History of Ashtabula County CHAPTER I. ORIGINAL TERRITORY AND TITLE. EXPLORATION-CLAIMS OF OWNERSHIP-THE WESTERN RESERVE-CONNECTICUT LAND COMPANY-PIONEER SETTLERS-TITLES-SURVEYORS ARRIVE- EARLY CONDITIONS-TOWNSHIPS ORGANIZED. What a wealth of romance, achievement and realization of fond hopes ; what bitter disappointments and cruel tragedies have attended the discovery, growth and development of this blessed commonwealth It was over 300 years after Christopher Columbus discovered this continent, before other explorers penetrated the unbroken forests of what later became Northern Ohio, with a view to settlement and development of new territory for the future welfare and prosperity of themselves and their progeny. For the purpose of this history, we will refer briefly to antecedents farther back than those who were immediately responsible for the organized and systematic plan for development of this section of new country. History relates that, in 1662, King Charles II granted a charter to certain patentees, through which the state of Connecticut derived a claim to a strip of land 62 miles wide, clear across the continent, from Narragansett Bay to the Pacific coast. What later became known as the Western Reserve, constituted one section of that strip in this locality. The states of Massachusetts and New York also claimed right of ownership to this same territory, and it was more than a hundred years before satisfactory settlement of the dispute was made. In 1780, New York state relinquished claim to all territory west of a line running southward from the "Western Bend of Lake Ontario." Five years later, Massa- (3) 66 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY chusetts ceded the western land to which she had laid claim, and the next year Connecticut fell in line and, through her authorized delegates in Congress, gave up all lands which she had claimed lying west of "A line 120 miles west of and parallel with the Western Boundary of the State of Pennsylvania." The territory lying between latitudes 41 and 42 degrees, 2 minutes north, and extending westward of the Pennsylvania state line for 120 miles, was retained and became known as the "Western Reserve of Connecticut". In May, 1795, the general assembly of the State of Connecticut appointed a committee to promote the sale of the greater part of the Western Reserve. This committee disposed of the property in individual contracts to about 50 persons. These purchasers banded themselves together and organized the Connecticut Land Company, and proceeded at once with preliminary steps, looking to early exploitation of their purchase. The Connecticut Land Company purchased the "New Connecticut" tract for $1,200,000, which was deposited in the state treasury of Connecticut, and there was an understanding that the proceeds from this fund were to be devoted to the educational needs of the state. This original sale fund is said to still be in the state treasury. So many of the family names are familiar to residents of this day, that it is fitting to enumerate the individual members of the Connecticut Land Company, descendants of many of whom still live in the county. They follow: Atwater, Caleb ; Austin, Eliphalet; Battle, William; Bliss, William; Boardman, Elijah; Brace, Johnathan; Bull, James; Burr, Timothy; Cleaveland, Moses; Coit, Daniel L.; Cowles, Solomon; Edwards, Pierpont ; Ely, Justin; Granger, Gideon, Jr.; Griswold, Solomon; Hart, William ; Holbrook, Daniel ; Holmes, Urial, Jr.; Howland, Joseph; Hubbard, Nehemiah, Jr.; Hyde, Elisha; Johnson, James; Johnson, Robert C.; Judd, William; Kelley, Ephraim; Kent, Benejah; King, Ebenezer, Jr.; Law, William; Levvet, Thaddeus ; Loomis, Luther; Lord, Samuel P.; Lyman, William; Mather, Samuel; Mather, Samuel, Jr. ; Miller, Ashur; Newberry, Roger; Perkins, Enoch; Phelps, Oliver ; Root, Ephraim; Sandford, Peleg; Starr, Ephraim; Stocking, Jabez ; Stoddard, John; Storrs, Lemuel; Stow, Joshua; Street, Titus; Strong, Elisha; Swift, Tephaniah; Tracey, Uriah; White, Elijah; Williams, Joseph; Yates, Joseph. It was necessary that they obtain an indisputable title, before they could safely proceed. This was no easy matter, as it was found that the HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 67 state of Connecticut, from which they had bought the land, had not established a clear title, as the Government of the United States had not formally released its rights of possession and dominion. It was not until 1800 that Congress settled the matter by authorizing the President to grant letters-patent to the governor of Connecticut, releasing all claim to the Western Reserve territory. Connecticut, in turn, was thereby enabled to ratify her contract with the Connecticut Land Company. In the meantime, however, the company directors were so sanguine of ultimate success in acquiring title, that they did not wait for the final decision, but, in the spring of 1796, a company of several surveyors and assistants, numbering nearly 50 persons, started out on an expedition to the newly acquired lands in the West, their object being to make a survey and plat the property. The party assembled at Schenectady, N. Y., from which point they journeyed by devious routes to Buffalo. The men and their equipment filled four boats. Joshua Stow was commissary ; the surveyor-in-charge was Augustus Porter, and the other surveyors were Milton Holly, Seth Pease, Amos Spafford, Richard Stoddard and Moses Warren. Moses Cleaveland, the special representative of the land company, was aboard and there was also a physician, Theodore Shepard. Other members of this venturesome party were Joseph McIntyre, George Proudfoot, Francis Gray, Samuel Forbes, Elijah Gunn, wife and child ; Amos Sawtell, Samuel Hungerford, Amos Barker, Stephen Benton, Amzi Atwater, Asa Mason, Michael Coffin, Samuel Davenport, Samuel Agnew, Shadrach Benham, William Hall, Elisha Ayers, George Gooding, Norman Wilcox, Thomas Harris, Timothy Dunham, Wareham Shepard, David Beard, John Bryant, Titus Munson, Joseph Landon, Olney Rice, James Hamilton, John Lock, James Halket, Job Stiles and wife, Charles Parker, Ezekiel Morley, Nathaniel Doan, Lake Hanchet, Samuel Barns, Daniel Shulay, Steven Burbank. After many days of buffeting the waves of Lakes Ontario and Erie, and weathering numerous storms, in one of which one of their boats was wrecked, the party, without the loss of a soul, arrived at the northeastern corner of the Western Reserve, and made a landing, on July 4, 1796, Independence Day, just east of the mouth of Conneaut Creek. In recognition of the coincidence found in their arrival on their objective soil, on the anniversary of the day of the signing of the Declaration of American Independence, and in thanksgiving for having reached the 68 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY goal which they had endured many hardships in attaining, the little company arranged a special feast and program of appropriate exercises and speeches, during which they christened the place of landing "Port Independence". We who enjoy the blessings and comforts of the present period of luxurious living, can never be sufficiently grateful to those who composed that little band of adventurers ; we can never fully appreciate what hardships those fOrbears faced and endured, more for the comfort and profit of generations to come than for their own advancement and happiness. They had visions of a wonderful future when they started on their journey to an unknown land. They left comfortable homes and their circles of loving relatives and friends to fare forth on adventures of which they little dreamed. The fact that their journey was accomplished without serious mishap, was but an item to the credit of their good fortune. It was when they set foot on Ohio soil that they began to realize what an undertaking they had engaged in. The vista of highlands and unbroken forest that spread before them as the bows of their little vessels ground onto the sand of Lake Erie's beach, was anything but reassuring or promising. They knew not what lay behind that veil of standing green, that stretched as far as the eye could see up or down the coast. They knew this was the Redman's land—that in all probability he would not accept gracefully the intrusion of the hated white man, who had been gradually and surely pushing him back toward the setting sun, compelling him to relinquish his rights and abandon the happy hunting-grounds of his forefathers. The newcomers knew that, by treaty, the Indians had ceded this territory to the government of oppressors ; they also knew the treacherous disposition of the Redskin, and that doubtless many had remained on their former possessions through hope that they would not be disturbed. For these Aborigines to withdraw to new abodes meant that they must encounter other tribes, who might not prove very hospitable, but were more likely to resent the encroachment. It seemed more desirable that they remain where they were on the chance that their presence might intimidate the Palefaces from the East, who came to take up the land. Arrived at their destination, the voyagers took a little time to explore the surroundings before they decided where they would locate to establish a settlement. Finally they decided upon a location and proceeded to erect crude dwellings. History says the first house built in Ashtabula County HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 69 was put u p at this time. The men of the party who were not busy on the survey, had little else to do than take such steps as would be necessary in preparation for meeting the rigors of the winter that was coming. They worked together, helping each other when and where needed, and the first snow fall found the strangers comfortably housed and fortified for what was to follow. They found abundance of game, both large and small, right at their door, as it were, and the lake and river abounded in fish and amphibious animals that afforded good food. In obtaining materials for their buildings, trees were cut down and other growth cleared away, whereby space was afforded for the tilling of the soil, when spring should come again. Although they missed their comfortable homes back east, when the cold and stormy days of the winter came, they suffered few real hardships during those few months, because they were well housed, had plenty of fuel and abundant food. To shorten the hours, they indulged in social intercourse, visiting each other's cabins, arranging evening entertainments, and laying their plans for the future. Every time that a man of the party went beyond the immediate confines of their settlement, he had new tales to relate upon his return, of discoveries made. Every new prospect was a source of interest. They soon found that there were forests Of maple from which they might extract the sap in the spring, and regale themselves on the delicious product. In the fall, the men came home laden with shack of every variety, and nutting expeditions were popular with the young people, whose particular care it was to see that abundant stores of various kinds were put away to cure for disposal, when the cold season of short days and long nights should come on. Sitting in front of the fire-places from which big logs were spreading their cheerful radiance and heat, they thought and talked of those whom they had left behind, who were enjoying more secure habitations and educational and religious advantages. But they were not daunted ; they had left with the full determination to take whatever came their way in the future, to meet the hardships with courage and brave the dangers, be what they might. So they accepted their chosen lot gracefully and looked hopefully forward to the future and what fortunes it might bring. After unloading their household goods, working implements, stores of food and other cargo, the surveyors lost little time in setting about the 70 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY business that had brought them. They set out for the southernmost boundary of the Western Reserve, to ascertain the exact point at which the western line of Pennsylvania was intersected by the twenty-first degree of north latitude, and from that point they laid lines north and south, five miles apart, toward the west, and similar lines east and west, the same distance apart, thus blocking out the Reserve into sections five miles square, which were to constitute townships. This original survey extended only as far west as the Cuyahoga River, as that portion of the Reserve lying west of that line was still in possession of the Indians, from whom it was not finally taken over until 1805. To facilitate description, the latitude lines were numbered as townships and the meridian lines as ranges. The base of the survey having been the southeast corner of the section, that block, Williamsfield, was range 1 and township 8 ; Andover, the next township north, was in the same range, and township 9, and so on, up the first range to the lake. In the other direction, Wayne was in range two, and was township 8, ranges 3, 4 and 5 succeeding toward the west. When the work of surveying had been finished in accordance with the company's plans, the land was divided among the various members of the Connecticut Land Company. Three thousand dollars constituted one share, and in accordance with the number of shares owned, the land was divided among the owners, each of whom received a deed from the Connecticut Land Company for his individual portion. Nehemiah Hubbard, a member of the Connecticut Land Company, whose home was in Middletown, Conn., had extensive interests in the company's holdings, and he became owner of a large share of the land which is now Ashtabula. Township, Plymouth and a large portion of Sheffield. The question of apportionment among the stockholders of the company, gave rise to a rather perplexing proposition. The company having bought the tract for $1,200,000, divided the holdings of the 52 stockholders into four hundred shares, thus making each share of a value of $3,000. Some of the members had invested heavily and held large blocks of the stock, while there were others who held but on,, share. In order that the large holders might not have an advantage over the others and get possession of the most desirable portions of the land, it was decided that the fairest method of division would be by lottery, which means would assure HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 71 each member an equal chance with the others, in accordance with the amount of his holdings. To this end, a committee of equalization was appointed to make the division according to the plan of the company, which contemplated, first, the setting aside of certain parts of the Western Reserve to be offered for sale to actual settlers. It was decided to retain the best four townships in the eastern part of the Reserve, to be the first partitioned among the stockholders, after the manner above mentioned. These townships were surveyed, so as to average one hundred lots to the township, thus forming four hundred lots, or one for each share of stock. When it came to the drawing, each holder participated in proportion to his holdings. The townships chosen for this first drawing were : No. 11 in range 7, and Nos. 5, 6 and 7, in range 11. This reservation included what is now Perry, in Lake County ; Northfield, in Summit County ; Bedford and Warrensville, in Cuyahoga County. Eventually, the territory that now constitutes the County of Ashtabula, came into a drawing and was disposed of by lot and chance, like the others. CHAPTER II. OUR PREDECESSORS. INDIANS-ALGONQUIN AND IROQUOIS TRIBES-"ASHTABULA"-INDIAN VILLAGES -MASSASAUGA-INDIAN CUSTOMS-ABUNDANT GAME. AND FISH-INDIAN WARS -ASHTABULA RIVER-CHIEF AMIK. The surveying party who landed at the mouth of Conneaut Creek in 1796 were not the. first white persons who had penetrated thus far into. the western forests, but they were the first to come to the then wild. West with a view to establishing for some of themselves permanent homes the first to constitute a colony with the declared object of starting the development of the unknown resources of this new Western Reserve of the State of Connecticut. They found footprints of moccasins only, but not many of them, as, by treaties consummated prior to that period, most of the Red Men had retired to other sections of the country, said retirement being of the nature of retreat from the onward progress of the white man. The Indians who inhabited the south shore of Lake Erie in this section last prior to the invasion of the white man, were said to have been of the Algonquin and Iroquois tribes. This, however, had been a prolific hunting and fishing resort, and representatives of numerous tribes came here periodically to indulge in the sport and replenish their larders at home in some other territory. The township of Windsor, than which there is none more picturesque in the whole cOunty, was one of the favorite places of assemblage for the hunting braves. It is said that as many as four or five hundred Indians would constitute the temporary colonies attracted in season by the excellent sport afforded by the wilds of that interior township. Among the tribes represented, who met in friendly association, are named the Ottawas, - 72 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY - 73 Chippewas, Cayugas and Tonawandas, while there were others not mentioned by names. The name "Ashtabula" was derived from the Indians and is variously translated as meaning "Beautiful River", "River of Fish", "Many Fish", "Fish River", "River of Many Fish", etc. At any rate it seems to have reference to the river, the course of which, with its tributaries, embraces many wonderfully picturesque scenes, the most attractive of which are almost within the limits of Ashtabula city. Where the Algonquins came from, history does not relate. Neither does tradition. The Massasaugas were of the Delaware family. Both were friendly, as a rule, with the white newcomers, and gave the latter very little trouble. These tribes had their villages in different sections of the county, Conneaut, Wayne, and Andover being the most prominent. Near Andover, in the vicinity of Pymatuning Creek, there was a large village that covered nearly an acre of ground. Many implements of stone, arrowheads and. other relics of the day when the Red Man held sway have been found on and about the site of this village. In fact, evidences of the Indian occupation or visitation have been found in nearly every section of the county and many homes now have treasured relics that were picked up by the occupants' ancestors, or even up to very recent years by themselves. The Massasaugas were a very religious tribe and even after the advent of the whites there were enough left to hold their periodical feasts and rites. Relative to this, the following is taken from historical sketches of Ashtabula County written in the '50s by Joel Blackeslee, historian : "They are described by the early settlers as occasionally holding their dances and pow-wows for heathen worship on the site of *the old fort. Some of these were performed with great solemnity. One has been described by Joshua Fobes as follows : 'They arranged themselves in a circular form around a large fire, one of them with a sort of drum, beating on it to mark the time, while the rest, stooping forward, kept up a sort of jumping dance, with much prolonged activity, all the time singing the words "He-up-a-he-oh-a, He-up-a-he-oh-a", in a monotonous manner.' "One of their modes of worshiping the Great Spirit was described to Mr. Joel Blakeslee by a lady, one of the first settlers in Williamsfield, who often visited the Indian camp, and in the night season witnessed the solemn 74 - HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY ceremony. She describes it as follows : 'When the hour arrived, the worshipers arranged themselves in two lines, one of males, the other of females. Three or four Indians, drummers, sitting on the ground with their single-headed drums and single drumsticks, struck up the solemn tones, accompanied with the voice. At that, all parties in both lines commenced an active and regular motion to and fro toward one another and back again, all keeping exact time with their feet to the drum, while their voices, united in solemn tones, chanted aloud the following notes : "Weter-weter we-hah ; Weter-weter, we hah ; Weter weter we hah, hah. How-we-ah, How-we ah hah. How-we ah, How we ah haw wah. Hightonne-ah, High tonne ah hah wah ; High tonne ah, we a hah wah." " 'This tune, expressed in a plaintive voice and accompanied by the melancholy sounds of the drums and the measured tread of the dancers, gave an air of solemnity to the whole. To witness one of these exhibitions of a savage worship at midnight, by moonlight or torchlight, in the otherwise silent hours of the night when all nature was hushed in soft and deep repose, was indeed impressive'. "This company of Massasauga Indians consisted of 20 or 25 families, who lived by hunting until about the time of the arrival of the whites. Friendly intercourse was kept up between them and the settlers, and through the efforts made in their behalf, they soon became more civil, and turned their attention to the cultivation of the soil and raising of cattle. "It is told of them that, notwithstanding the efforts made in their behalf, the Indians played a trick with some of their benefactors which showed their inherent treachery. Good old Father Wakeman engaged to let them have an excellent piece of ground for corn land, consisting of about five acres. He prepared the ground in good season and style, expecting that the Indians would work upon the halves. The Indians came and were punctual to their contract, and about the time the corn was to be gathered, Mr. Wakeman was so well pleased that he told his wife to prepare a good dinner for the whole gang, as he would give them a good feast for their faithfulness. "Just at this time one of Mr. Wakeman's friends came and asked him what had become of his corn. Mr. Wakeman started over the ridge which lay between his land and the cornfield, but when he arrived at the