History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 111

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Ohio > Summit County > History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio > Part 111

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).

The Indians then commenced their journey through the woods, carrying their captives on horseback. After pursuing their route three days in a westerly direction, they halted and sent back a war party of about one hundred. After five or six days, the party returned with several scalps, and the horror of the unfortunate captives ean scarcely be imagined, when they discovered among the num- ber, those of Mr. Carter and Mr. Duncan. These men on returning from their labors and seeing the desolation wrought by the Indians, repaired to the nearest white settlement, and procured the aid of forty men, with whom they returned for the cattle, and with the faint hope of recovering the captives. Just as they gained the vicinity of their recent home, they were suddenly surprised by the yell of these savages and by the flight of their arrows. About half of Carter's men instantly deserted, and left their companions to fight the battle as best they could. Yet, though struggling against such fearful odds, these brave men stood their ground, till Car- ter found himself alone-all besides having been

612

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

either killed or disabled. He had stationed himself behind a rock, and still kept up the fire until struck down by the tomahawks of the enemy. Some four or five of those wounded in the early part of the engagement, succeeded in crawling so far into the forest as to elude the subsequent search of their wily foes, and at length reached their homes.

On the return of the Indian warriors to the en- campment, there was great lamentation and mourn- ing among the savages, over those of their number who had fallen in the battle, more than half of the 100 being among the slain. The Indians then re- commenced their march through the woods to the residence of their nation. As nearly as the captives could recollect, they traveled several days diligently in a northwesterly direction, and at length arrived at their place of destination. Here in dark filthy huts, ornamented with the scalps of their parents and friends, separated from each other, did these lonely captives spend the long and tedions winter, in astate of almost perfect starvation. The Indians would never go abroad to obtain new supplies of food so long as one morsel remained, and then some- times returned with little success.

Nathaniel, the youngest of the captives, having from the first been a general favorite with the Indi- ans, was treated by them with great comparative kindness and attention, and with so much success, that the little white stranger soon ceased to mourn his bereavements, and join heartily in the amuse- ments and pastimes which they devised for the pur- pose of diverting him, and making sport for them- selves. Early in the spring they deserted their winter quarters and journeyed toward the lakes. After a tour of several weeks they arrived in the vicinity of Fort Niagara, where Elizabeth and Sarah were ransomed through the negotiations of Sir Will- iam Johnson. But all efforts to obtain Nathaniel were unavailing. No consideration would tempt the Indians to part with him, and, strange as it may appear, he had become so much attached to them that he would not consent to leave them. His sis- ters, after bidding him an affectionate and final farewell, were conveyed to Albany, where their Connecticut friends, being apprised of their ransom, met them, and they soon had the unspeakable grat- ification of once more visiting the home of their nativity, and of finding themselves surrounded by sympathizing friends and relatives. Yet it was long, very long, before they ceased to mourn over the dreadful scenes through which they had passed, and their sad bereavements.

The reader who has followed thus far our narra- tive, may feel an interest to know something of the subsequent history of the captives. Sarah Carter, from her ill treatment and mental sufferings never fully recovered. Though she lived to old age, her in- tellect was permanently impaired; she died in Go- shen, Conn. Elizabeth was married to Mr. Benjamin Oviatt, of Goshen, and died in that town in 1835. Among her children were Mr. Luman Oviatt, of Go- shen; Heman Oviatt, Esq., an enterprising citizen of Hudson, and a liberal patron of the college at that place, more recently a resident of Richfield; Mr. Nathaniel Oviatt and Mr. Salmon Oviatt, of Richfield.

Nathaniel grew up among the Indians, im- bibed their habits, and married one of their daughters. It is a remarkable circumstance that among the articles which the Indians carried away with their captives was a Bible, which they after- ward gave to their young favorite. He had previ- ously learned to read, and by means of this book, which he kept till manhood, he ever retained that knowledge. He died in the Cherokee nation, at the age of about seventy.

Some years later, while the foreign mission school was in operation at Cornwall, Conn., Mr. Isaac Bates, a warm friend of the school, received a letter from a missionary among the Indians, stating that he had sent on to be educated a young half-breed Indian, of fine talents and exemplary piety, named Carter, expressing a wish that he would become ac- quainted with him. An early acquaintance with the young man was sought by Mr. Bates, and great- ly to his surprise he discovered in him a son of the long lost captive. The youth remained at the school some time, frequently visiting his relatives in that vicinity. After completing his studies, he returned to his native country with a view of there preach- ing the Gospel.

The first saw-mill was built in 1818 by John Farnam, about one and one-fourth miles north of the Center, on Furnace Run, near what is now called " Lake John." A few years later, it was moved lower down the creek. In subse- quent years, there were no less than seven saw- mills on Furnace Run at different times, and two saw-mills and one grist-mill in the west part of the township. But the first and most primitive grist-mill was built by Enoch D. Buck. It was made by hollowing out the top of a white-oak stump, and using a pestle worked by a spring-pole to crack or grind the grain.

There are two villages in the township, one at the Center and one (now the largest and most flourishing) about three-fourths of a mile west of the Center, and is called West Rich- field. Between the two villages, and near West Richfield, is a steam grist and saw mill, that has been in successful operation for twenty-three years, owned by A. C. Shepard. The oldest frame building now standing is at the center of Richfield (occupied by S. R. Oviatt), and was built by Gen. O. M. Oviatt in 1820. He also built the store at the center of Richfield in the same year. Two of the old pioneers who assisted in building the store are still living, viz., John Payne and Lester Hall. The following year, the frame houses of John Farnam, John Newton, Salmon Oviatt and Nathaniel Oyiatt were erected. The two latter

613

RICHFIELD TOWNSHIP.

were built by two young men who were car- penters, and who came on foot from Guilford, Conn., in 1820, with their knapsacks, and set- tled for a short time in Brecksville; their names were Martin Chittenden and James W. Weld. A few years later, they settled in Rich- field, and, together with Deacon T. E. Ells- worth, were for some years the building mechanics of Richfield, and were among our most worthy citizens. Deacon T. E. Ellsworth still is living in West Richfield. Mr. Chitten- den served a few years as Justice of the Peace, and died in 1841. James W. Weld, about 1830, built and occupied the first frame hotel (now called the Ellas House) at the center of Richfield. It was the stopping-place for the four-horse stage-coach on its route through

from Cleveland to Massillon. He was Justice of the Peace for a number of years, and a well-read lawyer, although he never practiced at the bar. He was Treasurer of Medina County two years, from 1840 to 1842. He returned to Richfield, and was an active leader in every moral and religious enterprise. He died in March, 1863.

Among those who devoted considerable at- tention to fine fruit, for which Richfield was distinguished in an early day, may be men- tioned the Weltons, Lernan Farnam, J. Humph- rey and Wadhams ; and, at a more recent date, J. W. Weld.

William Wheatly and Robert Garget have paid special attention to Durham cattle, and are among the largest owners in the township. In an carly day, I. T. Welton did much to im- prove the stock of this section. Richfield, although a grazing and farming township, is not without its mechanical industries. Three or four blacksmith-shops, two harness-shops, two carriage and wagon shops, two furniture- shops, two drug stores, two dry goods stores, two hotels, one grocery and meat-market, and one barber-shop are among its business indus- tries.

Richfield contains four churches, viz., Con- gregational, Methodist Episcopal, Baptist and United Brethren. The first church organiza- tion was effected May 15, 1818, under the name of the " Church of Christ," and is now known as the " First Congregational Church of Richfield." It was organized by two mission- aries, viz., Rev. William Hanford and Rev. John Seward, from Portage County, with the

following members : Elijah Welton and Han- nah, his wife; Isaac Welton and Anna, his wife ; Stephen Pixley, Newcomb Carter, Bird- sey N. Oviatt, Augustus Adams (now living), Mary Oviatt, wife of Salmon Oviatt, Sarah Sturtevant, wife of Bradford Sturtevant, and Lydia Carter. Newcomb Carter was the first Clerk, and he and Isaac Welton the first Church Committee. Meetings were occasionally held under the auspices of Missionaries Sew- ard and Hanford until November 2, 1820, when Revs. J. Treat and Israel Shaler, as mission- aries, officiated. Rev. Israel Shaler was duly installed the first Pastor of the " Church of Christ " April 24, 1821, and Stephen Pixley elected the first Deacon August 30, 1822. The church formerly united with the Grand River and Portage Presbytery February 18, 182.4. In April, 1837, it united with the Western Reserve Congregational Association at Ober- lin. April 1, 1833, the First Congregational society, of which this church formed a part, was "incorporated " and organized. It hired the Rev. Horace Smith as its Pastor until 1849, and again from April, 1854, to April, 1860. Rev. S. C. Leonard occupied the pulpit from 1849 to April, 1854, and Rev. Reuben Hateh from 1860 to 1863. From August, 1864, to the present time, Rev. J. A. Mckinstry has supplied the pulpit. The church building was erected in 1832, and is still in good condition.

The first Methodist church building erected was raised and inclosed in 1822, but not fin- ished for many years, and was burned in 1852. It was succeeded by the present beautiful building, nearly west of Richfield, with a flour- ishing society worshiping therein. The Baptist Church, built at West Richfield in 1838, is still in good condition, and has sustained religious services most of the time since its erection. The Church of the United Brethren, in south- east Richfield, is a large and flourishing churchi, with a new building, recently erected, called the " Centennial Church."

The old Richfield Academy is worthy of mention. It was built in 1836, and was in successful operation for about thirty-five years ; then, yielding to the modern free-school sys- tem, it passed away with other relics of the pioneer days. Under the administration of Rev. Harvey Lyon, who was its Principal for many years, it stood in the foremost rank of the academical institutions of the West. From

614

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

its spacious halls, where " studious lore was conned," went forth many of our practical business men. Teachers in vast numbers, students for college, merchants, mechanics. surveyors, etc., etc., here received their educa- tion and the foundation for their higher honors.

Richfield was one of the foremost townships in Summit County in establishing a township library. Such an organization was made in 1825, under the supervision of Dr. Rawson. It contained at one time several hundred volumes of the best standard works to be obtained, and was well sustained and patronized until re- cently, when our common and high school libraries have superseded it.

Among the historical incidents of Summit County, and one which attaches to Richfield Township, possessing more than a passing in- terest to its citizens, is the great sleigh-ride of 1856. The following is the substance of this memorable event, as taken from a recent news- paper article : The winter, like the one just past (1880-81), was one of unusal severity, with much snow, which lay on the ground until far into the spring. Upon a certain occasion dur- ing the winter, a border township turned out quite a number of four-horse sleighs, while one of the number bore a rude banner made of cot- ton, a yard square, upon which was painted a negro boy with his thumb upon the end of his nose, his hand spread out, and a scroll from his mouth bearing the legendary words, " You can't come it." This friendly challenge brought other townships into competition, and the rude banner passed as a prize, from one to another, as it was captured by a larger number of four or six-horse (none other counted) sleighs than had been turned out by the predecessor, until it finally became the prize of Richfield Town- ship. To such an extent had the affair gone that it now became a county matter, and Cuy- ahoga and Medina Counties entered the contest. A day was set-March 14, 1856-when they (one or the other) would wrest the prize from Summit. The day came, and with it a large concourse of people to witness the friendly bat- tle. As Richfield held the prize, it was decreed that the meeting should take place in this town- ship, and the particular township turning ont the largest number of sleighs on the great trial day should receive the flag, and in turn present it to its respective county. When all had as-

sembled, the marshals proceeded to count the sleighs from each county, when they were found to be as follows : Medina County, 140 ; Cuyahoga County, 151 ; and Summit County, 171-a total number of 462 four and six-horse sleighs in one grand and friendly rivalry for a rude banner that cost originally just-six cents. The procession was formed, and passed on to Akron with the most perfect order and decorum. Upon arrival, the flag was presented to Hudson Township, as having the largest number of teams, by James W. Weld, of Rich- field, and received on behalf of Hudson by Dr. C. R. Pierce, who presented it, in accordance with a pre-arrangement, to the County of Sum- mit. It was variously estimated by eye-wit- nesses that not less than five or ten thousand persons witnessed this grand sleigh-ride. Many of the sleighs were handsomely decorated with evergreens and profusely ornamented with flags. All passed off in the utmost harmony, and not an accident of any kind occurred during the day. Akron received the banner with great dignity, which was to be preserved among the valuable relies of the county until some rival should come with a larger number of teams than she had turned out on this occasion. The glory of being the possessor of the prize was short-lived. On the following Tuesday, Medina County came over with 185 four and six-horse sleighs, being fourteen more than Summit County had turned out. The banner was turned over to her and carried to Medina, where it was deposited among the archives of the county, to be kept until captured by some other rival. It still remains the prize of Medina County. And thus ended the most remarkable sleigh-ride on record.

For a period of nearly twenty years, Rich- field was the central point for the union fair of this and adjoining townships. The institution is now abandoned, and the agricultural, horti- cultural and mechanical interests of the town- ship are more or less represented in the county fair at Akron.

A lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was instituted in Richfield September 5, A. L. 5823. known as Meridian Sun Lodge, No. 69. The charter members were Isaac Welton, Isaac M. Morgan, Abraham Freese, John Smith, Adon- iram Swift, Jonathan Sheldon, Salmon Oviatt, David Green, David Jones and others. The first Master of the lodge was Isaac Welton, who

615

RICHFIELD TOWNSHIP.

held the office until November, 1826, when Solomon Curtis was elected Master, and served as such until 1828. The lodge held its meet- ings at the house of Orson M. Oviatt from 1823 to the close of the year 1828, when they removed to the house of Ebenezer Palmer. Willis Welton was elected Master in 1828, and served as such until 1832, at which time the lodge disbanded. In October, 1855, it was re- organized as Meridian Sun Lodge, No. 266, in Richfield, with the following charter members : Hiram Bronson, L. F. Ward, James W. Ward, Elihu Parmelee, Joshua Finch, Ebenezer Palmer, John Churchill, Sr., Thomas E. Ells- worth and Oliver Hart. The first Master was Hiram Bronson. The lodge room is located over the furniture store of Thomas E. Ells- worth, in West Richfield.

The township of Richfield early took an act- ive and prominent part in the war of the re- bellion. When the news came that the rebels had fired on Fort Sumter, the excitement was intense, and in a few days the men, old and young, were drilling. The first company that grew out of the excitement was composed of all classes of citizens, and was commanded by Norris Humphrey as Captain, and Martin Big- elow, First Lieutenant. The company were usually known as the "String Beans." We met every Saturday afternoon tor drill, and, though no one knew very well what was re- quired in the way of military tactics, we made up for all deficiencies by the ardor with which we went to work. This organization finally died a natural death, and from its remains were formed the Richfield Grays, A. N. Goldwood, Captain ; R. C. Ellsworth, First Lieutenant ; C. W. Wood, Second Lieutenant. The members of this company were of the very best material (all young men), and was one of the most thor- oughly drilled and efficient volunteer military companies ever in Summit County, nearly all of the members of which sooner or later drifted into the army. Our township furnished 137 soldiers for the Union army in the great war of the rebellion. There are at the present forty soldiers living in Richfield. Of this number, twenty-five are of the original 137 ; the balance are those that have come into the township since the war.

About the Ist of October, 1862, the first and only draft of men occurred. Of Richfield men. thirty were taken, none of whom went into the

army at that time, but all furnished substi- tutes. We lost in the war twenty-seven sol- diers. Of this number five were killed; the rest died of disease contracted while in the South. Six of our soldier friends carry hon- orable scars, received from our misguided brethren in the late unpleasantness. Thirteen remember the genial hospitalities extended to them by the Southern Brigadiers in the pleas- ant picnic grounds of Libby, Andersonville, Salisbury and other pleasant resorts of comfort, happiness and plenty, which were so freely ex- tended to them by their rebel friends. The larger part of our old comrades have emigrated to the Western States, where they are now en- gaged in the different pursuits of life.

Another of Richfield's claims to notoriety is contained in the fact that the now famous " Old John Brown " was once a resident within its borders. If he was not an " Ohio man " origi- nally, he was certainly a citizen of Ohio for a time. For a few years-how many is not re- membered now-between 1840 and 1850, he lived in Richfield Township. Says a corre- spondent writing from Richfield : "A man though somewhat visionary and unfortuate in business affairs, yet honest, firm and unyield- ing in his convictions of right, he challenged the admiration of the world in his devotion to human liberty and freedom."

To Dr. T. E. Ellsworth are we indebted for a record of mortality for a portion of the time in our past history. From 1839 to 1880, a period of 41 years, there were 860 deaths : the greatest number in one year was 31, the least being in 1838, which was 4. In 1822, 17 chil- dren died who were under seven years of age. The population of our town the last 50 years has been from 1,000 to 1,300, being in 1870, 1,019, and in 1880, 1,253 ; it is thought that in 1840 it was abont 1,300. There have been 9 residents of our town who were pensioned for services rendered in the war of 1812, of whoin Stephen Welton is the only survivor.

Many of our Western Reserve townships have been, in the way of holding re-unions from from year to year, for the purpose of getting together present and past residents, renewing old memories, etc., but Richfield was behind in this respect till August 11, 1880. On that day, such a gathering was witnessed in a grove owned by Mr. John Kirby, as was never held here before. It is safe to say that at some time

616

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

during the day, every man, woman and child in town, able to be around, visited the grounds. The neighboring towns all sent huge delega- tions, and many old residents were here from hundreds of miles away. Gov. Axtell, Presi- dent of the Re-union Association delivered a fine address of welcome, after which he read the following " greeting," written by Dr. A. E. Ewing, who was not able to be present, and was therefore compelled to perform his part by proxy. The greeting is as follows :

" Back to the mother that bore you ; back to the land of your birth;

From field, from workshop and office, back from the ends of the earth;

Back to the haunts of your childhood we welcome you every one ;

Yet not as the patriarch hoary welcomed his prod- igal son.

" We hail you with unalloyed pleasure, untinged by sorrow and tears;

But the patriarch's joys were darkened at thought of the wasted years;

At thought of the wasted treasure the profligate youth had strown

Among the wanton and vicious, while traveling that broadway down.

"We greet you with song and with laughter, from hearts all aglow with delight;

But sigh as we must for the missing, who've per- ished and gone from our sight;

May we meet them again in the future, when life and its turmoils are o'er;

Or is their abode so distant that their presence will glad us no more ?

"Let us trust that they still are near us and join in our joys to-day;

That none of us here are more blissful than those who have fallen by the way;

And hope, when our time comes to travel the shad- owy road they have trod,

We may meet in a grander re-union by the bright- shining rivers of God."

After this, speeches were called for and re- sponses came from S. R. Oviatt, Sheriff Lanc, of Akron, Andrew Hale, of Bath, the first white child born west of the Cuyahoga River ; George Howlet, of Cleveland, and F. Wilcox-sons of

Richfield. Then followed Gen. Voris, of Akron, Rev. M. McKinstry and the Hon. M. C. Hills, of Medina, Dr. Pixley, of Peninsula, and possibly others not now remembered. The music, both vocal and instrumental, was highly appreciated, and the dinner, which was abundant in quantity and superb in quality, was enjoyed by the many thousands in attendance. Toward the close of the afternoon, a vote was taken, and with- out a dissenting voice, all agreed to meet on the same grounds one year from date.

The second man who settled in the township, as already stated, was Henry Mallet. He located in the southeast part, on land owned afterward by Richard Sweet. Mallet had two brothers, John and Daniel, who, as well as him- self, were in favor of hard currency. They accordingly erected a mint on a point of land ever since known as "the money shop," just over the line in Northampton, where they manu- factured " the hard" currency to order. This drew to the settlement a set of individuals that did not add to its respectability, and the inhab- itants, therefore, destroyed the shop with fire. Notwithstanding the destruction of his mint, Mallet continued to tinker with the currency until he was finally "taken into the employ of the State," and died in Columbus.

In 1820, the people, being without a stated preacher, met in town council to elect a person " to lead in meeting" (presumably a sermon reader). The candidates were Bradford Stur- tevant and Elijah Ellsworth. On a full can- vass, Ellsworth was declared duly elected "to hold his office during good behavior." As he was somewhat addicted to swearing, he agreed to abandon the practice so long as he held the office. He fulfilled his engagement, and more than answered the expectations of his friends. In fact, he did his work so well that he was afterward elected the first " train-band captain " in town, and finally rose to the post of Colonel. He lived in town till quite an old man, and then moved to the south part of Bath, where he died about twenty years ago.

Delos Bosworth

617

BATH TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER XXVIII .*

BATH TOWNSHIP-DESCRIPTIVE-THE PINERY -SQUATTERS AND EARLY SETTLERS - PIONEER HARDSHIPS-ERECTION OF MILLS-AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENTS - VILLAGES - SCHOOLS - CHURCHES.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 111

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848- Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1104