This township, which is known as township number eleven of the first range, derived its name from Pierpont Edwards, who, upon the division of the lands among the members of the Connecticut land company, in 1798, drew this township as his share of the lands now comprised within the limits of Ashtabula County.

SURFACE AND SOIL

STREAMS.

FIRST SETTLEMENT.

     In the year 1798 a young Vermonter, named Edward Spear, began settlement on lot No. 18 (on what was afterwards known as the “ Beaver Meadows’’), about two miles from the head of the east branch of Ashtabula creek, before spoken of.  He erected this year the first log house in Pierpont township (this building,
we learn, was burned by the Indians subsequent to his removal), and the nest year (1799) raised the first crop of corn grown in the township.  This was planted on the “ Beaver Dam’’ and the surrounding meadows.  Spear lived in this cabin until perhaps 1801, when he took his departure.  He was, however, during the early part of his sojourn in Pierpont, married, and a child was born to them.  This was the first white birth in the township.  The date, sex, or subsequent history of this young pioneer we wot not of.  In the fall of the year 1808 the first permanent settlers arrived in the township.  These were Wareham Grant. Martin Vosburg, Harvey Rockwell, and Ewins Wright.  Messrs. Grant and Vosburg erected their cabins about one mile north of the centre and near together.  Rockwell built his cabin on lot No. 21, cleared a small piece of ground, sowed it to wheat, and in November, 1809, returned to Connecticut for his family.  The cabin of Ewins Wright was erected near the centre of lot No. 17.  In November, 1811, Benjamin Matthews arrived from Washington, Massachusetts, and located temporarily near the cabin of Martin Vosburg; remained until the December following, when he moved into a cabin which he had in the mean time constructed.  In the summer of the year 1811 Amos Huntly arrived, selected his land, and made a beginning on lot No. 42.  In the fall returned to Massachusetts for his family, with whom he arrived the next season.  The next settlers were Asa Benjamin, Joseph Dewey, and Samuel Brown.  During the summer of 1811 a number of gentlemen came on from Massachusetts, selected their land, and the following year (1812), with their families, occupied these lands, and began business in earnest.  Among these settlers we find the names of Aaron H. Holmes. Asa Leonard. Shiron Turner and Jepthah Turner, Amos Remington, Abijah Whitton, Archibald Gould, Ezra Cole, Ezekiel Brayman, William Read, Eli Prince, Edson Beals, Asahel Cleveland, Reuben Benjamin, Zebina Rawson, and there were possibly others whose names are forgotten.

FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE.

     This was built the summer of 1813 or 1814, and stood a few rods east of the old burying-ground, on lot No. 16.  It was of logs, with stick chimney, puncheon floor, oiled-paper windows, and the other pioneer appurtenances.  The first term taught therein was the summer the building was erected, by Lucy, the youngest daughter of Amos Huntley.  The subsequent winter William Read, Jr., taught a term in the same building.  The venerable Lampson Wright gives the following as the outfit of the average school-boy of that early date: “ New Testament, Webster s Spelling-Book and American Preceptor, a few sheets of foolscap-paper, some ink made from soft maple-bark and copperas, and a basket of johnny-cake and meat for dinner.”

THE FIRST RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION

SAW-MILLS.

THE FIRST POST-OFFICE

ROAD RECORD.

[PICTURE OF RES. of ALVIN SCHRAMBLING, Pierpont Tp., Ashtabula Co., O.

[Pg. 235]

ORGANIZATION.

STATE ELECTION.

THE PIONEER STORE

     was that of Messrs. Payne & Trimmer, who opened in the year 1837.  The building occupied by these gentlemen stood on the site now occupied by the drugstore of Dr. Brayman.  The following shows the business of Pierpont in the spring of 1878
     Dry Goods and Groceries.—Messrs. Smith & Hoskins and T. S. Winship.
     Groceries.—P.' W. Rogers and II. A. Leonard.
     Tinware.—E. O. Harrington.
     Drugs and Medicines.—Dr. L. E. Brayman.
     Millinery.—Mrs. S. Leach and Miss S. Carver.
     Harness- Shop.—John Cleary.
     Shoe-Shops.—L. J. Tubbs and James Jacobs.
     Blacksmiths.—B. D. Robinson and John Lafferty & Son.
     Carriage-maker.—A. L. Aldrich.
     Attorney-at-Law.—M. A. Leonard.
     Dentist.—A. R. Winter.

CHEESE FACTORY.

     The first of this class began operations in the spring of 1873.  This was under the management of a stock company, consisting of Messrs. T. S. Winship, N. Follett, Alvin Schramling, and Aaron Smith.  The factory began with six hundred cows contributing.  Was operated by these persons some three years, when it was purchased by the present proprietor, Philip Watson.

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.

INCIDENTS.

     Some time about the year 1818, Lydia Rock and her daughter, Susan, took their departure from Boston, Massachusetts, and came to Ohio on foot.  This journey was accomplished that they might visit a brother and sister, then resident, the brother in Richmond and the sister in Pierpont.  The mother after finishing her visit returned home in the same manner she came, and it is said she made three trips of this nature.

STATISTICS FOR 1877.

    The number of school-houses is 6 ; valuation, $2400; amount paid teachers, $1196.85; number of scholars, 205.
     Vote for President in 1876: R. B. Hayes, 238 ; S. J. Tilden, 43.
     Population in 1870, 990.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

NATHANIEL FOLLETT, Infirmary Director.

A. SCHRAMBLING.

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