WILLIAMSFIELD is geographically known on the county records as township No. 8, in the first range, and derives its name from General Joseph Williams, who was at an early date the owner of the lion’s share of this township.  His purchase, which was consummated on the 26th day of September, 1799, embraced three-fifths of the eastern part.   This was not, however, the first land purchased of the Connecticut land company within the territory now called Williamsfield, Samuel Parkman having purchased an undivided interest in the western portion of the township on September 14, 1799.  June 23, 1809, Mr. Parkman became the owner of lots 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, and two hundred and forty and sixty-seven one hundredths acres in the east side of lot No. 22.  John Allen, another joint owner of the township, bought on Oct. 19, 1807, lot No. 11, being six hundred and fifty-two and forty-five one hundredths acres and forty-seven and fifty-five one hundredths acres in lot No. 30. Sept. 12, 1810, Joseph W. Brown purchased nine hundred acres in lots 1, 2, and 3.  These were the original purchasers of the township in 1798, subsequent to the date of the draft by the Connecticut land company.  It was first surveyed into sections one mile square, beginning at the northwest corner and running east and west.
     The topography of Williamsfield is of a high rolling nature, quite well watered with small streams, which flow, some westwardly into the Pymatuning creek and others eastwardly, emptying into the Chenango creek, in Pennsylvania.

FIRST SETTLEMENTS.

     The first settlement was begun in this township in the year 1804, by Charles Case and his son, Zophar, originally from Simsbury, Hartford county, Connecticut, who, having purchased a portion of section 22, emigrated from the "land of steady habits" with their respective families, and began the first improvements in the then unbroken wilderness.  Their arrival in the township was on Aug. 24, of the year before given.  They came via Pittsburgh, over the mountains, with ox-teams.  Soon they had erected log cabins on their lands and began life in earnest.  In the autumn of 1806, John L. Cook, of Kinsman, Trumbull county, purchased a portion of lot No. 21, erected a log cabin thereon, and with his newly-wedded wife took up his residence in the same.  Mr. Cook and wife while single emigrated from Preston, New London county, Connecticut, with Judge Kinsman, in 1804.  David Randall, also of Kinsman, settled in the southwest part of the township at the same time of Cook’s settlement.  This was on section 11, the farm being now occupied by the Ford heirs.  In 1807, Samuel Tuttle and Anson Jones, from Barkhamstead, Litchfield county, Connecticut, and Aaron Rice, from Bristol, Ontario county, New York, moved into the township, and settled on lands previously purchased; this was also in the southwest portion of the township.  During the year 1808 there were additions made to the population of Williamsfield as follows: Thomas Ford, Ezra Woodworth, Cotton Foss, Silas Babcock, Daniel Hutchinson, and possibly others.  The locations of these families were on the State road, and as follows: Thomas Food on the Randall farm, where the first religious meetings were held; Ezra Woodworth on the farm still occupied by Cyril, the youngest son; Silas Babcock on the farm where now resides F. Johnson.  Mr. Babcock was a blacksmith, and built the first smithy in the township.  In the year 1809, Joshua Giddings settled on the farm now occupied by James Reed.  He was the father of the Hon. Joshua R. Giddings.  The latter read law with Elisha Whittlesey, of Canfield, Mahoning county, and first began practice in this township in 1819.  His office stood near the present residence of Mr. Reed; it was of logs split and hewn on the inside.  In 1822, Mr. Giddings removed to Jefferson.  Justus Peck removed from New Berlin, Chenango county, New York, August, 1824, and settled with his family on fifty acres of land in section 7, on the farm now owned by M. Colby.  Mr. Peck was formerly from Colebrook, Connecticut.  One of his children is the present efficient county commissioner, E. O. Peck, whose residence is now in Richmond township.  William Giddings, a nephew of Joshua R., resides on section 5.  He has rendered material aid in the preparation of this history, and to him and others we acknowledge our obligations. Jonathan Tuttle settled in this township in 1810; built a log house in the summer and fall of that year, which he first occupied in January, 1811; was elected a justice of the peace in 1819; served in that capacity twenty- one years; was county commissioner four terms, and a member of the State legislature during the winter of 1843-44.  The first settler east of the old Salt road was Levi Smith, who emigrated from Sandisfield, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, with his wife and one child, in 1816, locating on section 13.  Mr. Smith was a zealous Methodist, not only donating the land upon which the Methodist church is located, but also contributing liberally towards the erection of the building.  The original farm is now occupied by Newton Smith.  The youngest son is E. J. Smith, at present township clerk, justice of the peace, and notary public.

OTHER EARLY EVENTS.

     The old Salt road, of which mention is made in several township histories, was laid out in 1804, by ___ Bemis and David Niles  It began on the lakeshore, at the mouth of Conneaut creek, continuing south to the old County road, and on through the first range to Kinsman's mill.  The course from Kinsman's store was northwardly along the ridge, passing the residence of Marvin Leonard

Page 242 -

ORGANIZATION.

POSTAL MATTERS.

STATISTICS FOR 1877.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

WILLIAM GIDDINGS

REV. ELIAS MORSE.

< BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS >