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INTRODUCTION.
Years gone by, Deacon W. W. Beals commenced to write a history of Troy, in the form of what he was pleased to designate as a "Lay sermon," taking for his text, Psalms xliv, 1, to wit: "We have heard with our ears, 0 God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old." It is my purpose to follow, somewhat, his plan, but will adopt a text not found in Holy Writ, and which contains but three words: "Then and now." And first, let me say, if any one desires to "pursue knowledge under difficulties," to such I can cheerfully recommend the attempt to collect reliable data, whereupon to write a history of Troy. In writing, I labor under three great difficulties: I do not write with the "pen of inspiration ;" I was not here to see, and "the half has not been told me." Those who knew most, are all dead. But one is now living who was here in "early day," and he was but a lad of ten years when he came. I refer to Mr. Osman Beals. To make township history interesting, anecdotes are needful to serve as "chinking," and of these but few have been thus far furnished me; which deficiency, it is hoped, will be supplied at some future time.
Just a word or two to the lads who are new merging into their "teens." If, instead of ruining the "feather edge" of Alonzo Hubbard's bench planes, on "Granny Hunter's" old cast-iron tea-kettle; or scattering "Uncle Zeke" Lamson's pumpkin vines, which he had so carefully gathered; or making "witch quills," and discharging them through cat-holes, to the utter dismay of neighboring children—I say if, instead of all this, and much more, I had been occupied with my books, I should be able to give to my readers a much more presentable sketch than I now can do. If at times I shall "murder the king's English," please bear in mind that, during the past thirty years, I have had a far more intimate acquaintance with cast-steel than with "Kirkham." If, at times, I shall misapply words, please also bear in mind that when I was a youth, "Webster's Unabridged" was not in the hands of the masses, if, indeed, it had an existence.
In compiling the following historical sketch of Troy, the writer cheerfully acknowledges the assistance rendered by Deacon Beals, Mrs. Emily Pike, Mrs. Caroline Nash, and many others, in collecting data whereupon to indite; and, finally, let it be borne in mind that Troy was settled'at least ten years later than some of the surrounding townships, consequently the more terrible hardships which they had to encounter, our pioneers did not experience.
February, 1874.
W. H. C.
586 - HISTORY OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO
TROY.
BY WILLIAM H. CHAPMAN.
PREFACE.
If there is anything of a local character, aside from one's own affairs, which should be of interest to the citizen of a township, it would seem to be, more than all else, a knowledge, more or less perfect, of the history of the township in which the fortunes of that citizen are cast; that each may know a little of what the pioneers passed through, while performing the rugged, arduous duties, incidental to the advance guard of civilization, in a country such as was the 'Western Reserve, a century ago. Poor indeed, at the best, will be our conception of the hardships and privations with which they were obliged to contend, while opening up what is now one of the most desirable regions in the whole "Buckeye" State. It is not easy for our imagination to paint, with any degree of accuracy, as we drive our dozen, more or less, of fat, sleek, contented cows, from well-fenced, luxurious pastures, to comfortable stables, twice each day, to relieve their overburdened udders; I say it is not an easy thing to imagine the difference between this comparatively pleasant pastime, and the way which was practiced by the hardy frontiersman, with his single "bossy," if indeed he were the fortunate owner of one. Then, a fenced grazing field was not known, and after "old brin" had paid her usual assessment of two quarts, or thereabouts, in the morning, she was turned loose to seek her food as best she might, in the surrounding forest, while our sturdy woodsman, with axe well sharpened, proceeded to his daily toil of levelling the giant oaks, or the more graceful beech, or maple, whistling the while in bright anticipation of a well-cleared farm, in days yet to come, and thus he works, and thus he whistles, until the setting sun warns him of other duties. Shouldering his trusty axe, he glances over the result of his day's exertion, with a feeling of proud satisfaction, then betakes himself to his "cabin," where the good wife has a lunch in readiness for him, which he eagerly seized—for it is growing late—and starts on his uncertain pilgrimage after the cherished cow. She may be found within a mile of home, and, perchance, he may travel many a weary one, before he hears the welcome sound of his own cowbell. Sometimes his aching limbs mutely urge him to abandon the search, but visions of the little ones, peering through the chinks of his cabin palace, wondering why "pa don't come home, with "Old Brin;" they are so hungry," urge him on, and on, till at last, in the distance, his accustomed ear catches the well-known sound, when his weary plodding is changed in a twinkling to a sprightly step, and his treasure is soon discovered, luxuriating, perchance, on a new-found bed of leeks; but at his bidding, starts through the dense forest, to her well-known quarters, with an unerring certainty. Here she is greeted by the mother with a choice tidbit of something saved up for her especial use, she meanwhile relieving her of what little milk she may have secreted during the day. This done, she is made fast to a neighboring tree, and the children regaled with a porringer of johnny-cake and milk. If any is left, mother takes a little, if not, just as well, she makes a supper of johnnycake alone. Everything being arranged for the night, all seek their humble cots, and sleep as only rough, hardy sons and daughters of toil can sleep, and awake in the morning ready to go
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through the same routine again. And thus passed the first season of their sojourn in the, then, far west.
As winter approaches, the little garden, made on a plat of ground hastily cleared, and rudely fenced, the spring previous, is carefully gathered, every vestige being turned to some use. The calf, "Old Brin's" production of the March previous, over the disposal of which a great many earnest discussions have been held, is finally doomed to the knife, to satisfy the demands of hunger, and a solemn pledge is made that the next one shall be raised.
Winter sets in. A rude hovel is erected, wherein their only dependence for milk may be sheltered from the storm, her food the while, being the browse, from a tree or two, each day felled for her special use, re-enforced by a few "nubbins" carefully laid away in the cabin loft for that purpose.
All this while "pater familias" is by no means idle. If not engaged with his trusty rifle, in securing sustenance for his priceless brood at the cabin; or at work, for a more forehanded "neighbor" in an adjoining township, in payment for a "chunk of pork" or a half bushel of wheat; the reverberating blows of that same carefully preserved axe, are heard from early dawn, till darkness hinders, in preparing another fallow for wheat, the next season ; clearly showing what a strong, impelling power, is faith.
Distance from neighbors being too great for social intercourse, the evenings are, nearly all, spent around his own rude fireside ; his employment-replacing a shattered axe-helve; or in some way improving the internal arrangements of his humble cabin, or making a hand-sled, for better convenience in transporting fire-wood, or making sap-spouts, in anticipation of the coming sugar season. Coal oil had not then been discovered, and tallow was to be found only in an occasional deer, so that the only light to be depended upon, was that of the blazing "fire-place," but anticipation of a "better coming " made all this endurable.
The post-office was an institution to be found only semi-occasionally, and the newspaper was as seldom to be found as the post-office; making general intelligence entirely out of the question; a stray letter from the far east at long intervals, comprising the only mail matter received, and answers, the only matter sent ; still our sturdy pioneer toiled on, hope ever in the ascendant.
In due course of time winter merges into most welcome spring, finding our friend in readiness for its duties. His self-imposed five acre "stent" is completed. The trunks of the trees nicely chopped into the requisite logging length, and the brush neatly and snugly piled, to await the consuming torch of the following June; the garden is enlarged and improved, and at the proper time planted. Later the torch is applied to the last summer's chopping, which soon reduces the more combustible portion to ashes. Then the process of mauling rails comes in order, for his field must needs be fenced against occasional marauders, and, having no team, the rails must be taken to their places by the transportation, better known in those days as "soul carting." This done, the field is duly dedicated and set apart as the first cornfield and potato patch, the remembrance of which will be carried to the end of life, The seed must be planted between the logs, and among the roots, for no team can yet be procured, with which to do the logging; and an old axe supplies the place of the hoe, in the operation.
In the meantime, "Old Brin," faithful to her duty, has donated the expected offspring; and as good luck would have it, this time it wasn't a heifer. Our overjoyed friend betakes himself to his nearest neighbor, who had settled on an adjoining section, and happily finds him similarly situated. A compact is at once entered into, to the effect that those calves be raised, to serve as a future partnership team. Faith and hope, in this case, strongly predominant.
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The season wanes, and the chopping of this summer covers a smaller area than did that of last, for the crops must be tended, which simply means loosening the soil around the plants, and knocking down the fire-weeds, which seem disposed to maintain the ascendancy; and then, there is the'wheat field to be disposed of.. The brush burnt, the next thing is more rails, and more fence, made in the same laborious manner, as was that of the previous spring. This done, such brands and chunks as can be moved by hand, assisted by the handspike, are piled and burned, the larger logs, of course, being left to await the current of events. The half-bushels of wheat, which have been collected as opportunity offered, and carefully laid away, are now brought forward, the grain carefully scattered on the most promising spots, and rudely covered by the best means at hand. When this is accomplished—for, mind you, it is not the work of a day—the cornfield demands attention, and soon the sight of shocks, scattered irregularly over the rude field, swell the bosom of our husbandman with honest pride. They are the first fruits of his toil in field-farming. Next the potatoes are dug, taken to a chosen spot near the domicile, deposited in a snug heap, covered well with forest leaves, and afterwards with earth. This constitutes the cellar. The roots and vegetables from the garden are treated in a similar manner. When wanted, a hole just large enough to allow the arm to be introduced, is forced through the covering, on the "warm side" of the heap, and when the needed articles are withdrawn, the rude hatchway is carefully closed to exclude the frost.
Winter again sets in, finding our pioneer, and those under his care, far better prepared to withstand its rigor, than they were one year ago. Instead of a diet composed of browse and nubbins, "Old Brin" now regales on delicious corn-fodder, small potatoes, cabbage leaves, and such other odds and ends as are thoughtfully saved up for her special use.
The "steer calf" is by no means neglected, but comes in for a full share of the good things, that will cause him to grow, for mind you, "great expectations," are wrapped up in his little hide. In the cabin, more improvements are seen. In one corner, on two pins driven into a log, rests a nicely made trough, which was filled with the product of the "sugar-bush," the spring previous, and which, thanks to the prudent management of the good housewife, is not yet nearly empty, although many a delicious lump has been meted out to the "bairns," as rewards of merit. A "short-cake" is occasionally introduced into the bill of fare, in lieu of the everlasting johnny-cake. A greater variety of articles of food from the garden, has been provided, and by way of luxury, the "young ones" had found and gathered a generous supply of wild berries, which were carefully laid away to be used as occasion required.
A few new-comers, who had settled during the past season, in different parts of the embryo township, made visiting no longer an impossibility. For occasions of this kind, the now indispensible "horse and cutter" were then to be seen only with the "eye of faith."
It having been decided upon what neighbor they will call, things are arranged at home as safely as possible, and left in charge of the faithful dog,—an animal considered indispensible in every backwoodsman's ,household,—and they make for the section line, that will most directly lead them to the desired locality, If there be snow, pater takes the lead, to break a path, the children, if large enough to walk, come next, and the mother brings up the rear; if not large enough, the parents resolutely transfer them ( if there be but two) to their willing shoulders, and away they go, happy in the thought that now they have neighbors so near, A hearty, undissembled welcome is their greeting. The new-comer, but a short time from the abode of civilization, has not yet become inured to pioneer life, and a call from one more experienced, is, to him, a source
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of infinite pleasure, Their conversation, instead of turning upon gossip, or scandal, or politics, finds a theme in their own personal affairs, as, how much land they propose to clear, where the best site for the barn (when it is built), and where the best for the house, etc. The tongues of the women meanwhile are not silent ; the plans and anticipations pertinent to their respeCtive affairs are duly discussed. The visiting neighbor, perhaps, proposing to lend the other flax sufficient to make her man a pair of "tow and linen" shirts, which she can repay when they shall have raised some for themselves. Kindness crops out at every turn, and when the visitors take their leave, it is evident that the "goodbye" is said in no conventional manner, but is heart-felt in every particular. The "man of the house," perhaps accompanying his guests a mile or two, to relieve the mother of her burden, for that oistance. As a result of this unceremonious, unconventional interchange of thoughts and purposes, our friends return to their humble home, feeling well assured, that, between themselves and their new neighbors, a friendship has been inaugurated that is destined to end, only with life.
A few days of redoubled exertion, and our now "old settlers," repeat the above mentioned pleasant occasion by making a similar journey in another direction, and for a similar object. While in the capacity of guests at the cabin of this late arrival, they perhaps learn, to their great satisfaction, that still others are on the way from the east, with an ox team and sled, having in view their own township, if indeed it has yet assumed the dignity of that title as a place of settlement. The expected arnval is discussed by our new acquaintances with infinite gusto, as visions of a respectable settlement in the near future loom up before their hopeful imagination, and light-hearted and light-footed, do our guests bid their host and hostess good day, and take their way homeward, talking, methinks, of the time when, years hence, those same woods through which they are traversing, will possibly be cultivated fields, and when schools will be a luxury no longer withheld, for be it known, the welfare of their little ones is, or should be, ever uppermost in their parent mind.
Time passes. We will imagine it is now near the close of- the month of March, and on one of those squally, disagreeable days, for which March is famous, when a man might be seen (if, indeed, there was any one to see him), in the dense forest, axe in one hand, and ox-whip in the other, making a slow, toilsome progress. The blinding snow storm compels him to consult hiscompass one moment, that he may not lose the direction that was given him at the last house, miles in his rear; then an obstruction in his path calls for the good offices of his axe, then a beckoning with the whip, then a few words of direction and encouragement to old "Buck and Broad," then an anxious inquiry as to the welfare of his passengers, when the unerring compass must needs again be referred to, the axe again called into requisition, then.the whip, till, finally, to the great joy of the weary travelers, the long sought for "clearing" of our sturdy yeoman is reached, a lull in the snow storm discloses the unpretending residence, and soon the way-worn travelers are at the door, Perhaps the new-comer was an acquaintance from the "Nutmeg State," perhaps not, That makes no difference. He, and his, are just as welcome as th0ugh their parents were Identical. They are all ushered with rustic heartiness into the domicile, while the "man of the house" disengages the patient, faithful, leg-weary cattle from the sled—which, perhaps, was constructed by its owner under some wood-shed away back in New England, and for this special journey—and soon they are ensconsed in "Old Brin's" hovel, doing ample justice to a lusty bundle of fodder. Meanwhile the "good wife" is by no means idle. A rousing fire is soon crackling on the hearth, and the johnny-cake board is brought into requisition, that being the only oven the house affords. After a few words of inquiry concern-
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ing matters "back east," our "host" excuses himself and is soon taking a "bee line" in the direction of the neighbor who owns the other "steer calf." He has three objects in view: first, self interest ; second, the interest of the neighbor whom he is on his way to see, and third, the mutual interest of the three. The pet project is, to induce his guest to "make a pitch " in their immediate vicinity, but the knotty problem is, how to subsist those oxen. It is finally settled that they can "winter out" their own stock on browse and a little corn, so that, between them, they can furnish food for the greatly needed team. This arranged, number two agrees to come over in the morning and "see about it," and number one hastens homeward, well pleased with the result of the interview,
Reaching home, he finds it to be bed-time, and the women planning how they are to sleep. The bed brought by the new-comer is made up on the floor, which is occupied by the men, the women taken to the other, while the "small fry" are tucked away here and there for chinking.
Next morning, true to promise, the proprietor of the other calf is promptly on hand, is introduced in backwoods style to the stranger, and the three at once enter into a discussion of the momentous question, which was the theme 0f the two "citizens" the day before. The attention of the stranger is called to a choice tract, which is happily located, and the trio set out on a tour of inspection. A survey is taken, as well as the snow-covered condition of the ground will allow, and trusting somewhat to the experience and integrity of his advisers, our new-fledged pioneer makes this site his choice, and all return to their respective places of abode, well pleased with the day's transaction.
Next morning betimes, the partially rested oxen are called on to transport the women folks to the prospective new home, that they may help to make a selection of a building spot. This in due time is done, and during the trip air castles enough are built to satisfy the most imaginative. Preliminaries arranged, the next thing is work, and here the new neighbor has a decided advantage over his predecessors. He can build a comfortable house at the outset, supplied, as he is, with a team, to bring together logs for that purpose.
And now the co-operative system, so common in new countries, begins to be developed. All the settlers who are within practicable distance are ready and willing to "turn in" and help our friend cut his logs and put up his house, in consideration of the same favor on his part, aided by his team, and in this way his advent marked a great improvement in all the region round about.
By the time spring had fairly opened, each and every "claim" was ornamented with the body of a house, of much more respectable appearance and far greater accommodations than the hand-built cabin, so that, during the following season, all the spare moments could be devoted to its completion, so as to be in readiness for the coming winter. The owner 0f the "ox team" is now all alive with his own affairs, The echo of his well directed blows, and the crash of falling timber, can be heard early and late, as he is preparing a small plat for a garden, and perhaps a little potato patch, The journey (as he is yet the guest of our friend) to and from his work becomes irksome to him, and so the neighbors, in consideration of a little "team work" in return, club together, on a pre-concerted day, and set about "doing off" his house, This is all the more agreeable to him as he has had no experience in that intricate science known as " Log house carpentering." The details of this "trade" are mainly confined to chopping or sawing out a place for a door, and perhaps for a window; splitting puncheons for the floor, riving shake shingles, laying the roof, and improvising a something called the fire-place. Partitions are not to be thought of, for the article called lumber is yet standing unmanufactured in the tree, awaiting the advent of the yet far off saw-mill,
This work accomplished, the task of transferring his worldly goods to his own
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home is a light affair, and when accomplished, and possession actually taken, Ferdinand and Isabella could not have felt a greater degree of pride, when it was announced to the world that under their supervision Columbus had discovered the "New World," than did our recent wayfarers from the "land of steady habits." A consultation with his more experienced friends developed the fact that the cherished oxen are a luxury, which cannot be consistently indulged in, and with many misgivings, their ownership is transferred to a settler miles away, who has been in the country long enough to get a start. The remuneration is perhaps applied in part to making payment for his well wooded acres, and in part for articles of imperative necessity either in doors or out. Leaving this emigrant to work his way up to competence, or the reverse, as his lot may be, attention is again called to our friend of the cabin, the steer calf, and "old Brin."
Notwithstanding his time and attention have been devoted somewhat to the benefit of others, spring found him with his five acres ready for the brand, and as he has neither team nor plow with which to cultivate his last year's cornfield, and, in fact, could not get it plowed if he had, he runs a fence between that and the wheat field, thereby making it serve for a pasture, a portion of the season. The garden is put into shape to receive seed, by a process known as " spading," the fire-shovel, perhaps, being the implement used for that purpose. A few days devoted to putting a roof on his own house, and doing other things of an equally imperative character, when a warm, pleasant May day witnesses a conflagration in the new chopped fallow. Then the work of partial clearing, fencing and planting is repeated. The heifer calf, shut away from the mother, and learned to drink, as was the other, one year ago, is looked upon as the coming cow, while a well fed pig, grunting in the pen, gives evidence that the woods are soon not to be wholly relied on to furnish meat for household consumption,
The summer passes as did the previous one, making further inroads into the forest, and cultivating, as best he may, the growing crops, with one important addition to his labor—that of reaping his first field of golden wheat. When this is securely harvested, he and she congratulate theinselves that their days of johnny-cake, for a steady diet, are now over, its place to be supplanted by the delicious short-cake. The only trouble is the incomplete, backwoods manner of grinding—the mortar and pestle being, many times, the only grist-mill available.
Summer merges into autumn, the crops secured, and this time stored, all except the corn and wheat, in a place hollowed out under the house-floor, the house itself finished, and exultingly occupied. An addition is made to the hovel for the better accommodation of the juvenile cattle, and things fixed up shipshape, generally. Winter returns; and others, away down east, hearing of this second "garden of Eden," take advantage of the snow as a medium for transportation, and before spring again returns, several more of the hardy sons of toil have been added to our sparcely settled neighborhood, some singly, and some accompanied by families, but all find a hearty welcome under the hospitable roofs of those who had.come before.
Matters and things now begin to look decidedly encouraging. Roads are located in the more thickly settled portion of the domain, and, best of all, a school can be organized, which is at once done. A site for a school-house is selected, and then comes the most memorable day for that community thus far —the day of putting up the, school-house. Every person is interested in the project, male and female, and reports in person on the appointed day, and the opening of a future railroad could not be entered into with more zest, than was the erection of this rude, backwood's college, If no one of this heroic band is possessor of a team, it does not deter them in the least. The logs are carried together by virtue of human muscle, the noble women bearing a full share of the labor, and the humble edifice goes up with an enthusiasm never before man-
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ifested in that embryo school-district. With what maternal pride do the good mothers, a few weeks later, put up the first dinner, and start their young jewels off to school, a mile perhaps, or more, through the woods, the only text-book, doubtless, being Webster's speller. But what of that? A noble future may be encompassed within the linsey-woolsey clothing of those same unkempt urchins.
Time passes. Those calves having now assumed the dignity of three-year old steers, and, in consequence of frequent handling while yet apart, become quite tractable, are brought together and receive a formal introduction by means of a yoke, prepared for the purpose. This is another proud day for the owners, second only to the school-house affair. And why not? Are they not now the happy proprietors of a pair of promising steers? which, if nothing befals, will soon make them the independent owners of a reliable team, and this ownership, bringing them as it does into nearer relationship, will be in no way detrimental to their future mutual well-being. Discord is a thing almost unknown in a sparsely-settled country.
With our hero—who, but a few years ago, was the humble proprietor of old "Brin", his gun, and his axe—the crisis is passed. He is now on an independent footing. He has worn gradually into the surrounding forest, until he has a respectable clearing. That calves, of years ago, are now oxen—steady and patient. The logs which he was compelled to leave unburnt, are now all cleared away, and the stumps so far rotted that he can plow a respectable furrow. An enterprising emigrant has a saw-mill in operation, on a neighboring stream, which he has not failed to patronize; the result being, a comfortable barn and his log house fixed up so that it will do, till he is able to build a better one in days to come. The "little ones" of the cabin days are now robust lads and lasses, a help and comfort to those who were so zealous for their welfare. A horse is now included in the inventory of stock, so that, when he and the "old lady" feel like taking a winter-evening trip to one of the neighbors, they do not go on foot, or with the slow pace of oxen and sled, but can enjoy the more pretentious horse and "pung."
These preparatory remarks, faintly describing as they do, the hardships which the resolute pioneers of this Western Reserve experienced, and of which the "gentler sex" bore the lion's share, make no account whatever of anything but the common-place difficulties which they encountered. Not a word has been said about the soul-harrowing bereavements and disheartening sickness, which were the almost constant companions of the advance guard of civilization, physicians and nurses being among the impossibilities. Yet, mildly as it has been pictured in the foregoing pages, it undoubtedly seems to many like the imagination of a disordered brain. That all such may come to a different conclusion, "let facts be submitted to a candid world."
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CHAPTER I.
HISTORY PROPER
It is fair to presume, and safe to conclude that, at the birth of the present century, civilized man had not set foot on the soil of this township, with a view of making it his home; nor had he, till the sands of the first decade had nearly run; an occasional hunter or adventurer, being the only intruder, on the domain, that for a long time was known as the "Welshfield Woods."
In commencing the history proper, of Troy, it seems no better course can be adopted, than to copy almost verbatim, from scraps of record left by one of its earliest settlers, Deacon W. W. Beals, now deceased. He says: " The territory comprising the township of Troy, Geauga county ; or in other words, township number six, in the seventh range of townships of the Connecticut Western Reserve," was entered for actual improvement, and the first bush cut with a view to settlement, early in the year 1811; and where now are seen stately mansions, improved fields, and all the paraphernalia of civilized life; then dwelt
"Nothing else but beasts of prey,
Or men, as wild and fierce as they."
In our streets, where now is seen "Young America," with his fiery steed, plated harness, and splendid vehicle, dashing along—over well constructed turnpikes—at the rate of 3:40 (the deacon might now leave out the 40), then was seen the first team winding and twisting, and "dragging its slow length along" through marshes, ravines, wind-falls and mud, of which no one can now give a faithful description, and be considered truthful.
Jacob Welsh, a man who had seen at least half a century, a citizen of Boston, Massachusetts, was empowered as agent by his father, one David Hinckley, * and perhaps, other landholders; to locate the lands within the boundaries of this present township, have them surveyed, and make other needed improvements, at a stipulated salary of $500 per annum.
He, accordingly, with his eldest daughter, Betsey, came to Burton in the fall of 1810, he occupying his time during the winter in exploring his territory and selecting a tract whereon to locate, and which he decided should be at what is now the center. He employed a man known as "little" Phineas Pond, of Mantua, to put up a small log cabin, which was built near the house where his son, Captain John Welsh, afterward lived and died. When this was written (1874) there was no permanent land-mark wherefrom to describe the location of this cabin. Now there is a substantial vault in the cemetery which can be taken as a point of departure. From a point twenty yards south from the south side of this vault, extending two hundred and eighteen yards eastward, can be found the
* This township, in common with all the townships in Geauga county, was purchased from the Connecticut Land Company on the 29th of January, 1798, and each, with certain modifications, for the uniform sum of $12,933.23. The purchasers of township number six, together with the sum paid by each, were as follows :
John Welsh and David Hincrdey - $ 6,000 00
John Worthington - 1,600 00
Seth Porter - 3,000 00
Robert Buch - 1,311 54
Asa White - 991 69
Total - $13,903 33
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exact location, or nearly so, of Mr. Welsh's cabin; a spot which a century hence will be looked upon as the "Plymouth Rock" of the township. Near by this spot, and southward from it, are several venerable apple trees, planted, perhaps, in the autumn of 1811.
Solomon Charter, now of Burton, and a brother of said Charter, were employed to cut out the brush and clear the way, so that a wagon could follow the Indian trail on the east side of the river, This being done, he, with his daughter, and a few goods, were brought through and duly installed under the first shelter built for civilized man in this township. 'This was early in 1811. He employed one Chester Elliot, of Bondstown, now Hambden, to survey the township into sections of one mile square each—No. i being at the northeast corner, traversing south and north, finishing with No. 25, at the southwest corner; No. 13 being the center section. He selected the center tier of sections, running north and south, and also the western tier, for himself, and those whom he represented.
Mr. Welsh is described as a man of medium size, fair complexion, always well dressed, wearing short breeches, fastened at the knees with large buckles. He represented the first families of Boston, was liberally educated, of good powers of conversation, prepossessing in appearance, and of pleasant manners; but as a business man not a success, being endowed with but little energy.
In June, of the same year (1811), Peter B. Beals and Ebenezer Ford, his nephew, arrived here, with span of horses and wagon, and said Beals, being authorized by the above named Seth Porter to make a selection for him, selected the east range of sections, and located for himself on section No. 1, and put up a cabin—the second in the township—made of peeled bark, near a beech tree, with a wide-spreading top, which stood near the dwelling now occupied by John Beals, the younger. He cleared the brush and girdled some four or five acres of land, and sowed it to wheat, from which was harvested the first grain raised in the township. On his return to Massachusetts, in the fall, he drove the first team that ever passed from Burton, through Chardon, to Painesville, the road having been recently cut through ; the travel hitherto having been through Middlefield and Hambden.
June 9, 1812, Peter Beals started on his return trip to Ohio, accompanied by his wife, five children, one Harvey Pratt (a young man living with him, whose time had not expired), and a young lady named Paulina Ford, who afterward became the wife of Captain Ebenezer Hayes, of Fairport; also, John Beals, with wife and five children, Simon Burroughs, jr.,* with wife and three children, all from Plainfield, Massachusetts. Their conveyance consisted of five wagons, three drawn by oxen and two by horses, with which they all arrived in Burton the middle of July following, safe and sound, notwithstanding the many frightful rumors of merciless Indians killing, scalping, or driving off all the border settlers, war with England having that year been declared.
Peter B. and family took immediate possession of the bark cabin above men-
*NOTE—With regard to the arrivar and settlement of the Burroughs family, the memory of Mr.
Beals seems to be somewhat at fault. The following is the statement of Lewis A,, erdest son of Jacob Burroughs: Simon, sr., came in the fall of 1812, in company with John Beals, and others, and settled on the farm afterward owned by his son Amos. His family consisted of his wife and sixteen children. Simon, jr , with his wife and three children, accompanied by his brother. Jacob and Elijah Ford, both single men, came here the winter following. Their mode of conveyance was an ox team and sled. Simon, jr., settled on what is known as the "Sugar-loaf” lot, and Jacob took a claim on the lot joining his brother, on the west. While the Ohio canal was being constructed, Simon, jr., who was a stone-mason by trade (the first one in Troy), obtained employment in the buirding of canal locks, and while engaged in that vocation, sickened and died. Jacob Burroughs afterward came into possession of the "Sugar-loaf," which he held at the time of hrs death, in 1861. After his arrival, and before his marriage, he (Jacob) taught a school in Burton, at which he gave such men as Governor Seabury Ford, Coronel Erastus Spencer, and their brolhers, their first knowledge of mathematics. Simon sr., was a bracksmith by trade. Of course, the first in Troy.
HISTORY OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO - 595
tioned, the others remaining at Burton, until they could build wherewith to shelter themselves.
John Beals settled, lived and died, on the farm now occupied, and owned, by his son, Osman, and grandson, Cyrus. Simon Burroughs commenced, and remained to the time of his death, on the farm since owned by his son, Amos.
In the summer of the same year (1812), Alpheus Pierce, also from Plainfield, Massachusetts, located, put up the body of a log house, and commenced improvements, on the farm now owned by Lewis Burroughs. November r tth, of the same year, he left for his native place, and returned with his family, February 21, 1813.
His arrival was signalized by the first observance of religious worship in the township. A letter, written to Rev. Josiah Hopkins,—who essayed to write a township history, but died, not completing it—reads nearly as follows: "Immediately on his arrival (speaking of Alpheus Pierce), meetings on the Sabbath were instituted, and, as he, for a long time, was the only male professor of religion, the devotional exercises nearly all devolved on him. John Nash and family, and Harvey Pratt, constituted the choir, and sermons were usually read by some young man, or Mr. Welsh, when he was present, would sometimes read. It would be somewhat amusing now, could we see the interior of the log cabin in which these meetings were held, and the audience then assembled. Mr. Pierce was a tall, straight man, sober-looking, and nearly sixty years of age. His garments were coarse, and somewhat tattered, to hide which he always wore a leather apron. Beside him sat a son (Seabury), whom fits had rendered idiotic, in garments somewhat like the father's, only more tattered, ano without the appendage of the leather apron; yet he was by no means an idle spectator. Frequently I have seen him, when the reading was finished, and the old gentleman, with his head down, was absorbed in meditation, or overcome by morpheus, jog him, and whisper in his ear: "Come, diddy, pray." Upon this, Uncle Alpheus would raise himself up, and begin to address the Throne of Grace; slowly, at first, but would soon become exceedingly fervent; among other petitions, praying that this howling wilderness might "bud and blossom, as the rose," and which he lived to see literally fulfilled, although he removed, towards the middle of the State a few years before his death. Rude and unrefined as were our meetings, at that early day, yet I have no doubt that much good has resulted from the exertions of some of the first settlers, in endeavoring to keep up good order and regulation in this settlement. In looking over the subsequent history of those who then inhabited Troy, the verdict seems to be plainly in favor of those individuals who regarded the Sabbath and its institutions."
In the fall of 1812, Peter B. Beals built the first frame barn, the lumber for which was sawed about one mile southeast from where the village of Parkman is located. Soon after this barn was finished he was seized with an epidemic, that then went through the country, and which left him a cripple for life. The nearest physician was one Dr. Seeley, of Youngstown, to whom he paid one hundred and ten dollars for eleven professional visits. Being incapacitated for manual labor, he purchased the tavern stand* in Burton, of which he took possession in 1814, and was soon after appointed postmaster, which office he held some twenty-five years. Excepting the one at Chardon, it was for a long time the only post-office in Geauga county. In addition to his lameness, he became nearly blind, and employed Peter Hitchcock, jr., then a lad—now Hon. Peter Hitchcock—to assist in making his quarterly returns. Misfortunes followed him until all his property (which was once considerable) was lost, and himself being too deeply in debt to be able to extricate himself, he returned to his old home
* Located on premises now owned by Esquire Merriam.
596 - HISTORY OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO.
in Troy, where he spent the remnant of his days, partly supporting himself by making shingles. His son, Alvord, selling the premises to W. W., Peter B. remained with the latter until his death, which occurred April 26, 1850, aged eighty-six years and seven months. He was buried in the Burton cemetery, beside his wife, who died in 1821, and where not a stick or stone marks his last resting place.
When he was sixty-six years of age, while musing over his situation and surroundings, he composed a verse describing the result of his musing, and added a verse each year during the twenty years which he afterwards lived, and considering his age anal infirmities, they are thought to be worthy of preservation.
“Thy servant, Lord, three score and six,
On heaven may his heart be fixed.
Lord give him eyes that he may see,
And limbs that he may leap to thee.
Thy servant, Lord, three score and seven,
O, may his name be wrote in heaven.
And when his eyes are closed in death.
Lord lead him to a heavenly rest.
Three score and eight, thy servant stands,
Upheld by thy supporting hand.
Uphold him, still, O Lord, I pray,
O lead him to a brighter day.
Thy servant, Lord, three score and nine,
O cause thy grace on him to shine.
Give him submission to thy will,
That he his days on earth may fill.
Great God thy servant thou bast brought
To this great age ; O what a thought.
In counting o'er. his years have been
The number of three score and ten.
Though seventy years are past and gone,
And he is left to mourn alone,
His bosom friend laid in the dust,
Where he must follow soon, he must.
Lord, shouldst thou grant another year,
He's still convinced that death is near.
O fill his heart with praise and love
To his redeemer, Christ, above.
Lord cleanse his heart from sin and shame,
Lead him to praise thy holy name.
Give him new hopes, new joys, new fears,
Till he may end his mortal years.
Fill every vesser to the brim,
Of grace and mercy may they sing.
May truth, and peace, and love abound,
And every heart God's praises sound,
Lord give him faith, and hope, and love,
To lead his spirit, Lord, above ;
To join with those who sing and praise
God's holy name to endless days.
His body must sleep in the ground,
Until the trump of God shall sound,
Then it will awake, ascend, arise,
To meet his Maker in the skies.
There a new body will be given
To those who are prepared for heaven.
Clothed in a garment white and clean,
A spot nor wrinkle can't be seen.
HISTORY OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO - 597
Three score and nineteen years are gone,
And he is at or near his tomb.
Pardon his sins, 0 Lord, I pray,
Before the great decisive day.
Lord, could I say that Thou art mine,
And Thou shouldst answer " I am thine,"
It would suffice ; I'd ask no more.
Thy servant's age is now four score.
A trembling sinner here he stands,
Waiting the summons from Thy hands.
Submission, Lord, thy will be done ;
Thy servant's age is eighty-one.
With crutch and staff he moves along,
Tottering and trembling, blind and lame ;
Lord grant Thy arm to lead him through ;
Thy servant's age is eighty-two.
Thine arm, 0 Lord, has led him on
Another year, how soon 'tis gone !
He gives his heart, his all to Thee ;
Thy servant's age is eighty-three.
Thine arm thy servant doth entreat
To lead him low at Jesus' feet.
Lord guide him to the Shepherd's door,
For now Thy servant's eighty-four.
Jesus, great shepherd, priest, and king,
O help Thy servant to come in.
Lord guide him to Thy fold above ;
There s joy, and peace, and praise, and love,
Though dark and gloomy is my path,
Lord guide my footsteps to the last.
O lead me in the narrow way
That reads to life's immortal day."
February 19, 1813, John Nash, from Windsor, Massachusetts, also the team and part of the family of Benjamin Lamoin, of Plainfield, Massachusetts, arrived in town, and on the 26th John Colson,* also of Plainfield, came here. Colson settled on the northeast corner of the township, on land now owned by Issac Town. John Nash settled on the southeast quarter of section three, since owned by John Nash, jr.
The Lamoin family settled on what was aftewards known as the "Sawyer place," now owned by Spencer, Burton, Nash, and others. The elder Lamoin was left at Madison, Lake county, sick, where he died, February 22d. Madison was then a depot for supplies for the army, and a soldier, who was detailed as guard, complaining of not feeling well, Mr. Lamoin voluteered to take his relief through the night, and, in doing so, took a violent cold, which resulted as above stated.
July 2, 1813, occurred the first death of a white person, in the township, it be. ing a son of Simon Burroughs, jr., aged five years.
In the winter of 1812, Elijah Ford, a young man from Plainfield, Massachusetts, located on the northeast quarter of section three, paying for the same with his own labor, in the employ of Peter B. Beals, and in 1813 married Esther, daughter of Benjamin Johnson, of Burton.
In the fall of 1813, Jacob Welsh (he being then a widower) left his daughter. Betsey, and a hired man, Robert Galt, by name, to look after his affairs, and
* A portion of Mr. Colson's land was located just across the line. in Burton township, and his home was built thereon, on the site of Henry Avery's present residence.
598 - HISTORY OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO.
went back to Boston for a second wife.* He returned in the fall of 1814 with his newly acquired wife, and accompanied by three other children, to-wit : Jacob; a widowed daughter, Barrett by name; Mary, afterward Mrs. Samuel Butler, of Fairport; and also a daughter of the widow above named, who married one Brooks, also of Fairport. The younger Jacob, not liking hard work, soon obtained a situation as clerk in a store in Warren.t
There is no record that any addition was made by immigration, or otherwise (with one exception), to the census of the township in 1814, but the events of that year were burned into the memories of every one who shared their experience. War with England was at his height; Hull had surrendered early in the conflict, and every available man was called on to help repair that disaster, and the country was stripped of provisions with which to subsist the army, while the very little not taken was, in price, far beyond the exchequer of any resident of Troy. How they subsisted seems almost a miracle. The four staples of life were of equal price. Flour, salt and whiskey were fifteen d0llars per barrel, and pork fifteen dollars per hundred weight, Esquire Hickox, of Burton, came to the rescue. He sent John Pierce (known as "Honest John") with a team to Youngstown after a load of flour, which trip occupied a long week. On his return this flour was distributed to the needy, their promises taken in payment for the time being, and thus the threatening starvation was averted. Those who were fortunate enough to own a cow could make thickened milk (not very thick, by the way), while those who had no cow substituted water. In the way of present luxuries, Peter B. Beals obtained a barrel of whiskey, which he placed upon a stump where the older people could draw and drink, while the younger managed to get their share through the vent, by means of a straw, or quills fastened together after the manner of a stove pipe.
Another settler, by the name of Samuel Eldred, having a little means, and being in want of a barrel of salt, harnessed his old mare, and getting astride, started for Fairport, the nearest point where it could be obtained, leaving his family in doubt as to how he would transport it home. But their doubts were dispelled, when, after several days' absence, he returned with his salt snugly fastëned upon a couple of poles, which served as runners, they being weakened in the middle so that the smaller ends would serve as shafts, proving that "necessity is the mother of invention."
A serio-comic incident, which occurred in the spring of this year [1814], may be worth recording. After Hull surrendered his army (August 6, 1812), all the available men in this region were called into the field, as before stated, and Troy was left with but two men within its borders. One of them (Eldred) was quite too old, and the other (Ben Lamoin) was not old enough. At that time there were several acres in extent on land, now owned by John Cutler and Lewis F. Scott, which was then covered with water a large portion of the time, and was the headquarters for innumerable mosquitoes and bullfr0gs, 0f which latter inhabitants, those who came here in 1813 were ignorant, When the spring of 1814 arrived, and the frogs were released from their torpid condition, they commenced, as usual, their unearthly bellowing. The women and children, who had never heard them, supposed it to be a signal given by the red-
* The absence of Mr, Welsh proved, ever after, disastrous to the well-being of the daughter, Having been reared in a city, the susroundings of his forest home, were, at the best, very distasteful to her. After her father had gone, her only companion was the hired man, above arluded to, the nearest neighbors being the Beals, Burroughs, Pierce, and Nash families--miles distant. This, with howling wolves, and intrusion of Indians, proved too much, and her reason became unseated, never to be returned, She lived till December s, 8sx, dying at the age of sixty-three. "Aunt Betty Welsh " was the name by which she was familiarly known during the later years of hes life,
+ Afterwards settled in Coshocton, Coshocton county.
HISTORY OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO - 599
skins for a general slaughter of the defenceless inhabitants, and their terror was indescribable, till the above-mentioned Ben Lamoin* concluded he would know if the noise proceeded from Indians or not, and, organizing himself into an army of observation (leaving the old man to act as a reserve corps), he skirmished through the woods, till, coming to the pond, he discovered from whence the noise came, and lost no time in making known to the terrified ones that their fears were unfounded.
The one addition [mentioned above] to the census table for this year, occurred on the twenty-seventh of March, in the advent of Lavina, daughter of Elijah and Esther Ford, rendered historical from the fact of its being the first birth in the township, and furthermore, tradition says, she ate the first apple raised in Troy, and that the apple grew on a tree planted by Jacob Welsh, in the fall of 1811. It is related as a singular coincidence, that the future husband of Lavina Ford —Mr, Olney Percival-who was a native of Vermont, was the first white person who was born in his natal township.
Late in the season of 1814, after the men had returned to their homes— their term of enlistment having expired—they set to work to put up a small school-house, of logs. Abner H, Fairbanks, a returned soldier, living in Parkman, was engaged to teach, and this marked the opening of educational enterprise, This school-house was situated just west of the Sugarloaf, on land then owned by Simon Burroughs, jr., and since by his brother, Jacob, Tradition does not furnish a roster of all the scholars, nor an account of the sum paio the teacher.
The first sermon preached in Troy, was preached by Rev. Luther Humphrey, in 1814, at the house of Jacob Welsh.
From this time on, for several years, the population of Troy increased very slowly, and at least for three reasons. Although the war with Great Britain had virtually closed on the z4th of December, 1814, yet—as ocean telegraphy was then not dreamed of—it was not known, generally, till late the next year, and, people who wished to "go west," were nearly all not in a condition to do so, the war having made sad havoc with the little means they possessed; another reason: the land was held at too high a price to encourage emigration, $5 per acre being the figure at which it was held; and a third reason was: the unhealthiness which prevailed, especially near the river. But this did not entirely dissuade adventurers from seeking their fortunes within our boundary. In 1815 Nathaniel Weston, Nathan R. Lewis, and Isaac Russell, from the State of New York, took up their abode in Troy, and all three settled on section number four.
Thus far, all the inhabitants, except Jacob Welsh, had settled on the eastern tier of sections, Later in the year, a young man, also an ex-soldier, and who became intimately connected with the rise and progress of township enterprise nearly as long as he lived, came and took up a claim on number eleven, which
* During a brief interview, which the writer had the good fortune to enjoy, on the seventh of June, an, with the above-named Lamoin —now a veteran of eighty-six years—he branded this "frog story" as a canard; averring that the circumstance on which it was founded happened years before, "way down East." He rerated, however, a somewhat ludicrous interview which he held with a bear while he was living here, On one occasion, having business with Simon Burroughs, he took down the old Continentar musket —rifles were then unknown—and started for that settlement, He had not proceeded far, before he was confronted by a huge bear, which, as is their habit, reared himself upon his haunches, the better to take observations. Ben, was at once seized with the "buck ague," and entirely forgot that he had his musket; so, pointing the index finger a la duello at bruin, he shouted—or thinks he shouted—: "Old fellow; if my gun was here, you wourdn't sit there long." His bearship gazed awhire, when, dropping on "alr fours," he hastened out of sight in the surrounding forest. Mr, Lamoin now thinks it was fortunate for him that he did not make use of his gun, as the load which it contained would doubtress have done nothing more than to enrage the bear, when his own safety would have been a matter of doubt. Mr. L. went away in 1816, and now regrets having done so, He says that the Eldred spoken of was a relative of himself.
600 - HISTORY OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO.
is known, and for years will be known as the "Dayton farm," a portion of which is now owned by E. P. Latham.
The name of John Dayton is the synonym of everything that is ardent, impulsive, kind-hearted and public-spirited. If any enterprise for the public weal was contemplated, John Dayton could always be counted on as an ardent supporter, both with his influence and his means, and monuments of his zeal are yet standing, and will stand, for years to come. It was not among his maxims _to put "his hand to the plow and look back." The first public enterprise, and which he has the credit of originating, was set on foot, and carried out in 1815. This was the building of a log house near a spring, on land now owned by George Fox, and directly north from the present cemetery, the same to be occupied by new-comers, while selecting a location and building thereon. This was known as the "Pilgrim House," not a vestige of which has been in existence for years. A f0rmer citizen of Troy (Benjamin Kingsbury), dates his birth at this house in 1819.
This year also occurred the advent of the first voter, in the person of Edwin, son of Simon Burroughs, jr., who was born April 12, 185.
John Nash, being a carpenter by trade (the first in the township), and having had a strong dictate for building log structures, thus far had provided no perms- . nent shelter for his stock, and would gladly build a barn, but for the seeming impossibility of obtaining lumber. His wife and oldest daughters solved this problem. A man named Ainsley, of Parkman, owning timbered land near the before named saw-mill, would sell standing timber, and receive female labor in payment therefor. Mr. Nash availed himself of this opportunity to procure the needed lumber, and the barn was built. It now stands on, or near, the site where it was built in 185. It might, also, be proper here to state, that at this time the supply of clothing for this same family had become nearly exhausted, and no resources wherewith to replenish. Here, again, those heroic women showed what they could do. Burton, having been much longer settled than Troy, some of its inhabitants had a small surplus of wool and flax, which our feminine friends procured, and paid for by spinning and weaving, thus relieving the father of another great anxiety.*
At that date, and years later, the method of obtaining shoes, (boots were a rare exception) was quite different from the one practiced at the present time. The following description is given by one who knows "how it was himself." If the "murrain," or something, else, had not caused the usual winter sacrifice, in early spring an animal was reluctantly slaughtered, and the hide taken to Esquire
* Since writing the above, the following statement has been furnished by Sabrina, daughter of Esquire Nash, now the widow of Amos Burroughs, deceased. She writes: "Father arrived here the 1st of March, 1813, with eight persons in his family, and less than five dorlars in his pocket, and possessed neither chairs, table, nor bedstead. The youngest was Alden J., who was afterwards the first postmaster in Troy. He built a log cabin and took up his abode in it, with only half a floor laid, and without either door, or windows. He made a bedstead of poles, and improvised a goods' box for a table, He chopped and cleared about two acres—his two eldest daughters, Clarissa and Sabrina, piling, raking, and burning the brush and leaves—and sowed the land to oats. During this time, there came an order for a draft of men for military service at Cleveland, and father was included, but his circumstances procured his release. He came here with a yoke of oxen and a hosse. He sold the horse, and kept the oxen for a team. I have heard him say, many times, that had it not been for his women's help, he could not have kept his family together. Mother was fortunate in obtaining sufficient weaving wherewith to keep the loom busy most of the time, and, by that means, we obtained such provisions as the people had to spare. We bought a cow and calf for $20; alss ten sheep, and paid. for them in spinning and weaving. We bought the cow of John Ford, esq., of Burton, and, she proving a good one, father decided to raise the calf. When it was old enough he put it into a lot with the other cattle, and, shortly after, the wolves kilred it. Father thought he would be revenged, and so he built a pen with a small entrance, put the carcass inside, and set a fox-trap at the entrance, and tied a clog to it. The effort proved successfur, the wolf was caught by one foot, and ran off with trap and clog, which made their mark in the leaves. He followed the trail, overtook the miscreant, and killed it with a club, and brought it home on his shoulders." Let the "girl of the period " read and ponder.
HISTORY OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO - 601
Cook, who then carried on the tanning business in Burton, who gave his promise that that self-same skin should be one of the very first, to come out the ensuing fall. "The brains of our "Pioneer" were then racked, to devise "ways and means," whereby money could be raised with which to obtain the needed sole leather, for, be it known that he was considered fortunate indeed, who could, in the course of a season, accumulate sufficient money wherewith to buy his salt, sole leather, and pay his taxes. Well, joy to the household, the coveted sole leather is secured, and, after several fruitless journeys, by impatient, barefooted urchins, being put off each time with—"it will be ready next week "— the upper leather is triumphantly brought home. And now for another trial equal to the first. Shoe shops were then things of the future, and "whipping the cat" was the popular way of plying their trade, by the disciples of St. Crispin." To "whip the cat" simply meant, packing his "kit" of tools,—by the shoemaker,—in his apron, and tramping from house to house, wherever his skill was needed, to "shoe up the family." He carried neither shoe-thread, last, nor lapstone. Every family was supposed to furnish its own lasts, (if not at hand, one was soon fashioned from the wood-pile) while a flat-iron did duty as a lap-stone. But this was not the second trial above referred to, for the shoemaker was always welcome. That consisted in those uncertain promises which has made, to "lie like a shoemaker," a universal proverb. But, (joy again) he comes at last, the leather is brought out, the heaviest cut for the men folks, the next grade for the boys, while the "flank pieces" are "worked up" for women's wear. In the foremost rank of "Cat whippers," stands our old friend, Alpheus Pierce, he being the first of the "craft" in Troy.
The year 1816 is memorable for being the date of the first wedding, the parties being Luther Hemmenway, of Parkman, and Miss Mary, daughter of Simon Burroughs, sr. The ceremony was performed at the residence of the bride's father, and is described as follows: The "residence" was the usual log cabin of the period, with a temporary floor covered overhead, the loft serving as sleeping apartments for the family, the partitions being spare bed quilts, hung up in the desired position. The stair-case, whereby to reach these apartments, was a rude ladder, made by driving large wooden pins into the logs in one corner of the "lower story," Jenkins not being present, a minute description of the bridal trosseau is not handed down. The marriage ceremony was solemnized by Rev. Luther Humphrey, of Burton. When he and the invited guests had arrived, the blushing bride ascended to one of the above named apartments—of course, in full view of the assembly—to don her bridal attire, which accomplisheo, she descended, by inverse motions. Being joined by the groom, they stood in the presence of the guests, and the parson who, as was the custom, preached a short, appropriate discourse, after which the twain were made one. That bride is now (1876) a matron of eighty-four winters, is hale and hearty, and at present, resides in Wadsworth, Medina county.
In 1816, Rufus Lamb, a young man from the State of New York, came here and made a pitch on the west of what was then known as the "Gilkie lot," now owned in part by Daniel Hill. Here he Cleared some, and shook more, till—becoming disheartened—he abandoned his claim, and afterward followeo various pursuits, till he finally became helpless, and died at the house of his brother Chester, in 1859. This claim was soon after taken by Julius Hatch.
Several somewhat important events occured here in 1817. The one, was the building of the first frame dwelling house, it being an addition to the log cabin heretofore occupied by Mr. Jacob Welsh. It is said that this frame, and the frame for a barn which was also being built for Mr. Welsh, were raised on the same day, and that he was compelled to extend invitations as far as Aurora, a sufficient number of hands not being found nearer. Bath of these buildings
602 - HISTORY OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO.
stood near the geographical center of the township, Another, was the location and dedication, of the first burying ground, at the center. It was located west of, and adjoining the Congregational church, on land where George Fox now resides, and was dedicated on the twenty-second of August, by the burial of Bradley Bromley. Bromley, and Theodore Dowdy, died August 20. Dowdy was taken to Burton, in a canoe, and buried in the old cemetery there, Both were young men, the one twenty and the other twenty-five years of age. Another, was the arrival of Thomas Sawyer, who bought the Lamoin claim, and whose name for a long time was a household word. Sawyer Brook was so named in honor of him. Sawyer built his first house near where Mr. Conrad's shop now stands.
Yet another, was the first duplicate addition to the census returns, in the birth of Philancia and Philena, daughters of John and Polly Nash, born March 1, 1817. The former died in infancy, the latter became the wife of David Nash, and afterward,. of N. M. Olds, with whom she is now (r876) living. These twins were followed in after years by a son and daughter to Mr. and Mrs, Israel Whitcomb, a pair of daughters to Mr. and Mrs. Amos Burroughs, and a pair of sons to Mr. and Mrs. William Mumford, after which duplicates were no longer a novelty. Another event was the holding of an election, for the purpose of choosing the first justice of the peace. This territory, at that time, and later, was a province of Burton, and all elections had been held there. Now, the population was sufficiently numerous, to allow the colony a magistrate. This election, which was held in the spring of 1817, resulted in the choice of John Nash for justice, which office he held fifteen years in succession. "'Squire Nash" being the appellation by which he was always afterward known.
His first official act in the matrimonial line was the marriage ceremony of Jesse Ives and Polly Pierce. Poor Polly had been shaken by the ague, till she had become a mere skeleton, and Jesse had become impatient, fearing the next shake or the next, might indefinitely postpone the nuptials, they having been adjourned from time to time.,.in consequence of this annoying malady. A last the long-looked for time arrived, and the 'squire commenced the ceremony, but before half completed, Polly fainted from sheer exhaustion. Proper restoratives. were vigorously applied, and as soon as she returned to consciousness, he made all possible haste to complete the knot hymeneal, before another like catastrophe- should occur.
In 1818 the most noteworthy of all structures ever erected in Troy, was built. This was none other than the "Old town house." It was an unique structure,. the dimensions of which were about twenty by twenty-four feet, one story high. It had a rude frame, and was covered with long shingles, from the foundation to the ridge. The furniture was a rude desk placed at one end, and seats made by boring holes into the rounded sides of slabs, into which legs of the required length were driven, It was warmed by means of a huge stone fire-place,
This building was devoted to a variety of uses. If a new-comer happened along, and the Pilgrim house was occupied, he found under its roof a shelter, till he was more agreeably situated. If an itinerant preacher chanced to come this way, its door was gladly thrown open that he might hold religious service therein. If a death occurred, from its portals the mortal remains were taken to the last resting place. If a teacher could be procured, it served as an incipient college. If a general entertainment was to be given, the Town house was the place of rendezvous. If an election was to be held, this was the place where the sturdy voters enjoyed the elective franchise. In fact, it served as a sort of grandmother. It was ready to be made useful in almost any emergency. Its memory is held in as much reverence by the early stttler, as is Mecca by the devout Mahommedan. This historic building also stood near the geographical center.
HISTORY OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO - 603
The first frame school-house was also built in 1818. It was located on the southwest corner of land then owned by Elijah Ford, near where Mrs. Edward Green now lives, and Nathaniel Colson was installed as the first school master.
At least three important additions were made to the population of this province in 1819, in the persons of John Fox, Benjamin Kingsbury, and Israel Whitcomb.* These men located on the west side of the river—the first to do so—and made their selection at what was a long time known as Fox's corners, now Pope's. Kingsbury and Whitcomb brought their families along. Fox left his behind. This man Fox, known by the appellation of "Captain," looked upon labor as the rightful heritage of mankind, and, furthermore, he proposed to enjoy his full share of its results. It has been quaintly said of him that he was not satisfied with his day's work unless he was compelled to use two canes to enable him to go from his chair to his bed. In financial matters he was successful, Prompt himself, in the fulfillment of his obligations, he demanded the same in return from those with whom he came in business contact Although the enforcement of this rule caused him to be. looked upon by some as a hard man, yet none for a moment doubted his probity. He was as prompt to pay as to require the utmost farthing. In public enterprises, in which he took an interest, he was ready to bear his full share of the burden, as, witness, in after years, his zeal in building the Congregational church and parsonage. His pioneer companions, although not so conspicuous in matters of business, were no whit the less worthy citizens. The name of 'Uncle Israel" will always be remembered with reverence by those who knew him, as also will that of Mr. Kingsbury, who, dying much younger than the other two, did not gain so extensive an acquaintance, yet the circumstances attending his death (in 1839) will cause him not soon to be forgotten.
In order to give the children of the present time a little idea of the inconvenience and danger to which children of that period were subjected, the following is related: When Mr. Kingsbury came to Welshfield he brought two children, both daughters, who were old enough to attend school, but there was none nearer than the one before spoken of, located two miles east from the center. This did not prove an unsurmountable obstacle. On Monday mornings, the girls were ferried across the river (before the bridge was built), when they took their way in the unfrequented path, to the school, a distance of nearly four miles. Once they met with an adventure. It was during the blackberry season; the briars, a good share of the distance, growing Close to the narrow sled-pathwagons being almost unknown. One morning, on their way to school, our heroines had progressed as far as where R. P. Stockwell now lives, where was a short turn in the path. Arriving at this point, imagine their dismay at seeing a huge black bear, quietly helping himself to the luscious fruit, and which discovered them at once, To retreat, they dare not, but stood and looked him square in the face, while he stood upon his haunches, and returned their gaze. At last plucking up courage, the oldest of the two sprang at bruin with a defiant yell, when he beat a hasty retreat, and our scholars pursued their way, unmolested. The older of our pupils was Jedidah, now widow of Prentiss Reed; the younger, Caroline, n0w widow of Chester Nash.
In 1820, Galen Lamb, a brother of Rufus, who had come from New York State, to Burton, with one Esquire Hitchcock, as a blacksmith's apprentice, and had completed his trade, came to Troy, and located on the southwest corner of section two, where he put up a shop, and commenced blacksmithing on his own account, making improvements on his' land, when not occupied at his trade.
* Another man, Benjamin Hale, came in company with these, but did not remain long. He settled on land adjoining Mr, Kingsbury on the north, afterwards owned Aiy Joseph Doolittle, esq.. now owned by Marshall Dresser.
604 - HISTORY OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO.
This year was the date of an overwhelming visitation of pigeons. A portion of sections thirteen, eight, and seven, was known, for a long distance around, as the "pigeon-roost," and this year it was inhabited as never before, or since. Sturdy oaks were crushed beneath their weight, while smaller trees, and saplings, were bent over, never to recover their upright position. The noise of their flight could be heard for miles, while their unnumbered millions obscured the sun. To obtain a wagon-load of these birds was mere pastime. Pigeon-hunters plied their vocation at night; the only weapons needed being long poles, or shot-guns. Many years' occupation of this tract by pigeons, caused it to be the most fertile land in the township.