root, and settled south of the center one half-mile. His father and mother resided with him, making only one family. Mr. and Mrs. Bellen had four children. Minerva, the oldest, then ten years old, is now Mrs. David Merwin, residing in Oberlin. Daniel Belden. late of Grafton, was their only son. Betsey, their second daughter, afterwards Mrs. Clement Stebbins, will be mentioned in another place. Sarah is remem- bered as Mrs. Channeey Baldwin. Mr. Belden brought two colored boys (after giving bonds then required), who proved to be honest, industrions men. Their names were Gabriel and Titus Gunn.
One more log house to be built this month for Jesse Taylor, from Pittsfield, Berkshire county. He brings a family of five children-oldest son, Franklin,
twelve years old, oldest daughter, Sarah Ann, ten, James and Jesse, younger sons, with the baby, Caro- line. Nearly three miles from any house then built, his lot was located; and, after a lonely stay of eighteen months in that place, we find them settled three- quarters of a mile south of the center. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor both died in 1825; Mr. Taylor at the age of forty-one, Mrs. Taylor, thirty-nine.
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