1880 Map of Unadilla Township

     304. UNADILLA, one of the original townships of Livingston County, lies in the southwest corner of the latter, and is bounded north and east respectively by the townships of losco and Putnam, south by Washtenaw County, and west by Ingham County. It includes township 1 north, in range 3 east, as designated on the government survey of the State. It contains the three villages of Unadilla, Williamsville, and Plainfield, located respectively on sections 35, 28, and 5, Plainfield extending also into section 8.

     The surface of the township is greatly diversified. Along the various water-courses it is broken by considerable hills, and in places quite extensive marshes are found,--such as are common in, and peculiar to this part of the lower Peninsula. A large portion of the township in the northwest lies on a beautiful plain, where are everywhere found excellent improvements, and in the midst of which is located Plainfield village. The Portage River and its tributaries water the town, and several lakes add to the variety which is here found. Among the latter are a portion of Bruin or Patterson Lake, on section 36; Woodburn and Bass Lakes, on section 25; Williams Lake, on sections 29 and 32; Morgan Lake, on section 10; and several others which have not been named on the map. Portage River furnishes power at Unadilla and Williamsville, and in this town was made the first improvement of water-power in the county.

LAND-ENTRIES

     The following is a list of the original entries of land in this township:

304a.

Image of
David D. Bird & Wife & Residence,
Unadilla, Livingston County, Michigan

EARLY SETTLEMENT

     The following items in the history of this township are extracts from an address delivered by T. R. Shields before the County Pioneer Association, at Howell, June 20, 1877:

     "Previous to 1833 the land comprising this township was an unbroken wilderness, inhabited by a few half-civilized Indians, who had their camping-grounds on the north shore of the Sutherland Lake, a beautiful little sheet of water situated in the north part of the township, and named after Judge Sutherland, who located land near it, and who was a leading man in the town for a good many years. Those Indians held communication with a tribe in Washtenaw County, and the old trail which they used, together with a peculiar cedar bridge which they built over the Portage River, were objects of interest long after they had disappeared. . . . The tide of emigration from the East was moving slowly but steadily westward. So favored a spot as Unadilla could not long be neglected, and on the 20th day of June, 1833, one Eli Ruggles, of Brookfield, Conn., became owner of the first farm ever purchased in Unadilla, consisting of 40* acres of land, on which he reared his log hut and commenced his pioneer life. But this life did not agree with him. He sickened, went back to Connecticut, and died. His brother-in-law, Mr. Williams, after whom the village of Williamsville was named, became owner of the land.

     307.Others followed in rapid succession. On August 1, 1833, James Craig, Archibald Marshall, and David Holmes, all from Hartford Co., Conn., made for themselves home, in Unadilla. David C. Edson located land on the 2d of August, 1833. Francis Lincoln and Henry Angel were the next to come. They located Aug. 24, 1833. They were followed by Jeremiah Bullock, Aug. 29, 1833. The next was Stephen Cornell, Sept. 23, 1833; David M. Hard, October 17th; Patrick Hubbard, November 14th; Richard M. Guggins, November 15th; Mary Winans, November 27th; and Curtis Noble, December 20th; all in 1833, Stephen B. Sales, who was for many years supervisor of the town, and who died a few years ago at Lansing, located Sept. 24, 1834; Levi and George Westfall, June 18, 1834; William Woodburn, of Wayne Co., N.Y., Aug. 23, 1834; David D. Bird, June 13, 1834; James McIntyre, July 10, 1834; Cyrus Jackson, June 24, 1834; and George W. Noble, July 22, 1834. In 1835 the locations increased. One of the first to locate in that year was Luke Montague, from Cayuga Co., N.Y. He was followed by Charles Bullis, Oct. 26, 1835; James Livermore, June 3, 1835; Abner B. Wood, March 5, 1835; John Shields, May 28, 1835; and William H. Dunn, June 4, 1835. Some of the leading settlers in 1836 were the Sutherland boys, four in number, who located Sept. 21, 1836. Emery Beale located on the same day of the same year; David Dutton, May 27, 1836; Philip Dyer, June 7, 1836; Samuel Townsend, of Niagara Co., N.Y., April 22, 1836; John Cool, June 19, 1836; Levi Clausen, Feb. 15, 1836; Luther Chipman, May 24, 1836; A. S. Montague and Patrick Keenan, in 1837.

     "The first town-meeting was held on the first Monday of April, 1835, at the residence of Baxter Collins, and the following -named gentlemen were elected; Supervisor, John Drake; Town Clerk, Peter N. Hard; Justice of the Peace, Elnathan Noble; Treasurer, James McIntyre; Commissioners, Selah B. Collins, Elnathan Noble, and Francis Lincoln. The township election ¥ followed, taking two days,--the first Monday and Tuesday of October, of the same year. The opposing candidates for Governor were Stephen T. Mason, who received seven votes, and Edward Mundy, who received one vote. Seven votes were cast in favor of the adoption of the constitution, and three against it. It will be remembered that the town had been connected with Washtenaw County for political purposes, but was changed into Livingston in the year 1837.** The places of holding the election were changed to suit the convenience of the people. At one time it was held in Mr. Lincoln's barn, in the west part of the town, again at the residence of Mr. Noble, in the southern part, and still again at Mr. Martindale's, in the north part. Mr. L, S. Montague, now a partner in the law-firm of Waddell & Montague, in this village (Howell), was born while his father was attending the election at the last-named place, in 1847.

     "The first store started in town was owned by John Drake. It afterwards became the property of one Dibble; it was situated where John Dunning's store now stands, in fact, part of the building occupied by Mr. Drake is, now used by Mr. Dunning. The first hotel was kept by Mr. Noble, near the place where Unadilla village now stands. The church and school-house were considered extremely ornamental, as they were the first brick buildings in the village.

     "The first physician in the town was Dr. Field, a man of good ability, but very eccentric in his ways. Mr. A. Montague tells a very amusing story about the old doctor. A wager was made by the boys that they could make the old man believe he was sick, although in perfect health. They arranged so as to meet him one at a time, each one telling him that he looked very sick, and should go to bed at once. The plan worked admirably. The doctor went home and went to bed, and it was several days afterwards before he discovered the joke.

     "The first child born in the town was Minerva Briggs, a granddaughter of Mr. Williams, who is now married and residing in the city of Ypsilanti. The first blacksmith in town was Abner B. Wood, who died a few years ago at the age of eighty-three. His shop was situated in the north part of the town, where his son William now resides. The first work which he was called on to do was for a man from Ingham County, who was on his way to Dexter to get some machinery mended, but found that the work could be done by Mr. Wood, and so went no farther. The first land cleared up in town was fourteen acres, now owned by Mr. Montague, on which one of his orchards is situated. It was cleared by Mr. Isaac Ray, who now resides in an adjoining town. It will be seen that I mentioned the names of fourteen persons who located land in Unadilla in the year 1833. It is a sad fact that eleven of the fourteen have been 'gathered to their fathers.' Three still remain, one of whom, Mr. James Craig, now lives in the town, and is the proprietor of the Unadilla House. He held the office of township clerk for a great many years, and is still enjoying that honor. The second, David Holmes, or Deacon Holmes, as he is usually called, is now residing in St. Johns, while the third, Mr. Francis Lincoln, who held the office of township treasurer for a number of years, is now living in Chelsea, and is still healthy and vigorous, with faculties unimpaired.

     "Many are the pleasing anecdotes I have heard my father relate of Col. George Bennett, of Unadilla, while out with the 'boys,' among whom were Peter Morgan, A. S. Montague, Selah B. Fitch, Henry Cassady, Emery Beale, Judge Sutherland, and others. Old boys they are now, and widely scattered. Some in their graves and others waiting patiently their time,--happy in the knowledge that life's great work has been well done, and the reward will surely come. One dark tragedy must be recorded. In the year 1845 the community was startled by the report that one Green was shot and instantly killed by a man named Cole, while in the woods near his house. Cole admitted the shooting, but claimed that he mistook Green for a deer and shot him accidentally. This story, however, was not generally believed, and Cole was looked upon as a murderer, although no positive proof was brought against him on the trial. Morally speaking, the town has always had a good standing; litigations are few and far between, while it is a fact worthy of particular notice that intoxicating liquors of any description have not been retailed in the town for the last twenty years, until quite recently.

     "In the year 1845 the property in the township was valued at $62,241; in 1846, only one year later, it was valued at $65,647; and thus the increase kept on from year to year, until it reached the sum of $520,275, according to the valuation in 1876, making an average of nearly $500 for every man, woman, and child in the town. From the eight men who cast their ballots in 1835 have grown 285 voters.

     "The sons of Unadilla have not been backward in winning for themselves positions of honor and trust. Gen. George Hartsuff was a Unadilla boy, and drew in with its fresh, pure air those dreams of greatness which led him on step by step along the rugged pathway of success. Being appointed to West Point, he graduated with honor, entered the service, was in the Florida war, remained hid in a marsh with nothing but his head above water for four days, without food, to escape from the Indians. He entered the war of the Rebellion, and won a reputation as wide as the nation itself. His brother William is postmaster at Port Huron, while another brother is a leading physician in a distant State. S, L. Bignall, one of the leading business men of Chicago, was a Unadilla man, and the Glenn Brothers, who are doing such an extensive business at Fowlerville, were for many years leading men in the, town, while J. C. Shields, of Lansing, and E. M. Joslin, of Saginaw, are two more of her sons winning honors in the legal profession."

     Mr. Shields mentions others who are yet residents of the county, and taking a prominent part in her general affairs, who look back to Unadilla as the home of their earlier years, and remember it when its forests were yet almost unbroken and its inhabitants were very few in number.

     308. In connection with the history of Williamsville, to be found on a succeeding page, will be found various additional facts regarding the first settlement in the township, which was made at that place. The following interesting narrative concerning the early settlement of the township was prepared by James Craig, of Unadilla, and read before the Pioneer Society of Livingston County. After telling of a preliminary visit made to Unadilla in 1833 with David Holmes, in which they came by way of Ann Arbor to Dexter to find Mr. Nathaniel Noble, to whom they had a letter of introduction, and from thence to where Pinckney village now is, where they found a solitary family residing, Mr. Craig proceeds as follows:

    "Alexander Pyper came out in 1835, and built a log house and got a piece broken up. My brother William came in the spring of 1836, and built the first frame house in that section. Rev. James Pyper, D.D., Deacon Holmes, and James McLear, with part of his family, came in 1837. Archibald Marshall and family, and my mother and I, came in 1838. We had to go to Dexter or Ann Arbor to do our trading, and pay $1 for a bushel of potatoes, 20 cents per pound for salt pork, $1 for a hen, and the same for a dozen of eggs, and $10 for a barrel of flour; these were 'Wild Cat' times. The first wheat I had to sell was in 1842, which I took to Reeves' mill, and sold it for 40 cents, per bushel, and had to go three times before I got my pay. I thought then farming was a poor business.

     "We have had the very best of neighbors; never had a quarrel in either school or road district. A pettifogger came to settle among us over twenty years ago, and tried his best to get us at loggerheads, but he could not come it, so he pulled up stakes and went to California. We used to have very sociable times in the long winter evenings, Charles Dunkin, Philander Gregory, S. B. Sales, Benjamin Sales, Archibald Marshall, my brother William, myself, and others, with our families, would meet at some one's house and spend a happy evening, and after enjoying the good things of this life, and before we parted, would settle at whose house we would meet next, generally about two weeks hence, I believe Unadilla has cost the county less for the support of paupers and the prosecution of criminals than any township in it, and that it has been effected through the influence of religion and temperance.

      "On the 4th of February, 1837, the following-named persons united and organized a church, to be known as the First Presbyterian Church of Unadilla, viz.: Luke Montague, Eunice Montague, Alexander S. Montague, William Craig, Christiene Craig, William Pyper, Agnes Pyper, John Brewyn, Junius L. Field, Maria B. Field, and John Drake. William Craig and Luke Montague were elected ruling elders and acting deacons, A. S. Montague, Mrs. C. Craig, and Mrs. M. B. Field are all that are left of the original members. When I came on in 1838, 1 brought a trunk full of Sunday-school books, which I got from the school that I was connected with in Connecticut and other schools in the neighborhood, which served the school here and at Williamsville and losco for eight or ten years. The Methodists and Baptists soon after organized churches, and now there are two Presbyterian one Baptist, and three Methodist churches in town. The church members were not generally the richest in this world's goods, and had sometimes to solicit outsiders to help,--those whose worldly interests were most benefited by good society.

       "The temperance cause always flourished in our town, at first as Sons of Temperance, then as Good Templars, and now as the Reform Club, The first lodge of Good Templars in Michigan was organized in Unadilla, and named Pioneer Lodge, No. 1 over thirty years ago."

     James Craig, the author of the foregoing, is a native of Scotland. In 1831 he came to this country and located in New York City, where he remained six months, moving afterwards into Connecticut. When, in July, 1833, he visited Unadilla and,made his purchase of land, not a solitary white person was living in the township, and but forty acres had been entered,--that being the previously described tract taken by Eli Ruggles Mr. Craig held numerous township offices, among them those of assessor and treasurer, and for thirteen years filled the position of township clerk. He is the present postmaster of Unadilla village.

     John C. Stedman came to Michigan from Tioga Co. , N.Y., in May, 1844, and settled on section 14 in Unadilla, where Joseph Kirtland now lives. He was accompanied by his wife and five children. In 1854 he moved upon the farm he now occupies. In 1846 he returned to New York for his parents, John Stedman and wife, and piloted them to a new home in the West. The elder gentleman, a former resident of Connecticut, lived to the age of eighty-four years, and died in this township.

     Joseph L. Hartsuff, from Seneca Co., N.Y., came with his family to Michigan in October, 1835, and located at Coldwater, Branch Co. A little more than a year later he moved to Washtenaw County, and in 1837 to the farm in Unadilla now owned by Thomas Milligan, north of Unadilla village and next south of the farm on which Mr. Hartsuff's widow and son (Zenas A. Hartsuff) at present reside. The place, consisting of 120 acres, had been slightly improved by a Dutchman named Gutekunst, of whom Mr. Hartsuff purchased; a log house of small dimensions had been built, and stood on a portion of the ground now covered by the orchard. Gutekunst removed to Dexter, Washtenaw Co. Mr. Hartsuff bought other land in the township, including several parcels from government. A number of years later his brother, Henry Hartsuff, located in town, on a farm he purchased of the former. Henry Hartsuff is at present a resident of Port Huron. His son, George L. Hartsuff, entered the Union service during the Rebellion, attained to the rank of major-general of volunteers, and finally laid down his life in defense of the principles of freedom and union. He was the oldest son. His brother, William Hartsuff, also distinguished himself in the same struggle, and rose to the rank of brigadier-general. A third son, Albert, served as surgeon.

     The widow of Joseph L. Hartsuff states that even as late as the time of their settlement, Unadilla village was an insignificant place, containing a sawmill and a store, the latter kept by Drake & Dibble, and a log house. A short distance. north of the 308a.

Image of
H. & P. Gregory Residence & Portraits,
Unadilla, Livingston County, Michigan

     309. village, in a frame house, lived Dr. J. L. Field, who had come the previous fall (1836). He died in November, 1867, one week after the death of Mr. Hartsuff, and had lived and practiced here during the entire time since he first settled, a period of thirty years.

     James Livermore settled in February, 1836, north of Unadilla village, near the present residence of his son, John J. Livermore. He was from Tioga Co., N.Y. His brother-in-law, John Watson, from the same locality, settled in town in the fall of 1843, staying through the winter with Mr. Livermore. He was accompanied by his father, John Watson, Sr. The son now resides in the village of Unadilla.

     In August, 1837, Philander Gregory removed to this township from Rochester, Monroe Co., N.Y., and located on section 21, where he still resides. His wife and infant son, the latter only three months old, were with him. From Detroit to Unadilla the journey was made in a lumber-wagon, The son, Halsted Gregory (recently county clerk of Livingston), lives with his father on the old farm, which is among the best improved. in the township or county.

     The first white child born in what is now Unadilla township was Minerva Briggs, daughter of Garry Briggs, her birth occurring May 8, 1836. She is now living in Dansville, Ingham Co. Her father came to the township with Amos Williams, and assisted the latter in building his saw-mill at Williamsville. Mr. Briggs, in the summer of 1879, was living at Dexter, Washtenaw Co.

     Royal C. Barnum settled as early as 1836-37, in this township, on a farm near the Gregory place. He subsequently sold out and went to Ohio and engaged in milling operations, but finally came back and purchased Robert Glenn's property at Unadilla village. His death occurred a number of years since. Before coming to this town he had traveled extensively, and followed the sea for some years. In his contact with the world he acquired all the polish of a perfect gentleman, and his mind became stored with much that was useful. His son, Royal Barnum, at present lives in the village.

     Samuel G. Ives, who settled west of Williamsville, in April, 1835, is now living in Chelsea, Washtenaw Co. He was one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Unadilla, and served as member of the State Legislature before removing from the township.

     Elnathan Noble, from Geneva, Ontario Co., N.Y., removed to Michigan in the spring of 1832, and located at Dexter, Washtenaw Co. In the spring probably of 1834 he came into Unadilla, purchased, land, built a log house, and moved into it. The house was a large double structure of logs, and was used by Mr. Noble both as a dwelling and a tavern. . Mr. Noble had the honor of being the second settler in the township, as no other house had then been built except Williams', at Williamsville. Mr. Noble was accompanied by his son, Sylvester G. Noble, now of Unadilla village. When night first overtook them after their arrival in the township, they sought and found shelter in Williams' log house, sleeping on the floor. Either that season or the next, Stephen Winans built a house on the opposite side of the road from and west of Mr. Noble's. Help was so scarce at that period that "raisings" were successfully completed only by the aid of horses and stout ropes,--the logs being lifted into position literally by "brute force."

     Mr. Noble was one of the first associate judges for Livingston County. Before the county was organized he was appointed a Territorial justice of the peace by Governor Stevens T. Mason. He was concerned in the matter of choosing a name for the county, and to him is also given the credit of naming the township in which he settled, giving it the name of Unadilla, after a township in Otsego Co., N.Y.

     It is stated that the first wheat cradled in Unadilla was cut by S. G. Ives and Stephen Haven, but when, or on whose farm, is not made clear. Mr. Haven now lives on the west line of losco township.

     David S. Denton, from Tompkins Co., N.Y., settled in Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1836. In the fall of 1837 he was followed by his father, Daniel Denton, and the family moved to Henrietta, Jackson Co., where they remained until February, 1838. While there three of the brothers of D. S. Denton died within two or three months after they had settled, having contracted the "ship fever" on the way. D. S. Denton was then unmarried. At the last named date (February, 1838) the family removed to the township of Lyndon, Washtenaw Co., and finally, in the spring of 1842, to the farm in Unadilla upon which David S. Denton now resides. The latter place was originally entered by Mary Winans, a widow, who settled upon it with her family and built a log house. One of her sons, John Winans, now resides in Chelsea, Washtenaw Co. A family named Rockwell afterwards occupied the place before Mr. Denton moved upon it. From the south side of the old house, timbers projected for the purpose of building a portico upon. The family clothes-line was fastened, one end to a timber, and the other to a tree. An ox belonging to Mr. Rockwell became entangled in the line one night, and in his efforts to escape pulled the beam partly out, so that one end 310. dropped upon the floor. The family had retired for the night, but the noise and shock aroused them as effectually as an earthquake would have done. In fact, they were frightened into the belief, for a short time, that no smaller calamity could have happened, and flitting forms in nightly robes ran out in the darkness in a frenzy of terror. The cause of the disturbance was soon discovered, however, and they once more sought their beds, but the amount of sleep which fell to their lot during the remainder of the night is not vouchsafed, and their dreams, if dreams they had, were probably filled with wild visions and strange adventures.

     Mr. Rockwell was subsequently so unfortunate as to lose his reason, yet he lived to the age of eighty-four years. His death occurred in Waterloo, Jackson Co. He occupied the house where Mr. Denton now lives only until be could build one on his own place, across the line in Washtenaw County.

     Stephen Cornell, a Quaker, settled early near the Gregory farm, and died there. He was a politician of some note, and strove usually to secure for himself the best places. About 1848 he was successful in procuring the appointment of postmaster, and the office was removed to his place from Unadilla. The neighborhood, however, was not sufficiently strong to retain it, and it was subsequently moved back to the village.

     Hatil Sharp settled two miles west of Williamsville as early as 1834-35, and has sons now living in the township.

     Orla J. Backus, from Washington Co., N.Y., settled where he now lives in 1837. His brother, Gordon Backus, came in May of the following year, and purchased land of the former, lying on section 21. He lived upon it five years, and finally removed to the place he now occupies on section 20.

     Gilbert J. Daniels, another early settler, came here from Orange Co., N.Y., and is still a resident of the town.

     John and Richard Taylor settled in Unadilla in 1840. The former's wife was the widow of James Tettley and sister of Robert Brearley. Mr. Tettley located in 1836 on the farm now owned by his son-in-law. George Taylor, the father of Richard, Zachariah, and Christopher Taylor, settled in July, 1841, on property now owned by his son, Christopher, opposite the residence of the latter. Robert Brearley came with George Taylor, and is now living at Williamsville. Abram Taylor, not related to the others of that name who came to the township, settled in 1843. The Taylors, Robert Brearley, and John Asquith all came from the same neighborhood in Yorkshire, England. Asquith, who settled in 1845, is now deceased. Wm. Barrett, who married one of his daughters, lives on the old place. George, Christopher, and Zachariah Taylor came in 1841, and the three brothers, Richard, Christopher, and Zachariah, with John and Abram, yet reside in the township. George Taylor died in the fall of 1863. The land upon which these people settled was all wild except the eighty purchased by George Taylor, and that had been slightly improved by a man named Danser, who built a small shanty upon it. He and his brother, John Danser, both lived in this town a short period; the former removed to the southwest part of the State, and the latter to Waterloo, Jackson Co.

     John Jackson, now of Pinckney, settled west of the Taylor places, before the latter families came. His son, James Jackson, now occupies the old farm.

     Francis Lincoln settled early near the centre of the township, and owned a large amount of land. He moved from here to Dexter, Washtenaw Co., and is yet living somewhere in the State, at an advanced age. With him Mr. D Linn, the first settler at Plainfield, stayed while building his house at the latter place.

     The forests of this region abounded plentifully with wolves, whose chorus of yells resounded nightly, furnishing music, remarkable more for its volume and variety than for its sweetness and harmony. Half a dozen wolves would emit such a mixture of yells, howls, whines, barks and scratches, that it would seem as though the woods were alive with them. They were perfect ventriloquists, too, and even if a mile away in one direction the listener was always willing to aver that he was closely surrounded by them. Clothes left hanging in door-yards were often torn in pieces by these disturbers of the night, and pig-pens were never considered entirely wolf-proof.

     C. B. Westfall, a native of Phelps, Ontario Co., N.Y., came to Michigan in 1838, and located at Plymouth, Wayne Co., where he resided two years. His father, George Westfall, had come previously from the State of New York, and purchased the farm in Unadilla upon which the son now lives. The elder Westfall never lived in this township; his death occurred at Plymouth. His three sons, Levi, C. B., and Reuben, all settled in Unadilla,--the first named in 1839 and the other two in 1840. Reuben was then unmarried, and lived with his brother, C. B. Westfall, nearly two years. He finally removed to the farm now occupied by John Jackson, where he died. Levi, who lived three-fourths of a mile southwest of