BRUNSWICK
by Ephraim Lindley

     In giving a detail of my pioneer life I may use words that may seem strange, perhaps offensive, to many of the present day.  I was not raised in the lap of plenty nor educated in the school of refinement.  I was born in Ira, Rutland county, Vermont, in 1796.  In 1803 my father moved to Bristol, Hartford county, Connecticut, to take charge of the farm of his aged and infirm parents - a region of country once noted for clock-making and various other arts carried on by machinery.  While living at Bristol I commenced attending school, and to give some idea of my young thoughts on good manners, I will relate a school adventure.  A boy called Charles Bartholomew, during the absence of the teacher from the schoolroom, thought proper to leave his seat and come and sit facing me in what I considered a very saucy manner.  Feeling my dignity insulted by his continued gaze, and believing him to be a violator of good order and of the rules of the school, in the absence of the teacher, I laid down my book, walked up to Charles, gave him a severe slap on the side of the head and authoritatively ordered him to return to his seat and attend to his studies.  Soon the teacher came in and seeing Charles crying inquired the cause.  Being informed that the new scholar (meaning

[pg. 33]
me,) had slapped him because he had neglected his studies, the teacher kindly addressed herself to me and informed me that it was contrary to the rules of her school for one scholar to correct another, and I got clear of correction under the plea that I was new.  Once I saw a great gnat biting a comrade in school, and feeling full of sport I raised my hand, aimed a blow at the gnat with the force that felled my schoolmate to the floor.  Upon being interrogated why I struck the boy, my answer was, that I would stand still and see such a contemptible little insect as a gnat sucking blood from a comrade without using means to kill it.  My laconic answer shielded me, that time, from merited chastisement.
     After the decease of my grandfather and the apportionment of his estate among heirs, my father was persuaded by my uncle, Eliada Lindley, to move to Ohio.  On 4th July, 1811, we left Bristol.  We had an ox team headed by one horse.  We toiled and traveled over rough roads, mud, and the many obstacles that had then to be encountered, until we came to the Cataraugus Swamp, where we were compelled to hire an additional force of horses, and a man to drive.  Though the distance across that swamp was only four miles, yet we were a whole day getting over.  After a toilsome journey of two months we arrived at Hudson.
     Soon after our arrival in the then wilderness, intelligence of war greeted our ears often and sadly.  After the surrender of Hull, many were forced to prepare for the tented field, who were very poorly supplied with the necessaries of life.  The whole country was new - provisions were scarce and very high in price, and laborers few.  Danger and privation were dreaded and experienced.  Salt, one of the real necessities, was high in price and very scarce.  A neighbor had been at

[pg. 34]
Liverpool and had got all the salt he contracted for, except one peck, which he said my father might have if he would send for it.  The offer was considered a great accomodation, and my father selected me as the person who should go to Liverpool, a distance of 25 miles, for the peck of salt.  I was then 16 years old.  An empty sack was got, in which was stowed bread and wild meat, and on a cold blustering morning in the month of December, 1813, I left Hudson for Liverpool.  There was a blazed road from Hudson to Richfield.  From thence I had to go to the north line of the township, and from thence find my way by blazed trees to Timothy Doan's, in Columbia.  Between the house of widow Payne (Brecksville) and Mr. Doan's was an unbroken wilderness of 15 miles, excepting the blazed line made by surveyors.  My first day's travel brought me to the cabin of Mrs. Payne.  On the second day I got to Liverpool Salt works, took possession of the peck of salt and learned that I could buy another peck which I willingly purchased.  I shouldered my half bushel of salt on the afternoon of the second day, and with elastic step started, homeward bound.  The second night I tarried at the house of Horace Gunn who lived near Thos. Doan's.  Liverpool salt dripped much, and my own exercise causing sweat, the two came in contact and kept me uncomfortable.  The next morning after leaving Mr. Gunn's, I had to repass through the 15 miles of continued wilderness with a short allowance of bread, laded with a half bushel of wet salt.  The snow was about four inches in depth.  After I had passed over about two miles of my lonely forest road I met a company of wolves, who seemed to be on the track I made when going to Liverpool.  In passing along, I discovered that they followed through at respectful distance.  There were five in number, and

[pg. 35]
their frequent stopping and pawing in the snow caused me to conjecture that they meditated an attack.  I furnished myself with a stout club and felt determined to tree and fight if they should attack me.  After following for a distance of five miles or more they left keeping company and I traveled on very well satisfied with their absence.  I am of the opinion that the bitterings of the salt and my own sweat was what they scented and prompted them to follow me.  I got home safely with what remained of my half bushel of salt after a full share of bitterings had eked out.  This was my first important errand, and I can assure you that I then traveled that distance and carried the salt more willingly than a young man of 16 years will now carry a half bushel of potatoes from the grocery to his home.

EARLY SETTLERS

     Solomon Harvey, James Stearn and Henry Parker were the first settlers in Brunswick in the months of October and November, 1815.  Shortly after, Samuel Tillotson and family came in.  The next was W. P. Stevens and family.  On Mar. 4, 1815, Solomon and Frederick Deming with their families settled.  During the summer of the same year, John Hulet, Seymour Chapin, John Stearn, Andrw Deming and Henry Bogue with their families came in.  In 1817, Jacob Ward, Rhoda Stowe, Harvey Stebbins, John Freese, B. W. Freeze, W. Root, Seth Blood, L. Thayer, P. Clark, Peter, John and A. Berdan and others came and settled in various parts of the township.  In 1818, the noise of the axe could be heard during the hours of labor in various parts of the township, and the smoke rising

[pg. 36]
from the hastily constructed cabins gave proof that settlements were rapidly increasing.  The hum of industry could be heard and seen as the wilderness gradually yielded.

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

DEATHS OF EARLY SETTLERS.

     Of those who braved the toils and privations incident to a Pioneer life, and who aided each other in making the full sunshine upon the log bedimmed surface the following are deceased.

     George W. Baldwin and wife
     C. Stearns "  "
     Seymour Knox "   "
     Darius Frances "   "
     Peter Berdan "   "
     Frederick Root "    "

     Of those enumerated among the early marriages, the following, at the close of more than 40 years, are still husband and wife.  To them it is a pleasure to see the changes that have taken place since they wedded:

     Abram Freese and wife
     Ephraim Lindley "   "
     James Stearns "   "
     Daniel Stearns "   "
     Harvey Stebbins "   "
     Jacob Ward "   "
     Isaac Ward "   "
     Horace Root "   "
     Wm. Root "   "
     From these aged individuals the inquirers after the history of the first settlers can gather information that would be perused with interest fifty years hence.  They

[pg. 37]
are the living witnesses of occurrences worthy of record

----------

DIED AT A GOOD OLD AGE.

     To give evidence that industry and daily toil tends not to cut short our days, I here give names and age of Pioneer Fathers and mothers.  Those of the first settlers yet living can attest the truth of my remark when they read the names.
     John Ward, deceased at the age of 92 years,
     Elizabeth Ward, deceased at the age of 89 years,
     John Stearns, deceased at the age of 92 years,
     Lucy Stearns, deceased at the age of 76 years,
     W. P. Stearns, deceased at the age of 87 years,
     Lydia Stearns, deceased at the age of 69 years,
     Persis Kingsbury, deceased at the age of 65 years,
     Samuel Tillotson, deceased at the age of 91 years,
     Sarah Tillotson, deceased at the age of 77 years,
     Solomon Deming, deceased at the age of 86 years.
     Roxanna Deming, deceased at the age of 66 years,
     John Hulet, deceased at the age of 86 years,
     Ephraim Fletcher, deceased at the age of 74 years,
     Jabez Kingsbury, deceased at the age of 80 years,
     Daniel Bogue, deceased at the age of 72 years.
     Making an average age of 80 years to each one named.  It is not probable that any fourteen descendants of those named will, when deceased, be able to have it noted that they had lived so long.  The increase of idleness and the various and varied kind of dissipation adopted and practised must enfeeble and shorten life.  Industry is a physician that produces health, creates wealth, secures comfort, dispels gloom and lengthens

[pg. 38]
life.  Indolence brings want, discontent, and tends to shorten life.

---------

BURYING GROUND.

     Capt. John Stearns, who was the owner of about thirteen hundred acres of land, being advanced in years and wishing to provide for the future, generously donated two acres to be used as a Burying Ground for the township, and requested the citizens to meet and clear off a portion of the lot, that it might be used for that purpose when needed.  The citizens generally sanctioned the proposition, and soon was heard the sound of axe and falling of forest trees.  In a few days a portion was cleared, and now is the resting place of many, young and old, who once lived.  In that lot the bodies of the first resident settlers were one after another deposited, and here and there can be read upon headstones the names of many who once labored actively to tame the wilderness,

----------

ROADS.

     For several years prior to the erection of Medina county, the establishment of the roads was unsettled.  Each settler undertook to make a road to suit his own convenience, and not unfrequently he joined with his next neighbor, in opening a way that could be of mutual advantage.  The making of bridges generally called together the whole force of the then sparse community, and many days would be wholly devoted to construct

[pg. 39]
a bridge that would probably be carried away by a succeeding freshet.  After the organiation of the county, small appropriations were made for opening roads and making bridges.  As cash was then scarce, a man would work at road-making from rising to setting sun for fifty cents and board himself.
     It was much easier to get timber necessary for a bridge to the allotted spot than to get the logs placed.  Ox teams were used in hauling, but rendered little aid in placing timbers.  Rocky River was the largest stream meandering through several of the newly settled townships, and the intercourse between small settlements forced the inhabitants, as a matter of convenience, to decide upon places and unitedly aid in building bridges for general accommodation.  Many of the first settlers spent days at their own expense and did not consider it oppressive.  It was no uncommon act to see all the men in a community congregated early, and without stockings or shoes, laboring all day in water fixing abutments and placing the long heavy stringers thereon.  As puncheons were used for flooring in nearly every dwelling, they were considered equally good for bridging.  No saw-mills were erected when settlements first commenced, therefore the necessity of using puncheon and clapboards.  It is not hazardous to say that in 1815 and for five years thereafter, five men actually performed more labor on roads than twenty men did in 1860.  Necessity forced them to be industrious and their future prospects urged them to labor.  It was not unusual for the men, while engaged in putting up a bridge, to see their wives issuing from the wilderness from various directions, laded with cooked provisions intended for those employed in bridge-making.  It was not unusual for the mothers in the days of first settling to travel two or three miles laded with

[pg. 40]
provisions for their husbands who would necessarily lose time if compelled to go to their dwellings for their dinners.  The present generation would consider such an undertaking too wearisome and too hazardous.  Few of the modern females would be willing to travel three or four miles to hunt the cows once each day, as was the practice among the families of early settlers.
     In my details of the first openings and settlements made in the township of Brunswick, I may wholly fail to please those who feed on refined literature.  It has always been my fortune (some would say misfortune) to gain a competence by industry, and to be measurably deprived of spending much time in reading.  I have enjoyed a full share of the toils of life without many of the luxuries.

----------

FIRST ELECTION. 

     On 6th April, 1818, the first election was held and the following comprised all the legal voters then in the township, to wit:  John Stearns, Solomon Deming, John Hulet, Harvey Stebbins, Jacob Ward, Thomas Stearns, Andrew Deming, Joel Curtis, Elijah Hull, Henry Bogue, Ephraim Lindley, James Stearns, George J. Baldwin, Solomon Harvey, Horace Root, Darius Francis, Henry Parker, Daniel Stearns and John Hulet, Jr.  Nineteen votes were polled that day, and it was considered a large election.
     John Hulet, John Stearns and Solomon Deming were elected trustee; Darius Francis, Treasurer; Henry Parker, Constable; John Stearns and Jacob Ward, Justices of the Peace.

[pg. 41]
     Nearly all the parents who first settled in the township had been members of some one of hte christian churches in their native State, which they failed not to exhibit and practice in their wilderness cabins.  Sectarian feelings were not cherished as now; but when Sabbath came, Episcopalians, Congregationalists, Methodists and other denominations united and held religious meetings.  At the first religious meetings, citizens from Liverpool and Brunswick united.  When meeting was held at William Warner's cabin, Justus Warner, who was an Episcopalian, took the lead in meeting, and when in Brunswick the leader of religious exercises was of the Methodist or Congregational denomination.  Generally the small family dwelling was filled with those who revered the sabbath and church duties.  The exercises commenced with singing, in which all took part, and were able to keep time and sing in unison without the aid of organ or other musical instrument.  After singing, prayer devout and fervent was offered, then a sermon was read, one or more exhorted, then closed by singing.  Many of those who witnessed those religious exercises in the then wilderness cannot have forgotten the zeal, the good feeling, the solemnity that was apparent.  God smiled graciously on the first settlers and conferred upon them many and rich blessings while employed in rearing homes in the then wilderness.  At the sabbath prayer-meetings there was a marked reverence and not a few can date back to those times and places their first and lasting religious impression.  It was at one of those meetings the writer of this narrative felt convinced of his sins and resolved thereafter to seek, by intercession, the pardon of his sins and live a new life.  With pleasure, thankfulness and gratitude he looks back to the time when God, by his Spirit, showed to him the beauty of the christian religion.

[pg. 42]

CAN A BUILDING BE RAISED WITHOUT WHISKEY?

----------

FIRST SLEIGHING VISIT.

[pg. 43]

----------

CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS.

     Although no original records exist, there are living witnesses to testify that the Methodist Episcopal Church organized in April, 1817, and that Jacob Ward was instrumental in procuring the organization.  The first members of that church were Jacob Ward, Rhoda

[pg. 44]
Stowe, John and Lucy Stearns, John and Hannah Hulet, Samuel and Sarah Tillotson, Thomas and Phebe Stearns, Polly Harvey, Lydia Crittenden and Olivia Ashley.  The last two named then resided in Grafton, the others resided in Brunswick.  Of the first founders of that church the following yet live:  Jacob Ward, Hannah Hulet and Mrs. Hurlbert (formerly Lydia Crittenden.)
     The Congregational Church was organized February 19, 1819, by Reverends Simeon Woodruff and William Hanford then acting missionaries.  The names of those who united at the organization were Jabez and Persis Kingsbury, Andrew Deming, Frederick Deming, Roxanna Deming, William P. and Lydia Stearns, Geo. J. and Nancy Baldwin, Lydia Woodbridge and Clarissa Stearns.  Of the above not one is now living.
     It was the general practice for all to be seen at one church when there failed to be preachers, on the same day, for each denomination.  Disputations on doctrinal points were few and far between among the members of those churches.  The gospel was preached and listened to, with due attention.  All were neighbors, friends and brethren.  The Episcopal Methodists erected the first meeting-house, the Congregationalists the second.  As the members of each denomination had often prayed together, and often listened to the same preacher; with the same christian feeling they mutually aided each other in erecting church edifices.

---------

SCHOOL HOUSES.

     The first school house was erected on the west line of Brunswick in order to give accommodation to families in Liverpool township.  Sarah Tillotson was the

[pg. 45]

----------

LOUNGERS

     In pioneer days there were neither loungers nor lounging places.  Every person, young or old had some profitable employment in which to engage.  There were no groups of the idle or indolent to be seen standing or sitting at corners or stores, taverns or groceries.  For many years after the first settlers came, in smokers of cigar or pipe were seldom seen.  If the last ten years had been as profitably employed as were the first ten years from and after the first openings made by the original settlers, an improvement would have been

[pg. 46]
made in morals, in physical power, in agriculture and in wealth.  Degeneracy, in many things, has taken the place of refinement, and many, too many, are reared wholly untrained in any useful, necessary or profitable employment.  To make a contrast I will, in old fashioned poetry, give you a description of a modern lounger:

[pg. 47]

[pg. 48]

[pg. 49]

THE PAST

[pg. 50]
 

----------

THE PAST - THE PRESENT

[pg. 51]

[pg. 52]

----------

THE PRESENT

[pg. 53]

BRUNSWICK STATISTICS, 1861