Larkcom Family Reunion Larkcom Family History INTRODUCTION One year ago to day, myself and husband, with many of our friends, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of our marriage, and the sixteenth anniversary of our son's marriage, who had come home from Kansas for that purpose. Before separating it was decided by all the friends present, that we should meet one year from that day, and hold, from that day forward, annual reunions of the Larkcom families and their descendants. At that time I was chosen to write a history of our forefathers, as far back as we could trace it. I have tried to do my work faithfully. I have searched old records; have called on the oldest families that are our relatives, and learned what I could from them; have hunted up dates on marble slabs and monuments; have looked over old account books, and found dates older than any of us; and by perseverance have learned more of the past history of our ancestors than I expected to. Had I been favored with the advantages of a liberal school education, such as children have at the present day, perhaps there would not be as many grammatical errors in what I have written. Think of a little girl six or seven years old, walking a mile or more to school, in zero weather, with low shoes, without leggings or even drawers. I have walked a mile or more in that condition when I was a child, and I was no worse off than other children that lived the same distance from school. When first going out into the cold, the warmth of our bodies and limbs would melt the snow that would stick to our flannel under clothes, and soon it would freeze; and before we reached school, our limbs would be chafed and bleeding. The snow would work into our shoes and under our feet until it would raise our heels clear out of our shoes, and the first thing to be done when we got to school was to take off our shoes and dig the snow out with our hands; and if the teacher saw fit to send us to our seats before we got warm, we had to go and sit and shiver with cold, damp feet until the teacher would let us go to the fire and warm ourselves. How much can children learn, under such circumstances? When learning to write, the teacher would write our copies for us. If we imitated them, we had to change our hand writing with every new teacher; and that was twice every year. So you see that what little schooling I had was obtained under great disadvantages. Coming into the wilderness at the age when I ought to have been in school, cut me off from a chance for a good education. Now all I can say is, I have done the best I could. When this was first written it was not intended for publication, but simply to read at our first reunion as heretofore stated. Perhaps I have written more outside the family history than was necessary, but grandfather's life was so intimately connected in my mind with the Revolutionary war and the township of Freedom, that I could not well leave it out. MRS. CALISTA S. TAYLOR Daughter of Polly Larkcom Granddaughter of Paul & Comfort Larkcom (This document was written about 1885) Calista notes that Arvillas C. Larkcom was age 80 when this was written, and he was born in 1805) Noted by: Kathryn Lee Brooks - ggggg granddaughter of Paul and Comfort Larkcom In writing this brief history of the Larkcom family, I have tried to get correct dates; but in some cases it was impossible. In all such cases, I have written it "about" such a time. As near as it is possible for us to find out, somewhere between the years of 1750 and 1760, two brothers, John and Silas Larkcom, sailed from England to America. John settled near Boston, Mass.; Silas settled in Otis, Berkshire County, Mass. Silas married Molly Harbard, daughter of John Harbard, of Petersham, Worcester County. She was Scotch by birth. She was born in July, 1744. They were the parents of three children, Silas, Paul, and Sally. Silas, Paul's father, was killed in June, 1765. He with Mr. Kibby, were hoeing corn one still, warm day; and they stopped to rest under a tree a few minutes. While sitting there, a limb fell from the tree, hitting Mr. Larkcom, and killing him almost instantly. The limb just grazed Mr. Kibby. Paul Larkcom was one year and four months old at that time. Paul's mother was married the second time, Sept. 6, 1769, to Mr. Isaac Finch, father of Mr. Joshua Finch, and grandfather of Mrs. Jessie Lyman, of Windham, and Lisbon Finch, of Freedom. Paul Larkcom was born in Otis, Berkshire County, Mass., Feb. 16th, 1764. Paul's mother, Molly Finch, died in February, 1835, aged ninety one years. When Paul became old enough to work, he went from home, to live with a Mr. Know. We have no means of knowing how Paul's boyhood days were spent; but one thing is pretty certain: he did not spend much time or money at the billiard rooms or skating rink, for his home was in the old Bay State, among the rocks and hills, where people had to work from the rising of the sun until the going down of the same no ten hour system then. I have heard Aunt Laura tell of one of her father's trials while a mere boy. She had heard him tell it often. Mr. Knox sent him to mill one day, and told him to get his grist ground, and hurry home. Just as he got to the mill the miller had commenced to grind a larger grist for some one else, so Paul thought it would be better to wait than go home, and come back again ; but when he got home, Mr. Knox whipped him severely for not minding him. That whipping hurt him under the front part of his vest as well as on the back. The hurt to his feelings lasted the longest; and he resolved in his own mind, that if he ever got big enough he would pay that debt, with compound interest. This was about one hundred and five years ago. Let us think of the many days and weeks and months and years that have come and gone in that time, and then look at the rapid progress made in all the arts and sciences in every department, from the raising of a bushel of potatoes, to the almost perfect control of steam and electricity for the benefit of mankind. Educational improvements have kept pace with all other progress. What must Paul's chances have been at that time for an education, compared with the chances of children at the present time. Nature must have been very kind to him, giving him a good intellect to begin with, and a mind and will to improve under very unfavorable conditions, as he certainly did, as his after life in public will show. The November before Paul was eleven years old, the Revolutionary war broke out. When he was about fourteen, he went into the army as chore boy and waiter, but soon acted as cook for the officers. He served many a meal for General Washington. At one time provisions were very scarce and hard to get. Somebody's red calf got in the way, and was served up for dinner. The General commenced eating, and says: "Hello, cook, what have you got here?" The cook's answer was "possum." The General said: "Get us some more possum, won't you?" After serving as cook some length of time, he entered the regular service as a soldier. After serving his country faithfully under the old flag until the close of the war, he was honorably discharged, and returned to his native town, where he owed a debt he still remembered that whipping. His first business, on reaching home, was to pay that old debt. On reaching the house of Mr. Knox, he went in and enquired after him. He was told he was in the barn dressing flax. Paul started for the barn but before reaching it, Mr. Knox, seeing him rushed out with open arms and met him, and clasped his arms around his neck, saying: "0, Paul, how glad I am to see you!" That healed the wound; not even a scar was left. How much better and happier people would be, if all such wounds could be healed in the same way. When Paul was about twenty two years old, he began to think about a home of his own, where he could find peace and comfort at his own fireside. This was before the days of sewing circles and women's rights conventions were thought of. June 19, 1786, he was married to Comfort Norton. She proved a real comfort to him through all the after years of his life. They were the parents of twelve children; ten lived to mature years, and two died in infancy; two are now living Laura Loveland, aged eighty eight, and Arvillus Larkcom, aged eighty. There were thirty five grandchildren, twenty now living ; eighty four great grandchildren, forty seven now living. Paul Larkcom was medium size, straight built, an active, energetic man, a conscientious Christian, almost rigid in his religious discipline in his family, a firm patriot, a good citizen, always ready to do what he thought was right, and just as ready to condemn what he thought was wrong. We are indebted to his forethought and promptness for many of these items of interest in the family history, as well as the early history of Freedom. He was twice elected as a Representative to the State Legislature; served twenty one years in all as Justice of the Peace. I presume he tied many a knot with his tongue that he could not untie with his teeth, though the lawyers of the present day have a peculiar way of working such knots loose. ln 1825, Paul Larkcom, with his youngest son, Linas, left his old eastern home, and started for the New Connecticut, as the Western Reserve was then called. Freedom from the British yoke was what he fought for in his younger days. We will imagine that the word "Freedom" had peculiar charms for him. Be that as it may, he chose that township for his future home. His youngest daughter living at that time had settled there the year before; perhaps that had some influence in the matter. He purchased two hundred and forty acres of wild land, a part of it a little north of Drakesburgh, where he cleared off a place enough for a house and garden, and sent for his family the next year. There were only thirteen families in the township when he arrived there. He helped clear and cultivate a large farm so it would yield an abundance to future generations. He lived to a ripe old age; died Jan. 21 1843, aged 79 years. He was respected and mourned by all who knew him. Comfort Norton Larkcom was bom April 17, 1768. Her ancestors were English descent. They were aristocratic; I presume it is hereditary with some of her descendants. She was a cousin, by marriage, of Noah Webster. She was a healthy, robust woman, one that was willing to do her part in life; did not faint nor scream if a spider crossed her path. I have heard that she once raised a barrel of cider and drank form the bung hole. She could card, spin, weave, knit and sew, as well as wash, iron, bake and brew. She raised a large family of children, was a faithful wife, a kind mother, a conscientious Christian, an excellent neighbor, a good nurse, and very kind in sickness. During their struggles as pioneers in a new country, her husband found her still his best earthly comfort as well as his greatest earthly blessing and in his last hours she was ready to minister to his wants. She lived to a good old age, died May 15, 1851 aged eighty three years. Allow me to quote a little history, to show what kind of women lived at that time. "The Colonial militia were trained to the art of war, in the protracted contest with the French in Canada, and the American officers often fought side by side with the British officers to whom they were afterwards opposed in mortal combat. The latter were well acquainted with the prowess of many of the officers of the Revolution. A British officer once asked General Putnam, immediately before the commencement of the Revolution, whether he did not think that five thousand veteran British forces were able to over run the country. His answer was, "I will say nothing of the men, but the women would beat all their brains out with their ladles and broomsticks before they got half through the country." The names of grandfather's children were Polly, John, Norton, Locena, Paul, Laura, Samuel, Levana, Sedgwick, Arvillus C., Linas F., and Calista. Polly Larkcom, my mother, was born in Otis, Berkshire county, Mass., Feb 25, 1787 was married to Ruben Daniels, my father, Dec. 22, 1808. They were the parents of nine children, five now living. Father, with his family, moved into Freedom in July, 1827. There were only twenty seven families in town at that time. We moved into the first house that was built in town. Father bought one hundred and forty acres of wild land, and that left him without much means with which to help himself. But he went to work with pretty good courage, clearing off a place for a house. That fall his second daughter was taken sick with Typhus fever. She was very sick a long time, but finally recovered. The nearest physician lived in Windham, and every visit took the dimes. Others of the family were sick during the winter. In the spring when father began to feel as though he could leave the sick ones, he commenced work on his place, getting ready to build a house. In helping to raise a saw mill for Mr. Payne that spring, he had one of his feet badly crushed, by a bent falling on it. That put him back again in his work, but he finally got the frame up and enclosed so we moved into the shell late that fall, with loose, rough boards for a floor; but wood was plenty and close by, so we lived through the winter some how. There was one thing in our favor: the winters were milder at that time. Some years pigeons stayed around all winter. I have seen them so thick some falls that we could scarcely see the sun all day. They flew so thick and fast that it kept up a constant roaring sound. I think father built the third frame dwelling house that was built in Freedom. It stands yet near where it was built, on the farm of Mr. Younglove the old home, where the youngest child was born, where the three oldest children were married, and where mother breathed her last. The sickness in father's family and his lameness, forced him to sell fifteen acres of his best land, to get the means to pay a heavy doctor's bill and other expenses. While living in Massachusetts, father, as well as other eastern men, became disgusted with rocks and hills. When looking for a farm here, he selected a low, flat piece of land. When it was first cleared up, there would be low, wet places where water would stand until it became unfit for stock to drink. For a few years his cattle would die with murrian. His losses that way and his poor health made it up hill work for us a few years. We realized the hardships of pioneer life. But father and mother lived to see seven of their children settled down in homes of their own. Mother was a hard working woman, a faithful wife, a kind and careful mother, a good Christian, a kind neighbor, serving others before caring for herself. She lived and died in her first home in Freedom. She died March 14, 1850, aged sixty three years. Father lived to the ripe old age of eighty seven years. He probably would have lived longer, but was hurt while crossing the railroad track. His hearing and eyesight were poor, and he did not realize that the car was so near. He had stepped off the track, when a beam of the engine hit him, crushing in several of his ribs. He lived nine days; died Sept. 25, 1869. He was buried by his brother Masons. Prof. Hinsdale preached the funeral sermon; General Garfield officiated as Chaplain of the order. Father was a conscientious Christian; a kind and too indulgent father; a great sufferer from the asthma a good many years; a man that would rather be wronged than wrong anyone. May we keep all his good examples in our memory, and profit by them. Last year we gave a brief history of our grandparents, Paul and Comfort Larkcom, and their children. This year we will give a brief history of the grandchildren. Ruben and Polly Larkcom Daniels were the parents of nine children, all but one bom in Otis, Berkshire County, Mass. Locena L. Daniels was born in East Otis, Nov. 1, 1809. She was the oldest child of Reuben and Polly Daniels, and the oldest grandchild of Paul and Comfort Larkcom. This being the case, she deserves more than a passing notice. She manifested a disposition, while quite young, to paddle her own canoe." That disposition was a great help to her when left a widow with five children to bring up and care for. She came to Ohio with her parents when she was about 18 years of age. The next year she formed the acquaintance of Hannon Barber, from Barkhamsted, Conn: but living at that time in Nelson, his visits soon became quite frequent in father's family, and they were married July 16, 1829. They commenced housekeeping in a snug log house. He had already built, on his farm one and one half miles southwest of here, on the farm where Homer Judd now lives. They were the parents of five children, the two oldest of whom are now living. The winter of 1843 they united with the M.E. Church. Harmon lived to clear up his farm and build a good house and barn; and about the time he got things comfortable, his health began to fail; consumption had begun its work. He died Aug. 21, 1845. Locena sold the farm and settled up the business; bought a small farm in Freedom, and left the home where she had passed some of the happiest as well as some of the saddest days of her life. While living in Freedom, she married a second husband. She soon found her mistake. Her boys soon learned the difference between a step father, and an own father, and they all left home to care for themselves. After moving around some, she finally bought a home in Garrettsville, where she lived several years. While living here with her last husband died, leaving her a widow the second time, with one little girl by her last husband. That girl proved to be a great comfort to her mother in the last years of her life. In the fall of 1872, Locena, with her youngest daughter, Ellen, left their home in Garrettsville, to visit her sons in Iowa, where she died Dec. 24, 1873, aged sixty four years. Franklin S. Daniels was born Dec. 28, 1811. When he was about sixteen years of age, he went to Freedom with his parents. When he was about twenty one he went to Summit County, to learn the carpenter's trade. While there, he formed the acquaintance of Ann Robertson. They were married April 14, 1834. He bought a small farm in Freedom and settled down there, where they lived the most of the time until the spring of 1847, when they moved to Garrettsville and bought them a home. With the exception of two years that he worked at Drakesburgh, he made this place his home. Four sons blessed their union; they are all living. In the spring of 1868, while working on a barn for Martin French, near the depot, while reaching for a saw he lost his balance, and fell from a beam of the first story, a distance of about ten feet, striking on his head and killing him almost instantly. The funeral services were conducted according to the ritual of the order of the Brotherhood of the Union, of which order he had been a member eighteen years. He died May 27, 1868, aged fifty seven years. Calista S. Daniels was born May 25, 1814. The early history of her childhood was read as introductory at our first reunion. She was thirteen years of age when she moved to Freedom with her parents was married to John F. Taylor Sept. 6, 1834. We commenced housekeeping on a small place in Freedom, with nothing but our hands with which to help ourselves. My husband's health was good, and he had a good trade house carpenter and mill wright, and my mother taught me economy; so we always managed to have enough to eat, and clothes to wear. Four children blessed our union three sons and one daughter and we adopted a girl babe only four and one half months old. Out of the five we have only one left, and that one lives almost a thousand miles from us, but his home and his business are there, and our home and early surroundings are in this vicinity. We have passed through many sad trials, but have always tried to bear them with as much fortitude as we could, feeling it a duty we owed to ourselves and our friends, to be as cheerful as we could. We feel grateful for the many comforts left for us to enjoy. Our son's cheerful letters help to brighten our home. We are thankful for kind friends, and neighbors. In the fall of 1845, we bought a home in Garrettsville, and moved there the next spring. We have lived there since, and probably shall spend the remainder of our days there.  Rubin Orin Daniels was born Nov. 13, 1816; he was a bright rosy cheeked boy. The summer before he was ten, father made up his mind to sell his old home in Massachusetts and come to Ohio. Orin was very anxious to come, and talked a great deal about it. He was busy all summer, saving seeds to plant on the new farm but he died with scarlet fever Sept. 2, 1826, aged ten years. The seeds were brought, but never planted. John Norton Daniels was born March 25, 1819; came to Ohio with his parents when he was eight years old; stayed on the farm until he was about twenty three. He had to walk nearly two miles to school when he was a boy; the nearest school was at Drakesburgh. When he was about ten or twelve, coming home from school one night he found the trail of a large rattle snake. He followed it up and found the yellow beauty lying by a log. He killed it, got a strip of bark and tied around the fellow and dragged him home; he now thinks the snake had about sixteen rattles. When he was about twenty three he learned the carpenter's trade, and has made that his business ever since. After working at the bench a few years his health began to fail, so he bought some peddler's trunks and filled them with such notions as every family needs, and started out to try his luck peddling. He took a north east course, and probably stopped near the line of Pennsylvania. October 6, 1846, he was married to Mary A. Wight, of Andover, Ashtabula County. The next spring they moved to Garrettsville and bought them a home, where they now live. With the exception of two years, they have made this place their home. After mother's health failed they moved to Freedom to live with father and mother, and take care of them; they stayed there as long as mother lived. They were the parents of three children, two now living. Linas A. Daniels was born April 7, 1822;came to Ohio with his parents when he was five years old; lived at home until he was about twenty, when he learned the blacksmith's trade. He was married to Ellen Mills Mar. 25, 1843. They were the parents of two children, one now living. They lived in Freedom a few years, and then bought a home in Garrettsville, where he worked at his trade until 1850, when he commenced reading medicine. He commenced the practice of medicine in Rootstown in the spring of 1865; moved from there to Michigan in the fall of 1868; bought him a good home in a thriving village, and had a good practice there. But after their youngest daughter died they felt so lonely that they moved back to Ohio, to be nearer their daughter Mary, who was living in Cleveland at that time. They settled in Bedford in 1878. In the spring of 1883, Linas, with his son-in law, J. W. Francis, went to Tennessee, to look for a home in a milder climate. They bought a farm of 122 acres with some improvements two large orchards of different varieties of fruit, two log cabins ready for occupancy, and a good spring of water near by; they moved their families in the fall. Linas is physician and druggist, justice of the peace, postmaster, and makes himself useful generally. They are all healthy and happy in their new home in Dixie. When the first draft was made for soldiers during the war of the Rebellion. he was one who had to go from Hiram. He left home and friends, not knowing that he would see any of them again. He sailed from New York for Beaufort, S. C. about the time that Lincoln was assassinated. The ship was wrecked off Cape Hatteras. It struck the rocks about 11 o'clock at night, and was so disabled that it wallowed about until daylight, when the boats were got ready and commenced landing the soldiers on Cape Hatteras, where they remained two days and one night. They then started out for a point called Naggs Head, encountered a terrible storm, and had to land on Roanoke Island. They had to stay there all night with no shelter but the black, dripping clouds, no bed but the wet, cold sand. Some died from fatigue and exposure, and almost starvation; but they managed to reach Washington in time for the grand review. He was mustered out of the service in Louisville, Ky., received his discharge in Cincinnati, and reached home August 1st. His wife, Harriet, died August 17, 1886, aged 55 years. Rubin 0. Daniels was born July 22, 1826; was one year old when his parents moved to Ohio. He was a frail child, but a very active boy. He was energetic, and managed to finish cutting his pile of wood about as quick as his elder brothers. He stayed on the farm until he was married; he was married to Lavina Niles April 16,1849. They lived in Freedom about a year, then came to Garrettsville, where he has lived most of the time since. He lived in Delaware County one year, and in Lorain County one year. The asthma took hold of him with firm grip when he was about thirty, and has clung to him ever since. Some of the time he has suffered terribly; and for the last five years he has been a constant sufferer. He has tried the climate of the pine forest of Michigan, and the milder climate of Tennessee, where he found the most relief, and where he is in hopes to go again if he can sell his property in Garrettsville. They have one adopted daughter, who has been a great comfort to them. Her mother left her motherless about a half an hour after her birth. She fell into good hands and never realized her loss. Curtis P. Daniels was born in Freedom, Portage County, Ohio, Oct 24, 1830. He was a plump little Buckeye boy, lived at home until he was about twenty, when he learned the black smith's trade. He worked at that trade a few years, and then tried clerking in a store for Lee & Son. After leaving there, Henry and S. S. Beecher employed him as clerk four years. The last two years he read medicine what time he could get. He, as well as his brother Linas, thought it would be more congenial to his feelings, to try and relieve the sufferings of his fellow man than to be always mending broken machinery. He attended his first course of medical lecturers in Cincinnati the winter of 1859; went to Philadelphia in the fall of 1860 to attend his last course, and was stricken down with Typhoid fever soon after entering the college. His room mate wrote to father that Curtis was very sick, and his brother Franklin went there to help take care of him. He lived a few days after Franklin reached there; died Dec. 5, 1869 aged 30 years. His body was brought home and lies in Freedom cemetery by the side of his father and mother. Writing up the history of grandfather and grandmother, as well as my own mother, takes me back to my childhood days, when skies were bright, and children could gather honey from dry mullen stocks, where little bees had stored it away. What a treat it was for us to go and see our grandmother! Grandfather lived about a mile from father's, across the lots and woods, but much farther around the road. How well I remember the well beaten path across the woods, and the clump of choke cherry bushes that grew on the Case farm, where we would pick and eat the puckery fruit, and then we would be so thirsty when we reached the cold spring of pure water that bubbled up through the clean sand. We would make drinking cups of leaves; no wine in silver goblets was half as good. And especially do I remember the side hill where we would feast on such delicious strawberries in June. When I think of that side hill it reminds me of what I have heard my mother tell of an experience she had in catching kittens. When she was a child she was out on the side hill one day, and saw an old cat with several little kittens, but they would not come to her by calling. She thought she must have some of the kittens, any way; but when she ran toward them the old cat trotted off and the kittens after her. The old cat soon disappeared mysteriously. Polly ran and sat down where she saw the old cat leave, and the kittens came tumbling in to her lap. She gathered them up in her apron, and ran home, rushed into the house saying; "0, mother, see what pretty kittens I have got!" Her mother said, "What on earth have got there. They are not kittens." They were little skunks, just too cute for anything. ADVICE TO POLLY LARKCOM FROM HER FATHER, DEC. 18, 1808. As you are about to leave me and begin the world for yourself, I feel it a duty incumbent on me, as a father, and one who wishes you well and happy through life, to give you some rules and maxims which have a tendency to make you so, and I hope you will receive them as a legacy from one who loves you as a child, and ever shall; and if you ever, by misfortune, should come to want, you will find me a faithful friend to you. As your happiness in this life depends on your good agreement, I give my advice to you to pursue, which will have a tendency to guard you from many evils and contentions which otherwise you might fall into. First, Never let any jealousy of any kind whatsoever arise or find place in your breast against your companion, for they are as burning coals and as water confined; when it is let loose there is no knowing where it will be stopped. It is the ground work of all strife and contention, and where it reigns there is confusion and discord. Show me the house where it is, and I will mark it for distraction. Second, never try to provoke your partner to wrath and if at any time you discover him to be angry, don't irritate him in any shape whatever. It is like throwing fuel to the fire. But remember the words of Solomon. "A soft answer tumeth away wrath." Whenever you see him out of humor, reason with him in a gentle way, and it will have the desired effect, it will heighten his esteem for you, and it will have a tendency to cultivate and soften those wild and vicious habits which are natal in man. Strive, too, to provoke him to love and not to wrath; and in so doing you will shun many of those contentions which are so prevalent in the world. Third, never have any contentions respecting the government of the family. If parents are not agreed in that respect, there will be no government at all; and the children will grow tip like weeds in a garden where there is no cultivation; and it is generally the case, that where you see a vile, vicious person, you will find that be came of such a family. Fourth, never take upon yourself any business that don't immediately concern you. Attend to your household and domestics, and let the man take care of his own. If the man is not capable of taking care of his own business, it is generally the case that when the woman takes the government, it adds confusion to confusion. However, I will grant that in some instances it is best; but in such cases wisdom is profitable to direct the above hints. I hope you will duly consider and ponder them in your mind, and guard against any of them, for from them I will venture to say the greatest part of family contentions arise for want of prudence to shun them, and a want of a disposition to soften and allay them when they arise. A few remarks I will make to you for your consideration as respects your business as a housekeeper: First, keep yourself neat and tidy and your clothing whole. This can be done without any additional expense: only attend to them in season. Second, always keep your house neat and clean, and to effect this in the first place, when you begin have a place for everything, and keep them in their places, and as you begin it will be very easy to learn those in your household to do the same. By so doing you will find that it but always remember that once done is twice done. Never leave anything for to-morrow that can as well be done to day. Always be prudent and saving; remember that a willful waste makes a woeful want. Be careful not to throw out with a teaspoon as fast as one can throw in with a shovel. Be attending to the above, it will give you the esteem of your neighbors, and more so that of your husband, which is the first thing to cultivate. How pleasing it will be to your parents to see that you attend to their instructions, and that you are determined to try and do right. There are many things that I might write to you as respecting your conduct in neighborhood and in society, but those things I leave to your judgment to govern you. My intention is to give you that advice which I think more immediately concerns your family connections and family matters, that you may pursue those lines of duty that may lead to your peace and prosperity in life. I would have you keep this book and pursue it at your leisure, remembering that is it from your honored father, who wishes to give you all the advice that he is master of, to make you happy in this life. Perhaps you may think I am hard with you, but I tell you my intentions are not to wrong you. If you try to live in this world, I will not try to hinder you. If it should ever be that you should come to want, if I have anything left, it will not come amiss. I add no more, but subscribe myself your parent and friend until, death, PAUL LARKCOM John Larkcom was born in Otis, Berkshire County, Mass., March 18, 1789; was married to Phebe Ormsbury, of Becket, where he lived until 1817, when he died, aged twenty eight years. He left one son, Oliver Brewster Larkcom. Brewster married Mary Ann Dunham, of Otis. They were the parents of two children, a son, and a daughter. When his youngest child was small, he, with others, started for Ohio, where he intended to purchase land for a home, and move his family there. He was killed on a canal boat, near, Buffalo. Norton Larkcom was bom in Otis, Berkshire County, Mass., December 24, 1790; died 1814, aged twenty three years. He was engaged to be married to Polly Picket. She afterward married Luther Wight; she was the mother of William Wight and Mary Daniels, of this place. Locena Larkcom was bom in Otis, Berkshire County, Mass., January 26, 1793. She taught school several terms; married Asael Williams, of Sandisfield, February 23, 1818. After living with him twenty five years, she was left a childless widow. She afterward married Alvin Wright, of Colebrook, a former suitor; lived with him eight years; died in Colebrook at about the age of sixty years. Paul Larkcom, Jr. was born in Otis, Berkshire County, Mass., April 6, 1795. he was a man of a good mind, a natural gentleman, a good mechanic, a firm friend, but being of a roving disposition, did not settle down in a home of his own, but always found a home awaiting him with his brothers and sisters. He died in Freedom, May 17, 1844, aged forty nine years. Laura Larkcom, to whom reference has been made in this history, was fifth child and third daughter of Paul and Comfort Larkcom. She was born in Otis, Berkshire County, Mass., April 2, 1797, and lived with her father's family in her native town, until she had passed her seventeenth year. She was married to Colby Loveland Oct. 20, 1814. In 1818, with her husband, she removed to Clayton (then called Orleans), Jefferson County, N.Y. where Mr. Loveland had previously purchased a farm in the wilderness. At this time, the township into which they had moved, and which was ten miles square, contained but five families. Here they endured the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, for about ten years; when, in 182 7 they moved to Hiram, Portage County, Ohio. In 1833 they again moved, going into Freedom Township, adjoining Hiram on the south. Here they rented a farm on which they lived two years, until 1835, when they purchased the farm on which she has lived for over half a century. On this farm, which was settled in 1818 and was the first settlement in that township, occurred the first birth and the first death of a white person in the township. She still lives at the old homestead, in the ninetieth year of her age. Her husband died April 2, 1876, on the seventy ninth anniversary of her birth. The fruits of their marriage were eight children seven daughters and one son. The eldest, their daughter Tirzah, was born July 27, 1815, in Otis, Mass. In 1827, at the age of thirteen years, she came with her parents to Ohio, and on the third of September, 1835, she was married to Bigelow Barber, of Nelson, Portage County, Ohio. By this marriage she became the mother of six children two sons and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Barber lived successfully in Freedom, Nelson and Windham, where Mr. Barber followed his trade, that of carpenter and joiner, until failing health compelled him to desist. During the latter part of his life he spent his winters in the South, where he was accompanied on one occasion by Mrs. Barber (his wife). With this exception, her married life has been spent in Portage County. Her husband died of Consumption March 6, 1850. Two of their children died previous to the death of Mr. Barber, and one since then, leaving a son and two daughters still living. Mrs. Barber subsequently married Francis H Poor, a farmer, with whom she now lives in Windham, Portage County, Ohio. By this marriage she had two sons, both of whom died in childhood. The second child of Colby and Laura Loveland was a son named Isaac, who was bom in Otis, Mass., April 16, 1817. In his boyhood this, their only son, became afflicted with a malady which entirely unfitted him for any business avocation. The principal part of his life has been spent under the cloud of insanity. He still lives with his mother in Freedom. The second daughter, Levana, was born in Clayton, Jefferson County, N.Y., July 20, 1819. In 1827, when nine years old, she came with her parents to Ohio, and in 1838 she was married to John T. Hunt, a native of Massachusetts, on the ninth day of March. By this marriage she became the mother of five children two daughters and three sons only one of whom, a daughter, is now living. The first part of her married life was spent in Freedom, where her husband was engaged a part of the time in the grocery business. They afterward moved to Garrettsville, a village four and a half miles from Freedom Center, where her husband died Oct. 11, 1855, of Typhoid fever. She continued to reside in Garrettsville after her husband's death, until the marriage of her daughter Carrie, when she removed to Freedom, where she lived until the death of her son, C. L. Hunt, which occurred August 22, 1869. Soon after this she went to Peoria, where she lived with her daughter until the fall of 1883, when they both removed to Garrettsville, where they now reside. Laura, the next daughter, was born in Clayton, N.Y., Feb 25, 1821. With the rest of the family, she came to Ohio in 1827, where she was married Nov. 23, 1847, to James E. Udall, a native of Portage County, and a blacksmith and machinist by trade. After living for a time at Drakesburg in Freedom Township, they moved to Windham. While living here a daughter was born to them, which however did not live. From Windham they moved to Hiram Center, where in January, 1852, their only living child, a son, was born. Selling their property in Hiram they moved to Freedom, where they purchased a farm on the north line of the township. While owning this farm, Mr. Udall was employed a considerable part of the time in a machine shop, located at a small village known as Mantua Comers; and their home alternated between the two places. In 1863 they sold their farm in Freedom and bought one in Windham, which Mr. Udall now owns. The winter pervious to moving on the Windham farm, they lived in Garrettsville. Since moving on to this farm they have lived there continuously until 1885, when, on the 27th of June, occurred the death of Laura, at the age of sixty three years, four months and two days. Elvira, the fifth child, was also bom in Clayton, N.Y. Her birth occurred on the 16th of April, 1823, and in 1827 she came with the family to Ohio. On March 21, 1844, she was married to Oscar F. Niles, of Lorain County, Ohio, a carpenter and joiner by trade. From the time of their marriage until 1866, with one or two exceptions of short duration, they lived in Freedom. At this time they moved to Warren, Trumble County, where they lived until the fall of 1869, when they bought a lot in Garrettsville, upon which Mr. Niles built a house, into which they moved in the spring of 1870 and where they still live. They have had two children, sons, both of whom are now living. On the fourth of September, 1828, in Hiram, Ohio, Mrs. Loveland presented her husband with twins both girls one of whom was named Honor and the other Orpha. Honor was married July, 12, 1848, to J. L. Hunt, of Otis, Mass., a brother to J. T. Hunt, who married her sister Levana. Mr. Hunt was a farmer, and soon after their marriage rented her father's farm, upon which he is still living. They have been blessed with three children, two sons and a daughter, all of whom are living. Orpha was married Dec. 23, 1856 to Larkin L. Udall, a blacksmith, and brother to J. E. Udall, who married her sister Laura. Mr. Udall was also a Buckeye, having been born in Hiram Township. Mr. and Mrs. Udall settled in Freedom, where they continued to live until the winter of 1861, when Mrs. Udall was called away by death on the twentieth of December of that year. Her death, which was sudden, was caused by an accident. While visiting the house of her sister, which was but a few rods from her own home, her clothing in some way caught fire, while sitting on the floor playing with her babe. Becoming alarmed, she ran screaming into the open air, where she was instantly enveloped in flames. As soon as possible she was caught and the flames subdued; but not until nearly all of her clothing was burned from her body. She lived eleven days, when her sufferings ended in death. She was the mother of two children, both still living. Sophinia 0. Loveland, youngest daughter of Colby and Laura Loveland, was born in Hiram, Portage County, 0H., April 30, 1832. On the seventh of October, 1851, she was married to E. T. Caldwell, of Braceville, Trumble County, 0H. Immediately after their marriage they went to Newton, Trumble County, where they lived during the following winter. In May, 1852, they moved to Hiram. They continued to live here and in the immediate neighborhood in Freedom, until December, 1868, when they moved to Garrettsville. Here they lived until April, 1871, when they moved to Freedom into the home in which they now live. Mr. Caldwell is by trade a carpenter and joiner. They have had five children, sons and daughters, only one of whom, a son, is living. Samuel Larkcom was born in Otis, Berkshire County, Mass., Sept 6, 1799, lived with his father and worked on the farm until he was twenty three years of age. He was married to Lucy Hawley Jan 1, 1822. They were the parents of five children. Samuel, with his family, moved to Freedom in 1826, and settled in the south part of the town. He cleared up a good farm, built a good house and barn, and lived to see his children all married; two crossed the river of death before he was called to go. He was a hard working man, a good citizen, and a good man in the neighborhood. He died May 30, 1873, aged 73 years. Lucy, his wife, died May 28, 1867, aged 61 years. Lester F. Larkcom the oldest child of Samuel and Lucy Larkcom, was born in Otis, Berkshire, county, Mass., Nov 25, 1822; came to Ohio with his parents when he was three years old, and lived with his parents on the farm until he was married. He married Caroline Maxon, of Hiram; he built a house on his farm in the south part of Freedom, where he now lives. They have no children. He is very fond of music, and is a good singer. Before church organs were used in the churches, he used to play the bass viol in church. He is a great reader, and always selects books and papers of a moral nature, that have a tendency to make people wiser and better. I have often thought of his greeting at our first reunion; when I shook hands with him, he said, "I am growing old; I shall soon follow my parents, and what a reunion we shall have when we all get up higher"! Leveret H. Larkcom was born July 18, 1835, in Otis, Mass., carm to Ohio when he was one year old, lived with his parents on the farm until he married Emily Cory. They had two children. When the war of the Rebellion broke out, he went into the army as a volunteer, to fight for his country's rights. He died in Nashville, Tenn., August 20, 1863, aged 33 years. Eliza 0. Larkcom was bom in Freedom, 0H, Nov. 1, 1830. She was a lively child, a very beautiful young lady, a splendid singer, and an extraordinary musician. She married Ira Baker, lived in Freedom a few years, then moved to Painsville. They were the parents of three children, two now living. She died Dec. 17, 1862, aged 32 years. Giles N. and Miles N. Larkcom were born in Freedom, Portage County, Ohio, Nov 1, 1837. Miles N. died March 12, 1841, aged four years. Giles lives on the old homestead where he was born. Oh, how many pleasant memories, as well as some sad ones, cluster around the old homes where we were born, where our parents watched over our childhood, and where they see one after another of their children go out from that home to provide homes for themselves, and where, in after years, they were called back to see their aged parents carried out for the last time. Giles was married to Laura Jones in 1854; had three children by her, one of them now living. He was married to his present wife, Louisa Safford, Dec. 25, 1867. They have four children. Levana Larkcom was born in Otis, Berkshire County Mass., March 14, 1822 lived with her parents until she was old enough to teach school. After teaching several terms, she consented to take a school for life. She was married to Elijah W. Ranney Sept. 14, 1824, and left her home and associates to help make them a home in a new country. They were accompanied by his father's family, Rufus Ranney and wife, and three other sons and four daughters. There were only five families in the township of Freedom when they arrived there. They moved into the first house that was built in town, and lived there until they could build a house of their own, which they did soon, a little north of Drakesburgh. It was a log house with a blanket hung up for a door, until they could get lumber for a better one. I have heard Aunt Levana tell about being frightened by wolves near the house while they were using their blanket door. That log house was the first postoffice in town, and E. W. Ranney bought a lot at Drakesburgh about 1828, built a store, put in some goods, moved his family into rooms in the back part of the store, and lived there until March 2, 1835, when he died, aged 33 years. They were the parents of three children, two now living. Levana married a second husband, Paul Musser; she had two children by him, one now living. We very much regret our inability to learn more of the history of Aunt Levana's children. We have tried for two months or longer to gain more information about them, but have failed to receive answers to our letters; however, we shall do the best we can under the circumstances. Ann Eliza was the oldest child of E. W. and Levana Ranney; was born in Freedom, Portage County, Ohio, we think, in July, 1826; for we remember her as a sweet, black eyed babe when we moved to Freedom in 1827. She lived at home until she married Anson Bancroft in 1847; they moved west in 1851. Four children blessed their union, two now living. Henry C. Ranney was born in Freedom, Portage County, Ohio, in June 1829; was six years old when his father died. His uncle Percival was a successful lawyer living in Jefferson at that time and thought he could give his nephew better advantages for a good education than he could have in Freedom. His mother clung to him a few years, but finally let him go when he was about ten years old. His uncle kept him in the schools at Jefferson and Warren, until he received a good education, when he chose his uncle's profession, studied law with him, was admitted to practice in 1852; practiced law with Judge Birchard in Warren until 1855, when he formed a co partnership with his uncle, J. L. Ranney in Ravenna; continued with him until his uncle's death. He was married to Helen Burgess, Sept. 19, 1853, and and moved to Cleveland about fifteen or sixteen years ago, where he still lives. They have a fine home on Euclid Avenue. He is a prominent lawyer and has a large practice. Seven children blessed their happy home, but they have only four left. Warren Ranney was born in Freedom in 1834; died Sept. 6,1836, aged two years and four months. Addie Musser, oldest child of Paul and Levana Musser, was born in Freedom, Portage County, 0H. in 1841. Her mother died when she was thirteen, and her father moved away soon after Aunt Levana died, so I do not know much of her childhood's history. She married Edward A. Johnson, and lived in New York. Charles Musser was Levana's youngest child, and was about ten years old when she died; was born in Freedom; died in Mariborough, where his father lived, aged thirteen. Levana Larkcom, Ranney was a woman of more than common abilities, a very tender mother, good companion and neighbor, and respected by all who knew her. She died Feb. 3, 1854, aged fifty one years. Sedgwich Larkcom was born in Otis, Berkshire county, Mass. July 28, 1804; died in infancy. Arvillus C. Larkcom was born in Otis, Berkshire County, Mass., August 8, 1805; spent his boyhood days in his father's family; when old enough to learn a trade, chose the cabinetmakers, and has made that his business when not engaged on his farm. He was married to Sarah Perry May 25, 1826. It was my birthday. Uncle told me this summer that I was the only one left who was at their wedding. Aunt Sarah was a second cousin of Commodore Perry, who fought on Lake Erie. Arvillus and wife came to Freedom in the fall of 1826. They were the parents of four children two sons and two daughters. Arvillus has held the offices of constable, township clerk, and justice of the peace, at different times. He still retains his business faculties, and is a great comfort to his son Lyman, who lives with him on the old homestead. Sarah was a faithful wife and mother; she did a great deal of hard work; was a faithful Christian; her home and her family were her first thought and care in all worldly business. She died August 23, 1883, aged eighty years. Mary A. Larkcom was the oldest child of Arvillus and Sarah Larkcom; was born in Freedom, Portage County, 0H, May 26, 1827. She lived with her parents until she was married to Enoch Lewis of Nelson, 0H., May 19, 1849. They kept the hotel at Nelson center until it was burned. They then moved to Kansas and bought a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and settled down for life. They have been blessed with four children two sons and two daughters. One daughter died in infancy. Mary has some of her grandmother's fortitude and perseverance, of mind in cases of emergency. She is always ready to help others, and always knows what to do; in fact, she commenced surgery when quite young. After watching a surgeon remove a wen from her mother's head, she took the butcher knife and started out with her little sister, who had a small wen on her head. She first quartered the wen and then dig it out. The screams of the child brought the father. On being asked what she was doing she said she was cutting Chillie's wen out. Such an act might seem cruel in a child, but she thought she was doing a good deed. She still does all she can for the sick and suffering. Cherrilla M. Larkcom was the second child of Arvillus and Sarah Larkcom; was bom in Freedom, Portage County, 0H.; lived with her parents until she married Ambrose S. Hall, Oct. 31, 1877. They commenced their new married life in Freedom, and lived there and in that vicinity until the spring of 1879, when he took Greeley's advice and went west. He went with John Thorpe's colony; they located in Salina County, Kansas. Mr. Hall took up six hundred and twenty acres of prairie land, put in some crops, returned home in the fall and stayed all winter. He moved his family to their new home in Kansas in the spring. The first few years they hunted the buffaloes for their meat. A few neighbors would start out together and sometimes kill a hundred before going home. They would skin them and take hams and skins and leave the rest for wolves. They would salt the hams and hang them on tall stakes stuck in the ground, and they would dry in the hot sun. The air is so dry and pure they dry without becoming tainted. Mr. Hall set a large orchard of different varieties of fruit when he first went there, and they are now bearing finely. He told me this fall that he had over fifteen hundred apple trees, and still sets more every year. After selling three hundred acres of land and giving each of three sons a farm of one hundred acres, he has one hundred and twenty acres left. They were the parents of three sons, two now living, both fine men. Cherrilla is a faithful wife, a tender mother, very much attached to her old home and old friends, the friends of her childhood. Lyman N. Larkcom, third child of A. C. and Sarah Larkcom, was born in Freedom, Portage County, 0H., Feb. 5, 1831. He stayed on the old farm with his parents and helped his father do the farm work. He was married to Rosalie Derthick Nov. 18, 1863. They have no children. He still lives on the old homestead to care for his aged father. He loved his mother and was very kind to her while she lived, and deeply mourned her death. He is very careful of his father, and anticipates his every want. Perry D. Larkcom was the youngest son of A. C. and Sarah Larkcom; was born in Freedom, Portage County, 0H., Nov. 22, 1827. He was a boy of good principles, but not so robust as the rest of the family. He was very much esteemed and respected by his associates. Disease fastened itself on his youthful frame and he died March 11, 1863, aged thirty years. Linas F. Larkcom was born in Otis, Berkshire County, Mass., July 28, 1807, came to Freedom with his father in 1825, and lived with his parents until he was married. At that time the militia met at the most central places in the townships for training. Linas was ensign of the company in Freedom. In September, 1822, he had got a new uniform, and he made a good appearance as an officer; so that fall the young ladies met at Drakesburgh to see the new officers and soldiers train. Among the young ladies was Mary, his wife. After training, Linas started to walk home with her. They followed a path across Elijah Ranney's lots, and stopped before coming to the woods to eat some watermelons that grew near the path. it soon began to grow dark and they started on, but lost their way, and wandered around until 1o'clock. They heard a dog bark, and followed the sound, which brought them near Mr. Johnson's. The next day they found by their tracks in the soft ground that they went almost home once, and then back to within about a mile north on the same road they started from. Mary's father lived near Black Brook on the road that goes west, a little south of Warner Durkee's farm. Linas Larkcom was married to Mary Bulkley Feb. 12, 1829, and commenced housekeeping in a nice log house in the south part of Freedom, where they went to work with a will to clear up and improve their farm. They were the parents of three children, one now living. They might well be proud of their girls, for they helped do the work and make butter and cheese. They kept a large dairy on the farm, and the mother did all the work and helped do the milking. Linas was very ambitions and wanted more land, so he bought seventy five acres more and paid $1,500, the most of it in butter and cheese, in two years. Linas F. Larkcom died May 17, 1864, aged fifty five years. Cadelia Larkcom was the oldest child of Linas F. and Mary Larkcom; was bom in Freedom, Portage County, Ohio, June 8, 1831. She lived with her parents until she married John Rathburn, Jan 29, 1851. They went to Newburgh to reside; while there they lost their first child. They lived there a few years and moved back to Freedom, where their second child, Bion, was born. While he was a babe, Cadelia died. When she knew she must die, she gave her babe to her sister Lucetta, who has been a godmother to him. Cadelia died August 19, 1858, aged twenty-one years. Lucetta and Luretta Larkcom were born in Freedom Dec. 14, 1833; lived with their parents until they married, Lucetta was married to Allyn Young June 26, 1857. They were the parents of two children, the son died while a boy; the daughter lived to be a fine young lady, and a great comfort to her mother, when she had to give up her young life and leave her mother a childless widow. Allyn Young died Sept 8, 1872. Lucetta is spared to keep four broken families together. Her family is now made up of widowed mother, her sister's son Bion, her twin sister's husband and his daughter Nelie. He was her husbands brother as well as sister's husband. Luretta's health began to fail when she was fifteen, and she was confined to the house four years. She partially regained her health, and married Coleman Young July 3, 1859. They were the parents of two children, both living. Luretta was a suffering invalid a good many years; she died August 9, 1878, aged forty five years. Calista Larkcom was born in Otis, Berkshire County Mass., in April 1811; died in infancy. Uncle Arvillus named me after her; grandmother gave me the earrings that I now wear for the name. Paul Larkcom and Comfort, his wife, our grandparents, now lie side by side with three sons and two daughters, three sons in-law, two daughters in law, seven grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and one half brother with several of his family, in the cemetery south of Drakesburgh. We their descendants, are gathered here today to renew our acquaintance with each other, or to get acquainted with each other. How often have we, as family relatives , been called together to sympathize with bereaved ones. But how often have we, as family relatives, met together to cheer each other on our way through this life. We need some bright spots here; we need more than we get. Whose fault is it? Our own. We can give one day in a year, if we will, to reunite and strengthen our family ties. This is the first, but I hope it will not be the last of such gatherings. I have heard sung, and admired a piece entitled, "Shall We Know Each Other There?" How much pains do we take to know each other here? The earliest date in this brief history is 1744 one hundred and forty one years ago. How many whose births are recorded here have passed away? How many of our loved ones have been taken from us, how many sad hearts left! We remember one familiar face today one that met with some of us one year ago today. She was chosen secretary for this reunion; but she has gone to her rest, and we miss her; but there are others who miss her more than we can. They have our sympathy. The most of us have been called to part with loved ones, but we all have somebody left to care for, somebody left to care for us. We all have a work to do; let us try and help the sorrowing lift the gloom and sadness from their aching hearts, and let the sun shine in.