SOIL, WATER-COURSES, ETC.

     The soil of this township is generally that of a clay-loam, and rather above the average in productiveness, though some portions are too swampy as yet to be available as farming land.  The surface is rolling, especially along the water-courses, which consist of two principal branches of the Ashtabula creek.  The first of which, and this is properly the head of Ashtabula creek, rises on lot No. 44, and, flowing a northwesterly course, enters Pierpont near the southwest corner; the other stream heads on lot No. 21, and the direction is the same as the former stream, crossing into Pierpont about one mile from the east line.

FIRST SETTLEMENT.

     In the spring of, probably, 1805, Peter Yateman, Benjamin Newcomb, Samuel and William Tead, with their respective families, and a Mr. Morehouse, and it is possible others whose names are forgotten, began settlement on lot No. 46.  A number of log dwellings were erected, among which was one of the style known as double log house.  This was built by Mr. Newcomb, and stood near the present residence of Lowell Morse.  William Tead's dwelling stood a few rods to the south, and his brother Samuel's a short distance north, while the cabins of the other settlers were erected near by for protection.  As about the same time Paul Rice and a party named Drigs located at a point perhaps a half-mile north, the former erecting his habitation on lot No. 35, and the latter on No. 36.
     The first frame house in the township was erected by Charles Jordon, in about 1828.  This stood upon the site now occupied by the residence of John Dasher, and was destroyed by fire.
     In about the year 1811, Miss Laura Ford taught the first school in this township.  This was held at the centre, probably in one of the vacant log cabins, though we are unable to obtain anything by way of particulars.
     In the fall of 1826 a log school-house was erected in district No. 2 (now Padanaram) , and the same year witnessed the completion of a frame school-house.  This was in district No. 1, now known as the "Old Rockville district."  This house was burned but the grounds upon which it stood and which were donated for the purpose by John Kinsman, are still occupied for school purposes.
     The first church organization was effected in the year 1811; was of the denomination known as Methodist, and Ewins Wright, of Pierpont, was the class-leader.  The second religious organization was that of Baptist.  Prior to this, however, meetings were held in the township by ministers of different denominations.  The first church edifice was erected by the Methodists, in1849, and another was built soon after by the Wesleyan Methodists.  Both these churches stood at Padanaram,  - the latter of which has long since been abandoned for church purposes, and is now occupied as a dwelling by John Ross.  the present churches at this point are a Methodist, - the pulpit of which is supplied by the Rev. James Crouch.  At the centre there are two churches, - Methodist and close-communion Baptist.  Rev. St. John is the pastor of the former, and Elder Richmond, of Geneva, supplies the pulpit of the latter.  At Leon station there is a church of the denomination known as United Brethren, Rev. Whitney pastor, and also a Methodist church at Steamburg, Rev. St. John pastor.
     The first post-office established in the township was at Leon, in about 1836.  M. Barber was commissioned postmaster, - the office being located at his residence.  The present post-offices are as follows:  At the centre, William H. Heath, post-master; at Leon, C. D. Ainger, postmaster; another at North Richmond, with William Pearson postmaster; and the fourth at Steamburg, Abel Mead post-master.
     The first hotel was opened in the double log house of Mr. Newcomb, previously referred to, and among the distinguished guests at this rude hostelry we find that Mr. Giddings (father of the honorable J. R.) and family remained there one night, while en route for the Wayne settlement.  J. R. was at this time ten years of age.  This pioneer house of entertainment was a great convenience to those who passed to and fro over the "old Salt road."  There is at present but one hotel in the township.  This located at Leon station, is owned by A. N. Slater, and at present conducted by a Mr. Thompson.
     In 1845, Samuel Dart erected on lot No. 2 a saw-mill.  This was propelled by water-power.  About this time a steam-mill was put in operation by Messrs. Doty & Sheldon, on lot No. 10.  The mill of Abel Mead now occupies this site.  At Leon station there is a steam saw-mill, owned by Messrs. Baker & Ainger, and north of that point another mill is owned by Thomas Ripley.  At Padanaram Messrs. Cadwell & Jordan have in operation another mill.
     The first and only grist-mill in the township was built by O. Brower, on lot No. 6, in about 1852.  There was burned some four years later.  Of other manufactures, we have a cheese-box factory, planing-mill, and shingle-machine on lot No. 51 owned by O. F. Beman.
     The first blacksmith-shop was established by Samuel Tead at a very early day; this was located at the centre, on lot No. 46.
     The first apple-trees were planted by Paul Rice as early as 1810.  They were on lot No. 35, and some of them are still standing.
     The first store was opened at Leon in about 1830, under the firm-name of Hoges & Carpenter.  At this point Mr. Barber afterwards operated one of the most extensive mercantile establishments in the county.  the present business houses of Richmond township are William H. Heath and John Beaumont, general merchandise, at the centre.  Trade and commerce are represented at Padanaram by William G. Hopper, M. B. Chapman and S. M. Jones.  At Leon Messrs. Moore & Son are selling goods at the old "Barber stand."  At the station Norman Dolph has a grocery, and at Steamburg John Hamilton carries on the business of undertaking.
     The first marriage which occurred in the township was that of Nicholas Knapp and Elvira Rockwell; this was in March, 1824.
     The first physician to locate in the township was E. B. Linn. - this was in 1853, - located at the centre, where he yet resides.  At Padanaram E. Hurd is the present physician.
     The first adult death was that of Roswelll Moody.  This occurred in March, 1827.  The funeral services were conducted at the house of the deceased by the Rev. Mr. Drake, of Andover, and the body was interred in the cemetery, on lot No. 63, which was the first land devoted or occupied for cemetery purposes in the township.

ORGANIZATION.

     The lands now comprised within the limits of the township of Richmond were first organized under the name of Jefferson, then of Denmark, afterwards (June 18, 1818) the lands at present contained in this and Pierpont township were organized under the name of Pierpont, and on Mar. 4, 1828, it was "Resolved that so much of the present township of Pierpont as is included in surveyed township number ten, in the first range, be set off and erected a separate township, to be hereafter known and designated by the name of Richmond, and that an election for township officers be held at the house of John H. Montgomery, near the centre of said township, on Monday, the 7th day of April next."  From the clerk's book of records for Richmond township we find that the first election was held Apr. 8, 1828, at which time John H. Montgomery, Levi Brown, and David Prindle were elected trustees; Salmon Ashley, clerk; Artemas Ward, treasurer; Nicholas Knapp and Horace Cadwell, fence-viewers; Thomas Bright and Paul Rice, overseers of the poor; Charles Jordon, constable; and Charles Jordon and Roswell Parmer, supervisors of roads and highways.  Levi Brown was elected a justice of the peace for Richmond township on July 17, 1828, and commissioned Aug. 24, 1828.  The gentlemen who have filled the office of justice of the peace from that date until the present are as follows:  Harvey Rockwell, Moody Pike, Nicholas Knapp, Salmon Ashley, Justus Peck, James M. stone, Loren Houghton, M. Barber, Joseph Prosser, C. T. Sunbury, S. D. Ashley, E. S. Sunbury, and E. O. Peck.  The present incumbents to that office are C. T. Sunbury

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and J. F. Bright; and the present township officers (1877) are John Rockwell, Cornelius S. Hall, and J. H. Prindle, trustees; E. H. Butler, clerk; C. T. Sunbury, treasurer; H. F. Leonard, assessor; D. B. Peck and J. B. Rockwell, constables.  There are also fourteen supervisors of roads.  The first presidential election for Richmond township occurred Oct. 21, 1828.
     The first cheese-factory established in the township was in the spring of 1873.  This was organized, and is still conducted, on the stock plan.  The milk of four hundred cows is annually manufactured, and the factory is one of the paying industries of the township.

ROADS.

     The first route cut through this township was the "old Salt road," to which reference is made above, and for a description of which see Andover township.  But the first record we are able to procure reads as follows:  June, 1831, "Beginning at the southeast corner of lot No. 20, and running north to township line road."  The next entry we find is March, 1842. "From the centre road east to the State line, about two hundred rods north of the south line of the township."  Same date, "From the south line of the township about one mile west of the State line.  North, two and a half miles."  June, 1843, "From the State line at southeast corner of lot No. 20, and running west to turnpike."  June 1848, "Padanaram road, from Andover line north, two and a half miles."  June, 1849, "From State line at northeast corner of lot No. 60 west to turnpike."  June, 1850, "From the Padanaram road, between lots 22 and 39, east to State line."
     Our thanks are due E. O. Peck and Silas P. Warren, Jr., for valuable aid in the collection of facts for this brief sketch of early history.

STATISTICS FOR 1877.

     School-houses, 10; valuation, $3000; amount paid teachers, $1250.93; number of scholars, 306.
     Vote for President, 1876:  Hayes, 165; Tilden, 58.
     Population for 1870, 883.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

EDWIN ORLANDO PECK.

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