Map of Hartland Township

     362. The township of Hartland is described as township 3 north, range 6 east, and lies on the eastern side of Livingston, bordering on Oakland County. The reminiscences of Hartland are intimately associated with the latter county, and its early settlers were frequently called upon to extend courtesies to their neighbors, whose entrance to the Territory as pioneers bore a much later date,--Hartland having remained an unbroken stretch of wood and plain for some years after the settlement of Oakland. The earliest entries of land, with a single exception, were made in 1833, and the larger proportion of them not earlier than 1835 and 1836, while many bear a much later date.

     Though arriving at a period subsequent to the settlement of the adjoining townships, they were not the less thrown upon the resources of their own ingenuity. Their dwellings were also rude cabins made of logs, sometimes rough, sometimes hewn, and isolated as they were from all communication with the world of civilization, with their stout hearts and willing hands the wilderness was soon made fruitful, and comfortable homes ere long replaced the primitive log structures.

     The township of Hartland seems to have derived its name from a township of like name in the State of New York, which was the former home of some of its early settlers. Its separate existence dates from 1836, when it became an independent township and held its own elections. The writer has been unable to discover any early arrival antedating that of Col. Samuel Mapes, who came from Niagara Co., N.Y., to the Territory of Michigan, and located in Washtenaw County. In 1831 or 1832  he was attracted by the rich lands of Hartland and removed thither, entering at first a tract of 80 acres, and subsequently adding to it. At this early period the country was almost an unbroken wilderness, a pilgrimage of six miles being necessary to hold intercourse with a single human being. With Col. Mapes came his son, Samuel, who aided him in breaking up the land and establishing a home. They arrived in winter, and their labors were first directed to cutting timber with which to build a shanty, and later a saw-mill. They succeeded in erecting a comfortable habitation, and the following year they were followed by the family, who became permanent residents. Rufus Tenney also located land very early, and was among the earliest of Hartland's pioneers.

     Eli Lee came late in the fall of 1833, from Monroe Co., N.Y., and entered 125 acres on section 25. With him came his family, including five sons, but one of whom survives. With Mr. Lee came E. J. Smith,.of the same county in New York State, who located lands upon sections 24 and 5, each 80 acres. Mr. Smith built a comfortable shanty upon section 20 soon after his arrival, and as soon after as practicable a house. Neither of these gentlemen found any road to guide them to their destination, and were able to reach their lands only by following the Indian trail, which indicated the direction of their travels, while the axe was in constant demand to provide a pathway for the oxen. Their neighbors were all residents of the township of Highland, in the adjoining county.

     Mr. Lee's house was, during the early years of his settlement, constantly the rendezvous of landlookers, and it was not unusual to find the floor covered at night with their slumbering forms, being grateful for even such meagre cheer as it was possible to offer.

     In the spring of 1834 a child was born to Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Smith, which they christened Frances, and who afterwards became Mrs. Myron Curdy. This child enjoyed the distinction of being the first white child born within the limits of the township.

     Menzo Smith arrived in 1834, and located on section 23. Soon after he lost a child, which was buried on his land, and is believed to be the earliest death that occurred in the township. The exact date is not known, but thought to be the latter part of the year 1834 or early in 1835.

     William E. Huntley was a native of New York State, and early removed to Ohio, -where he remained one year, and then came to the County of Livingston and settled in Hartland, arriving with the pioneers of 1834. He immediately took an active interest in the growth of the county, and in 1846 was elected sheriff, which office he held for four years. He removed later to Howell, and died in that village in April, 1872. Elias Armstrong came to the township from Connecticut in 1834, and died on the farm he at first purchased. 362a.

Image of
Residence of LeGrand Clark,
Hartland, Livingston Co., Mich.

     363. Norman Brainard came with his family from Genesee Co., N.Y., in May of 1835. From Buffalo to Detroit they traveled by steamboat, his original intention being to proceed to Illinois and there purchase a farm. Meeting at Detroit a band of settlers from Highland, who extolled the advantages of Michigan, he was induced to prospect in the State. He procured a team and came via Birmingham (then rejoicing in the cognomen of Piety Hill) to Commerce and Milford. From Commerce there was no road, but the route was marked by blazed trees. No special incidents marked the progress of the party, who arrived ere long at the house of Deacon Jesse Tenney in Highland. The following day, leaving the family at this hospitable house Mr. Brainard, together with the deacon and a neighbor, departed in the search of land, and were so successful that the succeeding day Mr. Brainard repaired to Detroit and located 121 acres on section 21. He immediately began the erection of a log house, the family remaining during the interval at the house of Deacon Tenny for four weeks until its completion. When first occupied it had neither floors, doors, or windows. However, two windows were very soon improvised, the sash and glass having been brought with the household goods. The children could not overcome their fear of the wolves, which prowled around the house and made night hideous with their cries, especially since there was no door to prevent their entrance. The boards were consequently taken from a box in which the goods were brought, and a floor was rudely constructed upon the beams overhead. There the children slumbered in less fear of wild beasts, but in imminent peril of tumbling out of bed and breaking their necks. A lower floor of puncheons was soon in place, and before winter approached a few boards were obtained, from which a door and upper floor were made. The following fall, after the first crop of wheat was harvested and threshed, Mr. Brainard took the grist to a mill four miles north of Pontiac to be ground, and was absent four days. During his absence his family consumed their last loaf, and by employing the coffee-mill were able to grind a sufficient amount of wheat to supply their needs until the flour arrived. When the pork barrel was empty, the want could always be supplied through the Indians, who constantly offered fresh meat for barter, and thus kept the larder abundantly filled. Mrs. Grace Brainard (wife of Mr. Brainard) organized at her, home the first Sabbath-school in the township, to which the children came a long distance through the woods when there was no road. A Sunday-school celebration was held during the summer of the first year of its existence, which proved a very interesting occasion, and may with propriety be characterized as the first event of like character in the county. Addresses were made by the older ones present, and at the close of the exercises 24 of the little ones sat down to a sumptuous repast prepared by the willing hands of Mrs. Brainard.

     Charles Smith came to Hartland in 1834, and located 200 acres on section 25. He was known as a successful farmer, and continued to improve his land until his death, which occurred in 1875.

     Adoniram Hubbell was also one of the pioneers of 1835, having removed from Newburgh, O., and purchased 200 acres on section 26,--reaching his possessions via Detroit, from whence he drove an ox-team and a covered wagon. He was accompanied by two sons and a daughter. He followed the path marked by blazed trees, as had the few who preceded him. He arrived in October, and occupied an old dilapidated shanty one mile east of his land. However, before the winter closed they had erected a log house of their own, which, though primitive, was an improvement on the one they vacated. There were no doors; sheets suspended from the top being the only protection. The wolves at times seemed determined to effect an entrance, when hot coals would be thrown at them. This served for a time to intimidate them. Mr. Hubbell was a hatter by trade, and plied his calling vigorously during the winter season. He and his sons--Sardis F. and Ephraim A.--also broke up much of the adjoining land for the owners, keeping five yoke of oxen for the purpose. The younger son Ephraim A., now resides on section 23, and Sardis F. is a prominent lawyer of Howell.

     John Whalen removed from the northern part of Ohio to Michigan, and settled in Hartland in October, 1835, on an additional 40, on section 12, on which he established himself. Mr. Whalen had six children, but one of whom is at present living in the county. He was a surveyor of much repute, and made many surveys of lands in Livingston County. His death occurred June 20, 1851, in his sixty-fourth year.

     Hubbard Bullard came from Monroe Co., N.Y., in 1834, and located 40 acres on section 13, and purchased an additional 40 on section 24. he accomplished the whole journey from his former home with teams, and on his arrival made a brief sojourn with Eli Lee until the completion of his own log house. He owned four yoke of oxen, and for years engaged in the occupation of breaking land for the neighboring settlers. Mr. Bullard well remembers the first log school-house, which 364. was built in 1836, and which he assisted in erecting.

     The earliest instructor was Miss Sarah Huntley, who followed the custom of teachers of the day and "boarded 'round."

     John R. Williams was the companion of Mr. Bullard in his pioneer experiences, and located 160 acres on sections 14 and 23,--80 acres on each. His father, John Williams, located 80 acres on section 24. He was one of the soldiers of the war of 1812, and lost a limb in one of the early battles. Mr. Williams died in 1837.

     John and James Brophy were among the earliest pioneers, arriving in the township in 1835, and immediately entered 320 acres of land, which was divided equally and upon which they each erected a log house.

     Elihu Haynes left his home in New York State in 1836, and purchased from government 80 acres in Hartland, to which he subsequently added 80 acres. He has since continued to reside upon his purchase.

     One of the oldest pioneers of Hartland , Mr. O. E. Chambers, still survives, and resides within its limits. He came from Monroe County, N.Y., Sept. 27, 1836, via Detroit, traveling the whole distance with an ox-team, his father having the previous May located 80 acres upon sections 10 and 11 and erected a log house. There were no roads at this early period, and the surrounding country, Mr. Chambers states, was a continuous stretch of black soil, the result of fires, which had swept vegetation for years previous. The year of his arrival a decided increase in population occurred, and it was not unusual to be summoned to a raising every day, his services as carpenter and joiner being in especial demand. His nearest neighbor was Thomas Hall, who located 160 acres on sections 14 and 15; and lived but a short time after his advent. His was the first interment in the cemetery at Hartland Centre.

     In October of 1837 James Gleason entered 160 acres on sections 19 and 30 He left his former home in Orleans Co., N.Y., with an ox-team, coming via Detroit, and remaining with his friends, the Brophy brothers, until he had completed his log house. As his family increased he replaced this with a house of more ample proportions, in which he still resides. Mr. Gleason was elected to the State Legislature in 1853, and though not now an active politician, still maintains his interest in the public events of the day. The first Roman Catholic service in the township was held at his house, the rooms being barely large enough to accommodate the worshipers. Father Morrissey, of Ann Arbor, was the officiating clergyman.

     Amos F. Albright left Monroe Co., N.Y., for the West in 1832. He remained in Ohio until 1836, when he proceeded to Michigan, and engaged in his occupation of millwright. Having purchased land on section 16, he removed to Hartland and made his temporary abode with Norman Brainard while he erected a log house upon his land. This house stood upon the site now occupied by the residence of Mrs. Chauncey L. Crouse. After completing a habitation he immediately began the erection of a grist-mill, which was completed and in working order the following fall. This mill, though a source of much accommodation to the surrounding farmers, was prematurely built as a matter of profit to the owner. Mr. Albright, finding himself involved, disposed of it in 1841 to Chauncey L. and Robert D. Crouse. He subsequently removed from the township, and now resides in Isabella Co., Mich., hale and hearty, though having reached the advanced age of seventy-eight years.

     Hiram Scollard, whose peculiar characteristics have been more fully touched upon in the history of an adjoining township, entered land on sections 1 and 2 in 1836. He established a reputation as the eccentric miller, at Woodruff's Mills, in Brighton.

     Dr. Josiah Clark was the first resident who practiced the healing art. During the early years of his practice he resided on section 25, but died at Hartland Centre.

     The earliest saw-mill within the boundaries of the township was erected by Mapes & Bursley in 1836. It stood upon section 7, on the banks of North Ore Creek, and enjoyed the patronage of the surrounding country, who were dependent upon it for most of the lumber used in the erection of their houses and barns.

     William Smith, another of the prominent settlers of 1836, came from Pennsylvania with a family of six children, and located on section 6, where he purchased 130 acres of Col. Samuel Mapes, who located the land. He was one of the earliest justices of the peace of the township, in which capacity he officiated for many years, and was also an honored member of the Methodist. Episcopal Church. He died in Flint in 1852, and was succeeded in his possessions by his son, Elisha G. who died in 1870.

     As nearly as can be determined the earliest divine service was held in the first school-house, already mentioned, the officiating clergyman being that distinguished pioneer in Christian work, Elder Cosart.

     Elder Jackson, a missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Church, preached also at a very early date, and is remembered by many of the older 365. residents riding by on horseback with his portmanteau at his side.

     Elder Britton was also an early exhorter, and was accustomed to ride an old horse, with his wife and child seated behind him.

     Probably one of these gentlemen performed the first marriage ceremony (the date of which remains uncertain) of Mr. George Cornwell to Miss Williams, daughter of John Williams. Another early marriage was that of Lyman Lee to Miss Andrews.

     Freeman Near emigrated from Oneida Co., N.Y., in 1839, and located at Hartland Centre. Discovering here a fine field for his abilities he established himself as a physician, and was the first in the little hamlet. He later married and continued to reside in the place until his death, which occurred some years since.

     Ira D. Crouse removed from Avon, Livingston Co., N.Y., in 1843, having been induced by his brothers to assist them in their business at Hartland Centre. As soon as he had accumulated sufficient means he purchased land, and since that time has added to it until he now owns 360 acres. He is one of the representative men of the township, actively interested in all public enterprises, and especially zealous in the advancement of its educational interests.

     Hiram Bussey removed from Wayne Co., N.Y., in 1844, and purchased from his brother, Calvin Bussey, who had preceded him, 160 acres, on sections 4 and 9. At this late date the country was not thickly settled. His neighbors at this time were Calvin Bussey, James Webber, Elder David Youngs, and LeGrand Clark, the latter of whom came but a short time before and located, on section 11, 220 acres.

     LeGrand Clark, one of the prominent farmers of Hartland, came to the township in 1841, and purchased the farm upon section 11, where he now resides, and which he has greatly improved.

     C. A, Weaver became a resident of Green Oak in 1843, and in 1855 removed to Hartland, purchasing the foundry at the village, and owning it for several years. Later he became the proprietor of the leading hotel, which was burned, and rebuilt by him, and finally sold. He now resides upon a farm adjacent to the village.

     Lorenzo L. Armstrong emigrated to the State in 1835, and to Hartland in 1842. In 1845 he went to Milford, but not finding the advantages it offered superior to those of the township he first located in, returned in 1853 and purchased a farm embracing 480 acres, and took up his residence upon it. He has since that time been a leading spirit in all that pertains to the welfare of the township.

     The soil of Hartland is a gravelly loam, fertile, and well adapted to the growth of wheat, of which abundant harvests repay the toil of the farmer. The surface of the township is undulating, with broad acres of level land interspersed with gently sloping hills, which give variety and beauty to the landscape.

     Several lakes dot the surface of the ground, chief among which are Round Lake, Long Lake, Brophy Lake, Whalen Lake, and Dunham Lake. North Ore Creek also affords a water-power in the southern portion of the township.

     On the map of the township may be seen a narrow neck of land on the line of sections 27 and 28, between Long and Round Lake. On this isthmus, partially covered with trees, dwelt in a certain rude independence old Shakaw, the retired chief of a remnant of the tribe that once peopled the wilderness embraced in the present county of Livingston. When the. advance of civilization turned these wild lands into beautiful fields, the ranks of the tribe were broken, and the chief, having separated himself from his followers, repaired to the beautiful spot mentioned, to spend in retirement the remnant of his days. Here he constructed a primitive abode, made entirely of bark. The family of Shakaw consisted of one son and two daughters. Near the hut of Shakaw was a similar one constructed of bark, in which the friend of the chief, Portabeek, with his family, consisting of two daughters and two sons, made their abode. He was a man of lofty bearing, which, accompanied by a commanding form and a strong will, made him feared and respected by the brethren of his tribe. When Shakaw chose this secluded spot on the banks of the two lakes for his home, Portabeek followed his friend into retirement. Neither seemed disturbed by the progress of civilization around them, and the axe, and plow had little influence in changing their primitive life. The ground they occupied was left untilled, and the woods and streams continued to supply their meagre wants. It would seem natural that to complete the romance in the lives of these two life-long friends, the daughters of Shakaw should be wooed by the dusky sons of Portabeek. But history does not thus record it.

     These Indians are well remembered by many of the older white settlers. They finally removed to the northward, and it is said that old Shakaw died at a comparatively recent date in Isabella County.

     Annexed is a list of individuals who made original entries of land within the township of Hartland:

     The following is an alphabetical list of the resident tax-payers in the township of Hartland in 1844:(re-alphabetized by webmaster)
 

HARTLAND CENTRE

     This little village, which is located northwest of the geographical centre of the township, was settled not long after the first settlement was made in the township, but it assumed no special importance as a centre of trade until some years later. Rufus Tenney is said to have made the earliest location of land within its limits, and the first store was opened by George J. Griffin, from Rochester, N.Y., in 1839. This was for a long time the headquarters of the hamlet, where the news of the day and political topics were discussed, and where various matters relating to the welfare of Hartland had their origin. Township-meetings were also held here for several years, and liquor was freely dispensed. After canvassing the ballots, the elected candidates were accustomed to exercise their hospitality, and a free-and-easy time was the inevitable result; some of the early pioneers who still survive having a vivid recollection of the condition in which they sought their homes after these election revels.

     Amos F. Albright early erected a grist-mill here,