History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers, Part 78

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Press of Leader Printing Company
Number of Pages: 726

USA > Ohio > Erie County > History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 78
USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 78

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).

Seeley settled upon lot three in section one, where he now resides, and married Nancy Post, by whom he had a large family of children: Delia (MIrs. C. Curtiss of Norwalk), William (in Fairfield), Augusta (Mrs. D. Doran). Beecher (who is in the South), Dennison (in New London), Burdette (at home), Julia (Mrs. D. Curtiss, dead). Lucy (Mrs. Hem- enway of New London), Eliza (at home), and Nancy (Mrs. Sayer in Missouri). Linus Palmer married Jemima Rowland. Rundel Palmer suf- fered a very sad loss in the death of his little five year old son, Marens, in 1823. The boy, who lived at the home of his uncle, Samuel Palmer, was sent upon an errand, and upon his way back, met an older brother, who was going out shooting. He followed him, and a very violent storm, of hail and sleet, aris- ing, he became separated from his brother, lost his way and perished from the cold. The Palmers, becom-

ing alarmed at the child's absence, went out to search for him, and aroused their neighbors, who joined them, but they were unable, after long tramping through the woods, to discover him, and knowing that if he had not found his way to some place of shelter, he must be dead, they returned to their homes. The next day the lifeless body of the boy was found. Besides the children of Rundel Palmer and wife above named, there were born after their arrival, Nathan, David and Alvah. Samuel Palmer settled upon lot two in section one, cleared up his farm, and experi- enced his full share of the hardship and privation of a pioneer's life. He married, in 1832, Eliza O. Curtiss, from Connecticut, who died about two years later. He took for his second wife, in 1844, Anna Lyon, who was the partner of his joys and trials until 1876, when death removed her. Samnel Palmer's children were: Preston, Marens and Samnel. The last named died when young, the second son died in 1876, and the oldest, now the only one, is living at the old homestead. Abijah Palmer settled upon lot six, sec- tion two. He came also in 1818, and was from Ca- yuga county, county New York. His wife's name was Clarinda Reynolds. Their children were : Robert, Nathaniel, David, (all three dead,) Tamia, Caroline, Ann (Mrs. Ebenezer Osborne), Maria, Ruth (Mrs. William Burras), Phebe and Hiram. Alvah Palmer died in 1827. Rundel Palmer settled upon lot thirty- three, section four. He died in 1876. William Palmer located north of the center, in 1827, bringing his wife and four children. The Palmers were noted abolitionists.

In 1819, Gilbert Martin, Wm. W. Watrous and Charles Lyon arrived. The first named of these three brought with him, from Green county, New York, his family, and they made their home upon lot twenty- four, section fonr. Martin died about ten years later. Lyon was from Caynga county, New York. His family consisted of his wife, Deborah, and nine chil- dren. Others were born later. The names of those living are: Levi, Daniel, Charles and Abigail. Wat- rous married a Miss Strong, and reared a large family. Their home was upon lot ten, section four. Mr. Watrous came from Madison county, New York, to Ridgefield township, in 1818, and from there to Fitch- ville. J. N. and Henry Pickard arrived about this time, from Cayuga connty, New York, and located upon lot nine, section two. Joseph removed west abont 1840, and Henry also left the township. Absa- lom H. Coleman came in 1820, from Cayuga county, New York, and located upon lot four, section two. He brought with him a large family of daughters, nearly all of whom were married not long after, and it is to be presumed that some of them did not make "good matches," for their father used to remark that "the devil had been owing him a grudge for a long time, and had finally paid him off in sons-in-law."

The Curtiss's made their trip to Ohio in a novel way. The plan was proposed by Jotham W. Curtiss, the father of Hiram A., Joseph C., Lyman. Jotham

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

and Arthur. The project was to come by boat, and the family set about making one in the spring of 1820, at Paris. Oneida county, New York. When com- pleted, this boat was mounted upon wheels and hauled to Wood creek, a distance of fifteen miles. From thence it was worked down stream to Oneida lake, where the passengers and crew went on board. The party consisted of Jotham W. Curtiss, his son Hiram A., with his wife and one child, about a year old, Joseph C. Curtiss and three young men, whose point of destination was Geauga county. The boat was plentifully laden with provisions, and the trip proved a very pleasant one. It was made by carrying the boat around the rapids in the Oswego river, and around the falls and rapids of Niagara. It was less fatiguing, but not less dangerous, than the land trip would have been. After stopping at the mouth of Grand river to allow the three men to disembark, the boat ran into the mouth of the Huron. After Hiram A. Curtiss and family had landed, the boat was sailed to Detroit and back to Sandusky City, where it was sold, and ultimately went into the hands of the United States revenue collector, by whom it was used.

Jotham W. Curtiss bought land in Fitchville, and intended to settle here, but he returned east, and died in Madison county, New York. His son, Hiram A., and wife, Catharine (Nesel), located in Fichville, upon lots twenty-five and twenty-six, section two. Jotham went west, and died there. He was for a long time unheard of, but was met in the Rocky mountains by the exploring party of which John C. Fremont was the head, and is spoken of in that officer's report. Joseph C. Curtiss bought land in Fitchville-lots twenty-four and twenty-eight, section two-at an early day, but located in Norwalk, where he remained until 1832, when he became a merchant in Fitchville, and took up his residence in the village. He is now dead. He married Lucina Ward, of New York State. Lyman married Harriet Heil. Arthur W. took up lot eighteen, in section three, but went west about twenty years ago. He married Lucia Russell. There were three daughters in this family : Rhoda, (Mrs. Calvin Parker,) Arvilla, (Mrs. L. Knopp,) and So- phronia, (Mrs. Chauncey Crane). All three are dead, as are also all of the brothers, except Arthur. The descendants of Iliram A. Curtiss and wife are: Jotham, Eliza (Mrs. R. Knowlton, ) Susan ( Mrs. C. Maiz, ) all dead; Hiram A. (living in Iowa), Henry, (in Wisconsin), Lucina, (Mrs. Johnson, in Richland county), Frank (Mrs. Smith, in Kansas), and a daughter, Amelia (in Fairfield), by Mr. Curtiss' second wife-Mary Carpenter. Joseph C. Curtiss' descendants are: Mary Jane and J. C., both dead; S. W., living in Fitchville, and carrying on business at his father's old store; Lyman, deceased; Dwight A. (in Toledo), and Jane (in New York State), a daughter by Mr. Curtiss' second wife, Mrs. Allen,

Joseph Washburne and his wife Sally (Tomkins), came from Ulster county, New York, in 1820, and located upon the land which is included in the south-

west part of Clinton incorporation. Mr. Washburne died in 1853, and his widow is still living. Their children were: Adelia, (Mrs. J. Phillips) in Illinois: Nancy (Mrs. E. Baker), in Kansas; James, in Mich- igan: Sarah Jane (Mrs. Dr. Skellinger), of New Lon- don: and Elijah, living upon the farm adjoining the old homestead. Two brothers of Mr. Washburne's, Walter and Robert, came into the county sometime after his arrival.

Daniel and Austin Ward came from New York State in 1820, or the following year. The first named settled upon lot seven, in section four, and re . mained in the township but a few years. Anstin Ward took up lot seventeen in section three, and he and his wife, Zetta Green, reared a large family of children. He was noted for his liberality to the poor. Instances are related of his refusal to sell hay or grain, when a good price was offered, because he thought that some poor familes would be in need of the same and unable to procure elsewhere.

John and Lewis Barnes settled in 1820 or '21, re- spectively upon lots seventeen and twenty-one in sec- tion one. They were from Vermont. John died in Ruggles. He had a family of nine children, of whom three-Mrs. Ruth Reynolds, James and Cyrus are living in Fitchville. Lewis also had a large family- Nelson and Hiram are living in the township, and Seymore and Sarah (Mrs. G. Mead ) are in Greenwich. Their father died in 1858.

Henry Hickok, who located upon lot nine, section four, was the first blacksmith in the township. He came from New York State, in 1822. He died about 1830, leaving quite a family, of whom William ,and Phebe (Mrs. B. Sherwood) are resident in the township.

Henry Morgan came into the township in 1824, from Sunkerfield, New York, and his wife, Phebe, is still living. Morgan took up lot thirty-five in section three, lived there five or six years, and then bought a new farm, upon which he soon after died. Ebenezer Green, of Cayuga county, New York, came in the same year as Morgan, and settled upon lot thirty-five, section three. Allen Johnson, of Greene county, the same State, came in and located upon lot thirty-seven, section three, bringing with him, his wife and a large family of children, all of whom were sick the first season. Four or five years after his arrival, Johnson went to Peru township, but returned to Fitchville, and died in the township, some years later.

Joseph Barker arrived in Fitchville in 1824, after stopping two years in Geauga county and a short time in Sandusky City. He was originally from Con- necticut, but removed to Ohio from New York. His wife was Charlotte Hadley. The pair had a large family of children, of whom six are now living, viz : Nelson, in Ripley ; Joseph, Laura (Mrs. I. White), and Sarah (Mrs. Bush), in Michigan; Julia Ann (Mrs. II. Arnert), in Fitchville; and Eliza (Mrs. E. Knopp), in Fairfield. The Barker family settled upon lot twenty-seven in section four. A brother of Joseph Barker-James-came about the same time.

331

HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

Jabez Denton and wife, of York State, and for- merly from Connecticut, settled in 1825, upon lot seven, section two. The father and mother both died in the township, and their five children moved away. Ashbel G. Post arrived in 1825, and settled npon lot thirty-two, section three. He married Tamia Palmer. He removed from Fitchville to Ber- lin, and from there to Norwalk, where he now re- sides. Mr. Post's father came into the township a little earlier than himself, but did not live long.

Ebenezer Osborne came in, in 1825, and took up lots twenty-eight and twenty-nine, section three. He came by the way of the Erie canal, which was just then opened. From Buffalo, the party of which Mr. Osborne was one, and which also included the Allen Johnson family and Miss Nancy Post-a half sister of Mrs. Johnson-who afterward married Seeley Palmer, traveled up the lake shore to Ashtabula, and from there came to Fitchville, by the way of Eldridge. Mr. Osborne married. in 1826, Ann, daughter of Abijab Palmer. They had three children: Albert, Mary and Ebenezer. Mary is dead, and the sons are living west. Ebenezer Osborne was a native of Wind- ham, Greene county, New York.

Joseph C. Washburne, a son of Joseph and Philena Washburne, of Greenwich, and a native of Allen county, New York, moved into the extreme northeast corner of the township in 1826. His father had here bought about seven hundred acres of land, and it was a.portion of this tract that Joseph C. took as his farm. He married Debbie Ann Sutton, by whom he has three children: George, living with his father upon the homestead, Jane Ann (Mrs. H. Hooper), and Marietta, (Mrs. C. Berry, of New London).

Abel F. Eaton and his wife, Sylvia, who is still living, also came in from Greenwich township, in 1826, and two brothers of Mr. Eaton, Isaac and William, came in a little later. Isaac took up lot twenty-three, section four. Abel F. settled upon lot forty-three, section three, cleared up his farm, built a log house, and afterward a frame dwelling. He died in 1873. The children of Abel and Sylvia Eaton were six in number. The two who are living are: Eli D., in Michigan, and Mary Jane (Mrs. Rathburn), in Fitchville.

Amos Green and his wife, Esther, of Cayuga county, New York, came in, in 1826, and settled upon lot fifteen, seetion one, but afterward removed to lot eleven, section two. Their children were: Zalmon, Louisa, Daniel, Lewis G., Almira (Mrs. Barnes), Julia Ann and Cyrus C., the last named of whom is the only one living. Zalmon, married Rachel Weeks; Lewis, Amy Fancher, and Cyrus C., Abigail Tower.

Mr. Cyrus Green says, that in 1826, when he came to the township, forty families were residents. There were seven in section one; thirteen in section two: eight in section three, and twelve in section four. Of this number those of whom we have not already spoken,

are Charles Pierce, Francis Keyes, J. McKinley, David Bennett, David Sherwood, - Higgins, Azial Stevens, - Tid, Samuel Woodruff, Reuben Tower and John Pratt. The years of their arrival cannot be definitely stated, but their location is correctly given. Most of them remained but a short time in the township. Charles Pierce came from Green county, New York, and died about ten years after his arrival. He cleared up a farm in lot nine, section one. Francis Keyes settled upon lot twenty and twenty-two, sec- tion two, and J. Mckinley upon lot twenty-eight in the same section. They both joined the Mormons. David Bennett and David Sherwood settled re- spectively upon lots forty-five and forty-two in section two. Reuben Tower located upon lot twenty, section three, but went west at an early day; Higgins was upon lot forty in section two, and Tid upon lot twenty- seven in section four. Aziel Stevens who lived for a few years on lot three in section two, and partially cleared up a farm there was another Mormon reeruit. Samuel Woodruff, of Pennsylvania, was for a few years a resident of the township, and owned a farm in lot one, section four. John Pratt lived upon the southeast corner of lot twenty in section three, but moved west about ten years after his arrival in Fitch- ville.

The family of Matthew Laughlin came in in 1818, from near Marietta, and settled upon lot twenty-three, section three. Matthew and Nancy Laughlin had ten children, of whom nine are living. Following are their names and places of residence: Martha Jane and David, in Nebraska; Lydia Rosannah (Mrs. R. W. Beckwith, of Fitchville); John S., also in Fitehville; Thomas J .. in Nebraska; Matthew Elver, the Fitch- ville physician; Nancy M. and Rosabella, also in Fitchville, and Mary R., in Nebaaska.

Among those who came in at a later day were the Hauxhurst's, Joseph Studwell and R. C. Johnson. Studwell came in 1835, from Caynga county, New York, bringing his wife and two children. He still lives in Fitchville. R. C. Johnson came in the same year, from New York State, (with his father William, who died in 1867), and his mother, and originally lo- eated in Hartland township, from whence he moved to Fitchville. Samson Hauxhurst and his wife, Su- san, came in 1835, from Ulster county, New York, and located upon lot twenty-seven, seetion four. Of their children, Philip lives in Fitchville; Elenora (Lofland), in Nebraska; Martha (Mrs. J. Sprague), in Hartland; Mary Jane, in Nebraska, and Minerva (Miekey), in Fitchville; Sarah is dead.

Warren Reynolds, his wife and four children, came from Fairfield county, Connecticut, in 1832, and set- tled in the second section, upon the farm where Sam- uel Eliston now lives. Mrs. Reynolds died in 1837, and Mr. Reynolds married, a year later, Ruth Barnes, of Fitchville. By his first wife he had six children, only one of whom is now alive, (T. M., who married Melissa Sholes, and who, since 1853, has been a resi- dent of Hartland township.

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

Owing to the fact that most of the original owners of the township put up the price of their lands too high, the township did not fill up fast with settlers, until after 1830. Emigrants, who could get as good lands in Sandusky and Seneca counties, or in Michi- gan, as there was in Fitchville, and that, too, at from eight to ten shillings per acre less, very naturally passed on further west to begin the pioneer life. The land owners, finally, seeing that they had been work- ing against their own interests, reduced their price, and from 1830 to 1834, settlers could buy at almost their own terms. In the year first named, the town- ship had a population of three hundred and thirty- seven souls, and after that time the population rose quite rapidly. until after 1842 or 1843, when it decreased.

ORGANIZATION.

In early times, Hartland, Fitchville and Greenwich, were grouped together, or attached for civil and judi- cial purposes. Hartland was detached about 1820, and connected with Clarksfield. Fitchville was de- tached, in 1828, from Greenwich and organized as a separate township. The records being lost, it is impossible to give a complete list of the officers elected. Rundel Palmer was the first justice of the peace, and Samuel Palmer, clerk.

Those holding township offices in 1879 are: E. Palmer, clerk; C. C. Green, treasurer; B. Filkins, assessor: J. L. Laughlin, James Barnes, J. E. Chan- dler, trustees; C. C. Green, J. F. Townsend, justices of the peace; John Abbott, S. M. Knowlton, con- stables.

FIRST EVENTS.

The first white child born in the township was Varney P., son of Peter and Alice Mead.

The first death was that of Deborah, wife of Abra- ham Mead. She died July 23, 1823. Another of this family, Mary Mead, died in November of the same year, aged seventeen.

Robert Golden and Rosannah Washburn, a sister of Joseph Washburn. were the first couple married.

The Meads built the first log house, and Ludovicus Robbins the first framed dwelling. The latter was about the year 1822, upon lot seventeen, section three.

The first orchard was planted upon the farm where Samuel Palmer now lives, by his brother Alvah, the trees being grown from seed.

MURDER OR SUICIDE.

Along in the years 1829 or 1830 it became notorious through the settlement that there was quite an inti- macy existing between one Towne, who lived just over the line in New London, and the wife of a man by the name of Morris, who had settled about two and a quarter miles cast of the river, on the center road. It was not generally believed, though, that there was anything criminal in their relations. One morning a startling discovery was made. A young girl, who had gone out to drive some cows through

the woods, passing near Morris' house, saw through the window the body of a man suspended from the ceiling. She fled, in terror, and gave the alarm. The nearest neighbors went to the house, and found Mor- ris a ghastly corpse. The body was cold: life was gone. The skein of yarn with which he had been hung was cut, the body taken down, Mrs. Morris was found (at Towne's house), and preparations were made for the funeral, the neighbors mourning that their friend had committed the terrible act of self- destruction. Sometime after the burial, the notion was developed that possibly Morris was not a suicide, but the victim of a murder. The remains were taken from the grave, an examination made, and the phy- sicians gave it as their opinion that death had ensued from suffocation, and not from strangulation. The theory was that Towne, who was a large and very powerful man, had gone to the house, overpowered Morris, or perhaps found him asleep, smothered him with the bed clothing, and then suspended the body in such a manner as to convey the idea that the de- ceased had committed suicide. Towne was arrested, tried and convicted: got a new trial and escaped upon some legal technicality. Upon regaining his freedom he left the country and has never since been seen or heard of. Mrs. Morris also disappeared. This affair created intense excitement in Fitchville, and in the neighboring townships, and it was long before it ceased to be a topic of common conversation and spec- ulation. There were very few, however, who did not feel sure that Morris was murdered.

RELIGIOUS.

The people of Fitchville sought carly to establish in their midst the institutions of religion and educa- tion to which they had been accustomed to in their eastern homes. There is. perhaps, not another exam- ple in the county of such an early establishment of a church after settlement. The pioneers entered the wilderness in 1817, and in the summer of 1819 the first church was organized-

THE CONGREGATIONAL.

The prime movers were two missionaries, Rev. John Seward and Rev. Joseph Treat, sent ont by the Connecticut missionary society. When the church was formed it had seven members: Rundel Palmer, Robert Palmer, Delia Palmer, Mary Mead, Clarinda Palmer, Tamia Palmer and Deborah Mead. A revival occurred in 1821, and many, who at that time expe- rienced religion, became connected with the church. Rev. Alvin Coe, the celebrated Indian missionary, (of whom much is said in the history of Greenfield town- ship) was the first pastor. Those who occupied the position after him were: A. H. Betts, L. B. Sullivan, James Me Master, Ludovicus Robbins, John Beach, Samuel Dunton. Win. Taylor, W. W. St. John, U. T. Chamberlain, Dr. Marcus Palmer, Henry Cobb, J. Saxby, Wm. Westervelt, M. Waldo, J. M. Van Waggoner, Wm. Bridgeman, Messrs. Findley and

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

Wright, Wm. Johnson, O. Burgess, J. C. Thompson and Wm. Westervelt (a second engagement). Rundel Palmer was, for many years, one of the strong pillars of the church, and frequently served in the capacity of minister. Meetings were held until about 1830 in private houses, but in that year a small church was erected, north of the present village. About 1842 or 1843, a small house of worship was built in the village, which obtained the name of "Gospel Shanty."

THE PRESBYTERIAN

element organized a church, which remained active for several years, but, finally, about 1846, as it became weak, the church edifice which had been built by this denomination, was sold to the Congregationalists, by whom it is used at the present time. The church has now a membership of about seventy persons. The present pastor is the Rev. G. W. Wells, and the fol- lowing are the officers: C. C. Crittenden, James Barnes, Leander Mead, deacons; M. E. Mead, clerk; M. E. Mead, treasurer; James Barnes, L. Hibberd, C. B. Russell, trustees.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL.

A Methodist class was formed in 1822, by Dennis Goddin, circuit preacher, at T. B. White's house. William W. Watrous, of Fitchville, was the leading spirit in the movement which resulted in this organi- zation, and Thomas B. White and wife, from Green- wich, were among its strongest supporters. The preachers, most prominent in the early meetings were the Rev. James McIntyre and the Rev. Mr. Pettit. The denomination had at one time over a hundred members in the township, in four classes. The present church edifice, built over thirty five years ago, is a commodious structure, kept in. good repair, and located upon the Norwalk road, in Clinton village. The pastor of the church is Rev. A. H. V. Boothe, and the following are the officers: P. Hauxhurst, Her- bert Mickey, stewards; P. Hauxhurst, John Abbott, class leaders; Herbert Mickey, William A. Knapp, Hauxhurst, James Boothe, and John Abbott, trus- tees.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH

was received into fellowship by the council, in 1838, August 16th. Following are the first members; F. P. Hall, Henry Barnhart, Sally Barnhart, Hiram Barnum, Isaac B. Barnum, Betsey Barnum, Wil- liam Johnson, Melinda Johnson, Abigail Barber, Betsey Royce, Joel Blakeman, Lydia Watkins. The first person baptized was Huldah Foote. Elder F. P. Hall was the first pastor of the church, and Hiram Barnum the first deacon. The church edifice was built in 1843, or the following year, and is still in use. Elder Hall, the first pastor, is at present again in charge of the church. The officers are: R. W. Beck- with, deacon; R. Laughlin, clerk; Mrs. L. R. Beck- with, treasurer; R. W. Beckwith, Robert Anderson, Ralph C. Johnson, trustees.

All of these three churches are located in the village of Clinton. There is another in the township-the North Congregational,-situated upon lot thirty- seven, section two, near the northeast corner of the township, in which vicinity most of its members reside. It was organized in 1852, as an evangelical church, with eleven members, but was made a Con- gregational church some years later. Elder Dimm, of New Haven, was the first pastor. The church building was created in 1856, at a cost of about nine hundred dollars. The church had onee as many as sixty members, but now has not more than a third of that number. The pulpit is at present supplied by Rev. G. W. Wells, of the Fitchville Congregational church. The deacons are: William Lee and William Chase.

Beside the Presbyterian organization, alluded to above, the only church that has been formed in Fitchville, and which is not now.in existence, was the Free Will Baptist.

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History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers, Part 78

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.) Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Press of Leader Printing Company Number of Pages: 726

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Press of Leader Printing Company
Number of Pages: 726