(P.21) No sooner had Crane & Brooks secured an occupant for their Eagle Tavern, the only building in their new plot of 120 acres for their town of Howell, than they began work to secure a post office which was located here on January 15, 1836 and Flavius J. B. Crane appointed post master. His office was in the Eagle Tavern as a matter of necessity for there was no other place. Previous to the location of the office, the few settlers in this vicinity received their mail at Detroit, Ann Arbor, Plymouth and Kensington and in fact continued to do so for some time afterwards, as no provisions were made for carrying mail to and from the new office, until March 20, when Lewis Thompson took the contract to make weekly trips to Kensington, on horseback, for that purpose. Soon after that date a mail route was established from Howell to Grand Rapids, and James R. Sage undertook to find his way over the Indian trails, through the wilderness, to carry the mail, a feat that he accomplished successfully after his first trip when he got completely lost and and was obliged to spend the night in the woods.

     An event occurred on the same date with the (P.22) location of the post office, which must not be forgotten. While they were surrounded with the hardships and privations of pioneer life, cupid was a pioneer too. His first victory was the celebration of the marriage of Merritt S. Havens, the first carpenter in the township, to Sally T. Austin. The marriage ceremony was performed by Esq. Bingham, afterward Governor of Michigan. The second wedding was that of Alvin L. Crittenden and Jane Thompson which occurred August 27 of that same year. Their wedding was made a social event, They were the first couple in the county to be married by a minister, Rev. John Cosart performing the ceremony. Mr. Crittenden borrowed a rig and drove to South Lyon the next day for a wedding trip, the first taken by any couple from Howell. Their wedding feast was right up to the very highest point of luxury in those days. Its central dish was a young pig nicely roasted and standing on a platter.

     That following winter Mr. Crittenden got out the lumber and built a house on a farm bought with the savings from his year's work at Sage's. He would get out a hardwood log at home, draw it to the saw mill at the foot of the lake just east of the head of the present flume, and go on to the pinery west of what is now the town, where he would cut a pine log to be left at the mill on his return. By the time the oxen had made the round trip it was night, During the evening he would saw the two logs into lumber and (P.23) get ready to repeat the round trip the next day. The old house stood up the bank from the little lake on the McPherson farm in the north part of this township and was torn down only a year or two ago. Mr. and Mrs. Crittenden only lived in it a year or two when they bought the farm which has been in the family since and is now owned by W. W. Crittenden and Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Kirtland. They lived there until 1854 when Mr. Crittenden joined the M. E. conference, He served regular pastorates for twenty-six years when he and his wife returned to Howell to live.

     The meetings commenced by Deacon Branch in 1835, at Eagle Hotel, were soon held from house to house. Some time in January, 1836, a Presbyterian clergyman named Wm. Page, stopped at Deacon Branch's and word was sent out for services which were held at the Deacon's house in Marion. This was the first sermon in this vicinity but it remained for Rev. Johnathan Post a Baptist clergyman to preach the first sermon in this township, which he did sometime in February at the home of George T. Sage. In April or May of the same year the second sermon in this township was preached at Moses Thompson's and was by Rev. Mr. Kanouse, a Presbyterian clergyman. Some time in April or May A. L. Crittenden walked to Ore Creek, (now Brighton) to attend a Methodist meeting which he heard was to be held there. While at this meeting he arranged for Rev. John Cosart to come to Howell in four weeks and (P.24) preach and form a class. By some mistake the notice was given a week to soon, The people assembled but as no preacher came they decided, after a prayer meeting, to organize, and elected Pardon Barnard chairman and A. L. Crittenden secretary of the meeting. No class book was to be had so A. L. Crittenden who was elected leader, folded a sheet of writing paper to make a book, ruled it and entered the names of members therein. The original book is now a keepsake of the family and contained the following names as the original class: "Alvin L. Crittenden, Pardon Barnard, Eliza Ann Barnard, Peter Brewer, Dorcas Brewer. Sylvester Rounds, Polly Rounds, Asahel Rounds, Mary Sage, Nathaniel Johnson, " Rev. Cosart came the next Sunday, probably early in June, and preached the third sermon in the township, the first by a Methodist minister. He acknowledged the proceedings of organization and reported it to the Ohio conference who sent Rev. Washington Jackson as a missionary to Livingston County, during that fall. This was the first church organization in the township. Pardon Barnard and A. L. Crittenden were licensed as exorters by this class, November 4, 1836.

     Although Livingston County was laid out in 1833, the act to organize it was not passed until March 24, 1836. The act erecting the township of Howell, was approved the day previous. The territory included in the township by that act was the present townships of f Howell, Oceola, Deerfield, Handy, (P.25) Cohoctah and Conway. The first town meeting was held in April, 1836. A caucus was called of which A. L. Crittenden was clerk and he was therefore given the work of writing the tickets, in which he was assisted by John W. Smith. On the evening before the election someone suggested that there would be no fun without two tickets and so another was nominated nearly like the first, except that F. J. B. Crane was nominated for constable. The last nominated ticket was also written by the same two gentlemen and was victorious in the election. Nearly if not all the white voters in the township as organized turned out to the election which was held at the Eagle Tavern. The board consisted of Amos Adams, F. J. B. Crane, John W. Smith and Johnathan Austin, with A. L. Crittenden as clerk. A tea pot and sugar bowl were borrowed from the Iandlady, to serve as ballot boxes and thirty-six votes were cast. Officers elected were as follows: Supervisor Philester Jessup; Township Clerk,  F. J. B. Crane; Justices of the Peace, Ezra Sanford, Harleigh H. Graves, John W. Smith; Collector, Francis Field; Assessors, Justin Durfee, David Austin, George T. Sage; School Inspectors, Joseph Porter, F. J. B. Crane, Johnathan Austin; Highway Commissioners, John Sanford, Justin Durfee, George T. Sage; Constables, John D. Pinckney, F. J. B. Crane, Francis Field, Elisha H. Smith. Some of the work of these township officers was very crude. The assessment was written upon (P.26) half sheets of writing paper which were fastened together at the ends with wafers. When completed, it was fifteen feet long. Justice John W. Smith had a case commenced before him but after the points of  law were argued, the case was discontinued by the plaintiff withdrawing his suit and paying costs. This was the first law suit in the township.

     At the time the county was organized a strong effort was made to locate the county site at Ore Creek, (now Brighton) and the adherents to this project did not give up entirely until the county buildings were built in the present location. This opposition delayed the county election a few weeks until the three commissioners appointed by the Governor, to locate county sites in counties where there were none, could be brought to this county when they located it on the old public square of the Crane & Brooks plat now occupied by Schroeder's hardware, the Episcopal church, etc. The first county election was held on the first Monday in May, 1836, and resulted in the election of the following officers: Sheriff, Justice J. Bennett; County Clerk, F. J. B. Crane; Register of Deeds, Ely Barnard; Treasurer, Amos Adams; Coroners, John W. Peavy, John Drake; Associate Judges, Elisha W. Brockway, Elnathan Noble. Only a part of the county officers were residents of Howell and that fact made little difference. Even the judge of probate did no office business during his entire term. The board of supervisors held their first meeting in (P.27) Howell, October 4, 1836, and organized by election of Eli Lee of Hartland, moderator. The Democrats received 142 votes in Livingston County, at the election in November, 1836, and the Whigs, 73. This was the, first division along party lines in the county and many of the pioneers feared that it would break up the good feeling which prevailed. The democrats held a meeting and raised a pole near the Eagle Tavern. The whigs were much incensed at this and shortly after the close of the campaign, someone bored it down with an auger, on a dark night.

     In June of I836 a heavy freshet swelled the Shiawassee River beyond what it has ever been known at any time. Among other damage done was the washing away of the log bridge at the Grand River Road crossing, This item is noticed only as a sample of how lumber was secured before the date of mills. To rebuild the bridge two men sawed the lumber with a pit saw, one standing above the logs which were rolled upon the buttments and the other below, the one below wearing a veil. Wm. McPherson and family arrived on September 17, while this bridge was being rebuilt, and he bought the slabs from the bridge for the floor to his house.

      Originally what is now Thompson's lake was three little lakes with a tamarack swamp, between Mr. Thompson noticed the excellent mill site when he prospected in 1833, and located at the foot of the lake to secure it. His original log house stood just back (P.28) of the old house near the foot of the lake and was connected with it for years. The old house was one of the first frame houses in this county. It is now quite a ways back from the road, When it was built the road ran by it. The place is now owned by Mrs. Sherman. He also located the tract of pine in the western part of the town, to work in his prospective mill. A dam was accordingly built and by its influence the water raised to about its present level, thus uniting the three lakes. The saw mill was finished and commenced running in September, 1836, the first logs sawed being made into a chamber floor for Wm. McPherson's house. So many of the settlers were in need of chamber floors that Morris Thompson who had charge of the mill, would not saw more lumber for any one man than enough for his chamber floor, until all the settlers had had a chance to avail themselves of those much needed conveniences for their homes .

     The first store in the village was opened by F. J. B. Crane, in a room in the Eagle Tavern, but it was not a success after two or three months, the goods were packed up and stored in the attic of the building. The first blacksmith shop was rather more successful. Andrew Riddle, father of Mrs. McPherson, came from Scotland in the spring of 1836 and built the shop before the arrival of his family who came with Wm. McPherson's family in September. Mr. McPherson's house was built adjoining the shop and (P.29) he and Mr. Riddle commenced work in the shop soon after his arrival. Mr. Riddle moved to Oceola, during the next year and Mr. McPherson continued the business until 1841 when he engaged in mercantile business in partnership with Judge Turner with whom he continued but a short time. In 1845 he bought a half interest in business with E. B. Taylor, the firm doing business under the name of Taylor & McPherson for about two years when he bought Mr.Taylor's interests, and continued the business in his own name until 1852 when he formed a partnership with Wm. Riddle, which continued until 1856. when Wm. McPherson Jr. bought Mr. Riddle's interest and the business was continued until 1864 under the firm name of Wm. McPherson & Co., it being changed to the present name at that time, and as his sons were becoming men he took them one by one into the firm. What is now the front portion of the main store was erected in 1857. As the old building grew to small, additions were built upon its rear from time to time until it is now 120 feet deep with two additional stores west of the old one. With little change the firm continued until the close of 1887 when Wm. McPherson, Sr. retired and a new firm was organized composed of M. J. McPherson, E. G. McPherson and H. T. Browning, who continue the business under the old name. Mr. Browning retired January 1, 1898.

     The McPherson bank was started in April, 1865, with Alexander McPherson in charge. He remained (P.30) in that position until 1890 when he engaged in banking business in Detroit. William McPherson jr. took charge of the bank here at that time, and is still in that position. There have been some changes in the firm among members of the family, but the name has always remained as it started, Alexander McPherson & Co.

     Preparations were made for a school in the fall of 1836 and a building was commenced but no record remains to show positively whether it was occupied that year or early in 1837. Justin Durfee was the first teacher.

     The wolves which infested country were among the terrors of pioneer life and many are the stories of narrow escapes from these dreaded terrors. When young fellows went to see their best girls the young ladies were often called upon to listen with beating hearts, to the howling of the wolves which beset their beaus on their way home after bidding them adieu. The girls learned the direction of their fellow's homes and guessed them safely there when the sound of the wolves' howling reached that direction.

Two Germans by the name of Shrafts came to Howell in 1836. A little before night they broke their wagon. One stayed to guard the load while the other went to Moses Thompson's with the team, to stay all night. When he returned in the morning with two of Mr. Thompson's sons, Shrafts was nearly tired to death and complained bitterly of the settlers' (P.31) said he, "the big burley big burley dogs. "Why." said he, "the big burley dogs were so saucy. They would their put their paws clear up on the wagon and snap and snarl at me, and I could hardly drive them off with my club." The mystery was soon solved by the Thompson boys as part of the load was some fresh meat. The poor German was nearly scared to death when he found that he had been fighting wolves all night.

     The village as it appeared about this time was nicely described by Edward F. Gay who prospected here in the fall of 1836 and settled with his family in 1837. After detailing his attempt to reach Livingston Center as the village was then called, and losing the trail two or three times, he described his success in an address to the pioneer society in 1872, as follows: "Though now becoming anxious to reach the Center I was doomed still to wander on the verge. I was on the trail, though among brush, and meandering the lake. Beholding a light, hope revived, but it was again extinguished for before it was reached the light disappeared, for the very good reason that Mr. Moses Thompson and family had retired to bed. Not being willing to be thwarted in this, my second day's attempt to reach Livingston Center, I hallooed for light under difficulties. The old gentleman soon put me on the right trail again, saying that after crossing a ravine and again rising the bluff I would behold the light at the Center, which had so often guided the lost and weary traveler. I found it as he (P.32) had said. and soon beheld Livingston Center, in the person of that noble landlord and life-long hotel keeper, Amos Adams. One single frame building as a hotel, without a barn, together with three or four log houses, constituted Livingston Center. My horse was fastened to a small oak tree against which a log was lying, with troughs cut in the side to feed the grain. The only families, which I now recollect, then residing in Howell or vicinity, besides the Adams family, were Mr. McPherson, Watson G. Thomas, Mr. Sage and son, David Austin, Sardis Davis, Herman Bristol, and Moses Thompson. The single men were Lewis, Morris, and Edward Thompson, Mr. Crittenden, Mr. Frisbee, Ely Barnard, John Russle and Conrad Woll."

     Immediately after settling here in the spring of 1837, Mr. Gay hunted out the remnant of F. J. B. Crane's stock of goods from the attic of the Eagle Tavern, and with about $1,600 worth of goods from New York, opened the pioneer store of the village which maintained an existence for any great length of time. His store building was the second frame building in the town, being preceded only by the Eagle Tavern. At various times in its existence this building was used for a store, lawyer's office, post office, shoe shop, place for holding meetings, minister's residence and family residence, and in its earlier history it often did duty for two or three of these purposes at once.

     The old building, modeled over, was for years the (P.33) upright of a tenant house on Sybley St., owned by J. I. VanDeusen and some of the material is now part of the newly erected tenant house of W. W. Kenyon on the old site at the corner of Sybley and East streets occupied by Glen Brown and family.

     Probably the third frame building to be erected in Howell was the school house. This building was erected on a lot donated to the village by F. J. B. Crane, for that purpose. Some provisions were made for it in the previous year but as Moses Thompson's saw mill was soon to be set in motion, the building was left until lumber could be secured from that source. It was occupied early in the summer, probably some time in June, and Miss Abigal Adams, daughter of the landlord, was the first teacher in a regular school building. The building was never satisfactory to the district and numerous resolutions to build new ones are found upon the records. It was finally sold in 1848, and a room rented for school purposes for several years. This old building served as the frame part of the old Curtis foundry for some years. It has been occupied by Snedicor's poultry and egg business for several years past. The original site of the old building was about midway between Chris Schaffer's cement residence and Bernard Walker's barn.

     The friends of Howell as the county seat of the new county, felt that quite a victory had been achieved when Judge Fletcher held the first term of court here, (P.34) commencing November 8, 1837. It was held in the old school house which was used for that purpose for some time afterward, also for holding church services and other public meetings.

     Richard Fishbeck who came to Genoa with his family in 1835, moved to Howell the following year and opened the first shoe shop in the town. He continued in that business until his death in 1875. The business descended to his sons, S. G. and L. N. who are still conducting it under the firm name of Fishbeck Brothers, on the same site where their father started it in 1836. Mr. Fishbeck built the third frame dwelling house in Howell. It is still standing on Walnut street near the Ann Arbor depot. Their old furniture yet remains there just as Mrs. Fishbeck left it, probably the only case of that kind now in the county.

     James White, the first cabinet maker in Howell, also arrived in 1836.

     In the spring of 1837, Esq. Adams arranged to build a log barn for his Eagle Tavern, which was raised in May of that year. Samuel Waddell, father of the late Andrew D. Waddell, was injured during the raising of this barn, so that he died from the result of these injuries, on May 30, 1837, the first death in the township.

     The food of the pioneers in addition to what they raised on their farms, was largely venison and honey both of which could be had in abundance by hunting. Francis Monroe sr. used to laugh about how, in his (P.35) younger years, the pioneers used to flock to each other's houses to visit, if anyone had been to the outside world, that they might get a taste of salt pork, dried apples or other similar luxuries. Among the pioneer stories which C. G. Jewett remembers from his parents, is the fact that they brought with them when they came to Howell in 1837, a quantity of salt pork and that neighbors used to send in for a piece when anyone was sick and needed some little delicacy to tempt their appetite. Another early pioneer food was a flour made by grinding sweet acorns which had been gathered and dried, and it wasn't at all bad to eat either.

     With the organization of the state, county and township, each offered a bounty for killing wolves and several pioneers made that enterprise almost their entire business for a time, the $17 for the scalp of each, proving quite a fortune in those times. Prominent among these was Francis Monroe who earned quite a reputation in the winter of 1837, for a fight with a big black wolf which he had caught in his trap and in the killing of which he nearly lost his own life.

     The board of supervisors at its fall meeting in 1837 submitted a proposition to the county to borrow $1,000 to build a jail, but it was voted down as was a similar proposition in 1838, and prisoners from this county were confined at Ann Arbor.

     On the 14th of April 1838, Rev. Thomas Baker of Highland, met at the village school house with (P.36) Silas Dibble, Gardner Mason, Justin Durfee, Joseph A. Dibble, Sardis Davis, Sarah Field, Sarah Durfee, Lydia Austin and Hannah Austin all of whom held letters from or were members of Baptist churches in the east, and after religious services, they proceeded to plan for the organization of a Baptist church in Howell. Silas Dibble, Gardner Mason and Justin Durfee were appointed a committee to prepare Articles of Faith and Practice and Church Covenant. This committee reported at a meeting held in the same place May 12, their report being adopted, Rev. Thomas Baker, the founder of the church, was called to the pastorate at this meeting, a position which he filled until the close of the year when he was succeeded by Rev. E. Mosher. It was arranged to call a council of recognition which met at the school house, June 21. It was organized by the choice of Rev. E. Weaver as Moderator, and A. Kemis, Clerk. The records of this council show a representation of four churches by delegates; Highland, E. Lee, J. Tenny; Hartland, A. Lamb; Walled Lake, Rev. E. Weaver, J. Coe, N. Daniels; Kensington, Rev. A. P. Mather, D. Seely, E. Cole, A. N. Kemis.

     The church records show the following names received by letter on that date, and organized into a regular Baptist church: Silas Dibble, Aaron Sickles, Fanny Dibble, Hannah Austin, Joseph Dibble, Justin Durfee, Rachel Dibble, Lydia Austin, Daniel Case, Anna Dibble, Sarah Durfee, Laura Monroe. The (P.37) usual service of recognition was held on the same day. The sermon was preached by Rev. Weaver, from Psalms XXVI, 8. The address to the church and hand of fellowship were given by Rev. Lamb.

     During its first year eleven were added to the church membership by letter. At the close of the second year the membership numbered thirty-two. Of the nine who joined during that year, six were by letter and three by profession of faith. The first person received by baptism was Harriet M. Sickles who was baptized April 14, 1839. During that year the church was attached to the Michigan Association.

     Hon. Milo L. Gay described the organization of the Presbyterian church as follows: "My first recollections of attending meeting in the then new town date to a year and three months prior to the foundation of this church. In the spring of 1837, I remember following along after my father in a winding path which led through the woods from the farm known as the Reed farm, down to the Center, then winding northward by another path through the woods to the Thompson log house on the bank of the pond, where meetings were held once in four weeks, by Elder Post who came on horseback, I think from Plymouth. Also in a fortnight thereafter we followed another trail westward to the small log house of James Sage, situated on the identical spot where William McPherson jr's. house now stands. There I think we occasionally listened to a Methodist preacher; and the (P.38) particular impression there made upon my mind was the peculiar and quaint style of starting the tune by old Mr. Sage. who, although himself a Universalist, consented to act in the capacity of choirister, and also to accommodate the neighbors with a place in which to hold meetings. Another impression was in regard to the peculiar bent position required to be maintained by the taller persons when standing, to prevent their heads coming in contact with the crossbeams above.

     The sixteenth and seventeenth days of June, 1838, are still fresh in my memory, as they were memorable days in the history of the little hamlet then known as Livingston Center. Those days fell on Saturday and Sunday and the meetings were held in the loft of a one-and-a-half story building which my father had recently erected for a store. The floor of the room above was of rough boards and the ceiling was nothing but the roof-boards and shingles, in close proximity to the heads of the adults; and the rough tamarack rafters, with their knotty projections, were a constant reminder that all should humble themselves in the business in which they were about to engage."

     The main portion of the old building described by Mr. Gay, is now the upright of Mrs. Burbank's residence. Some of it's material is in W. W. Kenyon's tenant house, as stated elsewhere.

     The business of the meeting referred to by Mr. Gay, was the organization of the Presbyterian church by Rev. Henry Root. The following were the original (P.39) members: David H.. Austin, Josiah P. Jewett, Horace Griffith, Artemas Mahan, John T, Watson, George W. Jewett, Edward F. Gay, Price Morse, Andrew Riddle, William McPherson, Charles Clark, Lucretia Jewett, Catherine Griffith, Polly Ann Mahan, Hila Mahan, Julia Mahan, Sarah Mahan, Harriet L. Watson, Anise P. Jewett, Clarissa L. Gay, Elvira Morse, Elizabeth McPherson, Margaret Thompson, Matilda Clark, Mary Clark. Three ruling elders were elected who also held the office of deacon. They were as follows: For one year, George W. Jewett; for two years, John T. Watson; for three years, Edward F. Gay. The legal organization was effected on the 7th of July following. Meetings were held in the school house during t he following year.

     Garrett. S. Lake having worked at brick-making in New York, commenced the manufacture of brick near Fleming, in 1838, and it is from his yard that the brick in many of the oldest chimneys in town came. About this time Amos Adams ceased to be proprietor of the Eagle tavern, it having been sold. He formed a partnership with Joseph Porter and built a saw mill on the Shiawassee river on section 27. This site was afterwards used for a carding mill and cloth factory by Joseph M. Gilbert. Soon after starting his saw mill Mr. Adams built a hotel on the south side of the Grand River road, west of the river. This building was afterwards moved across the road and was torn down about twenty years ago. Among a large (P.40) collection of pioneer relics owned by Fishbeck Brothers, is the old dinner bell brought from New York and used by Mr. Adams at the Eagle tavern.

     The first horses, cattle, hogs and fowls came with the earliest pioneers but the first sheep were brought here in 1838, by Ira Brayton.

     The "wild cat banking" scheme of those early days affected Howell with the other towns of the young state. Messrs. Gay and Whipple enjoyed a very large trade. Money was plenty and everyone bought all they wanted. Sometime afterward, in describing these times, Mr. Gay said: "I found it easy to take $100 a day, but I was not so easily sure that the wild cat money would be worth one dollar the next morning and was quite sure it would not be when Lewis Thompson arrived with our weekly horseback mail." At one time Mr. Gay paid $40 to a hotel between here and Detroit. The amount of the bill in good money would have been $2.50. A proposition was made to organize a wildcat bank in Howell and the initiatory steps were taken but before it was perfected those institutions in other places began to crack and Howell therefore escaped.

     In the fall of 1836 William Riddle was taken very sick and lay apparently at the point of death, for some time. This led the settlers to think of a burying ground and land was given for the purpose by Alexander Fraser, John D. Pinckney and Moses Thompson. It was located near the south-east part of the lake. (P.41) Mr. Riddle recovered and the first burial there was that of Miss Davis, a sister of Mrs. Johnathan Austin. The site of this burying ground was never satisfactory to the people. After it had been used for some time it was abandoned and a new burying ground was laid out where the Ann Arbor railroad crosses Bernard street. The swing of the town to the east by the location of Court House square, sent the settlement clear around this burying ground. When it was filled a new one was secured on the bank of Thompson's lake.

     In moving from the first burying ground to the second, everyone did the work for their own friends. The ground was soon dug over in such a way that it was impossible to find several graves. The oldest daughters of Rev. and Mrs. A. L. Crittenden and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Fishbeck were among those which could never be located to transfer.

     The first lawyer Wellington A. Glover, settled in Howell  in 1838 and opened his office in the store of E. F. Gay. He was an ardent Whig and that fact no doubt injured his practice somewhat in this stronghold of Democracy, but it helped him to the office of postmaster to which he was appointed in 1841. In a few weeks after the lawyer came a doctor in the person of Dr. Gardner Wheeler who at once commenced the practice of his profession and continued to do so in this vicinity for more than twenty years, during which time he was generally respected by all who knew him. (P.42) His office which stood where the Sabin block now stands, was moved in later years and is now a part of the first house south of Parshall's mill. His residence which occupied the site of M. J. McPherson's home, was moved up the Byron road and is now owned by John Owen.

     The first land located in Howell township was the east halt of the south-west quarter of section 27, on May 20, 1833. It was where the Grand River road crosses the Shiawassee river. Amos Adams flowed this land when he erected his saw mill a little further down the stream, and considerable of it was in a mill pond for years.

     The old home of John D. Pinckney which was torn down to grade Library park, was built about this time and was one of the most pretentious houses in the village. It had a brick oven built in the side of the fireplace, a decided luxury which Mrs. Pinckney used to take great delight in loaning to her neighbors who had no such convenience, to use for their baking.

     When Mr. Pinckney's family were coming to Howell they were given some apples where they stopped at Ann Arbor. The seeds were planted and produced the old apple trees which were cut when the house was torn down. While not in this township, Wm. C. Rumsey's saw mill in Oceola, furnished so much of the lumber in Howell buildings that it should be noticed.

     There has been considerable change too in the (P.43) topography of the village. C. G. Jewett remembers sneaking around a pond for ducks, is, about where William Whitacre is now building a home, and many of the boys and girls of other days remember a favorite place to slide down hill a little ways this side of the P. M. depot which has all been graded away.

     In these early days pigeons were so thick that it was no fun to hunt them. A big tree which stands in Mrs. Dollie Butler's yard was one of their favorite haunts. If anyone wanted a mess of pigeons to eat they would go over there and shoot what they wanted and leave the rest.

     There are so many things of interest for this period of our history that we are loth to leave them. It would be wrong however for us to pass to a new period without a word of that sturdy class who settled here to create homes, the real foundation of any good civilization, but who, while backing every worthy enterprise, were more quiet in their way of doing things. Two representatives of this class will always be remembered for their honesty of purpose and solid worth. They were Rev. E. E. Gregory and William Smith.

     During previous years the scanty crops which the pioneers had been able to gather had only sufficed to keep them during the severest of privations. By the harvest of 1838 sufficient land had been put to crops to secure enough and to spare and the ingathering that season marked an advance of no little importance.