HOTELS

     About 1838-39 a tavern was built by William S. Mead, on the ground previously occupied by Gilbert's blacksmith-shop,--the latter being moved off to give room to the hostelry. This was the same building Dr. Field lived in for a time (and died in), and the one now Occupied by W. S. Livermore. In the spring after this was built, a second one was erected by Moses Babcock, and is now standing South of the creek, occupied as a dwelling by George Hoyland. Neither this nor the one first described has been used as a tavern for many years. It was customary in the early days for taverns and stores to sell liquors, and it was quite as customary for each family to "keep a bottle of whisky in the house to drive off the ague." A temperance society (not the subsequent Good Templars) was organized in 1838, the first lecture before it being delivered by Rev. Dr. James Pyper, a Baptist minister, who still resides in the village. Soon after the organization Mr. Gilbert, one of the members, went East and remained one year. Upon his return he met the president of the society, who had in his pocket a bottle of "Golden Seal," to keep of the ague, as he said. The vice-president was armed in the same manner and for the same purpose, as were numerous others belonging to the society, and Mr. Gilbert soon arrived at the conclusion that, as he did not wish to fend off the ague in that way, his name had better be dropped from the rolls.

     The hotel now, known as the Unadilla, House, and kept by James Craig, was built for a dwelling, either, by Luke Montague, or his son Alexander. Henry Hartsuff, at a later date, had a store in it. It was finally purchased by E. J. Smith, who converted it into a hotel and became its first landlord. Several additions to it had previously been built. Mr. Craig has been proprietor since March, 1861.

    Unadilla Post-Office was established in 1836, with Elnathan Noble, now deceased as first post-master. The latter's son, Curtis G. Noble, now a resident of the village, was the first mail-carrier, bringing it on horseback from Dexter, and occasionally having no other receptacle for it than his pockets. No salary was paid the postmaster, nor any commission (it is said), but he was allowed to take whatever he could make out of the office. Letters from the East brought twenty-five cents each when delivered. The office was located at Mr. Noble's proposed village site, west of what is now Unadilla village. His son, George W. Noble, a hatter by trade, built a hat-shop at that place, and a blacksmith-shop was also built and carried on a short time. The frost of competition nipped Mr. Noble's project in the bud. A subsequent change in the location of the road, which had originally followed an Indian trail, left his log house some distance from the highway. His successor in office was William S. Mead, who lived a mile north of the village of Unadilla. About 1848 it is stated to have been taken to a locality northwest of the village, and kept for a short time by the Quaker politician, Stephen Cornell. It was finally permanently located at Unadilla, however, and since July 9, 1861, the duties of the office have been performed by James Craig, the present incumbent. A tri-weekly mail is brought from Chelsea, Washtenaw Co.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN UNADILLA*

     This church was organized Feb. 4, 1837, by Rev. Charles G. Clarke, of Webster, Washtenaw County, with the members named in Mr. Craig's address. In March, 1838, Rev. Mr. Smith became the first pastor, and stayed one year. He was succeeded in 1839 by Rev. D. R. Dixon, who remained several years. In the winter of 1843-44, Rev. Noah Cressy took charge and preached one year, being succeeded by Rev. Mr. Hamilton, whose term of service lasted nearly two years. The next pastor was Rev. Josephus Morton, who was succeeded in the summer of 1849 by Rev. Benjamin Marvin. The latter stayed until 1858. Rev. S. Carey, of Stockbridge, Ingham Co., preached here a short time, but was possibly never regularly installed as pastor.

     318. The church at Stockbridge was originally a branch of the one at Unadilla. Rev. Benjamin Franklin became the next pastor, in 1857. Rev. Mr. Alvord came in 1859, and Rev. Mr. Bissell in 1850. In September, 1863, Rev. William J. Nutting was installed as stated supply. Rev. Seward Osinga came in 1867, and remained nine years. He was succeeded by Rev. Theodore B. Williams, in December, 1877, and the latter is the present pastor. The brick church now standing was built in 1846, at a cost of $1400. Meetings had been held previously in the school-house. The membership, in the latter part of July, 1879, was about 55. A Union Sabbath-school is sustained by the Presbyterians and Methodists. Its superintendent is Alexander Marnock, of the Presbyterian Church.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
UNADILLA VILLAGE.#

     In 1836-37 a minister of the Methodist denomination by the name of George Breckenridge was on the circuit that then embraced this section of country. A little band in sympathy with the views of that church were in the habit of gathering together at North Lake, and listening to services held by him when his ride brought him in this region. James Palmer and his wife and Mrs. M. B. Palmer, living at East Unadilla, being interested in the cause, attended services at North Lake, at the house of John Glenn, where a class had been formed, of which Charles Glenn was leader. In April, 1837, Mrs. James Palmer and Mrs. B. M. Palmer joined this class, and on their way home the same day, while following the trail, became lost, and wandered for several hours before regaining it. At that time they persuaded Rev. George Breckenridge to visit the hamlet at East Unadilla and preach for them; which he consented to do upon his next visit, which was in the fall of the same year. Services were held at the house of Mr. B. M. Palmer. But few families lived in the neighborhood. Notice was sent out, and the few that gathered together at that time were Luke Montague, John Bruyn, John Drake, and their wives, who, together with the Palmers, formed the first congregation. The success of that first meeting determined Mr. Breckenridge to hold this place in the meetings of the circuit. He preached here several times before a class was organized. Some time in the year 1838, James Palmer, B. M. Palmer, Aaron Palmer, and Joseph Hartsuff, with their wives, were constituted a first class. Joseph Hartsuff was chosen leader, but he remained a short time only in that capacity. The class-meetings were held in the house of B. M. Palmer, which stood where 'Squire G. Palmer's house now stands; preaching was held in the evening.

     After Rev. Mr. Breckenridge had finished his term on this circuit he was succeeded by Rev. John Gillette, then a young man, this being his first circuit. He afterwards became one of the foremost men in the denomination in the State. Rev. John Sayre, ¥ an old preacher who held services wherever he could find a congregation, came with Mr. Gillette the first time. The ministers all made Mr. Palmer's house their home. Rev. Henry Colclazer was the first presiding elder, and attended the first quarterly-meeting, held in this place, at the schoolhouse where Mrs. Anderson's house now stands. The next quarterly meeting, was held in the grove South of Mr. Obert's house, now the public square.

     The ministers who succeeded Mr. Gillette were Revs. Mr. Babcock, Adam Minnis (who was the first one to bring his wife with him), John Scotford, Samuel Berrie,---- Pengally, and others. Stephen B. Sayles was class-leader in 1843. In 1846 the class contained 67 members, with Benjamin Sayles as leader; Rev. Thomas Wakelin and J. W. Donaldson were then on the circuit. About 1851 Revs. Brockway and Borden were preaching oil the circuit. Rev. L. W. Wells, a revivalist from the East, came through this region and visited this place, and a revival was held which resulted in the conversion of about 100 persons, most of whom remained faithful. Meetings were first held in the schoolhouse, but as the interest increased it was found too small, and the Presbyterian church was used. As many of the congregation at this time lived near what was called Williamsville, it was deemed advisable to remove the class, which was accomplished, and in 1853 a church was built at that place. In 1855 another class was organized at East Unadilla, and R. C. Barnum was chosen its first leader. They occupied the Presbyterian church every alternate Sabbath until 1870, when they changed their place of meeting to May's Hall, where they remained until Aug. 10, 1873, on which day they dedicated the house they now occupy.

     The present pastor of the church is Rev. Mr. Clack, who preaches also at Williamsville, and at North Lake, Washtenaw Co.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, WILLIAMSVILLE

     The class which was organized here in 1851, or transferred here from Unadilla, consisted of some 30 members, of whom many are 319. since deceased. The first pastor was Rev. Ransom Goodell, now also dead. This class, which has a present membership of about 25, was the strongest one in the vicinity, until after the completion of the new church at Unadilla.

BAPTIST CHURCH WILLIAMSVILLE

     The original record of this church is not to be found, and the exact date of its organization cannot be given, but according to the recollection of some of its older members it was not far from the year 1835. It therefore ranks among the oldest religious organizations in Livingston County, if it was not the very first. The original membership was 13, and the first pastor was Elder Brunson, well known to the pioneer Baptists of Michigan. Their present brick church was dedicated in 1852. Meetings are still continued, and the society has a respectable membership. The present pastor is Elder Putnam of Howell. Elder James Pyper, now living in Unadilla village, preached at a very early day.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT PLAINFIELD

     was organized June 1, 1838, by Rev. C. G. Clark, of Webster, Washtenaw Co., at the house of Levi Clawson, the original members being Levi Clawson and wife, Samuel Wasson and wife, William S. Caskey, and John B. Van Doren. The first pastor was Rev. H. L. S. Smith, and those since have been the same in charge of the Presbyterian Church at Unadilla. Their present neat frame house of worship was dedicated Dec. 8, 1869. The membership is in the neighborhood of 60. A Sabbath-school is sustained, with Robert Gardner as superintendent.

METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH, PLAINFIELD

     This society was organized at the Fulmer schoolhouse, in April, 1852, but was transferred to Plainfield the same year, by order of the Quarterly Conference. The original members were G. J. Daniels, wife, and mother, and Benjamin Dutcher and wife. The first pastor was Rev. M. L. Perrington. The present frame house of worship at Plainfield was dedicated Sept. 26, 1878. The membership on the 30th of July, 1879, was about 140, and the pastor, Rev. Samuel Riley, who came in 1876. Classes also exist at the Livermore school-house in Unadilla, and at the Wilson school-house in Iosco, at both of which places Mr. Riley holds service, as he does at Parker's, in losco township. Sunday-schools are sustained at the various places of meeting. The value of the church property at Plainfield, including the parsonage, is $7500, and at Parker's, $500. Many of the members of this society are natives of England. Its pastor, in 1871 was Rev. R. T. Kellogg, and the church had at that time a membership of 102. Nearly all who formed the original class in April, 1852, are still living.

SCHOOLS

     The first school in the township was probably taught in a shop belonging to Stephen Cornell, by Alonzo Wood, about 1835. About 1836 a log school-house was built, half a mile west of the site of the present brick building in District No. 11, on the farm of Hiram Case. The first teacher therein was Royal C. Barnum. By the time the log house was ready for use the number of children of school age in the neighborhood was considerable. It was several years before the log school-building fell into disuse and a second and more suitable structure was erected. The house now in use is built of brick.

     At Unadilla village a carpenter, named Murray, had started to build a plank school-house in 1837, but he died before it was finished, and it was not until the spring of the next year that the building was completed,--the work being done by another carpenter, named James Wright. The death of Murray was the first one which occurred in the neighborhood. The school-house stood on the west side of the street, on the hill in the south part of the village, the lot having been given by Robert Glenn. He afterwards gave the district a new deed for the lot where the school-house now stands. The first teacher was a Miss Chipman. Miss Samantha Joslin also taught here early.

     The body of a log school-house was built at Plainfield, in 1837, on ground given by Philip Dyer, being the same lot on which the present frame school-house stands. The first school was taught in it in 1838 by Lois Bissell, daughter of Mrs. Townsend. She had, in the summer of 1837, taught the first school in the neighborhood in the log house of her stepfather, Mr. Townsend.

     The following statement of the condition of the schools of Unadilla for the year ending Sept. 2, 1878, is from the report of the township school Inspectors of that date:

320. CEMETERIES

     The cemetery at Unadilla village is located on the county line, partly in Washtenaw County. The land was given for use as a public burial-ground by Luke Montague and Royal C. Barnum. The first burial in it was that of the English carpenter, Murray, who, as stated, died in 1837, while engaged in building the first school-house at that place.

     A piece of land included in the village plat at Williamsville was purchased by Leonard Backus about 1850, and laid out by him into a cemetery. He sold a number of lots, but finally gave the property to the Methodist Episcopal society. The first burial in it was that of the body of James Schoonover. Burial grounds on the Williams and Bullock farms had previously been used, but were private property. The first death in this part of the township was that of S. Dutcher, and the second that of the wife of Hilliard Dunn the two occurring not far apart, at a very early date after the first settlement.

     The cemetery at Plainfield was taken from the Dyer Property about 1838-39. The first death in that vicinity was that of a man named Welsh, from the State of New York. His grave was begun on the South side of the road, but before it was completed Mr. Dyer offered to give half an acre of ground from his farm for a cemetery. The grave was accordingly dug on the site given, and Welsh was the first person there interred. The cemetery is now filled with graves, and marble headstones are reared over the remains of many of the early and prominent settlers of the county.

STATISTICAL

     From the Michigan State Census of 1874 are made the following, extracts to show the condition of the township forty-one years after its first settlement.

     Among the many in this township who have furnished information to the historian, and to all of whom are returned his sincerest thanks for their kindness, are the following: John C. Stedman, Mrs. Joseph L. Hartsuff, W. S. Livermore, John Dunning, William Gilbert, James Craig, John Watson, Halsted Gregory, Sylvester G. Noble, David S. Denton, William A. Williams, A. L. Dutton, and his mother, Christopher Taylor, Robert Brearley, Mrs. Gordon Backus, C. H. Westfall, Levi Clawson, Morris Topping, John Shields and Hon. Edwin B. Winans of Hamburg. Pastors and members of the various churches have contributed to the work, and a generous fund of information, deemed reliable, is herewith presented to the reader.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

PHILANDER GREGORY

     was born in Danbury, Conn. March 31, 1807. His father, Joseph Gregory, served with distinction as a first lieutenant in Captain Dunlap's battery in the war of 1812. The battery was raised in Schenectady.

    Lieutenant Gregory was with his command in several engagements, and at Plattsburg was in command of the battery which did effective service in the engagement. After the close of the war Lieutenant Gregory removed to Albany, N.Y., and for several years followed his business,--that of tanner and currier,--and was very successful. He engaged afterwards in the same business in Schenectady for four years, but, meeting with 321. reverses and, being well along in years, he sold out and joined his son Philander, in Rochester, N.Y., with whom he resided until his son's removal to Michigan. He remained in Rochester until his death in 1841.

     Philander received a common-school education and learned his father's trade. His start in life was made in Rochester, in the glove and mitten business, at which he has worked more or less until the past year. In 1836 his brother purchased for him, of the government, the west half of the southeast quarter of section 21, in Unadilla. On the 16th day of July of the same year he was married to Miss Martha Halsted, a daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Marsh) Halsted, of Johnstown, N.Y., and in August of the following year he, with his wife and infant child, came to the wilderness home. It was then entirely new, as was the most of the township. There were then but few neighbors save the Indians, and no roads. Deer and other game were plenty, the deer often going through their door-yard. A frame house was soon built, and the day that saw his family settled in it was the happiest of his life, as vouched for by Mr. Gregory himself. For several years after their advent in the woods Mr. Gregory kept the wolf from the door by making gloves and mittens, which found a ready sale among the new settlers. In this work he was assisted by his wife, who made the mittens while he tanned the leather. The little frame house has been replaced with a handsome stone structure, while to the eighty acres first bought he has added until he now owns a splendid farm of two hundred and forty acres under good improvement. The forest which surrounded him then has given place to fine farms and luxurious homes. Mr. Gregory, surrounded by all the comforts of life, and held in high esteem by his neighbors and friends , -- having passed the time of life allotted to man,--is quietly and peacefully passing the evening of his life.

MORRIS TOPPING

     Among the early settlers of Unadilla township there are none who have done more to advance the best interests of the town than Morris Topping. He was born in Turin, Lewis Co., N.Y., Jan. 20, 1827. His father, Albert G. Topping, married Miss Maria Walters. He was an extensive farmer and resided in New York until 1837, when he moved to Parma, Ohio. In 1839 he moved into Unadilla, and settled near what is now Plainfield village, where he died, in 1844. Morris remained with his father until he was nineteen, working on the farm and attending school. After the death of his father he taught school, three winters, and then assumed the management of the farm. In 1853 he opened a store in Plainfield, which may be called the first one there. In 1860 he added to his business the manufacture of staves and barrels, which he still carries on quite extensively, and which gives employment to a large force of men. The wants of the community induced him, in, 1867, to erect a saw-mill, which was followed, in 1873, by the erection of a grist-mill. Two years after, both mills were destroyed by fire, and with them a large quantity of wheat. There was no insurance, and by this misfortune Mr. Topping lost heavily; but, nothing daunted, he soon replaced the mills with new and more commodious buildings. The grist-mill contains three run of stones, and is doing both a custom and merchant business. He has also erected a hotel, blacksmith and wagon-shop, and is now building a large store. To both of the fine, churches in the village Mr. Topping has been a liberal subscriber. There is also in the village a planing-mill, cider-mill, three stores, two blacksmith shops, and other places of business. It is an enterprising village, much of whose prosperity is due to the energy of Mr. Topping, who owns two-thirds of the village, at least of its valuation. In politics Mr. Topping is and ever has been a Democrat. He has been postmaster of the village twenty-five years, also Justice of the peace and town clerk. Dec. 25, 1847, he was married to Miss Ellen Richmond, who was born March 28, 1826, and is a daughter of Geo. W. and Laura (Madison) Topping. Their union has been blessed with three children, as follows: Sylvester G., born Oct. 28, 1848; George W., born Sept. 2, 1850, died Nov. 22, 1851; and Jennie M. D., born June 23, 1869.

DAVID D. BIRD

     was born in the town of Mansfield, Warren Co., N.J., March 4, 1813. His father, Furman Bird, who was born in New Jersey, had a family of ten children, of whom David D. was the sixth. About the year 1833, the elder Bird with his family emigrated to Michigan, and located on eighty acres of land near Ann Arbor, then but a small village. On this farm he resided until his death, which occurred in 1840 David D. was twenty years old when his father came to Michigan. He worked on his father's farm summers and attended the district schools winters, after he was large enough to do so, as did most farmer-boys of that day. In October, 1835, he came to Unadilla township and bought of the government one hundred and forty acres, a part of section 30. A log house was soon-built, and he at once commenced to clear and 322. improve his land. At that time Unadilla was an almost unbroken forest. In the vicinity of Mr. Bird's farm there were no roads or bridges, and in going to or coming from it, streams had to be forded, persons often getting mired, and enduring hardships that would appall the average young men of to-day. In 1839 Mr. Bird married, and brought his young wife to the new home. Up to this time he had either hired a family to keep house for him or had kept bachelor's hall. He commenced life without a dollar, and at the time his land was bought he had only enough to pay for a portion of it; yet the young couple never despaired of ultimate success, and toiled on. Yet they experienced in those times some of the happiest days of their lives. White neighbors were few and widely scattered, while the Indians still roamed over the country. Mr. Bird has lived to see the wild land he then bought, change into a finely-cultivated farm, now embracing over three hundred acres, mostly work of his own hands; and the township which was then so new and wild, he has seen grow into a thickly-settled and prosperous town. In politics Mr. Bird was in an early day a Democrat, but subsequently became an Abolitionist, and later a Republican.

     He has been a member of the church over forty years, and is now connected with the Baptist denomination. He has done much to advance the cause of religion in his township, and now lives in the hope of a better world beyond this. On the 6th day of March, 1839, he was joined in marriage to Miss Agnes Pyper, daughter of William and Agnes (Dodge) Pyper. She was born in Scotland, Sept. 12, 1816. Her parents were natives of Scotland. In 1833 they emigrated to America, and for three years lived in Connecticut. In 1836 they came to Michigan and settled on eighty acres of land in Unadilla, where they resided until their death. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bird six children, as follows: William F., born Aug. 24, 1840; Agnes D., born April 14,1843, deceased; Mary E., born March 26, 1845; Almira R., born Jan. 25, 1848; Chambers D., born Aug. 24, 1850; and Justin V., born July 1, 1853.

     Mr. Bird has retired from active business, and leaves the management of his farm to his son. In possession of more than a competency, surrounded by his family and friends, respected and esteemed by all, he is passing his days, and looks back upon a life well spent with scarce a regret.