OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS

A Part of Genealogy Express

 

Welcome to
GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO
HISTORY & GENEALOGY


 


.

Source:
GENERAL HISTORY

of
GEAUGA COUNTY
with
SKETCHES of
Some of the Pioneers and Prominent Men
Publ. by
The Historical Society of Geauga County
1880

Please note:  Some of the data here is not readable in the volume I have access to.
I will be traveling to Geauga Co to get a good copy of the pages that I cannot read. ~ Sharon Wick

BURTON.
By W. J. Ford
Page 417 -

PREFATORY NOTE.

     When the matter of several townships was prepared, and much of it had been passed over to Judge Taylor, the president, causing anxiety with the people of these townships to have it in history, Burton was still unwritten.  The vice-president of the society for this township, the Rev. Dexter Witter, waiting for more strength of body, had not ventured upon the work.  When the vote of the Historical society decided in favor of publication, the precarious condition of his health forbade further hope of his writing.  In the emergency, the society's committee cast about, and the lot fell to the present victim.  With mind averse to it, and great distrust as to competency, he finally engaged to try.
     To find dates and facts of the first years, required time for seeking out from hidden and hopeless ways, and for comparing over and over again, every side and shade of story, and swift was the conviction, that the road to historic truth was slow and "hard to travel."  It would not do to go around obstacles, or climb over them.  Each blockade must be removed, and the pathways back into the dim past, some ten or fifteen years beyond most of the other township
settlements, be cleared of the "slashing" and wild growth of years long forgotten, and only now traditional.
     The township writers, many of them without practice in the beginning, have each had experience and trials alike, and they will no doubt accredit the writer more generous excuse for the seeming long delay, than many who know nothing of the research and inquiry necessary to such a work.
     The same leniency is due to the Auburn historian, Mr. Wadsworth, who was called to write after the others were done.
     Thanks to those interested in the book who have waited so patiently.  The writer, in saving further delay, is forced to risk his part going to press in its crude state, as it came first from the pen, without revision or re-writing.  It will lack in finish and in style; and may not be clear of a repetition.  If fact or incident, or story of the past, or of the lives that are gone, shall be preserved, and some of the truths of the present be reached, it may be of some good, as a tribute to the memory of the fathers, and has come most kindly from the heart, in tracing back along the Record of their lives.
     The many friends who have aided in the gathering of facts, I would not for get, but thank them, and particularly the venerables Elijah Hayes, Colonel Stephen Ford, and Rev. Dexter Witter; and also Rev. Charles Cutler, the Hon. Peter Hitchcock, Almon Carlton, and Caleb Fowler; and the younger gentle men, Herbert Hitchcock, Edward Truman, Albert Thrasher, Frank Parmele,
and William H. Suava; and especially Professor Charles H. Welton, who spent time in writing and copying.  Thanks to Judge Kinsman, of Warren, for the kindly loan of his copy of the Kirtland diary.          W. J. F.

---------------

     1878.  In the golden sunshine of a midsummers' day, the sweet-leaved clover grew green on the hill.  The strong stalks looked up to the clouds, floating lazily over, as if asking for the refreshing rain to give new life, before the red bloom of the field should, in the grand benevolence of nature, offer up its choice fragrance alike to the poor and the rich of the village.  Already had the first crop of the field gone to the mow of a neighbor.  The whet of the scythe, and the clip of the stroke that cut it, had been noted by the passers along the day's walk, and was forgotten a month later, in the sight of the new growth on the old sword.  Dark the green, with here and there a blossom opening in advance of the wide sea of color, so soon to spread its read beauty to the very rim of the border.  In this field of flowers, thus waiting for the hayman's blade and fork, stood a building with green blinds and a square tower above its entry doors, on the east.  Trees were here and there, some of the cold climes of the spruce and Norway pine; here one with the silver white bark of the birch; beyond, one with a strange name and "imported," but from the grand old woods that had escaped the axe, many a beautiful maple was set in rows, or carelessly shade for when they should be larger grown.  This lot was cut in twain by a walk on plank, and around it a white fence.  On either side were streets, and beyond, the houses of the villagers.  To the northward a broad avenue, with its wall of brick and mortar, and across the way the "old stores."  On either side, the places where men sell and buy and get gain, and where the ways of trade keep men from the rising to the going down of the sun, and away into the darkness of the night.  Eastward, southward and westward from this field, run the ways of travel, and people drive along them, or come and go with familiar step.
     The rattling hum of the last improved mowing machine may be heard in the distant meadow, where some belated farmer sweats away the hours in the dry grass.  A Champion reaper lays the swath bundles of the season's first cut of oats, the dropping gavels being as uniform as the bundles of the rakers who followed the swinging cradle forty years ago.
     The sun goes slowly down the west, and the cows travel to the yards, on a hundred farms around the town.  Started from the sweet pastures, there are driven in by the faithful shepherd dogs, trained from the flock to the dairy of the region, and are milked.  Then the rattling cans of the wagon bear away the greatest product of this agricultural region to the factory, the profits to return in dividends that enlarge the credit side of the farmers' bank account.
     Smoking a fresh Havana, beneath the shade of the maple or apple at his door, dreams a youth.  To the gate drives the unshorn yeoman of the farm.  "Step out, John, and hitch," says the youth.  "Here's chairs for the folks.  Sit by the door, and take from the half box, and we'll curl "hoops" of blue upward while the sun sets"; for there is still left something of the early neighboring kindness of those who lit the pipe by the old cabin fire.
     Night shadows the twilight, and from many a farm-house goes out the incense of offering, when the skilled hand of a child makes melodies that, wafted on the evening air, are dreams of peace and lulls of rest on the way heavenward to many worn and weary hearts.  So, too, the piano note or wave of flute, was the

[pg. 418]
breath of the hour, in the village evening.  Perchance the bugle's ringing call sounds down the valley.  A dozen youth or more answer back, and coming with the returning echoes, join to charm the multitudes that gather in, from miles away, to enjoy the free gift of this cornet band of 1877, skillful in the operatic music, or lulling the hearts of all in the touching strains of "Home, Sweet Home."
     If it may be that a stranger wanders in the moonlight of the hour, his eye looks far up the spire of the Congregational church, standing across the street from the northwest corner of the clover field.  Beyond it, westward, is the cheerful house where the Methodist people gather regularly for devotion.  On the south the Union school-building, and farther still, on the spot long known as the "Umberfield tavern-stand," is the four-story Exchange hotel.  Northward, from the brick block, is the Brewster house.  Above the stores, in the brick, the Masons go to their hall to attend sessions, as they did long ago. Southward, and well on the face of the hill, below the water trough, Carlton's wagon shop, weather-beaten and dull as the gloom of November, still gives the clang of the saw or the sound of the mallet; and near it two shops have their smith and forge.  The academy that stood by the grand plume of a maple, west of the Methodist church, and sacred to the memory of many a boy and girl, who in it learned "rithmctic and jography," has been swung round, gable to the south, and on its classic upper floor carriages receive their finish, while from below goes out the ring of the anvil and hammer.
     Thus it is written of the clover-grown park and its town hall, of the villagers and their homes, of the public buildings and the places of trade, of the music and the ways, the people and the farms in and surrounding one of the most beautifully located villages in northern Ohio. Quiet and solid in its ways, this village of Burton, on the first day of August, 1878.
     Turn now, all there is of the record, backward eighty years and behold the contrast: Two axemen, who cut the first bush from the undergrowth ahead of the chainmen and compass for the party, who, little more than forty days before, set out to allot township No. 8, in 7th range, of the Connecticut Western Reserve, have spotted their last tree, and laid down the flags and the instrument.  The survey work is done. John Adkins and Levi Tomlinson find other labor than "cutting away for lines" that day.
     Three men are together.  If they sit by a table, it is made of puncheon logs, and probably in the company's house, near to a spring of good water.  The record states that they spent the whole day in preparing and drawing the lots.  This was Aug. 1, 1798.  Before this, they had laid out the square, and fixed the lines of it, and had allotted a village plat, and now that the survey was complete, they were together to divide the lots among the owners.
    This square of eighty years ago was shaded in by a gigantic growth of forest trees, and the park, and the village of to-day, were the wild wood.
     The three men of the record were: Turhand Kirtland, William Law, and David Beard, the surveyor.  The first of these men, Kirtland, made a diary memoranda of his own and the doings of many others who came to this country during the years 1798-99 and 1800.  Could he have had any thought that this data and fact would be used to verify history.  Aye! that it was history then written.  To this diary, in which there is no word of complaint, no shadow of regret, no mention of discord among any of the parties in that far away time of untold trials, thus silently testifying of the grand spirit of this man Kirtland who kept it, comes the writer of these pages for many a fact of those years - otherwise lost.

SURVEY.

     1798.  The survey of the Reserve in 1796 fixed the location of No. 7, in range of a five mile square township, now known as Burton.  The proprietors,

[pg. 419]
to whom this town fell, in the original drawings for the division among the company owners of 1796, decided to allot the town in tracts of one hundred and sixty acres, making four lots of every one in the original survey.
     Named with the party coming in the spring of 1798, and who were at Stowe ___stle, Conneaut, May 31st, are:  Colonel Thomas Sheldon, Joel Yale, John Moss, Bennett Rice, Jason Rice, Mathews, Gines, Byington, Foot, Rising, CArter, Spafford, Titus Street, Captain Bishop, Jonathan Brooks, Isaac Fowler, Eli Fowler, John Adkins, Reed Beard, A Beard, Edwards and family, Honey and family; as were also Turhand Kirtland William Law, David Beard, Levi Tom_son, Phineas Pond, and Thomas Umberville and family.  These last named, with Jason Rice, arrived at Grand river, Sunday, June 3, 1798, with three cows,,,,, one calf, three pairs of oxen and a buill, and two boats and stores.  They encamped in the interval, and Kirtland says, "found as fine ripe strawberries as ever saw."  On Monday they worked their boats up the river about four miles, __the Indian town at the old fording, and found quite a settlement and several ___.  This Indian village was on the bluff bank of the river, on the land afterwards bought by General Paine, and thereafter known as the Paine farm, or homestead.
     The first movement for a road to Burton began on Tuesday, the 5th of June.  Mr. Law, and Mr. Beard, the surveyor, started a line from a point about three miles from the mouth of the river, where Mr. Skinner afterwards laid out the town of New Market and where the old Skinner bridge was built.  The next ___, with Kirtland, Tomlinson, Pond, and Rice, they began cutting the road, __d by Friday night, the 8th, were about four miles ahead, to a stream running __stward.  On Monday night they encamped about eighty rods in No. 9 township, 8th range.  The road came up what is now State street, in Painesville, and __pt easterly, through to what was afterwards Perkins' camp, one-half mile east of the "Old Log tavern" on the present road in Concord.  On Tuesday they run more Westerly, to avoid deep runs, and camped two and one-half miles ahead, on lot __ township 9, 8th range.  Working on the camp Wednesday, the 13th, was within __ mile of township 8, 8th range, and B. Rice and Yale, who had been, with the __at and families of Edwards and Honey, up the lake to Cleveland, came to this ___mp.  On Friday the 15th, they arrived at No. 7, 7th range.  Kirtland and ___, having marked the road for the men and teams to come on, two miles, to the northwest corner of the township, went on to find a place for a tent and gar__: making nine days that the first team and sled, with Mr. Umberville as ___, were on the road, the first trip ever made to Burton: an average, from Painesville, of two miles per day.  Afterwards, the stages made the distance in one-third as many hours.
     The camp - was fixed by a fine spring, about 15 rods east of the town-line, _ lot 11, and about 45 rods south of the north line of said lot, and south-__st of where Judge Stone afterwards settled.  Linsen Patchin once had a tannery near this spring.  Samuel Burridge, of Painesville, now owns the land.  North of the spring, the tent was pitched, at noon, on Saturday, the 16th of June, and a place cut i the opening and cleared of underbrush for a garden. It was a sunny spot, and fertile.  They planted the first seeds on Wednesday, the 20th.  Long after, this was known as the "old garden."  From this northwest corner the survey began, and the explorers went out.

THE GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.

     1798.  The streams. - Surface, timber and rocks were of more interest topeople then, than now.  The West branch of the Cuyahoga river was crossedby the exploring party June 15th.  It comes into the town from the northwest, on lot 3, has good banks, and runs through a fertile valley southwesterly,

[pg. 420]
then to the southeast to the junction, in a low swamp of cat-tails, bull-frogs and alders, with the east branch, about one mile south and a little westerly from the centre of the town, and goes on out southward in a heavy marsh, which is under laid with clay.  The east branch enters the town at the northeast corner, on lot 10, and flows half a mile when it spreads out over thousands of acres, and continues to stagnate and lie along full three miles to the junction, making good paddle ways for the canoe of the trapper. Since then, much of the waste land has been reclaimed by channel ditches.  West from the center one mile, runs a stream which these surveyors crossed in the marshy waters on No. 14.  It has since been called Hopson's creek, and has its head in what has been known as Hewitt's spring in Claridon.  It flows into the west branch about a mile above the junction.  East of the river is a small lake, called Fowler's pond, and southwest are two known as Little and Big pond on Oak Hill, and the third still southerly as "South" pond.  The Little pond is a small circle of water, very cold and deep.
     Surface. - At the southwest corner of lot 36, when the timber was cut away, the outlook was ten miles southward along the Cuyahoga to a point, where the hills slope low down on the sky, and the course of the stream is lost against the horizon.  Forest covered then, much of it is to-day the same, long a woody expense of fertile' valley, and the bottom lands of improved fields wedge back in the timber to the river.  Viewed from this hill of the center, set to divide the river, the valley east, was a gentle incline westerly to the stream, and beyond, seven miles the highlands of the water-shed to the Grand river. Northeast on No. 19, the water had cut through the rocks, making a fall and ravine.  It came to be known as the gulf. Northward gentle hills and spring brooks invited the herdsman and the agriculturist.  Westerly, the high lands of the west branch, along the line of the township, rose far above the valley, cutting off the view beyond.  Springs of sandstone water came from out the hills on every side.
     Soils. - The plow shares that afterward went beneath the new mold of the leaves, found in the valleys, much of a rich sand and clay loam, especially on the southwest - Oak Hill, and on the high lands a fertile clay loam from which the water-wash brought a good showing of sand. Along the margin of the eastern Cuyahoga had gathered wide deposits of muck.
     Timber. - The trees grew very large, the chestnut sometimes being six to eight feet through at the stump.  Oaks, white, black and red; poplars, or whitewood, one hundred feet high, round and straight as a shaft, choice for lumber; beech, maple, ash, elm, hickory, basswood, pepperage, boxwood, ironwood, and here and there a choice black walnut, and along the ravines or broken hills a little hemlock.  In the southwest corner of the town, and also east of the river's junction, were spots of choice pine.  All the various kinds of timber for every need, and more.  The wild plum fell and the grape ripened in its season, and the hickory, butternut, and .chestnut shed their fruits to the children, whose feet crackled the grass and leaves in the frosts of October.  As then, so do they to this day.
     Geology. - In this there is need to say very little, it being the same as the county generally.  Bituminous coal was found in the hill south of the square, near where George Carlton now lives, by Rev. Dexter Witter and Daniel L.Johnson, esq., but not in paying quantities; and also about three-fourths of amile north of the "old garden," near the residence of Judge Stone
     The new red sandstone crops out in the hills, and dresses finely for building purposes.  The "hard heads" of the granite formation dropped out of the "drift period" upon the face of many a hill, and were too profusely scattered for the comfort of the ploughman and his plodding team, when he should drive that way some centuries later.

[pg. 421]

THE ORIGINAL OWNERS.

     In a till of the recorder's office of Geauga county is a deed unclaimed, and all the parties named in it have long since passed away.  On it is endorsed: "Received, December 29th, and recorded Dec. 30, 1828, in Geauga county records, book L, pages 445, 446, and 447.  Edward L. Paine, jr., recorder.  Fee two dollars and six and one-quarter cents; paid two dollars."
     This deed was executed Mar. 13, 1799, by John Galdwell, John Morgan, and Jonathan Brace, original trustees of the Connecticut Land company, which was formed Sept. 5, 1795.
     The company had selected standard townships, and all townships below the standard were equalized in the division by adding to each a certain number of acres from some other town.  Burton was below, and had an annex.  The deed conveyed to the grantors:
 

No. 7, in 7th range (Burton)

- 15,274 acres

Annex No. 1, in No. 9, 9th range (Kirtland)

5,467 acres

Annex No. 1, in 1st range,

-16,140 acres

       Total, - - - - - - - - - - - -

36,881 acres

For the sum of

$25,806.06

     The deed was witnessed by George Pierce and Epm Root, before Epm Root, "Justs - Paies" Mch 13th, 1799.  It conveyed interests in Burton and its annex to:

Turhand Kirtland and Seth Hart, sum of

$500.00

Benjamin Doolittle,

796.00

Samuel Doolittle,

40.00

Titus Street

3,471.50

William Law,

3,461.50

Turhand Kirtland,

1,875.00

Andrew Hull,

1,134.23

Daniel Holbrook,

1,000.00

Levi Tomlinson,

625.00

 

_________

          Making a total sum of

$12,903.23

     for 20,741 acres of land, a fraction over sixty-two cents per acre, the purchasing cost of Burton township.

EARLY DATA AND FACTS.

     1798The First Arrival - June 15th, at the "old garden" is chronicled. Tarhand Kirtland and David Beard were the men.  Kirtland was in charge of the business management, and kept so faithful an account that his name is rightfully first.  The following memoranda is but a reproduction of items connected with his busy life in the first three years of the settlement.
     Passing over the journey from the east, which he gives as being six hundred and sixteen miles from Wallingford, Connecticut, to Cleveland, and very interesting, a single item must suffice.
     The seventh day out, cutting the road from the Indian town and Painesville to Burton, June 12th, they "camped as wet as water could make us," he says, "pealed bark to sleep on, by a good fire, drank brandy and a dish of good chocolate, and were as happy as if keeping election at home."
     1st Home - On Saturday, June 16th, the white wings of a tent were spread in this wilderness.  The noonday sun cast the shadows of great trees upon the canvass and shot beams of light through the blue smoke that lifted away form that.
     1st Dinner's - camp-fire close by the spring on Nov. 11.  They dined upon the

[pg. 422]
flesh of a young fawn, and commended the old "Patriarch, of Scripture, for loving savory meat."
     1st Sunday - the 17th, they mended up.  Kirtland put two pockets in his frock.  Tomlinson made "over-alls."  Umberville started back, to bring his family.  He was accompanied by Jason Rice.  Esquire Law had been unwell and the singular account of the
     1st Sickness - is, that he "ointed for the itch."  The remainder "kept Sunday in preparing for surveying on the morrow."  Were these pioneers more observant of religious rules, than their descendants of the 3d generation?
     1st Garden - did not amount to much, as they buried the seed and it sprouted before the ground was dry enough to be prepared, and the seed was mostly lost.
     1st Family - That of Thomas Umberville arrived Thursday, June 21st.
     1st Road - was begun the 25th, and cut from the camp easterly two miles from No. 11 to lot 35, which Mr. Umberville had chosen as the place for his location.
     1st Rattlesnake - noticed was killed, when cutting this road.  He had 13 rattles, and was carried to camp, dressed, cooked and eaten with a great relish.  Kirtland protested, but ate, and says, with the greatest candor, "I never ate better meat."
     The work for Umberville's garden began the 26th, and on Saturday, the 30th, the labor for the
     1st House - in Burton was commenced on lot 35, southwest of the spring, near where the Plymouth cheese factory now stands.  On Sunday all hands gave him the day, at work on his house.  It was named the "Umberville Coffee House," in honor of him, for bringing the first family on Nov. 7.  The family moved in Friday, July 6th, being the first night they had slept in a house since leaving "Genesea" the 22d of April.
     1st Independence Celebration - was a very quiet demonstration of patriotism, given in camp no Nov. 11, the record being: "Wednesday, Independence, drank a can extraordinary, and sundry patriotic toasts, after which all set out to surveying and work on house."
     The Squire - Was planned with "part of the lines," July 10th, by Kirtland, Law and Beard, and the survey finished on Saturday, the 14th.
     2d House. - It was to be built for the company, Yale and Tomlinson peeling bark for it on the 12th.  It was to be built on one of the center lots - nearest to good water; and in running out the lines of the village plat, Kirtland says, "we found in my center lot, about thirty rods south of the square an excellent spring of water."  This company house was built a few rods north of the Hickox spring, which has so long supplied the water-trough, on land now owned by James Peffers who dug out the stone of the chimney-bed, not long ago.  It is probable that this house, used for the stores and tools of the company, was owned by Kirtland, and was also called Kirtland's house.  In 1803, it was known as the Emigrant house; a kind of place where families stayed, cooked and slept, until they could throw up logs and make a cabin of their own.
     1st Haying. - Early in July, a place was found near the Cuyahoga - south of the center - to cut hay.  The care of stock was early thought of.  One of Mr. Umberville's cows died, from the drinking of salt brine, and the loss "caused great grief."  The first men in the hayfield, began Monday, July 16th, in the wild swamps of the river.  These were B. Rice, Byington, and E. Fowler.  The next year work was done in the hayfield as late as August 19th.
     Law, Bishop, Bond and Kirtland, went to look out the lands in Kirtland, in July, and on to Cleveland.  Expenses:  seventy-five cents a day each, including liquors.  Moderate, compared with four dollars a day hotel bills, and drinks extra, of this generation.

[pg. 423]
     1st horse purchase mentioned, was by Kirtland, of Mr. Young, for $65, and at a sale, in 1799, a horse brought $60 - to be paid in wheat and corn, and labor is noted as paying Mr. McBride 50c per day.
     1st seed wheat was brought in, September 9th, by Captain Bishop, who had been for it to Grand river; and the first sowing was dragged in by Umberville, on Esquire Law's lot, September 12th.  Kirtland dragged wheat with oxen, and on Tuesday, the 18th, finished sowing four acres, on which he put 60 lbs to the acre, that cost $2.00, and expenses, $1.34, making $3.34 per bushel.  He sowed grass seed after the wheat.  Wheat was also sown for Mr. Holbrook and Titus Street, as appears from the account of harvesting the next year; but the location of their fields is not given.  Colegrove gives an account of four acres of wheat being sown, for Street, a little south of the square, and the same for Holbrook on the east.
     The 26th of September, Kirtland started east by way of Poland and Pittsburgh.  His provisions, a towel and a shirt were rolled in his overcoat, and jolted out, leaving him dinnerless and shirtless, but he went on to Warren.
     2d Family - Amariah Bairds came in this fall of 1798, and shared their house - which was probably the third one built - with Mr. Honey, a brother-in-law of Mrs. Beard's, and his family.  This Honey family went on with Edwards, as before mentioned, to Cleveland, and the story is told, that being in Mantua, they were afraid of Indians, so came to Burton, and the two sisters, Mrs. Baird and Mrs. Honey, lived together during the winter.  Mrs. Honey gave birth to a son, the
     1st White Child - Born in Burton.  They called him Riley, and he was almost a New Year's gift, being born Dec. 31, 1798.  Going with the Shakers at an early day, he has been an honored member of their community at North Union, in Cuyahoga county, and now, over eighty years of age, his memory as verified for the writer several questioned points in this history.  Peace to the declining years of this elderly brother of the Shakers - Riley Honey, the first child of Burton.

     1799The 1st Wagon - Kirtland succeeded in getting on from Poland to Bauder's, in Warren, but no farther; the roads were so bad, the 21st of May.  June 8th, Isaac Clark brought a wagon with the party that came to build the mills, and they left it at Young's road, beyond the swamp on river, and the Moss probably used it to go for mill-irons to Fort McIntosh, on the Beaver, this season.
     1st Peas. - Kirtland brought two bushels of seed peas from Grand river, and had peas for dinner July 4th, which were planted May 25th.
     1st Planting - Of corn and potatoes was Monday, May 27th; weather very cool.  Hoeing began three weeks later, June 18th, and Kirtland picked good corn with Eli Fowler, October 15th.
     1st Fruit Trees - Were sprouted in Kirtland's stable, and he worked in nursery August 26th.  The last stump of these trees was dug out by Sammie Ford, in the meadow south of his father's residence (the Hickox brick), in the spring of 1877.  By the spring east of the nursery Kirtland built a spring house.
     The 1st Orchard - Of any size, was Umberfield's.
     Esquire Law bought a cow in Poland on the 26th of June, for $16.
     July 4th. - This year, it is only mentioned that they drank the president's health.
     The raisings of those days brought men together; they worked hard, but were a jolly set, and on Saturday afternoon, July 13th, the
     1st Barn - Was raised for Mr. Umberfield. The 2d barn in Burton was raised for Kirtland, August 2d.
     1st Bridge. - On Friday, July 12th, causeway work was begun on the swamp.

[pg. 424]
Thursday, the 18th, the 1st pair of tressels were raised, and Monday, the 29th, the bridge over the Cuyahoga, south of the center, was finished so as to be crossed.
     Harvesting.- Wednesday, July 24th, Hopson cradled wheat, and August 7th, Kirtland sledded his wheat into the barn.  An interesting item would be the yield of the four pieces of wheat sown the year before, but it is not recorded.  The next year corn sold for $1.00 per bushel, and Kirtland paid Mr. Clark $20 to boot on horse trade, in wheat at $1.75 per bushel.  Flour was sold for 5 cents per pound; beef, hind quarter, worth 4 cents per pound.
     4th House. - Thursday, August 15th, a company of men gathered by a spring, now in the "old Governor Ford orchard", and raised a house for Esq. Law.
     1st Sermon - Preached on the Western Reserve, was by Rev. Wm. Wick, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, at Youngstown, Sunday, Sept. 1, 1799, which Mr. Kirtland went to hear.
     Rattlesnake Bite. - At Poland Mr. Doolittle being out exploring for land, was bitten on the heel.
     1800.  The early settlers, seemingly alone and shut off from the world, and civilization could not forget the sacrifice their States had made, in the struggle for freedom and here, first upon the lands ceded, because of such sacrifice - the woods resounded with their rejoicing and songs of liberty.  The record gives it.
     July 4, 1800. - Sundry of us assembled on the green at the center, and erected booths with tables and seats for dining, where an excellent dinner was prepared.  The inhabitants of Burton, amounting to 42 in number, were assembled, and the day spent in social and festive mirth.  This number, no doubt, included some from beyond the present limits of Burton.
     McMahon's Trial. - September 17th, Judges Meigs and Gillman opened court in Youngstown.  Joseph McMahon had been indicted for the murder of an Indian - "Capt. George, or George Tuscarora."  The prisoner was escorted from Fort McIntosh by the sheriff, and guarded by 25 troops from Pittsburgh garrison, to protect him from the Indians. The charge was the killing of two Indians by him and others at Salt Spring July 20th.  It created great excitement, and 300 people of Warren and the country turned out, at the time, to treat with the Indians.  A Mr. Sample was counsel for McMahon, who was acquitted on the 2d day of the trial.  Mr. Kirtland was at the court.
     Mails. - September 15th, he received the first letter, of that season, from his wife, and one from Holbrook; so uncertain was the mail in those days.
     He gives Sunday, November 16th, as his birthday, 45 years old.
     In the prime of life, his three years of work was done in Burton, and the record kept.  The time of his selling out and moving to Poland is not given.  He was long known as Judge Kirtland. His son, Dr. Kirtland, was prominent, and will be long remembered by the people of Cleveland.

EARLY SETTLERS.

     1798.  Had it been told to a seven-year old boy, playing in the dirt and of a woodshed doorway, now and then looking up in the sunshine with a smile of roguery, as he flipped a chip at the old man, and saw his scowl and heard his gruff "You young rascal, you; " or again, listening with the charmed ear of youth, to the story of the Indian hunter, and his dusky child, from the lips of  "Grandpap" Umberfield, that, forty years later, beneath the same roof shelter, stayed by the same timber that crossed above that doorway, this neighbor boy would sit down to wright the history of that man and his family, setting in a new country; there would have been more of seeming fable in the prophecy than

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reality.  But it has come to pass.  The writer remembers, with a feeling or reverence, the last day of this first man, sitting for hours in the shade of the shed of that little house just west of the big maple, where Mr. Shaw's house now stands, eighty rods west of the park.  His long hair was then white, and when his story was told, the wife, a kind old lady, and very gentle, she seemed to us boys, would call us in to a cup of tea, and tell our fortunes.  So, we were all children together - the two Howard boys, this aged pair, and the writer.  When our boyish glee drifted away in the wonders and marvels of the pioneer tales, we were sober and thoughtful.  How dark seemed the words then, and huge the bears, while every tree hid an Indian.  Thus, with respect, comes back the memories of this age-worn couple, as thought turns to the fact of their lives in the wilds of Ohio.
     Thomas Umberfield - has been mentioned as bringing the first family into Burton, and his wife Lydia, was the
     1st white woman - in the town.  She received from the original owners of the township sixty acres of land, being the southeast part of lot 35, a gift in recognition of her being first.  He was born the year 1754.  Her birth occurred in 1756.  Her maiden name was Lydia Hotchkiss.  The name first written Umberville, afterwards came to be written UmberfieldWilliam Law married her sister.
     With Esquire Law, they took a boat form Buffalo, and were at Conneaut May 28, 1798.  Sailed out on the 31st, and arrived at Fairport June 3d, stopping for a few days three miles up the river.  At noon, Thursday, the 21st, their ox team reached Burton.  What an arrival!  Step from a rude sled, beside a white ten door, in a great woods, absolutely first and alone, the mother and her children; bringing beauty and grace with the naturalness of girlhood into the unbroken forests.  How the stories and discouragements of this far-off land must have come up, in the long journey for months, Now ended in the thicket of this wild.  No wonder that the tales of mud and slough, believed by many an emigrant, had been so fixed in the mind of this woman, that in unloading the household goods they found the veritable
     Bag of sand - she had packed in old Connecticut, for use in scouring here, where there was none.  Even now, early settlers remember of her exclamation, on seeing the great waves of sand along the lake shore, "Had I known this, I would not have brought my bag!"  Strange notions and many misgivings laid hold on the early comers, marching westward.
     Children - were at that noonday table: Four daughters, Limety, about 15 years old; Stella, 11; Betsy, 5; and Mary (always called Polly), 2 years old; Harry, a youth of 12 years, the first boy in town, making a family of seven.
     In less than four days the family and the party at this "garden spot" were out of flour, and no telling where it could be obtained. July 6th they occupied the new house on lot 35.  This house stood on a knoll southwest of the spring, and when the woods were cleared, commanded a view of the valley west, and was sought by travelers.  Byington, Isaac and Eli Fowler, Brooks, John Adkins and Captain Bishop joined the home surveyors there, on Sunday, July 10th, and were in good health and spirits.
     The Indians were soon friendly, and camped near the house.  A chief took a fancy to Limery, the oldest daughter, who was a beautiful girl.  He was so enchanted that he offered $1,000 and his oldest son for her.  Being refused, he gave warning that he would steal her.  For a long time she was not permitted to go out of the house alone.  Polly (afterwards Mrs. Edson), being little, had many a swing at the hands of the Indians, in a grape vine near the house.  Putting her on the vine, and giving a strong push, she went high, and they would set their half-wolf dogs chasing after her with a yelp, and laugh to see

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her swing back again, before the dogs could turn around in their endeavor to catch her.
     Slavery.- It is related by her granddaughter, of the Edson family, that Mrs. Umberfield was of a Cuban family on the father's side.  This Cuban had come to Connecticut for his health. He saw, loved, and was wedded to one of the fair daughters of that then slave State.  Returning to Cuba, he sold his plantation and slaves, reserving only the family servants, which he brought to Connecticut.  The last of these was a colored boy, given to Mrs. Umberfield by her mother.  She brought him to Ohio, where he soon died.  She felt the loss, as being the last of the old plantation family. Was it significant of the fact that in this then boundless northwestern territory, slavery could fix no foothold on the free soil of its afterwards glorious Western Reserve, on the bulwarks of whose defense have stood such men as Giddings, Wade, and Garfield?  The story may be founded on fact, as early settlers corroborated it, in the recollections of a colored boy with the family.
     Manners. - 11, as said, this first lady brought with her manners and customs that seemed high-toned, in the wilderness of this new country, they would only serve to refine a family far removed from the old civilization, and settled now
where they often saw the Indian camp, and heard the yell of the war dance around their own home.
     Pigeons were caught, 5½ dozen at one haul, by Mr. Kirtland, who served some of them with green corn, Aug. 25, 1799, to Messrs. Baird and Umberfield, guests invited to dinner.
     1812. - In the time of the war, the family lived in Huron.  One day Mr. Umberfield thought the British or Indians were coming to capture him.  He saw two men running toward the house, and he prepared to elude them; but they proved to be messengers coming to tell of victory and the probable close of the war.  After they returned to Burton, he kept tavern, where the Exchange hotel now stands.  Silver coin was so plenty that he had half a bushel of silver half dollars on hand at one time.  At an early day, in the barn of his tavern, a man hung himself.
     The family record is incomplete. Limery, born 1783, married Simeon Rose.  She died Oct. 20, 1835.  Harry, born 1786, remained single.  He learned to speak the Indian tongue, and was quite a hunter.  Died May 13, 1838.  Stella, born 1787, was married to Eleazer Hickox, in November, 1808, and died Oct. 25, 1855.  Mrs Umberfild died Mar. 25, 1849, at the advanced age of 93 years.  Mr. Umberfield's was a long life.  He died Dec. 21, 1850, aged 96 years.  All these rest in the lower yard, on the bank of the Cuyahoga.  Polly, born 1796, was married to Robert Edson.  She died, in Chicago, Mar. 17, 1857.  Betsey was born Mar. 1, 1793, and married Oroon Johnson, and Abbey, married Charles Earle.  Both are dead.  Lydia—called Lottie - the youngest, and only survivor, was born, in Burton, Nov. 10, 1803, and now lives near Emery, in Fulton county, Ohio.
     Of the descendants of this family, two deserve especial mention. Lottie married Clark Howard.  They had four children.  Amelia married a Mr. Carter, and lives in Fulton county, Ohio.  Delia, the second daughter, was bitten by a
cat, and died of hydrophobia, Apr. 13, 1848.
     1861. - Veloice and James, the sons, saw the red ensign of war, when the Rebellion broke on this country, and went with the Union army.  Veloice, always thoughtful and dignified, could not have made other than a faithful soldier.  There is nothing of his record at hand, only that he was a member of the 3d Ohio cavalry, and died in a hospital, at Nashville, Tennessee, Feb. 4, 1863.
     James, the younger, was in the naval service, down the Mississippi, from Cairo, Illinois.

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     He had the good will of his men and superiors, and there, as when a school boy in old Burton, was a favorite.  He sickened, while on his way to New Orleans, and died a soldier - May 28, 1865.
     The Umberfields entered with spirit into the improvements of the town, and were of the original number that gave the land for the public square.  He was a tailor, and his "goose" did some work, pressing the coarse seems of "linsey woolsey" for the pioneer population.
     He was not a member of any religious organization.  In her old age, she professed faith with the Disciples, and died in the hope of immortality, at Mrs. Howard's house, in the old room they had occupied so long.  He died in the same room, after the building had been detached and drawn up beside the Hickox brick, on the square, and that room adjoins the one where these words are being penned.  They came first, and by right have been thus fully noticed.
     1798.  Amariah Beard - with John Morse, of Euclid, came to Burton June 22, 1798.  On the 23d, helped Umberfield select his location for a house.  He was early at clearing a field here, for July 11th Yale and Tomlinson are mentioned as chopping on Tomlinson's lot, beween Umberfield's and Beard's clearing.  Prior to the coming of this
     2d Family - he was here, and seems to have made some preparation for them, and disappearing from the record, in July, it is probable that he met them at Buffalo. From there they came in a boat, and landed at Chagrin river August 4th.  Raised among the rugged hills of Massachusetts, where he was born, the 26th of August, 1770, he was prepared for trials.  Married to Eunice Moss, Nov. 12, 1795, they, with one child (Rufus) were in an open boat coasting along Lake Erie, in August, 1798.  The goods went by land, with an ox team, and they camped with the train at night.  Passing the Pennsylvania line, they were driven, by adverse winds, into the lake three days.  The wife suffered untold anxiety during the storm.  There seemed little hope for any of these forlorn voyagers, buffeted by winds and waves, in an open boat, three dread days of wild tossing on that tempestuous sea.  At last, the cove was gained, and the solid earth was rest to a weary woman.  Six days later, she gave birth to a daughter.  August 10th Clarinda Beard was born, almost a castaway on the shores of this great wilderness.
     In September they settled in Burton.  Their log house stood southeast from a spring near where Giles Taylor now lives, on the Governor Ford farm.  Sixty acres, being the northeast part of lot 35, was a gift to her, from the original owners of the township for being the second woman arriving in town.  Not gift of land, nor wild wood air, could lift the cloud and storm of that voyage.  In the years long after, it came back, and in the wanderings of her mind, was repeated in all its fury. 1802, he exchanged the land in lot 35, with Esquire Law, for land in Chester, half a mile east of the cross roads -lots 34 and 35 - and went there to live. After the great windfall of 1804 he returned to Burton, and located on lot 4, where Silas Beard, a grandson, now resides.  He died there, July 31, 1864.  The child, Clarinda, went with the Shakers at the age of 18, and lived there until she was 40.
     Daniel Beard was a half brother, and a leader among the Shakers near Cleveland.  Mrs. Beard was insane for many years, and a house was built for her, in which she had to be confined.  It took fire and she was burned in it. Mr. Beard was a life-long member of the Congregational church, and was kindly known as "Uncle Ami."  These first settlers sleep in the family yard of No. 4.  Their children were: Rufus, Clarinda, Ichabod, Myron, Silas, and Anna.  A younger son died early.  Silas, a grandson, is a good farmer, of solid qualities, keeping well the old farm.  He has been elected several times county infirmary director, and also township assessor.

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     1798David Beard. - The surveyor of the party coming to Burton in 1798, was with the original company of 52 that came to run out the country, "east of the Cuyahoga in 1796."  He finished the survey of Burton, east of the river, on Saturday, July 28, 1798, and the drawing of lots on Wednesday, August 1st.  His neice, Harriet W. Beard, lives in Painesville, and his son, D. A. Beard, resides in Buffalo, New York.
     Capt. James Beard, his brother, once a sea captain, had charge of one of the boats of the party of 1796.  In a storm on Lake Ontario, Capt. Beard went overboard.  The fears, that he was lost, were hardly expressed by parties who had landed safely, before he appeared, saying, "Nothing lost, but a gun and an oar."  He married Harriet Wolcott, of Hartford, Connecticut, in 1810.  The bridal trip was by lake to Chicago.  Mrs. Beard was the second white woman, visiting the then low swamp on lake Michigan.
     A Hutchinson family had lived on the flat, southeast of where Delos Williams now lives, and north of the brook, in a log house, previous to 1821.  Before that, Chatfield built the house, and staid in it some time.  It was his first location.  This year Capt. Beard located there. During a storm the lightning struck a tree.  Calvin Williams ran down the hill, expecting to find the family all dead, but no one was hurt.
     A great snake that Capt. Beard killed. It is told that it was so long, that Selden Brooks, a tall, young man hung it over his shoulder to carry, and both tail and head touched the ground. It was over ten feet long.  Probably a black, not a rattler.
     Capt. Beard died in Painesville in 1824.  Mrs. Beard was a lady of high culture, and for 69 years years a member of the Episcopal church.  She died Feb. 9, 1876.  William C. Chambers, editor of the (Painesville) Journal, married one or the daughters, Anna.  They occupy the home, where the mother had dwelt 50 years.  Harriet Beard lives with them.
     1799 Colonel Jedediah Beard - A brother of Amariah, came out in the fall of 1799, and October 17th, bought lot 27, where Noah Pages now has the stone house.  The next spring he bought Tomlinson's lot, in the town plat, at $5.00 per acre.  This is the 1st record of sale of town property.  Originally from Massachusetts, the Beards located for a time in Granville, Washington county, N. Y.  Mrs. Beard's maiden name was Charlotte Nichols.
     1800. February 22 - They started from Granville for Burton with three children - Thomas, Thalia, and Amey.  All the household goods of this family were in a two-horse sleigh.  From Buffalo they drove one day on the lake ice, at night camping at the mouth of Cattaraugus creek.  Beds were made of hemlock brush.  The snow melted, and in the night Mrs. Beard was awakened by the uncomfortable feeling of water rising through the brush.  Lake winds shifted the ice to Canada, and they built the next day shanties of their sleigh and one that General Paine and his family had come in, and camped.  John Moss was sent on to Burton for Amariah Beard, who got a batteaux boat at Fairport, and went to them.  Paine had secured a boat, and they loaded goods and sleighs, and sailed out together, Amariah and another man bringing the cattle through the woods.
     Mrs. Beard, fearing the boats, walked all the way to Fairport, carrying in her arms a child one year old - Amey (afterwards Mrs. Orrin Canfield, of Chardon), General Paine's hired girl walked with her.  The boats were signalled in, and the land and boat parties camped together every night but one.  At Fairport Mrs. Beard was sick in General Paine's tent for several days.  Two pairs of oxen and sled were sent from Burton for their goods, and hauled them through.  Mrs. Beard was so weak as to fall five times from her horse in riding from Painesville.  There was not a house on the road, and but 5 or 6 in Burton,

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set bewitching eyes on him.  Rachel they called her, not long after her advent in the family, which was July 22d, 1784.  Mrs. Fowler and her husband vacated the log house the 30th day of June, 1802, and that evening the
     1st wedding - of the town, took place.  Rachel was the choice of young Brooks, and Judge Kirtland came from Poland to unite them in marriage.  They went to their new home the same evening, and the young bride found a pleasant surprise.  Mrs. Fowler had left both bread and cake prepared on the shelves of the cupboard for the first meal of this new pair.
     The axe of Eli Fowler had spared a little tree by the road side, when clearing in front of the house.  The maple grew to fine size, and was, long years after a splendid land-mark on Cheshire street, and its summer shade fell far along the highway.  But the axeman came; the cool shades have passed away, and only yet is the stump seen.  From the apple seed planting in 1801, 20 years afterwards, a good bearing orchard stood north of the house.
     Their children were four - Selden, born Apr. 2, 1803; Linus, Apr. 25, 1805; Lovira, Aug. 13, 1809; Jonathan, Oct. 7, 1820.
     Mr. Brooks was in Claridon, near where Gorner Bradley afterwards lived, the day of the tornado of 1804.  He sought refuge beneath the root of an upturned tree, and the crushing timber fell upon the log and all about him, without harm to him.  He was a fine singer, and led the singing in the first religious meeting held in Burton, and at the house of Isaac Clark.  His son Linus relates that about 1809 provisions were scarce, and, with two men his father went to Detroit.  He bought pork at $40 per barrel.  Wind and storms so delayed their return that his wife gave up hope, and one night, being so alone in her anxiety and grief, sought encouragement at Deacon Cook's.  The two boys, Selden and Linus, were left asleep.  On her return she heard a sound from the bed of the children, and knew it was the voice of her husband.  The joy of their meeting can be imagined.  The boys awoke, and to their sparkling eyes, by the log fire light, the red of two great apples seemed wondrous as they looked at him who was lost, and the big apples he had brought them, the first they had ever seen.  He brought a corn cracker from Cheshire, Connecticut, on his back.  It weighed 45 pounds, and was said to be the first mill in this section.  His bold venture in the snows of winter, to Youngstown, for corn meal, has been told in the story with Phineas Pond.

     1812. On the 1st Friday of September he was drafted for the war, but his family being sick, Stephen Ford went as his substitute.  His death came suddenly Apr. 24, 1828.  He had been to mill with an ox team, and the load was lumber, with grist bags on top.  His wife knew that at the crossing of Hopson's creek, west of their house, the oxen had sometimes acted badly.   Returning this way, at the creek he must have had trouble, and fallen, as the wagon wheel
had passed over his chest, and three ribs were broken off at the backbone.  George and William Hayes found him and went for the doctor, leaving word at John Ford's, from whence the distressing news went to the family; but he died before his family could get to him, and while they were yet in sight.  His widow married James Morgan, and lived in Bloomfield, Trumbull county.  Her death came Sept. 4, 1852, and she rests beside Mr. Brooks in the lower ground.
     Selden Brooks - married Julia Spencer, of Claridon.  They occupied the old
home place for many years.  He died July 16, 1842.
     Jonathan, - the youngest son, died June 16, 1845.
     Linus, - the 2d son, married Eliza Humiston.  They moved to Illinois, quite early, and started from there Mar. 18, 1846, for Oregon, where he is farming in the beautiful valley of the Wilamette.* The railroads have come by his door,
---------------
     * Died in December, 1879, since the above was written.

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and they call the station Brooks, after this pioneer of Marion county, in that sea shore State.  His was the first white family in the place.  He has given to print many valuable recollections of his boyhood days, upon which drafts have been made for history.  He was coming from Punderson's mill with bags on the old mare, and near Beard's, when a bear jumped in the track.  Boy and grist both tumbled off.  A man passing helped him on, and, with the grist, he pushed home in the dark.  The cow pastures were extensive and wearisome to the legs of half-grown boys.  He used to track their cows from Page's east, to the Cuyahoga bottoms, and sometimes two miles north along the flats, before they could be found and started for home at night.  The Cuyahoga bottoms was one immense pasture along the river, and shaded by huge elms, until this dam built at the Rapids caused the water to set back, making sickness, and the growth of low brush now seen.  Lovira, the only daughter, married Ira Hoadley, and they always lived in Burton, where she still survives him.
     1802. J. S. Cleveland's - name is given in Esquire Hickox's account as the man who lived where the Hickox brick now stands, in the 1st Frame House - built in the county, in the year 1802.  (Mr. Witter says he came in 1800.) The little cellar of this old house, at the south end of the square, was filled up with earth by W. J. Ford, in the summer of 1878.  The 1st Store—he kept, and Elijah Hayes bought his first jack-knife of him, when a small boy. The Indians traded with him, and gave him the fanciful name, "Kia-ho-gua," meaning crooked river. He had no family, and Hickox says he moved to New Castle, Delaware.  He was the 1st captain of the 1st militia company; Jedediah Beard, lieutenant; and Lyman Benton, ensign.  Eli, Seth, and Joseph Hayes, were in the company.
    1802. Vene Stone - came this year, and settled on lot 1, north of the road.  His house stood near where his son Frank's barn now stands, in Burton.  His wife was Charity, a sister of Samuel Hopson.  They were married in 1804.  She taught school near Hopson's creek, the summer of 1803. His 2d wife was Alice, a sister of Calvin Williams.  She died in August, 1869.  He was captain of the company that went to Cleveland in the war of 1812; was a member of the Ohio legislature one or two terms, and an associate judge.  Riddle says he was a man of dignified manners, superior understanding and sterling integrity, and would have been a leading man anywhere; one of that rare old type that seems to be nearly extinct.
     1802. David Barrett - built the first log house by the spring, where Elijah Hayes afterwards lived on lot 22.  He married Phebe Fowler, sister of Isaac Fowler.  His bravery was known.  Four Indians came and frightened his wife, and he drove them out of the house with a club.  Daniel Hayes bought his land, and he enlisted in the war of 1812.  In the fight one day, the bullets of the enemy split slivers from a stump, throwing them against his shins, bringing out the exclamation:  "You shoot d —d careless!"  He died in the west. 
     1802. Benjamin Johnson. - The lot which was a gift to Mrs. Isaac Fowler, across from the fair grounds, he purchased, and built there, in 1802.  The record of his birth is found in a quaint Bible, printed in Edinburgh, Scotland, 1790, and is written as being July 22, 1761.  The expectation of a college being located in town, enabled him to exchange his improvements, before he had paid anything on the land, for eighty acres in lot 69, where he settled, a little west of Erastus Johnson's present house, on the north side of the road.  Esther Ford, mother of Horace Ford, of Parkman, told of the labor directed to clean stumps from off the square.  Her father, Benjamin Johnson, was justice of the peace.  When a man got drunk, he was fined and sentenced to dig up a stump and remove it.  This sentence was not often passed, for it was a great

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disgrace, in those days, to get drunk—or even to be the worse for using liquor.
     One day, in early times, the children heard the dog bark, and three boys ran down towards the brook, south of where Orrin Dayton lives; but ran back quicker than they went, followed by a she bear.  The elder boy, Oroon, jumped a brush fence; and, hearing Billious, the younger, yell fearfully, saw him plunge into the brush just ahead of the bear, which seemed not a foot behind.  The dog had cleared the fence, and the yelling alarmed the beast and she returned to her cubs. Esquire Johnson went the next day and got a gun, determined not to have his children driven out by bears again.
     He was a soldier of the Revolution. His death occurred Sept. 19th, 1825, at the age of 67; and his wife, Susanna, died Mar. 26, 1843.  They were buried below the hill. He was a mason, and the funeral was conducted with both military and masonic honors.
     Down the line of descent from this soldier, we find Oroon Datas, the eldest son, born Jan. 26, 1792.  He married Betty, of the Umberfield family.  She was born Mar. 1, 1793.  Their children were: Sophia, born July 10, 1816, and died Sept. 21, 1864; Leander, born July 28, 1818, and died Feb. 2, 1862, and Betsey, born Dec. 29, 1819, who married Edmund Canfield, and now lives in Cleveland.
     The second child was Esther, born 1794.  She married Elijah Ford, of Parkman.  Died Aug. 25, 1852.
      Dennison Johnson - second son, born 1795, and died Mar. 6, 1813.
     Billious K. - third son of Benjamin Johnson, born Jan. 8, 1798, was married to Lucy Hale, June 25, 1827, and died Sept. 14, 1866.  The wife, born Aug. 25, 1805, survived him a few years - dying Apr. 3, 1877, aged 71.
     He lived long on the old home farm, "over the river," and his son, Erastus, now occupies the place he left.
     Harriet—their first daughter, born Mar. 19, 1830, married Reuben Smith, whose birth dates Aug. 19, 1823.  The ceremony was performed by Peter Hitchcock, esq., Jan. 1, 1855.  They reside in Middlefield.
     Lucy Maria - born May 23, 1831, died July 16, 1850.
    Erastus - born Aug. 14, 1834, was married to Sarah M. Bossart, Mar. 2, 1862.
     Polly - the youngest daughter of Benjamin and Susanna, born 1804, married William Bartholemew.  They lived on the last lot in Burton, No. 100, and raised nine children, all of whom grew up.  With patient toil she met the hard ships of pioneer life for 36 years. 39 years a member of the Methodist church, she was true in the faith to the day of her death, which occurred Sept. 25, 1878.
     1803Gideon Finch - was a teacher the winter of 1803-4, in the log schoolhouse on Hopson's creek, near where Edson afterwards built his mill.  Elijah Hayes was one of his pupils.  He built, where Esquire Merriam resides, the
     1st Stylish or Showy House - in the township about 1806 or '07.  He kept a tavern in this house for a time.  His wife was a Hill, and cousin of Mrs. Eli Hayes.
     1803.  Noah Page
-was overtaken by Luther Russel on the road west this year.  They were both bound for Trumbull county, Ohio, and journeyed together.  Mr. Kirtland is remembered as coming at the same time.  Mr. Page located on lot 27.  Ephraim Clark was there prior to his coming, and it is thought he may have traded his interest to Mr. Law, and that Page brought direct from Esquire Law.  Lots were often exchanged, and payments on articles for land canceled by the improvements made.  In all the after life, with its perplexities and questions, with him and Russell, his near neighbor, there existed a feeling of fellowship, and the word of each to the other was a bound of honor.

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He was born in Northford, Connecticut, Mar. 20, 1772, and died Jan. 20, 1849.  His son Noah now occupies the old farm.
     Isaac Thompson once had a cabin there, but thought the timber too heavy for him to clear, and so "pulled up" and went to Middlefield, and his farm there was paid for by his hunting and trapping.
     1803. Luther Russel - and his family, arrived in June of this year and stopped at what was known as the Emigrant house.  It stood northeast of Hickox spring, and was probably the "company house,'' left for the new settlers to occupy until they could throw up a log house.  This, Russel soon did, and located his family on lot 38, by a strong running spring.
     Born at Danbury, Massachusetts, 1775, he caught the military spirit of the times, and, at the age of 22, enlisted in the regular army, being stationed seven years at West point, and was away but twice during that time.  Married at 28, he yoked a pair of oxen, and put a horse on lead, and, with his wife and goods behind this "spiked team," started for Ohio.  For the 100 acres in lot 38, he paid $125 cash, and had $25 left with which to "set up" farming.  Chills over took him in 1805, and continued sickness left the family without bread or meat.  He crawled from his bed to the door - to see a deer not far away.  The gun was handed him, and rested on a chair.  Almost fainting, he drew sight on the game, and it fell.  The load of venison was drawn to the house by his wife, who dressed it, and had meat to share with her neighbors.  This year he went to Beaver and bought a barrel of flour, for which he paid $16.  He wished that the barrel should be kept; Luther has it in use in his house now.  His 2d wife died the year 1809.  In poor health he returned east, but found none of his kin.  All had gone, nor did he hear of them after.  In better health he came again to Ohio.
     He married Polly Moss in 1813.  She had been deserted by her first husband, Joseph Moss, and was divorced.  She lived in Mesopotamia, and the chimney part of the house not yet complete, the cut away of the logs for the stone jams of the chimney was open.  It is said that a bear disturbs no dead thing, but covers up what it finds, if life has departed.  Mrs. Moss was startled at seeing, in the moonlight, a bear enter the chimney opening one night.  Resting quietly, she held her breath and closed her eyes.  Bruin came to the bed, laid his cold nose on her cheek and walked off, satisfied that she was scared to death.  That this was not a dog, was proven by the tracks, the next morning.  She traded a loaf of bread to an Indian.  He came next day, and pressing his hands together, said "no good," meaning it was light, and drew his knife on her.   Catching a chair, she knocked him down, and drew him out the door.   He came again and gave her a dipper to "make up," saying " me drunk" first day.  She was an enthusiastic Methodist, and as early as 1812, Seth Burton tells of meetings being held at Mr. Russell's house; and that she offered prayer in the family of Mr. Russell, for a year and a half, while employed as a hired girl.  Her executive ability and tact made her ready for any emergency.  He was a trapper, and on Saturday night came home with a load of muskrats.  On Sunday there was to be preaching at their house, but the rats must be skinned.  She took hold, and, swift as he was, she skinned three to his one, and the skins were off before Sunday.
     While at the Emigrant house, one evening the latch string was pulled, and Marimon Cook entered alone. He had been expected by Mr. Russell for some time, and fears were felt that he was lost.  His appearance caused rejoicing.  After news from the east was related, and a hearty supper was served by the light of the great log fire, Mr. Russell went with him to Jonathan Brooks.
     His children, by the 2d wife, were: Eliza, Lucy, Rebecca, and Julia; and, by the 3d wife, Luther, Mary, Polly, Linus, Martha, and Caroline.  The first

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wife died very young. In his old home he died, Mar. 19, 1851, aged 77.
     Luther Russel - his son, afterwards lived on the old farm.  He married a Miss Creaser, and now occupies a house on the road northeast from the former house.  He went to school in a log house, located on the northeast corner of the Tolles orchard, near Beardsley's present house.  Jewett taught then [1826], and Dr. Ludlow's academy school in the village was challenged to spell.  The town school came in the evening.  The syllables set at the head of the columns of words in the books then in use, were put together and pronounced as words.  Julia Russel spelled all down on the pronounced word "Kayda rosko-muskogporto-bacco."  For many years Luther bought furs, and is still in the business.  Taking a lively interest in agriculture, he was at one time president of the county agricultural society.
     1803. Lyman Benton - came from Guilford, Connecticut, this year.  He married Anna, sister of Samuel Hopson.  Their children were: Delia, Ann, Augustus, Andrus and Lodemia.  The 2d wife was Rhoda Fowler.  Children - Woodruff, Cynthia, Maria, and Lucretia.  He settled on lot 43, a little west of where the Benton house now stands, in which Horace Crittenden lives.  He was a justice of the peace as early as 1814.  His name, with that of M. D. Merriman, Mansel Wicks, Elison Sperry, and Edmund Taylor, stands at the head of the Liberty party in Burton.  His health became poor, and dropsy set in and his weight was said to be over 400.  He walked to Carlton's shop to hear the first abolitionist lecture in town, by Elder Winans, and was so interested in the first election, and to vote for James G. Birney, that he had two chairs set into a cart, and notwithstanding his great size, rode to the polls to cast his vote with the party.
     The first wife died Feb. 14, 1813.  He died Mar, 7, 1845, aged 75.
     Eleazer Hickox.  - The very name of this man has in it the snap of enterprise and go-ahead.  Probably to no man was Burton, in her early day, more indebted, and in fact the whole country, far away and round about, for the exchange of
goods; the barter of trade; the driving of cattle; the finding of market, and the bringing back of money in return for the poor product of that time, than to him.  Born July 25, 1776, in Watertown, Litchfield county, Connecticut.  Had the month and year anything to do with the patriotism and energy which he developed in this young country?  He started for Ohio in February, 1803, and that year worked for Jonathan Fowler, who kept tavern in Poland, at $11 per month.  His first trip, made mainly by Indian trails, to Burton, was this season, and to Cleveland, where there were three or four houses.  Fowler sold goods to people in Pennsylvania, thirty miles east, on credit.  In the fall, Hickox collected in the cattle of the debtors, from the woods, where they ran wild as deer.  In October, Fowler started east with 100 head.  The first day he lost 12 in the wilderness.  They were afterwards found.  This was the first drove from Ohio over the Alleghenies.  There was no market.  He packed the beef for the West Indies, and a French privateer is said to have captured part of it from an English vessel.
     In February, of 1804, he started from Connecticut with one horse and a sleigh loaded with 400 pounds of steel chains, axes, etc.  After reaching Buffalo, as was quite common with winter or early spring travelers, there being no road by land, he took along shore on the lake ice.  The action of the waves freezing had formed breakwaters or ridges of ice parallel with the shore.  Between these ridges the valleys were one glare of ice, and along them he drove.  East of Ashtabula creek he found a horse frozen into an old ice crack, in a standing position, his head above the ice.  Fearfully dangerous were these watery roads so frozen.  Opposite Perry his horse broke through a seam, her hind feet going down, but with a mighty spring she cleared the gap, landing cutter and load

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her teeth upon his finger, nearly taking it off.  He abandoned the bed, and went wounded from the field.
     After they had moved to Parkman she became furious at Fred Kirtland, and went into his store, giving him the lightning of her inflamed tongue in great rage.  He watched his opportunity, and when she was near the door gave her a push, but she caught him and they went out together, he falling uppermost.  She screamed "murder," "rape," all the time holding him fast in her clutches.  Esquire Parkman, running up, cried out, "Why don't you let the woman up?"  He groaned out, "I would if I could."
     After her husband died she returned to Burton, and claimed dowery in all the lands he had sold.  The terror of her name had reached the children.  She came to Asahel Barnes, a mile southwest of the village, and the children, knowing that she was expected, saw a horse at the bars, as they came from school, and shied around out of doors, not daring to venture in.  Julia Barnes (after wards Mrs. Chase), was asked by her for a glass of water, which she brought and was politely thanked for it.  John Ford, esq., made out the papers for her to sign that night, and she received one hundred dollars for her dower interest in the lands, and was well satisfied.  During the evening they visited, and she called the prominent men nicknames - as Ferris, a "catamount;" Umberfield, an "owl," and Mrs. Umberfield, a "goose."  She had names for Hitchcock, Punderson and Hickox, not mentioned.  She was charged with burning the academy, but Edwin Ferris, who saw the fire, says she did not do it, as she was in the house of Lyman Durand, and could not have been at the academy.
     1804. Asa Wilmot was an apprentice of John Ford at the carpenter's trade in the year 1804, and with him worked on the first academy built in Burton, being the first work done exclusively for the education of the young. The building was not completed till the year 1806.  He married Betsey Durand, and settled a mile north of the village, and built this house long known as the Stoddard house.  In taking down the chimney of this house in 18__, a brick was found on which was distinctly marked the print of a deer's foot.  The brick is now in possession of the historical society.  He died at his son Burrit's, on Oak hill.  His son, Curtiss, was killed by the falling of a tree, while chopping on Chardon square (Colgrove).
     1805Uri Hickox came in the year 1805, and with his brother, Eleazer, bought a tract of 800 acres belonging to Gen. Andrew Hull.  He, with Daniel Dayton, who came with him, in his employ, went to work clearing on the public square.  This winter Eleazer gave up his house to Mr. Hill and family, Eleazer, Uri, and Hill sleeping in the barn.  He was married to Lydia Ford, daughter of John Ford, Sept. 25, 1808, and settled the same year on lot 50, in the west part of the town, near the spring east of where now is the Woodard orchard.  In the year 1821 they moved into a frame house, which they had built on the corners, some distance to the north, and long know as the Hickox tavern.  In the joist above the bar-room is the bullet mark of a shot fired by one Dick Burke, who was fooling with his rifle.  Mrs. Hickox was weaving up stairs, and Hickox ran up to see if she was hurt.
     Of the bar-room stories, current in that day, is one told of some parties making sugar in a camp off to the southwest.  The syrup was left in the kettle over night, and in some mysterious way disappeared two or three nights in succession.  The two men had some whiskey, and they poured a quantity into the syrup; then tasted it, found the mix good, took "a little more," and laid down for the night "well set."  The first man, on awakening in the morning, saw his companion lying beside a huge bear, and at first supposed him killed.  Cautiously rising, he saw both man and bear were asleep.  The toddy had proved too much for the bear, that had been the thief, as it did for the men.  This

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time she had her last drink, and lay dead drunk. With an axe she was dispatched.  Johnson Hickox, the eldest son, recalls something of this story.  In the year 1812 Hickox went with the soldiers to Cleveland, his wife going to her father's with her two children, Lovina and John. Wolves often howledabout the door, and a bear was once driven away with a pitchfork, when at tempting to steal a pig.
     We find the following record of this family; Lovina, born Dec. 6, 1809; died Apr. 9th, 1829; Johnson F., born Feb. 5, 1811; Polly M., born Dec. 22, 1813; Lydia E., born Feb. 20, 1818; Esther E, born Mar. 15, 1821; Uri C., born Dec. 18, 1823; and Nabby, born Oct. 25, 1827.
     Mr. Hickox died Jan. 17, 1835, in the 56th year of his age, and Mrs. Hickox died Apr. 5, 1871, aged 80 years.  They rest in the lower ground. 
     1805.  David Hill.  - A family of Hills wintered with Hickox in 1805-6, but did not remain long. Hannah Clark was married to David Hill, and they settled here early, living on the lot opposite the fair grounds.  He was one of the first carpenters, and a man of lively temper.  At one time, when at work on Joseph Hayes' house, he had spleen against bear meat.  Some was nicely cooked and carried to him for dinner.  He ate heartily, and called it good. When told it was bear meat, his disposition arose, and he made spasmodic efforts to clear his stomach, but failed.
    1805. Daniel Dayton—came this year in February.  On the lake ice the horse broke through, and Dayton's life was saved by clinging to the bit of the horse. The square had been underbrushed and girdled : great chestnut trees were left standing. Uri Hickox set him to work, and from one cut of a chest nut log he split 140 rails.  He bought the farm on Oak hill, where Hiram Chapman now lives, on lot 74. One day in 1806, the townsmen and neighbors all came in, cut logs and hauled, split shakes for roof and puncheons for floor, and raised him a house before night. In the afternoon darkness came on.  The fowls sought cover, and the animals gathered in the shadow of that day.  The men stopped work until the sun should come from behind the great cloud.  There was something of terror in the gloom of the
      Great Eclipse - that spread its night over the day and the land.  This house was built on the north bank of a spring run, where an old orchard now stands.  He planted corn June 20, 1805, and claimed the crop was good.  Crossing from Esquire Benton's, in the pines near the big pond, he met a she bear.  He carried a puppy in his arms.  The bear began to growl.  He held the struggling pup tight, ready to throw him into the embrace of the bear, should she make an attack, while all the time her cubs were scratching up a tree lively.  When they were safe she snuffed off, and Dayton got quickly away from the path through the pines, with his dog, and hurried home.
      Wolves attacked his sheep, and, when he appeared, made at him, driving both himself and dog out of the lot, and made off with two sheep.  About 1822, the dogs drove a deer off the ice into the west branch.  The water had fallen, and the deer could not get out. It was a large buck that had just shed his horns.  Dayton cut away the ice and the deer walked out without fear.  Dayton grabbed him by the ears, and, in the struggle, dropped him, but not until his clothing had been torn into shreds, kicked off, and he was terribly bruised.  When down he cut the deer's throat with a jack-knife.  Plucky for a man who was no hunter and kept no gun. Out towards "Flemings meadow" he drove back a bear, with whipping his tow frock at her, until she had treed her cubs, and tore the hem off the frock, when she left.
     Of the first settlers here, he sought Fanny, daughter of Nathan Parks, and they were married in 1808.  To them were born Sallie, Stella, Elizabeth, David,

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bered now, with the silver buttons of the family on it, and which have been preserved.  His death occurred Aug. 25, 1858, at the age 96.  The first wife died Apr. 11, 1812. In 1815 he married Betsey Hulburt, of Northampton, Massachusetts.  She preceeded him to burial - dying May 7, 1837, and now the three rest side by side at the river, waiting the day of the " great congregation."  His children were: John, Hiram, Clarissa, Loalma, and Elzar.
     Elzar Cook—the third son, born Aug. 30, 1799, came in possession of the homestead lot, where he always lived.
     He was fond of hunting.  Jonathan Brooks had a whiffet dog.  It followed a bear and would not be called off, but staid out over night, annoying the bear by biting its hind feet.  Cook and Brooks pursued in the morning, into Huntsburgh, where Cook shot the bear.  The dog had literally bitten off the bear's hind feet. June 7, 1829.  He married Ruth M. Heard.  He died Oct. 21, 1870, and his wife soon after - Mar. 12, 1871.
     Elizabeth - their only child, was born Mar. 24, 1830. She married Philander Parmele, May 13, 1868.  The kindness of the "Missionary home" has not waned- the orphan and kinless have found shelter there from the storms of life.
     Hiram Cook,  - born Mar. 21, 1785, came in 1815, and settled across the way from John's, and just south of the present fair grounds. His wife was Lydia Lorinda Hitchcock.  He was many years in company with his brother, John, in the tanning business.
     The children - four girls - married as follows: Arvilla married Raymond Gaylord:  and the 2d time, Joel T. Case, and with him went to Texas.  Lydia married Dr. Sherman Goodwin, and is now living in Victoria, Texas.  Eliza Ann married Peter Hitchcock, and Sarrilla, Richard Dayton.
     For many years after coming here, he was an active and earnest member of the Congregational church, and, with his wife, readily joined in the prayer meetings which were often held at their house.
     The land where Kinney's mill now stands, 76½ acres, in lot 58, was set off to him by his father at $3.00 per acre.
     1807. Captain James Bishop - settled, this year, on lot 1, where George Wheeler now lives.  He was taken sick with fever.  Elijah Hayes and Hiram Fowler watched with him.  He died at this time, and was buried east of his house.  It is probable that he was the Captain Bishop of the survey party of 1798.
    1807. Captain Eleazer Patchin - was here in 1806, but came with his family, June 2, 1807, in company with John Ford.  He had one pair of oxen and one pair of horses to his wagon.  His family consisted of his wife and four children:  Levi, Linsen, Daniel, and Abigail.  He bought lot No. 2 of David Warner, in 1806, and settled there, in 1807, and afterwards moved on to the State road, in Newbury.
     1807. Gilbert J. Ferris - was born in New Milford, Connecticut, May 6, 1779 married to Olive Griswold, Mar. 3, 1800, came to Burton with his family wife, three children, and wife's sister - in December, 1807, and settled on fouracres bordering on the southeast corner of the public square, which he converted into a garden and fruit yard.  The old trees standing on this lot were planted in1808, and Edwin Ferris picked fruit, of the "sheep-nose" variety, from one of these trees in the year 1878.  He bought a stock of trees, and planted a nursery on the ten-acre lot, where Mr. Witter now lives.  It was northwest of the house.  He is said to have been among the first to introduce the nursery business on to the Reserve. Orchards are now standing that were supplied with trees from his planting.  Employed at intervals by Eleazer Hickox, in his store, and occupied in teaching school for a time, in 1815 he moved to Oak hill, on lot 84, and from there to Michigan, in 1821.  At the time of Hull's surrender, in 1812, Fer-

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ris was sick on the bed with rheumatism.  On hearing the news, he roused up, took a mop-stick for a crutch, and hobbled off to alarm his neighbors.  Though unable to march himself, he took his own horse, and, securing another and a wagon, carried the baggage of the Burton company, which, all but one, went to Cleveland, expecting to meet the enemy.  He died at John P. Smith's, in Newbury, Jan. 15, 1835.
     Edwin Ferris - son of Gilbert J. Ferris, was born in Otsego county, New York, Sept. 6, 1801, and came, with his father's family, to Burton, in 1807.  He lived with his father, working on the farm until he was twenty years of age.  He then bought his time, by paying a note of one hundred dollars, that his father owed John Ford, esq.  He paid the note by working for Mr. Ford eight months.  For several years he followed teaching, and finally settled on a farm, on Little Mountain, where he is now quietly living.  He has, for many years, kept a daily record of meteorology.  He has also furnished much interesting material for the pioneer history.  Of his teaching and government in school, mention is made under the head of "Education."
     1808 Adolphus Carlton - was born at Bellow's Falls, Vermont, in 1784, and came to Ohio in 1798.  Was with Judge Kingsbury, near Cleveland, but came to Burton in 1808.  Loalma Cook, daughter of Deacon Mariman Cook, was born Feb. 24, 1792.  She became Mrs. Carlton, December 30th, 1809, Esquire Lyman Benton marrying them.  The style of dress and particular fashion of that day is not given, but the "setting out" which she received was considered ample.  It reads: 50 acres of land in the north part of lot 58, $150; tea and bake kettle, $4.50; crockery, $4.00; 3 small and 1 great chair, $3.37; 1 set table spoons, $1.00; 2 beds and and bed clothes, $20.00; 1 fire shovel, $1.00; 1 set knives and forks, $2.00; 1 pair tongs, $1.75; 15 pounds feathers and tick, $7.50, making her outfit $45.12.  Land in addition to the above, $64; total land, $214.
     They located permanently on lot 79, about 100 rods east of the Dickerman house, living there until his death, Sept. 4th, 1823.  He was a carpenter, and also worked at clearing his land.
     Of his shooting, Garry Cramton tells, there was a place where the wolves came near a sheep pen in the woods, some eighty rods from the house, and he knew just where the pack centered.  One dark night he heard the continuous howlings, took his rifle and stepped beside the door, and aimed for the spot from whence he heard the dismal howls.  In the morning he found a dead wolf, and considered it the best shot he ever made.
     In the war of 1812 he was fifer in Captain Murray's company.
     The widow worked on as best she could to raise seven boys, all of whom grew up to manhood, under the kind influences of good moral training.  Elisha died Mar. 15, 1869; Hiram was killed by a boiler explosion, June 15, 1867, being thrown from Huff's shop above the trees, into his own yard, his body falling in the path from the house to the barn; Merriman was in the Union service from the State of Iowa, and died Mar. 27th, 1862, near Vicksburg; Asa died in Aurora, Sept. 27th, 1865.  With Amasa he repaired the old Hoadley saw mill in 1845; built the Lathan mill in 1848. In 1858 they built the grist-mill where the Center mill now stands, west of town; sold to William Bolton in 1864, and went to Aurora and built a grist-mill, which Amasa completed in 1866.  Amasa, with Andrew Durand, built the blacksmith shop north of Carlton's wagon shop, which, was torn down in 1878.  Almon, Hiram, and Merriman were carpenters; Amasa and John, blacksmiths; Asa, a wagonmaker, and Elisha a farmer.  Amasa and John live near together on the street west from the old wagon shop, and Almon on the east side of the park.
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wisely followed.  He always said no, to the social invitation to drink, so common in that day.   The sons never acquired the habit, but lived temperance men.
     The mother died Oct. 9th, 1873.
     1808. Thadeus Bradley - made his home on lot 15, opposite, and a little north from Judge Peter Hitchcock's, where S. C. Hinkston now resides.  He was a soldier in the Revolution, and many the tales he told.  His wife was known as "Aunt Parnall." They came here about 1808.  He planted an orchard when near the age of 50, and was told he would not live to see any fruit from it, but at the age of 75, said he had picked of its bearing many years.  Some of the trees are still standing.  The children were Selah, Nabby, Betsey, Gomer and HullHull lived north of the road on lot 8, but later occupied the old home, and died there May 1, 1863. His sons, Hull and Lawrence are both practicing medicine.  Hull in Hillsdale, Mich., Lawrence in Horicon, Wisconsin, many years, and now in California.  Thadeus Bradley died Nov. 16, 1840, aged 84, and his wife died Jan. 16, 1861, aged 95.  They rest in the family yard with the Williams'.
     Hull Bradley - was with Elzar Cook and cut a hollow tree, falling it to stop the hole from which a bear could come out.  Then, they punched the bear with a pole and he put his paws out at a smaller hole, and each dog tried the paws, and had his nose pealed.  They cut the paws off and then cut the bear out.  After his feet were off he would knock the dogs down with the stub of his paws, and was too much for them in the fight.  The hunters shot him.
     Selah - was a thorough mechanic, and started up manufacturing of various kinds on the little stream north of Williams.  He was sick with typhoid fever, it is said forty days, when he got up, walked to the window and back to the bed and died, Sept. 16th, 1833.
     1808.  About this time Freeman Hyde moved on to Oak hill, west of Daniel Dayton's, and had his first blacksmith shop there.  John Ford went to Parkman with an ox team, and brought him to town.  Afterwards he had a shop west of the square, and beyond where Dr. Lawyer's barn stands.  He lived on the brow of the hill south of the square as early as 1814.  A Vermonter, with a fund of wonderful stories, and a very good mechanic, he could always supply the trade.  In later years the marvelous story-telling grew with him, and the fires of the imagination were kept aglow as -bright as the irons from the forge, and it is said that it took a pint of whiskey to get a horse shod.
     1810.  Solomon Charter - located on northwest corner of lot 42, a little way southwest of Beard's mill.  His wife was Olive, a daughter of Nathan Parks.  He was early engaged with his brother, John, for Welsh, of Troy, in cutting the first road toward Burton, and was a great chopper.  Born in Vermont, at Orwell, Apr. 3, 1792, he was yet a boy, when coming here in 1810.
     He told of a wild cat walking on a log, and that a big deer stood looking at it.  He shot the cat and let the deer go.  He learned the distillery trade of Matthew Fleming.
     1810 Ebenezer Green - came to Burton about this time, and occupied the house Lyman Durand had left, and Edwin Ferris tells this story of him: He made the acquaintance of Henry Umberfield, Ebenezer Hayes, and some other Burton men at Maiden, Canada, in this year.  These men were engaged in smuggling across the river from Malden to Detroit.  The authorities in Maiden arrested Green, Hayes, and, I believe, another or two, and put them in jail.  Harry Umberfield by some means escaped arrest, and corresponded with the men in jail, and furnished them implements to break out of prison.  One day they had a secret passage about completed, and told Henry Umberfield to meet them, with a boat, at the shore of the river, at a certain specified hour.  Accordingly, Harry came at the appointed time.  The men had anticipated him, and

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were at the shore before him.  When the bow of his boat touched the shore, Green seized hold of it and called out: "Who comes here?"  Henry, supposing it to be an officer that was intending to arrest him, cried out: "God Almighty!"  Says Green: "If it is God Almighty there is no danger; He will not harm us."  So they all got into the boat, crossed over to Detroit, and shortly after returned to Burton, Green in company.  He used to say: "I'll not take from a poor
man, but the world owes me a living, and I'll have it.  But, I'll take from such as can afford to spare it."  He was an excellent hand to work, so people would employ him.  He was one of the strongest, and most active men in Burton.  Very few men had any business with him.  Oh "training days" he had great sport, wrestling and running foot races with the Indians.  There was no Indian who could run or wrestle with Eb. Green.  He ran with "Big Deer," a fleet-footed Indian, from near the Hickox brick to where the Store block now stands, and won the race.  The "redskin" said "white man spry."
     Before Green came to Maiden, he had lived on the plantation of Colonel Talbot, an aristocratic Englishman, at St. Thomas, on the street running parallel with the shore of Lake Erie, called Talbot street, after the name of the colonel.  When Green was in jail at Maiden, the old colonel called to see him, and accosted him with, "How are you, friend Green; you've got into the right place at last.  You'll not get out of here very soon to steal sheep and lambs, or grain from me."  Green replies: "D__n you, and your Canada jail.  I am only boarding here a day or two.  I can walk out of here any time I please." Says the colonel: "You'll not leave these quarters very soon, you thief."  "Fudge," says Green; "you Canadians don't know enough to build a jail that will hold a Yankee."  And sure enough, the next day but one, Green and his associates left for Detroit.
     1814Ephraim Cook. - A deed dated July 13, 1814, from Samuel Hopson and wife to Ephraim Cook, was witnessed by David Hill and Thomas David son, before Lyman Benton, justice of the peace, and conveys 75 acres, east half of lot 43, for $600 - $8 per acre.
     Cook arrived in June, and planted Yankee corn on the lot, near the creek, east from the house, and it ripened in good season.  The house was of split logs, and stood southwest from the present frame house, which is east of where Horace Cook lives.  The present house was built in 1822.  The 25th of Junes and was being taken out of the bank east from where the house was to stand.  Samuel Cook, a lad of 7 years, was in the hole.  The bank caved in, and he fell forward on to his face.  Only the head and shoulders were covered, but the ears and nostrils were packed full of sand.  His brother Horace found him, and called for help, but before any one came, he was dead.
     Mr. Cook was born in Cheshire, Connecticut, Dec. 21, 1775, and Oct. 16, 1799, he married Susannah Ives.  The children were: Stephen, born in 1800; Marietta, born Mar. 4, 1802, died Jan. 11, 1870; Harriet, born Sept. 17, 1804; Sally, born June 4, 1807, died Feb. 5, 1860; Julia Ann, born June 24, 1809, died Sept. 12, 1819; Horace, born Sept. 27, 1811; Easter, born Oct. 12, 1813; Samuel, born Dec. 1, 1815, died June 25, 1822; Lavina, born Aug. 11, 1819.  Mr. Cook died Jan. 29, 1854.  His wife had gone before, Dec. 27, 1843.  They rest in the lower ground.
     Stephen Cook - bought his farm of 118 acres, where Charles Rice now lives, of Judge Hitchcock, and, Elijah Hayes says, worked to pay for the whole of it.  On it is a fine sugar orchard, which he worked quite extensively. He also made brick several years, and finally sold out and resides in Michigan.  His son, Samuel, was in the service, with the 100 days' men, at Johnson's island.  Ephraim, the second son, was in the 128th Ohio infantry, stationed at John-

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running west from H. H. Ford's.  He brought the family through with one pair of oxen in 1822.  Many fine red cattle were grown on his farm, and to this daythe Devon bloods fat in the same fields.  A long time deacon of the Congregational church, he will be remembered as an attentive and faithful member, who was always in his place, the venerable white head giving dignity to his genial face.  He was thrown from a buggy and soon died.
     Robert, his son, was a faithful worker, after his father, in the church.  He has passed away.  Gilum, the 2d son, still lives on the old homestead.
     1822.  Burt Jewett - built a house on lot 28, where the dilapidated orchard now stands, opposite the Welton school-house.  He married Olive Hayes.
     David Jewett. - A land mark of these times is the lone pine tree near the river, on lot 29.  Close to it David Jewett built his house, and probably planted the tree about 1822 or '23.
     Some militia men set out before break of day, at the general muster in 182; to awaken the officers, by shooting near their houses.  A party gathered at Jonathan Brooks', and fired.  Frank Jewett had his hand blown off.
     David Taylor  - married Lucy Russel, and lived on lot 8, east of Merriman's.  About 1834 he and Anson Ford owned a saw-mill on the Gulf.
     1823.  Benjamin Stickney - arrived November 17, from Grafton, Windham county, Vermont.  His wife was Polly, a sister of Robert Edson.  They rented the farm where Ferris had lived, on lot 84, Oak hill, the summer of 1824, and in August Mr. Stickney died.
     Two sons, Simeon and Elbridge, grew up to manhood.  Elbridge, an upright, sober, and industrious citizen, has been equal to much hard labor, and possessed of shrewd intelligence, has contributed time and money to improve the breeds of cattle, sheep and poultry, and to fruit growing.  Simeon carried on the harness business.  He died Aug. 26, 1879.
     Elbridge tells of hunting deer.  A section of bark of a 15 inch tree was cut, and one-half the shell had a board fitted to it at one end, and the bark was set upright in the bow of a canoe.  A large candle of tallow and beeswax was set into the board at the bottom, and the bark shell became a reflector to throw the light of the candle ahead of the canoe.  The hunters were in the boat, and screened from the bow by the shadow of the bark.  In the summer night there was no wind, and the canoe floated noiseless down the red waters of the Cuyahoga.  Deer stood in the water cooling, or feeding on the tall grasses. Merwin Hoadley drew a bead on one that had watched the delusive light until the hunter could see his eyes, and fired.  They did not stop for the game, but floated on to find another shot.  The game killed in this novel way, at night, was picked up the next day.  This boat hunting with lights was quite successful, and large numbers of deer were killed.
     1824 Brooks Bradley - located in April, on lot 90, where Reuben Jolly now lives; afterwards moved to Oak hill.  His son, Stephen, occupies the farm near the pond.  He was a brother of Justus Bradley, the hatter.
     Cephus Smith - first settled east of Bartholemew's, on lot 100.  He was a keen hunter.  William Cay tells of hauling from, the woods, nine deer which he killed in one day, and Richard Slitor credits him the same number, in one day's hunt.
     Richard V. Slitor - was born in Chatham, Columbia Co., N. Y., Nov. 24, 1790 and came to Burton in 1826.  With an eight horse team, in the year 1817, he moved the engine, boilers and anchor from Albany to Buffalo for the first Lake Erie steamer -  "Walk in the Water" - hauling the whole in three loads of four tons each.  One load, by mishap, slipped off with the wagon into a ditch.  His fellow teamsters brought their spans to his aid, and when all were hitched, he had 21 horses under one rein, which he drove with the one line so carefully as to pull the load safely out.

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     Under date of Nov. 1st, 1879, the Cleveland Herald says: "58 years ago last night (Oct. 31st, 1821) the 'Walk in the Water' was beached upon the coast near Buffalo.  From Mr. George Williams, the only passenger of the ill-fated boat now living, a resident of Cleveland, the Herald obtained a copy of a paper, signed by passengers of the steamer, expressing their gratitude to Capt. J. Rogers the officers and crew for their gallant conduct in saving the lives of all on board.  The terrific storm which was encountered, threw the boat, heavily laden as she was, entirely on the beach.  The first officer who sailed her was Captain Fish, of Buffalo, and her whistle first awakened the echoes of the "old Cuyahoga" at Cleveland in Sept., 1818."
     Mr. Slitor married Amanda A. Dayton in the year 181 9, and the children that came with them to find a home "across the river" on lot 96, were Jerome, Caroline, Moses and Enoch. Mrs. Slitor was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y.,, in the year 1800.  When he located, just north of the Troy line, there were only three houses between his own and the centre of Hiram.  Coming into the country with his family in a two-horse wagon, when he reached Chardon he had barely six cents in his pocket.  Truman Slitor moved in after him, and then came the Hubbards and the Silvernails,  In 1829 he began cutting the road from the Troy line north to where it intersects the road leading to Parkman, and with the help of others, in 14 days, he had finished it so as to drive his team through.
     In the war of 1812 he was in Capt. Lowell Hutchins' company, Col. Nellis' regiment, 13th N. Y. infantry, in the command of Gen. Oliver Collins, and served 3½ years to the end of the war.  His first discharge was from the 18 months service, and was written on white birch bark, which he now has in his posession.  At Sacketts Harbor, at the close of the war, without pay and 400 miles away, he started out for home, with but 3 cents for fare, on so weary a journey.  He had gone out a boy, and was so long away that his family gave him up for lost, and supposed he was dead.  Returning rough and ragged, with nothing but his good name as a soldier, he came to his fathers house and asked shelter for the night.  He was welcomed and fed, but unknown.  What a joy when the old father found his son was alive, and the mother knew that her boy was home again.
     He cleared up his farm, and remained there until 1861, when he removed to the village and lived there six years, afterwads going back to the chosen spot of his early days, and near by, just over the line in Troy, he still lives, at the advanced age of 89, and is vigorous and able to walk to town and back again.  The children born here, are: John E., Amanda Ann, Fanny M., Richard L., and George J.
     Mrs. Slitor died Mar. 1, 1877.  With him she "walked with" the Methodist church for a time, but when the Free Will Baptists organized in Auburn, they united there.  Elder Crafts often held Baptist meetings in the school-house near by, any the quarterly meetings were held in Mr. Slitor's barn, and when the school-house was too full they would adjourn to the barn.
     Joel Tuttle Merriman, - son of Joel Merriman, was born in Cheshire, Connecticut, Apr. 21, 1804.  He lived at home till nearly 21 years of age, when he went to work for William Law, and worked for him eight years, at eight dollars per month.  During this time he met with an accident by which he came near loosing his life.  He was driving a vicious boar across a field, when the animal attacked him, mutilating him in a terrible manner.  He managed to escape to the house, exhausted and weakened by the loss of blood, and at once became unconscious, in which condition he remained for some time.  Under the medical treatment of that time it was twelve weeks before his clothes could be removed, and more than a year before he could resume his labors.  He was married Feb. 13, 1832, to Chloe, a daughter of Erzra Merriman, with whom,

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the next fall, he came to Burton.  They spent the winter at Myron Beard's, whose wife was a sister of Mrs. Merriman.  The following spring they secured rooms of Calvin Williams, where they remained during the summer, while he began to clear a spot, on which to build a house, on a piece of land he bought soon after his arrival in Burton.  He moved on to his land, on lot 7, in November, 1833.  He used to give two day's work for one of a man with oxen.  His father was out in 1833, and saw the hard work going on.  He gave Joel $50 to buy oxen, and the son often said it was the greatest present he ever received.
     By industry and economy, he cleared up his land, and made for himself and family a comfortable and pleasant home.  He had a peculiar fondness for bees, and a natural tact for their culture, and was never without them, from the time he purchased his first swarm, before moving on to his farm, until the day of his
death. He had, at one time, 200 swarms.  He sold 75 swarms to go to California.  One winter he lost over 100 swarms, valued at not less than $1,000.  In the dry season of 1845, Mr. Merriman met a man, in Cleveland, by the name of Chenneworth, of Harrisburg, O., who told him that he would furnish feed on which to winter 12 head of cattle, and give him seven dollars per month, if he would go to Harrisburg, and work for him during the winter.  Having 15 head
of cattle, and only about 600 pounds of hay, he accepted the generous offer, and took his cattle, returning with them in the spring, in good condition.  The well, by his house, was singularly affected.  One day the head of his father-in-law, Ezra Merriman, was seen just at the top of the curb.  He was asked what he had been doing, and answered: "I dropped into the well; can do it again," and down he went, 30 feet, into a good depth of water.  It is said the well dried up after that, and is true that a new well was dug.
     Of their children, David, Henry, and Maria are now living; Jonathan and an adopted daughter having died.  He was for many years a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church.  His strong voice, in songs of praise, will long be remembered in the meetings.  He was a respected citizen; a generous friend to the needy, and a kind neighbor.
     1834Joel Merriman - the father, was born in Cheshire, Connecticut, in 1777, and moved to Burton in May, this year, on to lot 8, a portion of which he had bought of Robert Hotchkiss.  He first built a log house, and the following year, a frame house, in which his son, Lucius, now lives.  There was, at this time, only a small piece cleared, and on this many girdled trees were standing.
     This year, in Burton, arrived the Gaylords, and Frederick Hotchkiss.
     Lucius Merriman, son of Joel, was born Apr. 17, 1813, and now lives on the old homestead, and is engaged in the dairy business.  He is a Methodist, and astrong temperance man.  He has often taken premiums, on cheese, at the county fairs.  In the city of New York, he took the 2d premium of $17.00, on best dairy make, from forty cows.
     Willard Hale - and his wife, formerly Harriet Merriman, came to Burton, in 1834, and bought parts of lots 9 and 19, and moved into a log house, but a few years after, built a frame house.  He was an expert chopper, and took jobs of clearing and fencing land, at ten dollars an acre.  He was a great hunter, and he and Marcus Eggleston once agreed that they would do no more work, until they had killed a certain deer they had often seen.  After following him two days, they gave up the chase.  But, about a year afterwards, Mr. Hale saw him in the midst of a herd of steers, and shot, wounding him only.  He ran into a wheat field, and trampled down one-fourth of an acre before he was secured.  This was the last deer killed in that section.
     Hewitt - a neighbor of Merriman's north, in Claridon, was killed, in January, 1841.  He went into his stable, for his horse, and was found by Mrs. Hewitt, tramped to death.

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     1835Johnson Sperry - came this year and settled in a house built by Augustus Benton, on lot 33, on the road to the Hayes' settlement.  It was moved by Deacon Spring, and is now the residence of Phillip Silvernail.  To the westward stood a house, built by Nathan Parks, and long occupied by a Barrett family, but deserted - lo, these many years!  A great two-story frame, with windows, doors and clapboards gone, it was cheerless as a skeleton holding its ribs, on the hill top, in a northwest wind, and seemed to the boys haunted with spooks and traditions.  It is gone, but its shadows will live through the present generations.  Mr. Sperry was a blacksmith, and had his shop on the corner near his house. The children were: Elison, Bennett, Lydia, Johnson, Charlotte, Volney, Edwin, and Ellen Johnson studied and practiced medicine in the west, where he died.
    Elison Sperry - a great reader, and, by profession and practice, a musician, lives in Troy.  He married Cynthia Benton, daughter of Esquire Benton.  A good conversationalist, and full of opposition, he always had a fund of matter, gained by careful reading, and was ever ready for discussion of politics, theology, or general subjects.  He still keeps up a lively interest in the stories of the anti-slavery times and days of Abbey Kelly and Foster.
     He was a great debater, and on one occasion was walking behind Robert Edson, who carried a lantern.  Mr. Sperry was busy in thought and argument, and did not notice carefully a plank laid for a footway across the race, but mistaking a ray of the lantern for the plank, stepped on the ray and off into the middle of the race, going down with a splash, and was wet through, but never, as Mr. Edson told it, for a moment closed his mouth on the abolition argument.  Going to the mill, he sat by the stove until the water ran from his clothes in pools on the floor, and continued the debate until Edson refused to talk longer with him, unless he went home and changed for a dry suit.  Such was the persistency of the early abolitionists that water did not chill their ardor.
     Of the Flemings - there is little record. Matthew had the name of hunting Indians.  It is said the red men were after his sealp, and his reputation had come from Virginia to the western lodges.  He dared not camp two nights in the same place.  One night, as the story goes, he smelt Indian, and "slid out" of camp as silenly as possible.  Returning, one day, he saw his own figure drawn on a tree, and the head gashed with a tomahawk.  His shots were sure, and his stealth equal to that of the race he helped to drive off.  At a training, one day, he brought his rifle loaded, which was pointed at a pigeon on tree, and he wagered to pick its head off.  The claim still is, that, at the crack of his rifle, the pigeon fell headless.  He died Dec. 10, 1831, aged 61, and his wife, Chloe, May 8, 1821, aged 43.  His 2d wife is still living, and a daughter, Mrs. Root, lives in Thompson.  Nathaniel Fleming died May 27, 1811, aged 93.  They sleep by the river.
     Some of the early settlers came, staid a little time, and went away again, leaving little or no record that can be found.  Others came later, and soon passed away; while many left families settled, and more or less connected with the later cultivation and interests of the township.  There is neither time nor space for notice of all, even if it could be obtained, and little more can be done than a mention of names, that may call up a recollection of some forgotten one.  Amos Andrews, Sherebiah Burnett, Guy Carlton, John Charter, Nathan Hanchet, and Frederick Loveland, all were said to have been in the rush for the defense at Cleveland in 1812.  Gilbert Loveland, a son of Frederick, was on the farm near Pope's mill, on Oak hill.  He fell from a load of hay upon a stump, and was killed.
     About 1817 Nathan Ford came, and finally located in Claridon.  Matthias Fox was an old man.  He died Nov. 24, 1S46, aged 84.  Ichabod Brooks

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and David, and the Smiths, Cephus and Russel, were here early.  "Ceph."was a hunter, and his rifle shot echoed the wood ranges from Rocky river away to the corner of the township, beyond where Henry Avery now lives.  The Herendeens - Solomon came early, Seth later, about 1832.
     The Humiston family were early, and lived in the old Beard or Law house, by the spring.  They were all prostrate with sickness at one time.  Of the sons, Samuel, Russell and Dewitt are dead.  Luther resides in California.  Vanduzer was a trader, and the store was long called after his name.  Doolittle made hats in the old house where the brick block now stands.  Edward Collins was over west, and Deacon Septimus Witter stopped here for a time.
     Silas Gaylord - the elder, lived and died on the corner where Mrs. Silas Gaylord, jr., now lives.  He was a shoemaker, a kind old man, and used to crimp and peg away in the back chamber of the story and a half house.  His family were: Hiram, Hannah, Raymond, Silas, Lydia, William, Oliver, Samuel, Hiram, and Samuel.
     Then there were the Stoddards, north of Hitchcock's, by the brook.  The Tolles, on the farm where Seth Hayes, jr., had built, east of Russel's, and, from the family went out Goodwin S., now living in Michigan, and Colonel William R., so well known in the late war, now living in California.
     John Tuttle - married "Abby" Tolles, and lived on Oak hill, and afterwards in the Stone house, "over the river," where Albert J., second son, now lives.  Ransom, the eldest son, served as captain in the army, and is now at Knoxville, Tennessee, in the iron business.
     Nathan - a brother of John's, was a partner with Silas Gaylord, jr., in trade.  He had carried on tailoring.  He was a singer, and fond of music.
     Ezra Merriman - a hard working man, swept into the forests and did much clearing on the farm where Monroe Moore now resides.  He had a bad taste for "old rye" and cider. Losing his wife, he gave way to the monster, drink, and was squandering the household goods.  One Sunday morning his daughters, Hannah and Chloe, started out with Almira Chatfield and her brother Lucius, and in company with Marcus, Garry and Abel Cramton, William and Orrin
Dickinson, went^our miles through the woods, half terrified with the thought of wild beasts, and more scared at the thought of the depredations they had premeditated.  Coming to the log house, they broke the padlock and entered.  Each one, loaded with beds, bedding, clothing, and other valuables, beat a retreat from that house, carrying their stores to the garret of Major Isaac Chatfield's house, in Middlefield.  From there they were afterwards distributed to Merriman's four daughters.  This action, with felonious intent, might have landed all these youngsters at the mercy of the court, but the boys were brave, and the girls equal to so hazardous a Sabbath morning excursion.  The affair passed off as a raid for the saving of property.
     Merriman used scripture names, and his repeat of the Ammonites, the Jebusites, and the Canaanites - well, well; here I say, the "Amelekites, and the Hittites" come back to the boys who heard his singular tongue when the imagination was fired up. "Rochester" Brown.  What a rough man he was, with his drove of long-tailed colts down by the west branch.  There he had a sill laid for a mill on the west road to Oak hill, and his house stood in the lee of the wood, where he built it, siding up with plank grooved and jointed together with inch strips for tongues, and pinned on and where he made red sleds, on yokes, and cradles.  Hiram, his son, lives east, by the old Fowler saw-mill.  James Goff was here, and Titus Goff, a quiet and much-respected citizen, lived a long time on the Ephraim Clark place, north from Russel's and is now in Troy, and Solomon Leach, who married a Fowler and raised five boys, all of whom served in the front rank of the Union army.  Frederick Hotchkiss located on the

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Punderson road, on Oak hill, and at an advanced age, is still where he settled.  Beyond him was the home of Hopkins Johnson, with whom lived Chauncy H. Talcott, a faithful student and devoted teacher, who was lieutenant in the 41st Ohio, and Earl, his brother, the ox teamster, who still believes in a good pair of cattle, for a good day's work, or for mill and meeting. "Uncle Hopkins,"' as the boys used to call him, forgot not the church, nor the prayer meeting in his day.  And there was "Uncle" Robert Burnett, where Sherebiah now lives, who
lived to be 88, 50 years of which, he spent in town, dying Jan. 23, 1879, and then Justin Melvin, and now Williams and Young in that neighborhood.  "Old Gesar," a colored man, settled down there, and was great on raising blooded colts.  South was Evarts by the Little pond, and east, the Chapmans still take pride in the big pumpkins, high corn, and fat cattle of a good farm.
     "Over the river" were the Hubbards, Hutchins, and Miles Williams came in somewhere - Booth's was east, Bates' south, and Stephen Boom, who wore nohat, was near the Run, and had a brother, Jesse, west of Beard's mill, where the hemlocks shaded his retreat, with the gang of counterfeiters, for so many years.  James Slitor is named, and there was Reuben Brown, the father of James Brown and Thomas, who lives on the Miner place, and is a rich farmer, a lover of fine horses, and has been town trustee.
     Nathan Truman - had his shop where the road turns to Punderson's mill, and made shoes.  His son, Morris, still continues the trade, and has been in the service of the town as constable.  Nathan was funny, and sent a boy, who was hunting for his dog which he claimed had been stolen, to Rev. Mr. Witter.  He told the boy that Parson Witter would deny, but to charge him with it, and stick to it, and he would get his dog. Witter denied, but the boy persisted, until asked who sent him.  He said "Nat" TrumanWitter laughed, undedeceived the boy, and took the joke in good part.
     Samuel Forrow who used to build houses here, the father of Asher and Lester.  Their mother, Mrs. Lucretia Forrow, lived to the age of 81 - dying Oct. 19, 1878.  There were the Huffs - the father, a large bony man, with strong voice, and odd ways, and the son, Lawrence, a good workman, who was ever hammering away in his blacksmith shop.
     It is said Abner Doolittle brought the first buggy in town, and Mr. Huff took pattern from it, and built one strong enough for the new roads.  It weighed 720 pounds.
     Beyond, on the hill, was Gould, who worked at wagon-woods, where George Strickland now lives; and below him, on the side hill, Baron, the harness maker, lived so long.
     With that endless name - Smith—this chapter closes.  It will be many a day before Burt is forgotten.  Through past generations, he has walked all the ways of Burton.  Houseless and homeless in his wanderings, he has never failed to need a little money for tobacco, which was always appropriated to suit his own tastes, and his wits have been so sharpened that his sayings have a droll sarcasm that invites men and boys to let him alone, if they have no pity for him in his forlorn and hopeless old age.  Some households are kind to him, and Burt Smith will not forget them till the old hand is cold, and the last night's rest is come.

BURTON EARLY RECORD.

     1803. Sometimes a township took its name in honor of some one of the original owners. Titus Street had a large interest in the first purchase.  He was a father, and waving his own claim, allowed it to be called after his son, whose name was Burton StreetSeth Burton (now living) is authority for this, and was corroborated by Ira HoadleyKirtland makes no mention of the set-

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dement in Mentor, in 1798, but it is claimed to have been in June, while here it was the 15th of June, and the Harpers were first at Unionville or Harpersfield June 28, of that year.  In 1800, "for, the purposes of better government of the scattered settlers," a committee of the court of Trumbull county set off.  Munson, Claridon, Huntsburgh, Middlefield, Burton, Newbury, Auburn, Troy and Parkman, to Middlefield.  On the formation of Geauga county in 1806, all
this territory constituted the township called Burton, and probably Bainbridge, Russel and Chester were added.  In that far away time its borders reached over the 12 southern towns, but now it names only the title to five miles square of the original land.  The public square, on which have been held trainings, colt and cattle shows, circuses and many gatherings of interest, was a gift from the first owners, to the town, as was also the land for streets in the town plat. Oct 5, 1803, the deed was made to Ephriam Clark and the rest of the inhabitants of Burton for a valuable consideration:
     "Beginning on the line that runs north and south through the center of said Burton at southeast, corner of lot No. 25, thence south to the south line of lot No. 45, and to be 4 rods wide on each side of said line; and to begin at the southwest corner of lot 35, thence, east to the southeast comer of lot 36, and to be 4 rods wide on each side of said line.  Also from the intersection of these two roads 40 rods north and 15 rods south, and 15 rods east and 15 rods west, making 55 rods north and south and 30 rods east and west, for a public square.  Plat to have 3 roads each way and on all sides.  40 rods distant from each other, the outer to be 120 rods from the centre."  Signed by Andrew Hull jr., Benjamin Doolittle, Turhand Kirtland, Titus Street, Thomas Umberfield, Amoriah Beard and Simon Rose, of Burton, in the township of Middlefield.  Law signed for Hull and Doolittle as attorney, Kirtland for Street.

CIVIL ORGANIZATION

     1802. The first election was held, at Middlefield, in 1802.  It is probable that Benjamin Johnson was elected then, as he was the first justice of the peace; Joseph Clark, the second, and the third was Eleazer Hickox, commissioned Sept.  12, 1806, as given in his recollections.
     1806.  On the first Monday in April, were chosen:

Samuel Hopson   Town Clerk
Justus Miner,
George Wallace,
Joseph Clark
} Trustees
David Hill,   Appraiser
David Barrett   Lister.
Isaac Thompson,
Jonathan Brooks
} Overseers of the Poor.
Uri Hickox,   Constable.
Seth Hayes,
Noah Pate,
} Fence Viewers
Five,   Road Supervisors.

     This election was ordered by the commissioners, in session at New Market, Mar. 6, 1806, to be held in the academy at Burton.
     An old poll book, evidently written by Peter Hitchcock, certifies to an election, held Aug. 31, 1809, at which Eleazer Patchin, Marmion Cook, and Thomas Heathman were judges, and Peter Hitchcock and Samuel Hopson, clerks, attest:

     That the election was for justice of the peace, and that the number of electors amounts to sixty-five, majority.  The names of sixty-five electors only are given, as follows:  Vene Stone, Eleazer Patchin, Marimon Cook, Benjamin Johnson, Chauncey Warner, David Barrett, Theodore Roys, Uri Hickox, Andrew Durand, Stephen Pomeroy, Joseph Noyes, Justin Bradley, Peter Hitchcock, Daniel Hayes, Jacob Burton, Freeman Hyde, Amanah Beard, Lyman Durand, Asa Wilmot, Simeon Rose. George Wallace, Samuel Burton, Henry Umberfield, Calvin Williams, Seth Hayes, Eli Hayes. Ebenaw Hayes, Isaac Thompson, Eli Fowler, Daniel Townsley, John Bigelow, Bazalel Cohon, William Barker, James Heathman, Luther Russell, Jonathan Heathman, Guy Carlton, Adolphus Carlton, Silas Young, Amos Andrews, James Thompson, Bennett Heathman, Stephen Herriman, Elnathan Wilcox.  John Wallace, l'aul Clapp, I.evi Hardy, John Cohon, Nathan Parks, Ezra Brant, Isaac Fowler, Hezekiah King, Noah Page, Daniel Dayton, Thomas Umberfield. Matthew Fleming, Gideon Finch.

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Thomas Heathman, John Ford, Thaddeus Bradley, Jedediah Beard, Eleazer Hickox, John Cook,
Samuel Hobson, Joseph Johnson.

     Eleazer Hickox had 41; Lyman Benton, 30; George Wallace, 16; Joseph Clark, t1; Thomas Heathman, 11; Samuel Hopson, 2; Peter Hitchcock, 1; Jedediah Beard, 4; Paul Clapp, 5; Isaac Thompson, 4; Gideon Finch, 3; James Thompson, 1. In all, 129 votes were cast.  Hickox says he was elected.
     The fact of there being votes cast for 12 different candidates, or persons, shows as much difference of feeling, or interest, as has been manifest at any time since.
     A constable's bond was put at $400, as early as Apr. 2, 1810.  Hezekiah King gave bond, with John McNough surety - Marimon Cook and Thomas Heathman, witnesses.
     1812.  October 13, Simeon Rose, Marimon Cook, and Jonathan Brooks, judges; Benjamin Johnson, and Peter Hitchcock certify to sixty votes cast, and make returns:

J. Meigs, for Governor 60 votes.
John S. Edwards, for Congress 59 votes.
Peter Hitchcock, for State Senate 56 votes.
Samuel Huntington, for State Senate 1 vote.
Samuel S. Baldwin, for State Representative 56 votes.
James Montgomery.  "    "     " 45 votes.
James A. Harper,       "    "     " 2 votes.
Noah Page, for County Commissioner 49 votes.
John Ford, "    "      " 4 votes.
Elisha Norton, for Sheriff 57 votes.
Samuel Punderson, for Sheriff 1 vote.
Nathaniel Spencer, "     " 1 vote.
Isaac Palmer, for Coroner 56 votes.
Elijah Risley, for Justice of the Peace 53 votes.
Gideon Finch,  "     "      " 18 votes.
Lyman Benton, "     "      " 41 votes.
Eleazer Patchen, "     "      " 1 vote.
John Hopkins,  "     "      " 1 vote.

     Without further inquiry as to the interests, political or personal, so often awakened at town elections, the years are passed, and 1879 finds

George W. Jaques,
Charles J. Scott
} Justices of the Peace.
H. C. Tuttle,   Town Clerk.
R. N. Ford,   Treasurer.
George Phillips,   Assessor.
Andrew Fen,
Michael Kinney,
H. E. Ford,
} Trustees.
Porter Jacques,
Webb M. Beard
} Constables.
And Fifteeen   Supervisors of Highways.

     Celebrating Independence Day - in the earlier years, called the people from a distance.  Peter Hitchcock and Joseph Noyes are remembered as giving toasts, as far back as 1811, when the Indians gathered with the whites.
     Whiskey - was common at raising of buildings and on public occasions.  It came to be a custom on the 4th of July to have a "colt show."  The people would range themselves on either side of the highway, north and south, through the square, and the owners of colts would lead, ride or drive them between the two lines, for exhibition.  On the judges' decision, the owners of 1st or 2d best colts would pay a premium of one or two gallons of whiskey, and as there were colts of various ages passed upon, the whiskey flowed freely, and was generously consumed by the bystanders.  It is an open question whether the crowd came most to see the colts or drink a full supply of the enlivening spirits.  So well established this custom became, that owners, confident in the success of their colts, would economize by taking full jugs from home, and if they won, or not, no whiskey was left for them to carry home.  What a contrast between the largely attended peaceable celebrations and well conducted fairs of this later and more enlightened day.

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INDIANS.

     1814.  Anything like authentic record of these people is very meagre.  They trailed along the river, and had stopping places or camps - one near the lower burial ground, by the Cuyahoga, and on the sand knoll across the river, south, a place for their dead.  The tribe names remembered were the Delawarts, Tonawandas, and Massasaugas.  Red Jacket was here quite early.
     Near where Nathan Truman now lives was a camp in 1804.  One night a squaw went to the brook, east, for water, drank it and died.  The Indians thought her poisoned.  There was some little thought of civilization and change of custom shown in coming to John Ford and Asa Wilmot for a coffin.  They made a box, and on Sunday went to see her buried.  With the body, the Indians put in "nubbins" of corn and pieces of bread, to feed her on the way to the other world, and a pipe and tobacco to smoke.  For burial they carried her across the bridge to the sand knoll south, and on the right of the road.  After covering the grave with earth, five Indians raised their guns over the grave, pointed westward to the going down of the sun, and fired, to tell the friends in the other world she was coming.  They drove stakes and put up poles, with a cover of bark above the grave, which was there when Stephen Ford came in 1807.  No doubt, Harry Umberfield pointed out this spot to this wondering youth, with stories of wild red men, as he came, on the last day's journey from Warren, through the woods.  They made sugar on the flats southeast of Conant's, on the Hickox farm, towards the river.  They had a fine "bush" of large hard maples, on the field where James Humiston had corn in 1878.  He plowed through the boiling places and turned up charred stone and wood.  Hickox says, the Indians helped to feed the first settlers the winter of 1798-9, or they would have starved.
     There was quite a village on the east bank of the Cuyahoga swamp, northeast of where Obed Wicks now lives.  It was on a sandy rise of land, and the marks of the camp can still be recognized.  The knoll is seen from the Middlefield road, about 100 rods north, and near the east line of the farm.  There they wintered, hunted and trapped, having brought their corn and beans from the Sandusky region, where they went in summer to plant and fish.  When elk were plenty, they were driven out of the swamp in great numbers and ran by the deer lick, where the Indians had sunk pits and hid within.  From these pits they would fire on the running herds, and many an elk went down.  After their shots, their savage whoops and yells filled the woods.  Esquire Thompson, the hunter, told that he had shot 100 deer at that salt lick.
     Daniel Dayton's house was convenient to the river.  The Indians came there  drunk, and ate everything in the house, and were so noisy as to alarm Mr. Dayton, who was in the field.  He came, and with an "ox gad" threshed them out, and they went off.  In a day or two they returned and apologized for their conduct.
     As late as 1814, Julia Barnes saw two or three Indians sitting on a log near Freeman Hyde's house, as her father's family came up Burton hill, on their arrival in the country.  They Indians did not remain long after the close of the war of 1812.  The Flemings were called Indian hunters, and the Reddings are said to have followed the last of these departing "sons of the forest," down the Cuyahoga, and on nearly to Cleveland. Neither squaw, nor papoose, nor painted hunter appeared again.

ROADS.

     1798.  The first road was cut from lot 11 to lot 35, as has been noticed, by the company's men, June 25th, two miles, and finished the next day.  It ran fro the "Old garden" to the "west branch," north of Eli Hayes', and across

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MILLS.

     1798.  One of the first things sought in a new country is a mill site.
     Friday, June 22, Kirtland says they were 2
¼ miles down the West branch, and found what they supposed to be a good site for a mill.
     1799.  June 8, Isaac Clark and his company arrived to build the mills.  The dam was built this season, the settlers contributing labor upon it.  In August, Seth Hayes bought the irons and gear at Pittsburgh, and John Moss brought them from Fort McIntosh, at the mouth of the Big Beaver, with an ox team.  This was the gear for a saw-mill.  In the fall of 1799, Col. Jedediah Beard traded for the property, and in June of 1800, the log mill was completed and started.  It took the name, and has always been known as Beard's almost 80 years ago.
     The grist-mill was begun the summer of 1800.  Kirtland mentions going with Thompson to the mill, July 7th, to find a place for a sill.  It was a separate building of logs, but only a few feet from the saw-mill, at the north end.  It was burned down very early, and never rebuilt.  Alfred Beard writes that it was used not more than three or four years.  It is probable that Nathan Parks worked out the stones for this mill, from the granite boulders of the surface, as he came with the mill men.  The saw-mill is said to have been the first one on the Reserve.
     Kirtland mentions Isaac Fowler going to Abbottstown, Monday, the 17th of September, 1798, and July 16, 1799, Kirtland "put up" at David Abbott's, at Chagrin.  A paper sent in by Orrin Harmon of Ravenna, in September, 1878, says that his father, Elias Harmon, went with an ox team and sled, by way of Cleveland, to Abbott's mill to get flour for Ebenezer Sheldon, of Aurora, and that he was there July 12th, 1799, and that the mill was then in operation, and that it was built the fall before, being the year 1798.  Mr. Harmon often heard his father tell this, and finds the date of his being at the mill, in an old diary kept by his father.   According to this date, Abbott's must have been the first grist-mill on the Western Reserve.
     The year 1805 was dry.  Eli Hayes and two boys went through Wooster (since called Chester) to Abbott's mill, on the Chagrin river.  He was gone two days.  Jonathan Brooks overtook him in Wooster, with 4 bushels of wheat, on horseback.
     The 2d Grist-mill - was on the run near Austin Conant's half a mile east of the square, and was operated by Matthew Fleming, who had there a whiskey still earlier than 1810 and it continued in 1826.  Judge Taylor's address mentions Fleming's whisky tax as $81.62 for the year 1818.  It was used about 1830 by David Earl for "fulling cloth," and also worked as a carding machine.  Edward Rice, when a small boy, brought the bunches of wool for some twenty neighbors here to be carded.
     Cider brandy was about its last product.  Only a few yeas since, still on its "last legs," one morning, a year or two ago, it fell down.  Born a still, it died a still.

     1816.  This year the grist mill known as Edson's, was built west of town, on Hopson's creek, by Robert Edson and James Gilmore, where the Burton center mill still stands.  The Carlton mill was burned there in 1875.  When the water was low, a tread power was used, and oxen went round to do the grinding.  Edson had a saw-mill, distillery, and blacksmith shop near by.

     1820. - James Gilmore - built a saw-mill on the west branch, and soon after, his grist-mill, where Alderman now continues sawing and grinding.  The grist-mill was rebuilt south of the first location.
     The 2d Saw-mill - was on Hopson's creek, and long known as Williams'.  It

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was built by Calvin Williams, Thaddeus Bradley, Asa Wilmot, and Selah BradleyAdonijah Bradley was millwright.  He worked for Punderson, at the Rapids.  Afterwards his mind was unbalanced, and he wandered in the woods three days, froze his feet, both of which had to be amputated.  He was a good workman and continued his trade. 
     Selah
Bradley - had the 2d still on the Claridon road, north of the fork, by the brook.  On the stream west of the Chardon road, some distance, he had a saw-mill, pearl ash factory, wool carding works, and machinery for making wrought nails, all under the same roof, all of which were stopped by his death.
     Another still is spoken of on the Wilmot place, by the brook, one and a halt miles north of the square, but they have all passed, may it be hoped, forever away.
     The saw-mill, east of town, it is claimed, was built by Eli Fowler, on lot 50, in 1816.  It is now owned by Hiram Brown.
     David Taylor and Anson Ford had a saw-mill about 1834, at the head of Welton's gulf, on No. 19.  In 1840 the flutter wheel and its mill went down the gulf into the darkness of its great rocks.
     South of the Cuyahoga, on Rocky run, Henry Stull, who was a great hunter, built a saw-mill in an early day.  Later, below this, Merwin Hoadley and Truman Slitor built the 2d mill.  The 3d was built by James Peffers; the 4th by George Boom, and the 5th by Asa and Amasa Carlton.  It is now owned and run by N. P. Latham.
     Michael Kinney - has had a steam saw-mill in operation some years, on lot 68, and another buzzes and whistles just west of Beard's blacksmith shop, in the shade of that grand old maple, owned by Beard & Hoxter.
     At the mouth of the gulf, coming in from Newbury, north of Hickox's, Oliver Olney built a carding machine.  Solomon Herendeen lived there and helped to build the works.  They used "teasels" for dressing off the cloth.
     Woolen works were operated across the stream from Beard's mill, quite extensively at one time. Myron Burnett is remembered there.  Finally, Deacon Spring came to control them.
     In the fall of 1879, since the foregoing was written, Messrs. Wells & Co., of Pennsylvania, built a mill near the "old Umberfield spring," where they set to work, cutting logs into handles for forks, hoes, rakes, etc., and will no doubt add stave and other machinery, to run with humming saws that cut away, in the rapid round of manufacture.

BLACKSMITHS.

     A Mr. Scoville had the first shop in town, east near Conant'sFreeman Hyde opened first on Oak hill, about 1808, and his was the second shop.  Afterwards he located at the turn of the road to Oak hill, just west of Dr. Lawyers, and hammered away.  Later, set up right at the top of the hill near George Carltons.  A Mr. Woolsey had a shop north of Eli Hayes, and later had a shop in the forks of the road north towards Claridon.  He was a good work man.  Then Rufus Hoadley's shop near Chellis, then Merwin Hoadley and Andrew Durand, and Weatherbee, Lawrence Huff, John and Amasa Carlton, Solomon Charter, Herendeen and Harlow Charters.  All these about the Carlton's corners.  Aaron Beard started a shop west of the Methodist church in the old academy.  The last ox-frame, for shoeing, stood unused in Solomon Charter's shop, for many years.

WAGON SHOPS.

     The first was built by Augustus Rose and Lucius Chatfield, who began carriage making. This shop, at last was used for a plaining mill.  An explosion occurred June 15th, 1867, which threw the boiler over the tops of trees and 20

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rods away, carrying with it the body of Hiram Carlton who was killed.  Lawrence Huff was so badly injured that he died.  The Carlton brothers, Hiram and Asa, erected a large shop at the corners, and for a time did a good business.  Andrew Fowler carried on the trade many years and still has a bench there.  George Carlton works there now.  Beard's have a new shop and painting room "up town."

CARPENTERS.

     First in Burton was John Ford and Asa Wilmot, an apprentice, in 1804.  Then David Hill, who built the Beals tavern for Gideon Finch; also, Thomas Davidson and Abel Cramton; then the Nettletons, Merritt and John, and Selden Brooks, of the early ones.  Later, A. B. Carlton, G. Cramton, Henry Silvernail, Seth Herendeen, Monroe Herendeen, A. Johnson, R. Cramton, L. Crittenden, and other names not recalled.

CABINET MAKERS.

     "Old Uncle Whitman," said to be the first, worked in the bar-room of the Peter Beals tavern; then had his shop where Mrs. Bishop now lives, and old furniture in several homes bears marks of his skill as a workman.  Benjamin Judd and Mr. Spencer kept shop near the old Beach store; Johnson & Sherwood, then D. L. Johnson, where the Slitor store now stands, and then on the site of the brick block, and now Levi Johnson works at the trade.  John Slitor
occupies the Gaylord store, west side of the street, and does a flourishing business in furniture, and also in groceries.  David Hitchcock worked at the trade, and sold the cabinet shop to Boughton, which was so long after used for a store.

COOPERS.

     In the cellar, or sidehill room, on the site where Thomas Brown lives, Asahel Barnes set up shop, and afterwards had shop on lot 8; then Eggleston on No. 9.  For many years Porter and George Jaques coopered, and Elbridge Stickney wore a leather apron daily from the shop.  Now, George Jaques and Asher Forrow shave and hoop.  There were others, not recalled, and early settlers learned to bend and notch their own hoops.

SHOEMAKERS.

     The first was John Cook, with whom was associated, at a later day, his brother Hiram; then Marimon Cook.  After him, 1816, was Shipman, in Edson's hollow, then at Gilmore's. He had a contract for thousands of shoes.  On this contract worked Joseph Nash and Miles Williams, in John Cook's shop, who furnished the stock.  Shipman bet he could bottom as many shoes in a day as both Nash and Williams.  He did 22, and they 24 shoes. Truman Cramton was with Williams two years.  Then Silas Gaylord, sr., and Nathan Truman, and after him Joseph Hinkston, and then Ansel Burnett; and now J. B. Newman and C. J. Heathman.

STONE MASONS.

     Simon Moss is first mentioned.  He was a workman considerably known in his time, and was employed on Dr. Goodwin's house.  Later was Titus Goff, and now George W. Jaques cuts stone.

BRICK YARDS.

     Hayes says the first bricks were made by William Lyons, near to and on the south side of the Parkman road, across the river, and south of the present Troy road, about 20 rods.  Mr. Grannison, a colored man, also worked that yard.  Another, north and west of Williams' mill-pond - one west of Gilum Hotchkiss', where Goodwin's bricks were made: one by Eli Fowlers; another west, worked by Stephen Cook; another west of Beard's mill where Solomon Herendeen lived.

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The clay and water was mixed, in early day, by oxen tramping around in a tread.  Near the 1st one, the brick for the present block was made.

CHEESE FACTORIES.

     1st one stands near the spring, where the "Umberville Coffee House" was built, called Plymouth, built by L. J. RandallThe 2d, called Torrey, on lot 2, the old Wooster place.

OFFICES, POSTMASTERS, AND MAILS.

The nearest post-office, at first, was Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  There is no data showing that Gideon Finch was, but it is though he was postmaster, and about 1814 Peter Beals was appointed, and continued to 1830, then James Peffers had it 16 years; then John T. Johnson; after him, Sherwood and D. L. Johnson; then Joseph R. Johnson (Taylor's administration); after him, George Boughton; again D. L. Johnson; after him H. S. Tolles; then Myron G. Manly; now, Chalmer J. Scott.
     Hiram Fowler was a mail carrier, and on the route from Ravenna to Cleveland, the 7th day of June 1816, he encountered a severe snow storm and suffered with the cold.  It snowed in Burton on the 6th.  Crops were cut off, and great fears fell upon the people, because of the loss, and danger of scarcity of food for the next winter.  Seth Burton says there were 12 frosts in June of that year.  The winter of 1826 the mail boy came to Beals, minus the bag.  It had fallen from the horse, and went down through the Cuyahoga bridge, on the ice.  Elbridge Stickney, and others, went back with the boy.  The ice would not hold him up.  They lifted one of the puncheon planks, and letting him down, head first, held on to his heels until he fished up the mail, then pulled him out.  Edward Rice carried the mail from Ravenna to Chardon, on the old State road, when but 12 years old, on horseback - a trip from daylight to 9 and 10 o'clock
at night.  Once four spirited horses started off from Pinney's tavern, with the coach and one lady in it. The reins were looped over the break.  They ran to the top of the old hill, and straight down by where Freeman Brown now lives, and thundering onto the bridge, before they brought up, giving the lady a terrible fright, but doing no very serious damage.

TAVERNS.

     1798. The first was the "Umberville Coffee House," by the Umberfield spring.  2d, by Gideon Finch, where Esquire Merriam now lives, and where Peter Beals kept many years; then Umberfield and Clark Howard, west side of square, on the corner where the Exchange now stands; afterwards Clitus Finney kept it in good style.  It was burned in 1843.  The fire was supposed to have been thrown in at the north door of the hay loft of the barn, and burned rapidly in the breath of the north wind. Pinney lost a fine carriage.  The mail coach and horses were burned - some seven horses in all.  The intent was to injure the mail contractor, it was supposed.  The house and barn was a total loss to Esquire Hickox of $1,500.  He rebuilt in 1845.  Hickox's brick house, built in 1838, was occupied as a hotel, while the new tavern was being constructed.
     Then G. Cramton built, first, where is now the Brewster house, north of the brick block.  It was enlarged to the present size by Almon Carlton, now owned and kept by Seth Brewster.
     The Exchange was rebuilt by John B. Corey, a graduate of Oberlin, who used it for boarding students. 1878, it was a temperance house, conducted by George Thompson.

MERCHANTS.

1802.  This year, the first storekeeper, J. S. Cleveland, had goods in the frame house where the Hickox brick now stands.  It is claimed he came in

[pg. 477]

     1800.  Then Hickox, 1804, south of Peffer's house.  About 1807, Hall & Bradley, hatters, came to start a shop.  Hall was disappointed in business and hung himself.  After Bradley came DoolittleAlmon and Hiram Clark were here early.  James Converse, Hickox, and Jacob Vanduzer, all traded in a store on the corner where Parmele's hardware now stands.  Vanduzer died in 1836, and Samuel Humiston kept in the same store.  Noah Hall was in trade here, where Carlos Williams now lives,  He removed to Canton, Ohio, and was robbed and murdered in his store.  James Peffers began early where Dr. Lawyer now lives, and afterwards long continued trade in the front of his own house.
     1831. Richard Beach - came to Burton, and was in partnership with Boughton and Peffers.  The Beach stores still stand on the west side of the street, and Boughton's is now used for a banking office.  Both these men continued steadily in trade, and became rich. Joseph Johnson, a man highly esteemed in all circles, was a partner with Boughton about 1850, and after his death Silas Gaylord; then S. C. Ford and Marcellus Cook, and then George H. and R. N. FordGaylord was a thorough business man, on hand early and late.  He built the store where John Slitor now trades.  Mr. Beach associated with him the Tolles, and also, for a time, Silas Gaylord.  He was a remarkably good business man, and conducted for many years a heavy trade.  Unassuming in manner, and pleasant in his ways, his customers found him prompt and attentive to business at all hours.  He erected a large house on the corner next to his store.  In digging the cellar for it, a great chestnut stump, said to be eight feet across the top, was removed.  George Strickland was at one time working for him in digging a well, by the house.  It was 33 feet deep.  Strickland fell from the top to the bottom, striking his feet on solid rock.  He was crippled for some time.
     G. Cramton, S. C. Hotchkiss, R. Tuttle, J. Johnson, the Hydes, and others, did business.  W. J. Ford started the first hardware and tin store in 1855; Dr. Cleveland the first drug store about 1857.
     The first tailor was William Neal, a Manxman; afterwards Reuben Welton, Wicks, Tuttle, Dyke, and others, and now Tolles & Tuttle keep a man employed.  Long ago many a woman pressed the "goose" on her "cut and fit" of homespun.
     Simeon Stickney conducted a harness shop nearly all his life, some 50 years, and was last on the west side.
     In the brick block P. W. and Frank Parmele, brothers, are selling hardware; Tolles & Tuttle, clothing, and boots and shoes; Scott & Burleigh, drugs and groceries; E. E. Nash, dry goods; Cleveland & Crittenden, drugs and groceries; S. M. Dayton, jewelry, and Forshee, harnesses; and across the way: Mrs. Milo White, millinery; Turner & Hungerford, meat market; E. J. Slitor, furniture; Miss Alice Smith, dressmaker; Miss Mills, milliner, and W. H. Reed, livery stable.

BOUGHTON, FORD AND CO., BANKERS.

     1872.  This firm, as organized in 1856, was composed of George Boughton, S. C. Ford, and John M. Cook.  Their business was that of a general country store, dealing in produce and wool to a considerable extent.  In 1862 the firm was dissolved by the death of Mr. Cook.  In 1864, S. C. Ford withdrew, to enter the wholesale business in Cleveland.  Mr. Boughton then associated his two nephews, George H. and R. N. Ford, with him, and the business was contined, without change of name or style of business, until 1872, when Col. H. H. Ford entered the concern, and a banking institution was organized under same name.  The bank was a result of two things: First, the great decline in value of merchandise had rendered merchandising unprofitable; second, a portion of

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the large amount of money then in circulation had already found its way into their hands as deposits, and the business grew upon them in such a way that, before they were aware of it, the Internal Revenue officers were upon them, and informed them that they were liable to the government as bankers.  This, more than anything else, suggested the idea, or rather the necessity, of changing their style of buisiness.  So it was a result of growth of business, and of the need of an institution of the kind, rather than of any design or premeditation on the part of the firm.  Miss Ella S. Dayton has been their efficient, reliable and faithful bookkeeper since October, 1874.  The business is larger than would be expected in a place of the size of Burton.

PROFESSIONAL MEN.

     It is possible that the two foremost men of the township, Judge Peter Hitchcock and Seabury Ford, had so extensiive a reputation as lawyers, and in the wider field of politics, as to dwarf the aspirations of succeeding generations.  Since their day, no lawyer has held to a regular practice in Burton.  Of their eminence and ability, notice is made in the biographical sketches. G. H. Ford practices occasionally.  C. E. Ward opened an office here in October, 1879.  Reuben Hitchcock, Homer and Lewis Goodwin, started out from here, and began at other places, a successful practice.
     The Ministry - is given in connection with the churches, and needs no mention here.

PHYSICIANS.

     1804.  The first was Dr. Joseph Clark, this year, who occupied Law's house.  He was elected as one of the trustees in 1806, and, in connection with him, appears the name of George Wallace (with whom Hickox lost in the canal contracts), with Justus MinerDr. Clark afterwards lived where Edward Beardsley now resides, and, in 1812, went to Painesville.  He returned to the Durgee place, on the old State road, in the corner of Huntsburgh, where travelers used to stop.  He died there, and Mr. Witter preached his funeral sermon, in 1828.  He treated horses as well as people, and a balky one had come to him in a trade.  He started it for Burton, and on the way it stopped, and would not go, but commenced backing.  He turned the buggy round, saying: "If she won't go forward-wise, let her go hind-wise."
     Dr. Kennedy was the 2d, and occupied Hickox's store prior to 1810.  Dr. Erastus Goodwin came in 1811.  A man of very marked character, he had an extensive practice, and continued a lifetime in the profession, as an allopath.  (See biographical sketch.)  His son, Dr. Sherman Goodwin, studied, and practiced here until 1848.  Losing health, he moved to Victoria, Texas, and is still living in that country.
     Dr. Cox was known as skillful in treatment with "Roots and herbs."
     Dr. Burritt, one of the most successful practitioners, was the apostle of homoeopathy, who startled the community, and the dispensers of calomel, by a regular cannonade of little pills, about 1840.  For years it was a battle of "Sugar-coats and water," blue-mass and drugs and blood-letting."  How the practice has changed and progessed since that day.
     Drs. Coulter, Sumner and Pond, had a good practice, after Burritt, as homoeopaths.  Dr. Colbert, A. Canfield, a graduate of Hudson, gained something of a ride, as Dr. Goodwin grew old, but finally went to California.
     Dr. Lawyer, a well-read physician, commenced here in 1855, and gained a good practice. He had a drug store, which was lost in the fire of 1871.  Of good judgment and attention, he has been faithful in his calling, and serves the people yet. In the educational matters of the town he has taken a lively inter-

[pg. 479]
est, and been often, and is now on the school board. Dr. Cleveland located and died here, but was not considered in practice.
     Dr. Aaron McGraw - who went to California, this year (1879), was a surgeon in the service, in 1864.  Thoroughly read, keeping to the front with the advance of science in his profession; a man of determined purpose, always cool and
skillful, he controlled an extensive practice, and gained the strong attachment of his friends.  His ability was undoubted, and to-day he is the surgeon-in-chief of one of the great mining companies of California, at a large salary.
      Dr. Strickland - came, served a time, and moved away. 
     These last five were allopaths, and in that practice now is Dr. Steers, who was an army surgeon.  He has a large practice, and with him is Dr. DixonDr. Rider, who was in the army, practices homoeopathy; as, also, does Dr. Hargett.
     Dr. Goodwin - did all the ride for a great region, in 1811.  Now the town has five practioners.

EDITORS.

     Only one has arisen. J. B. Coffin, formerly of Hudson, New York, established the Geauga Leader, in December, 1874; a fair-sized, eight-page weekly, which aims to be up to the times.  He is proprietor and editor, and conducts the working of a job office, and, by strict attention to business, is making a success of the enterprise.

TOWN HALL.

     Unfortunately, for the beauty of the park, it was built on the northeast corner, in 1871, at a cost of $4,000.  Of fair size (36x54), it is not large enough to accommodate, with comfort, the audiences that gather, on many occasions.  It is to be hoped it may be removed to a more eligible site, and enlarged.

BURNED.

     1871.  Wooden buildings, occupied for stores, shops and offices, and a Masonic hall, stood on the east side of the main business street in Burton.  A cold frosty night, the 5th of December, when the wind was sweeping in a fearful storm, at 1 o'clock, the cry of fire was heard.  Miss Emily Wilmott first discovered it and gave the alarm.  The excited people roused suddenly, and saw the flames in possession of the row.  The cold was intense, and work against wind and storm was almost impossible.  Buckets and ladders came with the crowd of men, women and boys, and with heroic determination, the battle against the elements began.  Lines of men, with buckets, were formed, and water was thrown where there seemed any hope.  It froze on everything it touched, and helped to stay the flames.  The tremendous efforts of the citizens fighting the blaze, fanned by the angry winds on the hill top, conquered when it reached the house where D. L. Johnson resides, next south of the Brewster house.  It swept all the buildings from the south corner to this point.  The loss was with out insurance, and said to be upwards of $20,000.
     Stock was subscribed, a company formed, and the summer of 1872 work was begun, and in 1873 the fine brick block of seven stores, took the place of the burned ones.  The large window fronts of these stores, light up in the evening with an array, that is a "City set on a hill that cannot be hid."

EDUCATION.

     The New England idea of a school-house first "and all the time," came to the west.  Elijah Hayes remembers going to school through the woods two miles by marked trees, to the weaving-room built near Mr. Umberfield's house, and that within its wall of logs, in the summer of 1802, Sallie Miner, a daughter of Dr. John Miner, was teacher.  Rufus Beard was naughty, and was led round with his arm pinned to the school "marm's" apron.

[pg. 480]

     1803.  The settlement being mainly west of Hopson's creek.  For the convenience of the town,
     The First School-house - was made of logs, on the north side of the road, east of the creek, near where runs the present mill-race, and that spring and summer, Charity Hopson, afterwards wife of Judge Stone, taught the first school in it.  Stella Umberfield was one of Elijah Hayes' playmates there.  The Indians had a camp by the big spring, near where the old Edson house stands, now owned by Caleb Johnson, and from their two or three huts, the younger ones used to wander out and startle the school by throwing clubs upon the roof above the heads of the children.
     The first winter school in 1803-4, Gideon Finch taught, and Joseph Noyes taught one winter, probably in 1804-5.
     The winter of 1805-6, Esquire Hickox taught the first village school in his store.  It stood in what is now James Peffers' garden.
     The 2d district school-house was located near to Eli Hayes', on the west side of the road, on lot 13.  Col. Beard's family, Stephen and Anson Ford were with the Hayes boys, at this school.  The winter of 1808-9, Peter Hitchcock, afterwards a supreme judge, was teacher.  He took pork and provisions for his pay, and thus found support for his family in the time of scarcity.
     Seth Burton was at school in 1812 in Esquire Hickox's store.  Jerusha Guile taught.  Burton, a lad 6 years old, was sent to the Hickox spring for water, and was complained of for soiling the water.  On examination it was found he had tumbled into the spring.  He gives the names of his classmates: Orson Finch, 6 years; Addison Hopson, 5; Harriet Cook, 5; Julia Russel, 5.
     The First Frame School-house - was built on the northwest corner of the square, a little east of where the Congregational church now stands.  Thomas Davidson helped to build it in the memorable year of 1813, when the war and rumors of wars kept the people excited.

THE ACADEMY.

     1804.  It is not an unnatural thing that men deprived, in early life, of culture, should see to it that those coming after them should have opportunities for education.  With what thought then went down the clips of John Ford's broad axe, as he hewed to the line on the timbers for the great academy, began in 1804.  With Asa Wilmot on the score, he laid well the work, and his first blows in the new land were for education.  The building was 25 by 50 feet, large for that that day, with rooms 20 by 25, and a 10 foot hall below, and a room for church above.  It was to be sealed throughout with pine, and had brick chimneys and fireplaces.  It was considered the most elegant building on the Reserve, at the time, and was the first erected for a literary institution.  Not only was this material work begun, but as early as 1801, the territorial legislature had been petitioned by Rev. Joseph Badger, and others, to grant a college charter, so anxious were the settlers for education.  The year 1803, the act was passed incorporating the Erie Literary Society.  The first corporator named was Joseph Hudson, and the last Rev. Joseph Badger.  Lands were donated in July, 1806.  William Law gave 1,130 acres - the land to revert to his heirs, if ever the college should be removed from Burton.
     The building began in 1804, was not so far completed as to be occupied until 1806.  Ford and Wilmot working again upon it the latter year.  Esquire Hickox says, Peter Hitchcock was the first teacher in the academy, and this winter of 1806-'7 the scholars were very few, some of them walking 5 and 6 miles and returning home at evening.  The first attendance being so small, it was probable there was no school in the academy the following winter.  Stephen
Ford relates going to school in Esquire Hickox's store building the winter 1807;

[pg. 481]
-'8.  Hitchcock taught in the Hayes district, during the winter of 1808-9.
     The winter of 1809-10, Edwin Ferris says he was in attendance at the academy, and remembers Anson and Seabury Ford, a daughter of Judge Stone's, afterwards Mrs. Patchen, then under Judge Hitchcock's instruction.  The next summer and winter Gilbert Ferris taught, and the names of Theron Graham, Stephen Worthington, and Solomon Charter are recalled.  One of the lower rooms and the hall had been finished.  Mechanics had been at work, in the daytime, in the unfinished room.  At night, in the early winter [December, 1810] fire was discovered in that room, before it had burned through into the hall.  It was concluded to be the work of an incendiary, who had fired the shavings.  The building was an entire loss. Ferris lived in a large log house.  The inhabitants immediately built a smaller one adjoining, for his family, and he finished his school term, in his own house.
     A string of red peppers hung on the wall, left there by the family.  One boy offered another boy, much older, a jackknife if he would eat a pepper pod.  It was done, and the knife claimed.  The small boy said it wasn't worth the knife to eat the pepper, but admitted the bargain to the teacher, who asked the other boy if he would release the claim to the knife if the younger would eat a pepper.  He said yes, and the younger boy was asked which he would do, eat or give up the knife.  "Eat the pepper," said the younger boy, and with heroic will the little fellow shallowed it down.  He was afterwards governor of Ohio.
     Ralph Cowles - always beloved, taught in the house of Bradley, the hatter, below John Punderson's, and also in Lyman Durand's house, near where Dr. Lawyer now lives.  He was skilled with the pen.  This was after the first fire.  He taught in 1814, and for two or three years thereafter.
     The loss of the building, the coming on of the war, with its uncertainties, had a depressing effect, and it was some years before the trustees decided to rebuild.  The foundation, from which it was burned, will be remembered by many a school boy, forty years afterwards, as being on the west side of the square, and almost in front and a little north of the present union school building.
     In 1817, a new building, similar to the first, was commenced on the east side of the square, near where Almon Carlton's house now stands.  It was finished and dedicated in 1819.  In May, 1820, Mr. David L. Coe, a graduate of Williams College, Mass., opened school in this new building and the college work for all northeastern Ohio, went on under the care of the Erie Literary Society, and in charge of Mr. Coe, until 1824, and was continued under the original
charter until 1834.  The Presbyterian and Congregational churches of the reserve decided to add a theological department under the charter.  Sickness incidental to a new country, had visited Burton the years 1823 and 1824, and this, with other causes, led to a decision of the churches to build, under religious control, at Hudson, Ohio, and for this purpose a charter was obtained Feb. 7, 1826.  This change of base was strongly opposed by Judge Hitchcock and others, and the success of the academy here and health of the country in after years, proved the fears against Burton groundless.  Students came in from all directions, and to the thorough acedemic work of those years, in the early time Burton owes much for its high reputation throughout the Reserve and the State.  The Tods, David and Ingersoll, the Wicks, Henry and Samuel, from Youngstown, attended, and there were the Austins and Hawleys from Austinburg, and Joseph, Jacob and Charles Perkins, of Warren, Moses Hampton and Birchard, afterwards both supreme judges, Walter H. Bidwell, an editor of New York, the Wallaces, of Brandywine in Cuyahoga county, and Joel T. Case.
     Aaron Austin tells of walking from Austinsburg, through the Windsor woods and swamp, by Huntsburgh, in early winter, wading in deep snow and mud, with his pack of clothes on his back, and getting on to Col. Stephen Ford's

[pg. 482]
that night, thirty-two miles in one day, to attend school, under Mr. Coe.
     David Tod, the war governor of Ohio, got on well in his classes, but always had time for fun.  It is told how, one winter day, when a deep cut had been shoveled through a snow bank, he led others to fill the cut with wood, and when Mr. Coe returned from dinner, he had to climb the pile to get into the academy.
     David Smith, now living at Chagrin Falls, tells of a liberty-pole that stood at the south end of the square the winter of 1821.  Tod bantered Case to climb the pole, and Case pulled off his shoes and stockings, and climbed 20 feet when Tod caught up the shoes and stockings, and ran to Peter Beals, leaving Case to come barefoot in the snow, which was cold and deep.  He was not too old when in the governor's office, to laugh over the story of his fear of a large flock of geese which were always hissing at him, as he passed from John Ford's, where he boarded, by Hiram Cook's, on his way to school.  One day he espied Arvilla Cook, a fascinating young lady, starting up town.  He caught a brush, and went at the geese, making frantic efforts to pass the squalking flock, but all the time, careful to keep them yelling close behind her, most ridiculously, through the village.  The boys, perhaps rougher then than now, but none the less generous, made grand men, as has since been known, in their day of trial Mr. Coe was much liked, and his school prospered. Beside the governors, who had a start in the academy, there were Judge Reuben Hitchcock, Rev. Dexter Witter and Lawrence Hitchcock, afterwards president of Hudson College.  These three taught in the academy, as did, Dr. Ludlow, who afterwards practiced medicine in Auburn; Dr. Sherman Goodwin, Homer Goodwin, esq., the Hon. Peter Hitchcock and others of influence - whose names cannot now be recalled.  This second building was burned on Jan. 18, 1842.  It was in a very shabby condition.  The Disciple church offered to help put it in repair, and use the upper room for meetings, the town to have the school rooms below, but the whiskey party's jealousies were aroused, and the incendiary's torch made ashes of the house, and smoke of the plans.  The lands reverted to the heirs of William Law, as shown on Recorder's books at Cleveland, vol. 30, p. 29.  For much information, relating to the Erie Literary Society and the early action in removing the college, the writer is indebted to President Cutler, of Hudson College.
     Another academy was built in the year 1845, west of the Methodist church.  Of late, used for a wagon shop, it was burned down Dec. 28, 1878, since the first chapters of this history were written.
     Joel T. Case, Frederick Thomas, William Colegrove, O. P. Miller, J. B. Corey,  Charles Welton, and others, were principal teachers there.
     At the close of the term in the winter of 1850, February 7 and 8, Thomas had an exhibition in the Congregational church, a large stage being erected in front of the pulpit.  People gathered from the surrounding towns and crowded the church. How the memories come back from that far away time! S. C. Ford recalls Delos Baxter and himself, in all the pomp of school-boy airs, repeating "Lochiel's Warning," and the writer, with trembling knees, flourished, oratorically, his high notions of "True Greatness."  How has the ideal vanished in the awful roll of the swift passing years!  Other names come up: Lewis Goodwin, Henry Cramton, Lawrence Bradley, Charles Miller, ChaunceyTalcott, Lester Patchin, Samuel Cook, Harriet Johnson, Rhoda Herendeen, Lorilla Dayton, Permonaand Augusta Edson, Julia Thomas, Libby Cook, Emily Ford, Emily Brooks, Augenette Wright, and others, all big boys and girls then.
     The evening of the 8th a party and supper was held in the academy.  What responsibilities, what rivalries, what "pit pats" of the heart, as the big boy loves, saw the girls "playing off" with some "other fellow," espied over the shoulder, in that social gathering.

[pg. 483]

     In 1868 a union school building was erected by D. Woodard, on the west side of the square.  It cost $4,000; is 36x48 feet, and two stories high.  The township board of education established a high school in 1866, which is conducted on the upper floor, and below is a primary and intermediate.  The first term in the building was held the winter of 1868-9.  A young man who has, by settled determination and energy, worked his way up to an education, and to the respect of his fellow-citizens, and who is now one of the county board of school examiners, has been for three years, and is the principal of the high school now, a working educator - Mr. Edward Truman.  Those who preceded him were in the order as follows: J. A. Wood, one term; B. S. Dean, one year:  J. W. Crenshaw, one year; F. A. Snow, one year; W. P. Cope, one year; Miss O. A. Udall, two years; J. F. Rodifer, one year.
     Julia Chase taught in the district east of Page's about 1824.  She received six shillings a week, and boarded 'round.  Now ladies' wages average $16 per month, and men teachers $20.
     Edwin Ferris was a noted teacher, and had order and obedience in school.  An instance of governing in the log school-house time, is related of him.  He began a school in district No. 9, in Kirtland, where rowdy boys had generally broken up the school.  The two ring leaders staid away for several weeks.  At length they came one afternoon, spent their time whispering and laughing, making mouths and cutting up generally, until near time to close school, when he enquired of them what their object was in coming to the school.  They replied "we come to see
the school."  "Very well," said he, "you have seen the most of it.  There is one thing to show you, that is of more importance than anything else we have here."  So taking a good whip from the closet, that he had procured for an emergency, he fastened the door, and, taking one at a time, gave them a good thrashing.  "Now," said he, "you have seen all, you can go."

CHURCHES.

 

 

[pg. 484]

 

 

[pg. 485]

 

MINISTRY.

 

 

DEXTER WITTER,

 

[pg. 486]

 

 

[pg. 487]

 

 

[pg. 488]

 

 

[pg. 489]

 

 

[pg. 490]

MUSIC.

 

 

[pg. 491]

 

[pg. 492-494]
 

MILITARY

[pg. 494-497]

MILITARY ROSTER.

[pg. 497]

SOLDIER'S AID SOCIETY.

[pg. 498]

SOCIETIES.

     Agricultural Society - Free Masons and Odd Fellows are mentioned in the general county record.
     Temperance.* - The first temperance society formed in Burton, of which we have any record, was organized June 1, 1832.  It would appear, from the records of the secretary's book, that the constitution of the society had been previously drafted, and some signatures obtained.  How long previous to this date, is uncertain.  The objects of this organization were succinctly stated in the preamble to its constitution, as follows: "Impressed with the fearful magnitude of the evils resulting to individuals, to families, and to our common country, from the noble and successful experiment already made in almost every section of our country, from the prevalent use of distilled liquors, and from the noble and successful experiment already made in almost every section of the country, believing that voluntary associations on the principle of entire abstinence, combining the influence of numbers and example, to be a most efficient means of resisting those evils, and suppressing their cause, therefore we the undersigned agree to form ourselves into a temperance association."  The constitution, which was signed by all the members of the society, contained the pledge.  By this signing, each member was bound to "consider himself pledged (until he withdrew his name), to entire abstinence from the use of ardent spirits, either, as an article of luxury or common use, except by the prescription of a physician, or where there is reason conscientiously to believe that a skillful physician would prescribe it as a medicine."
     The association was styled "The Temperance Society of Burton and Vicinity."  It had, during the course of its continuance, 222 members.  Erastus Goodwin was chairman, and Seabury Ford, secretary pro. tem, of the first meeting.  For the first year, Peter Hitchcock, was elected president; Erastus Goodwin, first vice-president; Seabury Ford, second vice-president, and Sherman Goodwin, now of Victoria, Texas, secretary.
     These officers remained the same, the two following years, with the exception that Lawrence Hitchcock and George Boughton were successively elected secretaries.  At the first meeting, an address was delivered by William L. Perkins, esq. On Oct. 5, 1836, the association was dissolved, and a new one formed, with a constitution varying in some respects from the former.  There were 66 signers to this constitution.
     At some time previous to 1842, the Youth's Temperance Society was formed, concerning which the writer of this has no data.
     About 1842, the Washingtonian Temperance wave struck Burton.  A pledge was circulated, which read as follows: "We whose names are hereto annexed, believing that the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, is not only useless but hurtful to the social, civil and religious interests of man, that it tends to form intemperate appetites and habits, and that while it is continued, the evils of intemperance cannot be done away.  Do, therefore, agree that we will not use them, nor traffic in them as a beverage, that we will not provide them as an article of entertainment, or for persons in our employment, and that in all suit able ways we will discountenance their use throughout the community."  To this pledge, 256 names were appended.  Many meetings were held.  Speakers were present from Cleveland and Pittsburg, and there was much excitement and enthusiasm, probably equaling if not exceeding the more recent Murphy move ment in those respects, although not in the number of names obtained to a temperance pledge.
     Mar. 1, 1848, Geauga Division No. 4to, of the Sons of Temperance, of the

---------------
     * By Herbert W. Hitchcock.

Page 499 -

 

 

 

Page 500 -

 

 

Page 501 -

 

 

 

 

 

WEDDINGS

     A house of logs, with stone jams at the chimney, two rooms and an airy place "up the ladder," a trundle bed and ten children, with heads of tow, all dressed "home-made" flax, and shying back behind the neighbor women who crowd in, while the men gather round the door, to see that "oldest gal" married, comes before one, in thinking of the first days.  Possibly she has a calico, or it may be, some forehanded relation east has sent on a silk, for that wedding dress.  Cake, it was flour, sweetened with maple "lasses," and ornamented with wintergreen berries.  Venison and wild turkey broiled on the coals, with pork, by the quick-handed mother, was savory, nor was it too late for bear's meat.  These, and little more, was at the hands of those who would prepare the "corn and the wine" for a wedding, in this land of "milk and honey," seventy odd years ago.  Possibly a minister might "tie the knot," but more likely the
squire, said they were married. Then there was rejoicing in a jolly good way,  in the cabins for miles around, and the old ladies hoped it true, "she might have gone farther and fared worse."

Page 502 -

EARLY MARRIAGES.

1806. - April 10th, Robert Wallace and Rebecca Menough, of Burton, by Benj. Johnson, J.P.
April 24th, Simeon Rose and Limery Umberfield, of Burton, by Benj. Johnson, J. P.
July 30th, Stephen Bond and Polly Thompson, of Burton, by Isaac Thompson, J. P.
December 18th, Justin Bradley and Laura Ely, of Burton, by Eleazer Hickox, J. P.
1807. - May 29th, Burnet Heathman and Chloe Walker, of Burton, by Joseph Clark, J. P.
October 12th, Silas Bush and Keziah Parks, of Burton, by Eleazer Hickox, J. P.
1808. - February 11th, Simeon Morse and Betsey Burton, of Burton, by Eleazer Hickox, J. P.
March 6th, Daniel Dayton and Fanny Parks, of Burton, by Eleazer Hickox, J. P.
August 14th, Vene Stone and Alice Williams, of Burton, by Eleazer Hickox, J. P.
September 11th, Frederick Kirtland and Sophia Parkman, of Burton, by Eleazer Hickox, J. P.
September 25th, Uri Hickox and Lydia Ford, of Burton, by Eleazer Hickox J. P.
September 11th, David Curtis of Trumbull county, and Nancy Hathman, of Burton, by Joseph Clark, J. P.
October 20th, Eleazer Hickox and Stella Umberfield, of Burton, by Joseph Clark, J. P.
October 20th, Lemuel Punderson and Sybil Hickox, of Burton, by Joseph Clark, J. P.
1809. - March 5th, Theodore Roys and Clarissa Parks, of Burton, by Eleazer Hickox, J. P.
December 31st, Adolphus Carlton and Loalma Cook, of Burton, by Lyman Benton, J. P.
1810. - October 11th, Alpheus Sheffield and Dorothy Minor, of Burton, by Lyman Benton, J. P.
1811. - January 13th, Calvin Williams and Betsey Bradley, of Burton, by Lyman Benton, J. P.
February 17th, Asa Wilmot and Abigail Durand, of Burton, by Lyman Benton, J. P.
June 13th, Jeremiah Iles and Betsey Minor, of Burton, by Lyman Benton, J. P.
1820. - January 4th, Justin Miner and Hannah Morse, of Burton, by Lyman Benton, J. P.
February 26th, John Fields and Sally Ensworth, of Burton, by Rev. Thomas Barr.
1813. - January 28th, James Heathman and Nancy Young, of Burton, by Lyman Burton, J. P.
February 17th, Israel Coe, of Portage county, and Asenath Fowler, of Burton, by Rev. John Seward, of Aurora.
April 11th, Elijah Ford and Esther Johnson, of Burton, by Lyman Benton, J. P.
June 3d, Theodorus Miller and Lucretia Pomeroy of Burton, by Lyman Benton, J. P.
June 5th, Solomon Charter and Olive Parks, of Burton, by Lyman Benton, J. P.
July 19th, Lyman Benton and Rhoda Fowler, of Burton, by Elijah Risley, J. P.
September 2d, Luther Russell and Polly Morse, of Burton, by Lyman Benton, J. P.
September 15th, Ebenezer Hays and Paulina Ford, of Burton, by Lyman Benton, J. P.
1814. - January 15th, Oroon Datas Johnson and Betsey Umberfield, of Burton, by Rev. Giles H. Cowles.
February20th, Erastus Goodwin and Dothia B. Gilbert, of Burton, by Rev. Giles H. Cowles.
July 28th, Amos Andrews and Hope H. Taner, of Burton, by Lyman Benton, J. P.
1815. - June 18th, Jacob W. Burroughs and Harriet Fowler, of Burton, by Lyman Benton, J. P.
October 29th, Aranda Kellogg and Laura Cowles, of Burton, by William Hanford, V. D. M.
1816. - May 14th, Moses Bradley and Celia Parks, by John Ford, J. P.
June 12th, Ariel Wolden, of Mantua, and Almira Carlton, of Burton, by John Ford, J. P.
August 19th, Stephen Ford and Eunice Brooks, of Burton, by John Ford, J. P.
September 14th, Eliphalet Gay and Colista Burnett, of Burton, by John Ford, J. P.
November 25th, Jacob Pease and Sally Seymour, of Burton, by John Ford, J. P.
December 4th, Ira Hayes and Julia Durand, of Burton, by Rev. Luther Humphrey.
December 5th, Luther Hemenway and Mary Borroughs, of Burton, by Rev. Luther Humphrey
1817. - January 28th, Nicholas Chinmark and Elizabeth Moss, of Burton, by Frederick Kirtland, J. P.
March 6th, Horace Peck and Mary Johnson, of Burton, by Rev. Luther Humphrey.
April 7th, John Johnson and Sally Young, of Burton, by John Ford, J. P.
May 14th, Edward Collins and Thalia Beard, of Burton, by Rev. Luther Humphrey.
June 30th, Jacob Burton and Sally Hayes, of Burton, by John Ford, J. P.
December 23d, John P. Smith and Maria Ferris, of Burton, by John Ford, J. P.
1819. - February 24th, William A. Messenger, of Portage county, and Desire Fowler, of Burton, by Rev. Luther Humphrey.
March 7th, Oroon Datas Johnson and Edna Fidelia Bartholomew , by James Brown, J. P.
April 14th, Samuel Newell and Jane Kincaid, by John Ford, J. P.
April 15th, John B. Brown and Maca Hyde, by John Ford, J. P.
May 4th. Joseph Hayes and Abigail Miner, by John Ford, J. P.
May 28th, Daniel Dayton, of Burton, and Chloe S. Humphrey, of Burlington, by J. Ford, J. P.
June 30th, Burt Jewett and Olive Hayes, by Rev. Charles Waddell.
August 19th, Daniel Burton and Eliza Russell, by John Ford, J. P.
August 20th, Ralph Cowles and Delia Benton, by Rev. Luther Humphrey,
September 4th, Dennis Cramton and Chloe Burke, of Burton, by John Ford, J. P.
November 27, Fabian Beard and Alice Tomlinson, by Rev. Luther Humphrey.
1820. - April 1st, Ichabod Brooks and Electa Boswotth, by John Ford, J. P.
April 1st, John A. Ford and Eliza A. Barnes, by John Ford, J. P.
April 16th, Robert Edson and Polly Umberfield, by John Ford, J. P.
September 6th, Orrin Dayton and Sally Truman, of Burton, by Jonathan Brooks, J. P.
September 25th. David Taylor and Lucy Russel. by Rev. Luther Humphrey.
September 28th, Levi Patchin, of Newbury, and Emetine Fowler, of Burton, by Jonathan
Brooks, J. P.
December 27th, Eli Beals, of Burton, and Lucy Gager, of Claridon, by Eleazer Paine, J. P.

Page 503 -

POPULATION

 

 

 

 

STATISTICS OF BURTON TOWNSHIP—FROM TAX LIST OF 1 879

 

 

PRODUCT OF 1878—FROM ASSESSORS' RETURNS OF 1879.
LANDS.

 

 

ORCHARDS—ACRES, 288.
 

 

Page 504 -

MAPLE.




BEES.

 

 

PRODUCE.
 

 

 

 

ANIMALS DIED FROM DISEASE.




 

 

CEMETERIES.

     The first location mentioned, was just east of the square, south of the road, on the bill, and next east of where Esquire Hickox planted the grove of mulberry trees.  It is claimed that Hugh Sharon was the first person buried in

Page 505 -
town, and this was the place.  When the burial ground was located for the town, it seems to have fallen.
     By the river - at the foot of the hill, and the bodies from this first spot, were transferred there.  Luther Russel, the elder, helped in the removal, and related that one coffin lid was loose, and they lifted the cover.  The face was natural as life, though the body had been buried many years.  In five minutes, the vital air so needful in life, changed this dust of mortality, and it shrank and fell away to a nameless ash of earth.  On this sand knoll, by the river, sleep many of the original settlers of Burton.
     The Williams and Bradley - burial ground, west of the road north from the square, in lot 15, lies cheerly nigh to the wood tree shade on the bank of the brook.
     Northwest, - and just across from the "Old Wooster" place on lot 2, and almost within sight of the first camping spot in 1798, is another yard, occupied by those who had lived in that quarter of the town.
     South - on the Troy road, on lot 96, just east of the first home of Richard Slitor, is his family ground, and there some of the people of that locality are buried.
     East of the Village - in a grove of maple trees, Dr. Goodwin allowed a new cemetery to be opened, at a later day.  The maple trees have fallen; only one remains.  The white marble stone, the shaft and column, granite, red and grey, have risen, as the trees departed from this city of the dead, and stand thick, within a few short years, marking all there is of this life, and its end in death.  Here come, most often now, the mourners with their dead.

EARLY WOMEN.*

Page 506 -

 

 

Page 507 -

 

 

Page 508 -

 

 

Page 509 -
without hope, and, for a time, would not be comforted.  But after the first disappointment, her good sense taught her a better way.  Remaining single for many years, she yielded to an offer of marriage, and wedded Raymond Gaylord.  They lived together a number of years, and by him she had two sons.  When they had grown to be quite lads, Mr. Gaylord had consumption, and died.  Now comes the strange part of the history. Carefully preparing the way, Case comes back and renews his offers of marriage.  They are accepted, and the union takes place. They seemed fitted to one another, and the fires of the new love, or old love renewed, burned as brightly as ever.  After a little, they returned to Texas, taking the sons with them, and continued happily living together for many years.  All are now dead except a daughter, born after this last marriage, who is married and lives at Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

______________

PERSONAL SKETCHES.

JUDGE PETER HITCHCOCK - 509 - 516

JUDGE REUBEN HITCHCOCK - 516 - 519

HENRY LAWRENCE HITCHCOCK, D. D. - 519 - 521

PETER HITCHCOCK - 522 - 531

JOHN FORD - 531 - 534

STEPHEN FORD - 534 - 537

JOHN S. FORD - 537 - 538

JOHN ANSON FORD - 538 - 542

WALLACE JOHN FORD - 542 - 547

ELIAS ALONZO FORD - 547 - 550

SEABURY FORD - 551 - 561

GEORGE HENRY FORD - 562 - 563

HENRY HINE FORD - 563 - 567

DOCTOR ERASTUS GOODWIN - 567 - 568

ASAHEL BARNES - 569 - 570

ROBERT EDSON - 570 - 571

ABEL CRAMTON - 572 - 572

JOHN L. FOWLER - 572 - 573

JAMES PEFFERS - 573 - 574

GEORGE BOUGHTON - 574 - 575

MATTHEW D. MERRIAM  576 - 577

WILLIAM CAY - 577 - 578

CALEB JOHNSON - 578 - 579

OBED WARREN WICKS - 579 - 581

JOHN F. WELTON - 581 - 581

SILAS GAYLORD - 581 - 582

ALMON B. CARLTON - 583 - 583

JACOB B. COFFIN - 584 - 584

 


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